I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 157: Chapter 104: Zhang Qiming 2

Outsiders only saw Director Zhang’s prestige in Qianjiao County and the backing of the Zhang family. But he alone knew that his branch of the family had long since fallen into decline.

His cultivation talent had always been mediocre. In his youth, he was propped up by his family’s resources, but since becoming director, he had been bogged down by mundane affairs. The constant scheming and infighting drained too much of his mental energy, and his cultivation had not advanced an inch in seven or eight years.

Gao Zhen, on the other hand...

Zhang Qiming’s expression darkened. That upstart from the sticks had far greater cultivation talent than him and was now preparing to break through to the Fifth Transformation of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Once Gao Zhen succeeded, with the merits he’d accumulated over the years and the favor of the municipal bureau, he would completely eclipse Zhang Qiming in both position and cultivation.

"I can’t wait any longer..."

Zhang Qiming muttered to himself, his voice hoarse.

He could almost see it: the cold, indifferent gazes of the imperious clan elders in the family council hall, the mocking smirks on the faces of his cousins from other branches, all eyeing him like predators.

Ultimately, all these emotions gave way to a desperate, burn-the-bridges resolve. He couldn’t just sit back and await his doom. He had to resort to unconventional methods, even if they were risky and might have dire consequences down the line.

He took a deep breath and stubbed out his half-smoked cigar. Then he rose and walked over to what looked like a decorative bookshelf against the far wall of his office. His gaze swept over the antique curios and file boxes on its shelves before his finger landed on the spine of a particular book: *Compilation of Qianjiao County Local Public Security Ordinances (Revised Edition)*. He pressed a specific spot on the spine several times, using a precise rhythm and pressure.

With a nearly inaudible CLICK, an inconspicuous wooden panel on the side of the bookshelf slid inward, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, there were no documents, only a palm-sized black metal box. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, bearing no markings or runes.

Zhang Qiming carefully retrieved the metal box and returned to his desk. First, he pulled a silver device the size of a cigarette pack from a drawer and pressed a switch.

A faint silver ripple appeared on the device’s surface, expanding outward in silence.

This was a portable Spiritual Energy jammer he had procured through private channels. It could disrupt conventional surveillance Arrays and eavesdropping runes in a small area for a short period. The drawback was its exorbitant cost and limited uses.

Only after confirming the jammer was working properly did Zhang Qiming open the black metal box. Inside, a deep blue crystal the size of a pigeon’s egg lay quietly, its surface covered in tiny spikes. A viscous liquid appeared to be flowing slowly within it.

He extended his right index finger, a faint wisp of Spiritual Qi coiling around its tip, and touched the spike at the very top of the deep blue crystal.

"POP..."

With a soft sound like a bursting water bubble, the liquid inside the crystal suddenly accelerated its flow. It began to emit a deeper, more ominous blue light, while the spikes on its surface seemed to come alive, rapidly shifting their angles.

A wave of Spiritual Energy, carrying the cold, briny scent of the deep sea, was strictly contained within the silver ripples of the jammer. This was a special Magical Artifact for communication.

...

After the meeting, Yang Wenqing walked back to his third-floor office with a steady gait, a smile fixed on his face. Only after he closed the door, shutting out the world, did he let out a soft sigh and rub the tense space between his brows.

The clash during the meeting had been averted by Deputy Director Zhou’s intervention, but being suddenly put on the spot by Wang Ren and feeling the weight of Director Zhang’s gaze had made one thing clear: he was in the eye of the storm now. He was no longer just an ordinary captain who could keep his head down and focus on his work.

He took off his crisp uniform jacket and changed into the dark gray casual suit hanging on a coat rack. Just as he fastened the last button, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

Liu Qin entered, carrying a stack of files at least six inches high. She walked lightly to his desk and set them down. "Yang Group Leader, these are the case files that need your review and approval today. A few others have been transferred from other departments; they either require the Major Case Team’s assistance or just need to be filed."

Yang Wenqing eyed the stack of files. "Just leave them there."

He picked up the top file.

Liu Qin put down the files but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she lowered her voice and said, "Also, Yang Group Leader, Deputy Section Chief Liu Min is outside. She says she’d like to see you."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Yang Wenqing’s eyes. "Please show her in," he said.

"Okay!"

Liu Min entered shortly after. She was in her early thirties and wore a well-fitting, standard-issue skirt suit that made her look capable and discreet.

