Chen Ping’an was very satisfied with the residence gifted by the Red Bear Gang. It was a two-courtyard house; the front courtyard was perfect for practicing martial arts, while the back courtyard could be turned into a small garden for Chen Erya’s leisure.

In addition, the residence had four large rooms: a kitchen, a main hall, a storage room with an adjoining smaller room, and a master bedroom.

The residence was large, too much for Chen Erya to manage on her own. Even if she could, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t be at ease.

Coincidentally, the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s interrogation regarding the Spring Rain Tower was nearing its end. Although the Spring Rain Tower had served as a stronghold for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, the vast majority of its people were ordinary and unaware.

After rounds of questioning and investigation, some people were confirmed to have clean backgrounds and were released from prison.

Among them was one of the Spring Rain Tower’s Cultured Courtesans, Peony.

Although these people were released, they were still bound by slave contracts. So even after getting out, having lost the Spring Rain Tower as a source of income, their lives were unlikely to improve.

On the day Peony was released from prison, Chen Ping’an spoke with her for a long time. In the end, he brought her back to his home to be a household maid.

Besides Peony, Chen Ping’an also hired a Housekeeper to take care of cleaning the residence and cooking.

Now that he was a Candidate for Deputy, Chen Ping’an naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for himself and Chen Erya. With his current status, it was perfectly reasonable for his household to have a housekeeper and a maid.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Public Door Thirteen Sabers Perfection, Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training Great Success (185/200)

...

Haaa!

Looking at the panel floating in the air before him, Chen Ping’an finished his practice and let out a long breath.

’185 Cultivation Experience. At my current pace, it will only take another three days for my Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training to reach the Perfection Realm. When that happens, I’ll break through to the Qi Blood Sixth Layer!’

’The Qi Blood Sixth Layer!’

’A realm that not even Shen Shikang has ever reached!’

Once his Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training reached Perfection, it meant Chen Ping’an would have no suitable martial art to practice for his next breakthrough.

Chen Ping’an was already prepared for this.

He hadn’t been idle these past few days. He had already started looking into and inquiring about his next Cultivation Technique.

Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training was a Mid-level Technique, so it would be best if his next one was a superior cultivation method.

To obtain a superior cultivation method, the most straightforward path for Chen Ping’an should have been to exchange for a Cultivation Technique from the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s Merit Treasure Vault. Unfortunately, he had just been promoted to Candidate for Deputy and had no accumulated Merit. He had to abandon this path.

Therefore, after a few days of research, Chen Ping’an decided to visit the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion.

The Ruyi Treasure Pavilion was the largest Treasure Pavilion in Weishui County City.

Rare pills, precious medicinal herbs, Iron Armor and Weapons, Martial Arts Techniques, Oddities and Curiosities, and other such items could all be found inside the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion.

According to what Chen Ping’an had learned, the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion was not unique to Weishui County City. There were branches throughout Canglong Province. Rumor had it that an extremely powerful faction backed it.

The Ruyi Treasure Pavilion was in the Inner City of Weishui County City.

This was also Chen Ping’an’s first time setting foot in Weishui County City’s Inner City. A river separated the Outer City and the Inner City. As he approached the entrance, Chen Ping’an noticed that many people who wanted to enter the Inner City had to pay a certain amount of silver coins.

Although the amount wasn’t large, for the vast majority of people, a deep chasm existed between the Inner City and the Outer City.

Chen Ping’an didn’t have to pay. After showing his Waist Token from the Garrison Commandant’s Office, he entered the Inner City smoothly.

Compared to the Outer City, the commerce in the Inner City was far more prosperous. Many people bustled about, full of vigor, their faces showing a different kind of spirit. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Having done enough research beforehand, Chen Ping’an found the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion with ease.

The Ruyi Treasure Pavilion was an impressive five-story building.

"Young Master, welcome to the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion. I am a Maid here, Xiaoxue. What might you be looking for today?"

The moment he stepped through the Treasure Pavilion’s main entrance, a charming Maid came forward to greet him.

He had to admit, the service at the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion was quite accommodating.

’No wonder their business is so successful!’

"I’d like to look at Cultivation Techniques. The better ones."

Today, Chen Ping’an was dressed in plain clothes, so his status was not apparent from his appearance.

"Of course, I understand. This way, please, Young Master."

