Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Interview
Candidate for Chief Constable!
A position that superseded the heads of the nine Task Rooms and the three special agencies!
Although it was only a candidacy, the rank itself was a genuine Chief Duty Officer Level!
In the entire South Town Garrison Command, only the two Stewards who served in advisory roles held such a rank.
An individual of this standing was a true big shot in the entire South District. Even in all of Weishui Outer City, they would be considered a notable figure.
And a position of this rank had just fallen into his lap like that?
After a moment’s consideration, Chen Ping’an still found this sudden appointment somewhat surprising.
Things had been far from quiet in the South Town Garrison Command lately.
The turmoil caused by the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had resulted in numerous casualties. The South Town Garrison Command was no exception—even the Vice Chief of the Patrol, Fu Yuanming, had been killed.
With the deaths of many constables and squad leaders in the South Town Garrison Command, a significant power vacuum had naturally formed. And where there was a vacuum, there were always people with bloodshot eyes, scrambling to climb higher.
Everyone wanted to advance!
But positions were limited. ’If you get promoted, what about me?’
Now, a large number of vacancies had finally opened up. Who could remain indifferent to such a temptation? Even if you could, would the people backing you think the same?
Would the people under you think the same? They were all looking up to you with eager eyes!
In this process, a struggle was naturally unavoidable.
It wasn’t just people from the South Town Garrison Command eyeing these positions, but also those from other districts, and even from the Outer City Garrison Command.
The undercurrents were surging, and a storm was brewing.
Chen Ping’an had little interest in getting involved in such matters. He knew very well what his true foundation was.
But he never expected such a huge slice of the proverbial cake to be so blatantly delivered right to him.
In fact, considering the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s recent rampage, the fall of the South City Prison, and Wu Haihua’s escape, he, as the prison’s commander, couldn’t necessarily escape responsibility.
He might not be punished, but if the matter were investigated thoroughly, a few words of reprimand would have been perfectly normal.
He never imagined he would get a promotion instead!
Chen Ping’an thought it over and over. The only reason he could have been promoted was likely due to Mu Wanjun’s influence.
However, while Mu Wanjun was the esteemed Chief of the Patrol Office for the South Town Garrison Command, did she really wield that much power?
A Candidate for Chief Constable had their records entered into the Outer City Garrison Command’s registry. You had to pull strings over there to make it happen.
Chen Ping’an put away the appointment notice and, filled with questions, immediately headed for the South Town Garrison Command.
He planned to find Mu Wanjun and get some information.
More than ten days later, Chen Ping’an saw Mu Wanjun again at the South Town Garrison Command.
Compared to before, Mu Wanjun’s complexion was undoubtedly much better. It was clear she had received meticulous care and proper medical treatment.
As a daughter of the main branch of the Inner City’s Mu Family, the resources she could command were beyond what an ordinary person could imagine.
"Lady Mu, you are looking much better. I trust you have fully recovered."
Upon seeing Mu Wanjun, Chen Ping’an opened with a smile and a pleasantry.
A smile bloomed on Mu Wanjun’s face. "Ping’an, you’re here."
Having gone through a life-and-death struggle together, her attitude toward Chen Ping’an was far different from before.
Before, she had relied on him as a trusted subordinate, but now she treated him more like an equal.
Of course, besides the bond forged by surviving a life-or-death situation, his demonstrated talent was also an inseparable factor.
Chen Ping’an exchanged a few more pleasantries before finally asking about the reason for his promotion.
Mu Wanjun didn’t hide anything and explained it all.
Chen Ping’an had guessed correctly. The reason he was promoted without having to fight or vie for the position was indeed because Mu Wanjun had pulled strings for him behind the scenes.
However, the strings she pulled weren’t with the Outer City Garrison Command, but with the Mu Family.
As a Top-Level Noble Family in Weishui Inner City, the resources and influence the Mu Family could mobilize were on a completely different level from what Mu Wanjun could manage alone.
Even a slight exertion of their power was enough to elevate Chen Ping’an to the position of Candidate for Chief Constable.
As he listened to Mu Wanjun’s explanation, Chen Ping’an pondered.
’Is the Mu Family placing a bet?’
’Are they valuing my martial talent? Or is it simply because I unintentionally saved Mu Wanjun’s life?’
’Or is it a combination of both?’
Seeing Chen Ping’an’s silence, Mu Wanjun thought he was having second thoughts and said with a smile, "Ping’an, everyone is scrambling for positions in this round of appointments, and roles with real power are limited. Although you’ve been promoted, I’m afraid you’ll have to be patient for a while and temporarily remain in charge of the South City Prison. We can slowly plan for a new post later on."
Hearing this, Chen Ping’an was taken aback.
’She thinks that’s what I’m worried about?’
’As long as my Martial Arts Realm continues to advance, what position will be beyond my reach in the future? I couldn’t care less about some so-called position of "real power" right now!’
However, Chen Ping’an didn’t explain himself.
The two chatted for a bit longer before Mu Wanjun casually remarked, "Oh, by the way, Ping’an, you’ve reached the age of maturity and your career is advancing. It’s about time you considered starting a family. How about I find a suitable match for you within the Mu Family?"
’Why is this coming up now?’
’It seems I’ve officially entered the Mu Family’s sights.’
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Lady Mu, but my ambition lies in the Martial Dao. I have no thoughts of starting a family for now."
Chen Ping’an rejected Mu Wanjun’s proposal with a faint smile.
His progress in the Martial Dao was advancing by leaps and bounds; he truly had no plans to marry. Even if he were to start a family one day, the only one who could catch his eye would have to be a true heaven’s favored daughter.
Seeing Chen Ping’an’s refusal, Mu Wanjun thought he had misunderstood and hurriedly said, "Ping’an, this is a proper marriage proposal, not some arrangement for you to marry into our family! Given your current status, and with me helping to select candidates, you’re certain to find a woman you’ll be fond of."
In fact, after Chen Ping’an demonstrated his Qi Blood Six Layers Perfection Martial Arts Realm and a Superior Lightweight Skill at the Great Success level, some of the Mu Clan Elders had started to soften their stance.
Although they still wouldn’t go so far as to marry a daughter from the main branch to him, finding an exceptionally outstanding daughter from a side branch posed no problem at all.
There were, however, vast differences between one side-branch daughter and another.
The Mu Family had actually already made a preliminary selection of candidates for Chen Ping’an. Mu Wanjun had reviewed the list, vetoed some, and the remaining few, though daughters of side branches, were all backed by elders with real power.
Of course, the matter still required consulting the elders of each respective branch. It couldn’t be settled so quickly in a single step.
After all, given Chen Ping’an’s status and circumstances, it wasn’t yet at the point where the Mu Clan Elders would forcefully assign him a marriage partner; they still had to consider the feelings of the individuals involved to some extent.
Once the marriage alliance was confirmed, the Mu Family would place an even heavier bet on him. After he broke through to the Inner Qi Realm, they would find a way to boost him up another level.
Naturally, Mu Wanjun didn’t say any of this to Chen Ping’an explicitly. She assumed he understood.
Chen Ping’an still refused with a smile. "I appreciate your kind intentions, Lady Mu. But right now, I truly have no such thoughts."
Mu Wanjun hadn’t expected Chen Ping’an to refuse repeatedly. She gave him a look and decided to take a step back to advance later. "Ping’an, you don’t have to make a decision so hastily. Why not wait until you’ve met them to see if there’s a good match!"
Chen Ping’an just smiled and said nothing.
