’This is... Longxing County!’
’In my last life, I was killed by the constables of the Longxing County Government Office. This life, I’ve become a constable? And a newly recruited one at that?’
’From what I can tell, my family has been constables for three generations. We’re on the roster at the Government Office, a family of constables, you could say. This time, it’s because my father died heroically in the line of duty, leaving his position vacant. That’s how I was recruited into the Government Office to fill the spot. The letter of appointment and all the equipment have been prepared for me.’
At this thought, Wang Ping’s gaze shifted.
He then saw a constable’s letter of appointment on a nearby table, along with an Ox-tail Saber, a constable’s uniform, and a secret martial arts manual.
...Wait, a secret martial arts manual!?
Instantly, the previously nonchalant Wang Ping snapped to attention. He strode to the table and picked up the secret martial arts manual.
[Yama’s Three Demonic Sabers]
’This is the martial art for Longxing County constables... No, it’s the standard-issue martial art for all constables in the Government Offices under the Da Shun Dynasty. It’s a brutal art that specializes in killing!’
Wang Ping opened the secret manual for the Cultivation Technique, reading it word for word.
Next, he reached for the Ox-tail Saber on the table. With a sharp SHING, the long saber left its sheath, and a cold, white glint flashed across the room.
’This Saber Technique... has its pros and cons.’
Wang Ping frowned in thought as he gave the Ox-tail Saber a few casual swings.
The good thing was that this Saber Technique only included application and breathing methods, with no refinement method. This was because the Court had already forged standard-issue Ox-tail Sabers for all constables.
Therefore, constables didn’t need a refinement method at all. With an Ox-tail Saber in hand, mastering the basics of the Saber Technique was just a matter of time. This was much simpler than the [Moonlight Lotus Saber] passed down by Shouchong Lao Deng. The latter relied on a degree of comprehension and required one to spend money on smithing, whereas for the former, the Court had arranged everything for the constables.
However, the downside was also right there.
’Without a refinement method, a Martial Artist essentially loses their foundation. Once the Ox-tail Saber is damaged or confiscated, these Martial Arts are more or less useless.’
"The Court has played its cards well," Wang Ping couldn’t help but mutter in wry admiration.
"This method not only binds the constables to the Government Office but also ensures that even if the content of the Cultivation Technique is leaked, no one can truly master it."
Just as Wang Ping was engrossed in studying the Martial Arts, a sudden knock came at the door.
"...Who is it?"
Wang Ping raised an eyebrow. Holding his saber, he cautiously pushed the door open, only to see a young servant standing outside holding a food box.
"Sir, I’ve brought your meal."
The servant bowed subserviently, respectfully handing over the food box and said in a low voice, "Please take a look, Sir. Is there anything not to your liking?"
Only then did Wang Ping remember that he was now a constable.
The meal before him was one of his "perks" as a constable; three meals a day were provided for free by Yuelai Building, the largest restaurant in Longxing County.
They called it free, but it was really protection money.
After all, constables in Longxing County wielded significant power; otherwise, they wouldn’t have earned the moniker "Street-Cleaning Tiger." This power could make merchants rich.
It could also bankrupt them.
As everyone knew, collusion between officials and merchants was more profitable than outright robbery. Yuelai Building had grown to its current size by supplying these three daily meals.
After sending the young servant away, Wang Ping carried the food box into his room.
He lifted the lid, and a fragrant aroma immediately wafted out. The rice grains were plump and glistening, and the vegetables and meat were of the highest quality. Eating this before training would surely double his results with half the effort.
’Is this... Wojiao Rice?’
Wang Ping’s jaw dropped slightly. He recognized the rice in the box as a type of Exotic Rice cultivated using a Secret Technique, countless times more precious than ordinary refined rice.
Furthermore, the meat seemed to be from some kind of Demon Beast, and the vegetables were specially grown in and harvested from medicinal fields. They had the effect of replenishing Qi and Blood. Forget eating it; just by standing nearby and taking a whiff, Wang Ping could feel the Qi and Blood in his body begin to surge, circulating with increasing ease.
’These vermin...’
Seeing this, Wang Ping couldn’t help but recall his previous life in the countryside. Back then, he thought he was eating pretty well, with rice and meat.
’But compared to what people in the county seat ate, what was the difference between that and eating shit?’
And this was just for the lowest-ranking constable in the County Magistrate’s Office. What did the real Officials eat? Wang Ping couldn’t even begin to imagine.
In that instant, a wave of sorrow washed over him.
He remembered how, many years ago, his greatest dream had been to finish his undercover mission, enter the County Magistrate’s Office with meritorious honors, and earn a government salary, fair and square.
He had worked so hard for it, only to be brutally betrayed and killed.
Thinking of this, Wang Ping looked at the Taiping Scripture, which had so easily gotten him into the County Magistrate’s Office as a constable, and let out a heartfelt sigh.
’Sure enough... personal effort is important, but at the end of the day, you still need a cheat code!’
In that moment, a furious malice surged within Wang Ping. He grabbed the spoon, fiercely dug out a large portion from the food box, and stuffed it into his mouth.
HSSS... So damn good!
......
In a residence in the eastern district of Longxing County, at the very moment Wang Ping was revived with his new identity, a pair of tightly shut eyes snapped open in alarm.
"What’s happening...!?"
As the voice, thick with shock and anger, rang out, a flash of lightning seemed to crackle within the room. The depths of those newly opened eyes were filled with confusion and resentment.
Immediately after, another voice spoke up.
"Master? What happened?"
If Wang Ping had been there, he would have immediately recognized the speaker as his "dear" senior brother, Xie Shi.
As for the one filled with shock and anger, it was, of course, the Sect Leader of the White Lotus Sect, the old Taoist Shouchong.
At this moment, the corner of Shouchong’s eye was twitching uncontrollably. His once-ruddy complexion had turned a deep crimson, and his tightly clenched jaw trembled slightly.
The next second,
PFFT!
He threw his head back and spat a mouthful of hot blood. His crimson face instantly turned white, taking on the faint, deathly pallor of a corpse.
Then, a hoarse voice, like the hoot of a night owl, echoed eerily through the room:
"My fortune... is gone."
"The fortune of my White Lotus Sect... The reputation and fortune I built by roaming the lands and fighting three bloody battles against government soldiers... almost half of it has suddenly vanished!"
At this thought, Shouchong felt as if his heart were bleeding.
After all, with his fortune gone, his plans would have to be completely revised. It would also introduce many new uncertainties, and his hopes of advancing his Martial Arts had grown slim.
"Who is it? Who is plotting against me?"
RUMBLE!
A rolling thunder echoed within the room, yet not a sound escaped outside. This demonstrated his profound power, but also proved that Shouchong had not completely lost his senses.
After a long while, Shouchong’s voice rang out again:
"Someone must have tampered with the Lotus Saber. It’s the only explanation. I must get it back. I can’t let it remain with the Government Office any longer."
Hearing this, Xie Shi, who was standing by, immediately showed a look of concern.
"Master, the County Magistrate’s Office is a stronghold of the Court, and it’s guarded by those black-clad guards from the Divine Capture Sect. It’s far too dangerous. One wrong move and it could all go wrong."
Shouchong looked at Xie Shi upon hearing his words and tilted his head.
"I understand that reasoning, of course... My good disciple, rest assured. I have long since prepared a foolproof plan. A mere County Magistrate’s Office cannot trap me."
At this, Xie Shi’s face filled with admiration. "Master, you’re going to storm the County Magistrate’s Office?"
"No. *You* are going to storm the County Magistrate’s Office."
Xie Shi: "...???"