Collision

"Not bad, kid. You've been hiding your talents!"

Looking at Fang Xing, Xu Zhengxiong wore an approving expression.

With skill like this, Fang Xing was all but guaranteed to make it.

He could hold his own against Xu Zhengxiong. Aside from lacking a little real-world experience, Fang Xing's martial arts skill was something Xu Zhengxiong truly admired.

"You're too kind, Uncle Xu. I've just been studying and training hard." Fang Xing cupped his hands.

Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "You don't need to be modest, kid. You're the only one who's ever trained the Capture Hand to this level."

Fang Xing smiled but said nothing.

His mastery of the Capture Hand came down entirely to his talent and insight.

His constitution might be poor, but his insight was undoubtedly first-rate. He could hold his own across all of Qingshan, even throughout Jiang Province!

A heaven-blessed talent—his insight was worth its weight in pure gold!

"With your skills, you should have no trouble securing the position. Come with me to see the county magistrate. I expect the others have arrived too." Xu Zhengxiong spoke, and Fang Xing nodded.

He followed Xu Zhengxiong out of the duty room.

In a courtyard at the County Yamen, Xu Zhengxiong led Fang Xing inside.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Fang Xing spotted several figures.

There were two more constables in red uniforms. One was Yang Bo, the constable in charge of East City.

The other was Chen Shan, the constable in charge of South City.

Both were at the peak of Bright Force.

Besides the two of them, each had someone standing behind him.

Two young men, both around eighteen or nineteen.

Their temples were full, and their eyes were sharp and practiced.

Without a doubt, these were the two men Xu Zhengxiong had mentioned.

One was named Yang Xin, and the other was Ji Bochang!

Xu Zhengxiong had told him that Yang Xin was Yang Bo's nephew, and that they were very close.

The other man, Ji Bochang, had some backing.

He was from the Ji Family of Qingshan.

The family wasn't among the most powerful, but in Qingshan County, they were still quite wealthy, with hundreds of mu of land. They were local magnates in their own right!

When Xu Zhengxiong led Fang Xing into the courtyard, four pairs of eyes turned toward them.

"Oh? Old Xu, why'd you bring someone along?" Constable Chen asked, looking surprised.

Xu Zhengxiong looked at him and chuckled. "I brought someone to give it a try."

"Give it a try!"

Hearing this, Yang Bo narrowed his eyes, then stepped forward and sized Fang Xing up. "What, is your young friend a martial artist too?"

"Of course. Why else would I bring him?" Xu Zhengxiong replied coolly.

Fang Xing didn't join in, but from their conversation, it was clear Xu Zhengxiong was noticeably cool toward Yang Bo.

The four constables weren't all on friendly terms.

Yang Bo and Xu Zhengxiong didn't get along.

There wasn't any major feud between them, nothing that could be called a mortal grudge. Just a collection of petty frictions built up over time.

"Old Xu, didn't you say yesterday that you had nobody? You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"

Chen Shan stepped forward, looked at Fang Xing, then turned his gaze to Xu Zhengxiong, a hint of reproach in his eyes.

Xu Zhengxiong smiled. "Old Chen, I wasn't pulling your leg. My young friend only became a martial artist yesterday. I didn't find out until this morning."

"He only just made the breakthrough?"

"What are the odds?" Chen Shan looked at Xu Zhengxiong skeptically.

"That's just how it happened." Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

"..."

"You're a sly one, kid. I don't believe you." Chen Shan stared at Xu Zhengxiong and teased him.

"Hmph, he only just made the breakthrough, and you're bringing him to compete for the position? Aren't you worried something will happen to him?" Yang Bo sneered.

At that, Xu Zhengxiong remained calm. "Whether he wins or loses, we won't know until he's tried."

"Old Xu, since you brought him here now, all we can do is have them spar under the usual rules." Chen Shan sighed.

"I know, but I'm sure he'll be fine." Xu Zhengxiong replied coolly.

Hearing him, Chen Shan and Yang Bo both turned to look at Fang Xing.

Fang Xing stood silently to the side, his expression unchanged.

He couldn't afford to get involved in the disputes between the constables.

