Yang Wenqing stopped writing and rubbed his throbbing temples. Over twenty hours of high-intensity, nerve-wracking work had left him deeply exhausted, despite possessing the physique of a Qi Cultivator.
However, just as he thought he could finally call it a day, head home for a good wash, and rest, the badge on his waist vibrated gently, carrying a communication signal from Vice Director Gao.
Upon connecting, Vice Director Gao’s voice came through immediately: "Wenqing, come to the ’Liuyun Music Garden’ tonight to listen to some music."
Yang Wenqing didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed, "Yes, Director Gao. I’ll be there on time."
...
Dusk fell, and the city’s lights began to glow.
Yang Wenqing changed into a set of plain, everyday clothes and piloted a Flying Shuttle alone to the ’Liuyun Music Garden’ in the southern part of the city.
Unlike last time when Vice Director Gao had led the way, as soon as he stepped through the inconspicuous black-lacquered wooden door this time, an attendant’s eyes lit up. He had clearly been given instructions, and he immediately bowed to lead the way, his attitude even more respectful and familiar than before.
"Master Yang, this way, please. Master Gao and Master Zhou are already waiting in the Rain Pavilion."
Winding past several corridors and rockeries and crossing through a meticulously maintained flower garden, the attendant led him to a private room built by the edge of a pond.
Pushing the door open, he found Vice Director Gao and Deputy Director Zhou already inside, just as expected. Both were dressed in loose, comfortable robes, sitting across from each other and sipping tea. They seemed much more relaxed than at the bureau. Seeing Yang Wenqing enter, Vice Director Gao smiled and gestured him over. "Wenqing’s here. Have some tea first, calm your nerves."
"Director Gao, Director Zhou."
After paying his respects, Yang Wenqing sat down on a brocade stool to the side. A young maidservant immediately served him a cup of fragrant tea at the perfect temperature.
After he finished the tea, Vice Director Gao dispensed with the pleasantries. Following a few words of small talk, he dismissed the dancer beside them and got down to business. "We’ve received confirmed news from the city bureau. The battle went more smoothly than expected. The two seniors at the Entry realm are highly skilled. Not only did they kill the Sea Monster, but they also used a Secret Technique to extract key memory fragments from its dissipating core of consciousness."
Yang Wenqing’s spirits lifted, and he sat up straighter.
"According to those memories," Vice Director Gao lowered his voice slightly, "the Sea Monster wasn’t naturally born. It was transformed using Evil Magic. It was guarding a secret base in a deep-sea trench about three hundred nautical miles from the coast. Unfortunately, by the time the city bureau’s people followed the clues to the location, the base was already abandoned."
Deputy Director Zhou added from the side, his voice as calm and flat as ever, "However, no withdrawal is ever perfectly clean. They’re bound to have left some clues behind. The technical department is currently analyzing the base’s residual energy signatures, traces of materials, and possible escape routes. The lead hasn’t gone cold."
Yang Wenqing nodded silently. This was to be expected.
At that moment, Vice Director Gao set down his teacup. His gaze grew somewhat complicated as he looked at Yang Wenqing. "There’s one more thing, regarding the source of the Sea Monster’s consciousness..."
"Based on the Sea Monster’s memories and the lingering human obsession within them, the technical and forensic departments cross-referenced the data and came up with a highly probable theory. The core consciousness anchored to the Sea Monster... very likely originated from Wang Lei’s mother!"
Even with Yang Wenqing’s firm resolve, hearing this theory sent a chill up his spine. He then recalled the file on the Wang family father and son; their fortune began to rise right after Wang Lei’s mother had unfortunately fallen into the sea and drowned.
"So the root of the Wang family’s fortune..." Yang Wenqing’s voice was a little hoarse.
"We’re not yet sure if it’s related to the ’Yellow Springs Guide,’ but we’ll have an answer soon. The rise of the Wang family father and son was their first investment," Deputy Director Zhou interjected, his eyes cold. "To trade everything of one’s own flesh and blood for immense wealth and the power of an Evil Skill... such a thing is not unimaginable for those lunatics."
For a moment, silence fell over the private room, broken only by the faint sound of the wind outside and the distant, drifting notes of string and bamboo instruments.
Yang Wenqing subconsciously glanced toward another, equally elegant private room across the pond. Through a half-open window, he could see Director Qin chatting with two guests, a man and a woman.
Two beautiful women were nestled close to the man, while two handsome and upright young men stood by the woman’s side. They all had their eyes closed, their expressions relaxed, as if they were enjoying something.
Vice Director Gao noticed his gaze and gave a faint smile, lowering his voice even further. "Director Qin is entertaining important guests. They’re special envoys from the Provincial Hall, responsible for coordinating the cross-regional aspects of the case moving forward. Last night’s victory was just the beginning."
He raised his cup in a gesture. "I called you here tonight, first, to let you relax a bit, and second, to make sure you’re in the loop. You’re the one who dug up this lead on the Wang family, so there’s some information you deserve to know."
Yang Wenqing picked up his teacup and gently clinked it against Vice Director Gao’s. The warm tea went down his throat, but it couldn’t dispel the deep chill that had spread through his heart from this glimpse of the truth.
After setting down his teacup, Vice Director Gao added, "There’s one other thing. The major exams in June are just around the corner. The city’s various academies are expanding their enrollment this year, and our bureau has a good number of recommendation slots."
As he spoke, he took a document from his Storage Bag and said, "Here are ten slots. Choose some promising talents from your clan. Getting into the Civil Affairs Academy will be relatively easier this time. If your family has any younger members who frequently worship the national Divine Artifacts, you can recommend a few more of them."