The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 761 The Pass Between Heaven and Man, The Illusion of Inner Demons (Congratulations, Xiao Chen~)

hum~
The command flags fluttered like pale blue flames, their spiritual light flowing, separating the inside from the outside.

Beneath the cliff, Chen Ping'an sat cross-legged, like a withered tree in an ancient pool.

He sat with his eyes closed, his mind as still as a mirror, without waves or ripples.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an ancient abyss.

His face was calm, and there was no emotion in his eyes.

A light screen in the void quietly appeared, with words appearing on it.

Chen Pingan slowly lowered his eyes and stared intently.

next moment.

Wow~
The cultivation experience points on the panel were churning wildly, faster and faster.

Until a certain moment, the starlight, stretching out in a continuous line, disappeared into Chen Ping'an's brow.

The spiritual altar between the eyebrows shines brightly, mingling with starlight.

The Seven Killings Heavenly Fist is an unparalleled divine skill, imbued with the intent of seven killings, containing seven killing fist techniques.

The killing was startling, like a sudden clap of thunder, the killing intent appearing instantly.

The second killer is named Anger, whose anger burns in his heart and whose killing intent surges like a tide.

The three killings were a display of madness, a rampage of madness, and an unbridled killing intent.

The Four Kills form the "Absolute" form, signifying decisiveness and ruthlessness.
Five Killings as Underworld
六杀
A wealth of insights into the Seven Killings Heavenly Fist cultivation welled up in Chen Ping'an's mind, as if they were innate, or as if they were the result of tireless, day-and-night practice.

Through real-world experience, rigorous testing, and changes in mindset, they have diligently practiced and cultivated themselves.

This feeling is like a sudden enlightenment after a hundred years of arduous cultivation; a wealth of insights constantly emerge, and all the previous events become clear in an instant, like a flash of inspiration.

It's not some castle in the air, but something that's built step by step, with our feet firmly on the ground.

This was not something he obtained without cause, but rather the result of his arduous journey of self-cultivation.

Chen Ping'an closed his eyes and sat cross-legged, his hair moving without any wind.

Seven Killing Heavenly Fist, perfected!

With the completion of the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist, the remaining two killing fist techniques were also completely mastered by Chen Ping'an as he comprehended the killing intent.

The Seven Killing Heavenly Fist may not rank among the top-tier supreme divine skills, but because of its seven killing intents, if one can fully comprehend and master the killing fist, it can rival the most supreme divine skills.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an was completely at ease, with everything under his control.

Having perfected the Seven Killings Heavenly Fist, the changes in his body went beyond that. Within his spiritual platform, the spiritual fruit, which had already cracked and was covered in fissures, also seemed to be undergoing strange changes.

Inside the spiritual fruit, the divine soul power nurtured flows freely, like a dragon coiling around.

With the help of the Golden Finger Panel, a large amount of spiritual energy was born out of thin air, continuously replenishing Chen Ping'an's spiritual platform. Like the best spiritual tonic, at this moment, Chen Ping'an's spiritual platform shone with unparalleled brilliance.

"It's now."

Chen Ping'an remained calm and composed, like a spectator, as he pushed open the door.

Wow~
Spirituality surged like a tide, constantly flowing within the spiritual space.

Chen Ping'an's cultivation aura grew stronger and stronger. Until one moment, it completely crossed the critical point.

hum~
A great spiritual light shone forth, flowing in all directions.

At the Grandmaster level, he attempted to break through the barrier between Heaven and Man.

Amidst the flashes of spiritual light, a strange change occurred at the spiritual altar in Chen Ping'an's brow.

The first hurdle in the celestial-human barrier is to rebuild the spiritual platform!

With a foundation of nine patterns, ascending to the Celestial Realm is an incredibly difficult journey, with each stage being exceptionally challenging. Even the relatively simple first stage requires the aid of spiritual items and must be approached with utmost care.

Save your mental and physical energy for the challenges ahead.

But such a situation is almost non-existent for Chen Ping'an.

With his extremely strong foundation, this hurdle was almost completely overcome.

The first hurdle between Heaven and Man: Reshaping the Spirit Platform, accomplished!

The spiritual fruit split open, and spiritual light shone brightly. From the cracks, spiritual threads began to appear. As time passed, these spiritual threads grew thicker and thicker.

Gradually, the many threads intertwined, entwined, and spiraled together, as if they were about to become a vast ocean.

As the spiritual light shone, the spiritual fruit gradually changed.

The inner, wandering spiritual power seemed to have merged into this source of spirituality, like a vibrant embellishment, and the source of spirituality gradually began to change.

It gradually transformed from spirituality, as if subtly and imperceptibly, into the power of the soul.

During this process, a large amount of spirituality begins to be depleted, and spirituality becomes less and less.

