Chapter 236: Where Can You Guard Against Thieves for a Thousand Days?

Li Banfeng placed Zhuo Yuling's head in front of Lu Xiaolan, urging her to come out.

Lu Xiaolan wasn't foolish. Li Banfeng had killed Zhuo Yuling, and the other two Fifth-Layer masters were missing, most likely also dead at his hands. She knew she was no match for Li Banfeng; stepping out of the area now would mean certain death.

She refused to come out, but Li Banfeng was confident he could lure her. He thought, "A fool's thoughts are many, and they fret over gains and losses." Looking at Zhuo Yuling's head, Li Banfeng believed Lu Xiaolan couldn't remain rational. She would surely be enraged and conflicted by that anger. As long as she was conflicted, she wouldn't escape the "fool's thoughts" technique, and she would inevitably make a choice beneficial to Li Banfeng.

Lu Xiaolan stared at Zhuo Yuling's head, her eyes unfocused for a moment. This was her birth mother. Her mother who had dedicated her life to training her as a professional assassin. Her mother who had never shown her any softness, no matter how much Lu Xiaolan suffered as a child. The same mother who first married Lu Xiaolan to Ma Wu, then to He Jiaqing, and later, for the sake of the Red Lotus, ordered Lu Xiaolan to assassinate He Jiaqing!

Seeing Zhuo Yuling's head, Lu Xiaolan felt no conflict at all. She chose not to come out.

If she didn't come out, what should Li Banfeng do? Force his way into the new territory and fight Qiu Daxing? Qiu Daxing was a local deity. What level was a local deity? Probably Tenth-Layer? "Five layers of house cultivation plus four layers of travel cultivation is nine layers, a bit short of ten. I also have two techniques of foolish cultivation, which should count as two layers of cultivation. If you add all that up..." "Never mind."

No matter how crazy Li Banfeng was, he currently had no desire to provoke Qiu Luoye, especially since they had a life-and-death connection. Li Banfeng had almost lost his life to him. But what should be done with Lu Xiaolan? She was staying in that area; what method could prevent her from causing trouble?

He Jiaqing touched a button and replied to Ling Miaoying: "Are you sure my friend killed Zhuo Yuling?"

"Lu Xiaolan said she personally saw Li Banfeng holding Zhuo Yuling's head."

"What about Fan Baoxing and Cui Lisheng?"

"They can't be reached. They're likely dead at your friend's hands too."

"Impossible. He couldn't have done it alone. He must have set up an ambush beforehand."

Ling Miaoying disagreed: "Jiaqing, I handled this matter with extreme secrecy. There's no way information could have leaked beforehand, and your friend isn't a prophet who can prepare for everything so thoroughly. I think you've underestimated your friend's cultivation level. He possesses the Profound Life Red Lotus, and it's hard to say what level he's truly at now."

"What level? You should know; you've fought him before."

"I know he was below me, but I had the advantage of a sneak attack then. His current cultivation might have already surpassed the Fifth-Layer."

"Are you dreaming? He's been in Pu Luo State for less than a year!"

"Perhaps he put a lot of effort into the Red Lotus."

He Jiaqing was very firm in his judgment: "This isn't something that can be solved by just putting in effort. He might have used the Profound Life Red Lotus, but not too much. That thing comes at too high a cost; he simply can't bear it."

The two fell silent for a long time. Ling Miaoying didn't want to continue the argument, and He Jiaqing was pondering his next move.

"Have Lu Xiaolan continue to watch from that area. If an opportunity arises, she should send hooks into Zhengjing Village."

"Jiaqing, Zhuo Yuling just died. Is it appropriate to have Lu Xiaolan do this right away?"

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. That mother and daughter originally had no place to settle. If you hadn't introduced them, she wouldn't have been able to get into Iron Sheep Mountain, let alone become a chieftain today. People like her don't need our sympathy."

"I'm not sympathizing with her. I'm afraid she'll mess things up. I always feel that friend of yours isn't simple. It's best if I oversee this personally."

"You can't go. Everything in Green Water City depends on you, and this matter isn't worth your distraction. The new movie is almost finished. We can't be careless with this. The film industry in Pu Luo State can only belong to you alone. We've invested so much in this film; it must be a massive hit."

Ling Miaoying was confident about it: "Don't worry about this; I've arranged everything."

The new movie He Jiaqing mentioned, titled "Blood Blade Detective," wasn't just one film but ten. Ten films, each an hour and a half long, with continuous plots and a fixed cast. In other states, this was common—essentially, a TV series. But in Pu Luo State, most people had never seen a TV series in their lives and had no concept of one. If this series of films succeeded, it would mean Ling Miaoying had pioneered an entirely new cinematic genre, providing a crucial opportunity for Ling Family Pictures to completely monopolize the film market.

He Jiaqing knew how much profit this area could generate, and he also understood that beyond profit, this area held even greater value. Some plans had been disrupted, but critical steps could not falter. Three days before the movie's release, He Jiaqing specifically contacted Ling Miaoying.

"Has the promotion been fully executed? If you feel it's not enough, we can postpone the release by a few days."

