I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 80: Chapter 78: Official Public Announcement

Tingchao Pavilion was a famous private restaurant in Qianjiao County. Located within a secluded garden in East City, it boasted a serene environment and elegant style, making it a favorite social venue for officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau and the city’s wealthy merchants.

Guided by a waiter, Yang Wenqing arrived at a private room named ’Bamboo Rhythm’. When he pushed the door open, the scene was not the lively banquet he had expected. Inside were only Vice Director Sun Ming and his wife.

Sun Ming appeared to be in his forties, possessing the calm and steady demeanor characteristic of an official from the Civil Affairs Bureau. However, a shadow of gloom from the pain of losing his son still lingered between his brows. His wife looked much more haggard, clearly forcing herself to stay composed.

"Captain Yang, please, have a seat." Sun Ming rose to greet him.

"Director Sun, Lady Sun," Yang Wenqing greeted them politely and sat down in the reserved seat. Then, to ease the initial awkwardness, he subconsciously took in the room’s surroundings.

The furnishings here were elegant, with a bamboo screen to one side and ink wash paintings hanging on the walls. A faint scent of sandalwood and tea permeated the air. During the meal, Sun Ming did not dwell on the pain of losing his son, instead making small talk about recent events in the county and local customs. His wife would occasionally add a few words in agreement. While the atmosphere wasn’t lively, it maintained a surface-level peace and respect.

After several courses, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Sun Ming put down his chopsticks, looked at Yang Wenqing, and said with a sincere tone, "Captain Yang, thank you so much for your work on Liu Sheng’s case. Although my son can never come back, you stood firm against the pressure and brought the murderer to justice, ensuring he did not die in vain. My wife and I will never forget this act of justice."

Yang Wenqing set down his teacup and said seriously, "Director Sun, you’re too kind. Enforcing the law impartially is the duty of the City Defense Bureau. I am also deeply sorry for what happened to your son."

Sun Ming nodded. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly said, "I have a street-facing storefront in the Port District. The location is quite good. If you wouldn’t mind, Captain Yang, I’d like to give it to you as a small token of our appreciation."

’He’s just giving me a storefront?’

Yang Wenqing’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. He politely declined, "Director Sun, I deeply appreciate your generous offer, but I’m not skilled in business, and neither is anyone in my family. I’m afraid such a fine storefront would be wasted on me."

Sun Ming seemed to have expected his refusal. He smiled faintly and offered some guidance, "Captain Yang, you’re too modest. Running a business doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do everything yourself. Your Yang Family Village has several thousand people who need daily necessities and a way to trade their spiritual materials and local specialties. You just need to arrange for a reliable clansman to manage it. By using your own channels and connections, you can sell goods from the county to the village and bring the village’s specialties to the county. The price difference alone would be enough to make the shop very profitable. It’s not difficult; in fact, it’s your natural advantage."

’This is indeed a reliable way to make money. It could not only improve my own life and the lives of my clansmen but also strengthen my voice and influence within the clan.’

However, Yang Wenqing had a meticulous mind. This was his first significant interaction with Sun Ming, whose background and intentions were not yet completely clear. He feared that by rashly accepting such a heavy gift, he would be indebted to him in the future.

So, he suppressed the urge in his heart and insisted, "Your guidance is sound, Director Sun, and the method is indeed viable. It’s just that I am still too junior and must focus my energy on my official duties and cultivation. This matter requires more long-term planning. I am truly unworthy of your kind offer."

Seeing Yang Wenqing’s firm attitude, a flicker of almost imperceptible admiration passed through Sun Ming’s eyes. He didn’t insist further. Instead, he took out a palm-sized brocade box from his robe and pushed it in front of Yang Wenqing.

"Since you insist, Captain Yang, let’s change the thank-you gift to something else."

Sun Ming opened the brocade box, revealing an ancient bronze ring. Intricate defensive runes were carved upon its surface, and a faint Spiritual Light flowed around it. "This is a ’Mind-Guard Ring.’ When activated, it can block one fatal Divine Soul attack or a Mind-Confusing Class spell from an expert below the Foundation Establishment Stage. Captain Yang, you work on the front lines and often face danger. This item might be of use. Please, do not refuse this time."

When Lady Sun saw the Magical Artifact her husband had taken out, the sorrow in her eyes suddenly deepened. It was clear she was thinking about how her own child had, by some cruel coincidence, met his end on the one day he hadn’t carried a Magical Artifact with him.

Yang Wenqing, on the other hand, showed just the right amount of interest. The City Defense System excelled at creating offensive Magical Artifacts, though he didn’t have access to them yet. The only defensive Magical Artifacts they had were some standard-issue bracers. In contrast, the Civil Affairs Bureau was renowned for its defensive Magical Artifacts, especially those that protected against confusion and illusion-type attacks.

’This is indeed a practical defensive Magical Artifact. It must be quite valuable, but it’s much easier to accept than a storefront, and it’s genuinely useful to me.’ He could also see that Vice Director Sun was sincere in his gratitude. With that, Yang Wenqing no longer feigned refusal. He accepted the brocade box and thanked him earnestly, "Thank you for this generous gift, Director Sun. I will be sure to make good use of it."

The two parties chatted for a while longer, exchanging mailing addresses. Seeing that it was getting late, Yang Wenqing stood up to take his leave. Sun Ming and his wife walked him to the door of the private room.

After leaving through the main gate of Tingchao Pavilion, Yang Wenqing slipped the ’Mind-Guard Ring’ onto his left thumb and glanced back at the courtyard entrance.

Back in the private room, Sun Ming’s wife watched the direction Yang Wenqing had left and said softly, "That Captain Yang is so young, yet he’s remarkably composed."

Sun Ming nodded, his gaze profound. "He understands when to advance and when to retreat and isn’t swayed by short-term gains. His talent for cultivation is said to be quite good, and more importantly, he’s decisive. He is highly valued by Gao Zhen. Given time, he will certainly achieve great things. The Sun family’s foundation in this county is still shallow. It’s better to offer help in a time of need than to add to an already impressive success. Since he was unwilling to accept the storefront for now, we can simply find another way to befriend him."