Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Making Amends...
"What? You don’t recognize me anymore?"
Seeing their slightly reserved expressions, Chen Ping’an said with a half-joking smile.
"No, of course we recognize Chen Constable." Mr. Qin cupped his fist, his face full of respect.
He was the most senior, but also the most afraid of taking responsibility. If he could avoid trouble, he would. His greatest wish was to retire peacefully.
"Chen Constable, you’ve been promoted now. We may be familiar with each other here in the Garrison Commandant’s Office, but business is business."
Monkey Head had a cheeky grin on his face.
Among the group, his expression was the most relaxed.
"Monkey Head is right," Da Shan nodded.
"From now on, Chen Constable is our boss. If we don’t show proper reverence, the other constables will see it and say we have no respect for our superiors," Zeng Jihe said seriously.
"Mm." Chen Ping’an nodded, not dwelling on the matter. "Mr. Qin, Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Xiaozeng, you are the people I know best and trust most in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. Now that your transfers are complete, you will be assigned under my command. I hope we can all work together to handle things well in the days to come."
"Yes, Chief."
"We await Chen Constable’s orders."
"Understood!"
"..."
Aside from Mr. Qin, the others were overjoyed. Chen Ping’an’s words meant he considered them his trusted confidants. The road ahead would be smooth sailing now!
It could be said that from this moment on, they had essentially bet their futures on Chen Ping’an. From now on, they would prosper or fall together.
If Chen Ping’an truly did achieve a meteoric rise one day, they might even be able to snag a position as an official constable.
Seeing their reactions, Chen Ping’an was in a good mood.
He had just been promoted to Preparatory Constable and needed some trusted men to handle things. Monkey Head, Da Shan, and the others were people he knew through and through. He could rest easy with them on the job. If an opportunity arose in the future, he would naturally plan for their careers.
Chen Ping’an exchanged a few more words with Monkey Head and the others, offering some simple advice before taking his leave.
Not far away, some constables were eyeing Monkey Head and his group, their faces full of envy. To win the favor of a Constable was the dream of countless temporary constables.
Noticing the gazes of the surrounding constables, Monkey Head and the others felt their backs straighten. They left the gate of the Garrison Commandant’s Office with their heads held high and chests puffed out.
...
"What? Chen Ping’an was promoted to Preparatory Constable!? When did this happen?"
Inside a stronghold in Tiger Run Lane, Young Master Xiao Hu’s eyes went wide as he shot up, slamming his hand on the table in shock.
"Reporting to Young Master Xiao Hu, the news reached my ears just a short while ago. But the promotion itself should have happened yesterday," a ruffian servant from the Tiger Head Gang said respectfully from below. His eyes were also filled with utter shock.
"Promoted to Preparatory Constable? Why so sudden? Have you found out the reason yet?!"
Not long ago, the news that Chen Ping’an had become an official constable had already surprised him for quite some time. But now, only a few days had passed. ’How was he already a Preparatory Constable?’
"Reporting to Young Master Xiao Hu, the brothers are still looking into the specifics. But according to the latest news, it seems the matter was announced personally by Lord Shen of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. There’s also speculation that it might have something to do with the South Town Garrison Command."
Hearing this, Young Master Xiao Hu’s expression became a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
’Announced by Lord Shen personally? A connection to the South Town Garrison Command?’
Young Master Xiao Hu paced around the room, then suddenly shuddered as if struck by a realization. He spun around and said, "Quickly, prepare a generous gift. Tonight, we will pay a visit to apologize."
...
It wasn’t just Young Master Xiao Hu. After fermenting for more than a day, the news of Chen Ping’an’s promotion to Preparatory Constable quickly reached the leaders of the various gangs and factions in Nanquan Lane, such as the Iron Bull Gang, the Wild Wolf Gang, the Flying Sand Gang...
The Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office hadn’t specifically appointed a Preparatory Constable in ages! Though it was called a "Preparatory Constable," anyone with eyes could see what it really meant. He was a full-fledged Constable!
It was just that his seniority was still lacking, so the "Preparatory" title was a transitional step.
To the many gangs and factions of Nanquan Lane, Chen Ping’an was now completely on the level of a Constable. How many Constables were there in the entire Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, after all?
Every Constable held considerable power. Accidentally offending one would lead to very troublesome consequences. What’s more, according to the rumors, this Chen Ping’an seemed to have some connections in the South Town Garrison Command. This made the various factions even more cautious and careful in how they treated him.
Almost simultaneously, Chen Ping’an’s name was added to the list of people the various gangs could not afford to offend.
Chen Ping’an was completely unaware of the commotion outside. But even if he had known, he would have just laughed it off. ’Power and influence are superficial; true strength is the only real foundation.’
In the afternoon, his Inspector’s Cloak, which had been rushed overnight, was ready. Although he was a Preparatory Constable, he was still entitled to an Inspector’s Cloak. The cloak came in two different styles: one with a cool, silky texture for the sweltering summer, and a thick, warm greatcoat for the harsh winter.
Wearing the Inspector’s Cloak represented the authority and status of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. At times, it was enough to deter petty criminals.
Walking through the streets and alleys of Nanquan Lane, anyone could tell at a glance that a Constable from the Garrison Commandant’s Office was on patrol, and no ruffian or hoodlum would dare to look for trouble at such a time.
With the Inspector’s Cloak in hand, Chen Ping’an took a moment to appreciate it. After all, when he had first joined the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, forget an Inspector’s Cloak—he had desperately longed for even the standard Constable Uniform of an official constable.
However, after admiring it for a moment, Chen Ping’an found that the Inspector’s Cloak was just so-so.
An Inspector’s Cloak?
’With his progress in the Martial Dao, perhaps in a little while, he would be wearing the Fish Scale Armor!’
The various affairs of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office were already being handled collaboratively by five Constables. As a newcomer to the position, Chen Ping’an didn’t have much to deal with. He was more than happy to have the free time.
That day, he practiced the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training twice and gained 2 points of Cultivation Experience.
’A little free time is a good thing!’
’This way, he’d have more time to practice his martial arts, and his progress in the Martial Dao could get faster and faster!’
Amid the greetings of the constables at the Garrison Commandant’s Office, Chen Ping’an finished his shift and left. He hadn’t even reached home when he saw a group of people standing far off by his courtyard gate.
As he got closer, he could clearly see the person at the head of the group.
It was Young Master Xiao Hu of the Tiger Head Gang!
’It’s about time they came. If they hadn’t, I would have gone looking for them.’
A cold smile appeared on Chen Ping’an’s face.
"Lord Chen, Lord Chen!"
Seeing Chen Ping’an return, Young Master Xiao Hu beamed, his face like a spring breeze as he hurried to greet him. The current Young Master Xiao Hu showed none of his previous chilling austerity.
