Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill

Chapter 405: Chapter 207: Another Ruthless Person

He Xingwen was Shen Zhiming’s prized student, so naturally, he was extremely well-informed.

He knew that although Chen Cheng was just an ordinary Purple-clothed Guard from the Demon Suppression Department, with an official rank slightly lower than that of County Magistrate Shen Zhiming, his status and position within the Shen Family’s Demon-slaying Team were the most revered, faintly surpassing even Shen Zhiming’s.

In Chen Cheng’s presence, even the dignified County Magistrate Shen Zhiming dared not refer to himself with the authority of his office, instead consistently using a subordinate’s humble form of address.

Those few Perfect Martial Artists of the Bone Forger Realm also addressed Chen Cheng as either "Young Master Chen" or "Lord Chen."

This world placed great importance on status and hierarchy. The forms of address alone were enough to reveal how extraordinary Chen Cheng was.

In other words, Chen Cheng was a major figure, the center of everyone’s attention.

For someone so young to be so esteemed, Chen Cheng was destined to become a powerful figure, far above the common man.

He Xingwen keenly sensed that his mentor, Shen Zhiming, had deliberately assigned him to serve under Chen Cheng as a way to help advance his career.

’If I can just show off my intelligence and talent in front of a future powerhouse like Chen Cheng, I can make myself known to him.’

’If I leave a good impression as someone who is clever and capable, the benefits will be immense.’

’Never mind anything else, if I get a chance to further my career in Linji Prefecture City in the future...’

’...just mentioning in front of others that I once served under Lord Chen and received his frequent praise...’

’...would be enough to hold my head high and speak with confidence!’

He Xingwen took the task Chen Cheng had assigned him extremely seriously, personally asking his cousin, He Xingyao, to handle it.

While this was partly an attempt to introduce his cousin He Xingyao to a powerful figure like Chen Cheng...

...the main reason was that He Xingyao was an honest and dependable man who got things done. He wouldn’t play petty tricks, shirk his duties, or give a half-hearted effort to his superiors.

And He Xingyao did, in fact, take the job seriously.

To ensure the matter was handled even more thoroughly, after returning to Moshan County Town, he happened to learn that a man named Chen Ergou was from Chen Family Gully.

He even humbled himself to treat Chen Ergou to a large meal with plenty of wine, from whom he learned a great deal of useful information.

He Xingyao was on official business, so he hadn’t drunk much the previous day; his main focus had been on hosting Chen Ergou.

When he reported back to He Xingwen, He Xingyao was still perfectly sober, without the slightest hint of being drunk.

He Xingwen knew his cousin’s habits. ’His drunken state today is probably because he was happy after finishing the job and had a few more drinks when he got home.’

Getting drunk after a job was done was just a celebratory drink; there was nothing wrong with that.

But then urgent business came up this morning, and to make matters worse, he ran into Chen Ergou, who let slip that they had been drinking yesterday.

He Xingwen read Chen Cheng’s expression and saw that he seemed suspicious. He realized Chen Cheng had misunderstood him and He Xingyao, and he grew very uneasy, his face flushing bright red.

’After all, this kind of misunderstanding is impossible to explain clearly. Trying to would only make things worse and deepen the suspicion.’

’But if I don’t explain, the misunderstanding will be taken as an established fact. That won’t work either!’

’If that happens, not only will all my previous efforts go down the drain, but Chen Cheng might also decide that I’m not up to any important tasks.’

"Lord Chen, actually, when Chief He was drinking with Chen Ergou yesterday, he didn’t have much. He had a few more cups after he got home."

After quickly weighing the pros and cons, He Xingwen decided to speak up and explain immediately.

But just then, Chen Ergou piped up, "Lord Official, you may not know this, but Chief He and I had a grand time drinking."

As he spoke, he didn’t forget to add, turning to He Xingyao, "Chief He, you even said I was very clever and that you regretted we hadn’t met sooner."

In Chen Ergou’s eyes, finally getting to have a big drinking session with a Chief Constable from the County Yamen was a great honor.

’When I get back to Chen Family Gully, this is something I can brag about for the rest of my life.’

’As long as I invoke the name of Chief He from the County Yamen, who in Chen Family Gully will dare to mess with me from now on?’

How could he possibly give up such an opportunity to get friendly with an important figure?

He Xingwen was speechless with rage, wishing he could slap the man across the face.

’Not an ounce of perception. He calls that clever?’

’It’s utter foolishness!’

Seeing his cousin’s expression, He Xingyao also realized that Lord Chen might have misunderstood the situation.

He had a rugged face and a carefree personality, but a man who could become a Chief Constable and deal with cunning thieves was by no means witless.

"I am much obliged to Brother Ergou for telling me so much about Chen Family Gully," He Xingyao said with a solemn cup of his hands.

Seeing this gesture, Chen Ergou was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Thank you for the high praise, Chief He. It’s what I ought to do."

But unexpectedly, He Xingyao’s expression suddenly darkened. "Since we are now acquainted, Brother Ergou, I must offer a word of advice: you should try to be a more honest and upstanding person."

"It would be best to stop your thieving, peeping over widows’ walls, and preying on the orphaned and elderly."

"Captain Kuang from Qingxi Town has mentioned you to me before. Your ’three hands’ are famous not just in Chen Family Gully, but throughout all of Qingxi Town."

"If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have recognized you."

Chen Ergou’s heart sank. He quickly forced an awkward smile. "I’m just trying to get by. Since Chief He has given the order, I will of course obey."

"Mm, that’s for the best." He Xingyao nodded, then immediately gave a respectful bow toward Chen Cheng and said no more.

One had to admit, men who worked as chief constables were truly shrewd.

Although He Xingyao hadn’t offered a single word of direct explanation, he had subtly conveyed a great deal of information to Chen Cheng.

Chen Ergou was from Chen Family Gully, a well-known petty thief on the constables’ records, and a man of poor character.

Moreover, he had been very careful. Unable to guess what connection Chen Cheng might have to Chen Family Gully, he had merely admonished Chen Ergou, revealing no personal stance whatsoever.

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