Chapter 527: Xiu'er, Seventh Brother Cares for You

Li Banfeng and Shen Jingye emerged from the restaurant with the hostage.

Seeing the security officers' admiring gazes, Li Banfeng asked, "Xiao Shen, how do you feel?"

With a calm stride and a faint smile, Shen Jingye walked towards the security team.

Although he was anxious, Shen Jingye didn't miss the opportunity to make an impression.

Under the watchful eyes of the team, Shen Jingye explained the situation inside the restaurant, then handed the remaining tasks over to Chen Changrui. He told the driver to quickly prepare the car, saying, "Director Li, let's head back to the office first to discuss the report."

"Discuss what else?" Li Qi didn't quite understand Shen Jingye's intention. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Just think about the wording yourself. Don't be too subtle; make sure others can understand it clearly."

Shen Jingye looked pained. "Director Li, other matters can be handled lightly, but those two things we discussed earlier are no laughing matter. You must come back to the office with me, Director Li, Director Li..."

Li Banfeng was already out of sight. Shen Jingye rubbed his forehead, got into the car, and headed back to the office to write the report.

The next morning, Shen Jingye went to Li Qi's office and presented the report he had stayed up all night to write.

This report was handwritten by Shen Jingye, and he didn't want to submit it to Li Qi for review. However, he had no choice; this report was too important, and he couldn't afford any oversight.

After reading the report, Li Qi shook his head repeatedly. "This won't do."

Shen Jingye was very nervous. "What's the problem?"

Li Qi said with a serious expression, "The problem is with your attitude."

"What's wrong with my attitude?"

"Let's put everything else aside and just talk about the font," Li Qi said, pulling out the official document management regulations. "What font is required for the main body of our official documents? What font did you use? Didn't you notice such a serious issue before?"

Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "Director Li, let's not talk about the font right now; this report is extremely urgent!"

Li Qi shook his head. "Don't rush. Let's talk about the line spacing. The official line spacing for documents is between 28 and 32 points. Your page is so dense; there's clearly a problem—"

Shen Jingye was very angry, but he didn't dare to clench his teeth, as Li Qi would see it and then continue to correct his attitude problem.

Once everything was checked and confirmed, Shen Jingye personally submitted the report. Du Wenming, after reviewing it, was also very tense. "We cannot accept these terms. Go call the balancer; I need to confirm some things with him in person."

Shen Jingye quickly called Li Qi. "Director Li, Director Du wants to confirm some matters with you in person."

Li Qi agreed. "Alright, tell him to come to my office."

Click!

Li Qi hung up the phone.

Shen Jingye looked at Du Wenming awkwardly.

Du Wenming frowned. "Why are you looking at me? Call Li Qi over!"

Shen Jingye was silent for a moment, then said, "Li Qi, his situation is a bit special—"

At two in the afternoon, Du Wenming and Shen Jingye arrived at Li Banfeng's office.

Shen Jingye introduced the two of them. Li Qi gestured towards the sofa. "Xiao Du, please sit. Xiao Shen, pour the tea."

Shen Jingye's face turned beet red with anger, but at this critical moment, he absolutely couldn't provoke Li Qi.

Shen Jingye finished pouring the tea. Du Wenming glanced at him. "Director Shen, there are a few things I'd like to discuss with Director Li alone."

Shen Jingye's face grew even redder.

Du Wenming couldn't be blamed for looking down on him; given the current situation, Shen Jingye was completely ineffective there.

Before Shen Jingye left, Du Wenming specifically emphasized, "Director Shen, the content of our conversation must remain highly confidential."

Shen Jingye understood and deactivated all surveillance equipment in Li Qi's office.

Actually, it didn't matter if they were deactivated or not; these devices were friends of the Projector and knew what to listen to and what not to.

Only Du Wenming and Li Qi remained in the room. Du Wenming was now about to give this Proland native a good lesson.

"Xiao Li, would you like to know about our history of research on the Inner Province and Proland?"

Li Banfeng nodded and brought out paper and a pen. He was genuinely interested in this, but he had never been able to find relevant information.

Du Wenming first asked, "Do you think we learned about the Inner Province first, or Proland first?"

Li Banfeng replied, "Common sense suggests Proland, as geographically, it's closer to the Outer Province."

