National Departments

The brilliant lights shimmered, the light strips along both banks casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the water. A gentle breeze blew, making the surface of the river ripple and sparkle in a magnificent display.

Ling Qing sat quietly on a bench by the bank, watching the scene before him as his thoughts churned.

He had been an ordinary person his entire life, living in mediocrity for over twenty years, until a surprise suddenly fell from the sky.

A strange-looking acorn had landed on his head, and that very night, he received a legacy, becoming a Druid as if in a dream.

After half a month of anxious cultivation, he had just chosen to believe and decided on his future path.

Unexpectedly, he had then stumbled into a magical Time Fragment, learning that the entire world was undergoing a miraculous transformation in silence.

Thinking of what Tian Yong had told him before leaving the instance, Ling Qing picked up the slightly worn Medical Chest beside him and headed toward his rental apartment, taking out his phone on the way to call his boss and ask for leave.

Early the next morning, Ling Qing rose early, tidied up, and went to the roadside.

Before long, an off-road vehicle pulled up in front of him, the window rolled down, and Zhang Zhe, sitting in the passenger seat, revealed a smiling face.

"Ling Qing, hurry up and get in."

Ling Qing smiled, opened the door to the back seat, and after exchanging greetings, began chatting with Tian Yong and Zhang Zhe.

Although this was their first time meeting in reality, they were new friends who had lived together for ten days, so they didn't feel too awkward after only one night apart.

"Where are Tian Ying and Uncle Li?"

"Uncle Li is busy with his business, and Li Jun and Tian Ying still have to go to school."

Tian Yong answered while starting the car.

"That really is..." Ling Qing said, feeling a bit speechless.

But thinking about it carefully, it was indeed the case. Even if they had practiced martial arts, fought zombies, and learned spells.

Their status remained that of students, and students, after all, had to attend classes.

Fair enough.

And Uncle Li, with a family to support, naturally had to run his business.

They weren't the chivalrous heroes from novels who could scatter silver without a care for the reason.

During the chat, the car headed straight for the Tianxin Building, the tallest in the city center, and they took the elevator to the top floor.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they were met with a massive front desk, behind which was written "National Martial Arts Fitness Club - Peng City Branch".

Behind the counter stood five or six beautiful girls dressed in black professional attire.

One of the girls stood up and greeted them: "Hello, Brother Yong, Brother Four. What brings you here today?"

Then, looking at Ling Qing, she asked politely: "And who is this?"

"We just finished an instance. This is a new friend we just met, named Ling Qing. We brought him here to handle some paperwork."

Zhang Zhe raised a hand to greet her and introduced her to Ling Qing.

"This is my cousin, Zhang Rui."

"Hello!" "Hello, Mr. Ling!"

After Ling Qing and she exchanged polite greetings, she continued.

"It just so happens that Big Brother is here today. Do you need me to take you over?"

"No need, we'll just head over ourselves. You go back to your work."

Tian Yong waved his hand and said.

"Alright, Brother Yong. Mr. Ling, please, this way."

Ling Qing nodded to her and followed Tian Yong inside.

Along the way, he saw many people working out, either training with fitness equipment or sparring in pairs.

Everyone looked exceptionally skilled, as if he had walked into a world of martial arts.

People stopped from time to time to greet Tian Yong before returning to their training.

"After you finish the paperwork, you can get a card here too. The environment here is relatively good for practicing martial arts.

Not only are there professional nutritionists and masters of medicine on hand, but you can also exchange pointers with others."

Tian Yong introduced as they walked.

Soon, they turned away from the training area into a quiet corridor, arrived at the room at the very end, and knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Following a steady response, Tian Yong pushed the door open and entered.

Ling Qing followed behind. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a man in his thirties with a square face, an upright demeanor, and an aura of profound stillness sitting on the sofa brewing tea.

"Tian Yong, what brings you to see me? Come over and taste my tea.

Zhang Zhe and this little brother, please sit as well."

"Yes, Captain." Tian Yong saluted the middle-aged man before gesturing for Ling Qing to sit down.

"Captain..."

"Don't call me Company Commander anymore. Call me brother here, or otherwise just call me Manager. After all, I still hold the manager position at this club."

The middle-aged man poured a cup of tea for everyone in front of them, waving his hand at Tian Yong with a smile.

"Tsk, brother, this manager title of yours..." Zhang Zhe downed his tea in one gulp, speaking noncommittally.

"This must be little brother Ling Qing, right?"

Ignoring Zhang Zhe, he turned his head to look at Ling Qing.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhang Zhenguo, Deputy Director of the First Operations Division of the Martial Arts Bureau, Peng City Branch of the National Special Affairs Department. Our First Operations Division is specifically responsible for handling disputes and helping everyone coordinate and communicate. I believe Tian Yong has already told you the general situation. Since you are willing to come, it means you are willing to trust the state."

Director Zhang drank a cup of tea and continued: "We are a state agency, and our fundamental responsibility is to protect the lives and property of our country and its people. No matter what kind of special abilities you have acquired, you are still citizens of our country. We don't have any mandatory requirements; it's more about preventing you from making irreversible moves in the heat of the moment. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can seek help from us directly. As long as it is confirmed that you have not violated relevant national laws, believe that the state will certainly not let you be wronged."

"I understand." Upon hearing this, Ling Qing nodded to show his comprehension.

Back in the instance dungeon, Tian Yong had already explained it to him.

A year ago, when the Time Fragment incidents first occurred, the state had already grasped the relevant situation. After determining that it could not be controlled and was not an accidental event, the state immediately established the Unified Management Department for Special Affairs to specifically handle related events. The main purpose was to manage and coordinate personnel who had gained special abilities from Time Fragments.

However, this management was not mandatory; it was merely about registering and keeping a file, and actively cooperating with investigations when malicious incidents occurred. At the same time, when encountering unfair treatment in life, one could also seek help from the National Special Affairs Department.

The National Special Affairs Department was roughly divided into three bureaus: the Religious Affairs Bureau, the Martial Arts Bureau, and the External Liaison Bureau. They were respectively responsible for religious personnel, ordinary citizens, and foreign nationals who entered the Time Fragments.

In addition to this, the National Special Affairs Department also acted as a guild, where one could use points to exchange for cultivation techniques, weapons, and even entry qualifications for Time Fragments controlled by the state. Although most Time Fragments appeared randomly and were not fixed, some still opened repeatedly at fixed times and locations. Most of these were under the control of the state, and one needed to exchange points for qualifications to enter them.