Jiang Zhou's mood was very bad at the moment.
In fact, he was completely stunned.
Yesterday at dusk, Jixia limped back from the dangerous mountain forest to Cyan Stone Lane and began to spread the dirty deeds that happened in the mountains on a small scale.
At first, upon hearing this news, Jiang Zhou was somewhat flustered, but after all, times had changed.
So, he specifically borrowed some manpower from the 'Sword Tiger Gang', intending to first 'tame' Jixia.
Then, using his status, he could detain him for a few days, and once the storm passed, he could take office and stabilize, afterwards manipulating things as he pleased.
No matter if Jixia had connections outside and reported to the 'Government Office', escalating the matter, what could come of it?
I have already registered as an official, joined the Black Mountain Government Office, even if Jixia cries to the heavens, he's just an ordinary citizen, a mere hunter, and the official ranks overpower the people, especially between officials and civilians!
But despite all Jiang Zhou's calculations, he didn't foresee today's situation.
Originally, he had considered that if Jixia managed to escape the pursuit and came to the Black Mountain Government Office to file a complaint against him, what the result might be.
But Liu Tieyi's vague hints made Jiang Zhou understand who really ruled here.
It's the Department Head Liu Tieyi, who commands over a hundred constables, having achieved the first step in cultivation, 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment', in his department, under whom there are numerous Squad Leaders, constables working hand in hand at the Government Office!
Concerning one's own people, even black can be said to be white, how would they listen to a single outsider's word?
However,
A single strike of the Zhenjin Bell, naming the Department Head, caused Jiang Zhou to completely lose his composure.
Zhenjin Bell's reputation was not unfamiliar to him.
Or rather, every mud-legged underling at the lowest level of Black Mountain City, dreaming of entering the Inner City's Martial Arts Hall with vain hopes, has more or less dreamt such ethereal dreams.
But to have the Zhenjin Bell struck, one must at least achieve minor success in boxing techniques. The sudden bell ringing during the recent discussion between him and Squad Leader Liu was actually caused by Jixia!
But...
Where did he learn boxing?
Why has he never mentioned it?
Even at the critical moment of life and death in the mountains, he didn't reveal such skills. If not for Jiang Zhou's sudden sneak attack, seizing an opportune moment, who knows if a direct confrontation would have torn face...
Jixia's boxing could have literally pounded him to death!
No wonder with great skills comes great courage; upon hearing Squad Leader Liu's spread news, he dared to venture alone into deep mountains, seeking opportunity, full of confidence!
It turns out, even without relying on connections to become a constable,
He could still use his abilities to legitimately pass the 'evaluation' and get recruited!
The gap between people is truly vast.
Jiang Zhou followed Liu Tieyi with a heavy heart, accompanied by those constables moving forward.
It seemed Liu Tieyi noticed Jiang Zhou's inner bewilderment.
Liu Tieyi glanced at him:
"Why are you panicking? Didn't you say you once crippled him with two strikes?"
"Even if he has been honing an elementary boxing manual to minor success in unknown corners for years, so what?"
"With the standard medicinal bath for constables, paired with cultivation secret techniques, your 'Golden Flesh and Jade Veins' are showing some signs, your skin and bones surpass those of ordinary people by two, three times. Can his fists be harder than steel bones?"
"Disciples of major schools focus on building a base with punches before their muscle and bones are formed, ensuring advancement during the Foundation Establishment."
"But this doesn't mean success in boxing equates to facing 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment' as a regular person, even if you are just halfway there!"
"Moreover, he's still a cripple. How potent can his punches be?"
"The ringing of the Zhenjin Bell might have alarmed the Department Head, but the 'Black Mountain Government Office' is just an Outer City affair. The Head seldom interferes, unlikely to highly regard that young man."
"He might just be saving face. As long as you remain composed, there'll be no issues."
Liu Tieyi's footsteps were steady, and his tone was leisurely.
Also making Jiang Zhou's anxious heart ease slightly.
Just...
Is it really like this?
Carrying anxious thoughts.
Following Liu Tieyi, stepping into the central hall of the Government Office.
Almost as soon as he enters, just after his front foot steps in, Jiang Zhou's back foot...
He sees a young man in short clothes with disheveled hair, dressed simply yet quite unruly, with a natural demeanor, sitting upright, chatting happily with a dignified, high-standing middle-aged man in a gold-embroidered black robe.
"Jixia!" Jiang Zhou's eyes narrowed.
The dignified middle-aged man was Chen Zhenwu, promoted to 'constable' before; he had once seen him from afar among the constables, his aura like a furnace, making people dare not look straight.
Such a personality is willing to lower himself, taking the initiative to converse with a subordinate newly made constable?
