Chapter 67 - 65: Cao Ye’s Plan

Chapter 67: Chapter 65: Cao Ye’s Plan

Li Mingyue couldn’t help but say:

"I have a better way to handle Dusk."

Director Zhao looked at her and said patiently:

"Go on."

Li Mingyue said:

"I suspect Dusk is a Supernatural Human who has lived for over a thousand years.

His target isn’t the Xia Kingdom, but the Taboo Items and Supernatural Humans who disrupt its normal order.

In other words, his goal is the same as ours.

Why can’t we coexist peacefully with him?

He proposed the idea of a trade with us. Doesn’t that mean he’s sending a friendly signal?

I believe that the Anomaly Administration Bureau cooperating with Dusk is the optimal solution."

As soon as she finished, the head of the Archives Department cut in with a cold snort:

"So, you’re saying he doesn’t even have Xia Kingdom citizenship?

Just some lone individual wants my Anomaly Investigation Bureau to lower itself to cooperate with him?

What if this person has sinister intentions and harms our Anomaly Administration Bureau while our guard is down?"

The old woman from the Personnel Department shook her head:

"Little girl, you’re still too young."

Li Mingyue was trembling with anger.

’These people clearly just want those Taboo Items for themselves!’

’They’re not the ones fighting to the death, anyway. But if the Taboo Items are acquired, these high-level administrators will have the right to control them.’

’No wonder Yang Shayan said that besides Cao Ye, no one in the Anomaly Administration Bureau is normal!’

Director Zhao scanned the room:

"Does anyone have any other opinions?"

The Senior Investigators wanted to raise their hands and express their views, to stand on Li Mingyue’s side.

However, these high-level administrators all had powerful backing and considerable authority.

The Senior Investigators hesitated, their gazes turning to Cao Ye.

Only Cao Ye could stand against these high-level administrators.

Because Cao Ye’s function within the Bureau was to coordinate all Investigators.

In other words, he was the backbone of all the Investigators.

Li Mingyue also looked at Cao Ye with anticipation.

Cao Ye said cheerfully:

"I agree with the Director."

The Senior Investigators all fell silent.

If Director Cao gave the order, they would not shrink from their duty, even if it meant death.

Li Mingyue stared at Cao Ye, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger.

Cao Ye put on a serious expression and said:

"Even if that Dusk is a true Immortal, he should be an Immortal who serves the Xia Kingdom! I refuse to believe the Anomaly Administration Bureau can’t handle him. Director Zhao, rest assured, you have my full cooperation."

Director Zhao gave Cao Ye a surprised look:

"Good. It seems Director Cao is making progress."

Cao Ye smiled, a flash of malice in his eyes.

Like a fox plotting some conspiracy.

Li Mingyue lost her composure, snatched the documents from the table, and slammed them on the floor in a rage:

"Are you all fucking insane!"

Everyone was stunned.

’Has this girl lost her mind?’

’Even Cao Ye wouldn’t dare to act so wildly on an occasion like this!’

Yang Shayan looked at Li Mingyue in astonishment, tugging hard on her arm.

’Why is this girl so reckless?’

’Being reckless to save someone during a case, you could call that courage.’

’But at a time like this, aren’t you just asking for trouble?’

Li Mingyue shook off Yang Shayan’s hand and said:

"You people who sit in your offices just have to move your lips, and we, the ones who do the work, have to put our lives on the line, is that it?

If the sanction operation fails, you’ll just write a self-criticism report and an apology and that’ll be the end of it.

What about the Investigators?

They’re the ones who’ll really die, just to get a damn funeral in this damn place!"

The high-level administrators couldn’t hide their displeasure.

Director Zhao looked at Li Mingyue with a meaningful expression:

"It seems this young colleague has quite the personality.

Not bad. Just like a soldier personally trained by Cao Ye.

She has some of Director Cao’s style!"

Cao Ye glanced at Li Mingyue:

"Insubordination. Suspended for one month."

Director Zhao stood up, let out a soft chuckle, and said:

"Quite protective of your own, aren’t you?

Well then, this meeting is adjourned."

Zhang Jiawei and Yang Shayan looked at Li Mingyue guiltily.

They hadn’t had the courage to stand with Li Mingyue in that situation.

Cao Ye got up and walked toward the exit:

"Li Mingyue, come to my office."

...

The Deputy Director’s Office.

Li Mingyue, no longer caring about rank, crossed her arms and said:

"What? Isn’t the punishment enough? Just get it over with.

Don’t just suspend me for a month. Just send me back to the Public Security Bureau.

This damn place is filthy!"

Cao Ye glanced at her:

"Is that how your mother taught you to speak to your superiors?"

Li Mingyue instantly looked like a wounded animal, glaring at Cao Ye in anger:

"You..."

’How could he insult me like that? And bring my mother into it?’

Cao Ye said:

"The Bureau investigates the background of every Investigator very thoroughly.

Your mother was an excellent Sheriff.

She was killed in action during an overseas mission. Her body was never recovered. It’s a great pity.

