Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu

Name: Chen Ping'an Realm: qi and blood third layer Martial Art: Iron Shirt perfected, Flying Locust Stones lesser mastery (29/40), Thirteen Yamen Sabers entered (2/15) ... Early in the morning, after Chen Ping'an finished his martial cultivation, he looked at the accumulation of martial experience on his status panel and felt quite satisfied. 'Nannan, Brother is heading out. Remember to buy plenty of meat tonight!' 'Okay, Brother~' The two siblings exchanged a few words, and Chen Ping'an set off for the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office. At today's pre-shift assembly, Head Runner Zheng was unusually absent. Among the five head runners at the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, Head Runner Zheng attended the pre-shift assemblies most frequently. However, because the matter of the Ten Thousand Demons Cult was still unresolved, the other four head runners all attended. After the head runners made some arrangements and gave a few words, the pre-shift assembly concluded. Chen Ping'an then formally received his new assignment and met the three temporary runners under his command. Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Zeng Jihe. Upon seeing Chen Ping'an, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu looked a little unnatural, not knowing how to speak. They had, in fact, met Chen Ping'an at his front gate just a few days earlier. At the time, fearing they might get dragged into trouble, they had not exchanged many words with him. They had never expected that, upon meeting again now, they would become Chen Ping'an's subordinates. 'Morning, Chen.' Zeng Jihe, by contrast, was completely at ease and spoke up directly. Zeng Jihe was not very old; Chen guessed he was about his own age, maybe one or two years older. 'Mm.' Chen Ping'an replied with a smile. Only after Zeng Jihe spoke did Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu greet Chen. 'Chen.' After speaking, the two exchanged a glance, and no one knew what they were thinking. Chen did not say anything about it. 'Where are we patrolling today?' At that, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu remained silent. Chen looked at Zeng Jihe. Zeng Jihe glanced at the two beside him, then forced a smile. 'You came too early, Chen. We haven't gone to check yet.' 'Oh?' Chen looked at Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, who were keeping their heads down, and sensed something off. It was not that early; many runners on similar shifts had already set out to patrol. Given the tasks for today's patrol, they should have checked long ago. Now that he had arrived, why had they still not looked? Though Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu did not show it too obviously, from their brief interaction, the two probably did not accept him. It was just unclear whether someone else was behind them. 'Wait a moment, Chen. I'll go check right away.' Zeng Jihe gave a laugh and ran off inside. 'Mm.' Chen Ping'an responded and ignored Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, closing his eyes to wait. 'Well, if it isn't Runner Chen! Not ready to set out yet? What's this? On your first day as a registered runner, and you're already thinking of loafing around?' A snide, slightly mocking voice came from the side. Chen opened his eyes and saw Zheng Shiyong walking toward him with several men. 'There's no need for you to concern yourself with the patrol, Runner Zheng. I have my own arrangements. Runner Zheng would do better to think about how to handle his night-watch duty properly, and not let the Ten Thousand Demons Cult slip through the cracks!' Chen Ping'an barely lifted his eyes and spoke in a flat tone. He truly had no interest in dealing with Zheng Shiyong. He did not know where Zheng got the nerve to appear before him. Others might not know, but he knew full well how Zheng had come by his registered runner status. He still remembered that old score. Hearing Chen's words, a dark look flashed across Zheng Shiyong's face. Since joining the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, with Head Runner Zheng backing him, when had he ever heard such words? A mud-legged peasant promoted to registered runner, and now he doesn't know his place? Just a mud-legged peasant who got lucky stepping in dog shit, and he still dares to put on airs with me? Fine, fine, fine! Just you wait—this young master will crush you! With a glance at the surrounding people, Zheng Shiyong suppressed the anger in his heart. 'Runner Chen, an outstanding young talent and a model for our generation. I hope you can accomplish some earth-shattering feat and let us all witness it properly.' Without waiting for Chen to respond, Zheng Shiyong turned to Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu and said, 'Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, work hard under Runner Chen! Your future is limitless!' 'Yes, yes, definitely.' Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu put on fawning smiles, completely unlike how they had behaved toward Chen a moment before. 'Good!' Patting each of their shoulders, Zheng Shiyong laughed heartily and strode away. Dare to fight this young master? I'll anger you to death! Having grown up in such an environment, Zheng Shiyong was no mere fool. He naturally knew how to make things hard for Chen. Nothing was more infuriating than having your own subordinates pledge allegiance to someone else right in front of you. Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu had always belonged to his uncle's faction. He had already begun recruiting them yesterday. With the two of them in place, Chen Ping'an would not be able to accomplish anything. If he managed not to make mistakes, that would already count as his ability. Watching Zheng Shiyong leave, Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly. He turned to look at Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu. 'What's going on?' Chen's voice came out slightly cold. 'What do you mean, Chen?' Cheng Yuan asked, feigning ignorance. Originally, the two had wanted to keep peace openly and avoid offending either side. But Zheng Shiyong's arrival had forced them to choose. On one side was Zheng Shiyong, who had Head Runner Zheng at his back, had entered the martial path, and had an unlimited future. On the other side was a youth who had not even entered the martial path and had only become a registered runner by some dog-shit luck. They could only stand with one side. Even a fool would know whom to choose! Chen did not speak; his gaze was fixed intently on the two. Cheng Yuan showed no fear and met his gaze. Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Zeng Jihe happened to run back. 'Chen, the place we're patrolling today is Niuye Ward!' Zeng Jihe ran panting into the middle of them, clearly sensing that the atmosphere was wrong. 'Chen?' Zeng Jihe smiled ingratiatingly. 'Got it.' Chen responded. 'Let's go.' 'Right away.' Zeng Jihe hurried to follow. Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu exchanged a glance, both seeing mockery in the other's eyes, and slowly followed. Tsk! Just an ordinary young man—what did he have to fight them with? Apart from the luck that put him on the register, what could he compare to them? During the patrol, the four walked through the streets and alleys in a less-than-pleasant atmosphere. For the most part, Chen Ping'an walked in front, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu kept to themselves, and Zeng Jihe tried to smooth things over in the middle. At noon, the two ignored Chen and simply left. Before leaving, Zeng Jihe asked them, and they casually brushed him off by saying someone was treating them. When it was time to go on duty for the afternoon patrol, the two made a point of returning half drunk. Although runners of the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office were not strictly forbidden from drinking while on street patrol, if they really wanted to drink, it was usually supposed to be the registered runner who led the drinking. How could the registered runner not drink while the temporary runners under him went to drink instead? This was simply too insulting to the registered runner! However, Chen did not react much to this. The day passed slowly in such an atmosphere. After the patrol ended, Chen Ping'an ignored the two and left once his shift was over. As a registered runner, he did not need to return his saber or waist token, so he could leave early. 'Keep acting so cocky for a few more days! Let's see if you can still act so cocky later!' On the way home, a cold, fierce look flashed through Chen's eyes. Things like drinking during patrol and disobeying orders were small matters that could not be escalated into anything serious. If he really made a fuss about them, there might be punishment, but the severity would be far from enough. So he was waiting for a chance! A chance big enough to make them regret it for the rest of their lives!