Let them offer their loyalty!

Qiu Tu did some quick calculations. Based on his experiences during this period,

Section Chief level corresponded with First-order Catastrophic.

Department Head level corresponded with Second Order Catastrophic.

Bureau Chief level corresponded with Third Order Catastrophic.

State Speaker level corresponded with Fourth-order catastrophe-evolver.

Junior positions were preliminary, the top ones were at the peak. Progress between the two depended entirely on oneself.

With time to progress, one became stronger; without it, one was the weakest of their tier.

So by this count, having now been promoted to Deputy Director, he indeed should become a Third Order Catastrophic.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu glanced at Tang Feifei who was still sitting beside his bed, recounting the various treatments and precautions required by the Sanctuary following his promotion.

Then... he temporarily suppressed the excitement brought about by the promotion.

Although he trusted Tang Feifei very much, and she had proven herself to be a trustworthy insider over time,

But... there was still that saying. Tang Feifei was different from other women.

Other women were independent individuals, but Tang Feifei had been branded with the marks of the Tang family and the Fengtian Faction from birth.

For her, it was both an aid and a shackle.

She often had no control over many things.

Therefore... Qiu Tu could trust her with many matters but couldn't let her in on certain core secrets.

Like Qiu Tu's Cataclysm Path, this was something that definitely couldn't be made known to Tang Feifei.

After all, Qiu Tu's Cataclysm Path was "politics," a source of strength but also a fatal weakness.

Once others became aware of this, they would do everything possible to stop his advancement or even scheme to demote him, both of which could affect his development.

Qiu Tu had long recognized this disadvantage of his Cataclysm Path, so he had always been trying to develop in multiple systems—for instance, holding a position in the Security Department as a backup.

Like... establishing his own system.

"The above constitutes the treatment and powers enjoyed by the Deputy Director."

At this point, Tang Feifei finished reading the duties and treatments of the Deputy Director. She put down the document in her hand and looked towards Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu came back to his senses and then looked at her.

Xinjie City enjoyed rare good weather today. Perhaps the intermittent rain over the past few days had even cleared the sky substantially.

Sunlight filtered through the window, quietly casting a golden battle armor over Tang Feifei in uniform.

Qiu Tu felt the impulse to shout "Doff the armor!" again.

However, he knew it was time for serious discussion, so he stopped his wild thoughts, straightened up, and said with a serious expression, "I am grateful for the Sanctuary's trust, the State's recognition, and the Bureau Chief's grooming."

"I will definitely continue to strive to assist the Bureau Chief in managing the Investigation Bureau well."

After finishing these pleasantries, Qiu Tu, as if finally relieved, comfortably leaned back on the bed once more, then turned to Tang Feifei and asked, "Feifei, how is the plan proceeding?"

"When are you going to vacate the position for me?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tang Feifei: ...

She glared at Qiu Tu, "One second you're talking about assisting me in managing the Investigation Bureau well, the next you're plotting to take over."

"You can't even bother pretending anymore."

Qiu Tu said with a smile, "I've paid such a big price, can't I even urge you a little?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tang Feifei took a deep breath.

She looked at Qiu Tu, her wheat-colored face showing a slightly complex expression, "Progress is a bit worse than I expected."

"But it shouldn't be too much of a delay. It won't affect your plans."

"It's just right that you've just been promoted to Deputy Director, it's not possible to move up immediately."

"So, me occupying the position a bit longer is not a disadvantage for you."

After saying this, she paused, her gaze slightly lowered, her voice softer, "But... no matter what, I still want to thank you."

"I know, there are many people interested in this deal, it's not like I was the only option."

Hearing Tang Feifei's words, Qiu Tu smiled and then said, "What's all this about?"

"Our relationship is akin to that of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, if there's a good opportunity, how could I forget you?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's somewhat bizarre words, Tang Feifei kept her expression unchanged.

Having spent so much time with Qiu Tu, she had grown accustomed to his occasionally flippant remarks, letting them in one ear and out the other.

So, she naturally continued, "Even so, I still owe you a favor."

"If there are other matters you need help with, feel free to come to me."

Hearing Tang Feifei's words, a brief spark flickered in Qiu Tu's eyes, then he said, "Really? Then... I currently want to go to a place I've been before..."

Tang Feifei: ...

Before Qiu Tu could finish, she got up with an unflustered expression and said, "I can see you're not in good condition right now. You need some good rest."

"Call me if there's anything."

"The Deputy Director's order will be officially issued shortly. You can take over the various operational departments whenever you have time."

After that, Tang Feifei walked out of Qiu Tu's rest room with her lithe, athletic legs, opened the door, and left.

Behind her, Qiu Tu crossed his arms behind his head, leaning against the bedhead. Watching Tang Feifei's retreating figure, he clicked his tongue and muttered softly in complaint, "Going back on your word. You can't even fulfill such a small request."

"It seems I'll have to wait until I'm healed up, to perform a clean sweep."

Hearing Qiu Tu's ferocious words, Tang Feifei stumbled a bit with her steps, nearly tripping.

That made her wheat-colored face grow even rosier as she bit her lip and glared with embarrassed annoyance.

'Okay, okay! Clean sweep it is then. Let's see who triumphs when the narrow road meets the valiant!'