Meanwhile, in the front courtyard of the Nanning County Office.
Gu Chang'an followed Li Hongye across the crimson-lacquered gates.
The moment he stepped inside, an oppressive aura washed over him, as though the government office itself carried an inherent sternness.
The courtyard floor was paved with bluestone, clean, orderly, and spotless.
Suspended high on the wall directly facing the entrance was a pitch-black horizontal plaque, upon which three bold characters were written with vigorous strokes: "Martial Guard Division".
Archers stood guard in formation on the corner towers on either side, wearing light armor, holding stiff bows, and wearing expressions as steadfast as statues.
Gu Chang'an subconsciously reined in his aura, his pace also growing slightly lighter.
He glanced left and right, noticing bandit portraits hanging on the corridor pillars, with the words "Most Wanted List" written in large blood-red characters across them.
Bounty amounts and lists of crimes were posted beneath every single portrait, and some even bore red stamped seals indicating that the targets had already been killed or captured, creating a stern and grim atmosphere.
The patrolling constables in the courtyard wore black-fabric uniforms and carried iron sabers at their waists. Though not hailing from military ranks, they walked with a brisk momentum and exposed a palpable murderous intent.
Li Hongye continued leading him further inside, explaining as they walked:
"This side is the Court Hall, where the County Magistrate and County Assistant usually hear cases."
"That side is the cell block, a place where felons are detained, and nobody other than those patrolling the cells is allowed to approach. The 'Prison Guard Division' inside is guarded by specialists, all of whom are old hands."
"Further in are the storehouse and the Archive Hall, both of which also require command tokens to enter."
"As for the Front Hall—roll call takes place every Mao hour. Latecomers are docked their monthly silver, and anyone daring to be truant might be stripped of their post directly."
She turned her head to look at Gu Chang'an, adding:
"These days, earning public grain is far steadier than drifting through the martial world. It's just that there are plenty of rules, and you have to abide by them."
Gu Chang'an nodded at her words, feeling all the more reassured the more he listened. He had spent this recent period wandering in displacement, chopping wood and hunting to make a living; though he had now entered the Ninth Rank after his master imparted martial arts to him, remaining without support would still make it difficult for him to establish a foothold in the martial world.
If he could now enter the Martial Guard Division of the County Office and become a constable, even starting from the very bottom, it was still far better than wandering everywhere.
More importantly, becoming a constable meant becoming a functionary, realizing an upward promotion in social class.
As she spoke, Li Hongye led him into a side corridor and pointed toward a courtyard:
"That side is the Training Ground, where Division Chief Wang usually teaches us to cultivate our skills."
"We are divided into three groups here: the Patrol Group is responsible for routine patrols, catching petty thieves, and breaking up street fights; the Fugitive Apprehension Group exclusively solves murder cases and tracks down vicious criminals; and finally, the Interrogation Group manages confessions and trial records."
"Newcomers entering the office all start from the Patrol Group, running errands and doing odd jobs, with performance evaluated once every three months. Only if someone recommends you or you render meritorious service can you be promoted."
She paused, glanced at Gu Chang'an, and smiled gently:
"You are different, however. You are already a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. This is the backbone of our Martial Guard Division."
"If today's recruitment goes smoothly, I can have a word with Division Chief Wang, and entering the Fugitive Apprehension Group directly is entirely possible."
Gu Chang'an's heart shook slightly, the trace of nervousness he originally felt instantly swept away. He nodded solemnly:
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for the recommendation. I will certainly not let you down."
Li Hongye waved her hand, her tone relaxed: "If you truly live up to expectations, it won't just be my master who glows with pride; I'll look good too."
With that, she gave a light hum, her tone carrying teasing amusement yet containing appreciation.
Right at that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from the direction of the courtyard gates. A young runner dressed in a black-fabric uniform trotted over, breathing slightly raggedly, and after coming to a halt, cupped his fists and said:
"Head Constable Li, the division chief requests your presence!"
Li Hongye raised her brow slightly, a trace of surprise flashing across her eyes before she nodded:
"Understood, we are going right now."
She turned to smile at Gu Chang'an. "It seems your luck is good; Head Constable Wang wants to see you personally."
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Gu Chang'an nodded, reined in his wandering thoughts, and followed behind Li Hongye as she crossed the front hall, turned into a stone path on the east side, stepped over several flights of steps, and walked up to a small hall with tightly closed tall doors.
