I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 150: Chapter 102: The City’s Attitude

At the edge of the hall, apart from the floating cocoons of light, was a relatively separate area where a wide desk stood. On it lay several scattered documents and a communication device emitting a faint glow.

Director Qin was standing before the desk. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he turned around. His gaze fell first on Vice Director Gao, then shifted to Yang Wenqing. He looked him up and down for a moment, an appreciative smile touching his lips.

"Teacher Qin." Vice Director Gao stepped forward, his posture respectful yet familiar. "I’m so sorry to disturb you this late."

"Director Qin," Yang Wenqing said, coming to attention and saluting right behind him.

Director Qin waved a hand, dismissing the formality. "Come with me. Deputy Director Qi is free just now."

He spoke as he led them around the wide desk and toward the core area deeper in the hall. As they drew closer to the core, which was shrouded by layers of shuttles of light and flowing energy, their line of sight changed dramatically.

In the very center of the three-dimensional runic array floated a transparent energy containment sphere, roughly twenty feet in diameter, that emitted a faint blue halo. The sphere’s surface shimmered with iridescent light, densely covered in sealing runes far more complex and intricate than those of the outer array. They flickered at a steady frequency, emanating a powerful restraining force.

And trapped in the center of the sphere was a humanoid creature!

The being’s eyes were tightly shut, as if in a deep slumber or sealed state. Its figure was similar to an ordinary person’s, but its skin was an extremely unnatural pale blue, faintly shimmering with a luster like that of abyssal deep-sea ice or some cold metal.

He was clad in form-fitting, streamlined armor of a dark silver hue. The armor was made of some unknown material; even under confinement, its surface was still traced with faint, dark patterns of light, possessing a strange aesthetic of technology or energy completely alien to this world.

’An Outer Heaven visitor!’

Yang Wenqing had never imagined that he would be here today, seeing a live, captive specimen with his own eyes.

At that moment, Deputy Director Qi was standing directly in front of the containment sphere, only a few feet away. Dressed in loose, silver-gray plainclothes, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze as tranquil as a deep pool as he stared at the Outer Heaven visitor within the sphere.

His gaze didn’t linger on the strange armor. Instead, it seemed to pierce through the being’s body, observing the Outer Heaven visitor’s Qi Sea and Spiritual Veins.

Yang Wenqing also looked over, curious. He saw that the internal organs of this Outer Heaven visitor were the same as a human’s, except that a few areas had already become spiritualized—a change that was supposed to happen when one’s cultivation reached a certain level.

"Deputy Director Qi." It was clear this wasn’t the first time Vice Director Gao had witnessed such a scene.

"Mm."

Deputy Director Qi nodded, then extended his right hand and formed a Dharma Seal. Innumerable runic arrays instantly responded, and the blue sphere of light vanished.

"I had someone bring this one back from the New Continent. The Outer Heaven People have grown smarter in recent years. They no longer land on the Central Continent, which is a real shame, because their memories hold a great deal of excellent runic knowledge."

His words stopped abruptly.

Countless questions swirled in Yang Wenqing’s mind. ’Where do those people come from? Can we travel to the stars?’ But he knew this wasn’t the time to ask. Besides, these were likely secrets far beyond his current clearance. After all, ordinary citizens didn’t even know that things from beyond the heavens existed.

With that, Deputy Director Qi looked toward Vice Director Gao and Yang Wenqing. "Let’s talk over there," he said, his voice calm.

He then led the three of them to the relatively independent area at the edge of the hall. A milky-white cocoon of light slid open without a sound, revealing comfortable chairs and a small, crystalline table. After the four of them were seated, an attendant silently served tea before retreating into the distance.

Vice Director Gao didn’t beat around the bush. He placed his hands on his knees and leaned forward slightly, his posture both respectful and direct. "Deputy Director Qi, Teacher Qin, we rushed here overnight primarily because of the matter with the New Town in the south. You’re both aware of the situation in the county..."

"Zhang Qiming refuses to give an inch, and Old Zhou’s position is ambiguous. The formation of the New Town’s security force cannot be delayed any further. I’ve already reported my personal view to Teacher Qin. I hope to win the support of the city bureau, so that the New Town’s security apparatus can be established—at least initially—within a relatively controllable framework that promotes overall stability."

Deputy Director Qi raised his teacup and blew gently on the floating leaves, not immediately offering an opinion.

Director Qin picked up the thread. "The city places great importance on the New Town. After all, there’s the Coral Ore mine—both the reserves and quality have exceeded expectations. Its strategic value is considerable. In principle, the city hopes that Qianjiao County will govern it autonomously. After all, you’re familiar with the local situation, which will aid in rapid stabilization and development."

He paused and looked at Vice Director Gao, his gaze probing. "But, Xiaogao, you must understand that once the New Town is formally established and production stabilizes, Qianjiao County’s overall economic weight and strategic position will be elevated..."

"It’s highly likely the county branch will be upgraded. Consequently, the New Town’s security station will also be elevated. It won’t be just an ordinary town precinct."

At these words, Vice Director Gao’s eyes narrowed. His breath caught for a split second, and he instinctively glanced toward Deputy Director Qi, but the latter was still calmly sipping his tea.

Yang Wenqing felt an even greater shock, struggling to maintain his composure. ’If the New Town’s security station is getting upgraded, my ambition to become its chief is shot to hell.’

After taking a swallow of tea, Deputy Director Qi set down his cup. He lightly tapped a finger on the crystalline table, and subtle ripples spread through the air, coalescing into a simple projected sketch of Qianjiao County and the New Town area. Then, he spoke:

"The director of the upgraded county branch, as per regulations, must hold the rank of ’Police Inspector’ and have a cultivation of at least the Foundation Establishment realm."