An Overgrown Child

"Lin Qing, not bad. Have you broken through to the True Gang Realm?" Qiu Changming looked Lin Qing up and down, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"No, but I have mastered many training methods to Perfect Mastery, and in terms of physical strength, I am not inferior to ordinary True Gang Realm Martial Artist," Lin Qing said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Alright, with your Talent, you might truly have a chance to master the legendary Unity Heaven Art of Heaven Technique, but this path is far too difficult." Qiu Changming sighed, then changed the subject, "If no one has any objections, let's conclude the selection here."

"I have no objection."

"Let's end this."

Most of the people around nodded. They had seen the entire selection process clearly, and Lin Qing had indeed made it through sheer ability.

Suddenly, a figure came rushing from afar.

"Wait, I have an objection!"

Qiu Changming glanced around and saw Ao Ziyi rushing over at top speed, shouting loudly.

"Any objections? Speak freely. Our Soul-Calming Office strives for fairness and impartiality in selecting Constable," Qiu Changming said in a deep voice.

He wouldn't care if it were someone else questioning him, but this is Ao Ziyi, with Ao Xiong standing behind him. He has to give him some face. Anyway, the truth will out.

"Lin Qing, you are Pill Embrace Formation Realm Martial Artist. How could you defeat a True Gang Realm Martial Artist in such a short time? Don't tell me you've cultivated multiple low-level cultivation methods. There's a huge gap in combat power between the Core Formation Pill Embrace and the True Gang Realm Qi Realm. To bridge that gap, I think you need to accumulate at least thirty different types of internal energy. But Lin Qing has only been in the Prefectural City for a short time. There simply isn't enough time. Unless he's Once-in-a-Millennium Genius, the probability of that happening is extremely low. I bet someone deliberately let him win!" Ao Ziyi shouted, his expression extremely excited.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Get out of the way! This selection process is fair and just; I see no problem with it," Ao Xiong shouted.

"I refuse to accept this, Lord Qiu! I implore you to investigate this thoroughly!" Ao Ziyi shouted again, his neck stiff.

Qiu Changming frowned and said coldly, "Ao Ziyi, I know you're competitive and it's normal for your mentality to be unbalanced. But Lin Qing's actions were lawful and proper. If you have evidence, then present it. If not, the outcome will not change."

Lin Qing's heart stirred slightly. He was very satisfied with Qiu Changming's handling of the situation; whoever raised questions should provide evidence.

Just then, Hou San's voice came from afar.

"Ao Ziyi, don't make false accusations. My defeat was indeed due to my inferior strength; I absolutely did not hold back."

Hou San, with one arm crossed, strode over. He had keen hearing and could hear Ao Ziyi's shouts clearly from a great distance.

"Ao Ziyi, step down!" Qiu Changming said again.

Ao Ziyi clenched his fist and said loudly, "Lord Qiu, I humbly request to fight Lin Qing one-on-one. If he can withstand three of my blows, I will be completely convinced."

"Childish, get out of here, don't embarrass yourself!" Ao Xiong cursed, his face grim.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Qiu Changming's eyes. Ao Ziyi had great Talent, but his performance just now was very disappointing, like a child throwing a tantrum. All of this was inseparable from Ao Xiong's pampering of him and his smooth-sailing growth.

Sometimes, it is only through experiencing trials and tribulations that one comes to understand the true meaning of life.

"Lin Qing, are you willing to accept the challenge? I won't force you. If you don't accept, you will still be promoted to Constable Chief. If you accept, and you can withstand three blows from Ao Ziyi, it will shut everyone up, which would be a good thing. I won't force you," Qiu Changming suddenly said.

Lin Qing turned his gaze to Wang Ling, Wang Ling understood immediately and said coldly, "No, who would do something that doesn't benefit them?"

Out of spite? What a joke! Lin Qing was promoted to police chief through his Constable Chief. Anyone who's dissatisfied, let him come find me!

