A Gathering of Leaders

Though Yang Wenqing was filled with doubts, he kept his expression calm. He had assumed Deputy Director Gao had summoned him over the Soul-Absorbing Crystal matter, since it involved a taboo.

But now, Deputy Director Zhou from Internal Affairs Oversight was present, and the deputy section chiefs with real authority from the Archives Division and Operations Division had arrived one after another. This lineup was clearly not just for discussing an unresolved clue in an old case.

He secretly pondered whether his performance during the forest Spiritual Energy Riot had drawn attention from higher-ups. Or perhaps there would be major personnel changes within the bureau, and they needed to sound people out in advance? Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but he could not make sense of them.

Just as his thoughts drifted, there was another knock on the private room door.

"Come in."

As Deputy Director Gao spoke, the door was pushed open. The two people who entered startled Yang Wenqing, and his speculation about the case completely vanished.

The newcomers were none other than Wang Ren, chief of the East City Public Security Station, and Xiao Liang, his former captain from his days at the Public Security Office!

Wang Ren looked much the same as before, but when his gaze swept over everyone present, there was a composed understanding in his eyes. Upon seeing Yang Wenqing, Xiao Liang showed a flicker of barely noticeable surprise, then gave him a slight nod in greeting.

"Director Gao, Director Zhou, sorry we're late. Something came up at the station," Wang Ren apologized first. As he spoke, Qin Feng, Li Yi, and Wang Ping had already risen, and they exchanged polite courtesies.

"Chief Wang, Captain," Yang Wenqing greeted his two former superiors politely.

Xiao Liang patted him on the shoulder. As their eyes met, both saw the confusion in the other's gaze, which only gave Yang Wenqing more to wonder about.

Wang Ren nodded at Yang Wenqing, then broke into a bright smile. "Wenqing, your cultivation has improved again. It's only been two months, right? You've already completed the First Refinement?"

His words drew everyone's attention, especially Deputy Director Zhou's and Li Yi's.

Yang Wenqing quickly replied, "I got lucky. I almost lost my life. Director Gao can vouch for that."

Deputy Director Gao smiled. "That's true. During the Spiritual Energy Riot a few days ago, at the very last moment, he drove his spiritual energy to resist the flames. It nearly severed the spiritual veins inside his body. He was truly only one step away from death."

He downplayed the strength of Yang Wenqing's consciousness while emphasizing the danger he had faced.

Deputy Director Zhou smiled upon hearing this. "I was maintaining the outer barrier at the time. I sensed Captain Yang's aura suddenly surge deep within the forest, but it vanished in an instant."

Wang Ren had also been at the scene, though on the other side. Hearing that, he patted Yang Wenqing's shoulder and warned him, "In the future, if you find something can't be done, retreat first. There's nothing shameful about that. Only by staying alive do you have a future."

Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Deputy Director Gao smiled and invited everyone to sit. "Everyone else has work to handle, so they probably won't be coming. Let's have the waiter bring out the food. There's nothing important today. It's just been a long time since we got together, so we'll have a simple meal and chat."

Though he said that, everyone seated there was shrewd enough to understand that this was far more than a simple meal. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the topic gradually shifted from idle chatter to personnel developments within the bureau and future work priorities.

Deputy Director Zhou took a sip of wine and casually remarked, "Old Gao, I heard Jian Chao's side is almost ready? Small Bridge Town is an important place. Nothing can go wrong there."

Deputy Director Gao chuckled confidently. "Don't worry. You know Jian Chao's abilities better than anyone. The exam is just a formality. Once he gets there, he'll surely make that place as secure as an iron barrel."

He said it lightly, yet there was an unquestionable certainty in his tone. Everyone present smiled knowingly.

After that topic, the conversation at the table completely relaxed, no longer touching on any specific official business or personnel matters.

Qin Feng was especially eloquent, occasionally telling a somewhat risqué joke that drew loud praise from Li Yi and prompted him to offer toast after toast. Wang Ren was equally talkative, and together with Qin Feng, they were like a pair of comic performers.

Yang Wenqing spent most of the time quietly listening with a smile, refilling tea and pouring wine for the leaders at the appropriate moments.

It was an invisible process of adjustment. By spending this seemingly pointless time together, they strengthened the sense of identity and cohesion within this circle. The true core dealings would surely begin in earnest after this gathering.

Time quietly slipped away amid clinking cups and seemingly casual conversation. Before they knew it, more than an hour had passed.

Deputy Director Gao checked the time, set down his chopsticks, wiped his hands with a hot towel, and smiled. "All right, everyone has things to do this afternoon. Let's call it here for today."

Everyone stood up at once.

Wang Ren leaned close to Xiao Liang and said a few quiet words, seemingly giving instructions about matters at the station.

Deputy Director Gao walked over to Yang Wenqing and casually patted his arm. His voice was not loud, but it was clear. "Wenqing, when you get back, keep doing what you need to do. Stay steady."

"Yes, Director Gao. I understand." Yang Wenqing nodded solemnly.

The group left the private room. After exchanging a few more pleasantries outside the restaurant, the leaders boarded their flying shuttles and departed one by one. In the blink of an eye, only Yang Wenqing and Xiao Liang remained at the entrance.

Xiao Liang took out a cigarette and handed one to Yang Wenqing, then lit one for himself. After taking a deep drag, he looked at Yang Wenqing with a reflective tone. "Did you see what was going on?"

Yang Wenqing thought for a moment before answering, "Is Chief Wang being promoted too?"

Xiao Liang nodded. "Not a promotion. He's being transferred laterally to the Branch General Affairs Division. Once he leaves, the South City Public Security Station will have another opening. The chief wants me to take it."

Yang Wenqing immediately said, "Congratulations, Brother Xiao."

Xiao Liang shook his head. "I still have to pass the exam. Jian Chao is participating this year, so I need to place at least second. I'm not worried about anything else, but if it comes down to the arena at the end, I think it'll be difficult."

After pondering for two seconds, Yang Wenqing seemed to think of something and said quietly, "Why not ask Team Leader Wang for two Thunder Arts Talisman Papers? I've seen the power of his thunder arts. They can practically sweep through cultivators in the Qi Refining Stage."

Xiao Liang's brow furrowed slightly. "Even if I win that way, I'm afraid I'll become the laughingstock of the entire branch bureau."

Yang Wenqing did not seem to care. "The winner takes all. Those descendants of great clans also rely mostly on external help to achieve good results. This may be your only chance. If you miss it, you may never get another in the future. With the support of two deputy directors, what is there to fear from a few laughs? Do you want your pride, or the station chief's position?"

Xiao Liang's brows drew tightly together, and he looked deeply conflicted. After a long while, he said, "I'll think about it."

Hearing that, Yang Wenqing did not try to persuade him further. They chatted for another moment before Xiao Liang returned to the Public Security Office. He still had patrol duty that afternoon.

Watching Xiao Liang's departing figure, Yang Wenqing stood beneath the afternoon sun. After a long time, he slowly let out a breath of stale air, and his gaze gradually became resolute. He was no longer a lowly guard. He also needed to make preparations for the future game of power, then remain steady, keep improving himself, and wait for the winds to rise again.

Half an hour later, when he returned to the Third Squad office of the Major Crimes Unit, every member had already come back. At three in the afternoon, Deputy Director Gao summoned him to his office again.