Chapter 28

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

In Pear Blossom Lane, Nanquan Lane, at the Chen family's small courtyard.

Chen Ping'an, bare-chested, rolled continuously in the pile of sand and gravel. The sharp, rough stones constantly stimulated his skin as they came into contact with his body.

The gravel shifted, and his qi and blood surged.

After a long while, a +1 experience symbol appeared in Chen Ping'an's vision.

"Success!"

Chen Ping'an smiled and stood up from the sand and gravel.

**Name:** Chen Ping'an 

**Realm:** Peak of the first level of Qi and Blood 

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

It had been six days since Zheng Shiyong's martial arts breakthrough was announced. Just two days after the announcement, his official duties were finalized.

Night shift duty at the Town Guard Office.

The Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office had a highly specialized division of labor. Common duties generally included patrolling, apprehending criminals, guarding, and clerical work.

The guarding duty was far superior to patrolling. As the name suggested, it involved staying within the Town Guard Office, overseeing the coordination and summarization of various tasks, and reporting directly to the shift leaders. Not only did it spare one from the daily patrols, but it also kept one sheltered from the wind and sun. Moreover, it provided frequent opportunities to interact with the shift leaders, making it a highly desirable position.

Not only the shift leaders but even the lofty Constable and Deputy Constable of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office could be seen regularly.

Even if one couldn't speak directly to them, being frequently seen by the Constable or Deputy Constable was a significant advantage.

Don't underestimate the importance of being remembered by the Constable. At critical moments, it could determine one's career prospects.

There was only one registered position, but several people met the merit and seniority requirements. How was the decision made?

It was ultimately up to the Constable.

Familiar faces and unfamiliar ones would naturally be treated differently.

This wasn't explicitly stated in the Town Guard Office's regulations, but it was an unwritten rule, understood by all.

The guarding duty was typically reserved for official constables. Even the few night shift guarding positions were given to temporary constables with extensive seniority and martial arts training.

Although Zheng Shiyong had achieved a martial arts breakthrough, his seniority was still shallow. By any measure, he shouldn't have been assigned this duty. If Constable Zheng hadn't pulled some strings behind the scenes, no one would believe it.

However, others were others. What happened to others had nothing to do with Chen Ping'an.

During these days, he had been eating meat daily to nourish his body. He practiced Iron Shirt without fail, tempering his body, refining his qi and blood, and accumulating experience.

Finally, this morning, he had accumulated enough experience points.

"Here we go!"

Chen Ping'an smiled, focused his mind, and tapped on the faint plus sign next to Iron Shirt.

Whoosh~

On the panel, the 40 experience points instantly swirled, transforming into specks of starlight that flowed toward his brow.

As the starlight entered his brow, a familiar sensation washed over him.

Information about Iron Shirt practice, insights, combat experience, and reflections flooded his mind.

This information wasn't rigidly imposed but was assimilated through a mysterious process, allowing Chen Ping'an to continuously understand and digest it. As the starlight entered his body, these things were no longer external but became his own accumulated experience, gained through relentless daily practice.

Iron Shirt, Major Achievement! Skin as tough as cowhide, capable of withstanding ordinary blades.

Although injuries would still occur, they would be minimized.

A martial artist of average talent would need over a decade of relentless practice to reach this level!

Not only had Iron Shirt reached major achievement, but Chen Ping'an's qi and blood had also been guided to a new level.

Second level of Qi and Blood, Muscle Refinement!

The first level of Qi and Blood was for refining the skin. The second level was for refining the muscles.

With the second level of Qi and Blood and major achievement in Iron Shirt, Chen Ping'an could now single-handedly take on five or six armed adult men.

If he adopted a more aggressive, injury-for-lethality approach, he could even handle seven or eight armed men.

Of course, if he fought like that, his own outcome wouldn't be great either!

After all, Iron Shirt, though a hard external skill, was only a lower-tier martial art. It couldn't truly make him immune to blades.

Now, if Chen Ping'an revealed his strength, he would be a notable figure even among the various gangs in Nanquan Lane. Even within the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office, among the official constables, his strength would rank in the top ten.

Young and vigorous, with robust qi and blood, he was far superior to the older, declining official constables.

Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered as he focused on the panel before him.

**Name:** Chen Ping'an 

**Realm:** Second level of Qi and Blood 

**Martial Arts:** Iron Shirt, Major Achievement (0/100) 

"Second level of Qi and Blood!"

Chen Ping'an felt a surge of excitement. This meant he had stepped onto a new level.

"After major achievement comes perfection. Does it take 100 experience points to reach perfection in Iron Shirt?"

Chen Ping'an pondered.

However, since he still had to report for duty soon, he didn't dwell on it. Now, having just broken through, he was in peak condition and could practice Iron Shirt twice more.

Knowing that he would accumulate enough experience today, he had risen earlier than usual, leaving himself ample time.

He rolled back into the sand and gravel, continuing to practice Iron Shirt.

After reaching major achievement, the stimulation from the sand and gravel on his skin had diminished.

"It seems I need to switch to stones."

Chen Ping'an thought as he practiced.

In his vision, two +1 experience symbols appeared in succession. But Chen Ping'an realized he could still continue practicing.

"Should I keep going?"

Chen Ping'an hesitated.

He had risen early, leaving himself plenty of time. But if he continued practicing, time would become tight.

"Keep going!"

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Ping'an made up his mind.

"Time waits for no one. Not a single moment can be wasted. Again!"

When the +1 experience symbol appeared once more, Chen Ping'an quickly wiped himself down, threw on his clothes, and called out to Chen Erya before rushing out the gate.

He had practiced longer than usual this morning, and it was almost time to report for duty. He had no choice but to run.

Although he was running late, Chen Ping'an's mood was excellent.

With Iron Shirt at major achievement, he could now comfortably gain 3 experience points in one session. Even if he couldn't push for 4 points at night, he could still accumulate 6 points in a day.

At this rate, perfection in Iron Shirt was within reach!

With this in mind, Chen Ping'an hurried to the Town Guard Office gate. Checking the time, he realized he wasn't late after all.

Chen Ping'an let out a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to step through the Town Guard Office gate, a deep voice called out from behind him.

"Rushing around like that—what kind of behavior is this?"

Hearing this, Chen Ping'an's expression froze.