If your mother were here and saw you acting like such a little brat, what would she think?"

Li Mingyue opened her mouth, but no words came out.

At first, she thought Cao Ye was just insulting her, the kind of insult that involves your mom.

Cao Ye lit a cigarette and said:

"You think you were very brave today?"

Li Mingyue snorted lightly:

"Braver than you. You’re afraid of Director Zhao."

’If the Anomaly Administration Bureau is this pathetic, then there’s no point in working here. Being a clerk at the Public Security Bureau would be better than this.’ She finally understood. With those high-level administrators around, she could die at any moment.

Cao Ye sneered:

"Afraid of him?

I just want to let him get a bit more carried away.

Carried away enough to provoke the wrath of Dusk."

Li Mingyue froze for a moment.

’I must have misheard.’

Cao Ye stood up, took a drag from his cigarette, and said quietly:

"Don’t you think... those high-level administrators talk too much?"

Li Mingyue’s expression was one of horror.

She realized Cao Ye actually wanted to use Dusk to eliminate the high-level administrators of the Anomaly Administration Bureau!

’Is this a factional struggle?’

Li Mingyue frowned:

"But... a lot of Investigators will still die."

Cao Ye let out a soft laugh:

"On the surface, all the Senior Investigators are my responsibility.

But in reality, Zhao Pengcheng has had his hands in my business for a long time.

When he deals with Dusk, he won’t use my people.

Heh. Because Zhao Pengcheng is afraid I’ll steal his credit.

Those few Senior Investigators under him are nothing but parasites in my eyes.

They’ve used their status as Investigators and Zhao Pengcheng’s protection to do plenty of things that violate public security regulations.

They’re a bunch of scumbags. It’d be great if Dusk purged them. That’s exactly the outcome I’d like to see."

Li Mingyue frowned and said:

"Then why are you telling me all this?

Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Zhao Pengcheng what you said?"

’This is the kind of thing you’d normally only tell a trusted confidant, right?’

Cao Ye shook his head and chuckled:

"Zhao Pengcheng definitely knows what I’m thinking. But he’s gone mad. The temptation of completely controlling the Taboo Items is just too great.

For the sake of those Taboo Items, he’s lost his reason and is willing to risk me stabbing him in the back to get his own way.

Heh. Being an official isn’t enough for him anymore. He wants to be the next Seimei Misawa."

Cao Ye turned to look at Li Mingyue:

"As for why I’m telling you this..."

Cao Ye stubbed out his cigarette and said:

"You have a good talent for criminal investigation, you don’t fear power, and you cherish the lives of your comrades.

You’re a bit stupid, but you’re a diamond in the rough. I’ll personally teach you from now on.

You will become a pillar of the Anomaly Administration Bureau, and my trusted confidant."

Li Mingyue looked at Cao Ye in surprise.

Cao Ye chuckled softly:

"You won’t lose out by becoming my apprentice."

Li Mingyue couldn’t shake the feeling that Cao Ye had ulterior motives for her.

’According to Sister Yan, Cao Ye is the type of guy who never does anything unless there’s something in it for him. He wouldn’t do something if there was no point to it. But what do I have that’s worth his attention? Is it really because I’m a "diamond in the rough"? No way, right? I know my own capabilities; I’m definitely not cut out to be the female lead of some novel. Something’s not right.’

"For the next month, I have a mission for you."

Cao Ye’s sudden words interrupted Li Mingyue’s train of thought.

Li Mingyue didn’t press the matter further.

Because what Cao Ye had described was also what she wanted to see.

Perhaps influenced by her mother, she valued the camaraderie with her comrades-in-arms very highly.

She didn’t want to see any of her comrades lose their lives because of the ambitions of the high-level administrators.

Li Mingyue asked:

"What do you want me to do?"

Cao Ye said:

"Didn’t that person say he was willing to trade the Taboo Items with us?

Find him and make a deal. I’ll give him anything except the Bureau’s own Taboo Items."

Li Mingyue had a sudden realization.

’No wonder Cao Ye had me suspended for a month.’

’So that’s it, he wants me to carry out a major task in secret!’

Li Mingyue stood up:

"Alright."

Cao Ye sat down again and waved his hand dismissively:

"Go on."

Li Mingyue saluted and walked out of the office.

Cao Ye opened his custom-made cigarette case. Tucked in a hidden compartment was a photograph.

The photo showed a woman who bore a slight resemblance to Li Mingyue.

Cao Ye took out a cigarette and murmured:

"Sister Nana, your daughter has a temper just like yours. So stubborn.

Hmph... don’t blame me. In our line of work, identities have to be kept secret, even in death.

Even though she’s an Investigator now."

Cao Ye lit the cigarette, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and gazed at Li Mingyue’s departing figure, saying quietly:

"She’s still too young. She hasn’t suffered enough, she’s too green.

But that’s alright. She’ll definitely face some hardships as my apprentice."

As he spoke, Cao Ye suddenly let out a soft laugh:

"But this is good too. In the meeting today, she earned the respect of all the Investigators."