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 eastern district stood a bustling breakfast shop. It had three stalls in total: one sold porridge, side dishes, buns, and steamed bread; one sold convenient foods such as soy milk and fried dough cakes; and one sold all kinds of sweet breakfast treats.

"Smells amazing!"

Yang Wenqing swallowed, lifted the water flask at his waist, and took a gulp of cooled boiled water. Then he forced himself not to look at those tempting buns. After viciously biting off another mouthful of the somewhat hard rice cake in his hand, he quickly headed for East Third Street, his destination the most recognizable Public Security Office on the street.

The place where he worked was merely a Public Security Office. Aside from the slightly low pay, there was nothing bad about it.

As Yang Wenqing crossed the road, he heard a crisp ringing coming from deep within another street. It was a rail bus. Earth-yellow streams of light flickered beneath its chassis, and if one looked closely, one would discover that it hovered above the tracks.

Yang Wenqing unconsciously quickened his pace, because the bus would reach the intersection at seven fifty, while he had to report to the Public Security Office at eight.

At this moment, every shop along both sides of the street had opened for business. Most sold leather goods, and the majority bore the words "Wholesale."

"Wen Qing!"

A voice suddenly rang out.

Yang Wenqing turned and saw a young man dressed in 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 on the other side of the street. After greeting him, he quickly crossed 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 gulp and washed it down with a large mouthful of water. Then he quickened his pace toward the Public Security Office, lest his appetite be stirred up again.

The reason he was in such straitened circumstances was that he had far too many debts. Every month, he borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. This debt had been borrowed from the clan ancestral hall when he was admitted to the city's Security Academy, a total of fifty thousand.

The reason he had been able to obtain a loan from the clan was also thanks to his reputation as a genius. From childhood, he had been exceptionally clever in the clan school. Later, when he practiced Qi Refining alongside the clan's younger generation, 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 current monthly salary was only twelve hundred. He took home barely a thousand, eight hundred of which went toward repaying his debt. Since he still had younger siblings at home, his parents could not support him with a single cent. They could only ask someone to bring rice and flour into the city every month.

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

The front courtyard of the Public Security Office was rather open, and ordinary people could enter, so it seemed somewhat lively. Entering the rear courtyard, however, was much stricter. Security personnel stood guard at both entrances around the clock, and a formation checked whether the badge on his chest matched the aura recorded within it.

There were several office areas in the rear courtyard. A Flying Shuttle was parked in the middle of the yard. At full speed, it could reach every part of East City District within three minutes, and could provide support to West City District—the farthest part of the county town from here—within ten minutes.

When Yang Wenqing entered the rear courtyard, Ye Yong had just caught up with him. By then, Ye Yong had finished breakfast, and the oil-paper bag in his hand had vanished who knew where.

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

Ye Yong's tone carried urgency and envy.

Yang Wenqing nodded. He had completed a full year of internship. A chevron would soon be added to his shoulder, and his salary would increase by three hundred. He would be one step closer to escaping poverty. At the same time, he would gain law-enforcement authority and the right to carry a firearm.

This world was not safe. A pistol was standard equipment for every official security officer.

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

As they spoke, the two headed toward a room with its door open at the far left of the courtyard. The moment they entered, a wave of herbal fragrance rushed over them. They had long grown accustomed to the scent. The first thing they did after entering was check in at the jade-slip formation by the doorway.

"Little Yang, you finally made it."

A woman's voice rang out, and then a middle-aged woman walked over.

She had a plump figure, and her pale blue City Defense uniform was neat and crisp. Fine lines had climbed into the corners of her eyes, but her gaze was capable and gentle. Her hair was gathered into a simple bun behind her head, with several loose strands hanging by her ears. Her epaulets bore the crossed sword-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 deftly placed it on his head.

"Liu-jie." Yang Wenqing hurriedly stood at attention and adjusted the cap suddenly placed on his head. It was his own police cap, but no one wore it home after work.

"The station chief will personally confer your rank in a moment. Look sharp. This is a major matter," Liu-jie instructed sternly. Then she looked at Ye Yong. "You too, look sharp. Go put on your cap."

As soon as her words fell, three official security officers and one senior security officer entered in succession. With that, every member of the Second Patrol Squad except Captain Xiao Liang had arrived.