From one-half to one-third, one-fifth, one-tenth
This stage demands an extremely high level of foundational knowledge; the slightest misstep can lead to irreversible failure. Meticulous control throughout the process is paramount. No deviation is permissible; otherwise, even if the source of the divine soul is formed, it will only be a flawed divine soul—not a complete failure, but certainly not a true success.

As time passed, and after an unknown period of time, the spirituality gradually transformed and became less and less, until a source the size of a grain of rice appeared.

The barrier between heaven and man, transforming fruit into source, is achieved!
Then the next moment.
Chen Ping'an's mind went blank for a moment, and then he lost consciousness.

The feeling was as if I had been suddenly pulled into a new space. I was completely disoriented and unaware of what was happening.

The Heavenly Man is one with Heaven and Man, resonating with Heaven and Earth. To reach this realm, one must pass through the illusion of inner demons and question one's heart: Is there any malice in one's Dao heart?
The illusions and demons of the mind exist in a single thought.

With a single thought, all things are born; with another thought, heaven and earth crumble.

"Inner demons, what are my inner demons?"

Chen Ping'an was lost in thought, and in a daze, he seemed to see many scenes. Scene after scene flashed before his eyes like a fleeting glimpse.

From Nanquan Lane to Nancheng Prison, from the outer city of Weishui to Baishi City, from Baishi City to patrolling the outskirts of the trade route, from Hongye Market to Wufeng Mountain City to the important town of Beicang.
Each scene, like a passerby, experiences countless people and events; the past surges like a tide, constantly seeping into the heart.

This is the road he came from.

Starting as a temporary constable in Nanquan Lane who wasn't even registered, he has gradually come to where he is today. He has experienced the vicissitudes of life and the ups and downs of the world. There have been valleys and peaks, but the only thing that has remained unchanged is him as a person, and his heart that has grown stronger with time and is tenacious and unyielding.

As the scenes changed one after another, Chen Ping'an suddenly found himself retracing his steps.

So many familiar faces, so many things we've experienced, all came back to me in front of him.

Until he sat cross-legged in meditation, the scene before him beneath the rock wall shattered with a deafening crash.

"Have you overcome your inner demons?"

Before Chen Ping'an could think, the scene in front of him reappeared, just like before, starting from Nanquan Lane and retracing the path he had come from.

Compared to before, this time the footage has more detail, and the overall feel is becoming more and more realistic.

The illusions and demons of the mind are all within a single thought.

Scene after scene, event after event, Chen Ping'an gradually became immersed in them, as if he were reliving them himself. From the initial crystal clarity, he gradually forgot himself and the events that had afflicted him with inner demons.

With each murmured word, "Inner demon, inner demon," Chen Ping'an's consciousness gradually blurred until it was completely forgotten.

"Stab~"

Amidst the sizzling sound of oil frying in a wok, a boy suddenly came to his senses and stared blankly at the wok in front of him.

The red and white striped pork belly in the oil pan pulsated slightly, the scalding hot oil drawing in the tender fat and releasing a mouthwatering aroma.

"This is what I am"

The boy was somewhat stunned, looking hesitantly at the scene before him.

"Brother~ the meat is going to burn."

Ok?
The boy was startled, turned his head, and found a little girl with her hair in a bun perched on the windowsill outside the house, staring longingly into the house, drool dripping from her mouth.

"Er Ya?"

Chen Ping'an's expression froze, and he suddenly remembered.

He was making lunch; he'd been working hard lately and wanted to treat himself and his little girl.

How could I get so distracted and doze off while cooking?!

It must be because I was too tired last night. I'll take a good nap after lunch.

Last night, he did not return home, not for his usual night patrol. Instead, he went with his colleagues from Nanquan Lane to handle an important matter.

Led by several policemen, they jointly raided a small gang.

This gang preys on the people of the streets; they are utterly despicable and truly hateful.

This wiped out a gang, which can be considered a benefit to the village.

Chen Ping'an smiled. Although he was exhausted after staying up all night, he felt good about completing the mission. He even felt a sense of accomplishment that was hard to describe.

but
If only he were a registered constable. The operation went smoothly, and he could have shared in the spoils. But the lion's share went to the registered constables, leaving him with only a tiny fraction.

They really don't treat temporary servants like human beings.

If it's not included in the register, it will ultimately be beneath us.

Those official servants ate their fill, while these temporary servants could only drink some soup and water.

However, something is better than nothing, and it's better than no score at all.

In this world, just being able to survive is a blessing.

Chen Ping'an sighed and focused on cooking.

He worked quickly and prepared the dishes in no time.

Having just finished a major task, I'm taking a rare break, and today's lunch is quite sumptuous.

A bowl of pork belly, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of fragrant meat and bone soup.

The milky white soup was steaming hot, making one's mouth water.

Two bowls of white rice, one for the brother and one for the sister. The little girl sat at the old wooden table, her eyes sparkling.

Such a high standard of cuisine was rarely enjoyed, not even when Chen's father was still alive.

