Chapter 58: The Knack (Please keep reading)

Chapter 58: The Knack (Please keep reading~)

"Ping'an, look at you, tsk tsk tsk... quite the imposing sight!"

Just as Chen Ping'an arrived at the Nanquan Lane Zhenfusi, Hou Tou circled around him, offering a hearty round of praise.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an was no longer wearing the black robes of a temporary constable. Instead, he had changed into a set of cyan cloth attire—a cross-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe, with a formal constable's official uniform tied at the waist by a red woven sash.

Among the majority of temporary constables who were still wearing black robes, he appeared extremely conspicuous.

The Nanquan Lane Zhenfusi had over a hundred temporary constables, but the number of official constables was fewer than forty.

Beside him, Da Shan's eyes also betrayed a hint of envy.

"Ping'an, truly impressive! Work hard; the future belongs to you young people."

Qin Tou also stepped forward to offer a word of praise. Since that day, Qin Tou had rarely slacked off; he was always present for the roll call.

While waiting for the squad leaders to arrive, many other constables also approached Chen Ping'an to strike up conversations.

Previously, Chen Ping'an had been a semi-transparent figure in the Nanquan Lane Zhenfusi; aside from their own small circle, basically no other constable paid him any attention. But now that he had been promoted to an official constable, the situation was different.

Walking around outside, he now held a certain status. Once Chen Ping'an grew older, people would be addressing him as "Constable Chen."

Seeing Chen Ping'an being so warmly received, a flash of resentment crossed Zheng Shiyong's eyes.

"A mere brat who hasn't even entered the threshold of martial arts, he's truly had a stroke of goddamn luck!"

It didn't take long before a squad leader entered through the gates of the Zhenfusi. It was Squad Leader Zheng. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a temporary constable crowding around Chen Ping'an to curry favor.

"All this clamor, how improper!"

Although Squad Leader Zheng's words were directed at the crowd, his gaze was fixed on Chen Ping'an.

The face of the temporary constable being stared at suddenly seemed to freeze.

"Get back to work!" Squad Leader Zheng showed his displeasure.

Hearing this, the temporary constable who had been showing favor to Chen Ping'an immediately scurried back.

Being reprimanded by a squad leader was no small matter.

As Squad Leader Zheng walked in, the discussions in the courtyard subsided.

"Kid! So what if you're an official constable? You'll still be manipulated by my uncle!" Zheng Shiyong thought to himself triumphantly.

Although Squad Leader Zheng had not explicitly stated it, this action was a subtle warning to Chen Ping'an, while simultaneously signaling to others that he did not particularly like the boy.

The temporary constables who had intended to curry favor with Chen Ping'an would undoubtedly have to weigh their options before making a decision after seeing Zheng Shiyong's attitude.

Watching Squad Leader Zheng's retreating figure as he ascended the high platform, Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly.

This Squad Leader Zheng...

Since the matter of the Myriad Demon Sect had not yet been resolved, although the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable did not come today, the five squad leaders reported for duty as usual, with Squad Leader Zheng presiding over the pre-shift meeting.

After the meeting concluded, Chen Ping'an received his newly assigned duty.

Since he was now officially registered as an official constable, he could no longer simply follow Qin Tou around. Instead, he was required to lead three temporary constables and operate independently.

Whether by coincidence or deliberate arrangement, two of the three temporary constables he was assigned to lead were people he had recently encountered: Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu. Aside from them, there was another newcomer who had joined less than two months ago, named Zeng Jihe.

Chen Ping'an wasn't sure about the others, but he knew that Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were relatively senior temporary constables, the type who were quite adept at clinging to powerful legs. They seemed to belong to Squad Leader Zheng's faction.

Because of this, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but be inwardly vigilant.

In his past life's workplace, there were far too many instances of people "wearing small shoes" (sabotaging others). Was he to experience it all over again here in the Nanquan Lane Zhenfusi after transmigrating?

However...

Unlike his past life, his current abilities could be clearly demonstrated and quantified, rather than being subject to someone arbitrarily pointing at a deer and calling it a horse, or twisting black into white to shift blame.

Since Chen Ping'an's new assignment had only just been decided today, he would officially start tomorrow; everything today proceeded as usual.

On this day, Chen Ping'an patrolled Willow Leaf Street alongside Qin Tou, Hou Tou, and Da Shan. He and Qin Tou were both wearing official constable uniforms, making them look quite intimidating on the street.

Many thugs who had previously been nonchalant and fearless toward Chen Ping'an showed flattering smiles upon seeing their official uniforms.

Official constables were different from temporary ones; if they were determined to deal with a rogue or a hooligan, they could most likely succeed.

Therefore, to these thugs, an official constable was someone to be avoided at all costs!

"Ping'an, starting tomorrow, you'll be operating on your own!" Qin Tou said with a look of gratification. "Your father and I have been colleagues for many years. In terms of seniority, I'm practically your uncle. I haven't left much behind over the years, but I do have some experience and lessons to share."

"Please, go ahead, Qin Tou," Chen Ping'an said respectfully.

He respected Qin Tou's character. Despite being an official constable, he was never overbearing or used his position to bully subordinates. Aside from a slight habit of slacking off, there was nothing to criticize.

"Being an official constable is different from being a temporary one. As long as you don't commit any major errors, it's a lifelong iron rice bowl. But sometimes, it's not that you didn't make a mistake, it's just that you aren't *perceived* to have made one. Ping'an, remember this: the Chief Constable might not see the real you, but rather the version of you described by the squad leaders. Therefore, maintaining a good relationship with your squad leader is one of your most core tasks. Look at me..."

Qin Tou began to impart the lessons of his half-life to Chen Ping'an, while Hou Tou and Da Shan listened intently from the side.

"Sometimes a squad leader gives an order that needs immediate implementation. But if the subordinates are incompetent, what do you do then? Sometimes it's not incompetence, but a problem with their mindset, in which case you need to..."

"..."

For the entire day, Qin Tou passed on his experiences and lessons without reservation. Chen Ping'an listened earnestly. Although he wouldn't use all this information, it would undoubtedly save him from many detours. By combining Qin Tou's experience with his own insights from his past life, Chen Ping'an gained many unexpected benefits.

"Ping'an, those two, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, are under Squad Leader Zheng's command, so be careful. Not just with them, but keep your wits about you in everything."

As the shift drew to a close, Qin Tou offered a heavy-hearted warning.

Clearly, the old and experienced Qin Tou had seen through Squad Leader Zheng's malice toward Chen Ping'an.

"Yes, I understand," Chen Ping'an nodded.

He had enough wits for this.

"Among your three subordinates, Cheng Yuan has entered the threshold of martial arts. Pay extra attention to him."

Unsatisfied, Qin Tou added one more thing.

In his eyes, Chen Ping'an was still just an ordinary person. Although he had become an official constable through merit, he had no background and no strength. It would be difficult to make his subordinates, especially Cheng Yuan, truly submit to him. He could only advise him to be cautious.

"I will be careful," Chen Ping'an responded.

However, with his current strength, if they tried to manipulate him through his temporary constables, he truly wasn't afraid. It would be better if Squad Leader Zheng came himself!

As it happened, he now possessed the Thirteen Blades of the Public Office, and he could slowly begin to reveal his martial talent.

(End of Chapter)