Li Banfeng shook his head and said: "Far-fetched, Chief Envoy Liao, your words are too far-fetched. The conflict between me and the Ling Family brothers was because conflicts arose in the shadow play industry. The Ling Family used dirty tricks on me, of course, I can’t back down. What does this have to do with the Inner State?"
Liao Zihui chuckled: "Fine, you still won’t admit it. Let’s move on from this matter and talk about the next one. Chu Shaoqiang came to Puluo State with a very clear purpose; he wants to seize a piece of Proper Land for the Inner State."
Li Banfeng took a sip of tea and had to admit, Liao Zihui is not a simple character; he even found out Chu Shaoqiang’s intentions.
Liao Zihui continued: "At that time, you were pioneering New Land, insistently turning it into Proper Land, which is now Qi Qiu City.
This was an unprecedented opportunity for Chu Shaoqiang, but why didn’t he make a move on Qi Qiu City?
There could be many objective reasons, but the fundamental reason is only one; you had dealings with the Inner State, causing Chu Shaoqiang to refrain from taking action against you. You won’t deny this matter again, will you?"
Li Banfeng shook his head and said: "I certainly can’t admit to that! Chu Shaoqiang did take action against me, we nearly reached a fish-or-cut-bait situation at the time."
Liao Zihui laughed and said: "You’re being evasive. You and Chu Shaoqiang reached a fish-or-cut-bait point, yet Chu Huaiyuan still wholeheartedly worked for you, even going so far as to kill Xia Shumin for your sake? Do you think this is believable?"
Li Banfeng was rendered speechless.
This indeed makes no sense.
But Chu Er acts unruly!
How can Li Banfeng explain this?
Liao Zihui laughed and said: "What? No longer arguing? Let me bring up another matter, let’s see how Brother Li explains it.
Knife Ghost Ridge suddenly appeared at Sage Peak. According to the information we gathered, this was the work of the Saint himself.
It’s unclear what change occurred in between, but all the Knife Labor Ghosts on Knife Ghost Ridge went out of control, and Sage Peak was obliterated. The Saint disappeared, and the entire Sage Peak and its surrounding area became the habitat for the Knife Labor Ghosts.
This kind of creature can be perfectly described as humanity’s deadly enemy. People around Sage Peak nearly all perished.
I’ve always referred to the area around Sage Peak as ’this place,’ which is quite a mouthful. In fact, we all know that place is called Cheap Person Ridge. If Cheap Person Ridge has trouble, will anyone help them?
Generally, one would assume not, because neither Saints nor Cheap People are welcomed in Puluo State, yet someone helped them. Can you guess who this person is?"
Li Banfeng chuckled and said: "You’re not suggesting it was me, are you?"
"If not you, who else? Over ten thousand civilians from Cheap Person Ridge were settled by you at Loess Bridge. Those people are solid evidence, only you helped Sage Peak, because that place still has connections with the Inner State. Is this the reasoning, Brother Li?
You certainly can’t say you saved those ten thousand people out of sheer pity, right?"
Li Banfeng blinked and said: "What if I say it truly was out of pity?"
Liao Zihui laughed aloud: "You pity that bunch of cheap people? Not just in Puluo State, but even under the whole sky, who would believe such words?
There’s no point in continuing this argument, you are the best candidate for the Balancer."
Li Banfeng shook his head and said: "I don’t think I’m the best candidate. Chu Shaoqiang is a native of Puluo State and is currently working for the Inner State, he is clearly much more suitable than me."
Liao Zihui stopped laughing: "Brother Li, some things you know full well, do we have to lay it out openly?
On the public side, Chu Shaoqiang holds a position in the Inner State, such a person can’t be a Balancer.
On the private side, Chu Shaoqiang has a grudge against me, and many People of Puluo State still believe that I was the one who killed him. You should know how deep the rift between him and me goes.
Under such circumstances, how could I possibly recommend him as the Balancer? If he became the Balancer, could I still survive in Puluo State?"
Li Banfeng placed the teacup on the tea tray, expressionless, and said: "Whether you can survive or not, I really haven’t thought about it, but I can tell you clearly, I don’t want to be the Balancer."
Liao Zihui nodded and said: "I’m aware of that. The Balancer must live in the Outside Provinces, regardless of the conditions provided there, they can’t compare to the glorious Seventh Master of Puluo State. But this is under the premise of maintaining the current situation in Puluo State."
Li Banfeng asked: "Why can’t Puluo State maintain its current situation?"
Liao Zihui said: "Xia Shumin is dead, that’s considered a major event, but this matter can be downplayed. Xia Shumin died accidentally during an important mission, that is a very reasonable explanation.
But the murderer of the Chief Defense Envoy did not bear any responsibility for it, nor made any gestures regarding it. His future actions will not show any restraint, and might even push matters to an irreparable state. This situation can’t be reasonably explained."
Li Banfeng nodded and said: "If it can’t be explained, then let’s not explain it."
Liao Zihui was most worried about Li Banfeng taking this attitude: "Brother Li, if it truly can’t be explained, things might evolve into war."
Li Banfeng calmly stated: "If it evolves into war, then we shall fight. Some things can only be known after a fight."
After hearing this, Liao Zihui didn’t respond for a long time.
The water on the tea stove boiled. Li Banfeng picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Liao Zihui: "Chief Envoy Liao, why aren’t you speaking, are you thirsty?"
Liao Zihui picked up the teacup, sipped some tea: "Brother Li, I often remind myself of one thing, People of Puluo State don’t know how strong they are, never let them know how strong they are.
I am very clear in my mind, eventually someone will realize the strength of Puluo State’s people, since the day I came into contact with you, I have suspected that person might be you.