If it weren't for the upcoming share of profits and the fact that he had gone through a period of hardship, he really wouldn't have been willing to make this huge investment.

"Brother, why are there so many dishes today?" The little girl couldn't help but drool as she looked at the food on the table.

"It's nothing, I just feel like I haven't eaten meat in a long time, so I'm having a treat today." Chen Ping'an smiled and patted the little girl's head.

"Brother~ I'm all grown up now, stop touching my head!" the little girl said angrily, her fierce yet adorable appearance was quite cute.

"Okay, I got it." Chen Ping'an said with a smile, his eyes filled with tenderness. He still had deep feelings for his younger sister, with whom he depended on each other for survival. "Alright, stop standing there and eat!"

"Okay." The little girl was startled by the aroma of the meat in front of her. She glanced at her brother and saw that he had already picked up his chopsticks, so she immediately started eating as well.

The dishes were plentiful today, and the brother and sister ate very attentively.

Just as Chen Ping'an picked up the vegetables and was chewing his rice, preparing to swallow them, there was a knock on the door.

boom! boom! boom!
The knocking was like a heavy hammer blow, making the wooden door thud loudly, shaking off the dust, and giving the impression that it was about to collapse.

"Open the door!"

A rough, aggressive voice shouted from outside the door.

The little girl's face tightened, and Chen Ping'an gave her a reassuring look. Just as he was about to open the door, the wooden door was kicked open with a bang.

The crossbar used to lock the door broke in two and fell to the ground, splashing up some dirt and sand.

Several fierce-looking figures walked out from outside the door, the leader being a burly man with dark skin and a ruddy complexion.

"Young Chen, I've been knocking on the door for so long, and you haven't come to answer it. That was a bit too much for you. Don't take offense, is it?" The burly man gave a forced smile, staring intently into Chen Ping'an's eyes.

Looking at the broken latch, Chen Ping'an felt angry, but knowing the other party's identity and the actual situation between them, he knew that getting angry was not the best way to solve the problem. He was about to speak, intending to find an opportunity, but for some reason, the words stuck in his throat.

"Is there a problem with this?"

The burly man chuckled, his gaze falling on the dishes on the wooden table in the courtyard: "The food is good; you're living quite comfortably."

"Young Chen, whether you're living a comfortable life or not is none of my business. But to be owing money while enjoying good food and drink, isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

As he spoke, the burly man, with the imposing presence of a great swordsman, sat down at the wooden table and slightly narrowed his eyes.

"Shouldn't this money be returned?"

"Master Tiger, it's only right to pay back debts. The money I owe you before, I will repay you in full when the time comes. But when Father was alive, we agreed on a one-year repayment period. There's still plenty of time now. Isn't it a bit premature to talk about repayment?"

Chen Ping'an's tone was intense, brimming with the youthful courage and fierce determination characteristic of young people. It was a confidence and intensity rooted in a sense of moral superiority. It was the indomitable spirit and unyielding will that shone through when faced with injustice.

Normally, he would have spoken more gently, after all, circumstances are beyond one's control, and resorting to violence and escalating the conflict would not solve the problem. But today, for some reason, he felt a strange obsession that, faced with such injustice, he should not back down or soften his stance, but should stand up directly and condemn it all.

Bang!
With a loud crash, one of Little Tiger's henchmen slammed his hand on the wooden table, sending the pork belly flying out of the bowl.
The bone broth was splashed all over the table.

"Kid, how dare you speak to Tiger like that?"

Little Tiger squinted, not even glancing at the henchmen behind him, and just stared at Chen Ping'an.

Seeing the pork belly spill out of the bowl, Chen Ping'an's anger surged, as if it could no longer be suppressed and suddenly erupted.

He lunged forward and grabbed the henchman who had slammed his fist on the table, yelling, "You damn fool, don't you have a mouth? You can't speak, all you do is fight, huh? I'm giving you face!"

Although Chen Ping'an had been working in the Zhenfu Division for so long and didn't know much about martial arts, he still possessed a certain amount of ruthlessness and imposing presence.

The henchman, whose collar had been grabbed, was initially stunned, not expecting Chen Ping'an to dare to attack despite their large numbers. But in an instant, he became incredibly enraged, ripping Chen Ping'an's hand away and roaring, "You're asking for it!"

His grip was incredibly strong. Although Chen Ping'an had the initiative, he couldn't hold back under the opponent's explosive force. In no time, he was pulled down.

He wasn't appointed, and provoked by the other party, his ruthlessness flared up completely. He raised his foot and kicked out directly.

"Depend on."

With one kick, the henchman cried out in pain and grabbed Chen Ping'an by the neck.

"Trash." The henchman, his face contorted with rage, spat out a mouthful of saliva. "What are you pretending for!"

Chen Ping'an's face turned red from being choked, and the veins on his neck bulged. His eyes were like fire, revealing a crazy and ruthless look.

