The Patrol Bureau's offices were shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.
The four patrol chiefs and every formally appointed patrolman on duty had gathered in the Council Hall.
Yang Ning sat at the head of the room, with Qian Zhong and Liu Qian seated to either side. Zhang Hui's seat stood empty.
Below them, more than a dozen Body Tempering patrolmen wore varied expressions, unease, anger, and fear mingling on their faces.
"Everyone knows what happened."
Yang Ning spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it quelled every faint stir.
"There may be a monster at work around Duck Dung Alley.
It has already killed four of our colleagues, wounded Patrol Chief Zhang, and caused civilians to go missing.
As long as this fiend remains alive, East Street will know no peace, and our East Street Patrol Bureau will be disgraced."
"Patrol Chief Yang."
A veteran patrolman stepped forward, worry etched on his face. "That Spirit Monster is ferocious, unlike any ordinary martial artist.
Patrol Chief Zhang had reached Tendon Changing and brought several capable men with him, yet they barely escaped with their lives.
Should we...
wait until Patrol Commander Gong comes out of seclusion, or seek help from the Inner City before discussing this further?"
His words echoed the feelings of many patrolmen present.
To these patrolmen, most of whom came from ordinary backgrounds and had risen through hardening their blood and qi, demonic monsters were legendary beings far more terrifying than martial artists of the same rank.
They were usually uncanny in their methods, low in intelligence, and fearless of death.
Qian Zhong frowned and was about to speak, but Yang Ning raised a hand to stop him first.
"I understand your concerns, but wait?"
Yang Ning's gaze swept slowly across every face in the room.
"Wait for the Patrol Commander to emerge from seclusion? Wait for reinforcements from the Inner City?
There's no telling when the Patrol Commander will emerge from seclusion, yet we're still supposed to pin our hopes on the Inner City?
What kind of shirking and evasion is that? If the Inner City really had such great powers, why would the Outer City have fallen into such a sorry state?
But we're different. We're right here on East Street. What are we waiting for?
For another colleague to be killed?
For another innocent civilian—perhaps one of your own friends or family—to be dragged into a dark alley and devoured?
Or are we waiting until everyone on East Street lives in fear and mocks our Patrol Bureau for being more afraid of monsters than tigers?"
He stood and strode to the front of the hall, his posture straight as a spear.
"Commander Gong is in seclusion, breaking through to Organ Refining. This is a matter of great importance; we must not disturb him lightly.
Even if the Inner City does respond,
how many days will it take for their reinforcements to get here, even if they're willing to come?
How many more days will it take to assign personnel and coordinate everything?
And every day this monster lives, another life may be lost!"
His tone sharpened.
"Who are we? We're the East Street Patrol Bureau!
Protecting our territory and keeping the people safe, apprehending criminals and rooting out evil—that's our duty!
If we must wait, rely on others, and beg for help even when disaster strikes in our own jurisdiction, what use are we?
Were we issued these uniforms and given these sabers so we could sit here, fail to avenge our colleagues, fret over every possibility, and watch a monster run rampant?
It killed them today. Tomorrow, it could come for me—or for you!"
His words rang like a bell, striking many patrolmen crimson-faced and making them lower their heads.
Liu Qian spoke up at just the right moment, his voice booming.
"Patrol Chief Yang is right! As members of the Patrol Bureau, responsibility falls on our shoulders!
When Commander Gong was here, when did our East Street Patrol Bureau ever back down from trouble?
Now that Commander Gong is in seclusion, it's our turn to serve!
How can we let a beast look down on us?"
Qian Zhong also spoke in a grave voice.
"Patrol Chief Yang was personally appointed First Patrol Chief by Commander Gong and is acting in his place.
Now that Patrol Chief Yang has made his decision, we should follow it.
Besides, everyone has seen Patrol Chief Yang's strength for themselves. He's no pushover.
No matter how ferocious that monster is, it may still be no match for Patrol Chief Yang!"
The two patrol chiefs had made their positions clear.
The remaining patrolmen had also taken part in the battle to wipe out the Blood Ape Gang. They had all witnessed Yang Ning's strength firsthand, and the murmuring gradually died away.
Yang Ning gave Qian Zhong and Liu Qian a slight nod, then his gaze sharpened once more.
"I'll personally lead this operation.
But I can't do it alone. We'll need everyone to work together."
He returned to the desk and tapped the crude map of East Street laid out on it.
"First, seal off the news and reassure the people.
