I Cultivate in a Government Office

For the next half hour, the group discussed the details. The other two directors did most of the talking, while Director Song offered pointers.

Once everything was more or less settled, Deputy Director Qi had Director Song escort the other two directors out of the conference room.

Qi Yue watched the two branch directors leave, then raised his teacup and took a sip of tea. His gaze then fell upon Yang Wenqing as he spoke:

"You handled this crisis exceptionally well. You not only stabilized the situation but also secured an internal procurement quota of Energy Stones for the city. As a reward, the City Bureau has secured a rare opportunity for you."

As he spoke, he looked at Qin Huaiming, who immediately picked up the thread. "In the Forbidden Garden behind the Provincial Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau, a pair of Blue-feathered Night Owls are being raised. Last month, they gave birth to a chick. Now is the perfect time for it to try and bond with a master."

Yang Wenqing racked his brain, trying to recall everything about the Blue-feathered Night Owl. He had come across the name while reading a Spirit Beast codex back in school and knew of its special qualities. He just never imagined such a wonderful opportunity would fall into his lap.

After a moment of silence, he immediately rose to thank the two leaders.

"Sit down, don’t get so excited!" Qi Yue gestured downward with his right hand. "The bonding of a Spiritual Object of this caliber depends on fate. No one at the provincial level has succeeded, so this little thing has become something of a sweet burden for the Provincial Government. If they keep it, the optimal bonding period will soon pass, and a rare treasure might be wasted. But if they give it away, they fear entrusting it to the wrong person."

He looked at Yang Wenqing and smiled. "We used this recent incident as a pretext to put in a word with our superiors. We were just trying our luck, but to our surprise, they agreed readily. I suppose they’re also eager to find a suitable master for the little one as soon as possible."

Qin Huaiming added, "You could even say they’re more anxious than we are. So, if you’re up for it, we can leave shortly. I’ll personally take you to the Provincial Government. Everything has already been arranged over there."

’We’re going today?’ A rush of blood went to Yang Wenqing’s head, and his heart pounded powerfully in his chest. This sudden, immense opportunity was almost too much for him to believe.

Qi Yue could see what he was thinking and said in a half-joking, half-serious tone, "If you’re really lucky enough to form a contract with that Blue-feathered Night Owl chick, then forget the City Bureau—even the Cabinet will probably create a special file for you. If you can cut through all obstacles and cultivate to the Third Realm in the future, there might even be a seat in the Cabinet waiting for you."

’That’s taking the joke a bit too far.’

Qin Huaiming decisively pulled Yang Wenqing back to reality. "Don’t think about things so far in the future. Cultivation requires you to keep your feet on the ground!"

"Thank you, Deputy Director Qi! Thank you, Master! I will do my utmost not to disappoint your high expectations!" Yang Wenqing suppressed the turmoil in his heart, rising to give a solemn bow.

"Sit, sit." Qi Yue waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit. "That little one has an extraordinary Spiritual Attribute and is said to be very proud. Ordinary geniuses can’t even catch its eye. You need to calm your mind and use your own Cultivation Technique and disposition to attract it. You mustn’t show the slightest hint of impatience or utilitarianism, or it will likely backfire."

"Thank you for your guidance, Deputy Director Qi." Yang Wenqing took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"Mm."

Qi Yue nodded, seeming to recall something else. "Right, there’s also the matter of Wang Yanzhi. The New District is about to be upgraded to a county, and he’ll be promoted one rank and remain in his post. He will most likely lead or be deeply involved in the exploration and development projects for the southern coast and the western jungles. The man has a complex background, and he’s capable."

"As the local chief of security, you’ll inevitably have to deal with him in the future. As long as he doesn’t cross any lines or violate our principles, cooperate with him when you should, and hold firm to your principles when you must."

Yang Wenqing replied in a low voice, "Rest assured, Deputy Director Qi."

Qi Yue nodded. "Alright, that’s all the official business. Since you’re already at the City Bureau, don’t be in such a hurry to head to the Provincial Government. Go see Director Shen Wenyuan first. Director Shen also put in a lot of effort on this matter, so showing your face is proper etiquette. Your master has already informed him, so you can go straight to the director’s office."

"Yes, Deputy Director Qi. I’ll head over now."

Yang Wenqing stood up.

Qin Huaiming also stood and clapped him on the shoulder. "Go on. I’ll wait for you here with Deputy Director Qi. When you’re done, we’ll head straight to the Provincial Government."

