Light and Shadow Identities, Pushed to the Top

"Senior brother, where... where are we going?"

The carriage wove through the streets, and Yang Ning looked at the scenery flashing past the window, asking with some confusion.

After Sun Nian finished his instructions in the secret chamber and spoke privately with Gong Tian for a few moments, he had drifted away, claiming he had urgent matters to attend to.

He left Gong Tian to take charge of Yang Ning, and subsequently, they left the Martial Arena and boarded this carriage, which appeared to be an official government vehicle.

Yang Ning had seen this carriage at Chunyuan Restaurant; it was unique to the East Street Patrol Bureau.

Ever since they became fellow disciples, this senior brother had shed his usual impression of being stern and arrogant, becoming relaxed and at ease.

Gong Tian leaned back against the soft silk cushions, slowly opening his eyes upon hearing the question, and said in a relaxed tone:

"The East Street Patrol Bureau. Where else would we go?"

Yang Ning was stunned:

"Aren't we from the Jingan Bureau?

Isn't the East Street Patrol Bureau responsible for patrolling and maintaining order within the city?"

He couldn't quite wrap his head around it for a moment.

Gong Tian clicked his tongue, sat upright, and flicked his finger toward Yang Ning's forehead:

"I say, junior brother, your martial arts talent is peerless, so why are you so muddled when it comes to these official ins and outs?"

He looked at Yang Ning and patiently explained:

"Is the identity of the Jingan Bureau something that can be flaunted openly, blatantly, and swaggeringly?

To investigate illegal activities and monitor all directions, one must use extraordinary means.

The two characters 'Jingan' sound upright and honorable, but in reality, many things must be hidden beneath the surface."

With this guidance, Yang Ning suddenly realized.

That was right; although the Jingan Bureau held heavy authority, it carried a strong sense of secrecy and was not suitable for acting openly under its own name.

Many operations required a suitable "cloak."

He said sheepishly:

"Yes, senior brother, I forgot about that.

So, we are going to the East Street Patrol Bureau now to borrow men?"

Gong Tian smiled, a calm and unhurried smile:

"Junior brother, in the outer city of Kuishan County, your senior brother is the Patrol Commander of the East Street Patrol Bureau. Understand?

It's not borrowing; it's deploying."

He paused, then added:

"As for our master... heh, he is the soon-to-be head of the Kuishan County Patrol Bureau, the County Magistrate."

Yang Ning's heart shook.

So, Master and Senior Brother Gong Tian were not only elites of the Jingan Bureau, but on the surface, they were also the figures in charge of the county's law and order!

This dual identity made things much more convenient.

"I'm taking you today."

Gong Tian restrained his smile, a cold light flashing in his eyes:

"First, for official business: to wipe out the Blood Ape Gang and vent your anger.

Second, it's to 'build up your credentials'."

He looked at Yang Ning and said sternly:

"Since you have become a disciple and entered the Jingan Bureau, your public identity cannot always be that of a commoner.

Wiping out the Blood Ape Gang this time will be a great merit.

Coincidentally, the East Street Patrol Bureau is still missing a capable and meritorious Patrol Chief."

"Me?"

Yang Ning was stunned.

"Yes, you."

Gong Tian affirmed:

"A genius martial artist who has just turned twenty and has already reached the Tendon Changing realm, having performed a great service in wiping out the Blood Ape Gang—it is perfectly reasonable to promote you to Patrol Chief, and no one will be able to say anything against it.

This identity will be an excellent cover for you to walk about and handle affairs in the future."

Having said that, he reached into his robe, took out two tokens, and handed them to Yang Ning.

One token was entirely jet-black and cold to the touch, with the archaic characters "Jingan" engraved on the front.

The back featured a complex serial number and hidden patterns.

The other was cast from bright copper and polished until it gleamed.

On the front were the four characters "Kuishan Patrol," while the back bore the title "East Street Patrol Chief" and a blank space waiting to be filled.

"Keep the black one safe. Do not show it easily unless it is an emergency or you are dealing with colleagues within the Bureau.

Take the copper badge for now. Once matters are settled later, your information will be recorded, and it will officially take effect."

Gong Tian instructed.

Yang Ning accepted it solemnly.

The carriage slowed down and finally came to a stop.

The two stepped out to find themselves before a sprawling, imposing government office.

With black-lacquered gates and stone lions on either side, a plaque hung high above the lintel reading "Kuishan County Patrol Bureau East Street Branch."

Those moving within the gates were all dressed in uniform black official robes, equipped with sabers and ropes.

Gong Tian stepped into the main hall, the casual air he had shown Yang Ning vanishing. It was replaced by the cold indifference and authority of one long accustomed to holding power.

He simply stood in the center of the hall; without a word, an invisible pressure began to permeate the air.

