Early in the morning, after Chen Ping'an finished practicing Iron Cloth, he ate breakfast and headed to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office for duty.
At today's pre-shift meeting, all five head constables were present, because Deputy Constable Director Tian Fulang was attending this meeting.
Tian Fulang, speaking from the high platform, seemed to be in an excellent mood.
The South City Pacification Office's bounty notice had only been issued not long ago, yet South Spring Lane had already killed Mottled Fish, a remnant of the Green Fish Gang. Reporting this to the South City Pacification Office was truly a tremendous boost to their prestige.
Tian Fulang still remembered that when he made the report yesterday, the Constable Director and Deputy Constable Director of Green Willow Lane had both gone green in the face.
"Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong joined forces to kill Mottled Fish, a remnant of the Green Fish Gang. Zheng Shiyong delivered the final blow and shall be awarded a Middle Merit and ten taels of silver. Tan Huacong rendered meritorious assistance and shall be awarded two minor merits and five taels of silver. Chen Ping'an provided valuable clues and shall be awarded a Minor Merit and five taels of silver."
Tian Fulang announced the results of the bounty commendation.
"Zheng Shiyong, Tan Huacong, Chen Ping'an—you are all the elite of our South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office! I am very pleased." Tian Fulang lavishly praised the three of them. "Especially Zheng Shiyong. You have only been with the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office for a short time, yet you have already rendered such great service! Your registration has already been submitted to the South City Pacification Office. I think highly of you! Your future potential is limitless!"
Tian Fulang's words filled Zheng Shiyong, standing below, with wild delight.
Being praised by Tian Fulang before so many constables was truly an honor beyond compare. With Tian Fulang taking the lead, the surrounding constables did not stint on their praise either. Wave after wave of compliments left Zheng Shiyong feeling as though he were floating on air.
"It is all thanks to the fine guidance of the Constable Director, Lord Tian, and all the head constables that Shiyong has earned today's merit."
Zheng Shiyong's face glowed red as he spoke in a ringing voice.
"Good, not bad." Zheng Shiyong's reply pleased Tian Fulang greatly. This young man knew how to conduct himself. He could be nurtured!
Zheng Zhenwu stood behind Tian Fulang, also in high spirits. Zheng Shiyong had earned merit, and Zheng Zhenwu's face shone with reflected glory as well.
Tan Huacong stood amid the many constables, smiling broadly.
With Zheng Shiyong standing at the front, he had merely spun a string of lies in passing and gained two minor merits for nothing. From the looks of it, there had clearly been no risk whatsoever in doing this.
It was obvious that Chen Ping'an had finally thought it through!
Thinking this, Tan Huacong glanced toward the corner where Chen Ping'an stood. The youth's expression was calm, his eyes deep, and no one knew what he was thinking.
The bounty commendation at the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office concluded smoothly. At the end, Tian Fulang even called Zheng Shiyong over separately.
"Ping'an, the five taels of reward silver have been handed out! Come on, treat us, treat us!"
Monkey Head said excitedly, as though he himself had received the five taels of silver.
"Fine, I'll treat you," Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
"Five taels of silver! That's several months of wages. We have to slaughter you properly. Hmm, let me think carefully." Monkey Head lowered his head in deep contemplation.
"Da Shan, what about you? What do you want to eat?" Chen Ping'an asked.
"Anything is fine with me." Da Shan gave a simple, foolish grin.
The atmosphere was relaxed as the group left the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
All morning, Monkey Head had clamored about giving Chen Ping'an a proper slaughter. Yet when noon truly came, they only ate a bowl of noodles.
Chen Ping'an had wanted to treat them to something delicious, but when Monkey Head passed a noodle stall, he insisted that he and the stall were fated to meet and that they had to eat there. Da Shan chimed in from the side as well. Left with no choice, Chen Ping'an went along with them and ate a bowl of noodles.
While eating, Monkey Head still shouted noisily that he was going to eat Chen Ping'an into bankruptcy. When ordering, he grandly told the owner to add a spare rib.
In the days after that pre-shift meeting, the South City Pacification Office finally approved Zheng Shiyong's registration.
