I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 99: Chapter 84: The Match Begins

"I heard the Inspectorate is also making arrests. They have officials from the city there, and they’ve arrested dozens of people. Our own Internal Affairs Inspection is arresting people, too. About a dozen have been taken from our branch alone."

Yang Wenqing’s expression didn’t betray much surprise, but the scope and speed of this operation by the city and branch bureaus still surpassed his initial expectations.

Vice Director Gao had been wise to have him pull back early to focus on the arena duel and his own cultivation. These waters ran far too deep. With his current position and standing, getting swept up in this would mean being utterly crushed at the slightest misstep.

"That’s enough." Yang Wenqing waved a hand, cutting off his subordinates’ slightly panicked discussion. "The task force and our superiors will handle these matters. The duties of our Third Squad are unchanged. Just focus on the work you’re assigned."

His composure was contagious, and the tense atmosphere in the office eased slightly. Everyone returned to their posts. Though their thoughts inevitably drifted to the storm sweeping the city outside, a semblance of order was at least restored on the surface.

Yang Wenqing sat back down in his seat. Looking at the documents on his desk, his mind was perfectly clear.

Over the next few days, the political and business circles of Qianjiao County experienced a massive earthquake. None of it had anything to do with Yang Wenqing. He maintained his regular schedule, and amid this charged atmosphere, the day of the first arena duel of his career arrived.

「On the day of the arena duel.」

Yang Wenqing was brought to the branch bureau by one of Vice Director Gao’s aides before six in the morning. After composing himself, he headed toward the bureau’s auditorium. The spacious hall, normally used for assemblies and ceremonies, had been temporarily converted into a standard Martial Arts Arena.

After entering under the watchful eyes of two guards at the door, Yang Wenqing walked straight to the designated contestants’ resting area on the east side of the platform, where he sat down cross-legged. A moment later, he let his qi sink into his Qi Sea, blocking out the gradually increasing sounds of footsteps and hushed conversations from the outside world.

As time passed, spectators began to file in.

The first to arrive were Wang Ren, Wang Jianchao, and Xiao Liang. The public notice period for their promotions had just ended today, and they were about to assume their new posts. They entered the auditorium but didn’t approach, so as not to disturb him, simply taking seats in the front row of the audience section. When their gazes met Yang Wenqing’s, each gave a slight nod, conveying their silent support and encouragement.

Next, the deputy heads of the branch’s various departments and key officers from the public security substations—those not involved in the frontline purge—also filed in, discussing the upcoming duel in low voices.

When Director Zhang Qiming and Vice Director Gao entered the auditorium, flanking Director Qin, the entire hall instantly fell silent. Director Qin was dressed in the same inconspicuous, dark civilian clothes as before, but the easy confidence of a man long accustomed to power naturally made him the center of attention.

The trio didn’t head directly to the seats of honor, instead walking toward the contestants’ resting area by the platform. Director Zhang wore a perfunctory smile, Vice Director Gao’s calm expression held a hint of concern, and Director Qin’s gentle gaze landed on Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing was already on his feet. Seeing the three leaders approach, he immediately snapped to attention and saluted. "Director Qin, Director Zhang, Vice Director Gao!"

Director Qin nodded slightly, sizing him up for a moment before speaking in a warm tone, "Your qi is stable and your spirit is high. Excellent. I hear this is your first platform match since joining the force. Don’t overthink it. Just give it your all."

Vice Director Gao stepped forward, patted Yang Wenqing’s arm, and said in a low voice, "Remember what I told you. Play to your strengths."

Director Zhang Qiming’s smile remained fixed, his tone exceptionally warm, as if showing the concern of an elder. "Wenqing, the path of cultivation is long. Don’t dwell on a single victory or defeat. The branch has always reserved a ’special contribution, promotion-by-exemption’ slot as a safety net. Regardless of the outcome today, you can be promoted to Police Specialist in the future without taking the exam."

The moment he said this, the corner of Vice Director Gao’s eye twitched. Director Qin shot an impassive glance at Director Zhang before his gaze returned to Yang Wenqing.

His words sounded considerate, but they were laced with barbs. Everyone in the system knew about the so-called ’special contribution, promotion-by-exemption’ slot. It was typically an honorary consolation prize for veteran sergeants nearing retirement who had no hope of further promotion. The benefits and career prospects were worlds apart from a Police Specialist rank earned through normal competition.

For Director Zhang to bring it up now was tantamount to implying that it didn’t matter if Yang Wenqing lost; the bureau could toss him a consolation prize. More than that, saying it in front of Director Qin was a subtle jab, suggesting that this was the only kind of treatment Yang Wenqing deserved.

Any other proud young man would have felt his blood boil.

Yang Wenqing’s expression, however, remained as calm as ever. He replied in a sincere tone, "Thank you for your concern, Director Zhang. I will never forget the bureau’s care for me. I will do my absolute best on the platform today to live up to the expectations of our leaders, and to be worthy of my own cultivation."

A flicker of imperceptible approval flashed in Director Qin’s eyes. He gave a slight nod, and without another word, turned and walked toward the seats of honor. Vice Director Gao gave Yang Wenqing a profound look before following. Director Zhang’s smile remained unchanged. With a dry chuckle, he too turned and walked away.

Just then, the light at the auditorium’s entrance dimmed as a tall, powerfully built figure strode in with steady steps.

It was none other than Wu Qianjun.

He appeared to be well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back that stretched his standard-issue dark City Defense Bureau combat uniform taut. An old, inch-long scar over his left brow bone added an air of ferocity to his stern features.