The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Lou Xiao'e silently added in her heart: I will never let it leave my side.

Yang Ping sat for a while longer before getting up to take his leave.

He was eager to go back and try out how to use that internal energy, so he didn't linger any longer.

As for the headache, we'll deal with it when it flares up again.

Although Lou Xiao'e was reluctant to part with him, she still saw him to the door and told him to be careful on the way.

Yang Ping rode his bike towards the compound.

Comrade Yang Ping!

As he passed outside Fengzeyuan, someone suddenly called to him.

Turning my head, I saw Yao Fengze.

Yang Ping quickly pulled the car over and parked it in front of the store.

Comrade Yang, it's easier to talk inside.

As Yao Fengze finished speaking...

Yang Ping nodded in agreement, locked the bicycle, and followed the other person into the threshold of Fengzeyuan.

"Comrade Yang, this way."

Yao Fengze led the way.

Yang Ping followed silently.

He had absolute trust in his bodyguards, knowing they would never endanger him, and thus moved with composure.

After passing through several courtyards, the two arrived at a storeroom in the back garden.

Pushing open the door, one sees a number of items on display—the old plaque of Fengzeyuan, various porcelains, and antique treasures, all quietly placed here.

"Comrade Yang, everything you instructed us to do last time—replacing the originals—has been completed and is all here."

Yao Fengze said, "It can be directly stored in your system space."

"it is good."

Without hesitation, Yang Ping, with a slight thought, incorporated all the items in front of him into the system space.

If these treasures were preserved for posterity, their value would be worth far more than millions.

But for Fengzeyuan, their significance far exceeds what money can measure.

"Is there anything else?"

Yang Ping asked.

"There is one, though."

Yao Fengze continued, "Mr. Lou knew that his daughter was with me and asked me to take good care of her. He also sent me some money, but I declined and did not accept it."

"It's alright, you can take it if you want, don't worry about me."

Yang Ping was not surprised by this.

Although Lou Bancheng is not what he used to be, he still has more than enough ability to find someone in the capital.

"Understood, Comrade Yang."

Yao Fengze responded.

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Yang Ping pushed the cart away.

He got on his bicycle and headed straight for the compound.

Today is a day off, and the courtyard is bustling with people, much more lively than usual.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw a group of people chatting under the eaves. I nodded slightly in greeting and walked straight through the front yard into the depths of the courtyard.

My clothes were already drying on the rope under the eaves, and the pot of daffodils had been moved to a corner where the sun was shining brightly.

Looking at this scene, I couldn't help but twitch the corners of my mouth.

Ma Xiaoling's care for people is truly impeccable.

"Xu Damao married a good wife—or rather, Xu Damao's wife treats me exceptionally well."

I muttered to myself.

Everyone knows that Xu Damao now handles all the odd jobs inside and outside the house, while Ma Xiaoling can just sit back and relax without having to lift a finger.

Given how she treats me now, Xu Damao must be so frustrated he'd want to bang his head against the wall.

He probably wouldn't dare to say a word.

To put it another way, Ma Xiaoling's fists are not just for show.

Evil people will always have their own evil people to subdue them.

Originally, it was thought that no one could control Xu Damao in his life, but now that Ma Xiaoling has come along, she has subdued him and he no longer dares to cause trouble.

Back inside, I closed the door behind me.

They then drew the curtains tightly shut, blocking any view from outside.

It's time to try that wisp of internal energy.

I didn't have time to explore this in detail earlier, but now that I'm alone, it's the perfect time to see just how far I've come.

I sat cross-legged on the tatami mat.

Following the memories left by Yan Hancheng, he slowly activated the innate internal energy in his dantian.

The internal energy circulates within the body like a snake, nourishing and tempering the meridians and internal organs wherever it passes.

After completing a full cycle, it felt as if the whole body had been thoroughly cleansed by a gentle, refreshing current.

I can clearly feel that my strength has increased a lot.