Temporary constable of the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, Zheng Shiyong. His name was entered into the registry, and he was officially promoted to a constable of the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
He was granted a saber, which he no longer needed to hand in after duty, and received the right to carry it at all times. He was granted a Waist Tag to prove his identity as a Formal Constable. In addition, he was also granted the Public Gate Thirteen Blades.
Zheng Shiyong's former temporary constable Soap Uniform was replaced with the official uniform of a Formal Constable: Cyan cloth, a cross-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe with a red ribbon tied around his waist. Standing among the constables, he looked quite imposing.
Many temporary constables were green with envy and crowded around Zheng Shiyong. Even the experienced Formal Constables showed intentions of befriending him.
In terms of status, Zheng Shiyong was already their equal. Let alone the fact that he had Head Constable Zheng backing him. Over the past few days, he had also gained the favor of Deputy Constable Director Tian Fulang. His future was bright beyond measure!
Given time, he might well become a powerful and influential head constable in the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
However, none of this had anything to do with Chen Ping'an.
Formal Constable
Chen Ping'an's mood was not affected in the slightest. He continued patrolling the streets with Monkey Head and Da Shan, while practicing Iron Cloth.
Over the following days, Chen Ping'an lived an exceptionally fulfilling life. During that time, he even had a day off, allowing him to accumulate a few more points of Iron Cloth Cultivation Experience than usual.
That evening, Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Cloth in the small courtyard of his home.
A familiar experience symbol appeared before Chen Ping'an's eyes.
"Became!"
Seeing the faint plus sign on the panel, joy flashed across Chen Ping'an's face.
Without the slightest hesitation, he focused his mind and tapped the plus sign.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~
Experience churned as specks of starlight surged toward his brow.
The familiar sensation swept over him once more, and incomparably complex information continuously flooded into his mind.
These experiences and insights concerning Iron Cloth felt as though he had gained them through endless days and nights of bitter cultivation, practical combat, reviewing his experiences, and his own realizations.
Everything came naturally!
Name: Chen Ping'an Realm: Qi Blood Second Level Perfection Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection
The changes in Chen Ping'an were not limited to his experience and insights regarding Iron Cloth. His qi and blood, as well as his skin membrane, had changed as well. At this moment, Chen Ping'an's qi and blood were abundant, and his strength had increased again. His skin membrane, which had already rivaled cowhide, became even more solid, as though two incomparably thick layers of cowhide had been stacked together.
Iron Cloth Perfection! Qi Blood Second Level Perfection!
Even Little Tiger Lord of the Tiger Head Gang was only at the Martial Path Realm of Qi Blood Second Level Perfection.
In less than a month, Chen Ping'an had gone from an ordinary person who knew nothing of martial arts to standing on equal footing with Little Tiger Lord.
Among the many constables of South Spring Lane, Chen Ping'an's strength had already reached the peak, representing the pinnacle of Formal Constables. Beyond that lay the level of head constables.
"After putting it off for several days, now that I've reached Qi Blood Second Level Perfection, it's time to go to the black market."
After wiping down his body, Chen Ping'an put on the clothes he had prepared long ago.
With Iron Cloth at Perfection and no martial arts technique, his martial cultivation would stagnate. Because of this, Chen Ping'an had naturally made preparations early on.
Five nights ago, he had gone to the black market. After putting considerable thought into it, he found a suitable channel. Within his limited budget, he ordered a handwritten copy of a low-grade martial art from the black market.
In truth, if his pockets had not been so empty, Chen Ping'an would definitely have chosen to buy a martial arts technique from the Treasure Pavilion in the city.
That way, he could practice martial arts openly and honestly.
What a pity!
He did not have enough money!
Compared with the martial arts prices at the Treasure Pavilion, which started at ten taels and ran to dozens of taels, the black market was undoubtedly far more cost-effective!
The agreed time for the transaction was tonight.
PS: No need to rush, no need to rush. Later on, the protagonist will definitely have the time of his life. He'll slaughter in all directions and suppress every last one who refuses to submit! I am the law, I am the tide of the world—who dares defy me! Kill without mercy!
It just needs a little time. The broad outline and detailed outline have already been planned beyond three hundred chapters. I'm looking forward to the later plot as well.
Before you continue