Chapter 55: Family Affairs
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Family Affairs
They had barely started eating when Yang Jianmu got straight to business. "Wenqing, after you wrote home last time about the recommendation spot for the Police Academy, the Clan elders immediately gathered the younger generation to discuss it. They held another competition, and in the end, Wenyuan was the victor."
He felt a pang of regret as he spoke, because Yang Wenqing’s own brother was not yet ten and his sister was only twelve, far too young to meet the enrollment requirements.
As Yang Wenqing nodded, he discreetly activated the Sound Insulation Array within his badge. When his gaze fell upon Yang Wenyuan, his sixth uncle, Yang Jianye, immediately spoke up. "Wenqing, we’ve come this time mainly for the matter of Wenyuan’s future..."
Yang Jianye habitually wrung his hands as he spoke, while Yang Wenyuan kept his head lowered nervously, silently picking at the rice in his bowl.
Yang Wenqing nodded. Looking at his somewhat introverted cousin, he said casually, "Since the Clan elders have made their decision, and Wenyuan earned this spot through his own strength, then that settles it."
’If I want to advance within the City Defense System, I’ll need to groom my own people. Clansmen are the absolute best choice; we know each other inside and out, which makes it much safer to handle confidential matters.’
When Yang Jianye heard Yang Wenqing agree, the smile on his face broadened. He reached out and patted Yang Wenyuan on the head. "Quick, thank your Brother Wenqing!"
"Thank you, Brother Wenqing!"
Yang Wenyuan hurriedly thanked him.
Yang Wenqing now had a better understanding of his cousin’s introversion. ’It’s likely a result of his father’s overbearing parenting style.’
"Here’s what I was thinking," Yang Jianye began, presenting a wooden box he had been holding. "Wenyuan will take the spot, and in return, I’ll repay the funds you advanced to the Clan. In addition..."
"Inside is something I came across by chance six years ago. It’s said to be beneficial for a Cultivator’s Qi Cultivation. It’s just a pearl gathering dust in my hands, so it’s better that you have it. Consider it a small token from me and your sixth aunt."
The moment the wooden box opened, a warm and tranquil aura filled the air. The box was lined with red velvet, upon which rested an egg-sized, milky-white jade stone. Its surface was smooth, and a turbid mist swirled slowly within. Most peculiar of all, at the very center of the jade, one could faintly make out an emerald-green halo pulsing gently, as if it were alive.
"Is this a Spirit Jade Embryo?" Yang Wenqing asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Seeing that Yang Wenqing recognized it, the smile on Yang Jianye’s face grew wider. "It is indeed a ’Spirit Jade Embryo.’ Six years ago, a traveling merchant in urgent need of money pawned it at my shop. He never came back for it after the term expired. I had it appraised; although it’s only low-grade, it’s authentic. They say that wearing it for an extended period can nourish one’s Spiritual Vein."
Yang Wenqing nodded. ’This ’Spirit Jade Embryo’ is indeed a fine Spiritual Object, especially for a Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Stage. Even though it’s only low-grade, its value far surpasses the funds I advanced for the Clan. It seems Sixth Uncle has truly spared no expense for Wenyuan’s future.’
Yang Wenqing didn’t refuse. He graciously accepted the wooden box, placed it in his Storage Bag, and made a mental note to have it fashioned into an accessory he could carry. Then, he looked at Wenyuan and said, "The Police Academy is nothing like being at home. Competition is fierce, and the rules are strict. Now that you have this opportunity, you must cherish it. Do not disappoint the Clan elders or waste your father’s sacrifice."
Yang Wenyuan quickly put down his chopsticks and answered solemnly, "Brother Wenqing, I will definitely work hard!"
Watching this scene unfold, Yang Jianmu’s face broke into a gratified smile. His son had established a firm foothold in the city, and the Clan’s younger generation now had a new path forward. Nothing could make him happier.
"Alright, let’s eat. The food’s getting cold," Yang Jianmu urged, and the atmosphere instantly lightened.
