Chapter 337 - 182: The Incident Is Over, the Martial Law Is Lifted

Chapter 337: Chapter 182: The Incident Is Over, the Martial Law Is Lifted

Inside the guest house on the grounds of the mining and processing company.

Ding Yi and the other four members of the investigation team were speaking with Vice Director Wang. On the surface, it appeared to be a casual chat, but in reality, it was the vice director’s routine inquiry—a necessary administrative step.

Having worked in an office for decades, Vice Director Wang easily steered the inquiry into a casual conversation. Once he had gathered the basic information, he took his leave.

After Wang Hai left, the five members of the investigation team gathered around a small round table and activated a portable Sound Insulation Array.

"Chief, this Yang Wenqing is even younger than many of the prodigies back at headquarters," a slightly older team member said in a low voice. "I observed him for a moment with a Divine Art. He doesn’t have the innate aptitude for cultivation, yet the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi has an incredible affinity for him. It’s like the constitution of the Demon Race, but I’m certain he has no Demon Race blood in him."

Ding Yi gave a slight nod. "Countless prodigies have appeared throughout the world’s long history, and there have been others like Yang Wenqing. We just need to do our job and compile a complete file on him."

Their primary mission in Lingshan New District was to investigate tax matters. However, they had a secondary task: to create a file on the new True Disciple of the Xuanyue Lineage. The Cabinet maintains a file on every orthodox disciple.

Another team member chimed in, "This Yang Wenqing is under thirty, yet he’s already in the Marrow Cleansing Realm. He’s also in charge of a key district and has a well-established master. His file rating is unlikely to be low."

Ding Yi nodded slightly. "In addition to his Cultivation and political achievements, his network of connections with local factions and higher-ups is also a key point of our assessment."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Continue to observe him and be cautious in your approach. Yang Wenqing might just turn out to be the most significant discovery of our trip to the East Sea."

「Elsewhere.」

Yang Wenqing supervised the interrogation of the relevant factory personnel.

With the main culprit, Yang Haishan, already in custody, neither the factory manager nor the head of security had the courage or conviction to make excuses.

For the most part, they just frantically repeated that they were "only following the chairman’s orders." As for any deeper connections, they either genuinely knew nothing or were too afraid to speak.

Meanwhile, Wang Yanzhi, along with several accountants from the Civil Affairs Bureau, officially took control of the mining and processing company’s core accounting department and began working through the night, combing through the books.

Time slipped by in a flurry of activity, and before long, the eastern sky began to pale with the first light of dawn.

Yang Wenqing looked down at the thick stack of preliminary interrogation records in his hands. The general outline of the case was already clear. With both witness testimonies and physical evidence secured, subsequent conviction and deeper investigation would require the involvement of more specialized departments.

He considered this for a moment, then turned to Wei Cheng. "Section Chief Wei, your Public Security Section will formally open a case file on this matter and take full charge of the follow-up investigation and evidence collection."

Having made these arrangements, Yang Wenqing dismissed the operations team. A deep wave of fatigue washed over him. He declined the kind offer of an escort from Xia Meng and the others, boarded a Flying Shuttle alone, and returned to the Yang family estate in the faint light of dawn.

The inner residence was quiet; his parents were likely still asleep. He returned to his Quiet Chamber, but before he could even begin to meditate, the Communication Array on the badge on his chest pulsed with a familiar fluctuation of Spiritual Qi. It was his master, Qin Huaiming.

Yang Wenqing immediately answered the call. "Master."

"Wenqing, you haven’t rested yet, have you?" Qin Huaiming’s voice sounded pleased. "I have some news. After Yang Haishan was taken back to the city bureau, he started confessing voluntarily, even before the formal interrogation began."

"Confessing voluntarily?" Yang Wenqing was surprised.

"Yes, he’s a smart one." Qin Huaiming’s tone held a trace of amusement.

"He knows full well there’s no escaping this time. But he’s even more aware of the powerful people and interests he’s tied to, so he had no choice but to start talking. It’s a shame he only offered up trivialities. But, when you connect those trivialities to his brother-in-law’s affairs, things get much more interesting."

"Has the city bureau decided to use the Soul-Searching Technique on his brother-in-law?" Yang Wenqing’s brow twitched.

"They have. But even so, they can only scratch the surface. The Civil Affairs Bureau immediately sent people to ’assist’ with the interrogation, and the Inspectorate showed up early too."

Qin Huaiming sounded quite regretful. "So, in all likelihood, they won’t dig too deep into this case. Yang Haishan himself will be sentenced to life in prison."

Yang Wenqing fell silent. ’This is the nature of political games,’ he thought. ’Truth and justice must often yield to balance and stability.’ Yang Haishan had become a pawn that had to be sacrificed, and the powers behind him had paid a price.

"But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for us."

Qin Huaiming’s tone shifted, becoming more relaxed. "The provincial government, including the Civil Affairs Bureau, has given its preliminary approval. With the reallocation of the Energy Stone exchange quotas for Lingshan New District, we might just get a slice of the pie."

"Energy Stone quotas?" Yang Wenqing’s spirits lifted.

Energy Stones were not only the core power source for important Arrays, but also a crucial item for Cultivators to replenish the Spiritual Qi in their Qi Sea. Along with energy crystals and Gold, they were one of this world’s most important currency anchors.

Even for a powerful cultivator at the Third Realm, high-quality Energy Stones were an excellent choice for rapidly replenishing Spiritual Qi during intense battles or after depleting their reserves while trying to break through a bottleneck.

’Getting a share of that operation would be an unexpected windfall.’ However, he also knew that the share wouldn’t fall directly to him; he wasn’t yet qualified.

"The specific shares and operational details still need to be negotiated, but the big picture is settled," Qin Huaiming concluded. "You handled this well. After the sub-bureau’s routine meeting today, come to the city bureau. There are some follow-up matters we need to discuss in person."