The disciple from the Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall who had challenged him to another match was Li Lin's older brother, Li Sheng.
When Chen Cheng ignored him, he assumed it was out of cowardice and goaded him again, "What, are you that afraid of me?"
"Li Sheng, this is the City Guard Department's assessment, not some common Jianghu duel! How dare you act so presumptuously!"
The Hall Master of the Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall, Zou Bingliang, grew anxious and rebuked him sharply.
The Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall was one of the two major martial arts halls in the Ruyi District, and its Hall Master, Zou Bingliang, was a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm. On the surface, his reputation was illustrious and his bearing majestic.
But Zou Bingliang knew his own situation best. He was old, his vitality was failing, and his strength had diminished significantly. He was long past his prime and ran the martial arts hall simply to live a peaceful life.
'His disciple, Li Lin, had already offended Liu Yunfeng by vowing not to hold back. If Li Sheng fights Chen Cheng now, regardless of the outcome, the Tiger Power Martial Arts Hall will create a permanent feud with Liu Yunfeng. Why invite such trouble?'
Li Sheng didn't dare talk back to his own Hall Master. He gritted his teeth and fell silent, but his face was still a mask of defiance.
Shen Qingshuang glanced at him, her expression frosty as she asked coolly, "Li Sheng, how does your Fist Technique compare to your brother's?"
Li Sheng thought the Chief Constable was giving him permission to fight Chen Cheng. He immediately cupped his hands in a salute and said, "My brother only reached Great Success with his Fierce Tiger Fist last month. I achieved it half a year ago."
'Reaching Great Success a full five months earlier means I should be much stronger than him,' Li Sheng thought.
But to his surprise, Shen Qingshuang shook her head. "Never mind. You aren't that much stronger than your brother. There is no need for you to fight Chen Cheng."
Li Sheng froze, stunned. But the Chief Constable had spoken, and he had no choice but to obey. "Yes," he mumbled sullenly.
Back on Locust Tree Lane, Liu Yunfeng had merely thought Chen Cheng had some potential and was worth mentoring.
But now, after seeing Chen Cheng defeat the martial arts hall disciple with a single, overwhelmingly powerful punch, his admiration for the boy skyrocketed.
A prodigy like him was a hidden dragon; once he matured, his accomplishments would be limitless.
Liu Yunfeng wanted no further complications. He cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Lord Shen, Chen Cheng has defeated Li Lin. According to the rules of the assessment, he has secured a spot as a Preparatory Constable."
"The spot is indeed confirmed. But I have come all this way, and it would be a shame to return so quickly."
Shen Qingshuang mulled it over for a moment, then her gaze fell upon Chen Cheng. "Li Lin is seriously injured, so he is eliminated. As for the four of you who remain, once you become constables of the City Guard Department, you will be my subordinates. You must obey the commands of your superiors."
No one understood her intentions and they all looked a bit lost. Then, one of the martial arts hall disciples stepped forward and said:
"If the Chief Constable commands it, we will naturally obey."
Li Sheng and the other martial arts hall disciple quickly caught on, saluting with cupped hands and echoing:
"If the Chief Constable commands it, we will naturally obey."
Chen Cheng also realized what was expected, quickly saluting as well:
"If the Chief Constable commands it, I will naturally obey."
"Mm, very good." Shen Qingshuang nodded in satisfaction before her tone shifted. "Constables of the City Guard Department face life-and-death situations at any moment. The assessment should therefore focus on practical combat skills. I have just witnessed a competition of Fist Technique. Would any of you be willing to demonstrate your Saber Technique?"
The Chief Constable wanted to see their Saber Technique as well, which was exactly what the two disciples from the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall had hoped for.
The one who had been the first to pledge his obedience was especially eager, speaking up again before anyone else. "Chief Constable, I, He Zhiling, am willing to compete with my Saber Technique."
'This is the perfect chance to impress the Chief Constable,' He Zhiling thought. 'If she takes a liking to me, my future will be boundless.'
Shen Qingshuang nodded slightly and praised him,
"I have heard that the Six Harmonies Saber Technique from your Liuhe Martial Arts Hall is quite impressive. I would indeed like to see it."
"Yes! I will do my utmost in the demonstration!" He Zhiling, greatly encouraged, saluted with cupped hands once more.
Seeing He Zhiling receive praise, the other disciple from the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall was energized and quickly stepped forward with a salute of his own. "Chief Constable, I am also willing to demonstrate my Saber Technique!"
Shen Qingshuang shook her head. "One person demonstrating the Six Harmonies Saber Technique is enough. You may stand down."
The disciple could only retreat to the side dejectedly, glaring at He Zhiling with resentment. 'We were both trying to curry favor with the Chief Constable, so why did he get praised while I got snubbed? It just goes to show, some people have all the luck!'
With only one disciple from the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall chosen, the remaining two were Chen Cheng and Li Sheng. While Li Sheng's Fist Technique had reached Great Success, his Saber Technique was mediocre at best, so he didn't dare volunteer.
As for Chen Cheng, his Saber Technique was only at the Beginner Level; there was no way he would put it on display.
The two of them glanced at each other, neither showing any intention of stepping forward.
Li Sheng, in particular, was already resentful of Chen Cheng. He hoped Chen Cheng would be forced to compete with his Saber Technique and lose to He Zhiling. That way, he could at least get some satisfaction.
Shen Qingshuang then said, "Chen Cheng, why don't you have a Saber Technique match with He Zhiling?"
It turned out this was what the Chief Constable had been planning all along. She wanted to see what other Martial Arts Power Chen Cheng possessed besides his Innate Divine Power.
Chen Cheng, of course, did not want to compete with his Saber Technique. But he had just pledged to obey any command from the Chief Constable.
And though Shen Qingshuang had phrased it as a question, it was as good as a direct order.
After a moment of deliberation, Chen Cheng could only bite the bullet. "Since the Chief Constable has given the order, I can only obey."
His reluctant expression infuriated the other disciple from the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall, the one who had also wanted to demonstrate his Saber Technique.
'Others would kill for an opportunity like this, but Chen Cheng is acting like it's a huge burden! It's infuriating!'
"Mm, very good. Then the two of you shall have a Saber Technique match!"
Shen Qingshuang announced coolly.