Villain? No, I'll catch up with the protagonist after passing the civil service exam.

Inside the carriage, the air seemed to freeze.

The red-headed document bearing the word "Top Secret" lay quietly on the dashboard. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windshield, making the bright red seal appear particularly glaring.

"Demons and monsters?"

Lu Jingyan repeated the four words, a playful smile curving his lips. He showed no fear or surprise whatsoever, instead acting as if he were listening to a bad joke.

"Director, it's against regulations to allow beings to become spirits after the founding of the People's Republic of China."

He pointed to the document, his tone flat, "If someone is faking supernatural phenomena to defraud people, that's a public security case. If it's a cult, that's the job of the Ministry of State Security. Isn't it a bit inaccurate to include 'supernatural phenomena' in an official document?"

"If it were before, I would have thought it was nonsense too."

Director Chen sighed, took out a cigarette from his pocket, but didn't light it. He just smelled it under his nose. "But there have been too many strange things happening lately. Knocking sounds came from an ancient tomb in the eastern suburbs in the middle of the night. When the archaeological team went in, they found that the coffin lid had been lifted from the inside. The Taoist temple in Nanshan suddenly came back to life overnight, and the peach blossoms on the mountain bloomed out of season."

"The most outrageous one is in the provincial capital."

Director Chen lowered his voice, his expression enigmatic, "Someone filmed a person dressed in ancient costume flying over the ring road, riding on a sword."

"The traffic police's drone went to chase it, but it was struck down by a beam of light as the other vehicle turned around."

Lu Jingyan pushed up his glasses, a glint of shrewdness flashing behind the lenses.

Flying on a sword?

It seems that the "spiritual energy revival" warned by the system is no longer just a countdown number.

"So, what does the provincial department mean?"

"Establish a 'Cross-Regional Major Case Supervision Group,' at the deputy division level, reporting directly to the top leader of the provincial department."

Director Chen looked at Lu Jingyan, his eyes filled with both reluctance and pride. "You will be the team leader. You have the authority to mobilize police forces, resources, and even military units throughout the province when necessary."

"This is a powerful tool, but also a hot potato."

"Xiao Lu, do you dare to answer?"

Lu Jingyan looked out the window.

The neon lights of Jinghai City have already lit up. This city, which he personally "cleaned," now appears so peaceful and serene. Those once arrogant tycoons, celebrities, and capital have all now fallen silent.

The stage here is indeed a bit too small for him.

Moreover, now that the "new version" has been updated, wouldn't it be too boring not to meet those so-called "cultivators"?

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Lu Jingyan picked up the document and flipped through it casually. "As long as they're still on Earth and breathing air, they have to abide by the Public Security Administration Punishment Law. So what if they can fly? Does that mean they can litter? That they can avoid getting a temporary residence permit?"

"I'll take this job."

……

The next morning, in the special investigation team's office.

The atmosphere was heavier than at any previous case analysis meeting.

Everyone has received the news. Their leader, the invincible King Yama who led them to capture all the villains in Jinghai, is leaving.

"Captain Lu... are you really leaving?"

Su Xiaoxiao's eyes were red-rimmed, and she clutched the collector's edition of the Criminal Law that Lu Jingyan had given her to "ward off evil spirits." Her voice choked with emotion, "What will we do if we have cases we can't handle after you leave? What if another female celebrity tries to steal you away... or harass you?"

Zhao Tiezhu, a man who was 1.9 meters tall, also looked dejected. He squatted in the corner and said in a muffled voice, "Captain Lu, those people in the provincial capital are arrogant and difficult to get along with. Why don't you take me with you? I'll drive you around, I'll even take a bullet for you."

Lu Jingyan was tidying up his desk.

There wasn't much stuff: a few law books, a thermos, and the bronze fragment he found at the construction site.

He packed the items into a cardboard box, turned around, and glanced at every familiar face.

"Why are you crying? I'm going to the provincial government, not the crematorium."

Lu Jingyan's tone was disdainful, but his eyes were unusually gentle. "I've sorted out the mess in Jinghai for you. The rest is just about protecting this land."

He walked up to Su Xiaoxiao and tapped the book in her arms.

"From now on, when you encounter a case, use your brain more and your emotions less. If I hear you singing 'Conquer' in the office again, I'll make you copy the Party Constitution a hundred times when I get back."

Su Xiaoxiao burst out laughing, but her tears fell even more profusely.

"And you, Tiezhu."

Lu Jingyan looked at the burly man and said, "Be gentler when you arrest people in the future. Don't break their arms and legs so easily. We are police officers, not demolition crews."

"Yes, Captain Lu!" Zhao Tiezhu stood up abruptly, saluted, his eyes red-rimmed.

Lu Jingyan nodded, picked up the cardboard box, and strode towards the door.

When he reached the door, he stopped, turned his back to the crowd, and waved.

"Alright, stop seeing us off. It's not like we're parting ways forever."

"Do a good job."

"Don't embarrass your old boss."

After saying that, he opened the door and walked out without looking back.

Behind him, the entire special investigation team stood up, saluted that tall, upright figure, and lingered there for a long time.

……

10:00 AM, entrance to the Jinghai Expressway.

A black Audi A6 merged into the traffic and sped off toward the provincial capital.

Soft music played in the car. Lu Jingyan held the steering wheel with one hand, watching the Jinghai City road signs gradually disappear in the rearview mirror. He didn't feel much sadness about parting.

For him, parting was only for a better reunion.

Or rather, it's to go to a bigger pond and catch bigger fish.

"provincial capital……"

Lu Jingyan muttered to himself.

It is the political, economic, and cultural center of the province, and also a place where hidden talents abound.

Antique markets, treasure appraisal events, auction houses... and those legendary ancient martial arts families that have been passed down for thousands of years.

If Jinghai is the beginner's village, then the provincial capital is the real advanced dungeon.

“Ding Di—”

The car navigation system issued a warning: "[We are about to enter the provincial border. Our destination is 180 kilometers away.]"

Lu Jingyan stepped on the gas, and the car's speed soared.

Just then, the bronze fragment that had been lying still in the evidence bag he had placed on the passenger seat suddenly trembled slightly.

A faint but clear flow of heat emanated from the bag.

It was as if responding to some kind of... distant call.

Lu Jingyan glanced at the bag, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"Did you feel it too?"

He looked at the city skyline shrouded in a faint purple haze at the end of the road ahead.

"It seems that the 'specialty' of this new map is eager to meet me."

"I hope your 'spells' can withstand my 'laws'."

The Audi transformed into a black lightning bolt, piercing through the thin mist on the horizon.

Volume Two, a perfect ending.

And the magnificent and bizarre third volume—[Ancient Martial Arts Cultivation Chapter]—is already right under our feet.