Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Ascension
"Fang Xing, congratulations in advance!"
Having learned some news from Fang Xing in advance—that his own position was secure and Fang Xing was getting promoted—Xu Zhengxiong was undoubtedly the happiest of the four.
Hearing Xu Zhengxiong’s congratulations, Fang Xing smiled faintly. "It’s still too early to say. Nothing has been officially decided yet."
"Brother Fang, don’t be so modest. I’ve heard some things, you know," Chen Shan said with a broad smile.
"That’s right, Brother Fang is truly remarkable. To have such strength at your age... You’ll have to look after us in the future," Li Qing, the Constable from West City, added with a laugh.
"You two flatter me. The outcome is not yet certain. Let’s wait until the lord arrives and makes the announcement."
Fang Xing gave a faint smile.
Hearing this, the men chuckled but didn’t say anything more.
They understood his meaning.
Though the specifics were unclear, Fang Xing’s promotion was already a fact.
That much was beyond doubt!
Building a good relationship with him in advance was naturally a smart move.
Besides, Fang Xing’s strength was plain to see. His Dark Force Cultivation placed him a level above them.
Moreover, they knew a few things about the situation at Lingyuan Temple.
Even a Cult Leader from the Fire Worship Sect had fallen at his hands.
It was true that Shen Ye had been heavily wounded, but to be able to finish off a critically injured Neutralizing Force Martial Artist... that kind of power was beyond what an ordinary Dark Force practitioner could achieve.
"Fang Xing, we should cooperate in the future if the opportunity arises," Yang Bo said suddenly, forcing a smile.
"Mm."
Fang Xing gave a slight nod, his expression indifferent. A muscle in Yang Bo’s jaw twitched, but he said no more and turned away.
Seeing this, Chen Shan and Li Qing weren’t surprised.
After all, Yang Bo had previously tried to block Fang Xing from going on a mission.
Though he didn’t succeed, the bad blood was already there.
Besides, Fang Xing was considered one of Xu Zhengxiong’s men, and they had clashed in the past.
Chen Shan also clearly remembered that Yang Bo’s nephew had been trying to become the Deputy Constable of North City. If not for Fang Xing’s appearance, that position would have likely fallen into the hands of one of Yang Bo’s people.
’Old Yang has some terrible luck... running into a genius like Fang Xing. A pity. I’m afraid there will be no shortage of friction between them from now on,’ Chen Shan sighed internally.
The world is unpredictable!
He never imagined that Fang Xing, who back then had merely been qualified to become a Deputy Constable, would have grown to such a degree.
Not only did he have Dark Force Cultivation, but he had also caught the eye of the lord from the Observatory.
From now on, as long as he maintained this momentum, a meteoric rise wasn’t out of the question.
...
"Brother Fang, could I discuss something with you?" Chen Shan pushed aside his complex thoughts, looked at Fang Xing, and asked in a low voice.
Fang Xing looked at him. He held no ill will toward Chen Shan.
After all, he had a good relationship with Xu Zhengxiong.
Although they hadn’t interacted much, his overall impression of the man was quite good.
"What is it, Boss Chen?"
Fang Xing looked at him.
Chen Shan smiled and said, "Brother Fang, do you remember the man under my command who you sparred with back when you were up for the Deputy Constable position?"
Hmm?
Hearing Chen Shan’s words, Fang Xing’s eyes narrowed as a name surfaced in his mind.
Ji Bochang!
"I have some recollection. What about him?" Fang Xing nodded slightly.
"I say, Old Chen, you’re not already eyeing the Deputy Constable position, are you?"
"Fang Xing is still in his post! Do you have to be in such a hurry?" Before Chen Shan could speak, Xu Zhengxiong instantly understood what was happening and glared.
And hearing Xu Zhengxiong’s outburst, Fang Xing also understood Chen Shan’s intention.
Chen Shan chuckled. "Aren’t I just thinking of you? It seems your North Guard Room doesn’t have any other Bright Force practitioners, right? What’s wrong with me trying to secure it?"
Xu Zhengxiong was speechless.
Then, Chen Shan turned back to Fang Xing. "Brother Fang, you’re the favorite of two great lords now. If you could just put in a good word... Rest assured, you will be handsomely rewarded in the future, Brother Fang."
"We’ll talk about it later," Fang Xing said lightly.
