As the saying goes, once you achieve success, you should return home with glory.
From the memories of Qian Yuliu, Le Yuxin knew that he had returned to his alma mater once after graduation.
Back then, Qian Yuliu returned as an outstanding graduate. Although he was appointed to the Statistical Department, at that time, the department wasn't yet notorious. Instead, as a newly established department, it was viewed by the public as a fresh symbol of the Imperial Court's inspirational reforms and received considerable praise from teachers and students, even allowing him to give a speech to encourage the students.
But now is not as it was then.
The full name of the Statistical Department is 'Brilliance Executive Committee Investigation Statistical Department'. On the surface, its purpose is to listen to public opinion and appease the masses, and act as a reformative democratic department. However, its main duties are to capture the rebels of the Reverse Light Movement and cleanse internal affairs.
One must know that the Reason the Reverse Light Movement can cause such a sensation all over Brilliance is partly due to the severe exploitation by the Imperial Court in recent years, chaotic policies, rampant corruption by officials, coupled with consecutive natural disasters, and the added influence of aristocratic families. Therefore, 'Reverse Light' appeared in response to public sentiment, meaning rebellion against Brilliance and resistance to the imperial government.
Xingke City is adjacent to the Seaport, so the residents live relatively better, but the disaster situation in the inland areas is already quite severe. The population in Skyrim District has even diminished by a third, leading to the uprising where the Reverse Light Movement killed the Skyrim governor and used his death as a symbol.
However, the Imperial Court has not appeased the people, instead establishing the Statistical Department to indiscriminately arrest righteous individuals, which has long displeased the progressive students of Xingke Military Academy.
At this time, their 'dear' 'Qian Yuliu' senior has returned.
"Qian Yuliu, you beast!"
An egg flew over. Le Yuxin instinctively sensed it and dodged, but at that moment another egg was thrown aimed at his evasive direction. Le Yuxin stretched out his hand and swatted it—
The egg cracked, liquid flew, and the pungent smell filled his nostrils.
Le Yuxin took out a handkerchief to wipe the rotten egg liquid off his hand. He initially wanted to scold these people for wasting food, but realized they were using rotten eggs for waste utility, so he couldn't accuse them of food wastage anymore.
"Are you trying to resist the Statistical Department?" Chen Fu was furious, standing in front of Le Yuxin, shouting loudly, "Who attacked a Statistical Department agent? Come out! Is this all military academy students can do, hiding in the crowd throwing garbage?"
At Xingke Military Academy's south gate, students were confronting the Statistical Department agents, with hundreds of students gathered at the campus entrance, blocking the road and not allowing the department's vehicles to enter.
When the agents demanded to disperse the crowd and asked to perform official duties, the crowd erupted immediately, shouting 'The Statistical Department is here to arrest people' which attracted more onlookers. Helplessly, as team leader, Le Yuxin had to get out of the car.
Qian Yuliu is quite a 'celebrity' here, so as soon as Le Yuxin got off, he was greeted by a brutal 'welcome ceremony'.
Those who love wish life upon him, those who hate wish death upon him.
Previously, the students respected Qian Yuliu a lot; now, they resent him just as much.
He just didn't expect rotten eggs to be a common throwing weapon everywhere, and the students were indeed quick to find rotten eggs.
Le Yuxin had anticipated this scene long ago and wasn't angry. He wasn't feeling good either, after all, he's not Qian Yuliu himself, just pretending in a first-person role-playing game. It's just that the game's realism is high, and the rotten eggs have a truly pungent smell.
Moreover, even if Qian Yuliu himself were here, he certainly wouldn't be angry. Given his cold-blooded nature, he wouldn't generate negative emotions, and he had already been prepared when he joined the Statistical Department.
"Captain, what should we do?" Zhou Guangshi, slightly fearful, asked, "Should we go to the target's home and secretly arrest them?"
"No, we can't do that." Ailili quickly retorted, "We've already alerted them by showing up at the academy. If we don't arrest them now, they will surely escape overnight. How could they return home? Moreover, we have many targets to arrest; we don't have time to wait patiently. If the mission fails, what will the director think of us?"
"But we can't catch people like this, what if it causes a riot..."
"A group of students, how dare they confront the Statistical Department?"
"They are military academy students!"
"It's all the same! Captain, let's arrest them!"
Chen Fu also turned to look at Le Yuxin, without speaking, but the hesitation was visible in his eyes, as he softly said, "Brother Qian, I'll follow your lead."
The students in front were agitated and noisy, while the team members behind were deeply divided, each advocating their own opinions. All of a sudden, Le Yuxin seemed to see a huge black pot forming above his head, about to fall on him.
"Everyone, it was Qian Yuliu who personally killed Mr. Lin! We must not let the Statistical Department take our companions away!"
"The Statistical Department are all murderers!"
"Qian Yuliu, you traitorous disciple-killer!"
"Scum and villain!"
"The alma mater is ashamed of you!"
