Chapter 17: Opportunity

Qin Jiajia was momentarily stunned. These past days, she had been overwhelmed by the negotiations assigned by Zhou Qing, never once considering her own situation.

Did she want to continue staying at the Sanitation Bureau?

Had it not been for Zhou Qing’s mission, she might have simply accepted Li Yulan’s words, strictly distancing herself from the cultivators, maintaining a purely professional relationship, relying on the bureau’s benefits to settle down in the city, returning home for the New Year with gifts from work, and rising in stature amidst the envious gazes of relatives.

But now, confronted with this matter, she could not deny that she had begun to question some of the bureau’s practices. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked becoming a human bombtruck.

Still, even so...

“Uh… although some aspects are hard to describe, this job offers a high salary, two days off each week, social insurance contributions at the highest level, and housing benefits. I probably won’t find better terms elsewhere, and I’ve heard there might even be opportunities for cultivation in the future…”

She considered many responses but ultimately had to admit her mundane nature: “If I’m not terminated because of this mission, then I still… want to stay here.”

“Is that so.” Zhou Qing nodded. “That’s good.”

Qin Jiajia met his gaze. From the moment she first encountered Zhou Qing, she had sensed something inexplicably strange, and now she finally understood what it was.

Though Zhou Qing had always appeared indifferent, as if nothing could ruffle him, this time his calm was excessive—he showed no surprise at all, instead focusing on her experience within the bureau, as if a senior inspecting the work of a junior.

She suddenly recalled the cultivation basics manual Li Yulan had made her read, which explained that the higher a cultivator’s level, the closer they were to the Way of Heaven—a cosmic convergence of cause and effect. All great beings understood cause and effect perfectly, discerning every detail.

“Did you know I would come to be a commissioner all along?” she asked in astonishment.

Had he truly reached such a level? Could he discern her future through mere contact?

“Even I cannot clearly see cause and effect at such subtle levels.”

Zhou Qing looked up at the drifting clouds, saying, “But I can sense that the world is about to undergo great upheaval. Amid the tide, various cultivation sects will seek fresh blood. As long as you have enough potential, some faction will surely come knocking.”

Enough potential... Qin Jiajia recalled her first extraordinary conference when Li Yulan repeatedly mentioned she had an “exceptionally outstanding constitution.” At the time, she thought it simply meant she was gifted.

“When I discovered you had a spiritual root, I left a spell on you. It’s usually dormant, but with it there, cultivators with intent will notice you. If they mean harm, the spell will protect you; if they come sincerely, it serves as a trump card. Whether you choose to cultivate is your decision.”

Instinctively, Qin Jiajia touched her chest but felt nothing unusual, except for a fiery heat around her neck.

She remembered their last meeting when she was methodically teaching him how to make “plans”... Now she realized that all the achievements she had been proud of were thanks to this man, who had clearly arranged her bright future.

Memories of the restaurant flashed back, attacking her self-esteem. She recalled her condescending lecturing tone, far more humiliating than reviewing her old middle school social media posts, leaving her wishing she could scrub her brain clean on the spot.

“I… I…” she stammered, too flustered even to say “thank you.” “You went to so much trouble for me, how can I ever repay you...?”

“It’s not trouble, just specialization.”

Zhou Qing said this while fiddling with his phone. “Back in school, you knew more about modern social facilities, so you taught me how to use them. I happen to have some skill in cultivation, so I gave you this opportunity. There’s no essential difference between the two.”

This was not mere consolation but fact. For him, casting protective spells on others was effortless.

Time flows like a river, and all beings are but passing travelers. This traveler walked alongside him for a while and pointed him a way; he responded in kind—at least by his measure.

“There are countless paths of cultivation. The method I practice may not suit you and is not easily taught. Since you want to cultivate, and the Sanitation Bureau treats you well, staying there is also a choice.”

This surprised Qin Jiajia greatly.

According to what she had heard at the bureau, several commissioners more experienced than her had approached Zhou Qing before, all rejected. She had assumed he was a traditional recluse or somewhat antagonistic toward the government, but now he showed no objection to her desire to remain.

“Antagonistic?”

Zhou Qing laughed at her question. “If they cause me trouble, I’ll deal with it. But fundamentally, I just want a peaceful life and don’t want to be caught up in too much trouble. As long as they don’t disturb that peace, why should I bear grudges?”

“I don’t want to join them, but I don’t dislike their group either. No system is perfect, but at least they suppress a calamity that has long gone unresolved.”

“Unresolved calamity?”

Zhou Qing glanced at her but did not answer directly. Instead, he said, “The bureau must have already told you why cultivation must be kept secret.”

Qin Jiajia nodded. “Because the cultivator community has always interfered with, even manipulated, history. For most ordinary people, that’s hard to accept…”

Halfway through, she realized her words sounded off and hurriedly added, “Only some cultivators do this! I’m not saying you have a problem...”

“No need to be nervous. As I said, I don’t dislike them, and that statement isn’t wrong in itself.”

Zhou Qing spoke with rare thoughtfulness. “But that’s how they explain it… not a bad way to put it.”

Qin Jiajia blinked at him, puzzled.

“Indeed, cultivation grants many transcendent powers, such as martial prowess and authority… Those who possess these can overturn history.”

“But authority does not belong solely to cultivators, and martial power can be borrowed from external means. Throughout history, kings and generals without spiritual roots have also left their mark. Compared to these, the greatest and most irreplaceable allure of cultivation is ‘immortality.’”