Banned-Class Live Bait

The Pansy passed through several trade routes and began to rise.

The bow of the boat broke through the night's darkness, sending up a ring of churning white foam.

With all the vents open, the rusty smell that had accumulated in the cabin for hours was sucked out in one go, replaced by fresh air.

With the six gas turbines ignited and started up, the ship's speed increased significantly.

The original two steam power units had their heating components replaced with the "Zhurong" reactor.

The heat released by nuclear fission replaced the original coal-fired boilers, continuing to perform the great task of boiling water.

As for the turbine conversion, power generation, and electric propulsion system, there are no structural changes as before. This is the basic configuration of a nuclear-powered ship.

With its thrusters running at full capacity, the Pansy reached a speed of twenty-two knots.

The communications mast rises from the deck, and the antenna array unfolds like petals.

Su Ming sat in the captain's cabin, processing communication requests.

On the other side of the sea, the Albacore also broke through the waves and sped away, cutting a silvery-white trail in the moonlight.

Communication between the two parties was established.

Xiwo reported on the current location and condition of the Albacore.

"The supply delivery mission to Water Chestnut Island has been completed, and they are on their way to join us."

"You've worked hard, old man," Su Ming said. "Are you planning to return to Silver Moon Forest to rest for a while?"

"No, I'm going to the Arctic no matter what," Xiwo said with a smile.

Next, Xiwo laid out the information the half-serval people had given him.

"There's bad news. According to intelligence provided by 'Fang of the Wilderness,' the Plundering Clock has suddenly redeployed a number of personnel and supplies to the north."

Su Ming frowned. "Synchronize the original intelligence."

"OK."

Information about "Fang of the Wilderness" was quickly sent back.

The intelligence analysis department deployed in the Radiant Holy City quickly launched its analysis.

They integrated information from other channels and made their assessment:

The Plundering Clock most likely reacted after learning that the Pansy had set sail for the Arctic.

"Quickly track the Water Chestnut Island fleet and see where they've gone," Su Ming ordered.

"Yes!"

Then, Su Ming frowned.

"The Plundering Clock's speed in gathering information is just too fast!"

He called Rupert, waking him from his dream.

"Wake up! The Pansy's whereabouts have been leaked. Quickly check where the problem lies."

Rupert yawned and said calmly.

"President, your ship was so big, anyone with eyes could see it leaving!"

"The base alone has tens of thousands of members."

"And there are tens of thousands of workers in the surrounding industrial zones."

"Besides, the naval crew's dormitories are empty; everyone knows you've set off again."

Su Ming, however, offered a different perspective.

"From these perspectives, the Plundering Clock would never know that the Pansy went to the North Pole."

How could I not have guessed?

Rupert retorted.

"You brought so many thick down jackets that you practically plucked all the ducks raised by the half-humans bald."

"Anyone with a bit of sense can deduce that you're going to the Arctic Circle."

"Then, based on the distance, you can tell it's the North Pole."

Su Ming was speechless for a moment.

Rupert, however, sprang up from the bed.

"Alright, anyway, you woke me up, President."

"There are indeed a few fleas in the base; the original plan was to collect the nets tomorrow morning."

"Let's just work the night shift."

"President, just wait patiently for my good news!"

Rupert hung up the call and, without any conscience, woke up all the members of the security department.

"Begin closing in!" Rupert instructed everyone.

Su Ming was a little curious; what kind of trouble was this guy planning to pull this time?

He logged into the Ruby Base's internal security system and accessed the camera viewer.

Then, he Electricity-Swallowing Beast to track Rupert.

The Electricity-Swallowing Beast activated its intelligent "follow-up camera" function, displaying the surveillance footage on the screen in front of Su Ming.

Rupert stepped out of his dormitory, turned left, and casually greeted the staff member who was walking towards him.

The camera automatically switched to the next camera as he walked through the public rest area.

When multiple monitoring angles are encountered, the screen will automatically split.

Su Ming processed the documents at hand while watching the "live stream" on TV.

Rupert turned into the dormitory area, stopped in front of a door on the third floor, and knocked a few times.

Thump, thump, thump.

The pace was both fast and heavy.

After a while, the door opened.

The researcher who appeared was named Isele, still half-asleep.

"What's up?" His tone was clearly impatient. "This is break time!"

Rupert crossed his arms.

"Routine security review, please cooperate."

"Tomorrow, wait until I go to work."

"According to your employment agreement, you are obligated to cooperate with the security department of the Final Bone Mad Machines," Rupert emphasized, "At any time."

Isele hesitated for a moment; violating the employment agreement would result in a deduction of wages.

The benefits here are quite good, especially with the substantial side income.

So he had no choice but to leave with Rupert.

The two didn't go far; Rupert casually found an empty office nearby.

Isel sat down in the chair, his expression very calm.

Rupert tossed a directory with photographs onto the table and got straight to the point. "These are the people who have contacted you these past few days."

"Were any of them testing you, intending to pay you to buy information?"

Isele picked up the list and glanced through it a few times.

"Have."

Rupert immediately beamed.

Who are they?

Isele suddenly stretched out his hand and waved it at Rupert.

That action made Su Ming pause in surprise, even through the screen.

"What, you want me to tell you for nothing?"

Isel said impatiently.

They asked me questions.

"Everyone's already paid; the minimum is ten gold coins!"

"You accepted all the money they offered?" Rupert asked in surprise.

"Why not accept it?" Isele said, staring at Rupert as if he were an idiot. "Providing information is also the intellectual work of a scholar."

