The Way of the Gate

"Ping'an, this outfit of yours, tsk tsk tsk… truly imposing!"

As soon as Chen Ping'an arrived at the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, Monkey Head circled around him, praising him profusely.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an was no longer wearing the Soap Uniform of a temporary constable. Instead, he was clad in a Cyan Cloth formal constable uniform: a cross-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe with a Red Ribbon tied around his waist.

Among the majority of temporary constables still wearing Soap Uniforms, he stood out remarkably.

The South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office had over a hundred temporary constables, but the number of formal constables was less than forty.

Da Shan, standing nearby, also showed envy in his eyes.

"Ping'an, truly excellent! Keep up the good work, the future belongs to you young people."

Qin Head also came over and praised him. After that day, Qin Head rarely slacked off, and reporting for duty was a must.

While waiting for the Constable Heads to arrive, many constables also came up to talk to Chen Ping'an.

Previously, Chen Ping'an was half-invisible in the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office; apart from their own small circle, hardly any constables paid attention to him. But now that he had been promoted to formal constable, the situation was different.

Walking outside and mentioning it, he was a head of sorts, big or small. When Chen Ping'an got a bit older, people would call him Head Chen when he went out.

Seeing Chen Ping'an being so warmly received, a trace of unwillingness flashed in Zheng Shiyong's eyes.

"Just a kid who hasn't even entered the Martial Path, truly got lucky as hell!"

Not long after, a Constable Head entered the Town Pacification Office gate. It was Head Constable Zheng. As soon as Head Constable Zheng entered, he saw a temporary constable who was currently surrounding Chen Ping'an and showing goodwill.

"What's with all the hubbub, what kind of behavior is this!"

Although Head Constable Zheng's words were directed at everyone, his gaze was fixed on Chen Ping'an's direction.

The temporary constable who was being stared at immediately looked as if his face had frozen.

"Still not going back!" Head Constable Zheng looked displeased.

The temporary constable who had been showing goodwill towards Chen Ping'an immediately ran back upon hearing this.

Being reprimanded by a Constable Head was no small matter.

As Head Constable Zheng walked in, the murmuring in the field also subsided.

"Kid! So what if you're a formal constable? You'll still be under my uncle's thumb!" Zheng Shiyong thought smugly.

Although Head Constable Zheng didn't explicitly state it, this action was subtly warning Chen Ping'an, and at the same time, telling others that he wasn't particularly fond of Chen Ping'an.

Temporary constables who had intended to show goodwill, seeing Head Constable Zheng's attitude, would undoubtedly have to reconsider before making a decision.

Looking at Head Constable Zheng's back as he walked onto the high platform, Chen Ping'an slightly narrowed his eyes.

This Head Constable Zheng…

Since the matter of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had not yet been resolved, although the Constable Director and Deputy Constable Director were not present today, the five Constable Heads still reported for duty as usual, with Head Constable Zheng presiding over the Pre-Shift Meeting.

After the Pre-Shift Meeting ended, Chen Ping'an also received his latest assigned duty.

Since he was now a registered formal constable, he naturally couldn't continue to follow Qin Head. Instead, he needed to lead three temporary constables and handle things independently.

Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, two of the three temporary constables he was leading were people he had just recently interacted with.

Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu. Besides the two of them, there was also a newcomer who had joined less than two months ago, named Zeng Jihe.

Chen Ping'an wasn't sure about the others, but he knew that Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were relatively senior temporary constables, the type who were good at clinging to powerful figures. It seemed they belonged to Head Constable Zheng's faction.

Because of this, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but be secretly wary.

In his previous life's workplace, there were countless instances of being deliberately made things difficult for. Could it be that after transmigrating, he would have to experience it all over again in this South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office?

However...

Unlike his previous life, his current abilities could be clearly displayed and quantified. They couldn't be arbitrarily distorted, with black being called white, and blame being shifted or manipulated.

Since Chen Ping'an's new assignment was just decided today, it would officially start tomorrow. Everything today remained as usual.

On this day, Chen Ping'an patrolled Willow Leaf Street with Qin Head, Monkey Head, and Da Shan. He and Qin Head, both wearing the official uniforms of formal constables, were quite intimidating walking down the street.

Many of the ruffians who had previously been indifferent and fearless towards Chen Ping'an showed a hint of fawning smiles upon seeing their official uniforms.

Formal constables were different from temporary constables. If they were determined to deal with a ruffian or scoundrel, they would succeed nine times out of ten.

Therefore, for these ruffians and scoundrels, it was best not to offend formal constables!

"Ping'an, starting tomorrow, you'll be on your own!" Qin Head said with a hint of relief on his face. "Your father and I have been colleagues for many years. In terms of seniority, I'm half your uncle. After all these years, I haven't accumulated much, but I do have some experience and lessons learned."

"Please speak, Qin Head," Chen Ping'an said respectfully.

He still respected Qin Head's character. As a formal constable, he never acted condescendingly or bullied the weak. Aside from a minor habit of being a bit lazy, there was nothing else to criticize.

"Being a formal constable is different from being a temporary constable. As long as you don't make any major mistakes, it's a lifelong iron rice bowl. But sometimes, it's not that you didn't make a mistake just because you say so. Ping'an, remember this. The person the Constable Director sees in you is not necessarily the real you, but the person the Head Constable talks about. Therefore, maintaining a good relationship with the Head Constable is one of the most crucial tasks. Look at me..."

Qin Head began to share his half-lifetime of experience and lessons with Chen Ping'an, while Monkey Head and Da Shan also pricked up their ears to listen.

"Sometimes, when the Head Constable issues an order, you need to implement it promptly. But the people below you might not be effective. What do you do then? Sometimes it's not that they're ineffective, but their mindset is a bit off, so you need to..."

"..."

The entire day, Qin Head wholeheartedly imparted his experience and lessons without reservation. Chen Ping'an listened attentively. Although he wouldn't use all of this information, it would undoubtedly help him avoid many detours. By combining Qin Head's experience and lessons with his many insights from his previous life, Chen Ping'an gained many unexpected benefits.

"Ping'an, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu are under Head Constable Zheng. Be careful yourself. Not just them, you need to be more vigilant in everything."

As they were about to finish their shift, Qin Head earnestly advised him.

Clearly, Qin Head, being old and shrewd, had seen Head Constable Zheng's malice towards Chen Ping'an.

"Yes, I understand," Chen Ping'an nodded.

He still had that much vigilance.

"Among the three people under you, Cheng Yuan has entered the Martial Path. Pay more attention to him."

Qin Head added another sentence, still feeling uneasy.

In his eyes, Chen Ping'an was still just an ordinary person. Although he had become a formal constable based on his merits, he had no background and no strength. It would be somewhat difficult to make the few people under him, especially Cheng Yuan, truly submit. He could only be more careful himself.

"I will be careful."

Chen Ping'an responded.

However, with his current strength, trying to manipulate him through a few temporary constables under him... he truly wasn't afraid of that. If Head Constable Zheng came himself, that would be more like it!

Just in time, he had now obtained the Public Gate Thirteen Blades and could slowly reveal his Martial Path talent.