Reluctantly

The Tiger Might Martial Hall disciple who had proposed another match was Li Lin's elder brother by blood, Li Sheng.

Seeing that Chen Cheng ignored him, Li Sheng assumed Chen Cheng was afraid and shouted again, "What? Are you that afraid of me?"

"Li Sheng, this is a City Guard Office assessment, not some ordinary martial world duel. How dare you act so recklessly!"

Zou Bingliang, the master of Tiger Might Martial Hall, grew anxious and rebuked him sharply.

Tiger Might Martial Hall was one of Ruyi Ward's two major martial halls. Its master, Zou Bingliang, was a Skin-Tempering Realm martial artist at consummation. His reputation sounded impressive enough, and he appeared every bit as imposing as a tiger.

But Zou Bingliang knew his own affairs best. He was old, his vitality and blood had declined, and his strength had greatly diminished. He was no longer as brave as in his prime. He had opened a martial hall merely to seek peace and stability.

His disciple Li Lin had declared that he would not hold back, already offending Liu Yunfeng. If Li Sheng fought Chen Cheng again, then regardless of victory or defeat, Tiger Might Martial Hall would thoroughly become enemies with Liu Yunfeng. Why bring such trouble upon themselves?

Li Sheng did not dare talk back to his hall master. He gritted his teeth and said no more, though his face remained full of defiance.

Shen Qingshuang glanced at him, her expression cool and indifferent. "Li Sheng, compared with your younger brother, how is your fist technique?"

Thinking the Chief Constable intended to let him fight Chen Cheng again, Li Sheng immediately cupped his hands and said, "My brother only reached mastery in the Fierce Tiger Fist last month. I reached mastery half a year ago."

He had achieved mastery a full five months earlier. In Li Sheng's view, that should have made him far stronger.

Yet Shen Qingshuang shook her head. "Forget it. You are not much stronger than your brother. There is no need for you to fight Chen Cheng again."

Li Sheng froze, but since the Chief Constable had spoken, he had no choice but to obey. He could only reply in a muffled voice, "Yes."

Back in Locust Tree Alley, Liu Yunfeng had merely thought Chen Cheng possessed some skill and was worth supporting.

But now, Chen Cheng had defeated a martial hall disciple with a single punch, displaying overwhelming force. Liu Yunfeng's appreciation for him abruptly soared to a tremendous height.

Such a gifted youth possessed the bearing of a hidden dragon. Once he matured, his future accomplishments would be beyond measure.

Naturally, Liu Yunfeng did not wish for further complications. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Lady Shen, Chen Cheng defeated Li Lin. According to the assessment rules, he has already obtained a reserve runner position."

"The position is settled, but I have made the rare trip here. It would be somewhat unworthy to return so hastily."

Shen Qingshuang pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Chen Cheng. "Li Lin is seriously injured, so eliminate him directly.

"As for the four of you, once you become City Guard Office runners, you will be my subordinates and must obey the orders of your superiors."

No one understood her intention, and they were all somewhat bewildered. At that moment, one martial hall disciple stepped forward and said, "With an order from the Chief Constable, we shall naturally obey."

Li Sheng and the other martial hall disciple also came to their senses. They hurriedly cupped their hands in salute and followed suit.

"With an order from the Chief Constable, we shall naturally obey."

Chen Cheng caught on as well and hurriedly cupped his hands.

"With an order from the Chief Constable, Chen Cheng shall naturally obey."

"Good. Very good." Shen Qingshuang nodded slightly in satisfaction, then changed the subject. "City Guard Office runners may face life-and-death danger at any time, so assessments should prioritize real combat.

"I have just watched a contest of fist techniques. Are you willing to spar again with saber techniques?"

The Chief Constable wanted to see saber techniques as well, which suited the two Six Harmonies Martial Hall disciples perfectly.

Especially the one who had first declared his willingness to obey orders. He once again rushed to speak first. "Reporting to the Chief Constable, this subordinate is He Zhiling. I am willing to compete in saber techniques."

In He Zhiling's eyes, this was precisely the time to perform well before the Chief Constable. Perhaps if she took a liking to him, his future would be boundless.

Shen Qingshuang nodded faintly and praised him. "I have heard that the Six Harmonies Saber Technique of your Six Harmonies Martial Hall is quite formidable. I do indeed wish to see it."

"Yes, this subordinate will certainly give his all!" Greatly encouraged, He Zhiling once more cupped his hands in salute.

Seeing He Zhiling receive praise, the other Six Harmonies Martial Hall disciple immediately perked up as well. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Chief Constable, this subordinate is also willing to display his saber technique."

Shen Qingshuang shook her head. "It is enough for one person to demonstrate the Six Harmonies Saber Technique. Step back."

The martial hall disciple could only retreat to the side dejectedly. Yet he cast He Zhiling a displeased glance. They were both trying to curry favor with the Chief Constable, so why did He Zhiling receive praise while he got nothing but a rebuff?

Truly, different people had different fates!

Only one disciple from Six Harmonies Martial Hall had been selected, leaving Chen Cheng and Li Sheng. Li Sheng had mastered his fist technique, but his saber technique was utterly ordinary, so he did not dare accept the challenge.

Chen Cheng's saber technique had only just begun, making it even less likely that he would step forward to demonstrate.

The two looked at each other, neither showing any intention of coming forward.

Li Sheng in particular had already grown dissatisfied with Chen Cheng. He hoped even more that Chen Cheng would step up to compete in saber techniques and lose to He Zhiling. Then at least he would be able to vent some of his anger.

Shen Qingshuang said, "Chen Cheng, how about you compete with He Zhiling in a match of saber techniques?"

After building up to this for so long, the Chief Constable actually wanted to see how strong Chen Cheng was in other aspects of martial arts besides his inborn divine strength.

Naturally, Chen Cheng did not want to compete in saber techniques. But he had just said that if the Chief Constable gave an order, he would naturally obey.

Though Shen Qingshuang's words were phrased as a question, they were practically an order.

After thinking it over, Chen Cheng could only force himself to say, "Since the Chief Constable has given the order, Chen Cheng can only obey."

His unwilling appearance infuriated the other Six Harmonies Martial Hall disciple who had wanted to compete in saber techniques.

It was an opportunity to perform that others could only beg for, yet Chen Cheng looked as though he were being forced into it. It was enough to make one die of anger!

"Good. Very good. Then the two of you shall compete in saber techniques!"

Shen Qingshuang said indifferently.