Though Yang Wenqing was riddled with doubts, his face remained unreadable. He had assumed Deputy Director Gao had summoned him over the matter of the "Soul-Absorbing Crystal," since it involved a forbidden subject.
But now, Zhou Deputy Bureau Chief 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. Such a lineup was clearly not just for discussing a lead in an unsolved old case.
He pondered secretly. Could his performance during the forest Spiritual Energy Riot have drawn the attention of higher-ups? Or were major personnel changes coming to the bureau, requiring advance notice? Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but none gave him a clue.
Just as his thoughts churned, there was another knock on the private room's door.
"Come in."
As Deputy Director Gao's words fell, the door was pushed open. The two people who entered made Yang Wenqing freeze, and his speculation about the case vanished like smoke.
The newcomers were none other than Wang Ren, director of the East City Public Security Station, and Xiao Liang, his old captain from his time at the Public Security Office!
Wang Ren looked much the same as ever, but as his gaze swept over everyone present, it carried a steady calmness that suggested he already understood. When Xiao Liang saw Yang Wenqing, a flicker of barely noticeable surprise passed through his eyes. He then gave him a slight nod in greeting.
"Director Gao, Director Zhou, sorry. Something came up at the station just now, so I'm late," Wang Ren apologized first. As he spoke, Qin Feng, Li Yi, and Wang Ping had already stood, and the group exchanged further pleasantries.
"Director Wang, Captain." Yang Wenqing politely greeted his two former superiors.
Xiao Liang patted him on the shoulder. When their eyes met, each saw the other's confusion, which only made Yang Wenqing speculate even more.
Wang Ren nodded at Yang Wenqing, then broke into a radiant smile. "Wen Qing, your cultivation has improved again. It's only been two months, hasn't it? You've already completed the First Refinement?"
His words drew everyone's attention, especially Zhou Deputy Bureau Chief's and Li Yi's.
Yang Wenqing hurriedly replied, "I got lucky. I nearly lost my life. Director Gao can vouch for that."
Deputy Director Gao laughed. "That's true. During the Spiritual Energy Riot a few days ago, at the very last moment, he drove spiritual energy to resist the flames. He nearly caused the Spirit Veins within his body to sever. He was truly only one step from death."
He played down the strength of Yang Wenqing's consciousness and emphasized the danger he had faced.
Zhou Deputy Bureau Chief smiled. "At the time, I was maintaining the outer Barrier. I sensed Captain Yang's aura in the depths of the forest suddenly surge, but it vanished in a flash."
Wang Ren had also been at the scene, though he had been on the other side. Hearing this, he patted Yang Wenqing's shoulder and warned, "In the future, if you realize something cannot be done, withdraw first. There's nothing shameful about that. Only by keeping one breath in your body will you have a future."
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.
After exchanging a few more courteous words, Deputy Director Gao smilingly invited everyone to sit. "The others all have work to handle, so they probably won't be coming. Let's have the servers bring out the dishes. Nothing important today—we just haven't gathered in a long time, so we're having a simple meal and chatting."
Though he said that, everyone seated there was shrewd enough to understand that this was far more than a simple meal. After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the topic gradually shifted from idle chat to personnel movements within the bureau and future work priorities.
Zhou Deputy Bureau Chief took a sip of wine and casually brought up, "Old Gao, I heard Jian Chao's side is nearly ready? Small Bridge Town is an important place. Nothing can go wrong there."
Deputy Director Gao chuckled, confidence in his chest. "Don't worry. Do you not know Jian Chao's capabilities? The examination is merely a formality. Once he goes over there, he'll certainly run the place as tight as an iron barrel."
He spoke lightly, yet his words carried an unquestionable certainty. Everyone present revealed smiles of mutual understanding.
After that topic, the conversation at the table relaxed completely and no longer touched upon any specific official business or personnel matters.
Qin Feng was the most eloquent of them all, occasionally telling a slightly risqué joke that drew loud cheers from Li Yi and prompted him to repeatedly raise his cup in toast. Wang Ren was equally good with words, and paired with Qin Feng, the two were like crosstalk performers.
For most of the time, Yang Wenqing simply listened quietly with a smile, refilling tea and pouring wine for the leaders at appropriate moments.
It was a kind of invisible adjustment. By spending this seemingly useless time together, they strengthened this circle's sense of identity and cohesion. The true core transactions would surely unfold in rapid succession after this gathering.
Time 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, and wiped his hands with a hot towel. Smiling, he said, "All right, everyone still has things to do this afternoon. Let's call it here for today."
Everyone rose at once.
Wang Ren leaned over and murmured a few words to Xiao Liang, seemingly giving instructions about matters at the station.
Deputy Director Gao walked to Yang Wenqing's side and casually patted his arm. His voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "Wen Qing, when you return, do what you should do. Keep your composure."
"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 respective Flying Shuttles and departed. In the blink of an eye, only Yang Wenqing and Xiao Liang remained at the entrance.
Xiao Liang took out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to Yang Wenqing, lighting one for himself as well. He drew deeply before looking at Yang Wenqing, his tone tinged with emotion. "Did you see what was going on?"
Yang Wenqing thought for a moment before answering, "Is Director Wang getting promoted too?"
Xiao Liang nodded. "Not a promotion—a lateral transfer to the Branch General Affairs Division. Once he leaves, there'll be another vacancy at the South City Public Security Station. The director wants me to take it."
Yang Wenqing immediately said, "Congratulations, Brother Xiao."
Xiao Liang shook his head. "I still have to pass the examination. Jian Chao is competing this year, so I need to at least take second place. I'm not worried about anything else, but if it comes down to the final arena matches, I'm afraid it'll be difficult."
Yang Wenqing pondered for two seconds, seemingly thinking of something, then said in a low voice, "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 aside cultivators in the Qi Refining Stage."
Xiao Liang's brows drew together slightly. "If I do that, even if I win, I'm afraid I'll become the laughingstock of the entire branch."
Yang Wenqing did not think much of it. "The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit. Most descendants of those great clans rely on external help to achieve good results anyway. This may be your only chance. If you miss it, there may never be another in the future. With the support of two deputy directors, what are you afraid of? Do you want face, or the director's position?"
Xiao Liang's brows furrowed tightly, and he looked incomparably torn. After a long while, he said, "I'll think about it."
Hearing that, Yang Wenqing did not try to persuade him further. The two chatted for a few more moments before Xiao Liang returned to the Public Security Office. He still had patrol duties that afternoon.
Watching Xiao Liang's departing back, Yang Wenqing stood beneath the afternoon sun. After a long time, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and his gaze gradually became resolute. He was no longer a lowly security officer. He, too, needed to make preparations for the future game of power, then keep his composure, continuously strengthen himself, and wait for the winds to rise again.
Half an hour later, when he returned to the Major Crimes Unit Third Squad office, all its members had already come back. At three in the afternoon, Deputy Director Gao summoned him to his office again.
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