Chapter 49: I Never Cause Trouble

Gu Changqing drove back to the headquarters of the Heavy Name Division and saw from outside that the office lights were all on.

“So dedicated, huh? Not even clocking out!” He curled his lips into a smile, striding forward to push open the headquarters door. Inside, numerous people were bustling about.

Li Yue was hurrying by with a stack of documents to deliver, but when she spotted Gu Changqing, her eyes brightened and she quickly moved to walk alongside him.

Gu Changqing wore cream-colored trousers, a white stand-collar shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing a swath of strong muscle. He sported golden-rimmed glasses with red lenses, their arms dangling a golden chain.

Wildness and elegance intertwined in him; simply being near unleashed a rush of masculine energy.

“Captain Gu? Where have you been these days? I called you over a dozen times, but your phone was off!”

“Went to recharge and better myself!” Gu Changqing stepped into the elevator, asking, “What happened while I was away?”

“Big things! Two nights ago, the Qingjiang battlefield ruins were shrouded in thick fog…”

“Root Fog?” Gu Changqing wasn’t sure where Qingjiang battlefield was, but the mention of heavy mist made his heart stir.

He was still hungry, after all.

“No, nobody knows what this fog is. The area’s been sealed off. The concentration of qi in the air has surged, doubling compared to before. In the past two days, Angang has had four incidents with strange objects, plus several disturbances caused by newly awakened individuals.”

“Just half an hour ago, a residential block in the southern district saw a fire-person… a flame-type awakened!” Li Yue spoke rapidly.

“So exciting!” Gu Changqing’s smile broadened, radiantly happy.

It sounded as though much had happened, and things were quite chaotic…

But chaos made things interesting!

“Too exciting, honestly. I’ve slept less than three hours in two days—I’m about to drop dead!” Li Yue complained.

“Let others handle it, and grab a nap first.” Gu Changqing patted her waist. She felt the warmth of his hand, and instantly seemed electrified, her ears turning red.

The elevator dinged open, and Gu Changqing snapped his fingers.

“I’m heading to the minister!”

Reaching the minister’s office, Gu Changqing pushed the door open.

“Where have you been these days?” Gao Wenxin looked up, her gaze less than friendly.

“Found a place to recharge and improve myself! Haven’t you noticed my power’s leveled up again?” Gu Changqing grinned.

Gao Wenxin’s eyes flickered in shock and suspicion.

How long had it been?

He’d improved again?

Other awakened would take months, even years, to grow stronger.

How long had Gu Changqing been awakened?

Thinking of the two high-level feathered strange objects and the two missing Earth Alliance members, Gao Wenxin suddenly understood.

“What level now?” she asked straightforwardly.

The equipment for testing awakened levels hadn’t arrived yet; only the provincial headquarters in Yongzhou possessed it.

But there was a rough standard to judge, and each awakened knew their own limits best.

“Almost at level four, I’d say…” Gu Changqing showed his teeth in a grin.

Even knowing his growth was rapid, Gao Wenxin found herself a little unnerved by this.

Her gaze toward him became increasingly peculiar.

After a brief silence, she said, “A fire-type awakened appeared in the southern district. Go bring him in. The Guards must have gotten wind of it—don’t let them snatch him away!”

“Leave it to me!” Gu Changqing’s smile grew even brighter.

“I’m sending you to bring him back, not stir up trouble—rein yourself in!” Noticing the mischievous glint in his smile, Gao Wenxin warned him.

Though Gu Changqing hadn’t been with Heavy Name long, she’d learned enough about him.

A pure troublemaker, adept at causing chaos.

“Even if you’re advancing fast, level four awakened aren’t rare among the Guards! Every squad in Angang has formal members at level four—three squads in total!”

“Don’t worry! I never cause trouble!” Gu Changqing waved her off and strode out.

Gao Wenxin rested her chin on folded hands, watching him leave, certain that he’d stir up trouble this time.

But for snatching people, Gu Changqing was far more suited than Li Tiefeng.

Five awakened had surfaced in recent days, but aside from the one with the least potential, the Guards had taken all the rest.

She could only hope the mess wouldn’t get too out of hand.

…

Gu Changqing stepped out, considering that his team should better understand his style.

He went straight to the Second Squad, where three were eating a late supper.

Zhuo Zhipeng, Tan Li, and Qiao Wenxia, who had just returned to duty.

Seeing Gu Changqing, they immediately stood.

“Captain!”

Qiao Wenxia had seen a psychologist these days, hesitated, and finally returned to work.

Of course, the most important reason was the accelerating changes everyone sensed in the world.

No one knew what the future held.

Despite the psychological trauma, Qiao Wenxia decided to rejoin the team.

But seeing Gu Changqing, she still thought he was just too cool! Though sometimes, he acted too recklessly!

“Quit eating. We’ve got a mission—bring someone back!”

Downstairs, Qiao Wenxia hesitated, but ultimately drove for Gu Changqing, hoping her good performance would earn her some mercy next time.

“South District Police Station!” Gu Changqing instructed from the back seat.

…

Inside an interrogation room in the South District Police Station, a frail-looking teenage boy sat, flanked by a middle-aged couple—his parents.

This youth was the fire-person from the residential block.

“There have been many records of awakened losing control… So joining the Guards is your best option now. With your talent, you’ll receive first-rate training!” Secretary Bai smiled faintly at the trio.

The boy and his parents were tempted—especially his parents.

Secretary Bai had explained everything; they understood the Guards answered directly to the royal court.

Joining meant generous benefits, plus guidance to safely wield power, avoiding harm to themselves or others.

The only thing holding them back was the suddenness—they needed time to digest and consider.

“The Guards are the largest awakened organization?” the youth asked.

“Of cour—” Secretary Bai was about to reply when the door was kicked open.

She immediately frowned, turning to look.

A tall young man strode in, clad in cream trousers, white stand-collar shirt, golden-rimmed glasses with red lenses.

“You’re coming with me!” Gu Changqing addressed the youth and his parents directly.

“Gu Changqing!” Secretary Bai recognized him instantly, though she’d only met him once—he had left a deep impression.

Secretary Bai raised her chin slightly, even seated, she exuded authority: “You’re too late!”

“Says who?” Gu Changqing flashed a row of white teeth, his smile full of mockery.

Then he drew his gun and fired at Secretary Bai’s head.

Bang, bang, bang!

The teenage boy and his parents jumped in fright.

Even Gu Changqing’s own team was startled.

With the gunshots, Secretary Bai’s head tilted to the side; half of it took on the texture of dead wood, three bullets embedded in it before dropping to the floor.

Secretary Bai—a level four awakened—could turn parts of her body to wood.

But she wasn’t skilled in combat, serving instead as an external liaison for the Guards.

Secretary Bai’s eyes blazed with anger: “Gu Changqing! What are you doing?”

“Just saying hello, hope you don’t mind?” Gu Changqing said with a grin, shrugging.

“Of course, even if you do mind, I don’t care!”

“Because I don’t mind!”