The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 106: Chapter 100: Deep Water Resources Department

Zhang Deming checked it over one more time, took a deep breath, and clicked ”Complete Upload” with some trepidation.

Countless lines of code condensed into a ball of light. The ball of light eventually transformed into a cloud of gray mist, and a thread extended from the mist, connecting to the Spiritual Power in his Dantian.

Immediately, the gray mist sank into Zhang Deming’s body and rapidly spread out, forming a thin layer of smoke on the surface of his skin.

With a flicker of his will, the smoke swirled slightly. His entire form became somewhat illusory, but he could still be seen.

With another thought, the smoke instantly contracted back into his Dantian, enveloping the cultivation script there.

Zhang Deming’s Cultivation began to plummet: Intermediate Apprentice, Junior Apprentice... then, a moment later, it reverted.

The effect this time was actually quite good.

After several more attempts, Zhang Deming had figured out the general effects of the Hidden Breath Technique.

Although most Concealing Techniques shared common properties, just as all Summoning Skills could summon things...

...their specific focuses were still different, just like the Hidden Breath Technique he had chosen.

Based on his tests, the technique’s effects matched its description.

The Hidden Breath Technique could be used for things like stealth and concealment, but it wasn’t particularly strong in that regard, not at the Mastery level.

It was better at hiding one’s Cultivation, traces, and so on.

It excelled at hiding one’s unique auras. While it couldn’t reduce one’s presence by much, it could make one seem exceptionally mysterious.

So, while it was all considered Concealment, the focus was just a bit different.

After finishing his tests, Zhang Deming slowly reduced the supply of Spiritual Power.

His Cultivation began to rise, stopping just as it reached the Intermediate Apprentice level.

He gauged the current Spiritual Power consumption. The technique was inherently designed for low-cost, long-term operation, and with his adjustments, the drain was even less.

At this intensity, Zhang Deming could keep it active for several days without issue.

He could even achieve zero net consumption by casually performing a Qi Replenishing technique whenever he had a free moment.

Moreover, the passive effect of the Hidden Breath Technique seemed to have been enhanced significantly.

With its current effect, as long as he wasn’t being carefully inspected by a Tai Chi Cultivator specializing in Spiritual Eye techniques or a Duality Great Cultivator, it would be impossible for his true Cultivation to be discovered.

Having solved the problem of concealing his Cultivation, Zhang Deming left his room, sent Fatty Zuo Jiagu a message to meet, and went to the courtyard to wait quietly.

...

At the Little Hui Peak branch of the Resources Department, it was almost time for the monthly resource distribution, and Zuo Jiagu was quite busy.

He was so busy, it seemed like he’d sweated off a few pounds from his portly frame.

Just then, a notification pinged on his Identity Card.

This notification seemed different, enough that the busy Zuo Jiagu instantly dropped what he was doing.

He immediately pulled out his Identity Card and opened a virtual Light Screen, which displayed a message:

Junior Brother Zuo, I would like to inquire about matters related to promotion resources for the Summoning Class. I request a meeting.

—Zhang Deming.

Looking at this message, Zuo Jiagu was stunned for a moment, then muttered in disbelief, ”Information on promotion resources for the Summoning Class?

’An Intermediate Apprentice is already gathering resources for promotion? You’ve got to be kidding me!’

’And I’d love to get my hands on such a lucrative deal, but are promotion matters even something I can be in charge of?!’

’It would have been better if you hadn’t told me at all. Making me watch this juicy prize get handed over to someone else... it’s painful, you know, you big shot!’

Zuo Jiagu’s exasperated, eye-rolling expression hadn’t yet faded when another message popped up.

Seeing the sender’s name, Zuo Jiagu didn’t even need to open it. He knew he wouldn’t need to report this up the chain; someone was already keeping an eye on it.

The message was from Senior Brother Shao Jiefeng at the Outer Sect Headquarters. Besides Zuo Jiagu himself, Shao Jiefeng was the other person responsible for Zhang Deming’s file.

Shao Jiefeng: ”I will handle this matter personally. You need not concern yourself with it any longer. I will arrive shortly. Afterward, all of Zhang Deming’s affairs will be my sole responsibility.

By the way, you’ve done well. It seems Little Hui Peak is in need of an assistant to the Resources Steward, isn’t it?”

Zuo Jiagu read the message with a look of resignation.

Working in the Resources Department was very lucrative, but the more lucrative it was, the more he realized his own shortcomings.

Every time he saw his senior brothers taking their cuts and demanding bribes, he could only scrounge for the leftovers.

In order to protect his position, he even had to proactively report opportunities and offer up the lion’s share. The heartache and sense of injustice were a bloody whip, driving him with endless motivation to climb higher.

Just like right now, Fatty Zuo was in a foul mood.

Even though this Senior Brother Shao Jiefeng was more graceful in his methods and had already had his eye on Zhang Deming from the beginning, it wasn’t as if he was being robbed outright.

But to watch such a prize—a massive one at that—slip right through his fingers was enough to drive him mad.

He quickly replied to Zhang Deming first: ”Of course, Senior Brother Zhang. A specialist will be assigned to your case. I’ll introduce you personally in a bit.”

’Hmph. Even though the prize was gone, he wasn’t going to miss any opportunity to curry favor.’

He then opened Shao Jiefeng’s message and sent a concise reply: ”Understood. I will accompany you when you go, Senior Brother!”

Then he forced a bitter smile and muttered to himself, ”Keep going, Zuo Jiagu. Once you make it into headquarters, there’ll be more spoils than you can ever handle.”

After this little pep talk, he went back to directing the servants, busily sorting through various resources.

...

At the Resources Department Headquarters, ever since Zhang Deming’s internal information browsing permissions had been elevated, the deeply concealed man had gone unnoticed by anyone else in the department’s vast sea of data.

Within the Resources Department, essentially all information about Zhang Deming was consolidated and sent to Shao Jiefeng.

Therefore, the moment Zhang Deming inquired about promotion resources, an important notification appeared on Shao Jiefeng’s Identity Card.

He quickly opened the notification and was taken aback for a moment after reading it.

He then quickly pulled up the latest summary of Zhang Deming’s activity.

Starting from the last information request, he browsed through everything bit by bit.

As he browsed, Shao Jiefeng suddenly froze. As if struck by a thought, he quickly pulled up four specific records and laid them out one by one.

Record One: Only one recorded target of conflict: Lu Ze, a notable figure in the Close Combat Department. Withdrew from both conflicts while holding a clear advantage. Temperament Assessment: Excellent. Worthy of observation.

Record Two: Transaction Record: Purchased personal information and word-of-mouth reports on Lu Ze. Content details unknown. Personality Assessment: Good, non-confrontational type. Financial status: To be determined. Warrants monitoring.

Record Three: Conflict Target: Lu Ze (Deceased). Died in a mission accident; killed by a Demon Beast attack. (Special investigation by the Law Enforcement Team found no suspicious circumstances. Ruled an accidental death.).

Record Four: Undertook one mission. Location: Qingshui Town. (Special Note: Qingshui Town and Xiashui Town are separated by less than a hundred li. However, internal checks show the subject has no browsing history for any related missions. Conclusion: Suspected to be a coincidence.).

After he pulled up these four records and cross-referenced them, Shao Jiefeng froze. A long moment passed before he drew in a sharp, cold breath.