For a moment after Yu Qingyu's unexpected declaration, Li Hangu was frozen in place from shock. However, he recovered soon enough. He was a military commander after all. He needed to be able to remain clear-headed regardless of the situation.
"Liu Wei's whereabouts? And how do you know them?" He glared at Yu Qingyu with his eyes narrowed.
Although it definitely grabbed his attention, he found it unbelievable, and extremely suspicious. The military has been trying to track Liu Wei for years now, and somehow he was able to evade them all this time. How would a single person from the slums be able to achieve what their whole team couldn't?
Yu Qingyu's heart was beating fast out of nerves, but he managed to maintain his composure. "I know them, because for the past few years, I have been his closest subordinate. I have also greatly contributed to creating his hideout," he admitted honestly.
Li Hangu raised his eyebrows. Was this young man really confessing to being a criminal in the middle of the military base, out of his own volition on top of that?
"However, I don't agree with his actions," Yu Qingyu continued. "Liu Wei is planning a large-scale attack on Chuxi City in around three weeks, and I believe he needs to be stopped. That is why, I decided to report it to the military."
Li Hangu rubbed his chin, thinking. "In around three weeks, you say? On the 6th of September?"
Yu Qingyu blinked, surprised. "Yes, that is correct." How did he know? Was the date significant? He wanted to ask 520, but he needed to focus on the conversation for now.
"I presume that if we successfully capture Liu Wei, you would like to be pardoned in light of your contribution?"
"That…" Yu Qingyu was a bit taken aback by the question. He never even thought about any rewards, other than from his system. After all, he would be gone from this world by then, so whatever happened next, was none of his concern.
Li Hangu just waved his hand, not even waiting for his answer. "We can discuss that later. If everything goes well, you can not only be pardoned, but also receive a high military rank worthy of your skills. What is the location of this hideout then?"
"Here are the coordinates." Yu Qingyu handed over his device. "It is a large, underground base that aside from Liu Wei, only I have access to. Liu Wei spends most of his time there, only leaving occasionally to hunt monsters."
Li Hangu browsed through the file that displayed the full layout of the hideout.
Meanwhile, Yu Qingyu continued his explanations. "The base has a complex defensive system, built using the technology I presented on my assessment today. My plan is for the military to enter the base at night, when Liu Wei is sleeping. I would disable all the systems, so the alarms wouldn't be triggered, and the mission should go smoothly, without even the need to fight."
Li Hangu listened carefully, nodding his head. He let Yu Qingyu finish what he had to say before putting the device down and looking back at him. "Are you saying we are supposed to let you go?"
Yu Qingyu paused for a moment. "That is only my suggestion. I think it would be best if I returned to the base tonight and acted as normal, so that Liu Wei wouldn't be alarmed. However, I am willing to follow whatever Commander decides," he spoke confidently. He was prepared for such a situation.
A small smile appeared on Li Hangu's face as he observed Yu Qingyu. "Alright. I will allow you to return. However, we will put a tracker on your device. You also need to be constantly in touch with me. I will send you your orders once everything is decided."
"I understand." Yu Qingyu stared straight into the commander's eyes.
"You are dismissed. Wait outside until your device is ready."
Yu Qingyu stood up, bowed, and was about to leave the room.
However, he stopped right before reaching the door and turned around. "If I may ask… What will happen to Liu Wei after he is captured?"
Li Hangu lifted his sight, looking at Yu Qingyu with his eyebrows raised. "Why do you ask?"
"Well…" Yu Qingyu bit his lip, hesitating for a moment. "Although he is a criminal, he is not entirely a bad person… He saved my life before. If possible, I would like to plead for his life to be spared, and for him to be treated well… He has already suffered a lot."
Li Hangu sighed. "I will keep that in mind."
"Thank you." Yu Qingyu bowed again, and finally left the room.
Closing the door behind himself, he took a deep breath, relieved the conversation was finally over. '520… Do you think he will listen to my request?'
520 didn't answer.
Yu Qingyu frowned. It was the first time it happened. 'Hello? 520, are you there?'
[…Do you want an honest answer or a nice one?]
Yu Qingyu's face dropped. Hearing the system word it like that, he already knew what it wanted to say. 'Nevermind. Forget it.' He tried his best to suppress the suffocating feeling growing in his chest.
He spent the rest of the day just wandering around the city, trying to clear his head. It was already dark by the time he returned to the base. He went straight to his room, to avoid facing Liu Wei.
All that was left to do now was to wait for the orders from the military. He was planning to spend this time staying in bed, playing sick.
***
The orders arrived two days later, summoning Yu Qingyu to the city. He dragged himself out of bed and left the base, saying that he intends to go to a doctor for a checkup. Liu Wei insisted on giving him a lift, worried about his state, but somehow he managed to convince him to let him go alone.
At the military base, he was taken straight to Li Hangu's office.
When he entered, Li Hangu was busy working on a computer. He lifted his sight for a moment, before looking back at the screen. "Good, you're here. I don't have much time for you, so let's make this quick. Have there been any changes you need to report?"
Yu Qingyu shook his head. "No, everything is as usual."
"Alright." Li Hangu rubbed his chin, reading something, then pressed a few buttons, and finally turned to face Yu Qingyu. "If that is the case, we will conduct the operation tonight. There will be ten units stationed nearby, ready to attack by midnight. You will update us on Liu Wei's actions, and once we can be sure he is asleep, you will disable all the systems and let us in. Is everything clear?"
"Yes, sir." Yu Qingyu stood straight, appearing calm, despite the anxiousness he felt inside.
"Good. Moreover, we have prepared a drug that can disable any abilities for a few hours just in case, to avoid any casualties. You need to ensure that Liu Wei consumes it between 9 and 11 PM."
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Li Hangu nodded, satisfied. "Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Then you are dismissed." Not waiting for Yu Qingyu to leave, Li Hangu turned his eyes back to the screen and returned to work.
Meanwhile, Yu Qingyu left the office filled with mixed feelings. 'So it's happening tonight…'