Chapter 31: The Knack (Please keep reading)

The bounty notice posted by the Zhenfu Division was, without a doubt, an opportunity for Chen Pingan.

He had been wondering how to legitimately secure the status of a formal constable, and just as he was thinking of it, opportunity knocked on his door.

On the surface, he was merely a temporary constable with no knowledge of martial arts. With the help of his "Golden Finger," even someone as powerful as the Deputy Constable Tian Fuliang could not see through his true state.

The simplest way for him to become a formal constable was to reveal his true martial arts realm. Combined with a certain amount of merit, he could then naturally transition into a formal constable of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division.

However, that path was a dead end!

How had he entered the martial arts realm? Where did his martial arts techniques come from? And how did he obtain his Level 2 Qi and Blood cultivation?

These were all pitfalls, all problems! Chen Pingan could not explain them.

His past experiences and life were too clear and transparent; they could not withstand any scrutiny.

Therefore, the route Chen Pingan planned for himself was to first find a way to secure a formal constable identity without revealing his martial arts cultivation. Once he became a formal constable, the Zhenfu Division would, according to protocol, grant him the standard-issue saber technique for formal constables: the Thirteen Sabers of the Public Office.

By using the Thirteen Sabers of the Public Office, he could naturally enter the martial arts realm and begin his cultivation. Later, he would gradually reveal his martial talent, solidify his reputation as a martial arts genius, and gradually make a name for himself within the Zhenfu Division until he gained significant responsibilities.

A long journey begins with a single step, and he was now taking that first step!

To become a formal constable of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division.

Right now was the perfect timing.

If he could obtain a moderate amount of merit, he could directly become a formal constable. At that point, almost all his problems could be resolved logically and smoothly.

If he became a formal constable, what about the monthly protection money from the Tiger Head Gang?

Ridiculous!

Even if he were willing to accept it, the Tiger Head Gang likely wouldn't dare!

A formal constable of Nanquan Alley represented not just himself, but the prestige of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division.

Accepting monthly money from a formal constable of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfu Division—was the Tiger Head Gang looking for a death wish?

If he were a formal constable, would Young Master Hu of the Tiger Head Gang dare to brazenly break down his door? Would the rogue Liu'er dare to slam his table? Dare to mock him to his face?

They wouldn't dare do any of it!

Yet, they dared to do these things to the actual Chen Pingan! What he lacked was simply the status of a formal constable.

When many things are beyond one's control, it is because of a lack of ability, a lack of status, or a lack of background!

Chen Pingan had no background; all he could rely on was himself. He would fight for what he wanted bit by bit, weaving together a life for himself and Nannan.

During the street patrol that day, Chen Pingan, Hou Tou, and Da Shan patrolled with exceptional diligence. Even their midday breaks for slacking off were greatly shortened. Unfortunately, by the time their shift ended, they had found nothing.

It made sense; if it had been that easy to find them, the remnants of the Qingyu Gang wouldn't have been able to break through the encirclement.

"Where is he! Where did he hide?"

"You scaly fish, you scaly fish! My bright future depends on you!"

Even when it came time to hand in their identification tokens and sabers, Hou Tou was still obsessing over it.

Chen Pingan patted Hou Tou on the shoulder and gave him a meaningful look.

"No rush! What's meant to come will come!"

"Yeah, we'll try again tomorrow!" Hou Tou was full of fighting spirit, looking as if victory were certain. "Da Shan, get some good rest tonight. We continue tomorrow!"

"Mhm, I got it," Da Shan nodded heavily.

The group bid farewell at the Zhenfu Division and headed home.

After his shift, Chen Pingan did not go straight home. He first visited Uncle Zhang's house, asking for some well-defined stones, roughly the same quantity as the sand and gravel from before.

Uncle Zhang happened to be home and readily agreed.

Chen Pingan tried to offer some money, but the man repeatedly refused. Seeing that his expression wasn't just mere politeness, Chen Pingan dropped the matter. He mentally calculated how he would repay this favor later.

Upon returning home, Chen Pingan was greeted by Chen Erya's familiar, smiling face.

"Brother, you're back~ Dinner is ready!"

A wave of warmth and coziness flooded Chen Pingan's chest.

"Coming!"

Chen Pingan replied with a smile and walked into the courtyard.

It felt good to have a home.

After dinner, Chen Pingan began practicing the Iron Cloth technique.

He had hoped to attempt 4 points of experience, but in the end, he only gained 3.

"I'll try again tomorrow when the stones arrive!"

After the Iron Cloth technique reached Great Success, the training effect of sand and gravel had diminished significantly. With continuous stimulation, the effect weakened; it was still somewhat difficult to consistently trigger 4 points of experience.

The next day, after finishing his Iron Cloth practice and gaining 3 points of cultivation experience, Chen Pingan went on duty as usual. Having learned from yesterday's lesson, he arrived even earlier than usual today.

Only two head constables attended today's pre-shift meeting. Clearly, it was not common for head constables to attend these meetings. As head constables, they only needed to show up at critical moments to coordinate work; they didn't need to clock in every day like the regular constables.

After the meeting, Chen Pingan, Hou Tou, and Da Shan began their patrol for the day.

"Da Shan, let me tell you, the question you asked was excellent. Why call Lord Tian 'Lord' instead of 'Deputy Constable Tian'? Listen closely, there's a lot of nuance in this."

"The Zhenfu Division has strict rules. There's a hierarchy for every level! Even if you aren't trying to curry favor with the superiors, you at least shouldn't offend them. So, knowing how to speak properly is a skill in itself."

"If you see the Deputy Constable in public while the Chief Constable is not present, you are supposed to call him 'Deputy Constable' or 'Lord'! This is respect for him, and also respect for the Chief Constable. It acknowledges the Deputy's status while invisibly showing reverence for the Chief. Such a title offends neither."

"But if you see the Deputy Constable alone, don't call him 'Lord' anymore. You should call him 'Chief Constable'! Whatever you do, don't be a fool and call him 'Deputy Constable Lord.' Are you trying to slap his face in front of him? Does he not know he's the Deputy Constable? Does he need you to tell him?"

"When you see the Chief Constable, no matter the occasion, you must call him 'Chief Constable'! To show his exceptional status, that he is the one and only in Nanquan Alley! Calling him 'Chief Constable' is an affirmation and submission to his authority."

"When both the Chief Constable and the Deputy Constable are present, you call the Chief 'Chief Constable' and the Deputy 'Lord'."

"All of this is nuance. You can't learn it from books. This is all my own realization, Hou Tou's wisdom. Da Shan, you'd better remember it well."

"..."

Along the way, Hou Tou continued to showcase his profound and solid "fringe knowledge" to Da Shan. Chen Pingan found it quite amusing to listen to.

This kid, Hou Tou, was truly interesting!

With his antics, the day passed particularly quickly.

That day, they still found nothing and saw no sign of the Qingyu Gang remnants.

Upon returning to the Zhenfu Division, Hou Tou asked around and excitedly shared the news with the other two.

"Ping'an, Da Shan, no one has found any trace of the Qingyu Gang remnants yet. There's still a chance. We continue tomorrow!"

"Mhm, we continue tomorrow," Chen Pingan replied.