Claiming Credit

2024-07-31

Claiming Credit

Before long, Liang Chuanshan strode over with several patrol guards and saw Song Changming and Chen Beihu's corpse on the ground.

Noticing the Night Watchman uniform on Song Changming, Liang Chuanshan asked with some uncertainty, "Did you kill him?"

"Greetings, Captain Liang." Song Changming clasped his hands in salute and recounted everything that had just happened.

"You're saying that you happened to see me pursuing this criminal, then later happened to discover his whereabouts, which was why you made your move?" After hearing Song Changming out, Liang Chuanshan could not help but give the young man another look.

Although Song Changming also worked at the Houli Street Patrol Guard Headquarters, Liang Chuanshan had virtually no impression of him.

Lowly Night Watchmen were beneath notice to begin with, let alone someone like Song Changming, who had been at the Patrol Guard Headquarters for less than two years.

He only vaguely felt that Song Changming looked familiar. Perhaps he had caught an occasional glimpse of him while coming and going from the Patrol Guard Headquarters. That was all.

"Yes." Song Changming lowered his gaze and continued, "Seeing that he was wounded, this subordinate had intended to capture him alive. But this man fought to the death. In my blunder, I killed him. I ask the Captain's forgiveness."

"This isn't your fault." Liang Chuanshan waved a hand. He knew the man's strength. He himself would not even dare entertain the thought of capturing Chen Beihu alive. Bringing back the corpse after killing him and adding another stroke to his merit ledger was enough to achieve his purpose.

Liang Chuanshan waved his hand, signaling the patrol guards under him to inspect the corpse. He then looked at Song Changming again and asked, "Tell me, have you trained in martial arts?"

"This subordinate has practiced a little blade work," Song Changming answered truthfully.

"I know this bandit leader Chen Beihu's strength. Even badly injured, he was no opponent for an ordinary person. Your blade work must have reached a certain level—perhaps you are no weaker, if not stronger, than these men under me."

As soon as Liang Chuanshan said this, the gazes of the patrol guards following him changed as they looked at Song Changming.

The Captain was saying this kid was stronger than them?

Had he been talking about an ordinary Night Watchman, they would have assumed their captain was joking and having a laugh at their expense.

Yet Chen Beihu's corpse lay right at Song Changming's feet. With that glaring achievement before their eyes, their confidence faltered, and they became half-believing, half-doubting of Song Changming's strength.

Glancing at the surrounding spectators, Liang Chuanshan smiled at Song Changming. "You're young and already have such skills. It would be a real pity for you to remain merely a Night Watchman. How about working under me?"

"Since the Captain thinks so highly of this subordinate, this subordinate is naturally willing." Song Changming immediately saluted and accepted.

"Excellent!" Liang Chuanshan laughed heartily.

The reason he was so eager to promote Song Changming into a patrol guard under his command was not merely that he admired Song Changming's abilities. More importantly, it was because of the merit for capturing Chen Beihu.

Although he had previously led his men in wounding Chen Beihu and driving him into a corner, it had ultimately been Song Changming who killed Chen Beihu in full view of everyone.

If he did not take Song Changming under his wing, half the credit would be claimed by Song Changming alone.

But if he took Song Changming in, Song Changming would be working under him. In name, Song Changming's merit would also be the result of all their efforts. They would all be one of their own, and there would be no question of the credit being taken away.

Liang Chuanshan's abacus clacked away in his mind. How could Song Changming not know? Yet he felt no dissatisfaction; it was exactly what he had expected.

He had dealt with Chen Beihu in front of everyone precisely to earn a promotion to patrol guard. It did not matter if some of the credit was shared away. He could treat it as doing a favor for his new superior.

"Hold it."

Just as the deal was sealed, a leisurely voice drifted over.

Another group of patrol guards pushed their way through the crowd, conveniently dispersing the nearby onlookers as well.

"Sun Wenyen, you're a step too late. Chen Beihu has already been taken down by us," Liang Chuanshan said blandly as he looked at the newcomer.

"Taken down is taken down. I have no objection to Little Brother Song being the one who took him down. I simply cherish talent and came especially to invite Little Brother Song to become my deputy." Smiling broadly, Sun Wenyen spoke as he approached.

