In the courtyard, Chen Ping'an's mind raced.
“The matter of Za Mao Yu dying by my hand absolutely cannot be exposed. The current me cannot withstand deep scrutiny!”
“But to obtain a Medium Merit from the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, I need to report Za Mao Yu’s death!”
“If someone can kill or capture him on the spot, they will receive a Medium Merit… Kill or capture! Za Mao Yu is already dead, so capture is impossible! Kill, kill…”
“I can’t expose that I killed Za Mao Yu! This is a dead end. Unsolvable! Hmm! Wait a minute…”
“What if I say I coincidentally discovered a dying Za Mao Yu, then seized the opportunity to sneak attack and kill him directly? Would that be more reasonable?”
As Chen Ping'an thought this, he glanced at Za Mao Yu's neck, which was crushed beyond recognition, and couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head.
If he said that, a site inspection would immediately expose the lie. Such terrifying injuries could absolutely not have been inflicted by him, someone not yet in the Dao of martial arts.
“Not only that, but even a dying Za Mao Yu is a skilled martial artist of the Qi Blood Second Realm. He’s certainly not someone I, a temporary Yamen Runner not yet initiated into the Dao of martial arts, could deal with on the surface.”
“How to handle this… No matter what method, there seems to be some risk.”
Looking at Za Mao Yu’s corpse beside him, Chen Ping'an was momentarily in a dilemma.
“Damn it, if I want this Medium Merit, I can’t avoid all risk! I’ll go for it!”
Chen Ping'an hesitated for a long time, finally choosing the most feasible, most explainable, and overall most reasonable plan.
Just now, as he followed, he remembered there was a suitable-sized stone not far from the courtyard.
He first busied himself in the courtyard for a while, erasing some traces and tidying up the scene. Then he quietly opened the courtyard gate and went to the roadside nearby to move the stone inside.
Then, he picked up the stone and ruthlessly smashed it against Za Mao Yu’s neck, knees, and insteps.
After using the new injuries to cover up the previous ones, he threw the stone aside, closed the courtyard gate, and then eagerly headed towards the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
...
Deep in the night, the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office was still brightly lit.
According to the Zhenfu Division's rules, even at night, at least one Chief Constable must be stationed in the Zhenfu Division to guard against sudden illegal activities in the lane. With a Chief Constable overseeing the Zhenfu Division and coordinating from the center, the impact of various illegal activities could often be minimized.
In addition to the Chief Constable on duty, the Zhenfu Division also had some night shift Yamen Runners. Furthermore, there were night patrol Yamen Runners, two per shift, patrolling various streets and alleys.
Of course, Chen Ping'an himself had been on night patrol duty and understood the Dao within. Unless the Zhenfu Division issued a special mission or the entire city was on high alert, night patrol Yamen Runners would diligently patrol all night.
Otherwise, when it truly got late at night and no one was around, night patrol Yamen Runners would often find a quiet place to nap. They certainly wouldn't foolishly patrol all night.
“Who is it?”
At night, at the entrance of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, two Yamen Runners guarded the gate. After all, it was an important area in the lane, and people were not allowed to enter or exit freely.
The two saw someone running towards the Zhenfu Division from a distance, with no attempt to hide his movements. Immediately, they shouted loudly.
“It’s me! It’s me, the temporary Yamen Runner, Chen Ping'an.”
Chen Ping'an ran and loudly answered the two Yamen Runners’ questions.
Hearing Chen Ping'an's reply, the expressions on the two Yamen Runners' Faces relaxed slightly. Seeing him run closer, it truly was a familiar Face they often saw. Only then did they completely relax.
“It’s Ping'an, what’s wrong so late at night?”
Seeing Chen Ping'an’s hair soaked with sweat, his clothes drenched, and him panting heavily, the two Yamen Runners asked curiously.
“I have a major discovery to report to the Chief Constable.”
Chen Ping'an said as he ran into the Zhenfu Division.
The two Yamen Runners exchanged glances and did not stop Chen Ping'an.
“What’s so urgent?”
“Not sure, but seeing him run so hastily, it must be something significant.”
“His house was robbed?”
“Perhaps.”
The two Yamen Runners conversed casually. Neither of them thought of the Qing Yu Gang, as in their eyes, Chen Ping'an was just an ordinary person not yet initiated into the Dao of martial arts.
If he had really encountered the remnants of the Qing Yu Gang, how could he still be alive?!
Upon entering the Zhenfu Division gate, there was a large open space, and further ahead, to the left of the high platform, there was a door, behind which was a long row of Errand Offices. Night shift Yamen Runners and clerks would handle affairs in these Errand Offices.
During the day, there should be several people in one Errand Office. But at night, only one person was on duty.
Of course, Chen Ping'an was not looking for clerks or night shift Yamen Runners. He was looking for the Chief Constable, so he had to go past the Errand Offices, further back.
That was where the Chief Constables worked.
However, just as Chen Ping'an reached the Errand Office, he happened to see someone coming out of it.
The two met Face to Face.
“You are?”
The other person looked at Chen Ping'an with a puzzled expression.
“Foreman Zheng.” Chen Ping'an greeted him.
He hadn't expected to coincidentally run into Zheng Shiyong here. However, he had heard that Zheng Shiyong’s official duty was night shift Yamen Runner, so his presence here was normal.
“Who are you looking for?”
Zheng Shiyong felt the other person looked somewhat familiar. Seeing Chen Ping'an about to walk past him, he immediately blocked his way.
“Foreman Zheng, I have something to report to the Chief Constable.”
Chen Ping'an was preoccupied with the matter and had no time to exchange pleasantries with Zheng Shiyong. He just wanted to find the Chief Constable on duty tonight as soon as possible to report the matter of Za Mao Yu.
“Looking for the Chief Constable, huh? What’s your name?”
Zheng Shiyong’s tone was interrogative, and his gaze was scrutinizing.
He really did live up to being called Chief Constable Zheng’s nephew. He hadn’t been at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office for long, but his speaking authority was quite sufficient.
“Foreman Zheng, my name is Chen Ping'an, and I’m also a Yamen Runner of our Zhenfu Division.”
Chen Ping'an just wanted to get rid of Zheng Shiyong quickly and settle tonight's matter.
When Chen Ping'an said that, Zheng Shiyong remembered. He did indeed have such a colleague. However, the other party was too inconspicuous in the Zhenfu Division. So, he hadn't immediately recalled him.
“Speak, what do you need the Chief Constable for? I can relay it.”
Zheng Shiyong’s tone carried a hint of arrogance. This was due to a strong sense of superiority.
As a night shift Yamen Runner, he often had contact with the Chief Constable. When facing an inconspicuous temporary Yamen Runner like Chen Ping'an, he certainly had the capital to be superior.
Damn it, this guy, why is he so annoying!
Chen Ping'an just wanted to quickly get rid of him. He suppressed his impatience and said in a calm tone.
“Foreman Zheng, this matter of mine is quite important and needs to be reported to the Chief Constable in person.”
With that, Chen Ping'an walked past Zheng Shiyong and headed to the back.
Seeing Chen Ping'an act like this, Zheng Shiyong felt he had lost Face, and his expression was not good.
Looking at Chen Ping'an’s back, he seemed to think of something, his eyes rolled, and he blurted out.
“Chen Ping'an, the Chief Constables aren’t here tonight. You’d be going for nothing. If there’s really something, you can tell me.”