Patrolling

Li Hongye looked at the team members standing at attention, her gaze clear and powerful like water as she spoke:

"There are no major cases in Nanning County today. Our mission is routine patrol, to familiarize ourselves with the terrain, and to help the newly joined Gu Chang'an adapt as quickly as possible."

She scanned everyone, then nodded slightly, changing the subject:

"Therefore, I've decided to split the team into two and have you act separately."

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

"You four will be one group, led by Zheng Zhen. You'll be responsible for patrolling the East City District—that's where the shops and markets are concentrated, with many people coming and going. Be vigilant for human traffickers, pickpockets, or black market dealings."

All four cupped their fists in response: "Understood."

Then she turned to Liu Wei: "Liu Wei, you'll lead Zhou Yue, Song Zong, and Gu Chang'an, and be responsible for the West City District. That area is closer to the outskirts, and the Firewood Gang is also more active there, so be careful."

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

"Both groups are to return before Shen Shi. Send word immediately if you encounter any situations."

Li Hongye paused, her gaze falling on Gu Chang'an, and she said softly:

"It's your first patrol, don't be too nervous. If you have any problems, ask Liu Wei and Song Zong."

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

"Alright, let's move out."

At Li Hongye's command, the eight people quickly split into two groups, tidying their gear.

Gu Chang'an followed Zheng Zhen and the other two towards the side gate in the backyard.

Liu Wei, walking at the front, had a steady stride. His patrol uniform was neatly pressed and clean, and his sturdy build made him resemble a towering pagoda.

A standard long saber hung at his waist. The scabbard was dark, swaying slightly with his steps. Though no killing intent was revealed, there was an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.

His gaze occasionally swept across the streets and alleys on either side, his expression alert, revealing practiced vigilance.

Zhou Yue, on the other hand, walked casually in the middle of the group, fiddling with an exquisite small mechanical bird made of bronze as they patrolled.

The bird was yellowish all over. When its wings spread, it let out a soft "chirp," attracting the curious glances of a few children from a distance.

Zhou Yue occasionally winked and made faces at them, his expression lazy yet tinged with slyness.

The older Song Zong walked steadily at the rear of the group, his expression gentle and his gaze calm. However, he occasionally glanced at the young man at the end of the line, a hint of imperceptible admiration flashing in his eyes.

Gu Chang'an walked at the back, his head slightly lowered in thought. He finally looked up, breaking the silence:

"Fellow colleagues, I am Gu Chang'an. I've just arrived and would appreciate your guidance."

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

Song Zong turned and smiled, his beard trembling slightly, and cupped his fist: "Not at all, not at all. You were personally brought here by Head Constable Li, and you're a Ninth Rank martial artist. We old timers will have to rely on you in the future."

Zhou Yue chimed in, "That's right. Gu, you're Ninth Rank at such a young age, which is beyond what ordinary people can achieve. When you achieve great success in the future, don't forget us old patrolmen."

Gu Chang'an smiled, appearing humble, but felt a slight warmth in his heart. Ever since he entered the yamen, he had sensed that these men were not hostile towards him, but rather treated him with a degree of sincerity.

He hesitated slightly, his gaze shifted, and he 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, which is quite famous throughout Guangling Commandery."

"So that's how it is!" Gu Chang'an's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but be shaken.

He had long yearned for sect cultivation, after all, everyone had dreamed of being a chivalrous hero roaming the jianghu.

And the "Four Sword Sect" was among the best.

"I've always been curious about sect cultivation. The Four Sword Sect, I've heard, focuses on sword intent as its foundation and inherits ancient sword techniques?"

Song Zong replied with a smile: "That is indeed the case. The Four Sword Sect was founded on the 'Righteous, Strange, Heavy, and Void' four swords, divided into four peaks, each with its own inheritance."

Liu Wei added: "Zheng Zhen cultivates the 'Righteous Sword,' which emphasizes stability and restraint, attacking only after defending. His moves are extremely steady, like the defense of a boulder. Although there are few variations, it's extremely difficult to break."

Zhou Yue raised an eyebrow and muttered, "You'll have to be careful of him in the future."

Gu Chang'an was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

Zhou Yue's lips curled, a hint of amusement in his eyes, "Zheng Zhen comes from a prestigious sect and is a Ninth Rank martial artist. He's accumulated enough merit over the years and should have been promoted to Head Constable long ago. Yet, he's remained under Head Constable Li."

He chuckled meaningfully, "You tell me, what's he after?"

As the words were spoken, a moment of silence fell upon the group.

However, Gu Chang'an's mind suddenly jolted, and he seemed to understand.

What else could he be after?

It must be for his Senior Sister's affection.

It seemed Zheng Zhen saw him as a love rival.

No wonder he could clearly sense Zheng Zhen's hostility towards him when they first met.

He lowered his eyelids, his expression complex, and said slowly, "Actually, Senior Sister and I only have the camaraderie of fellow disciples; there's no other relationship."

"Oh my," Zhou Yue laughed even more brightly, his lips upturned like a cunning fox. "Head Constable Li is so wonderful, dare you say you don't have any other thoughts about her?"

Gu Chang'an was stunned and didn't immediately retort.

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

She was efficient in her actions, upright in her conduct...

Moreover, she was one of the people who treated him best and cared about him the most...

And they got along well and shared common goals...

If he said there wasn't a hint of other feelings, even he wouldn't believe it.

Gu Chang'an immediately changed the subject, "Brother Zhou, are you perhaps from the Mechanical Arts lineage?"

