I Have Infinite Skill Points

"What? An assassination attempt on Eld Di?"

Upon hearing this sudden and alarming intelligence, Lu Zhao's expression was not one of anger, nor shock, but rather confusion and a touch of helplessness.

"Wu Chao, are you certain it's an assassination attempt on Eld Di and not some kind of joke?"

"The information obtained from Duan Ziqi's memory is indeed this. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that Duan Ziqi is just a peripheral member of the Demon Clan's spy group and that all the information he has is false. However, this intelligence was something he investigated on his own; it wasn't provided to him by Demon Clan spies."

"Director, you... seem to not quite believe it?" Wang Qianfeng asked, looking at Lu Zhao with confusion. "Considering the Demon Clan doesn't want Wang Lan to participate in the provincial martial arts competition, it's highly likely that Duan Ziqi's information is true. After all, we also just received news that Eld Di will personally attend the finals of the provincial martial arts competition in Jiang Province. Assassinating Eld Di while he's in Jiang Province is entirely plausible."

"Eld Di has always been in Modu City, so why haven't they assassinated him there? If the Demon Clan wanted to assassinate Eld Di, why would they wait until he left Modu City before acting?"

"Isn't it because the Demon Clan lacks the strength...?" He MingXue scoffed dismissively. "Eld Di is as secure as a fortress in Modu City. Even if the Demon Clan wanted to assassinate him, they would need the capability to do so."

"And Eld Di becomes vulnerable once he arrives in Jiang Province? What makes the Demon Clan so confident they can assassinate Eld Di?" Lu Zhao asked coldly, tapping his fingers on the table.

"First, Eld Di will personally attend the finals of the provincial martial arts competition in Jiang Province. However, the host city hasn't been determined yet, though it's most likely Salt City. If that's the case, what's he doing messing around in Suzhou City?

Second, I refuse to believe that after a year of repeated setbacks in Suzhou City, the Demon Clan could still organize an assassination attempt on Eld Di. If they had that capability, my Tianjian Bureau would have been wiped out by now.

Wu Chao, is there any other intelligence besides this?"

"Yes. According to Duan Ziqi, he and his handler, 'Poison Snake,' were indeed an independent cell. Such cells exist all over the country." As Wu Chao spoke, his expression turned exceedingly grim.

"This plan was initiated twelve years ago and is codenamed 'Infiltration.' It involves the Demon Clan identifying children from the lower echelons of Jade Country who possess good talent, then brainwashing and training them. Once they grow up, they are to enter various sectors within our Jade Country and act as 'termites' to undermine it from within.

Infiltration: to destroy from the inside, achieving the objective of collapsing the target.

Duan Ziqi was discovered by his superior, Poison Snake, five years ago. For all these years, Poison Snake and Duan Ziqi maintained single-line contact."

"A plan that's been in action for twelve years?" This intelligence caused Lu Zhao's expression to darken instantly. If the news about assassinating Eld Di seemed far-fetched to him, then this Infiltration plan was a slow-acting poison. Silently infiltrating, by the time it's discovered, the damage would be irreparable, like a body riddled with sores.

"How ruthless! Does Duan Ziqi know the names of other members involved in the Infiltration plan?"

"He doesn't. From Duan Ziqi's memory, I saw that these 'pawns' of the Infiltration plan are all independent. They have no contact with each other; no one knows anyone else. The only complete list is probably kept within the Demon Clan's headquarters, making it nearly impossible to obtain."

"This intelligence must be reported to the Ministry of Defense immediately. A thorough nationwide investigation is imperative. Is there anything else?"

"One more thing. Over the past five years, Duan Ziqi had also been secretly investigating Poison Snake. Perhaps Poison Snake's brainwashing of Duan Ziqi wasn't thorough enough over these years. He identified twelve traitors. These individuals outwardly maintain their own careers, but secretly, they have been funneling intelligence to the Demon Clan. I've recorded the identities of these twelve traitors."

"Excellent! Strike while the iron is hot. Let's eliminate these twelve traitors right now," Xu Shiyun said with an invigorated smile.

Although his impulsive actions had earned him a verbal reprimand earlier, he couldn't really be blamed for the circumstances at that time, could he? Moreover, even though alerting the enemy prematurely had prevented them from maximizing their gains, the wealth of intelligence obtained from Duan Ziqi was enough to ensure Xu Shiyun's contributions were firmly recorded. This time, while the primary credit might still go to Wang Lan, Xu Shiyun had been involved from start to finish; he wasn't just an idle bystander. Imagining himself in the near future, donning a black military uniform with the insignia of a field officer, the corners of his mouth unconsciously stretched into a wide grin.

"Xu Shiyun, why are you grinning like a split gourd? Thrilled, are you? Ready to throw all caution to the wind at the mere sight of potential merits?" Wang Qianfeng couldn't help but berate him.

"Wang Lan, what are your thoughts?"

"Regarding the first piece of intelligence, the assassination of Eld Di, I think it might actually be genuine," Wang Lan said hesitantly, his brow furrowed.

"Oh? What makes you think so?" Lu Zhao asked gravely, his frown deepening. This wasn't Lu Zhao disagreeing with Wang Lan, but rather taking his input very seriously. Initially, Lu Zhao hadn't paid much heed to the intelligence about the Demon Clan's intent to assassinate Eld Di. To put it bluntly, when did the Demon Clan *not* want to assassinate Eld Di? Forget Eld Di; the Demon Clan probably dreamed of stewing all Five Elders in one pot. But the Five Elders had stood firm at the pinnacle of Jade Country's Star Martial Art world for decades, like five great monuments guiding the Star Martial Warriors forward, never once harmed by the Demon Clan. Lu Zhao didn't doubt the Demon Clan's *desire* to assassinate Eld Di; he doubted their *ability* to do so. However, upon hearing Wang Lan's words, Lu Zhao's expression immediately grew solemn.

