18: Because I caught too many insiders, I was put on administrative leave.

He was numb.

Truly numb.

After hearing the Fourth Squad's report, Captain Liu was truly numb.

The Squad Leader, entrusted with heavy responsibilities, was a mole for the Myriad Gods Sect.

The carefully established role model was also a mole for the Myriad Gods Sect.

Even the Inspector sent from above was a mole for the Myriad Gods Sect!

Damn it, my Law Enforcement Team might as well change its name to the Myriad Gods Sect!

There weretermite worms in the team!

Fortunately, there was Comrade Lu.

"A formidable young man... Comrade Lu, I truly didn't misjudge you!" Captain Liu patted Lu Ming's shoulder with satisfaction.

This young man had brought him too many surprises.

It was only his first day on the job, and he had not only helped him solve a major case but also effortlessly rooted out several internal spies.

This boy... he truly has my approval!

However, his methods were a bit simple and crude.

Although Zhang Tao's identity as an internal spy was exposed this time, it also thoroughly humiliated the Inspection Team.

Seeing Lin Qiming's perpetually gloomy face, Captain Liu knew what he was thinking.

These damn Inspectors were useless at everything else, but they were certainly good at making petty reports.

Given that dog's character, he would sooner or later return today's humiliation in full.

Just as Captain Liu expected, Lin Qiming was furious now.

Humiliating! His face was utterly lost!

The Inspection Team's authority being trampled by a mere Team Leader was one thing, but the key was that he couldn't find a reason to retaliate.

"Bang!"

Lin Qiming angrily slammed the table.

"These beasts truly have guts!"

"Captain Liu, since the problem originated within our Inspection Team, let our Inspection Team handle these few rats."

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the Fourth Squad members changed.

Wasn't this openly stealing their credit?

"You..."

Wang Yaowen and Lin Haowen were about to say something, but Lu Ming stopped them with a look.

Zhao Li saw Lu Ming's unperturbed expression and seemed to be deep in thought.

Captain Liu, on the other hand, nodded with satisfaction, valuing Lu Ming even more.

It seemed this kid wasn't entirely a hothead.

That dog Lin Qiming was clearly trying to make a deal with him.

He would take the credit, and the Fourth Squad's irregular handling of the case and the insult to his Inspection Team would be written off.

"That old geezer has quite an appetite, doesn't he? Hope he doesn't choke to death!" Captain Liu cursed under his breath, a mischievous glint in his eye.

But he still had to maintain appearances, so he said with an unruffled expression: "Alright, since it's an internal matter for you, then resolve it internally, but this matter..."

As soon as Captain Liu finished speaking, the dark clouds on Lin Qiming's face instantly dispersed considerably.

He waved the list in his hand and, as he left, glared fiercely at Lu Ming and the others, "Let's drop this matter for now. Hmph, be careful; you might not be so lucky next time!"

Wang Yaowen watched their retreating figures, clenching his fists in anger, and whispered to Lu Ming, "Team Leader Lu, that son of a bitch, those were internal spies we painstakingly dug out. Why should they get the credit?"

Lu Ming leaned against the edge of the table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface, his face still expressionless.

Given Zhang Tao's vindictive nature, he simply didn't believe there wasn't something fishy hidden in that list.

It was perfect to let that old geezer test the waters.

However, even if the credit was gone, we couldn't suffer a loss, right?

Lu Ming's lips curved slightly into a standard smile: "Yaowen, look, you're getting anxious again. Do you think Captain Liu would let us suffer a loss?"

Captain Liu was stunned.

Good kid, so you were waiting for me here.

Seeing Wang Yaowen and the others looking at him expectantly, he cleared his throat.

"Everyone has worked hard during this period, especially Lu, who achieved such great merit on his first day in office. Since Inspector Lin's side took over the arrests, we can't let ourselves lose out."

"How about this: the missing persons case was originally 200 contribution points. I'll increase it to 300 points for you all. Lu Ming's outstanding performance earns him 400 points."

"Thank you, Captain!"

Seeing the excited expressions of the others, Lu Ming knew that the old man had indeed made a sacrifice.

What he didn't know was that resources were limited, and contribution points were strictly allocated to each Law Enforcement Team.

For Captain Liu to squeeze an additional 100 points for the entire squad and even give Lu Ming 400 points individually, it was no longer just a sacrifice; it was practically bleeding.

One should know that before Lu Ming arrived, Zhao Li and the Fourth Squad barely earned 200 contribution points in half a year.

After announcing the rewards, Captain Liu suddenly changed the subject.

"Lu, aren't you newly married? How about this, I'll give you a few days off. You should rest well at home."

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, easily discerning the deeper meaning in Captain Liu's words.

A few days off? This was clearly out of fear that he might be too high-profile and provoke retaliation from the Myriad Gods Sect.

Recalling the ruthless methods of those fanatics, Lu Ming still felt a hint of apprehension.

You can guard against everything, but fanatics are hard to guard against.

Such brainwashed cultists might really take their anger out on him.

It was also good to let the Inspection Team share some of the attention.

"Thank you, Captain Liu!"

"Mar... married?"

Zhao Li's smile suddenly froze.

Looking at Lu Ming's youthful face, she suddenly felt that the contribution points she had just received weren't so appealing anymore.

An unspeakable sense of loss spread wildly in her heart.

Zhao Li lowered her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously caressing her chest, as if Lu Ming's lingering warmth was still there.

"Big Sis, what are you spacing out for?" Wang Yaowen looked at her strangely, "I plan to go to the Logistics Department with Brother Wen to exchange for some resources. Are you coming?"

Zhao Li snapped back to reality, forcefully suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, and tried to straighten her pretty face, returning to her usual icy demeanor.

"No, you two go."

As she turned, her peripheral vision caught Lu Ming and Captain Liu speaking in low voices. The young man's face was slightly turned, his jawline taut and straight, and the sunlight on his hair tips cast a shallow golden glow.

Zhao Li quickly averted her gaze, but her heart felt as if something had squeezed it, making her feel suffocated... In the Logistics Department, Uncle Fu still looked as old and frail as ever.

Seeing Lu Ming, he smiled slightly and said, "Good kid, I heard you all achieved great merit."

Lu Ming smiled: "Uncle Fu, your news is quite well-informed."

Uncle Fu slowly put down the ledger in his hand and squinted, scrutinizing Lu Ming.

"Who in the entire Law Enforcement Team doesn't know that the Fourth Squad has a formidable character? He rooted out several internal spies on his first day in office."

"Uncle Fu, you flatter me. It was just good luck."

Uncle Fu waved his hand, picked up the purple clay pot from the table, and poured Lu Ming a cup of tea. The amber glow of the tea swirled in the coarse pottery cup.

"Luck? I've been in this Logistics Department for thirty years. I've seen at least eighty, if not a hundred, lucky young people, but none of them dared to trample the Inspection Team's face on their first day like you did."

"Tell me, what do you want to exchange for this time?"

Lu Ming's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected his reputation to have already spread far and wide.

Heaven knows, he was truly diligently catching internal spies!

"Uncle Fu, I want to exchange for a Kaiyuan Realm breathing technique. Do you have any recommendations?"

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu put down his teacup, and a hint of surprise flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"Preparing to break through to the Kaiyuan Realm? Congratulations."

"But Lu, familiar as we are, the contribution points that should be collected cannot be reduced by even a single point."

...