The phonograph jabbed the coachman’s skull with the needle: "Death is upon you, yet you still refuse to tell the truth. Today, I’ll make an exception and let everyone join the table.
I will eat quickly, but everyone else should eat slowly. Sister Lian, don’t stand on ceremony, show this Bird Person how real Red Lotus performs alchemy."
The coachman struggled and cried out: "You can’t kill me! Killing a local deity will bring dire consequences you can’t imagine."
"Don’t worry your head about that. You’re not the first one." Li Banfeng waved his hand to signal them to begin eating.
The phonograph started soul sucking, and the family members came forward to eat the flesh.
The Red Lotus unfurled its lotus leaf, slowly absorbing the coachman’s flesh and blood into the lotus heart.
In extreme pain, the coachman stared at the "Li Liu" in front of him and asked: "Who exactly are you?"
...
"He’s Li Banfeng." Liao Zihui handed a document to Zheng Siyi, "Li Banfeng comes from the Outside Provinces, arrived in Puluo State two years ago. On the timeline, there are many coincidences between his and Li Qi’s actions, according to my deductions, Li Banfeng is Li Qi. What Song Zhuowen said is pure nonsense."
Looking at the document, Zheng Siyi said: "Chief Envoy, before coming to Puluo State, Li Banfeng was just a White Lamb; how did he become a Fifth Layer Cultivator in just two years?"
"It’s written in the document, look further, and you’ll understand. Li Banfeng carries the Mysterious Red Life Lotus, which has a significant connection with He Family’s eldest son, He Jiaqing.
The Mysterious Red Life Lotus can refine elixirs and quickly boost a person’s cultivation level. The only drawback is that using it requires exposure to Heavenly Light each time. I really don’t know how Li Qi endured."
Zheng Siyi smiled with pleasure: "Chief Envoy, if we capture Li Qi, wouldn’t we also acquire the Red Lotus?"
Liao Zihui frowned: "Old Zheng, I’m telling you this because I trust you. If Li Qi were that easy to catch, would we have suffered so much from him?
This person can’t be moved for now, not just because he’s tough to deal with, but also due to his deep connections with a big figure in Puluo State."
"Which big figure?"
"The Peddler," Liao Zihui sipped his tea, "his relationship with the Peddler is very complex. Last year’s City of Sinners incident has revealed some clues. The one who let the Three-Headed People escape from the City of Sinners was the Peddler.
These Three-Headed People fled all the way to the New Land, and nobody dared to shelter them. Why was Li Qi the only one willing to take them in? Consider the multitude of connections here.
There are too many things within that we don’t know and can’t understand. Maintaining the current relationship with Li Qi is very beneficial for us."
Zheng Siyi remained worried about the Red Lotus issue: "What if the higher-ups pursue us for the Red Lotus?"
Liao Zihui seemed unconcerned: "Let them pursue. They have many things they want to chase. If every pursuit allowed me to hand things over easily, this business would be too simple."
While the two were drinking tea, someone entered the office, whispered a few words to Zheng Siyi, and Zheng Siyi addressed Liao Zihui: "Chief Envoy, Chu Shaoqiang has arrived at Bridge Yesong."
Liao Zihui frowned: "Are you sure?"
"The informant is an old hand from the agency. He worked under Chu Shaoqiang back in the day, shouldn’t be mistaken."
Liao Zihui smoothed his hair: "What does he want at Pine Bridge at this moment?"
Zheng Siyi had been pondering a certain idea, wanting to discuss it with Liao Zihui: "Chief Envoy, Xiao Zhenggong is dead, Chen Weixin is missing; we need to find a Balancer, and Chu Shaoqiang is a good choice. Of course, this is not our decision, but we can suggest it to the higher-ups."
Liao Zihui waved his hand: "Chu Shaoqiang is not suitable, definitely not suitable. He belongs to the Inner State."
Zheng Siyi remarked: "Wasn’t Xiao Zhenggong considered an Inner State Person too?"
Liao Zihui shook his head: "That’s different. Xiao Zhenggong had connections with the Inner State but could act independently. Chu Shaoqiang has an official position in the Inner State and must follow orders, so be sure to avoid private contact with Chu Shaoqiang. Some boundaries must not be crossed."
The next day at noon, Zheng Siyi received more news: "Chief Envoy, Boundless Camp has appeared; they’ve arrived in town near Qingtian River."
"Why have they shown up?" Liao Zihui exclaimed in surprise, "I’m hunting them everywhere, and they dare to charge in?"
