From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

The words "bang on the door" had barely left his lips.

Lin Jizhi's eyes lit up, and an excited look instantly appeared on his face. "Alright!" He rolled up his sleeves and kicked the vermilion gate.

But the kick was only halfway through the air when...

With a creak.

The door opened.

Lin Jizhi knew that his foot was hanging in mid-air, and he couldn't stop in time. He staggered a bit before regaining his balance, and the excitement on his face froze there, making him quite embarrassed.

"Door……"

He scratched his head, turned to look at Zhu Hong: "You've opened it yourself, are you still going to smash it?"

"No."

Zhu Hong's expression remained unchanged as he glanced towards the doorway.

What's the wind blowing today?

"They even managed to summon several high-ranking officials from the yamen!"

A middle-aged man strolled out from inside the door, a smile on his face. He slowly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Jiang, please forgive my lateness." Behind him were two men in tight-fitting clothes, one on each side, who stood there without saying a word.

The three of them stood there.

Their aura was radiating outwards without any attempt to conceal it, clearly indicating that they were martial artists at the Tendon Refining Realm.

"Jiang Huai-ren".

Wang Zhenshan pointed out the person for Zhu Hong and asked coldly, "Where is Jiang Yannian?"

Jiang Huai-ren gave a forced smile: "The clan chief is currently discussing matters with several clan elders and cannot leave for the moment. However..." He stepped aside and gestured for them to enter: "Second Master Cong is already waiting in the main hall."

Wang Zhenshan stepped aside and his gaze fell on Zhu Hong.

Seeing this, Zhu Hong raised his eyes and looked directly at Jiang Huai Ren, coldly saying, "The yamen sent people, and you're the only one they sent to deal with them? What, what are you going to do?" His gaze swept over the two men behind Jiang Huai Ren, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, his expression unreadable, but his tone indifferent:

"What do you Jiang family think?"

Are the people in the government not worth giving them face?

Jiang Huai Ren frowned, and the smile on his face faded.

He sized up the young man in front of him. He was dressed in the uniform of an ordinary constable, not even a junior officer, yet he was walking ahead of the head constable of the sixth squad.

"Is he Zhu Hong?"

Jiang Huai-ren's heart skipped a beat; he had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth. However, he remained outwardly calm, merely cupping his hands in a slight bow, his tone still polite but now tinged with a hint of probing:

"Who is this...?"

Zhu Hong walked straight past Jiang Huai Ren without stopping.

As they brushed past each other, he uttered two words, his voice indifferent, as if he were just giving a casual reply:

"Zhu Hong".

Jiang Huai-ren's expression changed slightly.

He wasn't surprised by the two words, but by the young constable's attitude. Wasn't he the host of the Jiang family? Before the proper etiquette was fulfilled, the guest had already walked away without even giving him a proper look. He watched that retreating figure, his fingers clenching slightly before relaxing, and turned to look at Wang Zhenshan.

"He is in charge today."

Wang Zhenshan remained expressionless and said something indifferently. After speaking, he followed Zhu Hong inside, his gaze fixed straight ahead, no longer looking at Jiang Huai Ren.

"Gentlemen, this way please."

Jiang Huai-ren took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure, and put on a smile again. He quickly followed, saying as he walked, "Tea and refreshments have been prepared in the hall. If you have anything to say, please sit down and talk slowly."

"That kid's got guts."

Upon seeing this scene, Song Jiwen couldn't help but mutter something. They had been constables for decades, and had seen and taught at least eighty or a hundred young men, but they had never seen anyone so arrogant.

Wei Qingyuan walked at the very back, letting out a soft snort:

"To wield a trivial matter as an imperial edict is utterly reckless and utterly ignorant of the consequences."

……

The main hall of the Jiang residence is magnificent.

The hall is beautifully furnished, with intricately carved rosewood chairs on both sides and several calligraphy works on the wall, clearly the work of a famous artist.

Seated at the head of the table was a middle-aged man, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, with a hint of sinister intent between his brows. This man was Jiang Cong, Jiang Feng's second uncle, the person in charge of external affairs for the Jiang clan, and a martial arts master at the Great Perfection level. His status in the clan was second only to the clan leader, Jiang Yannian.

Jiang Huai-ren entered the main hall first.

He walked quickly to Jiang Cong's side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang Cong frowned slightly, then relaxed, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained calm. Yesterday, Wang Zhenshan came to "greet" him, and he thought that some important person would come today, either the clerk Gu Huai'an would come in person, or Liu Dutou would lead the team.

I don't want to be the leader.

Is he a newly appointed constable who isn't even a junior officer?

Jiang Cong sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. "Is the government just sending someone out to take the fall? Or are they simply not taking this matter seriously at all?"

Footsteps sounded at the entrance of the main hall.

Zhu Hong walked in first, followed closely by Wang Zhenshan and several other constables.

Outside.

The constables dispersed and silently guarded all the exits.

Jiang Cong leaned back in his chair, slowly setting down his teacup. His gaze swept lightly over Zhu Hong, his tone neither warm nor cold:

"Gentlemen, please have a seat."

He spoke to everyone, but his gaze was clearly fixed only on Zhu Hong. When he turned to Wang Zhenshan and the others, his expression became much more amiable.

Zhu Hong did not move.

He stood in the center of the main hall, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the Jiang family disciples one by one, finally landing on Jiang Cong before he asked, "Where is that Jiang Feng?" His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone.

Jiang Cong's smile faded slightly.

A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he still said slowly, "He is not available to receive guests. If Lord Zhu has anything to say, you can just talk to me, Jiang."

"Are you going to take the blame for him?"

Zhu Hong spoke in a flat tone, but his words were sharp and undisguised.

The main hall fell silent instantly.

Everyone was stunned. No one expected that this young man would speak so directly, without showing any mercy.

"Adults should be mindful of their words."

"You're not a child anymore."

Jiang Cong's smile vanished completely, his expression darkened, and his voice turned cold: "Jiang Feng is the eldest son of the Jiang family, always law-abiding and never breaking the law. How can he be accused of taking the blame? Lord Zhu, if you are handling a case, please follow the rules. If you are causing trouble..."

He paused, his gaze turning slightly cold.

"Although the Jiang residence is small, it is not a place where anyone can run wild."

Wang Zhenshan's expression hardened, but he didn't rush to speak.

"Measures?"

Zhu Hong said calmly, took out the golden token from his bosom, and gently placed it on the table.

"despair."

A faint golden light rippled, catching everyone's eye.

The Jiang family members in the back row instantly lost their previous arrogance, their expressions changed, and they began to whisper among themselves.

"It is the Prefect's golden decree..."

"How could a mere constable possess such an item?"

"The news didn't mention this matter either."

"..."

Jiang Cong knew the gold token was genuine as soon as he saw it.

He frowned slightly, his expression darkening. He hadn't expected that a lowly constable could wield the Prefect's golden edict.

Jiang Cong stared intently at the token for a long while, then raised his hand to silence the whispers behind him. When he spoke again, his tone had softened somewhat, but he remained unhurried:

"If you have something to say, please speak frankly."