Yang Wenqing didn’t say anything about wanting his cousin to help him in the future. ’No one can predict what will happen. But as long as I can achieve something significant, these people will naturally flock to my side and become my staunchest supporters without me ever having to ask.’
Then, Yang Wenqing retrieved a neatly folded document from his Storage Bag. When unfolded, it emitted a faint Spiritual Light. The paper was durable, and its edges bore the joint watermark of the City Defense Headquarters and the Police Academy.
"Since it’s settled, let’s get the paperwork sorted," Yang Wenqing said, spreading the document over an empty space on the table. He then took out a special spirit-rune pen with a faintly glowing tip.
The recommendation form was quite detailed. In addition to the standard fields for personal information, place of origin, and relationship to the recommender, the most eye-catching feature was a complex, circular Array pattern in the center. The Array’s lines were traced in silver, and a small, colorless Crystal Stone was embedded at its core, currently dim and waiting to be activated.
"Wenyuan, fill this out field by field, exactly as required. Be sure it’s accurate." Yang Wenqing handed the spirit-rune pen to Yang Wenyuan and pointed to an empty space beside the Array. "Finally, place a drop of blood from your fingertip into this groove to record your bloodline aura. This is the crucial step for anti-counterfeiting and identity-binding. Once recorded, it cannot be changed."
Yang Wenyuan did as instructed, carefully writing down his information. The final step was the most critical: recording his bloodline aura. Following the instructions, he used the fine needle on the pen’s tip to prick his left index finger, squeezed out a single drop of crimson blood, and carefully let it fall into the groove beside the Array.
The instant the blood touched it, the drop seemed to come alive and was swiftly absorbed into the groove. Immediately, the once-dim Array in the center of the form flared with a soft white light. The silver lines began to flow slowly as if infused with life. The white light spread along these lines, ultimately converging on the colorless Crystal Stone at its core.
After absorbing the white light, the Crystal Stone began to manifest exceedingly fine, pale gold patterns within. These patterns interwove to form a unique, natural insignia that resonated with Yang Wenyuan’s bloodline.
This meant the recommendation form had now been blood-bound to Yang Wenyuan, possessing a unique anti-counterfeiting mark.
"All set." Yang Wenqing carefully inspected the form’s contents and the activated Array. Confirming there were no issues, he pushed the document toward Yang Wenyuan and instructed, "Take this document to report to the City Police Academy. Don’t be late, or the spot will be forfeited."
Yang Jianye watched all of this, the gratitude in his eyes impossible to put into words. He could only keep repeating his thanks.
With their business concluded, the four of them finally enjoyed their belated dinner in peace. Afterward, Yang Wenqing wanted to invite his father to stay at his place in Dongning Community, but Yang Jianmu waved his hand dismissively. "I’ll just stay at the guesthouse for the night," he said with a smile. "I’ll take the early bus back with your sixth uncle and Wenyuan tomorrow morning. There’s still a pile of work waiting at home."
Yang Wenqing knew his father’s personality and didn’t insist. He quietly saw his father back to his room at the guesthouse, leaving behind some pastries from the city and freshly purchased tobacco leaves. Then, with his father’s nagging of "stop wasting money" echoing in his ears, he returned alone to his home in Dongning Community.
Back in his cold, empty home, Yang Wenqing took out the ’Spirit Jade Embryo’ and examined it closely under the light. Its warm aura coiled around his fingertips, calming his mind.
Following Thunder Pill’s advice, Yang Wenqing rested and recuperated today. He refrained from meditative cultivation but still practiced his ’Sword Control Technique’, though he limited himself to the most basic control exercises.
The night passed uneventfully. Yang Wenqing left home early the next morning, reaching the guesthouse before his father and uncle had to leave for the early bus. After seeing the three of them off at the station, he headed to the precinct. As he approached the entrance, he saw that a large number of his neatly dressed colleagues had already gathered in the plaza outside the main building.