Patrol

Li Hongye gazed at the group of team members standing ramrod straight. Her eyes were as calm as water, and she spoke clearly and firmly:

"Today, there are no major cases in Nanning County. Our task is routine patrols, familiarizing ourselves with the terrain, and helping our new addition, Gu Chang'an, adapt as quickly as possible."

She looked around at everyone, then nodded slightly and changed tack:

"So, I've decided to split the squad into two groups and have them operate separately."

As she spoke, she walked slowly to the center of the team and pointed toward Zheng Zhen, Sun Hao, Gao Ling, and Lin Wan'er:

"You four will form one group, led by Zheng Zhen. You'll be responsible for patrolling the eastern district. That area is packed with shops and markets, with many commoners coming and going. Keep an eye out for human traffickers, pickpockets, and Black Market dealings."

The four of them cupped their fists and answered, "Yes."

She then turned to Liu Wei. "Liu Wei, you'll lead Zhou Yue, Song Zong, and Gu Chang'an in patrolling the western district. It's near the outskirts of the city, and the Firewood Gang is especially active there. Be careful."

Liu Wei nodded, his tone calm. "Understood."

"Both groups are to return before the hour of Shen. Send word immediately if anything happens."

Li Hongye paused, her gaze settling on Gu Chang'an. Her voice softened as she said:

"It's your first patrol, so don't be too nervous. Ask Liu Wei and Song Zong if you have any questions."

"Yes, Senior Sister." Gu Chang'an nodded respectfully.

"Good. Set out."

At Li Hongye's command, the eight people swiftly split into two groups and began arranging their equipment.

Gu Chang'an followed Zheng Zhen and the other three toward the side gate of the rear courtyard.

Liu Wei walked at the very front with steady strides. His patrol uniform was neat and spotless, and his burly body was like a towering pagoda.

A standard-issue saber hung at his waist. Its scabbard was dark and heavy, swaying slightly with each step. His Killing Intent remained concealed, yet he possessed an oppressive air that commanded awe without anger.

His gaze swept across the streets and alleys on either side from time to time. His expression was alert, revealing the vigilance of a seasoned veteran.

Zhou Yue sauntered along in the middle of the group, idly playing with an exquisite little mechanical bird made of copper as he patrolled.

The bird was yellow all over. Whenever it spread its wings, it made a faint "chirp, chirp" sound, drawing the attention of several children from afar.

Zhou Yue occasionally winked and pulled faces at them, his lazy expression carrying a hint of slyness.

The slightly older Song Zong followed steadily at the rear. His expression was gentle and his gaze calm, yet he would occasionally glance at the young man at the back of the group, a trace of imperceptible appreciation flickering in his eyes.

Gu Chang'an walked last. He lowered his head slightly in thought, but eventually raised it and broke the silence:

"Fellow colleagues, I'm Gu Chang'an. I've just arrived, so I hope you'll guide me."

"Not at all, not at all." Song Zong smiled and stroked his grizzled beard.

Song Zong turned and smiled, his beard trembling lightly as he cupped his fists. "Not at all, not at all. You were personally brought here by Captain Li, and you're also a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. We old fellows will have to rely on you to hold the fort from now on."

Zhou Yue chimed in, "Exactly. Brother Gu is so young and already a Ninth Rank Martial Artist—not someone ordinary people can compare with. Once you rise to prominence, don't forget us old patrol officers."

Gu Chang'an smiled, his face modest, though he couldn't help feeling a little warmed inside. Ever since he entered the yamen, he had sensed that these men harbored no hostility toward him. Instead, they treated him with genuine sincerity.

After hesitating briefly, he shifted his gaze and asked, "By the way, is Zheng Zhen from the Four Sword Sect?"

Liu Wei nodded slightly, his voice low. "Yes. He comes from the Four Sword Sect and is quite famous throughout Guangling Commandery."

"I see!" Gu Chang'an's eyes lit up, and his heart was shaken.

He had long yearned for sect cultivation. After all, everyone had once dreamed of being a great hero roaming the martial world.

And the Four Sword Sect was the cream of the crop among them.

