Chapter 129: Chapter 129: South City Prison
After leaving Mu Wanjun, Chen Ping’an wasted no time and prepared to head directly to the South City Prison to assume his post.
At his level, assuming a new post wasn’t something you did alone.
Liu Jinzhu of the Dispatch Room had already made the arrangements.
He would be accompanied by the Deputy Supervisor of the Dispatch Room and two constables to go and take up his new position.
"Lord Chen, you truly are young and accomplished. For our South Town Garrison Command to have a young talent such as yourself is a great fortune indeed."
The Deputy Supervisor of the Dispatch Room was a stout man named Pang Miao.
"It is all thanks to my lords’ excellent guidance."
Chen Ping’an smiled and gestured with his hand.
Having been around the Garrison Commandant’s Office for so long, he could say such things without a shred of hesitation.
After leaving the Dispatch Room, but before he had stepped out of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Chen Ping’an saw a strikingly handsome young man walking in from outside, surrounded by a retinue.
Chen Ping’an recognized him at a glance.
The Vice Chief of the Patrol, Fu Yuanming!
Thanks to Mu Wanjun’s briefing, he naturally understood the current state of affairs in the South Town Garrison Command.
Fu Yuanming and Mu Wanjun didn’t get along to begin with, and with this business concerning the South City Prison, it was even worse. In Fu Yuanming’s eyes, he was probably seen as Mu Wanjun’s die-hard crony.
He likely wouldn’t be received warmly.
Seeing Fu Yuanming approach, Pang Miao was the first to halt his steps.
"Lord Fu."
"Mm."
Fu Yuanming nodded, then looked up at Chen Ping’an.
"Pang Miao, and this is?"
"Replying to Lord Fu, this is the newly appointed Prison Chief of the South City Prison, Chen Ping’an."
Pang Miao said with a smile.
"Ah, Chen Ping’an!" Fu Yuanming said with a smile, his gaze falling upon Chen Ping’an. "I’ve long heard of you, but I never expected you to be so young. Truly an accomplished young man."
"Lord Fu, you flatter me."
Chen Ping’an gave a slight bow with his hands clasped.
’I’d expected Fu Yuanming to offer some provocation or a display of dominance.’ Instead, Fu Yuanming simply sized him up and said, "Not bad. The South City Prison is a great responsibility. Work hard, and don’t be careless."
"Thank you for your guidance, my lord."
"Mm."
Fu Yuanming gave a slight nod and walked past Chen Ping’an.
Chen Ping’an remained standing there, pausing for a moment.
’My appointment snatched a prize Fu Yuanming was sure he had secured, yet he can face me with such composure.’
’Whether he was faking it or not, this point alone proved his Qi Cultivation Skill was masterful.’
’As expected. The higher you climb, the less simple the people at the top become.’
"Lord Chen." Pang Miao smiled and gestured for him to come.
"Yes, let’s go." Chen Ping’an snapped out of his daze and walked through the main gate of the South Town Garrison Command with Pang Miao.
...
Chen Ping’an was actually somewhat familiar with the South City Prison.
After the secret stronghold of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect was wiped out, a large group of people had been arrested at the Spring Rain Tower. Chen Ping’an himself had been the one to escort some of them here.
The South City Prison had three levels in total: one above ground and two below. Security was extremely tight.
The South City Prison was a fair distance from the South Town Garrison Command, but they were all swift on their feet. In about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the prison.
The architecture of the South City Prison was coarse, its overall tone a drab gray-black. Above the entrance, the words "South City Prison" were inscribed in large, powerful characters that resembled iron hooks.
Chen Ping’an and Pang Miao stood before the South City Prison, two constables from the South Town Garrison Command waiting behind them.
Several gatekeepers stood at the entrance to the South City Prison. They wore the Black Clothing of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, though with slight, subtle differences. One of the older gatekeepers saw the group and hurried out.
"My lords, may I ask your business here?"
As it was his first day reporting for duty, Chen Ping’an was only in plainclothes. However, with Pang Miao and the constables present, the gatekeeper couldn’t be sure of their status and so his attitude was extremely courteous.
"Lord Chen is here today to assume his post. Hurry up and call everyone out to welcome him."
One of the constables behind them stepped forward and spoke to the gatekeeper.
"Lord Chen? Assuming his post?"
The gatekeeper looked utterly confused.
