Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Changes Brought by the Promotion

Su Mu himself was from Guangfu Square. Back when he was a refugee, he had scraped by in this very place. Even without Wang Liu’s reminder, he knew the waters of Guangfu Square ran deep.

Never mind that Hu Yuxing and Zhao Ji bore him ill will. The mere mention of contraband meant this was far beyond what a mere constable leader could handle.

The Da Xuan Dynasty had many forbidden goods, the most common being military-grade weapons and rare medicinal herbs.

Anyone who dared to deal in either of these was no ordinary power.

With no backing and no men under him, clashing with a power like that would be a death wish.

The moment he heard Wang Liu mention contraband, he understood Hu Yuxing and Zhao Ji’s scheme.

A classic ”kill with a borrowed knife” plot.

If he truly had no other cards to play, this constable leader position would have become his Life-Ending Talisman.

”Thank you.”

Su Mu said to Wang Liu, but he didn’t extend an invitation for Wang Liu to join his squad.

The man had offered a kind warning; there was no need for Su Mu to drag him into the mess.

He wasn’t in a position to be recruiting anyone yet.

Wang Liu nodded and turned to leave.

...

News of Su Mu’s promotion to constable leader of Guangfu Square under the South City Bureau had already spread throughout the area.

Within half a day, all the ”bigwigs” of Guangfu Square knew the name Su Mu.

If he were just an ordinary constable, it wouldn’t be a big deal. They would offer some superficial courtesy at most, but they wouldn’t truly take him seriously.

But a constable leader was different. In theory, a constable leader could command forty to fifty men, putting them on par with some of the smaller gangs.

Moreover, the entire South City Bureau only had six constable leaders. They were practically the public face of the Bureau. Offending one of them was tantamount to offending the South City Bureau itself, and the consequences would be severe.

Therefore, unless they had no other choice, the local gentry and gangs were unwilling to make an enemy of them.

However, some powers had connections that reached the heavens, and their intelligence networks were particularly effective. Alongside the general information about Su Mu on their desks was a report that Sima Hu Yuxing had tried to recruit him, only to be refused.

As a result, the attitudes of these powers toward the new constable leader took on a completely different light.

Night fell.

Within a luxurious courtyard, a rare sight in Guangfu Square, lights blazed brightly amidst the clamor of music and dancing.

Deep within the courtyard, in a spacious study, a fair-skinned, middle-aged man sat behind a desk. He held a stack of papers covered in writing. The top sheet bore a portrait—it was none other than Su Mu.

This man was Xu Mingchen, the wealthiest man in Guangfu Square. In all of South City, his fortune was second only to that of the Zhao Family, who had been wiped out not long ago.

No one knew why a man of his immense wealth would choose to live in a chaotic place like Guangfu Square. But his name was a household name throughout the square, and even across all of South City.

’A refugee by birth who got lucky, killed a serial killer, and landed the position of constable leader.’

’Hu Yuxing tried to recruit him, and he actually refused.’

’His archery is on par with a military archer, and he’s suspected of having cultivated a saber technique to the Great Accomplishment stage... For someone of his background to have such skills, he’s certainly a talent. No wonder Hu Yuxing tried to recruit him.’

’But these upstarts from the gutter often have a pride that outstrips their abilities. They think they can get ahead on their own strength, which is why he’d refuse Hu Yuxing’s offer.’

A cold sneer touched Xu Mingchen’s lips. He tossed the stack of papers into a brazier, watching them burn to ash.

’I know his type. They have an impractical sort of integrity. If he refused even Hu Yuxing’s offer, he certainly won’t show me any deference.’

Xu Mingchen summoned a subordinate and commanded, ”A mere constable leader can’t ruin our operations, but just to be safe, go and test him. If he’s willing to work for us, we’ll let him live. If not, then get rid of him.”

His tone was casual, and his subordinate was accustomed to it. It seemed that killing a constable leader was no great matter to them.

In truth, it really wasn’t.

Two previous constable leaders in Guangfu Square had been uncooperative. In the end, they both died under mysterious circumstances, and the South City Bureau’s investigations turned up nothing.

Conversely, those who cooperated were all promoted soon after. Some even went on to serve in the Inner City.

The Xu Family was far more than just the wealthiest family in a single square of South City.

...

Just after midnight, Su Mu eagerly summoned his system panel.

It was his first day as a constable leader, and he had spent the entire day in the squad room poring over official documents, dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities.

He had stayed up this late for one reason: to see if his ”base salary” of Points had changed after his promotion!

[Name: Su Mu]

[Status: Constable Leader (Official)]

[Points: 135]

[Cultivation Technique: Golden Scale Skin Tempering Technique (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Martial Arts: Submerging Wave Saber Technique (Perfection), Archery (Initiate/+)]

’It increased by twenty Points!’

Su Mu mused to himself, ’Today, I only reviewed official documents. I didn’t solve any cases or do anything else noteworthy, so this must be the base Points.’

’As a constable leader, my daily base Points must be twenty!’

Su Mu’s mood soared. ’Based on past experience, the performance bonus can be as high as the base amount. That means if I do a good job as constable leader, I can earn up to forty Points a day!’

That was a considerable amount.

The Skin Tempering Technique only required three hundred Points to go from Minor Accomplishment to Great Accomplishment. At the fastest rate, he could earn that in just eight days as a constable leader.

’I have 135 Points now. I just need another 165 to reach three hundred. Even at the slowest rate, eight or nine days should be enough.’

Su Mu was quite satisfied with this pace.

Eight or nine days to achieve what would take others one or two years of bitter cultivation—what was there to be unhappy about?

’If I do a better job as constable leader, it could be even faster. Should I try to clean up the chaos in Guangfu Square?’

The thought appeared in his mind, but he quickly extinguished it.

’Su Mu, oh Su Mu, you’re really getting ahead of yourself!’

’All you have to do now is lie low for a few more days. Once you get the constable leader’s waist token, you can enter the Inner City and find the person you’re looking for.’

’This constable leader position is just a stepping stone. Do you really think you’re the big boss of Guangfu Square?’

After dispelling the unrealistic thoughts from his mind, Su Mu gradually drifted off to sleep.

...

The next morning, Su Mu got up, washed his face, and went to his usual street-side stall to order breakfast.

He was eating at a leisurely pace when someone suddenly sat down across from him.

Back when Su Mu was just a constable, bold people would occasionally share his table.

But today, he was wearing the Official Uniform of a constable leader. Most people kept a respectful distance, so even though the other tables were crowded, he had one all to himself.

Su Mu looked up, curious.

A middle-aged man dressed in fine satin was sitting across from him, staring intently. His gaze was filled with condescension.

Su Mu was puzzled. ’That man’s clothes must be worth dozens of taels of silver. He doesn’t seem like the type to eat at a roadside stall.’

’And what’s with that look?’

’If I’m not mistaken, I’m the constable leader in charge of the Guangfu Square district. According to the laws of Da Xuan, in this part of town, *I’m* the one with official authority.’

’I don’t particularly care, but who gave you the nerve to look down on me like that?’