Chapter 30

What prestige!

What incredible prestige!

The usually calm and aloof shift leaders, who typically carried themselves with an air of superiority, were now all smiles in the presence of Tian Fuliang, their faces glowing with warmth.

This was the prestige of Tian Fuliang, the second-in-command of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office, the Deputy Constable!

In the vast expanse of Nanquan Lane, he stood second only to one, above tens of thousands!

As Chen Ping'an looked at Tian Fuliang on the high platform, clad in his fish-scale uniform, he could clearly sense the longing in Houzi and Dashan. Especially Houzi, whose body trembled slightly.

It wasn't fear—it was excitement!

Tian Fuliang stood on the high platform, scanning the crowd of constables.

The shift leaders, who usually sat calmly in their chairs during the pre-shift meetings, now stood behind Tian Fuliang, smiling and appearing fully attentive.

"Colleagues, it's been a while. Seeing your energy and spirit today, you truly live up to being the elite of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office!"

Tian Fuliang opened with a formal remark.

However, no matter how formal the remark, everyone could only listen quietly.

As Tian Fuliang gradually expanded on his topic, Chen Ping'an came to understand why the Deputy Constable had attended today's pre-shift meeting.

"Wanted notices?"

"The Green Willow Lane Town Guard Office launched an attack on the Green Fish Gang, but during the operation, a minor mishap occurred. A small number of gang members managed to break through the encirclement. According to intelligence, some of the remnants of the Green Fish Gang have fled to Nanquan Lane."

"The Green Fish Gang is a faction several times stronger than the Tiger Head Gang. They wield significant influence in Green Willow Lane."

"About a dozen members of the Green Fish Gang escaped, including the deputy leader, Flatfish, and a high-ranking member, Patchy Fish."

"Based on the latest intelligence, Deputy Leader Flatfish is likely heading toward Seven Bends Lane in another direction. Meanwhile, Patchy Fish is making his way to Nanquan Lane."

"Deputy Leader Flatfish of the Green Fish Gang has achieved tendon refinement and is at the peak of the third level of Qi and Blood. Many shift leaders in the Town Guard Office are no match for Flatfish in a one-on-one fight. Anyone who provides effective leads will be rewarded with ten taels of silver and credited with a medium merit. Anyone who can kill or capture him on the spot will be credited with a major merit."

"Patchy Fish, a high-ranking member of the Green Fish Gang, has achieved skin refinement and is at the second level of Qi and Blood. Anyone who provides effective leads will be rewarded with five taels of silver and credited with a minor merit. Anyone who can kill or capture him on the spot will be credited with a medium merit and rewarded with ten taels of silver."

"In addition, there are other remnants of the Green Fish Gang. The wanted notices are as follows..."

"..."

As Tian Fuliang continued, many constables' eyes lit up. Even Chen Ping'an felt a surge of excitement.

The Town Guard Office placed great emphasis on merit!

Whether it was an unregistered temporary constable aiming to become an official constable, an official constable aspiring to become a reserve shift leader or shift leader candidate, or a shift leader seeking further advancement—all of these were closely tied to merit.

To advance within the Town Guard Office, martial arts proficiency was important, but merit was equally crucial. The former was the foundation, while the latter was a prerequisite!

Accumulating merit through routine work was a slow process, taking anywhere from a few years to over a decade or two. By the time a suitable opportunity arose, one might already be too old, with declining qi and blood, and thus miss the chance.

Therefore, almost all constables and temporary constables with uncertain futures were eager to earn merit.

And the wanted notices presented an opportunity!

The major, medium, and minor merits Tian Fuliang mentioned were different levels of merit. Of course, the merits he referred to were at the lane level.

Beyond that, there were also district-level and city-level merits.

However, merits at those levels were on an entirely different scale.

A medium merit at the lane level was enough to elevate an unregistered temporary constable to an official constable. A major merit could qualify an official constable to contend for a reserve shift leader position.

With such news, how could the constables present not be excited?

Of course, for an official constable to contend for a reserve shift leader position, aside from meeting the merit requirements, certain martial arts proficiency was also necessary.

"Second level of Qi and Blood! If I can kill him on the spot, I can earn a medium merit! Second level of Qi and Blood..."

Chen Ping'an gazed ahead, his mind racing.

Although he had now reached the second level of Qi and Blood, killing a martial artist of the same level would likely be beyond his current capabilities.

"If I can reach the peak of the second level of Qi and Blood... then I'll have a much better chance!"

As Chen Ping'an pondered, Tian Fuliang announced another piece of news, pushing the constables' excitement to its peak.

"By the way, there's another piece of good news. Both Flatfish and Patchy Fish sustained injuries during their escape. For a short period, their strength will be far inferior to their actual levels!"

As soon as Tian Fuliang said this, the constables began rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Previously, some constables had been hesitant, fearing that even if they happened to encounter the fugitives, their lack of strength might lead to failure or even death. But now, their chances of success had significantly increased.

"Great!"

Houzi excitedly patted his chest.

"Ping'an, Dashan, forget about major or medium merits. Even if I can just provide effective leads, I can earn a minor merit. Just one minor merit can save me years of effort. Combined with my previous merit accumulation, I'll be very close to becoming an official constable!"

"True." Chen Ping'an nodded. Dashan's eyes also sparkled with excitement. Though he was simple-minded, he wasn't foolish. With such an opportunity, Dashan naturally wanted to seize it.

"Today, let's patrol carefully and thoroughly," Houzi suggested.

Chen Ping'an and Dashan both agreed.

"By the way, Qin, are you interested?" Houzi looked at Qin, his excitement still evident.

"I'm old, too old for this. The future belongs to you young ones. Work hard."

Qin waved his hand, declining with an air of resignation.

Hearing this, Houzi couldn't help but feel disappointed. If they could get Qin on board, their chances would be even better. If they happened to encounter Patchy Fish, with Qin's second-level Qi and Blood strength, they could easily suppress an injured Patchy Fish.

Even if Qin's qi and blood had declined with age, he could still fight at the peak of the first level of Qi and Blood.

After announcing the details of the wanted notices, Tian Fuliang smiled.

"The peace and stability of the tens of thousands of residents in Nanquan Lane depend entirely on you, my colleagues!"

"Deputy Constable Tian, you flatter us," the constables quickly responded, expressing their humility.