Late at night, at the Yuezhou Sanatorium.
He Jiaqing, taking advantage of the empty room, stuffed a cigarette into the mouth of "He Jiaqing" who was lying on the sickbed.
This "He Jiaqing" was He Haisheng, who currently couldn’t move or speak and was temporarily taking He Jiaqing’s place on the sickbed.
He Haisheng blew a puff of smoke in He Jiaqing’s face as a sign of dissatisfaction.
He Jiaqing sighed and said, "Don’t be angry, Third Uncle. I’ve really been busy these past two days. Haven’t I sent someone to bring you cigarettes? Third Uncle, tonight you can only smoke this one. If the smell is too strong tomorrow, I’ll have trouble explaining to the doctor."
He Haisheng took a deep drag on the cigarette and blew another cloud of smoke into He Jiaqing’s face.
"Not enough?" He Jiaqing was quite helpless. "Fine, I’ll let you smoke another one. But the attending doctor will definitely scold me again tomorrow..."
While He Haisheng continued to smoke, the buttons on He Jiaqing’s chest shifted, and Wan Jinxian’s voice reached his ears.
"Jiaqing, Tu Yinghong has left the Shadow Play Company, and I don’t know where she’s gone."
He Jiaqing took a deep breath, striving to control his tone.
Wan Jinxian was an elder statesman, and He Jiaqing didn’t want to lose his temper with him without good reason.
"Old Wan, didn’t I ask you to keep an eye on her?"
"Jiaqing, it’s my fault for being old and useless; I let her slip through my watch..." Wan Jinxian’s tone was full of self-reproach and regret.
He Jiaqing sighed and said, "Alright, don’t feel too bad. Even Old Hu can nod off. First, send someone to look for Tu Yinghong, and also have someone soothe Xiao Xiufei."
Xiao Xiufei was originally the lead actress in "Blood Blade Detective," but during the filming of the third installment, Ling Miaoying suddenly changed the script, making Tu Yinghong and Xiao Xiufei dual female leads.
By the time they were filming the fourth part, Tu Yinghong had become the sole lead actress, with Xiao Xiufei relegated to a supporting role.
Xiao Xiufei was greatly displeased with this and even walked off the set once. It was only after Ling Miaoying’s repeated consolations that she agreed to return to the set.
Ling Miaoying knew how to placate her, but Wan Jinxian wasn’t too adept in these matters.
"Jiaqing, I really don’t understand the business with the Shadow Play. You should find someone else for this. I’ll go all out looking for Tu Yinghong. If I can’t find her, you can punish me as you see fit!"
"Elder brother, don’t say that. It’s not your fault; I was negligent too."
The two exchanged courtesies for a bit and then ended the communication.
He Jiaqing lit a cigarette, originally planning to give it to He Haisheng, but instead, he ended up smoking it himself.
"Third Uncle, why is it so difficult to find someone useful?"
He Haisheng looked at He Jiaqing with a face full of sorrow, then glanced at the cigarette in He Jiaqing’s hand.
He Jiaqing took another drag and lamented, "If he really couldn’t do it, I’d understand, but all he needed to do was inflict some illness on Tu Yinghong. How could she run away then? Such a simple task, yet he just doesn’t want to do it. Everyone’s the same, claiming loyalty with their words but harboring their own intentions inside. Third Uncle, why is it so hard to find a brother who is truly sincere and willing to work for you?"
He Haisheng listened to He Jiaqing’s complaints while watching him smoke the entire cigarette.
He Jiaqing thought about taking out another cigarette but then changed his mind and put the pack away. "Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore, Third Uncle, time to sleep."
He Haisheng’s bloodshot eyes kept staring at He Jiaqing, unwilling to sleep.
He Jiaqing left the hospital and went to Mountain View Park.
The park was vast, and there were usually plenty of visitors.
He Jiaqing slipped into the flower garden at the entrance of the park, picked two brilliantly blooming peonies, tucked them into his chest, and then headed to the next park.
He Jiaqing plucked a total of thirty-six peony flowers, then drove back to the villa and neatly arranged the thirty-six peonies on the table.
He took out a breeding box from the bedroom, which housed a thumb-sized golden bee.
He placed the bee onto the peonies, and the bee began to collect nectar from each in turn.
This bee was incredibly fast; in less than ten minutes, it had visited each of the thirty-six flowers.
After half an hour, a white ring appeared on the bee’s golden body.