"If I lose, I will give you a thousand taels of silver!" Ao Ziyi said.

"A thousand taels is too little, ten thousand taels is acceptable," Lin Qing said.

He didn't want to pay any attention to Ao Ziyi. In his eyes, Ao Ziyi was just a spoiled brat, making a scene and causing trouble. If it weren't for Ao Xiong backing him up, he would have been kicked off the mountain long ago. How could he be allowed to act so recklessly?

But if Ao Ziyi could offer ten thousand taels of silver, he would be willing to take the fight. If he won, he would make a fortune; if he lost, he wouldn't mind giving Constable Chief. After all, he was still young and would have plenty of opportunities later.

"Then ten thousand taels! I know this kid's personality; he won't turn back until he hits a brick wall. I'll pay for it!" Ao Xiong suddenly said.

"Then let's have a fight." Qiu Changming nodded.

The two immediately took their stances. Ao Ziyi let out a low shout, suddenly stepped forward, and raised his hand to strike Lin Qing's chest.

A crimson aura enveloped his palm, which then transformed into a flame—this was his manifested Gang Qi.

Before his palm even arrived, a wave of heat rushed towards him, and Lin Qing raised his hand and threw a punch.

He felt no fear, but gave it his all, and in an instant, fists and palms collided.

Ao Ziyi's expression changed drastically. The Gang Qi in his palm was directly shattered, his right arm twisted and deformed, his arm bone broke, and he instantly lost his balance and fell backward.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Qing rushed forward, closing in in an instant, and struck the man's chest with a palm, sending him flying.

The latter fell to the ground, clutching his arms and letting out a scream.

"Lin Qing, no need for further words. Lin Qing indeed possesses the combat strength of the True Gang Realm. Everyone, disperse!" Qiu Changming voice.

Ao Xiong's expression turned somewhat grim. In a flash, he appeared in front of Ao Ziyi, reached out and grabbed him, lifting him up from the ground.

"To admit defeat when your skills are inferior is a sign of your lack of composure; you're far from becoming a top-tier Martial Artist."

Ao Ziyi's face turned ashen. He never expected to be defeated so easily, and he had completely lost face.

Hou Liang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease. He had been easily defeated by Lin Qing and felt frustrated, filled with self-doubt. Now he felt relieved. It wasn't that he was too weak; it was that Lin Qing was too ruthless. Indeed, those who were favored by Wang Ling could not be judged by common sense. They followed different paths, and their combat strength could not be determined simply by their cultivation level.

"Ao Xiong, remember to deliver the ten thousand taels of silver." At this moment, Ao Xiong was about to leave with Ao Ziyi when Wang Ling reminded him.

Ao Xiong's face darkened. "I will not go back on my word."

Zhu Mingtong chimed in, "Qiu Changming, I've lost. I'll deliver the cultivation technique to your house right away!"

"I have the foresight to recognize such talent," Qiu Changming said with a smile.

After a short while, the crowd dispersed.

Lin Qing followed Wang Ling down the mountain. Wang Ling walked ahead and said slowly, "Lin Qing, your performance today surprised me. I didn't expect you to be able to easily defeat True Gang Realm Martial Artist. I wonder how many kinds of internal energy you have mastered?"

"My lord, thirty-eight kinds." Lin Qing was being conservative with his statement. In reality, thirty-eight kinds were quite astonishing. Even the simplest method of Transforming Force required mastering all thirty-eight techniques to Perfect Mastery, a feat only martial arts prodigies could accomplish.

"To truly master the Unity Heaven Art Tian Gong, you need to grasp a hundred different types of power. However, you don't need to waste all your time and energy on it. You also shouldn't stop practicing the Tathagata Fist Manual. These two paths don't conflict," Wang Ling said.

"Yes, sir."

Lin Qing nodded.

Before long, the two arrived at the foot of the mountain, Wang Ling used his Lightness Skill to quickly leave.