Chapter 17: Zhao Zong

Upon entering the bedroom,

although it was pitch-dark inside the room, the scattered clouds had parted slightly, allowing moonlight to stream in and make everything within more discernible. Chen Mu caught a clear glimpse of the situation inside.

He saw that both Chen Yue and Wang Ni had been awakened by the earlier commotion, but their demeanors were quite different.

Wang Ni appeared unmistakably terrified, huddling at the foot of the bed, shivering uncontrollably. Although it was hard to see clearly, one could vaguely sense the fear in her eyes amidst the dimness.

But despite her fear, she did not make a sound, the reason being that another small hand was tightly covering her mouth. It was Chen Yue who was leaning beside her, embracing her partly while one hand firmly muzzled Wang Ni to prevent any noise.

Upon closer inspection,

one could see that Chen Yue's body was trembling slightly, but she bit her teeth together tightly, forcibly steadying herself. Not only was she covering Wang Ni's mouth, but she was also keeping herself from making any noise.

These were all things that Chen Mu had taught her; to remain silent no matter what happened at night. She remembered it well and understood why. If something bad were happening, panicking and screaming would only make things worse.

She was unaware of what had occurred outside, but she knew this much: if anyone were to harm Chen Mu, just like in the stories he had told her, she would endure it, strive with all her might to survive, and then... with all her capabilities, seek revenge and make the person who hurt her brother pay.

"Brother?"

Seeing that the person who entered the room was Chen Mu, Chen Yue's jumbled thoughts finally eased somewhat, but she still dared not make a sound. Instead, she mouthed silently toward Chen Mu, forming the shape of a word.

Chen Mu closed the door and nodded slightly towards her, saying, "It's all right now."

Hearing Chen Mu's words, Chen Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief. Letting go of Wang Ni, she could no longer hold back and rushed to embrace Chen Mu tightly, bursting into tears.

No matter what, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl, startled from her sleep in the dead of night by an intruder's invasion, and with her brother charging out with a knife. It was quite enough strength that she had held back until now.

"Alright, alright."

Chen Mu patted Chen Yue's back and placed her on the bed, feeling internally that his little sister had indeed grown up.

Yes, she had matured in various senses.

When he had first come to this world, Chen Yue had not possessed the alertness and strength she displayed now. It was through his persistent teaching of various ideas from his own world that she had rapidly matured inside.

The age from twelve to fifteen is indeed the most critical period for psychological growth.

His efforts had not gone to waste. Although tonight had been a close shave, Chen Yue's reaction still brought him great comfort.

Even now, as she couldn't help but cry, she tried hard to keep her voice down, simply sobbing softly. Wang Ni, on the other hand, had not made a sound, but she had been so frightened that she was dazzled by fear, still not recovered.

"Don't cry now. In a few days, we'll move to a new place."

Chen Mu comforted Chen Yue while pondering his next steps.

Although tonight seemed to bring an unprovoked misfortune without gaining anything or a chance to examine Tang Quan's corpse, in reality, there were benefits. For starters, he had entered the radar of Xu Hongyu, the Chief Constable. Not being able to inspect the body didn't matter since Tang Quan's bounty, with Xu Hongyu's esteemed status, wouldn't be pocketed unfairly.

Plus, with the initial approval of his power from Xu Hongyu, he predicted he would soon be promoted to Head Constable. By then, earning some Silver and obtaining a Skin Toughening method would be no problem, and moving to a new home would naturally follow.

Chen Yue and Wang Ni had both been frightened significantly.

Chen Mu continued to console the two girls well into the night, until he managed to soothe them to sleep together, only then lying down himself.

…

The next day,

Chen Mu woke up early in the morning.

Upon awakening, he found himself lying in the middle, with Chen Yue clinging onto him like a koala, her four little paws hooked on his body, while Wang Ni curled up into a small ball by his side, like a little chick.

Chen Mu moved Chen Yue's limbs to the side and stepped out the door, glancing at the spot not far away where he had fought with Tang Quan the night before. The ground there still bore spatters of blood, but they had completely dried.

"Seems like there's no trouble now."

Chen Mu nodded to himself slightly.

Although Xu Hongyu had taken Tang Quan's body away last night, there was no guarantee that further troubles wouldn't follow. Therefore, he had a light sleep, but as nothing else happened overnight and no one came to check around, it seemed that the matter had indeed stopped with Xu Hongyu.

Both little maids had been quite frightened last night, so he didn't wake them, choosing instead to make a fire and cook in the firewood room. After the hustle and bustle, he called the two awake to eat; then, after comforting them for a moment, he put on his constable uniform and went to the City Defense Division.

The routine was to hang and flip the tags.

