Chapter 003: Chief Meeting

xx

After completing a chaotic patrol duty, I immediately reported to the deputy chief upon returning to the outer division.

"Nine! Dragons! Seventeenth Squad Leader Jin Wuzhan, patrol duty completed and returned."

"...What is that slogan? And why do you put your hand on your forehead?"

"It's a slogan and gesture to express loyalty to the Nine Dragons City. Does it not please you?"

It's worrying that the future of the outer division is in the hands of someone who doesn't even know the basic salute.

"Hmm, it doesn't seem bad."

"I'm glad to hear that."

I could feel the deputy chief's favorability towards me increase by +1.

"By the way, did anything unusual happen?"

"A few drunkards caused a commotion, but I managed to handle it without any injuries."

"That must be thanks to you."

"You flatter me."

"No, I'm serious. Do you know how surprised I was when you first applied to the outer division? A top graduate from Dangchian Academy volunteering to join the outer division. And you've adapted so well since you came."

Actually, the deputy chief initially rejected my application, thinking that an elite from Dangchian Academy would stir up trouble if he joined the outer division.

I had to persuade him, following him around for nearly ten days, grabbing his pants and pleading.

'Just give me one chance! I can do it well.'

Reflecting on it now, the path to get here was incredibly difficult.

That's why the deputy chief always looks at me with a favorable gaze.

Feeling the endless trust from my superior, my shoulders straightened.

"I'd even consider assigning Taeyong Road to the Seventeenth Squad permanently."

Except for the side effects that come with it.

"However, that would go against the principle of rotating duties."

"Ah, that's a shame."

The outer division rotates duty locations every month.

There are several reasons for this, but the main one is to prevent 'guanxi' (favoritism).

For example, one might turn a blind eye to someone they know, while strictly punishing others, or even interfere with a competitor's business to help a friend.

Bribes are a given in this process.

However, the deputy chief seemed to have a different idea and muttered something strange.

"Isn't that so? Then I'll talk to the chief and make an exception for the Seventeenth Squad..."

What's wrong with this guy today?

"It's not possible!"

"Huh? Didn't you just say it was a shame?"

"Making an exception for something like this would severely undermine the discipline of the outer division."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Once it starts, it will quickly escalate."

"True, that's a valid point. You're right, the Seventeenth Squad Leader is a good choice."

"Thank you for the compliment."

I finally managed to persuade the deputy chief, but then he said something else.

"So, about this... You need to attend the chief meeting with the chief."

"Really? Isn't that usually the First Squad Leader's job?"

"Well, yes, but..."

The deputy chief hesitated for a moment before continuing with a bitter expression.

"Actually, he's currently under investigation by the inspection team."

"Really? The First Squad Leader?"

The First Squad Leader is the third in command, right below the deputy chief.

Even though the outer division is often treated as a minor department, the inspection team would still find it burdensome to investigate someone in such a high position.

This means he must have committed a significant level of power abuse.

"He's said to have taken 500 taels to ruin a merchant."

I never thought that guy had such a large scale.

"You know, the other squad leaders are all illiterate. At least you, a graduate of Dangchian Academy, can read well."

"I'm still lacking in experience..."

I was about to refuse with a modest remark, as I didn't want to do overtime, when the deputy chief showed me four fingers.

"In exchange, I'll assign you to the city gate duty for the next four months."

"Seventeenth Squad Leader Jin Wuzhan! I will carry out the order without any error!"

***

"So, you're supposed to prepare for the chief meeting?"

"Yes."

Yousoping frowned and asked.

"By yourself?"

"What else can we do? We can't trust the others."

Looking at the team members who were brimming with ignorance, Yousoping nodded slightly.

"Then can't the squad leader help?"

"I'm in a management position. I need to ensure the Seventeenth Squad runs smoothly."

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

It's like saying you're going to skip the group project.

"Anyway, I'm counting on you."

"Wait a moment!"

Yousoping's desperate plea was ignored as I hurriedly left.

