Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The Leader’s Gift
Yang Wenqing hesitated for only a second before readily accepting the short sword. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and he could clearly feel the smooth flow of Spiritual Qi contained within its blade.
This was indeed what he needed most right now, and it was incredibly valuable.
Before Yang Wenqing could even thank him, Vice Director Gao produced a palm-sized metal bracelet. It was a dark silver color with a smooth surface, its inner band engraved with extremely fine and complex Spirit Gathering runes.
"This is a ’Spirit Gathering Bracelet.’ Inside is a Spirit Gathering Array set up by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. It only needs to consume some specific spirit-gathering materials to absorb a large amount of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. I’ve seen your file. Your consciousness is exceptionally strong, allowing you to absorb and refine Spiritual Qi to the maximum extent. It should be perfect for you."
’Yang Wenqing’s heart stirred. These two items were exactly what he needed, solving his two most pressing problems. But at the same time, it showed that this Vice Director Gao was a man of considerable means, and he would have to be more careful in his dealings with him.’
"Director Gao, this is too valuable," Yang Wenqing said, expressing the appropriate mix of gratitude and apprehension.
"Why be so formal with me?" Vice Director Gao waved his hand dismissively, as if it were nothing. "Tools are meant to be used. I’m giving them to you in the hope they’ll help you grow faster. The third squad will be relying on you from now on. The stronger you are, the more cases you can handle, and the greater your contribution to the Bureau will be!"
He patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder, his tone filled with expectation. "Work hard. I have high hopes for you. If you run into any difficulties in the future, or have any questions about your cultivation, feel free to come find me anytime."
"Thank you for your guidance, Director Gao. I will do my utmost not to disappoint you!" Yang Wenqing readily accepted.
’He understood. This gift was a clear signal, a way of tying him to the director. Although accepting it meant siding with Vice Director Gao, he was in no position to refuse—and besides, he didn’t want to.’
Vice Director Gao’s smile deepened as he watched Yang Wenqing’s reaction. Pointing to the bracelet, he said, "Its best spirit-gathering material is Huang Jade. You must replace it promptly after its inherent Spiritual Qi field dissipates, otherwise it won’t be as effective."
Yang Wenqing looked down at the bracelet and noticed a small slot, which currently held a piece of yellow jade.
"Try it on!"
Vice Director Gao said with a smile.
Yang Wenqing did as he was told, taking off his mechanical watch and fastening the bracelet to his left wrist.
"Undo its sealing Array."
Vice Director Gao said.
Yang Wenqing complied. He performed a hand seal used to release sealing arrays, formed a specific Dharma Seal, and easily undid the bracelet’s sealing Array.
The next moment, his consciousness clearly sensed all the Spiritual Qi within a twenty-meter radius instantly converging on him. Simultaneously, a colorful halo formed around his body.
"If you cultivate for six hours a day, this piece of Huang Jade will last you about a month. You’ll need to purchase subsequent pieces yourself. A piece this size costs about fifteen thousand, but you should be able to get it for around thirteen thousand if you buy it through the City Defense System’s internal network. If you can’t afford it for now, you can go to the Rain Pavilion in East City. I’ll put in a word, and they’ll let you have it on credit for ten thousand. They’ll give you the lowest interest rate, but the repayment term is a maximum of five years."
Yang Wenqing nodded. He then formed a hand seal to reactivate the bracelet’s sealing Array and said to Vice Director Gao, "I can sell some Rune paper. I should barely be able to cover its monthly cost."
Vice Director Gao wasn’t surprised. He continued with a smile, "You can sell your Rune paper to the Rain Pavilion. They’ll give you a top price of eighteen per sheet, and the price for special Rune paper is negotiable."
He added an explanation, "The higher-ups have run into some problems with the development project in the northern part of the Central Continent. They’re in urgent need of large quantities of Rune paper, so the price isn’t what it used to be. When you go, just mention my name, and they’ll know what to do."
