Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree

"Hey!"

Zhang Xingyi snorted,

"I really thought that guy Wang had gotten the Order Arrow, only to end up with a mess of nothing. That sissy Luo overthinks things, can't even handle such a useless matter."

Zhang Xingshan knew the "sissy" his second brother referred to was Luo Xi's older brother, Luo Nanshan.

"Alright, forget about him, let's get down to business."

Zhang Xingyi licked his lips and squinted,

"Xiao Qiu, I heard you saw some suspicious person at the scene?"

The topic finally returned to the main point, and Ji Jingqiu nodded seriously.

Zhang Xingyi suddenly raised his hand and said, "Hold on a moment, we should be getting results from over there; let me check."

He dialed a communication line to inquire about the findings, and his brow slowly furrowed.

After hanging up, Zhang Xingyi said solemnly,

"The results are in. We reviewed all the surveillance footage from your area. We saw you and that young girl, but we couldn't find the crew-cut man you mentioned!"

Not on the video?

*Ji Jingqiu was taken aback, confusion written all over his face.*

*Did I imagine it?*

Zhang Xingyi didn't question Ji Jingqiu's report. Instead, with a serious look, he said,

"Surveillance equipment is not infallible.

Some martial arts secret skills can distort light.

Alternatively, strong Spirit Realm individuals can completely block all electronic detection.

If what you said is true, then this is troubling. This person is at least a Heart Fire Realm martial arts expert!

Such a master, hiding their movements near the scene of the incident, is very likely a member of that terrorist group!"

With that, Zhang Xingyi suddenly stood up,

"Xiao Qiu, you should stay out of this. I'll report it shortly.

You heard what Secretary Zhang said earlier; I'll have someone take you to register later, so you can get your name on the list of external security personnel."

Having said that, he hurriedly left.

The room was left with only Zhang Xingshan and Ji Jingqiu.

"What is external security personnel?" Ji Jingqiu asked curiously.

Zhang Xingshan looked at him with envy and said, "It's a martial artist specifically appointed by the Order Office, not officially on staff but receiving support."

*Ji Jingqiu thought, isn't that just a sideline employee set up to take the blame and get fired when something goes wrong?*

He immediately lost interest.

Seeing Ji Jingqiu's lack of emotional response, Zhang Xingshan knew this guy must be unaware of how many people would fight tooth and nail for an external security position!

He couldn't stand it when someone like a boor wasted fine grain, so he tried to explain it to Ji Jingqiu,

"Local Order Offices and Security Bureaus hire reliable martial artists as external security personnel to assist them in capturing criminals and maintaining order. Martial artists can gain many conveniences and benefits from this.

They say it's employment, but it's really support.

Only young, talented martial artists with a future are selected.

For many martial artists, this path is the easiest and most freeing..."

Seeing Ji Jingqiu still unresponsive, Zhang Xingshan felt frustrated.

He sighed and said,

"Alright, let me give you the most straightforward example: Luo Xi and I have pretty solid backgrounds, right?

If we wanted to join the external security system, we'd have to swap locations first; I'd go to the Security Bureau, and she'd come to the Order Office.

Additionally, we'd both have to pass the basic assessment and would only have the privilege of preferential admission if our scores were not too different."

He felt that this example was enough to highlight the value of the external security position!

But Ji Jingqiu just looked at him like he was an idiot and asked curiously,

"Your grandfather is the director of the Order Office, and your second brother is the captain of the Order Office's brigade. Why would you leave a staff position to become a non-staff member?"

Zhang Xingshan was stunned for a moment. After coming to his senses, he said angrily,

"Do you think it's always advantageous for martial artists to enter the system?

No dojo would recruit martial artists employed within the Federation's system!"

"What's the difference between a dojo and a martial arts hall?" Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

Zhang Xingshan's gaze was filled with admiration and longing as he said, "Only Heavenly Martial Artists can establish a dojo! Each dojo represents a master-level martial arts lineage!"

Ji Jingqiu immediately stood in awe.

Heavenly Martial Artists, also known as Martial Arts Masters,

such martial artists transcended the five realms of martial arts, establishing their own unique schools, enough to leave their names in martial arts history.

But soon, Ji Jingqiu asked in confusion, "Aren't there any Martial Arts Masters within the Federation's system?"

Zhang Xingshan fell silent.

There were, of course, Martial Arts Masters within the Federation system.

But the rules were strict, and without a mentor, even the most gifted had little hope of apprenticing under a master.

On the other hand, dojo systems were different.

Even if you couldn't qualify as a true disciple, as long as your Cultivation Body during your True Seed phase was decent, spending some money could get you into a dojo.

