Hua Lian'er unfurled his speech for the first time, possibly moved by seeing Chen Ping take a risk alone today, while he couldn't offer any help.
At this moment, he just wanted to reveal everything he knew.
"Let's not talk about the Celestial List, but tonight, Deputy Commander Liang Qi, despite losing so easily, like a joke, is actually a renowned figure on the list. He ranks thirty-ninth on the Earth List, and it's said he's just one step away from the Grandmaster Realm. Losing to Fairy Fubo is quite normal."
"Fairy Fubo, you mean the lady playing the zither?"
Zuo Duanshou had long been puzzled, seeing that the Deputy Commander, already a top figure, was beaten into submission by someone.
The opponent was a seemingly delicate woman, which inevitably sparked curiosity.
"Yes, Fairy Fubo, Weifu Bo, wielding the Nine Heavens Zither, famed throughout Jianghu with her Stringless Celestial Sound. Even among grandmasters, she's outstanding. Moreover, her first battle to fame was sixteen years ago, at the age of thirteen."
"Well, well..."
Several people exclaimed in unison.
Chen Ping noticed the spark in Hua Lian'er's eyes, akin to the look certain groups have when talking about idols.
He couldn't help but be moved.
"You mean, this Fairy Fubo plays the zither very well?"
"Yes, her musical skills are unparalleled in the world, renowned as a master. It's said that when she plays the Vast Sea Subdued Dragon Melody, she can calm the sea waves... Back then, the Nine Heavens Zither and Jade Flute emerged from the East Sea, causing countless heroes and talents to bow down."
Talking about Fairy Fubo, Hua Lian'er couldn't stop, with a tendency to speak for three days and nights.
She licked her lips and suddenly said dejectedly, "It's a pity, we were too far away to see her celestial presence, nor hear her zither sound."
"If she truly mastered the Seven-Stringed Invisible Sword, the Earth List rankings might change again. In my opinion, Xu Jing'an, the Commander of the Brocade Guard, might not be able to hold the second place."
This whole situation was like a Jianghu fan speaking idol affection.
Chen Ping doubted his eyes again, examining closely, yet still found no trace of martial dao cultivation on Hua Lian'er, making him increasingly perplexed.
He thought for a moment but decided not to ask directly.
Even amidst close friendships, asking about things someone prefers not to share is not necessarily required.
Everyone has their secrets.
He does.
Zuo Duanshou does.
Even the Little Table and Little Stool have secrets...
Those two, though often ridiculed and slightly withdrawn, seemingly had a subtle presence.
However, through conversation, Chen Ping sensed a certain outstanding air from them, revealing "scholarly essence" not just from attending private schools.
Despite not knowing why they're eager to volunteer as eunuchs, to serve others.
This talent cannot be hidden, sometimes, their words unintentionally include literary references and elegant terms.
No matter the situation, as long as the mutual exchange of hearts is present, some secrets need not be disclosed.
Hua Lian'er not speaking likely holds his reasons.
Perhaps revealing too much may harm them.
...
With just a brief conversation, the deathly silence of the street was completely shattered.
Firelight shone distantly, and the galloping of hooves echoed, "clop-clop".
Someone was shouting, someone was crying.
The Little Table opened a crack in the door, peering out, shrinking back with surprise, whispered, "Better not say more, and rest early, Seventh Brother, you hadn't been out tonight."
"Indeed, all are asleep, we still need to sing tomorrow."
Everyone understood, the constables from Xingqing Prefecture had begun their actions. As long as they stayed inside, they wouldn't worry much about being caught by the patrolling men.
After all, constables are people too.
They wouldn't earnestly knock on every door for thorough inspection.
Doing so would exhaust them to death.
The room returned to silence, waiting until the sounds passed by... indeed, no one came searching the room.
Only then did Chen Ping relax, opening a bundle.
First, he saw the exquisite hand crossbow within, beside it were nine fine iron arrows, unstrung.
He knew, it was when Boss Yan's men attacked Shopkeeper Shen's group, damaging an arrow.
However, nine arrows were sufficient.
Chen Ping strung an arrow, held it and aimed... though not the right time to test the arrow, he felt much steadier.
He removed the arrows, examining the gold leaf pages, already folded into slender strips.
Weighing it, estimated around thirty to forty taels... with today's ratio of gold to silver at one to nine, worth nearly four hundred taels.
In addition to the gold leaves, there was a small bag of silver ingots, totaling two hundred taels.
This fortune was quite substantial, excluding arrows, just in silver taels, almost six hundred taels.
Some people are endlessly greedy, yet miserly.
With such fortune, Boss Yan still fixating on a few beggars collecting copper coins and broken silver, was madness.
Such behavior, even if not undone by him, would soon lead to death by someone else.
Character determines fate, indeed.
He even suspected, Boss Yan's uneven distribution, might lead to his own comrades ending him before others could.
Yet, that's past beyond now; Boss Yan in the underworld likely wouldn't wish for anyone to dwell on him.
In matters of silver coins, shouldn't be overly concerned... with money, one's arms can stretch a bit, buy some fine medicinal herbs to thoroughly replenish body Qi, restore his realm.
Thinking of herbs, Chen Ping retrieved a small bottle.
Pouring three white Jade Ginseng Pills into his palm, smelling carefully and tasting, he felt invigorated.
Immediately, without delay, swallowing one, focusing thoughts onto his injured leg.
Having undergone zither music treatment, his leg had significantly healed... though walking was weak, dragging slightly no longer hurt, the bamboo stick long discarded into the grass, returning without needing assistance.
Zuo Duanshou felt puzzled, yet simply assumed Chen Ping recovered quickly, or that his physique was strong, not delving too deep.
Once the Jade Ginseng Pill was digested, Chen Ping sensed his injured leg slowly healing, his Qi and blood circulated faster, with a real yet invisible energy gradually permeating into his body.
Sleep was devoid, enjoying the comforting wash of the medicinal effects, his gaze turned to the Spring and Autumn Silkworm attribute column in his mind.
[Spring and Autumn Silkworm (Second Transformation)]
[Talents: Trace Origin and Steal Fortune, Cocoon Rebirth]
[Innate Talent: 4 (Decent)]
[Enlightenment: 3 (Ordinary)]
[Tribulation: 3 (Breaking Realm)]
[Fortune: 1 (Change Destiny)]
[Cultivation Technique: Wandering Body Bagua Palm (Great Success), Spring Leg (Mastery)]
Spring Leg improved slightly, a result of recent casual practice.
Realm reached, body strengthened; practicing martial arts at the same level became simple.
Also, after killing Big-Beard Zhang and the three others, his tribulation points increased.
Considering their power, slightly weaker than Boss Yan, not being leaders added only one point, understandable.
Fortune increased by one point too.
What exactly is Fortune? Chen Ping had his understanding.
It likely follows a path of punishing evil and promoting good.
Without doubt, this group committed many evil deeds, continuing even after, their demise benefiting all beings, thus yielding fortune.
Specifically, how much tribulation and fortune from killing such perpetrators?
Chen Ping guessed it's linked to the opponent's realm, their deeds, and potential consequences.
No need for detailed inspection.
His interest lay in the current 3 tribulation points, unable to elevate fist technique realm, which was mildly regrettable.
Seems just short of one more.
Earning tribulation points proved harder than earning silver.
Yet, tribulation points only emerge from tribulations.
Chen Ping hoped for more intense tribulation yet slightly wished it not to come.
Simply saying going with fate.