Big Steel Fang had lashed out in anger. Now, looking at the gaping hole and the stares of the numerous gamblers outside, a shiver ran down his spine, and he cooled down.

He could do whatever he wanted to Garrison constables in secret, but never in the open. If he actually attacked Chen Ping’an today, in front of all these witnesses, not even Master Hu could save him when the Garrison Commandant’s Office came to investigate!

Inside the room, he could have his men test the waters. But out here, that was absolutely out of the question!

Staring at Chen Ping’an’s deadly gaze, Big Steel Fang forced down his rage.

"Lord Official, a misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding!"

"Violent resistance against the collection of donation silver! Big Steel Fang, how could this possibly be a misunderstanding!?"

Chen Ping’an stood tall, hand on his blade. Though his frame seemed slight, he exuded a heroic and vigorous air.

"Violent resistance against the collection of donation silver? Never! Nothing of the sort, Lord Official."

Big Steel Fang had to swallow his pride and eat the loss. He turned to a ruffianly servant at his side and said, "What are you waiting for? Go get the silver! And remember, the full amount!"

"Lord Official, will this be satisfactory?" Big Steel Fang asked in a placating tone.

"The matter of the donation silver is a given. But what just happened is another matter entirely," Chen Ping’an said coldly.

"Understood, understood. Lord Official, please, come inside for some tea. I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation for this incident!"

Big Steel Fang glanced at the crowd, no longer caring about his own dignity, and forced a smile.

Chen Ping’an scanned his surroundings, seeing the curious gamblers staring. He knew his objective had been achieved.

"Fine!"

With that, Chen Ping’an walked toward Big Steel Fang.

After Chen Ping’an left, the gamblers erupted into discussion.

"Which Lord Official was that? How dare he speak to Big Steel Fang like that!"

"Looks like he must be a registered, official constable!"

"Speaking to Big Steel Fang that way... if you didn’t know better, you’d think he was a Constable from the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

"Yeah, to be so rude to Big Steel Fang and get away with it... that constable is definitely no simple character."

"That’s obvious! Didn’t you see it just now!?"

"See what?"

"The body! There was a headless corpse lying in the room just now!"

"No way! Who did it!?"

"Who do you think?"

"..."

...

With his blade at his waist, Chen Ping’an walked out of the Tiger Run Gambling Square alongside Zeng Jihe.

All along the way, Zeng Jihe’s gaze was so fervent it nearly burned Chen Ping’an’s face red.

"Watch where you’re going. Why do you keep looking at me!?"

Chen Ping’an glanced at Zeng Jihe.

Even after leaving the Tiger Run Gambling Square, the shock was still plastered on Zeng Jihe’s face. Clearly, the series of events had left an indelible impression on Xiaozeng.

He couldn’t for the life of him understand how Master Chen could kill a member of the Tiger Head Gang, successfully collect the full amount of donation silver, and then walk right out of the Tiger Run Gambling Square under the gaze of Big Steel Fang’s awkward smile.

It was simply incredible!

And not only that, Master Chen was actually a Qi Blood Second Layer Martial Dao expert!

"Master Chen... I..."

Even now, Zeng Jihe felt like he was in a dream.

"Spit it out! Stop being so wishy-washy, you’re acting like a woman!"

"Master Chen, from now on, I, Xiaozeng, will be your most loyal follower!" Zeng Jihe declared, his expression full of excitement.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t expected that on top of making a name for himself, he would also unexpectedly gain a little fanboy.

’After all this, there’s a good chance that big shot from above has finally noticed me!’

Chen Ping’an thought to himself.

’If I want to live well in this world, I have to climb as high as possible and get as strong as possible! To rise through the ranks in the Garrison Commandant’s Office, you need more than just strength; you need backing!’

And so far, the highest-ranking person he had ever met was that very official he’d encountered late at night in Jiming Lane!

Though he still didn’t know the official’s name, by piecing together the various clues from the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office afterward, he had already figured out the man’s identity.

The Chief of the Patrol Office for the South City District Garrison!

He had become an official constable because that man had put in a word for him. Now, he wanted to use this opportunity—to reveal his genius in the Martial Dao and make a name for himself—to truly connect with that high-level contact. Best case scenario, the man would take him under his wing and groom him as a trusted subordinate.

If that happened, his path within the Garrison Commandant’s Office would undoubtedly become much smoother.

Chen Ping’an’s ambitions weren’t limited to just Nanquan Lane! Or being an official constable! With his Golden Finger Panel, he would go much further in the future!

’Constable... the Inspectorate...’

Of course, this was all just Chen Ping’an’s own plan and hope. A major figure like that might not necessarily notice him, even after he’d established his might and made a name for himself.

But even so, it didn’t matter. It was, after all, just a speculative move. If it didn’t work out, he would just find another opportunity next time!

When Chen Ping’an and Zeng Jihe returned to the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, it was just noon, and many constables were returning from their patrols, ready for lunch.

The moment Chen Ping’an stepped through the gates of the Garrison Commandant’s Office, many constables started sizing him up with peculiar looks.

Some were gloating, some were ready for a good show, some were curious and gossipy, and some looked on with pity... there were all sorts of reactions.

"Ping’an, you’re back already? Did things not go well!?"

Monkey Head ran up, a worried look on his face.

Seeing Monkey Head act this way, Chen Ping’an felt a small surge of warmth. Monkey Head was undoubtedly taking a risk by doing this. After what had happened at the morning meeting before patrol, every constable in the Garrison Commandant’s Office knew he had grievously offended Constable Zheng. Anyone who dared to be so close to him would surely earn Constable Zheng’s resentment as well.

"Ping’an, do you need help?"

The speaker was Da Shan. He didn’t say much, but his words were full of genuine camaraderie.

Just as Chen Ping’an was about to say something, Mr. Qin also walked over.

"Ping’an, after lunch, how about I go with you? I may be old, but the men from the Tiger Head Gang will still give me some face. And even if they don’t, there’s strength in numbers."

Chen Ping’an’s gaze swept over Monkey Head, Mr. Qin, and Da Shan, and his heart rippled with warmth.

He hadn’t wasted his past six months in the Garrison Commandant’s Office after all; he had truly made a few good friends.

"Mr. Qin, Da Shan, Monkey Head, there’s no need!" Chen Ping’an politely refused.

"Ping’an, why are you being so polite with us!" Monkey Head thought Chen Ping’an just didn’t want to trouble them and was about to try and persuade him. Da Shan and Mr. Qin at his side had the same reaction.

Chen Ping’an was about to explain, but Zeng Jihe, who was standing to the side, spoke up for him.

"You all might not know this, but Master Chen has already collected the donation silver."

Zeng Jihe wore a smug expression, looking as if he were sharing in the glory.

"What!?"

Monkey Head and the others looked completely incredulous.

"Ping’an, is it true?"

After receiving Chen Ping’an’s affirmative reply, the men stood frozen in place.

How... how did he do it!?