"Come on! If you've got the guts, kill me today." He gritted his teeth, his voice sounding like it was coming from between his teeth: "If you can't kill me, I'll kill you."

The henchman's heart skipped a beat. For some reason, looking at Chen Ping'an's demonic appearance, he felt a little scared. But with several brothers from his gang present, no matter how scared he felt, he knew the principle of not losing face even if he lost the battle.

"Kill me? What are you going to do? With your mouth? Trash, if you've got the guts, kill me now, and stop barking like a dead dog."

Chen Ping'an's gaze was fierce, his eyes like fire, and he spat out two words through gritted teeth: "Scum."

The henchman was furious, but with his men in his grasp, he was caught in a dilemma.

"Sixth Brother." Little Tiger stood up from the wooden stool.

"Little Tiger Master." Liu'er urged the donkey downhill, easing off the pressure at the right moment.

He was genuinely afraid of killing the kid. Murder is acceptable, but not openly, especially in someone's home.

Little Tiger walked up to Chen Ping'an, his expression unreadable: "Young man of the Chen family, you've really grown up. Paying back debts is a matter of course. There's no money I, Little Tiger, can't get back. Liu'er, let go, let's go."

"Yes, Little Tiger." The thug called Liu'er immediately let go, spitting out a mouthful of saliva before leaving: "Trash."

"Coward!"

"Is that all you've got? You want to flip tables like that?!"

"Hahaha, what a joke!"

Several henchmen, their faces full of disdain, walked out of the courtyard amidst jeers and jeers.

"Huff! Huff! Huff!" Chen Ping'an's veins bulged as he gasped for breath.

"Brother." The little girl ran over, looking terrified.

"What's wrong with me?" Chen Ping'an looked at his hands, his mind a complete mess.

The intention was clearly to solve the problem, but the problem has only gotten worse.

"It's nothing." He looked up at his terrified sister, then at the messy table and the broken door latch, and felt as if he had done something stupid.

Why couldn't you control your temper just now?
If anger can solve problems, then what's the point of other emotions?
He clearly doesn't have the power to overturn the table, so why did he make things so bad? His advantage is his skin, nothing else.

Chen Ping'an was stunned, feeling as if he was no longer himself.

But just now.
Why do that?
There were clearly better solutions, but they gave up just for that fleeting moment of pleasure during the outburst!
A peaceful, tranquil, and leisurely day is destined to vanish, and for a long time to come, one will live in fear and trembling.

Sometimes, anger without power is a disaster.

You can get furious, but you must have the ability to clean up the mess and be prepared for the consequences.

On that day, Tiger Head Gang's Little Tiger Master took the IOU written by Old Chen himself to the Zhenfusi in Nanquan Lane.

He was very polite, like a nice guy, which is the kind of protective color that a scoundrel who has made a name for himself always has in front of the system.

His words were sincere and clear, clarifying the facts of the debt.

The debt is ten taels of silver, with a one-year term, and thirteen taels will be repaid in one lump sum. Compared to other places, this interest rate is indeed not high.

In the past, although Old Chen was at a disadvantage, he still had face, and the interest rates were below normal levels.

In this situation, as leverage, Little Tiger felt justified and unafraid of missing an opportunity.

After clarifying all the matters, it was finally stated that if Old Master Chen was a member of the Zhenfu Division, even though he had retired and passed away, he was still a man who cared about old friendships and could decide to deduct one tael of interest and repay twelve taels in total.

He might even refuse the interest if he feels it's excessive.

I've come here today to demand an explanation.

Debts must be repaid, and children must repay their parents' debts; this is a matter of course.

How could anyone be like Chen Ping'an, so arrogant after his visit, trying to renege on his debts by relying on his status as a constable?

If the officers of the Zhenfu Division think this is acceptable, then the debt will not be repaid.

These words completely secured the moral high ground for Little Tiger, putting the Zhenfu Division in a passive position. The matter caused quite a stir, and because of the Tiger Head Gang, it even attracted the attention of the Deputy Chief Constable.

The fact that the police were asked to handle the matter naturally displeased everyone, as Chen Ping'an was the one who brought it about.

During the process, the Tiger Head Gang was even willing to back down and, for the sake of the entire Zhenfu Division's reputation, agree to let the matter drop as long as Chen Ping'an could repay the ten taels of principal.

But where did Chen Ping'an get ten taels of silver?! Besides, Little Tiger's attack has deprived him of his greatest support.

Although the Zhenfu Division will not help Little Tiger, it will not favor Chen Ping'an either. This matter will be left for Chen Ping'an to resolve himself.

Although there was no interest, the money was urgently needed.

Chen Ping'an scraped together the money, borrowed from colleagues, but still couldn't raise enough. The Tiger Head Gang's henchmen came knocking daily, at least three times a day, morning, noon, and night, each time causing a huge commotion.

They didn't do anything excessive, but the resulting disturbances often attracted a large crowd.

After several such incidents, it caused quite a stir.

