Chapter 45

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

The sound of stones hitting the wall echoed continuously in the small courtyard. 

Chen Ping'an stood inside the house, repeatedly throwing Locust Stones. It had been two full days since he first mastered the Locust Stone technique, and today was the third day. 

+1! 

As a familiar experience symbol flashed before his eyes, Chen Ping'an stopped his morning practice. 

With a slight movement of his gaze, a panel appeared in front of him. 

Name: Chen Ping'an 

Realm: Peak of the second level of Qi and Blood 

Martial Arts: Iron Shirt (Mastered), Locust Stone (Beginner, 12/15) 

"Just 3 more experience points! By tonight, the Locust Stone technique will reach the small achievement level!" 

Chen Ping'an was excited. 

Based on his calculations, once the Locust Stone technique reached the small achievement level, the surge of Qi and Blood in his body would be enough to push his realm to the third level of Qi and Blood. 

The third level of Qi and Blood! 

If he could successfully reach this realm, he would be considered a notable figure in the vast Nanquan Lane. 

In smaller gangs in Nanquan Lane, the deputy leader was usually only at the third level of Qi and Blood. 

Even in more powerful gangs like the Tiger Head Gang, reaching the third level of Qi and Blood would be enough to become a high-ranking member. 

The Tiger Head Gang had a strong reputation, with the gang leader, Tiger Lord, and his deputy, Qing Lord, both being formidable figures. There were also three famous guardians and seven key leaders who formed the backbone of the gang, supported by over a hundred fierce gang members. 

Among the three guardians of the Tiger Head Gang, Little Tiger Lord was the weakest. As the adopted son of the gang leader, Tiger Lord, he was a key figure being groomed by the gang. While he was at the peak of the second level of Qi and Blood, the other two guardians were both at the third level. 

According to information from the Nanquan Lane Town Guard, the deputy leader of the Tiger Head Gang, Qing Lord, was suspected to be at the peak of the third level of Qi and Blood. As for the gang leader, Tiger Lord, he had once been a martial expert at the fourth level of Qi and Blood. However, in recent years, due to aging and declining strength, his power was no longer at its peak, though he was still slightly stronger than an average peak third-level expert. 

"The third level of Qi and Blood would make the Tiger Head Gang take notice! Unfortunately, my strength can't be revealed openly. I still need to keep it hidden." 

Chen Ping'an's heart burned with ambition. If the third level of Qi and Blood could make the Tiger Head Gang take notice, what about the fourth level? 

Wouldn't that make the Tiger Head Gang go out of their way to curry favor with him!? 

Filled with hope for the future, Chen Ping'an finished breakfast with Chen Erya and headed to the Nanquan Lane Town Guard for his shift. 

The Nanquan Lane Town Guard was the same as always. There was a pre-shift meeting, a speech from the squad leader, and then they were assigned areas to patrol. 

Dressed in their official uniforms, the group walked through the streets with an air of authority. 

With Houzi and Dashan's banter and chatter, Chen Ping'an's day passed without a hint of boredom. 

After his shift, Chen Ping'an hurried straight home. 

"I wonder what Erya cooked today?" 

On his way home, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but wonder. 

After a full afternoon of work, he was already starving. As he turned a corner, he caught sight of his courtyard gate wide open. 

Huh!? 

Chen Ping'an's pupils contracted sharply. 

There were people in the courtyard! Several of them! Who were they? 

Chen Ping'an's expression darkened, and he quickened his pace, running toward his home. 

"Little girl, don't be unreasonable! If you don't hand it over, don't blame me for being rude!" 

The speaker was Six, a trusted subordinate of Little Tiger Lord from the Tiger Head Gang. His face was fierce as he glared at the little girl not far away. Behind him stood two thuggish followers, their expressions equally menacing. 

"Auntie next door said the Tiger Head Gang's monthly fee is based on the number of people in the household. Adult men pay one tael of silver, adult women pay half a tael, and the elderly and children pay twenty small coins. There are only my brother and me in the house, so we should only pay one hundred and twenty small coins a month. Why do we have to pay two taels of silver?" 

