Chapter 260: "The Benefactor's Identity"

"Jiaqing, Chen Changrui from the Dark Star Bureau came to see me today. He stayed for a long time; he might have noticed something amiss."

"How could he notice anything if you're just lying there motionless?"

"This isn't his first visit. Last time, he called a doctor who performed several examinations on me. Even after the doctor told him everything was normal, he didn't believe it. He even told his subordinates that my condition wasn't right. I'm afraid he's already figured it out."

"Brother, just hold on for two more days. I'll be back after that."

"Jiaqing, this Chen is too difficult to deal with. Please come back as soon as you can."

"Zhou Changhong" ended the call and stood silently in a grove of trees, gazing into the distance.

After a moment, he wiped away the bloodstains on his face. That local deity, Qiu Luoye, had quite a temper and a heavy hand. Now he couldn't step into the territories of Qiu Luoye or Shui Yongquan again; otherwise, the consequences would be severe.

Was there a way to evade the gaze of Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye and still attack the film set? There was a way, but the risk was too great.

Should he just give up? Should he let Ma Wu continue filming? Or should he let Ling Miaoying change her path? Changing paths was not advisable; his goal wasn't to make money. Wait for the Customs Commissioner to intervene? From the looks of it, they wouldn't be intervening. Have Lu Xiaolan act from the shadows? She probably wouldn't dare. If she even left her own territory now, she'd likely lose her life.

Why did Ma Wu come to Xindi to film? Was such a crazy move really Ma Wu's idea?

Luo Zhengnan, head of the Medicine King Hall of the River Prime Gang, was on his terrace, listening to the radio with a receiver in hand.

"Dear listeners, 'Blood Gun Detective 3,' directed by Ma Junyang, is about to be released. Opinions on this film vary widely; in short, criticism and anticipation coexist. Today, we've invited Luo Guangxun, editor-in-chief of 'New Film Talk' magazine, to offer his analysis of the film's trajectory from a professional critic's perspective."

"Hello, listeners, I'm Luo Guangxun. As you all know, the 'Blood Gun Detective' film series has challenged the moral conventions of Pro State, while also offering a new direction for the film industry. Particularly, the choice of Xindi as the filming location for the third movie adds more intrigue and appeal..."

Luo Zhengnan chuckled, "This old Ma Wu certainly knows how to stir things up, going all the way to Xindi to make a movie. Doesn't he worry about..."

Luo Zhengnan's head suddenly throbbed, and a line of numbers appeared before his eyes. Seeing the number, he really didn't want to answer. But he couldn't ignore the persistent calls, so Luo Zhengnan finally answered.

"Gang Leader, you called for me?"

"Old Luo, you're getting harder and harder to reach. What's wrong, are you still upset about the Deputy Gang Leader incident?"

"Gang Leader, you're overthinking it. I'm an old hand in the gang; I understand the big picture and prioritize the overall situation. I never dwell on such matters and fully abide by the gang's arrangements."

"Your words reassure me. I'm a man of my word. The position of Deputy Gang Leader has always been reserved for you, and you'll assume it as soon as the right opportunity arises."

"Thank you for your trust, Gang Leader!"

"Old Luo, I sought you out primarily because I need you to inquire about something for me. Is there anyone named 'Benefactor' recently active in the back third of Pro State?"

"The back third? I don't know much about what goes on there."

"That's why I'm asking you to investigate. This 'Benefactor' isn't old, but his cultivation is high, and he moves quickly, likely a traveling practitioner. He acts ruthlessly and has a wild temperament. Let me know immediately if you find any information."

"Gang Leader, I'll do my utmost to carry out your instructions!"

Fat chance!

Luo Zhengnan hung up the phone and continued listening to the radio.

Xiao Zhenggong muttered to himself as he drove:"'Benefactor'... Who would name themselves 'Benefactor'? Not old, high cultivation, acts wildly, ruthless temperament... Why does that description sound so much like him? Could it really be him? That kid's cultivation level has always been unclear. But he's been lying in the hospital all this time. Logically, he shouldn't have had a chance to go to Jianren Gang. Unless..."

