"Statistical Departnt, case in progress!"
On the afternoon of the first day of martial law, an ard light truck stopped at the gate of the Zhou family’s grand manor. Chen Fu got out and stomped heavily, the sharp clank of steel-toed boots echoing crisply through the street. Other agents called out casually, and the ordinary onlookers nearby imdiately scattered.
Chen Fu pulled open the car door and said to the people inside, "Take your ti, watch your step. Hey, honestly, we could’ve handled this ourselves; you didn’t really need to co out."
Le Yuxin, wrapped in a deep blue overcoat, slowly got down from the truck. He glanced at the agents frad in neat formation on either side, leaving a broad path for him, while the townsfolk cowered at a distance, clearly spooked. "Why does it always feel like I’m on an unstoppable rampage down the villain road?"
Especially since all the other agents were in black vests, and he alone wore the deep blue coat—utterly the star of a bad guy’s funeral. No one needed to look closely; anyone could tell he was the so-called savior among this gang of crooks.
According to all the movies he’d watched, this was when so righteous hero should leap out and slice his dog head off—a kill in every ten steps, a thousand miles untraveled... "Le Yuxin’s mind suddenly spun out of control."
But he quickly realized, "this wasn’t just random nonsense, it was an honest-to-God premonition."
Bam!
Suddenly, a window shattered on the second floor of the restaurant behind them, and a black figure shot through the air, the flash of a sword chasing Le Yuxin like a teor after the moon!
Le Yuxin didn’t even turn his head. He swept his left hand back in a circle, a burst of light enclosing the incoming sword strike, then detonating—pulverizing the long blade!
Biting Battle Technique: Universe Chant!
The attacker was shocked, swung the empty sword sheath in a desperate counterattack, but Le Yuxin seized his right hand in one swift motion, jerked hard, and slamd the attacker into the ground ahead!
"Argh!"
The attacker cried out in pain—he was a young man with a scarred face. Even with a hand pinned, he clung to hope, pointing the sword sheath at Le Yuxin—
BANG!
Chen Fu delivered a flying kick, sending the sword sheath crashing into the wall; the scar-faced man’s left hand fractured in the process, but he just grunted and glared knife-sharp at Le Yuxin, cold sweat streaming, yet still spat out with scorn,
"You think you deserve to wear that coat?"
The deep blue overcoat Le Yuxin wore wasn’t so last-season sale from the tailor, but a Linhai Army lieutenant’s coat, awarded personally by Governor Ding, as represented by Lan Yan.
Last night Lan Yan promised to recomnd them to Governor Ding, and today the reward was already delivered—unbeatable speed. "It’s that feeling when your dad says he’s got a surprise for you and the next day a whole set of advanced textbooks land on your doorstep—yes, it’s more terror than delight."
Today, after finishing up with the dical Bureau, Le Yuxin returned to the Statistical Departnt around noon, only for Lan Yan to unexpectedly summon all the agents and, under the watchful eyes of the whole district, hand him Governor Ding’s comndation, granting him a Linhai Army Associate Lieutenant’s rank and this deep blue officer’s overcoat.
Looking at the burning anticipation in the other agents’ eyes, Le Yuxin finally realized he’d beco Lan Yan’s "steed bone"—the legendary prize horse bone. "The worries about the Linhai Army splitting had instantly disappeared from the Statistical Departnt’s halls. All that remained was raw excitent and expectation."
If Captain Qian could receive a military title, maybe we’d get our shot too?
Though Le Yuxin already thought highly of it, he’d still underestimated the status of the military in this world—let’s put it this way, every legendary figure in Imperial Court history, whether politician, combat specialist, or any other bigwig, all had military experience. Most had served as at least lieutenant.
Joining the Border Army to fight barbarian invaders had its perks: first, you safeguarded the holand and truly felt that "peace ca at a price." Second, you honed your combat techniques in hard battle and camp drills. Third, you made gutsy friends you could trust with your life.
After retirent, you and your buddies moved to new counties, took down bullies, executed corrupt officials, built your legacy, avenged kindness and grudges—that was the classic "Soldier King" plotline in this world’s popular literature.
Nearly all Statistical Departnt agents had attended military academies. Their original ambition—Qian Yuliu included—was always to join the Linhai Army and compete for glory. They all ended up here, but to say they had no regrets would be a lie.
"Le Yuxin really struggled to understand why they wanted to be soldiers so badly, but then flipped the script: you’re a top-tier esports ladder king, you’ve watched countless players hoist the championship cup, heard the roar of legends, but you sell snack cakes for a living because it pays the bills—now you get a shot to compete again for glory, while still making money. You wouldn’t jump at that chance?"
And now, Governor Ding had given the agents that very chance. Military rank wasn’t just hope to ease regret; it stoked deeper ambition: If I do well, maybe I’ll be transferred into the Linhai Army?
After all, the Linhai Army was divided now, and part of it answered to Governor Ding!
All the Statistical Departnt’s anxiety about military splits or war vanished, replaced by energy—so much so that even Le Yuxin had to admit, "Bravo."
And that wasn’t all—Lan Yan demanded Le Yuxin wear the deep blue coat on assignnts, making it clear it was Governor Ding’s order.