Don't blame me too much.

Isn't this all part of social life?

At least I gave you a break from duty.

***

A week later, Yousoping, with dark circles under his eyes, handed me a stack of papers.

"Here it is."

"Hmm, let's see."

Despite the large amount, the papers were neatly organized, which made me think I had made the right choice.

"Good job. Go ahead and rest."

"...Yes."

As Yousoping left with a face full of complaints, I headed to the deputy chief's office for the final confirmation before the chief meeting.

"Here are the materials for the chief meeting."

"Really? Let me see."

After a brief look, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Better than the First Squad Leader. I might need to ask you more often."

"Of course, whenever you need me."

I'm sorry, Yousoping. For the sake of the Seventeenth Squad, you need to make this sacrifice.

"Then I'm counting on you tomorrow."

"Isn't the deputy chief coming with us?"

"Hmm, I have a mission for a while."

"...What?"

"Anyway, I'm counting on you."

Feeling uneasy, I nodded without realizing it.

'Why do I feel like I didn't get paid for my part-time job?'

Thinking about the deputy chief's retreating back, I was about to leave when...

"Huh? The deputy chief isn't here? I have something to report..."

"He just left."

The Third Squad Leader entered.

"Of course, he had to go to Yunnan early. I'll have to report it next time."

"Really?"

"Didn't you know? He's on leave to attend the wedding of the second daughter of the Yunan You family."

'I've been tricked!'

I clenched my fists without realizing it.

To be treated like this in a martial world that's 500 years behind, with the kind of favoritism that only happens in K-corporations!

My hands trembled, and my vision blurred.

On the other hand, I couldn't help but admire the deputy chief's political skills.

"Ugh!"

"What's wrong with you?"

"Just a bit nauseous."

***

The day of the chief meeting arrived.

I knocked on the deputy chief's office door a little early.

"Chief, it's time for the meeting."

Creak.

"Ah! It's already that time..."

Beakui Bai came out with a messy hair.

"...It's been a while since I've seen the other chiefs. Shouldn't you at least wash your face?"

"What's the point of washing if I'm just going to hear bad things?"

"You have a point."

Compared to other departments, the outer division is still treated as a minor department, at best a minor chief.

Even with the superlative martial artist Beakui Bai, the chief of the Nine Dragons City, it's no different.

After all, the Nine Dragons of the Nine Dragons City represent the nine divisions, including the outer division.

The other eight divisions are prestigious families with histories spanning several hundred years.

In simpler terms, the Nine Dragons City is a conglomerate formed through mergers and acquisitions and share exchanges.

Thus, it's inevitable that the outer division, without a strong background, is treated as a minor department.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

Following Beakui Bai, I entered the inner city.

'It's been a while since I've been here.'

I used to come here every day when I was at Dangchian Academy, but it feels strange to be back after so long.

After walking for about an hour, we arrived at the largest hall in the inner city, the City Lord Hall.

"Hmm."

Upon entering the City Lord Hall, I saw the chiefs of the other divisions, dressed in splendid robes.

Despite spending their lives in the Nine Dragons City and being familiar with each other, their atmosphere was cold.

This is the result of the political infighting that arises from being in the same position and constantly criticizing each other.

Beakui Bai, who was used to this, casually took a seat at the end of the table, and I stood behind him.

After a moment,

"Everyone here?"

One of the five major figures in the martial world, the City Lord of the Nine Dragons City, the Dark Poison Star King Dang Qing, entered, and the chiefs stood up.

"We greet the City Lord."

'It's been a while. That guy.'

In fact, I have met this person before. We even had a brief conversation.

He was the one who awarded me a martial art and its interpretation on the graduation day of Dangchian Academy, as I was the top graduate.

Swoosh.

As Dang Qing scanned the room with his unique dark green eyes, the hall became as cold as ice.

"Let's start."

At his command, the chiefs began their reports, starting with the Blue Dragon Division and ending with the Red Dragon Division, which was right next to Beakui Bai.

