Chapter 138: Leaving the Squad and the Deal

Under his teammates' gaze, Lei En slowly stood up.

"I feel very sorry about the Mi Er Dun affair," Lei En said earnestly. "The events of that night were beyond my control; I also wanted to fight side by side with everyone, but it seems there is no chance now."

After speaking, he took out the speaking tablet and placed it on the table.

"Lei En!" Bolok shouted, his voice breaking.

The other teammates' expressions changed simultaneously; they hadn't expected Lei En to be so decisive, quitting the Demon Extermination Squad outright without any lingering attachment.

Bolok hurriedly said, "Lei En, don't act rashly. I believe you didn't intend to flee, and I never forced you to leave the squad."

"I understand."

Lei En nodded, but showed no sign of changing his mind, and said helplessly, "I cherish being a Demon Extermination Squad member, but I have too many personal matters and haven't fulfilled my duties. Staying would only waste a slot."

Bolok forced a bitter smile, his mind filled with endless regret.

Lei En indeed rarely reported to the Demon Extermination Squad and had only met his teammates a few times, yet it couldn't be called dereliction; just by destroying the Abyssal Gate once, his contribution to Longshande far exceeded that of the entire Demon Extermination Department.

Even if Lei En held the position and did nothing, a hundred years' worth of white‑collar salary would still be his due.

He wanted to add a few more explanations, trying to salvage the situation.

Lei En shook his head firmly, smiled and said, "Captain, and everyone, farewell," then turned and walked out of the briefing room.

Bolok and several squad members exchanged bewildered looks.

After a long silence, the usually quiet and graceful Fuli Da hummed suddenly, her face as cold as ice as she hurried away; Hage Luo Fu stared at her retreating figure, opened his mouth, but could not utter a word.

Lei En left the Public Security Bureau feeling light, rode his bicycle back to Silver Star Academy, and continued moving books.

Halfway down the road, a black car suddenly caught up from behind, matching his speed side by side; the rear window lowered, revealing Director Fei Liang's figure.

The legendary magic swordsman, exuding aristocratic aura, remained as calm and composed as ever.

"Lei En, come onto the car and talk,"

The car slowed to a stop; Lei En did not refuse, stowed his bicycle into the trunk, sat inside, and greeted proactively, "Honored Director."

"I've already heard Bolok's report. You wish to quit the Demon Extermination Squad?" Fei Liang asked bluntly.

"Yes."

Fei Liang expressed slight regret but was not surprised, replying calmly, "With your strength, you would eventually leave the Demon Extermination Squad; I just didn't expect it so soon."

Lei En smiled; as one of the Duke of Silver Star's confidants, Fei Liang knew the events of that day inside out, so he did not press for reasons.

"That night, you told the Duke that there might be a traitor within the Demon Extermination Squad," Fei Liang shifted to another matter, his expression turning serious. "I've been conducting a covert large‑scale sweep these past days, found no traitor, and the bureau's speaking tablet hasn't been eavesdropped. Could you have been mistaken?"

"No trace?" Lei En asked, a hint of doubt.

His doubt wasn't about the existence of a traitor, but whether Fei Liang's covert investigation was reliable.

While communicating with Bolok in the underground fortress, the Duke of Silver Star had just arrived at the Sword of Oath when Shadow Blade triggered the earthquake technique; such swift reaction suggests Shadow Blade may have already gotten wind.

Of course, it could be coincidence; perhaps Shadow Blade chose to launch the plan early, and even without the Duke of Silver Star's presence, an earthquake would occur.

However, judging from that report, there must be a Shadow Blade infiltrator within the bureau.

Lei En was eager to root out this traitor, for the person's existence could expose his identity; if not eliminated, he would become a target of Shadow Blade's revenge.

Now Fei Liang saying none had been found gave Lei En a sense of danger.

It should be noted that Har Ken had only lost a few clones; his original body remained alive.

Moreover, Suofuman, who had previously infiltrated Silver Star Academy, had also vanished; the academy's report listed Suofuman as missing, assuming he was killed by Shadow Blade that night.

Clearly, Suofuman saw trouble and fled.

That means at least two of Luoxi's followers survive, perhaps more, but for now they dare not surface in Longshande.

Lei En couldn't help but feel a headache; the lingering troubles were endless!

Fei Liang knew what Lei En was worrying about, but being unable to investigate further, he could only gently counsel, "You must be more careful."

"Thank you, Director," Lei En replied with a wry smile.

