Chapter 30: Bounty

Majestic!

How majestic!

The constables, who were usually calm, aloof, and high and mighty, were all smiling broadly upon seeing Tian Fuliang, their faces as bright as a spring breeze.

This was the majesty of Tian Fuliang, the second-in-command of the Nanquan Li Alley Zhenfusi—the Deputy Constable Commissioner!

In this vast Nanquan Li Alley, he was second only to one, and above ten thousand!

Looking at Tian Fuliang in his fish-scale armor atop the high platform, Chen Pingan could clearly sense the longing in Monkey Head and Dashan. Especially Monkey Head, whose body was trembling slightly.

It wasn't fear; it was excitement!

Standing on the high platform, Tian Fuliang scanned the crowd of constables.

The constables, who usually sat composed in their respective large chairs during the pre-meeting, were none sitting down now. Instead, they all stood behind Tian Fuliang, wearing smiles and looking on with rapt attention.

"Colleagues, it has been a long time. Seeing your spirit and vigor today, you truly live up to the reputation of the elite of our Nanquan Li Alley Zhenfusi!"

Tian Fuliang opened with some formal pleasantries.

However, no matter how much of a formality it was, everyone could only listen quietly.

Next, Tian Fuliang gradually steered the conversation toward the main topic. Chen Pingan understood the reason why Tian Fuliang, as the Deputy Commissioner, was attending this pre-meeting today.

"A bounty notice?"

"The neighboring Qingliu Li Alley Zhenfusi was besieging the Green Fish Gang, but an unexpected incident occurred during the siege. A very small number of gang members managed to break through the encirclement. According to intelligence, some of the fleeing remnants of the Green Fish Gang have drifted into Nanquan Li Alley."

"The Green Fish Gang is a gang slightly stronger than the Tiger Head Gang. They hold significant influence in the neighboring Qingliu Li Alley."

"There are over a dozen remnants of the Green Fish Gang who escaped this time. Among them, the most famous are the Deputy Gang Leader, Flounder, and the Great Chief, Scruffy Fish."

"According to the latest intelligence, Flounder's escape route should be toward Qiwan Li Alley in another direction. Meanwhile, Scruffy Fish is heading toward Nanquan Li Alley."

"The Green Fish Gang's Deputy Leader, Flounder, has achieved success in Tendon Tempering and possesses a martial cultivation of the third level of Blood Qi. There are quite a few constables in the Zhenfusi who would not be a match for Flounder in a one-on-one fight. If anyone provides effective clues, they will be rewarded with ten taels of silver and credited with a Medium Merit. If anyone kills or captures him on the spot, they will be credited with a Great Merit."

"The Green Fish Gang's Great Chief, Scruffy Fish, has achieved success in Skin Tempering, having entered the Flesh Tempering stage, with a martial cultivation of the second level of Blood Qi. If anyone provides effective clues, they will be rewarded with five taels of silver and credited with a Small Merit. If anyone kills or captures him on the spot, they will be credited with a Medium Merit and rewarded with ten taels of silver."

"Furthermore, there are many other remnants of the Green Fish Gang; the bounty notice is as follows..."

"..."

As Tian Fuliang continued, the eyes of many constables below began to shine. Even Chen Pingan showed signs of subtle excitement.

Within the Zhenfusi, merit was paramount!

Whether it was an unregistered temporary constable wanting to become a formal constable, a formal constable wanting to become a reserve constable or a constable candidate, or a constable wanting to advance further—it all revolved around the word "merit."

To promote within the Zhenfusi, martial realm was important, but merit was equally vital. The former was the foundational guarantee, while the latter was a prerequisite!

Accumulating merit step-by-step was extremely slow. At minimum, it took several years; at most, it took ten, twenty, or even more years. By the time a suitable opportunity arrived, you might be too old, your Blood Qi declining, and the chance would pass you by.

Therefore, almost all constables with uncertain futures—especially the temporary ones—were extremely eager to obtain merit.

And a bounty notice was an opportunity!

The Great, Medium, and Small Merits that Tian Fuliang just mentioned were different levels of merit classification. Of course, the merits he spoke of were all at the level of the Li Alley.

Higher up, there were merits at the District level and the County level.

Naturally, merits at those levels were unimaginably massive.

A Medium Merit in a Li Alley was enough to allow an unregistered temporary constable to become a formal constable. A Great Merit was enough to give a formal constable the qualification to strive for the position of a reserve constable.

Once such news was released, how could the constables present not be excited?

Of course, for a formal constable to strive for the position of a reserve constable, in addition to meeting the merit requirements, there were also certain martial cultivation requirements.

"Second level of Blood Qi! If I can kill him on the spot, I can obtain a Medium Merit! Second level of Blood Qi..."

Chen Pingan stared straight ahead, thinking secretly to himself.

His current cultivation had entered the second level of Blood Qi, but if he wanted to kill a martial practitioner of the same level, he might lack the strength.

"If I can reach the perfection of the second level of Blood Qi, then I will have a great chance!"

Just as Chen Pingan was pondering, Tian Fuliang announced another piece of news on the high platform, pushing the atmosphere of the constables to its peak.

"By the way, there is one more piece of fortunate news: both Flounder and Scruffy Fish sustained varying degrees of injuries during their escape. For a short period, their strength will be far inferior to their actual cultivation levels!"

As soon as Tian Fuliang said this, the constables present all began rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Previously, some constables had concerns; even if they happened to encounter them, if their strength was insufficient, they might fail to earn merit and instead lose their lives. But now, their chances of success had undoubtedly increased significantly.

"Great!"

Monkey Head slapped his chest excitedly.

"Ping'an, Dashan, forget about Great or Medium merits for a moment. Even if I can just provide effective clues, I can earn a Small Merit. Just one Small Merit could save me several years. Counting my previous merit accumulation, I'd be very close to becoming a formal constable!"

"Yeah." Chen Pingan nodded. Beside him, Dashan's eyes also flickered with excitement. Although he was simple-minded, it didn't mean he was stupid. With such an opportunity appearing, Dashan naturally wanted to seize it.

"When we patrol the streets today, we must be meticulous. We need to search thoroughly," Monkey Head suggested.

Having received the unanimous agreement of Chen Pingan and Dashan, Monkey Head turned to Constable Qin.

"By the way, Constable Qin, are you interested?" Monkey Head asked, his eyes still bright with excitement.

"I'm old, I'm old. Count me out. The future belongs to you young people. Work hard," Constable Qin said, waving his hand in refusal, looking like someone who had given up on striving.

Hearing this, Monkey Head couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. If they could pull Constable Qin in, their chances would be even greater. If they happened to run into them, with Constable Qin's combat strength of the second level of Blood Qi, they could steadily suppress an injured Scruffy Fish.

No matter how much Constable Qin's Blood Qi had declined or how old and exhausted he was, he could still fight at the level of the perfection of the first level of Blood Qi.

After announcing the information regarding the bounty, Tian Fuliang smiled.

"The stability of the tens of thousands of citizens in Nanquan Li Alley relies entirely on you, my colleagues!"

"Lord Tian, you overstate it," the constables replied in unison, not daring to be presumptuous.