Iron Garment Division

"It seemed I had accumulated quite a bit in the Experience Pool some time ago. Combined with the experience Wu Que and the others gave me, that was why I could rise three levels in a row."

Yang Ling calmly put away the Attribute Panel.

Constable Lin smiled faintly. "Now that you've become a Constable, there are some things I need to explain to you."

"Please speak, boss."

Yang Ling hurriedly cupped his fists.

"Our group of Constables belongs to the Iron Garment Division."

"You know about the Iron Garment Division, right?"

"The Black List was created by the lords of the Iron Garment Division."

A respectful look appeared on Constable Lin's face, and his gaze unconsciously turned in a certain direction.

"In our Zhao Kingdom, although the Iron Garment Division falls under the Six Ministries, its authority is far from small. That all depends on our Division Chief's extraordinary methods.

"Across every prefecture, city, and county in Zhao Kingdom, as long as someone breaks the law or disrupts order, they fall under the jurisdiction of our Iron Garment Division."

The Iron Garment Division?

This was Yang Ling's first time hearing of this department.

It seemed the Constable system in Zhao Kingdom differed from what he had imagined.

"That includes the major sects as well, such as the Mountains and Rivers Sect."

Constable Lin smiled meaningfully.

After a pause, he added, "Of course, you are merely ordinary Constables. Even I am only a Ninth-Rank Iron Garment Constable."

"Sect affairs are far too complicated. I neither wish to interfere nor have the ability to. It is best to turn a blind eye whenever possible."

"A Ninth-Rank Iron Garment Constable?"

Yang Ling's expression turned somewhat strange.

So Constables had a path for advancement as well?

"I'm telling you this because I hope you won't think becoming a Constable means you have power."

Constable Lin smiled faintly.

"I hope the area under my jurisdiction can remain peaceful and stable. That way, before I retire, getting myself promoted to Eighth-Rank Iron Garment Constable should not be a problem."

"Rest assured, boss. I definitely won't cause trouble."

Yang Ling changed the subject.

"However, after some time, I may be going to the Red Gold Ore mine to serve as an overseer..."

"That doesn't conflict with anything. Normally, you won't need to stay in Green Mountain City. I may have over a hundred Constables under my command in name, but only fifty or sixty of them actually live in Green Mountain City."

Constable Lin smiled faintly. "Just stay properly at the Red Gold Ore mine.

"Unless a lord from the Iron Garment Division comes to inspect the place, you will need to return."

Yang Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His path of leveling up through mining was still open.

"Boss, do I have a chance of becoming an Iron Garment Constable in the future?"

Yang Ling asked.

Constable Lin looked Yang Ling up and down.

"Of course you do. Why wouldn't you? You are a Martial Artist yourself and have some skill in your hands.

"If you can earn a little merit as well, becoming a Ninth-Rank Iron Garment Constable will not be difficult.

"But after Ninth Rank, you will need to undergo promotion assessments."

"Promotion assessments?"

"Yes."

Constable Lin explained patiently.

"The Iron Garment Division has its own path of promotion, unlike those scholar-officials."

"The Division Chief values ability above all else. As long as you are capable enough, you can be promoted."

"And where is that ability reflected? Let me test you."

"The ability to solve cases?"

Yang Ling answered instinctively.

Constable Lin waved his hand with a smile. "That is one part of it, but it isn't very important. We are only responsible for pursuing and arresting people. Naturally, what matters is your martial skill!"

"As long as your martial cultivation is deep enough and strong enough, and you receive a recommendation from a superior, the Iron Garment Division will arrange an assessment."

"Pass it, and you can be promoted."

As he spoke, he took out another set of red Constable robes, a saber, and an ancient book.

"Bandit-Catching Saber Technique?"

Yang Ling had sharp eyes. When he saw the words on the ancient book, he was somewhat surprised.

So becoming a Constable even came with martial techniques?

"This Bandit-Catching Saber Technique is considered the most ordinary saber technique, but if you train it to a high level, common petty thieves will find it hard to withstand even three of your strikes."

