A heretical cultivator in Bureau 749, I'm the fiercest at pulling out tendons and skinning peop

In the office of the director of the 749th branch of the Caiyun Public Security Bureau, the smoke was so thick it could be used as a curtain.

Director Lin stared at his phone screen, his contacts hovering over the line "Zhang Yucheng-Jinghai 749," his fingertip hovering over the dial button, not moving for a long time.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and pressed it down.

The call was answered after only two rings.

"Hey? Old Lin! What a rare guest! What brings you to call me? Perhaps you'd like to learn from Jinghai's advanced management experience?"

Zhang Yucheng's voice came through the receiver, full of energy, with a unique New Year's feeling of languor and smugness after a good meal.

Director Lin's eye twitched violently.

Journey to the West? What a load of rubbish! My place is practically on fire!

But he couldn't say it aloud, so he forced a fairly warm smile, even though the other person couldn't see it:

"Hey, Lao Zhang, Happy New Year! There's something I'd like to discuss with you..."

"Hey! Don't rush to get to the point!"

Zhang Yucheng interrupted him directly, her tone full of enthusiasm, as if she had found a rare audience member.

"Old Lin, let me tell you, our Jinghai's year-end summary this year was exceptionally well done! Everyone, from top to bottom, was extremely satisfied!"

"Our bureau's revenue and performance this year... wow, the ministry has given us three commendations! Three times!"

"Old Lin, I'm not bragging, but when our Jinghai 749 goes out into the world now, we stand really tall!"

Director Lin: "..."

He quietly moved his phone a little further away to prevent his ears from being deafened by that smugness.

"And another thing, we have a new kid in our department who's really made Jinghai 749 look good this year!"

"That kid's something else! Really something else! He went out to solve a case and casually made a fortune!"

"High awareness, strong abilities, and most importantly, a deep sense of responsibility towards the collective! Such promising talents are rare these days!"

Zhang Yucheng got more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had opened a floodgate of words.

"By the way, our bureau's year-end bonuses this year were pretty good. Not much, just a few hundred thousand per person."

He gave a number.

Director Lin's hand trembled, and he forgot to brush off the cigarette ash that fell onto his pants.

Is this what you call "okay"? Is this what you call "not much"?!

Did you guys at Jinghai 749 rob the central bank or something?!

"I was so happy that I gave my kids a full two weeks of paid annual leave."

"It's not that I'm not enlightened, Lao Lin. Everyone has a heart. Brothers have worked hard all year. They should rest when they need to and get together when they need to."

"As a leader, I can't offer anything else, but I can certainly make decisions about this little bit of vacation time."

Zhang Yucheng's tone was incredibly considerate of his subordinates, showing great understanding and righteousness.

"Old Lin, not to be rude, but the scenery over there in Caiyun is beautiful and there are plenty of resources. Sometimes you can broaden your thinking a bit more. When you're working, you can't just bury your head in your work; you also have to look up and see where you're going, and think about how to achieve sustainable development..."

Director Lin listened to the endless "work report" and "Versailles speech" on the other end of the phone, his temples throbbing.

He felt he hadn't called for help.

He called specifically to seek abuse.

It was as if they had heard a devastating blow from "someone else's company".

He tried several times to interrupt and steer the conversation back on track.

But every time he managed to utter a breathy sound, he was immediately silenced by Zhang Yucheng's even louder and more enthusiastic sharing.

"By the way, our cafeteria is planning to invite a retired chef who previously worked at state banquets for the New Year. Hey, Lao Lin, when are you free to come to Jinghai? I'll definitely treat you well and let you try some food..."

"Zhang! Yu! Chen!"

Director Lin finally lost his temper and, taking advantage of Zhang Yucheng's moment of respite, used a third of his magical power to suddenly raise his voice.

There was a moment of silence on the phone.

"Hmm? Old Lin, you go ahead, I'm listening."

Zhang Yucheng's tone remained warm, as if his ten-minute-long boasting about his wealth and provoking envy was merely a casual greeting between friends.

Director Lin took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, trying to swallow back the blood welling up inside him, and striving to make his voice sound calm, serious, and filled with a sense of unavoidable solemnity:

"Old Zhang, I'm in big trouble, I need to borrow someone."

"Who?" Zhang Yucheng asked bluntly.

"A kid named Ji Zuodao"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Little Princess..."

Zhang Yucheng's voice had lost some of its languidness and smugness, and had become more businesslike.

"He went back to his hometown for the Chinese New Year. His hometown... I think it's in your Caiyun. Old Lin, tell me first, what's going on? For you to personally call to borrow someone, and specifically this kid, this must be something big, right?"

Director Lin perked up and quickly and concisely explained the urgency of the killing contest and the undercover investigation.

Finally, add:

"Sun Zhigang from our bureau, I met Xiao Ji during the day, and I thought his demeanor... was quite suitable for joining that bunch of scum. I'm at my wit's end; none of the people I have are the right fit."

"Oh..." Zhang Yucheng drawled out, as if he was thinking.

"A gathering of heretical cultivators for a killing contest... that's quite troublesome. That kid, Xiao Ji, is a bit wild and daring. This kind of work... might actually pave a way for him."

There's a chance!

Director Lin quickly struck while the iron was hot:

"Old Zhang, I know the rules. For cross-regional cooperation, we'll handle all the procedures, compensation, and risk contingency plans!"

"As long as the person comes, we'll cooperate with whatever he wants! And if this really works out, all the credit and bonuses will go to Jinghai! We just want peace of mind!"

"Hmm..." Zhang Yucheng pondered for a moment, as if weighing his options.

Just as Director Lin's heart raced, thinking he was about to propose some unacceptable condition—

Zhang Yucheng suddenly sighed:

"Sigh, I really treat Xiao Ji like my own nephew. She's capable, but sometimes she's too impulsive, which makes me worry."

"Old Lin, I can release him. But there's something I need to say beforehand."

"Tell me! I'll agree to any conditions!" Director Lin practically patted his chest in confidence.

"There aren't any conditions."

Zhang Yucheng's voice came through the radio waves, calm yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"This kid is a bit unpredictable. Don't try to reason with him; he knows exactly what he's doing."

Director Lin immediately guaranteed:

"Don't worry, Lao Zhang! I know the rules. An outsider will never instruct an expert."

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll give him a call and have him report to you. You two can discuss the specific tasks in person."

After Zhang Yucheng finished speaking, he seemed to remember something and added in a relaxed tone:

"By the way, Lao Lin, our bureau was planning to build a new building, but we were short of the budget."

"Look how coincidental this is... Once Xiao Ji completes this mission, a portion of the illegal proceeds seized can be returned to our bureau as investigative expenses, according to regulations..."

"Who knows, maybe they can even build two more floors in this new building, haha!"

"..."

Director Lin hung up the phone without expression.

He silently sat back in his chair, lit a new cigarette, and took a deep drag.

Then, facing the air, he slowly uttered two words:

"grass."

This phone call was made.

Not to mention being completely humiliated by Versailles.

The key point is the meaning behind Zhang Yucheng's last sentence—damn, he's giving him a quote.

The money they receive should be enough to build at least two more floors for Zhang Yucheng.

No refunds for excess, but replacements for insufficient amounts.