Neighborhood sentiment, suppression by the Tiger Head Gang, and dissatisfaction from the Zhenfu Division.
This matter finally came to an end with Chen Ping'an selling the courtyard.

Because of the rush to sell, the price of the courtyard was severely reduced, and some people even took advantage of the situation to rip people off, causing Chen Ping'an to suffer heavy losses.

But the repayment was urgent, so this was the only option.

The brother and sister moved to a new place, which was far worse than their previous one. There was no courtyard, only a house facing the street.

He thought the matter was over, but things only got worse. There were many disturbances where Chen Ping'an patrolled the streets. They didn't seriously violate any laws, but the fighting never stopped.

When Chen Ping'an stepped forward to quell the situation, he got caught up in the melee and was punched a few times.

In addition, the daily commute is often troublesome. Although the matters are not major, they take up too much of my energy.

Life was chaotic, and the light in my eyes gradually went out until it disappeared completely.

A year after the incident subsided, Chen Ping'an was walking through a dark alley when someone dismembered him.

This matter was not official business, but rather an unexpected incident. Initially, the Zhenfu Division took care of him, but later they stopped caring. After further evaluation, Chen Ping'an's temporary service status was revoked, and a good family was selected for re-enrollment.

Without the temporary constable status, the brother and sister's lives became increasingly difficult, until the Tiger Head Gang came knocking on their door again.
"huhuhuhu"

In the darkness, Chen Ping'an sat up in shock, his face pale, gasping for breath.

"It was just a dream after all."

It took him a long time to recover from the experience in his dream.

He looked around and found the little girl sleeping peacefully. The brother and sister each had their own blanket, taking care of each other while maintaining a distance.

As Chen Ping'an gradually regained consciousness, the heaving of his chest subsided. "The Green Fish Gang, the Miscellaneous Fish?"

"I provided valid leads, and Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong joined forces to kill him?"

"."

As he pondered the events of the day, the spoils of victory that should have been his alone were instead shared by Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong, and he only received credit for reporting the clues.

This matter was announced by the constable Zheng Zhenwu, and all the constables witnessed it.

He went to see Zheng Zhenwu afterwards, but after a conversation and questioning, he did not achieve the desired results.

When he left the Zhenfu Division, he wanted nothing more than to kill several people. But the moment he got home and saw the little girl, he suddenly changed his mind.

Some grudges are destined to be avenged; it's just a matter of time.

A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. While the retribution might be immediate and satisfying, the risks are far too great for him.

When you lack the ability, learn to befriend time, believe in the power of time, and one day you will have everything you want.

At that moment, he changed his mind.

But now, waking up at midnight, for some reason, a strong sense of resentment welled up in my heart.

Learn to be friends with time?

Let's be friends!
Chen Ping'an threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Since that day, his talent has gradually become apparent, and his Iron Shirt cultivation has now reached its peak. In terms of cultivation level, he has reached the second level of Qi and Blood. All his preparations until now have led to this day!

There's no time like today!
Screw the forbearance! If you're unwilling to accept it, you should retaliate.

Chen Ping'an strode out the door, quickly putting on his outer clothes. He glanced back at the sleeping little girl, lowered the curtain, went to the side room, rummaged around for a bit, grabbed a wood-chopping knife, and then went out.

Two hours later, a dark figure leaped into the courtyard. His clothes were stained with blood, and although the wood-chopping knife had been repaired, the stench of blood was still undeniable.

This wasn't his first time killing someone, but such audacity was unprecedented.

"That's satisfying! A true man should avenge himself in this way!"

Chen Ping'an felt exhilarated, a surge of excitement coursing through his body. His heart pounded like a drum, and even now, it had not completely calmed down.

Watching the other person die before his eyes, lifting the tattered cloth to let him know who his killer was, the exhilarating feeling at that moment reached its peak.

"Unfortunately, killing two people in one night is too rushed. Their residences are in two different locations, and traveling back and forth would be too much of a hassle." Chen Ping'an's gaze darkened slightly, but it was quickly replaced by the satisfaction of avenging his great enemy: "Zheng Shiyong, you're lucky. I'll let you live one more day."

Having previous experience with murder, and with everything planned out, this operation went extremely smoothly. He was both bold and meticulous, eliminating many clues along the way. On the return journey, he was also extremely cautious, confident that he hadn't left any traces.

Even so, he couldn't help but review the events. The bloodstains on his clothes had been mostly cleaned up at Tan Huacong's house.

But thinking about it now, I still feel it's not safe enough. Although there isn't much blood on the clothes, there's no guarantee there won't be any flaws.

After thinking it over, he started a fire and burned the clothes directly under the kitchen stove.

After doing all this and making sure there were no oversights, Chen Ping'an tiptoed into the room.

The little girl slept soundly, and Chen Ping'an slipped into the blankets without waking her.

However, whether it was because he had just killed someone, the exhilaration of avenging a great grudge, or the anticipation of killing Zheng Shiyong the next day, Chen Ping'an tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a while.

