With Master Hu and Master Qing of the Tiger Head Gang dead, the rest of the encirclement and suppression became extremely simple. The Garrison Commandant’s Office had launched a sudden attack, and with another squad of constables mobilized to patrol the perimeter, not a single core member of the Tiger Head Gang managed to escape.

Of the Tiger Head Gang’s three Protectors, besides Big Steel Fang—who knew what was good for him and surrendered without a fight—the other two were both killed. As for Young Master Xiao Hu, Chen Ping’an hadn’t even given him the chance to live, let alone beg for mercy.

Of the seven chieftains, five were executed on the spot, and two were captured. In addition, there were over a hundred gang members of various ranks; some were killed, and the rest were arrested.

The Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office paid a price, with casualties among its constables, including Tan Huacong. But in exchange, the Tiger Head Gang—a deeply feared behemoth in the eyes of the common folk—had collapsed overnight.

Once the news spread, it sent shockwaves through the many gangs of Nanquan Lane.

The Iron Bull Gang, the Wild Wolf Gang, the Flying Sand Gang...

The Gang Leaders from every faction sent out men to investigate. After peeling back the layers, they discovered that the Tiger Head Gang’s downfall was, surprisingly, orchestrated single-handedly by that Preparatory Constable named Chen Ping’an.

And the root of it all, it seemed, was the trouble stirred up by Young Master Xiao Hu.

Horrified, the various gangs immediately launched internal investigations, checking to see if any of their own Protectors or chieftains had been threatening or extorting constables of the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

After this battle, the prestige of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office grew even greater!

However, a gang like the Tiger Head Gang, which had dominated such a large territory spanning several streets, was naturally not without backing. On the contrary, the waters behind them ran deep. As such, certain interested parties were watching closely, waiting to see how the Tiger Head Gang’s backers would react.

But, unexpectedly, the powers behind the Tiger Head Gang showed no intention of retaliating.

This made the other gangs realize just how extraordinary Chen Ping’an truly was.

...

「Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.」

Shen Shikang listened to his subordinate’s report, remaining silent for a long time. After a good while, he finally shook his head and said, "In all these days, the powers behind the Tiger Head Gang have shown no sign of retaliation! Chen Ping’an’s connections in the South Town Garrison Command must truly run deep!"

"And during the raid, Chen Ping’an displayed extraordinarily impressive martial skill. A short while ago, he was only at the Qi Blood Second Layer, and now he’s already at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection. That rate of progress is terrifying! If that were all, it would be one thing, but his Public Door Thirteen Sabers has already reached Great Success! How long has it even been?!"

Shen Shikang marveled to himself.

Not long ago, word had arrived from the South Town Garrison Command. For his contributions to the raid on the Tiger Head Gang, Chen Ping’an was being specially promoted to Constable.

Not only had the South Town Garrison Command placated the Tiger Head Gang’s backers, but they had also used this as a legitimate opportunity to remove the word "Preparatory" from Chen Ping’an’s title!

If he recalled correctly, that kid Chen Ping’an wasn’t even twenty years old yet.

A Constable under the age of twenty!

For an ordinary person, this was simply unimaginable.

Most importantly, judging by Chen Ping’an’s performance, his future achievements would certainly not stop at the rank of Constable.

’From now on, I must do my best to stay on good terms with this Chen Ping’an.’

Shen Shikang muttered to himself.

...

"Haaaah!"

In his small personal courtyard, Chen Ping’an let out a long breath.

A trace of excitement still lingered on his face.

Name: Chen Ping’an

Realm: Qi Blood Fourth Layer Perfection

Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt (Perfection), Flying Locust Stone (Perfection), Public Door Thirteen Sabers (Great Success, 55/100), Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Horizontal Training (Entry Level, 8/30)

...

In the days following the Tiger Head Gang’s annihilation, Chen Ping’an continued to practice the Martial Dao as usual. Several days of hard work had allowed him to accumulate enough Cultivation Experience for his Flying Locust Stone to reach the Perfection Realm.

Achieving Perfection in Flying Locust Stone filled Chen Ping’an with abundant Qi Blood, which he used for Blood Refinement into his bones. In one fell swoop, he reached the Perfection of the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, Bone Forging.

Chen Ping’an closed his eyes, recalling the events and scenes of the past few days.

’The destruction of the Tiger Head Gang!’

’The death of Tan Huacong!’

’Bone Forging Perfection!’

’Promotion to Constable!’

’...’

Every single one of these events was a good thing for him. ’It’s true,’ he thought. ’As long as you’re strong enough, all your troubles and pains will disappear.’

Chen Ping’an recalled what Mu Wanjun had said when she summoned him the day before.

"You were too reckless with this Tiger Head Gang business. Wiping them out was simple enough, but did you consider the powers behind them? You’re still young, and the waters here run too deep for you to grasp. I don’t blame you for that. Shen Shikang, on the other hand, played his hand beautifully. He put you center stage to draw everyone’s attention while he hid in the background, secretly reaping the rewards! If the situation went south, he could have just thrown you to the wolves and washed his hands of the whole affair."

"Taking revenge for a wrong is what a man should do. I’ve already smoothed this matter over for you. Right now, you’re in the eye of the storm, so for the time being, just lay low and focus on your Cultivation here in Nanquan Lane. When the time is right, I will transfer you to the South Town Garrison Command myself. You are still young; do not let fame become a burden. Remember, all external things are fleeting—only strength is fundamental."

"In just a few short days, you’ve already brought the Public Door Thirteen Sabers to the Great Success Realm. Your talent is even greater than I imagined. If you continue to cultivate diligently, given time, you might just have a chance to break through to the Inner Qi Realm!"

"You are now at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection, and combined with your Great Success Level in the Public Door Thirteen Sabers, your practical combat skills are no worse than some of the full Constables in the lane. Since that’s the case, I’ve taken the liberty of removing the word ’Preparatory’ from your title."

"Remember: cultivate well, and do not disappoint me!"

"..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Recalling yesterday’s meeting, it was obvious that Mu Wanjun was truly grooming him as a trusted subordinate. This was a testament to the value Chen Ping’an had demonstrated.

In response to Mu Wanjun’s favor, Chen Ping’an was naturally adept at social niceties. He rattled off one pledge after another, vowing his undying loyalty and willingness to serve her to the death.

’My current strength is indeed enough for me to act uncontested in Nanquan Lane,’ he thought. ’But across the whole of South City, it’s still not enough. Never mind those lofty masters of the Inner Qi Realm—even experts at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm, could pose a major threat to me!’

Although he was in high spirits, Chen Ping’an remained vigilant, ever mindful of danger even in times of peace.

In the entire South District, there were more than a dozen lanes just like Nanquan Lane. Each lane had an Inspector and a Vice Inspector, both of whom were powerful martial artists at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm!

Furthermore, in South City Lane, the central lane of the South District, even an ordinary Constable had reached the Qi Blood Fourth Layer of Bone Forging. Some of the most senior Constables there were even existences at the Qi Blood Fifth Layer, the Refining the Organs Realm.

Beyond them, the South Town Garrison Command also had numerous supervisors in its various Task Rooms, every single one of whom possessed extraordinary strength.

The Chief and Vice Chief of the Patrol at the South Town Garrison Command were existences who completely surpassed the lane Inspectors and supervisors. They were all masters of the Inner Qi Realm!

According to rumors, besides the Chief and Vice Chief of the Patrol, the South Town Garrison Command also had masters at the Tributor level, who were also in the Inner Qi Realm. As for how many such masters existed, that was information far beyond what someone at Chen Ping’an’s current station could possibly know.