Zhou Yue's expression brightened upon hearing this, a proud curve lifting the corners of his mouth.

"Heh, you've got good eyes!"

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He lightly tossed the bronze bird in his hand. With a "clatter," the bird spread its wings, actually flapped twice in mid-air, traced a small arc, and landed steadily back in his palm.

"My surname is Zhou, and I'm from the West Street Zhou Family. My family does business in metal and ironware, so I've been exposed to it since childhood."

"As for Mechanical Arts, I didn't get into a prestigious institution like the Ministry of Works, so I can only study some secret manuals and figure things out on my own. It's barely enough to save my life."

"Mechanical Arts is truly a wondrous path."

A hint of admiration flickered in Gu Chang'an's eyes.

"I once heard that high-level mechanical masters can craft Puppet War Soldiers that move like humans and can repel enemies from a thousand miles away. I wonder if it's true?"

Zhou Yue blinked upon hearing this.

"Heh, that's actually true. My uncle once visited the Ministry of Works, and they have Puppet War Constructs there that are not only impervious to blades and spears but can also breathe fire and shoot arrows."

Then, he shrugged and said with a wry smile:

"It's a pity I can't afford that stuff. The materials alone for those mechanical components are ridiculously expensive. Who other than the powerful and wealthy can afford them?"

Song Zong chuckled from the side, shaking his head, "You're just bragging, kid. You only fool newcomers."

"I call it sharing knowledge," Zhou Yue feigned anger, but his face was full of smiles.

The four of them chatted and laughed as they walked, their feet never stopping, and had already patrolled to the end of South Street. The morning sun had risen, the streets were becoming more crowded, the clamor of voices was growing, and the atmosphere of daily life was becoming more intense.

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

"Quick, get out of the way, get out of the way--!"

A thin, weak boy about ten years old stumbled forward, his face panicked, sweat beading on his forehead. He panted and shouted:

"Sirs, there's a fight in West Willow Alley, and it seems someone's been injured!"

Song Zong's expression changed, his brows furrowed. He said sternly, "Let's go take a look."

The others' expressions sharpened, and they immediately quickened their pace, passing through two streets and alleys before rushing to West Willow Alley.

A crowd had already gathered in the alley, and the noise was incessant. Gu Chang'an pushed through the crowd, his gaze sweeping sharply, and immediately pinpointed the center of the commotion.

A young man, about twenty years old, was curled up in a corner, wearing a coarse linen shirt, covered in blood, with blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

He leaned against the wall with one hand, tightly clutching a broken jade pendant in the other, his expression stubborn and unyielding. He was already kneeling, swaying precariously.

Facing him were two burly men with fleshy faces, dressed in coarse blue short robes, each holding an iron rod. They were slowly closing in.

"Make way!"

With a low, angry roar, the crowd quickly parted. Liu Wei strode forward, his demeanor as cold and stern as a mountain, his aura suddenly tightening, pressing down on everyone's hearts.

Gu Chang'an's gaze was like a hawk's as he immediately locked onto the two burly men, his brows furrowing slightly.

These two men were powerfully built and walked with steady steps; they were clearly skilled fighters.

Using the System to scan them, it was indeed as he suspected; both of their Constitutions were no lower than 60.

The young man being attacked, though an ordinary person, had a Constitution of only 35.

But he tightly clutched a broken jade pendant in his hand, his eyes filled with defiance.

"Stop!" Song Zong shouted lowly, his long saber unsheathing with a flash of cold light, pointing directly at the two men.

The two burly men froze, then sneered.

"You constables, this brat stole our Firewood Gang's goods. We were just teaching him a lesson. Are you going to interfere too?"

"Firewood Gang?" Liu Wei's gaze turned icy, his voice low like thunder. "Since when did your Firewood Gang have the right to judge and sentence? Carrying out corporal punishment on the street is a provocation to the law?"

The leading burly man snorted disdainfully, "The law doesn't reach our Firewood Gang's Qingzi Hall--"

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Chang'an's figure flickered, and he suddenly lunged forward.

Everyone saw a blur before their eyes, a fleeting afterimage skimming the ground.

Gu Chang'an struck the burly man's right shoulder with his palm. A "crack" sound of bone breaking was heard!

"Ah--!!" The man screamed, his entire arm hanging limply like mud. He fell to the ground, writhing in agony, his face as pale as paper.

The other burly man was terrified and, just as he was about to retreat, saw Zhou Yue had already raised his hand. With a light flick of the mechanism in his palm, a silver marble shot out with a "whoosh"!

The marble was incredibly accurate, hitting the man's knee joint. With a "crack," his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, cold sweat pouring down his forehead as he cried out in pain.

Zhou Yue whistled with a grin and put away the bronze bird. "Ahem, I missed. I was actually trying to hit his butt."

The onlookers immediately erupted.

"These constables are too fierce!"

"They actually dared to lay hands on people from the Firewood Gang?"

"This newcomer is really something, that palm strike just now... it wasn't simple!"

"Those thugs from the Firewood Gang who run rampant on the streets have finally met their match!"

Whispers filled the crowd, but no one dared to step forward.

Gu Chang'an's gaze was as calm as ice. He turned to look at the youth still leaning against the wall, gasping for breath, and said lightly:

"Don't be afraid, we're here."

The youth's lips trembled, and he finally whispered:

"I... I didn't steal. I just 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 will investigate clearly and handle everything according to the law."

Song Zong had already gone to check the injuries, while Liu Wei coldly stared at the two men collapsed on the ground and said sternly:

"Firewood Gang? You took action today, so prepare to face legal charges."