With the matter of the donation silver concluded for the day, and with no patrols scheduled, Chen Pingâan could have left work early. However, to be on the safe side and prevent Constable Zheng from using this as an excuse to cause trouble, Chen Pingâan stayed at the Garrison Commandantâs Office until the official end of his shift.
During the afternoon, Chen Pingâan and Zeng Jihe chatted idly. At some point, he spotted Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu. Their expressions were grim; they had clearly heard about him receiving the donation silver.
However, as the workday was about to end, he saw them again. He had no idea where theyâd been, but both of them seemed much more relaxed.
"Master Chen, are you okay?" After all the recent incidents, Xiaozeng had grown quite perceptive. He noticed their strange behavior and immediately reported it to Chen Pingâan.
"Itâs fine," Chen Pingâan said with a calm smile. "Theyâre just a couple of petty fools."
"Right." Zeng Jihe nodded emphatically. If he hadnât witnessed Chen Pingâanâs performance at the Tiger Run Gambling Square, he would have thought Chen Pingâan was just talking big. But now, he was utterly and sincerely convinced.
When it was time to get off duty, Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Mr. Qin returned to the Garrison Commandantâs Office together. Mr. Qin had some family matters to attend to around noon, so he hadnât been at the office.
Chen Pingâan smiled and arranged with them to get together for a meal on him once this whole affair was over.
They all readily agreed with smiles.
When he got home from work, Chen Erya already had a fragrant meal waiting for him. It was a rich and hearty spread, with plenty of meat.
Ever since Chen Pingâan had been promoted to official constable, their familyâs meals had gotten better and better.
After a satisfying meal, Chen Pingâan was waiting for his food to digest so he could begin practicing with his Flying Locust Stone and the Public Door Thirteen Sabers, when an unexpected guest arrived at his courtyard gate.
A knock echoed from the gate. Chen Pingâan went to open it.
"Hello, excuse me. Is this the residence of Chen Pingâan?"
Standing before his gate was a constable in the uniform of the Garrison Commandantâs Office, a saber at his waist and a smile on his face.
"And you are?" Chen Pingâan asked, looking at the man in confusion.
He was supposed to know all thirty-something official constables of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. Based on the uniform, this man was clearly an official constable from the Garrison Commandantâs Office, yet Chen Pingâan had never seen him before.
"Youâre Chen Pingâan, I presume? My name is Chang Zheng. Iâm a constable from the South Town Garrison Command." The constableâs gaze was soft as he smiled at Chen Pingâan. His smile was so amiable, he hardly seemed like an official constable from the South City District Garrison.
"Iâve come on orders to escort you to the South Town Garrison Command. A lord wants to see you!"
Chen Pingâanâs expression froze for a second before wild joy surged through him.
âJust as I planned!â
"Greetings, Lord Chang." Chen Pingâan bowed with cupped fists, his mind crystal clear. "If I may ask, which lord is it?"
"None of that âLordâ talk, brother. Just call me Chang Zheng. Iâm a bit older than you, so if youâd like, you can call me Brother Chang. As for which lord has summoned you, youâll find out when we get there," Chang Zheng replied with a wide grin.
âHe didnât know how this young man had managed to catch that lordâs eye, but he knew one thing: if all went well, the boy before him was about to soar to new heights.â
"Brother Chang, why not come in for a cup of tea before we go?" Chen Pingâan said, readily taking the offered olive branch. âEven though heâs just a regular constable,â he thought, âhe has the prestige of the South Town Garrison Command behind him. If he were to come to our Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, his status wouldnât be much lower than a Constableâs.â
"Brother Chen, the lord is waiting. Weâll have plenty of chances for tea next time," Chang Zheng replied, smiling as he politely declined.
"You have a point. Brother Chang, please wait just a moment."
With that, Chen Pingâan went back into the courtyard to say goodbye to Chen Erya.
"Nannan, your big brother is heading out for a bit. I should be back by nine tonight!"
"Letâs go, Brother Chang."
After hearing Chen Erya call out in acknowledgment, Chen Pingâan walked out of the courtyard with a smile.
"Alright, letâs go," Chang Zheng responded with a smile.
The South Town Garrison Command was some distance from Nanquan Lane, separated by two other lane districts. It was a considerable walk, but the two of them were so engrossed in conversation that the time flew by.
Along the way, Chen Pingâan astutely observed that although Chang Zheng was only an official constable, he possessed a Martial Arts Realm of Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection. This came as quite a surprise.
âThe South Town Garrison Command truly lives up to its name as the cityâs main command center!â
âIf this is the caliber of their official constables, then wouldnât the Constables at the South Town Garrison Command be, at a minimum, at the same realm as Constable Zheng?â
Compared to the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, the South Town Garrison Command was far more imposing. Though it was well past the end of the workday, constables were still coming and going as dusk settled, passing through the entrance from time to time.
These constables wore solemn, dignified expressions, unlike the ones at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office who were prone to whispering and furtive glances. The constables of the South Town Garrison Command were clearly a much more elite force.
With just a cursory glance, Chen Pingâan was surprised to see that nearly every constable had been initiated into the Martial Dao. While not many were at Chang Zhengâs level, he still spotted a few.
With Chang Zheng leading, Chen Pingâan wasnât stopped or questioned at all, entering the South Town Garrison Command without a hitch.
The two of them continued deeper inside, entering a particularly splendid building.
Chang Zheng led Chen Pingâan to the second floor, where he stopped and cupped his fists. "Brother Chen, the lord is upstairs. This is as far as I can take you. Youâll have to go up the rest of the way on your own."
"My thanks, Brother Chang," Chen Pingâan said with a smile, returning the formal gesture.
He glanced around, then headed for the third floor.
He had just reached the top of the stairs when he was met by a woman in specially made Tough Clothing. Chen Pingâan was about to offer a greeting when her voice cut through the air. "Youâre Chen Pingâan? Follow me."
Chen Pingâan nodded and followed the woman deeper into the building. A Waist Token hung from her hip, and as he walked behind her, he got a clear look at the insignia engraved on it.
âA Constable Token! This woman is a Constable!â
A jolt went through Chen Pingâan.
âTo become a Constable in the South Town Garrison Command, and a trusted confidante of the lord, no less... A person like that is anything but ordinary!â
Observing her closely, Chen Pingâan realized that even with his Martial Arts Realm at the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, he couldnât gauge the womanâs cultivation level at all.
âSheâs above the Qi Blood Fourth Layer!â
âCould she be... at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer?!â
Chen Pingâan wondered inwardly.
Lost in his speculation, he was led by the woman into a room. Seated at its head was a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in Fish Scale Armor. It was none other than Mu Wanjun, the very person he had a chance encounter with that night.
"Lord Chief of the Patrol Office," the woman said, greeting Mu Wanjun respectfully.
Mu Wanjun lifted her head slightly, her gaze landing on Chen Pingâan. She looked him up and down before speaking. "So, youâve arrived. I hadnât expected we would meet a second time."
"Lord Chief of the Patrol Office." Chen Pingâan bowed with cupped fists, letting an appropriate look of awe and surprise cross his face.
âThe woman before him held the highest authority in the South Town Garrison Command, deciding the fates of over a thousand constables across more than ten districts of the South District. And not just thatâshe was a true master who had transcended the Qi Blood realm!â
âThis meeting today was the result of his own careful planning, but it was also a consequence of her taking an interest in him.â