Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 64: Just and Strict

ROAR!!!

In an instant, the entire training ground erupted in an uproar!

The crowd of spectators was shocked by the incredibly bloody and brutal scene, and many cried out in alarm.

Even the few constables maintaining order at the edge of the field were stunned for a long moment before they remembered their duty and rushed onto the field to treat the severely injured He Zhiling, whose arm had been severed.

He Zhiling’s entire right arm was cut off, blood gushing from the wound. He had also taken a heavy kick from Zhou Fang, breaking several ribs, and had long since fallen unconscious from his severe injuries.

To injure someone so grievously in a mere assessment match—Zhou Fang’s actions were truly too ruthless, too arrogant.

This outcome not only shocked the spectators by the field, but even Zhou Xu in the stands, himself a member of the Zhou family, turned pale with shock. Veins bulged on his forehead, and the skin on his face twitched uncontrollably. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Zhou Fang, how dare you!"

Shen Qingshuang’s face was ashen as she roared in anger.

Facing the furious reprimand of Chief Constable Shen Qingshuang, Zhou Fang showed not a hint of guilt or remorse. He clasped his fists and said unhurriedly, "Lord Shen, blades have no eyes. Injuries are inevitable in a martial arts competition.

Besides, Lord Shen personally set the rules beforehand, demanding that we go all out in this assessment match, or else be expelled from the City Guard Department.

I was merely following Lord Shen’s orders and fighting with all my might. He Zhiling insisted on showing off. It’s his own fault his skills were subpar that he was unfortunately injured by me."

As Zhou Fang spoke, he turned to the spectators at the side of the field, clasped his fists again, and said, "I’m sure everyone here heard me loud and clear. Before the match, I kindly advised He Zhiling to withdraw.

His own strength was lacking, yet he was too stubborn to listen to my advice. Naturally, he must bear the consequences."

Zhou Fang’s preemptive explanation was so well-reasoned that even Shen Qingshuang couldn’t find a single flaw in it.

"Arrogant!"

She ignored Zhou Fang and instead fixed Zhou Xu, who was at the side, with a sharp gaze. "On the pretext of an assessment match, Zhou Fang has crippled a colleague," she said with utmost seriousness. "Not only does he lack any remorse, but he also attempts to twist the facts with sophistry.

Such a perverse, violent, and arrogant man is unfit to be a constable of the City Guard Department.

I have decided to revoke Zhou Fang’s qualification for the official constable assessment, remove him from the City Guard Department, and bar him from ever being re-employed."

Zhou Xu had already recovered from his shock. Although he was slightly displeased by Zhou Fang’s ruthlessness, how could he possibly agree to Shen Qingshuang’s proposal?

No matter how perverse and violent Zhou Fang was, that was an internal matter for the Zhou Family. Zhou Xu would naturally reprimand and restrain him himself.

Besides, although crippling He Zhiling by severing his arm was a bit ruthless, the act served to establish the Zhou Family’s dominance—and it was done justifiably. Not only would Zhou Xu not reprimand him, but he would even praise him in private.

Shen Qingshuang wanted to use this opportunity to revoke Zhou Fang’s qualification? Not a chance.

"Lord Shen, your judgment is a bit too hasty. As Zhou Fang said, blades have no eyes, and injuries and casualties are unavoidable in martial arts competitions.

It was not Zhou Fang’s intention to accidentally injure He Zhiling so severely; it was not a major mistake. Of course, Zhou Fang bears some small responsibility. We’ll have him compensate He Zhiling with ten taels of silver for his medical treatment."

Zhou Xu’s expression was grave, but his eyes held a faint glimmer of triumph.

This rhetoric, which downplayed the severity of the situation, was intended to turn a major issue into a minor one and a minor one into nothing at all, easily sweeping Zhou Fang’s transgression under the rug.

Shen Qingshuang said coldly, "Lord Zhou, you mean to say that for crippling an arm, the penalty is only ten taels of silver?"

