The reward notice posted by the Zhenfu Division was undoubtedly an opportunity for Chen Ping'an.
He was just thinking about how to legitimately secure the identity of a formal Yamen Runner, and then the pillow was delivered right when he was sleepy.
On the surface, he was just a temporary Yamen Runner with no martial arts initiation. With the help of his Golden Finger, even someone as strong as Master Tian Fuliang, the Deputy Squad Leader, couldn't see through his true situation.
The simplest way for him to become a formal Yamen Runner was to reveal his true martial arts Realm. Then, with a certain amount of merit, he could naturally become a formal Yamen Runner of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
However, this path was impassable!
How did he achieve martial arts initiation? Where did his martial arts Cultivation come from? And how did he reach the Qi Blood Second Realm of martial arts Cultivation?
These were all pitfalls, all problems! Chen Ping'an couldn't explain them.
His past experiences and life were clear and could not withstand scrutiny.
Therefore, the path Chen Ping'an planned for himself was to first find a way to secure the identity of a formal Yamen Runner without revealing his martial arts Cultivation. After becoming a formal Yamen Runner, the Zhenfu Division would, as per custom, bestow the standard blade technique for formal Yamen Runners, the Gongmen Thirteen Blades.
Using the Gongmen Thirteen Blades technique, he would naturally achieve martial arts initiation and embark on martial arts Cultivation. Later, he would gradually reveal his martial arts Genius, solidifying his reputation as a martial arts Genius, and thereby gradually distinguish himself within the Zhenfu Division until he gained heavy reliance.
A long journey starts from scratch, and now he was about to take the first step!
To become a formal Yamen Runner of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Now was an excellent opportunity.
If he could achieve a medium level of merit, he could directly become a formal Yamen Runner. At that time, almost all problems could be smoothly resolved.
If he became a formal Yamen Runner, the Tiger Head Gang's monthly protection fee?
Ridiculous!
Even if he was willing to give it, the Tiger Head Gang probably wouldn't dare to accept it!
A formal Yamen Runner of Nanquan Lane represented not only himself but also the prestige of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Accepting monthly protection money from the family of a formal Yamen Runner of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, was the Tiger Head Gang's old man hanging himself, tired of living?
If he were a formal Yamen Runner, would the Tiger Head Gang's Young Master Tiger dare to openly break into his house? Would Pockmarked Liu dare to slap his table? Would he dare to mock him to his face?
They wouldn't dare to do any of this!
Yet, what Chen Ping'an actually experienced, they dared to do! What he lacked was the identity of a formal Yamen Runner.
Many things, being powerless, were due to insufficient ability! Insufficient status! Insufficient background!
Chen Ping'an had no background; he could only rely on himself. He had to fight for what he wanted little by little, weaving together his and Nannan's lives.
On this day's patrol, Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head Da Shan, and the others patrolled with extra diligence. Even the time they spent slacking off at noon was greatly reduced. It was a pity that they found nothing until they finished their shift.
Thinking about it, if they were so easy to discover, the remnants of the Qing Yu Gang wouldn't have been able to break through the encirclement.
"Where is this person! Where did he hide?"
"Za Mao Yu, ah, Za Mao Yu, my bright future, Monkey Head, rests on you?"
Monkey Head kept muttering this until it was time to hand in their waist tokens and sabers.
Chen Ping'an patted Monkey Head's shoulder and gave him a look.
"No rush! What's meant to come will come!"
"Hmm, let's try again tomorrow!" Monkey Head was full of fighting spirit, looking determined to succeed. "Da Shan, rest well tonight, and let's continue tomorrow!"
"Hmm, got it." Da Shan nodded heavily.
The few of them said goodbye at the Zhenfu Division and went their separate ways home.
After finishing his shift, Chen Ping'an didn't go straight home. He first went to Zhang Dabo's house and said he wanted some sharp-edged stones, roughly the same quantity as the previous sand and gravel.
Zhang Dabo happened to be home and readily agreed.
Chen Ping'an offered some money first, but the other party repeatedly refused. Chen Ping'an observed that the other party's expression was not just being polite, so he dropped the matter. He pondered in his heart how he would repay this favor later.
Upon returning home, Chen Ping'an was greeted by Chen Er'ya's familiar smile.
"Brother, you're back! Time to eat!"
Warmth surged in Chen Ping'an's chest, a feeling of immense coziness.
"Alright."
Chen Ping'an replied with a smile and walked into the courtyard.
It felt so good to have a home!
After dinner that evening, Chen Ping'an began practicing Iron Cloth.
He had originally thought he could try for 4 experience points, but in the end, he only gained 3 points.
"Once the stones arrive tomorrow, I'll try again!"
After Iron Cloth reached Major Achievement, the training effect of sand and gravel had significantly diminished. Continuous stimulation led to reduced effectiveness, making it somewhat difficult to gain 4 experience points in a row.
......
The next day, after Chen Ping'an finished practicing Iron Cloth and gained 3 Cultivation experience points, he went to work as usual. Having learned from yesterday's lesson, he arrived even earlier than usual today.
Only two Chief Constables attended today's pre-shift meeting. Clearly, Chief Constables attending pre-shift meetings was not the norm. As Chief Constables, they only needed to show up at crucial moments to coordinate work. They couldn't be like Yamen Runners who had to report for duty every day.
After the meeting, Chen Ping'an, along with Monkey Head and Da Shan, began their patrol for the day.
"Da Shan, let me tell you, your question is very good. Why should we call Lord Tian 'Lord' and not 'Deputy Squad Leader Tian'? Listen carefully and speak well, there's a lot of Dao in this."
"In the Zhenfu Division, the rules are strict. Each rank is separated by another! Not to mention flattering those above, at least you can't offend them, right? So, speaking well is an art."
"When you publicly see the Deputy Squad Leader, in the absence of the Squad Leader, you should call him 'Deputy Squad Leader,' or 'Lord'! This is a sign of respect for him. It's also a sign of respect for the Squad Leader. It both highlights the Deputy Squad Leader's status and implicitly shows reverence for the Squad Leader. Such a title offends neither the Deputy Squad Leader nor the Squad Leader."
"If you see the Deputy Squad Leader alone, then you shouldn't call him 'Lord' anymore. You should call him 'Squad Leader'! And absolutely do not foolishly call him 'Deputy Squad Leader Lord.' Are you trying to make him lose face in front of others? Does he not know he's the Deputy Squad Leader, requiring you to say it?"
"When you see the Squad Leader, no matter the occasion, you must call him 'Squad Leader Lord'! To show his extraordinary status, that he is the unique existence in Nanquan Lane! Calling him 'Squad Leader Lord' is a display of acknowledging his authority and submission."
"When both the Squad Leader Lord and the Deputy Squad Leader Lord are present, the Squad Leader should be called 'Squad Leader Lord,' and the Deputy Squad Leader should be called 'Lord.'"
"These, ah, are all Dao. You can't learn them from books. These are all Monkey Head's insights, Da Shan, you must remember them well."
.......
Throughout the journey, Monkey Head was showcasing his profound and solid niche knowledge to Da Shan. Chen Ping'an also found it interesting to listen from the side.
that kid, Monkey Head, is really quite amusing!
With his antics, the day passed particularly quickly.
On this day, they still found nothing and did not discover any trace of the Qing Yu Gang remnants.
Upon returning to the Zhenfu Division, Monkey Head went around asking for information and then excitedly shared it with the two of them.
"Ping'an, Da Shan, no one has found any trace of the Qing Yu Gang remnants yet. There's still a chance. Let's continue tomorrow!"
"Hmm, let's continue tomorrow." Chen Ping'an replied.