City Defense Bureau

The summer mornings in Thousand Reef County were pleasantly cool.

At the intersection of the only three main roads in the county's East City District stood a thriving breakfast shop. It had three stalls: one sold congee, side dishes, steamed buns, and mantou; another sold soy milk, fried dough cakes, and other quick foods; the third sold all kinds of sweet breakfast treats.

"Smells amazing!"

Yang Wenqing swallowed, raised the canteen at his waist, and took a gulp of cooled boiled water. Then he forced himself not to look at those tempting steamed buns. After viciously biting into the somewhat hard rice cake in his hand, he hurried toward East Third Street, his destination being the most iconic Public Security Office on East Third Street.

The place where he worked was only a Public Security Office. Other than the somewhat low pay, there was nothing bad about it.

As Yang Wenqing crossed the street, he heard a crisp ringing sound coming from deep within another street. It was a rail bus. Yellow-brown light flowed beneath its chassis, and a closer look revealed that it was hovering above the tracks.

Yang Wenqing unconsciously quickened his pace. The bus would arrive at the intersection at seven fifty, while roll call at the Public Security Office was at eight.

At this hour, every shop along the street had already opened for business. Most sold leather goods, and most bore the word "Wholesale."

"Wen Qing!"

A voice suddenly rang out.

Yang Wenqing turned and saw a young man wearing the same trainee City Defense uniform.

"Ah Yong!"

Yang Wenqing greeted him politely. This was Ye Yong from his squad, who had only joined last week.

Ye Yong was across the street. After greeting him, he hurried over while pulling a meat bun from an oil-paper bag and stuffing it into his mouth.

Seeing this, Yang Wenqing swallowed the rice cake in his hand in one bite and washed it down with a large gulp of water. Then he quickened his pace toward the Public Security Office, lest his appetite be stirred up again.

He was in such straitened circumstances because he had far too many debts. Every month, he had to juggle payments back and forth. This debt had been borrowed from the clan ancestral hall when he was admitted to the city's Security Academy, totaling fifty thousand.

Being able to obtain that loan from the clan was thanks to his reputation as a genius. From childhood, he had shown great intelligence at the clan school. Later, when he cultivated Qi alongside the other clan children, he had been the first to grasp Qi Sensing. At sixteen, with the help of the clan elders, he had drawn his first spell talisman.

The sum did not seem like much, but his monthly salary was only twelve hundred, and he took home barely over a thousand. Of that, eight hundred had to go toward repaying the debt. With younger siblings at home, his parents could not support him with even a cent. Each month, they could only ask someone to bring rice and flour into the city for him.

As he neared the gates of the Public Security Office, more and more colleagues appeared on the street, including some experienced Police Sergeants. Yang Wenqing greeted his seniors as he hurried inside.

The Public Security Office's front courtyard was quite open, and ordinary people could enter, making it somewhat lively. Access to the rear courtyard, however, was much stricter. Guards were stationed at both entrances around the clock, and a formation checked whether the badge on his chest matched the stored aura.

There were several office areas in the rear courtyard. A Flying Shuttle was parked in the center, capable of reaching any area of East City District within three minutes at full speed and supporting the West City District, the farthest part of the county town from here, within ten minutes.

When Yang Wenqing entered the rear courtyard, Ye Yong caught up with him. Ye Yong had finished breakfast by then, and the oil-paper bag in his hand had disappeared somewhere.

"Wen Qing, today's the day you get your rank, right?"

Ye Yong's voice was full of urgency and envy.

Yang Wenqing nodded. He had completed a full year of internship. There would soon be another chevron on his shoulder, and his salary would increase by three hundred. He would be one step closer to escaping poverty, while also gaining law enforcement authority and the right to carry a gun.

This world was not safe. A handgun was standard issue for every full-fledged guard.

When he got off work yesterday, his immediate superior, Xiao Liang, the captain of the Public Security Office's Second Patrol Squad, had specifically told him not to be late this morning because the director had to personally confer his rank.

As they spoke, the two headed toward the far-left room in the courtyard, its door standing open. The moment they entered, the scent of herbs washed over them. They were long used to the smell, and the first thing they did upon entering was clock in at the jade-slip formation by the door.

"Little Yang, you finally made it."

A woman's voice rang out, followed by a middle-aged woman walking over.

She had a full figure, and her pale blue City Defense uniform was neat and crisp. Fine lines had crept into the corners of her eyes, while her gaze was capable yet warm. Her hair was tied into a simple bun behind her head, with a few loose strands hanging beside her ears. Her epaulets bore the crossed blade-and-shield insignia of a Senior Police Sergeant.

As she spoke, she walked toward Yang Wenqing with a police cap in hand. When she reached him, she smoothly placed it on his head.

"Liu-jie." Yang Wenqing hurriedly stood at attention and adjusted the cap that had suddenly been set on his head. It was his cap, but nobody wore it home after work.

"The director will personally confer your rank later. Look sharp; this is a major event." Liu-jie gave him a stern reminder, then looked at Ye Yong. "You too. Look sharp and put on your cap."

As her words fell, three more full-fledged guards and one senior guard entered in succession. With that, every member of the Second Patrol Squad had arrived except Captain Xiao Liang.

Just as Liu-jie was about to say something, the four newcomers signaled to the three people in the room with their eyes. Then they quickly headed to their respective desks, picked up their police caps, and put them on properly.

Yang Wenqing immediately understood what was happening. When Liu-jie stepped aside, two more people entered.

"Director!"