"Deputy?" Liang Chuanshan's expression immediately darkened. His voice hardened. "Sun Wenyen, are you trying to poach my man right in front of me?!"

"Why put it so unpleasantly? Little Brother Song is still wearing a Night Watchman's uniform. How is he your man?

"Besides, people always climb to higher ground. What you're offering is merely an ordinary patrol guard position, while I am offering to make him my deputy. If Little Brother Song is willing to come, what is wrong with that?" Sun Wenyen retorted without the slightest concern.

Liang Chuanshan snorted coldly upon hearing this, his words barbed. "What do you think, Wang Xianwen? You've been his deputy for six years. Now you're being removed just like that—does that sit well with you?" The patrol guard who had been called upon naturally looked displeased, but he still said, "Since I follow Captain Sun, I naturally obey all of Captain Sun's arrangements. I have no complaints."

Sun Wenyen smiled in satisfaction and looked at Song Changming. "What do you say, young friend? Are you willing to serve under me?"

He was quite confident that Song Changming would agree.

Young people—especially capable young people—who would be willing to settle for mediocrity?

Given a better option, one naturally chose the best.

Liang Chuanshan pursed his lips, but in the end said nothing, waiting for Song Changming to decide.

If Song Changming went with Sun Wenyen, then without question, more than half of the credit he had just gained would be carved away.

Though the thought soured his mood, compared to Sun Wenyen, he still had some bottom line. He could not bear to casually dismiss a deputy who had followed him for so long when the man had done nothing wrong.

At the side, Song Changming put on an expression of hesitation and even worked up a slight sweat. No matter which choice he made, he first had to appear torn between them, giving both Patrol Captains enough face.

In truth, he had not expected to become so sought-after all of a sudden.

Clearly, he had underestimated the value of bandit army leader Chen Beihu, and he had also underestimated Patrol Captain Sun Wenyen's thick skin.

There had been rumors within the Patrol Guard Headquarters that Sun Wenyen and Liang Chuanshan, the two Patrol Captains, did not get along.

Now, it seemed the rumors were true.

"This kid really lucked out. Two Patrol Captains are actually fighting over him like this."

"What luck? Think about his situation. No matter which Patrol Captain he joins, he'll offend the other one. That grudge will be set in stone."

"That's true. Before even becoming a patrol guard, he's already made someone dislike him. That really isn't good."

The surrounding patrol guards whispered among themselves, all enjoying the show.

Only Sun Wenyen's deputy watched Song Changming in silence, already showing a trace of hostility.

Song Changming did not drag things out for long. He had long since made his choice. After putting on his little act, he first clasped his hands and saluted Sun Wenyen.

"Thank you for your favor, Captain Sun. But this subordinate had already agreed to Captain Liang earlier. I cannot go back on my word and become someone who speaks without keeping faith." Song Changming stated his choice clearly, without trying to muddle through.

The moment he said this, Liang Chuanshan's eyes lit up. Unable to suppress the delight on his face, he patted Song Changming on the shoulder and burst into hearty laughter.

"I said Little Friend Song had the bearing of a gentleman. How could he possibly go back on his word? Hahaha!"

Although Song Changming had no idea when Liang Chuanshan had ever said such a thing, laughing along was never wrong.

On the other side, Sun Wenyen's face immediately fell. Song Changming's decision had caught most people present by surprise.

He had refused to become Sun Wenyen's deputy and instead chosen to be an ordinary patrol guard under Liang Chuanshan.

It had to be said, this was a resounding slap in the face.

"Hmph!" After Song Changming made his choice, Sun Wenyen did not wish to say another word to him.

Seeing his old rival beaming with joy made him feel as if he had swallowed a lump of filth. There were no harsh words, no sarcastic jabs. He simply turned and left.

"Don't worry, Little Song. With me looking out for you in the Patrol Guard Headquarters from now on, no one will dare bully you!"

Liang Chuanshan deliberately raised his voice, saying it for Sun Wenyen and his group to hear—a most direct warning.

Song Changming nodded in agreement.

(End of Chapter)