"Look at this guy!"
"Buys the prize steed bone for a fortune, then sends the old bones out to sun themselves!"
"Le Yuxin swore under his breath but saluted, promising to get the job done."
The intent was obvious—Governor Ding wanted everyone in Star Engraving County to believe the Linhai Army genuinely obeyed him. Besides letting them into the city, another way was showing common folk he really controlled Linhai Army appointnts!
Chances are, Qian Yuliu’s new lieutenant rank already buzzed throughout the city, a walking example of "killers and arsonists get golden sashes." Le Yuxin glanced at the scarred man on the ground, "You a Linhai Army vet? The Zhou family’s hired killer?"
The scarred man stayed defiant, "You’ll get nothing from !"
"Gotta be—you fight like that, no wonder you washed out. I hear Linhai Army’s peak-of-perfection types are a di a dozen, mastery cos easy, and you’re not even an initiate. Must’ve been posted to kitchen duty, huh?"
Le Yuxin’s Universe Chant had crushed the sneak attack with ease; this guy’s level barely matched Gao Jin’s, maybe 1.2 tis stronger—either way, Le Yuxin could mop him up one-handed.
The scar-faced man was so furious he spat blood, "You—"
"Throw him in the trunk; we’ll interrogate him at the office." Le Yuxin waved him off, too lazy to fuss over this crap, and led the agents up to the manor gates.
Chen Fu kicked hard, sending the barred bronze doors crashing open. Agents grabbed light pistols from the black box, leather boots drumming thunder on the ground as they swiftly surrounded the manor’s suspects.
"Long ti no see. Captain Qian pays a house call today—what brings you here?"
Old Master Zhou stood calmly in the central courtyard, greeting the agents as if unconcerned for his own fate. "Word is, you like honey five-flower tea. My grandson’s a fan too—we’ve got a chilled pot inside. Why not sit, drink, and chat a while?"
Le Yuxin glanced at Chen Fu, who shrugged innocently as if to say, "I didn’t leak your weird little secret."
"No need," Le Yuxin said, giving a martial salute, "My grandfather died long ago—being your grandson sounds unlucky. If I called you grandpa, you’d drop dead on the spot."
"Ha, that wasn’t my point at all—who am I to claim Captain Qian as my grandson?"
"Well, that’s exactly my aning." Le Yuxin said coolly, "Old Master Zhou, the Zhou Trading House you run deals mainly in seafood and mariti trade. Your ships sail constantly between Star Engraving County and Li County, correct?"
Old Master Zhou’s face slowly darkened, "Suppose that’s true—so what?"
"The Statistical Departnt is now arresting your whole family on suspicion of leaking confidential information." Le Yuxin produced a warrant. "We suspect collusion with anti-county forces to topple the legitimate Star Engraving governnt. Everything you say can and will be used in court, you have the right to remain silent, but we’ll pry the truth out of you."
The agents exchanged glances—today the captain sounded especially powerful! Next ti I’m arresting soone, I’ll try that speech!
"What anti-county forces? If you’re going to pick a fight, don’t be so sneaky." Old Master Zhou mocked, "Our Zhou family heads a rchants’ guild backed by Proconsul Lü. Most of our profits go right to him. Ding Yi wants to challenge Lü for power, so first he’s grabbing Lü’s purse strings? Wishful thinking."
"You crusty old man, still mouthing off?" Chen Fu leveled his pistol at Master Zhou. "Your whole clan’s lives are in our hands now. Better fess up—money can’t save you!"
"You could tell, Chen Fu was a bitter anti-rich type in addition to being vain. No wonder he was excited when word ca down to clean out the Zhous..." Le Yuxin took out a pocket watch, glanced at it, and said, "If Master Zhou loves to chat, you’ll have plenty of company at the office—soone will talk your ear off all night. Take them all away."
The agents brought out handcuffs for the Zhou family, but at that mont Master Zhou laughed aloud,
"You honestly plan to follow Ding Yi all the way down a dead-end road?"
Old Master Zhou sneered, "Ding Yi is like a teacher and father figure to Lan Yan, and naturally Lan Yan will back him to the end. But what about you? Didn’t you join the Statistical Departnt for your own future—do you really think defying Proconsul Lü will earn you anything?"
"Proconsul Lü runs Chenfeng District, and Ding Yi is just a county governor in Star Engraving County. Isn’t it obvious who’s higher and lower?"
"Captain Qian, Ding Yi gives you an officer’s coat and that satisfies you?"
At this point Old Master Zhou didn’t act like a soon-to-be prisoner at all, but more like a slick online comntator. "I’ve known Ding Yi many years. The more I see, the clearer it is: he’s just a manipulative scher. Maybe in peaceful tis his tricks could sideline rivals, but in this era of great upheaval, he’s not even fit to die for greater n on the road to kingship..."
Le Yuxin was growing impatient. "Just spit it out, Old Zhou."
"Captain Qian, working for Ding Yi leads nowhere," Old Master Zhou smiled, "unless you betray him."
"A wise bird chooses the right tree; a loyal subject picks the right lord. I can make introductions for you all. Whatever Ding Yi promised, Proconsul Lü can give you even more."
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