Originally, with the tax matter concluded today and no street patrol duties, Chen Ping'an could have finished work early and gone home.
However, to be safe and prevent Zheng Chatou from making an issue of it, Chen Ping'an stayed at the Zhenfu Division until after roll call.
In the afternoon, Chen Ping'an and Zeng Jihe chatted idly.
During this time, they saw Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, both of whom looked very displeased.
Clearly, they were also aware of Chen Ping'an receiving the tax.
However, nearing the end of their shift, Chen Ping'an saw them again.
He didn't know where they had gone, but both of them seemed much more relaxed.
"Chen Tou, are you alright?" After repeated encounters, Xiao Zeng had become very sensitive.
Upon noticing the two men's unusual behavior, he immediately reported it to Chen Ping'an.
"No worries," Chen Ping'an said with a calm smile.
"They're just a bunch of clowns."
"Hmm," Zeng Jihe nodded heavily.
If he hadn't witnessed Chen Ping'an's performance at Hu Pao Gambling House, he would have thought Chen Ping'an was boasting, but now, he was utterly convinced and sincerely impressed.
When it was time to finish work, Monkey Head Da Shan and Qin Tou also returned to the Zhenfu Division.
Qin Tou had some family matters to attend to at noon, so he wasn't at the Zhenfu Division.
Chen Ping'an smiled and made a pact with a few people: once this matter was over, they would gather for a meal, and he would treat everyone.
The others naturally agreed with a smile.
Upon returning home from work, Chen Er'ya had already prepared a fragrant and delicious meal.
It was rich in meat and full of oil.
Ever since Chen Ping'an was promoted to a regular Yamen Runner, their family's meals had been getting better and better.
After a satisfying meal, just as Chen Ping'an was about to digest it and begin practicing Flying Locust Stone and Gongmen Thirteen Blades, an uninvited guest arrived outside the courtyard gate.
A knock sounded, and Chen Ping'an went forward to open the courtyard gate.
"Hello, is this Chen Ping'an's home?"
A Yamen Runner, dressed in the Zhenfu Division's official uniform, with a saber slung across his waist, stood at his courtyard gate with a faint smile.
"You are?" Chen Ping'an looked at the newcomer with a hint of doubt.
There were over thirty regular Yamen Runners at Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, and he should have known them all.
The person in front of him, judging by the style of his official uniform, was a regular Yamen Runner of the Zhenfu Division, but Chen Ping'an didn't recognize him.
"You are Chen Ping'an, right? My name is Chang Zheng, and I am a Yamen Runner from Nancheng Suppression Office." The Yamen Runner's gaze was gentle, and he smiled as he looked at Chen Ping'an.
His smile was so kind that he didn't seem like a regular Yamen Runner from the Nancheng District Zhenfu Division.
"I've come this time to escort you to the Nancheng Suppression Office by order.
An adult wants to see you!"
Chen Ping'an's expression froze, and then his heart instantly surged with joy.
Sure enough!
"Greetings, Senior Chang," Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in a bow, his mind as clear as a mirror as he asked, "May I know which adult it is?"
"Brother, what are you saying? Just call me Chang Zheng.
I'm a bit older than you, so if you don't mind, you can call me Brother Chang.
As for which adult has summoned you, you'll know once you come with me," Chang Zheng replied with a smile.
He didn't know how this young man in front of him had gained the attention of that adult.
But he knew that, if nothing unexpected happened, this young man was probably about to soar to success.
"Brother Chang, why don't you come in for a cup of tea before you leave?" Chen Ping'an said, seizing the opportunity.
Although the other party was merely an ordinary Yamen Runner, he inherently had the bonus of being from the Nancheng Suppression Office.
If he were to come to Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, his status probably wouldn't be much lower than that of a Chief Constable.
"Brother Chen, the adult is still waiting.
There will be plenty of opportunities for tea next time," Chang Zheng smilingly declined.
"You're right.