Du Wenming shook his head and smiled. "You're mistaken. Our contact with the Inner Province began very early, but our contact with Proland hasn't been long.

For us, the Inner Province is another civilization that exists in the same era as us but has taken a different developmental path.

A highly developed civilization.

During the interaction and collision of our two civilizations, we discovered many backward ethnic groups that were enslaved and ruled, Proland being one of them.

In fact, the concept of Proland didn't originally exist in this world. Under the rule of the Inner Province, Proland was merely a series of clearly demarcated territories.

Greenwater Bay and Medicine King's Gully, geographically connected, originally had no contact with each other. It was only after we opened channels between their borders that they became connected, and the entire Proland became connected. Do you understand this principle?"

Li Banfeng was silent for a moment, then asked, "When did you begin contact with the Inner Province?"

Du Wenming shook his head. "The exact time cannot be disclosed to you; it's classified."

Li Banfeng then asked, "When did you begin contact with Proland?"

Du Wenming still shook his head. "That's also classified."

Li Banfeng had originally intended to write down some useful information, but hearing Du Wenming, he put down his pen. "If you don't want to say anything, why bother coming to see me?"

Du Wenming frowned slightly. "I'm here to tell you that it was we who brought hope to Proland, and only we can bring Proland a new beginning.

You are a smart person; you must understand who your friends are and who your enemies are. Proland can only escape the Inner Province's enslavement by uniting with the Outer Province. Yet, you haven't clarified your own stance.

Can you understand what I'm saying now?"

Du Wenming looked at Li Qi meaningfully.

Li Qi looked back at Du Wenming very seriously.

After a long stare, Li Qi asked, "Are you finished speaking?"

Du Wenming was very displeased with Li Qi's attitude. "Actually, I don't have to tell you these things. The condition of withdrawing the Defense Hall is unrealistic, and we cannot agree to it.

Also, regarding the Three-Headed people detained at Three-Fork Crossroads, I know you once settled a group of them in Seven Autumn City. You must have valued their powerful combat abilities, but these people pose a serious threat to us. We cannot hand over a threat to others.

I can only tell you this much. Do you understand what I mean now?"

Du Wenming knew his tone was somewhat harsh and that Li Qi might be provoked, but he believed this tough talk was necessary to make Li Qi face reality.

Li Banfeng was not provoked. His tone was very calm. "You're right. You didn't need to tell me any of this. You didn't need to tell me anything at all. You were superfluous in coming to see me today."

Du Wenming frowned. "I told you these things because I believe there's still hope for you!"

Li Qi smiled. "Whether I have hope or not has nothing to do with you. As for how you handle these two matters, it also has nothing to do with me.

If you don't want to withdraw the Defense Hall, then don't. Whether the Inner Province goes to war with you is none of my business.

If you don't want to provide those five thousand people, then don't. How Green Flower deals with it is also none of my business.

I've fulfilled my duty as the balancer. The rest is your concern. I've said my piece. You don't seem like a smart person, but you should be able to understand such a simple principle, right?"

Du Wenming tightened his grip on the teacup and remained silent for nearly a minute.

Li Qi smiled and kept watching him. "You're right, none of this concerns you. I wasted my time telling you these things," Du Wenming said, looking at Li Qi.

He continued slowly, "Your understanding of power is not yet clear enough. I hope it won't be too late when you truly understand."

With that, Du Wenming stood up and left Li Qi's office.

Li Qi took a sip of tea and continued to browse the Dark Star Bureau's files.

Shen Jingye was still waiting in the corridor. Seeing Du Wenming emerge, he quickly went to meet him.

"Director Du, how did your discussion go?"

Du Wenming looked at Shen Jingye and smiled. "Director Shen, you've really had it tough."

Shen Jingye didn't quite understand. What did he mean by "had it tough"?

Director Du had left, indicating that the communication hadn't gone smoothly.

To be honest, Shen Jingye wasn't very concerned about the outcome of the discussion.

He had reported what needed to be reported and arranged the necessary communication. This matter no longer concerned him.

Shen Jingye hummed a tune as he returned to his office. Li Qi opened his door, glanced at him, and felt somewhat disappointed.

"Xiao Shen, you're getting too complacent. I need to find something for you to do."

Tangyuan delivered a meeting notice: there would be an important Dark Star Bureau meeting next Wednesday, and Director Du would attend.