Zhou Xu spread his hands. "Lord Shen, strictly speaking, Zhou Fang is not at fault. A fine of ten taels of silver is actually quite heavy.

The City Guard Department’s assessment matches can’t be fought without weapons, can they? And since weapons are used, there’s naturally a risk. The assessment rules have always been this way. Does anyone here have any objections?"

As he spoke, Zhou Xu looked at the other Chief Constables, then swept his gaze over the spectators, adopting a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor as he declared loudly:

"Seeing a subordinate constable suffer such a calamity, I, as an Official of the South City District City Guard Headquarters, am more heartbroken than anyone.

But please remember this: the duty of a City Guard Department constable is to protect the peace and safety of the common people. In these chaotic times, it’s common for people to break the law with martial arts. A City Guard Department constable must fight life-and-death battles against all sorts of bandits who cultivate the Martial Dao. Martial Arts Power is extremely important.

If their strength is weak, even if they scrape by in today’s assessment, how will they face powerful bandits in the future?

If their strength is insufficient, they can’t even protect their own lives. How then can they protect your lives and property?"

Under Zhou Xu’s barrage of questions, no one answered. Even Shen Qingshuang fell silent. The entire field was deathly quiet.

Zhou Xu, holding high the banner of righteousness, had not only successfully turned the situation around for Zhou Fang but had also subtly established the Zhou Family’s might. With a thoughtful expression, he continued, "We who cultivate the Martial Dao should be brave and forge ahead with keen determination. Although Zhou Fang may have lacked restraint during the match, his courage and martial prowess are commendable.

To be honest, Zhou Fang is my kinsman. But I am not trying to make excuses for him, because he has done nothing wrong.

The City Guard Department’s assessments have always been fair and strict. As the supervising official for this assessment, I too must uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality, and I will show no favoritism.

You have all witnessed it today. With Zhou Fang’s Martial Arts Power, he’s likely not much weaker than a Chief Constable, yet he still has to go through the step-by-step assessment to be promoted from a Preparatory Constable.

Since Zhou Fang has already demonstrated such formidable Martial Arts Power, I propose that we skip the remaining martial arts matches. He can be promoted directly. Otherwise, if he were to ’slip up’ again, I and all of you would be even more heartbroken."

Then, Zhou Xu adopted a look of pity and turned to Chen Cheng. "Chen Cheng, are you willing to voluntarily withdraw from the next match?"

Instantly, everyone present turned their gaze to Chen Cheng, who stood in the middle of the field holding his saber.

Everyone fell silent.

Shen Qingshuang’s expression was complex, and she too chose silence. The situation had developed beyond her expectations. Zhou Fang’s Martial Arts Power was definitely above the Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm.

In her view, even if Chen Cheng’s martial arts talent was outstanding, his cultivation time was still short. Furthermore, coming from a Humble Family with limited resources, it was impossible for him to defeat such a powerful opponent as Zhou Fang.

Liu Yunfeng sighed internally. He had always thought highly of Chen Cheng and had hoped he would make a stunning debut in today’s match. But it was clear the Zhou Family had hidden Zhou Fang’s true strength. Chen Cheng had no chance of winning. Rather than forcing a fight, it was better to conserve his strength and wait for the next official constable assessment.

"Ah Cheng, you should withdraw from this assessment for now," Liu Yunfeng advised.

He left the rest unsaid: Zhou Fang was a vicious and ruthless man. If Chen Cheng recklessly fought him and something went wrong, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Chen Cheng also remained silent, thinking. ’I carefully observed the fight between Zhou Fang and He Zhiling. His Swordsmanship, though sharp, is only at the Great Success Level—not much different from He Zhiling’s.

’The reason He Zhiling was so utterly defeated was partly because his Martial Arts Realm, strength, and speed are much weaker than Zhou Fang’s. But that alone shouldn’t have led to such a miserable defeat.’