Seeing the gatekeeper’s reaction, Pang Miao’s face fell.
’What is that Zhu Qirong playing at! Lord Chen is assuming his post today—how could he not have notified anyone of something so important?’
Logically speaking, since Chen Ping’an was the new head of the South City Prison, the core staff should have been waiting at the gate long ago to welcome his arrival on the day he was to assume his post.
Even if they weren’t to be so courteous as to wait at the gate, everyone should have been thoroughly briefed and ready to rush out and greet him the moment he arrived.
But now...
’What the hell was Zhu Qirong thinking!’
Pang Miao didn’t want to get involved in their power struggle, but what Zhu Qirong had done was truly excessive—it was far too blatant.
Looking at the barely-closed gates of the South City Prison, Chen Ping’an narrowed his eyes.
’Interesting!’
’Trying to put me in my place?’
’Since when does a subordinate get to put their superior in their place? It’s always been the other way around.’
’This is a case of Reversed Celestial Spirit!’
Pang Miao glanced at Chen Ping’an, but seeing his calm expression, he couldn’t quite figure out what the man was thinking.
Still, to be given the cold shoulder on his very first day was unacceptable by any standard.
On a larger scale, this would be a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the Dispatch Room.
"This is Lord Pang from the Dispatch Room of the South Town Garrison Command! Open the gates and let their lordships in!"
one of the constables shouted.
Pang Miao paid their reactions no mind and walked straight past the gatekeepers toward the entrance.
The men at the gate were momentarily at a loss, but seeing Pang Miao’s imposing manner, not to mention the two genuine constables from the South Town Garrison Command behind him, they didn’t dare to stand in his way.
Chen Ping’an glanced at the men before following Pang Miao into the South City Prison.
The interior of the South City Prison was, unlike most places, perpetually gloomy, cold, and damp. After walking inside, they saw not a single Prison Guard. Spotting a small room not far off, the two of them headed inside.
"Lord Chen, please wait here for a moment. I’m going to find out what in the world Zhu Qirong is playing at!"
Pang Miao said, trying to placate Chen Ping’an.
Anyone would be upset to be given the cold shoulder on their first day.
"It’s fine."
Chen Ping’an replied coolly, his expression unreadable.
Pang Miao gave Chen Ping’an another look, then left the room.
Regardless, today was Chen Ping’an’s first day on the job; certain decorum had to be maintained.
...
In a room on the first sublevel of the South City Prison.
The room was raucous. Two tables were set up, and a crowd of people was gathered around them, shouting excitedly.
On one of the tables, a man rapidly shook a wooden cup before slamming it down and lifting the lid.
"Two-four-six... Big!"
"ARGH, what rotten luck!"
"What a terrible roll!"
"..."
A chorus of groans filled the room.
The men in the room were caught up in their game when a knock came at the door.
"My lords! There are some uninvited guests outside. They look like officials from the South Town Garrison Command, judging by their clothes. They said something about a Lord Chen assuming his post today and for everyone to get out there and greet him, quickly."
The voice from outside wasn’t quiet, but between the door and the noise in the room, the men inside didn’t hear clearly at first.
"What Lord Chen!?"
CREAK. Someone opened the door.
"What was that? Say it again."
"My lords, a few men are here from outside. One is... some Lord Pang. He says today is the day the Prison Chief, Lord Chen, assumes his post, and he told us to hurry out and greet him!"
"What? How can it be today? I thought we were told it would be a few more days!"
"Quick, quick, quick! Pack it all up and get out there to welcome Lord Chen!"
"We’re so screwed! Screwed! Why did the date get moved up?!"
one of the Squad Leaders said in a panic.
The news they’d received clearly stated he wouldn’t be here for several more days. How could he be assuming his post today?
The men in the room scrambled out in a hurry.
From another room at the end of the hall, a powerfully built man with a ferocious-looking face emerged.
’Everyone just... accidentally got the date wrong. It wasn’t on purpose, of course. Let’s see how you clean up this mess.’
A smirk touched the corner of Zhu Qirong’s mouth as he began to walk out, taking his time.
’If he makes a big deal out of this, he’ll be setting himself against everyone on his very first day. But if he just swallows his pride and accepts it, how will this Lord Chen be able to command any authority later on?’
’He’s young and hasn’t built up any authority yet. After an incident like this, how many people will genuinely respect him?’
’Either way, this Lord Chen is bound to take a loss today.’