Li Qi looked at the notice and smiled. "Xiao Shen, something's come up for you."

That evening, Zhong Er, Tangyuan, and Deng Pao insisted on treating Li Qi to a meal, so Li Qi took them to have hotpot lamb.

As a child, Li Banfeng had always been obsessed with hotpot—a red pot with a small chimney, which he believed surely contained the most delicious food in the world.

However, for Li Banfeng at that time, such a delicacy could only exist in his imagination.

During the meal, the three asked about the events of that night.

Li Banfeng hesitated whether to tell them.

Given their current abilities, knowing too much wouldn't be good for them.

But if they knew nothing, Li Banfeng was very worried about their future situation.

"In the future, if you have any missions, be sure to inform me beforehand, even if it's a special operation." This was the only advice Li Banfeng could give them for now.

But Zhong Er raised a crucial question: "Director Li, will you always stay with the Dark Star Bureau?"

This young man always spoke so pointedly.

Seeing Li Banfeng remain silent, Deng Pao quickly changed the subject. "If you ask me, it might be better to just follow Director Li to Proland in the future. I genuinely like Proland."

Tangyuan bit her lip but said nothing.

Li Banfeng laughed. "Still want to go to Proland? Haven't you suffered enough yet?"

Deng Pao chuckled. "With Seventh Master looking out for us, how could I suffer?"

Zhong Er said, "Whether Director Li is willing to look after me or not, I still want to go to Proland to see it for myself. Otherwise, I'll regret it for a lifetime."

Li Banfeng was silent for a moment, then picked up the slotted spoon and served Zhong Er a full scoop of meat. "Eat first."

Back at his residence, Li Banfeng went to the second-floor bedroom and opened a jar.

This jar was specifically for holding ghost servants, and inside was the Play-Inviting Woman.

"Seventh Master, what are your orders?" The Play-Inviting Woman bowed her head, very nervous.

Li Qi asked, "How much of your technique do you have left?"

The Play-Inviting Woman was a departed soul, and her techniques were certainly diminished compared to when she was alive. In front of Li Qi, she didn't dare to conceal anything and truthfully explained her situation:

"Master, I can't really explain how much of my technique is left. As for how much of my skill remains, it depends on whether I'm impersonating a type of person or a specific individual.

If you want me to impersonate a certain type of person—like farmers, laborers, shopkeepers, street vendors, bandits, beggars, or those from secret organizations—I assure you, I won't show any flaws.

But if you want me to impersonate a specific person, I can't boast. As long as I don't run into anyone familiar, I can manage about sixty to seventy percent accuracy."

Her words were very practical; impersonating a type of person was much easier than impersonating a specific individual.

Li Banfeng nodded. "Then I've found the right person. I'll first have you impersonate a type of person, and then a specific individual. The sixty to seventy percent accuracy is a bit lacking, but fortunately, the person I'm asking you to impersonate has no acquaintances in the Outer Province."

The Play-Inviting Woman asked, "Have I met the person you're referring to?"

Li Banfeng brought out the Projector and played a video. "If I ask you to impersonate him, how difficult would it be?"

The Play-Inviting Woman glanced at it and was immediately terrified. "Is this Green Flower? I, I wouldn't dare impersonate him!"

"What are you afraid of?"

The Play-Inviting Woman stammered, "Who is Green Flower? If he finds out, he'll surely make my soul scatter!"

Li Qi reassured the Play-Inviting Woman. "Don't worry, Green Flower is my friend. I've discussed this with him, and he has agreed."

The Play-Inviting Woman didn't dare to disobey Li Banfeng. After carefully studying several key frames, she used her theatrical cultivation technique to transform into the appearance of Greenwater Bow.

Actually, Green Flower wasn't difficult to impersonate because his features were very distinct. Once those were captured, the key elements of his appearance could be replicated.

However, the Play-Inviting Woman's abilities were indeed not what they once were. At first glance, the resemblance was strong, but upon closer inspection, many details were off.

Li Banfeng brought the Pendulum's makeup kit and carefully applied makeup to the Play-Inviting Woman.

This task should have originally been done by the Pendulum, but it was currently undergoing reforging. Li Banfeng, having practiced painting for so long, had also mastered many techniques.

