Director Zhang

Deputy Director Gao straightened his white uniform, then led Yang Wenqing out of the office. They reached the stairwell and climbed toward the top floor of the branch bureau's main building.

The top-floor corridor was carpeted thickly enough to swallow every footstep. At the end stood a dark wooden door carved with auspicious beasts that warded off evil. A stern-faced secretary sat before it. Upon seeing Deputy Director Gao, the secretary immediately rose and respectfully opened the door.

The director's office was exceptionally spacious. An entire wall consisted of enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking most of the county town and the winding river in the distance. The floor was covered in soft demon-beast fur carpets, and a broad, heavy mahogany desk stood in the middle. Behind it sat a middle-aged man in a white uniform like theirs, except two silver stars gleamed on his shoulder insignia.

He was Zhang Qiming, director of the county branch bureau.

Director Zhang appeared to be in his fifties. His face was stern, and his hair was combed with meticulous precision. At the moment, he was bent over reviewing documents, seemingly unaware of the two men who had entered.

Deputy Director Gao put on a genial smile and bowed slightly. "Director, Yang Wenqing is here."

Only then did Director Zhang slowly raise his head. His gaze swept over Deputy Director Gao first, calm and still as water, before settling on Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Hello, Director!"

He truly felt the pressure. After all, the Senior Police Commissioner uniform on the other man meant that he had at least reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Director Zhang did not return his greeting. Instead, he picked up a document from his desk and gave it a light shake, his tone flat. "You handled the Corpse-Sinking Case at the harbor?"

"Yes, Director!" Yang Wenqing answered solemnly.

Director Zhang tossed the file onto the desk. The sound was neither loud nor soft, yet it was enough to make one's heart tremble. "Handled it very well, didn't you? You mobilized so many police officers and militia for over half a month, yet found no clues. The only lead has vanished without a trace. Is this the explanation you're giving me? The explanation you're giving the county's two hundred thousand citizens?"

His voice steadily rose, carrying obvious anger. "The Major Crimes Unit is not a place for children to play house! The bureau gave you such an important position because we valued your potential and expected you to produce results, not to muddle through! A simple murder case dredged up a few scraps of smuggling—where is the main culprit? Where is the mastermind behind the scenes? Is it all over just because you lightly say, 'The trail went cold'?"

He stared at Yang Wenqing, his gaze sharp as a blade. "If everyone handled cases the way you do, the county bureau might as well shut its doors! I think you, this acting squad leader, still need a great deal more tempering!"

These words were exceedingly harsh, practically pointing at Yang Wenqing's nose and calling him incompetent. They also vaguely called into question Deputy Director Gao's decision to appoint Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing lowered his head and silently bore the pressure crashing down upon him. He offered no defense; he knew that any excuse at this moment would only add fuel to the fire.

Just as Director Zhang was about to continue pressing him, Deputy Director Gao spoke up at the right moment. His smile remained unchanged as he gently tried to smooth things over.

"Director, calm down. Wen Qing is still young, after all, and this was his first time independently taking charge of such a case. He truly lacks experience. Although the main culprit was not caught this time, he did take down a smuggling ring in the process, so it was not entirely without gains. Young people need time and cases to temper them. I believe that after this, Wen Qing will certainly learn his lesson and do better next time."

His words seemed to acknowledge Yang Wenqing's shortcomings, but in truth, he lightly attributed the case's incomplete resolution to youth and inexperience while emphasizing the credit for eliminating the smuggling ring. In doing so, he deftly defused Director Zhang's attempt to use the matter as a pretext to strip Yang Wenqing of his acting squad leader position.

Director Zhang's gaze lingered on Deputy Director Gao's face for a moment. A trace of coldness flashed deep in his eyes, so subtle it was nearly imperceptible, but the anger on his face eased somewhat afterward.

