"I want to use her as bait. Her lover came seeking revenge on me, and I intend to lure her out."
"These shadow plays are made to resemble real people; it’s truly hard to tell them apart. But since the original lover is familiar with the Shadow Play Machine, surely she must be quite acquainted with it?"
Li Banfeng looked towards the Projector.
The Projector, its mood improved, answered solemnly, "I do have some understanding of Miss Tu Yinghong. I have recorded her from all angles, in advance and retreat, in attack and defense. Unfortunately, I don’t have those films on me."
Li Banfeng was also worried about this. Tu Yinghong was very familiar with the Projector, and it was highly probable she wouldn’t be fooled.
For such a situation, the Phonograph had a strategy in mind. "Hey, my dear husband, bait doesn’t necessarily have to be used for fishing; it can also be used to catch shrimp."
Li Banfeng understood his wife’s meaning; Ling Miaoying’s image could also lure others, but he currently had to deal with Tu Yinghong.
"My dear, I don’t want to catch shrimp, I only want to catch fish."
"Once shrimp have eaten the bait, they will pass its taste on to the fish. The bait might not deceive the enemy’s main general, but it could possibly deceive the enemy’s spies."
Li Banfeng laughed and hugged the Phonograph affectionately. "You’re truly skilled in warfare, my dear!"
Lu Maoxian walked out from the Pearl Book Residence, with the Book Residence Scholar beside him, repeatedly expressing his admiration. "The old master is truly learned; this disciple has been taught well this time."
Translated, it meant that Lu Maoxian had demonstrated a new unique skill last night.
Lu Maoxian nodded and smiled. "You, too, are a diligent learner, burning the midnight oil without complaint of fatigue."
The Book Residence Scholar responded modestly, "I did cry out, but I didn’t find it burdensome."
Lu Maoxian touched the Book Residence Scholar’s cheek. "Everything about you is good, but for burning the midnight oil, you need quality candles. The candles here are of inferior quality."
The Book Residence Scholar hurriedly took note of the candle issue. Lu Maoxian was Pearl Book Residence’s most important regular customer, and every request he made could not be neglected.
Outside the Book Residence, thirty-three Supports waited.
In the past, Lu Maoxian would at most bring two Supports; he didn’t want to make such a fuss.
But after the encounter with Ling Miaoying, Lu Maoxian had come to a realization.
In the Play Garden, Ling Miaoying’s show ruined Lu Maoxian’s reputation. But what of it? The entire Lu Family still praised the old master for his vigor.
The hand that Ling Miaoying chopped off was still not well tended to; this was what truly troubled him.
With the incident involving the shadow play still unsettled, it was crucial to take extra precautions.
Lu Maoxian rode in a western-style carriage, with Supports keeping watch on all sides.
The night deepened, devoid of other pedestrians on the streets. They were just one street away from their residence when suddenly a Support clutched his neck and fell to the ground, blood seeping between his fingers.
Another Support approached to inspect but barely squatted down before his head dropped to the ground.
Lu Maoxian felt uneasy and shouted, "A gentleman fearlessly stands upright!"
Employing the Uniform Rule Technique, he wanted his adversary to show themselves and fight him squarely.
But it seemed the technique was ineffective; the Supports around Lu Maoxian fell one after another, with only two remaining in the blink of an eye.
These two stood to the left and right of the carriage, seemingly protecting Lu Maoxian but in reality, guarding their own lives.
Remaining still meant they wouldn’t die; the slightest movement assured certain death—a fact both men understood clearly.
Lu Maoxian took out a writing brush and inscribed a "Ban" character on the carriage!
A barrier formed around the carriage.
As Lu Maoxian contemplated his next move, someone whispered in his ear, "No taboo whatsoever."
BANG!
The barrier shattered!
No matter what Taoist Sect the adversary belonged to, opportunities to escape were now few.
Lu Maoxian flicked his brush, flinging ink from its tip, and within a ten-meter radius, countless characters manifested. The characters snapped and lashed out like dark evil spirits, attacking anyone they encountered.
He employed the Literature Cultivation Technique, Searching Ink Technique.
Literature Cultivators are not adept at close combat; once they are close, the Counting Ink and Seeking Line Skill is the best Escape Technique.
Within the scope of the technique, the ink-formed characters possess a spirit attribute and combat people.
These characters can express meaning and shape, and their combat power is extraordinary; the only flaw is that they do not distinguish between friend and foe.
A "Big" character, its arms outstretched, seized a Support and began to tear at it relentlessly.
An "Elephant" character transformed into a tusked elephant and toppled another Support.
A "Bug" character turned into three "Insect" characters, and each "Insect" character then transformed into a swarm of flies buzzing in all directions.
Even Lu Maoxian was attacked by these characters, but he was able to find a way out amidst them.
He quickly burst out of the technique’s range and sprinted towards the residence.
This run was astonishingly fast, much faster than usual.
The Counting Ink and Seeking Line Skill only lasted for a few seconds before dissipating, but Lu Maoxian had already reached the residence’s entrance.
Lu Maoxian looked down and discovered that indeed, something was missing.
Blood seeped through his trousers. Lu Maoxian collapsed at the doorway; only at this moment did he feel deep despair and pain.
The vigor of the old disappeared from then on.
He Jiaqing, disguised as a middle-aged man, walked up to Lu Maoxian and chuckled, "Old Master Lu, congratulations. You’ve finally rid yourself of that troublesome thing."
Lu Maoxian dared not resist, grasping his vital parts, and clenched his teeth in silence.
He Jiaqing did not kill him but stood up and left by himself. Upon reaching the street corner, he suddenly saw a beggar napping.
He Jiaqing’s heart shivered as he carefully assessed his surroundings.
The beggar opened one eye, glanced at He Jiaqing, and closed it again.
All major newspapers reported the news: Lu Maoxian had been attacked again and was seriously injured. The assailant’s identity remained shrouded in mystery.
He Jiaqing put down the newspaper and told Old Wan, "You’re the most reliable at carrying out tasks. Remember, do not kill Lu Maoxian before figuring out the full picture."
Wan Jinxian nodded repeatedly.
That day, He Jiaqing made the rounds at various movie theaters. "Blood Blade Detective" boasted a decent attendance rate, around seventy percent in all major theaters. He Jiaqing was very satisfied with this result.
During the movie’s intermission, he snuck into the projection room. The projectionist was chatting idly, completely oblivious to He Jiaqing’s presence.
He Jiaqing pulled a frame of film off the Projector and carried it to a theater box.
He took a dropper from his bosom and applied a drop of solution onto the film frame.
A silvery ring emerged on the film.
He Jiaqing placed the ring atop his head, his body shuddering for a moment.
"Excellent quality!" He Jiaqing exclaimed, rolling his finger to produce a small flame, and he burned the film to ashes.
The next afternoon, He Jiaqing began his journey back to Yuezhou. Wan Jinxian saw him off at the train station.
Before leaving, He Jiaqing repeatedly instructed, "Keep an eye on Tu Yinghong; don’t let her leave the building."
Returning from the train station, Wan Jinxian entered Tu Yinghong’s room.
Tu Yinghong was organizing her personal weapons and said to Wan Jinxian, "Didn’t you know to knock before entering?"
Wan Jinxian replied, "My men saw Ling Miaoying."
"Where?"
"At Xiaoyao Lodge. They spotted her there once yesterday and again today. Do you want to see her?"