"All Constables must practice it. Sometimes, it doesn't matter if your cultivation is lacking. If your saber technique catches the attention of those above, you can still be promoted."

Constable Lin said, "Change into the clothes and put the things away. I'll take you to meet your future colleagues."

As Yang Ling changed clothes, he inspected their attributes.

[Ordinary Constable Uniform]

[Official Saber forged by the Iron Garment Division. Strength +3, Attack 20]

This is a weapon... but what exactly does this Attack attribute affect? Is it related to armor penetration?

By the time Yang Ling finished pondering, he had already changed into the clothes.

He stood around one meter eighty tall. After cultivating for some time, a thin layer of muscle covered his body.

Now that he had changed into the uniform, his figure looked straight and upright, leaving Constable Lin momentarily stunned.

"How did you manage to make this uniform look like one worn by a Seventh- or Eighth-Rank Constable?"

Then he laughed. "Little Yang, perhaps you really are suited to being a Constable. With that build and that bearing, petty thieves would be scared of you before you even did anything."

Next, Constable Lin personally led him to the neighboring courtyard.

A group of Constables in the courtyard were shouting as they practiced the Bandit-Catching Saber Technique.

The instant they saw Constable Lin, they immediately stopped what they were doing and stepped forward to pay their respects, while also curiously sizing up Yang Ling.

"This is Yang Ling, a new Constable. Old Zhao, you have the most seniority here. Take him under your wing for a while."

Constable Lin pointed at an older Constable whose hair was streaked with gray.

"Yes!"

Old Zhao stepped forward and slowly nodded.

"Yang Ling will not remain in Green Mountain City for long. He will only return occasionally, so he will not need to stand regular duty. Understood?"

Constable Lin said again.

The expressions of the Constables changed slightly. When they looked at Yang Ling again, their eyes carried hidden displeasure.

After giving his instructions, Constable Lin strode away.

The other Constables had no intention of speaking with Yang Ling either. Those practicing saber techniques continued practicing saber techniques, while those practicing fists continued practicing fists.

"Yang Ling, right? Just call me Old Zhao. Do you need me to show you around the yamen, or take you outside for a walk?"

Old Zhao was very polite.

Yang Ling knew the others saw him as someone with connections, but he did not care.

He was someone with connections to begin with, and Constable Lin seemed to have arranged dozens of such people.

"Brother Zhao, I plan to rest for a while. Which room do we usually use for resting?"

Yang Ling asked.

The Constables in the courtyard had actually been secretly watching this side. Hearing that, contempt immediately appeared on their faces.

Old Zhao remained polite and pointed to one of the rooms.

"That room is where we rest, but we're all rough men, so it has a bit of a smell. I wonder if you..."

"That's fine."

Yang Ling immediately entered the rest room and shut the door.

He was alone in the room. He opened the Attribute Panel again.

With 8 Free Attribute Points, I can raise my Spirit to 25 points.

That would greatly increase the training speed of both martial techniques and the Vajra Wisdom King Art.

If I can gain 12 or 13 experience points a day, the Vajra Wisdom King Art will only need two or three months to advance to the second layer and reach the realm of Complete Integration.

At that time, not only will it give me 10 Free Attribute Points, it can also increase my Strength and Agility by 30 points each while the art is active.

With that thought, Yang Ling had already made his decision.

If he added the attribute points to Strength or Agility, the short-term improvement would be considerable and obvious.

But in the long run, neither was as cost-effective as the Vajra Wisdom King Art!

If Wu Que's matter is exposed by then, I'll have the strength to protect myself.

But if I can become an official Iron Garment Constable, even if I'm only Ninth Rank, this matter should no longer be much trouble for me.

Leveling up, cultivating martial techniques and cultivation arts, and becoming an official Iron Garment Constable—these are the most important things for me right now.

Yang Ling immediately added all 8 attribute points to Spirit.

A scorching warm current surged into the space between his brows.

Yang Ling instantly felt more energetic, while his vision became increasingly sharp and detailed.

Even his hearing improved enormously.

The whispers outside and every movement seemed to automatically form corresponding images in his mind...