Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Debriefing
Yang Wenqing didn’t even have a chance to go up and exchange pleasantries with Xiao Liang before the returning police chiefs were whisked away by the directors of their respective district public security offices. They had clearly also learned about the previous attacks and wanted to return to take charge of their jurisdictions as soon as possible.
Seeing this, Yang Wenqing had intended to first go and handle the handover with Section Chief Lei Dan. But just as he stepped off the Flying Shuttle, he saw Lei Dan being pulled aside by the Director for a private word. He could only wait until Lei Dan finished his conversation with the Director before approaching to concisely report on the city’s security situation and formally request to return his temporary command authority.
Lei Dan patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder. "Wenqing, you took command during a crisis this time, and you did an excellent job. Thank you for your hard work!"
Afterward, Lei Dan led Yang Wenqing back to the emergency command center. He gathered all the members of the temporary command headquarters, stood before the main console, and declared in a loud, clear voice:
"Colleagues, over the past few dozen hours, we have weathered a sudden storm. Faced with the severe test of external attacks and internal chaos, everyone here held their posts and fulfilled their duties, successfully stabilizing order in the Qianjiao County Town and thwarting the enemy’s schemes. On behalf of the Bureau, I thank you for your dedication and sacrifice!"
"You have proven that the Qianjiao County City Defense Bureau is a disciplined force that can be relied upon under any circumstances. I now declare the emergency command center’s temporary command headquarters, disbanded! Everyone, return to your original posts. Rest and await orders!"
There was no excessive embellishment, but the powerful words and Lei Dan’s solemn salute made everyone present feel a surge of passion, and the fatigue from the past several days seemed to dissipate considerably.
Everyone returned the salute in unison before beginning to depart in an orderly fashion.
Just as Yang Wenqing walked out of the command center, a familiar fluctuation of Spiritual Power came from the badge on his chest. It was a communication from Vice Director Gao.
"Wenqing, come to my office."
"Yes, Vice Director Gao."
Yang Wenqing immediately turned toward the main building and walked to Vice Director Gao’s office. After knocking and entering, he found that besides Vice Director Gao, there were two visitors inside. One was Wang Ren, and the other was a middle-aged man with a sharp, capable-looking face, dressed in the white uniform of a police commissioner. The insignia on his shoulders indicated he was the same rank as Wang Ren.
"Wenqing, you’ve arrived." Vice Director Gao greeted with a smile before making the introduction. "This is Zhou Tie, the Director of the North City Public Security Office. Old Zhou, this is the Yang Wenqing I was telling you about."
Zhou Tie looked Yang Wenqing up and down, then nodded. "Captain Yang. Young and promising. You handled things beautifully this time."
"You flatter me, Director Zhou. I was only doing my duty."
Yang Wenqing replied politely. He had heard of Zhou Tie; he was known in the bureau as a man of action, and the North City Public Security Office was famous for its strict discipline under his command.
"Alright, that’s enough with the pleasantries."
Vice Director Gao cut to the chase. "Wenqing, in three hours, the evaluation committee will hold a debriefing meeting to review the entire assessment period, especially the events surrounding the attack on the city. As the person directly responsible for the city’s security, you are required to attend and give a report. Make sure you explain the situation at the time clearly and accurately."
Yang Wenqing was already mentally prepared. He understood that this was more than a simple report; it would likely affect the subsequent evaluation of merits and demerits, as well as future personnel appointments.
"Yes, Vice Director Gao. I understand."
The four of them then exchanged a few more words, mainly to coordinate before the upcoming meeting. As soon as their discussion ended, Wang Ren and Zhou Tie left, seemingly in a hurry.
When only Vice Director Gao and Yang Wenqing remained in the office, the Vice Director’s expression turned serious. "Wenqing, when you give your report, you need to phrase the part about you single-handedly killing those three Qi Cultivation practitioners differently."
He looked at Yang Wenqing with a profound gaze. "You’ll say that at the critical moment, you used a High-tier ’Thunder Seal Rune Paper’ that Jianchao had previously given you for self-defense. It was only by relying on the power of the Talisman that you barely managed to kill those three. Understand?"
A flood of thoughts went through Yang Wenqing’s mind, preventing him from answering immediately.
Vice Director Gao took in his change in expression, then leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice even more. "Don’t overthink it. Director Wang, Director Zhou, and I have already come to an agreement. We’re going to use your contribution this time to push you directly into the position of deputy leader of the Major Case Team."
Even with Yang Wenqing’s resolute will, his breath still hitched upon hearing this news.
Deputy leader of the Major Case Team... that was basically the highest position in the Bureau beneath the rank of police commissioner. An unconcealable tremor flashed across his face, and he quickly lowered his gaze to hide the emotions churning in his eyes.
Seeing his reaction, Vice Director Gao smiled with satisfaction and continued, "Slightly ’embellishing’ the feat of you killing three people on your own is for what comes next."
He paused, his tone taking on a hint of coldness and calculation. "When the Director sees that I’m proposing you instead of Liu Xin, he’ll most likely be unable to hold back and will push Li Gui forward to challenge you."
Yang Wenqing’s head snapped up, his eyes sharp. He now completely understood Vice Director Gao’s intentions.
Vice Director Gao looked at his sharp gaze and a knowing smile touched his lips. "Li Gui is an incompetent fool. The only thing he has going for him is having cultivated his Divine Sense to the ’Sixth Refinement’. His skill in Magic and his combat experience probably don’t even compare to yours. Besides, Divine Sense is of very little use in an arena duel, and his can likely only extend a meter or two anyway."
The meaning could not have been clearer. Vice Director Gao wasn’t necessarily looking for an absolute victory, but a political one—a debut sufficient to damage his rival’s prestige and seize the initiative for his own people.
He looked Yang Wenqing up and down. "The Qi Cultivation Stage is just the foundation of one’s practice. Before the Sixth Refinement, the difference in one’s Cultivation is negligible. As long as you activate a Spirit Gathering Array, you could wear Li Gui down and win through a battle of attrition alone."
Hearing this, Yang Wenqing knew he couldn’t remain silent any longer. He quickly stood up, straightened his back, and said in a deep voice, "Vice Director Gao, I know what to do."
A smile appeared on Vice Director Gao’s face. "Very good. Go and prepare. When you give the report, stick to the facts as much as possible."
"Yes, sir!" Yang Wenqing saluted, turned, and left the office. He suddenly found himself looking forward to the meeting in three hours. It would be the crucial step to formally entering the sights of the higher-ups.
When Yang Wenqing returned to the Third Squad’s office, Liu Qin was already back at her communications post, her head down as she organized a pile of case files. Qian You and Zhao Qin, who were on the day shift, were also at their desks. Seeing Yang Wenqing enter, they immediately stood up to greet him.
"Captain!"
Yang Wenqing nodded without saying much. He needed to use this precious time to prepare as thoroughly as possible for the meeting in three hours.
After sitting down at his desk, Yang Wenqing wrote down what had happened. He then practiced recounting the process in various tones, adjusting his speed and emphasis to ensure every detail could be conveyed accurately and withstand any potential questioning during the meeting.
The other three in the office consciously remained quiet. The only sounds were the occasional tapping from Liu Qin on the Communication Array and the rustling of paper.
Three hours passed by in a flash. Just after one in the afternoon, Vice Director Gao notified him to come to the main conference room on the top floor.
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