Raiding the Zhou Family Home

"Statistics Department business!"

On the afternoon of the first day of the lockdown, an armored light truck stopped outside the Zhou family's mansion. Chen Fu jumped out and planted one foot heavily on the ground, the crisp metallic clang of his steel-soled boot ringing through the street. The other agents shouted casually, and the ordinary onlookers nearby immediately scattered.

Chen Fu opened the vehicle door and said to the person inside, "Take it slow and watch your health. Sigh, we could have handled this ourselves. You really didn't need to come."

Le Yu slowly stepped down from the light truck in a dark-blue coat. Seeing the agents standing in neat formation on either side and leaving a broad avenue for him to walk through, while the distant civilians hid fearfully at the roadside, he felt as if he had sprinted all the way down a villainous overlord's path with no chance of turning back.

Especially since all the other agents wore black vests, while he alone wore a dark-blue coat. He was practically the model example of a funeral's guest of honor. Anyone who glanced at them could tell that he was obviously the savior among this group of villains.

According to the movies he had watched before, this was when a righteous hero should appear, cut off his dog's head with one sword, kill one person every ten steps, and travel a thousand miles without leaving a trace... Le Yu suddenly began imagining all sorts of nonsense.

However, he soon realized that this was not idle imagination, but a premonition.

Smack!

The window on the second floor of the restaurant behind them suddenly shattered. A black shadow streaked across the sky, and a sharp sword ray shot toward Le Yu like a meteor chasing the moon!

Without even turning his head, Le Yu drew a circle behind him with his left hand. A burst of light enclosed the attacker's sword ray, then exploded, shredding the long sword!

Biting Combat Arts Chant!

The attacker was greatly shocked. He swung the sword scabbard, trying to counterattack, but Le Yu followed through with a grab of his left hand and seized the man's right hand. With a vicious heave, he slammed the attacker onto the ground ahead!

"Ah!"

The attacker cried out in pain. He was a young man with a scar on his face. Even with one hand caught, he had not given up hope. He pointed the sword scabbard at Le Yu—

Bang!

Chen Fu kicked hard, sending the scabbard flying and pinning it to the wall in the distance. The scarred man's left hand was fractured by the kick, but this time he merely grunted. Lying on the ground, he stared straight at Le Yu and said in a contemptuous voice despite the cold sweat covering his face:

"You think you're worthy of wearing that coat?"

Le Yu's dark-blue coat was not a fashionable seasonal outfit bought at twenty percent off from a clothing store. It was the Coastal Army officer's coat that Lan Yan had represented Prefect Ding in awarding him.

Lan Yan had said last night that he would request an award for them from Prefect Ding, and the reward had been issued today. The speed was truly astonishing. It felt like a father telling you yesterday that he would give you a mysterious present, only for you to receive a complete set of exam-preparation textbooks by courier the next day. Yes, it was a shock.

After Le Yu finished his treatment at the Medical Officer Department today, he returned to the Statistics Department around noon. Lan Yan suddenly summoned all the agents and presented him with Prefect Ding's reward in broad daylight, before everyone's eyes, granting him the rank of Coastal Lieutenant in the Coastal Army along with this dark-blue officer's coat.

Only after seeing the excitement and eager anticipation in the other agents' eyes did Le Yu realize that he had become Lan Yan's horse bone—the horse bone from the story of buying a thousand-mile horse for a thousand pieces of gold. The anxiety within the Statistics Department caused by the Coastal Army's split was instantly swept away, replaced by excitement and expectation.

If Captain Qian can obtain an officer's rank, then do we have a chance too?

Although Le Yu had already thought highly of it, he still underestimated the army's position in this world. To put it simply, every great person in the history of the Radiant Court—whether politician, combat strategist, or whatever other kind of expert—had served in the military. Most had even held the rank of officer or higher.

Joining the frontier army to fight the barbarian invaders could first protect one's family and defend one's homeland, making people truly feel how hard-won the peace they enjoyed was. Second, one could hone one's combat arts through battle and military training. Third, one could meet close friends who would stand by one through thick and thin.