Yang Wenqing bowed to the two leaders again, then turned and walked out of the small conference room with a steady gait.

The gentle smile on Qi Yue’s face faded. He unconsciously tapped his fingers on the tabletop, making a rhythmic TAP, TAP sound.

Qin Huaiming sat down again, raised his teacup for a small sip, and gazed at the closed door as if his eyes could pierce through it to see Yang Wenqing’s departing figure.

"Director Shen just sent word. It’s time to close the net," Qi Yue said calmly. "While the investigation team is still in the New District, and while this lead on Yang Haishan has just been exposed, he wants to take down the entire network in one go."

Qin Huaiming put down his teacup, surprised. "So quickly? There are quite a few people on that list, and several of them have considerable influence."

"That’s why it has to be fast." Qi Yue turned to Qin Huaiming. "If we drag this out, word will leak. They’ll coordinate their stories or destroy evidence, and catching them all in one net will be difficult. Director Shen is determined to use this opportunity to completely squeeze the pus out of Coral City."

He paused, his tone filled with a complex mix of emotions. "With things having escalated this far, this is no longer a simple security case or an infiltration incident. It’s risen to a political level. The second seat of the Cabinet is right here in the East Sea, and the investigation team was attacked in the New District. If they don’t take decisive action, how will the people in the Provincial Government answer to the Central Hub?"

Qin Huaiming was silent for a moment before nodding. "That’s true. This mess is both a problem and an opportunity. If he can clean out some of the trash with just the right amount of discretion, Director Shen’s standing in the province will be even greater, and he’ll face less resistance when he takes the next step up."

"Discretion is the key!" Qi Yue leaned back, a rare hint of relaxation on his face. "Director Shen will be the busy one from now on. We just need to cooperate. Hand over the people we need to hand over, provide the intelligence we need to provide, and let them deal with the rest of the headache."

The two exchanged a look and then smiled at each other.

Qin Huaiming suddenly remembered something. "Those people the special cases office arrested, and the peripheral personnel under control in the New District—they’re all being transported back to the City Bureau today, right?"

"It’s already been arranged." Qi Yue glanced at the time. "By now, the City Bureau’s transport Flying Shuttles should have already landed in the Lingshan New District."

[...]

「Lingshan New District, branch office rear courtyard.」

Three jet-black City Bureau transport Flying Shuttles, nearly twice the size of standard official shuttles, landed smoothly like silent, giant birds on the wide landing pad.

The bay doors opened, and two fully armed teams from the City Bureau’s action squad filed out, quickly establishing a security perimeter around the Flying Shuttles.

From the branch office, Zhu Yunchuan and Wang Hai were already waiting.

Seeing that the people from the City Bureau had arrived, Zhu Yunchuan went forward and exchanged a few quiet words with the senior sergeant leading the team. Then, he turned to the guards behind him and ordered, "Bring them out!"

In the temporary detention area on the third basement level of the branch office, iron doors opened one after another.

Li Xiulan, her consciousness numb, along with a selection of important peripheral personnel identified during screening—a total of thirty-seven people—walked silently out of the building under the escort of the City Defense Bureau guards, wearing handcuffs and Spiritual Qi suppression devices.

Their expressions varied. Some were ashen-faced, others had darting eyes as if searching for something, while a few forced a calm demeanor, unable to hide the panic in their eyes.

Working in pairs, the City Bureau action squad members conducted the handover cleanly and efficiently, then escorted the prisoners onto the Flying Shuttles.

Behind the windows of nearby office buildings, many of the branch’s guards watched this scene in silence.

They knew that with these people being taken away, this phase of turmoil in the Lingshan New District was coming to an end.

Wang Hai stood beside Zhu Yunchuan, watching as the last group was escorted onto a Flying Shuttle. He whispered, "Director Zhu, can our branch finally breathe a little easier now?"

Zhu Yunchuan’s gaze remained fixed on the closing shuttle doors as he shook his head gently. "We’ve handed the people over, but this isn’t over. The City Bureau will definitely make a big move next. We need to cooperate where required and prepare as necessary. Don’t let your guard down."

He paused before adding, "Director Yang gave specific instructions about the port and the warehouses. There can’t be any mistakes."

Wang Hai’s expression turned serious as he nodded solemnly. "I understand."

Just as he finished speaking, the engines of the three transport Flying Shuttles emitted a low hum, then ascended vertically at high speed. They accelerated toward downtown Coral City and soon vanished over the distant horizon.