"Senior Brother, where... where are we going?"
As the carriage rolled through the streets, Yang Ning watched the scenery flash past the window and asked in confusion.
After giving his orders in the Hidden Room, Sun Nian spoke with Gong Tian privately for a few more moments, then swept away, saying he had important business to attend to.
That left Gong Tian to take Yang Ning with him. Afterward, they left the Martial Arena and climbed aboard this official-looking carriage.
Yang Ning had seen this carriage at Chunyuan Restaurant. It was unique to the Patrol Bureau.
Since they had become fellow disciples, this Senior Brother had shed the stern, proud air Yang Ning had always associated with him and grown more relaxed and easygoing.
Gong Tian leaned against the soft brocade cushions. At Yang Ning's question, he slowly opened his eyes and replied in an unhurried tone,
"The Patrol Bureau. Where else would we be going?"
Yang Ning froze.
"Aren't we with the Jingan Bureau?
Isn't the Patrol Bureau in charge of patrolling the city and maintaining public order?"
He couldn't quite wrap his head around it.
Gong Tian clicked his tongue, sat up straight, and flicked a finger lightly toward Yang Ning's forehead.
"Senior Brother, your martial arts talent is exceptional, but how did you get so muddled about these official twists and turns?"
He looked at Yang Ning and patiently explained,
"Can we just casually and openly flaunt our identity with the Jingan Bureau?
Investigating crimes and keeping an eye on all sides requires extraordinary methods.
"The name 'Jingan' sounds upright and aboveboard, but plenty of things have to be kept beneath the surface."
Only after Gong Tian pointed it out did Yang Ning finally understand.
That was right. The Jingan Bureau wielded considerable authority, but its work was steeped in secrecy. Its members couldn't openly act under the bureau's name.
Many operations required a suitable "cover."
He said sheepishly,
"Yes, Senior Brother. I forgot about that.
So we're going to the Patrol Bureau to borrow some men?"
Gong Tian smiled, unhurried and composed.
"Junior Brother, in Kuishan County's Outer City, I'm the Patrol Commander of the East Street Patrol Bureau. Understand?
We're not borrowing anyone. We're deploying them."
He paused, then added,
"As for our master... Heh, he's about to take office as the head of the Patrol Bureau here in Kuishan County—the County Magistrate."
Yang Ning's heart jolted.
So his master and Senior Brother Gong Tian weren't merely elite members of the Jingan Bureau. On the surface, they also held the reins of public order in the county town!
Having both identities made things far more convenient.
"I'm taking you there today."
Gong Tian's smile faded, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"First, we have business to take care of: wipe out the Blood Ape Gang and avenge you.
Second, it'll help you build up your credentials."
He looked at Yang Ning, his expression serious.
"You've already taken me as your master and entered the Jingan Bureau, but you can't remain a nobody in the eyes of the world.
Wiping out the Blood Ape Gang will be a major achievement.
As it happens, the East Street Patrol Bureau is short one Patrol Chief with the ability and accomplishments to fill the post."
"Me?"
Yang Ning stared at him, stunned.
"That's right. You."
Gong Tian said with certainty,
"A martial arts prodigy who's only just turned twenty and has already reached Tendon Changing makes a major contribution to the suppression of the Blood Ape Gang, then gets promoted to Patrol Chief—that's perfectly reasonable. No one can object.
That identity will give you excellent cover when you travel and conduct business in the future."
As he spoke, he reached into his robe and took out two badges, handing them to Yang Ning.
One was pitch-black, its surface cold to the touch. The archaic characters "Jingan" were engraved on the front.
On the back was a complex serial number and a secret pattern.
The other was cast from bright copper and polished until it gleamed.
On the front were the words "Kuishan Patrol Bureau." The back read "East Street Patrol Chief," followed by a blank space waiting to be filled in.
"Keep the black one safe. Don't show it unless it's an emergency or you're dealing with fellow bureau members.
Take the copper one for now. Once this is over, we'll enter your information and make it official."
Gong Tian cautioned him.
Yang Ning accepted the badges solemnly.
The carriage slowed, then came to a stop.
The two climbed down. Before them stood a vast, imposing government office.
A black-lacquered gate stood between two stone lions. Above it hung a plaque reading "Kuishan County Patrol Bureau East Street Branch."
Everyone coming and going inside wore matching dark uniforms, with sabers at their waists and cords hanging from their belts.
Gong Tian strode into the main hall. The casual air he'd had around Yang Ning vanished, replaced by the detached authority of someone long accustomed to command.
He merely stood in the hall, and an invisible pressure spread through the place without a word from him.
