Iron Clothes Department

"It seems the experience I've been stockpiling lately, plus what Wu Que and the others gave me, was enough to let me jump three levels."

Yang Ling kept his expression neutral as he dismissed the Attribute Panel.

Captain Lin smiled faintly. "Now that you're a constable, there are some things I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Boss."

Yang Ling quickly clasped his fists.

"Our group of constables belongs to the Iron Clothes Department."

"You know about the Iron Clothes Department, right?"

"The Black List was made by the big shots in the Iron Clothes Department."

A hint of reverence appeared on Captain Lin's face, and his gaze unconsciously drifted toward a certain direction:

"Here in Zhao State, although the Iron Clothes Department is under the Six Ministries, its scope of authority is still considerable. That all depends on our Department Master's extraordinary methods."

"In every major city and county of Zhao, wherever anyone breaks the law or commits a crime, it falls under our Iron Clothes Department's jurisdiction."

The Iron Clothes Department?

Yang Ling had heard of this branch for the first time.

It seemed the constable system in Zhao State was different from what he had imagined.

"What I mentioned also includes the Major Sects, like the Mountain River Sect."

Captain Lin smiled with a meaningful undertone.

He paused, then added, "Of course, you're just an ordinary constable. Even I'm only a Ninth-Rank Iron Clothes Constable."

"Matters involving the sects are too complicated. I don't want to deal with them, and I don't have the ability to. I just turn a blind eye and let things slide."

"Ninth-Rank Iron Clothes Constable?"

Yang Ling's expression turned somewhat strange.

So constables had a path of advancement?

"I'm telling you this because I don't want you to think that becoming a constable means you have power."

Captain Lin gave a wry smile:

"I hope the territory under my jurisdiction stays peaceful and stable. That way, before I retire, I can at least secure the rank of Eighth-Rank Iron Clothes Constable."

"Don't worry, Boss. I definitely won't cause trouble."

Yang Ling paused, then shifted the topic:

"But in a little while, I might be going to the Red Gold Mine to serve as a Supervisor..."

"That's no conflict. You don't need to stay in Qingshan City. On paper, I have over a hundred constables under me, but in reality, only fifty or sixty live in Qingshan City."

Captain Lin smiled faintly. "Just stay at the Red Gold Mine and do your job."

"Unless an Iron Clothes Department big shot comes for an inspection—then you'll have to come back."

Yang Ling breathed a sigh of relief inside.

His path of leveling up through mining was still open.

"Boss, I was wondering—will I ever have a chance to become an Iron Clothes Constable?"

Yang Ling asked.

Captain Lin looked Yang Ling up and down:

"A chance? Why wouldn't you have a chance? You're a Martial Artist yourself, with real skill in your hands."

"If you earn some merit, becoming a Ninth-Rank Iron Clothes Constable won't be hard. But after Ninth-Rank, you'll need a Promotion Assessment."

"Promotion Assessment?"

"Mm."

Captain Lin was quite patient as he explained:

"The Iron Clothes Department has its own path of advancement, different from those scholar-officials."

"The Department Master values ability above all. If you're capable, you get promoted."

"Where does this ability show itself? Let me test you."

"The ability to solve cases?"

Yang Ling answered instinctively.

Captain Lin waved his hand with a smile. "That's part of it, but not the most important part. We're responsible for arrests and captures—so of course, it's about real martial skill!"

"As long as your Martial Way cultivation is deep enough and strong enough, and you have a recommendation from a superior, the Iron Clothes Department will arrange an assessment."

"Pass the assessment, and you get promoted."

As he spoke, he took out a set of red constable robes, a waist saber, and an ancient book.

"Thief-Catching Saber Technique?"

Yang Ling's eyes were sharp. After seeing the content on the ancient tome, he felt a hint of surprise in his heart.

So being a constable meant they'd give you martial skills?

"This Thief-Catching Saber Technique counts as the most basic saber technique, but if you train it to a high level, ordinary thieves won't be able to withstand three of your strikes."

"Every constable has to practice it. Sometimes it doesn't matter if your cultivation isn't strong—if you train the saber technique well enough to catch the higher-ups' eyes, you can still get promoted."

Captain Lin said, "Change into the clothes and put your things away. I'll take you to meet your future colleagues."

While changing clothes, Yang Ling checked their attributes.

[Common Constable Uniform]

[Iron Clothes Department Official Saber, Strength +3, Attack 20]

"This is a weapon... but what aspect does this attack attribute actually reflect? Is it related to armor penetration?"

As Yang Ling pondered, he had already finished changing.

His build was around 1.8 meters tall, and after this period of cultivation, a thin layer of muscle covered his frame.

Now dressed, his figure stood tall and straight, momentarily startling Captain Lin:

"How did wearing this outfit make you look like a Seventh or Eighth Rank?"

Then he laughed, "Xiao Yang, you might really be suited to being a constable. With this build and aura, thieves will be three parts scared just seeing you."

Next, Captain Lin personally led him to the adjacent courtyard.

In the courtyard, a group of constables were practicing the Thief-Catching Saber Technique with loud shouts and cries.

As soon as they spotted Captain Lin, they immediately stopped what they were doing and stepped forward to greet him, while also curiously sizing up Yang Ling.

"This is Yang Ling, a new constable. Old Zhao, you have the most seniority here. Take him under your wing for a while."

Captain Lin pointed at an older constable with graying hair.

"Yes sir!"

Old Zhao stepped forward and nodded slowly.

"Yang Ling won't stay long in Qingshan City. He'll only come back occasionally, so there's no need for him to be on regular duty. Understood?"

Captain Lin added.

The constables' expressions shifted slightly at these words, and when they looked at Yang Ling again, their eyes carried a hint of displeasure.

Having finished his instructions, Captain Lin strode away.