From Now On, You Get First Pick at the Red Sleeve Pavilion

Zheng Residence.

Zheng Fengyun sat in his chair, sipping wine while admiring the dance of his newly purchased courtesan. He was in an exceptionally good mood.

Having slain a demon just two days prior, he had already submitted the report to the prefectural office. His performance review for the year was guaranteed to be top-tier, and perhaps he would even receive a promotion next year.

Caught up in the excitement, he crooked a finger at the courtesan, preparing to enjoy himself, when the butler's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Master, there is a gate guard outside who says he has an urgent matter to report to you."

Zheng Fengyun's face clouded with displeasure: "What time is it? Can't this wait until tomorrow?!"

No man would be in a good mood after being interrupted at such a moment.

Even if someone had been murdered, investigating it tomorrow would be the same.

Bandits didn't need rest, but he certainly did.

"Master, he says two constables have slain a demon outside the city..."

The door was pushed open in an instant, and Zheng Fengyun hurried out: "A demon has been slain? Where is it? Prepare the carriage at once!"

Two constables actually had the guts to hunt a demon, and they had even succeeded?

Such a major event, and they hadn't reported it to him in advance—did they have no respect for him, their County Lieutenant?

Zheng Fengyun remained deep in thought throughout the journey. Upon reaching the vicinity of the East Gate, the horses sensed the demonic aura and refused to move any closer. Zheng Fengyun leaped directly out of the carriage, utilized his movement technique, and arrived before the cart carrying the demon.

Cui Lang was waiting at the city gate. Seeing someone leap from the carriage and arrive before him in the blink of an eye, he couldn't help but think: if he had possessed such movement techniques, would he have needed to risk his life against the Tiger Demon? The beast wouldn't have even been able to touch the hem of his clothes.

"Cui Lang, what is the meaning of this Tiger Demon?"

Zheng Fengyun stared into Cui Lang's eyes. Was it really this newly recruited constable who had slain the demon?

Zhao Changshan climbed up from the cart, just about to speak and recite their fabricated story, when Zheng Fengyun glared at him: "You are injured, so just lie down."

He had no interest in listening to an old fox's report; the words of a newcomer like Cui Lang were far more credible.

Cui Lang cupped his hands: "Under Constable Li's orders, Brother Zhao and I were investigating the murder of Zhang Si. In the case file, Zhang Si mentioned that an evil spirit had lured him to the riverbank, so we went there. We happened to run into Zhang Si's wife, who had transformed into a Chang Ghost and was attempting to lure us into the dense forest by the river."

"Brother Zhao immediately deduced that Zhang Si's wife was a Chang Ghost and that a Tiger Demon must be hiding in the forest, so he feigned falling for the trap to draw the beast out. Brother Zhao led the charge, risking his life to help me slay the Tiger Demon, though he sustained heavy injuries in the process."

Cui Lang couldn't very well say they had gone outside the city to find a scapegoat; telling it this way was better for everyone.

"Yes, yes, Magistrate Zheng, everything Brother Cui said is the truth. In order to slay the demon, I seem to have suffered a fracture; I'll likely be bedridden for at least a month."

"But to slay demons and protect the people of Cloud Mountain County, what is a little injury to me?"

Zhao Changshan was deeply moved. Cui Lang had attributed the primary credit to him.

From now on, when they went to the Red Sleeve Pavilion, he would definitely let Cui Lang have first pick!

Zheng Fengyun glanced at the heavily injured-looking Zhao Changshan. Hadn't this guy always avoided trouble whenever he encountered demons? Would he really take the initiative to investigate a case?

Most likely, they had gone outside the city to find a scapegoat, accidentally stumbled upon the Tiger Demon, and were forced to fight for their lives, luckily managing to kill it.

However, there was no need to point that out. After all, the two of them had killed the Tiger Demon and solved the case.

"You two have done well. This counts as a meritorious service, and I am never stingy with rewards for those who serve well."

"Cui Lang, I recall you haven't learned any proper techniques yet, only superficial stance training. Today, I shall reward you with the Blazing Sun Technique."

"Zhao Changshan, you will pass the Blazing Sun Technique on to Cui Lang. Since you are injured, I will reward you with a Herbal Restoration Pill."

"Both of you must cultivate your martial arts diligently. I look forward to you breaking through to the Gathering Essence Realm and better protecting Cloud Mountain County."

