With the deaths of Tiger Head Gang's Master Hu and Qing Ye, the remaining encirclement became extremely simple. The Zhenfu Division launched a sudden attack, with another team of Yamen Runners maneuvering outside, ensuring that not a single core member of the Tiger Head Gang escaped.
Of the Tiger Head Gang's three Protectors, only Da Gangya was pragmatic and surrendered, while the other two died. Among them, Chen Ping'an didn't even give the Little Tiger Master a chance to live or beg for mercy.
Of the seven major leaders, five were executed on the spot, and two were captured. In addition, there were hundreds of minor thugs, large and small, who were either killed or arrested.
After the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office paid a certain price, with some Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners, including Tan Huacong, suffering casualties, the Tiger Head Gang, which was like a massive entity with deep-seated power in the eyes of ordinary people, collapsed overnight.
As soon as the news spread, it greatly shook the various Gangs in Nanquan Lane.
Iron Bull Gang, Wild Wolf Gang, Feisha Gang...
The leaders of each Gang sent people to investigate, and after much digging, they discovered that the downfall of the Tiger Head Gang was entirely orchestrated by that probationary Chief Constable named Chen Ping'an.
And the source of everything seemed to be the trouble sown by the Little Tiger Master.
In their shock, the various Gangs conducted self-checks to see if any of their Protectors or leaders were threatening or collecting from Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners.
After this battle, the prestige of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office became even greater!
However, for the Tiger Head Gang to dominate such a large area, involving several streets and alleys, it naturally wasn't without backing. On the contrary, the water behind the Tiger Head Gang was very deep. Therefore, some observant individuals were waiting to see the reaction of the forces behind the Tiger Head Gang.
However, unexpectedly, the forces behind the Tiger Head Gang showed no intention of taking retaliatory action.
This made the various Gangs increasingly realize Chen Ping'an's extraordinariness.
...
Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Shen Shikang listened to the reports from his subordinates, remaining silent for a long time. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "In the past few days, the forces behind the Tiger Head Gang have shown no signs of retaliation! Chen Ping'an's connections in the Nancheng Suppression Office are truly that profound!"
"Also, during the encirclement, Chen Ping'an displayed extremely impressive martial arts strength. Just a few days ago, he was only at the Qi Blood Second Realm, and now he has already reached Qi Blood Second Stage Perfection. This progress is somewhat frightening! If that were all, it would be one thing, but his Gongmen Thirteen Blades has actually reached Major Achievement! How long has it been?!"
Shen Shikang was filled with emotion.
Just recently, news came from the Nancheng Suppression Office. Chen Ping'an was promoted to Chief Constable for his meritorious service in encircling the Tiger Head Gang.
The Nancheng Suppression Office not only appeased the forces behind the Tiger Head Gang but also took this opportunity to legitimately remove the word 'probationary' from Chen Ping'an's title!
If he remembered correctly, that kid Chen Ping'an wasn't even twenty yet.
A Chief Constable under twenty!
This was simply unimaginable for ordinary people.
The most crucial point was that, based on Chen Ping'an's current performance, his future achievements would never stop at being a Chief Constable.
"Chen Ping'an, from now on, try to befriend him as much as possible."
Shen Shikang muttered to himself.
...
"Whoosh!"
Inside his own small courtyard, Chen Ping'an let out a long breath.
At this moment, a trace of excitement still lingered on his face.
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level Perfection
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Gongmen Thirteen Blades Major Achievement (55/100), Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Entry Level (8/30)
...
In the days following the downfall of the Tiger Head Gang, Chen Ping'an continued to Cultivate martial arts as usual. A few days of hard work allowed the cultivation experience of Flying Locust Stone to accumulate sufficiently, entering the Perfection Realm.
Flying Locust Stone Perfection filled Chen Ping'an with Qi and blood, refining his blood into his bones, allowing him to step into the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level of bone forging Perfection in one fell swoop.
Chen Ping'an slightly closed his eyes, recalling the events and scenes that had occurred in the past few days.
"Tiger Head Gang's downfall!"
"Tan Huacong's death!"
"Bone Forging Perfection!"
"Promotion to Chief Constable!"
"..."
Every single one of these things was good news for him. Indeed, as long as your strength is powerful enough, all worries and pains will leave you.
Chen Ping'an recalled what Mu Wanjun had said to him yesterday when she summoned him.
"Regarding this Tiger Head Gang matter, you were still too reckless. Overthrowing the Tiger Head Gang is certainly easy, but have you considered the forces behind the Tiger Head Gang? You are still young, and the waters here are too deep for you to understand, so I don't blame you. Shen Shikang, however, played a good game. He put you in the spotlight to attract everyone's attention, while he secretly reaped benefits from behind! If the situation went awry, he would throw you out at a critical moment and absolve himself completely."
"To repay grudges and grievances is also the conduct of a true man. I will settle this matter for you. This time, you are at the center of the storm. For the next period, you should diligently Cultivate in Nanquan Lane, and when the time is right, I will transfer you to the Nancheng Suppression Office. You are still young, so be careful not to be burdened by fame. Remember, all external things are illusory; only strength is fundamental."
"In such a short few days, you have cultivated the Gongmen Thirteen Blades to the Major Achievement Realm. Your talent is even better than I imagined. If you Cultivate diligently, given time, you might even have a slim chance of breaking through to the Inner Qi Realm!"
"You are now at Qi Blood Second Stage Perfection, and coupled with your Major Achievement-level Gongmen Thirteen Blades, your combat ability is no worse than some Squad Leaders in the alleyways. Since that's the case, I will remove the 'probationary' from your 'probationary Chief Constable' title."
"Remember, Cultivate well, and don't disappoint me!"
"..."
Recalling the situation yesterday, it was clear that Mu Wanjun truly regarded him as a trusted subordinate to Cultivate. This was also a manifestation of the value Chen Ping'an had shown.
Regarding Mu Wanjun's patronage, Chen Ping'an was naturally well-versed in social etiquette. He uttered words like 'I am willing to die for my lord' and 'I will not hesitate to go through hell and high water,' one after another.
"My current strength can indeed run rampant in Nanquan Lane. But looking at the entire Nancheng District, I am still not strong enough. Not to mention the high and mighty Inner Qi Realm masters, even those at the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage of organ refining can pose a great threat to me!"
Although he felt cheerful, Chen Ping'an still had a sense of being prepared for danger in times of peace.
In the entire Nancheng District, there were more than ten alleys like Nanquan Lane. In each alley, there were a Squad Leader and a Deputy Squad Leader, all of whom were powerful martial artists at the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage of organ refining!
Furthermore, in the Nancheng Alley where the Nancheng District itself was located, ordinary Chief Constables had the level of Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level of bone forging, and some extremely senior Chief Constables were even at the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage of organ refining.
In addition to these, the Nancheng Suppression Office also had many Errand Office supervisors, each of whom possessed extraordinary strength.
The Chief Warrant Officer and Deputy Total Affairs Office of the Nancheng Suppression Office, on the other hand, were existences completely above the alleyway Squad Leaders and supervisors. They were all Inner Qi Realm existences!
It is rumored that besides the Chief Warrant Officer and Deputy Total Affairs Office, the Nancheng Suppression Office also had Protector-level masters, all of whom were also Inner Qi Realm existences. As for their exact number, that was not information Chen Ping'an, at his current level, could ascertain.
