I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 226: Chapter 130: Zhang Qiming’s Ending

Gao Zhen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I’ll find a way to apply to the municipal bureau for this spot. It shouldn’t be a problem. After all, this case had a huge impact, and Wu Qianjun’s contribution is clear."

He paused, took a bank slip from his drawer, and pushed it toward Yang Wenqing. "There’s five hundred thousand in here. Please give it to Wu Qianjun’s widow on my behalf. Just say it’s a small token from his colleagues at the bureau."

Yang Wenqing was taken aback. "Vice Director Gao, this..."

Gao Zhen waved his hand, cutting him off. "This is from the office’s slush fund. It was Zhang Qiming’s money anyway, and we were already planning to give it to Captain Wu’s widow."

Yang Wenqing accepted it immediately. ’It was only right.’

Then he added, "I also have to thank you, Vice Director Gao, for inviting that Foundation Establishment senior. Otherwise, the Foundation Establishment cultivator they had secretly deployed might have already disrupted our plans."

Gao Zhen said, "Ah, you mean Yu Shuzi. He was originally a Loose Cultivator with some renown in the Southwest. Director Shen has an eye for talent and values both his Cultivation and his upstanding character, so he represented the municipal bureau and brought him into the fold."

"Brought him into the fold?" Yang Wenqing was a bit surprised by the term.

"Yes, it’s not a formal position. He’s more of a specially-hired senior consultant."

Gao Zhen smiled. "The municipal bureau provides him with certain cultivation resources, intelligence support, and the conveniences of an official status. In return, when necessary, he deals with problems that conventional forces can’t handle or provides covert protection for key individuals."

He looked at Yang Wenqing and smiled. "This Central Continent has many hidden lineages. If someone with good aptitude comes along, it’s not impossible for them to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage. But to advance further without a mountain of resources is incredibly difficult."

Yang Wenqing nodded.

"Right, and about Wu Yan..."

Gao Zhen’s voice grew low again, tinged with regret and helplessness. "We just received definitive news from the infirmary. His injuries were too severe. He was hanging on by a single thread, sustained only by medicine and the Array. Early this morning... that thread finally broke."

Yang Wenqing’s heart clenched.

"He never married, his parents died young, and he had no close relatives." Gao Zhen sighed. "The bureau will handle his funeral with the highest honors for an officer fallen in the line of duty. His contributions will be recorded in his file, but..."

There was no family to claim his pension, no descendants to inherit his glory. He had made the ultimate sacrifice, but his passing was destined to be a lonely one.

The office fell silent once more. Outside, the morning light had grown a little brighter.

They had won this storm, uncovering the conspiracy, exposing the mole, and striking a blow against the heretical cult. But the price of victory was the blood of three colleagues—Liu Rong, Wu Qianjun, and Wu Yan—and the shattering of many families.

Yang Wenqing gazed at the gradually awakening city outside his window. The thrill that had surged through him when the truth came to light slowly settled into a more complex emotion.

"Alright, that’s the gist of it. Leave the copy of the Lingshan Town case file you brought with me for now." Gao Zhen stood up, walked to the window, and drew the curtains aside slightly, letting in more morning light to disperse the stale air in the room.

He then turned to face Yang Wenqing. "Wenqing, after this incident, the city will certainly fast-track the process of upgrading Lingshan Town’s administrative status, possibly even moving the date forward. On top of that, Qianjiao County’s upgrade will also be put on the agenda."

His tone grew more formal. "The wrap-up for this case will require cooperation from multiple jurisdictions. I suspect the municipal bureau will most likely send down a new person-in-charge, along with a special task force, to take full control of all subsequent investigations in Lingshan Town, to finalize the chain of evidence and close the case. And this person-in-charge, if there are no surprises, will be the future director of the Qianjiao County City Defense Bureau."

Yang Wenqing immediately understood Gao Zhen’s meaning. ’After the storm comes the redistribution and reshuffling of power and interests.’

’As the frontline commander who charged into the breach and handled the most difficult opening stages of the case, the wisest and most appropriate course of action now is to retreat behind the scenes and let others have a piece of the pie.’

"Your most important task right now is to go home and get some proper rest." Gao Zhen walked over and patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder. "You’ve been wound too tight lately; you’re about to snap. Don’t worry about the case for now. Doing too much more could be counterproductive, understand?"

