Patrol Duty

Wei Ping suddenly berated him loudly, startling Wei Yuan.

"What did I do?"

"What made you think of introducing your junior brother Zhao Feng to Cousin Xiangling? How could you do something so foolish?" Wei Ping sighed and pointed at the exquisite pastries on the table.

"Today, I had someone deliver pastries bought from Fragrant Joy House in Cong Prefecture to Cousin Xiangling, but she returned them. Only afterward did I learn what had happened."

"Although Xiangling is our distant cousin, Aunt and Xiangling have been close to our branch of the family since childhood. Why were you so foolish as to introduce that Zhao Feng to her? Aren't you slighting her?" Wei Ping said, her delicate brows tightly furrowed.

"What's wrong with Junior Brother Zhao?" Wei Yuan protested.

"Junior Brother Zhao comes from a respectable family. He's steady and hardworking, and his martial arts foundation is solid. He could make a living anywhere without worry. How would he be slighting her?"

"Not slighting her? To be precise, it's an insult!" Seeing that her younger brother still had not recognized his mistake, Wei Ping's tone grew even harsher.

"The Xue Family may not compare to our Wei Family, but they still have some standing in the prefectural city. Xiangling is cultured and well-mannered, and she often visited the prefectural city from a young age. Now, she even manages Xue's business. How could the horizons of an ordinary rich family's daughter compare to hers?"

"And that Zhao Feng was born to a poor farming family in the countryside. Setting aside his limited experience, he's only a martial artist with fifth-grade bone talent, and his potential has already run dry. Tell me, how could he possibly be worthy of Xiangling? Aren't you insulting her?" Wei Ping and Xue Xiangling were close friends, so she naturally knew that Xue Xiangling had always admired disciples from the sects in the prefectural city. Even if she lowered her standards, she would at least choose a young expert at the Dark Force level from the county town. How could Zhao Feng, a country bumpkin with no potential left, be worthy of her cousin?

"But Junior Brother Zhao is genuinely a good person. He keeps himself clean, works hard, and has solid martial arts," Wei Yuan argued. Wasn't that exactly what a woman should seek in a husband—someone who treated her well and was diligent and dependable?

"Why are you so dense?" Wei Ping sighed in frustration.

Her younger brother was too much of a softhearted good man. He had never been perceptive when it came to judging people or navigating worldly affairs, which gave her endless headaches.

"Look at you. Over the years, you've supported and befriended so many so-called retainers with potential. And what came of it? Whenever we truly needed help, they either made excuses or proved utterly useless. They were all just swindling us out of money. You really can't keep being such an indiscriminate do-gooder." Wei Ping rubbed her temples helplessly.

In her eyes, Zhao Feng was just like the retainers her brother had supported before—an impostor passing himself off as something better. Her brother was too kindhearted and too poor at judging people.

Wei Yuan fell silent at this. It was true that the retainers he had supported over the years had all been useless showpieces. But Junior Brother Zhao truly was different. He knew that no matter what he said, he would not be able to change his sister's mind.

"After Father passed away, Mother and our branch of the family have had to rely on you and me. The Xue Family and Xiangling are among the few close connections who can help us gain a foothold, yet you've ruined things," Wei Ping said, shaking her head.

In a few days, she would visit the famous shops in the prefectural city to buy some expensive rouge and jewelry, then go to Xiangling, say more kind words, and apologize properly. In any case, she had to soothe her cousin's anger.

As for that Zhao Feng, regardless of whether he was diligent and dependable, his potential was exhausted. Her brother gave him so much monthly silver and meat allowances, and he was idle most of the time. She had long been dissatisfied with it.

After a while, I'll find an excuse to dismiss him. It'll save our branch some expenses.

The next day, Zhao Feng had just finished practicing on the plum blossom stakes at the martial arts school when he saw Wei Yuan walking over with an unnatural expression.

"Senior Brother Wei, did something happen?"

"Um... Junior Brother Zhao, that Miss Xue I wanted to introduce to you last time... she declined."

