I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 82: Chapter 78: Official Announcement

His tone was even, without any deliberate emphasis. But combined with his eyes, as cold and deep as dark pools, and the unapproachable aura emanating from him, it sent a shiver down Zhao Qin’s spine. The smile on his face froze instantly, and he quickly bowed his head. ”Yes, yes, Captain, I understand, I understand...”

Yang Wenqing paid him no more mind, turning to Wu Yan and Liu Rong. ”Any progress with the interrogation?”

Wu Yan shook his head. ”Same as always. He’s not cracking, swears he knows nothing.”

”Proceed as planned.”

Yang Wenqing nodded without another word and turned to walk to his office.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhao Qin finally let out a long sigh of relief. He wiped non-existent cold sweat from his brow and whispered to Wu Yan, ”Brother Wu, the captain... seems a little terrifying today.”

Wu Yan shot him a glance and said quietly, ”Talk less, work more.”

Yang Wenqing went to his office and started tackling the paperwork that had piled up on his desk. When it was nearly time, he left a few instructions with Liu Qin, walked out, and headed to the locker room to change into his service uniform. As he passed the public notice board in the main hall, he saw a crowd still gathered around it.

Despite the distance, Yang Wenqing could still clearly catch snippets of their conversation:

”...Yang Wenqing? The one from the Major Case Team’s Third Squad? He was promoted to Senior Captain less than a year ago, right? And now he’s being nominated for Deputy Team Leader?”

”Isn’t that too fast? Does he have the seniority?”

”Seniority? The man has merit. The city was a complete mess a few days ago, and he was the one who brought the situation under control.”

”Merit is one thing, but Deputy Team Leader of the Major Case Team... I hear his rival is a master of the Fifth Refinement, someone who’s been through real life-and-death battles. How can Yang Wenqing possibly compete with him?”

”Exactly. The promotion duels are no joke. You need cultivation, experience, and real combat skill—not one can be lacking. Yang Wenqing is talented, sure, but he’s just too young...”

”I think his chances are slim. It’s probably just a formality, a way for him to build up his credentials. In the end, the other guy is bound to get it.”

The consensus was largely pessimistic. After all, Yang Wenqing’s rise had been too meteoric. His cultivation was, on the surface, only at the Qi Cultivation stage. Compared to Wu Qianjun, an experienced master of the Fifth Refinement, the difference in their on-paper strength was immense.

Just then, someone must have noticed Yang Wenqing, because the chatter immediately died down. The crowd quickly thinned out, and many people instinctively avoided his gaze. Even from a distance, the cold, detached aura he had yet to fully conceal made them uncomfortable.

Yang Wenqing paid the chatter no mind. In the arena, strength was the only thing that mattered. What he needed now was to complete his Second Refinement as quickly as possible.

He piloted his Flying Shuttle to the cemetery and found it was already packed with other shuttles. He finally managed to find a parking spot. Just as he was about to walk toward the funeral service, he heard a familiar voice call out:

”Wenqing.”

Yang Wenqing turned and saw Deputy Director Zhou from Internal Affairs Inspection, who wore his usual stern, unsmiling expression.

”Director Zhou.”

Yang Wenqing stood at attention and saluted.

Deputy Director Zhou waved a hand, gesturing for him to relax. He then walked over quickly, his gaze fixed on Yang Wenqing’s face. He spoke, his tone scrutinizing, ”You don’t seem yourself today. Your aura is too withdrawn and cold, and your eyes lack vitality. This is from rushing your cultivation, isn’t it?”

Of course, Yang Wenqing couldn’t reveal the details of his cultivation with the Golden Core and Stone Marrow Liquid, so he could only answer vaguely, ”Thank you for your concern, Director Zhou. I was just attempting a breakthrough recently and overexerted myself a bit. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Zhou’s brow furrowed slightly. He didn’t press the issue, instead changing the subject. ”The path of cultivation is one of alternating tension and relaxation. You’re still young. Don’t always lock yourself away in a Cultivation Chamber. Sometimes, a bit of proper relaxation—listening to some music, watching a variety show—can soothe the mind and actually be more beneficial for your cultivation.”

He paused and looked at Yang Wenqing. His tone wasn’t one of suggestion, but rather of notification. ”No time like the present. Let’s do it tonight. There’s a place in the south district called the Liuyun Music Garden. The music is good, and the atmosphere is refined. You’ll come with me for a change of pace.”

Yang Wenqing’s first instinct was to refuse, as he had planned to continue consolidating his cultivation that evening. But the man before him was not someone he could turn down. Then he remembered he had already used up the Stone Marrow Liquid, and the new batch wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon.

Just then, another voice chimed in:

”Director Zhou is treating someone to a music performance? That’s a rare occasion! How could you possibly leave me out?”

Vice Director Gao strolled over, chuckling. He had obviously overheard their conversation. He patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder and said to Deputy Director Zhou, ”Wenqing has certainly been working hard lately, what with all the cases and the evaluation. He really should relax. How about this, Director Zhou? Let me have the honor this time. I’ll be the host, what do you say?”