Learning Assignment

This time, when Yang Wenqing arrived at the precinct branch, he clearly received an unprecedented amount of attention. That was because he was young yet held the rank of Veteran Police Sergeant, which meant he was a young Qi Refinement Practitioner.

The Operations Division's offices were in the branch's main building, but Yang Wenqing did not know exactly where. The main building was also far more complicated than East City Public Security Station. After a brief thought, he headed toward the room beside the lobby marked "Information Desk."

Inside the information desk, several young people in auxiliary security uniforms were speaking with visitors. As soon as Yang Wenqing entered, an auxiliary female security officer came over. Her gaze quickly swept over his rank insignia as she asked, "Hello, how may I help you?"

Yang Wenqing showed his badge and replied evenly, "Hello. Could you tell me how to get to the Archives Division?" According to procedure, he needed to report to the Archives Division, where someone from the personnel office would take him to the Operations Division.

The female security officer stepped sideways to the information desk's doorway. "It's on the first floor. Go into the corridor on the right, and you should see the signs."

She pointed to the right-hand corridor.

"Thank you," Yang Wenqing said.

After thanking her, he quickly headed into the right-hand corridor. Sure enough, just as the female security officer had said, he spotted the Archives Division sign at a glance. Inside was a large shared office area, and after sweeping his gaze across it, he easily found the personnel office.

The person who received him was a middle-aged female police officer wearing glasses.

After verifying his transfer order and identity information, the female officer stamped a document, then instructed a young security officer beside her, "Little Li, take Police Sergeant Yang to the Operations Division."

"Got it, Sister Yang."

The young security officer stood up, greeted Yang Wenqing, and headed out. They walked toward the corridor on the left side of the first-floor lobby. There was a passage leading to the training grounds behind the building, while the stairwell was on the other side of that passage.

By the time they reached the third floor, the corridor was much quieter. The two stopped before a door at the end of the hallway marked "Office Area" and knocked softly.

"Who is it? Come in yourself!"

It was a man's voice, sounding somewhat impatient.

They pushed the door open and entered, finding an office area similar to that of the Second Patrol Squad, except this one was much smaller. There were three workrooms on the left, all occupied by people busy with their tasks. On the right was a small reception area, and directly ahead stood a half-open office door with a sign reading "Division Chief's Office."

"Little Li, bringing in a newcomer?"

A female security officer with senior security rank rose from the desk outside the division chief's office and asked.

The young security officer called Little Li nodded. He went straight to the half-open office door and pushed it open, staying inside for less than ten seconds before backing out. Then a voice called from within, "Little Song, bring him in."

The female security officer by the office door seemed to remember something. She picked up a file that had long been prepared, rose, and walked over to Yang Wenqing. After comparing the file with him, a gentle smile appeared on her face. "You can call me Sister Song. Come with me."

By then, the young security officer named Little Li had already left without a sound.

As Sister Song spoke, she walked to the half-open office door and knocked lightly.

"Come in!"

The voice inside was steady.

Sister Song glanced back at Yang Wenqing, then pushed the door open. Yet she took only two steps inside before stopping, then said respectfully, "Deputy Division Chief Li, Police Sergeant Yang Wenqing is here."

There were two desks in the office, but only one was occupied. The man sitting there was an elderly Veteran Police Sergeant. He lifted his eyelids and glanced at Yang Wenqing, then shifted his gaze to Sister Song. "Give me the file. Go handle your own work, and remember to close the door behind you."

"Yes!"

Sister Song stepped forward and placed the file atop the documents to Deputy Division Chief Li's left. Then she withdrew from the office in a proper, orderly manner and closed the door as instructed.

"Come over and sit."

As Deputy Division Chief Li picked up the file and began leafing through it, he pointed to the chair before his desk.

Yang Wenqing did as instructed and took a seat. He knew of Deputy Division Chief Li. The man oversaw internal affairs and regulations within the Operations Division and had always been known for his strictness, while the division chief was in charge of training and operations.

"According to regulations, the division chief should have handled your matter personally. But since it's the beginning of the year, factories have only just resumed work, and the harbor is in complete chaos. The division chief needs to lead the Operations Division's personnel on round-the-clock patrols, so your matter has fallen to me."

"Do you understand?"

Yang Wenqing promptly replied, "I will obey the arrangements."

Hearing that, Deputy Division Chief Li gave Yang Wenqing a formal once-over, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. Then he said:

"For the next half month, your core task will be studying. There are two areas. First, the fundamentals of tactical command for forces below one hundred personnel. You need to understand how to assess the situation when facing enemies of different sizes and natures, how to use terrain, how to deploy manpower, and how to form effective encirclements, assaults, interceptions, and defenses."

"Second..."

Deputy Division Chief Li's tone grew heavier. "Specialized criminal investigation methods. Crimes committed by Qi Refinement Practitioners are utterly different from ordinary cases. You need to learn how to identify, preserve, and analyze special evidence; how to track criminals who have used spell techniques; and how to use rules and laws against them."

He leaned forward slightly. "In half a month, there will be an internal assessment. It will mainly be a written exam, testing how well you have mastered this theoretical knowledge. There will also be a tabletop exercise, and I will be your opponent."

"Do you understand?"

"I understand. I will give it my all," Yang Wenqing answered with a straight posture and a serious tone.

Deputy Division Chief Li seemed fairly satisfied with his attitude. He set down the file, rose, and walked to an iron filing cabinet against the wall. Taking out a key, he opened one of its doors. Inside, stacks upon stacks of books and documents wrapped in kraft paper had been neatly arranged.

He pulled out a thick bundle, perhaps more than a dozen books, returned to the desk, and dropped them before Yang Wenqing with a bang.

"These..." Deputy Division Chief Li patted the pile of books. "...are what you need to chew through over the next half month: Fundamental Squad Tactics and Battle Case Analysis, <Outline of Command for Low-Intensity Urban Conflicts>, <Introduction to Spiritual Energy Trace Identification and Tracking>, <Outline of Qi Refinement Practitioner Criminal Psychology>, <Interpretation and Cases of Criminal Law: Qi Refinement Practitioner Section>..."

He rattled off seven or eight titles in one breath, every single one looking weighty enough.

"Take these back. Within half a month, you must not only finish reading them, but memorize them by heart." Deputy Division Chief Li's gaze settled on Yang Wenqing. "With the mental capacity granted by your Qi Refining cultivation, as long as you are willing to put in the effort, it will not be difficult to cram these fundamental theories into your head. You only need to memorize them. How to apply them can be put into practice in your future work."

Yang Wenqing could not describe how he felt at that moment. His expression was slightly complicated, but under Deputy Division Chief Li's watchful gaze, he could only stand and gather the stack of books into his arms.

"Alright. We'll meet again in half a month. During that time, you may arrange your schedule as you wish."

"Yes, Deputy Division Chief Li. Then I'll take my leave first."

"Go." Deputy Division Chief Li waved a hand, returned to his chair, and picked up another document without looking at him again.

Carrying the books, Yang Wenqing walked steadily out of the division chief's office. When Sister Song outside saw him emerge with such an enormous stack of books, a knowing smile flashed through her eyes. Yang Wenqing nodded to her, then left the Operations Division's office area carrying this "heavy" assignment.