Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Qi Blood Third Stage
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Minor Achievement (29/40), Gongmen Thirteen Blades martial arts initiation (2/15)
...
Early in the morning, after Chen Ping'an finished his martial arts initiation training, he looked at the accumulation of martial arts experience on his panel and felt quite satisfied.
"Nannan, your brother is leaving. Remember to buy more meat tonight!"
"Okay, Brother ~"
After the brother and sister exchanged a few words, Chen Ping'an walked towards the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Today, Chief Constable Zheng was uncharacteristically absent from the pre-duty meeting. Among the five Chief Constables of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, Chief Constable Zheng had the highest frequency of attending pre-duty meetings.
However, the matter of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect was not yet resolved, so the other four Chief Constables were all present.
After some arrangements and speeches by several Chief Constables, the pre-duty meeting concluded. Chen Ping'an officially received his new assignment and met the three temporary Yamen Runners under him.
Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, Zeng Jihe.
Upon seeing Chen Ping'an, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu's expressions were a bit unnatural, and they didn't know how to speak for a moment.
Speaking of which, they had met at Chen Ping'an's doorstep a few days prior. At that time, fearing to get involved in any trouble, they hadn't interacted much with Chen Ping'an.
Unexpectedly, upon meeting again, they had become Chen Ping'an's subordinates.
"Good morning, Chen Tou."
Zeng Jihe, however, was straightforward and spoke directly and crisply upon seeing Chen Ping'an.
Zeng Jihe was not very old, probably around the same age as Chen Ping'an, perhaps one or two years older.
"Mm." Chen Ping'an responded with a smile.
Seeing Zeng Jihe speak, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu then greeted Chen Ping'an.
"Chen Tou."
After speaking, the two looked at each other, not knowing what they were thinking.
Chen Ping'an didn't say much about this.
"Where are we patrolling today?"
Chen Ping'an asked.
Upon hearing this, neither Cheng Yuan nor Zhao Hu spoke.
Chen Ping'an turned his gaze to Zeng Jihe. Zeng Jihe glanced at the two beside him, then forced a smile.
"Chen Tou, you came too early, we haven't checked yet."
"Oh?"
Chen Ping'an looked at Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, who were bowing their heads in silence, and smelled something unusual.
He hadn't come particularly early; many Yamen Runners in the same shift had already set out on patrol. According to today's patrol arrangements, the few of them should have checked long ago. Now that he had arrived, why hadn't they checked yet?
Although Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu didn't show it too obviously, from their brief interaction, it seemed they probably didn't respect him much.
It was just that he didn't know if there were others behind them.
"Chen Tou, please wait a moment, I'll go check right away." Zeng Jihe chuckled and immediately ran inside.
"Mm." Chen Ping'an responded, ignoring Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, and closed his eyes to wait.
"Oh, isn't this Foreman Chen! Not ready to set out yet? What? On your first day as an official Yamen Runner, are you already thinking of taking a break?"
A sarcastic, Yin and Yang voice came from the side.
Chen Ping'an opened his eyes and saw Zheng Shiyong walking towards him with a few people.
"The matter of patrolling doesn't require Foreman Zheng's concern. Chen has his own arrangements! Foreman Zheng should still think about how to do his job well on night duty, and not let the Devil take advantage of any loopholes!"
Chen Ping'an raised his eyelids and said indifferently.
He truly had no interest in dealing with this Zheng Shiyong.
He didn't know where he got the Face to appear before him. Others might not know, but he himself knew very well how his official Yamen Runner status came about!
He still remembered that old score!
Listening to Chen Ping'an's words, a gloomy look flashed across Zheng Shiyong's Face.
Ever since he entered the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, with Chief Constable Zheng's connections, when had he ever heard such words?
A country bumpkin got promoted to an official Yamen Runner, and now he doesn't know his place? He's just a lucky bumpkin, yet he dares to act like this towards him!
Good, good, good!
