You're Strong But Now You're Mine

Xian Chan Chenchen is someone who flatters those above and bullies those below. He takes an inch and demands a mile, both self-abasing and arrogant. Even though he's nearly thirty, his personality matches his physique—he's like a child, or a kitten, with the most innocent essence and the most brutal nature.

Since offending Xian Chan Chenchen, Le Yu hasn't spared investigating Yantong either. Raccoon Slave claims not to be the dirtiest among the four chief inspectors, but Le Yu thinks that's too self-deprecating. In Le Yu's eyes, the four chief inspectors are basically scum, the differences only lie in the kind of scum they are.

Just like a child would scald an anthill with hot water, in Raccoon Slave's eyes, ordinary people are no different from ants—they're not his kind anyway. Empathy, sympathy, the feeling of shared grief, and such psychological phenomena are completely absent in Raccoon Slave.

Thus, although he isn't the most brutal when capturing criminals, he is certainly the most chilling—he toys with the criminals to death purely out of interest, driven by whims.

The saying goes, "There's no incorrect name, only incorrect nicknames." The nickname 'Raccoon Slave' isn't because the people of Yanjing find Xian Chan Chenchen adorable, but because he's like a cat that loves playing with mice, even when the game is over, he tortures them a bit more just for fun before granting them mercy.

"Better a lackey than a Raccoon Slave," sums it up. If caught by others, you might get a quick death, but if caught by Xian Chan Chenchen, unless you take your own life, you'll experience the longest day of your life.

Although this time, Xian Chan Chenchen did save him, Le Yu would have preferred to repay kindness with enmity and just leave. After all, dealing with such an enemy, Le Yu didn't care about any code of conduct.

However, his tool-person brother still works under the Raccoon Slave, so Le Yu had some concerns. Moreover, he did wish to discuss with a Yantong ally. The more pressing reason was—the Yantong operatives hadn't gone far, and if he ran, Xian Chan Chenchen could easily call the operatives to block his escape.

This fat cat could definitely do such a thing, and afterward, he could wash his hands of it—he wasn't the one in charge of this operation. In theory, Qin Le Yin shouldn't appear outside the Imperial Academy at night dressed as a white-haired assassin: who could have guessed?

Though the cooperation was unavoidable, Le Yu didn't want to be led by the nose by Raccoon Slave. Otherwise, he'd be trampled and humiliated by Raccoon Slave sooner or later. Now, Le Yu first suppresses this fat cat's arrogance, ensuring future operations are led by him. However, this costs him further enmity with Xian Chan Chenchen.

This Raccoon Slave keeps staring at his lower body, probably scheming how to neuter Le Yu.

Nevertheless, half a year later, if Le Yu doesn't change to Machine No. 5, Raccoon Slave will go back to the countryside to plant yams. This kind of cost, to Le Yu, is like getting free ketchup with fries at McDonald's.

"First, a question." Le Yu stared at the silent Imperial Academy in the distance and asked, "How is Yantong's relationship with Cha Huan? Or would Yantong wish Cha Huan dead?"

Raccoon Slave, sitting on a branch, swinging his little legs, said, "Hmm? Not bad, I guess. As for whether the division head harbors a murderous intent towards Cha Huan, I don't know."

"Not bad after all?" Le Yu was a bit surprised, "I thought Cha Huan would surely hate you treacherous ministers to the core."

"Cha Huan does indeed hate traitorous ministers to the core," Xian Chan Inspector laughed, "but the problem is, our Statistical Department is not such traitorous ministers."

He smacked his lips, realized he had finished his candy, and said lazily, "If we were merely some corrupt insect only knowing how to collect dirty money, do you think the Imperial Court would let us grow this strong? Do you think the warriors of Yanjing would truly allow us till now? You know the nature of martial artists; they're either unscrupulous or uncompromising. The higher their realm, the more stubborn they are."

"To me, Yanjing's warriors fall into three categories: some are unscrupulous, some go with the flow, and some, like Cha Huan, are unwavering. If one faction couldn't tolerate us Yantong at all, we would have been uprooted one night long ago."

"Why is the reputation of Statistical Departments everywhere so bad? As for other places, I don't know, but Yantong captures three types of people: the powerful, the wealthy, and the rebellious. But no matter what, among the people we capture, there isn't a single good person—unless you consider there are good people among the rebels."

"After the last Emperor died, why was the Statistical Department urgently established?" Raccoon Slave sneered, "Even if the Imperial Court shifts the Emperor's death onto the Backlight Particle, everyone knows that someone must accompany the Emperor in death—not only is this an imperial requirement, but it is also the imperial court's righteous stand!"

"Moreover, many people are aware that the state has reached the point where pests must be eradicated, yet they also know they're pests themselves! The Emperor's death is precisely the best reason to eradicate pests, and the larger the pest, the more compelled it is to eliminate other smaller pests competing for nutrition!"

"Therefore, the Statistical Department came into being. Ostensibly to hunt down Backlight Particles, but in reality, it's pest control!"

"The criminals the Patrol Execution Guard dare not catch, we capture!"

"Those whom the Twelve Guards dare not kill, we kill!"

