I Have A Qi Fortune Altar

Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Competition!

Chen Yuan gave Wang Ping a curious glance, noticing a trace of regret flashing across his face.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Wang Ping shook his head.

Chen Yuan had always been stronger than him. When they previously sparred with each other, Wang Ping had his fair share of beatings. If Chen Yuan found out that he was plotting against him in his mind, who knows, he might find some excuse to go a few rounds with him again.

Now that his injuries had just healed, Wang Ping certainly didn’t want to spend another few days in bed.

This past half-month, that’s exactly what had almost driven his brother mad.

“Cough cough… Brother Yuan,” Wang Ping leaned a little closer.

“What is it?”

“I heard from my father that a decent girl has arrived at Yanyu Building in South City. She used to be an Oiran in the Prefecture City, but now she’s getting older and her business has declined, so she’s come to our Ping’an County.”

“How about tonight…” Wang Ping chuckled mischievously.

“Regardless, she was an Oiran. Do you have that much silver?”

Wang Ping’s family was well-off, but that was all. His father was a merchant with a few shops, but that counted for little in Ping’an County, otherwise he wouldn’t have needed to send Wang Ping to work at the Government.

The truly wealthy were either training in martial arts at a Martial Arts Hall from a young age or sent to join a Sect in Nanling Prefecture.

“Just to listen to a song, not to stay overnight. It won’t cost much silver. My injury netted me quite a bit of compensation from the Government that I haven’t spent yet. I’ll treat you…”

A look of pain crossed Wang Ping’s eyes.

Chen Yuan shook his head and said,

“Too old; I’m not interested.”

Moreover, she was a courtesan. Honestly, Chen Yuan’s interest really wasn’t that great.

Even though it had been over a month since he last washed his feet, Chen Yuan still preferred quality. He couldn’t just settle for anything, could he?

He was no longer the naive teenager whose mind was only filled with hormonal desires.

Wang Ping hurriedly said,

“Brother Yuan, although she’s older, she doesn’t look it at all. There’s not a single wrinkle on her face, as if time hasn’t left any mark on her.”

A look of yearning appeared in Wang Ping’s eyes.

“The marks of time don’t necessarily show on the face…” Chen Yuan said softly.

“Huh? Where do they show then?”

“In that place where peach blossoms bloom.”

“???”

…

…

Ping’an County, County Government.

Today, the County Government was unusually quiet. Each Government Official performed their duties without the usual noise. When Chen Yuan and Wang Ping arrived, someone glanced at them and then lowered their head, pretending to be busy with documents.

Chen Yuan and Wang Ping exchanged a look and didn’t disrupt the odd silence. They casually picked up two files and stood in an unremarkable spot.

“Brother Yuan, this…”

Wang Ping signaled with his eyes.

“Probably about the position of arrest officer, keep quiet,” Chen Yuan whispered.

The position of an arrest officer put one entirely within the ‘official’ class, vastly different from an ordinary Government Official, with status and power incomparable to before. Naturally, many coveted the position.

Someone like Huang Xing could prop up a sizeable family on his own.

Various powers in Ping’an County showed great courtesy to the most powerful arrest officer in the County Government.

This opportunity for these ordinary Government Officials was akin to a carp leaping through the dragon gate.

Although the arrest officer position was generally held by Bone Refining experts, there were precedents of Blood Refining Martial Artists taking on the role. Otherwise, Chen Yuan wouldn’t have made those implicit suggestions to Wang Ping earlier.

If Chen Yuan could secure the arrest officer position, it would be very easy for him in the future to obtain resources or other things.

The veteran Government Officials shared this same thought.

Apart from Tie Xuan and Huang Xing, there were only a handful of Bone Refining experts within the Ping’an County Government, each with their own responsibilities. They weren’t without opportunities.

Whether it could be achieved or not, they had to at least compete for it.

The two spoke quietly when a middle-aged man with a smiling face stepped forward:

“Wang Ping, have you recovered from your injuries?”

“Constable Wu, it’s nothing serious anymore.”

Wang Ping hurriedly responded.

“Don’t be so distant. When you entered the County Government, it was I who lent you a hand,” Wu Yushan said with a smile, a glint flashing in his eyes.

“Hehe, I should thank Big Brother Wu. Let’s do this, I’ll treat you to a meal another day just to thank you, how’s that?”

Though Wang Ping was scheming inside, he still maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface.

Initially, he had relied on Wu Yushan to get into the County Government but hadn’t stopped sending Silver over the past year. Wu hadn’t shown much care, and whatever favor there had been was long gone.

“How could I let you pay? Like this, once I, Old Wu, secure the arrest officer position, I will be the one to treat you and Chen Yuan,” Wu Yushan squinted his eyes and nodded to Chen Yuan.

“Then let me congratulate Big Brother Wu in advance.”

Wu Yushan waved his hand, saying:

“Don’t congratulate me just yet. I’ve come here because I hope you two will support me. Rest assured, once I become the arrest officer, you won’t lack benefits.”

“What do you think, Chen Yuan?”

After witnessing Chen Yuan’s strength before, Wu Yushan and the other veteran Government Officials had started to take him more seriously. Having him on their side would save a lot of trouble, and as for Wang Ping, who was only at the Skin Refining Level, he was simply an extra.

Those aiming for the arrest officer position this time weren’t limited to him; there were also experts from other rooms, so naturally, it was important to rally some strong supporters.

Chen Yuan and Wu Yushan exchanged a look:

“If Big Brother Wu can secure that position, of course, it would be good.”

“Good, with your word, I can rest assured. To be honest, I have high hopes for you. After I step down, you taking my place is also a possibility.”

Wu Yushan spoke in a low voice, making a promise.

Chen Yuan’s lips curled into a smile as he softly said:

“It still depends on what the County Magistrate has to say.”

Wu Yushan frowned and gave Chen Yuan a look. He was about to say something else when the County Magistrate, Li Mingqi, entered the Arrest Room with a stiff face.

All the Government Officials stood and saluted:

“We have seen the magistrate.”

“We have seen the magistrate.”

Li Mingqi, with a stern face, scanned nearly thirty Government Officials present and said loudly:

“I know all of you here, including those from other rooms, wish to be promoted to arrest officer. However, the position of arrest officer has always been held by Bone Refining experts with significant accomplishments.”

“You all are still far from it…”

“Originally, County Magistrate Wu intended to transfer an expert from the Prefecture City to assume the arrest officer position, to cope with the pressure from the No-Life Sect. However, I rejected it. The position must be filled through selection within Ping’an County. I am willing to give you all an opportunity, even if your strength isn’t sufficient; there’s always hope to enter Bone Refining in the future.”

The Government Officials below exchanged glances, no one speaking.

“Those who have historically taken on the arrest officer role must be able to command respect. Those without contributions cannot assume the position. Seniority and strength will determine the arrest officer, but this time, I have decided to use a different method for the selection. Tomorrow, I will preside over the selection at the City East training field…”