Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Pulling the Firewood from Under the Cauldron
Shen Qingshuang shot her a displeased glance. "What took you so long? Didn’t I send word yesterday?"
Xiaolan seed terrified of the Second Miss. She explained cautiously, "The Eldest Miss is on the verge of breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm and has been in seclusion. The Clan Elders gave strict orders that she was not to be disturbed. She only found out about this matter this morning."
"Hmph! It’s just the Bone Forging Realm. What’s all the fuss about?" Shen Qingshuang snorted. "Those old fools are making a mountain out of a molehill. With all the Bone Tempering Pills the family provides, if they were given to , I’d have reached the Bone Forging Realm long ago! If Shen Qingyao can’t even break through, she has no right to be called the top martial artist of the Shen Family’s younger generation."
Xiaolan knew she held so resentnt toward the family, so she didn’t dare respond. Instead, she quickly took a letter from her sleeve and cautiously handed it over.
Shen Qingshuang took the letter and read it carefully. Afterward, with a slight exertion of force in her hand, the letter disintegrated into tiny shreds that scattered to the floor.
"Removing the firewood from under the cauldron... A ruthless tactic, Shen Qingyao!"
Shen Qingshuang muttered to herself, then waved a hand. "You may go. Tell Shen Qingyao that I’m very disappointed in her Cultivation Progress!"
"Yes, ma’am." Xiaolan bowed her head and hurried out of the courtyard as if fleeing for her life.
Shen Qingshuang fell silent in thought once more. After a long mont, she turned and whispered a few instructions to Xiaoxing.
...
The crowd had been waiting for Chief Constable Shen Qingshuang, but instead, her maid Xiaoxing appeared, wearing the sa cold expression as her mistress.
Everyone knew she was the Chief Constable’s proxy. Not daring to show any disrespect, they ceased their chatter. The six Chief Constables and the constables of each squad quickly fell into formation, and the Governnt Office Hall instantly fell silent.
Xiaoxing walked before them and announced in a clear voice, "The Chief Constable has spoken. There is only one spot for an official constable to be filled this ti, so there is no need for a major ordeal. Each squad’s Chief Constable will first recomnd their strongest Preparatory Constable, who will then accompany
to see the Chief Constable."
The strongest Preparatory Constable from each squad had, of course, already been chosen. Upon hearing the announcent, the six Chief Constables each called for one of their subordinates to step forward.
When Chen Cheng saw Liu Yunfeng beckon to him, he stepped out of the ranks and cupped his fist in a salute. "Mr. Liu."
"Ah Cheng, you’re the strongest of our squad’s Preparatory Constables," Liu Yunfeng said with a slight nod. "You’ll be the one to participate in the assessnt."
Chen Cheng was well aware that Liu Yunfeng had always looked out for him, and this ti was no different, recomnding him without a mont’s hesitation. He would be sure to rember this kindness. He gave another solemn salute and said, "Thank you, Mr. Liu."
"You don’t have to thank ," Liu Yunfeng said with a smile. "Your natural talent for the Martial Dao is exceptional, and you’ve achieved what you have today through diligent, daily Cultivation."
As a Chief Constable, he naturally knew the background and daily conduct of every subordinate under his command.
Chen Cheng was conscientious on duty and got along well with his colleagues. After his shift, he never wasted ti in brothels or taverns, but instead focused on Cultivating the Martial Dao at ho.
The more Liu Yunfeng learned about Chen Cheng, the more he admired him. He was convinced that such an outstanding young man was destined to make a na for himself and soar to great heights.
The only unfortunate thing was Chen Cheng’s background. Coming from a Humble Family, he would face imnse difficulties trying to make his way in this chaotic world.
With his Martial Arts Power, Chen Cheng’s success in a normal assessnt for official constable would have been a near certainty. But with the Zhou Family sticking their noses in, Chen Cheng now faced a dilemma—one that even Liu Yunfeng would struggle with.
