From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"He's inside, wearing his official uniform."

The official's feet stiffened abruptly, his official authority radiating outwards, instantly silencing the whispers in the boat. His cold gaze swept over the horse racing board:

"Are you telling the truth?"

Ma Pan was startled by the imposing presence, but quickly regained his composure. His father had long-standing ties with the government, and Pei Lie, as a junior constable, was his closest friend, practically family. He shouldn't be afraid. "Reporting to Master Pei! It's absolutely true. That wild boy stole the official uniform from somewhere and impersonated a constable."

His voice was shrill, and he embellished the story:

"And now, they're still wielding sharp blades inside, indiscriminately killing!"

Pei Lie frowned, half believing and half doubting.

Without it.

Who would dare to have a death wish and run rampant under the very nose of this government office, pretending to be a constable?

He hesitated for a moment, remaining silent, only glancing sideways at the door of the private room before raising his chin slightly and speaking in a cold voice:

"Whether it is or not, you'll know at a glance."

Having said that, his official boots crunched over the boat planks, making a soft "creak" sound, and he strode straight toward the private room. The constables following behind understood immediately and followed.

"Clang—!"

Brutality was his modus operandi.

Standing in front of the half-open private room, Pei Lie didn't bother to check what was happening inside. Instead, he ruthlessly raised his foot and kicked out horizontally.

The door shattered with a loud crash.

The interior of the room was laid bare before everyone's eyes:

The scene was one of utter chaos: shattered cups and plates, a broken section of the wooden railing, and several corpses lying haphazardly on the ground. The ongoing fight had been abruptly cut short by the sudden turn of events, all ceasing abruptly. Zhu Hong stood in the center, leaning on his sword, his right hand gripping the hilt tightly, his expression cold and resolute.

Feng Qi and Li Hang retreated to the left and right sides respectively, standing in a confrontational position.

The killing move has ceased.

The tense atmosphere showed no signs of dissipating, as if they would draw their swords against each other again at any moment.

"Where did this constable come from?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhu Hong's gaze swept slowly over the person in front of him.

First, one notices his dark brown official uniform, the style and cut of which are indeed those of a constable. When the gaze falls on his cuff and catches a glimpse of the thin white and blue stitching, the eyebrows involuntarily rise slightly.

Xiao Jia?

Within the police force, there was a strict hierarchy:

Above them were the Chief Constables, who oversaw the entire city's police force and their uniforms were embroidered with brocade. Below them were the Head Constables of various departments, each responsible for their assigned area and shift, their cuffs embroidered with blue trim. Further down were the Junior Officers, each leading three to five constables, their cuffs simply trimmed with fine white and blue thread, devoid of other decoration. Below the Junior Officers were the officially registered constables, like himself and Lin Jizhi. At the very bottom were the assistants on the reserve roster, without official badges or official uniforms, performing only menial tasks and errands, awaiting further screening before being officially registered.

Previously, Wang Zhenshan had taken him to the yamen (government office) where he had become familiar with the people:

Dao Ge was the head constable, while Cao Wanhai was a junior officer; the distinction between them was clear-cut.

"So...they've colluded?"

Zhu Hong glanced to the side and saw Ma Pan huddled among the constables, his face radiating an undisguised smugness and ruthlessness.

"Boy, who are you?"

Pei Lie's gaze shifted from the corpse to Zhu Hong, as cold as iron, finally settling on his dark official uniform. His words were heavy and firm: "Arming oneself in public, indiscriminately killing innocent people, causing many deaths—do you have no respect for the laws of Jinyang City?" He took a step forward, his official boots grinding against the shattered porcelain shards with a grating sound.

"explain--!"

"What is your name? What department and rank do you belong to? Where did you get this official uniform?" The questioning voice echoed around the pillar.

"Where did it come from?"

Zhu Hong raised his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if he had heard an amusing joke. "Besides coming from the government office, openly and legitimately with your identification token, where else could you have gotten it?" He looked directly at Pei Lie, his eyes showing no sign of flinching: "What, does Pei Xiaojia perhaps think...?"

He paused, then asked:

"Was this uniform made from a random piece of fabric torn from a tailor shop?"

Pei Lie's brows furrowed sharply, a chill creeping into his eyes:

"Do you know who you're talking to?" He was furious; this kid showed him absolutely no respect.

"Know."

Zhu Hong's tone was so calm that it was as if he were merely stating a trivial matter: "Lord Xiao Jia, you know." He spoke those few words with neither servility nor arrogance.

Do you expect him to be subservient?

Bullshit!

Seeing that people have already colluded and become a den of snakes and rats, they enter the door and, without asking any questions, immediately start interrogating people without distinguishing between loyalty and treachery. In such a situation, how can bowing down and bending over make things alright?

"Okay, okay, okay."

Pei Lie's eyes flashed with a sinister glint, "You've got a sharp tongue, huh? Well then, let me ask you," he sneered, the murderous aura emanating from his body, a nascent form of martial arts prowess, spreading out as his fingertips jabbed at the scattered corpses on the ground, "If you're a legitimate law enforcement officer, there are procedures to follow when you're on duty. You have tickets and orders, and you have to follow the rules." He then abruptly raised his voice:

"What right do you have to draw your sword and draw blood in this fireworks boat?"

"Do you have an official warrant? Do you have a warrant to arrest the criminal?" Having said this, he turned to the group of constables following closely behind him, his voice stern and stern.

"Take it down!"

"This man is either a ruthless bandit from 'Golden Valley Garden' posing as an official, or a madman who has lost his mind." Pei Lie's lips curled into a cold smile.

"No matter what, take him back to prison for questioning first."

"Yes, sir!"

Several fierce-looking constables drew their swords with a clang and were about to pounce forward.

"Hahaha, caught it! Well done!"

Ma Pan, hiding behind, was already grinning from ear to ear at the sight, his face crinkling with wrinkles that looked like they were about to burst into bloom. He pointed at Zhu Hong, squeezing out a malicious glee through his teeth:

"Master Pei, remember to make sure he rots in jail!"

But at this tense moment:

"Wait...wait!"

Just then, behind Pei Lie, a constable, after several changes in expression, finally couldn't help but reach out and gently tug at Pei Lie's sleeve, "Brother Pei... this man is not someone to be trifled with."

Pei Lie frowned and turned his face away in displeasure:

"Why can't I touch him? There's no one on this turf that I wouldn't dare to touch."

The young constable broke out in a cold sweat, lowered his voice, and said anxiously, "He... he really is one of our own."

He swallowed hard and pointed:

"This man is named Zhu Hong, and he is a newly selected constable in this year's selection process."

"Really?" Pei Lie's eye twitched. He was already somewhat convinced, and his initial anger cooled down considerably. However, he still felt a little embarrassed and asked suspiciously, "Even if he's a newcomer, if he were just a hired hand, why would he..."

"No, I'm not a hanger-on."

The young constable, with a bitter face, leaned close to Pei Lie's ear and said urgently in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "That day, the boy was chosen by Constable Qingshan, while he was the one that Constable Wang specifically requested to go."