Patrol Chief Liu, take a team and post notices at the main crossroads throughout East Fourth Street. State that the Patrol Bureau has the lead and is doing everything possible to apprehend the culprit. Tell people to limit their outings at night, but not to panic.
Patrol Chief Qian, quickly gather weapons and equipment. Remember, those beasts fear fire and light. Make sure you prepare weapons suited to their weaknesses."
"Yes!"
Qian Zhong and Liu Qian accepted their orders solemnly.
"Next,"
Yang Ning said, looking at the patrolmen below.
"The two patrol chiefs and I will go in. We'll also need a capable squad to accompany us into Duck Dung Alley and investigate.
Anyone willing, step forward."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Then the veteran patrolman from earlier gritted his teeth and stepped forward first.
"I, Wang Biao, am willing to accompany Patrol Chief Yang!"
Three or four more men soon joined him. They were usually bolder than the rest and had been on good terms with the missing patrolmen.
Yang Ning looked at the five men and nodded.
"Good. Wang Biao, you'll lead the squad for this operation.
Gather in front of the bureau offices in one hour. Bring powerful bows, crossbows, torches, medicinal powder, and grappling hooks.
Prepare everything according to the highest standards for hunting ferocious beasts and birds of prey."
"Yes!"
"As for everyone else, increase patrols through the alleys of East Fourth Street. Especially after nightfall, patrol in groups of three. No one goes alone.
If you spot anything unusual, signal with a whistling arrow. Do not pursue it recklessly."
One clear order after another rang out, and the people's initial panic gradually subsided.
Looking at the young but composed First Patrol Chief at the head of the room, they could not help but feel a little more confident in him.
At least he wasn't panicking or making excuses. He was making orderly preparations for the coming fight.
An hour later, torches blazed before the bureau offices, illuminating the pitch-black entrance as if they had set the night itself on fire.
Yang Ning had changed into a dark outfit suited for action, with a patrol chief's cloak worn over it.
The gray-green saber Storm Blade hung at his waist, and he wore the gleaming White Jade Mask over his face.
The cold mask rested against his skin, making his mind all the more calm and alert.
Wang Biao and the other four selected patrolmen were ready as well.
Every face was tense, but their eyes were resolute.
"Move out."
Without any further speech, Yang Ning led the way out of the offices. The six-man squad went ahead, followed by the many other Patrol Bureau patrolmen and staff, carrying lit torches.
The large procession was unusually quiet as it silently disappeared into the shadowy, tangled alleys of East Fourth Street.
Duck Dung Alley lived up to its name. It was narrow and winding, with filthy water running through it, one of the most run-down and disorderly areas of East Fourth Street.
Most of its residents were desperately poor or marginal people of unclear origin.
Dusk had fallen. The alley was almost deserted; only the occasional bark of a stray dog added to its gloomy air.
The Patrol Bureau's men, carrying torches, had already surrounded the place so completely that not even a drop of water could escape.
"Lord Yang."
The two patrol chiefs, Liu and Qian, had arrived some time earlier. Their expressions were solemn.
"Is everything ready?"
"Everything's ready. We've evacuated the residents, and every exit from Duck Dung Alley is sealed. It's just..."
Yang Ning paused, then asked,
"What's the problem?"
"There's someone..."
Before Qian Zhong could finish, the sound of hooves cut him off. Horsemen carrying torches began to approach from every direction.
Yang Ning narrowed his eyes and recognized them one by one.
They were people from East Street's prominent powers and great family clans.
"Hundred Herb Hall of East Street."
"Antique Pavilion of East Street."
"Ning Fur Shop of East Street."
Most important of all, people from the Four Great Families who had visited the Kuotian Chamber that day were among them.
The wealthy merchants and nobles called out together,
"We pay our respects to Lord Yang of the Patrol Bureau."
Not all the Four Great Families' arrivals were the young masters themselves. Only Shen Lian had personally come on behalf of the Shen Family.
Yang Ning only had to think for a moment to understand what this meant, and he walked over.
"May I ask why you've all come today...?"
A steward from the Qin Family stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said,
"Patrol Chief Yang has shown great courage in leading the effort to slay the monster. We've gathered here of our own accord today to lend the Patrol Bureau a hand."
Then he waved his right hand, and the horsemen began unloading box after box of medicine, weapons, and gold and silver.
*Just as I thought. These onlookers are finally making a move. They want to get rid of the Spirit Monster too, after all—it's a serious matter.
This move also puts me on a pedestal, making me their pathfinder.*
Before you continue