"Director Tang, this is..."
Yang Qi froze, looking at the gift box.
"Go on, open it," Tang Yuan said with a smile.
Puzzled, Yang Qi lifted the lid.
Inside, neatly arranged, were two honorary certificates with deep blue covers, two gleaming commemorative police badges, and two bulging manila envelopes.
The covers of the certificates were stamped with a gold-foil police insignia and the words "Binjiang City Public Security Bureau".
Yang Qi grew even more confused. "Director Tang, are these for me?"
Tang Yuan laughed heartily. He pointed to Bai Wan, who was squatting by Yang Qi’s feet, and then to Xiaojiu, perched on the arm of the sofa, licking her paws.
"They’re not for you. They’re for them."
"Both Xiaojiu and Bai Wan performed meritoriously in cracking the ’Accident’ serial case."
Tang Yuan said seriously, his tone leaving no room for doubt that he was joking.
"Xiaojiu caught the ’murder weapon,’ and Bai Wan tracked the suspect the entire time. Everyone on the task force witnessed their contributions."
"Therefore, after a review by the Bureau’s Party Committee, we have decided to confer the title of ’Honorary Police Cat’ upon the black cat Xiaojiu, and the title of ’Honorary Police Dog’ upon the Chinese rural dog Bai Wan. We are also issuing these commemorative certificates and badges in recognition of their service!"
Yang Qi was speechless.
He looked down at the certificates.
One read "Awarded to: Bai Wan," and the other, "Awarded to: Xiaojiu."
He opened one. Inside was the official seal of the Binjiang City Bureau and Tang Yuan’s signature.
"Also..."
Tang Yuan pointed to the two envelopes. "This is a ’meal stipend’ from the Bureau for Xiaojiu and Bai Wan. It’s not much money, just a small token of our appreciation. From now on, the two of them are welcome to ’dine’ at the city bureau’s cafeteria anytime. We’ve already spoken to the cafeteria staff—they’ll be fed until they’re full!"
For a moment, Yang Qi didn’t know what to say.
’This isn’t about thanking Xiaojiu and Bai Wan at all...’
’This is clearly a roundabout way of thanking me, while also tying me and the Binjiang City Bureau closer together in a clever and respectable manner.’
’This represents the Binjiang City Bureau’s high recognition of my abilities, as well as their sincere hope for a long-term partnership in the future.’
Little did he know, Tang Yuan’s gift had, by a complete fluke, hit the mark perfectly!
[Congratulations to the Host. The Spirit Beast you control as a Spirit Binder, the "Nine-Life Mysterious Cat," has received a conferment from the Immortal Dynasty Office, deepening its destiny! You will receive a certain amount of destiny feedback during cultivation, gaining additional support during enlightenment and breakthroughs!]
[Congratulations to the Host. The Spirit Beast you control as a Spirit Binder, the "Fiery Flame Demon Dog," has received a conferment from the Immortal Dynasty Office, deepening its destiny...]
’My destiny has deepened again!’
’The destiny of my Guardian Beasts can be stacked repeatedly.’
’The more feedback I receive, the greater the boost.’
Xiaojiu and Bai Wan were a Merit Police Cat and police dog in Donghua.
In Binjiang, they were awarded the titles of Honorary Police Cat and Honorary Police Dog.
For a local city bureau, this kind of honorary award was just a matter of printing costs and an official stamp.
But for Yang Qi, it was an increase in cultivation "resources"!
’And it’s a continuous supply!’
...
"Director Tang, this is too grand."
Though delighted on the inside, Yang Qi wore a wry smile. "The two of them just run around with me. They don’t deserve such a high honor."
"They absolutely deserve it!"
Tang Yuan waved his hand dismissively, his expression serious. "Advisor Yang, in our public security system, we believe in rewarding merit. It doesn’t matter if the merit comes from a person or an animal; a contribution is a contribution and should be commended. This isn’t just recognition for them, but also a thank you to you, their ’guardian’."
He clapped Yang Qi on the shoulder, his tone earnest.
"Accept it. If we run into another tricky case in Binjiang that requires your special expertise, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you again. This small token is both a thank you and a ’deposit’."
With him putting it like that, refusing any further would seem disingenuous.
Yang Qi took a deep breath and solemnly accepted the gift box.
"In that case, on behalf of Xiaojiu and Bai Wan, thank you, Director Tang. And thank you to the Binjiang City Bureau for this great kindness. If you need me in the future, as long as it’s within my power, I’ll do my best."
"Excellent! That’s what I wanted to hear!"
...
After bidding farewell to Tang Yuan, Guan Sub-Team, Shen Ruiping, and the other members of the task force, Yang Qi got into his SUV. With Xiaojiu, Bai Wan, and Liu Fu in tow, he drove away from Binjiang and headed back to Donghua.
A little after four in the afternoon, the car crossed into the territory of Donghua City.
As evening fell, the familiar gate of the "Donghua Wildlife Park" appeared up ahead. The setting sun cast its last rays of light onto the metal sign above the entrance.
The Zoo had already closed for the day; only the employee entrance was still open.
Yang Qi slowed down and drove into the park.
The moment his tires crossed the invisible "sect boundary" just inside the gate...
[Detected that the Host has brought back a tamed special Spirit Beast, the "Cyan Green Stinging Dragon." The sect’s foundation has been strengthened. Contribution Points +785]
’The contribution points are here!’
The corners of Yang Qi’s mouth lifted in a pleased smile.
’These 785 points, plus what I had left, will be enough for several more lottery draws.’
He drove along the internal roads toward the far end of the employee living quarters.
He stopped in front of the small, mountain-side villa.
Just as Yang Qi opened the door and got out—
"WOOF WOOF!"
Two agile figures burst out from the partially open door.
It was Hu Zi and Leopard, who had stayed behind to guard the house.
"WOOF~ WHIMPER~"
Leopard was especially active, rushing to Yang Qi’s leg. Its tail wagged like a propeller as it circled him excitedly.
[Master is back]
[Master, just like Sister Jiu, I can cultivate now too!]
It was the Spirit Awakening Pill Yang Qi had fed Leopard before he left.
It seemed the pill had taken effect. Leopard’s intelligence and comprehension had also significantly improved, allowing it to practice the Ten Thousand Beasts Devouring Moon Technique.
"Not bad."
Yang Qi smiled and patted Leopard’s sturdy head, then casually took out a Beast Spirit Pill and fed it to him.
Leopard’s tongue darted out, swallowing it precisely, and he let out a happy "WOOF."
[Thank you, Master]
He then ran to a corner of the yard, found a comfortable spot to lie down, closed his eyes, and focused his mind, beginning to digest the pill and circulate his Cultivation Technique.