Chapter 37: Announcement

After Chen Pingan and Tan Huacong returned to the Zhenfu Division, Tan Huacong began recording the relevant details right in front of Chen Pingan. Once Tan Huacong finished writing, Chen Pingan read through it carefully to ensure there were no omissions or errors.

"The details of the incident have all been recorded. Once the corpse arrives, the Head Constable will confirm and seal it immediately. It's getting late, Chen Pingan, you should head back for now." Tan Huacong tidied the written pages, placed them in a drawer, and saw Chen Pingan out.

"Understood. Pingan thanks Head Constable Tan." Chen Pingan nodded in gratitude and prepared to leave. Suddenly remembering something, he turned back to Tan Huacong and said, "Head Constable Tan, would it be convenient for you to provide some kind of voucher or credential?"

"What? The details are all recorded; are you afraid I'll cheat you?" Tan Huacong's expression turned displeased.

"No, it's nothing like that. It's just that my mind isn't quite at ease; I wanted something to settle my nerves," Chen Pingan said thick-skinnedly.

Although the matter was largely a certainty, he wanted to be even more secure. Having a voucher would allow him to feel more at peace.

Chen Pingan looked at Tan Huacong with a smile.

Tan Huacong looked up at Chen Pingan for a moment.

The scene fell into a momentary silence.

This was an invisible contest of wills, even though their status and position were not equal.

"Take it." Tan Huacong pulled a black token from the drawer. The token was not large, only about the thickness of a finger.

"It has special patterns on it, making it very difficult to forge. It is generally used as proof of a handled matter. With this, you can rest easy."

"Thank you for your understanding, Head Constable Tan." Chen Pingan took the black token and thanked him repeatedly.

Tan Huacong ignored him.

After a few more thanks, Chen Pingan left the duty room. As he walked to the entrance of the Zhenfu Division, the two constables were still there.

"Is the matter settled?" one constable greeted Chen Pingan. They had just seen Head Constable Tan walking out with him.

"Yes, pretty much," Chen Pingan nodded.

Leaving the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division, Chen Pingan felt somewhat refreshed.

A formal constable...

He hadn't expected that tonight's stroke of luck would bring such a great benefit.

However, this benefit was only possible because he had sufficient strength. If it were anyone else, even if they had encountered the same situation and followed him all the way, they would likely have been beaten to death by Za Mao Yu's fists.

The injuries Za Mao Yu sustained were far less severe than what Chen Pingan had deliberately described. Although he was not as strong as a normal second-stage Qi and Blood practitioner, he definitely retained the strength of a perfected first-stage Qi and Blood practitioner.

Even now, Chen Pingan's chest still felt a stinging pain.

By the time he returned home, it was already the latter half of the night. Chen Erya was still asleep; it had to be said that the little girl had a very good sleeping habit. Without any worries, she slept quite deeply.

Chen Pingan quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes. Before falling asleep, he was still thinking about the matter of becoming a formal constable.

Tomorrow, tomorrow there will be a result!

***

Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division.

After Chen Pingan left, Zheng Shiyong entered Tan Huacong's duty room. Zheng Shiyong stayed in the room for quite some time before emerging with an excited expression and heading toward the Head Constable's office. Upon reaching the office, he did not stop but continued toward the rear. There, there was a meditation room for the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division.

Normally, only the Chief Constable and the Deputy Chief Constable used it.

But tonight, Head Constable Zheng was in there!

Indeed, he had just lied to Chen Pingan. He hadn't expected that a casual lie would, through a twist of fate, yield such a massive harvest.

He knocked on the door of the meditation room.

"Uncle, it's me, Shiyong," Zheng Shiyong said softly as he knocked.

"Come in."

From inside the door came Head Constable Zheng's voice.

Hearing this, Zheng Shiyong pushed the door open and walked in.

***

Early the next morning, Chen Pingan practiced the Iron Cloth technique three times in succession. He had barely slept that night, but having entered the path of martial cultivation, his Qi and Blood were abundant, and he remained full of energy. In his current state, a day or two of sleep deprivation would not affect him much, as long as it wasn't for a long period.

Name: Chen Pingan Realm: Second-stage Qi and Blood Martial Arts: Iron Cloth (Great Success) (16/100)

Looking at the increased experience points on the panel, Chen Pingan felt very satisfied.

After cleaning himself up, he headed straight for the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division amidst Chen Erya's farewells.

"Pingan, you're here?" Hou Tou greeted Chen Pingan.

"Hou Tou," Chen Pingan responded with a smile, then greeted Dashan nearby, "Dashan."

"Pingan," Dashan greeted him with a smile.

Chen Pingan looked around and saw that Zheng Shiyong had also arrived early. The surrounding constables looked quite imposing.

"Pingan, you seem to be in a good mood today." Seeing Chen Pingan's state, Hou Tou keenly noticed his high spirits.

"Yeah, something good happened last night."

"Something good? What good?" Hou Tou asked curiously.

"Hou Tou, Dashan, last night, I was sleeping at home when suddenly..."

Just as Chen Pingan began to speak, a figure entered through the entrance of the Zhenfu Division.

"It's Head Constable Zheng."

The surrounding chatter instantly fell silent.

Chen Pingan stopped mid-sentence.

Head Constable Zheng walked up to the high platform and sat steadily in the large chair.

"Why did Head Constable Zheng come so early today?" Hou Tou whispered.

Chen Pingan shook his head.

However, he secretly wondered if this had something to do with what happened last night.

Head Constable Zheng's arrival made the Zhenfu Division extremely quiet. Among the five Head Constables of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division, Head Constable Zheng held the most authority!

Some constables who arrived a bit late felt their hearts tremble as soon as they saw Head Constable Zheng on the high platform from the entrance. They hurriedly found a spot and stood at attention.

After a while, two more Head Constables, Head Constable Yan and Head Constable Huang, entered the entrance one after another.

Seeing that the constables had all gathered, Head Constable Zheng stood up from his chair and walked to the front.

"Colleagues, an incident occurred last night. The remnant of the Green Fish Gang, Za Mao Yu, has been executed!"

Head Constable Zheng's opening sentence completely ignited the atmosphere.

"Za Mao Yu died last night?"

"Executed? Who killed him?"

"Why so fast?"

"Did one of the Head Constables take action?"

"..."

The constables below discussed animatedly, full of interest.

"Pingan, Dashan. The formal constable position... the formal constable position is gone!"

Hearing this news, Hou Tou's face fell into a mournful expression. He beat his chest and bowed his head, feeling as though he had missed a massive opportunity.

"Hou Tou." Just as Chen Pingan was about to offer some comfort, Head Constable Zheng's voice rang out again from the high platform.

"Silence!"

At this, the constables below fell silent one after another.

"The successful execution of the Green Fish Gang remnant Za Mao Yu this time was due to the temporary constable of the Zhenfu Division, Chen Pingan..."

Chen Pingan's eyes lit up.

It was coming!

The announcement was coming!

"...providing effective clues. Formal Constable Tan Huacong and temporary constable Zheng Shiyong, through these effective clues, successfully located the Green Fish Gang remnant Za Mao Yu. The two worked together to slay Za Mao Yu. Among them, temporary constable Zheng Shiyong delivered the final blow, killing him on the spot, and shall receive the greatest credit."

(End of Chapter)