"I understand, Vice Director Gao." Yang Wenqing stood up and nodded solemnly. ’Of course I understand. Vice Director Gao is protecting me, steering me clear of the delicate power transfers and political maelstrom to come. My contributions have been made; I won’t lose out on what I’m owed. What’s needed now is a low profile and patience.’

"Go get some rest," Gao Zhen said with a wave.

Yang Wenqing saluted and turned to leave the office.

As he reached the door, he turned back to look at Vice Director Gao and asked, "Will Zhang Qiming be sentenced?"

Vice Director Gao gave a firm nod. "Naturally. Our laws are not a child’s play."

Yang Wenqing hummed in acknowledgment and left the office. The hallway outside was bright and the air was fresh. He looked up and immediately saw Liu Min.

She was clearly waiting for him. She wore a tasteful, dark casual suit, her hair pulled back neatly. The weariness on her face had not yet completely faded, but her eyes were much brighter than before.

Seeing Yang Wenqing, she immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Yang Group Leader." Liu Min’s voice was quiet but clear. "This was all thanks to you. If you hadn’t held firm under pressure and insisted on pursuing the investigation, the information I had... and I myself... would probably have..."

She didn’t finish, but her meaning was clear.

"You’re exaggerating, Section Chief Liu." Yang Wenqing stopped. "The lead you provided gave us the crucial breakthrough. If anything, I should be thanking you. Without your courage and attention to detail, this case wouldn’t have progressed so quickly."

’He was speaking the truth; the files Liu Min had compiled were the key to tearing open the web entangling Lingshan Town. But his thanks were formulaic, because the sacrifices of Liu Rong and Wu Yan were inextricably linked to her.’

Liu Min shook her head, not taking credit. She just repeated sincerely, "Regardless, you were the one who gave me a chance. Thank you, Yang Group Leader."

"Get some rest. There’s still work to be done."

Yang Wenqing nodded at her and continued walking.

They walked past each other.

After walking a short distance, Yang Wenqing saw from the corner of his eye Liu Min straighten her clothes, raise her hand, and knock gently on the door to Vice Director Gao’s office.

Soon, Gao Zhen’s voice called "Come in," and Liu Min pushed the door open and entered.

Yang Wenqing didn’t break his stride.

’Liu Min’s performance had clearly caught Vice Director Gao’s eye. After this ordeal, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to receive an exceptional promotion, perhaps even securing an important position in the future Lingshan Town New District or the Qianjiao County branch.’

’Yang Wenqing felt no envy, only a faint sense of melancholy.’

He walked back to the Major Case Team’s floor. The hallway was empty, as most of his colleagues were still in Lingshan Town. Pushing open the door to his office, he was greeted by the familiar sight of its interior.

He closed the door behind him and walked to the window.

In the bureau’s courtyard square below, the city’s communication vehicle was gone. Evidently, the civilian Communication Array had been installed.

The sunlight was brilliant now. It streamed through the window unimpeded, blanketing him in warmth and dispelling the chill and fatigue he had carried back from Lingshan Town.

In that instant, the string inside him that had been stretched so taut finally went slack.

An indescribable weariness welled up from the depths of his consciousness, washing over him like a tide. It wasn’t drowsiness, but the utter exhaustion that follows the sudden release of intense, prolonged focus.

He walked behind his desk, pulled out the chair that had seen him through countless days and nights, and slowly sank into it. The sunlight on his face was a little blinding, but he couldn’t be bothered to draw the curtains. He simply leaned back, closed his eyes, and felt its warmth on his skin and saw the hazy red glow of the light filtering through his eyelids.

The chaotic images in his mind—the outline of Liu Rong’s face, Wu Yan’s pale features, the viscous gore beneath the mountain forest, Zhang Qiming’s final frenzy, and the heavy, complex truth revealed in Vice Director Gao’s office—all began to blur in the warmth and quiet.

As his taut nerves finally unwound, his consciousness felt as if it were sinking into warm water, slowly descending, deeper and deeper...

Within seconds, the sound of steady, quiet breathing filled the silent office.

He was asleep.

At that moment, his body and mind found their long-awaited rest.

Outside, the sunlight crept inch by inch across the room, climbing from the floor to his knees, then slowly shifting toward the wall. Faint sounds began to rise from outside the building, but nothing could disturb him now.

He was too tired. This deep slumber was the reward he had earned.