Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Leaders’ Gathering
Though Yang Wenqing’s mind was racing with suspicion, his expression remained placid. He’d assumed Vice Director Gao had summoned him about the Spirit-Sucking Crystal incident, a matter that was, after all, taboo.
But with Deputy Director Zhou from Internal Affairs Inspection present, followed by the arrival of influential deputy chiefs from the Archives and Operations sections, the situation was clearly about more than just an old, unresolved case.
’Could my performance during the Spiritual Qi outburst in the forest have drawn attention from higher-ups?’ he wondered. ’Or is there a major personnel shake-up coming that they need to brief us on?’ All sorts of ideas flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t make sense of any of them.
Just as his mind was wandering, another knock came at the door of the private room.
"Come in."
The door opened as Vice Director Gao spoke. The two men who entered made Yang Wenqing freeze, and any lingering speculation he had about the case instantly evaporated.
The newcomers were none other than Wang Ren, the Director of the East City Public Security Office, and Xiao Liang, his old captain from his time there!
Wang Ren looked the same as ever, but his gaze swept over the room with a knowing calmness. Xiao Liang, however, showed a flicker of barely perceptible surprise upon seeing Yang Wenqing before giving him a slight nod in greeting.
"Vice Director Gao, Deputy Director Zhou, my apologies. Something came up at the station, so I’m late." Wang Ren was the first to apologize. As he spoke, Qin Feng, Li Yi, and Yang Wenqing had already risen to their feet, and they all exchanged another round of pleasantries.
"Director Wang, Captain," Yang Wenqing greeted his two former superiors politely.
Xiao Liang patted his shoulder. As they met each other’s eyes, they could both see the mutual confusion, which only deepened Yang Wenqing’s speculation.
Wang Ren simply nodded at Yang Wenqing before breaking into a brilliant smile. "Wenqing, your Cultivation has improved again! It’s only been what, two months? Have you already completed the First Refinement?"
His words caught the attention of everyone present, especially Deputy Director Zhou and Li Yi.
Yang Wenqing quickly replied, "It was just a fluke. I nearly died. Vice Director Gao can attest to that."
Vice Director Gao chuckled. "It’s true. During the Spiritual Qi outburst a few days ago, he pushed his Spiritual Qi to resist the flames at the last second. It nearly severed his Spiritual Veins. He was truly a hair’s breadth from death."
He was downplaying the strength of Yang Wenqing’s consciousness while emphasizing the danger of the situation.
Hearing this, Deputy Director Zhou added with a smile, "I was maintaining the outer barrier at the time and sensed Captain Yang’s aura suddenly intensify deep in the forest, but it was just for a fleeting moment."
Wang Ren, who had also been at the scene but on a different flank, patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder upon hearing this. "In the future," he advised, "if you find a situation is beyond you, pull back first. There’s no shame in it. You only have a future if you stay alive."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After another round of pleasantries, Vice Director Gao smiled and gestured for everyone to sit. "The others are all busy, so I doubt anyone else is coming. Let’s have the waiter bring out the food. This is nothing serious today. We just haven’t gotten together in a while, so I figured we could share a casual meal and chat."
Despite his words, everyone present was sharp enough to know this was far from a simple meal. As the drinks flowed and the courses were served, the conversation gradually shifted from idle chatter to the bureau’s personnel changes and future priorities.
Deputy Director Zhou took a sip of his wine and mentioned, as if in passing, "Old Gao, I hear Jianchao’s preparations are nearly complete? Xiaoqiao Town is a key location. There can’t be any mistakes."
Vice Director Gao chuckled, full of confidence. "Don’t you worry. You know what Jianchao is capable of. The exam is just a formality. Once he’s there, he’ll lock that place down tight as a drum."
He said this with an air of casual understatement, and everyone at the table broke into knowing smiles.
After that topic was broached, the conversation relaxed completely, no longer touching on any specific official business or personnel matters.
Qin Feng was the most glib of the group, occasionally telling a slightly off-color joke that earned loud praise and repeated toasts from Li Yi. Wang Ren was just as talkative, and the way he played off Qin Feng, they were like a comedy duo.
For the most part, Yang Wenqing just listened quietly with a smile, refilling the leaders’ tea and wine at opportune moments.
This was a form of invisible bonding. By spending this "useless" time together, they were strengthening the group’s identity and cohesion. The real, core dealings would undoubtedly begin in earnest after the party.
Time slipped by amidst the clinking glasses and seemingly casual conversation, and before they knew it, more than an hour had passed.
Vice Director Gao checked the time, set down his chopsticks, and wiped his hands with a hot towel. "All right," he said with a smile, "everyone still has work this afternoon. Let’s wrap it up here for today."
At his words, everyone began to rise.
Wang Ren whispered a few words to Xiao Liang, apparently giving him instructions about matters back at the station.
Vice Director Gao walked over to Yang Wenqing and patted his arm casually. His voice was low but clear. "Wenqing, when you get back, just keep doing what you’re doing. And stay patient."
"Yes, Vice Director Gao. I understand," Yang Wenqing replied with a solemn nod.
The group walked out of the private room. After exchanging a few more pleasantries at the restaurant entrance, the leaders departed in their respective Flying Shuttles, and in the blink of an eye, only he and Xiao Liang remained.
Xiao Liang pulled out a pack of cigarettes, handed one to Yang Wenqing, and lit one for himself. He took a long drag before looking at Yang Wenqing, his voice tinged with emotion. "So, did you figure it out?"
Yang Wenqing thought for a moment. "Is Director Wang getting promoted?"
Xiao Liang nodded. "Not a promotion, a lateral move to the General Affairs Section of the branch bureau. With him gone, a spot opens up at the East City Public Security Office. The Director wants me to take it."
Yang Wenqing said at once, "Congratulations, Brother Xiao."
Xiao Liang shook his head. "I still have to pass the exam. Jianchao’s in the running this year, which means I need to place second at a minimum. I’m not worried about the other parts, but if it comes down to the final arena battle, I think I’ll have a tough time."
Yang Wenqing thought for a couple of seconds, then, as if an idea had struck him, he said in a low voice, "Why not ask Mr. Wang for a couple of his lightning magic Rune Papers? I’ve seen how powerful his lightning arts are. They can practically sweep the floor with any Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Stage."
Xiao Liang’s brow furrowed. "If I do that, even if I win, I’ll probably become the laughingstock of the entire branch bureau."
Yang Wenqing was unconcerned. "To the victor go the spoils. The children of the great Clans? Most of them rely on outside help to get their good scores. This could be your only chance. If you miss it, you might never get another one. With two directors backing you, who cares if you become a joke? What’s more important, your pride or the director’s chair?"
Xiao Liang’s brows knitted together, and he looked incredibly conflicted. After a long moment, he said, "I’ll think about it."
Hearing this, Yang Wenqing didn’t press the issue. The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Xiao Liang headed back to the public security office. He had a patrol shift that afternoon.
Watching Xiao Liang’s retreating figure, Yang Wenqing stood in the afternoon sun. After a long moment, he let out a slow breath, his gaze hardening with resolve. He was no longer a low-level officer. He, too, needed to prepare for the games of power to come. He had to be patient, keep improving himself, and wait for the winds of change to blow again.
Half an hour later, he returned to the offices of the Major Case Team’s Third Squad to find all the members already back. Then, at three in the afternoon, Vice Director Gao summoned him to his office once more.
