Patrol Inspection Office

Yijiang City.

Patrol Inspection Office.

The young Chen Xia, slightly thin with dark circles under his eyes, looked as if he hadn't slept for days.

Dressed in a dark black uniform, wearing a wide-brimmed hat adorned with the national emblem, and with an electric baton hanging from his waist, Chen Xia stepped into the Patrol Inspection Office's work area, beginning his busy day.

As a six-year veteran of the Patrol Inspection Office, Chen Xia had considerable seniority. However, he usually arrived half an hour earlier than others, tidying up the floor and boiling water, a model worker for six years.

The Patrol Inspection Office had many departments. Chen Xia was part of the Patrol Inspection Brigade, which oversaw public security, specifically the Eighth Squad.

"Morning."

"Morning, Brother Zhang!"

Chen Xia had been a little late for the past three days. Many colleagues were already at work. Seeing Chen Xia's state, colleague Zhang Feng chuckled, "Your dark circles are almost as bad as a panda's. Didn't sleep again last night?"

"Practiced martial arts too late last night, didn't sleep well."

"Heh, Chen Xia, take my advice. You're still young, don't ruin your body. Know your limits!"

Zhang Feng was a year older than Chen Xia, and both were veterans of the Patrol Inspection Office.

Everyone starts their job full of confidence, but after a while, they realize that promoting to Martial Warrior is unrealistic. With no background or resources, it's best to just go with the flow. Ruining your health would be a loss rather than a gain.

"Mhm, I understand." Chen Xia rubbed his head, nodding reluctantly.

As they were talking, the office suddenly became lively.

A young man in his early twenties walked in through the door.

Seeing the newcomer, unlike the casual greetings with Chen Xia, the seven or eight people in the office stood up, all greeting him proactively.

Everyone was flattering the young man.

"Yang Hua is a martial arts student who graduated from Handong University. He's been assigned to our Patrol Inspection Office, officially on the payroll. And at such a young age, he's already close to becoming a Grade 1 Martial Warrior!"

"Yeah, he's about to be promoted to Deputy Captain. Breaking through to Martial Warrior within half a year, he's definitely going to be promoted to Official Team Member."

Zhang Feng smiled heartily, waving at the newcomer Yang Hua. At the same time, he secretly nudged Chen Xia's arm, signaling him to join.

Chen Xia looked at the young man without speaking.

Seeing this, Yang Hua, who was approaching, his eyes flickered. He noticed Chen Xia's dark circles and found it amusing.

He knew about this colleague. He heard that after his nomination for Deputy Captain, this person had become somewhat passive and thrown a tantrum. From arriving early every day, enthusiastically boiling water and cleaning for everyone, to now clocking in right on time for several days and not doing any work. In Yang Hua's opinion, this person was being unreasonable, deliberately showing him his attitude.

Didn't he realize that he was a graduate of a famous school with strong abilities? Since he was here, he would definitely be a leader in the future. With this attitude, even if new opportunities arose, they wouldn't be for him. This Chen Xia was ultimately too straightforward and lacked guile.

Besides, he did have connections at home, which could replace Chen Xia's nomination for Deputy Captain. But he couldn't blame him for that; the world was inherently unfair.

"You'll still have a chance to be nominated for Deputy Captain in the future, don't offend him."

"Yang Hua is a graduate of a famous school, and I heard his family has some connections. I don't care about getting promoted anymore, but you're different."

Listening to Zhang Feng's quiet advice in his ear, Chen Xia shook his head.

He wasn't deliberately putting on a cold shoulder. It was just that the memories from his transmigration were like a blunt knife, churning in his mind.

That's right.

He wasn't from this world.

Three days ago, he had been drinking with a client very late.

When he woke up, he had become Chen Xia of this world, a minor patrol officer whose promotion opportunity had been snatched away.

He roughly understood what was happening in the office.

The original owner, with the same name, had joined the Patrol Inspection Office six years ago. His cultivation was at Ningyuan Seventh Stage, but he was still two stages away from the Martial Warrior cultivation needed to be promoted to Captain.