But this was just a small hurdle on the path of Martial Arts Cultivation. Whether he could overco it would depend on the choice he made.
’The path of the Martial Dao is fraught with hardship and unknown dangers. I’ve been cultivating for many years with little to show for it... perhaps it’s because I’ve always been too timid.’
Liu Yunfeng sighed to himself, his expression turning complex. "As for the assessnt," he said with another long sigh, "consider your options carefully. Whatever you decide, I will support you."
Chen Cheng gave a solemn nod.
Seeing the six candidates for the official constable assessnt step forward, Xiaoxing said with a grave expression, "The Chief Constable has stated that the City Guard Departnt’s assessnts are always fair and just."
"If anyone objects to the chosen candidates, who are ant to be the strongest from each squad, speak now."
The Preparatory Constables within each squad knew each other’s capabilities well, and the candidates were indeed the strongest selected by the Chief Constables. Naturally, no one had any objections.
If any squad were to have objections, it would be Zhao Yongfeng’s. Zhou Fang had only recently joined the City Guard Departnt, and no one was quite sure of his true Martial Arts Power.
But that didn’t matter. Simply by virtue of him being from the Zhou Family, none of Zhao Yongfeng’s Preparatory Constables would dare to voice an objection.
"Since there are no objections, the Chief Constables and the candidates for the assessnt will follow
to see the Chief Constable. The rest of you are dismissed."
With that, Xiaoxing turned and led the way toward the Chief Constable’s personal courtyard.
The six Chief Constables, along with Chen Cheng and the five other Preparatory Constables, followed Xiaoxing into the courtyard.
Shen Qingshuang was already waiting. The Chief Constables and Preparatory Constables quickly fell into formation, saluting in unison with cupped fists. "Greetings, Chief Constable."
"Dispense with the formalities." Shen Qingshuang raised a hand, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over each person before she spoke, her face impassive.
"According to City Guard Departnt regulations, official constables are promoted from the ranks of Preparatory Constables through an assessnt of outstanding candidates. All Preparatory Constables are eligible to participate, provided they have not committed any infractions."
"Considering there is only one position available this ti, assessing each candidate individually would be ti-consuming. Since the assessnt primarily consists of martial arts contests, I have taken the liberty of simplifying the process. We will select one top candidate from each squad to compete."
"Do any of you Chief Constables have an objection?"
The assessnt procedure Shen Qingshuang proposed was perfectly conventional and by the book, so the Chief Constables naturally had no objections, nodding in agreent.
However, they were all inwardly puzzled. With Zhou Fang of the Zhou Family among the candidates, the others would likely be too intimidated by his family’s power to compete with their full strength.
It seed strange that Shen Qingshuang would do nothing, despite being fully aware of the situation.
Taking in everyone’s reactions, Shen Qingshuang remained perfectly calm. She turned to Chen Cheng and the other Preparatory Constables. "The six of you, prepare yourselves. The assessnt competition will be held in three days."
"Yes, ma’am," Chen Cheng and the others replied.
Then, Shen Qingshuang’s tone suddenly sharpened. "The City Guard Departnt’s assessnts are always fair and just. You are all required to compete with your full strength. If anyone dares to intentionally lose, or to engage in any fraud ant to deceive your superiors, I will have them expelled from the City Guard Departnt in accordance with the law. Their na will be recorded, and they will be permanently barred from future employnt."
Her words struck everyone like a bolt from the blue.
Shen Qingshuang had finally made her move. And it was a decisive one, cutting out the foundation from under them, eliminating any possibility that the other Preparatory Constables might intentionally lose to Zhou Fang.
All six of the participating Preparatory Constables, with the exception of Zhou Fang, were now trapped in a dilemma. On the one hand, if they competed with all their strength, they would very likely offend the Zhou Family.
On the other, if they intentionally held back, they faced expulsion from the City Guard Departnt.
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