Constables and thugs aren't always that different

Jiang Beiran was ultimately forced to listen to the Youth Leader finish his story. The core of it was just a sob story: he once had a Great Hero Dream, but reality eventually wore down his edges. He started struggling to make a living, and before he knew it... he'd become who he was today.

But Jiang Beiran felt nothing after listening. After all, the Youth Leader's sob story wasn't even as pathetic as the ones he'd heard contestants tell on talent shows before he transmigrated. It had absolutely no tear-jerking moments.

Just as Jiang Beiran was about to yawn from boredom, a sudden sobbing sound came from beside him.

He turned his head and saw Fang Qiuyue was already weeping, crying even more miserably than those children.

[Option 1: Offer your handkerchief to Fang Qiuyue. Completion Reward: Falling Star Demon Dissection (Earth Grade Middle Rank)]

[Option 2: Quietly comfort Fang Qiuyue. Completion Reward: Hundred Strings Imperial Curse (Mysterious Grade High Rank)]

[Option 3: "Only idiots and fools would believe such a story. Which one are you?". Completion Reward: Random Basic Skill Points +1]

He decisively chose option three, which best suited his mood. Jiang Beiran tapped Fang Qiuyue's Straw Hat and said, "Only idiots and fools would believe such a story. Which one are you?"

[Option mission completed. Reward: Calligraphy +1]

"I..." Fang Qiuyue wiped her tears and thought for a moment before replying, "Is there a difference between those two choices?"

"Yes. 'Fool' sounds a little nicer."

"You! Hmph!" Fang Qiuyue turned her head away. The sorrow that had just welled up within her vanished by more than half.

At this moment, the Youth Leader shouted indignantly, "I wasn't lying! I was forced onto this path. If I had another chance, I would definitely be a good person."

"Mm, you can tell them those words," Jiang Beiran said, pointing behind him.

Following Jiang Beiran's gaze, the Youth Leader looked back and saw a group of constables running towards them.

"Sigh, I'll give you one piece of advice before I go. The Shura Chamber is not to be trifled with."

"Oh." Jiang Beiran nodded at him.

"Hahaha, I really can't figure you out, but you're surprisingly not that annoying. Wang Lao Wu of the Returning Heart Sect, we'll meet again!"

As soon as the Youth Leader finished speaking, dozens of constables arrived before him.

"Head Constable Lin, it's these thieves," Liu Zijin said, pointing at a group of tied-up thieves on the ground.

The young man in white cloth first cupped his hands towards Liu Zijin. Then, he turned and took out the bronze waist token representing his constable identity, showing it to everyone. Finally, he took out a warrant and waved it in front of the Youth Leader, saying, "See clearly? We're here under orders to arrest people. Take them all away!"

"Yes!"

With the formalities concluded, the constables stepped forward, grabbing one thief each and dragging them away.

After counting the children present, Head Constable Lin cupped his hands towards Liu Zijin again. "The Returning Heart Sect truly lives up to its reputation. We've been looking for this group of thieves for a long time but haven't gotten any leads. Now, we've finally brought them to justice. This is all thanks to Miss Liu."

"Head Constable Lin flatters me. You should thank... " Liu Zijin said, then turned to look back, only to find her Senior Brother had disappeared.

Seeing the confused look in Liu Zijin's eyes, Fang Qiuyue realized something was wrong.

Huh? Where's my senior brother? He was just standing here.

Realizing her senior brother didn't want to show himself, Liu Zijin changed her words: "My junior sisters, they were the main contributors in capturing these thieves."

"Hahaha, thank you all, thank you all. But we need to hurry back to report, or Master will say we were negligent in our duties again."

Responding with "Okay," the Five Junior Sisters followed Head Constable Lin, escorting the thieves towards Zebei Town.

Everything that followed was logical. They arrived at the yamen, completed the statements, and collected the reward money. Liu Zijin and her group had, in this way, added another tile to the Returning Heart Sect's reputation in the area.

After all the thieves were locked up, Head Constable Lin jogged over to Liu Zijin and said, "You have all rid Gather Wealth Village of a great menace and lightened our burden. To show our gratitude, we've prepared a banquet for you Returning Heart Sect heroines at the Green Peak Inn. We hope you'll grace us with your presence."

Just as Liu Zijin was about to agree, Fang Qiuyue stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "We sincerely apologize, Head Constable Lin. When we left the sect, we were given a time limit. Now, only half a day remains of that allotted time, so we cannot accept your invitation. Perhaps we will meet again in the future."

With that, she directly pulled Liu Zijin away from the yamen entrance.

Head Constable Lin could only watch helplessly as the five Returning Heart Sect female cultivators vanished before his eyes, without even a chance to stop them.

"Hey!? Why did they leave?" A constable behind Head Constable Lin chimed in.

"Yeah, they left too fast. I didn't even get a good look at their faces."

"Exactly, what a shame. Even though they covered half their faces, just their eyes... tsk tsk. I'd bet a month's worth of drinks that Qin Wanwan from Heaven Rain Pavilion doesn't have eyes as bright as theirs."

"Yeah, and their figures... truly..."

"Enough!" Head Constable Lin shouted then. "You all sound like hooligans. Don't you think you'll scare people away? All of you, go run laps in the backyard!"

"Yes..." The constables immediately responded.

After the constables lined up and returned to the yamen, Head Constable Lin sighed regretfully. The first time he saw Liu Zijin yesterday, he was stunned by her beauty. Based on the small part of her face he could see, he was certain she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

Later, while on duty, he had tried his best to present himself in the best possible light, hoping to leave a good impression on her. Unfortunately... just as he was about to make his move, she had already run off.

"Sigh..." He sighed again and walked back into the yamen, thinking he could only hope to see Miss Liu again in his dreams.

At this moment, Liu Zijin had already been pulled by Fang Qiuyue for two blocks. With a face full of confusion, she asked, "Qiuyue, why are you in such a hurry? I wanted to ask Head Constable Lin more about how they usually handle their duties, so it would be easier for us to deal with similar situations in the future."

"Sister Zi Jin, please don't blame me. It was Senior Brother who told me to do this."

"Jiang Shixiong?" Liu Zijin asked, confused. "Has he returned?"

"I've been behind you all along." Jiang Beiran's voice suddenly rang out, startling Liu Zijin.

"I'll teach you another lesson. Besides the case itself, don't get too entangled with the constables. They aren't much better than those thieves."

"Huh?" Liu Zijin was stunned. In her impression, constables were noble beings who helped the weak and protected the commoners. How could they be the same as thieves?

Seeing the five astonished young faces, Jiang Beiran continued, "You'll understand more as time goes on. In short, just listen to me."

"Yes..." The Five Junior Sisters nodded in unison. Although they still didn't understand how constables could be like thieves, they chose to believe their senior brother.

Leaving the small town, Jiang Beiran spread out a map and looked at it. "We won't be staying at an inn today. We'll camp outside. This will also be a form of training for you."

"Yes." The Five Junior Sisters had no objections.