Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Announcement
After Chen Ping’an and Tan Huacong returned to the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Tan Huacong began recording the relevant details right in front of him. Once Tan Huacong was finished, Chen Ping’an looked it over carefully to confirm there were no errors or omissions.
"The details of the matter have all been recorded. Once the Constable arrives, the body will be immediately confirmed and sealed. It’s late, Chen Ping’an, you should head home for now." Tan Huacong put the record sheet away in a drawer and showed Chen Ping’an out.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Tan." Chen Ping’an nodded his thanks and turned to leave. But he suddenly thought of something and turned back to Tan Huacong. "Mr. Tan, would it be convenient for you to provide some kind of proof?"
"What? The case details have all been recorded. Are you afraid I’ll screw you over?"
Tan Huacong’s face showed his displeasure.
"No, no, of course not. It’s just... I’m a little uneasy, and I’d like something to put my mind at ease," Chen Ping’an said with a thick-skinned smile.
’Although it’s pretty much a sure thing, I want a little more insurance. Getting some kind of proof will help me rest easier.’
Chen Ping’an looked at Tan Huacong with a smile on his face.
Tan Huacong looked up and stared at Chen Ping’an for a moment.
The room fell silent.
This was an invisible contest, even though the two were not equals in terms of status.
"Take it." Tan Huacong pulled a black Token of Trust from his drawer. It wasn’t large, only about as thick as a finger.
"It has special markings that are very difficult to forge. We usually use it as proof that a matter has been officially accepted. With this, you can rest easy."
"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Tan." Chen Ping’an took the black Token of Trust and thanked him profusely.
Tan Huacong ignored him.
After thanking him a few more times, Chen Ping’an left the Task Room. As he reached the entrance to the Garrison Commandant’s Office, he saw that the two constables were still there.
"Is everything sorted out?"
A constable called out to Chen Ping’an. They had seen him leave with Mr. Tan earlier.
"Yes, more or less," Chen Ping’an nodded.
Leaving the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, Chen Ping’an felt a sense of exhilaration.
’An official constable...’
’I can’t believe a stroke of luck tonight led to such a huge opportunity.’
’Of course, I only got this opportunity because I was strong enough. Anyone else in the same situation would have followed him only to be beaten to death by Hairy Fish’s fists.’
’Hairy Fish’s injuries were nowhere near as severe as I made them out to be. Though not at the level of a proper Qi Blood Second Layer, he definitely still had the full power of a Qi Blood First Level Perfection cultivator.’
Chen Ping’an’s chest was still throbbing with a burning pain.
By the time he got home, it was well into the latter half of the night. Chen Erya was still fast asleep. You had to hand it to the little girl, she was a heavy sleeper. With no worries on her mind, she slept very soundly.
Chen Ping’an quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes. Just before falling asleep, he was still thinking about the matter of becoming an official constable.
’Tomorrow. Tomorrow, this will all be settled!’
...
「Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.」
After Chen Ping’an had gone, Zheng Shiyong walked into Tan Huacong’s Task Room. Zheng Shiyong remained inside for a good while, then came out looking thrilled and made his way toward the Head of the Office. Upon reaching the Head of the Office, he didn’t stop but continued toward the rear. There, in the back of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, was a Cultivation Room.
Normally, only the Lord Chief and the Vice Chief were allowed to use it.
And tonight, Constable Zheng was in there!
That’s right. He had just deceived Chen Ping’an. He never imagined that a casual lie would, by a strange twist of fate, yield such a massive reward.
He knocked on the door of the Meditation Room.
"Uncle, it’s me, Shi Yong," Zheng Shiyong said softly, still knocking.
"Come in."
The voice of Constable Zheng came from within.
Hearing this, Zheng Shiyong pushed the door open and walked inside.
...
Early the next morning, Chen Ping’an practiced his Iron Cloth Shirt three times in a row. He had barely slept a wink that night. However, as someone who had embarked on Martial Dao Cultivation, his abundant Qi Blood left him feeling vigorous and full of energy. In his current condition, losing a night or two of sleep was of little consequence, as long as it didn’t become a habit.
Name: Chen Ping’an
Realm: Qi Blood Second Layer
Martial Arts: Great Success in Iron Cloth Shirt (16/100)
...
Looking at the newly increased Experience Points on the panel, Chen Ping’an felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
After wiping himself down, he heard Chen Erya call out her goodbyes as he headed straight for the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.
"Ping’an, you’re here!" Monkey Head called out in greeting.
"Monkey Head," Chen Ping’an responded with a smile, then turned to greet Da Shan beside him. "Da Shan."
"Ping’an," Da Shan greeted with a smile.
Chen Ping’an glanced around and noticed that Zheng Shiyong had also arrived early. He was surrounded by a circle of constables, looking like the man of the hour.
"Ping’an, you look like you’re in a great mood today." Monkey Head’s sharp eyes didn’t miss Chen Ping’an’s cheerful disposition.
"That’s right. Something good happened last night."
"Something good? What was it?" Monkey Head asked curiously.
"Monkey Head, Da Shan, last night, I was sleeping at home when, you wouldn’t believe it..."
Just as Chen Ping’an began to speak,
a figure entered the Garrison Commandant’s Office.
"It’s Constable Zheng."
The surrounding chatter immediately died down.
Chen Ping’an stopped what he was about to say.
Constable Zheng walked straight up to the high platform and sat down firmly in the large chair.
"Why is Constable Zheng here so early today?" Monkey Head whispered.
Chen Ping’an shook his head.
’Could this have something to do with last night?’ he secretly wondered.
Constable Zheng’s arrival plunged the Garrison Commandant’s Office into silence. Of the five Constables at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, his authority was the most absolute.
The constables who arrived late felt a shiver the moment they entered the main gate and saw Constable Zheng on the high platform. They hastily found their places and stood at attention.
After a good while, two more Constables entered through the doors: Constable Yan and Constable Huang.
Seeing that all the constables had arrived, Constable Zheng stood up from his large chair and walked to the front.
"My fellow constables, an incident occurred last night. The Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish, has been brought to justice!"
Constable Zheng’s opening sentence immediately set the crowd abuzz.
"Hairy Fish died last night?"
"Brought to justice? Who killed him?"
"How was it so fast?"
"Did one of the Constables make a move?"
"..."
The constables below broke into excited discussion.
"Ping’an, Da Shan. The official constable spot... the official constable spot is gone!"
Hearing the news, Monkey Head looked devastated. He beat his chest in despair, feeling like he’d just missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Monkey Head." Just as Chen Ping’an was about to offer a few words of comfort, Constable Zheng’s voice rang out from the high platform again.
"Quiet!"
At his word, the constables below fell silent.
"The successful capture of the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish, was thanks to the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s temporary constable, Chen Ping’an..."
Chen Ping’an’s eyes lit up.
’Here it comes!’
’He’s about to announce it!’
"...who provided a valuable clue. Official constable Tan Huacong and temporary constable Zheng Shiyong used that clue to successfully track down the Cyan Fish Gang remnant, Hairy Fish. They joined forces to kill him. Crucially, it was temporary constable Zheng Shiyong who delivered the final blow, killing Hairy Fish on the spot, and therefore he receives the greatest share of the merit."