The movements became too loud and woke the little girl up.

"Brother~"

The little girl's voice was crisp and clear, with the unique sweetness of a young girl. However, when she woke up groggily in the middle of the night, that crispness was slightly diminished, replaced by a hint of grogginess and sleepiness.

Chen Pingan turned around and saw a pair of bright, sparkling eyes. They were like a beam of light in the darkness, warming people's hearts.

"It's nothing, I just had a dream."

Chen Pingan offered a few words of comfort.

The little girl gave an "oh" and then drifted off to sleep again, still somewhat dazed.

Children's sleep has always been like this.

Chen Ping'an lay quietly on the bed until dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, at which point he got up.

The daily meeting, chaired by several taxi drivers, seemed to proceed as usual. However, during roll call, one person was missing.

Tan Huacong is a formal constable in the yamen (official yamen).

"What's wrong with Old Tan? He's been a regular officer for so many years, and he's still late for the meeting?"

"Perhaps something has happened."

"."

The people around muttered a few words, but didn't pay any attention.

However, the driver above seemed a little unhappy, but he didn't make a scene.

After the meeting ended, Chen Ping'an glanced at Zheng Shiyong, who was surrounded by people like a star, and then took his task and left.

Before leaving, he reviewed the events of the previous night one last time, analyzed them carefully, and only felt at ease after finding that there were no problems.

He spent the whole morning patrolling the streets and alleys, but when he returned for lunch, he found the town government office in the alleyway in a noisy commotion.

His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly suppressed it and went to get his food as usual. But then the monkey, who had just finished gathering information, suddenly appeared.

"Peace, this is a big deal, a big deal." The monkey's voice trembled, and there was a hint of fear in his expression.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ping'an asked, feigning calmness.

"Tan Tantou is dead!"

"What?! Dead?"

Chen Ping'an reacted like someone hearing the news for the first time, his face showing shock, as if he hadn't expected such a message.

Monkey didn't suspect anything and spent the whole noon talking about it.

"Tan Tou, a formal constable, entered the martial arts world in his early years, how could he be dead?"

"I heard it might be retaliation from the Green Fish Gang, in retaliation for Tan Tou killing their men!"

However, some people say...

Chen Pingan listened quietly, only occasionally uttering a word.

This continued until the afternoon. The entire afternoon's street patrol was uneventful, just like any other day.

But when he was about to leave, the Zhenfu Division was in complete chaos.

They say they've found the culprit, which is in a river not far from the alley.

"Found it? How could it be so fast!?" Chen Ping'an was startled.

The methods used by the Zhenfu Division were somewhat beyond his comprehension. This efficiency was completely unlike their usual slow pace. A case that should have taken three days was being processed in five or seven.

How did it become so efficient now?

Was it because a regular constable died?!
Has someone from above spoken up?
Filled with suspicion, Chen Ping'an returned home.

A sense of unease permeated the entire town's administrative area. Chen Ping'an suppressed his emotions, knowing that tonight might not be the best time to make a move.

"Let's wait and see." He suppressed his impatience, intending to wait until things calmed down before making a decision.

"Brother~ you're back." The little girl's eyes crinkled into crescents, her smile healing.

"Well, I'm back."

Normally, Chen Ping'an would have chatted with the little girl for a while. But today, preoccupied with his own thoughts, he clearly wasn't in the mood.

Scenes flashed through his mind, reviewing everything that happened. Only in this way could he feel at ease.

Although he appeared calm during the day, the reaction of the Zhenfu Division was clearly far beyond his expectations. The invisible pressure was so intense that it felt like he couldn't breathe.

Although he is mature beyond his years, he is still just a young man who has not yet reached adulthood.

We are far from being able to remain calm and composed even when we are in the midst of it.

Chen Ping'an barely slept all night.

A mix of emotions welled up inside him.

The exhilarating feeling of personally slaying one's enemy and avenging a great grudge seemed to have completely faded by this night. Reflecting on the experience, a sudden sense of unease about the future arose, along with some unnecessary and inexplicable emotions.

This is an uncertainty about the future.

"Ping An, what's wrong?" Monkey asked with concern the next day when he went to work. "You don't look well."

"It's nothing," Chen Pingan forced a smile. "I just haven't had much rest."

The monkey head offered a few words of concern but didn't ask any further questions.

At the regular meeting, Deputy Sergeant Tian Fuliang, unusually, appeared with a somber expression and serious tone, and announced the death of Tan Huacong in front of everyone.

Please rest assured, this matter will not end here; we will give closure to our fallen brothers. The murder weapon has been found, and we believe we will catch the killer soon.

As Tian Fuliang spoke, Chen Ping'an felt his heart pounding. He tried his best to control his emotions, and his palms were already covered in sweat.

Before things happen, you always feel like you can handle everything calmly and confidently. But when the pressure actually comes, you realize that many things are not so simple at all.

