The Announcement

After Chen Ping'an and Tan Huacong returned to the Suppression Office, Tan Huacong began recording the relevant details right before Chen Ping'an's eyes. When Tan Huacong finished writing, Chen Ping'an carefully read through it, confirming that nothing was missing or mistaken. "The details of the incident have been recorded, and as soon as a head runner arrives, the corpse will also be promptly verified and sealed away. It's late, Chen Ping'an. Go on home for now." Tan Huacong gathered the written pages, tucked them into a drawer, and saw Chen Ping'an out. "Understood. Thank you, Officer Tan." Chen Ping'an nodded in thanks and prepared to leave. Suddenly thinking of something, he turned back to Tan Huacong and said, "Officer Tan, would it be convenient for you to give me some kind of proof or receipt?" "What? The details of the case have all been recorded. Are you afraid I'll cheat you?" Displeasure showed on Tan Huacong's face. "No, of course not. It's just that I feel uneasy, and having something in hand would put my mind at ease," Chen Ping'an said with a thick skin. Although the matter was virtually a sure thing, he still wanted extra insurance. Having a token of proof would let him rest easier. Chen Ping'an looked at Tan Huacong with a smile on his face. Tan Huacong raised his head and stared at Chen Ping'an for a moment. The room fell silent for a time. It was an invisible contest of wills, even if their status and standing were far from equal. "Take it." Tan Huacong pulled a black verification token from the drawer. It wasn't large, only about the thickness of a finger. "It has special engravings that are extremely difficult to counterfeit. It is normally used as proof that a matter has been officially accepted. With this in hand, you can put your mind at rest." "Thank you for understanding, Officer Tan." Chen Ping'an took the black verification token and thanked him repeatedly. Tan Huacong ignored Chen Ping'an. After voicing a few more words of thanks, Chen Ping'an left the duty office. When he reached the Suppression Office gates, the two runners were still there. "All taken care of?" One of the runners greeted Chen Ping'an. They had seen Officer Tan go out with him earlier. "Yeah, pretty much," Chen Ping'an nodded. Leaving the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, Chen Ping'an felt lighthearted and buoyant. A registered runner... Who would have thought that tonight's coincidences would yield such a massive benefit? Yet this benefit had only come because he possessed sufficient strength. If it were anyone else, even with the same circumstances, following the man all the way would have ended with Trash Fish beating them to death with a few punches. Trash Fish's injuries had been far less severe than Chen Ping'an had deliberately made them out to be. While weaker than a normal qi and blood second layer, Trash Fish had still possessed the full strength of a perfected qi and blood first layer. To this moment, Chen Ping'an's chest still burned with stinging pain. When he returned home, it was already well past midnight. Chen Er Ya was still sound asleep. Truth be told, the little girl was remarkably good at sleeping; with nothing weighing on her mind, she slept deeply. Chen Ping'an crept quietly into bed and closed his eyes. Right before falling asleep, his mind was still on becoming a registered runner. Tomorrow. Tomorrow there would be an outcome! ... Nanquan Lane Suppression Office. After Chen Ping'an left, Zheng Shiyong entered Tan Huacong's duty office. Zheng Shiyong stayed inside for quite a while before emerging in high spirits, heading straight toward the head runner's office. Arriving there, he did not stop, continuing toward the rear. There lay a meditation room of the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office. Normally, only the office chief and deputy office chief used it. And tonight, Head Runner Zheng was right there! Indeed, he had lied to Chen Ping'an earlier. A casual deception, yet by some bizarre stroke of luck, it yielded such an immense gain. He knocked on the meditation room door. "Uncle, it's me, Shiyong," Zheng Shiyong said softly, knocking on the door. "Enter." Head Runner Zheng's voice sounded from within. Hearing this, Zheng Shiyong pushed open the door and stepped inside. ... Early the next morning, Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Shirt three times in a row. He had barely slept that night, but having stepped into martial cultivation with brimming qi and blood, he was still full of vigor. In his current state, missing sleep for a day or two made little difference, provided it did not persist long-term. Name: Chen Ping'an Realm: Qi and Blood Second Layer Martial Art: Iron Shirt, Greater Mastery (16/100) ... Looking at the experience that had increased once more on the panel, Chen Ping'an felt immensely satisfied. Wiping down his body, he headed straight for the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office amidst Chen Er Ya's farewell calls. "Ping'an, you're here?" Monkey called out in greeting to Chen Ping'an. "Monkey," Chen Ping'an replied with a smile, then greeted Dashan beside him, "Dashan." "Ping'an," Dashan smiled in greeting. Chen Ping'an looked around and noticed Zheng Shiyong had arrived early as well, surrounded by a circle of runners and looking very much in the spotlight. "Ping'an, you seem in good spirits today." A happy event raises one's spirits; Monkey keenly picked up on Chen Ping'an's mood. "Yeah, something good happened last night." "Good? What good thing?" Monkey asked curiously. "Monkey, Dashan, last night, I was sleeping at home when unexpectedly..." Chen Ping'an had barely begun to speak. Just then, a figure entered through the doors of the Suppression Office. "It's Head Runner Zheng." The surrounding chatter instantly hushed. The words on Chen Ping'an's lips came to a halt. Head Runner Zheng walked all the way up to the raised platform and took a steady seat in the large armchair. "Why is Head Runner Zheng here so early today?" Monkey asked in a whisper. Chen Ping'an shook his head. Yet in his heart, he faintly wondered: could it be related to what happened last night? Head Runner Zheng's arrival cast a heavy hush over the Suppression Office. Among the five head runners of the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, Head Runner Zheng held the greatest authority! A few runners who arrived slightly late caught sight of Head Runner Zheng from afar upon entering the Suppression Office gates, and their hearts fluttered in panic. Flustered and hurried, they quickly scrambled to find a spot and stood still. After a good while, two more head runners entered through the Suppression Office gates one after another: Head Runner Yan and Head Runner Huang. Seeing that all the runners were present, Head Runner Zheng rose from his large armchair and walked to the front. "Fellow colleagues, an incident occurred last night. The Black Carp Gang remnant, Trash Fish, has been brought to justice!" Head Runner Zheng's very first words completely detonated the atmosphere. "Trash Fish died last night?" "Brought to justice? Who killed him?" "How did it happen so fast?" "Did one of the head runners step in?" ... The runners below buzzed with animated discussion, thoroughly excited. "Ping'an, Dashan... The registered runner position... The registered runner position is gone!" Hearing the news, Monkey wore a crestfallen face and beat his chest, feeling as though an immense opportunity had slipped right through his fingers. "Monkey—" Chen Ping'an was just about to offer a few comforting words when Head Runner Zheng's voice rang out from the platform once more. "Quiet!" At the command, the runners below fell silent one after another. "The successful execution of the Black Carp Gang remnant Trash Fish was made possible because temporary runner Chen Ping'an..." Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up. Here it comes! The announcement! "...provided a valid lead. Registered runner Tan Huacong and temporary runner Zheng Shiyong followed this valid lead and successfully tracked down the Black Carp Gang remnant Trash Fish. Joining forces, the two of them slew Trash Fish together. Temporary runner Zheng Shiyong delivered the final blow, striking him down on the spot, and shall enjoy the primary credit."