Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1372 - 613: 1 Day_2
Previously on Online: I Can See Health Bars...
Lu Qiaochun's displeasure was evident as she pouted.
While she might prefer not to look, she found herself unable to turn away.
It mirrored how the old man could speak of them behind their backs but not to their faces, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone present.
With a flash of temper, she promptly opened her mouth to retort.
"Sir, I've encountered numerous intelligence personnel from your department. They always engage in some conversation during their missions. I truly admire those who risk their lives to gather crucial intelligence out in the field."
"However, individuals like yourself, who remain confined to an office and are responsible merely for liaising intelligence... cannot truly be considered highly respectable. Furthermore... intelligence is graded by hierarchy. The demon intelligence lurking within the city represents the lowest and least valuable tier in the entire intelligence division."
"Apart from our leader, no one within the Rebel Army ever requests such intelligence from you. Its practical value is exceedingly low. Why would you ever assume we'd give it a second glance?"
The old man's beard bristled, his eyes blazing, and the air grew thick with tension.
Fang Yu was left speechless, bewildered by the infighting within the Rebel Army.
He wondered how they had managed to remain hidden from Foolish Underworld for so long.
It seemed Foolish Underworld's effectiveness was questionable.
"Rarely used does not equate to low value. Because this intelligence possesses extremely high significance, it requires handling by someone of importance. Entrusting it to young ladies like yourselves would be a waste! Only the Minister can truly leverage this intelligence to achieve significant accomplishments for the Rebel Army and the citizens of Thunder City!"
"What did you just say?" Lu Qiaochun's eyes flashed with fury.
She was pushed to her limit! Truly pushed! About to lose it!
Fang Yu witnessed firsthand that Lu Qiaochun was on the verge of exploding.
It was no wonder people enjoyed watching conflicts and arguments; they were indeed quite entertaining.
Yet, Fang Yu had no intention of prolonging this situation, as he had his own matters to attend to. Moreover, if the conflict escalated, he couldn't be sure how the other Ministers of the Rebel Army would perceive him, likely deeming him incompetent.
"Apologize!"
Fang Yu commanded directly.
"Apologize to the elderly gentleman!"
Fang Yu had intended to de-escalate the situation, but his words only served to intensify the conflict, setting it ablaze instantly.
Lu Qiaochun's anger flared visibly, but upon meeting Fang Yu's gaze, she managed to suppress her rage and mumbled, "Then I shall say nothing!"
With that, she turned and strode out of the pawnshop.
Fang Yu had initially considered Lu Qiaochun more dependable than the dull-witted Yu Ji, but it now appeared she was merely hot-headed and incapable of maintaining composure.
There might be a reason why both of them were assigned to him.
Setting aside their combat prowess, their interpersonal skills, resilience under stress, and obedience all fell short of the required standards.
"I will keep an eye on her," Yu Ji stated quietly as he retreated.
Fang Yu let out a sigh.
This Rebel Army team proved more challenging to manage than a demon one.
Fortunately, they had both departed. Now, only the shopkeeper, still heaving with anger, remained in the pawnshop with Fang Yu. Without hesitation, Fang Yu unfolded the map.
To his astonishment, the circled area on the map contained over thirty red dots, indicating more than thirty demons! If the quality of the intelligence were superior, it would represent a direct leap in their progress!
Leap to what! Leap!!!
However, after his initial excitement, Fang Yu examined the map more closely and immediately detected a pattern.
Most of these red dots were marked with large question marks, signifying suspected demon imposters. Their identities were shrouded in uncertainty, merely under suspicion and not yet confirmed, or difficult to verify.
Unlike Fang Yu, who could instantly ascertain their authenticity.
Others attempting to identify a True Demon would need to resort to direct confrontation.
Some individuals represented by these red dots could be obscure figures, while others might be high-ranking operatives, forming the middle or even upper echelons of various factions, making them difficult to deal with through immediate elimination. If a mistake were made, mistakenly eliminating an innocent person instead of a demon, it would lead to severe repercussions.
Naturally, Fang Yu harbored no such concerns.
He desired all these red dots!
Whether they were demons or not, he could discern their nature with a single glance!
Yet, among these numerous red dots, seven stood out as particularly special. These were key targets, highlighted by the Rebel Army, with an almost 100% confirmation as demon imposters. Detailed intelligence was provided, even specifying the number of years each demon had been operating undercover within the city.
"How was this intelligence gathered? They even know how long a demon has been impersonating someone."
Fang Yu inquired with curiosity.
The old shopkeeper, though still harboring anger, nevertheless answered Fang Yu's questions.
After all, it was not Fang Yu who had provoked his ire. Moreover, Fang Yu held a ministerial position, making it unwise to offend him.
"Reporting back, sir. To obtain such precise intelligence, targeted investigation is naturally required. During the early stages of demon imposture, they exhibit considerable flaws, prompting doubts or unnatural feelings in those nearby."
"However, as time passes, these flaws are mended, the surroundings gradually become accustomed to the individual's changes, and memories are beautified or blurred, leading people to forget these details. Ultimately, they become accomplices of the demon, believing an outsider is slandering them and that someone close to them could never be a demon."
He paused, directing his finger towards several crimson markings on the map.
"Take a look at their intelligence reports, doesn't it share something in common?"
Fang Yu responded honestly.
He shook his head.
"I don't know."
"...It's brief."
The old shopkeeper stiffly added.
"Among these seven individuals, no matter which one, they were replaced by demons within the last few years. That is why we were able to investigate, determine their identities, trace back, interview surrounding individuals, and gather detailed intelligence for judgment."
"But regarding other suspects, with durations ranging from as short as five to six years to as long as ten to twenty years, it's possible they have already become entrenched in people's memories from the very beginning."
"Therefore... investigation is impossible. Within three to five years, we might uncover certain clues. At five to six years, it becomes blurry. Ten years or more, it is essentially impossible to tell if they are demons, and most of them... not just us, even the Ten Major Families might not possess such intelligence."
Fang Yu grasped the old shopkeeper's implication.
Replacements by demons within short periods were thoroughly investigated through an overwhelming intelligence network, detailing every aspect of a person for deep scrutiny, thus uncovering abundant information. Especially when suspicions arose that an individual was consumed and replaced by a demon, circulating rumors prompted the Rebel Army's targeted investigation, maximizing its effectiveness.
Conversely, demons with better concealment or longer durations remained beyond their capabilities.
"So, among your Rebel Army's suspect list, there must be far more than just these few individuals."
The shopkeeper nodded.
"Certainly. If we include more ambiguous suspects, the count could possibly reach hundreds or even thousands. Yet, investigating just one person consumes substantial manpower and resources, overwhelming our Rebel Army's capacity."
Fang Yu's eyes brightened.
The Rebel Army might see dimly, but he sees clearly!
Fang Yu lacks only intelligence!
Without a broader scope, he searches for demons as if looking for a needle in an ocean.
Given a direction or a list, he targets individuals with unparalleled efficiency, a far faster rate than randomly searching the streets.
"It is quite a coincidence, sir may not know, but I, Diao, have conducted investigations against demons before and possess some means to discern one. Would you kindly provide that ambiguous demon list to me?"
"This..."
The old shopkeeper hesitated.
There was no precedent from his superiors.
If he handed it over and trouble arose, he would be accused of acting without authorization.
If nothing happened, he would gain no benefits.
Just as the old shopkeeper began to shake his head, Fang Yu interjected.
"Sir, please do not rush to decline."
Fang Yu blinked: "One day."
"One day later, I will return here to hear your decision. I hope, sir, that you will not disappoint my expectations by then."
Having spoken, Fang Yu turned and departed.