The innkeeper was adept at reading people. Although Chen Yuan was just a constable, he didn't want any trouble. The inn's owner also had connections, but as the saying goes, small devils are hard to deal with.

This was also a hidden perk in the yamen.

Back then, Chen Yuan's uncle had spent a lot of effort and money to get him the official position of constable.

"Thank the innkeeper for me," Chen Yuan said with a smile, nodding to the waiter.

"Constable, if you have any orders, I'll take my leave."

The waiter gave a flattering smile.

Chen Yuan nodded slightly, first picking up the wine and taking a big gulp, then reaching for the pork knuckle and starting to eat it in large bites, alternating meat and wine to fill his hungry stomach.

Knife practice and skin tempering were both extremely energy-consuming activities.

After finishing the plate of pork knuckle, Chen Yuan began to slowly savor the two side dishes the innkeeper had given him...

"The North Sea Gang is at work, idlers get out of the way..."

A loud shout echoed from downstairs. Chen Yuan's eyes moved, focusing on the group of people below, each with a small knife embroidered on their chest.

The North Sea Gang was a significant force within Peace County, known for bullying the innocent, collecting protection money, and running casinos and brothels, with nearly a hundred members.

They were considered a local tyrant in the north of the city.

Moreover, and most importantly, every constable in the county yamen knew that the North Sea Gang was backed by the Huang family, a prominent family in Peace County, to which the head constable Huang Xing belonged.

Therefore, as long as no one was killed, the people in the county yamen would turn a blind eye.

Chen Yuan was no different.

Speaking of which, Chen Yuan's family had also been extorted by the North Sea Gang, but since he put on the official uniform, the North Sea Gang seemed to have disappeared, never going to the Chen household again.

Even the protection money collected from the neighbors near the Chen family had decreased significantly, which was one of the reasons why Xiao Fang, who sold steamed buns, was quite fond of him.

Among those neighbors, Chen Yuan was already a constable with some authority.

But only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.

Within the county yamen, seniority was valued, and coupled with Chen Yuan's low strength, his position among the constables was not high, only considered average.

Of course, they were all colleagues, and generally, no one would deliberately make things difficult for him. After a few more years, Chen Yuan would also be one of them.

As far as Chen Yuan knew, those veteran constables at the Blood Refining Realm earned twice as much as him each month, which was considered a high income in Peace County.

Only in this way could they afford the expenses of martial arts practice.

"Perhaps... money can be obtained from the North Sea Gang..." Chen Yuan's expression was uncertain.

However, it couldn't be done through conventional means because Chen Yuan's current strength was low, and his direct superior was Huang Xing. Picking a fight was definitely out of the question.

That would be simply courting death.

The North Sea Gang members downstairs were collecting protection money as usual. Merchants on both sides of the street took money from their cash boxes to settle the matter. If they didn't have money...

The North Sea Gang would generously allow them to defer payment, but the interest was very high, so they generally had to borrow money to pay the monthly dues.

There had already been many precedents of families being ruined.

Some of the merchants near his neighborhood even hoped that he would stand up to help, but Chen Yuan's influence was limited, at most only able to extend the deadline for a few days.

Soon, six or seven North Sea Gang members, carrying long sabers, went upstairs. The waiter's expression was even more flattering than it was towards Chen Yuan.

"Constable Chen..."

The leader of the North Sea Gang, a boss, recognized Chen Yuan at a glance, narrowed his eyes, stepped forward, cupped his fist, and smiled on his face.

"Gang Leader Wang."

Chen Yuan also revealed a smile.

"Deputy, hehe..." Gang Leader Wang laughed, seemingly extremely satisfied with the title of Deputy.

He couldn't help but think that those who worked in the yamen were different. His subordinates would only shout "Deputy Gang Leader Wang."

"With Gang Leader Wang's abilities, the 'Deputy' will be removed sooner or later."

"I heard from Constable Xu that the once fierce Iron Hand was killed by Constable Chen. Wang is truly impressed. That Iron Hand wasn't an easy character to deal with."

"Just luck."

Gang Leader Wang glanced at the food and wine on Chen Yuan's table and instructed the waiter beside him:

"Put Constable Chen's bill on my tab..."

"Yes, sir, I understand."

"Gang Leader Wang is too kind."

"Hey, just for Constable Chen killing Iron Hand, a little wine money is not worth mentioning."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony..." Chen Yuan didn't exchange too many pleasantries.

"Then Wang will take a seat first," Gang Leader Wang said, trying to appear refined.

"Please do."

Gang Leader Wang and his group sat far away from Chen Yuan, and a few subordinates seemed to be discussing something.

As for Chen Yuan, he was thinking about how to get money from the North Sea Gang.

Although the North Sea Gang was quite polite to them constables, their relationship wasn't really that good. They just hoped nothing would happen.

This was also the Huang family's warning.

The imperial court was the real master within Peace County. If the people were angered, it would be difficult to end.

Taking a sip of wine, Chen Yuan suddenly pricked up his ears and began listening to Gang Leader Wang's conversation.

Since practicing the Heavenly Eye Pupil Technique, Chen Yuan had found that his hearing had also improved a lot. Therefore, although they lowered their voices, Chen Yuan could still hear them.

"Deputy Gang Leader Wang, there's no need to fawn over a constable who just entered the yamen, right?" a subordinate sitting next to Gang Leader Wang said, glancing at Chen Yuan inadvertently.

"What do you know? After all, Chen is a member of the yamen. Recently, the gang leader has ordered us not to provoke any trouble."

"With Constable Huang here, what trouble can a constable cause?"

"What are you trying to say? Do you have some grudge against Chen?" Gang Leader Wang came to his senses and stared at the subordinate beside him.

"Hehe, that's why I say you're amazing, Deputy Gang Leader Wang. I do have a bit of a grudge against this Chen. Do you remember that little vixen from Zhou's Steamed Bun Shop?"

"What's wrong?"

"When I went to collect the dues, I took a liking to that little vixen, but... I heard Chen is quite close to her. I was just thinking that Deputy Gang Leader Wang could help me put some pressure on that kid."

"Don't worry, I know the rules."

Gang Leader Wang sized up Wang Er's miserable appearance:

"I'm not a member of the yamen, how can I suppress Chen? You better forget about it. Haven't you heard who Iron Hand died at the hands of recently?"

"It's said that the kid Chen has gained the appreciation of Magistrate Wu. You, ah, better save it."

"Hey, Gang Leader, I was just mentioning it."

"Alright, what are you planning? Drink less wine and don't mess up tonight's business..."

"Don't worry, Gang Leader, nothing will go wrong. Isn't it just sending money to Butler Huang? It's not like Huang's junior haven't been there before."

"What are you yelling about? Watch your mouth," Gang Leader Wang said with a cold face.

Wang Er panicked and immediately smiled flatteringly:

"You're right, Gang Leader. I'm doing business, doing business..."

---

Thank you to friend Red Dust One Ze for the 500 point tip.

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