......

Fu Xinghe said from the side, "Brother Lu, this car of yours is really nice. It doesn't even shake when going over speed bumps."

Lu Ding was in a great mood and casually played along, "Of course! I bought this car on *****, the quality is guaranteed."

Alright.

Now it was Fu Xinghe's turn to be confused. Was there really such an app?

Lu Ding laughed heartily.

He flicked the reins again: "Hyah!!!!"

....

At the same time, on the other side, Secretary Qiu also received the news that Lu Ding's mission was complete.

The man wasn't even back yet.

Secretary Qiu simply turned on his computer and started drafting the commendation request document.

During the time Lu Ding went to Great Jing.

Quite a few things happened in Great Han.

Among them, the most eye-catching, the one that shook the entire Great Han, and even drew the attention of surrounding powerful nations and major factions, was undoubtedly the news that the four seasons in New City had become distinct again, and the chaotic time had been restored to its proper order!

For a time.

All sides began to stir.

Some dispatched trusted disciples to observe and assess the current situation in New City, to see if it could fully recover.

Others came again to cause trouble, intending to prevent Great Han from using New City as a springboard for outward expansion once more.

There were also those within New City itself, the great recluses hidden among the populace, who caught wind of the changes and prepared to emerge from seclusion once again.

Thus, the public test was approaching.

Various 749 Bureau branches across the land, as well as city-level forces throughout Great Han, were also continuously sending secret letters to the upper echelons of Great Han. Within the supreme halls of Great Han, meetings were held constantly, repeatedly confirming the arrangements for dispatching special envoys from all regions to New City.

Just as Lu Ding had guessed back then.

Many local 749 Bureau branches, many local forces of Great Han, were all bringing their own resources to the table.

Each was carving out their own territorial sectors within New City.

Since the last time, when Great Han used a rigid, slow-integration plan that ended up being sabotaged.

This time, they changed their style, going straight for a carnival!

Other factions want to cause trouble? Want to obstruct?

Fine!!!

Let's have a magic duel! All sorts of geniuses, elites, and powerhouses are directly being dispatched to New City!!!

Moreover, benign competition isn't prohibited.

But malicious infighting is not allowed.

Only those who remain standing in the end are the most suitable to manage New City.

Watching the New City map, seeing one area after another being carved up by the various colors representing different local 749 Bureau branches and factions.

The 'Lu' character occupying the Path of Dry Bones, White Ridge, and half of the Lady's Temple was particularly conspicuous.

After all, everyone else had one territory.

Only Lu Ding had two and a half.

And yet, no one could really say anything, because he had personally fought for them.

Now, New City had already become a chaotic mess.

But the special envoys, powerhouses, and elites arriving from various places were relatively principled people. Since they were all from the same department, even if some were dissatisfied with Lu Ding occupying two and a half territories alone.

Feeling it was too much.

They didn't take action or engage in any underhanded schemes.

Hearing that Lu Ding wasn't there, these individuals, far from trying to seize his territories, instead stepped in to help the absent Lu Ding maintain stability within his two-and-a-half territories.

It all boiled down to one sentence.

"After Lu Ding returns, we'll compete fairly. Before Lu Ding returns, we're all colleagues, we help each other. Any issues can wait until Lu Ding gets back. Taking advantage of someone's absence is not the act of a gentleman; we can't afford to lose face like that."

Fighting fair and square, losing isn't shameful; at worst, you go back home.

But if you take advantage of someone's misfortune, you'll be looked down upon forever. How could you still show your face in Great Han?

You can be utterly ruthless externally, but internally, where you see each other all the time, you have to be principled.

Soon.

Lu Ding returned to Hanjing with the eight hundred investigators.

As for An Ning.

She still needed to be left with An Wuyang for a bit more use. Later, she would make her own way to New City.

Landing at the 749 Bureau Director-General's office in Hanjing.

After dismissing the eight hundred investigators, instructing them to return and write their work reports and submit their bodycams for filing, Lu Ding took Fu Xinghe to Elder Shui's office.

Inside.

Secretary Qiu and Elder Shui had been waiting for quite some time.

He knocked.

A voice came from inside: "We're so familiar already, why bother knocking? Just come in."

Lu Ding pushed the door open and saw Elder Shui still drinking tea and Secretary Qiu still writing documents.

He said, "No matter how familiar, there must still be propriety and a sense of boundaries."

Etiquette is a fundamental element that must be maintained.

Being close doesn't mean entering without an invitation.

Lu Ding walked straight over and sat down beside Elder Shui, took the teapot from Elder Shui's hand, poured tea for Elder Shui, then casually rinsed a cup for himself and poured one too.

He gulped it down.

"Good tea."

Elder Shui laughed heartily: "You make hawk tea taste like Longjing."

This was true closeness.

