"Are woodcutters really so rare around here?"
The Peregrine Falcon cheekily commented, and the Golden Leopard translated for Wang Qiqi while Ansheng looked at Wang Qiqi curiously and asked:
"I remember over in Xia Dong, it seems like there are more woodcutters than spirit beasts."
"It's different in coastal areas, they have the advantage of a larger population base..."
Wang Qiqi said to Master Fuli: "Most spirit beasts have a strong sense of belonging to their homeland and typically don't leave for a long time unless... they're particularly mighty."
"It spoke... spoke! Squawk— the fox spoke!"
Master Fuli spoke human words, startling the unsuspecting Peregrine Falcon, who jumped up, eyeing the talking fox with a shocked expression.
"This is Master Fuli, his status in the Security Bureau is akin to a national treasure, and when executing tasks, he holds the rank of a National Guardian Beast, by default one level higher than officials."
The Golden Leopard looked at the Peregrine Falcon peeking out from behind its leg and introduced.
Although Master Fuli hasn't officially joined, due to past achievements and contributions, the higher-ups at the Security Bureau have granted him significant privileges to allow him to strike at spirit beasts nationwide with impunity.
Or rather, this type of privilege belongs to the "territory-level local spirit beast" category.
"Oh! So it's the big boss, my apologies, my apologies." Hearing this, the Peregrine Falcon immediately came out and extended its wings, as if to shake hands with Master Fuli like a human.
"Boss! I am for the Security Bureau..."
"Stop! Hold it right there..."
Ansheng reached out a paw to shake with the Falcon, interrupting him, and said: "Internal affairs of the Security Bureau have nothing to do with me, ask Wang Qiqi if you want a partner."
Wang Qiqi rubbed his forehead, surprised that the once cheeky bird had become so ambitious and diligent in just three short years, returning with a desire to gain official status.
"I understand your ambition to become official, I'll arrange an interview for you, you can go check if there's anyone you like among the reserve forces, and I'll match you up."
The partnership between spirit beasts and humans often involves a significant element of mysticism; just a single glance can prevent most spirit beasts and humans from pairing up.
Forcing matches only leads to fights, and humans being unable to undergo spiritualization for a long time.
Although the promise wasn't initially made by Wang Qiqi, the Security Bureau naturally wouldn't go back on their word.
"So... can I choose from the school? I saw someone I particularly liked when I first returned."
The Peregrine Falcon asked Wang Qiqi.
"Hmm?"
Ansheng showed a wary expression, looking at the falcon who started speaking fox language; if it uttered the word "Miao," he'd definitely have to buy two big stone pots tonight.
"Someone you like in the Agricultural Research Institute?" Wang Qiqi asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes, she seems quite unfortunate, with a bunch of cats stealing her underwear on the balcony..." said the Peregrine Falcon, "I like interesting people; partnering with this unlucky person would make the future quite entertaining."
"Her underwear was stolen? Are you talking about Miaomiao?" Hearing the keyword, Ansheng immediately knew who the unlucky person the Falcon was talking about; the only one in the entire school meeting the criteria is the fragrant Miaomiao from the mouths of the beasts.
"Maybe? I don't know, I just saw her stomping her foot when I passed by." The Peregrine Falcon shrugged.
"Student..."
Wang Qiqi thought for a moment and said: "If it's a student, it might not work out. I need to investigate first before I can give you a definite answer."
"If it really doesn't work out, then we'll organize another interview for you!"
"Thank you for your support, boss. I'll go check if there's anything valuable at Principal Yang's house..." The Peregrine Falcon said while preparing to take off, but Wang Qiqi swiftly pulled it back to the ground.
"No need for gifts, until we complete the investigation, just stay quietly on campus and avoid causing any trouble that might affect the interview..."
"If you have questions about Chang'an City, you can ask Master Fuli or Fat Cat."
The bird has become diligent but seems to still hold animosity against Principal Yang.
"Oh..." The Peregrine Falcon responded somewhat sullenly, transforming into a chicken-like form to accompany the leader on a walk.
"You're coming back at a great time; the Security Bureau is really short on field personnel right now."
Ansheng looked at the Peregrine Falcon and said: "Now is the best time to make a mark, spilling blood and sweat for glory."
Master Fuli was speaking, but his little fox face showed an odd expression.
The Security Bureau is indeed quite short-staffed because of the Dragon People cadaver incident, woodcutters have all gone to the labs, forming layers upon layers around them, stationed for a long time.
But the matter has an extremely high confidentiality level, so some Security Bureau members don't have the right to know.
For someone like the Peregrine Falcon just entering the role, if sent on field tasks, he'd likely follow his superior and work with Daoist practitioners to scour the world for traces of clay boxes.
If he went to internal duties, there's a high chance he'd be assigned to Xinxing Agricultural Science College to care for the Treasure Tree.
The Treasure Tree isn't dumb, but lacks basic living knowledge, needing guidance for socialization in the city.
If all these options don't satisfy, he could also join Fat Cat and others out in the suburbs for some extra cash, or participate in graduate-grade exams with Medicine Spring Mountain Lord and Black-skinned Rabbit.
There are plenty of job opportunities, just no good positions.
They are all handovers left by Master Fuli that require long-term tracking and assistance from the Security Bureau.
…
The Peregrine Falcon, in order to demonstrate his capabilities to the leader, proactively ran into the chicken coop and helped Master Fuli complete a chicken-catching task.
The Falcon first released the chicken, then flew up high, swooping down at lightning speed and captured the chicken.
The speed was so fast that the acceleration when the chicken was grabbed took all the feathers off the bird.
Three plucked and confused-looking yellow chickens were put inside a chicken cage by the Peregrine Falcon, who courteously offered them to Master Fuli.
"Thanks, tomorrow you follow me, I'll properly introduce you to Miaomiao..."
Ansheng had just finished showering, stood upright, and grabbed the chicken cage, heading home. Upon reaching the dormitory entrance, Ansheng changed from carrying the chicken cage to placing both paws over it, pushing it along into the elevator to go home.
"Hmm?"
Ansheng just exited the elevator when he saw the Ba Mountain Mosquito sneakily moving along the corridor.
"What are you doing? If you're here to find me, no need to be so stealthy, right?"
"Just looking for some blood; I've run out of human blood." The Ba Mountain Mosquito pointed towards Ah Qing's dormitory and said:
"Momo's blood is lovely and sexy; after drinking, the skin feels so smooth and comfortable, we Ba Mountain Mosquitoes love it..."
"?" Ansheng paused, his face blackened as he looked at the mosquito squatting in front of his home.
Now I see why you grew to resemble Momo, with that curvy figure.
Turns out, while observing activities in the southern foothills, you secretly drank Momo's blood.
"Well then... you do your thing! I'm off to sleep, and try not to scream too loudly if you get caught."
Ansheng shook his head, placed the chicken cage by the door, and turned to enter the dormitory. He scanned the room, seeing the lights were off, but all four dormmates were still awake, standing in line on the balcony, gazing out beyond it.
"Xiaolan's back? Come over quickly; downstairs two cats failed to mate and are fighting, it's quite intense!"
Ah Qing saw the little fox, yawning as if tired but with gossip written all over her face, beckoning Ansheng to quickly come over and watch the commotion.