Very soon, Liang Chuan Mountain swiftly arrived with a few Patrol Guards, encountering Song Changming and the corpse of Chen Beihu on the ground.
Noticing the Night Patrol uniform on Song Changming, Liang Chuan Mountain, somewhat uncertain, asked, "Did you kill him?"
"I have met Captain Liang before." Song Changming saluted, explaining the events that had just occurred.
"You mean to say you happened to see me apprehending this criminal and then accidentally discovered his whereabouts, which led you to take action?" After hearing Song Changming's account, Liang Chuan Mountain couldn't help but reevaluate this young man before him.
Although Song Changming also worked at the Houli Street Patrol Armor Bureau, Liang Chuan Mountain had almost no impression of him.
Ordinary Night Patrol officers were insignificant, not to mention that Song Changming had only been working at the Patrol Armor Bureau for less than two years.
He just felt a vague sense of familiarity, perhaps having caught a glimpse of Song Changming occasionally while entering or leaving the Patrol Armor Bureau, and that was all.
"Yes." Song Changming lowered his head and continued, "I saw that he was injured and intended to capture him alive, but he resisted desperately, and during the struggle, I accidentally killed him. I ask for your forgiveness, Captain."
"You are not to blame." Liang Chuan Mountain waved his hand, knowing the opponent's strength. He hadn't even dared to think of capturing Chen Beihu alive. Killing him and bringing the body back was enough to add a feather in his cap.
Liang Chuan Mountain waved his hand again, signaling his men to inspect the body, and then turned to Song Changming, asking, "I ask you, have you trained in martial arts?"
"I have trained a bit in sword skills," Song Changming answered truthfully.
"I am well aware of the prowess of this bandit leader, Chen Beihu. Even severely injured, he was not someone just anyone could deal with. Your sword skills have reached a considerable level, possibly even surpassing my subordinates."
As Liang Chuan Mountain said this, the Patrol Guards around him looked at Song Changming with a changed gaze.
Could it be that this young man's skills are superior to theirs?
If it were a typical Night Patrol officer, the Patrol Guards would assume their captain was joking to amuse himself.
But here lay Chen Beihu's body at Song Changming's feet. This undeniable achievement was clear for all to see, and they were momentarily unsure, questioning Song Changming's abilities.
Liang Chuan Mountain glanced at the onlookers and smiled at Song Changming, saying, "With such skills at a young age, it's a pity to remain just a Night Patrol. Would you like to work under me?"
"I would be honored to, Captain," Song Changming immediately saluted in agreement.
"Excellent," Liang Chuan Mountain laughed heartily.
He was eager to promote Song Changming under his command, not only because he appreciated Song Changming's skills but also for the merit of capturing Chen Beihu.
Even though it was he who injured Chen Beihu and drove him into a corner, it was ultimately Song Changming who killed Chen Beihu in front of everyone.
If he didn't take Song Changming in, half of the credit would go solely to Song Changming.
If he did take him in, then Song Changming's achievements would be seen as a collective effort of the team under his leadership.
While Liang Chuan Mountain was shrewd, Song Changming was not oblivious; he had anticipated this outcome.
His initial intention in confronting Chen Beihu was for promotion to a Patrol Guard. Sharing the credit was trivial; it was as if he was gaining favor with his new superior.
"Hold on."
Just as the agreement was reached, a voice drifted over lazily.
Another group of Patrol Guards parted the crowd as they approached, dispersing the onlookers.
"Sun Wenyan, you are late. Chen Beihu has already been taken down by us," Liang Chuan Mountain said flatly, looking at the newcomer.
"Taken down is taken down; I have no objections to Younger Brother Song handling it. I simply admire talent and am here to invite Younger Brother Song to be my deputy." Sun Wenyan said with a smile, walking closer.
"Deputy?" Liang Chuan Mountain's expression turned sour, his tone harsh. "Sun Wenyan, are you trying to poach my talent right in front of me?!"
"No need to be so harsh. Right now, Younger Brother Song is still wearing a Night Patrol uniform, so how can he be called your talent? Besides, people always strive to move upwards. You are offering just a regular Patrol Guard position, while I am offering a deputy position. If Younger Brother Song wishes to join me, what's wrong with that?" Sun Wenyan retorted indifferently.
Liang Chuan Mountain snorted coldly, his words with a hint of sarcasm: "Wang Xianwen, what do you think? You have been his deputy for six years, and now you're getting dismissed so easily. Do you feel good about it?"
The mentioned Patrol Guard's face soured but he still said, "Having followed Sun all this time, I naturally follow his arrangements without complaint."
Sun Wenyan smiled contently and looked at Song Changming, saying, "Young Friend, what do you think? Would you like to work under me?"
He was quite confident that Song Changming would agree.
Youngsters, especially those with abilities, would hardly be content with mediocrity.
When there are better options, naturally, you choose the best one.
Liang Chuan Mountain pursed his lips but ultimately did not speak, waiting for Song Changming to make a decision.
If Song Changming decided to go with Sun Wenyan, this hard-earned credit would largely be divided.
Thinking of this, although his mood soured, he still had more integrity than Sun Wenyan, unwilling to dismiss a long-time deputy without cause.
On the sidelines, Song Changming deliberately played up a bit of hesitation, even sweating a little. Regardless of his choice, it was necessary to display a difficult decision to give both Patrol Captains some face.
In truth, he did not expect to become so sought after suddenly.
Undoubtedly, he had underestimated the value of the bandit leader Chen Beihu and the audacity of Sun Wenyan, the Patrol Captain.
Rumors within the Patrol Armor Bureau spoke of Sun Wenyan and Liang Chuan Mountain being at odds with one another.
It seemed those rumors were true.
"That young man is quite fortunate, with two Patrol Captains vying for him."
"Fortunate? Think about it, in this position, joining either Patrol Captain would offend the other. That conflict would be settled."
"True. Before even becoming a Patrol Guard, he's already making enemies; it doesn't bode well..."
Nearby, other Patrol Guards whispered among themselves, enjoying the spectacle.
Only Sun Wenyan's deputy looked at Song Changming with some hostility mixed in.
Song Changming, however, didn't delay much longer. Having already made up his mind, he first bowed to Sun Wenyan.
"I am grateful for your admiration, Guard Captain Sun, but I have already promised Captain Liang, and cannot retract my word." Song Changming stated clearly, refusing to compromise.
Upon hearing this, Liang Chuan Mountain's eyes lit up with irrepressible joy, patting Song Changming on the shoulder as he laughed heartily.
"I said Young Friend Song has the demeanor of a gentleman and doesn't go back on his word, hahaha!"
Song Changming did not know when Liang Chuan Mountain had said this, but he figured that going along with it couldn't hurt.
On the other side, Sun Wenyan's expression sank immediately, Song Changming's decision surprising most onlookers.
Refusing to become Sun Wenyan's deputy and choosing to remain a regular Patrol Guard under Liang Chuan Mountain.
It was undeniably a slap in the face.
"Hmph!" After Song Changming made his decision, Sun Wenyan didn't say another word to him.
Seeing his rival's exuberant grin was akin to swallowing something foul for him. Without harsh words or sarcasm, he turned and left.
"Rest assured, Xiaosong, with me covering you in the Patrol Armor Bureau, no one dares bully you!"
Liang Chuan Mountain deliberately raised his voice to ensure Sun Wenyan and his group heard, serving as a straightforward warning.
Song Changming nodded in agreement.