Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Taking Up the Post
Yang Wenqing stepped into the precinct’s main building. Following procedure, he headed to the personnel office of the archives department on the first floor. A middle-aged female officer with glasses greeted him, just as before.
After verifying his transfer orders and identification, the female officer stamped a document and instructed the young Xiaoli beside her, "Xiaoli, take Chief Yang to check in with the Major Case Team."
"Yes!"
Xiaoli quickly stood up and gestured for Yang Wenqing to proceed. "Chief Yang, please follow me."
The two of them left the office and walked to the stairwell at the far right end, taking it up to the second floor. This floor also had a long corridor, lined with mostly closed doors. Each door had a different nameplate: "Forensic Examination Room," "Trace Analysis Lab," "Evidence Storage," and the like.
Xiaoli led Yang Wenqing to a heavy, solid wood door at the end of the corridor. On it hung a bronze nameplate engraved with the words: ’Major Case Team Lead’s Office’.
KNOCK KNOCK.
After the knock, a steady male voice came from inside. "Come in."
Xiaoli pushed the door open and walked in with Yang Wenqing. He stopped before the desk, snapped to attention, and saluted. "Vice Director Gao, Li Shen from the Archives Department. I was ordered to escort Chief Yang Wenqing here to report for duty."
Yang Wenqing was already standing at attention. He naturally recognized Vice Director Gao, who sat behind the desk. The Vice Director wore the same white police commissioner’s uniform with a single silver star on the shoulder, yet he carried an air that was worlds apart from Wang Ren of the Public Security Office.
"Mm. Thank you for your work. You’re dismissed."
Vice Director Gao waved Xiaoli away before his gaze landed on Yang Wenqing. "Relax, young man," he said with a smile. As he spoke, he pointed a finger at the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."
Xiaoli exited the office respectfully. As he closed the door, he saw Yang Wenqing take a seat before the desk, his own eyes filled with envy.
As Yang Wenqing sat, he quickly scanned the office and Vice Director Gao. It was his habit to observe his surroundings whenever he was in a new place. The office was spacious and minimalist. A row of tall filing cabinets stood against the left wall. On the opposite side was a massive whiteboard covered in case-related photos and sticky notes, all linked by a web of intricate lines.
Vice Director Gao had a resolute face, with deep-set wrinkles on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s. His hair was cut in a short buzz, half of it already flecked with gray.
This was the man in charge of the Major Case Team, one of the precinct’s two vice directors.
"Li Yi from the Operations Division speaks very highly of you, and my expectations are high as well. After all, you’re the first officer in over twenty years to reach the Qi Cultivation Stage before the age of twenty," Vice Director Gao said softly.
Yang Wenqing was about to respond, but Vice Director Gao held up a hand.
Vice Director Gao then picked up a file and changed the subject. "Which spells have you learned?"
Yang Wenqing stood to answer. "Sir, I have learned the Immobilization Spell, the Body-Protecting Golden Light Spell, the Tracking Technique, and the Anti-Demon Spell."
Vice Director Gao nodded. "Not bad. Your former supervisor on the patrol team also gave you high marks. He said you’re a diligent and quick study who picks things up almost instantly. It seems he wasn’t exaggerating. You’ll need to master all the spells as quickly as possible, especially those required for a senior chief."
"Yes, sir!"
Yang Wenqing replied loudly.
Vice Director Gao pointed to the badge on Yang Wenqing’s chest. "Give me your badge."
Without hesitation, Yang Wenqing removed his badge and placed it on the desk.
Vice Director Gao picked up the badge with his right hand. With his left, he performed a Spell, linking it to the badge on his own chest. "The Major Case Team has three squads," he said, "responsible for all major case investigations across the county’s six towns and six districts. A few days ago, the third squad’s captain was transferred to the West City Public Security Office to serve as deputy director. You will be the acting captain for Squad Three."
"However, Squad Three is a bit short-staffed. If you know anyone trustworthy, you can report them to me. There’s no rush on that; think it over carefully. Also, the Major Case Team generally doesn’t wear uniforms."
He finished and glanced down at his own uniform. "Of course, that is, unless you’re sitting in my chair."
He said this last part with a joking tone.
