Chapter 21

With a barely audible sound, a dark figure flipped down from the courtyard wall.

Chen Erya, who had been observing the yard through the window, was startled by the shadow.

"Who is it?"

The little girl's heart leaped to her throat.

In the dead of night, with her brother not at home, she was just a young girl. If a thief had come, what could she do?

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through her mind.

Just as she was about to hide, hoping to buy some time, she saw the face of the shadow clearly under the bright moonlight.

"Brother!"

The little girl cried out in delight.

"It's so late, the little one should be asleep," thought Chen Ping'an in the yard. Children, whose bodies are still developing, tend to sleep more than adults, and he didn't plan to wake her. But just as he took a few steps, he heard a cry of joy.

It was the voice of his little sister, Chen Erya.

A small figure rushed out of the room and threw herself into his arms.

"Erya, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I was waiting for you to come back, brother."

The little girl buried her head in Chen Ping'an's chest, her voice muffled.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Ping'an sensed something was off with her mood.

"I was so scared just now. When you climbed over the wall, I thought it was a thief."

Chen Erya looked up at him with clear eyes.

Seeing the pitiful look on Chen Erya's face, Chen Ping'an's heart melted.

"Erya, I didn't think it through," Chen Ping'an apologized.

He could hardly imagine what the little girl had gone through, thinking a thief had come.

"It's okay, it's not your fault, brother."

The little girl clung to Chen Ping'an, unwilling to let go.

Since Old Chen had passed away, it had just been the two of them, brother and sister, relying on each other.

Chen Ping'an placed his hand on Chen Erya's head and remained silent for a long time.

"Erya, don't worry. I'll do everything I can to give you the best."

"Brother, did everything go well?"

"Yes, it went smoothly. Don't worry, just sleep. I'm here."

"Okay."

With Chen Ping'an back, Chen Erya's heart finally relaxed. After chatting with her for a while, Chen Ping'an watched as the little girl fell into a deep sleep. It was clear she was extremely tired.

Though Chen Erya was sound asleep, Chen Ping'an still had things to do.

After reaching the minor achievement level in Iron Shirt, his condition had fully recovered. He still had one more Iron Shirt practice session to complete.

Walking into the small yard, Chen Ping'an removed his upper garments and began to grind and temper his body.

After reaching the minor achievement level in Iron Shirt, he no longer needed to bind himself with tight clothing. Each time he rubbed and tempered his body, he did so directly on his skin.

However, now that his skin was as tough as thin cowhide, the effect of simply using his hands to grind and temper was somewhat diminished compared to before.

Still, after half an hour, the familiar +1 experience value appeared once again.

Name: Chen Ping'an

Realm: First Level of Qi and Blood, Peak

Martial Arts: Iron Shirt, Minor Achievement (1/40)

After completing one session, Chen Ping'an realized he hadn't reached his limit yet. In the past, after grinding, his skin would turn red, but now it showed little change.

"Could it be..."

A hint of excitement appeared on Chen Ping'an's face.

"Again!"

With that, he continued to grind and temper his body, practicing Iron Shirt once more.

Another half an hour passed, and the +1 experience value appeared again, increasing the experience value on the panel from 1 to 2.

After practicing twice in a row, Chen Ping'an finally felt his entire body heating up, his skin burning.

"It seems that after reaching the minor achievement level in Iron Shirt, I can now endure two practice sessions in a row. This means I can gain 4 experience points a day, morning and night. That's double the speed!"

Chen Ping'an's face was filled with joy.

"To reach the major achievement level in Iron Shirt, I need 40 experience points. Originally, it would have taken twenty days, but now it will only take ten."

"Ten days..."

"Also, according to the manual, after reaching the minor achievement level in Iron Shirt, I can move on to the next stage of practice. Rolling in sand and gravel to temper my body, polish my skin, and connect my qi and blood."

"Tomorrow, I'll get some sand and gravel to see if the new stage of practice can give me more experience."

"..."

The doubled efficiency in gaining experience points filled Chen Ping'an with excitement. It meant that the door to higher realms of martial arts was slowly opening to him.

After a quick wipe-down, Chen Ping'an fell asleep in his excitement.

As his physical condition improved and his qi and blood became more abundant, he could fall into a deep sleep within moments of feeling drowsy.

Most importantly, even in sleep, he maintained a certain level of alertness.

Early the next morning, Chen Ping'an began his usual Iron Shirt practice. Normally, after one session, he would rush to the town guard office for duty, with little time to spare.

However, today was a rest day, so there was no rush.

After completing two Iron Shirt practice sessions, the experience value on the panel increased from 2 to 4, and Chen Ping'an headed out.

The new stage of Iron Shirt practice required sand and gravel, so he needed to get some.

Sand and gravel were plentiful in many places outside the city. A few rounds of sifting would make them usable.

However, fetching sand and gravel from outside the city would be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Not knowing when Little Tiger would arrive, Chen Ping'an decided to simply buy some.

Coincidentally, Uncle Zhang, who lived west of Pear Blossom Lane, worked as a sand carrier. He likely had plenty of sand and gravel at home.

Knock, knock, knock!

Chen Ping'an knocked on Uncle Zhang's door.

After a moment, the door opened, revealing a small child.

"Who are you looking for?"

The child was young, probably around four or five years old, with a round head that looked quite endearing.

"Is Auntie Zhang home?"

Chen Ping'an asked with a smile.

"Grandma? She's here."

The child spoke in a soft, childish voice and stepped aside.

"Who is it?"

A voice came from inside the house.

A sturdy-looking old woman emerged from the inner room and saw Chen Ping'an, who was about to step inside.

"Oh, it's you, young Chen."

Among the families in Pear Blossom Lane, Uncle Zhang's household was relatively well-off.

His son and daughter-in-law were hardworking, working in the kitchen of a city restaurant, which was a stable job.

Uncle Zhang himself worked as a sand carrier, earning a modest income. Auntie Zhang did some needlework at home to supplement the family's income.

The whole family worked together, and their life was quite prosperous.