You're Strong But Now You're Mine

Watching from the tree branch as the agents of the Statistical Department wielding bright lanterns poured into the distant alley, Cicada Dust sneered coldly, "When there's trouble, they still need us Flame Unity to clean up. They might as well have handed over the qualification of the sword sheath to us in the first place."

Le Yu, sitting nearby, bandaging his wounds, grumbled irritably, "Stop cursing, stop cursing, you'll curse until everyone becomes stupid."

Raccoon Slave froze, turned his head to look at Le Yu, unconsciously taking a step back.

Is Qin Yueyin admitting defeat?

No way, no way?

How could he admit defeat!

There's definitely a scheme!

Can't fall for it!

"Don't look at me like that. Tonight, I acted on my own and got pursued. Clearly, I left school against the rules, but had no choice but to use a signal flare to summon Flame Unity for escape…" Le Yu sighed, "One must admit mistakes, and stand firm when beaten. Although I, Qin Yueyin, am not a good person, I understand when to concede."

"As a token of sincerity, I'll give you the most precious gift I have."

With that, Le Yu took out something wrapped in gold foil from his bosom, splendidly glimmering even in the dark. Upon hearing that there's a bargain to be had, Cicada Dust rudely took it, tore open the gold foil to see what kind of peerless treasure lay inside.

An impeccable ruby?

Or a meteorite shimmering fragment mine?

However, what appeared before Raccoon Slave was a milky white round bead.

A pearl, huh?

Raccoon Slave lifted it up for a careful look. Just then, Le Yu suddenly asked, "Cicada Dust?"

"Ah?" Raccoon Slave instinctively responded, opening his mouth, and then Le Yu, quick as a flash, directly clapped it into his mouth.

Cicada Dust was dazed at first, but as he felt a milky sweetness blossom on his taste buds, his surprise instantly turned into fury: "Qin Yueyin—"

"Keep your voice down, it's late at night. Don't wake the others sleeping." Le Yu chuckled, "Is it tasty? This is premium candy from Dongyang, usually out of reach for kids who want it. This is a special treat from your brother Qin Yueyin!"

Cicada Dust instinctively wanted to spit it out, but as Le Yu said, this was candy he'd never tasted before, or perhaps he hadn't eaten much candy in his life. On second thought, a freebie is better than none, and so, he continued eating righteously.

As for whether there was poison in the candy, Raccoon Slave didn't think in this direction at all. Not to mention Flame Unity and the Qin Family were currently in a cooperative relationship, but in Raccoon Slave's subconscious, he didn't believe Qin Yueyin would poison him.

Cicada Dust retorted, "You're not carrying candy on you all the time, are you?"

"You remind me, I'll prepare candy every day in the future to ensure I can feed you anytime." Le Yu laughed softly, saying, "Tonight's plan was for your Flame Unity agents to besiege the rebels. I was sure you'd appear, so I planned to feed you candy in public, letting Flame Unity agents see Cicada Inspector's cute side. Didn't expect the superior seat had other arrangements... Alas, no audience to see, it's a pity for my milk candy."

Raccoon Slave didn't respond to his taunt, calmly replied, "Even if Flame Unity went to besiege them, you wouldn't have seen me—leading tonight is 'Lapdog' Inspector Lian Di."

Le Yu slightly raised an eyebrow: "If you're not leading the team, why are you waiting for me here?"

"From the Imperial Academy to Gold Point Cottage, the safest and shortest path always passes here." Said the child eating the milk candy with a smile, "More importantly, I watched you pass here personally."

"Though you disguised with a veiled face, I never rely on faces to recognize people. Steps, height, movements, waist circumference, hip circumference, chest circumference… compared to visage, these subtleties can't be disguised. These petty tricks can deceive others but could never deceive me, Cicada Dust?"

Le Yu showed a disdainful expression, "Knowing my body so well... Raccoon Slave you're disgusting."

Cicada Fatty chuckled coldly, "You're my Tribulation Master; if I didn't have this ability, how could I ensure precisely adding insult to injury when you're stranded?"

"Alright, thanks for your chivalrous assistance. Let's have tea when you're free; I need to go home and collect my clothes…"

Raccoon Slave directly pulled Le Yu's sleeve, "Won't you ask me why I'm waiting for you?"

