I Am the Mole

"The whole building heard you chatting."

Everyone started, turning to see a long-braided man in a blue-black military uniform standing in the doorway. He had hawkish eyes, wolfish brows, ape-like arms, and a wasp waist. Standing over two meters tall, with a braid a full meter and a half long swaying behind him, he was impossible to miss.

Within the Radiant Court, gold, purple, blue, and black were held in the highest regard. Low-ranking agents wore black, mid-ranking agents wore blue-black uniforms, high-ranking agents wore purple with blue trim, while royalty wore embroidered robes of gold.

"Hello, Deputy Director Kui!" Everyone hurriedly rose and struck their chests in salute with their right hands.

This long-braided man was Kui Zhao, the Statistics Department's second-in-command.

To Le Yu, Kui Zhao seemed to radiate an aura as sharp as blades, as if getting too close would leave one cut into a thousand pieces. He realized this was Spiritual Induction between Awakened. The immense pressure Kui Zhao exerted on him meant Kui Zhao's Spiritual Cultivation was far deeper than his own!

"Seems you all have plenty of free time, waiting every day to get off work and go home for dinner." Kui Zhao's dry lips curled into something between a smile and a sneer. "I'm almost jealous."

Le Yu knew that the only person here qualified to speak with Kui Zhao was Captain Qian Yuliu, so he stepped forward. "Deputy Director Kui, we..."

"Stop. I wasn't blaming you." Kui Zhao spoke softly, yet everyone heard him clearly. "A quiet Statistics Department is a good thing. It means the people of Star Engraving Prefecture are honest and peaceful, with no rebels causing trouble. When Prefect Ding sees our workload, I imagine he'll feel quite reassured."

Le Yu said calmly, "A light workload is certainly a good thing, but we feel somewhat undeserving of our salary and benefits, so we complained a little. Please forgive us, Deputy Director Kui."

"Really?" Kui Zhao swept his gaze around the room, and everyone hurriedly nodded.

"Good. Because you'll be bored no longer—emergency mission. Everyone assemble in the courtyard at 6:10."

After saying that, Kui Zhao turned and left. Le Yu and the others exchanged glances before he said coldly, "What are you standing around for? Get ready to move out! Anyone who needs the restroom, go now!"

By the time Le Yu led the First Team to the courtyard, three armed light trucks were already prepared. He looked around and found that all five Statistics Department teams had gathered. Some agents were empty-handed, while others wore swords at their waists. His heart skipped a beat—this was bad. It looked like a major operation. He had yet to fully digest Qian Yuliu's abilities; if he held them back during the mission, he might draw suspicion.

Kui Zhao stood beside a valiant-looking man in a purple-and-blue uniform wearing glasses. The man swept his gaze across the crowd without speaking.

Le Yu was somewhat puzzled. Then an agent who seemed to have been delayed in the restroom hurried back into formation. Only then did the valiant man push up his glasses and reveal a gentle smile. "I hope this hasn't interrupted your dinner plans. This mission should end quickly, though, so it won't delay your return home to eat with your families."

This man was Lan Yan, the director of the Statistics Department.

"Burn Light for Radiance!" All the agents struck their chests in salute and responded in unison.

"Teams Five and Four, take the third truck. Teams Three and Two, take the second. Team One follows me into the first truck. Move!" Lan Yan clapped his hands, and the agents immediately sprang into action, swift but orderly. They were clearly well-trained.

Le Yu and the others climbed into an armed light truck. Seated across from him were Lan Yan and Kui Zhao.

Le Yu felt a trace of panic, but quickly calmed down. Qian Yuliu was merely an ordinary team captain, while Lan Yan and Kui Zhao were high-ranking agents. There could not have been much interaction between them. Even if someone else now occupied Qian Yuliu's body, these two high-ranking agents surely would not notice anything.

"Captain Qian, how has your cultivation been lately?" To Le Yu's surprise, Lan Yan did not ask about work. Instead, he spoke as if making casual conversation.

His voice was gentle and refined. Though Le Yu could vaguely sense that Lan Yan's aura was also vast and powerful, it did not possess Kui Zhao's blade-like sharpness. Instead, it felt as gentle as a spring breeze, making people instinctively want to draw close.

Le Yu suddenly realized this was likely one of the uses of Mental Power. Different manifestations of Mental Power could make others fearful and submissive, or win their affection. The Spiritual Auras displayed by Lan Yan and Kui Zhao clearly reflected the way they conducted themselves.