"East Street Patrol Bureau! All personnel on duty, assemble within three breaths!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the entire front courtyard and the rooms on either side, ringing with unquestionable authority.
At his words, the Patrol Bureau was like a lake struck by a boulder—it sprang to life.
Everyone in the bureau stiffened at the sound and hurried as fast as they could to the training ground in front of the main hall.
Yang Ning stood behind Gong Tian and watched quietly.
He noticed that the Patrol Bureau personnel moved swiftly and formed orderly ranks. They were clearly well trained, not some rabble.
Among the four districts of Kuishan County, the East Street Patrol Bureau had always been considered the strongest.
That was partly because East Street was close to the Inner City and home to many wealthy families and merchants, making it relatively safer. More importantly, however, it was because Gong Tian, the Patrol Commander, was stationed there!
The Patrol Commanders in the other districts were mostly at the Bone Forging stage, already considered experts in their own right.
Gong Tian, however, had reached peak Bone Forging and mastered Hidden Force years ago.
Just then, a figure Yang Ning vaguely recognized hurried out of the side hall and came before Gong Tian. He cupped his fists, bowed, and reported in a resonant voice,
"Reporting to the Patrol Commander!
All personnel on duty at the East Street Patrol Bureau have assembled, except for four Patrolmen who are out investigating a case and haven't returned!
Please inspect the ranks!"
Yang Ning looked up. It was Qian Zhong, Patrol Chief Qian, who had led the team that handled the scene after the Chunhua Restaurant incident.
The Patrol Chief's gaze swept quickly over Gong Tian, then paused briefly on Yang Ning. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Gong Tian's expression remained impassive as his gaze slowly moved over the neatly arranged ranks before him.
The training ground was packed with nearly a hundred people.
At the front stood more than a dozen formal Patrolmen, their auras steady and their sabers of better make.
Behind them were two Patrol Chiefs dressed much like Qian Zhong, one fat and one thin, both with bright, sharp eyes.
At the rear were the most numerous group: trainee Patrolmen, most of them young and vigorous, though their cultivation varied widely.
Yang Ning sensed their strength and quickly got the measure of them.
Most trainee Patrolmen were around the Fifth Foundation Barrier.
The formal Patrolmen had generally entered the Body Tempering stage.
As for the Patrol Chiefs, men like Qian Zhong had to be at least at the Tendon Changing stage to hold the post.
Only after everyone had assembled did Gong Tian speak. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every person there.
"This bureau has received a secret report. The Blood Ape Gang of East Fourth Street has bullied merchants and harmed lives for years. The evidence is conclusive!
And now, they've even dared to challenge the dignity of the government!"
His gaze swept across the ranks, cold as lightning.
"Today, I will personally lead the force to wipe out the Blood Ape Gang!"
"Whoa—"
Though they'd already guessed what was coming, a faint stir still rippled through the ranks.
The Blood Ape Gang had entrenched itself on East Street for years, with deep-rooted influence. Its leader, Wang Han, was a Bone Forging expert with a fearsome reputation.
But under Gong Tian's long-established authority, no one dared voice an objection.
"Qian Zhong."
Gong Tian called his name.
"Your subordinate is here!"
Qian Zhong stepped forward.
"Get the horses ready at once, distribute weapons, and inspect our equipment.
In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I want everyone ready to move!"
The order was so urgent that no one had a chance to tip off the others!
Qian Zhong's heart tightened. He knew the Patrol Commander was truly enraged this time and intended to strike hard!
He didn't dare delay for a moment. Raising his voice, he answered,
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"As for the rest of you, inspect your weapons and equipment. Prepare to join me in battle!"
Gong Tian issued the command.
"Yes!"
Nearly a hundred people answered in unison, and a murderous aura surged into the sky.
Qian Zhong hurried off to carry out his orders.
The people on the training ground sprang into action, checking their sabers, swords, bows, and crossbows, and adjusting their padded armor and leg wraps. The air grew tense.
Only then did Gong Tian turn slightly and speak quietly to Yang Ning.
"See that?
That's the power of the government.
Personal valor matters, of course, but if you know how to use the power of rules and the system, you can spare yourself a lot of trouble and accomplish many things that you couldn't manage alone."
Yang Ning nodded in silence.
In less than the time it took an incense stick to burn, the Patrol Bureau was ready. Everyone ranked Patrol Chief and above—including Yang Ning—had been assigned one of five tall horses.
"Move out."
At Gong Tian's command, he and Yang Ning, along with two other Tendon Changing martial artists, led the vast force out from the bureau.
He gripped the Patrol Bureau's copper badge tightly, a blazing battle intent surging in his chest.
Today, they would trample the Blood Ape Gang beneath their horses!
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