Collision

"Well done, kid, you've been hiding your true colors!"

Xu Zhengxiong looked at Fang Xing with undisguised admiration.

With such accomplishments, Fang Xing's position was nine times out of ten secure.

Having sparred with him personally, Xu Zhengxiong was deeply impressed by his martial arts mastery, noting that aside from a slight lack of practical combat experience, Fang Xing was formidable.

"Uncle Xu, you flatter me. I've simply been diligent in my training," Fang Xing replied with a bow.

Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "Don't be humble, kid. Being able to refine the Capture Hand to this level is a feat in itself."

Fang Xing smiled without saying anything.

His insight into the Capture Hand was entirely thanks to his innate talent and comprehension.

His foundation might have been mediocre, but his comprehension was top-tier—it was truly impressive, enough to stand out not just in Qingshan County, but in the entire Jiang Province!

A heaven-sent talent; the value of this insight was comparable to pure, solid gold.

"Your strength should be enough to secure this position. Let's go, follow me to meet the County Magistrate. I expect they've already arrived," Xu Zhengxiong said, and Fang Xing nodded.

He followed behind Xu Zhengxiong, walking out of the guardroom.

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

Upon stepping into the yard, Fang Xing spotted several figures.

There were two other Constables in red uniforms: one was the Constable in charge of the East District, Yang Bo, and the other was the Constable in charge of the South District, Chen Shan.

Both were at the peak of Bright Force.

Behind each of them stood a young man, both appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen years old.

With full temples and sharp, capable gazes, these two were undoubtedly the ones Xu Zhengxiong had mentioned.

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

From what Xu Zhengxiong had told him, Yang Xin was Yang Bo's nephew, and they shared a close relationship.

The other, Ji Bochang, had a certain background.

He was from the Ji Family of Qingshan.

While not a top-tier clan, they possessed considerable wealth in Qingshan County, owning hundreds of acres of land—they were a local power to be reckoned with!

When Xu Zhengxiong led Fang Xing into the courtyard, four gazes turned toward them.

"Oh? Old Xu, why did you bring someone along?" Constable Chen asked, his eyes filled with surprise.

Xu Zhengxiong looked at him with a chuckle. "I brought him to try his luck."

"Try his luck!"

Hearing this, Yang Bo on the other side narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, sizing Fang Xing up. "What's this? Could it be that this little brother of yours is also a martial artist?"

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

Fang Xing remained silent, though he noted that Xu Zhengxiong's attitude toward Yang Bo was noticeably cold.

The four Constables were not exactly on harmonious terms.

Yang Bo and Xu Zhengxiong did not get along.

There were no massive conflicts or life-and-death grudges between them, just the small, accumulated frictions of daily life.

"Old Xu, didn't you say you had no one when we talked yesterday? You sly dog, were you just feeding us a line?"

Chen Shan stepped up, looking at Fang Xing before turning back to Xu Zhengxiong with a hint of grievance.

Xu Zhengxiong smiled. "Old Chen, I wasn't feeding you a line. My little brother here only just advanced to the rank of martial artist yesterday. I only found out this morning myself."

"Just advanced?"

"Such a coincidence?" Chen Shan looked at Xu Zhengxiong with skeptical eyes.

"It really is that coincidental," Xu Zhengxiong nodded.

"..."

"You're a cunning one, I don't believe you," Chen Shan teased, staring at Xu Zhengxiong.

"Hmph, you come to fight for a position right after advancing? Aren't you afraid something might happen to him?" Yang Bo snorted.

Xu Zhengxiong remained calm. "Whether he succeeds or fails will be known only after we try."

"Old Xu, since you brought him now, we can only hold a standard spar," Chen Shan sighed.

"I know, but I trust he'll be fine," Xu Zhengxiong said indifferently.

Hearing Xu Zhengxiong's words, Chen Shan and Yang Bo both turned their gazes toward Fang Xing.

