Chapter 93: Hesitation

On the first day of August, Zhuang Jin collected his basic monthly stipend and duty pay, then headed to the assignment office. As expected, things were different from before. He was assigned to Dongqiaowu, where Xing Yan was stationed, but no specific street was designated. According to the General Affairs Department, the command over specific battle affairs had been delegated, allowing the ward to manage internal arrangements independently.

Zhuang Jin, along with Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and others, arrived at the northern city’s Dongqiaowu ward and held a preliminary meeting inside.

—Only the street ward commanders were entitled to attend the internal ward meeting; ordinary martial artists waited outside.

Upon entering, Zhuang Jin recognized a familiar face.

“Brother Zhuang, it’s been over two months. Didn’t expect you to have broken through to the Five Classics realm!” Duan Tao greeted warmly and introduced the others.

“This is Miao Lun, a ward commander at the Five Classics level.”

Zhuang Jin observed him: a man with a mustache just above his upper lip and a small goatee on his chin. His demeanor was amicable.

“This is Du Shiyuan, ward commander at the Four Classics level. He was recruited as a martial student, but from the very first cohort.”

Du Shiyuan was the first martial student recruited by the Shen family to break through the Four Classics. Now, looking at Zhuang Jin, his gaze held surprise and curiosity.

His elder uncle was a senior official, and the family was a prominent political and business powerhouse, wealthy and well-connected. Raised on medicinal broths and potent elixirs to strengthen his body, he was truly gifted. With family support, ample resources, medicinal diets, and exotic beast meat, he was the first among the martial students to surpass the Four Classics. Yet he was currently stuck at the bottleneck between Four and Five Classics. To see Zhuang Jin leap ahead to the Five Classics first was unexpected.

Coming from a noble official family, Du Shiyuan was well-educated in etiquette and social skills. Regardless of his inner feelings, Zhuang Jin felt genuinely welcome.

“This is Wei Xun, a veteran Four Classics ward commander.”

Zhuang Jin sensed coldness, even latent hostility, in the demeanor of this pale-faced, square-jawed middle-aged man. After a moment’s thought, he understood the reason.

“Xue Yandao, ward commander, the top expert under Lord Xing of Dongqiaowu, at the Six Classics level.”

This man dressed in black with a cold expression, arms crossed, radiated an aura of ‘strangers keep away.’ Zhuang Jin greeted him proactively but only received a slight nod in return.

Together, Duan Tao, Miao Lun, Du Shiyuan, Wei Xun, Xue Yandao, and Zhuang Jin made up the six street ward commanders of Dongqiaowu.

Zhuang Jin knew several of them. At that moment, Xing Yan entered, glanced around, and gave a slight nod upon seeing Zhuang Jin.

Most street ward commanders were at the Four Classics level, so having Zhuang Jin at the Five Classics level was quite valuable. It was only because Zhuang Jin applied himself and had some standing that he was transferred here.

To be honest, Xing Yan’s mood lifted noticeably upon seeing Zhuang Jin. Zhuang Jin was capable and personable, with good family connections. The battle achievements he brought on the ninth night of May had greatly benefited Xing Yan as ward commander. When the new Liaison Pill was released last month, Xing Yan was able to reserve some in advance, largely thanks to Zhuang Jin.

Moreover, Xing Yan believed Zhuang Jin possessed a streak of good fortune.

He was open-minded about it—whether it was innate talent, strategic calculation, or pure luck, it was all a form of ability.

“Currently, in the northern city, small gang forces have been mostly cleared out. The Shen family controls two-thirds of the streets, and the Yao Wang Gang controls one-third. Both sides are maintaining a tense but restrained standoff. As street ward commanders, you must be cautious, vigilant, and always prepared...” Xing Yan sounded an alarm immediately.

Hearing this firsthand intelligence, Zhuang Jin’s expression turned grave. He thought, ‘With the northern city cleared, only the Shen family and Yao Wang Gang remain. The next phase will be fierce competition over remaining resources. Once this fragile peace shatters, the upheaval will be earth-shattering.’

“Now, let’s assign the streets… Dongqiaowu has been reorganized into six streets: Fulin, Funing, Furong, Fujing, Fuchang, and Fuqing.”

These “Fu” streets were established for ease of management and uniform distribution.

Zhuang Jin’s eyes flickered. He had already studied this area upon assignment to northern Dongqiaowu: Fuqing and Fuchang bordered the Yao Wang Gang on the outskirts and were the most dangerous; Furong and Fujing were slightly more inland and did not border the Yao Wang Gang, making them better; Fulin and Funing were even further inland and close to the ward headquarters, the safest of all.

“Street assignments here depend on one thing: strength! If you have the power and capability, you get to choose the better, safer streets. If not, you get sent to the outer streets bordering the Yao Wang Gang.”

Some ward commanders assigned according to personal ties, but Xing Yan prioritized strength.

The first street, Fulin, was rightly claimed by Xue Yandao at Six Classics—unquestioned. No one argued.

The second, Funing Street, went to veteran Five Classics commander Miao Lun.

The third, Furong Street, had always been Duan Tao’s, who was familiar with it and also at Five Classics, so no objections.

“The fourth, Fujing Street, was originally Wei Xun’s...”

