You really know how to do it? (Seeking follow-up reading)

"Hello, excuse me, are you Li Ye?"

When Li Ye went down to the second floor, a staff member was already waiting for him.

This person was wearing a black uniform with a Sanitation Bureau patch on the sleeve. They looked to be in their thirties, wore glasses, and had a gentle, smiling demeanor.

As Li Ye nodded, the person extended a hand to shake his. "My name is Sun Shun, Section Chief of the Data Section at the Pest Control Bureau. Director Pan just called and asked me to get you onboard. Please follow me."

He led Li Ye forward, appearing very enthusiastic. "Let me introduce you to our bureau. The third floor houses the offices of the Bureau Chief and the two Deputy Bureau Chiefs, though only Director Pan is here now. Director Zhao and Director Ren are currently on assignment."

He casually opened a few doors, allowing Li Ye to see spacious rooms filled with computers where a group of people in uniform were busily working.

"The second floor is for our data analysts. They specialize in identifying potential demon threats across the city, organizing the data, and then reporting it if a demon is confirmed. Besides the people here, we also have data analysts stationed at major city offices to detect signs of demons."

"The first floor is where the pest control officers are stationed. They are the ones who eliminate demons. Being on the first floor is very convenient for them; they normally deploy in teams of three."

After touring a few offices, Sun Shun led Li Ye to his own office. He invited Li Ye to sit down and personally brewed him a cup of tea.

Li Ye quickly stood up, "I can do it myself."

"It's no trouble, it's what I should do."

He turned back and sat in his own seat, facing Li Ye, and handed him a form. "Director Pan said you just need to fill this out. If you don't mind me asking, what's your relationship with Director Pan?"

"We've only spoken twice. We don't have any particular relationship."

Li Ye picked up his pen and began filling in his basic information.

Sun Shun continued to smile, "Our Director Pan is excellent at discovering talent. You must be quite talented."

His expression clearly showed disbelief.

He was hired after meeting the director only twice, and it was a part-time position.

Where would the Pest Control Bureau even get part-time positions?

This was clearly a perk.

But he couldn't say anything. This was, after all, the Pest Control Bureau, the department with the most power, capable of life and death decisions at will. Especially the director, who would dare to oppose him?

"I'm done."

Li Ye finished filling out the basic information and handed it to Sun Shun, offering him a cigarette along with it. "Smoke?"

Sun Shun took it while looking at the form and was visibly surprised when he saw the education section.

Seventeen? High school?

Then he looked at the cigarette in his hand.

Wow! A golden cigarette! Special supply!

So this was what "no relationship" meant?

"Great! A young hero, being recognized by Director Pan at just seventeen, your future is limitless! Let's talk about your benefits first."

Sun Shun's smile widened even further. "Data analysts are divided into three levels based on their Dragon Gate Realm cultivation, from First Dragon Gate to Third Dragon Gate. The salaries are 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 respectively. Your cultivation is First Dragon Gate, so you can only be classified as a Level Three data analyst."

"Director Pan instructed that we don't need to deduct social security and housing fund contributions. So, those will be converted into subsidies. You know our contribution standards; they're basically on par with the salary. We'll add another 8,000 as a subsidy, making it 16,000 a month."

"Since you're part-time and still a student, I assume your martial arts training is your priority. You won't need to report in every day; just come over to provide guidance when you have time. What do you think?"

The string of words left Li Ye somewhat speechless.

What did he mean, "What do you think?"

He had initially thought this part-time job would be for a mere two or three thousand, with a small subsidy as a reward.

The average salary in Ningjiang City was only around 4,000 yuan. Now, it seemed he could just relax at home and get 16,000 a month?

"Isn't this too good?" Li Ye felt a bit embarrassed.

"You've misunderstood!"

Sun Shun's expression turned serious. "Whether the benefits are good or not also depends on the nature of the work. In our Pest Control Bureau, pest control officers have the most dangerous jobs, but data analysts aren't exactly safe either."

"True, we sit in offices collecting data, but the videos we receive, the materials delivered, even a simple photograph, could be contaminated with demon pollution. While the Dragon Gate Realm can resist pollution, it's not immunity. Too much or too severe pollution can still have an effect, and even worse..."

He sighed. "Ten years ago, I wasn't a Section Chief yet. My Section Chief just looked at a photograph, and he drowned the next day."

Li Ye frowned, unsure. "A flood?"

He remembered that the Yangtze River's water level was very high that year, and it could have turned into a flood. The city had already issued warnings and ordered an orderly evacuation.

Because the incident was so significant, he still remembered it. At the time, he had wondered if it was a pure flood or if demons were involved.