Chen Erya's face showed a hint of fear, but her gaze remained stubborn as she stared at the men in front of her, clutching a small black pouch tightly in her hand. 

"The Tiger Head Gang's rules have never changed! We never collect less than two taels of silver per household! There are only two of you in this house. Do you expect me, Six, to cover the rest for you!? Tell me, are you going to pay or not!?" 

Six stepped closer to Chen Erya. 

"We won't pay two taels of silver!" 

The little girl stood her ground. 

"Fine, you won't pay, huh!?" 

Six turned and lifted the table, slamming it to the ground. 

The table had been filled with dishes, and his action sent bowls, chopsticks, and food scattering everywhere, creating a mess. 

Looking at the chaos in the courtyard, Six felt a sense of satisfaction. 

"No one gets away without paying the Tiger Head Gang's monthly fee!" 

With that, he reached out to snatch the black pouch from Chen Erya's hand. To his surprise, the little girl, who looked so frail, held on tightly. His first attempt failed, and he only managed to pull her slightly toward him. 

Angered, he exerted more force, shoving Chen Erya to the ground. The black pouch fell into his hands. 

Six, being a martial novice, had considerable strength. Chen Erya fell to the ground, her arm scraping against an uneven stone, breaking the skin and drawing blood. 

But the little girl ignored the pain. She looked at Six and shouted, "Give me back the silver!" 

"Stubborn little girl, huh? Hahaha, interesting," the two followers laughed. 

"Interesting," Six sneered. "You'd rather die than give up the money, huh?" 

He stepped forward, grabbing Chen Erya by the collar, ready to beat her to vent his anger. Just then, an angry shout came from outside the courtyard. 

"Let her go!" 

Chen Ping'an moved incredibly fast, rushing into the courtyard, bypassing the two thuggish followers, and grabbing Six's arm. 

"Let go!" 

The latest chapter is first released on 69shu! 

Chen Ping'an's gaze was icy as he stared at Six. 

"Brother~" 

Chen Erya seemed to have found her pillar of support. 

"Erya, don't be afraid," Chen Ping'an comforted her, but the coldness in his eyes didn't waver. He glared at Six, his voice like frost. 

"Article 178 of the Great Qian Code: Those who break into homes and commit violence shall be caned thirty times and imprisoned for five years!" 

"If injuries or deaths occur, the perpetrator shall be caned one hundred times and imprisoned for twenty years!" 

Chen Ping'an's voice rang in Six's ears. 

"Chen Ping'an, you're using the Great Qian Code to threaten me!?" 

Six raised his voice, trying to intimidate Chen Ping'an with his presence. 

"If irreparable harm is caused..." 

Chen Ping'an ignored Six, speaking each word deliberately. 

"The perpetrator shall be caned to death!" 

"Caned to death!? Ridiculous! The Tiger Head Gang is just collecting the monthly fee. How does that warrant a caning to death!? Me!? Based on what?" 

"Based on the Great Qian Code! Based on the Town Guard!" 

Chen Ping'an stared intently at Six. It had to be said that Chen Ping'an exuded a certain aura at this moment, and Six couldn't help but feel uneasy under his gaze. 

"The Town Guard! The Town Guard! What are you, a temporary constable, to threaten me with the Town Guard?" 

"Don't believe me? Go ahead and try." 

Chen Ping'an's tone was calm. 

Looking at Chen Ping'an's expressionless face, Six seemed to think of something and released his grip on Chen Erya's clothes. 

"Get lost! I don't have time for this!" 

He glanced at the black pouch in his hand and then at the mess around him. 

"You're lucky today! Let's go!" 

"Six?" 

The two followers were confused. They had expected to teach this kid a lesson, but now Six was leaving. 

"Let's go." 

Six's face was dark as he walked out of Chen Ping'an's courtyard. 

Seeing this, the two followers hurried after him. Before leaving, one of them, a thug with a buzz cut, gave Chen Ping'an a fierce glare.