Everyone, including Yang Wenqing, called out respectfully at the same time.

The person walking in front was none other than Wang Ren, director of the East City Public Security Station. He wore a pure white uniform, with a striking silver star on his epaulets. In addition to his badge, a row of medals adorned his chest.

The person behind Director Wang Ren was Xiao Liang, captain of the Second Patrol Squad. He also wore a pale blue uniform, and his epaulets bore the crossed blade-and-shield insignia along with one chevron. This was the Veteran Police Sergeant rank, the highest rank among lower-level guards.

Wang Ren swept his gaze across the room, lingering briefly on Yang Wenqing. Then he walked to the deliberately cleared space at the front and looked at Yang Wenqing. His voice was loud yet easygoing. "Little Yang, come here."

Yang Wenqing appeared very calm. Under the watchful eyes of his colleagues, he walked up to the director, stood at attention, and saluted.

Wang Ren returned the salute and accepted a small square box wrapped in dark blue velvet from Xiao Liang. He opened it to reveal a brand-new pair of epaulets resting quietly inside. A silver V-shaped chevron stood out clearly against the pale gray backing.

"Little Yang, from today onward, you are a full-fledged guard. From now on, you must fulfill your duties faithfully and protect the peace of this region." Wang Ren's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

As he spoke, he personally removed the blank trainee epaulets and replaced them with the new ones.

"Yes, Director!"

Yang Wenqing straightened his chest, his voice firm.

Wang Ren patted him on the shoulder. "Work hard."

A round of applause then filled the room. When it ended, Captain Xiao Liang stepped forward and smilingly handed Yang Wenqing two certificates. "This is your firearm permit and law enforcement certificate. Keep them safe. Replacing them if you lose them is quite troublesome. Go collect your gun from the equipment room later. I've already issued the authorization."

"Thank you, Captain!"

Yang Wenqing again stood at attention and saluted before accepting the two certificates.

Afterward, Director Wang Ren offered Yang Wenqing a few more words of encouragement, then left the room accompanied by Xiao Liang.

The moment the director left, Ye Yong hurried over and enviously touched the chevron on Yang Wenqing's shoulder. "Wen Qing, you have to treat us tonight."

Liu-jie interrupted, "No need to make it so troublesome. I've already ordered two roast geese from Li's. Remember to pick them up after your patrol ends at noon."

Yang Wenqing breathed a sigh of relief at that. There was nothing he feared now except unexpected expenses. Though he had already prepared money to treat everyone, he was not exactly well-off. Two roast geese were entirely within his means.

"Thank you, Liu-jie."

He thanked her quietly as the remaining squad members loudly congratulated Yang Wenqing.

After they finished offering their congratulations, Xiao Liang returned to the room. He glanced around and said, "Get ready."

"Yes!"

As everyone responded, all but Liu-jie headed for the changing room inside. There was an incense altar by the changing room door, and it was the source of the herbal scent filling the room.

The changing room was surrounded on all sides by solid walls, their surfaces flickering with formation runes. The ceiling lights were bright, and Image-Recording Formations occupied every corner.

Yang Wenqing first went to his locker and took out his tactical belt, putting it on. He then removed a long sword and a short sword, fastening both to the belt. Next, he picked up a metal bracer and put it around his left wrist. The bracer was a defensive formation and standard issue for every guard. Finally, he took out a pair of handcuffs engraved with special runes.

"Wen Qing, go collect your gun first. We'll wait for you in the small courtyard." After putting his own sidearm into its holster, Xiao Liang gave Yang Wenqing the instruction.

"Okay, Captain!" After agreeing, Yang Wenqing put on his police gloves. A green glow flickered across their surface, clearly indicating that they too contained a rune formation. Their purpose was to help guards quickly draw spell symbols.

The equipment room was the third room on the left side of the rear courtyard. Upon entering, all one could see was a wall forged from metal. A service window stood in the middle of the wall, behind which sat a middle-aged man wearing Senior Police Sergeant epaulets.

"Brother Hai!"

When the Police Sergeant across the counter looked at him, Yang Wenqing took the initiative to greet him with a fitting smile. This Police Sergeant was from the same clan as him, though they were already beyond five degrees of kinship.

"Wen Qing, you're here to collect your gun, right? I had it ready for you long ago."

Yang Hai smiled. Once Yang Wenqing reached the counter, he immediately took out a brand-new holster containing a revolver. Its official name was the Basic Grade-B Type 3 Pistol, with an effective range of thirty meters.

As Yang Wenqing accepted the gun, Yang Hai took out a small box of ammunition and said, "There are six bullets here. One of them is an Explosive Round. Keep it safe."

"Okay."

Yang Wenqing answered seriously. He took the pistol from its holster, disengaged the safety, loaded the bullets, exchanged a few more casual words with Yang Hai, and then left the equipment room.

The Second Patrol Squad had already assembled in the small courtyard. Without waiting for the captain to call him over, Yang Wenqing jogged toward them. After glancing at the holster at his waist, Captain Xiao Liang formed a hand seal. When the seal took shape, Yang Wenqing's chest badge flashed with white light.

"Cough, cough~"

A clear coughing sound immediately echoed beside Yang Wenqing's ear, followed by Liu-jie's voice. "Everything all right?"

This was the bureau's communication device.

After everyone responded in turn, Xiao Liang looked at Yang Wenqing and asked, "The first spell you learned was the Immobilization Spell, right?"

"Yes!"

"Good. You'll be paired with Li Ming. He has mastered the Clear Mind Spell. You two will patrol Zone 3."