Let's see if I can't crush you!
Looking at his surroundings, Zheng Shiyong suppressed the anger in his heart.
"Foreman Chen is a young talent, a model for our generation. I hope you can achieve an earth-shattering great feat, so we can all witness it."
After saying that, Zheng Shiyong didn't wait for Chen Ping'an's response, and turned to Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, saying, "Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, you two must work hard with Foreman Chen! Your future is limitless!"
"Yes, yes, yes, absolutely, absolutely." Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu revealed a fawning smile, completely unlike their attitude towards Chen Ping'an just now.
"Not bad!"
After patting both of their shoulders, Zheng Shiyong laughed heartily and strode away.
Fighting with me! ? You'll be furious!
Under the influence of his environment, Zheng Shiyong wasn't just a simple fool. He naturally knew how to properly make trouble for Chen Ping'an.
What could be more infuriating than having your own subordinates openly pledge allegiance to someone else?
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu had always been part of his uncle's faction, and he had already tried to win them over yesterday. With those two inside, Chen Ping'an shouldn't even think about accomplishing anything. It would already be a testament to his ability if he could avoid making mistakes.
Watching Zheng Shiyong leave, Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly. He turned his head to look at Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu.
"What's going on?" Chen Ping'an's slightly cold voice rang out.
"What is Chen Tou talking about?" Cheng Yuan feigned ignorance, pretending not to understand.
Originally, the two of them wanted to maintain a harmonious relationship on the surface, trying not to offend either side. But Zheng Shiyong's recent arrival forced them to make a choice.
On one side was Zheng Shiyong, who was backed by Chief Constable Zheng and had a limitless future in martial arts initiation, and on the other side was a young man who hadn't even entered martial arts initiation, and had become an official Yamen Runner by some stroke of luck.
They could only choose one side, and even a fool would know who to stand with!
Chen Ping'an didn't speak, his gaze fixed on the two of them.
Cheng Yuan met his gaze without fear, responding with his eyes.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, Zeng Jihe happened to run back.
"Chen Tou, today we're patrolling Niu Ye Ward!"
Zeng Jihe ran breathlessly to the middle of the group, clearly sensing the unusual atmosphere.
"Chen Tou?" Zeng Jihe smiled ingratiatingly.
"Got it." Chen Ping'an responded. "Let's go."
"Received." Zeng Jihe quickly followed.
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu exchanged glances, both seeing amusement in each other's eyes, then slowly followed.
Hmph!
Just an ordinary young man, what can he use to fight them!? Besides being lucky enough to be registered, what does he have that can compare to them?
During the patrol, the four walked through the streets and alleys, and the atmosphere was not particularly pleasant. Chen Ping'an usually walked in front, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu did their own thing, and Zeng Jihe tried to ease the tension in the middle.
At noon, the two also ignored Chen Ping'an and simply left. Before leaving, Zeng Jihe asked, and the two casually brushed him off, saying someone was treating them to a meal.
When it was time for the afternoon patrol, the two came back half-drunk. Although the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office Yamen Runners were not strictly forbidden from drinking during patrol, if such a thing were to happen, it would usually be the registered Yamen Runners who led the drinking. There was no reason for the official Yamen Runners not to drink, while the temporary Yamen Runners did.
This was simply too disrespectful to the official Yamen Runners!
However, Chen Ping'an didn't react much to this.
This day slowly passed in such an atmosphere. After the patrol ended, Chen Ping'an ignored the two and left his duty directly. As an official Yamen Runner who had been registered, he didn't need to return his saber and waist token, so he could leave early.
"Let you jump around for a few days first! I hope you can still jump later!"
On the way home, a fierce glint flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes.
Things like drinking on patrol and disobeying orders were minor issues that couldn't be blown out of proportion. If he were to really pursue them, there would be punishment, but the severity of the punishment would be far from enough.
Therefore, he was waiting for an opportunity! An opportunity that would make them regret it for the rest of their lives!