Fortunately, some time ago, considering Chen Xia's seniority and performance, the higher-ups intended to give him a nomination for Deputy Captain and a chance for official appointment on the payroll. Even if he wasn't a Martial Warrior, he could hold a deputy position if a vacancy arose.

At that time, he was very happy and even treated everyone to drinks.

However, good times didn't last.

A few days later, a new colleague, Yang Hua, arrived at the Patrol Inspection Office. Because he graduated from Handong University and was already at Ningyuan Eighth Stage, he was assigned to the Patrol Inspection Office. The higher-ups immediately transferred Chen Xia's spot to him.

Nominations usually wouldn't be changed. It was said that Yang Hua used his connections to snatch it away. This incident made the original owner quite resentful.

Under the blow of reality, he took a risky path, intending to find a technique with side effects that could allow him to break through to Martial Warrior in a short time.

Then, he could directly become an Official Team Member.

However, such techniques cost tens of thousands in the store, and he couldn't afford it.

Fortunately, during a mission execution, because the local Blazing Fire Mercenary Group and the Gathering Justice Mercenary Group were fighting in a dark alley, resulting in many casualties. As a member of the Patrol Inspection Office, he searched the scene for spoils and actually found a technique with significant side effects: Seven Injuries Fist.

This technique was stored on a USB drive. After returning, the original owner began practicing it.

However, the original owner's body was already under strain from years of martial arts practice without nutritional supplements. This technique not only failed to increase his cultivation but also caused him to vomit blood and die prematurely, leaving behind a regret.

Since he had transmigrated, Chen Xia gradually accepted his identity.

He also recalled the technique the original owner had practiced, and the more he looked at it, the more he shook his head.

Technique: Seven Injuries Fist. Practice it and suffer seven injuries! Injure yin and yang, the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. First injure oneself, then injure the enemy. Once mastered, its power is immense! Upon contact with the body, it can shatter a person's internal organs, leading to certain death. Drawback: Each practice session inflicts damage to the internal organs. If the internal energy is not sufficiently robust and abundant, it will destroy the Heart Meridian, causing uncontrollable rage and Qi Deviation. Practice with caution...

Seeing this, Chen Xia sighed.

He's really risking his life.

He dares to cultivate such a technique?

The original owner's body was weak, his family background was poor, and even a risky path wouldn't work. Now that he's taken over the previous body's life, it's going to be very difficult to get promoted.

However, Chen Xia had one advantage: a good mindset. If he could advance, he would; if not, so be it.

Chen Xia's head felt a bit better, so he began to focus on his work, deciding to live like this for now.

He couldn't do anything about the previous owner's regrets; some things were best left to fate.

As the saying goes, what is destined to be will be, and what is not destined should not be forced.

While thinking this, he suddenly froze, staring at the computer screen.

This is...

A few lines of text were floating on the computer screen.

Chen Xia thought it was a computer issue and looked away, but the text remained.

He blinked, and the text didn't disappear. It just floated quietly in the air.

[Detecting technique... Seven Injuries Fist (Not Started)]

[Select Reversal?]

Seeing the sudden change before him, Chen Xia trembled all over.

Finally, a smile spread across his face.

Noticing this, Zhang Feng, who was beside him, became very worried.

This colleague seemed to be experiencing some mental abnormality. If he wasn't guided, it could lead to problems.

There wasn't much to do today. After work, Zhang Feng, still concerned, patted Chen Xia's shoulder and said:

"Brother, let's go for a drink! Tell me what's bothering you. Nothing is insurmountable..."

Chen Xia shook his head and smiled, "Thanks, Brother Zhang, but I'll pass."

His immediate priority was to go home after work and study his newfound harvest.

Seeing Chen Xia refuse, and realizing he couldn't persuade him, Zhang Feng felt a bit helpless. He wanted to say more but ultimately shook his head and left.

"The weather is nice today..."

After work, Chen Xia rode his bicycle, pedaling furiously.

He arrived at Yijiang Old Town, passed through many low-rise building areas, and followed a road straight ahead.

Soon, a small shop with a red sign and white lettering, bearing the banner of Wangwang Convenience Store, came into view.