Someone drowning probably had something to do with it.

"It was a Flood Demon!"

Sun Shun glanced meaningfully at Li Ye. Being able to know about this incident confirmed his background was indeed deep.

"At that time, our entire Pest Control Bureau was mobilized. Twenty data analysts and nine pest control officers died before we could pinpoint the Flood Demon's location. The military even got involved before we could kill that great demon."

"So, even with high benefits, they're not that high compared to life. We're all working with our lives on the line. Look at these data analysts; none of them are old. We retire early. Ordinary people retire at sixty-five, but we have to retire at fifty. If your Blood Essence declines any later, you really can't handle it."

Li Ye could only nod. "I'll follow your arrangements."

With things explained this far, there was no reason to refuse.

"Can I try my hand at it now? I'm quite interested in demons."

Perhaps I could even discover some demons that could be considered god-tier.

"Of course, I'll take you to the data room."

Sun Shun led Li Ye towards the data room, and this time, he seemed unusually attentive.

Upon arriving at Data Room One, Sun Shun clapped his hands together after entering. As the dozen or so data clerks looked over, he cleared his throat and said, "Let me introduce you all. This is Li Ye. Bureau Chief Pan personally requested him to observe our work in the data room. Please give him a warm welcome."

Enthusiastic applause erupted instantly.

Bureau Chief Pan's connection.

This is a big shot.

Someone sensible immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Um, I don't mind if you use my workstation first."

Before Li Ye could speak, Sun Shun waved his hand, "You keep busy. I'll show Li Ye around."

Then he turned to Li Ye with a smile, "Li Ye, this computer is for high-intensity work. Let's start by looking at some photos and videos first, just to get a feel for it."

This is distrust, but it's normal.

Li Ye's eyes flickered, and he nodded with a smile.

If they had suddenly assigned him a workstation, it would have made Li Ye suspicious. How could they so easily entrust matters concerning the city's safety to someone with connections?

This Sun Shun, despite his fawning demeanor, understood the situation clearly and knew what was important.

Li Ye followed Sun Shun to a spare computer. Besides the computer, there were also a fax machine, a landline, a tablet, and a series of other devices prepared for emergencies. Photos and documents were neatly stacked on the desk and walls.

"Our colleagues from the sub-district offices and our general bureau review these together to identify suspicious points."

Sun Shun opened the computer. Among the three screens, the middle one displayed surveillance video, the left had a row of recorded videos, and the right showed a row of constantly refreshing photos.

Each data clerk's setup was the same, and they were all intently watching these screens, ready to spot any issues.

This is the basic guarantee of safety in the Divine Land!

"At the city general bureau, we primarily look at screened information. If there are any doubts, we can directly retrieve the relevant files. Look at this segment..."

He skillfully opened a photo on the right screen. It showed the inside of a trash can, filled with decaying food.

"With this photo, we need to determine if there are any demons that have appeared due to factors like mold and rot. For example..."

"Filth Worms."

Li Ye interjected.

To Sun Shun's astonishment, he pointed at the video showing the inside of the trash can, filmed from a distance, and said, "The rotten matter has black, gray, grayish-green, or dark yellow spots. This is a gray spot, but if you look closely, you can still see the original appearance of a corner – it's a rotten potato."

The spot he indicated was a tiny exposed surface of the rotten matter, indeed resembling a potato.

"It hasn't actually rotted; the gray spots have just covered the surface, making it look rotten. If you look closely, you can see some protrusions. This requires video. If we confirm that this 'gray spot' is moving, and the internal structure shows thread-like shapes and small particles, then there's a chance it's a Filth Worm."

"As for why I'm so sure this is a Filth Worm..."

He took the initiative, used the mouse to close the enlarged image, and opened another one.

It was a photo of only half a trash can, with what appeared to be a back door connected next to it.

Li Ye pointed to the junction between the trash can and the back door, saying, "I noticed earlier, the oil stains have formed a film, with subtle reflections. Within the reflections, there are tiny black spots, and most importantly..."

His finger moved, pointing to a seam under the doorway. A black line, not very conspicuous and seemingly blended with its surroundings, but with a visible head extending out.

At first glance, it just looked messy and dirty.

"The surrounding area isn't moldy, which rules out the possibility of similar Five Plagues Ghosts. Therefore, this black threadworm is a sign of a Filth Worm!" Li Ye exclaimed.

Sun Shun quickly opened the related video on the left. Indeed, in the filming, the slightly bulging surface of the rotten matter showed signs of movement...

"Retrieve the data!"

A shout went up.

