The voice behind him was deep and resonant, all too familiar to Chen Ping'an. He heard it often enough during their daily pre-shift assemblies. It belonged to Head Runner Zheng!
"Head Runner Zheng," Chen Ping'an said, hurriedly turning and bowing in greeting.
Head Runner Zheng had a square face with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a neat mustache that slanted downward like the character for "eight."
"What is your name?" Head Runner Zheng asked, his brow furrowed in clear displeasure as he looked Chen Ping'an up and down.
"Replying to Head Runner Zheng, this humble junior is Chen Ping'an," he said, adopting an air of trepidation.
Inwardly, however, he was utterly calm. Aside from his naturally steady temperament, this composure came from the confidence of stepping into the qi and blood second layer. That inner peace arose effortlessly, without any need to force it.
Possessing the golden finger panel, his mindset was already solid enough to look at Head Runner Zheng as an equal—or even gaze down on him.
Mentally, of course. On the surface, he still had to play the part of a deferential subordinate for now.
"Chen Ping'an?" A flicker of thought crossed Head Runner Zheng's face. "From Chen Tian'an's family?"
"Yes, precisely," Chen Ping'an replied at once, letting a look of nervousness show on his face. Chen Tian'an was his father, Old Chen's actual name.
Head Runner Zheng had other business today and had no interest in wasting time on Chen Ping'an. Moreover, Chen Ping'an's demeanor was properly respectful; aside from being caught just now, he had not crossed any other lines or done anything that warranted a harsh dressing-down.
"In the Suppression Office, everything runs on rules. No one likes a person who doesn't follow the rules."
Having delivered his reprimand, Head Runner Zheng paid him no further mind and strode straight into the Suppression Office.
By the rules of the office, runners were expected to arrive earlier than head runners, and temporary runners were supposed to arrive earlier than registered ones. There was simply no reason for an unregistered temporary runner to keep registered runners and head runners waiting.
"This junior will take Head Runner Zheng's reprimand to heart; I understand," Chen Ping'an said with his head lowered, eyes still and calm, harboring thoughts known only to himself.
Though he had set out late this morning, he had rushed the entire way and technically had not arrived tardy. But...
None of that mattered anymore!
Head Runner Zheng had arrived before him, and that was all that counted.
Therefore, he was late.
"Head Runner Zheng!"
"Good morning, Head Runner Zheng."
"..."
Greetings sounded through the halls of the Suppression Office one after another, all from runners seeking to curry favor with Head Runner Zheng.
Head runners were merely middle-ranking officers in the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, yet they wielded power and prestige far beyond what an outsider could imagine.
"A head runner, is it..."
Chen Ping'an kept his head down and lingered where he stood. Only after Head Runner Zheng had been inside for a dozen breaths did he finally walk in.
Quite a few runners had witnessed what had just taken place at the gate.
Seeing Chen Ping'an enter, several looked on with schadenfreude, clearly eager to watch a good show. Others looked completely indifferent, minding only their own affairs, while a few cast sympathetic glances in his direction.
When he reached their usual spot, not only were Monkey and Dashan already there, but so was the rarely seen Old Qin.
"Old Qin," Chen Ping'an greeted first.
Old Qin gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
"Ping'an, are you all right?" Monkey asked with genuine concern.
"I'm fine." Chen Ping'an waved a hand slightly, gesturing that it was nothing to worry about.
"Ping'an, did something happen today? Why were you so late?" Dashan asked in his gruff voice.
"Yeah, something came up this morning, so I left home a bit late," Chen Ping'an replied. Seeing the concern on both Monkey's and Dashan's faces, he added, "Don't worry, though. It's all been properly resolved."
"Resolved, huh? Hey! There goes my chance to swoop in and help out. You know me, Ping'an—Monkey's got the warmest heart in the precinct!" Monkey said with exaggerated theatrics.
Chen Ping'an knew he was hamming it up on purpose to divert his attention.
In the eyes of an ordinary runner, being scolded by a head runner—especially Head Runner Zheng—was no trivial matter. Most would stew in misery for days.
If you offended an overseer in other trades, you could switch to another line of work and still make a name for yourself. But in the Suppression Office, that was out of the question! Cross a head runner, and you either groveled until he was satisfied, or you were ground into dust.
Still, what had happened today was not severe enough to count as truly offending Head Runner Zheng. It was merely leaving behind a poor impression. There was still room to maneuver.
Even so, it was hardly a good thing.
"Come to think of it, why did Head Runner Zheng come so early today? And the other head runners are here too?" Chen Ping'an cast his gaze around and realized that beyond Head Runner Zheng, Head Runner Yan, Head Runner Li, and Head Runner Huang were all present.
Of the five head runners in the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, four had actually showed up today.
"Yeah, isn't it strange?" Monkey put on a puzzled look. "Could there be something special going on today?"
"Old Qin, do you know anything, sir?" Monkey asked.
"You'll know soon enough," Old Qin said with a grin, deep wrinkles creasing his face.
As they conversed in hushed voices, another figure entered through the gate of the Suppression Office.
"Head Runner Liu is here too?" Monkey paused, surprised.
With Head Runner Liu, all five head runners were present. What in the world was happening today?
Except for the general duties assembly held once every two months, it was extraordinarily rare for all five head runners to gather. And judging by the date, the next assembly was not due yet.
Monkey and Chen Ping'an were not the only ones puzzled; many other runners across the office wore the same questioning look.
By rights, the pre-shift assembly should have begun by now. Yet the five head runners simply stood atop the elevated platform, not one of them stepping forward to speak.
Up on the platform, the head runners faced the main gate of the Suppression Office, none of them taking a seat. Down below, the runners waited in silence.
*Could it be...?*
Looking at the scene before him, a flash of insight struck Chen Ping'an.
He glanced over at Monkey and saw the same realization dawning on his face.
"Looks like something genuinely important is happening today," Monkey whispered.
Chen Ping'an gave a faint nod.
In the entire Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, the only ones capable of making all the head runners wait like this were the two chiefs.
Office Chief of Nanquan Lane, Shen Shikang. And Deputy Office Chief, Tian Fuliang.
Inside the hall, five head runners and more than a hundred runners waited in silence.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a figure stepped through the gate of the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office.
The newcomer wore a dark fish-scale uniform, a goose-quill saber strapped to his waist, and leather boots on his feet. Every step he took was solid and commanding.
The dark fish-scale uniform looked as though it had been pulled from the depths of the ocean. Each scale was meticulously forged by skilled craftsmen, catching the sunlight with a profound, somber luster.
In the entire Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, only two men were entitled to wear the fish-scale uniform.
"Greetings, Chief Tian!"
A roar like an overwhelming tide resonated through the office. With that resounding cry, the runners bowed deeply in unison.
Amid the chorus of greetings and bowing ranks, Tian Fuliang maintained an unruffled composure. He walked all the way up to the platform and took his seat upon the central armchair.
"Rise, all of you," he said indifferently.
A unified, thundering response greeted his words.
"Yes, Chief Tian!"
The runners straightened up, Chen Ping'an among them.
Chapter 29