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

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

"Station Chief!"

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

The person in front was none other than Wang Ren, chief of the East City Public Security Station. He wore a pure white uniform. A silver star on his epaulet was particularly eye-catching, and aside from his badge, a row of service medals adorned his chest.

The person behind Station Chief Wang Ren was Xiao Liang, captain of the Second Patrol Squad. He too wore a pale blue uniform. His epaulets bore a crossed sword-and-shield insignia along with one chevron. This was the Veteran Police Sergeant rank, the highest rank among grassroots security officers.

Wang Ren's gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on Yang Wenqing before he walked to the deliberately cleared space at the front. Looking at Yang Wenqing, he spoke in a loud yet easygoing voice. "Little Yang, come over."

Yang Wenqing appeared very calm. Under the eyes of his colleagues, he stepped before the station chief, 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, revealing a brand-new pair of epaulets resting quietly within. A silver V-shaped chevron stood out clearly against the light gray backing.

"Little Yang, from today onward, you are an official security officer. In the days ahead, fulfill your duties conscientiously and safeguard the peace of this place." Wang Ren's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent room.

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

"Yes, Station Chief!"

Yang Wenqing straightened his chest, his voice firm.

Wang Ren patted his shoulder. "Work hard."

A burst of applause then rang through the room. After it subsided, Captain Xiao Liang stepped forward and smilingly handed Yang Wenqing two documents. "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 documents.

Next, Station Chief Wang Ren offered Yang Wenqing a few more words of encouragement before leaving the room accompanied by Xiao Liang.

The instant the station chief left, Ye Yong crowded over and enviously touched the chevron on Yang Wenqing's shoulder. "Wen Qing, you have to treat us tonight."

Liu-jie cut in, "No need for all that trouble. I've already ordered two roast geese from Li's. Remember to pick them up after your noon patrol."

Yang Wenqing breathed a sigh of relief at this. Right now, he feared nothing except sudden expenses. Although he had long set aside money to treat everyone, he was not exactly flush. Two roast geese were entirely within what he could afford.

"Thank you, Liu-jie."

He thanked her quietly. The remaining squad members also loudly congratulated Yang Wenqing at this time.

After they finished congratulating him, Xiao Liang returned to the room. He swept his gaze around and said, "Get ready."

"Yes!"

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

The changing room was surrounded on all four sides by solid walls, with formation runes flickering over their surfaces. The ceiling lights shone brightly, and Image-Recording Formations covered every corner.

Yang Wenqing first went to his locker and took out the tactical belt inside, fastening it around himself. Then he removed a long sword and a short sword and hung them from the belt. He picked up a metal bracer and strapped it to his left wrist. The bracer was a defensive formation and standard equipment for every security officer. Finally, he took out handcuffs engraved with special runes.

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

"Understood, Captain!" After answering, Yang Wenqing put on his police gloves. A streak of green light flickered over their surface, showing that they too contained a rune formation. Their purpose was to help security officers rapidly draw spell talismans.

The equipment room was the third room on the left side of the rear courtyard. Upon entering, one could see only a wall made of metal. A service window sat in the middle of the wall, and inside it stood a middle-aged man bearing the epaulets of a Senior Police Sergeant.

"Hai-ge!"

When the Police Sergeant across the counter looked at him, Yang Wenqing took the initiative to greet him, a fitting smile on his face. This Police Sergeant belonged to the same clan as him, though they were already separated by more than five degrees of kinship.

"Wen Qing, here to collect your gun? I prepared it for you long ago."

Yang Hai smiled. Once Yang Wenqing approached the counter, he immediately brought out a brand-new holster. Inside was a revolver. Its official name was the "Basic Grade-B Type 3 Pistol," and its effective range was within thirty meters.

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

"Alright."

Yang Wenqing answered seriously. He took the pistol from the holster, disengaged the safety, loaded the bullets into it, then chatted with Yang Hai for a few more moments before leaving 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 over. After Captain Xiao Liang glanced at the holster on his waist, he formed a hand seal. As the seal took shape, a flash of white light passed over the badge on his chest.

"Cough, cough~"

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

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 and Li Ming will form a group. He has mastered the Clear Mind Spell. You two will patrol Zone 3."