Lu Ding said, "They say it's not the wine that intoxicates but the drinker. The same goes for tea, Elder Shui. What tea you drink isn't important; what's important is who you drink it with. Drinking with you, forget tea, even plain water would be a rare celestial nectar, found only in the mortal realm."

"You kid really know how to talk."

Secretary Qiu sighed helplessly; why don't you say that when facing others?

Just as Lu Ding said.

What is said isn't important; who says it is.

Secretary Qiu interjected: "The commendation request document has been submitted for both of you. It'll be smooth sailing and approved quickly."

"Also, I have a few pieces of good news. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Lu Ding poured tea for Secretary Qiu: "You pick and tell."

Secretary Qiu drank the tea. Mmm, sweet!!

"First, the atmosphere in New City is fiery hot right now. 749 Bureau branches from all over and major forces from throughout Great Han are entering one after another. When you go back, you'll seamlessly integrate right into it."

Hearing this news, Lu Ding thought to himself.

The New City public test has finally begun! The Wuwang backup plan I left behind is finally going to play its true role!

I wonder how that person is doing now.

Lu Ding thought of Yuwen Longyuan from the western part of Wuwang, who was about to select a leading general. There hadn't been any news for so long.

No idea if he's dead, or patiently cultivating, preparing to make a comeback.

Lu Ding asked: "What's the second one?"

Secretary Qiu revealed a smile: "News came from the Third Circle. Bai Hemen has already broken through to Heavenly Perception. Yunhai Logistics Department Head, Deng Guofu, has already submitted his report. He's just waiting for the review to pass, then he can ascend to the Second Circle. Also, Yan Feifan and Huangfu Lingyun, both of their cultivation levels are progressing rapidly."

"I've pulled some strings on my end, reserved some slots. Go back to New City and act boldly this time. Later, I'll directly transfer all of them over to you."

This is truly great news!!!

However.

Bai Hemen's breakthrough was within Lu Ding's expectations.

Zhang Wei, Lu Ding had also considered.

The one he hadn't expected was that Yan Feifan hadn't fallen behind Zhang Wei by much.

That was a bit surprising.

Did he have some kind of fortuitous encounter?

And Elder Deng.

That little old man who had helped Lu Ding so much.

For a moment, he seemed to see Elder Deng respawning at the logistics depot once again.

Finally, they were going to reunite.

Lu Ding asked: "Then when will Elder Deng's review be approved?"

"I don't know about that, but you can call and ask the Review Office."

Lu Ding instantly understood.

He immediately took out his phone and dialed the number of Xue Kai, one of the Ministers of the Hanjing Review Office's Second Court, Sixth Department.

When it comes to the knife, gun, and cannon department.

It's all about connections forged through action!!!

The phone hadn't even rung a few times before the other side picked up.

[Hey, Lu Ding, what's up? If you have something to say, just say it.]

It was all about efficiency and directness.

Lu Ding didn't beat around the bush either: "Minister Xue, I wanted to ask about the status of the review report for Deng Guofu from the Third Circle."

[Hold on, let me check on my end.]

Over there, Xue Kai picked up the phone on his office desk and made a call.

After a short while, he said.

[Deng Guofu's data in the database is fine, but the paper retention report hasn't shown as archived or rejected yet. In a moment, I'll make a call first to get him approved. We'll let him come up first and sort out the paperwork later. And right now, I'll immediately go check the staff and processes involved, find out exactly where the problem is, why the database and the archives don't have it. How does that sound?]

These words inevitably made Lu Ding's thoughts wander.

"Why would a situation exist where the database has it, but the archives haven't filed it?"

Xue Kai on the other end responded.

[From the look of Deng Guofu's data in the database, there are no issues; he meets all the conditions comprehensively. As for why the paper report hasn't been archived, considering Deng Guofu's age and the data in the database, my personal guess is that he probably has a grudge with someone.]

[Someone is deliberately delaying it.]

[This is an absolute misuse of public power that the Review Office does not permit. As one of the Ministers of the Review Office's Second Court, Sixth Department, I will definitely dig out this black sheep by the roots!]

Lu Ding's face darkened. Misuse of public power, huh? Settling personal grudges with public authority, huh?

Really bullying Elder Deng because he has no one around him?

The current situation gave Lu Ding a feeling of helplessness, like a left-behind elderly person whose children are away, wanting to go to the city to visit family but being obstructed along the way.

He couldn't bear to think about it.

The more Lu Ding thought, the angrier he got: "Minister Xue, where are you? I'll come find you. I have important matters to discuss."

Xue Kai knew and had witnessed Lu Ding's temperament.

He didn't put up with anyone's nonsense.

He knew what Lu Ding wanted to do.

But Lu Ding also wouldn't listen to words of dissuasion. Xue Kai thought for a moment, determining in his mind how to act to minimize violations of the Review Office's rules and regulations, then said.

[Let's meet at the main gate of the Review Office's First Department later.]