If you performed well later, you might even have the chance to receive personal instruction from a master.

Although the success rate was low, it was still much better than staying within the system.

For most martial artists, the external security system was the best choice!

It allowed them to enjoy the Federation's support, without being labeled as part of the system, leaving them with the opportunity to join a dojo in the future.

It was practically a win-win situation. Winning twice, to be exact.

Zhang Xingshan suddenly had a flash of insight and coolly said, "Every external security personnel, even a junior one, receives support of over a million federation coins!"

Ji Jingqiu's breath caught in awe.

*A million federation coins?!*

Long live the external security system!

...

Yang Yao hurried to the Order Office and was met at the door by Zhang Xingyi, who had come to greet him.

"Old Yao, over here!"

Yang Yao glanced around, seeing the prominent emblem of the Order Office and various regulations.

The central reception desk was bustling yet orderly; officers' hurried footsteps and low conversations echoed through the corridors. The air seemed thick with pressure, making one want to loosen their collar for a breath.

Yang Yao quickly walked over and turned down a quiet hallway with Zhang Xingyi.

"How's the situation, no unexpected incidents?"

"It's been resolved, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise."

"Oh?" Yang Yao stopped curiously, looking over.

Zhang Xingyi chuckled, "The Secretary Zhang from City Hall personally confirmed Ji Jingqiu's support spot."

Yang Yao was taken aback, asking in confusion, "What exactly happened?"

Zhang Xingyi briefly described everything that had happened before, focusing on Wang An's awkward situation to mock a certain sissy.

Aside from the personal mockery embedded in the description, Yang Yao's eyes shone brightly.

A few days ago, his master had asked him to secure a spot for Ji Jingqiu in the external security system at either the Order Office or Security Bureau, to pave the way for him.

Unexpectedly, before his own spot was even approved, Ji Jingqiu's was already designated!

Yang Yao suddenly asked, "Didn't you help investigate Junior Brother Ji's family background before, how did it go?"

"Currently, he lives alone, and his parents have been missing for five years. He has no other relatives on East Three Bright Star. On the surface, his background seems clean, nothing abnormal."

Zhang Xingyi also felt a sense of appreciation, thinking his grandfather was right.

Being around someone like this could only be beneficial for his younger brother.

Today's heroic behavior proved this point.

Abandoned by his parents five years ago, living alone at the age of eleven?

Yang Yao sighed deeply inside.

A few days ago, his master asked him to pave the way for Junior Brother Ji because the Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall wouldn't remain open on East Three Bright Star forever.

Once his master's objectives there were achieved, they'd move on to the next place.

As true disciples, they'd naturally leave with their master.

Zhang Xingshan and Luo Xi wouldn't need to worry about this.

Only Ji Jingqiu.

Although his master emphasized it was repaying Miss Mei's favor, Yang Yao could see that his master genuinely appreciated Ji Jingqiu.

Yang Yao had also heard about Ji Jingqiu's situation.

Afflicted with Evil Poison Disease, yet still holding strong—unheard of.

Moreover, Ji Jingqiu had excellent martial arts talent; with just the Heart Fire alone, he already had Martial Arts' Third Realm, Divine Travel secured.

Now, by connecting him with the officials and fostering good relations, even if they severed ties and left, they'd ensure Ji Jingqiu had the guidance of the Order Office, preventing him from straying down the wrong path in the future.

This would provide additional security for his life and cultivation.

A few days ago, Yang Yao even advised his master, suggesting that given Junior Brother Ji's talent, he could be taken under their wing.

But his master only shook his head, telling him not to meddle.

Yang Yao believed he could somewhat guess the reasons.

Over the years, his master had been single-mindedly pursuing traces of the Supreme True Buddha Sect's claws, having adopted Yao Wei and Liu Xi, who were persecuted orphans by the cult.

And Junior Brother Ji's origin could be described as hellish, having endured too much hardship. Now, having taken the martial arts path, it was a turn of fortune for the better; he deserved to enjoy a new life.

Just like this time, Junior Brother Ji, by relying solely on himself, had already secured a spot in the external security system!

In the future, he would undoubtedly carve out a place for himself in Taian City.

Becoming their disciple, on the other hand, meant an uncertain future.

Yang Yao started walking, "Let's go, Master asked me to convey a message to Junior Brother Ji. After seeing him, we have more pressing matters to discuss."

Throughout the conversation, both of them had tacitly avoided mentioning who that girl, who had made Secretary Zhang from City Hall personally come and commend Ji Jingqiu, really was.