Chapter 30: With Such Little Sincerity, How Am I Supposed to Help You?

Gu Changqing’s vision blurred, and he found himself back in his room.

“Can’t catch me, my ass… Can’t catch me…” he sneered, cursing under his breath with disdain.

Just before he vanished, he’d caught the other side’s words. “I’m logging out. Bet you didn’t see that coming, did you?”

He stripped off his clothes casually, only to notice the moon-white brocade robe he’d borrowed with such difficulty now had a small hole in the shoulder.

Instantly, Gu Changqing felt his grudge deepen.

“Those people all have magical tools, treasures, and spells, but I have nothing. It’s a real disadvantage!” At present, the only offensive spell he possessed was the Blood Prison Scroll.

The more he thought about it, the more he blamed the Yu family for everything. If not for their relentless oppression, he would have found a place to learn some proper techniques and borrow a few magical items for protection by now. It truly was a feud written in blood.

On a single thought, a blood snake, as thick as a child’s arm, coiled around his own. It had once been as thin as his little finger, but now it was as thick as a child’s arm, and more than thirty human faces floated on its surface—apart from the one from the Earth League, all of them were disciples of the Yu family.

The spiritual energy in his body had also multiplied several times over. An ordinary cultivator would have had to toil for two or three months to reap as much as Gu Changqing had gained this time.

Feeling the changes since his return, Gu Changqing even found himself looking forward to going back again.

He wasn’t sleepy, so he first took a look through his binoculars at the opposite building, then turned on his phone to check the time.

Seeing it was still early, he called Meng Xi, looking to unwind.

Meng Xi, for her part, had been wondering why Gu Changqing hadn’t contacted her for days. After all, he was young, tall, handsome, and generous—a client of his caliber was rare. If possible, she wanted to develop the relationship further, but ever since she’d sent that text the other day, she hadn’t heard a word from him.

So, when Gu Changqing’s call came, she was pleasantly surprised. After dressing with special care and telling Sister Mei she was going out, she went downstairs to wait.

Half an hour later, as Meng Xi opened the passenger door and got in, she froze for a moment.

After all, they were quite familiar with each other’s particulars.

Taking a closer look, Meng Xi was stunned. “Young Master Gu…”

Gu Changqing was now a full ten centimeters taller, his skin smooth and flawless as jade, with a newfound delicacy to his features. He looked like a completely different person.

Meng Xi almost thought she’d gotten into the wrong car.

“What are you staring at?” Gu Changqing shot her a glance.

“Your skin…”

“Not important!” Gu Changqing grinned, then floored the accelerator and sped off to the hotel.

…

The next morning, when Gu Changqing woke up, Meng Xi was still sound asleep.

He changed clothes, tossed twenty thousand yuan onto the table, and left the hotel for the Security Bureau.

Inside, his appearance drew bright looks from many, especially the female officers, whose eyes sparkled at the sight of him.

After all, the bureau wasn’t that big, and the story from the other day had spread like wildfire. Now, with Gu Changqing’s even more striking looks and stature, he was hard to miss.

Passing by the third squad’s office, Gu Changqing suddenly remembered something and walked in.

“Ah Quan, you’re back? What happened these past few days? Where did you go?” His colleagues greeted him with curious looks.

“And what about those bone fragments at your house…”

After Gu Changqing made his call, the third squad had sent people to his place, only to find the floor strewn with shattered bones and tattered clothes.

Tests showed the bones were human, and the deaths recent.

It had given quite a few people a fright.

Gu Changqing pulled out a wad of cash, counted out a thousand, and handed it to a colleague. “I haven’t had time to go to the hospital lately. Buy a couple of fruit baskets for the captain and Zeng Shiqian, will you?”

“I’m going to the chief’s office.”

A few steps out, he paused and turned back. “By the way, what about the guy who attacked the police? Did you catch him?”

“Got him. He’s still in the holding cell. What do you want to do with him?” His colleague wore a peculiar look, as he’d handled the case himself and knew the whole story. But Gu Changqing was one of their own, so of course he’d help him out.

“Tell his family to come bail him out! If they won’t pay, keep him in there for half a month, then indict him!” Gu Changqing said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Why are you even asking me? How do you people get anything done around here?

Attacking a police officer—attacking me, no less! He should be grateful I didn’t toss him off the building!

With that, Gu Changqing headed straight for the chief’s office.

“Chief!” Gu Changqing entered, dragged a chair over, and sat down opposite the desk.

“Gu Quan’an, badge number 35237!” The chief scrutinized him. He’d met Gu Quan’an a few times before, but the difference now was stark.

It wasn’t just the height and looks—the biggest change was in his bearing, the unrestrained and hostile air in his eyes. It was nothing like what you’d expect from a Security Bureau officer.

“What happened these past few days?” the chief asked after a moment’s thought. “And what’s with the bones in your home?”

“I was attacked when I got home that day. The attacker claimed to be from the Earth League. One of them could manipulate his own flesh and bone into various forms—the bones were his,” Gu Changqing replied lightly.

“Earth League?” The chief frowned. He didn’t know much about these awakened organizations; those matters were the army’s responsibility. Even if the bureau had some information, it wasn’t for him to know.

“You’ve awakened, haven’t you? What’s your ability?” The chief got straight to the point.

Gu Changqing had heard the terms “awakened” and “awakener” many times, but didn’t know much about them, nor did he particularly care.

A blood snake, as thick as a child’s arm, slid from his palm and crawled across the desk toward the chief.

Watching the blood snake slither along, its surface writhing with twisted, agonized human faces, the chief’s hair stood on end.

A chill crept over him.

“That’s enough!” he blurted, hastily.

After a moment’s thought, he said seriously, “The main bureau is preparing to form a special team of awakened individuals. You’re one of us—I intend to recommend you for the main bureau. What do you think?”

Gu Changqing raised an eyebrow; he’d thought this was the army’s territory.

He hadn’t expected the main bureau to form its own awakened squad.

That was interesting.

If he joined, he’d be officially recognized and protected.

“I heard most awakened are in the army, and they have the best resources and information,” Gu Changqing said with a smile.

“That’s true! But you should understand the value of leading versus following. If you go to the army, you’re just another rookie. But the main bureau’s special team is different. Most of them are recruited from the public, but you’re not—you’re one of us!”

“Besides, the special team has the entire security system behind it. Its future growth and prospects are no less than the army’s.”

“Chief, are you just trying to sell me a dream?” Gu Changqing crossed his legs and sneered, a hint of mockery on his face.

The special squad under the main bureau, backed by the security system, really did suit him.

But the army had its merits, too—more people, deeper roots.

In the end, it was all about strength.

If he was strong enough, anyone who got in his way would meet an untimely end, and he’d become the boss by default.

Thinking this, he was quite interested.

Moreover, the army had been around longer; perhaps they had equipment he needed—something that could threaten a sixth-level Qi cultivator, for instance.

So he didn’t really care where he went; it all depended on who offered the better deal.

If you don’t show enough sincerity, why should I help you?

“Gu Quan’an!” the chief frowned, a hint of anger in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Gu Quan’an to be so brash, so open about his attitude.