The voice from behind was deep and resonant, one Chen Ping'an knew all too well. He heard it often during the daily pre-patrol meetings. It was Constable Zheng's voice!
"Constable Zheng."
Chen Ping'an quickly turned and bowed in salute.
Constable Zheng had a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a walrus mustache.
"What's your name?"
Constable Zheng frowned, looking at Chen Ping'an with clear displeasure.
"My name is Chen Ping'an, sir,"
Chen Ping'an replied, full of fear and trepidation.
However, his heart was perfectly calm. This came not only from his remarkable Heart Nature, but also from the confidence of having reached the Qi Blood Second Layer. This inner peace was a natural reaction, not something he had to consciously maintain.
With his Golden Finger Panel, his mindset was already such that he could see Constable Zheng as an equal, or even look down on him.
Of course, that was only mentally. On the surface, he still needed to act humble and subservient for the time being.
"Chen Ping'an?" A flicker of contemplation crossed Constable Zheng's face. "Chen Tian'an's boy?"
"Yes, sir." A flash of panic crossed Chen Ping'an's face as he quickly replied. Chen Tian'an was his father, Old Chen's, full name.
Constable Zheng had other matters to attend to today and had no intention of getting entangled with Chen Ping'an. Besides, Chen Ping'an's attitude was perfectly proper. Aside from his earlier action, he hadn't broken any other rules that warranted a reprimand.
"In the Garrison Commandant's Office, everything is about rules. Nobody likes people who don't follow them."
After admonishing Chen Ping'an, Constable Zheng paid him no more mind and walked straight into the Garrison Commandant's Office.
The rule in the Garrison Commandant's Office was that constables had to arrive earlier than Constables, and temporary constables had to arrive earlier than official constables. An unlisted temporary constable had no business making official constables and Constables wait.
"Your lesson is well-received, Constable Zheng. I understand." Chen Ping'an kept his head low, his calm eyes betraying none of his thoughts.
Although he had left late today, he had rushed all the way and still managed not to be late, but...
It didn't matter anymore!
Because Constable Zheng had arrived before him, and that was enough!
That meant he was late.
"Constable Zheng!"
"Morning, Constable Zheng."
"..."
Greetings rang out from time to time within the Garrison Commandant's Office. These were all constables currying favor with Constable Zheng.
A Constable was merely a mid-level position in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, but they held an authority and power that was hard for others to imagine.
'A Constable...'
Chen Ping'an stood in place with his head lowered. He waited for a dozen or so breaths after Constable Zheng went through the door before he finally walked in.
Quite a few constables had seen what just happened at the entrance of the Garrison Commandant's Office.
Seeing Chen Ping'an enter, some constables wore looks of schadenfreude, ready to watch a good show. Others remained aloof and indifferent, while a few showed sympathy.
When he walked over to his usual spot, not only were Monkey Head and Da Shan there, but even the rarely seen Mr. Qin was present.
"Mr. Qin."
Chen Ping'an greeted him first.
Mr. Qin gave a slight nod, acknowledging the greeting.
"Ping'an, are you alright?"
Monkey Head asked with a concerned look.
"I'm fine." Chen Ping'an gave a small wave of his hand, indicating it was nothing to worry about.
"Ping'an, did something happen today? How come you were so late?" Da Shan asked in his gruff voice.
"Yes, I ran into a small issue this morning, so I left a bit late," Chen Ping'an replied. Seeing the concerned looks on Monkey Head and Da Shan's faces, he added, "But, everything has been perfectly resolved. Don't worry."
"Resolved, huh? Heh! Then I've lost my chance to help. You know me, Ping'an, I'm the most helpful person around," Monkey Head said with an exaggerated expression.
Chen Ping'an knew he was just clowning around to distract him.
In the eyes of a normal constable, being reprimanded by a Constable, especially Constable Zheng, was no small matter. At the very least, one would be upset for several days.
If you offended a Steward in another trade, you could still switch professions and make a name for yourself. But in the Garrison Commandant's Office, that was absolutely impossible! If you offended a Constable, you either had to apologize until they were satisfied, or you'd be crushed into the dust.
However, Chen Ping'an's situation today wasn't so severe as to be called 'offending' Constable Zheng. It was merely leaving a bad impression. There was still room to turn things around.
But, even so, it was still not a good thing.
"Speaking of which, why did Constable Zheng get here so early today? And are the other Constables here too?" Chen Ping'an's gaze swept the room, and he noticed that aside from Constable Zheng, Constable Yan, Constable Li, and Constable Huang were all present as well.
Of the five Constables in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, four were here today.
"Yeah, it's strange, isn't it?" Monkey Head also looked puzzled. "Could it be that something special is happening today?"
"Mr. Qin, you're an old hand, do you know anything?" Monkey Head asked.
"You'll know soon enough." Mr. Qin grinned, revealing deep wrinkles.
As the few of them were talking in low voices, another person walked in through the entrance of the Garrison Commandant's Office.
"Constable Liu is here too?" Monkey Head was taken aback.
Including Constable Liu, all five Constables were now present. What in the world was going on today?
For all five Constables to be gathered, aside from the assignment meeting that was held only once every two months, was an extremely rare sight. And by his calculations, it wasn't time for the assignment meeting yet.
Inside the Garrison Commandant's Office, it wasn't just Monkey Head and Chen Ping'an who were filled with such doubts; many other constables were as well.
By now, the pre-patrol meeting should have already started. However, the five Constables were standing on the high platform, and not one of them had stepped forward to speak.
On the platform, the Constables faced the main gate of the Garrison Commandant's Office, none of them taking a seat. Below the platform, the constables waited in silence.
'Could it be...'
Looking at the scene before him, a flash of understanding sparked in Chen Ping'an's mind.
He glanced at Monkey Head beside him and saw a look of comprehension dawn on his face as well.
"Looks like something important really is happening today," Monkey Head whispered.
Chen Ping'an nodded lightly.
In the entire Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, the only people who could make all the Constables wait like this were probably the two Lord Chiefs.
The Lord Chief of Nanquan Lane, Lord Shen Shikang. And the Vice Inspector, Lord Tian Fuliang.
Inside the Garrison Commandant's Office, five Constables and over a hundred constables waited in silence.
Under the watchful eyes of all, a person walked through the entrance of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.
The newcomer wore Profound Black Fish Scale Armor and a Yanling Saber at his waist, his leather boots thudding firmly with each powerful step.
The Fish Scale Armor was a profound black, looking as if it had been dredged from the deep sea. Each scale on it was exquisitely crafted by a master artisan. Under the sunlight, the scales shimmered with a dark, profound light.
In the entire Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, only two individuals were qualified to wear the Fish Scale Armor.
"Greetings, Lord Tian!"
A sound like a tidal wave crashed through the Garrison Commandant's Office. As the voices rang out, all the constables bowed deeply in unison.
Amidst the bows and greetings of the constables, Tian Fuliang's expression remained composed as he walked straight to the high platform and took the large chair in the very center.
"All of you may rise," he said faintly.
He was met with another resounding, unified cry.
"Yes, Lord Tian."
The constables rose, Chen Ping'an among them.
...