Chapter 286 - 158: Congratulations from Allies (Part 2)

Chapter 286: Chapter 158: Congratulations from Allies (Part 2)

Yang Wenqing smiled and took the opportunity to ask, "Speaking of Section Chief Li, I wonder how my old superior, Bureau Chief Zhou, is doing these days? After he was transferred to the municipal bureau, I asked around but haven’t heard anything."

Wang Ren smiled and explained, "I only heard Section Chief Li mention it once. He’s apparently cultivating at the municipal bureau’s Internal Affairs Inspectorate. Given Bureau Chief Zhou’s prior cultivation, he’s most likely working on his Foundation Establishment. We probably won’t hear from him for at least twenty years. It’s a common tactic for Internal Affairs—hiding someone away before suddenly releasing them. That way, they aren’t influenced by any complicated relationships."

A thoughtful look appeared on Yang Wenqing’s face, which then softened into one of understanding. He took the opening and said, "I’ll start coordinating Li Yi’s transfer as soon as I get back. You’d better be ready to let him go when the time comes."

Wang Ren’s smile deepened as he raised his teacup. "Then it’s settled. I’ll handle the internal procedures on my end. He’ll be ready to transfer whenever you need him."

"Good." Yang Wenqing also raised his cup.

They exchanged a knowing smile; nothing more needed to be said. After finishing their tea, they both laughed aloud.

Hearing the laughter, the two young scions knew Yang Wenqing and Wang Ren had concluded their business. They joined the idle chatter, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed. After a few drinks, Zhao Jingming and Li Muyan became more garrulous, a hint of the characteristic arrogance of their prominent family backgrounds seeping into their words.

Zhao Jingming leaned back casually on the sofa and commented, "...At the end of the day, as long as the big shots up top keep things stable, however we play around down here is just for fun. Achievements, territory... in the eyes of the truly powerful, we’re all just a few pieces on a chessboard."

He looked at Yang Wenqing, as if to console the new bureau chief and tell him not to feel too much pressure. "Bureau Chief Yang, don’t sweat all this stuff we’re busy with. For an Entry-level Cultivator, it’s all inconsequential. Fight for what’s yours, and if you can’t get it, just take your time. There’s no rush."

Li Muyan nodded in agreement, his tone carrying a casual, matter-of-fact air. "That’s right. Before Entry, you’re just driftwood. Only when you reach Entry and make that immense power your own can you even begin to alter the course of your own destiny, instead of just being swept along by the tide."

Their tone wasn’t deliberately boastful; it was more like they were simply stating what they believed to be self-evident truths, rooted in their upbringing and perception of the world.

This attitude, more so than direct arrogance, projected a condescending detachment. They enjoyed the conveniences afforded by the power games played "below," yet simultaneously considered themselves above it all.

’Then again, it could just be a way to hide their own weakness. Their cultivation seemed to be only at the beginning of the Qi Cultivation Stage, and their foundations were clearly unstable. They must have relied on Spiritual Medicine to cultivate, meaning they’ll most likely never be able to reach Entry.’

Yang Wenqing smiled and listened, nodding along from time to time, but his mind remained perfectly clear.

The idle chatter continued until midnight, at which point the group finally dispersed.

After seeing off Wang Ren and the two young scions under the rustic portico of Jinghai Pavilion, Yang Wenqing stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Liang in the cool night breeze, gazing at the scattered, flickering Rune Lamps in the distant city blocks.

"Those two... still a bit young and full of themselves," Xiao Liang remarked, lighting a cigarette.

Yang Wenqing chuckled. "Youth has its own capital." He paused, then looked at Xiao Liang. "Brother Xiao, has everything been all right with you lately?" ℴ

He didn’t ask for specifics; it was merely an expression of friendly concern.

Xiao Liang exhaled a cloud of smoke that quickly dissipated into the night. "Same old, same old. This is as good as it gets for me. You, on the other hand, have a limitless future. If you ever need errands run or messages delivered—especially if it’s something you can’t ask anyone else to do—just say the word."

He spoke directly, without beating around the bush.

Then, he added with a self-deprecating laugh, "Think of it as me building a good connection for my son’s sake."

Yang Wenqing nodded. "If anything comes up, I won’t hesitate to trouble you, Brother Xiao."

The two made a bit more small talk before Xiao Liang waved, met up with Wang Ren, and boarded a Flying Shuttle to leave.

Yang Wenqing stood alone for a moment before looking up at the pitch-black sky over Lingshan New District. He let out a soft breath and turned toward his own Flying Shuttle.