"It's all set. On opening day, all major families will send people to show their support."

"I'm not worried about the major families. I'm worried about those competitors who won't give up their livelihoods and might come to cause trouble."

"I have people in every film company in Pu Luo State. Any moves they make won't escape my notice. Jiaqing, don't worry about this. What you should really worry about is Lu Xiaolan. There's been no progress on her end. Zhengjing Village is impenetrable, with Lady Suoe in charge and many strange creatures helping with patrols. Lu Xiaolan can't get in at all."

He Jiaqing chuckled: "There's only a thousand days for a thief, but never a thousand days for the guarded. Just let Lu Xiaolan keep watching. My old friend isn't a patient man either. Let's see how long he can hold out."

The two ended their communication, and Ling Miaoying quickly prepared for the press conference.

"Blood Blade Detective" indeed caused quite a sensation. Before the press conference even began, newspaper reporters had already crowded Ling Family Pictures' reception hall. Once the lead actors arrived, flashbulbs and camera shutters never stopped. Several reporters surrounded the lead actress, Xiao Xiufeng. One reporter asked, "As a former songstress, playing the lead in such a monumental film, have you felt pressure from various sides?"

Xiao Xiufeng nodded, "There certainly was pressure. 'Blood Blade Detective' was filmed for a full year, and during the production, I heard many voices of doubt and even questioned my own abilities. Here, I want to especially thank all my colleagues at Ling Family Pictures. They gave me the confidence and courage to persevere through this arduous journey, allowing me to earn this lifelong achievement worth being proud of."

Another reporter asked, "It's rumored that you have some very daring performances in this film. Would you be willing to share some details with us?"

Xiao Xiufeng shook her head, "Before the official release, I won't disclose any details. This is professional integrity and a responsibility to the film company. I only hope everyone will appreciate my performance in the film through an artistic lens."

Yet another reporter asked, "In a scene with the male lead, Zhou Changhong, it's rumored that you two blurred the lines between acting and reality. Is this true?"

Xiao Xiufeng smiled calmly, "All I can tell you is that Mr. Zhou and I were very immersed in every performance. We got very deep into character."

"You just said 'very deep,' didn't you?"

Xiao Xiufeng replied with certainty, "Yes, very deep."

The camera shutters clicked again, and other reporters who hadn't had a chance to ask questions also captured the key content they desired. In fact, these specific reporters were arranged by Ling Miaoying, and this sensational angle was precisely what she wanted.

After interviewing the lead actors, it was time to interview the producers. A reporter asked, "We heard that some theaters in remote areas have already screened pirated versions of 'Blood Blade Detective.' Is this true?"

Ling Miaoying smiled, "Here, I can responsibly inform everyone that there is no possibility of piracy for 'Blood Blade Detective.' Only one copy of the film was kept for all ten movies, and the duplication process will only begin the day before the official release. I also want to remind my colleagues: those who wish to collaborate with Ling Family Pictures are always welcome. As for those who intend to target Ling Family Pictures, I advise you to rein yourselves in before it's too late."

The press conference concluded, and the reporters dispersed.

Li Banfeng put away his camera, pulled down his hat brim, and left the film company. This wasn't his first visit. This time he was disguised as a reporter, last time as a set builder, and the time before that, as a food delivery person. He Jiaqing was right: no one can guard against a thief for a thousand days.

That evening, He Jiaqing lay motionless in bed as the nurse changed his catheter bag. Chen Changrui stood outside the hospital room door, not entering. He Jiaqing knew Captain Chen was outside. It wasn't easy to maintain a disguise constantly when a high-level observer was nearby. As fate would have it, Ling Miaoying's message arrived at that precise moment. The button on his chest trembled slightly. The nurse couldn't see it, but Chen Changrui would definitely notice if he observed closely.

Should he answer or not? If he answered, Chen Changrui might very well intercept the communication. If he didn't answer, the button would keep vibrating, and if Chen Changrui heard even the slightest sound, He Jiaqing would be exposed. "What in the world is so important that she has to contact me now?"

After a moment of hesitation, He Jiaqing touched the button with extreme speed. The nurse didn't notice, but Chen Changrui pushed the door open and entered. He had heard something. The nurse was startled, recognizing Chen Changrui: "Officer Chen, so late..."

Chen Changrui smiled, "Carry on with your work. I just came to check in."

He Jiaqing lay motionless in bed, showing no signs of abnormality. Ling Miaoying's voice echoed in his ear: "Jiaqing, something terrible has happened. My company is on fire. The film reels couldn't be saved; they're all destroyed."

He Jiaqing wanted to kill. He Jiaqing's heart was bleeding. He Jiaqing wished he could drag Ling Miaoying out and chop her into pieces on the spot! But he couldn't move now. Not only could he not move, but he also couldn't show any expression. Neither his cheeks nor his eyebrows could show the slightest change. Ling Miaoying kept talking: "Jiaqing, what do we do now? I know this was my oversight. Please, at least offer some advice. Jiaqing, say something..."

He Jiaqing remained motionless. How incredibly difficult that must be!