"Since Deputy Director Gao is pleading for you, we'll let it go this time. Handle the case as Deputy Director Gao suggested: organize the files, issue a wanted notice, then archive it. But Yang Wenqing, remember this well—the Major Crimes Unit does not keep idlers, much less mediocrities. If you get the same result next time, then stop being squad leader and reflect on yourself properly!"

"Yes, Director. I will reflect deeply!" Yang Wenqing immediately replied, lowering his posture to the utmost.

"You may leave first." Deputy Director Gao stepped forward then, came to Yang Wenqing's side, and lightly patted his shoulder, signaling that he could go.

"Yes!"

Yang Wenqing stood at attention and saluted again, then withdrew from the room in a proper, orderly manner.

The instant the door closed, silence returned to the corridor. Yang Wenqing glanced at the secretary on duty beside him, then quickly headed toward the stairwell.

Once he reached somewhere deserted, Yang Wenqing immediately cast a Clear Mind Spell on himself, swiftly connecting all the events he had encountered since his promotion.

Before long, he untangled all the twists and turns within.

Director Zhang Qiming and Deputy Director Gao Zhen were clearly at odds. Director Zhang wanted to interfere in the Major Crimes Unit's affairs and use the Third Squad leader vacancy to arrange for one of his own people, but Yang Wenqing's sudden appearance had disrupted his original plans.

This reminded Yang Wenqing of Deputy Section Chief Li's warning, and everything suddenly became crystal clear. He secretly thought, Deputy Director Gao is using what just happened to win me over for his own use!

This was also Yang Wenqing's only choice at present!

Then, Deputy Director Gao should make some gesture next—perhaps material rewards to highlight how differently he was treated. Of course, it was also possible that he was stingy and would offer only verbal promises.

Sure enough, not long after returning to the Third Squad office, before Yang Wenqing had even begun writing the case-closing report, Deputy Director Gao summoned him through the Communication Formation in his badge.

Yang Wenqing composed himself and returned to Deputy Director Gao's office. Unlike the oppressive atmosphere in the director's office just now, Deputy Director Gao was alone this time, leisurely seated on a sofa in the reception area while brewing tea. A genial smile rested on his face, as though nothing had happened earlier.

"Wen Qing, come, sit." Deputy Director Gao warmly invited him over and personally poured him a cup of clear tea. The fragrance curled upward, refreshing the heart and soothing the spirit.

"Thank you, Director." Yang Wenqing sat as instructed, his manner respectful.

Deputy Director Gao took a sip of tea and looked at Yang Wenqing with the concern of an elder. "Don't take what happened just now to heart. Director Zhang has always had that temperament. He is a genius and never worked at the grassroots level, so he doesn't understand the hardships of handling cases there. Besides, all he has left now is that title of genius..."

His words abruptly stopped. Then he said earnestly, "You're still young, and the road ahead is long. A small setback is nothing. What matters is learning from it. In the Major Crimes Unit, as long as you work diligently and keep your feet on the ground, the bureau and I will not mistreat those who truly have ability."

Typical leadership rhetoric: soothe first, then paint a rosy future, emphasizing the distinction between "us" and "them."

Then Deputy Director Gao changed the subject, his smile deepening. "You've just advanced to the Qi Refining Stage, so this is exactly the time to stabilize your foundation and improve your strength. I happen to have two little items here. They're of no use sitting with me, so consider them encouragement for your hard work on this case, as well as gifts to congratulate you on your advancement."

As he spoke, he first took a long, narrow wooden box from beneath the tea table. When he opened it, a short sword in a sheath lay inside. Its sheath was dark azure, carved with simple runes, while the hilt was wrapped in fine, nonslip scaled leather.

"This Azure Edge is an improved version of the standard-issue flying sword. It may not be some divine weapon, but its spiritual power conduction is smooth, and it is a perfect match for your Early Qi Refining cultivation. Weren't you looking for a suitable flying sword to practice the Sword-Controlling Art? This is just right."

As he spoke, Deputy Director Gao handed the short sword to Yang Wenqing.