I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The City Bureau’s Divination

Steaming cups of tea sat on the coffee table in front of the four of them. They had clearly been talking for a while, and when Yang Wenqing walked in, all eyes focused on him.

”Vice Director Gao, Deputy Director Zhou, Wang’s Office, Captain Liu,” Yang Wenqing said, standing at attention and saluting.

”Wenqing, you’re here. Sit down.” Vice Director Gao smiled and pointed to the empty seat beside Wang Ren. ”It’s been a long day, you must be tired. Have some tea to refresh yourself.”

Yang Wenqing sat as instructed, his posture respectful but not stiff. ’A meeting like this isn’t just a simple chat,’ he thought.

”You handled that situation in West City this afternoon quite well.” Vice Director Gao was the first to speak, picking up his teacup and gently blowing on the surface. ”Section Chief Lei mentioned it when he checked in with me earlier. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Deputy Director Zhou gave a slight nod and offered a rare comment. ”Your judgment was sound. You asserted your authority but stayed within reason, so your subordinates can’t find fault.”

Coming from Internal Affairs Inspection, he valued procedural compliance above all else.

Wang Ren looked at his former subordinate, now sitting in the same room as the bureau’s top brass, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. He smiled. ”Wenqing has always been reliable.”

Liu Xin simply smiled at Yang Wenqing without saying anything, but his eyes showed his approval.

”It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance. I was just following procedure.”

Yang Wenqing replied humbly.

Vice Director Gao set down his teacup, his smile fading as he got to the point. ”I called you over for two reasons. First, to commend you on your work today. Second, to give you a heads-up. After the written exam tomorrow, the practical assessment will be held at the Black Mountain Training Ground outside the city. Most of our manpower will be transferred there, which means security within the city itself will be under greater pressure.”

He looked at Yang Wenqing, his tone grave. ”You need to be mentally prepared. Times like these are when people are most likely to try and slip through the cracks.”

”Understood, Vice Director Gao,” Yang Wenqing replied solemnly.

”Good, as long as you’re aware.” Vice Director Gao nodded in satisfaction, his tone lightening. ”I quizzed Jianchao on his theoretical knowledge today. He should get a decent score. As long as he doesn’t make any major blunders in the practical exam, the position in Xiaoqiao Town is as good as his.”

At these words, Yang Wenqing and Liu Xin exchanged a look. They both understood it meant that a reshuffle within the Major Case Team was imminent.

Just then, Vice Director Gao set down his teacup. The relaxed look on his face gradually faded, and the atmosphere in the office grew tense. His eyes fell on Yang Wenqing.

”There’s a third reason I called you here, and it’s the most important one.” Vice Director Gao leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. ”The municipal bureau conducted a major divination regarding this city-wide annual assessment.”

A flicker of understanding crossed Yang Wenqing’s eyes. He knew that powerful Cultivators could peer into the secrets of fate. It had become a tradition for the City Defense Bureau to have one perform a divination before every assessment.

Vice Director Gao continued, ”The results of the divination indicate that a major incident is guaranteed to occur within the city during the assessment period. Their exact words were: ’A baleful aura looms, karmic threads are entangled; this is no ordinary matter.’”

He paused, his tone heavy. ”But despite several subsequent attempts, they couldn’t determine the specific nature of this incident, nor could they pinpoint the exact county or district. All they know is that it will happen in the next few days, in one of the counties like ours that is currently conducting its assessment.”

The news seemed to make the very air in the room congeal. An unpredictable danger was the most unsettling kind of all.

”Of course, there’s no need to be overly anxious,” Vice Director Gao said, his tone shifting to a reassuring one. ”The municipal bureau has already prepared for this. They’ve made comprehensive arrangements and have countermeasures in place at key locations. Our own Qianjiao County is no exception.”

His gaze fell upon Yang Wenqing again, and he added with pointed significance, ”Wenqing, you’re in charge of the city’s security, so the heaviest burden falls on you. Remember, act within your means. If you truly encounter a force you cannot resist and the situation becomes untenable, you can seek help from the Government Soldiers.”

Wang Ren added jokingly, ”If things really become hopeless, just go hide in the military barracks. No one could blame you. Looking out for number one is our highest principle, after all.”

Yang Wenqing nodded. If an incident truly erupted in the city that even the City Defense Bureau couldn’t contain, it wouldn’t be shameful for him to seek the protection of the Government Soldiers, or even to retreat directly into their barracks and wait for reinforcements.

However, this seemingly safe retreat was also a test. Retreating from the front line, even for a good reason, would inevitably give people something to talk about. Yet, if he acted recklessly and it led to catastrophic losses, the responsibility would be far greater.

”Rest assured, Vice Director Gao. I understand where the line is. I will do everything in my power to ensure the county’s stability. But if it truly comes to a last resort, I will prioritize preserving our forces. I will not act rashly or make needless sacrifices.”

The answer showed his resolve while also leaving him some leeway.

Upon hearing this, a flash of approval crossed Vice Director Gao’s eyes. He nodded. ”Good. As long as you know what to do. You’re dismissed. Go get some rest.”

Yang Wenqing saluted once more and left the office.

Vice Director Gao picked up his teacup again and took a sip. His gaze swept over Wang Ren and Deputy Director Zhou as his tone returned to its usual casualness. ”Wang’s Office, with your transfer to the Comprehensive Section, you’ve officially entered the bureau’s inner circle. While Wenqing and the others are out running around, you’ll have to work hard on logistics and support.”

Wang Ren laughed. ”Don’t worry, Vice Director Gao. I’ll be sure to handle my duties. I’ve watched Wenqing work his way up. He’s a real promising talent. I’ll certainly help him where I can.”

Deputy Director Zhou cracked a rare smile and teased, ”Old Gao, you’re unusually invested in this Yang Wenqing, aren’t you? Listening to you talk just now, one would think you’re terrified he might get taken advantage of.”

Vice Director Gao put down his teacup and laughed. ”It’s rare for a young man this driven, who understands his limits, and who has decent cultivation talent to pop up in this county. Is it so strange that I’d look out for him a bit? Or did you two think he was my illegitimate son?”

Wang Ren and Deputy Director Zhou both laughed. Of course they knew it was a joke. At their level, it was standard practice to value a subordinate with potential and invest in them early to bring them into your circle.

Deputy Director Zhou’s expression turned serious. ”As long as the kid doesn’t misstep or violate our principles, no one from Internal Affairs Inspection will deliberately give him trouble. If something unexpected happens during this incident, as long as he handles it appropriately and by the book, we can be lenient about any minor imperfections.”

Wang Ren nodded in agreement. ”Exactly. Young people need room to grow. As long as his loyalty is to the Bureau, and to you, Vice Director Gao, then even if something does happen, it’s nothing for us old-timers to help smooth things over.”

Both men understood perfectly. Vice Director Gao had deliberately called them here tonight, said what he did in front of Yang Wenqing, and then reiterated it after he left, all to pave the way for a new core member of their faction. He wanted to ensure that Yang Wenqing would have a smooth ride, especially through the potential storm that was brewing.

Liu Xin, who had barely spoken, sat quietly listening to the three leaders converse. ’In his heart, however, things were crystal clear,’ he thought. ’Vice Director Gao values Yang Wenqing so highly not just for his competence. The more crucial reason is the astonishing potential and cultivation talent Yang Wenqing revealed during that Spiritual Qi outburst.’