Bai Zhiming, once a capable subordinate of Liao Zihui, had ascended to the position of Deputy Envoy General thanks to Liao Zihui’s promotions and recommendations.
He was extremely loyal to Liao Zihui and very efficient in handling matters. Upon arriving in Wuqin Village, it took him only two days to uncover some leads, and he managed to send a message to Liao Zihui through an Observer: the local deity, Madame Wuqin, was missing, and it was feared that her prospects were more grim than hopeful.
Liao Zihui confirmed carefully with Bai Zhiming, "Is there a possibility that Madame Wuqin is dealing with affairs elsewhere and is temporarily not in Wuqin Village?"
Bai Zhiming responded, "We can’t rule out this possibility, but it is very unlikely. Madame Wuqin has little contact with others and seldom leaves her own territory on a whim."
Liao Zihui picked up a map and pondered for a long time. "Could it be that because Qiu Luoye killed Madame Wuqin, the two territories were merged into one, leading to the disappearance of that boundary line in between?"
Bai Zhiming nodded. "Chief Envoy, that’s also what I believe. It’s just that Qiu Luoye is difficult to communicate with, so I haven’t been able to verify this matter yet."
After thinking for a moment, Liao Zihui asked again, "Those people who came out of Qiu Luoye’s territory, where are they now?"
"Most of them are gathered at the train station. The route from Wuqin Village to the Ink Shop is severed, but other routes are still operational. He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, Ma Junyang, and others are helping them with their Guide Tokens. At the train station, they could not cross the boundary lines of other territories."
A blunder! A serious blunder! Li Qi didn’t have the means to control the boundary lines. Their disappearance was due to the two territories now having the same master.
Liao Zihui let out a sigh of relief. This was an internal war between Local Deities within Puluo State, a much smaller problem than what he had initially thought, and virtually no responsibility lay with the Defense Agency.
Of course, some verification was still needed. He would have Liu Guocai, the Border Defense Envoy of Wuqin Village, take the initiative to contact Li Qi to discuss rebuilding the railway and see what Li Qi’s attitude was.
These were matters for later. With the immediate problem resolved, a weight lifted from his shoulders, Liao Zihui felt relaxed. Looking at the setting sun outside the window, he cleared his throat and spontaneously began to sing a ditty.
"The ends of the earth, the corners of the sea~searching and searching~searching high and low for a kindred spirit, little sister..."
"Chief Envoy!" Ling Sujun suddenly barged in and saw Liao Zihui twisting his waist, singing and dancing—the scene a bit awkward.
Liao Zihui regained his composure and frowned. "Don’t you know to knock before entering a room? No manners!"
"Sorry, Chief Envoy," Ling Sujun said, "but urgent news has arrived from above, and they say you must listen immediately."
In Puluo State, communication devices were subject to severe interference and required special Prohibited Items, namely Magical Treasures, to connect.
Liao Zihui went to the communications room, taking two Copper Bells, each about the size of a palm. He placed one Copper Bell to his ear and the other to his mouth, and he smiled, saying, "Director Du, how long has it been since we last connected? The last time I came back to report on my duties, I left in such a hurry that we didn’t have the chance to meet..."
After the pleasantries, the conversation shifted to the main topic. Not long after he began speaking, Liao Zihui sensed something was amiss and quickly tried to explain, "Director Du, things aren’t what you think..."
He explained for a while but then stopped talking.
Some decisions had already been made, and it was too late to explain further. Director Du’s phone call served as a warning: the Outside Provinces had already dispatched people.
Liao Zihui emerged from the communications room with a serious face, returned to the office, and instructed Ling Sujun, "Summon Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai for me."
At the Defense Agency, Liao Zihui usually addressed his subordinates by their titles, only occasionally calling them by their names affectionately. It was rare to call them by their full names.
Before long, Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai entered the office. Liao Zihui asked Ling Sujun to go out and lock the door behind her.
Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai were somewhat anxious, sitting in the office for quite some time before Liao Zihui asked, "Which of you reported up the chain without authorization?"
Unauthorized reporting was taboo at the Defense Agency and also in the Outside Provinces. Looking at each other, they both shook their heads toward Liao Zihui.
"You deny it?" Liao Zihui chuckled, his gaze sweeping over their faces, his voice lowered. "This isn’t the Outside Provinces; this is Puluo State. Do you really think I wouldn’t dare to make a move on you?"
Liao Zihui’s face seemed to suddenly darken.
It wasn’t an illusion. His face really darkened as layers of dark clouds swirled around his body.
An overwhelming pressure descended, causing the two men to shiver, their sweat pouring like rain.
Tang Huanjie vehemently shook his head. "Chief Envoy, I couldn’t possibly do such a thing!"
Liu Guocai was silent for a long time before lifting his head. "Chief Envoy, with such a major incident, I was afraid of chaos erupting, afraid I couldn’t bear the responsibility."
It was him. It was Liu Guocai who had reported the matter to the higher-ups.
Liao Zihui stared at Liu Guocai for a long while.
After a moment of silence, Liao Zihui spoke, "Guocai, why bother? We could have shouldered it together if you couldn’t bear it. In your haste, you reported to the higher-ups, making our current position rather passive."
The familiar Liao Zihui had returned, and Liu Guocai secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "I... I was just scared..."
"What are you afraid of?" Liao Zihui smiled. "After investigating thoroughly, we found it was a fight between two Local Deities. The two places merged into one, and the line in between disappeared. Other lines remain intact, and this matter has nothing to do with Li Qi."
