Only a minority were driven by a desire to contribute to the nation.
To be realistic, most who sought entry were looking for better opportunities for advancement.
Some, due to limited resources, found themselves stuck at the third or fifth level.
Without proper training methods or guidance from experienced seniors, many would remain stagnant for life, unless they stumbled upon incredible luck.
But who could predict luck?
Others, aware that the General Bureau offered formal training and the best connections, came prepared, intending to learn.
Therefore, Captain Wang prioritized the promotion channels when he introduced the second aspect.
He also mentioned several mysterious places akin to ruins.
Li Chonglou suddenly recalled the ruins Wu Long had spoken of.
Initially, he thought Wu Long was referring to the underground world, but now it seemed otherwise.
However, Li Chonglou remained largely uninterested.
Whichever path it was, it would require time to explore. Not to mention, newcomers would certainly not have enough time.
Then, they would have to invest thought and effort to find the time and try them one by one; it seemed hardly worthwhile.
Only after Captain Wang finished did Li Chonglou ask, "What do we do usually?"
Throughout their conversation, Captain Wang had focused on benefits and perks, peppered with some rules, but he hadn't mentioned any obligations.
Having recruited them with so much effort and invested so many resources, the General Bureau certainly wouldn't let them be idle.
Captain Wang looked at Li Chonglou with a hint of surprise.
Among the newcomers he had hosted before, not one had failed to inquire further about the benefits after his explanation.
But Li Chonglou appeared entirely unconcerned.
Were these benefits not appealing?
"The General Bureau certainly doesn't support idlers. Each of you will have monthly, quarterly, and annual duties."
"Simply put, every month, every three months, and every year, you will be assigned a task. The completion of this task will affect your performance record, and your performance record will, in turn, affect your standing."
"Standing?"
Captain Wang smiled faintly. "If your performance record is too low, you will be expelled from the Executive Department. Does that not affect your personal standing?"
They could actually be expelled.
Li Chonglou was surprised. Like everyone else, he had assumed that as long as they didn't make any major mistakes, they could remain in the General Bureau indefinitely. Those who left were simply those who wished to depart.
After all, they were not ordinary people clocking in and out like office workers. Each of them was a master capable of holding their own in the outside world. Would they ever be without purpose?
Now, Captain Wang had taught him a lesson.
Good heavens, so getting in didn't guarantee a secure position. If you didn't meet the performance targets, you'd still be out!
However, Li Chonglou found it understandable.
If such a rule didn't exist, wouldn't people be able to slack off and still gain status?
Even though they were divided into first-year, second-year, and so on here, once they stepped outside, a mere display of their identity would earn them deference even from the police.
That was status!
Yet, Li Chonglou remained unenthusiastic.
Frankly, he had no intention of relying on this status for anything.
In terms of standing, his Dragon Team identity was no less than that of the Executive Department.
Having said all he needed to, and seeing Li Chonglou’s continued indifferent demeanor, Captain Wang couldn't quite figure him out. He could only say, "Let's wait for a moment. I need to take you to meet your superior for the handover."
"Thank you for your trouble."
This kid really wasn't interested at all.
Captain Wang shook his head. Oh well, everyone has their own aspirations. Perhaps this person's vision was far grander than his own.
He hadn't forgotten that this person was someone the boss himself had personally requested to meet.
Unlike Wu Di and the others, Li Chonglou, this figure of renown, was someone even he had heard of. When the white-haired man met Wu Di and the others, he interviewed them one by one. But for Li Chonglou, it was a truly private meeting!
How could he be unaware of the outside world's speculation about his true relationship with the General Bureau?
With that thought, Captain Wang’s expression softened.
Indeed, for someone the boss himself cared about, perhaps he was a hidden disciple of those higher up.
Or maybe an illegitimate son!
Li Chonglou noticed Captain Wang's shifting expression and a bad feeling suddenly arose within him.
What was this guy thinking?
They stood there, each lost in their own thoughts, without much conversation, until an hour later.
"Ah, this feels so good. I really regret not joining sooner. Now I finally understand why people would give up so many benefits and rack their brains to get in. This rate of improvement, could it be matched outside?"
"Ha, you think you could have joined sooner if you wanted? They only recruit a handful of people nationwide each year. Being able to get in is already a blessing from ancestors."
"But I heard that this is due to a new recruit benefit period. In the future, to achieve such improvement, you'll have to rely on your own efforts."
"Enough, it's already great to have a channel."
Three familiar voices reached Li Chonglou's ears. Moments later, Wu Di and the trio, walking ahead, bumped into two people.
"Long time no see."
Well, it hadn't been too long, only two or three days.
But it was a polite greeting nonetheless.
However, the trio had already turned to stone.
Looking at Li Chonglou's smile, their minds went blank.
"Why aren't you moving?"
The corridor was narrow, and the three were walking side-by-side. Stopping now naturally blocked everyone behind them.
Upon hearing the voice, Wu Di reacted slightly, jolted, and instinctively took a step back.
"Are you a ghost or a human?"
The moment he heard the word "ghost," even Liu Tixing, who harbored a personal grudge against Li Chonglou, couldn't help but change his expression and retreat behind the other two.
Could it be that he heard my Night Curse, and a vengeful spirit has come for me today!
Wu Di and the others didn't know that Liu Tixing cursed a dead man, already declared a martyr, every night.
As the saying goes, he who harbors malice fears the wind even at midnight. Liu Tixing's face instantly turned deathly pale.
The higher one's cultivation, the more they understood that many things in this world defied common sense. Who could say ghosts weren't a type of monstrous beast?
Only Liu Tianzhi, who didn't have much of an issue with Li Chonglou, remained relatively calm.
Before Li Chonglou could answer, he asked, "Li Chonglou, you're not dead?"
Finally, a sensible person.
Li Chonglou breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost burst out laughing at the reaction of Wu Di and the other.
They were all grown men, yet in broad daylight, they were afraid of such things?
No, as public officials, they shouldn't believe in such nonsense!
Li Chonglou shook his head and smiled at Liu Tianzhi, "Hello, Brother Liu. It was just a misunderstanding. I managed to hide in a safe place inside. I'm fine."