’Once I’m the Chief Constable, I’ll be in charge of all the constables. I’ll have the authority, so it’s not impossible.’
Hearing this, Chen Shan cupped his fists. "Alright. After this is done, I will be sure to thank you properly."
"Am I just air to you?" Xu Zhengxiong huffed, glaring at Chen Shan.
"Aiya, relax, we’re all on the same side. There’ll be benefits for you too," Chen Shan said with a careless expression, patting Xu Zhengxiong on the chest and laughing heartily.
"..."
As the group was laughing and chatting, two figures appeared one after another at the entrance of the main hall.
The crowd immediately fell silent and quickly formed neat lines.
Over a hundred men stood in a neat, square formation.
County Magistrate Zhang Chen walked in front with Lin Zheng following closely behind. Soon, they were before the crowd.
His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for a moment when it landed on Fang Xing.
Then, his voice rang out.
"You have been summoned today for the announcement of an appointment. Based on the situation in our county, and after petitioning the Prefect, we have decided to create a new position."
At this point, Zhang Chen paused deliberately.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, everyone’s spirits lifted.
Here it comes!
This new position was, in all likelihood, created for Fang Xing.
Subconsciously, many people turned to look at Fang Xing.
Already knowing the outcome, Fang Xing remained as calm as ever, showing no reaction.
Observing the crowd’s expressions, Zhang Chen’s eyes swept over them before he produced a bright yellow document.
"Fang Xing, step forward to receive your appointment!"
As soon as the words fell, Fang Xing strode forward from the crowd, came to the front, and clasped his hands in a bow.
"Fang Xing has rendered a great service by assisting the Observatory in eradicating an Evil Cult stronghold. For this, he is hereby commended. I now declare him appointed as the Chief Constable of Qingshan County, with command over all constables in the county, authority to assign all constable duties, and responsibility for maintaining all public order within the borders of Qingshan County."
Zhang Chen’s voice echoed through the County Yamen’s main hall, each and every word clear and distinct.
In that moment, it was as if the very air had frozen.
The four Constables, and the rest of the constables, all wore expressions of utter disbelief.
A new position had been created.
But no one could have imagined that Fang Xing would be appointed to the position of Chief Constable.
The position of Chief Constable... that was a genuine, official post appointed by the Court.
The exact title for a Chief Constable might vary between regions, but even the lowest-ranking Chief Constable held a Ninth Grade Official Position.
A regular Constable was an unranked position, but a Chief Constable was different.
Even if it was just a "sesame seed" Ninth Grade Official, it was still an official of the Court!
Compared to an ordinary Constable, their status was on a completely different level.
He would oversee public order for every district within Qingshan County.
With this power, he had instantly jumped to become the third most powerful figure in all of Qingshan County.
The Chief Constable was the direct superior of the four Constables!
He was now completely above the four of them.
Silence!
The entire main hall of the County Yamen was deathly quiet.
A meteoric rise!
In that moment, only that single phrase flashed through everyone’s mind.
From an unranked Deputy Constable, he had, in one fell swoop, become a Ninth Grade official.
The difference was no less than leaping through the Dragon Gate!
Shock, astonishment, disbelief...
A complex web of gazes crisscrossed the room.
’Chief Constable... This guy, he’s truly incredible!’ A storm of emotions raged in Xu Zhengxiong’s heart.
This was a step that the few of them, the Constables, had dreamed of achieving.
But now, Fang Xing, the latecomer, had surpassed them all to take this seat.
He had transformed from a subordinate into their direct superior!
It was like something out of a dream.
"Lord Fang, the public order of Qingshan County will depend on you from now on. Don’t disappoint me," Zhang Chen said.
Zhang Chen smiled as he handed over the bright yellow document. Fang Xing accepted it with both hands, his expression solemn. "Rest assured, my lord. Your subordinate will not disappoint you. I guarantee I will ensure the public order in Qingshan County is fair and just!"
Zhang Chen nodded slightly, and Lin Zheng also spoke up, "Lord Fang, congratulations!"
"I must thank you, my lords, for seeing my potential," Fang Xing replied with a faint smile.
Hearing this, bright smiles appeared on both of their faces. Then, Zhang Chen turned to the crowd.
"From this day forward, all matters concerning the constables will be managed by Lord Fang. All of you must cooperate with him fully. Do you understand?"
His words snapped everyone back to reality, and they nodded in a daze.
What followed was a thunderous wave of applause.
