Chapter Sixty-Six: The Inspector

On September 4th, Qin Ming received the notice—he could take up his post.

“In July you were at the training camp, in August you went for further tempering, and now in September, you’re graduating and leaving!” Zhao Ruo clicked his tongue in amazement. “You really are the fastest graduate this academy has ever seen, and the quickest to reach the level of Invincible War God!”

“Envy!” Shi Jiang uttered just one word.

Clearly, these two had come to see him off.

“Who wouldn’t envy you?” Zhao Ruo continued, “A month at the training camp and you became the richest man in the world; a month of tempering, and you reached Invincible War God. My God, is he really human? Or is he fate’s favored child?”

“He must not be human!” Shi Jiang nodded earnestly.

Qin Ming could only smile wryly. “Alright! When you return to Jiangnan Base City, don’t forget to look me up!”

“No matter who else I forget, I won’t forget you, you lucky dog!” Zhao Ruo laughed.

After some banter, Yang Hui and Liu He also arrived to see him off.

“Break through the final shackles soon—there’s a whole new world waiting for you!” Liu He patted Qin Ming’s shoulder.

“The last step won’t trip me up!” Qin Ming understood that Liu He referred to the planetary level.

After saying their farewells, Qin Ming leapt onto the hovering thirty-meter-high Qian Kun-class intelligent fighter, entered, and instructed, “Xiao Qiang, to Yangzhou City!”

“Yes, Master!”

The synthesized electronic voice responded, and the fighter roared away.

At ten times the speed of sound, it moved so fast the nerves could barely react.

As for Xiao Qiang, that was the name Qin Ming had given the intelligent fighter.

Meanwhile, in the conference room of the Jiangnan Base City Extreme Martial Hall, several people were seated: President Zhou Zhengyong, Supervisor Zhuge Tao, and two other supervisors.

Smoke curled in the air, and all four wore strange expressions.

“Just over two months, and he’s an Invincible War God?”

“Not even nineteen yet, right?”

“Inspector Liu was transferred out; I wondered who would take over, but when I saw the appointment, I thought I was seeing things!”

“Who wouldn’t be shocked? It’s unbelievable!”

Zhou Zhengyong knocked on the table and looked at Zhuge Tao. “You’ve had more contact with him—what’s Qin Ming’s character like?”

“He’s a rather amiable youngster!” Zhuge Tao thought for a moment.

“He’ll be the new Inspector now,” Zhou Zhengyong reminded.

“Yes, Inspector Qin,” Zhuge Tao quickly corrected himself.

An eighteen-year-old Inspector?

Even Zhou Zhengyong found it awkward.

“Young people tend to be impulsive, and impulsiveness breaks rules. Inspector Qin is only eighteen—will he be like that?” one supervisor asked doubtfully.

“We just need to do our own jobs. As for everything else…” Zhou Zhengyong looked again at Zhuge Tao. “When he returns, sound him out.”

“Alright,” Zhuge Tao agreed. “Hopefully things stay as they are! If there’s conflict, we may have to step aside—after all, he’s an eighteen-year-old Invincible War God. Given time, reaching the rank of Councilor wouldn’t be impossible.”

Mingyue Residential District.

The Qian Kun-class intelligent fighter roared in, hovering above, instantly drawing the attention of many below. It was impossible not to notice; there were few flying fighters in the city, and the last time had been two months ago when Qin Ming was picked up.

“Is that Qin Ming?”

“Wasn’t he at the global headquarters? I heard he went to the elite training camp—why is he back? And being dropped off by a fighter?”

“No, he got off the fighter and the hatch closed—no one else left. Could it be his own?”

“A fighter? The cheapest costs more than two hundred billion—how could he afford it?”

“You’re out of touch! Don’t you know about the Air-Walking Step?”

Discussion buzzed throughout the district as Qin Ming stepped onto the void and landed in his own courtyard.

“You just called home, and now you’re here already?” Qin Yicheng saw his son and was overjoyed. “That fighter—is it yours?”

“Of course!” Qin Ming laughed. “Dad, do you want one?”

“What would I do with it?” Qin Yicheng shook his head. “I hear only War Gods can buy those things.”

