Chapter 34: Reporting Up

In the courtyard, Chen Pingan's mind was racing at high speed.

"The fact that the Mongrel Fish died at my hands absolutely cannot be exposed. My current situation cannot withstand scrutiny!"

"But if I want to obtain a medium-level merit from the Nanquan Alley Zhenfusi, I need to report the death of the Mongrel Fish!"

"If someone could have killed or captured him on the spot, they would be awarded a medium-level merit... killed or captured! The Mongrel Fish is already dead, so capturing him is impossible! Killing him, killing him..."

"But I can't expose that I was the one who killed him! This is a deadlock. Unsolvable! Hmm! Wait..."

"If I say that I happened to discover the Mongrel Fish clinging to life, and then took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack and kill him directly, would that be more reasonable?"

Thinking this, Chen Pingan glanced at the Mongrel Fish's neck, which had been crushed beyond recognition, and couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

If he said that, an investigation of the scene would immediately expose the lie. Such horrific injuries could absolutely not have been caused by someone like him, who had not even entered the path of martial arts.

"Not only that, even a dying Mongrel Fish was a skilled martial artist of the second level of Qi and Blood. He certainly wasn't someone a temporary constable like me, who hasn't even entered the martial path, could deal with on the surface."

"No matter how I handle it, every method seems to carry a certain level of risk."

Looking at the Mongrel Fish's corpse beside him, Chen Pingan fell into a dilemma for a moment.

"Damn it, if I want this medium-level merit, I can't avoid risk entirely! I'll go for it!"

After hesitating for a long time, Chen Pingan finally chose the plan with the highest feasibility, the most plausible explanation, and the most reasonable aspects overall.

He remembered that while he was tailing him earlier, there happened to be a stone of appropriate size not far from the courtyard.

First, he busied himself in the courtyard for a while, erasing some traces and tidying up the scene. Then, he quietly opened the courtyard gate and went to the roadside nearby to carry the stone inside.

Then, he picked up the stone and struck heavily at the Mongrel Fish's neck, knees, and the tops of his feet.

After using the new wounds to cover the previous injuries, he tossed the stone aside, closed the courtyard gate, and rushed excitedly toward the Nanquan Alley Zhenfusi.

Inside the Nanquan Alley Zhenfusi late at night, the lights were still brightly lit.

According to the rules of the Zhenfusi, even at night, there had to be at least one Head Constable on duty to guard the premises and prevent sudden illegal activities within the alleys. With a Head Constable presiding over the Zhenfusi to coordinate central dispatch, the impact of various illegal incidents could often be minimized.

In addition to the Head Constable being on duty, there were also night shift personnel in the Zhenfusi. Furthermore, there were night patrol constables, working in pairs to patrol the various streets and alleys.

Of course, Chen Pingan had served as a night patrol constable himself and knew the inner workings. Unless the Zhenfusi issued a special mission or the entire city was under martial law, the night patrol constables would only diligently patrol for the entire night.

Otherwise, when it reached the middle of the night and there was no one around, the night patrol constables would often find a quiet place to take a nap. They certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to patrol all night long.

"Who is it?"

At night, two constables stood guard at the entrance of the Nanquan Alley Zhenfusi. Since this was a vital area of the alleys, people were not allowed to enter or exit at will.

Seeing someone running toward the Zhenfusi from a distance without any attempt to hide, the two of them shouted loudly.

"It's me! It's me, temporary constable Chen Pingan!"

Chen Pingan answered the two constables' questions loudly as he ran.

Hearing Chen Pingan's reply, the expressions of the two constables relaxed slightly. Seeing that the person running up to them was indeed a familiar face they saw often, they relaxed completely.

"Oh, it's Pingan. What's going on so late at night?"

Seeing Chen Pingan with sweat-soaked hair and clothes, gasping for breath, the two constables asked curiously.

"I have a major discovery and need to report it to the Head Constable."

As he spoke, Chen Pingan ran toward the interior of the Zhenfusi.

The two constables exchanged a glance and did not stop him.

"What is it that's so urgent?"

"Not sure. Seeing how rushed he is, it must be something significant."

"Did a thief break into his house?"

"Maybe."

The two constables chatted casually. Neither of them thought of the Green Fish Gang; after all, in their eyes, Chen Pingan was just an ordinary person who hadn't even entered the martial path.

If he had truly encountered the remnants of the Green Fish Gang, he wouldn't have survived!

Upon entering the main gate of the Zhenfusi, there was a large open area. Moving further ahead, there was a door on the left side of the high platform, behind which was a long row of duty rooms. Night shift personnel, scribes, and others would work in these rooms.

During the day, there would be several people in a single duty room. But at night, only one person would be on duty.

Of course, Chen Pingan wasn't looking for a scribe or a night shift worker. He was looking for a Head Constable, so he had to pass the duty rooms and go further back.

That was where the Head Constables' offices were located.

However, just as Chen Pingan reached the duty rooms, he happened to see someone coming out of one.

The two met face-to-face.

"Who are you?"

The other man looked at Chen Pingan with confusion.

"Constable Zheng," Chen Pingan greeted.

He hadn't expected to run into Zheng Shiyong here by chance. However, he had heard earlier that Zheng Shiyong's official assignment was the night shift, so his appearance here was quite normal.

"Who are you looking for?"

Zheng Shiyong felt the man looked somewhat familiar. Seeing Chen Pingan attempting to walk past him toward the back, he immediately blocked his path.

"Constable Zheng, I have business with the Head Constable."

Chen Pingan was preoccupied with his task and had no time for pleasantries with Zheng Shiyong. He only wanted to find the Head Constable on duty tonight as soon as possible to report the matter of the Mongrel Fish.

"Looking for the Head Constable? What's your name?"

Zheng Shiyong spoke with an interrogative tone, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

It was no wonder people said Zheng Shiyong was the nephew of Head Constable Zheng. Although he hadn't been at the Nanquan Alley Zhenfusi for long, his air of authority was quite substantial.

"Constable Zheng, my name is Chen Pingan. I am also a constable of our Zhenfusi."

Chen Pingan only wanted to get rid of Zheng Shiyong quickly so he could settle tonight's matter.

When Chen Pingan said this, Zheng Shiyong finally remembered. He did indeed have such a colleague, but the man was so inconspicuous within the Zhenfusi that he hadn't recognized him immediately.

"Speak then, what business do you have with the Head Constable? I can pass it on."

Zheng Shiyong's tone carried a hint of arrogance, stemming from a sense of superiority.

As a night shift worker, he frequently had contact with the Head Constables. Facing an inconspicuous temporary constable like Chen Pingan, he indeed had the capital to feel superior.

*Damn it, why is this guy so annoying!*

Chen Pingan only wanted to brush him off. Suppressing his impatience, he spoke in a steady tone.

"Constable Zheng, this matter is quite important. I need to report it to the Head Constable in person."

Having said that, Chen Pingan brushed past Zheng Shiyong and walked toward the back.

Seeing Chen Pingan act this way, Zheng Shiyong felt he had lost face, and his expression turned sour.

Watching Chen Pingan's retreating back, he seemed to think of something. His eyes darted around, and he blurted out

"Chen Pingan, the Head Constables are all out tonight. You'll be going there for nothing. If there's really something, you can tell me."