When Zhao Feng heard this, he secretly let out a sigh of relief. He had never intended to go on a blind date in the first place, so this spared him the trouble of figuring out how to refuse.

"Junior Brother Zhao, don't take it to heart. In a few days, I'll introduce you to another good family," Wei Yuan said apologetically.

Zhao Feng's head immediately began to ache. He hurriedly waved his hands.

"Senior Brother, there's really no need. Right now, I only want to focus on martial arts and have no interest in marriage. I appreciate your kindness. I'll treat you to a drink." The implication was clear: please do not be so enthusiastic again.

Wei Yuan still felt he had let him down and was about to say more when Huo Shan emerged from the rear courtyard, his expression solemn. Several other inner disciples—Shi Mao, Wang Yu, Zhou Xue, and Chu Fan—followed behind him.

"All disciples, suspend your training. I have an announcement."

"Yes, Master!" All the disciples stopped what they were doing.

"The county magistrate has issued a notice. Banditry in Big Stone County has become rampant, especially with many notorious bandits and vicious outlaws slipping into the county town and committing major crimes one after another. The county yamen does not have enough constables, so he has decided to form civilian patrol units to patrol at night, maintain public order, and capture bandits, thieves, and vagrants. The major martial arts schools, escort agencies, and wandering martial artists have all been invited to volunteer. Those who capture vagrants or bandits will receive rewards from the county yamen and have their deeds announced throughout the county," Huo Shan said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples became eager to try. They immediately realized this was an excellent opportunity to win fame and honor. Rewards and public recognition across the entire county would bring tremendous glory to themselves, their families, and even their ancestors—second only to passing the martial examination.

At that moment, Senior Brother Shi Mao cleared his throat and spoke.

"To avoid tarnishing the reputation of Huo Family Martial Arts School, Master has decided that we will discuss the candidates together."

With Shi Mao's reminder, everyone suddenly understood. Not every disciple could join such a patrol unit; only elite disciples were qualified. Those lacking in skill or courage would only disgrace the martial arts school and Huo Shan, especially since disciples from other martial arts schools and wandering martial artists would certainly participate as well.

"For now, besides the five of us at the Dark Force level, we need to select three more junior brothers at the Bright Force level," Shi Mao said.

"I recommend Junior Brother Liu Jinjie. He is an established Bright Force martial artist with solid boxing skills and abundant practical combat experience. He is more than qualified," he continued.

"Junior Brother Liu Jinjie would do." The other core disciples all nodded. He was indeed at the peak of Bright Force and the strongest among them.

"I recommend Junior Brother Zhang Hao. He is also at the peak of Bright Force and has extensive practical combat experience from working with an escort agency," Zhou Xue added.

"Zhang Hao would do as well." No one objected.

At this point, Wei Yuan spoke as well. "I recommend Junior Brother Zhao Feng. He has a steadfast mind, a very solid foundation in boxing, and practical experience escorting goods."

"Zhao Feng?" Shi Mao, Wang Yu, and Zhou Xue all turned to look at him, their brows furrowing.

Zhao Feng usually had little contact with them and only knew how to bury himself in boxing practice. Naturally, they did not want to give such an opportunity for fame and glory to him.

"Junior Brother Zhao Feng only broke through three months ago. He lacks both foundation and experience, so he isn't very suitable," Wang Yu was the first to say.

"That's right. The patrol unit will inevitably involve sparring and exchanges with other martial artists. If he performs poorly, wouldn't that damage the reputation of Huo Family Martial Arts School?" Zhou Xue also voiced her opposition.

"I often spar with Junior Brother Zhao Feng. His strength is absolutely greater than that of most Bright Force martial artists," Wei Yuan said. He knew Zhao Feng's true ability and had great confidence in him.

"Senior Brother Wei, I believe participating in this patrol unit is not only about winning renown for the martial arts school. It is also an extremely valuable opportunity to cultivate disciples. I think this opportunity should be given to disciples with better bone talent and greater potential, rather than wasted for nothing," Chu Fan, who had remained silent until then, said calmly.