After retiring from the frontier army, going with several friends to new prefectures and counties to eliminate bullies, kill corrupt officials, establish achievements, and indulge in the pleasures of revenge was also a common King of Soldiers plot in the popular literature of this world.

The vast majority of the Statistics Department's agents had studied at military academies. Without exception—including Qian Yuliu—their original goal had been to join the Coastal Army and win fame and fortune. Although they had ultimately all come to the Statistics Department, it would be a lie to say they had no regrets.

Le Yu actually found it difficult to understand why they wanted so badly to join the army, but after thinking it over, he understood. Suppose you were a high-ranked solo player on the national server. You had seen countless players lift championship trophies, and that esports arena had engraved the cheers of countless legends into history. Yet, for the sake of making easy money, you chose to livestream yourself selling meat floss pancakes. Now, if you had a chance to continue making money while returning to the arena to compete for glory, would you seize it?

And now, Prefect Ding had given the Statistics Department's agents that opportunity. Granting them military ranks did not merely offer them hope of making up for their regrets. It even gave them further expectations: If I perform well, maybe I can be transferred into the Coastal Army?

After all, the Coastal Army was currently split, and part of it obeyed Prefect Ding!

The Statistics Department agents' concerns about the army's division and their fear of war were thus completely dispelled. They even gained endless motivation, and Le Yu could not help saying, "Brilliant."

That was not all. Lan Yan had also demanded that Le Yu wear the dark-blue coat whenever he went out on missions, explicitly stating that this was Prefect Ding's order.

Just look at what kind of person he was!

After buying a horse bone for a thousand pieces of gold, he even wanted the horse bone to run outside and show itself off!

Le Yu cursed inwardly without end, then declared that he would guarantee the mission's completion.

The purpose was obvious as well. Prefect Ding wanted the people of Star Engraving Prefecture to believe that the Coastal Army truly obeyed him. Apart from having the Coastal Army enter the city, another method was to prove to the common people that he could control the Coastal Army's appointments and transfers!

The news that Qian Yuliu had become a Coastal Lieutenant had probably already spread through every street and alley, becoming a concrete example of how killing and arson could lead to a golden belt... Le Yu glanced at the scarred man on the ground. "Are you a retired soldier from the Coastal Army? A death soldier raised by the Zhou family?"

The scarred man was very resolute. "Don't even think about getting any information out of me!"

"You probably are. With your level of combat arts, getting discharged was only natural. I hear that the Coastal Army has Pinnacle Realm experts everywhere, and that Proficient Realm experts are less valuable than dogs. You're not even at Entry Level, you piece of trash. You must be a retired cookhouse soldier, right?"

Le Yu's Cosmic Chant had directly broken through the sneak attack the man had been building up for a long time. He felt that the man's skill was roughly comparable to Gao Jin's—at most, one-point-two Gao Jins. In any case, both were opponents he could beat senseless with one hand.

The scarred man was so furious that he spat blood. "You—"

"Put him in the trunk. We'll take him back to the Statistics Department later and interrogate him at leisure." Le Yu waved his hand, too lazy to bother with such nonsense, and led the agents toward the mansion gate.

Chen Fu kicked forward. The copper-ringed gate secured by a crossbar exploded with a thunderous crash, and the agents took light pistols from the black cases. Their military boots pounded the ground like rolling thunder as they quickly surrounded the suspects and others inside the mansion.

"Long time no see. Captain Qian has come calling today. What brings you here?"

Old Master Zhou stood calmly in the center of the courtyard, welcoming the Statistics Department's visitors with an expression of composure. He seemed completely unconcerned about his impending fate. "I heard Captain Qian enjoys drinking Honey Five-Flower Tea. My grandson likes it too. We have a chilled pot inside. Why don't we drink slowly and talk?"

Le Yu glanced at Chen Fu. Chen Fu spread his hands innocently, indicating, I certainly didn't reveal your little-known hobby.

"No need." Le Yu cupped his fists. "My grandfather died long ago. Being your grandson isn't very auspicious. I'm afraid that if I call you Grandpa, you'll suffer an untimely death."

