Even though he had known the news for a long time, Shen Shikang still couldn't hide his surprise when he actually saw Chen Ping'an.
From a Petty Officer Candidate to the head of the South City Prison, with just this simple appointment, Chen Ping'an achieved what he had spent more than twenty years trying to do.
Although the position of head of the South City Prison was nominally at the Squad Leader level, it was directly under the Nancheng Suppression Office, and in reality, it was half a level higher than a typical Squad Leader position.
Chen Ping'an said he was promoted two levels, but in reality, it was two and a half levels.
The young man he once regarded as an ant was now his equal.
After a long time apart, the two exchanged pleasantries.
Because of their past relationship as colleagues in Nanquan Lane, seeing each other again unexpectedly brought a sense of closeness.
"Lord Chen, shall I show you around?" Shen Shikang proactively offered.
"That would be excellent. Thank you, Lord Shen," Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
As a newcomer, having someone willing to introduce him was naturally the best outcome.
Besides allowing him to quickly familiarize himself, it could also effectively demonstrate his background and strength.
Shen Shikang took him to the Dispatching Division first to collect his waist token.
The Dispatching Division is one of the Nancheng Suppression Office's nine Errand Offices. Matters such as personnel registration, promotions, retention, and performance evaluations all fall within the Dispatching Division's responsibilities.
When Shen Shikang brought Chen Ping'an to the Dispatching Division, everything was already prepared.
The person who greeted them was Liu Jinzhu, the head of the Dispatching Division.
"Welcome, Lord Chen, to your new appointment at the Nancheng Suppression Office."
Liu Jinzhu was a plump man who looked loose and sloppy. However, no one dared to underestimate him. Anyone who could hold such a position in the Nancheng Suppression Office was certainly not ordinary.
"Lord Liu, you're too kind," Chen Ping'an said, cupping his hands.
Qi Blood Sixth Stage Perfection!
At the first moment, he sensed Liu Jinzhu's martial Dao Realm.
On the other side, Liu Jinzhu also determined Chen Ping'an's martial Dao Realm.
Qi and Blood Fifth Stage!
After the procedures were completed, the three exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Chen Ping'an left with Shen Shikang.
"It really is Qi and Blood Fifth Stage! Chu Qirong won't be easy to deal with. A mere Qi and Blood Fifth Stage won't be enough to suppress him!" Liu Jinzhu thought to himself as he watched the two leave.
"However, I didn't expect Shen Shikang to be so close to him? Is this a bet?"
Shen Shikang and Chen Ping'an were once colleagues, so it was normal for them to exchange more pleasantries when they met. But for Shen Shikang to proactively take him around on his first day of reporting clearly went beyond a typical colleague relationship.
Was someone instructing him? Or was it Shen Shikang's own decision?
Liu Jinzhu pondered silently.
But no matter what, this newly appointed Chen Ping'an would likely not be simple.
"Now there's a good show to watch."
...
"Lord Chen, Liu Jinzhu is in charge of the Dispatching Division, which oversees many promotions and retentions within the Nancheng Suppression Office. He holds a high position and a lot of power, so he's not ordinary!" Shen Shikang introduced to Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an nodded.
"Lord Shen, please don't be so polite, just call me Ping'an."
Seeing Chen Ping'an proactively getting closer, Shen Shikang felt excellent. His efforts were aimed precisely at this effect.
"Hahaha... I'm a few years older than you, so I'll take the liberty of calling you Ping'an."
"Lord Shen, that is only right," Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
"Why are you still calling me Lord Shen! Just call me Shikang!"
"In that case, I shall presume, Brother Shikang."
"Good! Good! Good!" Shen Shikang laughed heartily.
With this back and forth, the relationship between the two grew even closer.
A former superior and subordinate had now become colleagues who addressed each other as brothers. The wonder of opportunity truly made one sigh.
After visiting the Dispatching Division, Shen Shikang took Chen Ping'an to tour the other Errand Offices.
The Nancheng Suppression Office, which governs over a dozen lanes, has a strict organizational structure and clear functions.
Within the Nancheng Suppression Office, there are a total of nine Errand Offices. Each Errand Office has different responsibilities, such as drafting documents, arrests and captures, investigations and interrogations, evaluations and transfers, accumulation of merits, and managing bows, crossbows, and blades.