But the joking tone vanished in an instant. As he constructed a new Communication Array on Yang Wenqing’s badge, he continued, "The Major Case Team wields great authority. When necessary, you can dispatch officers from any district or town. You can even temporarily requisition a squad of Government Soldiers when in pursuit of a fugitive. But with that power comes immense responsibility."
He didn’t spell everything out. After all, this was his first real interaction with Yang Wenqing. Giving him a position as squad captain, even an acting one, was already a major show of faith in his youth and potential.
’Having lived two lives, I can naturally read between the lines.’ Yang Wenqing understood the warning. The Major Case Team was essentially the only force within the jurisdiction legally sanctioned to use lethal force. That power would inevitably attract temptation, such as attempts by local factions to win them over.
"I will carry out my duties to the best of my ability!"
Yang Wenqing pledged.
Vice Director Gao was pleased with Yang Wenqing’s response. He handed the badge back, rising to his feet as he did. "Come on, I’ll take you to Squad Three’s office. There are only two members left at the moment: a communications specialist and an experienced senior officer. The whole squad is essentially paralyzed."
Yang Wenqing pinned the badge back on his chest and followed Vice Director Gao out the door. They walked to the far end of the corridor on the other side. Along the way, several plainclothes officers greeted the Vice Director, who responded amicably. Without exception, they all shot curious glances at Yang Wenqing, but Vice Director Gao didn’t offer any introductions.
The plaque for "Squad Three" on the door at the end of the hall was old and worn. The door was ajar, and no sound came from within. Vice Director Gao, of course, didn’t bother knocking; he simply pushed the door open and walked in.
The hinges let out a soft CREAK as the door swung open, breaking the room’s silence.
It was an office, not spacious but adequate. Two slightly worn desks sat side-by-side near the window, piled with scattered files. A waist-high filing cabinet stood in the corner next to a communications device, its internal Communication Array inactive.
There were only two people in the room.
Behind the desk closer to the door sat a young female officer who looked to be in her early twenties. She was engrossed in a thick book, *An Illustrated Guide to Basic Spell Seals*. She looked up with a start at the sound of the door opening. Seeing Vice Director Gao, she visibly froze for a second before scrambling to her feet, awkwardly snapping to attention. "V-Vice Director Gao!"
Behind the farther desk sat a middle-aged man in his forties. He wore a brown leather jacket and had a plain face—the kind you’d lose in a crowd. His eyes, however, were exceptionally calm. He was holding a soft cloth, methodically wiping down a Type 1B service pistol.
Hearing the noise, he didn’t panic like the young female officer. He simply stopped wiping the gun, stood up, and nodded to Vice Director Gao. His gaze, however, lingered more on Yang Wenqing. When his eyes fell on Yang Wenqing’s rank insignia, they lit up. He looked back at the Vice Director, a hint of anticipation now visible in his expression.
"This is Chief Yang Wenqing. Starting today, he will be your acting captain for Squad Three."
Vice Director Gao introduced Yang Wenqing first, then pointed to the young female officer. "This is Liu Qin," he said to Yang Wenqing. "She’s the squad’s communications specialist. Very talented with information processing and runic communication."
Liu Qin immediately straightened her posture, greeting Yang Wenqing nervously, "Hello, Captain Yang!"
Vice Director Gao then turned to the middle-aged man. "This is Wu Yan, a veteran investigator. He’s very experienced. When you’re working a case, you’d do well to listen to his opinions."
Wu Yan managed a smile for Yang Wenqing that, while not exactly warm, gave no cause for complaint. "Captain Yang," he greeted.
With the introductions complete, Vice Director Gao said to Yang Wenqing, "Liu Qin has the manuals for setting up the Communication Array and the standard runic sequences. Get the squad’s basic framework operational as soon as you can. If you run into any problems, you can come see me directly."
After saying his piece, he clapped Yang Wenqing on the shoulder, said nothing more, and turned to leave the office.
The door clicked shut, and the office fell into a brief silence. Liu Qin stood awkwardly, while Wu Yan simply remained standing in silence. ’Clearly, the veteran investigator is the type who follows orders rather than thinks for himself.’
Yang Wenqing looked at his two new, stylistically opposite team members—one still green and the other as deep as still water. ’As acting captain,’ he thought, ’it’s going to take some real effort to get Squad Three up and running.’