Chen Fu's face became even more unsightly.
It's quite normal for someone to know about Lin Jinyao's capture and even death; after all, when they went to arrest him, it wasn't a secret operation, it was done with great fanfare.
But the knowledge of Qian Yuliu killing Lin Jinyao was only known to the agents present and the rebels at the time.
However, the rebels are now imprisoned, so where the information leaked from is self-evident.
"Avenge Mr. Lin!" suddenly someone shouted loudly!
"Avenge Mr. Lin!"
"Avenge Mr. Lin!"
The students not only didn't disperse but moved forward together, closing in on the Statistical Department agents!
Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, as if enacting heaven's justice!
Now, even the most radical Ailili was a bit scared. Chen Fu took a step back and let out a heavy breath: "Brother Qian, let's temporarily retreat for now..."
Retreat...
Could I just not do these things?
Suddenly, the thought of escape arose in Le Yuxin's mind, and upon thinking it over, he found it to be a pretty good choice.
Undoubtedly, if Le Yuxin withdrew from here, this arrest mission would most likely end in failure. Even if Lan Yan doesn't punish him for this, he likely wouldn't be entrusted with important tasks.
Newcomer agents like Ailili might think Lan Yan is kind and benevolent, but someone who could be entrusted by the Governor with major responsibilities at the Statistical Department, someone who has captured countless rebels from the Reverse Light Movement, could hardly be easygoing.
From Qian Yuliu's memory, Le Yuxin learned that in the Statistical Department, the most important thing isn't talent, but loyalty.
And it has to be the kind of loyalty that can betray one's class.
Many joined the Statistical Department at the same time as Qian Yuliu, but only a few like him received promotions and salary increases. Most others were either relegated to logistical duties or simply dismissed.
These abandoned people weren't lacking in capability, but they didn't show loyalty: When tasked with capturing rebels of the Reverse Light Movement, due to sympathy, compassion, and fear, they didn't see their tasks through, retreating in fear.
To serve the Imperial Court means inevitably opposing progressive factions among the populace. Those lacking awareness cannot be heavily relied upon.
If Le Yuxin hesitates here, then it's clear to Lan Yan that Qian Yuliu's loyalty only goes so far. At best, he's placed in the cold palace (idle), at worst exiled to the frontier (transfer).
Once hesitated, Qian Yuliu would forever lose the qualification to become a core member of the Statistical Department.
But...
Isn't this exactly what Le Yuxin hoped for?
Being an informant is too dangerous, being a Statistical Department agent even more so. The former is an enemy to the Imperial Court, the latter an enemy to the people. Simply put, Qian Yuliu's combined identity is practically everyone's enemy!
Walking on thin ice, dancing on a knife's edge, perfectly describes Le Yuxin's current situation.
Yet, Le Yuxin is not someone from Brilliance, he has no feelings for this world, no ideals or goals he must achieve; he's just an ordinary person who wants to go home and survive.
As long as he retreats here, he can even legitimately resign after going back. Leaving the Statistical Department, the danger of his identity as an insider naturally also lifts, turning him into an ordinary person without any responsibility.
Then Le Yuxin can comfortably go home and have dinner with Qian Yuya, after completing the challenge of surviving 15 days, he can upgrade his skills, slowly farm, and gradually study the system. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Le Yuxin has no obligation to participate in this political struggle that affects countless people. His ability is sufficient to ensure that he can live well by abiding by the rules.
He is clearly so weak, he should live more cautiously.
Giving up has a thousand benefits.
Persisting is nine out of ten deaths.
How to choose is beyond doubt.
Only...
Suddenly, Le Yuxin's mind recalls the look in Lin Jinyao's eyes.
On a rainy night, in chaos, Lin Jinyao's eyes were bright as stars, looking at Qian Yuliu with affection and relief.
When Lin Jinyao saw his proud disciple aiming a handgun at him, what was he thinking?
Was it pride, relief, or... guilt?
"Sigh." Le Yuxin sighed and said softly, "But what do these things have to do with me?"
Others hearing Le Yuxin's murmur couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the captain must be planning to retreat.
Although Aili was unwilling, she also knew that in this situation, arresting people was completely unrealistic. If there truly were casualties at the academy, it might even incriminate the Statistical Department. It's not impossible for the Governor to punish the Statistical Department to appease the public.
Just as everyone was preparing to retreat from the academy, they suddenly found the captain striding forward, looking at the crowd and loudly berating:
"Mu Feihong! Inciting students to confront the Imperial Court, hiding among students to live ignobly, is this how you set an example as a teacher!"
It was early morning, the sunlight was just right, and Le Yuxin instinctively used spiritual power to amplify his voice, causing the light source in the entire area to shake, his voice thunderously echoing across the campus, startling countless pigeons.
The scene suddenly went silent.
Then came countless thunderous outbursts—
"Scum! Filth! Your mom would have been better off birthing a barbecue pork than you!"
