Becoming a Saint Fro Chapter 135 - 97: Iron Hand Chief Constable

Chapter 135: Chapter 97: Iron Hand Chief Constable

Lishui District was a long, narrow strip of land extending along the southeastern corner of Jishui Lake. For the most part, it was a bustling and prosperous area.

The sole exception was Qingshui Pier at its southernmost tip.

The nearby streets were mostly populated by common folk who had fled from disasters, as well as all sorts of Jianghu fugitives. Compared to other pier districts, its streets, alleys, and residential buildings were far more dilapidated.

The structure of the gangs in the Jianghu was also chaotic. Thugs, hooligans, thieves, and human traffickers were everywhere. The most famous of these Jianghu Gangs were known as the Three Vicious and One City.

The Three Vicious were the Tiger, the Leopard, and the Dog. The One City was nad Qingcheng.

The Tiger and Leopard referred to the Tiger and Leopard Gang. Its leader, Li Hu, and second-in-command, Zhang Bao, were both Martial Artists at Skin Grinding Realm Perfection with Saber Technique Perfection. With seventy to eighty mbers under them, they were the most powerful gang. They engaged in traditional Jianghu Gang activities, such as running gambling dens and brothels and collecting protection money from the common folk.

The Dog was the Celestial Dog Gang. Its Gang Leader was Du Lang, nicknad "Poison Wolf," though behind his back, people called him the "Poison Wolf-Dog." His vicious reputation was well-known, and he was a Martial Artist at Skin Grinding Realm Perfection with Sword Technique Perfection, as well as an expert in poisons.

The Celestial Dog Gang also had sixty to seventy mbers. They occupied Qingshui Pier, collecting protection money from the people passing through and secretly engaging in human trafficking.

As for Qingcheng, this referred to the Qingcheng Gang. The Gang Leader, Wu Qingcheng, was known as the "Qingcheng Sword." The Qingcheng Gang had a slightly better reputation, controlling several nearby quarries and fishing grounds. They had also opened the Qingcheng Martial Arts Hall to recruit a wide range of disciples. Of course, this was all just for show. Rumors in the Jianghu claid that the Qingcheng Gang had close ties with powers outside the city and frequently did business in the Cold Crow Village Black Market.

This information ca from Chen Cheng’s new subordinate, a constable nad Ma Zehua. Ma Zehua was thirty-five years old, a constable born and raised in Lishui District, making him a relatively senior veteran. His strength was also decent—he was at the Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm, and his Thirteen Iron Blood Sabers technique was nearing Perfection.

As an official constable, he was in a bit of a rut. If he could further his Saber Technique cultivation and advance his Martial Arts Realm, he might have a chance to beco a Chief Constable in another district.

Of course, for anyone serving in the City Guard Departnt, the key to advancent was eting the right benefactor, catching a lucky break, and seizing the opportunity with both hands.

For Chen Cheng to beco the Chief Constable of Lishui District at such a young age, possessing the authority of a Half-step Chief Constable and backed by the full support of the new Chief of the South City Guard, Shen Qingshuang—a rising star like him was undoubtedly the opportunity Ma Zehua had been waiting for.

Thus, Ma Zehua was the first among the constables to approach Chen Cheng and pledge his loyalty. When an old hand like him willingly offered his allegiance, Chen Cheng was naturally happy to accept. He welcod him and offered a few encouraging words about his promising future, which made Ma Zehua even more deferential.

"Mr. Chen, Qingshui Pier is just ahead. Those n in black with the dog-shaped emblems on their cuffs are from the Celestial Dog Gang," Ma Zehua said respectfully, leading the way and pointing to the pier in the distance.

Qingshui Pier wasn’t large. Its embanknt was made of uneven but smooth boulders. It was less a pier and more of a shallow, rocky shore.

The Celestial Dog Gang mbers Ma Zehua had ntioned stood in two rows on the stone path leading to the street, holding Long Sabers. They were in the middle of collecting protection money from passing fishern and boats.

Chen Cheng was dressed in a loose, black, cloud-patterned uniform. He had a lean, muscular build and wore a pair of massive Iron Claws on his hands.

"The Gang Leader of the Celestial Dog Gang is nad Du Lang, and his nickna is Poison Wolf. So why is the gang called the Celestial Dog Gang? Wouldn’t the Poison Wolf Gang be more fitting?" The road ahead was a pockmarked stone path. Chen Cheng stopped and flexed his hands slightly. His Dragon Eagle Iron Claws clinked together with a muffled sound as he asked the question, puzzled.

Seeing that Chen Cheng had no intention of continuing, Ma Zehua turned back, leaned in closer, and whispered, "Actually, the Celestial Dog Gang used to be called the Poison Wolf Gang. But one ti, their Gang Leader, Du Lang, offended a person of high status at Qingshui Pier and was brutally beaten. That person said the na ’Poison Wolf Gang’ was unsuitable. By changing the gang’s na to the Celestial Dog Gang, Du Lang not only avoided disaster but also earned that person’s praise. After that, the Celestial Dog Gang rose quickly, even managing to suppress the Tiger and Leopard Gang and seize complete control of Qingshui Pier."

"Is that so?" Chen Cheng chuckled. "Who was this high-status person Du Lang offended?"

"Er..." Ma Zehua hesitated, then after a mont, he lowered his voice again. "That person was a Lord Chief from the Inner City Demon Suppression Departnt."

"The Demon Suppression Departnt?" Chen Cheng mused. In Linji City, the Demon Suppression Departnt was an organization that stood above the City Guard Departnt. A Chief from the Demon Suppression Departnt ranked half a level higher than even Shen Qingshuang, a City Guard Chief for an Outer City District. He could indeed be considered a person of high status.

Ma Zehua’s eyes darted about. Knowing this was the perfect mont to curry favor with his superior, he added in a low voice, "That Lord Chief’s na is Jiang Lang. He’s the number one Martial Dao genius of Linji City’s younger generation and a scion of the Jiang Family. Mr. Chen, if you ever run into him..."

He trailed off, letting the rest go unsaid, giving Chen Cheng a look that said, ’You get it.’

The Jiang Family was backed by the City Lord’s Mansion of Linji City. Chen Cheng naturally understood. He nodded slightly, saying with approval, "Yes, I understand. Zehua, you’ve done well."

"It’s my duty to serve you, Mr. Chen," Ma Zehua said quickly.

"Forget it. We’re going back to the City Guard Departnt," Chen Cheng said, turning to walk back the way they ca.

’In truth, as a newly appointed official, he had originally planned to make an example of these three gangs. After all, none of them were a real match for him. If he established his authority now, it would save him a lot of trouble later.’

’But if the Celestial Dog Gang alone had such a complicated background, I can’t be bothered getting involved. It’s better to just lay low and let things be!’