Qian Yuliu was a truly 'perfect' victim.
Qian Yuliu had an excellent memory; he mastered a memory technique similar to the Memory Palace, organizing his own memories himself. His memories were arranged like a well-organized library, where Le Yuxin could find whatever he wanted without any omissions or errors.
However, this step-by-step digestion method had a downside, which was that in the absence of key information, Le Yuxin couldn't access the corresponding important memories.
If he hadn't heard the keyword 'Lin Jinyao', Le Yuxin would have never known that Qian Yuliu was actually an inside agent, a Backlight rebel!
Qian Yuliu was exceptionally talented, a promising young man who would surely become a key minister in the Imperial Court given time. Why would he choose to rebel? Le Yuxin suppressed his curiosity and turned his thoughts to the upcoming actions.
Now wasn't the time to read Qian Yuliu's inner journey like a story; he wasn't an outsider watching the tale unfold but the protagonist playing a role in the story!
"Teams Four and Five surround the residence, assault from the back door, persuade any escapees initially then subdue; Teams Two and Three take the outer walls and surround the entrance; Team One follow me to blast the front door, with the logistical team ready with illumination lamps... Ladies and gentlemen, although things are not concluded yet, I don't want to cause casualties, but for everyone's safety..."
Lan Yan clapped his hands, solemnly saying, "I authorize all operatives to freely attack the armed elements in the name of the Statistical Department! Lift the firearm restrictions!"
Three black boxes were pushed in front of the operatives, and as Lan Yan clapped his hands, the black boxes opened with a rumble, revealing racks full of light pistols inside!
Le Yuxin reached out to grip the pistol handle, feeling a slight tremor at the back of his neck, as a surge of warmth flowed from his neck into the pistol, an indescribable sensation emerging within him.
The pistol seemed to establish some kind of connection with him, no longer an external object, but an extension of his body.
"Radiant Certification."
For centuries, the Radiant Imperial Court has been exploring the potential of Luminous Stone, among which "Radiant Certification" is considered one of the four great inventions of Radiant. Most key parts of machinery have Luminous Stone chips embedded, requiring Radiant Certification for use, and only those sanctioned by the Radiant Charter can use important machinery.
Firearms are undeniably important machinery; like the pistols Le Yuxin and the others are now holding, which are exclusive to Statistical Department operatives. Others, even if they obtain them, won't be able to use them due to lack of certification.
Although the technology is not as advanced as in former times, the Radiant Imperial Court's governance of its subjects is strikingly more penetrating.
"Begin the operation!"
With Lan Yan's command, everyone proceeded silently in accordance with the orders. The sound of military boots pounding the ground was as thunderous as a storm. Right then, cold rain conveniently started to fall from the sky, seemingly adding footnotes to the events that were about to unfold.
Noticing Lan Yan's gaze, Le Yuxin exhaled gently, raised his left wrist to press a watch-like device. In the next second, the glass cover displayed 15 red dots, accompanied by a small scale beside it, trained individuals could visually estimate the real distance of the red dots instantly.
The Light and Shadow Detector, a mandatory tool for Statistical Department operatives, emits special sonar resonating with the Radiant Charter, surveying up to 50 meters. Equipped with this tool, the positions of all Radiant citizens within 50 meters are clearly visible.
Looking at the glowing red dots, Le Yuxin felt a chill rise in his heart.
The existence of the Light and Shadow Detector enabled the Imperial Court departments to nip any covert actions, secret gatherings, ambushes, and assassinations in the bud, akin to a rather primitive surveillance system.
However, despite the Imperial Court's equipment being so exquisite and governance so intense, the chances of successful rebellion seemed extremely slim, yet Backlight Particle continued their revolution without hesitation, indicating irreconcilable class conflicts in this world.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind as Le Yuxin was the first to approach the courtyard gate, not knocking, he fired a bullet shattering the lock, kicked the door in—
"Statistical Department Investigating!"
The operatives poured in, while the logistical team erected three high-intensity lamps, illuminating every corner of the yard from outside like spotlights on a stage, although the light was not warm, but filled with a chilly pallor.
People inside the house heard the commotion and came out, a young man in uniform first showed a slight panic upon seeing Le Yuxin and others, but soon fixed his gaze in anger: "It's the Statistical Department's dogs of the regime!"
Regime dogs?
Le Yuxin was slightly taken aback, thinking carefully, Qian Yuliu and others were engaged in capturing rebels, secret arrests, and even had discretionary power over shooting, even their names were assigned as special operative personnel... indeed akin to the legendary secret agents.