Despite trying very hard to control myself, I still fell short of the result I wanted.

Fortunately, with his colleague dead, many people reacted differently than usual. With so many people gathered here, Chen Ping'an managed to keep things under control without revealing any major flaws.

This situation continued until noon. When it was time to eat, Chen Ping'an found that his ability to control his emotions seemed to have improved considerably.

However, it could also be his imagination, or a change caused by extreme pressure. After patrolling the streets all morning, he felt much more relaxed.

While not completely free of burdens, the extreme pressure of the past was gone.

The matter was brought up again at the routine meeting the following day. However, no substantial progress in the investigation was announced.

This discovery put Chen Ping'an at ease.

He thought, perhaps.
This matter should just be left as it is.

However, when he finished his business trip that day and turned the corner, the scene in front of him made his heart skip a beat and start pounding.

A small squad of elite guards surrounded his courtyard. A middle-aged man with a mustache stepped into the courtyard. A hunting dog, noticeably different in size, wagged its tail and sniffed around the courtyard.

Chen Ping'an suppressed his emotions and walked over, pretending to be calm.

"Gentlemen, may I ask what this is?"

He found many of the constables' faces unfamiliar, as if they weren't from his own neighborhood's garrison.

"Are you the owner of this courtyard?" The middle-aged man looked up at him.

"Yes, that's me." Chen Ping'an nodded. "Sir, I'm from the Zhenfu Division of Nanquan Lane."

Just as Chen Ping'an was about to explain, the other party waved his hand, forcibly interrupting him: "Take him away."

Two burly constables grabbed him from the left and right, their methods crude and without any restraint.

"Sir, is there some misunderstanding?" Chen Ping'an wanted to find an opportunity, but the other party ignored him completely.

After searching the courtyard for a while, he said with a determined look, "This is it! Take it all!"

"Yes, sir!" the constables replied in unison.

"Brother!" The little girl's face turned ashen, her body twisting and turning desperately, her hands flailing like a struggling little animal.

But how could the petite girl be a match for these constables? All her struggles were in vain.

"Girl, don't be afraid. It'll be alright, everything will be alright."

Seeing the scene before him, Chen Ping'an felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

He wanted to do something, but in the end, he was powerless to do so.

At that moment, he was filled with boundless regret.

Why!? Why?
To rush over for revenge without making any preparations whatsoever.

The sense of satisfaction they felt was fleeting. They accomplished nothing and only burdened their families.

How can mere bravado lead to success?

If you don't have the guts to overturn the table, don't even think about getting a momentary thrill.

Time is your friend!
By the time you understand all this, it's already too late.

Chen Pingan slowly closed his eyes, his face filled with pain and regret.

"Huh? What do I regret?"

"Endure a moment of turmoil, and reap a lifetime of satisfaction! Zheng Shiyong, Tan Huacong, and Zheng Zhenwu, it seems they are all dead at my hands."

"The Tiger Head Gang has long been wiped out, reduced to dust beneath my feet. What regrets could I possibly have?"

"."

Chen Ping'an lay on the bed, holding the beauty in his arms, gently stroking her jade-like back.

"Why have I been having so many dreams lately?" Chen Ping'an smiled, smelling the fragrance around him, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

It hasn't been an easy journey.

After a tender moment of intimacy, whispering sweet nothings, the beauty in his arms floated away, ready to depart.

Chen Ping'an grabbed the beauty's hand: "Wan Jun, don't go, I'll marry you."

The beautiful woman smiled gently, her eyes softening: "Ping An, you don't need to feel any burden. I did all of this willingly."

After the beautiful woman finished speaking, she gently withdrew her hand and left.

Chen Ping'an stared blankly, recalling the words the beauty had said to him during their heartfelt conversation yesterday.

"Ping An, you are destined to be a dragon soaring through the sky, and you will appear in a wider world."

Rather than striving to stay by your side and watching you drift further and further away, I'd rather find peace and tranquility in a quiet harbor, enjoying the ease and freedom that belongs only to me. Cherish the peace and beauty before me, be relaxed and carefree, and live a life without regrets.

"Relax and carefree, living a life without regrets?" Chen Ping'an murmured to himself.

For a moment, he wanted to give up everything and make the beauty his wife. But in the end, he dejectedly gave in to her wishes.

He watched the beauty's departing figure, his eyes sparkling. At that moment, no one knew what he was thinking.

Is it a regret?

"Life is like a sea of ​​suffering; we struggle to cross it, we struggle to cross it!"

All external things influence our hearts. Fame and fortune may dazzle the eyes, but true feelings reveal their true nature!

In the important town of Beicang, the most beautiful courtesan, Yuanyang, is kept hidden away in a golden house.

At the misty ferry crossing, on the misty painted boat, that spring breeze that night.

The Demon Lord's Secret Treasury, the Inner Palace Space, a Thousand-Year Dream, A Bond of Love Forged Together.