"Director, Deputy Directors, do you recall the bank robbery by the living dead we encountered in early February?" Wang Lan's question instantly caused Lu Zhao's expression to change dramatically.

"Wang Mingling!"

"Director, for a dangerous individual like Wang Mingling, I simply can't fathom why he would suddenly return to Jade Country. His return means he would face being hunted and cornered by Jade Country's forces. Without a compelling reason, he wouldn't come back just for a vacation. And to hire an assassin of Wang Mingling's caliber, the client would have to be at least a national dignitary, wouldn't they? Eld Di seems to fit that description perfectly."

The office fell into an unusual silence. After a long moment, Lu Zhao slowly exhaled a plume of smoke.

"Although there's no evidence proving Wang Mingling is colluding with the Demon Clan, your conjecture is highly plausible. Wang Mingling may have surfaced in Suzhou City, but that doesn't necessarily mean he returned *to* Suzhou City; he might have returned to Jiang Province. And there aren't many targets in Jiang Province worthy of Wang Mingling's attention..."

"Anything else?" Wang Qianfeng asked again.

"There's also the matter of those twelve traitors," Wang Lan said, his fingers tapping lightly. "Poison Snake and Duan Ziqi's mission was the Infiltration plan. From this, we can deduce that even if Poison Snake was tasked with gathering intelligence, he definitely wouldn't have handled it all himself. He couldn't manage intelligence from twelve traitors alone, could he? It's likely there's another spy cell supporting him."

"Mm... very plausible."

"The twelve traitors certainly deserve death, but the Demon Clan spies behind them are the real priority. Poison Snake was killed because Duan Ziqi was exposed. I believe the Demon Clan won't abandon these twelve traitors. After some time, they will undoubtedly try to take over Poison Snake's network and re-establish contact with these individuals."

"Feng, Wang Lan's ideas are very much in line with your usual style," Lu Zhao remarked with a light chuckle.

"Those of us in intelligence work must always strive to maximize the value of the information we gather."

"Alright, everyone's been working all night. Keep Duan Ziqi under strict guard. The rest of you, go home and get some rest. You're all exhausted."

"Yes, sir!"

「」

It was already four o'clock in the morning when they left the Tianjian Bureau. In early April, it was still pitch black at that hour. Wang Lan and Xu Xiangwen walked out of the Tianjian Bureau together. On the way back, Xu Xiangwen was still buzzing with excitement.

"Did the Director talk to you?"

"He did! 'If the youth are strong, the country is strong. If the youth are wise, the country is wise. Young heroes, heroic youth, may you live up to the nation's hopes and become its pillars...'"

Looking at Xu Xiangwen's elated expression, Wang Lan felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "The Director is a master at firing people up; his words go straight to the soul. So, he gave you a non-permanent position, and you're already raring to sacrifice yourself for the country?"

"Can't you phrase things more pleasantly? A temporary position is still temporary, but it depends on who you're working for! Besides, who doesn't start in a non-permanent role before becoming an official employee? By the time I graduate from university, I should be able to secure a permanent position."

Not me, Wang Lan thought, deciding not to provoke the poor kid any further.

「」

After being dropped off at home, he quickly washed up and went to sleep. The city selections had concluded, and the official provincial martial arts competition was scheduled for May 15th. Looking at the calendar, this semester seemed rather short. School had started in February, the provincial martial arts competition was on May 15th, and then the college entrance exams were in early June, from the 5th to the 7th.

He slept so soundly that if it hadn't been for a phone call, Wang Lan had no idea how much longer he would have continued sleeping. Awakened by the ringing, his head felt groggy. He blearily opened his eyes to check the caller ID.

Instantly, he was wide awake.

"Hello, Director Wang!"

"Come to the bureau. Now."

"Huh? Did something happen...?"

BEEP—BEEP—

The line went dead.

He'd hung up so abruptly? Only then did Wang Lan realize it was already two o'clock in the morning. He had slept for a full twenty-two hours.

Without a moment's hesitation, Wang Lan shot up, dressed, splashed water on his face, and sped out of the underground garage in his SUV, racing towards the Tianjian Bureau.

「」

Arriving at the Tianjian Bureau, Wang Lan immediately sensed that the atmosphere was off. At the entrance stood two rows of black-clad, masked individuals from the Dark Night Action Department. They were arranged in a V-formation. Although their faces were hidden, the chilling hostility in their eyes, visible through the masks, was palpable.

Just as he parked, another SUV screeched to a halt beside him, executing an impressive drift. A solemn-faced Xu Shiyun stepped out and gave Wang Lan a grim nod upon seeing him.

"Brother Xu, what's happened? This deployment feels wrong. Don't tell me the Demon Clan has attacked the Tianjian Bureau?"

"I don't know, but it's definitely something serious."

Side by side, they walked into the Tianjian Bureau. Personnel from the Dark Night Action Department guarded every floor. This sight made Wang Lan and Xu Shiyun's hearts pound in their chests once more.

Upon reaching the fifth floor, they passed by the guards from the Shadow Guard Office. The guards stood like statues, exuding a powerful aura, yet they did not stop Wang Lan or Xu Shiyun. No searches, no interrogations—this silence only deepened Xu Shiyun's apprehension about what could have possibly occurred.

TAP TAP TAP! "Reporting."

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, they found Lu Zhao and the others already seated in Wang Qianfeng's office.

"You're here?" Lu Zhao greeted them.

"Just half an hour ago, Duan Ziqi was silenced," Wang Qianfeng said, his voice heavy as he looked up at Wang Lan and Xu Shiyun.