Li Qi pinched his chin and said, "Because there’s good stuff here."
Liao Zihui said, "To be precise, it’s because there are good opportunities here. Brother Li, have you ever heard the saying, ’Lift the sedan chair three times, fortune rolls in’?"
Li Qi nodded. "I’ve heard it. The sedan carriers often say this phrase."
Liao Zihui continued, "At first, I also took this as an auspicious saying by the sedan carriers. But after a long investigation, I realized a secret is hidden within this phrase. At Bridge Yesong, there lies a special opportunity. If a Local Deity takes a liking to someone, they can encounter three opportunities, and their strength can be ’lifted’ three times. This is also known as ’being carried in a sedan chair’ three times."
"The first ’carrying’ elevates one’s cultivation level: one year of cultivation at Bridge Yesong becomes equivalent to three."
"The second ’carrying’ advances one’s layer: a Fifth Layer Cultivator who encounters this opportunity can directly ascend to the Sixth Layer, or even reach the Seventh Layer, saving twenty years of effort."
"The third ’carrying’ elevates one’s status: it’s said to be able to lift a land patcher Above the Clouds."
"Brother Li, you should now understand why He Haiqin insists on controlling the Bridge Yesong territory, right?"
Li Qi linked the events and thought,
Liao Zihui nodded. "I’ve compiled Lu Dongliang’s experiences at Bridge Yesong. He and He Haiqin fought tooth and nail. He also had intense and complicated affairs with local prominent women. Lu Chunying was a child Lu Dongliang fathered during that period. Lu Dongliang has a penchant for women, but he isn’t indiscriminate. He specifically sought out families with deep roots and long histories to gather information from them, searching for the Local Deity’s whereabouts."
As they spoke, Liao Zihui handed a document to Li Banfeng. "Brother Li, these are the families Lu Dongliang had contact with at Bridge Yesong. He Yuxiu probably doesn’t know about the secret of Bridge Yesong. Given your close relationship with her, she likely won’t be too guarded against you. This excellent opportunity is for you, my brother. Consider this my thanks for the Chase the Light Group matter and compensation for our previous grievances. You’re still young. Whether or not you want this opportunity from Bridge Yesong is up to you, but I ask that you please stay at Bridge Yesong for a couple more days. I must give you an explanation regarding Boundless Camp’s affairs."
Li Banfeng asked, "What exactly is this explanation?"
"You were right about the Boundless Camp nest. They came to Bridge Yesong to find an opportunity too. Yet, now that we’ve found the right place and the right time, why have neither you nor I managed to find these Bird People?"
Li Banfeng said, "Because someone leaked the news."
"So for that, I must give you an explanation, and I also owe myself one. Pay close attention to the newspaper tomorrow." Liao Zihui took a Guide Token from his robes and handed it to Li Qi. "This is a Guide Token with no limits on time or uses. In Puluo State, the number of people who can get this Guide Token can be counted on one hand. I’m giving it to you."
Li Banfeng took the Guide Token and glanced at it. "Chief Envoy Liao, why are you giving me so many good things today? Could it be you’re really planning to retire?"
"Retirement is still a long way off," Liao Zihui said, pouring another cup of wine. "This is a display of sincerity—the sincerity of my wish to cooperate with you. Brother Li, we must work together on the Chase the Light Group matter, otherwise Puluo State is finished. Once we’ve cleaned up these bastards, we can go back to fighting each other."
...
Back at the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng closely examined the materials Liao Zihui had provided.
During his three years at Bridge Yesong, Lu Dongliang had certainly left behind quite a few romantic debts. The families he had contacted indeed possessed some information about the Local Deity, much of which Liao Zihui had compiled into the document.
"My lady, have you ever heard of the Local Deity of Bridge Yesong?"
SNORT.
"My beloved husband, I’ve heard of Bridge Yesong. The scenery there is said to be quite nice, but as for this Local Deity, I truly do not know."
His wife didn’t know, and Hong Ying knew even less; she had never even heard of Bridge Yesong.
The Wine Gourd seemed to have some recollection. "I think Elder Yao mentioned it once. I’ve forgotten the specifics, but I remember something about ’lifted three times.’"
Li Banfeng said, "’Lift the sedan chair three times, fortune rolls in.’"
The Wine Gourd pondered for a moment, then wobbled. "That seems to be it."
...
Early the next morning, Li Banfeng first went to Yanyun Lake. In the information Liao Zihui provided, there were over ten different accounts regarding the Local Deity’s residence, but the most widely accepted one claimed it was at the bottom of Yanyun Lake.