The Playful Matron, in her current state as a wandering soul, found her techniques had surely waned compared to her former life. Before Li Qi, she didn't dare conceal her true condition and offered a candid explanation:
"Master, to quantify my remaining techniques is difficult. As for leftover skills, it truly depends if I am impersonating a general type of person or a specific individual."
"If I'm mimicking a broad category, such as a farmer, a laborer, a merchant, a vendor, a brigand, or even a beggar, I can certainly maintain the facade without revealing any tell-tale signs."
"However, should I be tasked with impersonating a particular person, I cannot guarantee absolute success. Provided I don't encounter someone who knows them well, I can achieve about seventy percent accuracy."
Her statement was quite forthright; embodying a general persona is far less demanding than replicating a specific person.
Li Banfeng nodded in understanding. "Then I have indeed found the right person. Initially, I require you to impersonate a general type, followed by a specific individual. Yet, seventy percent is somewhat insufficient. Fortunately, the person you are to impersonate has no known associates in the Outside Provinces."
The Playful Matron inquired, "Have I, by chance, encountered the individual you speak of?"
Li Banfeng produced the projector and displayed a segment of footage. "I need you to impersonate him. Will this be difficult?"
Upon a single glance, the Playful Matron recoiled in shock. "Is that... Green Flower? I-I cannot dare to impersonate him!"
"What is it you fear?"
The Playful Matron trembled as she responded, "Who is Green Flower? If he were to discover this, my spirit would never know peace!"
Li Qi sought to assuage her fears. "Rest assured, Green Flower is a friend. We have already discussed this matter, and he has given his consent."
Unable to defy Li Banfeng, the Playful Matron meticulously studied several key frames, employing her unique Drama Cultivation Technique to assume the likeness of the Greenwater Beggar.
In reality, Green Flower's persona wasn't inherently difficult to replicate, primarily due to his distinct characteristics. Once those were grasped, the core essence of his appearance could be captured.
However, the Playful Matron's current abilities were demonstrably diminished from their peak. While the initial imitation appeared quite close, closer scrutiny revealed numerous subtle flaws.
Li Banfeng retrieved the Clock Pendulum's makeup kit and proceeded to meticulously refine the Playful Matron's appearance.
This task would normally have fallen to Clock Pendulum, but she was undergoing a process of re-forging at the moment. Li Banfeng, having honed his own drawing skills over an extended period, was proficient enough to handle it.
Engrossed in the task until late into the night, Li Banfeng utilized the projector for comparative analysis.
When evaluating character likeness, the projector is notoriously critical. After about ten minutes of comparison, the projector offered its assessment: "As a stand-in actor, I would not describe this disguise as flawless, but it is undeniably excellent."
Excellent was sufficient; perfection is a rare commodity in this world.
Li Banfeng presented two gray-white elixirs to the Playful Matron. "These two elixirs must be used with the utmost caution. I have already mapped out your route. Starting tomorrow, we will engage in repeated practice sessions. Not a single error can be permitted."
...
A full week elapsed without any mention of the Defense Agency's dissolution or the significant issue concerning the five thousand individuals, a clear tactic to delay the proceedings.
As they remained silent on the matter, Li Banfeng also refrained from bringing it up.
The Dark Star Bureau convened a meeting, presided over by Shen Jingye, with Du Wenming also in attendance.
The meeting extended until seven in the evening. It was a rare occasion where Li Qi did not stir up any trouble at the premises.
Not only did he refrain from causing disruption, but Li Banfeng even accompanied Shen Jingye to see Du Wenming off to his vehicle.
After Du Wenming's departure, back in the office, Li Qi extended an invitation to Shen Jingye. "Little Shen, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner tonight. Would you be so kind as to accept?"
Li Qi never resorted to coercion. Should Shen Jingye accept, they would dine together amicably; if he declined, Li Qi would simply proceed to his office, secure him, and they would still end up sharing a meal.
Shen Jingye accepted the invitation.
It was uncommon for Li Qi to extend such a cordial gesture, and Shen Jingye couldn't quite ascertain if Li Qi harbored any ulterior motives. However, even if he did, it was merely a meal, unlikely to precipitate any significant trouble.
The two did not venture far, opting for a meal at a nearby establishment. The setting was modest, with a private room booked and a few dishes ordered, allowing them to discuss work matters over their food.
Each encounter with Li Qi left Shen Jingye feeling somewhat apprehensive, particularly concerning the Green Flower incident. After all, he had deceived Li Qi, and lingering resentment over that affair was certainly possible.
Yet, throughout the meal, Li Qi made no mention of it, confining their conversation to trivial work-related topics. As Shen Jingye gradually let his guard down, he even began sharing anecdotes from his time in Puluo State."
When I arrived in Puluo State, unlike Dumpling and the others who had more favorable circumstances, the Defense Agency dispatched us directly to our posts without permitting any revelation of our identities. Merely two days into our assignment, we unfortunately incurred the wrath of Qingyun Society’s members. At that precise moment..."
Mid-sentence, Shen Jingye’s narrative was cut short by an incoming call from Du Wenming.
Taking a moment to recompose himself, Shen Jingye answered, "Director Du, you were seeking me out... You mean there was a complication on your end?
Is it necessary to reach Bureau Chief Li? He is presently with me, Director Du. Rest assured, I will allow Chief Li to hear your call!"
Du Wenming found himself confined within the office building.
It wasn’t an isolated predicament; every individual within the structure was similarly immobilized.
En route back from a Dark Star Bureau conference, a traffic warden had motioned for the driver to halt the vehicle.
The driver expressed his frustration, arguing that, by all regulations, he had committed no infraction during the journey. His bewilderment grew as to the reason for this sudden stop.
Du Wenming advised the driver, "Do not cause any trouble. Simply comply with their instructions."
As the driver activated the window controls, the glass descended at a slow pace. The traffic warden standing outside underwent a startling metamorphosis.
His uniform vanished, replaced by tattered garments.
The citation book was gone, and in its stead, a begging bowl appeared.
In a mere instant, the figure outside morphed into a beggar, his visage marred by suppurating pustules that oozed a sickly green fluid, a grotesque smile plastered on his face as he extended the bowl.