Xiao Zhenggong suddenly stopped his car in the middle of the road. No matter how much the drivers behind him honked, he remained still. He was contemplating something. Chen Changrui had been frequently visiting the hospital lately. He said He Jiaqing's condition was problematic. He still couldn't pinpoint the exact issue. Could it be that the person lying in the hospital bed wasn't He Jiaqing? Had the real He Jiaqing gone to Jianren Gang to cause trouble? Was that kid really so bold?

Xiao Zhenggong's gaze darkened. He immediately made a U-turn at the intersection and headed for Yuezhou Third Hospital.

Once in the ward, he stared at He Jiaqing on the bed for a long time.

"Are you He Jiaqing?" Xiao Zhenggong asked.

He Jiaqing remained motionless, offering no response.

Xiao Zhenggong continued, "If you're an impostor, don't try to tough it out. The immediate danger has passed, and I'm planning to kill He Jiaqing. You wouldn't want to be a scapegoat, would you?"

He Jiaqing still showed no movement.

Xiao Zhenggong patted He Jiaqing's face, "My visit this time is a warning. Next time, I'll really make a move."

"Jiaqing, Xiao Zhenggong from the Dark Star Bureau is here again. He said he's going to kill me."

"He says he'll kill me every day, brother. Don't worry, he wouldn't dare make a move."

"When are you coming back?"

"Just a few more days, that's all!"

Xiao Zhenggong returned to his villa, where a beautiful blonde woman was waiting for him in the living room.

"Gang Leader Xiao, did you call me here today for friendship or for business?"

Xiao Zhenggong stepped forward and embraced Ailiya, chuckling, "Aren't they both the same?"

Ailiya touched Xiao Zhenggong's face. "If it were for friendship, you wouldn't be in such a hurry. Let's talk business first."

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "Nothing escapes you. Has your brother come to the outer states?"

"Yes, he's here in the outer states for a small matter and will leave tomorrow."

"Please invite him over. I have something that requires him to stay an extra day."

"An extra day is fine, but I don't need to elaborate on the price, do I?"

"Don't say that. When have I ever treated him poorly?"

The next day, Xiao Zhenggong visited He Jiaqing, carrying a bouquet of flowers. He dismissed the caregiver, placed the flowers on the table, and stood by the bed, staring at He Jiaqing for a long time.

"I gave you a chance. Since you won't speak, I'll assume you are He Jiaqing."

After speaking, Xiao Zhenggong placed the flowers in a vase, took a bottle of mineral water from his waist, and poured it over them. After watering the flowers, Xiao Zhenggong turned and left the ward, standing silently by the door and observing.

A minute later, the flowers bloomed. From their center, a cluster of golden pollen, as if alive, entered He Jiaqing's nostrils. This pollen was indeed alive; it was Cui Tik's masterpiece. Within thirty seconds of the flower blooming, this pollen would seek out any human within two meters and parasitize their body. If no host was found within that range, the pollen would immediately die, leaving no trace.

Xiao Zhenggong left.

Lying in bed, He Jiaqing felt a strange sensation in his throat. An hour later, he felt alternately hot and cold. Was he developing a fever? Yet, the equipment showed no significant change in his body temperature. His throat was dry and itchy, but he dared not make a sound. That night, while the caregiver was in the restroom, He Jiaqing covered his mouth and coughed twice, only to find his palm covered in blood.

What was happening? His mouth was filled with salty, metallic blood. "He Jiaqing" was in a panic.

"Jiaqing, that Xiao Zhenggong used some method on me. I think I'm seriously ill; I'm coughing up blood, constantly. I really can't hold on any longer..."

"I told you, I'll be back soon. Just hold on a little longer. Don't keep calling me unless it's urgent."

