From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

At this moment:

A series of light, hesitant footsteps slowly approached from the inner hall.

The entire police station fell silent instantly.

Everyone looked up and saw that someone was sitting upright on the tiger-headed main seat.

He wore a blue official robe and a black gauze hat, his face was pale and beardless, and his expression was indifferent. He had the "Jinyang Criminal Register" open on his lap, and he held a wolf-hair brush lightly in his hand, the faint scent of ink spreading out.

It's Gu Huai'an.

Everyone inside and outside the police station knew this name—the Criminal Records Officer, who was in charge of investigating the merits and demerits of the police officers and recording their deeds.

Liu Kui's knife could take lives, but Gu Huai'an's pen could determine a person's promotion, demotion, or dismissal. A single word could cost him a year's salary, and a single stroke could wipe out his job. These constables, who had lived on the edge of death, feared him more than they feared Liu Kui.

"The new recruits are checking in for the first time."

Gu Huai'an's voice was clear and cold, not loud but every word was clear and audible. "Today, I will take charge." He finished speaking without saying a word more.

"Checking in, calling out names by class."

The old official beside him immediately picked up the register and loudly called out the names in turn:

Wei Qingyuan,

Qi Changfa,

Chi Yejun...

"One room, twenty-three people were expected, and twenty-three people are present!"

Once the names were called, Gu Huai'an lightly touched the roster with his wolf-hair brush, the ink spreading out. An attendant, already by his side, picked up his brush and crossed out the name with a swift stroke.

The roll call was completed extremely quickly.

The constables took turns calling out their numbers, their pens moving smoothly across the pages.

When Gu Huai'an mentioned a certain name, his pen suddenly paused.

"Wang Zhenshan".

"exist."

Wang Zhenshan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed, but his back remained as straight as an old pine tree.

"I have recently heard some rumors."

Gu Huai'an paused slightly, his eyelids not lifting, his finger still hovering over the name that hadn't been written: "It's said that a remarkable newcomer has joined the yamen this year. Before he's even been assigned his duties or reported for duty, his name has already spread throughout the ranks." Only then did he raise his eyes, his gaze as calm as a stone thrown into a still lake, landing on Wang Zhenshan:

"Is this person under your command?"

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone sensed the impending storm.

"Review the record book."

Wang Zhenshan's voice was deep and steady, and he bowed but did not bend his back: "This person is indeed a new recruit under my command. However," he said bluntly, taking full responsibility, "it is all because my instruction of the rules was inadequate and my discipline was insufficient, which allowed this new recruit to act recklessly, cause a disturbance, and disrupt the order in the hall."

"This is my fault, and I am willing to accept the punishment."

"Yeah?"

After a few breaths of silence, Gu Huai'an turned his gaze indifferently to the end of the line: "Zhu Hong, step forward."

Upon hearing this, a quick thought flashed across Zhu Hong's eyes. He couldn't tell whether the chief constable was here to interrogate him or had other intentions.

He dared not delay, stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Your subordinate Zhu Hong greets Registrar Gu."

"Young man," Gu Huai'an didn't address him, but lightly dipped his brush in the inkstone, saying calmly, "You have spirit and courage, which is a good thing." His tone, however, shifted abruptly, becoming more somber: "But the laws of the government are strict; it's not a place for reckless brawlers. The rules are there, and they cannot be easily transgressed." He paused briefly, his gaze landing squarely on Zhu Hong:

"Do you—do you know you're wrong?"

These words sounded like an accusation, but Zhu Hong heard a hint of praise in the tone.

"Your subordinate acknowledges his guilt."

His mind raced, and in an instant, he had a plan. He looked up and said loudly, "The mistake was acting hastily without prior notification. However," he paused, "someone suddenly attacked and killed the constables. As constables, if I cannot even protect my own life, how can I uphold the law and safeguard the dignity of the government office? Therefore..."

He took a slight breath, and his voice suddenly rose:

"Even if I have overstepped my bounds, I cannot tarnish the reputation of the government office."

The moment these shameless words were uttered, a slight commotion arose in the courtyard. Several constables couldn't help but sneer, their expressions full of disdain. Pei Lie, unable to contain himself, coldly mocked, "What a grand speech! In just a few words, you've turned unauthorized killing into something as beautiful as spring flowers and autumn moons."

Having said that, he stepped forward with his hands clasped together at his forehead, speaking with righteous indignation:

"Recorder Gu, I dare to ask!"

He shouted:

"Last night at the White Dragon Boat, I was nearby and personally witnessed Zhu Hong draw his sword without your orders and kill three people." At this point, a sharp glint flashed in Pei Lie's eyes: "If this trend continues, will new investigators be able to disregard the law and act on mere 'face' to decide life and death?"

Taking a deep breath, he said decisively:

"Everything I have said is true, and I am willing to bear witness to it!"

"testify?"

Gu Huai'an didn't even lift his eyelids, but simply tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. The sound wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire courtroom.

"Pei Xiaojia." His gaze was indifferent as he slowly swept over the constable.

"What testimony do you want to provide?"

The question was as chilling as a winter wind, and Pei Lie's face turned deathly pale instantly: "Try...try him." His throat bobbed a few times, but he couldn't get the rest of the sentence out.

"Go back!"

Just as he stood there awkwardly frozen, Chief Constable Qingshan suddenly turned around, his eyes flashing like cold lightning, and immediately launched into a tirade:

"When did it become your place to casually offer your opinions?"

Before he finished speaking, he turned to face Gu Huai'an, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "Manager Gu, I have failed to properly discipline my subordinates, and they have spoken recklessly. They will be severely punished later."

"Please forgive me, sir."

"Hmph," Gu Huai'an tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, glancing first at Pei Lie, then casually sweeping his gaze over all the constables in the courtyard:

"A person should know their own limitations."

"Where your heart lies, where you stand, and what rules you must follow—do I, the registrar, really need to teach you all one by one?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the constables were quite varied.

Whether it was a subtle hint or an attempt to intimidate the crowd, regardless of the clerk's intentions, everyone tacitly glanced at Pei Lie.

The target has a master, and he is that master.

Why is that?

Pei Lie's face turned from green to white, his whole body stiffened, as if he had been stripped naked in public, feeling extremely ashamed.

His mind was buzzing:

"Shouldn't we be upholding the law and discipline?"

Instead of reprimanding him, they subtly criticized Pei Lie in their words.

Gu Huai'an completely ignored Pei Lie's embarrassment and the thoughts of the others, withdrawing his cold gaze and turning to Zhu Hong, whose expression remained unchanged. His previously icy expression softened slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "You do have some backbone. But remember this next time."

He paused slightly in his speech:

"To protect the government, don't act rashly and give others a handle to use against you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hong's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly at first, but he quickly recovered and his face lit up with a bright smile: "This Clerk Gu is actually so open-minded?"

What I just said was not a reproach.

It is clearly saying:

Actions can be taken, and people can be blocked. But if you're going to do it, do it cleanly. In plain terms, wipe out the entire population!

He was overjoyed and quickly bowed in response:

"Yes."