I Grind to Martial Saint

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Promotion

Zhang Hu got the hint and discreetly pocketed the silver Han Yuan handed him.

"Constable Han, you’re really something. A true model of integrity, returning lost valuables."

"Of course," Han Yuan said with a smile.

He had really bled for this, handing over twenty taels of silver directly.

It was true that Zheng Heda had only given him a chance.

But without Zhang Hu putting in a good word, he wouldn’t have even gotten that.

After all, a constable was entirely different from a Government Official.

To the County Yamen, Government Officials were like freelancers, only wearing the uniform.

But constables were different. They were proper officials, required to be registered and considered official members of the Government Office.

Generally speaking, reaching the Gathering Power Realm was just the foot in the door to becoming a constable.

But to actually become one, you also needed a lot of connections.

Now, thanks to Zhang Hu’s words, he had an opportunity to become a constable.

For that, Han Yuan felt the twenty taels of silver was not a loss in the slightest.

Because he knew.

He would be able to earn it all back very soon.

"Constable Han, I have to run an errand for the County Magistrate."

"I can’t chat any longer."

After taking the money, Zhang Hu hurried away.

Soon.

The news that Han Yuan was going to become a constable spread throughout the entire County Yamen.

"How did Han Yuan manage to become a constable?"

"He hasn’t yet. I heard he still has to get past Chief Constable Gao."

"That kid... How did he quietly cultivate to the Gathering Power Realm?"

"He’s been hiding in the storeroom these past few days. I heard he was training hard in Martial Arts."

Many officials and Government Officials were discussing the matter.

Because Zheng Heda had issued a gag order regarding the attack on his wife, the incident wasn’t publicized. Only a few people knew about it. Most in the County Yamen were unaware of the full story, which gave rise to a lot of speculation.

Han Yuan paid no mind to the gossip and went to the courtyard where Gao Yuan usually handled his affairs.

However, Gao Yuan was still discussing matters with Zheng Heda, forcing Han Yuan to wait for over an hour.

When Gao Yuan walked into the courtyard, he didn’t speak. He just stared at Han Yuan, as if scrutinizing him.

His gaze was exceptionally sharp, like a knife threatening to slice through Han Yuan’s Heart Spirit.

But Han Yuan’s expression remained calm as he held Gao Yuan’s gaze.

Gao Yuan narrowed his eyes.

SWISH!

The next moment.

He took a step forward and abruptly drew his saber.

A glint of cold light shot toward Han Yuan.

The moment Gao Yuan stepped forward, Han Yuan had already subconsciously drawn his long saber.

CLANG!

The two flashes of cold light clashed, then burst into even more chilling glints.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!~~~

The two of them struck rapidly, their saber flashes as dense as rain, a dazzling sight to behold.

Han Yuan felt immense pressure.

Every one of Gao Yuan’s strikes landed squarely on his blade, creating a jarring force that was extremely uncomfortable.

After twenty moves.

CLANG!

Han Yuan’s long saber was suddenly sent flying by Gao Yuan’s strike.

"You were able to block twenty of my moves..."

"Not as good as your brother. Barely satisfactory, I’d say."

Gao Yuan said coolly.

SHING!

He slid his saber back into its scabbard.

"Thank you for the lesson, Chief Constable Gao," Han Yuan said, cupping his fist.

"You’ve passed my test."

"Someone will register your information tomorrow."

"Go to the storeroom and apply for your waist token and Constable Uniform."

Gao Yuan said.

"Your subordinate understands," Han Yuan said in a low voice.

"Those few streets your brother was in charge of, do you still remember them?"

Gao Yuan asked.

"I remember them clearly," Han Yuan nodded.

"From now on, those streets are under your jurisdiction."

After speaking, Gao Yuan turned and walked into the room.

Han Yuan cupped his fist and left.

...

「Late at night.」

The County Yamen storeroom.

Han Yuan and Wang Changbai had set up a small table, laden with peanuts, edamame, pig ears, and other snacks to go with drinks.