This is the fundamental secret to Yan Hancheng's longevity—his physique is strengthened day by day, and his vitality naturally lasts longer.

This method is indeed effective.

It simply requires persistent effort, like water dripping on a stone.

As night deepened, Yang Ping sat cross-legged, his thoughts wandering.

The path of cultivation is not limited to arduous practice. If one can draw the primordial energy of heaven and earth into the body and let it flow naturally through the limbs and bones, one can temper one's muscles and bones without realizing it, saving a lot of effort from deliberately practicing one's energy.

However, such primordial energy is extremely rare and hard to find.

Yan Hancheng had been traveling the world for decades, and only when he was thirty-five years old did he have a chance encounter, and he never met him again.

This shows how precious it is.

Yang Ping slowly finished her practice, feeling light and clear-headed, as if she had just had a deep rest.

He secretly thought that he might be able to replace sleep with cultivation in the future, which would both nourish his vitality and maintain his energy.

With a slight thought, he picked up a green leaf he had casually plucked and, following the method he remembered, infused it with a wisp of internal energy.

The leaf flew out of my hand, making a slight, sharp sound as it sliced ​​through the air, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared into the pillar, leaving only a deep mark.

A slight smile appeared on Yang Ping's lips.

With this method established, any future disturbances will be resolved quickly and easily, without the need for major conflict.

Even if faced with a reckless brute like Sha Zhu, he wouldn't need anyone's help; he could handle it on his own.

Weariness still crept in.

He stretched his limbs and decided to rest for the night.

We can continue our cultivation tomorrow.

Ultimately, letting your mind and body relax is the most pleasant thing.

As dawn broke, the faint rumble of machinery could already be heard inside the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

In the first workshop, Lü Shuitian saw Yang Ping coming to collect materials from afar, and a warm smile immediately appeared on his face.

Master Yang, this is the last batch of materials. It just so happens that we're paying wages today, so I'll report your bonus and settle it with you along with your wages.

Director Lü, thank you for your trouble!

Yang Ping thanked him with a smile.

After working for more than ten days, only these seven-level workpieces remained of the batch that Lü Shuitian had previously assigned.

At his pace, he should be able to finish today.

The 30th, the last day of the month, is the day for expenses to be paid.

Why say all this? What's yours is rightfully yours.

Lu Shuitian waved his hand, handed over the materials, and turned to leave.

Yang Ping returned to his machine and began polishing the last batch of level seven parts.

Once this batch of work is finished, his skills will be firmly at the top level.

Tomorrow I can try those irregular parts. If it works, I'll be a level eight fitter.

Yang Ping!

Xie Quancai walked over slowly, his voice low.

Master, what's going on?

Seeing his master's furrowed brows and gloomy expression, Yang Ping couldn't help but ask.

Yang Ping, tell your master something. Is my teaching method wrong? How come those six boys haven't shown any progress after all this time?

Xie Quancai's tone was filled with confusion.

Since I took on the task of teaching these six people, none of them have been able to advance to the next level.

At first, he thought it was because everyone had different foundations, and that Yang Ping's subordinates had a good foundation, which is why they progressed quickly.

But a few days ago, he witnessed a fitter who was originally at the intermediate level of level six pass the exam and passed level seven after being mentored by Yang Ping. Suddenly, his confidence began to waver.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ping's lips curved slightly into a smile.

He still remembered how enthusiastic and spirited his master was when he first took over those six people.

Who would have thought that not long after, he would begin to doubt himself.

"Master, you taught them correctly. They are indeed making progress—two of them have improved from average to a higher level. Doesn't that prove that we are on the right track?"

He quickly explained.

"Then how come the people you've trained have improved so quickly? Old Zhuang was originally a level six fitter, an average skill, but after just a few days under your supervision, he's almost level seven?"

Xie Quancai frowned.

"This is different."

Laozi and Zhuangzi were highly perceptive; they understood everything I said immediately. But look at those other people; you can explain things to them repeatedly, and they still need a long time to figure it out.