Su Ming almost spat water onto the screen.

What's wrong with this person?!

Unexpectedly, Rupert actually pulled a handful of gold coins out of his pocket.

How many people are there?

He asked.

Isele had a smug look on his face and lazily held up three fingers.

"You'll have to give me a discount if I want three," Rupert bargained. "Half price."

Isel refused.

After some haggling, the final price was twenty-three gold coins and five silver coins.

Su Ming stopped what he was doing, wanting to figure out what these two clowns were up to.

Isel was very trustworthy; after counting the gold and silver coins, he immediately marked two people on the register.

"There's another scholar from another group, not on your roster," Isele said. "He contacted me to inquire about the secrets of the Cursed Flame Engine."

"----Did you tell him?"

"Of course, he asked me five questions, and I earned forty gold coins from him."

Isele had a look on his face that said, "Look how generous they are."

Rupert waved, indicating that he could leave.

Isel stood up, swept the gold coins on the table into his pocket, and then walked out with an air of nonchalance.

Su Ming stared at the screen, his mind buzzing.

Rupert slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it, we even missed a big one!"

He picked up the communication equipment and quickly made arrangements.

The two circled individuals are low-level employees, one from the logistics department and the other from the surveying department.

There was also a researcher in another system who had reached the level of senior professional title.

"Arrest him immediately!" Rupert instructed carefully, wiping away a bead of cold sweat. "The information Iseller has is fake. But this senior researcher is the real deal!"

The security personnel received their orders and quickly launched the operation.

"Also, the guy in charge of surveillance didn't get a bonus this time!"

7

Rupert rebuked him.

"Remember this lesson: don't assume that just because a colleague from the research department comes to chat, they won't be a spy!"

"----yes!"

****

Zijin's voice suddenly came from behind.

What are you looking at?

Su Ming turned around and found that the scholar was already behind him, peering at the surveillance footage on the screen.

"When did you summon this idiot?" she asked, puzzled, just as Isele's figure disappeared from the corridor's surveillance camera.

Su Ming was taken aback. "Idiot?"

Zijin explained, "He's always been an idiot."

"And the mouth connects directly to the intestines."

"Galio despised him to death; I used to use him for chores."

Su Ming then remembered that in the past events that Isele mentioned, he had actually been used as a servant.

He described his involvement in those research and development efforts as "like Zhao Yun going in and out seven times!"

That's not right either; no matter what A Dou said, he still truly followed.

It must be some omnipotent academician.

Su Ming silently rested his forehead on the table.

"Quail."

He called to the big dog that was also busy in the workshop.

"Were you acting in front of Iserlohn at the testing ground that day?"

The Quail looked up, puzzled.

"Yes, President."

"Wasn't it you who instructed Chief Security Rupert to set up this plan?"

"I assigned this Isele a very capable researcher as his 'assistant'."

"The actual work was done by this 'assistant'; he just relayed reports back and forth."

"But this Isel actually thought he was something special, acting all high and mighty."

Quail spoke, it looked at Su Ming with a puzzled expression.

"The three of us acted quite well back then, didn't we?"

Su Ming buried his entire face in his hands.

"By the way, I said he was very quick-witted."

"But I didn't say his thinking was correct," Hechun asked somewhat uneasily. "Was my subtext acceptable?"

Su Ming raised his hand, signaling him to stop talking.

He wondered if there were any sea caves or anything like that, and if he could dig one up and bury himself in it.

****

The surveillance footage showed arrests taking place at three locations within the Ruby Base.

The two lower-ranking officers were caught red-handed in their dormitory. The senior researcher, seeing that someone had come looking for him, tried to slip away through the stairwell but was immediately tackled to the ground.

These intelligence agents who infiltrated through the Plundering Clock were incredibly unlucky to encounter Isel, a truly bizarre individual.

Isel always did things with an air of unwavering confidence, even more so than his Indian brother!

Given his unusual background, it's hard not to notice this potential "downline" who could be developed.

They never imagined that someone would take their money to provide information, not only failing to see it as leverage, but also turning around and taking money from the security department to sell them out.

This is a dimensional attack from a world of idiocy!

Shortly afterward, Rupert received a call boasting about his achievement.

"So, President, isn't the spirit I found for the birth chart pretty good?"

Su Ming forced out a sentence through gritted teeth. "You're something else!"

"Shouldn't you report this in advance next time something like this happens?"

Rupert, however, was extremely pleased with himself.

"If they can fool even the president, others will be even more likely to fall for it."

Su Ming could only encourage him to keep up the good work and approved a bonus of three hundred gold coins for the security department.

But after hanging up, he became increasingly angry.

That scene at the testing ground will definitely be listed as a dark chapter in his life.

no.

This grudge must be avenged!

Su Ming connected with Mo Yuan.

"Rupert, do you often ride an old dragon for a spin?"

"Okay, fine—get him a different one next time."

"Yes, let's switch to our favorite style—the kind with rolls, low dives, and inverted flight—yes, the more fancy the better."

"Leave him for at least an hour, fly until he cries!"

"----Will Rupert refuse to go up?"

"Can't you use force? You call yourselves dragons!"

The communication was disconnected.

Su Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He put down the communicator, looked up, and saw that Zijin and Chun were both staring at him.

"What?" Su Ming continued working on the documents without changing his expression. "I'm just being considerate of my subordinates, arranging an outdoor team-building activity for Rupert."

The Zijin and the Quail exchanged a glance.

They then continued working diligently.