Ascension

"Cough, cough..."

Yang Xin collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood incessantly, his face deathly pale.

"Fang Xing, this was just a sparring match. Was such a heavy hand necessary?" Looking at Yang Xin's state, Yang Bo's face turned as dark as a pot.

This old dog is ready to bite, Fang Xing thought, watching Yang Bo.

Heavy hand? When I was nearly beaten to the point of vomiting blood just now, why didn't you interject?

"Constable Yang, injuries are unavoidable in a sparring match," Xu Zhengxiong spoke up at this moment.

Yang Bo looked at him, his gaze icy.

"We are all our own people. To strike with such severity—I don't think he is fit for the position of Deputy Constable," Yang Bo said coldly.

"What, Constable Yang, are you planning to go back on your word?" Xu Zhengxiong asked with a stern face.

"I am merely stating a fact. His methods are too ruthless; who knows what kind of trouble he will cause in the future," Yang Bo said indifferently.

"If a superior lacks strength, how can he deter evildoers? Or does Constable Yang intend to win people over solely with virtue?" Xu Zhengxiong looked at him.

"You..."

"That's enough." Just then, Lin Zheng suddenly stood up from the Grandmaster Chair.

Yang Bo was forced to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.

Lin Zheng swept his gaze over the crowd and looked at Fang Xing: "Since it has already been agreed that the winner takes the position, there is no need for further discussion."

"From now on, Fang Xing will assist in North City."

"The Magistrate is wise," Xu Zhengxiong said, cupping his hands.

Lin Zheng's words were the final verdict, and Yang Bo had no choice but to accept the reality.

"Many thanks, sir," Fang Xing bowed.

Lin Zheng stepped forward and patted his shoulder: "Young man, not bad. You must maintain order in North City well in the future."

"Yes, this subordinate will certainly not fail your expectations."

Fang Xing said with a solemn expression.

Lin Zheng nodded, then looked at Xu Zhengxiong: "I leave the rest to you."

"Rest assured, sir, I will lead him well," Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

Lin Zheng smiled slightly, said nothing more, and left the courtyard.

Watching Lin Zheng depart, a smile appeared on Xu Zhengxiong's face as he walked over to Fang Xing.

"Very good, you did not disappoint me."

"Many thanks for your guidance, Boss," Fang Xing said politely.

Hearing this, the smile on Xu Zhengxiong's face grew even brighter.

Seeing this scene, Yang Bo's face turned even darker, but he said nothing more and left the courtyard with the heavily injured Yang Xin.

"Congratulations, Old Xu, you've gained a capable subordinate," after Yang Bo left, Chen Shan stepped forward, smiling broadly.

"Not at all, you are too kind," Xu Zhengxiong laughed.

"Deputy Constable Fang, let's cooperate well in the future," Chen Shan looked at Fang Xing with a smile.

"You are too polite, Boss Chen." Fang Xing offered a polite smile.

"I won't disturb you any further, I'll be off," Chen Shan said nothing more and left with Ji Bochang.

Watching their retreating figures, Xu Zhengxiong withdrew his gaze and looked at Fang Xing: "That was truly a close call. That fellow practices a high-level martial art; if not for your profound mastery of the Capture Hand, you likely would have been defeated."

Hearing this, Fang Xing nodded.

In a duel of Capture Hand, he was confident.

However, this was his first time clashing with another martial art, and his experience was lacking.

Moreover, the martial art Yang Xin displayed was clearly superior to the Capture Hand.

Had he not discovered the flaws through his own powerful intuition, the likelihood of defeat would have been high.

"Uncle Xu, what is the martial art that Yang Xin practices?" Fang Xing asked, looking at him.

"Iron Stone Fist."

Xu Zhengxiong replied.

"Iron Stone Fist..." Fang Xing pondered for a moment. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he looked at Xu Zhengxiong, unable to help but ask: "Uncle Xu, is this Iron Stone Fist the martial art of the Ning Family?"

"Yes," Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

Hearing this, Fang Xing's expression turned grave.

The Ning Family's Iron Stone Fist.

This was a martial art of the Ning Family.

Although it was not their ultimate technique, it was still quite formidable.

While he didn't know the specifics, he knew enough.

The Ning Family was one of the three great families of Qingshan County!

A century-old clan with deep foundations!

They had several Transformation Force martial artists.

Even the County Magistrate had to show them respect.

As a century-old clan, they were not comparable to ordinary local powers.

Their influence in Qingshan County was absolutely immense.

"Uncle Xu, what is the relationship between Yang Xin and the Ning Family?" Fang Xing asked.

Xu Zhengxiong looked at him, seemingly understanding his concern, and said: "Don't worry, they don't have much of a connection to the Ning Family. It's just that Yang Bo's cousin is a concubine of Old Master Ning."

"I see..." Fang Xing nodded.

"What? Are you afraid?" Xu Zhengxiong asked, looking at Fang Xing.

Fang Xing shook his head: "Not exactly, it just feels like it might be troublesome."

Xu Zhengxiong smiled and patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, Qingshan County doesn't just have the Ning Family; there are two other families of equal standing."

"?"

Hearing Xu Zhengxiong's words, Fang Xing looked at him.

He seemed to hear a hidden meaning in those words. Could it be that Xu Zhengxiong had some connection to the other two families?

"Let's go. You were promoted today; that is a joyous occasion." Xu Zhengxiong patted his shoulder and walked toward the courtyard exit. Seeing this, Fang Xing followed closely behind and left the courtyard.

The news of the promotion spread quickly, and everyone in the North Ward Office knew that Fang Xing had taken the position of Deputy Constable.

Becoming a martial artist one moment and ascending to a position the next—this speed of advancement was truly unique.

For Fang Xing's promotion, ninety-nine percent of the people in the North Ward Office were very happy.

After all, with one of their own in power, getting along would be much easier.

Having taken the seat of Deputy Constable, Fang Xing also received tributes from those below him.

It amounted to several taels of silver, and he naturally did not refuse this gesture of goodwill.

He accepted it all.

When the day's work ended at the hour of the Rooster, Fang Xing used this money to take everyone out for a meal at a restaurant.

It was a celebration.

Now that he was a Deputy Constable, he naturally didn't have to patrol like before. Unless there were special circumstances, the people below could handle general matters.

Besides this, another point was that he had more time for cultivation.

This was also the reason he sought the position.

The title of Deputy Constable was not important to him.

But being able to hold it was naturally a good thing.

With more time for cultivation, he could progress even faster.

After eating and drinking his fill, he left the restaurant.

After parting ways with the others, Fang Xing walked home, the night breeze blowing against him.

The bright moon rose into the sky, casting its clear light upon the earth.

After passing through several streets, Fang Xing suddenly stopped when he entered an alley.

Relying on his powerful perception, he felt as if someone was tailing him.

Could it be people from Yang Bo's side?

A thought flashed through his mind, but upon reflection, he felt something was off.

The conflict had just happened today; even if Yang Bo were foolish, he wouldn't arrange for an attack immediately.

Moreover, the person tailing him seemed to be an ordinary person. Yang Bo knew his strength, so he certainly wouldn't send an ordinary person to strike.

Since they are tailing me... let's see what kind of trick they are playing.

Pausing slightly, Fang Xing continued walking into the dark alley.

His figure merged into the shadows of the alley, his movements slow and swaying.

Not long after he entered the alley, two black-clad figures appeared in the darkness.

"Follow him."

One of them whispered, and they immediately followed, entering the dark alley.

The other person beside him also quickly followed, disappearing into the dark street.