Xian Chan Chenchen extended his right hand, "The number of counts and marquises I've crushed exceeds the number of fingers on one hand; the wealth I've confiscated is greater than the gold and silver you brought from Dongyang!"

"Those noble families who once held high offices and riches, now just need to be labeled as 'Backlight Particles' to be eliminated without hesitation! And it's not entirely unjust, as some indeed joined that ridiculous Backlight Organization. Such rebels make the best propaganda examples."

"So do you understand why Cha Huan has a good relationship with us?" Raccoon Slave chuckled, "You find Yantong unbearable? But in Cha Huan's eyes, there are even dirtier, uglier, more unbearable existences than Yantong! Yet the ones that make him uncomfortable, he can't personally handle. Now with us Yantong purifying the environment for everyone, it meets many people's expectations."

"Why is our Statistical Department's reputation so bad? Because those with power and money always have the means to voice their opinions, naturally our reputation won't be good. Think about it, aren't the most prevalent rumors about us framing the Backlight, planting false evidence, executing without trial? They never stop to consider that if it weren't under the guise of capturing Backlight, how could we sweep those pests away like the autumn wind sweeps up fallen leaves? If it followed the normal judicial process, those 'loyal' in the eyes of civilians would each live lavishly in prison, indulging in delights!"

Le Yin raised his eyebrows: "So, you want to say that your Statistical Department is actually the misunderstood underground heroes, and you guys have never done anything bad, just doing good deeds that others dare not do?"

"Not exactly." Raccoon Slave smiled and said, "To expand our power, our actions naturally go beyond limits. Sometimes we catch the wrong person, if the other party has no backing, then dead is dead; if they do, we save face and form a good relationship."

"If you knew how many people Cha Huan has taken from our Yan统, you'd understand why I dare say Cha Huan is on good terms with us—we've given him face so many times, he has to return the favor once or twice."

"I generally don't explain these things because the Statistical Department doesn't need outsiders to understand." Hanging Cicada Dust stood up on the branch, looking down at Le Yin: "The reason I'm explaining to you is because of your—intelligence."

"Looks like someone wants to make a move on Cha Huan?"

Le Yin nodded: "Grass Cutter Emissary, Three Gun Sect, Brotherhood, Curse Hunter, and National Relief Association."

Raccoon Slave suddenly understood: "National Relief Association... I understand why the Great Seat gave up tonight's thrill."

"Speaking of which, why doesn't your Yan统 just arrest the National Relief Association?" Le Yin suddenly realized this problem: "If you have suspicions about this organization, arrest them and interrogate them; even if they have backing, you can release them when their backers speak up."

"It's already been done, but it's meaningless." Raccoon Slave sighed: "Ordinary members are just the president's distributors, they know nothing, and you can't squeeze anything out of them. As for their president, even our Yan统 doesn't know their origins, so how can we catch them?"

"Distributors?" Le Yin blinked: "Isn't the National Relief Association just funding disaster relief and donations? What products do they have?"

"Don't you know? I thought someone like you would have come across this by now." Hanging Cicada Inspector glanced at Le Yin, "The products they sell don't circulate in the market, and ordinary people can't afford them. Besides Yanjing, the best-selling place is your hometown, Dongyang."

Ordinary people can't afford it, not in circulation, spreading from Yanjing to Dongyang...

Le Yin frowned slightly: "Could it be..."

"Sea Wave Powder." Hanging Cicada Dust said: "Also known as Immortal Powder, joy powder without any side effects, reportedly very beneficial for thinking and cultivation. Many martial artists, even Martial Pillars, use Sea Wave Powder to aid their cultivation."

"No one knows how it's concocted, it only comes from the National Relief Association, and it's priceless but not available. Because of its existence, even Yan统 can't touch them—I squeezed that merchant for half a day, and a whole bunch of people came to the Statistical Department for him."

"Although many people defend it, in my view, Sea Wave Powder is actually a poison for draining money and hollowing out spirit."

Raccoon Slave folded his arms and said: "Anyway, that's also what the Director thinks. But because the National Relief Association often donates money, even the Director can't say much—half the cars I use are bought by the National Relief Association."

Using poison to drain money from the upper class, hollow out their bodies, reduce their lifespan, then use the money for the public good...

Le Yin suddenly felt this routine seemed familiar.

"Alright, now it's time for you to reveal your plan, isn't it?" Hanging Cicada Dust tugged at his sleeve, saying cautiously: "You better not think of ditching me."

"Don't worry, I won't run." Le Yin chuckled: "My plan is... simply put, it's to play an adventure checkpoint game."

"Adventure checkpoint game? What do you mean?"

"It's about setting up various monsters along the way to intercept adventurers, so they have to go through hell before they can meet the big boss waiting leisurely at the final stage."

Raccoon Slave nodded thoughtfully: "So our Yan统 are the adventurers?"

"No, you are the monsters." Le Yin pointed to himself: "I'm the big boss. Those bastards daring to assassinate me are the adventurers we're going to warmly entertain."

"Are you ready to toy with them to death, little cat Hanging Cicada?"

"Though I'm not pleased that you can actually breathe, partnering with you is somewhat interesting, little dog Qin."