Zheng Siyi too couldn’t fathom the reason, but Liao Zihui suddenly thought of someone: "Chu Shaoqiang... Could ’Chase the Light Group’ have made contact with the Inner State?"
Before Zheng Siyi could grasp what was happening, Liao Zihui quickly issued an order: "Gather everyone for a raid on ’Chase the Light Group.’ Swift action is necessary to catch them off guard."
Zheng Siyi immediately assembled personnel and equipment, and Liao Zihui led the team personally.
He didn’t use the steam car, primarily because there are too few roads suitable for driving around Bridge Yesong, secondly because the steam car makes too much noise, easily revealing their plans.
But this time was a rapid march, all the personnel carried cultivation level, running swiftly, and Zheng Siyi worried that Liao Zihui might not keep up.
Yet, Liao Zihui did keep pace, even without strain, explaining he had a Traveling Cultivation Spiritual Object. But if he was truly just a White Lamb, could he control such a spiritual object so smoothly?
Forget it, don’t ask too much about the Chief Envoy’s affairs. Let’s first think about how to deal with the Chase the Light Group.
The Defense Agency at Bridge Yesong hasn’t fought a proper battle in a long time. This situation is very different from that fight at the teahouse; it’s a head-on confrontation between two armies, and no one knows the outcome.
Liao Zihui said to Zheng Siyi: "Find a reliable person to notify Li Qi."
Zheng Siyi said: "Isn’t it a bit late to find Li Qi at this time?"
"It’s not late!" Liao Zihui shook his head, "As long as Li Qi is involved, the He Family will also get involved. Their influence can provide backup for us.
When our superiors investigate, this will also be considered a conflict between Puluo State’s elites and the Chase the Light Group. We act as intermediaries, at most unsuccessful mediators, which provides a justification!"
Zheng Siyi sent someone to find Li Qi, and the Defense Agency’s people arrived first at the side of Shuiyun Road near Qingtian River.
Liao Zihui instructed everyone to take their positions, then asked Zheng Siyi: "Is this cable confirmed?"
Zheng Siyi nodded, "Rest assured, such a big matter definitely won’t go wrong."
Liao Zihui was very composed; as long as there is this cable, he had the confidence to win.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, Peeping Cultivation reported: "The Boundless Camp people have arrived."
Liao Zihui was very fortunate. It was precisely because they were timely that they gained these ten minutes. This terrain advantage was crucial for them.
Looking along Shuiyun Road, there were only a few scattered pedestrians, no sign of Boundless Camp.
Boundless Camp had a special Stealth Technique here. Peeping Cultivation, who had reached a certain level could see them.
Peeping Cultivation was reporting enemy positions to Liao Zihui: "500 meters away from our forces, 320 meters from the boundary."
Liao Zihui didn’t respond.
"300 meters away from our forces, 120 meters from the boundary."
Liao Zihui still didn’t respond.
"Less than 200 meters from our forces, some enemies have already crossed the boundary."
Liao Zihui waited for more than ten seconds.
Peeping Cultivation reported again: "The enemies have all crossed the boundary."
"Attack!" Liao Zihui ordered the combat personnel to strike without first lighting up the boundary.
The machine gunners acted first, using high-pressure steam for the first round of firing.
Other combat personnel were about to act when they found that Boundless Camp chose to retreat immediately.
The Boundless Camp were elites of the Chase the Light Group, capable of timely responses when situations changed, a major characteristic of elites.
Encountering an ambush on the march, immediately retreating and not sticking to the battle is the best choice at present.
Boundless Camp made the right move, and Liao Zihui was also correct.
"Activate the boundary!"
The Boundless Camp, eager to retreat, collided with the boundary, and several members revealed their forms before turning to ashes.
Other Boundless Camp members were unable to withdraw, as high-pressure steam was continuously shooting toward them from behind.
Hidden in the shadows, Chu Shaoqiang silently observed the battlefield, silently praising: "This is what you call ’closing the door to trap the dog.’"
It must be acknowledged that Liao Zihui has traversed Puluo State for many years, relying on true skills. Several battles back then, with give and take, truly make one a little reminiscent.
But now is not the time for nostalgia; Chu Shaoqiang still needs to find a good thing.
It’s said this good thing is in the hands of He Jiaqing, others say it’s with a person named Li Banfeng, and still, some say it’s with Lu Xiaolan.
But who would have thought that this good thing is right at Bridge Yesong?
PS: Chu Shaoqiang is about to go fish in troubled waters, but who can actually get their hands on this good thing?