"The whole building heard you chatting."
Everyone was startled and turned to see a man with a long braid wearing a blue-black military uniform standing at the door. His eyes were like an eagle's, his brows like a wolf's, his arms like an ape's, his waist like a bee's; he was two meters tall, and a braid over one and a half meters long floated behind him, very striking.
The Imperial Court of Huiyao reveres gold, purple, blue, and black: junior operatives wear black, intermediate operatives wear blue-black uniforms, senior operatives wear purple clothes with blue trim, and members of the Imperial Family wear brocade gold robes.
"Hello, Deputy Director Kui!" everyone hurriedly stood up, saluting with their right hand against their chest.
This man with the long braid was Kui Zhao, the second in command of the Statistical Department.
In Le Yuxin's eyes, Kui Zhao's presence emanated an aura as sharp as a blade, as if nearing him would result in a thousand cuts. He realized that this was the spiritual perception between Awakeners; Kui Zhao exerting such immense pressure indicated that his Spiritual Cultivation was deeper than Le Yuxin's!
"It seems you all are quite leisurely, just waiting every day to go home for dinner after work." Kui Zhao's dry lips curved into a half-smile, "I'm almost envious."
Le Yuxin knew that only the team leader Qian Yuliu was qualified to converse with Kui Zhao here, so he stepped forward: "Deputy Director Kui, we..."
"Stop, I'm not blaming any of you." Kui Zhao's voice was very light, but everyone heard it clearly: "The Leisure of the Statistical Department is a good sign; it represents the pure customs of Star Engraving County without any rebels. Governor Ding seeing our business situation will surely be relieved."
Le Yuxin calmly said, "Leisurely business is indeed a good thing, except we feel a little unworthy of our salary and benefits, so we grumble a bit. Please excuse us, Deputy Director Kui."
"Is that so?" Kui Zhao surveyed the room, and everyone quickly nodded.
"That's good; because soon, you won't be bored—emergency mission, everyone gather in the atrium at 6:10."
After saying this, Kui Zhao turned and left, while Le Yuxin and the others exchanged glances, coldly saying, "Still standing around? Get ready to depart! Those needing to use the restroom, hurry up!"
When Le Yuxin led his team into the atrium, he saw three armed light trucks already prepared. He looked around and found all five teams from the Statistical Department present; some operatives were empty-handed, others wielding swords. His heart sank—the task was significant, and he hadn't fully absorbed 'Qian Yuliu's abilities; if he lagged behind in the operation, he might be suspected.
Kui Zhao stood beside a vigorous man donning a purple-blue uniform and glasses. The vigorous man scanned the area and remained silent.
Le Yuxin was puzzled; at that moment, a seemingly late operative rushed back from the restroom, and only then did the vigorous man adjust his glasses, revealing a gentle smile: "Hope we're not disrupting your dinner plans, but this task should conclude quickly, allowing you to go back and dine with your family."
This person was the Director of the Statistical Department, Lan Yan.
"For Huiyao's light!" All the operatives saluted in unison.
"Team Five and Team Four go to Truck Three, Team Three and Team Two go to Truck Two, Team One come with me to Truck One, move out!" Lan Yan clapped his hands and the operatives started moving swift and orderly, evidently well-trained.
Le Yuxin and his team also boarded an armed light truck, sitting opposite Lan Yan and Kui Zhao.
Le Yuxin felt slightly uneasy but quickly calmed down: Qian Yuliu was just an ordinary team leader, while Lan Yan and Kui Zhao were senior operatives, with likely few intersections. Even if someone replaced Qian Yuliu internally, these two senior operatives would certainly detect nothing.
"Captain Qian, how's your cultivation recently?" Contrary to Le Yuxin's expectations, Lan Yan did not inquire about work but rather engaged in casual conversation.
His voice was gentle and refined; although Le Yuxin vaguely sensed a grand aura from him, the feeling he imparted was unlike Kui Zhao's sharpness but rather warmth like spring wind, eliciting affection and closeness.
Le Yuxin suddenly realized this must be a manifestation of Spiritual Power: different expressions of Spiritual Power could evoke fear and intimidation or endless goodwill. The manifestations of Lan Yan and Kui Zhao's spiritual aura evidently reflected their conduct and demeanor.
