After Chen Pingâan and Tan Huacong returned to the Garrison Commandantâs Office, Tan Huacong began recording the relevant details right in front of him. Once Tan Huacong was finished, Chen Pingâan looked it over carefully to confirm there were no errors or omissions.
"The details of the matter have all been recorded. Once the Constable arrives, the body will be immediately confirmed and sealed. Itâs late, Chen Pingâan, you should head home for now." Tan Huacong put the record sheet away in a drawer and showed Chen Pingâan out.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Tan." Chen Pingâan nodded his thanks and turned to leave. But he suddenly thought of something and turned back to Tan Huacong. "Mr. Tan, would it be convenient for you to provide some kind of proof?"
"What? The case details have all been recorded. Are you afraid Iâll screw you over?"
Tan Huacongâs face showed his displeasure.
"No, no, of course not. Itâs just... Iâm a little uneasy, and Iâd like something to put my mind at ease," Chen Pingâan said with a thick-skinned smile.
âAlthough itâs pretty much a sure thing, I want a little more insurance. Getting some kind of proof will help me rest easier.â
Chen Pingâan looked at Tan Huacong with a smile on his face.
Tan Huacong looked up and stared at Chen Pingâan for a moment.
The room fell silent.
This was an invisible contest, even though the two were not equals in terms of status.
"Take it." Tan Huacong pulled a black Token of Trust from his drawer. It wasnât large, only about as thick as a finger.
"It has special markings that are very difficult to forge. We usually use it as proof that a matter has been officially accepted. With this, you can rest easy."
"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Tan." Chen Pingâan took the black Token of Trust and thanked him profusely.
Tan Huacong ignored him.
After thanking him a few more times, Chen Pingâan left the Task Room. As he reached the entrance to the Garrison Commandantâs Office, he saw that the two constables were still there.
"Is everything sorted out?"
A constable called out to Chen Pingâan. They had seen him leave with Mr. Tan earlier.
"Yes, more or less," Chen Pingâan nodded.
Leaving the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, Chen Pingâan felt a sense of exhilaration.
âAn official constable...â
âI canât believe a stroke of luck tonight led to such a huge opportunity.â
âOf course, I only got this opportunity because I was strong enough. Anyone else in the same situation would have followed him only to be beaten to death by Hairy Fishâs fists.â
âHairy Fishâs injuries were nowhere near as severe as I made them out to be. Though not at the level of a proper Qi Blood Second Layer, he definitely still had the full power of a Qi Blood First Level Perfection cultivator.â
Chen Pingâanâs chest was still throbbing with a burning pain.
By the time he got home, it was well into the latter half of the night. Chen Erya was still fast asleep. You had to hand it to the little girl, she was a heavy sleeper. With no worries on her mind, she slept very soundly.
Chen Pingâan quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes. Just before falling asleep, he was still thinking about the matter of becoming an official constable.
âTomorrow. Tomorrow, this will all be settled!â
...
ăNanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.ă
After Chen Pingâan had gone, Zheng Shiyong walked into Tan Huacongâs Task Room. Zheng Shiyong remained inside for a good while, then came out looking thrilled and made his way toward the Head of the Office. Upon reaching the Head of the Office, he didnât stop but continued toward the rear. There, in the back of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, was a Cultivation Room.
Normally, only the Lord Chief and the Vice Chief were allowed to use it.
And tonight, Constable Zheng was in there!
Thatâs right. He had just deceived Chen Pingâan. He never imagined that a casual lie would, by a strange twist of fate, yield such a massive reward.
He knocked on the door of the Meditation Room.
"Uncle, itâs me, Shi Yong," Zheng Shiyong said softly, still knocking.
"Come in."
The voice of Constable Zheng came from within.
Hearing this, Zheng Shiyong pushed the door open and walked inside.
...
Early the next morning, Chen Pingâan practiced his Iron Cloth Shirt three times in a row. He had barely slept a wink that night. However, as someone who had embarked on Martial Dao Cultivation, his abundant Qi Blood left him feeling vigorous and full of energy. In his current condition, losing a night or two of sleep was of little consequence, as long as it didnât become a habit.
Name: Chen Pingâan
Realm: Qi Blood Second Layer
Martial Arts: Great Success in Iron Cloth Shirt (16/100)
...
Looking at the newly increased Experience Points on the panel, Chen Pingâan felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
After wiping himself down, he heard Chen Erya call out her goodbyes as he headed straight for the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.
"Pingâan, youâre here!" Monkey Head called out in greeting.
"Monkey Head," Chen Pingâan responded with a smile, then turned to greet Da Shan beside him. "Da Shan."
"Pingâan," Da Shan greeted with a smile.
Chen Pingâan glanced around and noticed that Zheng Shiyong had also arrived early. He was surrounded by a circle of constables, looking like the man of the hour.
"Pingâan, you look like youâre in a great mood today." Monkey Headâs sharp eyes didnât miss Chen Pingâanâs cheerful disposition.
"Thatâs right. Something good happened last night."
"Something good? What was it?" Monkey Head asked curiously.
"Monkey Head, Da Shan, last night, I was sleeping at home when, you wouldnât believe it..."
Just as Chen Pingâan began to speak,
a figure entered the Garrison Commandantâs Office.
"Itâs Constable Zheng."
The surrounding chatter immediately died down.
Chen Pingâan stopped what he was about to say.
Constable Zheng walked straight up to the high platform and sat down firmly in the large chair.
"Why is Constable Zheng here so early today?" Monkey Head whispered.
Chen Pingâan shook his head.
âCould this have something to do with last night?â he secretly wondered.
Constable Zhengâs arrival plunged the Garrison Commandantâs Office into silence. Of the five Constables at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, his authority was the most absolute.
The constables who arrived late felt a shiver the moment they entered the main gate and saw Constable Zheng on the high platform. They hastily found their places and stood at attention.
After a good while, two more Constables entered through the doors: Constable Yan and Constable Huang.
Seeing that all the constables had arrived, Constable Zheng stood up from his large chair and walked to the front.
"My fellow constables, an incident occurred last night. The Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish, has been brought to justice!"
Constable Zhengâs opening sentence immediately set the crowd abuzz.
"Hairy Fish died last night?"
"Brought to justice? Who killed him?"
"How was it so fast?"
"Did one of the Constables make a move?"
"..."
The constables below broke into excited discussion.
"Pingâan, Da Shan. The official constable spot... the official constable spot is gone!"
Hearing the news, Monkey Head looked devastated. He beat his chest in despair, feeling like heâd just missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Monkey Head." Just as Chen Pingâan was about to offer a few words of comfort, Constable Zhengâs voice rang out from the high platform again.
"Quiet!"
At his word, the constables below fell silent.
"The successful capture of the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish, was thanks to the Garrison Commandantâs Officeâs temporary constable, Chen Pingâan..."
Chen Pingâanâs eyes lit up.
âHere it comes!â
âHeâs about to announce it!â
"...who provided a valuable clue. Official constable Tan Huacong and temporary constable Zheng Shiyong used that clue to successfully track down the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish. They joined forces to kill him. Crucially, it was temporary constable Zheng Shiyong who delivered the final blow, killing Hairy Fish on the spot, and therefore he receives the greatest share of the merit."