Inside the head constable's private study, Chen Yuan changed into his official head constable uniform, which differed slightly from that worn by ordinary yamen runners, featuring simple embroidered patterns.

His newly acquired saber was also a superior, hundred-refined blade.

While it might not sever hairs blown against it or chop through copper and iron with ease, it was incredibly sharp, a level above the ten-refined blades used by common yamen runners, worth at least ten taels of silver.

In Ping'an County, no more than three master craftsmen could forge such hundred-refined blades.

After scrutinizing himself in the bronze mirror, the young man staring back had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a profound gaze, and dressed in the official uniform, anyone would call him a promising young talent.

"Creak."

Chen Yuan calmly pushed open the door. Standing before him were several rows of yamen runners and nearly a hundred civilian laborers, all gazing intently at him. An ordinary person would undoubtedly feel nervous.

This was the full force of the constabulary, the men Chen Yuan would now command.

Chen Yuan walked into their midst, standing with his hands behind his back. His sharp eyes swept over them, as if trying to see through them all. No one dared to meet his gaze.

"From this day forward, I, Chen, am the head constable of this constabulary, your superior. I don't care what rules existed before, but from today onward, the constabulary will operate by my rules."

"My orders must be followed. Disobedience will be severely punished!"

Chen Yuan's voice resonated in their ears.

Among them were yamen runners with more seniority than Chen Yuan. To avoid future disputes, he would establish the rules today!

"Anyone with objections, step forward."

Silence fell over the hundred-plus men. Most lowered their heads, pondering something in their minds, perhaps disdain, perhaps various thoughts, but no one dared to speak out.

Everyone understood this was Chen Yuan's show of authority as a new official.

"Very well, it seems no one objects. Then, this constable will take it as you agree. If anyone dares to disregard my words in the future, don't blame this constable for not remembering old times."

As he spoke, Chen Yuan suddenly stomped down hard with his right leg, and a muffled sound echoed from the ground.

The crowd was shocked, for Chen Yuan's kick had directly shattered a blue stone slab!

Chen Yuan's strength was unexpectedly so formidable!

This was the thought in the minds of the older yamen runners.

"Greetings, Lord!"

The crowd shouted in unison.

"The Eternal Life Sect (Wu Sheng Jiao) rebels are rampant, disregarding the court's authority. Magistrate Li and Magistrate Wu have issued strict orders to find these rebels' whereabouts."

"Those with merit, the county yamen will not be stingy with rewards..."

Then, Chen Yuan spoke a great deal of polite but necessary platitudes.

Especially stating his attitude, placing Li Mingqi at the forefront.

Soon, under Chen Yuan's instructions, the yamen runners were either sent to patrol, stationed at the constabulary, or... in short, they couldn't be idle.

As for Chen Yuan, he naturally no longer needed to patrol every day.

Today, he had two tasks: one was to visit the Three Harmonies Fist Hall (San He Quan Guan) in the east of the city, and the other... was to deal with the North Sea Gang (Bei Hai Bang) left over from the Huang family's destruction!

......

"Brother Yuan, where are we going?"

Wang Ping, following behind Chen Yuan, was somewhat puzzled. This wasn't the way to Misty Rain Pavilion (Yan Yu Lou).

"Three Harmonies Fist Hall," Chen Yuan said.

"Three Harmonies Fist Hall?" Wang Ping was taken aback.

Chen Yuan didn't explain much, only saying he had some business to take care of.

Wang Ping was confused, but Chen Yuan didn't elaborate, and he didn't dare to ask too much.

Although Chen Yuan said their relationship was still the same as before, Wang Ping understood that was impossible. Their positions were different; Chen Yuan was merely taking care of him.

The assertiveness Chen Yuan had shown today, to be honest, made Wang Ping feel somewhat estranged.

The people on the street gave way, some fearfully keeping their distance from those wearing official uniforms.

Since ancient times, the common people have not contended with officials.

Inside a tavern on the second floor, a woman in a cyan dress watched Chen Yuan and Wang Ping's departing figures and snorted coldly, her eyes filled with disdain:

"A bunch of government dogs, only knowing how to bully those lowly people."

"Ruoqing, don't cause trouble. I know you have grievances against the court because of what happened before, but when traveling the martial world (Jianghu), the most important thing is to be cautious in word and deed."

The blue-clad man behind her looked displeased.

"Second Brother, why are you siding with these government hounds?" The woman pouted.

"I'm not siding with them, but I don't want to cause trouble. Have you forgotten our purpose this time?" The blue-clad man sighed.

"Isn't it just to recruit some bandits and brigands? What's so difficult about that?"

The woman in the long dress didn't think much of it.

"Bandits and brigands? Hmph, they're not that simple. Never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. I'm done eating, let's go. Those people probably received our invitation."

The blue-clad man left a piece of silver on the table and stood up.

"Second Brother, I haven't been to Ping'an County before! Can we play for a few more days..."

The woman in the long dress went up and acted coquettishly to the blue-clad man.

"Let's take care of business first. After we're done..."

Before the blue-clad man could finish speaking, the woman in the long dress suddenly jumped from the second floor and smiled at the man:

"Then you go yourself, Second Brother. I'll wander around for a few days first. You can come find me after you're done."

Looking at his willful sister, the blue-clad man quickly scolded her:

"Don't delay the important matters. Have you forgotten Father's orders? Don't blame me for telling Father when we get back and having you confined for another year!"

Hearing this, the woman in the long dress snorted impatiently, but she dared not be willful anymore.

The suffering of confinement made her feel uncomfortable just thinking about it.

......

Chen Yuan was naturally unaware of what happened behind him. At this time, he had finally arrived at his destination, the Three Harmonies Fist Hall.

This fist hall didn't have much of a reputation in Ping'an County. The Three Harmonies Fist it taught was not as powerful as other martial arts halls, so naturally, not many people learned it. The only advantage was that it was relatively cheap, making it the first choice for poor civilians.

But few people knew that the master of this Three Harmonies Fist Hall used to be a Condensing Core (Ning Gang) Realm expert.

"Let's go, let's go in and take a look."

Chen Yuan looked up at the unremarkable plaque and said to Wang Ping.

No one was guarding the entrance, so no one stopped them. Chen Yuan and Wang Ping easily entered. As soon as they stepped into the small courtyard, they heard a burst of shouts.

More than a dozen men in loose white robes stood in a horse stance, uniformly throwing punches. A man in his thirties held a whip in his hand, inspecting with his hands behind his back. If anyone's posture was not standard, he would whip them.

Seeing Chen Yuan and Wang Ping's figures walking in, the martial arts disciples of the hall surrounded them, but looking at the yamen runner uniforms they were wearing, they didn't dare to rashly scold or attack, lest they attract trouble.