"Avenge Mr. Lin!"
"Beat this spoiled brat!"
"He's here to capture Mr. Mu, don't let him succeed!"
Le Yuxin's action undoubtedly ignited the powder keg. Using spiritual power to amplify sound is almost the most basic spiritual power usage skill, and any Awakener would know how to do it, though most would instinctively avoid doing it—because it's really too loud.
Le Yuxin's approach was akin to picking up a megaphone and speaking to the students, so the students naturally also picked up megaphones and yelled back at him—who in Xingke Military Academy is not an Awakener? Who wouldn't engage in loud exchanges?
Brow furrowed cold against condemning fingers, standing still, Le Yuxin calmly watched this group of students who wished they could tear him apart, slightly stretched his neck, and asked again: "Mu Feihong, you incite students to resist the Imperial Court, then don't blame the Statistical Department for enforcing the law. Squad agents, remove firearm restrictions, allow free shooting at any attackers!"
Saying this, Le Yuxin relaxed all over.
The words spoken are like water spilled, the bow fired has no turning back.
From this moment on, the infamous 'Qian Yuliu' will be known throughout Xingke County, to everyone!
Many will know, Xingke Military Academy produced a villain who, for fame and fortune, inflicted cruelty on his juniors, became the accomplice of evil, and displayed utter inhumanity!
His peaceful farming plan was completely shattered, waiting for Le Yuxin is either deceitful survival or a glorified death.
But Le Yuxin didn't regret it.
Well, maybe a little, but just a tiny bit, a very tiny bit.
In fact, when Le Yuxin puzzled through, he realized his previous plan was overly optimistic. Even now being protected by the Statistical Department, he still encounters assassination attempts, and if the Statistical Department stops needing him, then the great efforts 'Qian Yuliu' previously made for the Statistical Department would immediately backfire on him.
Safely exiting the Statistical Department, just like a person retiring from the gang, is unrealistic and rather more dangerous, others can disregard moral duty to harm you, and the Statistical Department will not come to help you.
Most importantly, if he loses his job, what would he eat? There are no social welfare benefits here, plenty of beggars outside.
Of course, these are all excuses.
He simply doesn't want to fail Lin Jinyao's last entrustment.
He simply doesn't want to waste Qian Yuliu's previous groundwork.
How ridiculous, Le Yuxin clearly has a mortal feud with Qian Yuliu, whom he crossed paths with and was casually killed, Qian Yuliu also was taken down and his soul extinguished by him, yet now he actually wants to carry out Qian Yuliu's original mission.
But Le Yuxin must admit, he was moved.
Someone like him, living in a peaceful era, simply cannot imagine the mindset of people like Lin Jinyao and Qian Yuliu. What kind of ideals, what kind of future, justify them sacrificing their lives and stripping themselves of all honor?
With this confusion, Le Yuxin found a passionate sentiment from Qian Yuliu's memories.
"Yuliu, the brilliance has faded into darkness. Each district's governors exploit excessively, and despite Skyrim's severe disaster, officials continue to embezzle relief supplies repeatedly, Chenfeng District nurtures pirates in self-interest, and Xia District covertly identifies as a state within a state… For hundreds of years, although technology advances and productivity keeps increasing, citizens' living standards deteriorate day by day because most resources are in the hands of the governing nobility."
"War is bound to erupt, noblemen are already impatient to use steel to redivide the glory of this cake. The belief of the White Night is not just to extinguish the 'glory' of this sun, but also to eradicate these noblemen who are like 'wildfires', to create a country bathed not in light, but in white purity."
"The belief of the White Night is also my belief, Lin Jinyao's belief. Yuliu, what about you? What kind of world do you want to create?"
"I want to create a world where Yuya can live calmly."
Searching through Qian Yuliu's twenty-two years of life, this is his only wish.
Qian Yuliu, this wish, I cannot achieve.
You killed my body, I extinguished your soul, let's call it even; now I live in your body, as rent, I will continue along your path.
Should I falter along the way, please don't blame me, after all, this is my second time living as a human.
Chen Fu advised, "Brother Qian, are we really going to…"
Le Yuxin looked at the students cursing ahead and clapped his hands vigorously: "Squad, arm yourselves!"
A black box was pushed off the car, split open with a click, revealing the handguns inside. The agents looked at each other but quickly picked up the handguns, loaded them, and aimed them at the crowd for deterrence.
Some students were frightened, but more were angry: "Come on, you think we will submit to you dog agents!? Come on!"
They rushed forward, eager to present their chests for the bullets to carve out medals of hot blood. The agents dared not shoot, pushed back repeatedly by the students.
Le Yuxin indifferently raised his handgun and fired a shot into the sky, the piercing sound reverberating through the campus, halting the surging crowd.
He coldly said: "Is this your answer, Mu Feihong?"
At this very moment, a slightly deep voice resounded in everyone's ears:
"You want an answer? Fine, then old Mu will give you an answer."