Rising to Power

"Cough, cough..."

Yang Xin fell to the ground, coughing up blood again and again. His face was deathly pale.

"Fang Xing, this was just a spar. Was there any need to hit him so hard?" Looking at Yang Xin, Yang Bo's face darkened beyond measure.

That old dog was about to bite...

Fang Xing looked at Yang Bo.

You're complaining that I hit him too hard? I nearly coughed up blood just now. Why didn't you say anything then?

"Constable Yang, injuries are inevitable in a spar," Xu Zhengxiong said.

Yang Bo looked at him, his gaze icy.

"We're all on the same side, yet he hit him so hard. I don't think he's fit to be Deputy Constable," Yang Bo said coldly.

"What, Constable Yang? Are you going back on your word?" Xu Zhengxiong said, his face dark.

"I'm just stating a fact. His attacks were too vicious. Who knows what kind of trouble he might cause in the future?" Yang Bo said coolly.

"How can a leader deter evildoers without strength? Does Constable Yang win people over with virtue?" Xu Zhengxiong looked at him and asked.

"You..."

"That's enough." Just then, Lin Zheng abruptly rose from the Grandmaster Chair.

Yang Bo had no choice but to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.

Lin Zheng glanced over everyone before looking at Fang Xing. "Since we already agreed that the winner would take the position, there's no need to discuss it further."

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

"My lord is wise." Xu Zhengxiong cupped his hands.

Lin Zheng's words settled the matter once and for all. Yang Bo had no choice but to accept the outcome.

"Thank you, my lord." Fang Xing bowed.

Lin Zheng stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Not bad, young man. Make sure you do a good job maintaining law and order in North City."

"Yes. I won't let you down, my lord."

Fang Xing replied with a solemn expression.

Lin Zheng nodded, then turned to Xu Zhengxiong. "I'll leave the rest to you."

"Don't worry, my lord. I'll make sure he's on the right track." Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

Lin Zheng smiled faintly and said nothing more before leaving the courtyard.

Watching Lin Zheng leave, Xu Zhengxiong smiled and walked over to Fang Xing.

"Very good. You didn't disappoint me."

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Chief," Fang Xing said politely.

At that, Xu Zhengxiong's smile grew even brighter.

Seeing this, Yang Bo's face darkened further, but he said nothing. He left the courtyard with the badly injured Yang Xin.

"Congratulations, Old Xu. You've gained another capable subordinate." After Yang Bo left, Chen Shan walked over with a beaming smile.

"Not at all, not at all. You let me have him," Xu Zhengxiong said with a hearty laugh.

"Constable Fang, I hope we'll work well together from now on." Chen Shan smiled at Fang Xing.

"You're too kind, Chief Chen." Fang Xing smiled politely.

"I won't keep you. I'll be off." Chen Shan said no more and left with Ji Bochang.

Watching the two of them leave, Xu Zhengxiong turned back to Fang Xing. "That was a close one. That fellow's martial arts were no joke. If your mastery of Capture Hand hadn't been so deep, you might've lost."

Fang Xing nodded at his words.

He wasn't afraid of a contest in Capture Hand.

But this was his first time facing another martial art, and he lacked experience.

Moreover, the martial art Yang Xin had used was clearly stronger than Capture Hand.

If he hadn't relied on his exceptional comprehension to spot the flaws, he would very likely have lost.

"Uncle Xu, what martial art does Yang Xin practice?" Fang Xing looked at him and asked.

"Iron Stone Fist," Xu Zhengxiong replied.

"Iron Stone Fist..." Fang Xing pondered for a moment. Suddenly, something occurred to him. He looked at Xu Zhengxiong and couldn't help asking, "Uncle Xu, is Iron Stone Fist the martial art of the Ning Family?"

"Mm." Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

At that, Fang Xing's expression turned grave.

The Ning Family's Iron Stone Fist.

It was a martial art of the Ning Family.

It wasn't one of their ultimate techniques, but it was still formidable.

He didn't know much about it, but he knew a little.

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

A century-old family with deep foundations!

They had several Transformation Force martial artists.

Even the county magistrate had to show them respect.

As a century-old family, they were far beyond ordinary local magnates.

Their influence in Qingshan County was unquestionably immense.

"Uncle Xu, what's Yang Xin's connection to the Ning Family?" Fang Xing asked.

Xu Zhengxiong looked at him, seeming to understand his concern. "Don't worry. They don't have much of a connection to the Ning Family. Yang Bo's paternal cousin is just one of Old Master Ning's concubines."

"I see..." Fang Xing nodded.

"What? Are you scared?" Xu Zhengxiong asked, looking at him.

Fang Xing shook his head. "Not really. It just seems like a bit of a hassle."

Xu Zhengxiong laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. The Ning Family isn't the only great family in Qingshan County. There are two others just as powerful."

"?"

Listening to Xu Zhengxiong, Fang Xing looked at him.

He seemed to hear another meaning in those words. Could Xu Zhengxiong have ties to one of the other two families?

"Come on. You've been promoted today. That's cause for celebration." Xu Zhengxiong patted him on the shoulder, then headed out of the courtyard. Fang Xing followed close behind, and they left together.

News of the promotion spread quickly. Everyone at the North Ward Office learned that Fang Xing had taken the position of Deputy Constable.

He'd become a martial artist, and then risen to power right after. That kind of rapid advancement was truly exceptional.

Nine out of ten people at the North Ward Office were happy to see Fang Xing take the position.

After all, one of their own had risen to power, so it would be much easier to get along with him.

After taking the position of Deputy Constable, Fang Xing also received gifts from his subordinates.

They added up to several taels of silver. He naturally wouldn't turn down their good intentions.

He accepted them all.

When the day's work ended at the hour of the Rooster, Fang Xing used the money to treat everyone to a feast at a restaurant.

It was a celebration of sorts.

Now that he was Deputy Constable, he no longer had to patrol like before. Unless something unusual happened, his subordinates could handle ordinary matters.

That wasn't the only benefit. He also had more time to practice.

That was why he'd wanted the position in the first place.

The position of Deputy Constable itself didn't matter much to him.

Still, being able to take it was a good thing.

With more time to practice, he could make faster progress.

--

After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Xing left the restaurant.

After saying goodbye to everyone, he headed home, the night breeze brushing against him.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, its clear light shining down upon the earth.

After crossing several streets, Fang Xing entered an alley and suddenly stopped.

Thanks to his keen senses, he seemed to feel someone following him.

Could it be someone sent by Yang Bo?

The thought crossed his mind, but something didn't feel right.

The conflict had only just happened today. No matter how stupid Yang Bo was, he wouldn't send someone after him so soon.

Besides, the person following him seemed like an ordinary person. Yang Bo knew how strong he was, so he definitely wouldn't send an ordinary person after him.

Since they were following him... he'd see what they were up to.

After a brief pause, Fang Xing continued down the shadowy alley.

He disappeared into the dim alley, moving at an unhurried, swaying pace.

Not long after he entered, two black-clad figures emerged from the darkness.

"Follow him," one of them whispered. He immediately trailed after Fang Xing and entered the shadowy alley.

The other person quickly followed. They entered the dim alley and vanished into the dark street.