He had intended to return to the branch office to preside over matters, but after he settled into the Flying Shuttle, Yang Zhong informed him that Vice Director Sun had come to visit and had been waiting at his home for quite some time.

"Home, then."

Yang Wenqing instructed, rubbing his brow.

It was late, but the inner compound of the Yang’s Residence was still brightly lit. Vice Director Sun was seated in the main hall, in the seat of honor just below the master’s chair, a cup of hot tea steaming in front of him.

Under the lights, the wrinkles at the corners of Vice Director Sun’s eyes and the white hair at his temples were clearly visible, revealing his age. He stood and offered a few pleasantries when Yang Wenqing walked in.

"Brother Sun, I’m sorry to have you come all this way so late. You could have just sent a subordinate with a message," Yang Wenqing said as he sat down, motioning for a nearby servant to withdraw.

"Some things are best clarified in person," Sun Ming said with the composure of a man who had seen it all. "My time here is nearly at an end. I’ll soon be transferred to take the fourth seat at the municipal joint conference. When that happens, I’ll see if I can get you a seat there, too. As for the position I’m vacating in Qianjiao County, I plan for Wenqi to take it. He can forget about scheming for the vice director position in the New District."

"Is he qualified?" Yang Wenqing asked.

"I’m not being transferred out or demoted..." Vice Director Sun said, chuckling as he looked at Yang Wenqing. "However, if we do promote him, any further advancement will be difficult. The main problem is his Divine Art cultivation isn’t up to snuff. It would probably take him another ten or twenty years of grinding to make any more progress."

Yang Wenqing considered it for a moment, then said, "Then let’s have him give it a try!"

’You have to grab a position in the Civil Affairs Bureau when one opens up. Otherwise, you could be waiting over a decade for the next opportunity.’

Having agreed, he seized the opportunity to bring up his own affairs. "Speaking of personnel, I’ve just taken over, and there are a thousand things to sort out. The chief positions for the two new public security stations are a particular headache."

Vice Director Sun smiled. "Personnel, you say... well, I might have someone. A distant relative of mine—he’s the paternal uncle of your cousin Wenxiu’s husband—named Sun Yan. He’s with the Chixia County City Defense Bureau. His cultivation is at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Refinement, yet he’s been stuck as a senior sergeant, serving as the deputy leader of the Major Case Team for nearly thirty years."

"The man is level-headed and reliable; he just lacks an opportunity. If you can transfer him to one of your new public security stations and use a special slot to grant him the compensation of a Police Specialist, it would work out well. At his age, there’s no hope of his cultivation advancing any further. All he’s really looking for is better compensation and a respectable title. It wouldn’t be a waste of the slot."

Yang Wenqing mulled it over for a moment, then his face broke into a grin. "Brother Sun, this is a real lifesaver. Since he’s practically family and has the ability, it couldn’t be more perfect."

"You can transfer him over before the official papers arrive from the municipal bureau. Put him in charge of establishing the new station. Once most of the setup is done, you can promote him a rank, and it will be a natural transition for him to assume the chief’s duties," Vice Director Sun said with a smile.

"I’ll have the Personnel Records department process his transfer tomorrow," Yang Wenqing promised.

"Mm, I’ll give him a heads-up when I get back."

The two then briefly exchanged ideas about future business collaborations in the New District. The Sun family now had a hand in several industries there, and their interests had become deeply intertwined with those of the Yang family. Many things between them were now tacitly understood.

Eventually, the topic somehow shifted to Yang Wenqing’s younger siblings.

Vice Director Sun asked with concern, "Wenning and Wenjian are reaching the age where they should be thinking about marriage. As their older brother, do you have any plans for them?"

Yang Wenqing mulled it over for a moment before responding, "There’s no rush for their marriages. I was formally accepted by a master a few days ago, and I hear the internal politics of his sect are incredibly complex."

He paused, his voice steady but thoughtful. "Their marriages can be seen as both a small matter and a very large one. I want to wait until after the formal induction ceremony to get a better sense of the situation within the sect. It would be unwise to make a rash decision now."

Upon hearing this, the wrinkles on Vice Director Sun’s face relaxed slightly. "That’s true. In that case, their marriages certainly don’t need to be rushed."

Both men understood the implication. The caliber of the Yang family’s future marriage alliances would rise in tandem with Yang Wenqing’s new standing in his sect.

After a bit more small talk, Vice Director Sun rose to take his leave.

By the time he saw Sun Ming off, it was deep into the night. Yang Wenqing rested for a moment, then made his way to the Quiet Chamber in the rear courtyard. He was eager to begin his formal cultivation in the Marrow Cleansing Realm.