Getting serviced then paid.

"Dalinzi is here. Are we going out for a drink tonight?"

"Dalinzi, here! This is the meat bun your sister-in-law steamed this morning. The skin is thin, and the meat is plentiful. It's delicious. Give it a try."

"Brother Zhong, I also practice 'Iron Mountain Skill.' Let me give you some pointers."

As soon as Zhong Lin walked into the yamen early in the morning, the officers and constables surrounded him, some offering buns, others bringing baked goods, while a few wanted to give him tips on martial arts.

His popularity was astonishing; anyone who didn't know him might think he was the son of some official in the yamen!

In fact, this situation only began to occur three days ago. Before that, Zhong Lin was just a nobody.

His role as a yamen painter was more of a formality, classifying him as an external staff member. A casual greeting was all that was needed, and those with a bit of pride wouldn't even bother to acknowledge him.

That changed during an event organized by the yamen, held at the Nuǎnxiāng House, where Zhong Lin had his first unsuccessful painting experience in a brothel.

In the brothel, money was the only thing that mattered. Although the yamen officials were not short on cash, they hadn't reached the level of extravagance to spend freely in such places. They mostly went there to drink and enjoy performances. If they couldn't resist, they would go to the nearby Tianxiang Building, which was cheaper, or even to some secretive spots.

Zhong Lin, as an external staff member, was also brought along and was placed in a corner.

Coincidentally, there he met a maid named Xiaoxue and was invited to Miss Yanluo's room, where he ended up staying overnight.

The next day, Zhong Lin's name spread throughout the yamen. It was known that to become a guest of Miss Yanluo, one needed at least twenty taels of silver, and entry was not guaranteed.

Soon, everyone learned that Zhong Lin didn't spend any money at all; in fact, Miss Yanluo even gave him silver back and he had a free night of fun.

What is this?

This is unbelievable!

Originally, it wasn't a big deal. People knew that Zhong Lin's painting skills were extraordinary, and the characters he painted seemed almost alive. Many would come to him for paintings, thinking that Miss Yanluo only sought him out for his art.

But who would have thought that the next day, Zhong Lin went back again, this time bringing along Old Zhou from the yamen, the old constable who was practically half in the grave.

According to Old Zhou's account, he had a great night at the Nuǎnxiāng House and didn't pay a single cent.

This was explosive news. In an instant, everyone in the yamen knew that Painter Zhong Lin possessed an incredible skill to enjoy brothels for free and even bring others along without payment.

Zhong Lin smiled brightly and returned the enthusiastic greetings, but as he approached Chi Yan, his smile faded slightly.

"Brother Chi, good morning!"

Chi Yan seemed unfazed, still wearing a cheerful expression. "Chief Xue has returned and is waiting for you inside!"

Zhong Lin was momentarily taken aback. Chief Xue? Waiting for me?

He was extremely curious about this sixth-rank martial artist, the chief constable. However, since joining the yamen, he had never seen him, as he was said to be on business in the county town. He hadn't expected him to suddenly return today and ask to meet him.

Zhong Lin didn't dare to delay, nodding, "I'll go right away."

Ignoring Chi Yan, Zhong Lin stepped into the main hall. On either side of the grand chairs sat a person. On the left was Du County Constable, someone Zhong Lin was familiar with, while on the right was a man in his thirties, dressed in a black robe, with a stern expression, sharp eyes, and a prominent scar running from his forehead to his chin, which evoked a sense of respect.

This was likely the chief constable, Xue Zheng, that everyone spoke of.

Behind Xue Zheng stood a familiar figure to Zhong Lin—the "Old Fang," who had almost scared him to death that day.

Zhong Lin stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. "I greet you, County Constable, and Chief Constable."

Du County Constable said nothing, leisurely savoring his tea.

However, Chief Constable Xue Zheng put down his teacup, looked Zhong Lin up and down, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"You are Zhong Lin?"

"Yes, that's me."

"This painting is done by you?"

Old Fang beside him readily showcased the portrait in his hand, revealing none other than the notorious bandit, Shan Wenlong.

"Yes."

"Very well done. I thought someone with such painting skills would be an old craftsman. I didn't expect you to be so young," Chief Constable Xue Zheng remarked.

"You flatter me, Chief Constable."

"Not flattery; you deserve it. I heard you can create paintings based on descriptions from others?"

"Yes, Chief Constable, do you have any requests?" Zhong Lin asked.

"Please paint me a portrait."

Chief Constable Xue Zheng waved his hand, and Zhong Lin noticed that the necessary tools like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone were already prepared nearby.

"Of course."

Zhong Lin naturally sat down. This was his job!

"This person is around thirty years old, male, with a thin face and narrow eyes…"

As Chief Constable Xue Zheng described, a middle-aged man's image formed in Zhong Lin's mind.

Moments later, Zhong Lin picked up the brush, and in the span of a single incense stick, the image leaped onto the paper. The man had long, narrow eyebrows, fierce and sharp eyes, and a scar running from his forehead to his chin.

Zhong Lin blew gently on the painting to dry the ink.

Chief Constable Xue Zheng stared at the painting in a moment of astonishment, then exclaimed, "Indeed lifelike, with meticulous detail. Well done."

"I'm glad the Chief Constable is satisfied."

"By the way, Shan Wenlong has escaped. Be cautious during this time."

Xue Zheng lifted his teacup, taking a sip and speaking in a low tone.

What?

Zhong Lin abruptly looked up at the Chief Constable, his face filled with shock.

"Dismissed!"

"Yes."

As Zhong Lin walked out of the main hall, his face was gloomy, and he constantly cursed "Old Fang" in his heart.

What a useless fellow! Even with so many people surrounding him, that Shan Wenlong managed to escape.

Logically speaking, Shan Wenlong's escape had nothing to do with Zhong Lin. However, the problem arose because the portrait of Shan Wenlong was drawn by Zhong Lin and looked so much like him.

Do you think Zhong Lin easily secured a job at the yamen?

The previous painter was killed in retaliation by an escaped criminal who found him.

Although the painter's job was merely to paint, those criminals didn't care about that; some mentally unstable ones would indeed come to seek revenge on the painter.

There had even been cases of retaliation against executioners before.

No one could guarantee that Shan Wenlong wasn't mentally unstable or that he wouldn't seek revenge on the painter. Thus, the Chief Constable merely reminded Zhong Lin to be cautious, given that there had been such cases before.

"What the hell is going on?"

Zhong Lin cursed inwardly and turned towards the archives room, intending to investigate Shan Wenlong's background.