Many stray thoughts crossed his mind as Le Yuxin and the other operatives aimed their pistols at these youths: "Statistical Department investigating, everyone, raise your hands!"
"Senior Chen, Senior Chen, how come you..."
Among the crowd, a young girl with ink-black hair and jade-like skin gazed at them in surprise.
Before Le Yuxin could reminisce, the nearby Chen Fu already showed a troubled look, loudly saying: "Lin Xue, rest assured, the Statistical Department is investigating, won't let the bad guys go nor will they wrong the good people!"
Lin Xue, the daughter of the lecturer Lin Jinyao, a few years younger than them, also a student of Star Engraving Military Academy, their fellow junior.
Though Lin Xue wanted to say more, the young man beside her already pulled her aside: "Xue, they've joined the Statistical Department and are extensively arresting innocent people, saying anything to them is futile, they're just a bunch of conniving parasites seeking advancement!"
"Who the hell are you talking about!" Chen Fu shouted loudly: "Everyone get your hands up and kneel! Resistance means death! Bullets don't see eye to eye!"
"Getting locked up by you is death, staying here is death; might as well be killed here by you to let everyone know how arrogant and shameless your Statistical Department is!"
The young man stepped forward, standing in the strong light without any cover, revealing his chest like a heroic martyr: "And what kind of traitor are you, Qian Yuliu, a disgrace to your mentors, shameless and vile! I'm utterly ashamed to associate with you, Gao Jin!"
With the young man's angry denunciations, Le Yuxin also recalled who this person was: Gao Jin, two years junior to Qian Yuliu, previously studying and researching under Lin Jinyao, once Qian Yuliu's little admirer.
At this moment, Lan Yan came up behind Le Yuxin, apologetically saying: "I'm sorry, Captain Qian, Vice-Captain Chen, I knew you attended Star Engraving Military Academy, but I didn't know you were acquaintances with Lin Jinyao... You can opt out of this mission; I won't blame you."
Chen Fu seemed tempted, slowly lowered his pistol, signaling with his eyes to Le Yuxin — aiming a gun at former companions felt considerably uncomfortable to him. He knew exiting the operation wouldn't benefit his friends much, but his moral standards merely hoped for peace of mind through a 'out of sight, out of mind' approach.
Le Yuxin raised an eyebrow slightly, however before they could respond, a loud voice echoed from afar in the hall: "Acquaintances? I wouldn't dare claim acquaintance with these 'country's pillars', and especially not pillars of the Statistical Department."
Lan Yan smiled subtly, adjusted his glasses, loudly proclaiming: "Mr. Lin, your misunderstanding of the Statistical Department is truly profound."
A middle-aged man in a black formal suit came out of the main house, wearing a wool hat, his stature upright, his stride proud, standing among the young people with no trace of old age, instead, he showed a more mature and steady demeanor like winter bamboo.
"The Statistical Department's regressive actions require no misunderstanding on my part." He said coolly.
Star Engraving Military Academy lecturer, Lin Jinyao.
Upon seeing him, fragments of memories began to surface in Le Yuxin's recall:
"Yuliu, the Imperial Court is unrighteous, the political platform corrupt, the world in chaos internally decayed, the thousand-year dynasty has reached its end, this is a shift unseen in two thousand years, but its shackles on the people will endure. We must not only reform the system but break the shackles, extinguishing the Radiant as this eternal sun! We don't need the sun; each of us is a new dawn!"
"Empire's collapse disrupts order, the Imperial Court grants autonomy to each district, districts will inevitably vie for power under the guise of capturing rebels. Chenfeng District's Governor Lv Zhong is ambitious, won't miss this opportunity, but Star Engraving County's Governor Ding Yi is not benign either. A struggle between them is inevitable. Yuliu, your opportunity is near."
"Indeed, Ding Yi took the opportunity of establishing the Statistical Department to insert his close ally Lan Yan. He would certainly seize the opportunity to eliminate opposition while capturing progressives. Yuliu, now is the time. When the Statistical Department comes to persuade at the academy, it will be your moment to emerge!"
"As a core department, the Statistical Department is bound to approach Ding Yi, obtaining a wealth of information! Yuliu, you will be the best insider of our 'White Night,' a nail in the heart of Ding Yi!"
"When Ding Yi and Lv Zhong are locked in power struggles and squandered in internal consumption, that's the chance for us 'White Night' to rectify chaos and smash the shackles of Chenfeng District!"
"Your identity will be known to no one but me and 'Star Engraving'."
"From now on, your code name is 'Meteor'!"