"East Street Patrol Bureau, all personnel on duty, assemble within three breaths!"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire front courtyard and the guardrooms on both sides, bearing an unquestionable tone of command.

As his voice fell, the entire Patrol Bureau seemed like a lake struck by a massive boulder, instantly coming to life.

Everyone in the Patrol Bureau, upon hearing the call, tightened their expressions and hurried toward the small training ground in front of the main hall as fast as they could.

Yang Ning stood behind Gong Tian, observing quietly.

He noticed that these Patrol Bureau personnel moved with agility and maintained orderly ranks; they were clearly well-trained and by no means a disorganized rabble.

Among the four districts of Kuishan County, the strength of the East Street Patrol Bureau had always been considered the greatest.

This was partly because East Street was close to the inner city, where wealthy households and merchants resided, making law and order relatively more stable, but the more important reason was the Patrol Commander who sat in command: Gong Tian!

Most Patrol Commanders in other districts were at the Bone Forging realm, already considered experts in their own right.

Yet Gong Tian had reached the perfection of Bone Forging and mastered hidden force many years ago.

At this moment, a figure Yang Ning found slightly familiar trotted out from a side hall and arrived before Gong Tian, cupping his fists and bowing with a booming voice:

"Reporting to the Patrol Commander!

All personnel on duty at the East Street Patrol Bureau today, save for four patrolmen out investigating cases, have assembled!

Please inspect them!"

Yang Ning looked up to see it was Patrol Chief Qian Zhong, the man who had led the team to handle the scene after the incident at Chunhua Restaurant that day.

The Patrol Chief's gaze swept quickly over Gong Tian, then paused slightly on Yang Ning, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

Gong Tian remained expressionless, his gaze slowly sweeping over the neatly arranged ranks before him.

On the training ground, a sea of black stretched out, numbering nearly a hundred men.

At the very front were a dozen or so official patrolmen with steady auras and slightly better-crafted sabers at their waists.

Behind them were two patrol chiefs similar in attire to Qian Zhong, one fat and one thin, both with piercing eyes.

At the very back were the most numerous, the trainee patrolmen—mostly young and full of vigor, though their cultivation levels were clearly uneven.

Yang Ning sensed them briefly and understood the situation.

The trainee patrolmen were mostly around the five stages of Foundation Establishment.

The official patrolmen had basically all stepped into the Body Tempering realm.

As for the patrol chiefs, like Qian Zhong, one had to be at least at the Tendon Changing realm to hold such a position.

Once everyone had arrived, Gong Tian spoke, his voice low yet clearly reaching every person's ears:

"This Bureau has received a secret report: the Blood Ape Gang of East Fourth Street has been bullying the market and harming lives for years, and the evidence is irrefutable!

Furthermore, they have recently dared to provoke the dignity of the government!"

His gaze, like cold lightning, swept across the field:

"Today, I shall lead the team myself to eradicate the Blood Ape Gang!"

"Whoosh—"

Despite having anticipated it, a faint stir rippled through the ranks upon hearing this.

The Blood Ape Gang had been entrenched in East Street for years with deep-rooted influence, and their leader, Wang Han, was a Bone Forging expert of fearsome reputation.

But under the weight of Gong Tian's prestige, no one dared to voice a challenge.

"Qian Zhong."

Gong Tian called out.

"Subordinate is here!"

Qian Zhong stepped forward.

"Order everyone to prepare horses immediately, distribute weapons, and inspect all gear."

"I want to see everyone assembled and ready to go here in the time it takes for one incense stick to burn!"

The urgency was such that it left no opportunity for anyone to tip off the targets!

Qian Zhong felt a chill in his heart, knowing that the Patrol Commander was truly enraged this time and intended to strike with lethal force!

He dared not show the slightest hesitation and replied in a loud voice:

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"The rest of you, check your equipment and prepare to march with me!"

Gong Tian issued the order.

"Yes!"

Nearly a hundred men shouted in unison, and an aura of grim slaughter soared into the sky.

Qian Zhong hurried off to carry out his orders.

The men on the training ground also moved quickly, checking blades, bows, and crossbows, and adjusting their soft armor and leg wraps; the atmosphere was tense.

Only then did Gong Tian tilt his head slightly and whisper to Yang Ning beside him:

"See that?"

"This is the power of official authority."

"Individual martial prowess is certainly important, but the power within rules and systems, if used well, can save a lot of trouble and accomplish many things that solo fighting cannot."

Yang Ning nodded silently.

In less than the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, the entire Patrol Bureau was ready, and those at the rank of Patrol Chief and above, including Yang Ning, were equipped with five tall warhorses.

"Move out."

As the command fell, Gong Tian, Yang Ning, and the other three Tendon Changing martial artists led the massive, imposing force out from that point.

He gripped the bronze Patrol Bureau badge in his hand, a scorching fighting spirit burning fiercely in his chest.

Today, we trample the Blood Ape Gang!