’Yang Wenqing just nodded. He knew about the state’s development plan for the north—a project that had begun twenty years ago. His knowledge of the matter was only superficial, as he hadn’t studied it in depth. At his current stage, there was no need.’
Carrying his new flying sword and Spirit Gathering Bracelet, Yang Wenqing had just returned to the third squad’s office when Wu Yan walked over. "Captain," he asked, "are we really closing the Chen Dayong case just like that?"
His words were like a needle, piercing the calm Yang Wenqing had just found. The woman’s despairing sobs, her hollow eyes, and the regret and hopelessness from the deceased Chen Dayong’s residual consciousness all surfaced vividly in his mind once more.
Wu Yan said in a low voice, "Before the case is officially closed and filed, let’s go back to Linhai Village for another look. We might still find a clue."
Yang Wenqing paused, glancing at the case file on his desk and then at Liu Qin, who sat on the other side with her head lowered. Finally, he nodded at Wu Yan.
...
The two of them remained silent for the entire trip. After piloting the Flying Shuttle back to Linhai Village, they had just reached the courtyard halfway up the mountain when the distant sound of a fierce argument reached them, even more piercing than before.
"What’s the use of keeping this wreck of a house? Dad’s dead! Who’s going to earn money now? Sell it! I need the money to marry Ah Li! Or do you expect me to be a bachelor for the rest of my life?" It was the familiar, repulsive voice of Chen Xiaohai.
"We can’t sell it! This is the home your father left for us! If we sell it, where will we live?" The woman’s tearful plea sounded faint and powerless.
"I don’t care!"
Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan strode into the courtyard, just in time to see Chen Xiaohai roaring at his mother, his face twisted with rage. The woman was slumped on the ground, desperately clutching a clothesline pole as if it were her last anchor.
Next to Chen Xiaohai stood a middle-aged man with a briefcase. He was surveying the house and jotting notes in a small notebook.
Chen Xiaohai was the first to spot Yang Wenqing and Wu Yan. A flash of panic crossed his face, and he quickly shot a look at the man with the briefcase. Taking the hint, the man immediately put away his notebook and hurried out through the courtyard’s side gate.
"Officers." Chen Xiaohai forced a smile as he approached them. "What brings you here? Is... is there news about my dad’s case?"
His voice was deliberately fawning, but his eyes darted about, unable to meet their gazes.
Yang Wenqing didn’t answer. His gaze went past Chen Xiaohai and fell upon the woman. She never looked up, as if wanting to shrink into the shadows.
"We’re here to examine the scene," Wu Yan said, his voice low. "The case isn’t closed."
The smile on Chen Xiaohai’s face froze. His lips moved, but he didn’t dare say another word. He subconsciously glanced in his mother’s direction, his expression a mixture of guilt and impatience.
A suffocating silence then descended upon the courtyard, broken only by the sound of the sea breeze whistling through the dilapidated porch.
Yang Wenqing gazed at the dilapidated courtyard, at the woman huddled in the corner with her dignity utterly crushed, and then silently turned and left.
Wu Yan followed close behind.
"You go talk to her."
Yang Wenqing didn’t want to face the woman again, but as the words left his mouth, he grabbed Wu Yan’s arm. "Actually, never mind. There’s nothing to say."
’For as long as he could remember, his entire life had been dedicated to study and cultivation. In over a year at the security station, the most he’d handled were brawls and fistfights. It was through this case that he was finally seeing the world’s true face. The City Defense Bureau had its various methods, but the heretical cultivators lurking in the shadows had even more. And these were merely the low-level ones, the ones who couldn’t even make a name for themselves.’
After a long silence, they routinely took statements from the mother and son before returning to the Flying Shuttle in the village center.
"If we don’t do something, he might drive his mother to her death," Wu Yan said softly as they were leaving.
"What do you have in mind?" Yang Wenqing asked.
"Let’s lock him up for a while. For an idler like him, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a reason."