"I've always been curious about sect cultivation. I heard that the Four Sword Sect takes Sword Intent as its foundation and has inherited ancient sword techniques?"

Song Zong answered with a smile, "That's true. The Four Sword Sect was founded upon the 'Righteous, Unorthodox, Heavy, and Empty' swords. It has four branches, each with its own inheritance."

Liu Wei added, "Zheng Zhen cultivates the 'Righteous Sword.' It emphasizes steadiness and restraint—defense before offense. His attacks are exceptionally stable, like a rock standing guard. Though he has few variations, he's extremely difficult to defeat."

Zhou Yue raised his brows and muttered, "You'd better watch out for him in the future."

Gu Chang'an was taken aback. "Why?"

The corner of Zhou Yue's mouth curled up, and a teasing glint appeared in his eyes. "Zheng Zhen comes from a prestigious sect, and he's also a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. He's accumulated enough merit over the years that he should have been promoted to captain long ago. Yet he's stayed under Captain Li all this time."

He smiled meaningfully. "What do you think he's after?"

Once those words were spoken, the others fell silent for a moment.

Gu Chang'an's mind jolted, and he immediately understood.

What else could he be after?

Of course he wants his Senior Sister's body.

It seems Zheng Zhen sees him as a romantic rival.

No wonder he had clearly sensed Zheng Zhen's hostility toward him the moment they met.

He lowered his eyelids, his expression complicated, and said slowly, "Actually, Senior Sister and I share only the affection of fellow disciples. There's nothing more between us."

"Oh my." Zhou Yue's smile grew even brighter. The corners of his mouth lifted like those of a cunning fox. "Captain Li is such a fine woman. Dare you say you truly have no other thoughts about her?"

Gu Chang'an froze and did not immediately refute him.

Indeed, Li Hongye was the most beautiful, outstanding, and powerful woman he had met since arriving in this world.

She was capable and decisive in her work, upright in character...

And she was also one of the people who treated him best and cared about him most...

Moreover, they got along harmoniously and shared the same goals...

If he said he had no other feelings at all, even he would not believe it.

Gu Chang'an immediately changed the subject. "Brother Zhou, could you be from a lineage of Mechanical Arts?"

Zhou Yue's expression brightened at that. A smug curve appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Heh, I'll give you credit for having a good eye!"

He lightly tossed the copper bird into the air. With a "clack," the bird spread its wings and actually flapped twice in midair, tracing a small arc before landing steadily back in his palm.

"My surname is Zhou, and I'm from the West Street Zhou Family. My family deals in metalwork and machinery, so I was steeped in it from childhood."

"As for Mechanical Arts, I never entered a prestigious institution like the Ministry of Works. I can only study a few manuals and tinker around on my own. Still, I can just about save my life with it."

"Mechanical Arts truly is a wondrous path."

Admiration surfaced in Gu Chang'an's eyes.

"I once heard that high-rank mechanical masters can refine Puppet War Soldiers that advance and retreat like people and repel enemies from a thousand li away. I wonder whether that's true?"

Zhou Yue blinked at that.

"Heh, that part really is true. My uncle once visited the Ministry of Works. They have Puppet War Constructs there that are impervious to blades and spears and can even breathe fire and shoot arrows."

Then he shrugged and smiled bitterly:

"Unfortunately, I can't afford to play with that sort of thing. The materials alone for those mechanical components are outrageously expensive. Unless you're a powerful noble, who could afford to maintain one?"

Song Zong laughed heartily beside them and shook his head. "You little rascal, all you know how to do is brag. You're only capable of fooling newcomers."

"I call it sharing my knowledge." Zhou Yue pretended to be angry, though his face was full of smiles.

The four of them chatted and laughed without slowing their feet, and they had already patrolled to the end of South Street. The morning sun had risen, the streets were growing busier, voices filled the air, and the smoke and bustle of ordinary life grew ever thicker.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the alley ahead.

"Make way, make way—!"

A thin, frail boy of around ten came stumbling over. His face was panicked, sweat covered his forehead, and he shouted breathlessly:

"Several sirs, there's a fight in West Willow Alley! It seems... it seems someone's been injured!"

