Three constables in the black clothing of the Garrison Commandant's Office, swords at their waists, strode imposingly down White Stone Lane, drawing reverent gazes from the people they passed.
Since ancient times, the common folk do not challenge officials!
To the ordinary people, even a temporary constable—one not even on the official rolls—was a figure to be revered!
"None of the temporary constables before this ever got such a grand introduction! It's called an 'introduction,' but isn't it really just a public declaration of his status and a way to show off his connections?!"
"And another thing, the constables who get to accompany a Constable are almost always official constables. I, Monkey Head, have been slogging away at the Garrison Commandant's Office for over two years, and I've never gotten that kind of treatment. This Zheng Shiyong is a rookie who just joined today, and he's already enjoying this perk. It's obvious they're paving the way for his future!"
"Honestly, if it weren't for his relationship with Constable Zheng, how could this newcomer, Zheng Shiyong, get this kind of opportunity?!"
"It's infuriating to compare yourself to others! Infuriating!"
"..."
Monkey Head grumbled the whole way, shaking his head with a face full of indignation.
Among the group, he had the most seniority at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. If he had connections like Zheng Shiyong, he might already be an official constable on the rolls.
"Alright, Monkey Head, that's enough," Chen Ping'an cautioned. "If the wrong person overhears you, you're bound to get in trouble."
"Hmph! Let them listen. What I said isn't wrong, so what does it matter if it gets out!"
Monkey Head talked a big game. But whether it was because of Chen Ping'an's advice or some other reason, he soon changed the subject and stopped complaining about Zheng Shiyong.
Chen Ping'an just shook his head slightly.
'This Monkey Head… he's really something else…'
To be honest, Chen Ping'an was naturally envious that Zheng Shiyong received such a grand introduction the moment he arrived.
But he knew envy was useless.
'In this world, you ultimately have to fight for your own status!'
'Whether you fight with your fists or your connections!'
'Old Chen was dead. The only person he could rely on was himself!'
'And he was the only one Chen Erya could rely on!'
As he patrolled the streets, Chen Ping'an's mind churned. With each passing thought, his resolve hardened. This newfound conviction gave him an entirely different air, a new kind of vitality.
The day's patrol remained peaceful and uneventful.
After eating their fill at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office at noon, they found a place to rest for a while, as was their custom. Since White Stone Lane consisted mostly of residential housing with no important sites, they had more time to slack off than usual.
Of the many streets and alleys in Nanquan Lane, White Stone Lane was undoubtedly one of the more relaxed beats.
...
"Nannan, I'm back!"
The moment Chen Ping'an walked through the door, he was greeted by the fragrant aroma of a home-cooked meal.
"Oh, you're back, Brother!"
Chen Erya was busy in the kitchen and didn't come out to greet him.
Chen Ping'an walked into the kitchen and saw a milky-white beef bone broth in the pot, BUBBLING away as it sent up plumes of enticingly fragrant steam.
Having just gotten off duty, he was famished. How could he possibly resist the intensely rich and fragrant aroma of the beef bone broth?
Chen Ping'an was just about to ask for a bowl to taste when Chen Erya, busy stir-frying vegetables, spoke.
"You must be hungry, Brother. I made some savory wheat cakes this afternoon, so you can have some to tide yourself over. They're in the cupboard."
In between stirs, Chen Erya took a moment to gesture toward the cupboard.
"You're so thoughtful, Nannan!"
Chen Ping'an beamed.
'Where else could you find such a considerate little sister!'
'In his past life, a girl Nannan's age would have been treasured by her family—doted on, spoiled, and showered with love. How could she possibly be this considerate?'
'The state of the world…'
As he dwelled on it, Chen Ping'an's heart ached for her.
"Brother, what are you standing there for? They're on the third shelf of the cupboard!"
Seeing Chen Ping'an just standing there, Chen Erya prompted him again.
Chen Ping'an snapped out of it and took a plate of savory wheat cakes from the cupboard.
"Savory wheat cakes" was the common household name for them. In truth, they were simple to make: just mix eggs and wheat flour until smooth, adding a pinch of salt. Then, heat some sesame oil in a pan until it just starts to smoke, and pour the batter in to be stir-fried into a scramble.
Finally, a handful of chopped scallions is tossed in for aroma, and the savory wheat cakes are ready.
"It smells amazing!"
Chen Ping'an praised, looking at the golden, crispy wheat cakes before him.
"As expected of Nannan's cooking!"
The wheat cakes were still warm. Clearly, Chen Erya had timed his return from duty and prepared them in advance. Her consideration for him was truly meticulous.
As Chen Ping'an ate the savory wheat cakes, a wave of contentment washed over him.
Ever since he started practicing the Iron Cloth Shirt, his appetite had grown steadily.
He had eaten his fill at the Garrison Commandant's Office during the day, but now he was starving again.
Evidently, now that his Martial Dao Cultivation had reached the Entry Level and he had stepped into the Qi Blood First Layer Realm, his Qi Blood was surging more powerfully than before, consuming much more energy.
'This is just the Entry Level of the Qi Blood First Layer. If I reach the Perfection stage, I'll probably be starving halfway through my shift!'
'That makes sense!'
'Although he was eating plenty of rice, his meals were mostly plain vegetables with little oil or fat. To get the nutrients and Qi Blood his body truly needed, he would have to eat a lot more meat.'
'No wonder the Constables' meals were set apart from those of the regular constables!'
Now, Chen Ping'an was beginning to understand some of the rules established at the Garrison Commandant's Office.
'He was like this at just the Qi Blood First Layer. The Constables at the Garrison Commandant's Office often had Cultivation at the Qi Blood Third Layer. If they ate the same simple vegetable and low-meat dishes as the regular constables, how could they possibly stave off their hunger?'
SIZZLE!
Oil sputtered as Chen Erya tipped a plate of raw beef into the wok.
Once the beef was in the wok, Chen Erya began to stir-fry it with practiced ease.
In went the green peppers, then salt, then other seasonings...
Soon, a plate of green pepper beef stir-fry, its fragrant aroma carrying a hint of spice, was ready.
"Brother, dinner's ready!" Chen Erya called out in a sing-song voice.
"Alright."
Chen Ping'an replied. The two of them then began carrying the dishes out to the table.
Tonight's dinner consisted of: a plate of green pepper beef stir-fry, a dish of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a large bowl of beef bone broth, the remaining half-plate of savory wheat cakes, and two bowls of fragrant white rice.
"Nannan, the water vat is getting low. I'll go fetch some more," Chen Ping'an said, contentedly patting his full stomach after dinner.
"I'll fetch more water tomorrow. Brother, you should just focus on your training!" Chen Erya said, trying to dissuade him.
To her, this was a task well within her capabilities, something she could do to help her brother. She never wanted to trouble him if she could avoid it.
There was still enough water in the vat to last for two more days, which was why she hadn't fetched any earlier.
"It's no trouble. It'll be a good way to digest dinner!" Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
'If he went, it would take ten trips at most. If Chen Erya went, the number of trips would more than double. Besides, with her skinny arms and legs, she'd be dead tired by the time she got back.'
With that, Chen Ping'an picked up the carrying pole, grabbed the two wooden buckets, and headed out.