Beyond the dream, a beautiful woman slowly awakens, her face ethereal and exquisitely beautiful, her emotions overwhelming. He, too, feels tenderness and affection.

A delicate fragrance wafts over you, carrying endless tenderness, expressing love in the most ardent way.

Its fragrance is warm and sweet, like osmanthus and orchid.

At that moment, there were no stances, no enemies, only lovers.

But eventually, it all passes.

After weighing the options, they parted ways. Watching the other's departing figure, for a moment, he wanted to stop him.

Is it regret?

Scene after scene, countless people and events unfolded around Chen Ping'an as if he were actually there. Through these experiences, his thoughts seemed to grow increasingly clear.

Again and again, from the beginning to the repetition, Chen Ping'an quietly contemplated his inner self.

Along the way, it seems as if a voice is questioning whether my Dao heart is in trouble.

Regret? Resentment? Defiance? Remorse?
Was the journey truly uneventful?
The scene changes, showing the person who died in front of him during the encirclement and suppression at Wufeng Mountain, in a joint operation with the Qiankun Division.

With a single, deadly shot, he turned the gun around and killed his colleague.

At Sanqi Mountain, surrounded by ten thousand demons, he led a team to provide support. At Luohua Ridge, under the Blood Demon Hammer, he perished and his path ended.

My colleague died; do I feel any shame in my conscience?

The scene changes again. Inside Sanqi Mountain, a grandmaster has fallen to his enemy, and a divine weapon remains, which he has obtained.

If the things obtained are not right, can the Taoist mind be ill?

The images, like flowing water and a great river, washed over his heart, questioning his Daoist heart.

Some images linger on the pair of orphaned siblings, while others focus on the people who died unjustly in the important town of Long'an.

Each scene touched my heart deeply, feeling incredibly real.

Is your Dao heart truly unharmed?

Chen Ping'an watched quietly, his expression unchanged.

Do you feel any remorse for the death of your colleague?

Guilty?
Worthy!

Since there was neither the intention to harm from behind nor the merit of colluding with the enemy, what is there to feel guilty about?

Once you embark on spiritual practice, cause and effect will naturally follow.

One's own fate is sealed; when one dies, one's life is extinguished. What does it have to do with others?

The responsibility for one's own life can only be borne by oneself!
If he dies someday, it will be the same!

It has nothing to do with others, it only concerns myself.

If there is an enemy, take his life, and he will repay you in kind. If someone sits on the sidelines and watches, that is a common occurrence in life, so why bother?

However, since others have made their choices, they should bear the corresponding consequences.

You reap what you sow.

I'll shoulder both good and bad karma!
Is there any problem with your Daoist heart?
My Daoist heart remains unharmed!

Heavenly being?

What is meant by "celestial being"?
Those who achieve harmony between humanity and nature are truly human!
Those whose souls are without flaw are celestial beings!
Those who are grateful to Heaven and Earth are truly human!
To follow the natural order and harmonize with all things is to be a person of heaven and humanity!
It praises the nurturing power of heaven and earth, which makes full use of all things and fully realizes human nature.
This is what it means to be a celestial being!

Boom!
A sense of unease arose, the image shattered, and vanished into chaos and nothingness.

Chen Ping'an stood with his hands behind his back, stepping into the air, his eyes bright and shining.

Human nature? What is human nature?
A thought can change the world.

The scene shifts, ending with Little Tiger arriving to collect a debt. A young man subtly influences, his influence pervasive and unnoticed.

There are black market games, midnight raids, and the sounds of gongs and drums echoing in the alley. There are those who seize power, remaining still until the very end, and then striking with thunderous force.

The scene changes again, showing Fang Yu causing trouble, disregarding human life, and the kick he gave before being imprisoned in Nancheng.

They were married into prominent families, and remained neither humble nor arrogant.

They practice diligently day and night, undeterred by frost, snow, rain, or thunder.

Some are low-key and patient, some are unassuming and reserved, some are flamboyant and arrogant, some have youthful spirit, some are carefree and joyful, and some are diligent and tireless in their studies. Some have become famous far and wide, while others have remained true to their principles. Some have ambitions that transcend the world, while others have done things with a down-to-earth attitude.

The Daoist mind, the Daoist mind, is so vast, yet in essence, it is nothing more than the daily affairs.

Where does this heart reside?

此心
Always there!

Break free from the illusion of inner demons!

boom!
The aura rises, the spirituality dissipates, and the divine soul transforms into a source, as vast and boundless as the tide.

Within the Lingtai, a sudden glimmer of light appeared, like a thin mist at dawn, a faint yet dazzling glow.

Like the rising sun, it casts down a myriad of golden rays.

Using the light of the pivot to perceive the heavens and earth, and using the soul as a guide, draw upon the power of the heavens and earth.

The unity of heaven and man, the martial arts of heaven and man, achieved!
(End of this chapter)