Chen Xia knew nothing about Jiang Xinglan and the others' conversation.
He had already come down from the seventh floor by elevator.
This time, he had thought he'd be lucky just to become a Mid-level Captain. He hadn't expected Jiang Xinglan to promote him to Deputy Headquarters.
It was an unexpected bonus. With his promotion, he'd also gain access to more resources.
Then, with the effects of Seven Injuries Fist and the Eternal Night Blood Scripture, he could continue to grow.
"Captain Chen."
Just as Chen Xia was feeling pleased, he stepped out of the elevator and ran into someone greeting him.
Chen Xia recognized him as the Patrol Squad Leader who had warmly received him the last time he visited the Chief Office. He was called Dong Wen, if Chen Xia remembered correctly.
"Captain Chen, you're truly impressive. You cracked an Evil Cult case. Let me offer my congratulations in advance on your promotion." Dong Wen, who looked to be in his thirties, cupped his hands toward Chen Xia, beaming warmly. "I was there that night too, though I didn't take part in the fighting. I saw the projection of you facing off against the Blood God, and I still remember it vividly. I couldn't admire you more."
"I was just lucky enough to get some information. It was Director Jiang who really drove off the Blood God."
Chen Xia smiled. They exchanged a few words, then Dong Wen waved and said, "Come by the Chief Office when you have time. Drinks are on me. You'll have to do me the honor, Captain Chen."
"Sure!"
Chen Xia looked back and smiled.
If he remembered correctly, Dong Wen had said something similar the last time. But it was just polite talk; that was normal.
Dong Wen watched Chen Xia's departing figure, envious. "What a promising young man! ...But Captain Chen looks a little familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before? ...It can't be him."
Dong Wen rubbed his chin, then suddenly froze. He remembered that seven years ago, when he'd gone to pick up his younger sister after school, he'd seen a boy beside her trying to strike up a conversation. His sister hadn't seemed interested, and later he'd heard that nothing came of it.
That boy looked a little like Chen Xia, but surely they couldn't be the same person. So many years had passed, and Dong Wen had only caught a fleeting glimpse back then. He couldn't remember clearly.
More importantly, what were the odds? The person his sister hadn't thought much of had now become a rising star at the Chief Office, soaring up the ranks? It didn't seem realistic, Dong Wen thought to himself.
This time, he'd specifically waited here to get better acquainted with Chen Xia. It might seem like a small gesture, but many relationships grew familiar just like this.
He was almost certain Chen Xia would be promoted. It never hurt to know more people.
Chen Xia hailed a taxi home.
He planned to return to the South City Branch Office, since the appointment notice would arrive that afternoon and he needed to be ready.
On the way, he saw the taxi's TV screen playing the latest news.
"Hello, everyone. This is the latest report from Yijiang TV..."
"Recently, a string of disappearances in Yijiang City had everyone on edge. The case has now been solved, and many missing girls have been rescued. They're all safe. This is truly wonderful news."
"Furthermore, the gang has been completely wiped out by the Yijiang City Patrol Office... Now, let's interview some of the parents..."
"My Lulu's back! Thank you, Patrol Office. And thank you to the young man who investigated the disappearances..."
"Thank you! I never thought my daughter would come home. Heaven truly has eyes!"
On screen, a woman wearing a Fisherman's Hat held her daughter and wept with joy.
The parents of the other missing girls were also overcome with gratitude.
Chen Xia hadn't seen any reports about the Blood God. They probably couldn't broadcast something so frightening. As for him, he hadn't been shown to the public either. Jiang Xinglan hadn't been, so naturally he hadn't. This approach was safer.
The Night God Sect was still around; only one of its minor branches had been destroyed. Edel was currently being resuscitated, and they still needed to interrogate him for the locations of the other branches and wipe them all out.
Showing off on television might not be a good idea.
Seeing the parents on the news weeping with joy, Chen Xia felt a little comforted too.
Soon, Chen Xia returned to the South City Branch Office.
The higher-ups gave him a warm welcome.
They thought Chen Xia had been injured and spent two days resting at home. In reality, he'd been perfectly fine and had simply been practicing the Spirit Technique. Still, everyone there felt his courage was admirable.
That night, the two directors of the South City Branch Office and Liu Jun, the Chief Captain, had all seen what happened. Even they had been deeply wary and afraid of the Blood God. Edel alone had been so powerful, let alone the Blood God, yet Chen Xia had dared to face him. That alone was an achievement.
Moreover, the documents from the Chief Office had already arrived.
That day, the South City Branch Director gave Chen Xia his appointment letter and offered him some praise.
"Brother Chen had barely been promoted when he earned another merit. You're truly soaring up the ranks—enough to make anyone envious."
Captain Zhou Tong cupped his hands in congratulations, a radiant smile on his face, though his heart was churning. He had approached Chen Xia in the first place because of the favor he enjoyed at the Chief Office. Zhou Tong had expected him to rise, but hadn't imagined it would happen so quickly. He was already Deputy Headquarters. There was no denying he was envious.
What made him secretly relieved was that Chen Xia had solved that troublesome disappearance case. At last, the families who had been wandering around his jurisdiction day after day would settle down. Otherwise, Zhou Tong might not have escaped dismissal.
"Not at all. I was just lucky."
Chen Xia replied modestly as always, his smile warm. He neither took credit for himself nor seemed distant.
Before this, he'd only met the Chief Captain. He'd rarely seen the other two Deputy Directors or the Director.
Now, these people were beginning to grow familiar with Chen Xia too.
It was a change brought by his rise in status. But he stayed grounded. The higher one rose, the more important it was not to let success go to one's head.
The South City Branch Director, a man who looked to be in his fifties, said, "Chen Xia, your appointment letter has arrived. These are the clothes and new equipment from the Logistics Support Department. I've already had someone prepare them for you."
"This is a small thing. I could have taken care of it myself. I wouldn't dare trouble you, Director."
Chen Xia quickly accepted the supplies for his new position with both hands and smiled.
The Director smiled. "A Deputy Headquarters has two streets under his jurisdiction. There's a branch office on Mengtang Street. If you're free, you can take over there now. Deputy Chief Wei heard you were taking up your post and came all the way from the hospital. He wants to hand things over to you in person."
"Sure!"
Chen Xia nodded, though he was a little puzzled.
From his earlier conversation with Jiang Xinglan, he'd learned that the Deputy Chief had injured his mind and body fighting Edel. He was also getting on in years and had no hope of further promotion, so he'd stepped down and been given an easy post.
But the thing was...
Given his injuries, Deputy Chief Wei shouldn't have had to retire. Chen Xia didn't know the reason, but it seemed he'd used his injuries as an excuse to step down of his own accord.
There was definitely more to it.
He could ask about it when he went to hand over the post.
Before you continue