The nine Errand Offices are normally staffed with a supervisor and a deputy supervisor. The supervisors of the Errand Offices are all at the Squad Leader level.
Of course, being in the Nancheng Suppression Office, their actual rank is half a level higher than a normal Squad Leader.
Shen Shikang is in such a situation, serving as the supervisor of an Errand Office, primarily responsible for matters related to arrests and captures.
Beyond the nine Errand Offices, there are also three special institutions.
The Nancheng Prison, the Logistics and Supply Depot, and the Special Affairs Office.
Each institution also has both a principal and a deputy position.
For example, Chen Ping'an is the principal of the Nancheng Prison, the head of the Nancheng Prison.
Above the supervisors of each office are the Deputy Total Affairs Office and the Chief Warrant Officer.
Generally, both of them will have stewards by their side to assist in managing various affairs.
For example, the Internal Energy offerings of the Nancheng Suppression Office are still outside the management structure in terms of their designated duties. They only have the authority to control various parties when encountering special matters.
This is the overall organizational function of the Nancheng Suppression Office, complete in all its aspects.
"Nine Errand Offices, three special institutions! Supervisors, stewards, Internal Energy offerings, and two true magnates."
Chen Ping'an secretly memorized everything Shen Shikang said.
"Brother Shikang, I wonder how many Inner Qi Realm experts our Nancheng Suppression Office has?" As the atmosphere grew harmonious, Chen Ping'an seized the opportunity to ask the question on his mind.
Seeing Chen Ping'an ask, Shen Shikang smiled slightly: "Inner Qi Realm masters are rare; in any force, they are considered pillars. Our Nancheng Suppression Office governs over a dozen lanes and needs to deter petty criminals. There should be eight or nine martial Dao experts in the Inner Qi Realm."
"Oh? There are actually eight or nine people?" Chen Ping'an was slightly surprised.
He had thought that the Nancheng Suppression Office only had four or five Inner Qi Realm experts, but he never expected there to be so many.
"Chief Warrant Officer Lord Mu and Deputy Total Affairs Office Lord Fu are both veteran masters who entered the Inner Qi Realm many years ago. Additionally, the two stewards assisting them are also Inner Qi Realm experts. Coupled with the Internal Energy offerings and others, that makes roughly eight or nine people." Shen Shikang patiently explained.
"So that's how it is," Chen Ping'an realized.
The Nancheng Suppression Office truly had hidden Dragons and crouching tigers!
"I wonder where my strength ranks among these people?" Chen Ping'an thought to himself.
The Nancheng Suppression Office alone had eight or nine Inner Qi masters, and the number of Inner Qi Realm experts within the Nancheng region would likely be even greater. Looking at the entire Weishui Outer City, while Inner Qi Realm experts certainly weren't everywhere, they probably weren't that rare either.
"My meager strength can only show its might in some remote corner, but it's not enough to be considered strong in the entire Weishui Outer City! Hmm, I must not become complacent; I need to continue cultivating diligently!"
Only by entering the Inner Qi Second Level, Clear Turbidity Returning to Origin, could he truly gain some confidence.
After Shen Shikang finished familiarizing Chen Ping'an with the various institutions of the Nancheng Suppression Office, he took him for another tour around the area. By the time all this was done, it was already noon.
The two had lunch together, chatting and reminiscing. As a supervisor of an Errand Office, Shen Shikang was busy with official duties and naturally couldn't accompany Chen Ping'an indefinitely.
After bidding farewell to Shen Shikang, Chen Ping'an called on Mu Wanjun.
Upon seeing Chen Ping'an, Mu Wanjun first encouraged him with a few words, then shifted the topic to Chu Qirong, the deputy head of the Nancheng Prison. She shared some current information with Chen Ping'an, explaining that Chu Qirong had been in the Nancheng Prison for many years, and his network of connections was deeply entrenched, making him difficult to deal with.
She advised Chen Ping'an to be careful in everything.
Chen Ping'an nodded in agreement, stating that he would be careful in all matters.
Finally, Mu Wanjun directly told him that he could seek her out if he encountered any difficulties later on.
Naturally, Chen Ping'an was extremely grateful for this, thanking Lord Mu for her guidance.
With Mu Wanjun's support, he believed his upcoming work would be extremely smooth.
As for Chu Qirong? He was merely a worthless opponent!