"Sorry to disturb you, Yang Group Leader." She got straight to the point, wasting no time on pleasantries. "I’m about to head to the preparatory office for Lingshan Town. The situation there is complex, and Director Gao specifically asked me to come speak with you and hear your thoughts."

"Please have a seat, Section Chief Liu."

Yang Wenqing gestured for her to sit.

Liu Min sat down, her tone clear and earnest. "The work of the preparatory office is mainly coordination, but with the New Town in its initial stages of construction, trouble is bound to pop up. Director Gao reminded me that if we run into a difficult criminal case or a major public security incident, the standard reporting process might be too slow. He said that the Major Case Team helps manage all major cases in the county and has the authority to intervene directly and reassign personnel in special circumstances."

"So, what Director Gao means is, if a real emergency breaks out in Lingshan Town, he’s hoping you can act as an alternate, expedited channel for us."

Yang Wenqing nodded. "Director Gao is very thorough. Lingshan Town is a key project for the county, so of course the Major Case Team will be paying close attention. If an emergency arises that fits the criteria, report it directly to me. I’ll take care of it."

A look of relief washed over Liu Min’s face. Then her tone shifted, becoming more like that of a colleague discussing something in confidence. "On another note, Yang Group Leader, there is one small thing... more of a personal concern."

"Captain Wu Qianjun is a capable man, but he’s one of Director Zhang’s people. My role there is primarily administrative coordination. If—and this is just a hypothetical—if some sudden incident occurs in Lingshan Town that requires an in-depth investigation, Director Zhang could use Captain Wu’s authority in the Major Case Team directly. If he were to..."

She didn’t finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear. She was worried Wu Qianjun would seize the opportunity to interfere, or even take control of the situation.

Yang Wenqing understood her concern. It was a very real possibility. He was mulling over how to reassure Liu Min, trying to think of a solution that would work for everyone, when a previously overlooked memory fragment suddenly snapped into focus.

A few days ago, a case file had come down directly from the Director’s Office. It concerned a series of ritualistic blood sacrifice murders in Black Stone Town and required the Major Case Team to dispatch someone to investigate. He hadn’t thought much about it at the time. After signing the documents, he had simply sent Wu Qianjun, who had been on patrol, over to Black Stone Town.

As this thought occurred to him, Yang Wenqing turned to look at the county-wide map hanging in his office. Black Stone Town was located on the southwestern edge of the urban area. Following the main road, it was only about sixty li from the New Town.

’A coincidence, or something more?’

Yang Wenqing’s mind started racing.

From Wu Qianjun’s current location, if any ’variables’ that Director Zhang disliked were to arise in Lingshan Town, he could use a direct order from the director to get there first and logically assume command of the New Town.

"Yang Group Leader?"

Liu Min asked softly, noticing the change in Yang Wenqing’s expression.

Yang Wenqing took a deep breath to quell his inner turmoil. He looked at Liu Min and said slowly, "Captain Wu has already been dispatched elsewhere. But perhaps I’m just being paranoid..."

He held nothing back, telling her everything that had happened a few days prior.

Liu Min fell into a thoughtful silence. After a dozen seconds or so, she spoke in a low, serious voice. "It doesn’t matter. Even if your suspicions are correct, Yang Group Leader, reality often differs greatly from one’s plans. That’s the difference between Director Gao and Director Zhang. Director Zhang loves these petty little schemes. He’s completely wasting the authority he holds."

She was openly bad-mouthing Director Zhang. Clearly, she wasn’t nearly as calm as she appeared.

With that, she took a deep breath and stood up. "If any real trouble arises, I will contact you at the first opportunity, Yang Group Leader. I’ll need your help then."

"You can count on me!"

Yang Wenqing rose as well. They shook hands briefly, sealing their simple promise.

After Liu Min left, Yang Wenqing couldn’t help but reflect on her words. ’Director Zhang really can be petty sometimes, not at all like someone from a major family.’

’He shook his head, banishing the thoughts from his mind. For now, all he had to do was handle his assigned tasks. Helping Director Gao get promoted was his own path to promotion. Doing too much could just mess things up.’

Two uneventful days passed. Then came the day Yang Wenqing’s younger brother and sister were set to arrive in the county seat. He went to work at the precinct in high spirits, but before he could even get through a few files, Liu Min was knocking on his door again, looking weary and dust-covered from travel.