Yang Ping answered with a smile.

The key was actually his enhanced eyes—capable of detecting the slightest flaws, which allowed him to precisely correct Laozi and Zhuangzi's habits.

In addition, Laozi and Zhuangzi completely trusted him, never going against his advice, and there was no barrier between teaching and learning.

With both sides working together, progress will naturally be rapid.

Xie Quancai nodded thoughtfully.

That's true. Those kids are really blockheads. I've tried so hard to talk to them, but they just ignore me.

However, some people listened to the advice, but why is there no improvement?

"Yang Ping, you don't mean... you're hiding some unique teaching method, do you?"

He couldn't resist testing the waters.

"Master, you're with me all the time. You've seen how I teach people, haven't you? There's no secret to it."

Yang Ping gave a helpless smile.

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because his mention of it actually made his master guess correctly—he did indeed have a special method, but his master couldn't learn it.

Even if I told anyone, I'm afraid my master wouldn't believe me.

If Xie Quancai heard anything about using innate internal energy to infuse the eyes, improve eyesight, and perceive the smallest details, he would probably think his disciple was crazy.

Besides, even if he truly believed it, he wouldn't be able to pass on this innate internal energy to his master.

It's better not to mention it to avoid adding to your troubles.

"Too."

Xie Quancai responded in a low voice.

Xie Quancai nodded thoughtfully.

These days he has been following his apprentice around, observing and giving him pointers, and he has already mastered those skills and tricks.

"Master, just follow our method and train them. Before long, they will surely be able to be promoted to a higher level."

As Yang Ping spoke, his hands never stopped working.

"become!"

Xie Quancai should have readily agreed.

Only now did his anxiety finally subside.

Seeing that Yang Ping's men were being promoted one after another while his own men remained inactive, it would be a lie to say he wasn't anxious.

Yang Ping said no more and focused on polishing the parts in front of him.

As the sun began to set, the last task was completed in his hands, bringing this batch of tasks to a perfect close.

His skills have now reached the threshold of the seventh-level special grade. Once all the special parts are approved, he will be able to enter the ranks of the eighth-level technicians.

"Director Lü, the task has been completed."

Yang Ping placed the polished, level-seven parts on his desk.

"Okay, I just delivered the order to the finance department. When you collect your wages tonight, the bonus for this task will be added to your paycheck."

As he spoke, Lü Shuitian took the stack of quality slips.

"Thank you for your trouble, Director Lü!"

"Of course."

Lu Shuitian's gaze swept over the list, which was filled with "Special Grade".

He marked it, his expression suddenly turning serious.

"Master Yang, you've... already firmly established yourself at the seventh-grade top level?"

He looked up, his tone seeking confirmation.

"Yes, I have carefully inspected all of these parts, and they all meet the top-grade standard without any discrepancies."

Yang Ping answered frankly.

He knows best how skilled he is.

"Great! That's wonderful!"

A gleam appeared in Lü Shuitian's eyes.

He knew in his heart that this meant Yang Ping was only one final test away from being officially promoted to the eighth-level fitter.

"How about we try those unusual parts?"

He asked the question.

There was indeed a batch of unusual parts stored in the warehouse, but Yi Zhonghai hadn't dared to touch them yet—he was afraid of causing too much damage, resulting in serious losses for the factory and having to pay compensation himself.

As an eighth-grade fitter, Yi Zhonghai delayed as much as possible until Lü Shuitian got impatient and made it clear that he didn't need to pay compensation, at which point he reluctantly dared to try.

"Director Lü, I can't guarantee anything. What if we fail..."

Yang stopped talking halfway through.

He knew the factory's rules well; if the damage exceeded the limit, he would have to pay compensation at the original price.

"Master Yang, I trust your skills."

"Just go ahead and try it; I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."

Lü Shuitian patted his chest and guaranteed it.

He was more inclined to believe Yang Ping than Yi Zhonghai.