Chapter 268 - 150: Their Own Little Schemes

At a temporary camp, Liu Qin ended her call. She subconsciously glanced up at the combat Flying Ship hovering overhead, then said to Liu Xin beside her, "Captain Liu, I have to head back first. Director Yang has a pile of things waiting for me. I'm leaving this combat Flying Ship and the remaining personnel with you."

Hearing this, Liu Xin turned her head, a thoughtful look on her face. "As it happens, I also need to go back and file a detailed operational report. It involves some professional judgment that's best reported to Director Yang in person. Besides…"

She paused for a moment. "Although the main force in this operation was Captain Lu and the municipal bureau, our Major Case Team still put in the work on the initial investigation and luring the enemy. According to regulations, our sub-bureau has the right to a share of the confiscated materials. The distribution plan also needs Director Yang's personal approval. Why don't we go back together? We can go over the situation on the way."

Liu Qin glanced at Liu Xin and nodded. "Alright. Let's make the arrangements here. We can take your light Flying Shuttle back; it'll be faster."

Neither of them was one to procrastinate. They quickly handed over camp duties to their deputies and boarded Liu Xin's small reconnaissance Flying Shuttle.

The Flying Shuttle's cabin wasn't large, and the two sat facing each other. Liu Xin skillfully brewed two cups of refreshing Mind-Clearing Tea and handed one to Liu Qin.

After taking a sip of the hot tea, Liu Xin spoke, seemingly at random, "Assistant Liu, I heard on the comms just now that Director Yang has apparently been promoted to the Marrow Cleansing Realm? If that's true, our Lingshan New District sub-bureau is about to have a director who's not even thirty."

Her tone carried a professional sort of interest. "The workload in the New District is getting heavier and heavier. If Director Yang is promoted again, do you think the higher-ups will add another deputy director to the sub-bureau's leadership? If so, that would leave two deputy director positions open."

'Liu Xin's words might sound like a discussion of the sub-bureau's personnel structure, but she's really expressing interest in the other vacant deputy director position. She's certainly qualified; the only thing she's missing is someone to put in a good word for her.'

Having figured this out, Liu Qin responded, "You have a point, Captain Liu. But for major matters like this, it still depends on the municipal bureau's decision. I'm just a messenger who runs errands; what would I know about such things?"

She was no longer the naive young woman she once was, and she deftly extricated herself, refusing to take the bait on such a sensitive topic.

Then, before the other woman could speak, she changed the subject. "I took a quick look at the inventory of the items we seized. At market value, my share should be just barely enough to gather the final resources I need to push for the Qi Cultivation Stage."

She looked at Liu Xin. "Once we're back and have dealt with the loot distribution and the reports, I want to ask Director Yang for a few days off to attempt a breakthrough in seclusion."

A look of approval immediately appeared on Liu Xin's face. "That's a good thing. Once you advance to the Qi Cultivation Stage, with Director Yang holding you in high regard, you're bound to go even further."

The two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere in the cabin grew more congenial. But in their hearts, each was keeping their own clear and separate ledger.

Soon, the Flying Shuttle landed smoothly in the sub-bureau's rear courtyard. Liu Qin and Liu Xin walked toward the main building, one behind the other, and went straight to Yang Wenqing's office.

They knocked and entered.

Inside, Yang Wenqing was sitting behind a large desk. Data streamed across a light screen in front of him as he handled a matter using the City Defense System.

"Director Yang," the two greeted in unison.

"Sit," Yang Wenqing said, gesturing to the chairs opposite him. He looked at Liu Xin and asked, "How are things over there?"

Liu Xin took a deep breath and gave a clear, methodical report on the situation with the ancient tomb and the underground river maze, concluding with, "...Captain Lu determined that the underground waterway has too many forks and may extend deep under the sea. A conventional search would be time-consuming and resource-intensive."

After listening, Yang Wenqing said, "Since the situation is complex, there's no need to invest significant manpower and resources into a deep search for now. If necessary, we can destroy that cave system to completely cut off this smuggling route. However, you'll need to provide a detailed assessment of whether that is a viable option."

"You should redirect your efforts away from there and refocus the investigation on tracking down the smuggling network. Sometimes the answer isn't in the depths of a maze, but in the mouths of living people."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xin immediately offered a compliment. "A brilliant insight, Director. My own thinking was too limited. You see things much more clearly. I'll adjust our deployment at once and focus on investigating the smuggling chain and any sleeper agents!"

The flattery wasn't particularly skillful, and you could even hear a hint of awkwardness in it, which was at odds with her usual efficient, no-nonsense style.

Yang Wenqing glanced at her but didn't show any particular reaction to her clumsy compliment, only giving a slight nod. "Yes. See to it that you handle this case well."

This plain acceptance was, in itself, a form of tacit approval and recognition. Liu Xin felt a sense of certainty; she knew she had made the right move.

At that moment, Liu Qin spoke up at the opportune time. "Director, there's also the matter of distributing the spoils from this operation. Captain Liu has completed a preliminary inventory. Here's the list."

She pushed a file across the desk to Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing scanned it quickly, his gaze lingering for a moment on the "Spiritual Liquid." This item was an auxiliary Spiritual Medicine for "Meridian Burning and Vessel Tempering," the Second Transformation of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. It was exactly what he would need in the future and was difficult to purchase on the open market.

He mulled it over for a moment, quickly calculating his account balance and potential upcoming expenses in his head. Then he spoke. "This Spiritual Liquid is useful to me. I'll personally pay for that share, calculated at market price."

He looked at Liu Qin. "Transfer 150,000 from my private account to the Major Case Team's books as payment for the acquisition of these spoils." This price was slightly higher than the market value of the Spiritual Liquid, demonstrating Yang Wenqing's principle of not taking advantage of public assets, while also leaving a little extra for the team.