Fame Spreads

The morning passed.

Chen Guan raided three bandit dens, killing all the remaining robbers.

Naturally, such swift and decisive action caused quite a stir in town.

In ancient times, there wasn't much entertainment.

Chen Guan's actions were sure to be a topic of conversation over tea and meals.

And so, at noon that day.

Although Chen Guan returned home, he remained in his small room, wanting to recover his spiritual energy before communicating with his family.

But throughout the town, many taverns and tea houses were abuzz, discussing Chen Guan's heroic deeds that day.

"The Zhao family... has produced a Qilin Prodigy..."

"Such a martial arts master, such powerful methods..."

"What happened? I'll buy you a drink, tell me quickly..."

"Did you hear? The Zhao family's fifth son, the one who ran away from home..."

"The Zhao family's Fifth Young Master, he seemed unremarkable, but when I saw him today, oh my! Such a valiant appearance..."

This day, this hour.

In many inns, and even in street corners.

Numerous citizens were recounting Chen Guan's chivalrous deeds.

Of course, descriptions of Chen Guan's appearance were included, along with gossip about him running away from home.

Many were also discussing Chen Guan's name change.

Speculating if the Zhao family had somehow offended Chen Guan.

Whatever came to mind, they talked about it. With many people, there were many mouths, and everyone was human with curiosity, no one could control it.

However, even the most foolish person did not openly speak ill of Chen Guan.

Because with the methods Chen Guan displayed, killing so many people...

No one would provoke him for no reason.

But.

Compared to Chen Guan's reputation spreading further and further.

Now, in the afternoon.

Inside the yamen of Little Liuzi Town.

Constable Yan, over fifty years old and noticeably portly, was walking briskly towards the yamen.

"Constable..."

"Brother Yan..."

The constables coming and going in the yamen all bowed as they saw Constable Yan approach.

"Mm."

Constable Yan was much calmer now, with less of a rogue aura. He merely nodded slightly and headed straight for the back courtyard.

His destination was the study in the back.

The County Magistrate usually worked here.

After Constable Yan passed two more courtyards and arrived in front of the study.

Tap, tap-

He knocked on the door. Hearing a voice inside say "Enter," he pushed open the door and walked into the not-so-large study.

A warm scent of incense greeted him.

There was a small brazier inside.

The County Magistrate was a scholar to begin with, and now nearing seventy, his health was not what it used to be.

He might not be able to withstand the cold of early winter.

"Why are you here?"

At this moment.

Seeing Constable Yan enter, the County Magistrate gestured to a nearby chair, inviting Constable Yan to sit.

The two had a very cordial relationship.

Because Constable Yan's father and the County Magistrate were classmates in a private school for fifteen years, and their relationship was very close.

It was also due to this connection, coupled with Constable Yan's martial prowess and skill in solving cases.

That more than twenty years ago.

With some maneuvering by the County Magistrate, Constable Yan transformed from a martial artist into an official wearing robes.

The County Magistrate had been quite considerate towards this nephew with whom he shared no blood relation.

But at this moment.

Constable Yan saw his uncle, yet showed no arrogance from being favored. Instead, he stood ramrod straight and respectfully cupped his hands, saying:

"Sir, something extraordinary happened in the southern part of the city today."

"Oh?" The County Magistrate frowned, then seeing no urgency on Constable Yan's face, he relaxed his brow and asked, "What is it?"

"It's like this..." Constable Yan stepped forward two paces and recounted the events in the southern part of the city one by one.

"Hmph?"

After hearing it, the County Magistrate exclaimed in surprise:

"The Zhao family, mere rice merchants, produced an extraordinary master of internal energy?

Left home at seven, returned ten years later?

Now renamed 'Chen Guan?'

A Houtian... Dacheng stage at less than eighteen years of age?"

The County Magistrate muttered with a smile at the corner of his mouth, "Amazing, truly amazing!"

"Sir." Constable Yan saw that the Magistrate seemed to quite admire this Qilin Prodigy, and thus inquired further:

"Whether you say it a thousand times or ten thousand times.

This Fifth Young Master of the Zhao family ultimately killed someone in the city.

As per custom, we should invite this master to the yamen.

Firstly, to explain the circumstances and sign the confession.

Secondly... to collect the bounty.

Thirdly..."

Constable Yan looked at the County Magistrate, "Would you meet this young hero?

I heard this hero is handsome and possesses an extraordinary appearance."

"Hahaha!" The County Magistrate suddenly laughed and waved his hands repeatedly:

"Forget it, forget it. They were thieves and bandits, so killing them is killing them.

As for the reward money, don't let the Zhao family claim it.

Send someone to deliver it to the Zhao family.

Otherwise, for the sake of mere robbers, we would question the Zhao family's Little Qilin? Make him come to the yamen specifically?

Alas, offending a Little Qilin is not worth it, not worth it at all!"

"This..." Constable Yan paused for a few breaths, feigning difficulty as he cupped his hands: "Everything is as you command, Sir."

"What commands are there?" The County Magistrate saw Constable Yan's "troubled" expression and chuckled with exasperation:

"You, your martial arts have improved over the years, and your social skills have also improved.

I know you've always protected people from the martial world, but you're afraid to do it too openly, lest I blame you.

So you've thrown this matter to me to decide?"

The County Magistrate leaned on the armrest and rose from his seat, "Very well, very well! You've calculated your way onto me, Sir.

You've truly become a cunning old fox!"

"Not at all!" Constable Yan, with quick eyes and hands, stepped forward two paces and supported the County Magistrate, "This nephew never thought that way."

"You, you!" The County Magistrate felt Constable Yan's grip, which was firm but didn't hurt his arm, and said with a touch of emotion:

"Compared to over a decade ago when you recklessly pursued the Black Bear Spirit.

Now, you've matured, you've become more calculating.

After Uncle Zhao retires, even if a new county magistrate comes.

Uncle Zhao won't worry about his nephew Yan being bullied by the new magistrate."

He said this, looking at the fifty-something Constable Yan, gazing at the noticeable wrinkles at the corners of his nephew's eyes, "Alas, it's not that you've become cunning, but that you've also grown old."

Evening.

Yanhe Pavilion on a street in the north of town.

The fifth floor, a private room.

"An expert?"

Now in his early fifties and already sporting a head of gray hair, Bandit Brother had heard of Chen Guan's affairs and turned his gaze toward the lackey who had come to report.

"Based on your opinion and what you've gathered, has he stepped into the Great Accomplishment of the Houtian realm?"

"Boss, I'm ninety percent sure!" The lackey bowed and scraped. "I heard it from those two white-clad heroes in our shop; they said there's a ninety percent chance! They saw it with their own eyes!"

"Just because someone says it, that doesn't mean they saw it with their own eyes." Bandit Brother did not believe these words.

It was just like the empty, solemn guarantees of swindlers—all just loose talk.

Because Bandit Brother was that kind of person himself; there wasn't a word of truth in his mouth.

"I'd sooner believe I'm the lost imperial prince of the previous dynasty than believe them..."

Bandit Brother didn't believe it at all.

However, a martial arts expert under the age of eighteen was still worth befriending.

Especially a child; they were easy to win over as friends.

Having one more friend meant having one more path to take.

Who knew when it might come in handy?

Bandit Brother was quite confident in his own way with words.

So, after thinking it over, he said to the lackey:

"Find a time to send an invitation to the Zhao Family and invite their Qilin Prodigy to the restaurant as a guest. We use the Zhao Family's rice in our restaurant anyway, so with the business ties and favors between us, we should have enough face for that."