Fang Xing stood to the side, silent, his face devoid of emotion.

He couldn't afford to get involved in the conflicts between the Constables.

Their statuses were different.

Even if they weren't his direct superiors, they were still his superiors nonetheless.

"What is your name, little brother?" Chen Shan asked, eyeing him.

Fang Xing bowed slightly, neither arrogant nor servile. "Reporting to Constable Chen, my name is Fang Xing."

"Fang Xing..." Chen Shan nodded.

"You're a fine young man, but since you've just advanced, it would be best to stabilize your cultivation for a few years. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it would be a case of joy turning into sorrow."

Yang Bo spoke softly, a hint of a threat in his tone.

Fang Xing understood the meaning behind his words perfectly.

He might as well have told him to get lost, that this position was not something he could touch.

Yet, Fang Xing remained composed. He glanced at Xu Zhengxiong, then back at Yang Bo. "There is no need for Constable Yang to worry about that. Since I have come, I naturally intend to try for this position."

"Heh, young man, don't be too arrogant. There are plenty of people stronger than you."

Yang Bo snorted.

"Being young means having the drive to push forward; otherwise, there won't be any opportunities left when I'm old," Fang Xing said calmly.

He didn't want to clash, but since things had reached this point, he wouldn't back down.

Retreating would not only shame himself but also make Xu Zhengxiong lose face.

He wasn't a coward who only knew how to endure!

When it was time to be firm, he had to be firm!

If they were stronger than him now, well, in a little while, that would be an unknown.

They were all at the Bright Force level; even if they were at the peak, they only held the upper hand. There was no reason to be overly worried.

"Hmph, very well. I'll remember you." Seeing that his threats were useless, Yang Bo's face darkened, and he snorted before walking away.

"Give it your all in the spar later. Remember, if any other issues arise, I'll handle them for you."

Xu Zhengxiong patted his shoulder, his voice clear and firm.

These words were effectively telling everyone that he was Fang Xing's backer.

Hearing this, Fang Xing bowed. "Boss, I will do my best."

"Good." Xu Zhengxiong nodded with a smile.

Seeing this, the expressions of Chen Shan and the man behind him, Ji Bochang, turned grave.

On the other side, Yang Bo's face grew even darker. He turned to Yang Xin. "Make sure to take the spar seriously later."

Yang Bo's tone was heavy as he said this.

Yang Xin nodded, his eyes fixed on Fang Xing. He clenched his fists, a ferocious grin spreading across his face.

What a moron...

Seeing the threatening grin on Yang Xin's face, Fang Xing muttered to himself. He ignored him entirely and closed his eyes.

A short while later, a middle-aged man in black robes walked into the courtyard.

He was tall, his sturdy, muscular frame hidden beneath his loose robes.

He carried an air of authority, and one look was enough to feel his powerful presence.

This middle-aged man in black robes was the second-in-command of the entire Qingshan County government, a Principal Eighth Rank official of the imperial court!

The Qingshan County Magistrate, Lin Zheng!

He was also a master of Transformation Force!

His status and strength were both at the pinnacle.

"Greetings, Magistrate Lin."

Seeing Lin Zheng appear, everyone immediately bowed.

Lin Zheng nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room until it landed on Fang Xing. He frowned slightly.

"Old Xu, didn't you say the North Squad had no one? Why did you bring another one?"

Hearing Lin Zheng's inquiry, Xu Zhengxiong stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Magistrate, Fang Xing just made a breakthrough yesterday. I wanted to let him try."

"Oh? I see." Lin Zheng nodded, his brow relaxing.

"Magistrate, we already discussed this yesterday. According to the rules, we should still hold a formal spar for the sake of fairness," Yang Bo said, stepping forward.

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

"I defer to your judgment, Magistrate," Xu Zhengxiong replied.

Lin Zheng scanned the group, pondered for a moment, and said, "Since everyone is here, let us proceed as discussed yesterday. A fair spar, and the final victor shall win the position."