Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Promotion
"COUGH, COUGH..."
Yang Xin collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood, his face deathly pale.
"Fang Xing, it was just a spar. Was it necessary to be so heavy-handed?" Looking at Yang Xin’s condition, Yang Bo’s face couldn’t have been darker.
’This old dog is about to bite...’
Fang Xing looked at Yang Bo.
’Heavy-handed? I was the one who almost coughed up blood just now. Why didn’t you say anything then?’
"Yang, injuries are unavoidable in a spar." At this moment, Xu Zhengxiong spoke up.
Yang Bo looked at him, his gaze cold and sinister.
"We’re all on the same side, yet he struck so viciously. I don’t think he’s fit for the position of Deputy Constable," Yang Bo said coldly.
"What, is Yang trying to go back on his word?" Xu Zhengxiong said, his face cold.
"I’m merely stating a fact. His methods are too ruthless. Who knows what trouble he might cause in the future," Yang Bo said flatly.
"If a leader lacks strength, how can they intimidate evildoers? Or does Yang win people over with virtue alone?" Xu Zhengxiong said, looking at him.
"You..."
"Enough." Just then, Lin Zheng suddenly rose from the Grandmaster’s Chair.
Yang Bo had to swallow the words on the tip of his tongue.
Lin Zheng swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes landing on Fang Xing. "Since it was already agreed upon—the winner takes the position—there’s no need for further discussion."
"From now on, Fang Xing will assist in North City."
"Your Excellency is wise." Xu Zhengxiong cupped his fists.
Lin Zheng’s words were final, and Yang Bo had no choice but to accept this fact.
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Fang Xing bowed.
Lin Zheng stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder. "Not bad, young man. From now on, you must maintain order in North City."
"Yes, sir. This subordinate will not disappoint Your Excellency."
Fang Xing said with a serious expression.
Lin Zheng nodded, then turned to Xu Zhengxiong. "I’ll leave the rest to you."
"Rest assured, Your Excellency. I will guide him well," Xu Zhengxiong nodded.
Lin Zheng gave a slight smile and said no more, then left the courtyard.
Watching Lin Zheng leave, Xu Zhengxiong broke into a smile and walked over to him.
"Very good. You didn’t disappoint me."
"Thank you for your guidance, Boss," Fang Xing said politely.
At these words, the smile on Xu Zhengxiong’s face grew even wider.
But seeing this, Yang Bo’s face darkened further. He said nothing more and left the courtyard with the heavily injured Yang Xin.
"Congratulations, Old Xu, on gaining a capable general." After Yang Bo left, Chen Shan stepped forward, smiling.
"Not at all, not at all. You’re too kind," Xu Zhengxiong laughed heartily.
"Fang Chai Tou, I look forward to working with you in the future," Chen Shan said to Fang Xing with a smile.
"You’re too kind, Boss Chen." Fang Xing gave a polite smile.
"I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll be going now." Chen Shan didn’t say much more and left with Ji Bochang.
Watching the two depart, Xu Zhengxiong retracted his gaze and looked at Fang Xing. "That was a close call. The Martial Arts that fellow cultivates is of a high level. If it weren’t for your profound Martial Arts Mastery with the Grapple Hand, you might have been defeated."
Hearing this, Fang Xing nodded.
In a Grapple Hand duel, he was confident.
But this was his first time facing other Martial Arts, and he lacked experience.
Moreover, the Martial Arts Yang Xin used was clearly stronger than the Grapple Hand.
If he hadn’t relied on his own powerful Comprehension to find an opening, defeat would have been highly likely.
"Uncle Xu, what Martial Arts was Yang Xin cultivating?" Fang Xing asked him.
"Iron Stone Fist."
Xu Zhengxiong said.
"Iron Stone Fist..." Fang Xing pondered for a moment. Suddenly, he thought of something and looked at Xu Zhengxiong. He couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Xu, is this Iron Stone Fist the same Martial Arts from the Ning Family?"
"Yes." Xu Zhengxiong nodded.