"Haha, that isn't what I meant. How would I dare claim Captain Qian as my grandson?"

"But that is exactly what I meant." Le Yu said calmly, "Old Master Zhou, the Zhou Clan Merchant Association you operate mainly deals in seafood and maritime trade. Your family's merchant ships frequently travel between Star Engraving Prefecture and Li County, correct?"

Old Master Zhou's expression slowly darkened. "So what?"

"The Statistics Department is now arresting everyone in the Zhou family on charges of leaking classified intelligence." Le Yu took out an arrest warrant. "We suspect that you colluded maliciously with reactionary forces outside the prefecture, attempting to overthrow Star Engraving Prefecture's legitimate government. Everything you say now may be used as evidence in court. You have the right to remain silent, but the Statistics Department will pry open your mouth."

The agents exchanged glances. The captain sounds so imposing today! Next time, I'll arrest criminals like that too!

"What reactionary forces outside the prefecture? They've already come knocking, and you're still being so coy and petty?" Old Master Zhou mocked them. "Our Zhou family is the merchant association head supported by Administrator Lu. Most of the Zhou Family Merchant Association's profits are sent to Administrator Lu. Ding Yi wants to contend with Administrator Lu for power, so he's controlling Administrator Lu's moneybag first? What a beautiful dream."

"You rotten old man, you still dare to speak insolently?" Chen Fu pointed his pistol at Old Master Zhou. "Your entire family's lives are in our hands. Come clean and confess! Even if you have money, you can't protect yourselves!"

It was easy to tell that, apart from being vain, Chen Fu was also a class warrior who hated the rich. No wonder he had been so excited when he heard they were going to raid the Zhou family... Le Yu took out his pocket watch and looked at it. "Since Old Master Zhou likes chatting so much, you can go to the Statistics Department and chat slowly. Someone will talk with you all night... Take them all away."

The agents took out handcuffs and prepared to arrest the members of the Zhou family. At that moment, Old Master Zhou laughed.

"You aren't really planning to follow Ding Yi down a dead-end road, are you?"

Old Master Zhou sneered. "Ding Yi is both mentor and father to Lan Yan, so Lan Yan will naturally support Ding Yi without conditions. But what about you? You work for the Statistics Department for the sake of your own future too, don't you? Do you really think you'll still have a future if you follow Ding Yi in opposing Administrator Lu?"

"Administrator Lu is the governor of Morning Wind District, while Ding Yi is merely the prefect of Star Engraving Prefecture. Which one is higher and which one is lower? Surely even you can tell?"

"Captain Qian, are you satisfied just because Ding Yi gave you an officer's coat?"

At this moment, Old Master Zhou did not resemble a prisoner about to be arrested. Instead, he looked like a political expert holding forth eloquently. "After living in Star Engraving Prefecture for many years, the more I learned about Ding Yi, the more I understood that he was merely a scheming politician. In an age of peace, he can still use plots and schemes to eliminate his rivals. But in this turbulent age of great struggles that is about to begin, he doesn't even qualify as the pawn who goes ahead of a king..."

Le Yu was growing impatient. "What exactly are you trying to say, Old Master Zhou?"

"Captain Qian, there is no future in serving Ding Yi." Old Master Zhou smiled. "Unless you betray Ding Yi."

"A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in; a good minister chooses a master to serve. Everyone, I can build a bridge for you. Whatever Ding Yi has promised you, Administrator Lu can give you more."

P.S. The author of Player Super Justice, Buqi Shixian, also known as Shaye Miao, said that Ting Ri had no influence.

Ting Ri then made a bet with Shaye Miao.

As long as everyone voted to recommend this book, Shaye Miao would put on a maid outfit and sleep with Ting Ri.

Otherwise, Ting Ri would slack off and might even lose the ability to release extra chapters forever.

The maid outfit has already been bought. If you like Ting Ri or maid outfits, you absolutely have to vote—not for any other reason, but because you've already laughed out loud by the time you reached this point!