Adapting to Local Conditions, Storms in the Upper Echelons

The carriage wheels ground against the bluestone road, emitting a dull, rhythmic thud.

The East Street Patrol Bureau's iconic cyan carriage slowly pulled away from the still-boisterous and agitated Porter Guild headquarters.

The cheers, the heated discussions, and the countless complex gazes were gradually left behind.

Inside the carriage, isolated from the noise of the outside world, it was exceptionally quiet.

Gong Tian had long since shed the majesty and sternness he wore before the crowd, returning to the lazy demeanor he showed when alone with Yang Ning, appearing even more relaxed than usual.

He leaned against the cushioned wall of the carriage, arms pillowed behind his head, eyes closed in rest, as if the thunderous operation and its aftermath were nothing more than a casual post-meal stroll.

Yang Ning sat opposite him, having also removed his White Jade Mask, revealing a young yet composed face.

He watched the streetscape flowing past the window in silence, his mind still sorting through everything that had happened today.

From the fierce battle in Red Scarf Alley and the rescue in the dungeon to the declaration made before the Porter Guild.

He knew that from this day on, his identity as a Patrol Chief of the East Street Patrol Bureau would be truly branded into the minds of countless people in this district.

"You did well with the Porter Guild today."

Gong Tian spoke suddenly, his eyes still closed, his voice carrying a hint of appreciative languor.

Yang Ning withdrew his gaze and looked at his senior brother:

"It was all thanks to your backing, Senior Brother, and the brothers of the patrol risking their lives. I merely acted according to the momentum."

"To act according to momentum, one must have the eye to recognize it, the courage to create it, and the wisdom to wield it."

Gong Tian opened his eyes, looking at Yang Ning with a clear, sharp gaze:

"Junior brother, remember this: as a qualified Jingan Bureau Guard, one of the most important abilities is to 'adapt to local conditions.'

Your public identity, your covert methods, and your reach into the gray areas—all must be laid out and managed according to the environment."

He sat up straighter, his tone taking on a more instructional weight:

"Just like how I established my footing here in Kuishan County.

On the surface, I am the Patrol Commander of the East Street Patrol Bureau, maintaining order and representing the laws of the government.

In the shadows, I am a Captain of the Jingan Bureau, monitoring all directions and eliminating hidden threats."

"And between the light and the dark,"

He paused:

"That East Street Martial Arena is my 'gray glove.' It is also a 'covert stake' for gathering intelligence, screening talent, and even handling matters that are inconvenient to address with an official identity."

Yang Ning's heart stirred; he vaguely understood the subtext of his senior brother's words.

"Originally, I intended to gradually hand over control of the Martial Arena, along with the channels connected behind it, to you once I moved to the Inner City."

Gong Tian spoke bluntly:

"It seems now that you have more intuition than I thought; you have already begun to consciously cultivate your own foundation.

That is very good. You can prepare two, or even three, lines of defense."

He counted off on his fingers:

"On the surface, you are the Patrol Chief of the East Street Patrol Bureau, maintaining order and possessing official authority and influence.

In the gray areas, the Porter Guild can become your eyes, ears, and reach.

It connects to the grassroots, is well-informed, and has a complex mix of people; many undercurrents that the Patrol Bureau cannot directly intervene in or easily detect might find their clues there.

As for the deeper shadows..."

Gong Tian gave Yang Ning a meaningful look.

"The Martial Arena, and any power you might control through other means in the future, will be your 'black gloves,' handling the 'dirty work' that requires absolute secrecy or thunderous methods."

Yang Ning felt his heart surging; his senior brother was sketching out a blueprint of power that belonged to him.

He nodded solemnly:

"I understand, Senior Brother. Intertwining light and dark, balancing the real and the illusory—only then can one take deeper root in this murky world and see things more clearly."

"That is exactly the principle."

Gong Tian nodded with satisfaction, then returned to his lazy posture, stretching his body with a loud yawn that made his bones crackle slightly:

"However, these plans need to be accelerated.

Because I, your senior brother, am about to leave this Outer City."