“War God, huh? Dad, don’t worry, you’ll reach that soon!”

“Come on, don’t brag. Come in—the house, your mother has prepared a feast for you!”

“Alright!”

Inside, Luo Xia sized up her son with delight.

“You’ve graduated already?” Luo Xia was incredulous.

At a training camp for the world’s top talents, a five-year course, and he’d only been gone a little over two months—he really was back, graduated. It felt like a dream.

“Do you know whose son he is?” Qin Yicheng boasted. “The fastest graduate in the global Extreme Martial Hall elite camp, youngest Invincible War God, richest man in the world, creator of one of the most dazzling martial arts secret techniques in history, the first to enable martial artists to fly, and he sparked a global youth training craze—that’s my son!”

“Of course, he’s your son too!”

Qin Yicheng was immensely proud.

“As long as he’s safe, that’s all that matters!” Luo Xia was deeply moved, but safety was her greatest concern.

“Mom, rest assured—on this planet, there are few who could harm your son!” Qin Ming reassured her, then sat down, picked up a slice of beef from the table, and popped it into his mouth.

“Even as an Invincible War God, you’re still so unruly!”

“At home, I’m the youngest!”

“That’s true! Invincible War God, richest man, founder of the most dazzling secret technique, none of that changes the fact that you’re my son!”

A while later, Qin Lulu returned, making things even livelier.

The family sat together, and the meal lasted a full two hours. During it, Qin Ming recounted tales of the training camp and his battles in Australia, among other things.

Afterwards, Qin Yicheng chuckled, “Zhou Jing, Wu Tong, and Zhuge Tao are planning to visit. They checked with me first to see if it’s convenient.”

“Even someone as important as Zhuge Tao is coming to visit—and asking ahead?” Luo Xia was amazed, then smiled. “Now I finally understand how capable Xiao Ming is!”

Qin Yicheng laughed heartily.

“Uncle Wu and the others watched me grow up—before I report for duty, I should go to them at the hall!” Qin Ming mused.

“Never forget your roots—good!” Qin Yicheng said. “By the way, what position were you assigned?”

“Inspector of Jiangnan Base City.”

“What? Inspector?” Qin Yicheng nearly jumped up, but Luo Xia held him down, curious. “Is that a high position?”

Most people didn’t know about this role.

Luo Xia had never paid attention.

“It’s not just high!” Qin Yicheng grinned. “The entire Extreme Martial Hall in Jiangnan Base City will be under his control—even Zhuge Tao and the others will have to heed our son’s wishes; he could decide their fate with a word!”

“Oh my goodness, our son is really going to the top!”

After a cup of tea, father and son went to the hall.

“Qin—Inspector Qin!” Wu Tong approached, face full of joy, though with some hesitation.

“Uncle Wu, don’t be so formal. Just call me Xiao Qin from now on!” Qin Ming smiled. “If you call me Inspector, my dad won’t let me off!”

“See, I told you—Xiao Qin has made it big, but he won’t forget his roots!” Zhou Jing said. “In private, we’ll just call you Xiao Qin.”

“That’s right, Uncle Zhou!” Qin Ming agreed.

Qin Yicheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he’d worried his son would get arrogant, but luckily he hadn’t.

Zhuge Tao was also relieved: it was good to see old ties honored.

They chatted for a while, then Qin Yicheng and the other two left, leaving only Zhuge Tao and Qin Ming in the room.

“Inspector Qin!” Zhuge Tao used the formal title. “When would you like us to hold the welcoming ceremony and announce your appointment?”

“Tomorrow,” Qin Ming replied, sighing inwardly.

Not long ago, this man was lofty and authoritative, though kindly encouraging, his power hard to conceal. Now, in just a few months, he was cautious and deferential.

Life changes so quickly!

“Very well, tomorrow it is!” Zhuge Tao said. “If there’s anything you wish to change or adjust in the hall, let us know so we can arrange it.”

“Supervisor Zhuge!” Qin Ming said solemnly, “I am focused on cultivation; I have no interest in other matters, nor do I wish to be distracted.”

“Rest assured, Inspector!” Zhuge Tao was overjoyed.