The constables were dumbfounded as they watched their leader maintain a single pose, smashing his head against the brick with a furious expression.
"The leader is training in the 'Head of Steel' Technique, and the manual Brother Bao Liu copied for us is also the 'Head of Steel' Technique. Are we all going to end up like him?"
"Judging by the situation, it seems likely."
"Smashing your head with a brick hurts, you know."
"This…"
"I heard Brother Bao Liu say that when the leader was training in the 'Head of Steel' Technique, his head would bleed, and his hair was hard to clean, so he shaved it all off. Do you think we'll have to shave our heads too?"
"That… that shouldn't happen, right?"
The constables sank into a deep pit of worry.
Nightfall.
When Lin Fan arrived at Wang Baoliu's house, Uncle Wang treated him as though he were a high-ranking lord, making Lin Fan rather embarrassed. After all, they were just constables dedicated to eliminating evildoers.
You're making this really awkward for me.
Wang Baoliu's house only had two rooms—one a kitchen, the other shared by Wang Baoliu and his father. It used to leak water, but based on the current condition, it was clear that it had been repaired.
Uncle Wang killed a chicken and roasted some meat, preparing a lavish meal that made Lin Fan feel flattered yet overwhelmed.
Soon enough.
The dinner to express gratitude finished, and Wang Baoliu cleared the bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.
Uncle Wang said, "Lord Lin, my family's Baoliu suffered a severe illness when he was young, and we couldn't get it treated in time, which led to some damage to his brain. Everyone treated him like an idiot after that. Now that he's following someone like you, my heart is at ease. I hope you can look after him a little more in the future."
"Rest assured, Baoliu is under my wing now, and no one will bully him." Lin Fan took a sip of tea, then slowly set down the teacup as he replied.
He understood that Uncle Wang had invited him for dinner not just to express gratitude, but also to build a closer relationship.
At this moment.
"Lord Lin, here's a small token of appreciation. Please accept it." Uncle Wang placed a small wooden box on the table and pushed it toward Lin Fan.
Lin Fan was initially smiling, but the smile gradually disappeared as he pushed the box back. "Uncle Wang, this is no small token; this is an insult to me. Baoliu is one of my people now. If I won't look after him, who will? Take this back—this is absolutely unacceptable."
"It's getting late, and I should be heading back."
Lin Fan stood and walked toward the door. As he did, he said, "Baoliu, I'm heading out. Report to the government on time tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," Wang Baoliu replied.
Uncle Wang said, "You brat, why aren't you seeing your boss out?"
"No need, no need, I can make my own way back. Baoliu doesn't need to see me out." Lin Fan waved it off and left Wang Baoliu's home.
To Lin Fan, this was just another instance of people giving gifts. No matter where you go, this sort of custom exists. But after this visit to Wang Baoliu's house, he was determined to never eat at the home of one of his subordinates again.
What's the point of giving gifts?
He already carried a fortune—over ten thousand taels in silver notes—on him. Why would he need anyone's bribes? That would just lower his status.
Besides.
Could he, Lin Fan, really be the type to accept bribes?
The next day!
The sunlight beamed down, and Lin Fan's bald head shone extraordinarily bright—it could almost be used as a mirror to reflect light.
"So, what do you think of the leader's new hairstyle?" Lin Fan spread his fingers, rubbing his smooth head as if he were a villain contemplating where to strike first.
His subordinates stood in a row, raising their voices to deliver enthusiastic praise.
"It looks great."
"Very refreshing."
"The leader's bald head is terrifyingly intimidating. Just one look could make petty thieves wet their pants."
They struggled to come up with more compliments, lacking a higher vocabulary to articulate how dashing their leader looked.
"Hmm." Lin Fan nodded in satisfaction. He also felt that his current bald look exuded a certain dominance. Walking down the street, it not only drew attention but also caused petty criminals to hide in the shadows, too scared to make a move. Indeed, it conveyed a strong sense of authority.
"The 'Head of Steel' manuals I had Baoliu distribute—have you all received them?"
With nothing urgent happening, Lin Fan decided to whip these lads into shape. If they didn't train seriously, they wouldn't survive in this line of work. You had to put your life on the line, and having some defensive capabilities was non-negotiable.
"Yes, we've received them!" the subordinates shouted. They had witnessed how their leader trained, and his methods were truly terrifying.
Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction. "We're constables, responsible for the safety of all Jiangdu City. The burden on our shoulders is heavy. But to protect Jiangdu City, we need the strength to back it up. Right now, your skills are far from adequate. We must start improving from the basics. Don't you all agree?"
"Agreed! The leader is absolutely right!" Wang Baoliu yelled. Last night, his father had drilled it into him—whatever the leader said, he had to agree wholeheartedly.
So, no matter what Lin Fan said, Wang Baoliu didn't bother to think about it and simply shouted his agreement.
"Good. Since that's the case, our first order of business is to start from the basics. We're all heading out to shave our heads today. Let's show the citizens of Jiangdu City our determination!" Lin Fan waved decisively, spreading the love. A good thing should never be hidden away—it should be shared with others.
Clang!
The constables were stunned when they heard this.
"Leader, we can train the 'Head of Steel' Technique with our hair still intact!"
"Yeah, this kind of imposing hairstyle isn't something we deserve to have!"
"Leader, we're not worthy of such a look!"
They hadn't expected their leader to set his sights on their heads. If they all ended up as bald as him, they might never get married!
Lin Fan raised a hand, signaling for silence. "Brothers, we're all in this together. There's no distinction between us. No more excuses—what's mine is yours."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Fan's tone grew stern. "Count off!"
"1… 15!" The constables stood at attention, counting off loudly.
"Good. Baoliu, lead the way. Let's move out!" Lin Fan waved, wasting no time as they set off.
"Waaahhh!"
The constables wailed inwardly, feeling as though they were heading to the guillotine. Some even contemplated escaping halfway, but when they looked up, they saw the leader smiling at them. A gleam from his shiny bald head flashed across their eyes.
They chickened out.
It seemed escape was impossible.
Inside the shop, a barber was cutting a customer's hair while chatting about what had happened the day before—a certain arrest officer had come in and gotten his head completely shaved.
The customer gasped in surprise.
As if it were unbelievable.
Bam!
"Anybody in? Shave fifteen heads." Lin Fan barged in through the door.
The barber, mid-chat about yesterday's events, froze sharply upon seeing the newcomers. His eyes widened as though he'd seen a ghost.
Bam!
The barber dropped to his knees, shouting, "Mercy, Lord! I swear I wasn't badmouthing you behind your back!"
"Spare me!"
Seeing a group of constables march in, his heart sank to the floor.
He was doomed.
Lin Fan rubbed his gleaming bald head, puzzled. What on earth was going on?
PS: What do you all think this squad should be called?