He Jiaqing picked up the bee and aimed its tail at the top of his head.
He took a deep breath, then stabbed it in.
After a convulsion, the bee died, its body crumbling into a mush.
A lump the size of an egg had formed on He Jiaqing’s head. He sat on the sofa, looking at the withered peonies on the table.
"These seeds aren’t very good; time to breed some new flowers."
While speaking, He Jiaqing grinned; the lump on his head still throbbed with pain.
When the lump on his head had subsided, He Jiaqing rhythmically pinched a button on his chest.
A mature female voice came to his ears, "Jiaqing, are you looking for me?"
"Sister, I need your help with something."
"Why so formal when talking to your sister?"
"I was thinking of having Sister take over the Ling Family’s shadow play business, but I know you have important tasks, and I was worried you’d be too busy."
"I could manage it, but I’m not very familiar with the theater industry," she replied.
"It’s similar to the leather business. With your talent, Sister, you’ll get the hang of it right away."
"Since you put it that way, Sister will give it a try."
"I’ve prepared the Contract Book for the Shadow Play Company. Someone will arrange your appointment in three days."
"Three days is a bit soon, Jiaqing. I’m still at Hai Chi Ridge, and I have to hand over my business affairs to someone else."
"Then let’s make it five days. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come to me directly."
...
Li Banfeng bought all the newspapers from the past ten years and filled an entire carriage with them, which he then delivered to Xiaoyao Lodge.
In these newspapers, he paid special attention to the names of about a dozen individuals:
Shen Rongqing, Qian Xiangjun, Duan Shuqun, Luo Suxuan, Liu Zexun, Wang Minggeng...
In the newspapers, Li Banfeng occasionally saw these people acquiring businesses, but the news was brief, and there were no introductions to these individuals.
Yet, by Li Banfeng’s estimation, if they managed all these businesses, these dozen or so individuals would be considered influential figures in Puluo State.
The Four Great Families and the Ling Family are considered first-tier noble families in Puluo State. These dozen individuals would rank in the upper second tier.
Li Banfeng found Ma Wu and inquired about Shen Rongqing.
Admiration filled Ma Wu’s eyes. "A talented woman, a peerless talent! She and Zhang Xiuling are both proclaimed peerless talents!"
Li Banfeng was stunned for a long time.
"Isn’t Zhang Xiuling the leader of Hundred Flowers Gate? She’s also a talented woman?"
"She can wield a sword and is equally adept with a pen. Have you read any of Zhang Xiuling’s works?"
"No!"
"You must read them, you really must. Only after reading will you understand..."
"Forget about Zhang Xiuling for a moment; I’m asking you about Shen Rongqing."
"Shen Rongqing is even more talented. Writing books, poetry, songs—she excels in everything. If someone of her talent were available for just one night..."
"I didn’t ask you that! Haven’t you just been discharged from the hospital? I want to ask you about business. Has Shen Rongqing ever done business?"
Ma Wu pondered for a moment, then said, "She probably hasn’t, right?"
Li Banfeng took out a newspaper. "Shen Rongqing bought a factory from your Ma Family, right at Black Stone Slope. Do you know about this?"
"It does ring a bell. I even asked Shen Rongqing for a signed book at that time. Let me show it to you."
"No need to look at the book. Since there was indeed such a transaction, it proves Shen Rongqing is also a businesswoman."
"No!" Ma Wu denied firmly.
"What do you mean?"
"Shen Rongqing couldn’t possibly be a businesswoman; she wouldn’t sully herself with the stench of money."
Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Doesn’t she need to eat? Do you think she has become immortal?"
Ma Wu shook his head and said, "She might have taken over the factory and turned it into a newspaper office, or converted the factory into a residence. In any case, she couldn’t possibly be a business person like us."
Ma Wu’s admiration for Shen Rongqing was something that Li Banfeng couldn’t understand.
Since he couldn’t get any useful information from him, Li Banfeng went to inquire from others, reaching the same conclusion.
Shen Rongqing is a talented woman.
Shen Rongqing couldn’t possibly be involved in commerce.
Li Banfeng got a Guide Token, bought a train ticket, and went to Black Stone Slope.
He read through Shen Rongqing’s collection of poetry, not paying much attention to the literary flair but focusing on her biography.
Shen Rongqing’s hometown is Black Stone Slope.
Shen Rongqing’s first collection of poems was also published at Black Stone Slope.
