"Nannan, I’m home."

As Chen Ping’an pushed open the door to his home, he was greeted by the rich aroma of cooking.

"Brother, you’re back!"

Chen Erya poked her head out of the kitchen window. The little girl was in the middle of cooking.

"Yes, I’m back. Nannan, Brother brought you a gift!" Chen Ping’an said with a smile as he walked into the courtyard.

"Ah! A gift!" The little girl’s spirits lifted at once. If she weren’t cooking, she would have dashed out immediately to see what it was.

"Hehe, Nannan will find out in a bit," Chen Ping’an said, keeping her in suspense.

This made the little girl anxious. Forcing herself to contain her curiosity until she finished cooking, she then darted out in a flash.

"Brother, what is it? What’s the gift?"

The little girl stared at him with eager eyes.

Under Chen Erya’s expectant gaze, Chen Ping’an pulled several booklets from his robes.

"It’s books!" The little girl’s eyes lit up.

Watching Chen Erya excitedly take the booklets, Chen Ping’an said with a smile, "I was on duty today and happened to pass a bookshop. I remembered you saying you wanted to learn to read and write, so Brother picked up a few for you on the way home. You can read them when you’re at home to pass the time!"

"Mhm, mhm." The little girl nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, her attention completely fixed on the booklets in her hands.

Seeing Chen Erya’s excitement, Chen Ping’an was happy too. These booklets were perfect for a child’s first lessons. Since Chen Erya already had a basic foundation in reading, it shouldn’t be too difficult for her.

’It must be hard on the little girl,’ he thought. ’When I’m not home, I don’t even know how she gets through the day!’

After all, in this day and age, there weren’t many little things to pass the time.

Perhaps the children of wealthy families had them, but for the children of common folk, the only amusement was probably playing with their peers.

But Chen Erya was more mature than others her age and didn’t really fit in with the neighborhood kids.

Chen Erya flipped through the booklets as if she had found a supreme treasure, showing no sign of stopping for a long while.

"Nannan, that’s enough, that’s enough. Let’s eat first! You can read after we eat!" Chen Ping’an said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Chen Erya carefully put the booklets away. She tiptoed into the house and stored them safely.

"Brother, thank you! I love this gift." Chen Erya’s eyes were sparkling.

"I’m glad you like it! When you finish them, tell Brother, and I’ll buy you new ones!"

Seeing the little girl’s expression, Chen Ping’an felt a deep sense of satisfaction. ’I should have thought of buying booklets for her sooner.’

With his current Monthly Allowance as an official constable, the cost of buying booklets wasn’t a strain.

"Wow! Brother, you’re the best!" The little girl threw herself into Chen Ping’an’s arms.

Chen Ping’an stroked the little girl’s head, his heart filled with contentment.

’Nannan, just give Brother a little more time. When the time comes, I’ll hire a famous teacher to teach you how to read!’

...

Morning sunlight gradually spilled across the land, illuminating every corner of Pear Blossom Lane. Bathed in its gentle glow, all things welcomed a new day.

HUFF! HUFF! HUFF!

In the small courtyard, Chen Ping’an was bare-chested, practicing the Public Door Thirteen Sabers with the large saber issued by the Town Patrol Office. Sweat streamed down his skin. His frame looked somewhat thin, but every Saber Momentum was filled with a sense of power.

His Saber Skill was sharp and fierce, stirring up gusts of wind!

+1!

An experience symbol floated past Chen Ping’an’s vision.

"It’s done!"

Overjoyed, Chen Ping’an retracted his saber and stood still.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Three Realms Perfection

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Great Success in Flying Locust Stone (11/100), Public Door Thirteen Sabers (Entry Level) (15/15)

...

"Break through!"

Chen Ping’an closed his eyes, his mind focused, and mentally pressed the faint plus sign that appeared after "Public Door Thirteen Sabers."

WHOOSH~

Points of starlight flowed into the space between his eyebrows, and a massive, complex stream of information flooded his mind. It was all about the application of the Public Door Thirteen Sabers: horizontal slashes, vertical chops, upward cuts, and downward strikes. It included how to chain and adapt the Saber Skill in real combat scenarios and the clever uses of its many moves.

Instance after instance, battle after battle, it all felt as if Chen Ping’an had personally experienced it.

The Public Door Thirteen Sabers, a skill that took an ordinary constable several years, or even over a decade, to reach Minor Achievement, was a skill Chen Ping’an had now effortlessly brought to that level in an instant.

With his Saber Skill reaching Minor Achievement, the Golden Finger Panel caused Qi Blood to be generated within Chen Ping’an’s body. The Qi Blood surged, flowing through his major tendons and beginning to force its way into his bones.

A long while later, Chen Ping’an slowly opened his eyes.

Qi Blood Fourth Layer, the Bone Forging Realm—he had made it!

From this moment on, Chen Ping’an’s bones were like iron, and the sweep of his arms was like the edge of a blade. He felt an immense power coursing through his entire body. He had a faint feeling that if he threw a punch, he could probably blast a large hole through the courtyard wall in front of him.

’So this is the power of the Qi Blood Fourth Layer!’

Chen Ping’an quietly took in the feeling.

Stepping into the Qi Blood Fourth Layer meant his Martial Arts Realm was now no less than that of Constable Zheng. Across all of Nanquan Lane, he was now one of the top figures!

Even Master Hu, the Gang Leader of the Tiger Head Gang, was only at the Qi Blood Fourth Layer of the Martial Arts Realm. Moreover, Master Hu was old and his strength was failing; if they were to truly fight, he would be no match for Chen Ping’an.

After all, Chen Ping’an’s accumulation of Martial Arts had come from diligent, arduous training and numerous real battles!

With his current Martial Arts Realm, the only two people in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office who could definitively overpower him were Inspector Shen Shikang and Vice Inspector Tian Fuliang. Outside the Town Patrol Office, no one from the likes of the Iron Bull Gang, the Wild Wolf Gang, or the Flying Sand Gang would be his match in a one-on-one fight!

It could be said without a doubt that by possessing a Martial Arts Realm of the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, Chen Ping’an had truly entered the upper echelon of Nanquan Lane!

’Of course, that’s only within Nanquan Lane!’

If he were to step outside Nanquan Lane, Chen Ping’an’s Martial Arts Realm would still be lacking.

The South District administered over a dozen lanes. Including the South City Lane where the South District’s main offices were located, martial arts experts at the Qi Blood Fourth Layer were not common, but they were by no means rare!

And that was just the South District. In the Outer City of Weishui County City, his strength would be even less impressive!

’I can’t get careless! I must be cautious and careful in all things!’

’Hide half your blade, and show the other half. And of the half you show, still hold something back. That is the path to safety!’

...

Recalling the encounter with several masters from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect during that night patrol, Chen Ping’an compared himself to them, and his excitement gradually subsided.

’I’m still a long way from being a true Martial Arts Master!’

’However...’

’Bone Forging! Refining the Organs! Blood Exchange!...’

’I will overcome these gaps one step at a time. Sooner or later, I will completely surpass them!’

"Continue!"

His mind now calm, Chen Ping’an picked up his large saber and resumed his practice.

Having just broken through to the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, he felt an inexhaustible supply of energy flowing through him.