Chapter 307 - 167: Zhu Sheng the Scapegoat, Part 2

His gaze was profound, his tone heavy with meaning. "Investigating is a statement of intent. It's also a balancing act. As for how far to investigate, who to investigate, and to what extent... there's a great deal of art to it."

"You just need to do your part. Continue to follow the leads you should be following, and arrest the people you should be arresting according to the law. But how to finally pass judgment and how to handle the aftermath—those are questions for the people above. Remember, it's not that some lids can't be lifted. It's about *when* to lift them, *who* lifts them, and how to put the lid back on once it's open."

"Director Shen is a man of action. He sent the Special Cases Unit to contact you because he wants to cooperate with us to solve the problems with the City Defense System. But don't trust the Special Cases Unit too much. They deal with darkness year-round, and sometimes their way of thinking is different from ours."

This speech captured the subtleties and helplessness of handling thorny issues within the official hierarchy. After listening, Yang Wenqing bowed again. "This disciple has learned his lesson."

Qin Huaiming nodded and gave his final instructions. "Alright, we shouldn't linger here. I'll take the heavily injured Jade Whale Sect cultivator with me. He might still have some value. Leaving him here would only bring disaster. Let others handle the rest. After all, you're the director. If you do everything yourself, what's the point of having subordinates?"

"Yes, Master." Yang Wenqing agreed. Then, looking worriedly toward the stone house, he asked, "That fisherman's body..."

"I'll take it and dispose of it as well." Qin Huaiming waved his hand dismissively. "Traces related to High-tier Cultivators like this would only be a hassle for you. I'll clean everything up."

Yang Wenqing naturally complied. He turned and gave a few instructions to Zhu Yunchuan, then ordered Du Hong to personally bring over the heavily injured Jade Whale Sect cultivator. Qin Huaiming remained silent throughout the process.

Finally, he looked at his master and asked, "Master, what lies beyond the Third Realm?"

Qin Huaiming wasn't surprised by the question. He replied, "After you are formally inducted as my disciple, I will answer that for you. For now, there's no need to overthink it. Thinking too much is detrimental to your cultivation."

After Qin Huaiming took the fisherman's body and the Jade Whale Sect cultivator and vanished into the sky as a streak of light, Yang Wenqing pointed at Du Hong and said to Zhu Yunchuan, "First thing tomorrow morning, Director Zhu, I want you to personally take him to the top floor of the Folklore Division."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhu Yunchuan nodded in acknowledgment.

When Du Hong had returned with the Jade Whale Sect cultivator moments earlier, the scene that greeted him made him realize this matter was not as simple as he had imagined. Now, hearing Yang Wenqing's words, he wanted to explain himself.

But Yang Wenqing walked to one side and contacted Yang Zhong to come pick him up. At a signal from Yang Wenyuan, two guards from the action team blocked Du Hong, who was trying to step forward and explain.

Over twenty minutes later, Yang Wenqing's personal vehicle landed on the cliff's edge.

He didn't return to the branch office. After everything that had happened, he'd lost interest in the current case. What he wanted wasn't the truth, but stability for the Lingshan New District.

By the time he returned to the inner residence of Yang's Residence, the night was deep. Most areas of the estate were dark, with only a few Luminous Pearls under the eaves casting a soft glow. A servant on duty saw the Patriarch return and hurried forward to await his orders.

"Inform Yang Yong to come see me tomorrow morning." After giving the simple instruction, Yang Wenqing walked straight to the Quiet Chamber in the rear courtyard.

The door to the Quiet Chamber closed silently, shutting out the noise and troubles of the outside world. Yang Wenqing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, entered a state of meditation, and slowly calmed his mind.

Half an hour later, all traces of emotion had vanished from his face. He then focused his mind and, following the method of the First Transformation in the "Xuanyue Bone Marrow Cleansing True Scripture," guided his Spiritual Qi to gently permeate his bones.

This time, he cultivated without any external aids. The process was slow and peaceful, like a stream seeping into parched earth. Although there were no immediate effects, he could better appreciate the subtle and profound changes as his Spiritual Qi merged with his bone marrow. The regular circulatory cycles also allowed his mind to gradually become tranquil and clear.

He cultivated like this until four in the morning before stopping. He then entered a deep state of meditative rest, his consciousness completely relaxed. Meanwhile, the faint Five Yang Qi within his five viscera nourished themselves, following the path outlined in the Yuqing Secret Skill. Two hours later, he awoke naturally, feeling refreshed and clear-headed, the fatigue from the previous day completely gone.

By now, the sky was already growing light.

Yang Wenqing rose and walked out to the training grounds. After composing himself, he began to practice the Wind Manipulation Technique again.

Building on his previous experience, he no longer rushed to achieve flight. Instead, he focused on using his Five Yang Qi to more exquisitely sense and guide the surrounding wind, savoring the profound sensation. With the wind's support lifting and pushing him, his movements became increasingly agile and graceful as he leaped and turned. Although he couldn't soar for long, his ability to maneuver within a small space had already far surpassed ordinary Light Body Techniques.

After practicing for about an hour, Yang Wenqing stopped. He glanced at the sky, cast a Dust Clearing Skill on himself, and then headed for the dining hall.

Breakfast was already prepared in the dining hall.

Yang Yong was already waiting there. Seeing Yang Wenqing enter, he immediately stood up. "Patriarch."

"Sit. Let's eat together."

Yang Wenqing gestured for him to dispense with the formalities, sat down in the main seat, and picked up a bowl of rice porridge.

After a simple breakfast, Yang Wenqing put down his chopsticks and instructed Yang Yong, "For the foreseeable future, I'll need a large quantity of ore for Artifact Refining. Go to the market and acquire as many types of basic ores and metal materials as you can. Focus on common ores like Refined Iron, Soft Silver Ore, Black-Patterned Steel Sand, Red Copper, and Cold Iron. Make sure the quality is good; the quantity is unlimited."