Master, Didn't You Say We Shouldn't Advocate Force

Tense, exciting, unspeakably thrilling.

A murderer.

This was a murderer!!!

To be taken down by him just like that. Recalling the series of moves just now, he felt he could give such a score.

9.8 points.

As for why it wasn't a perfect score, it was to leave room for improvement.

"My lords, are you alright?" Lin Fan asked.

The young officer with an injured arm shook his head.

The older one took a few breaths, cupped his fists, and said, "Thank you, young brother, for your help. Otherwise, in that situation just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable. I am Song Qing from the Security Bureau, and this is my disciple, Yang Ming."

After speaking, he glanced at the defeated murderer lying on the ground, feeling a sense of lingering fear.

It was too dangerous just now; he almost died at the other's hands.

Lin Fan returned the gesture, cupping his fists. "It's my duty to draw my sword when I see injustice. I am Lin Fan, and I aspire to join the Security Bureau and become an officer to contribute to the stability of Yong'an City. I couldn't possibly ignore a murderer."

One must learn to say pleasant things.

See, when he spoke of his aspirations, the eyes of these two adults changed.

"Good, a hero emerges from youth," Song Qing sighed. He then looked around. "Young Brother Lin, it's too late. Why don't you come with us to bring the murderer back to the Security Bureau? We can discuss things in detail then."

"Alright."

Song Qing and Yang Ming were both injured, and the murderer was unconscious. It was difficult to carry him away. Lin Fan took the initiative, grabbed the murderer's ankles, and dragged him along the ground.

Song Qing was startled by this sight.

His arm strength was astonishing.

Combining this with the situation just now, his evaluation of Lin Fan was: agile and courageous.

That fluid movement was something an ordinary person couldn't do.

And ordinary citizens would have fled long ago upon hearing it was a murderer.

The Security Bureau was adjacent to the county yamen, separated by just one street.

As it was late, only one person was on duty in the bureau. The commotion they made upon entering woke the on-duty officer from his sleep. He grumbled, intending to see who was causing trouble so late at night.

Until...

"Captain Song, what is this?" the on-duty officer asked, confused.

Song Qing pointed at the murderer. "Hu Yong, who committed three murders, has been apprehended."

Hearing this, the on-duty officer was shocked. "Ah, he's Hu Yong! He truly has a fierce appearance. Congratulations, Captain Song, this is a great merit!"

Song Qing nodded. It was indeed a great merit, but it wasn't very useful to him. At his current rank, it was difficult to get promoted further. The merit of merely capturing a murderer was not enough.

However, his disciple could use this merit to be promoted from a Rookie Officer to a formal officer, thus gaining official status and a meager salary.

The difference between receiving a salary and relying on subsidies was significant.

Song Qing instructed his disciple and the on-duty officer to escort the murderer to the jail, while he warmly led Lin Fan to the inner hall, personally brewing tea to thank him for the night's events.

This was Lin Fan's first time entering the Security Bureau.

He hadn't expected that the place responsible for Yong'an City's security would be so simple.

The bluestone floor was severely worn, the stone walls were dilapidated, and even the carvings on the Grand Tutor chair he sat on were worn smooth, the armrests polished to a shine.

Song Qing initiated the conversation, and Lin Fan followed along. After chatting for a short while, the bandaged Yang Ming walked in, sat down, and drank tea, trying to calm his still agitated nerves.

However, when he learned that Lin Fan worked for Wang Changhai of the Loyalty Hall, he looked at him in astonishment.

He hadn't expected that the righteous Lin brother was involved with the underworld.

His master, on the other hand, remained calm, clearly not taking the matter to heart.

"Wang Changhai of the Loyalty Hall, while a bit rough around the edges, is a good person within the Loyalty Hall. It's not bad that you work for him, and the fact that he entrusted you with the responsibility of Jili Pier is enough to show his trust," Song Qing said.

Lin Fan hadn't expected his Hall Master to receive such an evaluation.

But upon careful consideration, it seemed true. Many of the people who made a living at the pier were common folk, and he had never seen anyone bullied by their Hall Master.

"The Hall Master is also quite benevolent to us brothers," Lin Fan said.

Song Qing had dealings with the gangs in the city, though certainly not good ones. After all, the gangs caused a lot of trouble in the city, and oppressing the common people was a minor matter. For truly serious cases, beheading was a possibility.

But... it was better not to mention it.

The collusion between officials and the underworld had been difficult to eradicate since ancient times.

Song Qing changed the subject, shifting to the Law Examination. "How is your grasp of the Law now?"

"It's alright."

"Oh, 'not bad' is good enough. Study hard for the exam. Regardless of anything else, I'll be recording today's events, which will be a great help to you in joining the Security Bureau," Song Qing said.

Lin Fan put down his teacup, stood up, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Captain Song."

Song Qing quickly held up Lin Fan's clasped fists. "No need for that. You truly helped us out a lot this time. If you really want to join the Security Bureau, then take my advice: during this period, under no circumstances should you get involved in any of Loyalty Hall's dirty business."

Lin Fan nodded upon hearing this.

He could tell that Song Qing didn't care about his current identity and seemed to approve of his choice to join the Security Bureau.

Now, his confidence in joining the Security Bureau was higher than before.

It was getting late, so Lin Fan took his leave. Although he didn't receive any tangible rewards, the words the other man had spoken to him were the greatest reward.

To join the Security Bureau, besides having some ability, the key was having connections. Now, he had those connections.

This trip to the restaurant tonight was worth it.

Under the night sky, the moonlight was soft. Lin Fan walked with light steps towards home.

Inner chamber.

"Master, can people from Loyalty Hall really join the Security Bureau?" Yang Ming voiced his doubts. It wasn't that he had anything against Lin Fan, but Loyalty Hall was, after all, a shady organization.

Song Qing stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the moonlight outside, and slowly said, "Why not? As officers, besides being upright and impartial, you must be more wicked than the wicked and more evil than the evildoers. Naive people aren't suited to be officers. Do you know why I chose to take you under my wing back then?"

Yang Ming said, "Because I didn't offer them any gifts, so the senior colleagues were unwilling to take me. Only you were willing."

Song Qing said, "That's only part of it. The other part is that I saw a conviction in you, a conviction to maintain the stability and peace of Yong'an City. Your family is well-off, and you have considerable local prestige, which can prevent you from being corrupted by those interests. I've been an officer for decades, and honestly, too many promising seedlings who started with pure hearts ended up becoming slaves to those people."

Slaves!!

Yang Ming understood. His master was extremely disappointed in those people.

"Master, your disciple will definitely be able to maintain his original intention. But even if he truly passes the Law Examination, he might not be selected. According to my knowledge, most of the participants in this examination are locals with status and background. I'm afraid he..."

"Afraid of what? Do you think I've been eating for decades for nothing?"

"Master, are you going to intervene personally?"

Yang Ming was astonished. He hadn't expected his master to think so highly of Lin Fan. In all the time he had been by his master's side, he had never seen his master bend the rules for anyone.

"Aren't you very curious why I think so highly of him?"

"A little."

"Because he's a good fighter."

"Huh? Being a good fighter counts? But Master, didn't you say we officers shouldn't emphasize force and should prioritize negotiation?"

Hearing this, Song Qing rolled his eyes. "That depends on the person. I'm afraid you'd get yourself killed shortly after joining if you couldn't handle yourself."

Yang Ming: ...

Fine.

Thinking about Lin Fan's performance tonight, he had to admit the man was indeed a good fighter.