The next evening, Xiao Zhenggong returned to the ward. After dismissing the caregiver, he looked at He Jiaqing with a smile and asked, "Doesn't it feel terrible?"

It certainly felt terrible. His chest burned with pain, blood kept filling his throat, and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Every breath felt difficult for He Jiaqing, yet he dared not show any sign of it externally.

Xiao Zhenggong's eyes drooped as he said, "I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me, are you He Jiaqing? If you are, it proves I haven't killed the wrong person. If you're not, I can still save you now."

Xiao Zhenggong waited for a moment, then smiled and said, "Still not talking? Alright then, someone will be coming to collect your body soon."

Just as Xiao Zhenggong reached the door, "He Jiaqing" opened his eyes. "Wait, I'm not He Jiaqing."

"That's better," Xiao Zhenggong said, walking back to the bedside. "First, tell me, who are you?"

"My name is Zhou Changhong. I'm from Pro State."

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "The famous actor. I've heard of you. Why are you impersonating He Jiaqing here?"

"He Jiaqing was going to Pro State and asked me to fill in for him here."

Pro State. The location matched.

"When did you start impersonating He Jiaqing?"

"Three months ago."

Three months ago, someone named "Benefactor" went to Jianren Gang. The timing matched.

"What is your relationship with He Jiaqing?"

Zhou Changhong was silent for a moment before saying, "He's my benefactor."

"Benefactor? Do you call him 'Benefactor'?"

Zhou Changhong nodded. "I used to call him that, but he said it sounded too formal and told me to call him 'Brother'."

Benefactor. Even the name matched.

Xiao Zhenggong took out a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Zhou Changhong. "Drink this; you'll feel better soon. Now, tell me more about this 'Benefactor'."

"Back then, I was just a poor actor, doing bit parts in the theater and barely able to eat. It was He Jiaqing who discovered me. He said my acting was professional enough and introduced me to the Path of Theatrical Cultivation, and also introduced me to Ling Miaoying..."

Datou exited the elevator and saw the caregiver squatting by the elevator entrance. He glanced at the caregiver, whose face was pale, eyes unfocused, and mind in a daze. He had encountered this situation before. Someone was in the ward, most likely Xiao Zhenggong. While a martial cultivator's perceptive abilities weren't exceptionally strong, Xiao Zhenggong was at a very high level. If Datou continued towards the ward, Xiao Zhenggong would surely sense him.

Datou took a wireless earphone from his pocket and put it in his ear. Through the earphone, he faintly heard conversations from inside the ward. After listening for a moment, Datou immediately turned, took the elevator down, and left the hospital.

Jianren Gang, Sage Peak, Sage's Residence.

Amidst the winding corridors, a white-clad youth reported from beyond a door, "Master, Second Senior Brother has identified the rogue. His name is He Jiaqing."

"Who is he?"

"The son of He Haiqin, a wealthy merchant from Pro State."

"How could a merchant's son defeat Cong Shixiang?"

The white-clad youth replied, "Second Senior Brother says this person's cultivation is not low, but he shouldn't be at Senior Brother's level. This disciple believes that since Senior Brother lost his soul and his mind is incomplete, he must have suffered a great disadvantage when fighting He Jiaqing."

"Only a disadvantage due to his mind? Perhaps not?" The panting inside the room abruptly ceased. The Sage had personally experienced the formidable power emanating from "Benefactor" and believed the individual possessed genuine skill. "Where is this person now?"

"According to Second Senior Brother, this person was originally recuperating in the outer states. He has now returned to Pro State, using the alias Zhou Changhong, and frequently interacts with the wealthy Ling family."

"Another wealthy merchant. All wealthy merchants are in Green Water Bay. Go to Green Water Bay and have your Third Senior Brother take a generous gift to an old friend of mine. Ask this friend to test He Jiaqing. It would be best if he could eliminate him, but it's fine if he can't. Just make sure to ascertain his cultivation path and level."