Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Operation
Mu Wanjun’s reply was just as Chen Ping’an had expected.
"A transfer?"
Chen Ping’an downed the tea in one gulp and set the cup on the table.
"That’s right, a transfer! The Fang Family has made its move. Without my family’s backing, we’re no match for them in a direct confrontation. As long as you’re at the South City Prison, any problem uncovered there will be tied to you, no matter what. You won’t be able to talk your way out of it!
But what if... you were transferred away?"
Mu Wanjun’s eyes twinkled, a pleased look on her face. "Once you’re transferred, you’ll be free from the pit that is the South City Prison. Even if they uncover any issues, you’ll have a solid alibi. First, you haven’t been Prison Chief for long, so it would be difficult to pin any legacy problems on you. Second, you would no longer be the South City Prison Chief, so any necessary rectifications would have nothing to do with you.
Besides, with your strength as a Martial Dao expert in the Inner Qi Realm, even if the Outer City Garrison Command decided to issue a punishment, they’d likely go easy on you!"
"That makes sense."
Chen Ping’an agreed.
"It’s a good idea, for sure."
"A transfer isn’t normally an easy thing to arrange. You generally need to meet a few conditions. First, you need to be qualified. Second, you need the right opportunity. And third, you need connections to pull the strings.
But you’ve just broken through to the Inner Qi Realm and even have a confirmed kill against another master of the same realm. So, you’ve already met the first condition! For someone who can slay an Inner Qi Realm expert to remain a mere Prison Chief at the South City Prison would be a waste of your talents!
As for the second point, a perfect opportunity has just presented itself."
"A perfect opportunity? You mean...?"
A flicker of understanding crossed Chen Ping’an’s face. Looking at Mu Wanjun’s expression, he had a good idea of what she was about to say.
Mu Wanjun nodded. "Exactly. A few days ago, the Deputy Commander of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau died under mysterious circumstances at his home. That position is now vacant."
"But... it’s been a while. Haven’t the higher-ups chosen a replacement yet?"
Some time had passed since the death of the Deputy Commander of the White Stone Town Pacification Bureau. A replacement should have been appointed by now.
"The situation in White Stone City is complicated. The qualified candidates don’t want the job, afraid they’ll end up just like their predecessor. And the ones who do want it aren’t qualified. A Deputy Commander of a town’s Garrison Command who isn’t at the Inner Qi Realm will struggle to command respect. So, the higher-ups have been debating back and forth without choosing anyone. And this, Ping’an... is your opportunity."
An expectant look on her face, Mu Wanjun stood up.
"With your current Martial Arts Realm, you are more than qualified to be a Deputy Commander of a city under this County City’s jurisdiction! Your merits and seniority may be a bit lacking, but your feat of killing an expert of the same realm speaks for itself. If you’re willing, the higher-ups will probably jump at the chance to send you! After all, that Deputy Commander post has been empty for far too long, and it’s high time the matter was settled!"
"As for the third point—pulling strings—you can rest easy. I’ve been overseeing the South Town Garrison Command for years and have built up quite a network with the higher-ups. Even without my family’s help, I’m eighty to ninety percent sure I can smooth things over with the powers that be!"
"The timing, the opportunity, the support—it’s all aligned for you! Ping’an, if you’re willing to transfer to White Stone City, this whole dilemma can be resolved in one fell swoop! But...
Ping’an, you need to think this through. From what I know, the situation in White Stone City is... complicated. It’s not as simple as it sounds! If you go,
you will likely face considerable risks."
’The idea of a transfer certainly gave him a lot to think about.’
’He wasn’t too worried about the current situation, but if the Fang Family kept targeting him so relentlessly, it would seriously disrupt his life down the road.’
’Eventually, it might even expose more of his secrets.’
’Besides, last night’s assassination attempt had truly crossed a line.’
’As far as he was concerned, Fang Rui was already a dead man!’
’But if he remained at the South City Prison, his hands would be tied to some extent. It wouldn’t be so easy to make a move and then convincingly deny involvement.’
’But if he could get transferred to White Stone City, things would be very different!’
’Also, White Stone City wasn’t like Weishui County City, which was teeming with masters. If he went to White Stone City, he would be a fish in the open sea, a bird in the boundless sky.’
’Being a Local Tyrant calling the shots would be far better than staying here.’
’Many people wanted transfers to the County City, or even higher, because they needed vast resources that could only be found in such places.’
’The higher their position, the more influential people they’d meet, and the smoother their path would become.’
’But Chen Ping’an was different. He had the Golden Finger Panel. No matter where he was, he could advance steadily, without ever facing a bottleneck.’
’For him, a transfer to White Stone City was indeed an excellent choice!’
However, Chen Ping’an was curious about the risks Mu Wanjun had mentioned.
Compared to Mu Wanjun, his position was undoubtedly lower, and he had access to far less intelligence. It was crucial, then, to get a clearer picture of the situation from her.
Mu Wanjun didn’t hide anything in response to Chen Ping’an’s confusion. "White Stone City is in a unique geographical position. Compared to other small cities, it’s extremely close to the entrance of the Long’an Trade Route. All the powers in the city, big and small, had a hand in establishing the route. The top dogs eat the meat while the others drink the soup, but everyone has a share of the profits.
The White Stone Town Pacification Bureau’s role in the city is to represent Weishui County City and keep the peace, but ultimately, it represents Weishui County City’s interests. There’s only so much profit to go around; if our side takes more, their side gets less. So, to some of the local powers, the Pacification Bureau is just an obstacle in their path to wealth. And where there’s profit, there’s conflict! Add the Ten Thousand Demons Sect stirring up trouble in the shadows, and you can see that place is anything but peaceful. In the years since the Long’an Trade Route opened, it hasn’t been just one or two Commanders-in-Chief and Deputy Commanders who have died there!"
Mu Wanjun explained everything clearly, taking care to detail the key points for Chen Ping’an.
By the time she finished, Chen Ping’an had a much clearer understanding of White Stone City.
"I’m willing to take the transfer to White Stone City. I’ll be counting on you, Wan Jun!"
Chen Ping’an stood and bowed to Mu Wanjun with his hands clasped.
"Ping’an, we’re friends who’ve faced life and death together; there’s no need for such formalities! Besides, this whole thing started because of my Mu Family, so it’s my responsibility to handle it."
Mu Wanjun helped Chen Ping’an up, her expression grave.
Chen Ping’an looked at Mu Wanjun and said nothing more, but he committed this moment to memory.
’The Deputy Commander of White Stone City... a position of high rank and immense power!’
’Despite all the unfavorable factors, successfully arranging this transfer wouldn’t be nearly as easy as Mu Wanjun made it sound.’
’The social capital she would have to expend was beyond what any outsider could imagine.’
’He, Chen Ping’an, would not forget the favor Mu Wanjun was doing for him!’
