# 45
Chapter 45 – Infiltration
“Captain, Qiye is still only a probationary member; until he’s formally inducted he shouldn’t take part in a mysterious-creature purge,” Wu Xiangnan said, brow slightly furrowed.
Chen Muye shook his head. “From the intel we have, this myth creature’s strengths are disguise and infection; its own realm isn’t high. Qiye’s had half a month of training and his combat power has grown considerably—this is a perfect chance to temper him.
Besides, he was a student at No. 2 Middle School and knows the place best. He’s also Liu Xiaoyan’s classmate, so approaching her will look completely natural.”
He glanced at Lin Qiye. “Of course, you’re still probationary; I won’t force you. If you’d rather not go, you can stay here on standby.”
“I’ll go.” Lin Qiye didn’t hesitate.
Chen Muye was right: after more than two weeks of training his strength had increased greatly, and he urgently needed a real test. To survive in this dangerous era, he had to get familiar with danger itself. Lin Qiye liked to play it safe, but he never passed up a chance to hone himself.
“Then we move,” Chen Muye said, standing. He turned to Li Yifei. “You’re going with Qiye and the others.”
Li Yifei froze. “I—I’m just an ordinary guy… what if…”
“They’ll protect you.” Chen Muye’s tone was flat. “You’ve seen the creature; you know more about it than anyone here. You’re coming.”
At the near-order, Li Yifei nodded with a bitter face.
“If this operation goes smoothly… I’ll give you a chance to join the Night Watch,” Chen Muye added, already walking toward the door.
Li Yifei’s eyes lit up instantly.
Lin Qiye was about to leave when Leng Xuan, who’d been standing in the corner, called out.
“Lin Qiye.”
“Hmm?”
Leng Xuan walked over, pulled a pitch-black pistol from behind his waist, and handed it over.
“This is…”
“Take it. Magazine’s full.” His voice was calm.
“But my marksmanship… what if I hit the wrong person?” Lin Qiye’s face twisted.
Leng Xuan gave him a meaningful look and walked off.
“A gun isn’t only for killing.”
Lin Qiye stared after him, then pocketed the pistol and headed for the passage.
…
Twenty minutes later.
Three figures carrying different cases stood at the gate of No. 2 Middle School, all frowning.
“Qiye, why is your school uniform so ugly?” Hongying looked down at the red-and-white high-school jacket in disgust.
“The girls’ version is already the better one,” Lin Qiye said, pointing to his own blue-and-white set. “The boys’ is the real eyesore. Anyway, looks depend on the wearer. You pull it off fine.”
In the morning sun Hongying wore a white T-shirt under the open red-and-white jacket, her long ponytail swaying, a long black case on her back—youthful and heroic.
Beside her, Si Xiaonan looked like a different species: cartoon long-sleeve, jacket tied round her waist like a skirt, hair in two big buns, a shy junior-high vibe.
Hongying winked. “Little Qiye, I didn’t know you could sweet-talk!”
Lin Qiye: …
“Problem is, first period’s already half over—how do we sneak in?” He checked the time and eyed the fierce-looking guard.
“And with these cases we’ll definitely be stopped,” Si Xiaonan added softly.
“Easy.” Hongying smirked, chin up, pointing at the two-meter-plus wall nearby. “We hop it.”
Lin Qiye glanced at Si Xiaonan, who barely reached his shoulder and looked delicate. “I’m fine, but Xiaonan might—”
Si Xiaonan: (-?_-?)
She rolled her eyes, darted to the wall, tapped it twice with her toes, and floated over like a butterfly, black case in hand, landing without a sound.
Lin Qiye: …
Hongying giggled. “Qiye, Xiaonan’s a soft girl, but she’s been Night Watch for two years—don’t underestimate her.”
She sprinted, skimmed the wall, and flipped over elegantly.
Lin Qiye walked up, tossed his case over first, then sprang, hands on the coping, and cleared it. Decent—until compared with the two show-offs ahead.
“Not bad, kind of cool,” Hongying said, handing back his case.
He shook his head, eager to drop the topic. “Plan stays the same: I go to class, get close to Liu Xiaoyan; you two hit the office building and check the guidance director.”
“Roger. Comms open.” Hongying tapped her invisible earpiece and left with Si Xiaonan.
Two steps later she paused, embarrassed. “Uh… where’s the office building? And the guidance director’s office?”
Lin Qiye pointed at the distant building. “Room 403.”
…
“…so remember, odd change even same, look at the quadrant! Next question…”
On the podium the bespectacled math teacher was in full flow when knocks rang out.
Tap-tap-tap!
Everyone turned. Lin Qiye, absent for ten days, stood at the door, black case in hand, bowing slightly.
“Permission to enter.”
“Lin Qiye?” The teacher blinked. “You’re late. Where have you been?”
“My eyes acted up again—two weeks in hospital.”
“I see… hurry to your seat.”
The teacher adjusted his glasses; they were used to making allowances for the formerly disabled student.
Under curious stares Lin Qiye calmly returned to his old seat.
His mental power swept the room; his brows knitted.
“Let’s continue…” The teacher rapped the blackboard, pulling attention back.
Lin Qiye brushed his earpiece. Chen Muye’s voice sounded.
“Status?”
“I’m in the classroom.”
“Can your Forbidden Ruins identify them?”
“Yes.”
“Numbers?”
His frown deepened, voice low.
“Not good…”