Unintentionally, Jiang Zhou's foot suddenly hit the foot of the column, producing a 'dong' sound.
At once drawing all gazes upon him.
"Is this the person you mentioned?"
Chen Zhenwu glanced at Jiang Zhou, looked ahead at Liu Tieyi, paused his gaze slightly, seemingly deep in thought, while speaking to Jixia.
"Yes, sir, it's him."
Jixia stood up, slowly turned around, and met Jiang Zhou's gaze.
"Jiang Zhou, long time no see."
After a moment, as Jixia observed the cyan robe of a constable on Jiang Zhou, with the sheath of a long knife embroidered with 'Black Mountain Government Office,' he suddenly laughed:
"My clothes, my blade..."
"Are they comfortable to wear and use?"
Screech!
The almost confrontational words instantly chilled the atmosphere.
Liu Tieyi's expression finally changed slightly; he seemed surprised that Jixia would be so direct.
"Brother Ji, what are you talking about?"
Jiang Zhou's expression slightly changed, but recalling Liu Tieyi's instructions, he immediately shouted harshly and slapped the scabbard at his waist, making a 'bang bang' sound:
"This outfit, the treasured blade in my hand, I earned them fair and square. Black Mountain Government Office lost several constable colleagues while assisting the 'Demon Hunting Department' in slaying demons."
"Squad Leader Liu, feeling the shortage of manpower, specially announced an evaluation: whoever can go deep into the mountains and bring back the life of a demon will be deemed courageous and skilled in martial arts."
"Although I entered the mountain with Brother Ji, after entering, you accidentally fell into a mountain forest slope, disappearing without a trace. This merit I earned alone, what does it have to do with you?"
Regarding Squad Leader Liu's 'selling ranks and offices,' it absolutely cannot be mentioned openly. Although the Department Head probably knows, face-saving gestures still need to be made.
Anyone bringing it up now would be breaking the rules.
Breaking the rules means being the first to be expelled.
"Ha!"
Jixia let out a cold laugh.
Then he took a sudden step forward:
"A great 'it has nothing to do'!"
Then the young man rolled up his trouser leg, revealing below the knee where the knife wound, though healed quite a bit, still clearly showed deep scars:
"Are you saying this knife wound I inflicted on myself in the wilderness just for fun?!"
The wound that didn't directly take his life.
Instead, it became compelling evidence now.
Causing Jiang Zhou's veins to pop out, he was about to speak.
And just then.
With a thud, two constables, supporting a dusty figure on either side, had already walked into the hall. They first bowed to Chen Zhenwu:
"Department Head, the witness named by Constable Ji has been brought in."
Then, they tossed the figure to the ground.
It was none other than Zhong Xu and Zheng Fan, who previously blocked Jixia's way.
Jixia's boxing skills had mastered, achieving 'Six Echoes,' attracting Chen Zhenwu's attention, making these two old-timers of Black Mountain Government Office regret instantly.
And upon hearing Jixia suffered injustice, his visit aimed to seek advancement and redress, planning to strip the cyan robe off the newly appointed constable Jiang Zhou...
The two weighed Chen Zhenwu's expression, risking offending Liu Tieyi, eagerly volunteered and went to 'Cyan Stone Lane' for Jixia,
and without a word, after Jixia had just beaten Chen Wu, they directly shackled him up and brought him over!
Zhong Xu pressing the bruised and battered Chen Wu, knelt before Chen Zhenwu.
While Zheng Fan took out an 'official order,' showing it to Jixia and Chen Zhenwu, and said:
"Department Head, Brother Ji, before coming, Zhong Xu and I interrogated this kid, and he confessed everything."
"And this brand new 'official order,' which was searched from him, was given to him by the newly appointed constable, Jiang Zhou!"
Upon saying this, Zheng Fan remained unfazed and directly pointed the accusation at Jiang Zhou!
Cold sweat instantly streamed down Jiang Zhou's forehead!
Previously, to gain the trust of Sword Tiger Gang's 'Chen Wu,' he gave him one of his own 'Official Orders,' considering him a confidant, and hoped he would be loyal.
But what Jiang Zhou didn't expect...
He was actually caught in this predicament!
Thinking like this, he couldn't help but direct his 'pleading' gaze toward Liu Tieyi.
Upon seeing the gaze, Liu Tieyi's face twitched, secretly cursing 'useless,' why did you indiscriminately give away the official order!
But after all, he chose this person; even if you hit the dog, you have to acknowledge the owner.
The Department Head may be mighty.
But behind him, he also has support from people in the inner city, a cripple who hasn't practiced cultivation, just mastered some boxing skills.
Even if it's true, so what?
He can still twist the truth into lies!
Could the Department Head possibly neglect the favor for a squad leader and protect a powerless, freshly milk-smelling kid?!