Bao nodded immediately.
"Not a problem."
Violet’s gaze wandered around the warehouse.
Artisans moved busily between workstations. The sounds of hammers striking metal echoed throughout the building, while various arrays glowed faintly on unfinished ship hulls. Crates filled with rare materials were stacked neatly against the walls, and workers constantly carried supplies from one location to another.
The entire warehouse was operating like a well-oiled machine.
A thoughtful look appeared on Violet’s face.
"So you really are the director of the warehouses in District 12, huh?"
As she spoke, she casually pulled out several fresh apples from her storage artifact and tossed one toward Grey and another toward Bao.
Grey caught his without difficulty.
Bao hurriedly grabbed his own apple before it fell to the ground.
"Yeah."
He took a large bite before speaking again.
"I was promoted a few weeks ago."
There was a hint of pride in his voice.
"Though technically, I’m only the deputy director. Since I’m still in the Foundation Establishment Realm, I don’t have the qualifications to become the actual director yet."
He gestured around the warehouse.
"The real director oversees several warehouses at once. He doesn’t work here personally."
Violet laughed.
"Deputy director, director. What’s the difference?"
Bao merely smiled.
He understood that the captain wasn’t mocking him.
For someone who rarely cared about titles or authority but held the title as a Captain of the Homicide department, that statement was practically a compliment.
As such, he chose not to argue.
The atmosphere relaxed.
For several minutes, the three simply chatted while eating apples. The sounds of workers and machinery filled the silence between conversations.
Then Bao suddenly looked around.
His expression became serious.
After ensuring no one was standing nearby, he lowered his voice.
"You guys have noticed the tension in the sect recently, right?"
Although his voice was barely above a whisper, both Grey and Violet heard him clearly.
The two immediately nodded.
Bao visibly relaxed when he saw their reactions.
At least he wasn’t imagining things.
"For the past few weeks, something strange has been happening."
He paused briefly.
"More and more cultivators have been returning from the sea. Entire groups are coming back earlier than expected. On top of that, elders who normally spend years in secluded cultivation have started appearing throughout the sect."
His brows furrowed.
"They all seem anxious about something."
Grey’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Violet’s casual demeanor also disappeared.
Bao leaned closer.
"Most people probably haven’t noticed."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"But the Transportation Department notices everything."
He tapped the table lightly.
"When something changes, we’re among the first to know."
His voice became increasingly grave.
"Orders for magic ships have increased dramatically. Not just civilian vessels either. Combat ships, transport vessels, long-range patrol ships... we’re receiving requests for all of them."
He pointed toward the warehouse around them.
"We’ve also been importing huge quantities of materials into the sect."