Cheleviko paused momentarily before revealing, "It's located in Huan Country."
"Was the acquisition from the Lavsha People, or was it the Huanguo people who sold it?"
Cheleviko lowered his head, replying, "It was the Huanguo people."
This clarification made the situation considerably clearer.
Cheleviko hastily added, "However, he genuinely is a member of another Wizards Association; he displayed their emblem, which serves as proof of his affiliation."
Li Banfeng inquired, "He merely displayed an emblem, offered no further introduction, nor presented any other form of evidence?"
Cheleviko remained silent, as Li Banfeng's assessment was accurate.
Li Banfeng motioned for paper and a pen, presenting them to Cheleviko. "Write down the individual's name. If you are unable to, we will need to continue this discussion elsewhere."
Cheleviko, being literate in Huan Country's script, penned the name of the individual.
The person was named Tong Yousan, a name that did not suggest origins from the Outer Provinces.
Li Banfeng secured the written name and returned to his office, subsequently summoning Shen Jingye.
Shen Jingye burst into the office with evident excitement, asking, "Bureau Chief Li, have you located that formidable fighter?"
"Finding someone isn't quite that simple, is it?" Li Banfeng gestured for Shen Jingye to be seated. "Little Shen, how do you intend to handle the members of the Dandelion Association?"
"They should be handed over to the judicial authorities. Their actions endangered public safety, and they cannot be let off the hook."
This proposed course of action met with Li Banfeng's approval.
"And what of those who supplied them with the Contract Book?"
Shen Jingye shook his head. "I believe further investigation into this aspect is unnecessary. These Contract Books are far too common in the market; I've seen them priced as low as sixteen yuan. Some might acquire them for research, while others might simply buy them for amusement. They're no different from the cheap manuals sold in markets on fortune-telling, feng shui, or divination. If we were to take this seriously, we wouldn't know how many people to apprehend."
Shen Jingye was fully aware that the Contract Books originated from the black market; he simply wished to avoid further inquiry.
His reasoning held merit; to ensure those responsible faced appropriate consequences, it was crucial to avoid escalating the situation to the point where it became diluted and ultimately faded into nothing.
Li Banfeng comprehended Shen Jingye's perspective. "My focus is on investigating the core matter, not on indiscriminate arrests. This particular Contract Book is the genuine article, unlike the random scribblings found in the market. Through this, we may discover the whereabouts of the Lost Soul."
At present, all hopes rested on Li Qi to locate the Lost Soul. Consequently, whatever Li Qi requested, Shen Jingye felt compelled to support: "Bureau Chief Li, you don't need to handle this personally. Allow me to dispatch Preserved Fruit. Wasn't that individual's name Tong Yousan? I estimate it will take approximately half a day to find him."
Many perceived Shen Jingye as detached from front-line operations, yet he possessed an intimate knowledge of the Public Security Team members' various strengths.
Within the Public Security Team, apart from Big Head, Preserved Fruit possessed the most insight into the workings of the black market. Indeed, it took her roughly half a day to ascertain Tong Yousan's identity. "He operates a bookstore on Jiacheng District's Nanshankou Pedestrian Street. In secret, he frequently engages in dealings involving Contract Books and is quite well-known in the black market."
Li Banfeng inquired, "Does he have any ties to the Lavsha People?"
Preserved Fruit offered a slight smile, a dimple forming on her left cheek. "His connections depend entirely on the origin of his clientele. If they hail from the Lavsha Nation, he presents himself as a member of the Lavsha Wizards' Association and speaks fluent Lavsha. If the customers are from Ingrid, he then claims to be part of the Ingrid Royal Mage Corps, complete with badges, certificates, and fluent Ingrid."
Li Banfeng chuckled. "A veritable chameleon! I shall go and meet him."
Preserved Fruit guided Li Banfeng to Sanyou Bookstore. The proprietor, Tong Yousan, was occupied arranging bookshelves, barely acknowledging the arrival of these two customers.
The duo proceeded to the third row of shelves. Preserved Fruit casually selected a book titled "Medieval Dark Magic," perused a few pages, and commented to Li Banfeng, "This book is quite superficial; there's nothing substantial to glean from it."
Tong Yousan cast a glance at them, then approached and inquired, "What substantive items are you two seeking?"
"What do you suppose?" Preserved Fruit gestured with the book "Medieval Dark Magic." "We wouldn't have traveled all this way simply to examine items designed to deceive children."
Tong Yousan let out a laugh. "These items are indeed meant for children. Who would take them seriously?"
Preserved Fruit lowered her voice, stating, "Boss Tong, we are professionals here, intending to purchase some authentic merchandise."
Tong Yousan appeared uncomprehending, replying, "My books are genuine; are not authentic books genuine merchandise?"
Preserved Fruit knitted her brows, remarking, "Engaging in such discourse is quite pointless!"
Tong Yousan feigned confusion, inquiring, "What precisely is on your mind? I have an abundant selection of books; if you find this particular one lacks substance, simply peruse the others."
Preserved Fruit grew displeased and prepared to assert herself more forcefully.
Li Banfeng purchased the book entitled "Medieval Dark Magic" and exited the bookstore alongside Preserved Fruit.
Once back in the car, Preserved Fruit felt a pang of awkwardness. It was her inaugural solo mission with Bureau Chief Li, and unexpectedly, matters had gone awry. "He typically conducts his business quite openly; I cannot fathom why he is being so guarded today," she mused.
Li Banfeng expressed satisfaction with the day's outcome, commenting, "A cautious demeanor is advantageous; it signifies he is not an ordinary individual."
...
As night fell and the bookstore concluded its operations, Tong Yousan occupied himself behind the counter, chain-smoking one cigarette after another.
His wife approached, preparing a cup of tea for him. "Perhaps we should lie low for a period?" she suggested.
"And where, pray tell, could we possibly hide?" Tong Yousan lamented with a sigh. "So long as we remain within the jurisdiction of Huan Country, no location can truly offer an escape from the Dark Star Bureau. At present, if we remain inactive, we may not necessarily face trouble, but should we make any move, apprehension would be swift."
His wife sighed in response, "Our Guide Token remains with us; should we not consider returning to Puluo State?"