Even though I didn't know much about the Nine Dragons City, the content of the reports was quite serious, but the City Lord remained indifferent.

Finally, it was the outer division's turn.

"That's enough for today."

Tired of it, he said and left the hall, leaving me speechless.

'How could he not even listen to the materials I prepared?'

Of course, Yousoping prepared them, but his efforts are also mine, so I had every right to be angry.

Did the City Lord sense my anger?

"Wait."

The City Lord, who was about to leave, stopped.

"Who's the person standing behind the outer division chief? You look familiar."

At the City Lord's call, I jumped out.

The CEO of a global conglomerate was speaking to me, a low-level manager in a minor subsidiary.

"Seventeenth Squad Leader Jin Wuzhan of the outer division!"

"I remember you."

"It's an honor to be remembered!"

"Good, have you been practicing the 'thing' I gave you?"

"I'm doing my best, though I'm still lacking!"

It's a lie. I only learned the first part that I could use immediately and never looked at it again.

If I got caught lying to the City Lord, I would lose my hand, but I didn't think he would check my progress.

However, he did.

"Really? Let's see."

'Oh no!'

As soon as he said that, a sticky and heavy aura approached and probed my body.

The City Lord was using his aura to check my progress.

I couldn't resist and could only watch as his aura probed my body.

'Damn, I hope I don't get in trouble for slacking off.'

After a moment,

"Your progress isn't bad. Keep it up."

For some reason, the City Lord praised me and turned around.

Stunned by the sudden turn of events, I could only stare at him.

Thud.

Beakui Bai's kick snapped me out of it, and I bowed.

"Thank you for your guidance!"

Thus, the stormy chief meeting ended.

Amidst the gazes of the main division chiefs.

***

"It seems the City Lord has a good impression of you."

"Ah! Chief, we're still in the inner city. What if someone hears?"

"Who's going to hear? There's no one around."

This guy is really asking for trouble.

I'll have to cut ties with him soon.

"By the way, what did the City Lord give you? Ah! It's a secret, right? You don't have to tell me."

"It's not a secret. He just gave me a martial art."

"A martial art from the City Lord? Ten Thousand Flowers Shower? Thousand Toxins Heart Technique?"

"No, it's not that grand. He just said it was a martial art he created."

This is what I find unfair.

To be given a nameless, low-level martial art by the City Lord of the Nine Dragons City.

It's like getting a product without a brand, which is hard to get serviced.

However, Beakui Bai, with a different perspective, said with a gleam in his eyes.

"A martial art created by the City Lord. I should ask for it as a reward when I achieve something."

Even if it's not that great.

And for you, the outer division chief, to achieve something, we would need to go to war with the Ten Horse League, which is above us.

As we were heading back to the outer division, Beakui Bai stopped.

"Someone seems to be looking for us."

"There's no one here."

"There is, right next to you."

Turning around, I saw a short old man smiling at me.

"Oh my!"

"Hehe, how have you been?"

"Grandpa! I thought I was going to faint."

"What's with the 'I' for a man? You haven't visited since you left Dangchian Academy, which is disappointing."

Snap!

"Ouch!"

The old man flicked my forehead, a kind of Tan Zhi Shen Tong knockoff.

"This old man is really something!"

"Do you want more?"

"No."

Beakui Bai quietly bowed to the old man.

"Greetings, True Person."

Wow, this troublemaker is actually showing respect.

Indeed, company life is a long game.

"It's been a while. How is Chief Chun?"

"I haven't heard from him since he entered the Great Snow Mountain ten years ago, but I'm sure he's fine."

"True, there are few who can handle him. By the way, can I borrow this guy for a while?"

"Of course, if the Taiqing True Person of Zhenchang needs him, I'll let you take him."

"Thank you."

With that, Beakui Bai left, and I was left alone with the old man, feeling betrayed and cursing under my breath.

'Damn it.'