Third Realm Secret Method, Fourth Realm Spots

As chief aide Song Qiong finished reading the Cabinet's appointment of Yang Wenqing, warm applause erupted. Ao Yuan was undoubtedly the happiest. He had worried all along that Yang Wenqing would leave the Allied Army. Not only was he staying, but the Allied Army had become an Independent Corps.

While applauding, he asked Ao Guang beside him, "Do you think my father put pressure on Wanxuan to keep Brother Yang in the Allied Army?"

Ao Guang smiled. "The Dragon King must have exerted some influence. This concerns the future of the entire Eastern Sea."

Their quiet conversation ended as the applause died down.

Qian Xin opened a brocade box. Inside were the epaulets of a Security General—the "flower shoulders," as the security system jokingly called them, though these were the lowest rank, Bronze Flower Shoulders.

Song Qiong was supposed to confer the rank, but he stepped back and offered Qian Xin his place. "Director Qian, would you like to do it?"

Qian Xin was tempted, but said, "Wouldn't that be against the rules?"

Song Qiong smiled. "No rule says only the Cabinet can confer the rank of Security General. If you pin on Director Wenqing's epaulets, people might tell the story for years to come."

Wei Chong added, "Since Chief Song has made such a kind offer, Director Qian, you shouldn't turn it down."

Qian Xin stopped demurring. "Then I'll step into someone else's role." He took the epaulets from the box, and Shen Wenyuan immediately came forward to take the box from him.

"Congratulations, Wenqing."

As he spoke, Qian Xin deftly fitted Yang Wenqing's new epaulets, then patted them. "Let everyone have a look."

Yang Wenqing turned to face the people gathered on both sides of the hall.

Applause broke out again, louder this time. Yang Wenqing joined in,