Their positions were different.

They weren't his immediate superiors or the ones directly in charge of him, but they were still his superiors.

"What's your name, young man?" Chen Shan sized him up and asked first.

Fang Xing cupped his hands slightly, neither servile nor arrogant. "Reporting to you, Constable Chen. I'm Fang Xing."

"Fang Xing..." Chen Shan nodded.

"Young man, you seem capable. But since you've only just made the breakthrough, it'd be best to hold off for a few years. Otherwise, something could happen, and your joy could turn to sorrow."

Yang Bo spoke coolly, with a hint of menace in his voice.

Fang Xing naturally understood what he meant.

He'd all but told him to get lost; this wasn't a position he was allowed to covet.

Still, Fang Xing remained calm. He glanced at Xu Zhengxiong, then looked back at Yang Bo and said, "There's no need to worry about me, Constable Yang. Since I'm here, I'll naturally give the competition for this position a try."

"Heh, young people shouldn't be so full of themselves. There are plenty who are stronger than you."

Yang Bo sneered.

"Young people should take their chances while they can. When you're old, you might not get another opportunity." Fang Xing replied coolly.

He hadn't wanted to get into a confrontation, but things had come this far. He wouldn't back down.

If he did, he wouldn't just lose face himself; he'd make Xu Zhengxiong look bad too.

He wasn't some spineless coward who'd only ever swallow his pride!

When it was time to stand firm, he'd stand firm!

Yang Bo might be stronger than him now, but who knew what things would be like after a while?

They were both at Bright Force. Even if Yang Bo was at its peak, he only had the upper hand. There was no need to worry too much.

"Hmph. Fine. I'll remember you." Seeing that his threat had failed, Yang Bo's face darkened. He snorted and walked away.

"When you spar later, don't hold back. Remember, if anyone gives you trouble, I'll deal with it."

Xu Zhengxiong patted Fang Xing on the shoulder and spoke with firm conviction.

Those words were as good as telling everyone outright that he had Fang Xing's back.

Hearing Xu Zhengxiong, Fang Xing cupped his hands. "Chief, I'll do my best."

"Mm." Xu Zhengxiong nodded with a smile.

At this, Chen Shan and Ji Bochang, who stood behind him, also grew serious.

Meanwhile, Yang Bo's face darkened further. He turned to Yang Xin. "When you spar later, make sure you take it seriously."

Yang Bo's voice grew noticeably heavier as he said it.

Yang Xin nodded at his words, clenched his fists as he looked at Fang Xing, and gave a savage grin.

"Dumbass..."

Seeing Yang Xin's threatening grin, Fang Xing cursed inwardly. He ignored him completely and simply closed his eyes.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a dark robe entered the courtyard.

He was tall and broad, his loose robe concealing a powerful, muscular frame.

A hint of authority emanated from him. One look was enough to make his powerful presence felt.

This middle-aged man in a dark robe was the second-highest official in the entire Qingshan County government, a Principal Eighth Rank official of the imperial court!

Lin Zheng, the deputy county magistrate of Qingshan County!

He was also a Transformation Force martial artist!

His status and strength were both at the highest level.

"Greetings, Lord Lin."

When they saw Lin Zheng arrive, everyone bowed at once.

Lin Zheng nodded, swept his gaze across the courtyard, and let it fall on Fang Xing. His brow furrowed slightly.

"Old Xu, didn't you say the North Squad had no one? Why've you brought someone else along?"

At Lin Zheng's question, Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and bowed slightly. "My lord, Fang Xing only broke through yesterday. I thought I'd let him give it a try."

"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Zheng nodded, his brow relaxing.

"Lord Lin, we already discussed this yesterday. According to the rules, we should still hold a formal spar. That would be fairer."

Yang Bo stepped forward and said.

Lin Zheng glanced at him, then looked at Xu Zhengxiong. "Old Xu, what do you think?"

"I'll defer to you, my lord," Xu Zhengxiong replied.

Lin Zheng swept his gaze across them, pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you're all here, let's proceed as we agreed yesterday. They'll have a fair spar, and the winner takes the position."