Suspended on the lintel were four characters reading "Commander's Office", written with powerful strokes and carrying an air of martial severity.
Two fierce-looking constables were standing guard at the entrance, and the moment they caught sight of Li Hongye, they immediately pushed the door open halfway and cupped their fists in salute, saying:
"Division Chief, the person has arrived."
A robust and vigorous voice echoed from inside the room: "Come in."
The door opened, and Li Hongye stepped across the threshold first, with Gu Chang'an following closely behind her.
He saw that the furnishings in the room were simple, with a huge topographical map of Nanning County hanging on the wall, densely covered with red lines and black dots, clearly marking military and public security priorities; off to one side of the main hall lay an unsheathed broadsword, its cold light threatening.
Division Chief Wang Hao stood with his back to the others, hands clasped behind him, his gaze fixed on a certain spot on the map. Hearing the footsteps, he slowly turned around.
"Hongye is here?" His gaze fell onto Gu Chang'an, looking him over for a moment before he slightly raised his eyebrows. "Is this the junior brother you mentioned?"
Just moments earlier, he had returned from concluding a meeting, and his mood had been quite gloomy.
Yet the apprehension of Yellow Wolf Lu Kai had made him feel much better.
Therefore, upon hearing that Li Hongye wanted to bring her junior brother into the Martial Guard Division, he did not hesitate to have the person summoned.
Li Hongye smiled and nodded. "Mm, this is the personal disciple my father took in. He just broke through to the Ninth Rank, his talent is good, and he is also steady."
Wang Hao raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Gu Chang'an with interest.
"Even your father took a personal disciple? That is rare indeed."
He stepped forward two paces, coming to a halt in front of Gu Chang'an. His tone was unhurried, yet it naturally carried a sense of pressure. "What is your name?"
"Gu Chang'an." Gu Chang'an cupped his fists, his voice not loud, yet steady and forceful.
"I hear you assisted Hongye in capturing Yellow Wolf Lu Kai?"
"Yes." Gu Chang'an answered concisely, without the slightest hint of self-aggrandizement.
Wang Hao nodded slightly, a trace of prudence coloring his gaze:
"You just broke through to the Ninth Rank and yet were able to fight Lu Kai, which shows you are not just a newcomer with an empty realm."
Immediately afterward, his tone shifted as he abruptly asked in a serious manner:
"Why do you wish to enter the Martial Guard Division and become a constable?"
Gu Chang'an stepped forward, his waist and back straight, and cupped his fists, answering in a deep voice:
"I fled from famine in my youth, losing both parents and brothers, and made a living by hunting and chopping wood, later entering a martial arts hall to practice solely for self-preservation and survival."
"Yet now that I have fortuitously entered the ranks, I neither wish to act as a jackal for the wicked, nor do I wish to drift aimlessly through the martial world."
"If I can enter the Martial Guard Division, rid the common folk of evil, bring peace to the people, and guard a region of tranquility, that is my desire."
Although these words were plain and unadorned, they carried the weight of a solemn promise, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
Wang Hao was first startled, then broke into a wide grin, a deeper sense of approval filling his eyes:
"Good! You have ambition, innate bone structure, and a resilient drive—truly rare."
He looked toward Li Hongye. "You said he is capable, and I trust your judgment. Since he is of the Ninth Rank and has rendered meritorious service by capturing a criminal, the identity of a constable is naturally not a problem."
"Starting today, you shall be assigned as a constable under the Fugitive Apprehension Group of the Martial Guard Division, temporarily following Li Hongye's guidance. Three months will be the probationary period, and you will be evaluated after three months. If you can establish achievements, you may be confirmed in your post."
Hearing this, Li Hongye wore a smile in her eyes and gave Gu Chang'an a hearty slap on the shoulder: "Did you hear that? Follow me from now on, and work hard."
Gu Chang'an took a deep breath, cupping his fists solemnly:
"Thank you, Head Constable Wang, for your grace, and thank you, Senior Sister, for your recommendation! Gu Chang'an shall certainly not fail this trust!"
Wang Hao nodded: "Very well. Hongye, take your junior brother to go register."
With that, he waved his hand, signaling the two of them to withdraw.
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