Anti-fraud manual for the cultivation world

Li Gu first gave Zhang Yi a look, then turned his attention back to the constables, clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "When you took the criminals to be interrogated, I didn't go with you, which was my fault. I didn't understand the procedures, so I apologize to everyone here. But regarding the matter of arresting the fake medicine dealers at Chuqi Gate, I don't think I did anything wrong. I didn't take advantage of them, nor did I accept a single copper coin from the Thirteen Gang. If it's wrong for constables to take the initiative to arrest criminals, then the Six Doors might as well close down. My only mistake was not understanding the rules of Jiangzhou, and I didn't handle things well, but that's not a reason for you to speak ill of me."

Li Gu's words were neither humble nor arrogant, which immediately boosted his morale. The constables present looked astonished; the newcomer was indeed quite courageous.

Chief Constable Cai Xinzi, who had been swaying back and forth with her legs crossed, couldn't help but put her legs down after hearing his words.

Li Gu's gaze swept over the group of constables who had been speaking ill of him earlier, his face serious: "I know what your reasons are for being dissatisfied with me. It's nothing more than the fact that I didn't pass the test and was just a 'connected person' who was pushed into the job."

"However, those with connections who don't have the ability are just stuffed in here to freeload and wait to die, and you can despise them all. But I'm not a freeloader. Anyone who doubts my strength is welcome to try and see if I'm qualified to stand here."

After saying that, he glanced defiantly at the constables who had just been mocking him.

Especially that guy who took money from the Thirteen Gangs, he was the first to mock him. If he hadn't taken the lead, the other constables might not have followed suit.

That's how relationships are among office colleagues. If no one starts a fight, everyone pretends to be all smiles and harmony. But if someone does, everyone immediately takes sides and starts fighting.

So Li Gu's eyes were fixed on the person who lit the fire, as if to say, "Come on, let's exchange a few moves."

Li Gu was actually gambling too!

He didn't know the cultivation levels of these constables, but when they bet on how many days he could live yesterday, he remembered someone saying, "How could someone at the Foundation Establishment stage become a constable?"

There is a saying that means that cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage will receive higher official positions in the imperial court and will not be able to work as lowly constables.

The highest level of the constables here is only at the Qi Refining stage.

It's impossible for them all to be at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage, right? Everyone's level of cultivation will vary.

Li Gu made a random bet, hoping not to pick someone with a higher score than himself.

The man, named Niu Xin, immediately understood when he saw that Li Gu was staring intently at him while no one else was glaring at him. Was he trying to start a fight? Perfect timing. Cai Xinzi and he had always been protecting the Thirteen Gang. Li Gu's attempt to arrest the Thirteen Gang's fake medicine dealers was a blow to his reputation, so he could take this opportunity to teach the newcomer a lesson.

Niu Xin sneered, then suddenly grabbed the inkstone on the table and threw it at Li Gu as a hidden weapon.

Li Gu was prepared, so he grabbed the inkstone on the table and threw it back.

The two inkstones crossed in mid-air, making a "whooshing" sound, and crashed down on the two people one after the other.

Li Gu raised his palm and slapped it in front of him. With a "smack," the inkstone that Niu Xin had thrown at him was shattered into pieces.

Niu Xin also raised his palm and, with the same "smack," smashed the inkstone into pieces.

It appears that this exchange resulted in a draw.

But Li Gu didn't use his full strength at all; that throw just now only used the true energy of the third level of Qi Refining.

Now I had a better idea of ​​what was going on.

Li Gu snorted: "It seems our abilities are about equal. I, this 'connected' person, am no worse than you, who has passed the test. Since you can be a constable, then I have no problem being a constable too."

Niu Xin really only had the strength of the third level of Qi Refining. He felt this when he took the inkstone from Li Gu. He had no choice but to turn to look at another constable named Ma Zhi next to him.

Ma Zhi, around thirty years old, was considered young among cultivators. His cultivation was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, placing him in the upper-middle tier within the Six Doors of Jiangzhou. Seeing Niu Xin fight Li Gu to a draw, he knew he was certain of victory. He stepped forward and stood before Li Gu: "Pretty arrogant, huh? If you entered through the examination, this level of strength is acceptable. But I believe that those who entered through connections can also be considered 'exceptionally admitted.' Only when they are stronger than those who entered through the regular examination can 'exceptionally admitted' be truly convincing. Don't you agree?"

Li Gu thought to himself: You know what, this person's logic is flawless!

Just like the country I was in before I traveled through time, if a super talented top scientist was "exceptionally admitted" to a high-ranking position, the people of the whole country would not have any objections. What people would object to is that some academic fraudsters and trashy people are using back channels to hold high-ranking positions.

Ma Zhi put on a blank face: "Since you beat me, I think it's reasonable for you to be 'admitted exceptionally,' and I won't cause you any more trouble in the future."

Li Gu said, "It seems I have no other way but to beat you."

Ma Zhi coldly replied, "A martial arts competition or a literary one?"

Li Gu thought to himself: A martial arts competition is inappropriate! Hua Qianfang has probably already put a bounty on the four of us. If I use my [Hidden Flower Sword Technique], it might arouse suspicion. What if there are members of the Demonic Sect in the government office? If word gets out that I know this sword technique, they might be staking out my place outside the government office.

Thinking of this, Li Gu said, "We are colleagues after all. It wouldn't look good if we had a martial arts competition. How about a literary competition instead?"

Ma Zhi: "That's exactly what I wanted!"

He drew a large circle on the ground, about ten feet in diameter, stepped into the circle, stood still, and stretched out one hand, holding it out horizontally in front of him: "Let's have a pushing contest! Whoever pushes the other out of the circle first wins."

Li Gu nodded, stepped into the circle, and stood still, extending one hand forward.

The two raised their hands and quickly pressed them together, palm to palm.

The constables nearby all thought to themselves: the newcomer just fought Niu Xin to a draw, so he definitely can't beat Ma Zhi. This is a contest with no suspense.

Even Ma Zhi himself thought so. He channeled his true energy, which was at the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage, into his palm and casually pushed it forward, then prepared to watch Li Gu fall to the ground with a thud.

however……

Li Gu generated a surge of true energy in his palm, which easily withstood Ma Zhi's true energy.

Ma Zhi was startled and unleashed his full power.

But Li Gu also unleashed his full power at the same time.

"Wave!"

With a soft thud, Ma Zhi stumbled back five or six steps before finally managing to stand firmly on the stake, avoiding the embarrassment of squatting on the ground.

Li Gu stopped and calmly said, "I won. Is there no problem with my exceptional admission?"

For a moment, Ma Zhi didn't know how to respond.

The constables nearby were all astonished. They hadn't expected that Ma Zhi, who was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, would lose. This man was considered an above-average fighter in the Jiangzhou Six Doors. Apart from the chief constable Cai Xinzi, Kailong and other veteran constables, few people could beat him. They never expected that he would be no match for the newcomer.

At this moment, Zhang Yi, who had been leaning against the door, spoke up: "You may have misunderstood something, right? My junior brother Li and I also passed the prefect's examination before we entered! Some of our companions who came with us failed the examination and could only work in other departments. My junior brother Li and I entered the Six Doors based on our abilities. If you have any doubts, you can spar with me."

Upon hearing this, the constables suddenly realized what was going on.

Ma Zhi sighed, "I see. You should have said so earlier... I was being presumptuous today. I'll treat you to dinner at Wangjiang Tower later as an apology."

He glared at Niu Xin again, who quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "I'll treat you to dinner too."

Chief Constable Cai Xinzi chuckled, patted her large belly, and darted her eyes around.