Chapter 31
The wanted notices posted by the Town Guard Office presented an undeniable opportunity for Chen Ping'an.
He had been pondering how to legitimately secure an official constable position, and now, just as he was thinking about it, the opportunity had arrived.
On the surface, he was just a temporary constable with no martial arts training. With the help of his golden finger, even someone as powerful as Deputy Constable Tian Fuliang couldn't see through his true capabilities.
The simplest way for him to become an official constable was to reveal his true martial arts level. Combined with a certain amount of merit, he could then smoothly transition into becoming an official constable of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office.
However, this path was impassable!
How had he entered the martial path? Where had he obtained his martial arts training? How had he reached the second level of Qi and Blood?
These were all pitfalls, all problems! Chen Ping'an couldn't explain them.
His past experiences and life were clear and transparent, unable to withstand scrutiny.
Therefore, Chen Ping'an had planned a route for himself: first, find a way to secure an official constable position without revealing his martial arts abilities. Once he became an official constable, the Town Guard Office would, by regulation, bestow upon him the standard saber technique for official constables—the Thirteen Sabers of the Public Gate.
Using the Thirteen Sabers of the Public Gate, he could then officially enter the martial path and begin his martial arts training. Later, he would gradually reveal his martial arts talent, solidifying his reputation as a martial arts prodigy, thereby gaining prominence within the Town Guard Office until he was eventually entrusted with important tasks.
The long journey of ten thousand miles begins with the first step! Now, he was about to take that first step—becoming an official constable of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office.
At this moment, it was an excellent opportunity.
If he could earn a medium merit, he could directly become an official constable. At that point, almost all his problems would be resolved smoothly.
If he became an official constable, what about the Tiger Head Gang's monthly fees?
Ridiculous!
Even if he were willing to pay, the Tiger Head Gang probably wouldn't dare to accept it!
An official constable of Nanquan Lane represented not just himself but also the face of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office.
Daring to collect monthly fees from the family of an official constable of the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office? The Tiger Head Gang would be courting death!
If he were an official constable, would Little Tiger of the Tiger Head Gang dare to break into his house openly? Would the thug Liu dare to slam his table? Would they dare to mock him to his face?
None of them would dare!
Yet, in reality, they had dared! What was missing was the status of an official constable.
Many things were beyond one's control due to insufficient ability, status, or background!
Chen Ping'an had no background; he could only rely on himself. He would strive bit by bit for what he wanted, weaving a life for himself and Erya.
That day, Chen Ping'an, Houzi, and Dashan patrolled with exceptional diligence. Even their usual midday breaks were significantly shortened. Unfortunately, by the end of their shift, they had found nothing.
Thinking about it, if the remnants of the Green Fish Gang were so easily discovered, they wouldn't have been able to break through in the first place.
"Where is he? Where is he hiding?"
"Patchy Fish, oh Patchy Fish, my bright future rests on you!"
Even when handing in their waist tokens and sabers, Houzi couldn't stop muttering.
Chen Ping'an patted Houzi's shoulder, giving him a meaningful look.
"Don't worry! What's meant to come will come!"
"Right, we'll try again tomorrow!" Houzi was full of fighting spirit, determined to succeed. "Dashan, rest well tonight. We'll continue tomorrow!"
"Got it," Dashan nodded heavily.
The group bid farewell at the Town Guard Office and headed home.
After his shift, Chen Ping'an didn't go straight home. Instead, he first visited Uncle Zhang's house to ask for some angular stones, roughly the same amount as the previous sand and gravel.
Uncle Zhang happened to be home and readily agreed.
Chen Ping'an offered some silver, but Uncle Zhang repeatedly refused. Seeing that Uncle Zhang wasn't just being polite, Chen Ping'an let it go, making a mental note to repay the favor later.
When he returned home, he was greeted by Chen Erya's familiar, smiling face.
"Brother, you're back~ Dinner's almost ready!"
Warmth filled Chen Ping'an's chest, a sense of home and comfort.
"Alright."
Chen Ping'an smiled and responded, walking into the courtyard.
It felt so good to have a home!
After dinner, Chen Ping'an began practicing Iron Shirt.
He had thought he might try for 4 experience points, but in the end, he only gained 3.
"Let's try again tomorrow when the stones arrive!"
After achieving major mastery in Iron Shirt, the effectiveness of sand and gravel for training had diminished. Continuous stimulation had reduced its impact, making it difficult to gain 4 experience points in one session.
The next day, after practicing Iron Shirt and gaining 3 experience points, Chen Ping'an went to work as usual. Learning from yesterday's lesson, he left earlier than usual.
Today's pre-shift meeting was attended by only two shift leaders. Clearly, shift leaders attending the pre-shift meetings wasn't the norm. As shift leaders, they only needed to show up and coordinate work during critical moments. They couldn't be expected to attend roll calls daily like the constables.
After the meeting, Chen Ping'an, Houzi, and Dashan began their patrol.
"Dashan, let me tell you, your question was excellent. Why do we call Deputy Constable Tian 'Sir' instead of 'Deputy Constable'? Listen carefully, there's a lot of nuance here."
"The Town Guard Office has strict rules. There's a hierarchy! You don't have to curry favor with those above you, but at least don't offend them. So, speaking properly is an art."
"When you see the Deputy Constable in public, and the Constable isn't present, you should call him 'Sir'! This shows respect for him and, by extension, respect for the Constable. It highlights the Deputy Constable's status while subtly showing reverence for the Constable. This way of addressing him neither offends the Deputy Constable nor the Constable."
"If you meet the Deputy Constable alone, don't call him 'Sir' anymore. Call him 'Constable'! Never foolishly call him 'Deputy Constable.' Do you think he doesn't know he's the Deputy Constable? Does he need you to remind him?"
"When you see the Constable, no matter the occasion, always call him 'Constable'! This signifies his uniqueness, his unparalleled status in Nanquan Lane. Calling him 'Constable' demonstrates respect and submission to his authority."
"When both the Constable and Deputy Constable are present, address the Constable as 'Constable' and the Deputy Constable as 'Sir.'"
"These are all nuances. You won't learn them from books. They're insights I've gained, Dashan. Make sure to remember them."
"..."
Throughout the patrol, Houzi enthusiastically shared his deep and solid knowledge of these unofficial rules. Chen Ping'an found it amusing to listen.
This Houzi guy was quite the character!
With his antics, the day passed quickly.
That day, they still found no trace of the Green Fish Gang remnants.
Returning to the Town Guard Office, Houzi eagerly inquired around and then excitedly shared the news with the other two.
"Ping'an, Dashan, no one has found any trace of the Green Fish Gang remnants yet. There's still a chance. Let's continue tomorrow!"
"Right, let's continue tomorrow," Chen Ping'an replied.