Song Zong's expression changed, his brows drawing tightly together. He said in a deep voice, "Come on. Let's go take a look."

Everyone's expression tightened, and they immediately quickened their pace. They crossed two streets and alleys before rushing to West Willow Alley.

A crowd had already gathered in the alley, and the uproar was endless. Gu Chang'an pushed through the people and swept his sharp gaze across the scene, immediately catching sight of the center of the disturbance.

A young man in his early twenties was curled up in the corner by the wall. He wore a coarse short shirt and was covered in blood, bright red blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

One hand supported him against the wall while the other clutched a shattered jade pendant tightly. His expression was stubborn, his face filled with defiance, and he was already half-kneeling on the ground, swaying on the verge of collapse.

Standing before him were two burly men with faces full of coarse flesh. They wore blue cloth short robes and each held an iron club as they advanced step by step.

"Everyone, stand aside!"

Following a low, furious shout, the crowd rapidly parted. Liu Wei strode forward, cold and imposing as a mountain. His aura suddenly tightened, pressing down on everyone's hearts.

Gu Chang'an's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. He immediately locked onto the two burly men, his brows knitting slightly.

Both men were tall and powerfully built, their steps steady. At a glance, they were clearly trained fighters with some skill.

He used the system to investigate them, and the result confirmed it: both men had physiques of at least 60.

The young man being attacked, however, was an ordinary person with a physique of only 35.

Yet he still clutched a shattered jade pendant tightly, his eyes filled with defiance.

"Stop!" Song Zong shouted in a low voice. His long saber left its sheath, a flash of cold light pointing straight at the two men.

The two burly men froze, then sneered.

"Several constables, this brat stole goods from our Firewood Gang. We're only teaching him a lesson. Surely you aren't planning to interfere?"

"The Firewood Gang?" Liu Wei's gaze turned icy, his voice deep as thunder. "Since when did your Firewood Gang gain the authority to investigate and pass judgment? Administering punishment in the street—is that a challenge to the law?"

The leading burly man snorted, his gaze disdainful. "The law can't control our Firewood Gang's Qingzi Hall—"

Before he could finish, Gu Chang'an flashed forward and suddenly closed the distance.

Everyone only saw their vision blur as a remnant shadow skimmed low across the ground.

Gu Chang'an struck the burly man's right shoulder with one palm. A sharp crack of splintering bone rang out!

"Argh—!!" The man let out a miserable scream. His entire arm drooped like mud, and he collapsed to the ground in unbearable agony, his face as pale as paper.

The other burly man was horrified and had just begun to retreat when Zhou Yue had already raised his hand. The mechanism in his palm sprang lightly, and with a whoosh, a silver pellet shot out!

The pellet struck his knee joint with pinpoint accuracy. With a click, both his knees went weak, and he fell to his knees on the spot, cold sweat pouring down his forehead as he cried out repeatedly in pain.

Zhou Yue whistled cheerfully, put away the copper bird, and said, "Ahem, I missed. I was actually aiming for his butt."

The surrounding crowd instantly exploded into an uproar.

"These constables are way too fierce!"

"They actually dared to attack people from the Firewood Gang?"

"This newcomer is brutally fierce. That palm just now... it was no simple move!"

"Those thugs from the Firewood Gang have run rampant through the streets for years. They've finally run into trouble!"

The crowd whispered among themselves, but no one dared step forward.

Gu Chang'an's gaze was as cold and calm as ice. He turned toward the young man still leaning against the wall and gasping for breath and said flatly:

"Don't be afraid. We're here."

The young man's lips trembled. In the end, he said in a low voice:

"I... didn't steal anything. I only wanted to... get this jade pendant back. It's my mother's keepsake. They... they snatched my jade pendant..."

Gu Chang'an nodded and said solemnly, "We'll investigate clearly and handle everything according to the law."

Song Zong had already gone over to examine the injuries, while Liu Wei stared coldly at the two men sprawled on the ground and said in an icy voice:

"The Firewood Gang? You attacked someone today. Wait until you answer for it in court."