Xiaoxue smiled and led Chen Ping’an upstairs.

As they walked, she explained to Chen Ping’an, "The first floor mainly displays ordinary items. The truly rare and expensive ones are kept upstairs."

"Mm."

Chen Ping’an nodded.

It was clear the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion trained its staff well. As she led Chen Ping’an upstairs, Xiaoxue had already gotten a simple grasp of his expectations.

"Young Master, since your budget seems rather ample, how about we go directly to the third floor? They have some excellent Mid-level Techniques and superior cultivation methods there."

"Alright, let’s go have a look at the third floor then."

Chen Ping’an’s pockets were deep now, which gave him a good deal of confidence. Between the gifts from various factions, the greetings from his colleagues, and his own previous savings, the amount of silver taels he had at his disposal had reached twelve hundred.

Chen Ping’an had thought he would be able to pick out a satisfactory Martial Arts Technique. But after seeing the prices of the superior cultivation methods in the Ruyi Treasure Pavilion, he was struck by a profound sense of his own poverty.

Willow Leaf Sword Skill, superior cultivation method, eighteen hundred silver taels.

Qilin Saber Technique, superior cultivation method, sixteen hundred and fifty silver taels.

Poison Dragon Drilling Fist, superior cultivation method, fifteen hundred silver taels.

Profound Nether Frost Palm, superior cultivation method, two thousand silver taels.

...

To date, Chen Ping’an had cultivated four techniques: Iron Cloth Shirt, Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training, Flying Locust Stone, and Public Door Thirteen Sabers. For his next Cultivation Technique, he prioritized one with considerable killing power.

’Ideally, it would be something elegant and fluid, graceful and effortless.’

’That way, when I fight, others will see the very picture of an unparalleled gentleman, as flawless as jade.’

’If I can’t afford my first choice and can’t go the elegant and fluid route, then I at least need to find a technique that looks impressive as hell and seems powerful.’

But while the ideal was grand, reality was harsh.

After looking high and low, Chen Ping’an discovered that his budget was only enough for one Horizontal Training in Hard Skills: Golden Bell Shield!

Golden Bell Shield, superior cultivation method, twelve hundred silver taels.

’You’ve got to be kidding me! My budget is just enough, and it’s forcing me down the path of a brute again!’

Looking at the price, Chen Ping’an almost lost his composure.

He was so indignant he felt sick with frustration.

Iron Cloth Shirt, Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training. Both were Outer Sect Hard Skills. While they offered impressive self-preservation, they didn’t look good in a fight.

’Pure brute force.’

’No!’

’The brute of all brutes!’

’Public Door Thirteen Sabers had finally managed to pull my image back a little.’

’But now...’

’I have to cultivate Golden Bell Shield!’

’Will this never end?!’

Chen Ping’an wanted to cry but had no tears.

’Maybe I should go look at the Mid-level Techniques?’

The thought crossed Chen Ping’an’s mind.

With his budget, if he were to choose from among the Mid-level Techniques, his options would be much wider.

There would be all sorts of options, like Swordsmanship, Spear Techniques, and Palm Techniques.

’However...’

When it actually came time to choose, Chen Ping’an hesitated.

’No matter how you look at it, a superior cultivation method is still a superior cultivation method!’

To be honest, Golden Bell Shield wasn’t any worse than those Swordsmanship or Saber Skills. It was just that Horizontal Training in Hard Skills generally required one to endure more hardship and suffering during cultivation. That was why, despite also being a superior cultivation method, Golden Bell Shield was much cheaper than other Swordsmanship, Saber Skills, or Palm Techniques.

’Forget it. Golden Bell Shield it is!’

Considering the cost-effectiveness, Chen Ping’an decided to hold his nose and accept it.

Golden Bell Shield was an advanced version of Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training. Unlike its predecessor, Golden Bell Shield focused on both Inner and Outer Cultivation, not just simple external defense.

A technique like Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training could build a powerful physique, but it was easily countered by more insidious, yielding techniques.

Golden Bell Shield was completely different. It also had extremely strong defenses against insidious and venomous techniques.

One could say that if he could master Golden Bell Shield, Chen Ping’an’s ability to save his own life would reach a truly terrifying level.

’Once I have a bigger budget, I’ll definitely learn a technique that’s as graceful as an immortal.’

’No more being a brute! I’m absolutely done with being a brute!’