After returning from Zhou Academy, Chen Qing had not even had time to change out of his training clothes when a knock sounded at the door.
"Your Excellency is?"
Chen Qing stepped out and opened the door to find a burly man in plain clothes, a constable's badge hanging from his waist.
The burly man smiled. "Brother Chen, I'm Zhao Yousan, your next-door neighbor. Official duties keep me busy, so I sleep by day and work by night. Ever since Brother Chen moved here, we haven't had the chance to meet. I came especially to congratulate you on breaking through your shackles. A small token of my regard—please don't refuse it."
As he spoke, he took out five taels of silver.
He had just finished checking in for duty when he heard the news while passing Zhou Academy, and had hurried to the Chen residence without stopping.
A Transformation Force expert had emerged on Changping Street—and he was even a neighbor. Naturally, Zhao Yousan had to build this connection.
"You're too courteous, brother Zhao." Chen Qing smiled and accepted without ceremony.
Seeing this, the smile on Zhao Yousan's face deepened.
Sometimes, accepting the silver instead made the bond between people stronger.
After all, it was an investment they had made, and it counted as the beginning of an acquaintance.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Yousan tactfully took his leave.
Like a stone cast into still water, news of his breakthrough to Transformation Force had silently spread through certain keen ears in Gaolin County within less than half a day.
The first to come calling were mostly stewards from the shops and wealthy households along Changping Street.
Their faces were beaming and their words respectful. The gifts they presented were not particularly valuable, but they won out in thoughtfulness and