The two talked a while longer, and the car delivered Lei En to the entrance of Silver Star Academy before turning away.

After spending most of the day in the Great Library, Lei En finally emerged at dusk.

"Lei En, sir."

A man looking like a butler at the academy's gate stepped forward and called respectfully.

Lei En halted, looked at the man, and was certain he did not know him.

The other continued, "Lei En, Viscount Peili wishes to have you ride in the carriage for a talk; would that be convenient?"

As he spoke, he pointed to a luxury carriage parked across the street, its carriage bearing a noble crest and drawn by four splendid black horses, strikingly eye‑catching.

"Viscount Peili?"

Lei En instantly recalled; wasn't this the father of Desris, who had once blocked his entry into the Demon Extermination Squad? Rumor had it he was a billionaire comparable to Longshande, a deputy director of the Taxation Bureau, a wealthy and powerful figure.

What does he want from me?

Desris's matter happened almost two months ago; is it now too late for him to appear?

Lei En scanned the carriage, seeing nothing mysterious—just a carriage, with only an ordinary person inside, presumably Viscount Peili.

He nodded at the butler and walked toward the carriage.

The butler hurried after, opened the door ahead, and invited Lei En inside.

"Lei En, sir," a slender man rose slightly in the carriage, his face showing a gentle smile. He looked healthy, well‑kept, dressed in tailored expensive robes, yet his eyes were slightly clouded and wrinkles at the corners gave him an aged look, certainly over fifty.

Ordinary humans, once past fifty, experience a rapid decline in physical condition due to the torment of the Blood Soul Curse.

He extended his hand and introduced himself, "I am Peili Lianser, pleased to meet you."

Lei En shook his hand, "Viscount Peili."

While speaking, he used his Soul Eye to glance, confirming that the Viscount's soul was somewhat weak, far less stable than a normal person's—a sign of age and frailty.

Lei En offered no small talk; considering the Viscount was also a foe, he got straight to the point, "What business do you have with me?"

Viscount Peili showed no concern, nor any circumlocution, and nodded, "Lei En, please don't misunderstand; I bear no ill will. Today's visit is simply to make a deal with you."

"What deal?"

"I heard Mr. Lei En is looking for a demon soul with Lightning affinity?" Viscount Peili asked tentatively, and seeing Lei En's expression change, immediately explained: "Yesterday Mr. Lei En bought a Swift Shadow Thunder Blade Leopard demon soul in my shop; the shopkeeper reported it to me, so that's how I know."

"So that demon‑soul shop belongs to you, Viscount."

Lei Si's expression softened a bit; having heard from Bolok that the Lianse family runs Longshande's largest demon‑soul breeding farm, he asked, "Do you have any news about Lightning affinity?"

"Yes." Viscount Peili said confidently: "Mr. Lei En may have heard of it; I own a fairly large demon‑soul breeding farm, cultivating over a dozen types of demon souls. The Swift Shadow Thunder Blade Leopard is one of them, and the one Mr. Lei En purchased came from my farm."

Lei En nodded, a sudden realization dawning in his mind.

Viscount Peili said, "The Swift Shadow Thunder Blade Leopard is hard to tame, has a long maturation period, so they are few; the farm holds no more than a hundred in total."

"These demon leopards can serve as mounts or as companions to rangers; each one is precious."

"A few years ago, the farm bred an exceptionally powerful Thunder Blade Leopard, its strength equivalent to a third‑rank Transcendent, and it could very well ascend to a Mid‑stage demon beast."

Viscount Peili paused deliberately at this point, but seeing Lei En show no particular reaction and not seeming especially eager, he continued awkwardly, "Mr. Lei En should know that Mid‑stage Thunder Blade Leopards have a chance of developing Lightning affinity; this one does."

"The farm's Soul Appraiser evaluated it and determined there is at least a fifty‑percent chance of Lightning affinity appearing."

Lei En remained unmoved and asked lightly, "And then?"

"Uh…" Viscount Peili hesitated a moment before saying, "Its power grew beyond our expectations; taking advantage of a guard's negligence, it killed several of its kind and then fled."

Lei En couldn't help but be speechless, "When did this happen? Where did it escape to?"

"The year before last."

Viscount Peili only mentioned the time of the Thunder Blade Leopard's escape, but gave no location, evidently unwilling to reveal it.

Lei En understood his intent, paused a moment, and sneered, "You just said you wanted to make a deal with me—are you offering this information?"

"Of course not just that," Viscount Peili seemed confident. "If Mr. Lei En agrees to a deal, I can provide more detailed information."