'I wonder how others perceive Qian Yuliu's spiritual aura...' A peculiar thought crossed Le Yuxin's mind, and he replied, "I practice diligently but have hit a bottleneck, making no progress for days."
This was the true situation for Qian Yuliu; Le Yuxin did not lie.
Lan Yan patted Le Yuxin's shoulder: "That's normal; your mastery of Eightfold Flow and Spiritual Cultivation is just beginning. To further progress, not only requires hard training but also insight and guidance. I used to study with Xu Fei, the head trainer of Senluo County. After this period, I'll give you a recommendation letter and a long vacation to further train under Xu Fei."
Although Le Yuxin did not know who Xu Fei was, he assumed he must be a master of Eightfold Flow.
Le Yuxin nodded: "Thank you."
"No need for thanks; you becoming stronger means the Statistical Department becomes stronger. It's thanks to talents like you that I was entrusted with responsibilities by Governor Ding." Lan Yan laughed, "I am indeed looking forward to you making great contributions to the Statistical Department and succeeding my position."
"Director, you overpraise; Yuliu wouldn't presume such worth." Le Yuxin's expression remained calm; at this moment, he increasingly felt the wonder of the Residual Blood Physique—regardless of the situation, he could maintain composure in dealing with it.
Lan Yan gently shook his head: "Captain Qian, I have high hopes for you. The tasks for the Statistical Department ahead will become increasingly complex and urgent, requiring you to exert more effort and take on more responsibilities."
At this, nearby Elili mustered the courage to ask: "Director Lan, this mission is so sudden, has something big happened?"
Lan Yan nodded: "We discovered a hideout of the Backlight Particles. Elili, be careful in action later; these Backlight Particles are very dangerous."
Elili was both shocked and overjoyed: "Director Lan, you know me?"
"Of course, you joined the Statistical Department last July. I remember everyone in the Statistical Department," Lan Yan smiled, "You are my sharp blades and solid shields, my hands and family; how could I not remember you?"
Elili was so moved her hands trembled slightly, biting her lip heavily: "I will definitely protect the Director!"
He doesn't need your protection… Le Yuxin inwardly remarked.
"Another major reason for the rush of this operation," Lan Yan paused slightly, then spoke with a complex tone, "is because we have a traitor colluding with the enemies within the Statistical Department."
Everyone in the truck was stunned, except Le Yuxin, Lan Yan, and Kui Zhao remained composed, as Elili instinctively asked: "Who is the traitor?"
Lan Yan suddenly looked at Le Yuxin: "Captain Qian, who do you think is the traitor?"
How would I know, I'm new here and haven't figured out any of your identities… Le Yuxin thought for a moment before calmly saying: "If someone is very inattentive at work and keeps staring at you, then that person is the traitor."
Lan Yan was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter: "Well summarized, worthy of Captain Qian!"
At this moment, the armed truck stopped, and Lan Yan glanced outside the vehicle window, saying: "We're here, Team One, begin the operation!"
The operatives filed out, Le Yuxin following behind Chen Fu, who upon landing suddenly exclaimed: "Isn't this…"
Le Yuxin disembarked; the sky was slightly dark, and they arrived at a residential area, right in front of a sizable mansion. He looked at the place, feeling somewhat familiar—evidently, this sense of familiarity stemmed from Qian Yuliu's memories.
"You should have guessed."
Lan Yan approached Le Yuxin, pressing his hand on Le Yuxin's shoulder: "Our mission target, the Backlight insurgents' base, is here at Yunlong Street Number 24."
"And all the people at Yunlong Street Number 24 are the instructors of Star Engraving Military Academy, Lin Jinyao."
Lan Yan spoke with some sadness in his tone: "I have also attended Lecturer Lin's courses. Without a doubt, he is a respectable gentleman. Though hard to believe, there are indeed suspicions of him being tied to the Backlight insurgency, but this has yet to be determined. Hopefully, our investigation will prove his innocence."
Lin Jinyao...
This name stirred endless ripples in Le Yuxin's heart.
As memories surfaced one after another, Le Yuxin recalled two things:
First, Lin Jinyao is indeed the leader of the Backlight insurgents in Star Engraving County.
Second, Qian Yuliu himself is a traitor planted by the Backlight insurgents within the Statistical Department!