Chapter 309 - 168: Progress in the Bombing Case

Silence returned to the office.

Yang Wenqing thought for a moment before raising his hand to activate the Communication Array on his desk. He connected to the general affairs department and instructed, "Section Chief Liu, please follow up with the municipal bureau about the staffing and licenses for the two new precincts we applied for. Ask them where we are in the process and when we can expect an approval."

"Yes, Bureau Chief. I'll get on it right away." Liu Min's voice replied through the Communication Array.

After disconnecting, Yang Wenqing focused his mind and began working through the pile of files before him.

Most of the files were routine approvals. He processed them quickly, but he examined each one carefully, making revisions or adding comments in key places.

Around ten o'clock, there was a soft knock on the office door. Liu Qin's voice came from outside. "Bureau Chief, Chief Du Hong from the Mining District Precinct is here. He says he has something important to report to you in person."

The pen in Yang Wenqing's hand paused for a moment. He then continued signing his name at the bottom of the document and said without looking up, "Tell him to go back and focus on his work. I want him to keep the mining district secure."

Then, his tone softened. "And tell Du Hong to submit the report on last night's operation as soon as possible. Any casualties need to be dealt with and their families consoled."

'When it came to Zhou Dachuan, the bureau had ultimately failed to protect one of its own. Though I don't know why he chose suicide to atone in the end, I won't be stingy with posthumous honors.'

"Yes, Bureau Chief. I'll be sure to pass that along."

After Liu Qin left, Du Hong did not bother him again.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Yang Wenqing handled his files as usual, met with a few people, and in the afternoon, inspected the security of a designated area as planned. Before leaving for the day, he personally observed a drill at the Urban District Precinct.

As evening approached, Yang Wenqing returned to his office. The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a warm, golden light.

Just then, Liu Qin led Liu Min into the office. Liu Min reported, "Bureau Chief, the bureau's application to establish two new precincts has been reviewed and approved by the municipal bureau. The staffing documents and institutional licenses are going through the final stamping and filing process. They should be officially issued in two days at the latest."

Yang Wenqing nodded slightly. "Well, that's some good news."

Just as he finished speaking, Liu Qin knocked and entered, reporting from the doorway, "Bureau Chief, Chief Zhu is here. He says he has an urgent matter to report."

Yang Wenqing glanced at the time. "Let him in."

The door opened, and Zhu Yunchuan strode in. His expression was more serious than usual, tinged with a barely suppressed anger. He nodded to Yang Wenqing first, then glanced at Liu Qin and Liu Min.

Liu Qin and Liu Min took the hint and promptly excused themselves from the office.

"Bureau Chief..."

Zhu Yunchuan said in a low voice, "It's confirmed. Zhou Dachuan's wife was a puppet. The craftsmanship is incredibly sophisticated—a technique only a Third Realm Taiyan Cultivator would possess."

He took a deep breath and continued, "I suspect that when his wife fell ill three years ago, she may have either died or been completely controlled. Her so-called recovery was just her being replaced by a puppet."

"What about the child?"

"The child is fine. A normal kid."

"What made you suddenly decide to investigate Zhou Dachuan's wife?"

"Not even our Wanxuan could cure her illness. How could the Jade Whale Sect possibly have managed it? That raised a red flag, so I had her brought to the Folklore Department."

Zhu Yunchuan slammed his fist on the armrest of a nearby sofa. "Those bastards... toying with people's lives, trampling on all decency."

Yang Wenqing listened quietly, his face unreadable. 'I've grown accustomed to thinking things through rather than jumping to conclusions. For instance, what's Zhu Yunchuan's real motive for suddenly coming to me with this?'

"Has the child been taken care of?"

"Yes. The bureau is coordinating with a reliable welfare agency. He'll receive the best care and education, and his identity will be kept confidential," Zhu Yunchuan replied, his anger subsiding slightly.

Yang Wenqing nodded. After a moment of silence, he said, "This matter is to be kept between you, me, and Section Chief Wu Quan of the Folklore Department. As for Zhou Dachuan's case, let Du Hong write the report himself."

"Yes, Bureau Chief. I understand," Zhu Yunchuan affirmed with a firm nod.

"Also," Yang Wenqing said, looking at him, "increase the screening of internal personnel. Pay special attention to anyone who has handled sensitive cases or has shown recent abnormal behavior or emotional fluctuations. The methods of a Taiyan Cultivator are insidious. We can't afford to be careless."

'I didn't press the conversation further. After all, he's from Internal Affairs Inspection. If I were a deputy chief, getting involved wouldn't be a big deal. But as the Bureau Chief, I have to maintain a certain distance.'

"Understood. I'm already making arrangements," Zhu Yunchuan replied. He didn't press the matter either and rose to leave.

After Zhu Yunchuan left, silence once again fell over the office.

Yang Wenqing leaned back in his large chair, his gaze fixed on the closed door. 'Zhu Yunchuan's intentions weren't hard to guess. He simply wants to use this incident to let Internal Affairs Inspection expand the scope of its investigation. It's a reasonable request—one might even say it's his duty.'

'But for him to want me to publicly declare my support, or even use my authority as Bureau Chief to grant him special privileges—that's impossible.'

'The reason is simple. An excessive internal investigation, especially one concerning the sensitive matter of infiltration by a High-tier Cultivator, would not only upset the balance between the administrative and inspection branches of the City Defense Bureau, but it could also drag me into the heart of the vortex far too early.'

Yang Wenqing let out a soft breath, setting Zhu Yunchuan's implicit request aside for the moment. 'I support Internal Affairs Inspection conducting an investigation in accordance with the law, but it must be done within controllable limits that won't trigger widespread panic or internal division. How to strike that balance is something Zhu Yunchuan will have to figure out for himself.'