Chapter 37
After Chen Ping'an and Tan Huacong returned to the Town Guard Office, Tan Huacong began recording the relevant details in front of Chen Ping'an. Once Tan Huacong finished writing, Chen Ping'an carefully reviewed the record to ensure there were no mistakes or omissions.
"The details of the case have been recorded, and the body will be confirmed and sealed as soon as the shift leader arrives. It's late, Chen Ping'an. You should head home now," Tan Huacong said, putting the record into a drawer and politely ushering Chen Ping'an out.
"Mm, thank you, Constable Tan," Chen Ping'an nodded in gratitude and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back and said to Tan Huacong, "Constable Tan, would it be possible for you to give me some kind of proof or receipt?"
"What? The details of the case have been recorded. Are you afraid I'll cheat you?"
Tan Huacong's expression turned displeased.
"No, no, it's not that. I just feel uneasy and want something to steady my nerves," Chen Ping'an said shamelessly.
Although the matter was almost certainly settled, he wanted an extra layer of security. Having some kind of proof would make him feel more at ease.
Chen Ping'an smiled at Tan Huacong.
Tan Huacong looked at Chen Ping'an for a while.
The room fell into silence.
This was an invisible contest, even though their status and positions were not equal.
"Take this," Tan Huacong finally said, pulling a small black seal from the drawer. The seal was no thicker than a finger.
"It has special patterns that are difficult to replicate. It's usually used as proof of case acceptance. With this, you can rest assured."
"Thank you, Constable Tan, for your understanding," Chen Ping'an said, taking the black seal and repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
Tan Huacong ignored him.
After thanking Tan Huacong a few more times, Chen Ping'an left the duty room. When he reached the entrance of the Town Guard Office, the two constables were still there.
"Everything settled?"
One of the constables greeted Chen Ping'an. They had seen Tan Huacong leave with him earlier.
"Mm, pretty much," Chen Ping'an nodded.
Leaving the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office, Chen Ping'an felt a sense of relief.
An official constable...
Who would have thought that a series of coincidences tonight would bring him such a huge benefit?
However, this benefit was only possible because he had the strength to back it up. If it were someone else, even with the same opportunity, they might have been beaten to death by Patchy Fish in a few punches.
Patchy Fish's injuries were far less severe than Chen Ping'an had made them out to be. Although not at the level of a normal second-level Qi and Blood martial artist, he still retained the strength of a peak first-level Qi and Blood expert.
Chen Ping'an's chest still burned with pain.
By the time he returned home, it was well past midnight. Chen Erya was still asleep. It had to be said, the little girl slept soundly. Without any worries, she slept deeply.
Chen Ping'an quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes. Before falling asleep, he thought about the official constable position.
Tomorrow, tomorrow everything would be settled!
---
**Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office**
After Chen Ping'an left, Zheng Shiyong entered Tan Huacong's duty room. Zheng Shiyong stayed in the duty room for quite some time before emerging with an excited expression and heading toward the shift leader's office. When he reached the office, he didn't stop but continued further back. There, in a quiet cultivation room used only by the Constable and Deputy Constable, was Shift Leader Zheng!
Yes, he had lied to Chen Ping'an earlier. A casual deception had unexpectedly led to such a significant gain.
He knocked on the door of the quiet room.
"Uncle, it's me, Shiyong," Zheng Shiyong said softly as he knocked.
"Come in."
Shift Leader Zheng's voice came from inside.
Hearing this, Zheng Shiyong pushed the door open and entered.
---
**The Next Morning**
Early the next morning, Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Shirt three times in a row. He hadn't slept much that night, but with his martial arts training and abundant qi and blood, he was still full of energy. In his current state, a day or two of insufficient sleep wouldn't affect him much, as long as it wasn't a prolonged issue.
**Name:** Chen Ping'an
**Realm:** Second level of Qi and Blood
**Martial Arts:** Iron Shirt, Major Achievement (16/100)
Looking at the increased experience points on the panel, Chen Ping'an felt deeply satisfied.
After wiping himself down and bidding farewell to Chen Erya, he headed straight to the Nanquan Lane Town Guard Office.
"Ping'an, you're here?" Houzi greeted him.
"Houzi," Chen Ping'an responded with a smile, then greeted Dashan, who was standing nearby. "Dashan."
"Ping'an," Dashan greeted with a smile.
Chen Ping'an glanced around and noticed that Zheng Shiyong had also arrived early. He was surrounded by a group of constables, looking quite impressive.
"Ping'an, you seem to be in a good mood today," Houzi observed keenly.
"Yeah, something good happened last night."
"Something good? What happened?" Houzi asked curiously.
"Houzi, Dashan, last night, I was sleeping at home when suddenly..."
Just as Chen Ping'an began to speak, a figure entered the Town Guard Office gate.
"It's Shift Leader Zheng."
The surrounding chatter immediately quieted down.
Chen Ping'an stopped speaking.
Shift Leader Zheng walked up to the platform and sat down firmly in the large chair.
"Why is Shift Leader Zheng here so early today?" Houzi whispered.
Chen Ping'an shook his head.
But in his heart, he wondered if it had something to do with last night's events.
Shift Leader Zheng's arrival brought a heavy silence to the Town Guard Office. Among the five shift leaders of Nanquan Lane, Shift Leader Zheng carried the most authority!
Some constables who arrived late, upon seeing Shift Leader Zheng on the platform from a distance, couldn't help but feel a tremor of fear. They hurriedly found their spots and stood at attention.
After a while, two more shift leaders entered the Town Guard Office gate: Shift Leader Yan and Shift Leader Huang.
Seeing that all the constables had gathered, Shift Leader Zheng stood up from his chair and walked to the front.
"Colleagues, something happened last night. The Green Fish Gang remnant, Patchy Fish, has been eliminated!"
Shift Leader Zheng's opening statement instantly ignited the atmosphere.
"Patchy Fish died last night?"
"Eliminated? Who killed him?"
"How did it happen so quickly?"
"Did one of the shift leaders take action?"
"..."
The constables below buzzed with excitement.
"Ping'an, Dashan. Official constable... official constable, it's gone!"
Houzi, upon hearing the news, looked crestfallen, pounding his chest as if he had missed a great opportunity.
"Houzi," Chen Ping'an was about to comfort him when Shift Leader Zheng's voice rang out again.
"Silence!"
At his command, the constables fell silent.
"The successful elimination of the Green Fish Gang remnant, Patchy Fish, was due to the efforts of temporary constable Chen Ping'an..."
Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up.
It's happening!
The announcement is coming!
"...who provided effective leads. Official constable Tan Huacong and temporary constable Zheng Shiyong, using these leads, successfully located the Green Fish Gang remnant, Patchy Fish. The two worked together to eliminate him, with temporary constable Zheng Shiyong delivering the final blow and claiming the greatest merit."