"Alright, what do you want?" Lei En asked patiently.

"Mr. Lei En's friendship," Viscount Peili replied unexpectedly, his eyes full of sincerity. Lei En's face showed a hint of mockery, "Viscount Peili really knows how to joke."

"No, I'm serious."

Viscount Peili said earnestly, "I know Derisi had a dispute with Mr. Lei En and bears a grudge, but that's a minor matter. I've already reprimanded Derisi; he's still recovering, and once healed he'll come to Mr. Lei En's door himself to apologize."

"I'm afraid Derisi won't be so content with that," Lei En scoffed.

"He must obey me." Viscount Peili's eyes flashed sharply, "Last month I arranged a marriage for him; they'll wed after the New Year, and he'll never bother Ms. Viola again."

Lei En remained unconvinced, "What benefit do you get from my friendship?"

Viscount Peili was momentarily speechless.

In fact, before this, he held no goodwill toward Lei En, who had injured his son, and even harbored some resentment. However, because of Lei En's connection with Viola, rumors in the Security Bureau claimed Lei En knows a legendary demon hunter, so two months ago he dared not retaliate and had to endure.

Yesterday the demon‑soul shop owner reported in, prompting him to investigate.

He discovered that in the past few months Lei En had bought demon souls three times in the market. That means Lei En advanced to a third‑rank Wizard in such a short span!

What a terrifying talent!

When Lei En was at rank one, he could defeat fourth‑rank Derisi; now that he's risen to rank three, it's unclear how many times stronger he is.

Viscount Peili feared that once Derisi healed, he'd provoke Lei En again and court his own death.

Regarding his highly‑anticipated eldest son, the only one to become a Transcendent and Lianse's future hope, Viscount Peili could not afford any negligence and had to preemptively guard against disaster.

For this, he even gave Derisi a special lecture last night, warning him to stay away from Lei En.

Viscount Peili wasn't truly afraid of Lei En; rather, he thought that by mending ties with Lei En he could gain some benefits.

But now it seemed Lei En was not buying it.

Lei En's Soul Eye saw Viscount Peili's emotions clearly; it was obvious the other side hadn't spoken the whole truth. Even without seeing the soul's hue, he didn't believe any talk of "gaining friendship."

Merchants never rise early without profit; how could they give themselves benefits for free?

He chuckled, stood up and said, "Viscount Peili, if you have nothing else to say, I'll take my leave now."

"Please wait a moment."

Viscount Peili gritted his teeth and retrieved a stack of Gold Shield notes from a secret cabinet beneath his seat.

Lei En glanced; the stack contained ten notes, each worth one thousand Gold Shields, totaling ten thousand Gold Shields—a fortune no ordinary person could earn in a lifetime.

"After the New Year, Ms. Carol will retire," Viscount Peili whispered. "I hope Ms. Viola can say a few words to Director Carol on my behalf."

Lei En laughed, thinking, so that's it.

The Ms. Carol mentioned by Viscount Peili is the Director of Longshande's Finance and Tax Bureau, Viscount Peili's direct superior. She, a woman who controls Longshande's fiscal power and is a member of the Duke family, is an ordinary person in her sixties, physically and mentally waning, unable to continue in such an important role, and thus plans to retire.

With Director Carol stepping down, it's unclear how many aspirants are eyeing this plump, well‑fed director's seat.

Carol holds considerable say over the choice of successor.

Duke Silver Star also made a statement, saying that to thank Carol for decades of service, they will respect her decision.

In recent months, Carol has turned down wave after wave of visitors, showing no hint of her intentions. Carol has never married nor had children; the only person she can truly converse with, the closest relation, is Viola, also a member of the Duke family.

Because she is Viola's father's only sister, i. e., Viola's aunt.

Obviously, Viscount Peili also covets the director's position.

Lei En shook his head and said, "Coming to me is useless; you want Viola to speak for you—why not go see Viola yourself?"

"Ms. Viola refuses to see me."

Viscount Peili wore a wry smile; he knew well the relationship between Lei En and Viola and understood it stemmed from Derisi offending Lei En.

"If Mr. Lei En can convey to Ms. Viola that I wish to meet her, this stack of Gold Shield notes will be your payment. Regarding the Thunder Blade Leopard, whether it materializes or not, I will tell you everything," Viscount Peili said earnestly, handing over the money.

Lei En considered for a moment, then nodded, "Fine, wait for my word."

He didn't take the money immediately, and stepped directly onto the carriage.

(End of Chapter)