After successfully practicing his Iron Cloth Shirt and gaining a bit more experience, Chen Ping'an had wanted to press on and continue his training.
However, the sensations in his body told him he couldn't continue.
He had a day off, but he had to report for duty tomorrow. That would require a considerable amount of energy and effort. After some thought, Chen Ping'an decided to stop for the day and continue tomorrow.
After tidying up the undergarments he used for practice, Chen Ping'an gave himself a quick wash and prepared to get into bed.
Chen Erya had already washed up early and was waiting for him on the bed.
In an ordinary family with limited space, there weren't so many proprieties between brother and sister. Chen Ping'an and Chen Erya had slept on the same bed platform since they were children.
Of course, their bedding was laid out separately.
"Brother, are you done with your martial arts practice?"
Chen Erya said excitedly.
"Yeah."
Chen Ping'an replied, then got onto the bed and slipped into his bedding, which Chen Erya had laid out for him in advance.
"Nannan, I have to report for duty tomorrow. When you're home alone, don't just make do for lunch; make sure you eat something good. We still have plenty of the eggs we bought today, so feel free to eat them tomorrow. And the leftover beef—you don't need to save it for me. Eat it all."
Chen Ping'an instructed, knowing Chen Erya's personality all too well.
"We have to repay the owed silver in ten days. You're supporting the family all by yourself, Brother. The pressure is already immense. If I really ate like you said, how would we ever make ends meet?"
The need to repay Young Master Xiao Hu fourteen taels of silver, principal and interest, in ten days had undoubtedly become Chen Erya's greatest worry.
"Nannan, eat without worry. The family can afford this. As for the money, I already have a plan."
Chen Ping'an said reassuringly.
In the moonlight, Chen Erya looked at Chen Ping'an with an expression of disbelief.
"It's true! I'm not lying. How could I possibly joke with you about something like this!"
Half-lying down, Chen Ping'an reached out and patted Chen Erya's head.
In truth, he did have a few ideas on how to gather the remaining silver. However, putting those ideas into action would involve some risk.
'There are still ten days. No need to rush. I'll wait until my Iron Cloth Shirt Cultivation shows some real results before making a move!'
"Really?"
"Really!"
"I knew you'd have a plan, Brother."
Chen Erya's face lit up with a smile.
"Right, and tomorrow, don't worry about the money. Go buy some pork leg, and then…"
Chen Ping'an rambled on.
The siblings talked for a long time until Chen Erya finally grew sleepy and gradually drifted off.
Moonlight spilled into the room, illuminating the peaceful and serene expression on Chen Erya's face. Her breathing was steady and even, as if she were sleeping in her mother's arms. It was the feeling of having someone to rely on, the embrace of a home. It was the feeling that someone would always be standing by her side, facing the world's troubles together with her.
'The wooden door bar was kicked in and broken today. When I'm on duty tomorrow, I'll see if I can find a suitable replacement. Using a piece of firewood to brace the door is just too flimsy.'
'Hmm... I think Uncle Pan down the lane still owes our family half a tael of silver. It's been a while. I should find some time to collect it.'
'Now that I've started martial Cultivation, our household expenses for food and necessities are much higher than they used to be.'
'Also... Young Master Xiao Hu agreed to give me a ten-day extension to repay the silver. But I can't let my guard down in case he changes his mind. The chances are slim, but it's a possibility I can't rule out. I need to prepare a contingency plan.'
'And another thing—I deliberately showed some hesitation today for Young Master Xiao Hu to see. Unlike a common thug, he may look brutish, but he's actually quite shrewd. Otherwise, Master Hu wouldn't value him so highly and groom him as a successor.'
'I can show a bit of courage, but not too much. That trace of hesitation was probably just right. Any less would have made me seem too cunning; any more would have made me look weak and invited bullying...'
In the moonlight, on the bed, Chen Ping'an meticulously went over his plans.
...
Early the next morning, after a bowl of congee, Chen Ping'an went to the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office to report for roll call. Although he was an unregistered constable, he still had to abide by the same regulations as the official constables. In fact, enforcement of some rules was even stricter for them.
When Chen Ping'an arrived at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, many other constables were already there. The way they stood was telling; they were clustered in twos and threes or groups of five and six, their respective factions obvious at a glance.
However, none of this had much to do with Chen Ping'an. His relationships at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office were neither good nor bad; no one went out of their way to befriend him, but no one deliberately caused him trouble either.
After greeting the few people he knew, Chen Ping'an found a corner to wait quietly.
"Ping'an, you're a bit later than usual today. You're normally here before me."
A skinny young man with the clever look of a monkey walked toward Chen Ping'an.
"Monkey Head. I went to bed a bit late yesterday, so I slept in a little this morning."
A smile appeared on Chen Ping'an's face as he saw the newcomer.
The newcomer's name was Hou Fugui, nicknamed Monkey Head. He was one of the few people at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office that Chen Ping'an was on good terms with.
Like Chen Ping'an, Hou Fugui was also an unregistered constable at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. His family ran a blacksmithing business, and his father was a burly, incredibly strong man. It was a mystery how his son ended up with such a physique.
The two exchanged a few words before another person walked in from outside the Garrison Commandant's Office. He scanned the area and spotted the two of them standing in the corner.
"Da Shan, over here!"
Monkey Head called out to the newcomer.
"Ping'an, Monkey Head."
The man called Da Shan walked toward them, greeting them with a smile.
Da Shan had rough features, dark skin, and a sturdy build. He looked like he had a good bit of strength.
"Morning, Da Shan."
Chen Ping'an greeted him with a smile.
"Morning, Ping'an."
Da Shan responded with a simple, honest smile.
Unlike Monkey Head, Da Shan came from a family of ordinary farmers outside the County City. A few years ago, he had inadvertently helped the Garrison Commandant's Office solve a case. That, combined with his strength, led to him becoming an unregistered constable for the Garrison Commandant's Office by a twist of fate.
Even though it was an unregistered position, for Da Shan's family, it was a great honor to their ancestors. After generations of scratching out a living from the dirt, they never imagined that someone from Da Shan's generation would be able to escape that life.
Speaking of which, Da Shan's strength was nothing ordinary.
Chen Ping'an had once seen him effortlessly lift a boulder the size of a millstone over his head.
As time passed, more constables trickled in through the main gate of the Garrison Commandant's Office.
Most of these latecomers were official constables.
As the next person walked in, the rowdy chatter inside the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office immediately fell silent.
"Constable Zheng is here."
Monkey Head whispered, then fell silent. Following the example of the crowd, he stared straight at the man who had just arrived.
...
P.S. Yoo-hoo~ Is anyone reading this?