I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 173: Chapter 109: Promotion to Police Commissioner

"Specialist Yang, please place your old badge in the slot on the left and press your right palm on the sensor to the right." The technician’s voice was calm and even.

Yang Wenqing did as he was told.

After he placed the old badge inside, a soft hum emanated from the device. A gentle blue light scanned the badge, reading the data stored on it. At the same time, the sensor on the right lit up. Yang Wenqing pressed his right hand against it and felt a faint electric current, as though it were collecting his latest biometric data.

"Identity confirmed. Yang Wenqing, Deputy Head of the Major Case Team, Qianjiao County City Defense Bureau... Change requested: Promotion to Specialist. Rank: Specialist," the device announced in a clear, synthesized voice.

"Please wait. Generating and activating new access key. Synchronizing with the national City Defense System identity database."

The internal lights of the device flickered rapidly, emitting a low hum of computation. After about a minute, a small compartment next to the right-hand sensor slid open, and a brand-new badge was pushed out.

The new badge was similar in size to the old one, but its material was clearly more substantial. The body was silver, inlaid with a fine, pale-gold trim. The City Defense insignia carved on the front was more intricate and three-dimensional, while the back was etched with Yang Wenqing’s name and a dynamic runic array—his personal access key.

"Please take the new badge and infuse a trace of Spiritual Qi to initiate the binding process," the technician instructed.

Yang Wenqing complied, picking up the new badge. It was still slightly warm to the touch. He channeled a trace of his Spiritual Qi into it.

The badge vibrated gently. The City Defense insignia on its surface and the dynamic runes on its back simultaneously lit up with a faint glow. After several seconds, the light slowly faded as the badge established a unique link with Yang Wenqing’s Spiritual Qi signature.

"Binding successful. Authority activated: Class B, Level 3," the device announced.

The technician added, his tone clear and matter-of-fact, "Specialist Yang, your new badge has been activated. Class B, Level 3 is the foundational authority level for a Specialist. It grants the following capabilities:

"First: Nationwide Identification. Your information has been entered into the core database of the national City Defense System. With this badge, you can verify your identity at any City Defense Bureau or relevant Civil Affairs Bureau office in any city or town within Wanxuan. You will also receive the official courtesies and security support appropriate to your rank.

Second: Inter-regional Travel and Clearance. This authority allows you to independently travel to other cities via official channels. When entering another city’s jurisdiction, you only need to complete a routine check-in with their City Defense System.

Third: Information Access. You can use the badge’s built-in communication and query module to connect to the City Defense System’s internal network. This allows you to request access to files, case records, wanted posters, and resource manifests within your clearance level. Accessing information with a higher classification or related to specific restricted areas requires submitting a formal written or encrypted request for approval from a superior or the relevant department.

Fourth: Internal Communication and Emergency Calls. The badge’s internal Communication Array has been upgraded, providing enhanced range and confidentiality. You can directly contact other colleagues within your clearance level and are granted access to high-priority emergency channels."

When the technician finished, he handed Yang Wenqing a concise manual titled *Class B Authority: Guidelines and Precautions*. "You can read this for a more detailed explanation."

Yang Wenqing accepted the manual. This moment signified his formal induction into the managerial ranks of the nation’s vast cultivation system, granting him greater freedom of movement and access to resources.

"Congratulations, Specialist Yang," Secretary Chen chimed in at the perfect moment, a slight smile on his face. "Director Qin’s meeting has ended. Vice Director Gao, Specialist Yang, please come with me. The Director specifically asked me to bring you to his office after you finished the paperwork."

Yang Wenqing nodded and put his new badge away. He then turned to the secretary. "Thank you, Secretary Chen."

Following Secretary Chen, the two men took an elevator to the eleventh floor. They then walked through several internal corridors, arriving at a section with a plaque that read, ’Office of Resource Allocation and Merit Evaluation.’

This was one of the city bureau’s most powerful departments, responsible for resource allocation and merit evaluation for the entire City Defense System. Its influence went without saying. Secretary Chen stopped before a spacious, brightly lit office, asking Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao to wait. He entered first to announce their arrival, then came back out to usher them in.

This was Director Qin’s office. It was sparsely decorated. One wall was covered by a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, packed with various tomes and archive boxes. The opposite wall was a massive picture window overlooking a part of the bureau’s campus and the distant cityscape.

Director Qin was dressed in a crisp white uniform with fine gold trim on the collar. A gleaming gold flower insignia adorned his epaulets, signifying the rank of ’Police Marshal.’ The minimum requirement for this rank was reaching the Entry realm, an achievement far beyond any ordinary clerk.

Seeing them enter, Director Qin put down his pen. A smile that was both warm and commanding graced his features as he waited for them to approach.

After Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao came to attention and saluted, Director Qin’s gaze landed on Yang Wenqing, a clear mix of appraisal and admiration in his eyes. "Wenqing, as expected, you haven’t disappointed me. Reaching the Fifth Refinement before the age of thirty... very impressive!"

"You’re too kind, Director Qin. I don’t deserve such praise," Yang Wenqing replied respectfully. "I owe it all to the guidance of Vice Director Gao and yourself."

"No need to be so modest."

Director Qin waved a hand, then took a black notebook from his drawer and handed it to Yang Wenqing. "These are some notes from my own early years of cultivation. They contain a few insights and some advice on the path from the Fifth Refinement to attempting Foundation Establishment. It’s no profound secret manual, but it might help you avoid a few pitfalls. Take it as a reference."