Going through the newspapers, he found out that most of Shen Rongqing’s businesses were also at Black Stone Slope.
To find out the truth about Shen Rongqing, starting at Black Stone Slope was the right choice.
Once on the train, Li Banfeng had no desire to stay in the carriage. After hiding his key carefully, he returned to the Portable Residence.
As soon as he entered, Li Banfeng saw a Long Spear wedged within armor; the situation seeming a bit strange.
"Qi Lang, does it look good?"
Turns out Hong Ying had donned the armor; with only the red-gleaming spear tip visible as it covered her completely.
"Pretty good," Li Banfeng replied indifferently, then went to cozy up to the Phonograph.
The flame in the Phonograph burned hotter than before, its three horns fixated on Hong Ying.
Li Banfeng touched the heat of the Steam, then asked his wife, "Do you want it?"
His wife startled. "Want, want what?"
"The armor!"
The Phonograph laughed. "My dear husband, what kind of joke is that? How can I put on the armor looking like this?"
Though she spoke thus, Li Banfeng could detect a hint of envy in his wife’s tone.
"I’ll find a Craftsman Cultivator to custom-make one for you," he said.
His wife hesitated for a moment then laughed. "My husband, you tease me, but then you mock your Little Servant."
"I’m serious. I’m going to Black Stone Slope, where there are plenty of skilled Craftsman Cultivators."
"My dear, please stop, you’re embarrassing your Little Servant. Speaking of Craftsman Cultivators, the female Craftsman Cultivator you brought back earlier should be ready by now."
Only then did Li Banfeng remember about Tu Yinghong. He retrieved her Lotus Seeds from the Red Lotus and produced ten Gold Yuan Pills.
Li Banfeng asked the Red Lotus, "Tu Yinghong’s cultivation level should be comparable to Ling Miaoying’s, right? How come the Elixir is so different?"
The Red Lotus explained to the Phonograph, which conveyed, "My lord, Tu Yinghong’s cultivation level is a bit higher than Ling Miaoying’s. She is close to the Eighth Layer."
Li Banfeng glanced at the Projector. "Do you understand Tu Yinghong?"
Although the Projector had mentioned Tu Yinghong before, now it hesitated to speak. "Well, if it’s about the artistic aspect, I know a bit. In other respects..."
The Phonograph commented from the side, "My lord, don’t trouble the Shadow Play Machine. A Magical Treasure shouldn’t mention its previous master. This concerns a Magical Treasure’s integrity and its Contract Book. The treasure might suffer backlash because of it."
Indeed, that was the case.
Li Banfeng didn’t press any further. After a moment’s contemplation, the Projector volunteered, "Seventh Guide, Tu Yinghong’s feelings for Ling Miaoying might not be that deep. Her coming to you, and what she might do next, might not be for the sake of avenging Ling Miaoying."
Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Then what is she coming to me for?"
The Projector recalled the first time it had sparred with Li Banfeng. "I remember that time, Tu Yinghong kept bringing up her Iron Rulers. She had a very precious set of Iron Rulers. What they were used for, I’m not sure, but it seemed that she had lost them."
"Iron Rulers?"
"Lost them?" Li Banfeng pondered for a while.
The Portable Residence fell into silence.
All the Magical Treasures, including his wife, were pondering the reason.
The Tang Sword glanced at Li Banfeng’s revolver, which the Gloves had stolen from Ling Miaoying.
"My lord, your humble servant thinks this matter..."
The Gloves suddenly interrupted the Tang Sword, "Boss, is it because you also have a pair of Iron Rulers?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Indeed, I do."
He took out his pair of Iron Rulers and asked the Projector, "Are they the same as Tu Yinghong’s Iron Rulers?"
The Projector replied, "I haven’t seen Tu Yinghong’s Iron Rulers, but I think what Brother Tao said makes sense. Perhaps it’s because of these weapons that Tu Yinghong had a misunderstanding."
Li Banfeng laughed. "Then her death was somewhat wrongful."
The Gloves waggled its index finger. "Not wrongful at all. Offending the boss, she deserved to die!"
...
When the train arrived at Black Stone Slope, Li Banfeng got off the train.
The familiar industrial scent was comforting to him.
He hopped on a Little Train, planning to visit Shen Rongqing first.
PS: He wanted to see just how extensive the Brotherhood Alliance of He Jiaqing really was.