How imposing!
What incredible prestige!
The Constables, usually so calm, aloof, and high-and-mighty, were all smiles upon seeing Tian Fuliang, their faces as pleasant as a spring breeze.
This was the imposing presence of Tian Fuliang, the Vice Inspector and second-in-command of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office!
Here in the vast Nanquan Lane, he was second to one and above all others!
Watching Tian Fuliang in his Fish Scale Armor on the high platform, Chen Ping'an could clearly sense the yearning from Monkey Head and Da Shan. Monkey Head, in particular, was trembling slightly.
It wasn't fear—it was excitement!
Tian Fuliang stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping across the assembled constables.
The Constables, who usually sat coolly in their own armchairs during the routine pre-patrol meetings, were now all on their feet. They stood behind Tian Fuliang, smiling, their expressions showing rapt attention.
"My fellow colleagues, it's been a while. Seeing your vitality and spirit today, it's clear you are truly worthy of being called the elite of our Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office!"
Tian Fuliang began with a few pleasantries.
But even if they were just pleasantries, the crowd could only listen in silence.
Next, Tian Fuliang gradually got to the main topic. Chen Ping'an finally understood why Tian Fuliang, the Vice Inspector, had attended this pre-patrol meeting today.
'A Wanted Poster?'
"The Town Patrol Office in the neighboring Cyan Willow Lane besieged the Cyan Fish Gang, but there was an unexpected incident during the assault. A small number of gang members managed to break through the encirclement. According to our intelligence, some of the fleeing Cyan Fish Gang remnants have drifted into Nanquan Lane."
"The Cyan Fish Gang is somewhat stronger than the Tiger Head Gang. They were a formidable power in the neighboring Cyan Willow Lane."
"Over a dozen Cyan Fish Gang remnants escaped this time. The most notable among them are two individuals: Flounder, the Vice Gang Leader, and Hairy Fish, a major leader."
"According to the latest intelligence, Vice Gang Leader Flounder's escape route seems to be headed in another direction, toward Seven Bends Lane. Hairy Fish, on the other hand, is coming toward Nanquan Lane."
"Flounder, the Vice Gang Leader of the Cyan Fish Gang, has achieved Yijin and possesses a Martial Arts Cultivation at the Qi Blood Three Realms Perfection. Many of the Constables in the Garrison Commandant's Office would be no match for him in a one-on-one fight. Anyone who provides a valid lead will be rewarded with ten taels of silver and receive one medium merit. Anyone who can kill or capture him on the spot will receive one great merit."
"Hairy Fish, a major leader of the Cyan Fish Gang, has succeeded in Skin Refining and entered the level of Refining Flesh, with a Martial Arts Cultivation at the Qi Blood Second Layer. Anyone who provides a valid lead will be rewarded with five taels of silver and receive one small merit. Anyone who can kill or capture him on the spot will receive one medium merit and a reward of ten taels of silver."
"Additionally, there are many other Cyan Fish Gang remnants. The Wanted Poster reads as follows..."
"..."
As Tian Fuliang continued, the eyes of many constables below began to shine. Even Chen Ping'an felt a stir of excitement.
Within the Garrison Commandant's Office, Merit was everything!
Whether it was an unlisted temporary constable wanting to become an official constable, an official constable wanting to become a Preparatory Constable, or a Constable wanting to advance even further.
All of these were inextricably linked to one thing: merit.
To get promoted in the Garrison Commandant's Office, one's Martial Arts Realm was important, but merit was equally crucial. The former was the basic guarantee; the latter was the essential prerequisite!
Accumulating merit through normal, step-by-step means was extremely slow. It could take a few years at least, or even more than a decade or two. By the time a suitable opportunity came along, you'd be too old, your Qi Blood would have declined, and your chance would be gone.
Therefore, almost all constables and temporary constables with uncertain futures were desperate to earn merit.
And this Wanted Poster was just such an opportunity!
The great, medium, and small merits that Tian Fuliang had just mentioned were all different tiers of commendation. Of course, the merits he spoke of were all at the lane-level.
Above that, there were also district-level and County City-level merits.
Of course, merits of that level were unimaginably great.
A single medium merit at the lane-level was enough for an unlisted temporary constable to become an official constable. A great merit was enough for an official constable to qualify to become a Preparatory Constable.
With news like this, how could the constables present not be thrilled?
Of course, for an official constable to aim for Preparatory Constable, besides fulfilling the merit requirements, there was also a certain Martial Arts Cultivation requirement.
'Qi Blood Second Layer! If I could kill him on the spot, I'd get a medium merit! Qi Blood Second Layer...'
Chen Ping'an stared ahead, thinking to himself.
His Cultivation had just reached the Qi Blood Second Layer, but if he wanted to kill a Martial Arts Cultivator of the same level, he probably wasn't strong enough.
'If I could reach the Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection... then I'd have a great chance!'
Just as Chen Ping'an was lost in thought, Tian Fuliang, on the high platform, announced another piece of news that pushed the assembled constables' excitement to a fever pitch.
"Oh, and one more piece of good news. Both Flounder and Hairy Fish suffered injuries of varying degrees while breaking out. For a short time, their strength will be far below their True Realm!"
As soon as Tian Fuliang said this, every constable in the crowd began rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Previously, some constables had been worried that even if they happened to run into one of the fugitives, their lack of strength meant they might not only fail to earn merit but also lose their own life. But now, their chances of success had undoubtedly increased dramatically.
"This is great!"
Monkey Head excitedly thumped his chest.
"Ping'an, Da Shan, forget about great or medium merit—if I could just provide a valid lead, I could get a small merit. Just one small merit would save me years of effort! Adding that to my previously accumulated merit, I'd be so close to becoming an official constable!"
"Yeah," Chen Ping'an nodded. Beside him, Da Shan's eyes also gleamed with excitement. He might be simple and honest, but that didn't mean he was a fool. With an opportunity like this, Da Shan naturally wanted to seize it too.
"We need to be extra thorough on our patrol today, really search carefully," Monkey Head suggested.
Chen Ping'an and Da Shan both agreed.
"By the way, Mr. Qin, are you interested?" Monkey Head looked at Mr. Qin, his eyes still shining with excitement.
"I'm getting old, count me out. The future belongs to you young folks. You all work hard."
Mr. Qin waved his hand dismissively, looking like he had completely given up.
Hearing this, Monkey Head couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. If they could get Mr. Qin on board, their chances would be much greater. If they happened to run into the fugitive, having Mr. Qin's Qi Blood Second Layer combat strength would allow them to suppress an injured Hairy Fish with ease.
No matter how much Mr. Qin's Qi Blood had declined or how old and worn out he was, in a fight, he could still perform at the level of Qi Blood First Level Perfection.
After announcing the information from the Wanted Poster, Tian Fuliang smiled.
"The peace and stability of the tens of thousands of people in Nanquan Lane now depend entirely on all of you!"
"Lord Tian, you flatter us." The constables all demurred.
...
P.S. It's been over ten days since the book was released, and I've finally reached three hundred collections! The progress is a little slow, but it's still worth celebrating. First milestone, achieved! Next up, five hundred collections!
When we reach ten thousand collections, my friends, we will cross the Weishui!