I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 141: Chapter 99: Governing a Region?

Yang Wenqing left the office, but Wang Jianchao was nowhere to be seen in the hallway. ’He must have received that huge sum of money and his spark of inspiration,’ Yang Wenqing mused, ’and couldn’t wait to get back to Xiaoqiao Town to process it all.’ He didn’t give it much more thought, heading downstairs to his own office alone.

As he walked, he gradually calmed his breathing and his mind, allowing the shock from his encounter with Lin Xingyan and his newfound understanding of a higher realm to slowly settle.

He returned to his office, closed the door, and sat down behind the spacious desk. Instead of immediately tackling the pile of documents, he closed his eyes and focused his mind inward.

Thanks to years of continuous nourishment from the Golden Core World and the steady supply of resources from the Four Seas Trading Company, he had been tempering his internal organs ever since he was practicing the Third Refinement. He had broken through to the Fourth Refinement six months ago, and his ’Flourishing Organs’ stage was already in its mid-phase.

His current concern over his cultivation progress stemmed from Vice Director Gao’s final words about the development of the New Town to the south...

That patch of Coral Spiritual Land, accidentally revealed by an undersea earthquake six months ago, had drawn the attention of not just the city bureau but the Provincial Hall itself. Its discovery meant the birth of a new administrative district, the construction of a New Town, and a new position: chief of the local security station.

This was a tremendous opportunity. To contend for this position, his cultivation would have to reach the Fifth Refinement, ’Meridian Expansion,’ and he would have to earn the right to wear the white uniform, becoming a true member of the City Defense System’s upper management.

The New Town project was estimated to be completed within a year. One year. To get from the Fourth Refinement to the Fifth Refinement...

Yang Wenqing opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon a copy of a preliminary survey report on the southern sea region, spread open on his desk. He recalled his experience during the Second Refinement, ’Drum-Tight Skin.’ Back then, to break through as quickly as possible, he had adopted a near-masochistic training regimen. The process had been agonizing, yet shockingly efficient.

’Do I... have to walk that brutal path of cultivation again?’

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the desktop. Suitable positions for police specialists weren’t common in Qianjiao County. Furthermore, for the sake of stability, the higher-ups disliked frequently changing personnel in these foundational management roles. They would even tolerate minor flaws in a local official to avoid it.

His original plan had been to bide his time as the deputy chief of the Major Case Team and wait for Director Qiming to move on. Then, when Vice Director Gao received his next promotion, he would break through to the Fifth Refinement and take over as chief of the Major Case Team. But now, he had the chance to preside over an entire district. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted—especially a resource-rich town like this. The benefits involved could undoubtedly propel him straight into the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

However, the Fourth Refinement, ’Flourishing Organs,’ focused on nourishing the internal organs. The process was relatively gentle, emphasizing natural progression. It was usually aided by the Five Qi Returning Yuan Flower, whose five petal colors corresponded to the Five Elements, allowing them to gently nourish the five core organs.

But there was another method: using more potent Spirit Grass or medicinal pills. This involved using items aligned with each of the Five Elements to individually cultivate the corresponding core organ. The pain of such brutal cultivation, however, would be far beyond anything the Second Refinement could compare to.

Yang Wenqing quickly searched his memory for five suitable Spirit Grasses. He picked up a pen and jotted down their names and properties on a notepad: Sharp Gold Grass, of the Metal element, to temper the lungs, accompanied by a stabbing pain. Withered Heart Vine, of the Wood element, to nourish the liver, accompanied by a sour, tingling numbness. Cold Marrow Fungus, of the Water element, to temper the kidneys, accompanied by a bone-piercing chill. Earth Flame Fruit, of the Fire element, to temper the heart, accompanied by a searing burn. And Bedrock Mushroom, of the Earth element, to temper the spleen, accompanied by a heavy, sluggish sensation.

The medicinal properties of these five Spirit Grasses were far more potent than the gentle Five Qi Returning Yuan Flower. However, they were highly specific, and there were subtle synergistic and conflicting interactions between them. If he could find herbs of similar quality and pair them correctly, he could indeed use this potent combination to forcibly accelerate the refinement of his five core organs and make a final dash to complete the Fourth Refinement.

He tucked the notepad away, intending to place an order that evening through his family trading company’s discreet channels.

His decision made, Yang Wenqing no longer dwelled on the imagined pain. He pulled his focus back to the present, collected his thoughts, and began to efficiently work through the stack of documents and case files on his desk.

As noon approached, he filed the last urgent document, glanced at the time, then stood, straightened his clothes, and left the precinct.

He had arranged to have lunch with Yang Wenyuan and his father at a home-style restaurant in the city with a good reputation. The three of them didn’t discuss any serious business during the meal. Yang Jianye enthusiastically reported on the progress of setting up the new residence, thanking Yang Wenqing for his trust, while Yang Wenyuan chimed in with details.

After lunch, Yang Wenqing didn’t return to the precinct. Instead, he had Yang Wenyuan lead him to his new home, which was now complete.

He pushed the door open to a neat and tidy front courtyard. In a corner, a transplanted luohan pine and a few clusters of jade-green bamboo added a touch of elegance. The main building was a two-story house where most of the furniture was already in place, exuding an air of simple practicality.

Hearing the sound, a group of people emerged from one of the side buildings. Among them were Yang Yong and Yang Tie, who had been waiting there for some time. Four years had passed, and both had shed their youthful greenness. Yang Yong appeared more composed and capable, while Yang Tie’s eyes were sharp and alert.

With them were a woman in a dark blue cotton tunic, her hair combed immaculately, and two maids who kept their heads bowed and moved with brisk efficiency.

”Brother Wenqing!” Yang Yong and Yang Tie stepped forward to greet him.

”Thank you for your hard work.” Yang Wenqing nodded, his gaze sweeping over the woman and the two maids.

Yang Yong immediately made the introduction. ”Brother Wenqing, this is Aunt Zhou. My mother handpicked her from the village. She’s efficient, understands propriety, and knows how to cook several excellent dishes. From now on, she’ll be responsible for looking after the front courtyard and your daily needs.”

Aunt Zhou hurried forward and bowed slightly, addressing him as ”Master.” Her etiquette was perfect, respectful without being sycophantic.