Chapter 39

Chen Ping'an left the shift leader's office with an expressionless face. From the very beginning, he had known how this matter would end. Still, he had gone to see Shift Leader Zheng. 

Now, he was completely certain. 

Shift Leader Zheng was also involved in this matter. Without his protection, it wouldn't have been so easy for them to steal his credit. 

And there was another thing... 

His biggest weakness was that, on the surface, he was just an ordinary person with no martial arts training! 

While martial arts techniques could be explained away with some clever reasoning, without the necessary training process and medicinal resources, he couldn't reveal his martial arts cultivation. Without being able to show his cultivation, he couldn't prove that he had killed Patchy Fish. 

He was undoubtedly caught in a vicious cycle! 

"Ping'an, congratulations! You pulled off such a big thing without making a sound. Tell me, what exactly happened last night?" 

When Chen Ping'an reached the entrance of the Town Guard Office, Houzi and Dashan were already waiting for him. As soon as they met, Houzi lightly punched him in the chest. 

"Ouch!" 

Chen Ping'an winced in pain. 

"Ping'an, you're joking, right? I didn't even use any force." 

Houzi was startled. 

"No! I just happen to have an injury here," Chen Ping'an lifted his shirt, revealing the bruised and bloodied chest. 

"What happened?" Houzi asked with concern. The injury didn't look minor. 

"It's because of the Patchy Fish incident! Let's talk while we walk." 

"Alright." 

As they walked out of the Town Guard Office, Chen Ping'an recounted the events of the previous night to Houzi and Dashan. 

However, he didn't mention that he had killed Patchy Fish. Instead, he followed the narrative Shift Leader Zheng had announced, briefly explaining how he had discovered the leads. He ended by mentioning that he had been kicked in the process. 

Houzi was a loyal friend, and Chen Ping'an was afraid that if he told the truth, Houzi, being impulsive, might try to stand up for him. That could lead to trouble without solving anything and might even drag Houzi into the mess. 

During their patrol, Houzi and Dashan were in high spirits. Chen Ping'an had reported the leads, earning him a reward of five taels of silver and a minor merit. They were genuinely happy for him and even jokingly demanded that he treat them to a meal. 

"Alright, once the reward comes through, I'll definitely treat you," Chen Ping'an agreed readily. 

He cherished these two companions. 

The entire day was filled with joy, and even the anger in Chen Ping'an's heart subsided a little. 

But... 

This matter wasn't over yet! 

---

When Chen Ping'an returned home, Chen Erya was cooking dumplings. She had made a large pot of them. 

"Brother~ You're back~ We're having dumplings tonight!" 

Chen Erya smiled, revealing her little tiger teeth. 

"Great, dumplings are great!" 

Chen Ping'an's face lit up with a smile. All the fatigue of the day seemed to melt away at this moment. 

Watching Chen Erya bustling around in the kitchen, Chen Ping'an suddenly changed his mind. 

Perhaps his thoughts during the day had been too radical! The risks were too great! If he were exposed, the consequences would be unbearable! 

At least for now, he couldn't afford it! 

If it were just him, it might be different. But he had his sister to think about. 

During the day, Chen Ping'an's thoughts had been simple. 

He wanted to kill them! 

Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong had dared to steal his credit? They deserved to die! Tonight, he would show them what it meant to mess with the wrong person! 

But... 

His daytime thoughts had been too impulsive! 

Zheng Shiyong aside, Tan Huacong was an official constable of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office. If he died, it wouldn't just be a disappearance. There would definitely be a specialized investigation. 

The investigators wouldn't be amateurs. They would be professional law enforcement officers. 

Once they started investigating, they would inevitably look into him. The risks were enormous! 

Looking at Chen Erya, Chen Ping'an hesitated. 

Perhaps... 

Sometimes, we have to endure some grievances! When you feel like losing control and lashing out, think about the people who care about you. 

When your strength isn't enough, learn to endure and be patient with time! 

One day, you'll rise above it all and return every bit of grievance, intact! 

"Brother, dinner's ready~" 

Chen Erya cheerfully brought out a large plate of dumplings. 

"Erya, you're amazing!" Chen Ping'an smiled and quickly went to help. 

Chen Ping'an had a big appetite, and most of the dumplings Chen Erya had cooked ended up in his stomach. 

After dinner, Chen Ping'an warmed up and began his Iron Shirt practice for the night. 

However, as soon as he took off his shirt, Chen Erya noticed the bruise on his chest. 

"Brother, what happened to your chest?" 

In the morning, Chen Erya had been busy with breakfast and hadn't noticed the injury on Chen Ping'an's chest. Now that she saw it, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken. 

"It's nothing. I got hurt during a sparring match at noon," Chen Ping'an lied casually, not wanting his sister to worry too much. 

He stripped to the waist and stepped into the pile of stones, beginning to roll around inside. 

As he rolled, the events of the day flashed through his mind. 

Hmm! 

He had the golden finger panel. Time was on his side. Compared to most people who had no hope, his future was full of promise. He was destined to shine brightly! He couldn't foolishly risk his life for revenge while he was still weak. 

Revenge was important, but his life was even more so! 

Right now, he was only at the second level of Qi and Blood, the muscle-refining stage! If he reached the third level, tendon refinement! The fourth level, bone tempering! And beyond! 

These things would be trivial! A mere official constable position would be insignificant! 

Chen Ping'an continued practicing Iron Shirt. 

As the saying goes, endure for a moment, and the storm will pass. Take a step back... 

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got! 

Chen Ping'an slammed his fist heavily into the stones. 

Damn it... 

A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years! 

I'm not a gentleman. At most, I'll wait two months. I will have my revenge! 

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

Chen Ping'an rolled around in the pile of stones, slapping them as he went. 

As time passed, experience symbols flashed before his eyes. 

**Name:** Chen Ping'an 

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

**Martial Arts:** Iron Shirt, Major Achievement (20/100) 

Chen Ping'an climbed out of the pile of stones. Whether it was because he had made a vow or because he had vented his frustrations, his mood actually felt somewhat lighter. 

"Martial arts cultivation is called cultivation because it's not just about training the body but also cultivating the mind! Strength without a strong mind is ultimately empty! This is just a small bump on the road. Looking back in the future, it won't even matter!" 

"On the path of martial arts, there will be countless twists and turns. If every little setback affects my mindset, then I'm just not cut out for this!" 

"A martial artist must have the courage and wisdom to remain calm in the face of glory or disgrace, as well as the decisiveness and determination to forge ahead. Today's incident, I'll remember it. But in at most two months, there will be a reckoning! Only then can I truly be at ease, free to act as I wish!" 

"..." 

With his mind clear and his thoughts aligned, Chen Ping'an felt as if his mental state had been elevated. 

That night, Chen Ping'an slept exceptionally well.