Hearing this, Fang Xing’s expression turned grave.
The Ning Family’s Iron Stone Fist.
This was the Martial Arts of the Ning Family.
Although it wasn’t the Ning Family’s Ultimate Skill, this Martial Arts was still very powerful.
He didn’t know all the details, but he had heard some things about it.
The Ning Family, one of the three great families of Qingshan County!
A century-old family with a profound heritage!
They had several Neutralizing Force Martial Artists.
Even the County Magistrate had to show them deference.
As a century-old family, they were not comparable to ordinary powerful clans.
Their influence in Qingshan County was absolutely immense.
"Uncle Xu, what is the relationship between Yang Xin and the Ning Family?" Fang Xing asked.
Xu Zhengxiong looked at him, seeming to understand his concern, and said, "Don’t worry. They don’t have a strong connection to the Ning Family. It’s just that Yang Bo’s cousin is one of Old Master Ning’s concubines."
"I see..." Fang Xing nodded.
"What? Are you scared?" Xu Zhengxiong asked, looking at Fang Xing.
Fang Xing shook his head. "Not really, it just feels like it could be troublesome."
Xu Zhengxiong smiled and clapped his shoulder. "Don’t worry. The Ning Family isn’t the only great family in Qingshan County. There are two others of equal strength."
?
Hearing Xu Zhengxiong’s words, Fang Xing looked at him.
He seemed to hear a hidden meaning in those words. ’Could it be that Xu Zhengxiong is connected to one of the other two families?’
"Come on, you got promoted today. This is a happy occasion." Xu Zhengxiong clapped his shoulder, said his piece, and started walking out of the courtyard. Seeing this, Fang Xing quickly followed him and left.
...
News of the promotion spread quickly. Everyone in the North Guard Room knew that Fang Xing had taken the position of Deputy Constable.
Becoming a Martial Artist one moment and getting promoted the next—such a rapid rise was truly remarkable.
As for Fang Xing’s promotion, ninety-nine percent of the people in the North Guard Room were delighted.
After all, one of their own had been promoted, which would make getting along much more harmonious.
Having secured the position of Deputy Constable, Fang Xing also received gifts of respect from his subordinates.
They added up to a few taels of silver. Naturally, he wouldn’t refuse this gesture of goodwill.
He accepted them all.
When the workday ended at 5:00 PM, Fang Xing used the money to treat everyone to a meal at a restaurant.
It was a celebration of sorts.
Now that he held the position of Deputy Constable, he no longer had to go on patrols as he did before. Unless there were special circumstances, his subordinates could handle most situations.
Aside from this, another benefit was that he now had more time for Cultivation.
This was the main reason he had sought the promotion.
The position of Deputy Constable itself wasn’t that important to him.
But being able to secure it was, of course, a good thing.
With more time for Cultivation, he could advance even faster.
—
Full and satisfied, he left the restaurant.
After parting ways with the others, Fang Xing walked home, enjoying the night breeze.
A bright moon hung in the sky, casting its silvery light upon the earth.
After crossing a few streets, just as he was entering an alley, Fang Xing suddenly stopped in his tracks.
With his powerful Perception Power, he sensed someone was tailing him.
’Could it be Yang Bo’s men?’
The thought surfaced in his mind, but on second thought, something felt off.
The conflict had just happened today. No matter how foolish Yang Bo was, he wouldn’t arrange for an attack so soon.
Besides, the people tailing him seemed to be ordinary folk. Yang Bo knew his strength, so he certainly wouldn’t send common people after him.
’Since they’re tailing me... I might as well see what they’re up to.’
After a brief pause, Fang Xing continued walking into the dark alley.
As his figure disappeared into the dark alley, Fang Xing slowed his pace, staggering slightly as he walked.
And not long after he entered the alley, two figures clad in black emerged from the darkness.
"Follow him."
One of them spoke in a low voice and immediately followed, entering the dark alley.
The other person beside him also followed quickly, entering the dark alley and vanishing into the shadowy street.