I wonder what Qian Yuliu's Spiritual Aura looks like in other people's eyes... Le Yu brushed aside the strange thought and replied, "I cultivate diligently every day, but I have encountered a bottleneck. I have made little progress for many days."

That was Qian Yuliu's actual situation. Le Yu was not lying.

Lan Yan patted Le Yu's shoulder. "That's normal. Both your Eight Rice Flow and Spiritual Cultivation have only just reached the Entry Level. To advance further, not only do you need hard training, but also insight and guidance. Master Xu Fei of Senluo Prefecture and I were classmates in the past. Once this period is over, I'll write you a recommendation letter and grant you extended leave so you can study under Xu Fei for a while."

Though Le Yu did not know who Xu Fei was, he was likely a master of the Eight Rice Flow.

Le Yu nodded. "Thank you."

"No need. When you become stronger, the Statistics Department becomes stronger. It is precisely because of talented people like you that Prefect Ding entrusted me with such heavy responsibilities." Lan Yan smiled. "I look forward to seeing you render great service to the Statistics Department and succeed me in my position."

"You flatter me, Director. How could Yuliu possibly deserve such praise?" Le Yu's expression remained calm. At this moment, he increasingly felt the benefits of the Low Health Constitution—no matter what situation he faced, he could maintain a level head.

Lan Yan shook his head lightly. "Captain Qian, I think very highly of you. The Statistics Department's missions will become increasingly heavy and urgent from now on. I need you to contribute more and shoulder greater responsibility."

At that moment, Ai Lili gathered her courage and asked, "Director Lan, this mission came so suddenly. Did something major happen?"

Lan Yan nodded. "We discovered a hideout of the Anti-Light Faction. Ai Lili, be careful later. These Anti-Light Faction members are all extremely dangerous."

Ai Lili was both shocked and delighted. "Director Lan, you know me?"

"Of course. You joined the Statistics Department last July. I remember everyone in the department." Lan Yan smiled. "You are my sharp blades and sturdy shields, my hands, feet, and family. How could I not remember you?"

Ai Lili's hands trembled slightly with excitement. Biting her lip, she said firmly, "I will definitely protect you, Director!"

As if he needs your protection... Le Yu quietly snarked inwardly.

"There is another important reason why this operation is so rushed." Lan Yan paused slightly, his tone complicated. "There is a traitor in our Statistics Department who has colluded with the enemy."

Everyone in the truck was stunned. Only Le Yu, Lan Yan, and Kui Zhao remained composed. Ai Lili instinctively asked, "Who is the traitor?"

Lan Yan suddenly looked at Le Yu. "Captain Qian, who do you think the traitor is?"

How would I know? I just got here—I haven't even figured out who any of you are... After pondering for a moment, Le Yu said calmly, "If someone is not focused on their work and keeps staring at you, then that person is the traitor."

Lan Yan froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Well summarized! Just as expected of Captain Qian!"

At that moment, the armed truck stopped. Lan Yan glanced out the window and said, "We're here. First Team, begin the operation!"

The agents filed out one after another. Le Yu walked behind Chen Fu and noticed that Chen Fu let out a sudden cry as soon as he landed. "This place is..."

Le Yu stepped down from the truck. The sky had grown slightly dim, and they had arrived in a residential district. Directly ahead stood a large estate occupying considerable ground. The place also looked somewhat familiar to him—obviously, that familiarity came from Qian Yuliu's memories.

"You should have guessed by now."

Lan Yan walked up behind Le Yu and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Our target, the Anti-Light Rebels' stronghold, is here—No. 24 Cloud Dragon Street."

"The residents of No. 24 Cloud Dragon Street are led by Lin Jinyao, an instructor at Star Engraving Military Academy."

There was a hint of sorrow in Lan Yan's voice. "I have attended Instructor Lin's lectures as well. He is unquestionably a gentleman worthy of respect. Though it is difficult to believe, he is indeed suspected of being involved with the Anti-Light Rebels. But nothing has been confirmed yet. I hope our investigation can clear his name."

Lin Jinyao...

This name stirred endless ripples within Le Yu's heart.

As memories surfaced one after another, Le Yu recalled two things:

First, Lin Jinyao truly was the leader of the Anti-Light Rebels in Star Engraving Prefecture.

Second, Qian Yuliu was the mole the Anti-Light Rebels had planted within the Statistics Department!