The leading soldier saluted Li Ye before speaking.
"Hello, I'm Fan Tie, a special envoy from the Training Points supervisory Barracks. Thank you very much for lending a hand. This was an error caused by our inadequate work. We'll take over from here and investigate everything thoroughly, so you don't need to worry about the trial."
As he spoke, Fan Tie revealed a helpless expression.
There really was no need to worry.
The person in front of him had already finished them off. Worrying now would be pointless.
Li Ye glanced at them. Only four had come. Their Lightness Skills were decent, but what was even better was that the three behind him all had rifles slung across their chests. At this Training Point, firearms were definitely more useful than martial arts.
They gave people a tremendous sense of security.
He pointed at the Chameleon Lizard Demon's corpse. "Does killing this Chameleon Lizard Demon count for points?"
Fan Tie froze for a moment, then grabbed the collar at his chest and spoke into the miniature camera attached there. "Check it."
Then he said to Li Ye, "Student, don't worry. We have highly professional organizations. We'll determine exactly what kind of demon you encountered. As a student, what you need to do is—"
Before he could finish, the phone in Li Ye's pocket rang. It was Section Chief Sun.
"Hello, Chief."
"Li Ye, there's information about a demon near the location marked on your software. It's on Longshan Mountain. Can you confirm what's going on? I'll give you their contact information. They're military personnel, and after you contact them—"
Before Sun Shun could finish, Li Ye smiled. "Chief, the demon's corpse is right beside me. It's a Chameleon Lizard Demon. I'm guessing it came out of the Longshan Mountain quarry, but that'll need a detailed investigation."
Sun Shun was clearly stunned for a moment. "Longshan Mountain. You're training?"
"Yes, I'm training. My designated area happens to be near the quarry, so they can check my location. The military people you mentioned are also right beside me."
"Alright, then I know what to do. Thanks for your hard work."
Sun Shun hung up. Li Ye opened the internal software, looked at the latest message containing drone footage of the Chameleon Lizard Demon's corpse, and said to Fan Tie:
"So, as a training student, does killing a demon outside the training specifications count for points? Or is there an additional reward?"
Fan Tie stared blankly at Li Ye, seemingly unable to process it. After a while, he asked uncertainly, "Pest Control?"
Li Ye saluted. "Level-three Data Clerk Li Ye."
"Good heavens!"
Fan Tie sized Li Ye up and down, shocked. "You? A student?"
And a high school student at that.
How had he gotten into the Pest Control Bureau?
But then he glanced at the Chameleon Lizard Demon that had been torn in half, and it suddenly seemed reasonable.
Being able to recognize a demon at a glance meant his General Knowledge had to be excellent—better than that of university graduates.
Coupled with martial strength that was, at the very least, enough to take the route of breaking through the gates...
It was no surprise he could get in, and he was only a Data Clerk.
"Ah!"
At that thought, he slapped his thigh again and said regretfully, "I thought he was wild, but someone had already dug him up first. What a pity, what a pity..."
Only then did he say:
"Student Li Ye, demons outside the specifications like this aren't part of the training. Points are decided by your school; we merely assist with the calculations, so this definitely can't be counted. But we'll provide an additional reward. It won't be shabby."
"Can it be exchanged for points? I want Nutrient Solution," Li Ye asked.
Fan Tie paused. "We can have the school transfer it to you. That won't be a problem."
He glanced again at the Chameleon Lizard Demon torn in two, walked over, and kicked it twice. "Pretty hard. You're quite strong. Which gate did you take?"
Li Ye said, "Adamantine Gate."
"Ah!"
Fan Tie sighed again. He looked at Li Ye for a while, his eyes rolling, and asked unwilling to give up, "Um, you haven't signed a targeted contract yet, have you? Want to sign one with us?"
"A targeted contract?"
"That's right. We'll sign you up for a training plan. We'll supply your martial arts and cultivation resources, but after graduation, you'll have to come work for the military. You're with Pest Control, sure, but you're only a Data Clerk, right? The military is also an organization of the same rank. Meat rots in the pot either way—it's all the same wherever you go."
Li Ye shook his head. "I promised the director of the Pest Control Bureau that I'd go there after graduation. Like you said, meat rots in the pot either way. It's all the same."
Though he had not signed any contract, Director Pan's great kindness could never be repaid. The man was eagerly waiting for him to graduate. He could not disappoint him.
Fan Tie smiled, not finding it surprising.
The Pest Control Bureau did not have targeted contracts, but that did not stop individuals from finding suitable candidates and cultivating talent.
Bzzz.
The distinctive sound of engines drew close. Several off-road vehicles mounted with machine guns and rocket launchers came charging over, while a group of drones that appeared to be loaded with ammunition escorted them overhead.
Once the vehicles stopped, several soldiers stepped out. One of them leaned close to whisper something in Fan Tie's ear. Fan Tie nodded and said to Li Ye:
"Alright, we've received our orders. We've also received the information on the Chameleon Lizard Demon. Your bureau's opinion is that we take over, so we'll handle things from here. Your supervising teacher has also been notified. We'll take you back now."
"Are there still demons at the quarry?" Li Ye asked.
If there were more demons, he needed to take a look.
What if he ran into something like a "mountain god"? If it really was a god, perhaps he would have a chance to slay one.
Authority was his true foundation.
"There should only be one case. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone unnoticed until now. But we'll need to search to be sure. As for what caused this kind of demon to emerge, we'll investigate it thoroughly. You should head back and rest. Here, let's exchange contact information. If you change your mind, you'll always be welcome here."
"Alright."
After Li Ye and Fan Tie exchanged contact information, an off-road vehicle took them away.
A soldier walked over and asked, "Battalion Commander, you've got your eye on him? Is that kid really strong?"
They had not seen Li Ye's earlier performance on the surveillance footage.
"It's not enough to say he's strong. You'd have to say he's exceptionally strong."
Fan Tie kicked the demon's corpse again. "He recognized the demon at a glance. His knowledge level is very high."
For a demon of unknown origin and uncommon appearance like this, even a highly competent Data Clerk would need to verify it, let alone a high school student.
"And look at this hardness..."
He drew his pistol and fired at the lizard's corpse with a bang. Sparks flew where the bullet struck its shattered scaled skin, and it only blasted a small notch into the scales.
"He tore apart a demon this hard with his bare hands. His combat strength is even higher. But luckily, he hasn't been signed by some company. He'll still be one of our own in the future."
The Pest Control Bureau had official staffing on their side as well. When necessary, its personnel could be directly converted into soldiers.
But how could someone else compare to a trusted subordinate raised by one's own hands?
Still, this outcome was acceptable. Someone with talent like his would ordinarily have been noticed early by those companies and signed to a contract.
But now that the Pest Control Bureau had its eye on him, it saved them that concern. From what he had said, it was even the Pest Control Bureau director personally selecting him.
He knew Pan Zhengyang, the director of the Ningjiang City Pest Control Bureau. The man was famous for not standing on ceremony.
And for wiping out entire families.
Before you continue