Chapter 321 - 174: The Dust Settles on the Bombing Case

Chapter 321: Chapter 174: The Dust Settles on the Bombing Case

City Bureau, Vice Director Qi Yue’s office.

The fragrant aroma of Spirit Tea mingled with sandalwood. Qi Yue, Zhao Shouzheng, and Qin Huaiming sat around a tea table, looking quite relaxed.

Qi Yue lifted his teacup, blowing away the froth on the surface. His voice held a note of satisfaction. "That projection from the Foreign Divine Artifact came at the perfect time."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Shouzheng’s eyes. "Based on its described characteristics, there’s a ninety percent chance it’s the ’Vast Sea Divine Artifact’ worshipped by the South Sea Merfolk Race. Those long-tailed creatures from the deep sea are getting more and more audacious, daring to extend their tentacles all the way to our shores."

Qin Huaiming set down his teacup and chimed in, "The higher-ups have long had a strategic plan to clear the Central Sea Region and fully open the shipping lanes to the New Continent. The Merfolk Race occupies key points along those routes and has always played both sides. This time, by using the Jade Whale Sect to stir up trouble, they were probably hoping to snatch a prize from the flames."

"Indeed."

Qi Yue nodded. "If the higher-ups want to use military force against the Merfolk Race, they now have both the moral justification and the perfect opportunity."

Zhao Shouzheng, however, frowned slightly. "But wouldn’t that mean fighting a war on three fronts? The pressure on the northern front hasn’t eased, and now we have this conflict with the Jade Whale Sect. Can we handle it all?"

"It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll launch a full-scale attack immediately," Qin Huaiming said. "It’s more about applying pressure, forcing the Merfolk Race to the negotiating table to cede control of the shipping lanes, or at least to remain completely neutral. The second-in-command of the Central Hub is visiting the East Sea personally. On the surface, it’s an inspection tour, but in reality, he’s here to keep things in line."

"Shen Wenyuan is probably going to benefit from this disaster," Qi Yue said with a smile. "When a blunder of this magnitude happens at the provincial level, someone has to take responsibility, and someone else has to step up to stabilize the situation. He’s been fairly steady over the years. If he plays his cards right this time, it’s not impossible for him to take a step up, assume a key position in the Provincial Hall, and focus on breaking through to the Third Realm."

Zhao Shouzheng snorted. "Naturally, some people in the Provincial Hall will have to be moved. The Central Hub will never let the local factions have complete control over the vacant positions. They will definitely send someone down. I’m afraid things in the East Sea won’t be as comfortable from now on."

"Exactly..." Qin Huaiming picked up his teacup again, his tone leisurely. "This case of ours involves the Merfolk Race’s Divine Artifact, the Jade Whale Sect’s infiltration, and loose ends connecting to certain people in the province. There will be no shortage of people willing to pay a hefty price to make it all go away."

Qi Yue and Zhao Shouzheng both looked at him, knowing he had more to say.

Qin Huaiming didn’t keep them in suspense. "I don’t care about anything else, but doesn’t the Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau keep a pair of ’Blue-feathered Night Owls’ on the mountain behind their headquarters? I heard they just had a chick."

"A Blue-feathered Night Owl?" Zhao Shouzheng was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with understanding. He pointed at Qin Huaiming and laughed. "You sly dog, Qin Huaiming! So that was your plan all along. That’s the pride and joy of those folks at the provincial level. You’re trying to secure a benefit for your own disciple, aren’t you?"

Qi Yue also wore a knowing smile. "That little one is extremely difficult to bond with. It’s incredibly proud. Wenqing is excellent, but whether he can catch its eye is another matter entirely."

Qin Huaiming admitted frankly, "I am indeed asking for Wenqing. He acted decisively in this matter, and he deserves credit for both his achievements and his hard work. Asking for a chance for him to try bonding with it isn’t too much, is it? Whether he succeeds or not will depend on his own destiny. If he does, having such a Spirit Pet by his side would be of immense benefit, whether for fighting enemies, protecting his cultivation path, or assisting his training in the Yuqing Secret Skill."

The Blue-feathered Night Owl is one of the three Spirit Beasts with the highest Spiritual Attribute. Unlike other Spirit Beasts, it has its own cultivation path. Its greatest characteristic is its ability to practice the same Cultivation Technique as its master. Moreover, Spirit Beasts are the favored children of heaven and earth; as long as their master’s cultivation advances, their Divine Sense, which is connected to their master’s, will immediately perceive the path to promotion.

If it reaches the later stages of cultivation, it can essentially fight against others as a true Yuqing Cultivator. It is also the only Spirit Pet capable of practicing the Yuqing Cultivation Technique.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shouzheng couldn’t help but show a trace of envy. He sighed and said, "You really do plan far ahead for your disciple. An opportunity like this is truly tempting. Very well. Although it will be difficult to arrange, riding the coattails of this current situation, it’s worth a shot. Besides, I’ve heard that all the geniuses in the province have already tried and failed. Since Director Wen Qing was able to advance to the Marrow Cleansing Realm before the age of thirty, I imagine they’d be willing to let him try once."

Qin Huaiming raised his cup with a smile. "We’ll do our best and leave the rest to fate."

The three men’s teacups clinked together with a crisp sound. Outside the office, the night was deep. And amidst the lingering aroma of tea, a secret deal and scheme concerning the future of the East Sea and their personal prospects had been quietly settled.

The storm in the Lingshan New District seemed to have temporarily subsided, but ripples at a much higher level were just beginning to spread.

...

Lingshan New District Sub-bureau.

The light in the director’s office was soft. As Liao Tianming listened to Yang Wenqing’s brief report on Zhuang Jian’s situation, his initially relaxed expression gradually grew somber, his brows knitting into a knot.

"Director Wenqing, is there... any room for maneuver in this matter?"

Liao Tianming leaned forward slightly, his tone pleading. "Vice Director Zhuang is, after all, a member of our Civil Affairs Bureau. If there really is a problem, could we conduct a preliminary internal investigation first? Especially with the provincial inspector arriving tomorrow afternoon... everyone will be in a panic, and I’m afraid..."

Yang Wenqing interrupted him. "Director Liao, I understand your concerns, but this is no longer a simple disciplinary matter. The involvement of the Special Case Office means it could involve foreign powers, and may even endanger the foundation of the nation. If Zhuang Jian is truly involved, every moment of delay could lead to even more unpredictable risks. At that point, it won’t be a matter of reputation, but a responsibility that neither you nor I can bear."

He watched Liao Tianming’s ever-changing expression and continued, "This matter has already exceeded the scope of a standard internal procedure. This is also the fastest way to clarify the facts. If Vice Director Zhuang is innocent, we can clear his name sooner, prevent rumors from spreading, and the impact will ultimately be smaller."