"You kid... you hid it so well."

"All of a sudden, you’ve become a constable."

Wang Changbai picked up a piece of pig ear, his mouth greasy from eating.

"Fate is a funny thing. I blundered my way into saving the County Magistrate’s Wife, and as a result, I became a constable."

Han Yuan told Wang Changbai everything that had happened that day.

He knew Old Wang was a discreet man who never spoke of things he shouldn’t.

"That’s also because you were strong enough."

"Otherwise, I’d be burning incense for you tonight."

Wang Changbai laughed.

"True enough." Han Yuan gently shelled a peanut and tossed it into his mouth. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Old Wang, are you interested in working with me?"

"Chief Constable Gao said that my brother’s old streets are mine now."

Wang Changbai was just about to take a drink when he heard this, and he froze for a moment.

"Never mind, just a thought."

"Staying in the storeroom is pretty good."

"Much better than being out there fighting and killing."

Seeing Wang Changbai’s reaction, Han Yuan didn’t want to put him on the spot.

Wang Changbai took a hard swig of wine and laughed. "Han Yuan, that’s where you’re wrong."

"Even if you don’t want me, I’m going to follow you."

"Do you know what the most important thing is for getting by in the Government Office?"

Han Yuan nodded. "You’ve told me before. A backer."

"Exactly. From now on, you’re my backer in the County Yamen."

"You kid, you’ve got a cold heart and ruthless hands. If I stick with you for a while, I reckon I can earn enough for my coffin fund."

Wang Changbai chuckled slyly.

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you earn a fortune."

Han Yuan raised his wine cup and clinked it against Wang Changbai’s.

...

「The next day.」

Han Yuan first went to the storeroom, turned in his Governmental Uniform, and picked out a well-fitting Constable Uniform.

His physique was powerful now, and his large muscles filled out the Constable Uniform, making him look imposing and majestic.

Then he went to collect his constable’s waist token.

Only then did Han Yuan head to the inner courtyard of the County Yamen.

In the inner courtyard, besides the waiting Wang Changbai, there were four other Government Officials who had been transferred over.

They were Wang Dahua, Yuan Xu, Li Qiu, and Gu Zhengyang.

On their first day of being transferred under Han Yuan’s command, these men all stood ramrod straight, afraid of leaving a bad impression.

In the County Yamen, if you offended the constable you served under, life would become hell.

The original Han Yuan had been tormented to death by Wang Cheng.

Only Wang Changbai was sitting on the ground, cracking sunflower seeds.

He only stood up when Han Yuan walked into the courtyard.

Han Yuan didn’t say much, just had each man introduce himself to get familiar with their names, then led them out of the County Yamen.

"Old Wang, what’s the situation on Changfeng Street now?"

Han Yuan asked casually.

Han Jiudao had been in charge of four streets.

Three of them were residential streets and alleys, with no profit to be squeezed out.

Only Changfeng Street was a major thoroughfare with many shops.

"Ever since your brother disappeared, Changfeng Street has gradually descended into chaos."

"After a period of struggle, it was taken over by a gang called the Black Snake Gang."

"And while they were at it, they even swallowed up those three streets by Changhe Street."

Wang Changbai explained the situation.

This meant the Black Snake Gang had effectively seized all the streets previously under Han Jiudao’s jurisdiction.

"The Black Snake Gang... What is the Gang Leader’s Cultivation?"

Han Yuan asked.

"The Gang Leader’s name is Kong She. He has Gathering Power Cultivation, and the Martial Arts he practices is called Snake Form Diao Hand. It’s vicious and uncanny."

Wang Changbai answered quickly.

"Kong She... Interesting."

Han Yuan’s expression shifted slightly, and he smiled. "Today, we’ll go and pay a visit to this Kong She."

Wang Dahua and the others showed no surprise.

After taking office, every constable had to deal with the gangs in their jurisdiction to divvy up the profits.