Brother Chang, please wait a moment."
With that, Chen Ping'an returned to the courtyard and bid farewell to Chen Er'ya.
"Nannan, older brother is going out for a bit.
I should be back by The hour of Xu !"
"Let's go, Brother Chang."
After receiving Chen Er'ya's affirmative reply, Chen Ping'an smiled and walked out of the courtyard.
"Yes, let's go," Chang Zheng responded with a smile.
The Nancheng Suppression Office was some distance from Nanquan Lane, with two lanes in between.
It would take quite some time to walk there.
However, along the way, the two chatted quite enthusiastically, and time passed quickly.
Through their interaction, Chen Ping'an carefully noticed that although Chang Zheng was only a regular Yamen Runner, he possessed the Martial Dao Realm of Qi Blood Second Stage Perfection, which surprised him greatly.
Nancheng Suppression Office truly lived up to its name as the Zhenfu Division of the urban area!
If even regular Yamen Runners were like this, then wouldn't the Chief Constable of Nancheng Suppression Office be at least at the same Realm as Zheng Chatou?
Compared to Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, the facade of Nancheng Suppression Office was much more spacious.
Although it was already past closing time, Yamen Runners were constantly coming and going during the transition from day to night.
These Yamen Runners had solemn and serious expressions, unlike those at Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, who whispered and looked around.
Compared to them, the Yamen Runners of Nancheng Suppression Office were undoubtedly much more elite.
Chen Ping'an took a quick glance and was surprised to find that these Yamen Runners were basically all martial artists who had entered the Dao.
While there weren't many Yamen Runners at Chang Zheng's Realm, there were still a few.
With Chang Zheng leading the way, Chen Ping'an naturally encountered no obstacles and entered the Nancheng Suppression Office very smoothly.
The two walked inward, entering a rather magnificent building.
Chang Zheng led Chen Ping'an all the way to the second floor, then cupped his fists and said to him, "Brother Chen, the adult is upstairs.
I can only take you this far.
From here, you'll have to walk up yourself."
"Thank you, Brother Chang," Chen Ping'an said with a smile, cupping his hands in a bow.
He looked around and then walked towards the third floor.
As soon as he stepped onto the floor, he was greeted by a woman wearing a special tight-fitting uniform.
Just as Chen Ping'an was about to greet her and bow, the woman's voice rang out: "You must be Chen Ping'an.
Follow me!"
Chen Ping'an nodded and followed the woman inside.
The woman had a waist token hanging from her waist, and Chen Ping'an, following behind, clearly saw the patterns on the token.
"Chief Constable token! This woman is at the Chief Constable level!"
Chen Ping'an's heart tightened.
To be able to become a Chief Constable of the Nancheng Suppression Office, and also a trusted confidante of the adult above, such a person was truly extraordinary!
Chen Ping'an carefully observed and found that with his current Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Martial Dao Realm, he couldn't immediately discern the woman's Realm.
Above Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level!
Could it be... Qi and Blood Fifth Stage!?
Chen Ping'an secretly speculated in his heart.
While speculating, he was led by the woman into a room.
At the very top of the room sat a beautiful woman dressed in a fish-scale robe.
It was Mu Wanjun, whom Chen Ping'an had met once that night.
"Greetings, Chief Warrant Officer," the woman respectfully greeted Mu Wanjun.
Mu Wanjun slightly raised her head, looked at Chen Ping'an, and subtly sized him up: "You've arrived!
I didn't expect us to meet a second time."
"Greetings, Chief Warrant Officer," Chen Ping'an cupped his fists in a bow, his face appropriately showing a trace of reverence and surprise.
This woman in front of him held the highest authority within the Nancheng Suppression Office, determining the fate of over a dozen lanes and thousands of Yamen Runners in the Nancheng District.
Not only that, she was also a true master who had stepped beyond the Qi and Blood Realm!
Their meeting today was both Chen Ping'an's design and the other party's interest.