Le Yu feigned ignorance, "Surely you want to guard me, hoping I'll have safe travels…"

"I'm waiting here because I have something for you." Raccoon Slave sneered, "At the right time, you handed me the reason to assist you... my Cicada Dust favor, you'll be paying back dearly."

Le Yu helplessly, "I'm a mere Imperial Academy teacher, usually can't even exit the school gate. What power do I have to assist the great Cicada Inspector?"

"Flame Unity's four Inspectors: Me, Lapdog, Bald Eagle, Starving Wolf." Cicada Dust ignored Le Yu, speaking to himself, "Though my reputation is the largest, I mostly handle Flame Unity's foreign contacts. Done many dirty deeds, but the dirtiest are equally divided among the other three."

"Due to appearance, although the Director is willing to reuse me, he certainly won't let me inherit his position." Raccoon Slave furrowed his brow, speaking gloomily, "Whether the Statistical Department transforms in the future or not, as an espionage punishment department, the overseeing manager can be cold, can be merciful, even a woman; but absolutely cannot be... a child."

Le Yu nodded in understanding, "Yes, in this regard I support you, the Statistical Department's Director counting on appearances is truly improper…"

"What are you to speak ill of the Director!?"

Cicada Fatty punched directly, Le Yu exchanged two moves, then retreated, "Okay, okay, it's my fault. Doing good and not getting rewarded, won't help you next time."

"Flame Unity's internal affairs don't need input from outsiders like you!" Raccoon Slave glared at him, eased his tone, saying, "Moreover, things are not absolute. If my merits can overshadow the other three beasts, I imagine the Director might perceive me differently, securing my further advancement!"

You're a beast too, plus in terms of deterrence, your Raccoon Slave compared to the other three is like Teletubbies against a midnight ghost drama... Le Yu crossed his arms over his chest, "So you found me to…"

"Although the superior seat canceled Flame Unity's operation, you must have a new plan now, right?" Cicada Dust boasted, "Tell me, I'll help you strategize. If battle strength is needed, I can bring more Statistical Department agents to assist!"

Le Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If I wasn't hunted, didn't owe you a favor, what would you do to persuade me to help you? Surely you don't think I've forgotten, between us is a life-and-death intimate relationship?"

"Hatred is hatred; benefits are benefits." Raccoon Slave chuckled, "Compared to my future, hatred with you can completely be set aside. As long as you're willing to assist me, I can provide all support, such as giving the Qin Family more share profits in the 'Unrivaled List' deal…"

"Even if it's a life-and-death duel, that would be something half a year later, meanwhile you might die before it even begins. No rush; but should you aid me, when time comes if you help Shuiyun Palace seize the final victory, I may yet contend with you one or two."

Le Yu nodded, "Well said. Let me say, I acknowledge your life-saving grace, but it's not enough merely for that. I need a little more benefit."

"I can maneuver to let the Qin Family gain one more point of profit in 'Unrivaled List'." Cicada Dust boasted, "This is the limit, don't be greedy. One point is sufficient for your Qin Family to gain one-tenth more."

"Not 'Unrivaled List,' my benefit's simple." Le Yu said, "First, take off your hat."

Raccoon Slave had been wearing the Inspector hat, felt odd hearing this but took it off anyway, "Qin Yueyin, what exactly do you want to do... Qin! Yue! Yin!"

"Shoosh, I already told you not to shout." Le Yu pressed his hand onto Cicada Fatty's head, rubbing it until the neat little mushroom head became messy, "Hey hey hey, don't move around, this is my requested benefit. If you're unwilling, then I'm leaving."

"After giving you candy, it's not excessive to touch your head, right?"

The corners of Raccoon Slave's mouth twitched twice, then turned into a calm cold smile, "Qin Yueyin, do you think humiliating me in this way is meaningful? How could I care about such trivial matters? If your demand is merely so, then I'm quite happy."

"Really?" Le Yu took out a hair tie, "Then I won't be polite. I've long wanted to style you with twin ponytails..."

"Stop!" Cicada Dust raised two fingers, "Two points! 'Unrivaled List' gives Qin Family two more points!"

"Prepare the written materials within three days, Qin Yueyang will sign."

Le Yu withdrew his hand, smiling, "Now, let's discuss our deal."