Last night's incident seemed to have caused no ripples, with no news spreading of the wanted Tang Quan's death. Walking along, he also heard no discussions about it.

The numerous constables were still talking about various personal matters, as well as the widow on West Street and the top courtesan of the Flower Pavilions on East Street.

"Chen Er has arrived."

Seeing Chen Mu arrive, Liu Song and Li Tie both smiled and then called him over to set off.

But Chen Mu shook his head, saying, "I have to go to the Chief Officer at noon, so I won't join the patrol today."

Upon hearing this, Liu Song and Li Tie were a bit surprised, but it wasn't uncommon for constables to go to the Chief Officer, possibly to deliver official documents on behalf of the Head Constable. Thus, they jestingly teased him for a bit before the two of them headed out.

As the day grew late, the constables in the courtyard quickly dispersed in dribs and drabs, leaving only Chen Mu, Ren Yan, and a few other constables lingering in the yard. Ren Yan had rarely patrolled lately, claiming he was left at the City Defense Division to organize documents, but in actuality, there wasn't much to do.

He would even occasionally practice his blade technique in the small courtyard behind the division.

Just as Chen Mu was calculating the time, almost ready to head to the Chief Officer, Head Constable Qin Bei, dressed in blue, and Zhao Zong, who had long not visited the City Defense Division, arrived side by side.

Zhao Zong used to visit the City Defense Division often. Because he was getting older, he no longer frequented the pleasure quarters. However, several months prior, when word got out that his old wounds had flared up, it caused many to understand why his visits had dwindled.

"Lord Qin, Lord Zhao."

The scattered few constables in the courtyard immediately stood up and paid respects.

Chen Mu closely observed the veteran Head Constable Zhao Zong, noting that his complexion was indeed much more deteriorated than before, with sparse black hair now turned wholly white and his face added with many wrinkles.

Compared to the past, he had lost some of his grimness and deadliness, instead gaining more kindness and a sense of desolation.

"The Arrest Warrant for the villain Tang Quan can be retracted now."

Qin Bei, with his hands behind his back, entered and declared in an even tone.

Hearing this, Chen Mu's gaze flickered slightly, it seemed the news had spread quickly, probably issued by Xu Hongyu. However, it seemed to have little to do with him, as Qin Bei didn't even glance in his direction but announced the news and then walked over to Ren Yan together with Zhao Zong.

"Head Qin, Old Zhao."

Ren Yan was very respectful to both Qin Bei and Zhao Zong.

Although the constables in the courtyard mostly believed he would be Zhao Zong's successor as the next Head Constable, he was not yet appointed. He behaved very casually in front of the other constables, but he maintained respect when facing the two Head Constables.

Zhao Zong was quite pleased with Ren Yan's attitude, stroking his beard and saying with a chuckle, "Well done, 'Blue is extracted from the indigo but is more vivid than it'... How far have you gotten with your Skin Toughening technique?"

Ren Yan replied with a smile and a bow, "Old Zhao, I've achieved Minor Achievement."

Zhao Zong nodded and said, "Hmm, then your Blade Technique is also about right. Give it another year or two, once your Skin Toughening reaches Perfection and Blade Technique reaches Major Achievement, you'll basically have made it."

In those days, it was difficult for Blade Technique to reach Perfection, but the combination of Skin Toughening Perfection and Blade Technique Major Achievement was strong enough as well, able to handle a dozen or so armed villains without issue, making for a very reliable Head Constable.

Of course.

If the Blade Technique could reach Perfection, that would be an exceptional talent, since even with just the Realm of Skin Toughening, as long as one masters the technique of 'Momentum,' they can match some who have just started Body Refinement, and whose martial skills are limited to Major Achievement.

To put it simply, whether it's Skin Toughening or Body Refinement, it's all a matter of gradual improvement. With sufficient resources for nurturing, anyone can be developed in this way, including achieving Major Achievement in Blade Technique. Those large forces in the Inner City can train such private soldiers if they have Silver, but mastering a technique to the level of 'Momentum' is different. If one also cultivates the Body Tempering Method to Body Refinement, they can challenge ten martial men of the same realm, easily defeating tens or hundreds of ordinary bandits. That is the skill necessary to become a Prefecture Chief.

"Join this old man for a drink?"

Zhao Zong said to Ren Yan with a chuckle.

Ren Yan quickly replied, "If Old Zhao requests it, how could I refuse to comply?"

Qin Bei also smiled slightly before he and Zhao Zong departed with Ren Yan, paying no attention to the other constables in the courtyard.

Watching Ren Yan leave with the two Head Constables, the scattered constables couldn't help but show a touch of envy, while Chen Mu remained composed throughout. Once everyone had left, he glanced at the position of the sun and rose to his feet, leaving the City Defense Division to head to the Chief Officer.