Cui Lang was overjoyed. The technique and martial arts he had been longing for were now in his hands, and he immediately cupped his hands in gratitude.

Zhao Changshan, however, suddenly began to cough violently, feeling as if his lungs were about to come out: "Ma—Magistrate Zheng, your subordinate thanks... cough, cough... thanks you for the reward... cough, cough, cough... this Tiger Demon carcass—cough—"

Zheng Fengyun frowned slightly and, with some reluctance, pulled two pieces of silver from his robes: "I will take the Tiger Demon carcass to be processed. This time, I also grant you both three days of leave. Take this silver as well and hurry home."

As Zheng Fengyun departed in his carriage, Cui Lang hoisted Zhao Changshan onto his back to take him home.

"Brother Zhao, you suffered such severe injuries, and Magistrate Zheng only gave you three days off?" Cui Lang asked, puzzled. "Is that Herbal Restoration Pill really that potent?"

Zhao Changshan replied vaguely: "It's alright, I suppose."

"Put me down, I need to take a leak."

Cui Lang watched as Zhao Changshan walked briskly into an alley to relieve himself. Where was the sign of a severe injury?

Zhao Changshan drew a map on the wall while turning his head to say: "Brother Cui, don't give me that look. My injuries aren't actually that bad, but if I don't pretend to be severely wounded, how can I make the credit seem significant?"

Cui Lang glared at Zhao Changshan: "Then you made me push you back from outside the city? And I carried you for so long? Wouldn't pretending at the city gate have been enough?"

Zhao Changshan pulled up his trousers: "Eh—if I didn't fool you, how could I have convinced Magistrate Zheng?"

"If I hadn't acted the part, would there have been a reward? Hurry up, take the silver out and let's split it."

"Half each, mind you. Don't try to take more; I still have to teach you the Blazing Sun Technique."

He had made a killing this time. With the Herbal Restoration Pill and the reward money, he would definitely have enough to enjoy himself at the Red Sleeve Pavilion twice over.

Cui Lang suddenly asked: "Brother Zhao, the techniques you know aren't limited to just the Blazing Sun Technique, are they?"

Zhao Changshan's expression shifted: "Brother Cui, strictly speaking, the techniques and martial arts bestowed by the county office are not allowed to be taught privately..."

Cui Lang tossed both pieces of silver over: "The reward money is all yours."

In any case, the reward Zheng Fengyun gave was only ten taels. Spending five taels to learn an extra martial art was a bargain. If he went to a martial arts school, they might not even teach him a real technique for a hundred taels.

Zhao Changshan immediately broke into a smile: "But then again, you are my brother, so I'll take the risk and teach you the Eight Desolations Slash as well."

"If anyone asks, just say you stole the knowledge. At most, they'll scold you a bit and give you fewer rewards for your next meritorious service."

Cui Lang asked curiously: "Eight Desolations Slash? Is it a blade technique? Do you have any movement techniques?"

Zhao Changshan replied indignantly: "Movement techniques? You certainly dare to dream. Those are far more precious than blade or fist techniques. In our constable squad, aside from Constable Li, no one has learned any."

"My place is just ahead. Let's go. You can crash at my place tonight, and I'll teach you the Blazing Sun Technique first."

A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Changshan recited the entire mantra of the Blazing Sun Technique to Cui Lang: "Are you sure you've memorized it all? Then try to circulate the technique yourself to strengthen your blood and qi."

"Once you reach the peak of the Refining Essence Realm and your blood and qi are full, you can attempt to condense the Blazing Sun True Essence and strike at the Gathering Essence Realm."

"You practice on your own; I'm going to sleep. I'll teach you the Eight Desolations Slash tomorrow morning."

Zhao Changshan figured that Cui Lang wouldn't be able to make any headway within a year or two, as Cui Lang was also a pauper.

Without money to buy nourishing medicinal soups, and unable to even guarantee meat at every meal, his blood and qi would strengthen very slowly, and the Gathering Essence Realm would be a distant dream.

Just like himself—he had possessed the Blazing Sun Technique for five years, and wasn't he still stuck at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm?

However, with the Herbal Restoration Pill this time, he could go to the Red Sleeve Pavilion a few times less, save up money to buy some nourishing soups, and perhaps he could attempt to break through to the Gathering Essence Realm.

If he succeeded, he would be the second-strongest expert in the constable squad, second only to Constable Li.