“Chen Ping'an, your father, Chen Tian'an, was an old Yamen Runner at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. During an encirclement operation against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, he was injured in the line of duty. After his injuries worsened, he exhausted all connections to secure you an unregistered temporary Yamen Runner position. It has been over half a year since you joined the Zhenfu Division, and during this time, there has been no sign of your martial arts initiation.
That night we met, you had no martial arts Qi Blood, indicating you were indeed not skilled in martial arts. However, today, when you brought a temporary Yamen Runner to the Tiger Head Gang’s Hu Pao Gambling House to collect tax, you displayed the Qi Blood Second Realm martial arts Realm! And during the process, you also showed extremely proficient Gongmen Thirteen Blades!
It has only been a few days since you became a formal Yamen Runner and received the Gongmen Thirteen Blades! To practice the Gongmen Thirteen Blades to such proficiency in just a few days is a speed that even ordinary martial arts Geniuses would find difficult to achieve! It seems you are a martial arts Genius who was delayed! Especially your talent in the Dao of the Blade!”
Mu Wanjun looked at Chen Ping'an, and in a few sentences, she made it clear that she had thoroughly investigated him.
“Chief Warrant Officer, you flatter me,” Chen Ping'an lowered his head at just the right moment.
Mu Wanjun scrutinized Chen Ping'an, then suddenly stood up. With a few flashes, she appeared before Chen Ping'an. She reached out and patted his lower abdomen.
Instantly, Chen Ping'an felt a warm current flowing into his body.
This is... Internal Energy!
Above the Qi Blood Realm is the Internal Energy Realm. At the beginning of the Internal Energy Realm, the Qi Sea initially forms, and Internal Energy gathers within the body. Compared to the Qi Blood Realm, the Internal Energy Realm has more profound mysteries and even possesses the ability to attack from outside the body!
Of course, Chen Ping'an had only heard snippets about the specifics; he wasn't really clear on the details.
In just a few breaths, Mu Wanjun withdrew her hand and looked at Chen Ping'an with a natural expression.
“Qi Blood Second Realm, just as expected!”
The system is awesome!
Chen Ping'an praised in his heart. Even a master like Mu Wanjun, under close examination, couldn't discover his true martial arts Realm.
This Qi Blood Second Realm was merely a Realm he deliberately displayed through the system!
After all, a Breakthrough that was too fast, in just a few days, would be too shocking. If he had a powerful background, it wouldn't matter. But without any support, he still needed to avoid attracting too much attention, proceeding gradually, and slowly revealing his true strength.
However, achieving the Qi Blood Second Realm in just a few days and practicing the Gongmen Thirteen Blades to Minor Achievement, such talent as a bargaining chip, should be able to secure enough support from Mu Wanjun.
“Show me the Gongmen Thirteen Blades,” Mu Wanjun said indifferently.
“Chief Warrant Officer, right here?”
“Yes.”
After receiving Mu Wanjun’s affirmative reply, Chen Ping'an drew his saber from his waist and began to perform the Gongmen Thirteen Blades.
Just like his usual practice, Chen Ping'an slowly demonstrated the saber techniques and forms of the Gongmen Thirteen Blades. Saber winds surged, not at all like a novice who had only practiced for a few days, but rather like an experienced practitioner who had been immersed in it for a long time.
+1.
As an experience symbol flashed in Chen Ping'an's vision, he also stopped his movements.
Just demonstrating saber skills can also increase proficiency, how wonderful!
Chen Ping'an secretly felt pleased.
At this moment, a hint of surprise flashed across Mu Wanjun’s face, but it quickly vanished.
From Chen Ping'an's performance, he was indeed a martial arts Genius. To be able to perform the Gongmen Thirteen Blades so proficiently after only a few days of exposure. This level of talent is only slightly less than her own. If he had been discovered earlier and received careful guidance sooner, he would certainly be a martial arts seedling capable of reaching the Internal Energy Realm.
But now, what a pity!
He was already approaching the age of twenty and had only just begun to touch martial arts. Although he possessed martial arts talent, his late start meant his future achievements would likely be limited.
However, even if limited, that was relative to herself. As long as he was properly nurtured, breaking through the Organ Refinement or Marrow Cleansing Realms should not be difficult!
Such a talent was indeed worth cultivating as a trusted subordinate.
Thinking this, Mu Wanjun glanced at the woman beside her and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, the woman walked to a nearby table, picked up a wooden box, and approached Chen Ping'an.
“Take a look,” Mu Wanjun motioned slightly.
It’s here!
Chen Ping'an's heart skipped a beat. He knew the main event was coming!
He took the wooden box from the woman’s hand, opened it, and found an iron token, a contract, and a blank piece of paper inside.
“Madam, this is...”
Chen Ping'an hesitated slightly.
In reality, he already had some faint guesses. However, in front of a superior, being too perceptive and clever might not always be a good thing. Before understanding the Chief Warrant Officer’s intentions, it was better not to show too much.
Mu Wanjun looked at Chen Ping'an with a calm expression: “That night, I was surrounded by the Devil of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. If not for your few gong strikes startling them away, I might have had to resort to a life-risking method to escape safely. For this, I owe you a favor. Our meeting again today is also a matter of fate between us.
This wooden box contains three items. You can choose one as my return gift to you.”
“Madam, my official Yamen Runner status is entirely thanks to your promotion. The return gift you speak of has already been given, and more than enough. I feel unworthy of these items,” Chen Ping'an declined.
“My return gift is not merely an official Yamen Runner status. Since I told you to choose, then choose!” Mu Wanjun said quietly, her words filled with an undeniable tone.
As a superior, she naturally possessed her Aura.
At this moment, Chen Ping'an naturally knew what he should say: “Thank you for your cultivation, Madam. Your great kindness, I will engrave it in my heart and never forget it. If you have any assignments in the future, I am willing to serve you!”
“Very good!” Mu Wanjun nodded slightly, very satisfied with Chen Ping'an’s reaction. “Go on, choose.”
“Yes, Madam.” Chen Ping'an nodded and looked at the three items in the wooden box.
The first item was a token. Chen Ping'an was all too familiar with this token. The five Chief Constables of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office each carried such a token. This was a Chief Constable token. In this situation, choosing to take it would mean Chen Ping'an could immediately transition from a Yamen Runner to a Chief Constable.
To be honest, this item made Chen Ping'an somewhat tempted.
If he became a Chief Constable, the trouble from earlier in the day would likely be resolved immediately. Even Zheng Chatou wouldn't dare to make things difficult for him. Furthermore, the Little Tiger Lord of the Tiger Head Gang, Da Gangya, were just ordinary thugs. How would they dare to provoke him in the slightest!
The second item was a contract, specifically a land deed. Chen Ping'an picked it up and saw that it was a land deed for a residence in Southern City Alley, the most central alley in Nancheng District. It included several bungalows plus a courtyard. In terms of size, it was more than double the size of the house he currently shared with Chen Er'ya.
Moreover, this was a house in Southern City Alley! Its value was several times that of his current residence.
The third item was a blank piece of paper, a simple blank piece of paper. But some things were written on it, making this blank paper seem a bit unusual. There were roughly twenty or so items listed, including weapons, Cultivation Techniques, favors, great medicines, silver, and so on. These were all items that could be exchanged with merit points in the Nancheng Suppression Office’s Merit Treasury.
If he chose this blank paper, Chen Ping'an could select any one of the items listed on it.
Chen Ping'an pondered for a moment, then made his choice.
