With Master Hu and Master Qing of the Tiger Head Gang dead, the rest of the encirclement and suppression became extremely simple. The Garrison Commandantâs Office had launched a sudden attack, and with another squad of constables mobilized to patrol the perimeter, not a single core member of the Tiger Head Gang managed to escape.
Of the Tiger Head Gangâs three Protectors, besides Big Steel Fangâwho knew what was good for him and surrendered without a fightâthe other two were both killed. As for Young Master Xiao Hu, Chen Pingâan hadnât even given him the chance to live, let alone beg for mercy.
Of the seven chieftains, five were executed on the spot, and two were captured. In addition, there were over a hundred gang members of various ranks; some were killed, and the rest were arrested.
The Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office paid a price, with casualties among its constables, including Tan Huacong. But in exchange, the Tiger Head Gangâa deeply feared behemoth in the eyes of the common folkâhad collapsed overnight.
Once the news spread, it sent shockwaves through the many gangs of Nanquan Lane.
The Iron Bull Gang, the Wild Wolf Gang, the Flying Sand Gang...
The Gang Leaders from every faction sent out men to investigate. After peeling back the layers, they discovered that the Tiger Head Gangâs downfall was, surprisingly, orchestrated single-handedly by that Preparatory Constable named Chen Pingâan.
And the root of it all, it seemed, was the trouble stirred up by Young Master Xiao Hu.
Horrified, the various gangs immediately launched internal investigations, checking to see if any of their own Protectors or chieftains had been threatening or extorting constables of the Garrison Commandantâs Office.
After this battle, the prestige of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office grew even greater!
However, a gang like the Tiger Head Gang, which had dominated such a large territory spanning several streets, was naturally not without backing. On the contrary, the waters behind them ran deep. As such, certain interested parties were watching closely, waiting to see how the Tiger Head Gangâs backers would react.
But, unexpectedly, the powers behind the Tiger Head Gang showed no intention of retaliating.
This made the other gangs realize just how extraordinary Chen Pingâan truly was.
...
ăNanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.ă
Shen Shikang listened to his subordinateâs report, remaining silent for a long time. After a good while, he finally shook his head and said, "In all these days, the powers behind the Tiger Head Gang have shown no sign of retaliation! Chen Pingâanâs connections in the South Town Garrison Command must truly run deep!"
"And during the raid, Chen Pingâan displayed extraordinarily impressive martial skill. A short while ago, he was only at the Qi Blood Second Layer, and now heâs already at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection. That rate of progress is terrifying! If that were all, it would be one thing, but his Public Door Thirteen Sabers has already reached Great Success! How long has it even been?!"
Shen Shikang marveled to himself.
Not long ago, word had arrived from the South Town Garrison Command. For his contributions to the raid on the Tiger Head Gang, Chen Pingâan was being specially promoted to Constable.
Not only had the South Town Garrison Command placated the Tiger Head Gangâs backers, but they had also used this as a legitimate opportunity to remove the word "Preparatory" from Chen Pingâanâs title!
If he recalled correctly, that kid Chen Pingâan wasnât even twenty years old yet.
A Constable under the age of twenty!
For an ordinary person, this was simply unimaginable.
Most importantly, judging by Chen Pingâanâs performance, his future achievements would certainly not stop at the rank of Constable.
âFrom now on, I must do my best to stay on good terms with this Chen Pingâan.â
Shen Shikang muttered to himself.
...
"Haaaah!"
In his small personal courtyard, Chen Pingâan let out a long breath.
A trace of excitement still lingered on his face.
Name: Chen Pingâan
Realm: Qi Blood Fourth Layer Perfection
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (Perfection), Flying Locust Stone (Perfection), Public Door Thirteen Sabers (Great Success, 55/100), Thirteen Grand Protectorsâ Horizontal Training (Entry Level, 8/30)
...
In the days following the Tiger Head Gangâs annihilation, Chen Pingâan continued to practice the Martial Dao as usual. Several days of hard work had allowed him to accumulate enough Cultivation Experience for his Flying Locust Stone to reach the Perfection Realm.
Achieving Perfection in Flying Locust Stone filled Chen Pingâan with abundant Qi Blood, which he used for Blood Refinement into his bones. In one fell swoop, he reached the Perfection of the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, Bone Forging.
Chen Pingâan closed his eyes, recalling the events and scenes of the past few days.
âThe destruction of the Tiger Head Gang!â
âThe death of Tan Huacong!â
âBone Forging Perfection!â
âPromotion to Constable!â
â...â
Every single one of these events was a good thing for him. âItâs true,â he thought. âAs long as youâre strong enough, all your troubles and pains will disappear.â
Chen Pingâan recalled what Mu Wanjun had said when she summoned him the day before.
"You were too reckless with this Tiger Head Gang business. Wiping them out was simple enough, but did you consider the powers behind them? Youâre still young, and the waters here run too deep for you to grasp. I donât blame you for that. Shen Shikang, on the other hand, played his hand beautifully. He put you center stage to draw everyoneâs attention while he hid in the background, secretly reaping the rewards! If the situation went south, he could have just thrown you to the wolves and washed his hands of the whole affair."
"Taking revenge for a wrong is what a man should do. Iâve already smoothed this matter over for you. Right now, youâre in the eye of the storm, so for the time being, just lay low and focus on your Cultivation here in Nanquan Lane. When the time is right, I will transfer you to the South Town Garrison Command myself. You are still young; do not let fame become a burden. Remember, all external things are fleetingâonly strength is fundamental."
"In just a few short days, youâve already brought the Public Door Thirteen Sabers to the Great Success Realm. Your talent is even greater than I imagined. If you continue to cultivate diligently, given time, you might just have a chance to break through to the Inner Qi Realm!"
"You are now at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection, and combined with your Great Success Level in the Public Door Thirteen Sabers, your practical combat skills are no worse than some of the full Constables in the lane. Since thatâs the case, Iâve taken the liberty of removing the word âPreparatoryâ from your title."
"Remember: cultivate well, and do not disappoint me!"
"..."
Recalling yesterdayâs meeting, it was obvious that Mu Wanjun was truly grooming him as a trusted subordinate. This was a testament to the value Chen Pingâan had demonstrated.
In response to Mu Wanjunâs favor, Chen Pingâan was naturally adept at social niceties. He rattled off one pledge after another, vowing his undying loyalty and willingness to serve her to the death.
âMy current strength is indeed enough for me to act uncontested in Nanquan Lane,â he thought. âBut across the whole of South City, itâs still not enough. Never mind those lofty masters of the Inner Qi Realmâeven experts at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm, could pose a major threat to me!â
Although he was in high spirits, Chen Pingâan remained vigilant, ever mindful of danger even in times of peace.
In the entire South District, there were more than a dozen lanes just like Nanquan Lane. Each lane had an Inspector and a Vice Inspector, both of whom were powerful martial artists at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm!
Furthermore, in South City Lane, the central lane of the South District, even an ordinary Constable had reached the Qi Blood Fourth Layer of Bone Forging. Some of the most senior Constables there were even existences at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm.
Beyond them, the South Town Garrison Command also had numerous supervisors in its various Task Rooms, every single one of whom possessed extraordinary strength.
The Chief and Vice Chief of the Patrol at the South Town Garrison Command were existences who completely surpassed the lane Inspectors and supervisors. They were all masters of the Inner Qi Realm!
According to rumors, besides the Chief and Vice Chief of the Patrol, the South Town Garrison Command also had masters at the Tributor level, who were also in the Inner Qi Realm. As for how many such masters existed, that was information far beyond what someone at Chen Pingâanâs current station could possibly know.