Chapter 196: Chapter 128: Wind and Cloud Assassins, Willingly Facing Their Fate

"Honored guests, I apologize for not welcoming you from afar, my apologies, my apologies."

Chen Ping and Han Xiaoru greeted them at the door.

Besides Zhuo Yunfei, the incredibly handsome swordsman in constable attire who was already familiar, there were two others.

One had five long whiskers beneath his chin and a scholarly appearance. The other had thick eyebrows, a square face, and a tall stature.

"This is Lord Pei Hao, the Chief Clerk acting on behalf of the Prefecture Government Office," Zhuo Yunfei covertly signaled and introduced the middle-aged man with long whiskers, resembling a scholar.

Immediately, Chen Ping understood that this person was also from the Jiangdong Pei Family, though he wasn’t sure if he was direct lineage or a side branch.

Regardless, descendants from the Thirteen Noble Families all seemed to have this demeanor—even if they had requests, their words weren’t particularly pleasant.

Zhuo Yunfei’s glance was telling him to be more accommodating.

"And this is Silver Seal Chief Constable Shang Zheng from Six Gates, who safeguards Xingqing Prefecture, capturing thieves and hunting down criminals. I’m sure, Senior Brother Chen, you know of Lord Shang’s renown."

This was Shang Zheng.

With a smiling face, Chen Ping whispered to himself, keeping the peace, why haven’t I felt it?

Back when I was a beggar, all I knew was Seven-Colored Hall rampaging unchecked, and Changhe Gang taking advantage of the populace, while the common folk lived in dire straits, oppressed everywhere.

If it weren’t for my fortuitous intervention, breaking the Chizi Hall’s girl trafficking case, this affair might have quietly faded away, without stirring much commotion.

On the contrary, the lower-level constables, like Zhuo Yunfei and others, had several earnest officials, different from the upper-level ones.

Six Gates constables had a separate promotion route, and as local Chief Constable, the position was both prestigious and powerful as a fifth-grade military officer.

In emergencies, besides mobilizing two hundred constables from the Six Gates branch, they could directly deploy around three thousand constables from Xingqing Prefecture’s thirteen counties.

No matter how grave the case or crime, once he focused on it, resolution would be near.

Thus, he was also of the Innate Realm, possibly beyond Early-Stage Innate; otherwise, he couldn’t keep the martial halls in the city in check, let alone pursue thieves and criminals.

This detail, Chen Ping had heard from marketplace rumors.

There’s a difference between Golden Seal Chief Constables and Silver Seal ones; not all Silver Seals are the same.

Besides martial arts proficiency, sometimes it depends on the size of their merits.

Some Silver Seal Chief Constables, even if they attain Late-Stage Innate, may not necessarily advance to Golden Seal Chief Constable.

Because reaching the Golden Seal level means becoming a fourth-grade official.

In the State Prefecture, they’re almost equivalent to Chief Officials, considered local titans.

Chen Ping also noticed that this Silver Seal Chief Constable, Shang Zheng, walked nearly shoulder to shoulder with Pei Hao, Pei Zixing, a mere eighth-grade official.

Evidently, their statuses were equivalent.

This situation wasn’t simply due to Pei Hao’s Jiangdong Cui Family background, but because Pei Zixing was also of the Innate Realm.

"This person..."

Zhuo Yunfei turned his head, intending to introduce Chen Ping and Han Xiaoru.

His words had just started when Pei Zixing interrupted, "No need for introduction, I’m correct; this young brother must be the youthful hero Chen Ping, the one who broke the Seven Stars, defeated the Sword Slave, and slew the Innate expert Shusun Xiao of the Western Desert."

"Just luck, merely luck..."

Chen Ping shook his head and smiled.

"And this lady, so valiant and heroic, equal to men, could she be Miss Han Xiaoru, daughter of Hall Master Han...

I’ve heard Miss Han has practiced the Primordial Swordsmanship to the realm of Sword Technique Business and cultivated the Primordial Golden Body Technique to the Silver Body Realm, a prowess no less than Innate.

In time, she’ll surely shake the world; meeting her today confirms her reputation, a pleasure indeed."

Praised, Han Xiaoru beamed with joy, her pretty face composed while her ears turned quietly red.

This confident lady, filled with Jianghu bravado, waved her hand, feeling a bit shy, "Ah, let’s not talk about my skills. But Lord Pei, you are quite strong as well.

Your Vast Righteous Qi from poetry and books rises up like a canopy, your complexion gleaming with precious radiance; surely you’ve cultivated the Vast Righteous Qi Technique of the Pei Family to the realm where Vast Qi Endures.

Not any Innate expert would stand a chance beneath your sword."

"Miss Han’s insight is remarkable, I’m impressed, truly impressed."

Pei Hao’s gaze sharpened, thinking this girl appears innocent and straightforward, devoid of cunning, yet unexpectedly her vision is so keen, seeing through his cultivation realm at a glance.

Indeed, her family’s teachings are profound; the Four Daoist Sects are extraordinary.

Even their disciples are not to be underestimated...

Pei Zixing waved his hand, and an attendant presented gifts.

Unfurled silk atop the tray revealed ten jade bottles, five of which were white jade and appeared somewhat familiar. Chen Ping recognized them immediately.

Back when Fairy Fubo gifted me a bottle of Jade Ginseng Pills, it was encased in such a bottle.

The bottle had the exclusive mark of the Treasure Tower with a blue lake and blue sky.

The other five bottles were aligned; they were carved from red jade, also Treasure Tower products. Chen Ping guessed they were Blood Ginseng Pills.

Back when he and Hua Lian’er had just earned some money, due to physical depletion, they desperately needed medicinal supplements to replenish vitality, but the Jade Ginseng Pills and Blood Ginseng Pills were unaffordable and virtually unavailable, limited stock.

Pills of this caliber cost three hundred taels of silver each, and they simply didn’t have that much silver.

They could only settle for some Qi Blood Powder to aid their cultivation.

Even then, a single dose of powder cost fifty taels of silver, which made Chen Ping’s heart ache.

Luckily, Hua Lian’er was from a wealthy family and didn’t mind the cost; otherwise, Chen Ping might have been unable to even afford the Qi Blood Powder.

Later, they ended up financially stretched, despite earning a decent sum, their days were still tight.