Liu Guocai immediately stood up. "Chief Envoy, it’s all my fault. I will explain to the higher-ups right now and am willing to accept punishment."
Liao Zihui sighed. "The higher-ups are taking this incident very seriously and plan to send an investigation team. It is said that a Balancer will also come. Our work ahead will not be easy."
Liu Guocai said, "I will contact the higher-ups immediately and explain everything to them."
"No need," Liao Zihui shook his head. "We indeed have many shortcomings in our work, so it’s a good thing for the higher-ups to come and guide us. When they arrive in Wuqin Village, you will be in charge of the reception. You cannot afford to be careless."
Liu Guocai declared, "Rest assured, Chief Envoy, there won’t be a single mistake!"
After Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai left the office, Liao Zihui watched Liu Guocai’s retreating figure with a trace of chill flashing in his eyes.
Liu Guocai, feeling relieved but still perturbed, reached the stairwell and whispered to Tang Huanjie, "Envoy General Tang, should I have another private talk with Chief Envoy Liao?"
"What did you just say?" Tang Huanjie glanced at his watch. "I have to rush to a dinner party. Let’s talk another time."
...
In Flower Lake Park, He Jiaqing, his head full of white hair, disguised himself as an old man in his sixties, exercising beside the fitness equipment.
Big Head sat next to the exercise walker and whispered softly, "I’m going to Puluo State in a couple of days."
"What are you going to Puluo State for?"
"Xiao Zhenggong is going to Puluo State’s Wuqin Village on a mission as a Balancer, and he needs an assistant. The department has assigned me to go."
He Jiaqing stepped onto the waist-twisting machine and asked, "What happened in Wuqin Village?"
"Near Wuqin Village, a chunk of land has suddenly appeared, and a stretch of the boundary line has mysteriously vanished again. It’s said that this has something to do with someone called Li Qi..."
Big Head shared the information he knew with He Jiaqing, who cautioned him, "Puluo State is not like the Outside Provinces; you must be extra careful."
After Big Head left, He Jiaqing immediately found He Haisheng. "Third Uncle, I need to make a trip to Puluo State. I’ll leave the matters in the Outside Provinces to you for now."
He Haisheng looked worried. "That person from Sage Peak is still watching you. It could be dangerous for you to return to Puluo State now. If you’re not careful, you could run into their people the moment you show your face."
"I must go back. This matter is extremely important!"
He Haisheng glanced at the sweat on He Jiaqing’s forehead. "Jiaqing, you seem a bit under the weather. Why not wait a few days before going back?"
"I can’t wait. I have to set off today."
He Haisheng helped He Jiaqing get the train ticket and the Guide Token, and He Jiaqing changed his identity and appearance. He boarded the train that very night.
Upon arriving in Wuqin Village, He Jiaqing immediately went to the desolate village where Qiao Shaofen lived.
This place was a taboo area in Wuqin Village, seldom dared by people. He Jiaqing walked around the entrance of the village and picked up a piece of dry, hard mud from the weeds.
He sniffed the mud and recognized its origin.
These were the remains of Qiao Shaofen. The situation was aligning more and more with his expectations.
He Jiaqing entered Qiao Shaofen’s bedroom, crawled under the bed, and observed for a moment.
Even though Li Banfeng had restored the scene perfectly, He Jiaqing still spotted flaws.
He had guessed everything that had happened, but he still couldn’t help but verify once more.
He opened the secret compartment and took a glance. It was completely empty—the Land Seal was gone.
Below the compartment was a hole. Without asking, it was clear the Contract Book had been dug out.
He Jiaqing crawled out slowly from under the bed, his expression dazed, standing beside the bed for a long time.
A wave of dizziness hit him, and He Jiaqing slumped beside the bed. He clenched his fists tightly, then his eyes reddened and tears flowed.
"Robbers! The act of a shameless robber!" He Jiaqing wiped away his tears, cursing involuntarily.
"You kill people and then you rob them. I never rob from others. I hate this kind of shameless robbery the most!"
In his fury, He Jiaqing gritted his teeth. "Li Banfeng, if you don’t return the Contract Book to me today, I’ll take your life!"
...
ACHOO!
Li Banfeng was eating noodles in a noodle shop when he suddenly sneezed.
After sneezing, Li Banfeng shivered and had a realization.
Thinking this, Li Banfeng felt a bit eager.
He approached the counter and asked the Shopkeeper of the noodle shop, "How much do I owe?"
The Shopkeeper was still the old lady, who took out two hundred from the counter and handed them to Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng checked the bills and nodded. "Keep the change."
The old lady respectfully escorted Li Banfeng to the door.
Finding a quiet place, Li Banfeng hid the key and entered the Portable Residence, first pressing down on the phonograph, then he picked up the Oil Pot.
The phonograph cried out, "Madman! Slow down, I’m not ready yet..."
...
He Jiaqing arrived at the noodle shop and looked around. The Shopkeeper, an old lady, approached and asked, "Are you here for noodles?"
"I’m looking for someone." He Jiaqing smiled. Not seeing Li Banfeng, he turned to leave, but then he saw a person entering the noodle shop entrance.
The man wore a greyish-white overcoat and a matching top hat.
He Jiaqing found him familiar but couldn’t recognize him at the moment.
Chu Shaoqiang took off his hat and said, "Jiaqing, what a coincidence. I was just looking for you. Let’s sit down and have a bowl of noodles together."
PS: Jia Qing should have listened to Third Uncle; he shouldn’t have come to Puluo State, but those two Contract Books were too important for him.