First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!

...

Originally, they had already mentally prepared themselves. After all, Lu Ding's reputation in the new city had spread far and wide.

But when they saw it with their own eyes.

They were dumbfounded.

That guy had brought so many people, it looked like an entire army was mobilizing.

Every single one of them had extraordinary auras, all roughly on the same level, practically matching the cultivation of these bureau chiefs.

Although Fengkou City was right next to Overcast Mountain and Raise Phoenix Mountain, the 749 Bureau's main job was managing the city and ensuring regional safety.

The truly impressive ones were the border troops, garrisoned there like massive mountains. Otherwise, how could those things in Overcast Mountain and Raise Phoenix Mountain be so well-behaved?

Under those circumstances, Fengkou City naturally didn't need a particularly powerful 749 bureau chief or deputy chief to sit guard. Anyone competent enough would do.

But the 749 Bureau's priority was higher than the border troops'.

Mainly because the 749 Bureau's situation was complex. The border troops only needed to handle border security and prevent large-scale casualties, while the 749 Bureau had to deal with everything—chaos, demons, evil cults, traitors, spies.

Even so.

Lu Ding's investigators all had fourth or fifth realm auras, and there were so many of them! Did that make bureau chiefs look cheap? Sure, this place wasn't particularly great, but a bureau chief was still a bureau chief.

And among them were many familiar faces.

The Fengkou City bureau chief had even seen some of these people during his report to the capital—spoiled young masters from influential families, powerful bloodlines, geniuses from Hanjing.

And now they were here, being used by Lu Ding as ordinary investigators.

This was...

In an instant, the Fengkou City bureau chief, who was already polite, became even more courteous. He didn't act like a bureau chief at all.

From a distance.

"Special Envoy Lu! Special Envoy Lu! Welcome, welcome, hahahahaha! I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. We just got here, and here you are. I'm afraid we weren't fully prepared, not fully prepared at all."

Lu Ding understood his politeness. Judging by the depth of the footprints on the ground and the marks left by people moving around, he knew for sure that they had been waiting here in advance.

He stepped forward to shake hands. "You must be Bureau Chief Qi. I've long admired your reputation. Last time I came to your jurisdiction, things were urgent, and I didn't have time to greet you properly. I apologize for any offense. Here are some local specialties from the new city. Please don't refuse them."

Methods were methods, status was status, but they were all colleagues with no conflict. Proper courtesy shouldn't be neglected just because one's status and strength had increased.

Stepping on those beneath you to flatter those above you wasn't acceptable.

Lu Ding's consistent approach was this: whoever you are, if there's a conflict, everyone's equal, and that's the rule.

But if there's no conflict, regardless of who you are, absolute courtesy and respect would be given.

It had nothing to do with status or strength disparity.

And it was this attitude that made Fengkou City's 749 Bureau chief, Qi Cheng, momentarily so happy he couldn't describe his current mood in words.

He didn't hesitate. Openly and proudly, he showed off the gift in his hand to the Fengkou investigators who had come with him to welcome Lu Ding.

He slapped it.

Smack!

"See that?! Respect!!!"

"Special Envoy Lu personally gave me a gift. If I tell people about this, I'll be bragging about it for the rest of my life."

It wasn't entirely empty flattery. Lu Ding giving him a gift, and in front of so many people, instantly made Qi Cheng feel a surge of something.

So much face!

Faced with Lu Ding's luxurious lineup and Lu Ding himself, he had been under immense pressure, instinctively lowering his stance.

But this one gesture immediately made him stand tall!

Lu Ding found Bureau Chief Qi quite interesting.

Someone he could talk to.

"Bureau Chief Qi, shall we head into the city? You all must have been waiting for a while."

Qi Cheng hugged the gift. The gift itself wasn't valuable—if it were, it would lose its meaning—but the sentiment it represented was priceless in his eyes.

He extended his hand to lead the way. "Let's go, let's go, Grand Duke Lu. Let's go home. While you're here, consider this place your own home. Don't be polite."

Damn, even the form of address had changed.

From Special Envoy Lu to Grand Duke Lu. He'd practically put him on a pedestal.

Not just him, even the Fengkou City investigators were whispering among themselves.

Thumbs up. "Grand Duke Lu. That's the real deal. Classy!"

