# 1601
# Chapter 1597: Department Chief
"New identity?"
Lin Qiye's face was filled with confusion at these three words.
He took the document Zuo Qing pushed over and carefully flipped through several pages, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Letter of appointment?"
"Yes." Zuo Qing nodded. "I want you to be the chief of the Night Watch Special Operations Department—one of the seven high-ranking officials of Night Watch... and at the same time, the position I held before becoming Commander-in-Chief."
Lin Qiye was stunned for a long while. "You mean, make me a Night Watch executive?"
"That's right."
"Why?"
Zuo Qing sipped his hot tea unhurriedly and slowly began: "I think you've heard about this before... When I first took over Night Watch, my methods were quite iron-fisted. I reduced the original seven executives down to just four.
While I cut out some of the malignant tumors, problems did arise in Night Watch's operations. However, I promoted new young executives on one hand and redistributed the unhandled duties to the original four executives, so no major issues occurred.
Oh right, that team leader Shao Pingge you're close with—he was one of the executives whose workload was increased... So he could only delegate his work to Yuan Gang, and has always had grievances against me.
In any case, by removing those malignant tumors and with new personnel adjustments, Night Watch has gradually gotten back on track over these past few years, but I've never found a suitable candidate for the Special Operations Department Chief position among the seven executives.
I came from this position, so I know best how important this role is. It's not just about the deployment and formation of all special squads including the 【Echoes】 squad, but also includes logistics, medical, and exploration team integration across all of Great Xia beyond combat squads, as well as some secret mission tasks and foundation-building that can't be disclosed to others...
In short, from a strategic perspective, the importance of the Special Operations Department is even comparable to that of the Commander-in-Chief."
Zuo Qing set down his teacup, gazing into Lin Qiye's eyes. "I've been searching for the right person for this position for a long time... The former captain of the 【Medium】 squad, Bu Li, and the current captain of the 【Mask】 squad, Wang Mian, were both my candidates.
But Bu Li died in the Battle of Chennan Pass, and Wu Tongxuan stayed in the asylum for too long and doesn't understand the current Night Watch. Wang Mian has reversed time multiple times, his body aging severely, requiring rest and recuperation—he's also unsuitable for this position...
Now, in terms of strength, status, and qualifications, you, Lin Qiye, are the most suitable candidate."
Lin Qiye, as captain of the 【Nightfall】 squad, was originally from a special squad and fully met the requirements for this position. Now that he had broken through to the Human Apex realm, and since 【Nightfall】 had been split up with insufficient personnel, he couldn't continue fulfilling his squad duties.
Comprehensive consideration: in all of Night Watch, no one more suitable than Lin Qiye could be found.
"This..." Lin Qiye's expression showed hesitation.
He finally understood why Zuo Qing had specially summoned him to the office... Appointing the Special Operations Department Chief was a major matter affecting Night Watch's entire operation!
But honestly, he had no interest in being a Night Watch executive. Perhaps fighting and killing was more suitable for him.
As if seeing through Lin Qiye's thoughts, Zuo Qing leisurely spoke:
"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry—this Special Operations Department Chief position isn't some office job where you point at maps and give orders... What the words 'Special Operations' mean, I think you understand.
For this position, hard strength matters far more than公文处理 ability. To secure this position, you must gain recognition from all special squads and regular squads, and when special squad personnel are insufficient, you must personally handle top-secret or ultra-high-difficulty missions.
Accepting this position means you'll become the one controlling Night Watch's most core strength. If I am Night Watch's light on the surface, then you... will become Night Watch's shadow."
Lin Qiye contemplated for a moment, then still said:
"I understand the work of this position... However, although I've broken through to the Human Apex realm, all my God's Ruins were taken by 【Chaos】. Right now I'm just a Human Apex-level mental power with no Forbidden Ruins or God's Ruins to command, so the strength I can exert is very limited..."
Hearing this, Zuo Qing smiled lightly. He relaxed against the chair back and said:
"Your potential has been certified by the Heavenly Lord. Even if 【Chaos】 can take your God's Ruins, some things are destined to be yours... Besides, don't you feel something different about your body since you woke up?"
Lin Qiye froze. He carefully examined his own body, recalling the moment in the Purification Chamber when he reached out to support Lu Baoyou:
"It feels like the body is lighter... even without using mental power, the speed is very fast?
Right, wasn't my physical body taken by 【Chaos】? Where did this body come from?"
Previously, when Lin Qiye was trapped in the "heart pass," he had no time to think about this problem. Now that his mind was clear, he realized it and asked with confusion.
Zuo Qing smiled mysteriously. "This body is no ordinary thing... To put it this way, even if you could never use Forbidden Ruins or God's Ruins in this lifetime, relying on this physical body alone, you could accomplish many things, understand?"
As Zuo Qing spoke, he pushed the appointment letter toward Lin Qiye again.
"I know you don't want to fight alone, so I will appoint Shen Qingzhu as your aide. In the future, when Jialan revives, if you want to rebuild 【Nightfall】, I won't stop you...
So, what's your answer?"
...
Outside Night Watch headquarters.
Shen Qingzhu and Wu Quan sat on the steps, waiting for Lin Qiye to come out.
"Go ahead, while I was gone, what trouble did you get into?" Shen Qingzhu took a sip of mineral water and asked calmly.
Wu Quan shuddered, turning to look at him in confusion.
"That thing you're wearing under your coat—isn't it the Purification Chamber's prisoner uniform?" Shen Qingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Our Wu Quan is impressive indeed, at such a young age you even got into the Purification Chamber... You'd better honestly confess everything to me. If I catch you lying, I'll personally break your legs."
"I..." Wu Quan obediently lowered his head and recounted what had happened before.
"You exterminated an entire family because Old Liu got beaten up?"
"The people in their family were all villains. Everyone who participated in that gathering made their fortunes from blood money, I..."
Before Wu Quan could finish, a figure slowly walked out from the headquarters.
Lin Qiye and Shen Qingzhu exchanged glances, then he smiled helplessly and took an appointment letter from his chest:
"It looks like we'll have our hands full for quite some time."