I Have A Qi Fortune Altar

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Clashing Blades!

“You really do your surname an injustice,” Chen Yuan shook his head.

Is Old Wang a sentimental character?

“Brother Yuan, but I’m also somewhat troubled. Father definitely won’t let her enter the door, and I also feel somewhat…” Wang Ping’s face slightly crinkled.

“Do you have the silver to redeem her?”

“Do you think a woman of the dust like her could truly fall in love with you?”

Chen Yuan glanced at Wang Ping and asked.

Wang Ping remained silent, as if weighing the pros and cons.

“I will only say one thing, afterwards I will not advise you, everyone has their own choices.”

“Brother Yuan, speak,” Wang Ping lifted his head, somewhat earnestly.

“The wooded path you long for is actually every morning and evening filled with…”

Wang Ping: “???”

…

All along the way, Wang Ping’s face was troubled. Chen Yuan also shared with him the real meaning behind those words, causing Wang Ping to blurt out “excellent” in response to Chen Yuan.

“Brother Yuan, I’ve understood!”

Shortly after, Wang Ping suddenly said with conviction.

“Understood what?”

“Brother Yuan, you are right, such a woman is not suitable to bring home.”

“That’s right, hehe…”

That kind of woman, no matter what she says, how pitiful she is, is not to be trusted—it’s the bloody lesson learned from a friend of his in the past!

Father gambles, mother is ill, younger brother studies, just started and still unfamiliar, I must rely on myself for brothers and sisters, business failure requires loan repayment, former husband was abusive and took drugs, no income of her own, necessitated this path…

He, who had washed feet for years, was well acquainted with such tricks.

City East, training field.

Chen Yuan and Wang Ping discussed and exchanged views all the way and soon reached their destination.

Two young government officials who had not been at the office for long saw Chen Yuan and Wang Ping in their official uniforms and did not stop them, letting them pass.

“Hey, is that Chen Yuan?”

Once Chen Yuan and his companion had walked away, the two young government officials whispered amongst themselves.

“Yes, the one on the left.”

“I heard he had entered the County Government just half a year earlier than me, how dare he vie for the position of arrest officer? Those veteran officials are at the Blood Refining Level!”

“He must be either foolish or has some backing. If he dares to vie, it means he has the capability, which is certainly something to be proud of for us newbies.”

Inside the County Government, only those who have mixed in for more than three years can be called old government officials.

This is not just a title, but also a proof of strength.

Being able to survive numerous dangers, every old government official’s strength is not to be underestimated.

“When will I be that strong?”

“When you’re that strong, you’ll be that strong,” the other replied.

The young government official who had spoken looked at him speechless and said:

“Well said, don’t say it again next time.”

“It’s not very crowded?”

Chen Yuan’s expression was solemn as he glanced over the people present.

By now, the drill ground was populated with over a dozen individuals, including Wu Yushan and Wang Lin, who had been mentioned earlier by Wang Ping, both of whom were notable figures in the County Government.

After Chen Yuan and Wang Ping entered, numerous gazes carefully sized up Chen Yuan. Wu Yushan narrowed his eyes in displeasure, while Wang Lin glanced over and then closed his eyes again.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly, remained silent, and directly sat down.

Most of the people present were here to compete for the position of the arrest officer.

It was not possible for all the Government Officials in the County Government to attend, as that would leave Ping’an County without patrols. Those who could attend were either competitors or, like Wang Ping, had been informed beforehand.

Although the position of arrest officer carried an official status, it didn’t cause any sensation.

As time passed, the scene became somewhat quiet, save for a few people who were talking amongst each other. The rest of the Government Officials remained silent, waiting for the arrival of County Magistrate Li Mingqi.

Chen Yuan did the same.

At noon, the sun nearly hung directly overhead, causing beads of sweat to appear on the foreheads of the Government Officials. July was the peak of summer, which made it much hotter than usual.

Suddenly, two voices from outside said, ‘Greetings to the magistrate’. The Government Officials straightened up, sitting upright and attentively looking toward the gate.

Sure enough, County Magistrate Li Mingqi had arrived!

“This subordinate greets the magistrate!”

Everyone bowed in unison.

Li Mingqi, with a calm expression, walked onto the limestone-constructed platform and casually pointed at two Government Officials:

“You two, come up.”

The contenders for the arrest officer position were eight in total, all stronger Blood Refining experts selected from over a hundred Government Officials.

The two Government Officials, having been named by Li Mingqi, didn’t dare to delay and quickly moved to the platform. Without a signal to start, they bowed to each other and simultaneously drew their swords.

“Brother Yuan, which of the two do you think is stronger?” Wang Ping asked in a lowered voice.

Chen Yuan shook his head:

“Can’t tell.”

It wasn’t an evasion but a genuine uncertainty. Without clear markers of the Foundation Establishment Realm and no exchange of blows, it was hard to discern their level from their movements and saber techniques alone.

The clash above was swift, lasting only around forty breaths before the confrontation ended.

Blood Refining Martial Artists didn’t speak of drawn-out battles; sometimes, a few moves were enough to determine the winner.

The victor was a middle-aged Government Official with a light red birthmark on his left cheek, who placed his saber at the other’s neck, obviating any need for further competition.

The other Government Official was somewhat reluctant but dared not act out with the County Magistrate present. He bowed and stepped down.

Li Mingqi’s expression remained calm as he scanned over to Chen Yuan and others.

Wu Yushan immediately stood up, approached the platform, and Li Mingqi casually pointed to another nearby Government Official, who, seeing it was Wu Yushan, clenched his teeth and followed.

The previous victor stepped aside to stand and watch the upcoming exchanges.

In Li Mingqi’s eyes, a contest at the Foundation Establishment Level did not mean much, but it was different for them as they looked at their formidable opponents!

Wu Yushan, deservedly a top expert in the Arrest Room second only to Huang Xing, took merely five breaths to punch the opponent off the platform.

After Wu Yushan’s victory, Wang Lin, holding a blue long sword, stepped onto the platform and, after bowing to Li Mingqi, casually pointed at another Government Official.

Wang Lin’s swordplay was fierce, creating afterimages. In a mere moment, the Government Official he was facing had several sword marks on his body, his clothes torn, with the sword tip pressing against the other official’s brow, appearing to sink a shallow point, as trails of blood seeped from the sword tip.

“Arrest officer Wang’s strength is extraordinary, I admit defeat!”

The Government Official swiftly conceded defeat and stepped down from the platform.

Li Mingqi then turned his gaze to Chen Yuan, giving him a measured look. Understanding the signal, Chen Yuan holding his saber, walked onto the platform. The other, older Government Official, facing Chen Yuan’s youthful appearance, showed no trace of contempt or mockery.

Since he had dared to enter the competition, it meant he was confident in his strength!