"A leader like him with a team like that leaves us in the dust by a mile. And he still had the decency to bring Bureau Chief Qi a gift."

"Ah, people are different. We hear every day about what Grand Duke Lu is like as a person. It's like what that person said—two words: classy. He has strength, confidence, and status. He can enjoy the finest delicacies and also eat simple fare. He befriends the rich and makes friends with the poor. When it comes to handling people at all levels, you can't even learn it."

"Well, we definitely can't learn it. Haven't you heard the rumor? Anyone has a chance to become Grand Duke Lu's friend, as long as their background is clean. Because when he makes friends, he doesn't care who the other person is. Whoever it is, no one is better than him. That's the confidence he has. If you could become Grand Duke Lu's friend, that would be truly badass. You could brag about it, and people would even buy you meals every single day."

Lu Ding, who had sharp ears, laughed when he heard this. Who spread that rumor?

He immediately turned around.

To the young investigator who had spoken. "Handsome, what's your name?"

The bragging guy was momentarily stunned, then said nervously, "I... I'm Ying Changsheng."

Lu Ding nodded. "Great name. Changsheng—Long Life. Sounds badass just hearing it. I'll remember you. Next time someone buys you a meal, don't forget to bring me along."

His personality was always free and easy, like the wind galloping across the plains. No one knew when it would come or when it would leave.

The investigator named Ying Changsheng was instantly stunned by the surprise.

Thinking about his own cultivation at the second prohibition level, his face flushed.

But life's highlights were rare. He mustered his courage. "Grand Duke Lu, when I become impressive, I won't need others to buy my meals. I'll invite you for drinks and good food myself."

Lu Ding replied, "Alright. I'll be waiting for you in the new city."

The colleague next to him bumped Ying Changsheng's shoulder. "Why are you blushing like a steamed bun? What's with the tea kettle?"

Ying Changsheng was speechless. "You don't know a damn thing."

Then he looked in Lu Ding's direction and slowly uttered two words. "Idol!"

Soon.

The main force entered Fengkou City and arrived at the 749 Bureau.

When a brother department arrives, a welcoming banquet is a must.

But Lu Ding refused.

Bureau Chief Qi and Liang Fang, the deputy chief, exchanged a glance.

Liang Fang, who had already dealt with Lu Ding before, spoke up. "Why? Not even staying for a meal?"

"Doesn't the three-month deadline still have a few days left?"

The matter regarding Overcast Mountain couldn't be discussed openly. Lu Ding could only guarantee his own team; he couldn't guarantee someone else's.

This had to be guarded against.

He simply said, "The reason I brought so many people this time isn't just for the three-month deadline. There are some other matters, and it might be... inconvenient to say, Bureau Chief Qi."

If Lu Ding hadn't been acting with this attitude today, a cross-jurisdictional law enforcement operation would have required informing the local authorities—if not all, then at least the highest local leader, who would have had the right to know.

But given Lu Ding's attitude today.

Bureau Chief Qi didn't press further.

He pulled out the steel seal, stamped the paper, and said, "I won't ask about the details. You, Grand Duke Lu, handle your affairs. Everyone knows your reputation. If you need anything, just say the word. The entire Fengkou City 749 Bureau will back you up!"

With this paper issued, it meant that during this time, Lu Ding's people could exercise all the rights of local investigators within Fengkou City.

You, Lu Ding, showed me face, so I won't be vague.

You hold a high position, have people, money, and strength, and you still look up to me. What else is there to say? Green light, all the way green light.

The right to know was a right. Not asking was an attitude.

But even if he wanted to know, if Lu Ding didn't want to tell him, one phone call up the chain, and he still wouldn't be able to do anything.

But the approach both sides took now was all about face and social graces.

As Bureau Chiefs Qi and Liang left.

Yan Feifan, who had been silent until now, spoke. "Brother Lu, what now?"

Lu Ding waved the paper. "We're going to be efficient. Quick and decisive. Delay invites change. We'll strike when they least expect it, waste no time, and directly scout Overcast Mountain at night!"

"Go get Zhan Tingzhou. Let's talk strategy. We'll go in blind. Whether we hit gold or red, this is our one shot!"

...

(I'm at an outdoor activity organized by Tomato today, so no extra chapters. Sorry, everyone.)