The Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office methodically pushed forward its investigation into the Spring Rain Tower affair. All personnel from the tower, except for those already dead, were interrogated one by one.
During the interrogations, a number of clues were uncovered. When these clues were combined with prior intelligence from the South Town Garrison Command, the investigators painstakingly unraveled the conspiracy and successfully rooted out many of the Ten Thousand Demons Sectâs inside agents.
Several days later, a commendation report personally written by Shen Shikang was delivered to the Chief of the Patrol Office of the South Town Garrison Command.
According to the list of merits, Shen Shikang, Inspectorate of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, had planned meticulously and commanded aptly. The successful annihilation of the Ten Thousand Demons Sectâs hidden stronghold earned him the highest commendation.
Chen Pingâan, a Constable of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, was bold yet meticulous and highly effective, even capturing a minor leader of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect alive. This earned him the second-highest commendation.
The Vice Inspector of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office commanded well, setting up multiple encirclements and successfully intercepting several remnants of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. This earned him the third-highest commendation.
Constable Li of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office...
In truth, Shen Shikang had deliberated on this commendation report for a long time. The main point of contention was between Chen Pingâan and Tian Fuliang.
Logically speaking, as the second-in-command of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, Tian Fuliang should have received the second-highest commendation without question, regardless of how effective his subordinates were.
After all, no matter how effective the subordinates were, it was only because they had been well-led by their superiors!
However...
Chen Pingâanâs background, after all, was not ordinary.
In Shen Shikangâs eyes, the man was a confidant of the Chief of the Patrol Office of the South Town Garrison Command!
Furthermore, Chen Pingâan had indeed been effective this time, and his capture of the Madam was a tangible achievement. Therefore, after some deliberation, Shen Shikang awarded the second-highest commendation to Chen Pingâan.
This was his way of going with the flow and indirectly currying favor with the Chief of the Patrol Office.
...
One day, Chen Pingâan was stealing a moment of leisure in his office to practice his Thirteen Grand Protectorsâ Horizontal Training. He had already reached Great Success with the technique, and the next stage was Horizontal Training Perfection.
Once he achieved Thirteen Grand Protectors Cross Training Perfect, his Martial Arts Realm would also smoothly advance to the Qi Blood Sixth Layer!
The Qi Blood Sixth Layerâthe Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm!
At that stage, oneâs Qi Blood would be endless and vitality would flourish. One could truly be called a powerful expert of the Martial Dao.
An existence like that would be renowned not just in Nanquan Lane, but throughout the entire South District.
The supervisors of the various Task Rooms under the South Town Garrison Command were at this level of strength. Aside from the supervisors of the South Town Garrison Commandâs Task Rooms, the Inspectorates of a few key alleys, such as the core South City Lane, were also at this Martial Dao level.
Of course, this was only within the Garrison Commandantâs Office.
The power structure of the South District was far more complex than that of Nanquan Lane. Besides the gangs and merchant guilds, there were also some families with distinguished lineages. Among these families, there was no shortage of powerful Martial Dao experts at the Qi Blood Sixth Layer.
+1.
An experience symbol floated past.
Chen Pingâanâs mood lifted.
Feeling himself change with every passing momentâthis kind of instant, positive feedback was truly addictive.
Just as Chen Pingâan was immersed in the feeling, a knock came from the door.
"Come in,"
Chen Pingâan said in a deep voice.
The office door opened, and a young constable walked in.
"Chief! Someoneâs here to see you."
Zeng Jihe looked respectfully at Chen Pingâan, who was seated in the large chair.
Since taking charge of the five squads of constables, Chen Pingâan had made some efforts to promote his trusted aides. He had placed Zeng Jihe by his side to handle various tasks, seeing it as a way of mentoring him.
"Who is it?"
"Chief, the visitor claims to be a constable from the South Town Garrison Command named Chang Zheng."
âJust as I thought!â Chen Pingâan understood immediately, a look of realization flashing across his face. "Let him in."
"Yes, sir."
Zeng Jihe replied.
...
"Chen Constable, long time no see!"
Chang Zheng smiled as he looked at Chen Pingâan sitting behind the long table. He felt a sense of disbelief, as if the man had transformed completely in the short time since theyâd last met.
"Indeed, Brother Chang, long time no see."
Chen Pingâan beamed and poured Chang Zheng a cup of tea.
"Why call me Constable? Thatâs too formal. Just call me by my name."
Hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed in Chang Zhengâs eyes, but he still demurred, "I appreciate Chen Constableâs good intentions. However, on official business, itâs better to address each other by our titles."
If they had met some time ago, Chang Zheng would have definitely addressed him as Brother Chen.
Back then, he had seen that Chen Pingâan was summoned by the Chief of the Patrol Office and believed he was destined for a meteoric rise, so he had deliberately forged a good relationship early on. But Chen Pingâanâs promotion speed was a bit too fast. So fast that he found it incredible.
How long had it even been?
He went from official constable to Preparatory Constable, and then from Preparatory Constable to a full Constable.
The opportunity for each promotion came after a summons from the Chief of the Patrol Office, Mu Wanjun.
The first summons, a promotion to Preparatory Constable.
The second summons, a promotion to Constable.
Now this was the third summons. Who knew if he would be promoted again?
How could he dare to address him casually? Should he call him Brother Chen like before? âImpossible!â
After a few more pleasantries, Chang Zheng stated his purpose.
"Chen Constable, the Chief of the Patrol Office wants to see you."
Chen Pingâan was not at all surprised by this.
In the Spring Rain Tower battle, he had managed to capture Madam Ruchun, who was at the Qi Blood Third Layer, which meant his Martial Dao strength had clearly advanced. Furthermore, Shen Shikang had recommended him for the second-highest commendation in the report.
With all this, it was only natural that Mu Wanjun would want to summon him.
"Greetings, Chen Constable."
"Chief."
"..."
Amid the greetings of the constables, Chen Pingâan left the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office with Chang Zheng and headed toward the South Town Garrison Command.
...
"Are you sure it was someone from the South Town Garrison Command?"
Shen Shikang asked the constable before him, his face a mask of surprise.
"Reporting to the Lord Chief, yes. This little one saw the Token in his hand from the side. Itâs absolutely certain, heâs from the South Town Garrison Command."
The constable said respectfully, his head bowed.
"To the South Town Garrison Command at a time like this!"
Shen Shikang paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself.
"The Lord Chief of the Patrol Office values him even more than I thought!"
It seemed Chen Pingâanâs standing with the Chief of the Patrol Office surpassed even his own imagination.
...
The fact that someone from the South Town Garrison Command had come to escort Chen Pingâan away wasnât just known to Shen Shikang; people like Tian Fuliang, Constable Li, and Constable Yan also learned of it immediately.
The speculation that Chen Pingâan had connections in the South Town Garrison Command was once again confirmed.
âWe must stay on this young manâs good side. We absolutely cannot afford to provoke him.â
...
Chen Pingâan and Chang Zheng walked quickly, reaching the South Town Garrison Command without much delay. It wasnât Chen Pingâanâs first visit, so he knew his way around. Just as he and Chang Zheng stepped through the main gate, they saw a group of people walking toward them.
At the head of the group was a handsome and spirited young man, followed by a large entourage.
Fish Scale Armor!
Chen Pingâan recognized the manâs attire with a single glance.
âAnd judging by its style, this isnât just any ordinary Fish Scale Armor!â
"Greetings, Lord Fu!"
Upon seeing the approaching man, Chang Zheng pulled Chen Pingâan aside, quickly clearing the path and bowing in greeting.