The data clerk who had offered his seat earlier typed furiously, speaking at lightning speed, "North District, Jianghe Road, No. 65, the alley behind the Rural Home-style Restaurant. The suspicious point matches the description exactly. Preliminary confirmation is Filth Worm... No, it's confirmed, it's definitely a Filth Worm!"

On his screen, the photo Li Ye had pointed to was enlarged, along with a very clear video.

He quickly pressed a button, "The alert address has been sent. The nearest data clerk to the location will handle it."

He then turned to Sun Shun and said, "Section Chief, it's just a small demon showing early signs. A spray of insecticide should do."

"Is this just about spraying insecticide? We've repeatedly emphasized hygiene and cleanliness... A home-style restaurant, you say? Seal it!"

Sun Shun clicked his tongue. "There have been several Filth Worm incidents recently, and the last one was fully formed! This isn't enough. Notify the relevant departments, and search the entire city again. Even if nothing is found, seal it for three days!"

"Yes." The person picked up the landline and dialed.

Li Ye watched, astonished.

This power... it's really not small.

After finishing his instructions, Sun Shun turned to look at Li Ye with surprise.

After all, they were data clerks. Despite their mediocre qualifications, they were all experts in General Knowledge. For a high school student to have this kind of reaction and perception was even better than some of the data clerks under him.

He, the old section chief, hadn't even noticed it at first.

And the General Knowledge he displayed seemed pretty good too.

He's not just here to get a degree?

"Can you really do it?" Sun Shun asked.

Li Ye smiled. "I know a little."

Sun Shun blinked, then thought of something and asked, "A while back, in the Green Water Shore residential area in the East District, there was a Five Plagues Ghost that we misidentified, but a student discovered it. Could that have been you?"

"It was indeed I."

As the sky gradually darkened, Li Ye finally left. This time, Sun Shun personally saw him out. By the time Li Ye departed, Sun Shun's expression had become much more sincere.

He clasped Li Ye's hand, full of earnestness, and repeatedly urged Li Ye to visit often.

After watching Li Ye leave, he turned and went up to the third floor, knocking on the Bureau Chief's office door.

"Old Sun... is that kid Li Ye not doing well? Just consider it training."

The first thing Pan Zhengyang said upon seeing Sun Shun was this.

Sun Shun quickly waved his hands and chuckled, "Bureau Chief Pan, it's not that he's not doing well; he's doing too well, beyond all expectations. You don't know, but as soon as Li Ye arrived, he pointed out a clue about a Demon. And then, it was even more incredible. He explained everything about every trace that might indicate a Demon's presence, almost on par with our data clerks' level of General Knowledge."

"Oh?"

Pan Zhengyang smiled, beckoned Sun Shun over to sit, and offered him a cigarette. "The kid's General Knowledge is that good? I thought he was still a bit short. A high school student, comparable to those who passed the exams to get here, hehe."

"He's exceptionally talented."

Sun Shun accepted the cigarette with both hands and smiled, "Bureau Chief Pan, you've brought a capable assistant into our Data Section. And he's so young, he'll definitely be able to take over my position in the future."

"You don't need to be so polite with me, Old Sun."

Pan Zhengyang shook his head, then remembered what Li Ye had said earlier and chuckled, "That kid doesn't admit defeat. If he can't be a data clerk, he'll definitely be on the front lines of demon-slaying."

Sun Shun chuckled and made a gesture of slapping his own face. "My mistake, my mistake. It will definitely be like that."

On the front lines of demon-slaying... starting at the Six Dragon Gate.

Sun Shun suddenly lost the desire to pry into his background.

Bureau Chief Pan's words were a guarantee. Even if they had to force it, they would ensure he reached the Six Dragon Gate.

With such honor, whether he had a background or not, it no longer mattered.

"How is the investigation in Yunxiu County going?" Pan Zhengyang suddenly asked.

Sun Shun's expression turned serious, and he straightened his posture. "My apologies, Bureau Chief Pan, there are still no leads. All clues have gone cold; it seems to be just an ordinary accident."

Pan Zhengyang scoffed. "Accident? There are no such things as accidents. If you can't find anything, then forget it. For the next few days, seal off the martial arts industry, and while you're at it, seal off the Ren family's businesses."

Sun Shun was stunned. "Bureau Chief Pan, won't that cause repercussions..."

"Repercussions my ass!"

Pan Zhengyang interrupted him, speaking crudely. "Let me tell you, out of ten of these things, ten will be innocent if shot, but if you skip one, you'll definitely let a culprit slip through! Demons are appearing so frequently. I don't care if they're connected or not; to me, they are connected! It's just that we have rules now. If this were twenty years ago, I'd go to their homes and slaughter their entire families!"

"Seal them! If they have a problem, they can come find me!"

"Yes."