Chapter 16: Infiltration

Bai Yanci looked at Yi Ke a few seconds—cool eyes seemed to shift with complex feeling—then hid in shadow.
Yi Ke utterly calm—no odd sign. Bai Yanci looked away seamless, voice flat again: “Nothing. Go busy yourself.”
Heart raced again—near Yi Ke, eyes held too long—couldn’t control.
Keep this up—Yi Ke’s sharpness might catch something.
If Yi Ke knew last night—knew her shameful heart in the dark—how stay here? What posture beside her?
Last night—forgotten was best.
Best for everyone.
Yi Ke didn’t press further.
Normal topic—she’d ask till Bai Yanci snapped.
This ambiguous kind—she herself too nervous to dig.
If she’d said something—Bai Yanci disgusted, wouldn’t speak to her…
She shoved it all behind—hid forbidden feeling where no one would find.
This distance was fine. Enough.
Beside her—not crossing lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
That talk only fired curiosity about the moon. Spirit Tide Pool, Spirit Tide jade—all novel.
Whether bureau linked to immortals—unknown—but Mu linked to immortals—joined them against her.
Reason unknown—she wouldn’t sit and be bullied.
Message to Jiang Ran.
【Yi Ke: Jiang-jie—where to find ability research materials?】
---
【Jiang Ran: Mostly at the Ability Bureau. SI only has a slice.】
【Yi Ke: Got it.】
Middle school at the bureau she’d browsed books—plenty on abilities—nothing on immortals.
Bai Yanci said—humans can’t reach immortals—how probe the moon?
【Jiang Ran: Why look? New lead? Want backup—faster.】
【Yi Ke: No. Going alone.】
Closed chat—try Qiming’s luck.
A crowd at Qiming was too loud—didn’t take Jade Dust seriously.
Jintian’s biggest underground org—should have files—maybe what she wanted.
Worst case—someone from the moon left traces besides Jade Dust.
Besides Jade Dust—ordinary ability users—no fear. Slipped in fast—unnoticed.
Important spots—strong ability barriers—Jade Dust’s hand surely.
Lucky—the library had no barrier.
Library empty—no guard. Shelves long—found several ancient books on the moon.
Records: among immortal powers the moon palace ranked first. Supreme ruler millennia—no one saw true face—origin unknown—mystery extreme.
Four great immortals under the ruler—each duty—clear lines—even unfamiliar with each other—exactly what the ruler wanted.
No factions—no private power blocs—no one house dominant.
She understood. No wonder Bai Yanci didn’t know Jade Dust—four great immortals didn’t mingle—names at best—Jade Dust might not be real name—no ID.
Chang’e immortal strong too—but long left moon chores—quiet retreat.
Bai Yanci—Chang’e’s attendant—held real power—great immortal seat—only public face beside the ruler—Lord Bai running major moon business.
That was the book’s moon map.
Few strokes—distribution unclear—only rough direction.
Moon—rigid hierarchy—checks and oppression everywhere.
Ability trace flashed—library lights on—door slammed shut.
Familiar voice behind—mocking, playful: “Team Leader Yi—what luck. Can’t wait to die?”
Yang Yufei.
Heart jolted—she’d hidden aura hard—Yang Yufei’s level shouldn’t find her—how know she was here?
Yang Yufei hated: “You ruined my plan—dare deliver yourself!”
Found—no hiding. Stepped out—ability ready—wary at Yang Yufei.
“Director Yang—why join Qiming? You don’t know what they do? Jade Dust’s acts—you truly agree?” Low to Yang Yufei. “You weren’t… like this before.”
Once gentle Vice-Director Yang—now except face—nothing alike.
Yang Yufei blank—then laughed wild: “Only those who’ve been rained on know how precious the umbrella! Lord Jade Dust gave me new life—I follow her to death—what’s wrong!”
“Sincerity?” Cold sniff. “Least important thing.”
Pulled a fruit knife from sleeve—lunged to kill!
Sidestepped—still alert.
No one around—Yang Yufei weak—feared another Spirit Tide jade-level tool.
“Past? Someone like me has no past!” More frantic, fast hands. “I’m not like Xiao Ting—that fool!”
Xiao Ting?
Memory—first warehouse case—blue-clad woman’s file—last character Ting.
“You mean the woman in blue?” Complex at the memory—reflex defend: “How dare you say that? What right do you have?”
“Isn’t she stupid? Born ability user—power countless people beg for—and threw life away for so-called true love!”
Yang Yufei laughed mad: “I remember—they died by your hand, didn’t they? Team Leader Yi—so noble. Killer is you—now you judge others.”
Not true.
Not her hand—but dead before her eyes.
That day replayed—cold warehouse—resolved smile—lovers embraced—despair and hate she could feel deep…
Wrong—not her memory’s emotion.
Hate too clear—too surging—reality not recall!
“You’re trying to sway me?” Snapped clear—flame power scattered Yang Yufei’s ability.
Yang Yufei furious: “Fine—die then!”
“Wait.”
Jade Dust—red brighter than fire—stepped from shadow—half silver mask gleaming—voice flat: “Team Leader Yi—we meet again.”
“I said no unauthorized action in the org.” To Yang Yufei—no debate. “Even enemies—be courteous.”
Seeing Jade Dust Yang Yufei shrank aside: “My Lord—when did you say…”
“Now.” Soft cut.
Yang Yufei mute—not another word.
Pale white flash—Jade Dust lifted a jade-pendant tool midair: “Came uninvited—looking for this?”
Yi Ke shocked—Spirit Tide jade!
Not fake—the real artifact.
“I said I admire you.” Eyes on her—almost gentle regret. “Talent like yours—why sell yourself to the Ability Bureau? Headquarters won’t keep you—stuck SI as little leader—too wronged.”
Step forward—Spirit Tide jade power—light flooded the library like noon.
“Team Leader Yi—come to me. Power, wealth, authority—whatever the bureau gives, I can give.” Sure tone. “What they can’t—I can too.”
Grace, earnest—truly recruiting.
“Sorry.” Ability gathering secret. “No plans for that now.”
Tried to blink away—ability blocked—pinned in place. Looked up—Jade Dust suppressing her.
Jade Dust stood still—not a finger moved.
“My terms not tempting enough?” Head tilt. “Say what you want—I’ll consider—what I can satisfy I will.”
“My Lord!” Yang Yufei urgent.
“Silence.” Cold. “Not your place to speak.”
Light sleeve wave—Yang Yufei lifted silent—flung out the library—heavy crash outside.
Even angry—Jade Dust’s tone barely rippled.
Were all moon people this temperament?
“What’s so good about the Ability Bureau?” Step by step—red brighter under light—each word pressure. “Or someone there you can’t leave?”
Half a step—bent to her ear—intimate pose—whisper: “Tell me who. I can take her… tie her beside you.”