Yang Ning was stunned upon hearing this:

"Are you... going to the Inner City, Senior Brother?"

"What else?"

A smile tugged at the corner of Gong Tian's mouth:

"Why do you think I was in such a hurry to push you into your position?"

Whether it's building up your reputation and merit, showing you the ropes, or even tacitly allowing you to "carve out your own territory" in the Porter Guild?

It's because I can barely hold onto this chair as the Patrol Commander of the Outer City anymore."

"There's such a rule?"

Yang Ning was somewhat surprised.

He knew that the Organ Refining realm was another major watershed in martial arts, with strength far exceeding Bone Forging, but he hadn't expected there to be a rigid regulation regarding job transfers.

"A rule?

Heh, let's call it a tacit 'understanding' between the four major families, those large sects, and the government."

Gong Tian's tone carried a hint of mockery.

"An understanding?"

Yang Ning frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then tentatively said:

"Is it to... maintain the 'balance' of the Outer City?

To reduce internal friction?

After all, an expert in the Organ Refining realm, no matter which faction they belong to, counts as core combat power. If they were stationed in the Outer City to fight over interests, it would easily trigger large-scale conflicts?"

"Smart!"

Gong Tian snapped his fingers:

"That's pretty much the meaning.

By keeping the small fry in the pond that is the Outer City, letting them splash around and fight, the people above turn a blind eye as long as they don't go too far.

But the truly heavy big fish must enter the larger fish tank of the Inner City to compete according to a different, more 'civilized,' and more complex set of rules.

Of course, this 'understanding' isn't set in stone; under-the-table infiltration and tricks like supporting proxies have never ceased."

He looked at Yang Ning, his gaze becoming somewhat profound:

"Over these years, I have followed my master's orders to take root in the Outer City, honing my cultivation while climbing the ranks, taking charge of the Patrol Bureau, and secretly fulfilling the supervisory duties of the Jingan Bureau.

It looks glorious, but in reality, I am walking on thin ice, balancing all sorts of forces.

But lately, the winds have been blowing in an increasingly wrong direction."

Yang Ning deeply agreed:

"Brother is right.

I grew up here, and over these years, I have clearly felt that the world is becoming more chaotic and order is nearly collapsing.

The common people are suffering more and more, while bandits and villains are becoming increasingly rampant.

Many things seem to have exceeded the scope of ordinary gang disputes and interest-based infighting."

"Exactly."

The laziness on Gong Tian's face completely vanished, replaced by a sense of gravity:

"That is why Master has come in person this time to take up the post of County Magistrate of Kuishan County."

Yang Ning's heart skipped a beat:

"With Master personally taking charge, could it be...

Is there a greater hidden truth behind the chaos in Kuishan County?"

"You were a well-informed person when you used to run through the streets and alleys; you should have some understanding of the affairs within the government."

"Yes, Brother. In the past, as a porter, I often heard that the County Governor and the County Assistant in the government were constantly changing—one family today, another tomorrow—and the things the government could actually accomplish were becoming fewer and fewer."

Gong Tian did not answer the question about government affairs directly; instead, he asked a question:

"Then, Junior Brother, do you know why positions like County Magistrate and County Governor in the Kuishan County Government Office have been meeting with accidents one after another in recent years?"

Yang Ning shook his head; he hadn't reached that level and knew very little about the movements of those in high positions.

Gong Tian lowered his voice and said slowly:

"As far as I know, for the position of County Magistrate alone, three people have died in Kuishan County in the last five years.

And as for the County Governor, the father and mother official of the county, four have died!

Some came from local prominent families or gangs, some from sects in other counties, and there were even officials with clean backgrounds selected by the imperial court.

Without exception, shortly after taking office, they all died bizarrely!

The causes of death varied, but no clear culprit could be found, turning them into a series of unsolved cases.

Positions like Chief Clerk and County Assistant are also full of suspicious circumstances, leaving everyone in a state of panic.

Today, the upper echelons of the Kuishan County Government have almost become an invisible vortex.

A cursed land where whoever sits in those high positions is likely to meet with misfortune!"