“Lord Xing, I’d like to try,” Zhuang Jin interrupted.

Fujing Street’s location was relatively good, not bordering the Yao Wang Gang. The remaining two streets, Fuqing and Fuchang, were inferior. Zhuang Jin was not one to yield for the sake of face.

Wei Xun, who feared this moment the most, showed a troubled expression. But as a veteran Four Classics, he wouldn’t back down, so he fought stubbornly.

Five Classics against Four Classics—the outcome was clear.

After a few dozen moves, with some face given to the opponent, Zhuang Jin struck a palm, forcing Wei Xun to step back and concede.

“Ward Commander Wei, I yield.”

Wei Xun snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied.

Xing Yan sighed inwardly. His old subordinate had lost not only face but also standing.

Wei Xun was part of his core team, but Zhuang Jin was his lucky star. Together with Duan Tao, he had conquered two streets overnight and later exposed a Yao Wang Gang ambush, bringing much credit. The Liaison Pill was now pre-ordered thanks to them. Both were valuable—Xing Yan maintained a neutral stance.

Now that Zhuang Jin had won and rules prevented breaking precedent, Wei Xun could only blame his own inadequacy.

Xing Yan announced Zhuang Jin’s assignment to Fujing Street.

Wei Xun was sent to Fuchang Street, and Du Shiyuan took the remaining Fuqing Street.

…

After the meeting ended, Zhuang Jin stepped out from the ward headquarters. His team had already gathered for the month. He scanned the group, recognizing many familiar faces.

Three squad leaders: Bi Kai, Lin Hong, and Pan Zimo.

Pan Zimo had served under Zhuang Jin in Furong Street since May, gaining some battle achievements but was injured in June. Now recovered, he had broken through to the Third Classics level and was a squad leader.

Du Yunqi, a student Zhuang Jin had taught, was also known for his inner talent and had been requested to join his team.

Thus, at the Second Classics level, Zhuang Jin had three familiar faces: Qian Wende, Wu Hao, and Du Yunqi. These core members formed the backbone to integrate nine other Second and First Classics martial artists, making the team nearly complete and serviceable.

Zhuang Jin announced their assignment: Fujing Street.

“Brother Zhuang is awesome!”

As soon as Zhuang Jin finished speaking, Qian Wende immediately explained to the others: “Among the six streets of Dongqiaowu, Fuqing and Fuchang border the dangerous Yao Wang Gang streets. Fujing Street doesn’t directly border them. Brother Zhuang’s choice means we all benefit from his good fortune.”

This was not mere flattery; Qian’s explanation directly inspired confidence among the eight or nine martial artists assigned, making them feel proud to have a capable street commander.

Upon hearing this, not only Bi Kai and Lin Hong but even Wu Hao understood its significance. His months of experience in the southern city had matured this honest man greatly.

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly, acknowledging Qian Wende’s social skill.

Just as he prepared to lead his team away, a voice called from beside him.

“Brother Zhuang!” It was Xiang Qichen, approaching with a forced smile, greeting him. Though from a different street in Dongqiaowu, they were acquaintances.

Since it was a familiar face and friendly, Zhuang Jin returned a slight nod and left.

…

“See that? That’s Zhuang Jin, someone I shared a dorm with. Now he’s already at Five Classics...” Xiang Qichen boasted to the martial artists beside him, basking in the glory.

“Is Zhuang Jin really that talented?”

“Brother Xiang’s lucky. Someone like that, if he gives you a word of support in the future, you’ll benefit endlessly.”

“Five Classics? That means he’s even stronger than our Wei ward commander?”

…

The chatter abruptly ceased.

Xiang Qichen sensed something, stiffened, and turned to see Wei Xun with a dark expression.

Wei Xun spoke of their reassignment to Fuchang Street this month, then looked at Xiang Qichen and asked, “Do you know that Zhuang Jin?”

“Ah? I...”

Having lost Fujing Street, Xiang Qichen understood perfectly that their ward commander was displeased with Zhuang Jin. Regretting his earlier boast, he hurriedly explained, “Lord Wei, we just shared a dorm back then. Our relationship isn’t that close—there were some conflicts. You don’t know, Zhuang Jin is...”

“Enough. No need to explain! I thought so. If you were truly close, would you have been assigned under him? Yet here you are, one of those who gossip behind my back?”

Wei Xun, defending the dignity of the ward commanders, snorted coldly. “Besides, Zhuang Jin defeated me in a fair fight to take the street. He’s a rising star, and I respect that. But someone like you, wavering and double-faced... Ha! Don’t be surprised if one day you defect to the Yao Wang Gang!”

With that, he turned and walked away.

The others who had been praising Zhuang Jin now looked at Xiang Qichen oddly and followed Wei Xun.

Only Xiang Qichen was left, wanting to cry but unable, cursing himself for losing control and causing this awkward situation. He knew life on the street would be difficult from now on.

He harbored deep resentment toward Wei Xun. What did he mean by “respect”? He might as well have said “I’m petty.” Despite his displeasure, a strong regret welled up inside—if only he had maintained a good relationship with Zhuang Jin earlier, he might now serve under him like Lin Hong and others.

…