Working until late into the night, Li Banfeng asked the Projector to make a comparison.

The Projector was always particular about character appearances. After comparing for about ten minutes, it said, "As a stunt double, I wouldn't say this impersonation is perfect, but it's excellent."

Excellent was good enough; there weren't so many perfect things in the world.

Li Banfeng took out two grayish-white elixirs and placed them in the Play-Inviting Woman's hand. "These two elixirs must be used very carefully. I'll arrange a route for you, and starting tomorrow, we'll practice repeatedly. There must not be a single mistake."

A week passed, and there was no mention from above about either withdrawing the Defense Hall or providing the five thousand people. It was clear they intended to stall the matter.

If they didn't bring it up, Li Banfeng wouldn't rush them.

The Dark Star Bureau held a meeting, presided over by Shen Jingye, and Du Wenming also attended.

The meeting lasted until seven in the evening. Unusually, Li Qi didn't cause any trouble during the session.

Not only did he not cause trouble, Li Banfeng even accompanied Shen Jingye to see Du Wenming off to his car.

After seeing off Du Wenming, Li Qi returned to his office and called Shen Jingye. "Xiao Shen, I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight. Would you do me the honor?"

Li Qi never forced anyone. If Shen Jingye agreed, they would have dinner together. If he didn't agree, Li Qi would go to his office, tie him up, and then they would have dinner together.

Shen Jingye agreed.

It was rare for Li Qi to show such goodwill. Although Shen Jingye couldn't be sure if Li Qi had another motive, even if he did, it was just one meal and unlikely to cause any trouble.

The two didn't go far, choosing a nearby restaurant. The meal wasn't extravagant; they booked a private room, ordered a few dishes, and chatted about work while they ate.

Every time he encountered Li Qi, Shen Jingye's heart was on edge, especially after the incident with Green Flower. After all, he had indirectly caused trouble for Li Qi, and there was certainly still some unresolved tension.

However, during dinner, Li Qi didn't bring up that matter, only discussing minor work-related issues. Gradually, both men relaxed, and Shen Jingye even started sharing some of his experiences in Proland.

"When I went to Proland, I didn't have the favorable conditions that Tangyuan and others did. The Defense Hall sent us out directly to work, without allowing us to reveal our identities. As a result, after just two days, we offended the people of the Azure Cloud Association.

At that time, I was—"

Just as he was getting into the story, Shen Jingye's phone rang. It was Du Wenming.

Shen Jingye adjusted his demeanor before answering the call. "Director Du, you're looking for me—are you saying there's a situation on your end?

You need Director Li? Director Li is with me. Director Du, please don't rush, I'll let Director Li take the call!"

Du Wenming was stuck inside his office building.

Not only him, but everyone in the entire building couldn't leave.

Du Wenming had gone to a meeting at the Dark Star Bureau, and on his way back, a traffic police officer signaled his driver to pull over.

The driver was displeased; he had been driving according to regulations with no issues. What did it mean to be asked to stop now?

Du Wenming reminded the driver, "Don't throw a tantrum; cooperate with their work."

The uniform was gone, replaced by ragged clothes.

The ticket in his hand had vanished, replaced by a begging bowl.

In an instant, the person outside the window transformed into a begging vagrant, with a face full of large sores oozing green pus, smiling as if begging.

The driver gasped, "Who are you?"

The traffic police officer outside the window said, "What do you mean?"

The driver looked closely and saw it was still the traffic police officer, unchanged.

Had he seen wrong? Was he seeing things?

The driver was stunned for a while. The traffic police officer asked a few simple questions and then let them go.

On the way, the driver didn't dare say much, simply assuming he had imagined it.

Du Wenming asked, "That person just now seemed a bit off."

Hearing this, the driver quickly said, "He seemed to suddenly turn into a begging vagrant, with pus sores all over his face!"

Du Wenming was startled and immediately told the driver to turn around and follow the person.

But by the time they returned to the previous intersection, the person had already vanished.

Back at the office building, Du Wenming started to develop a fever, and his subordinates also caught fevers, while the driver developed a rash.

This was a serious matter, life or death.

Du Wenming immediately called Kang Zhenchang. After Kang Zhenchang arrived, he made an initial diagnosis and told Du Wenming to immediately seal off the building, with no one allowed to enter or exit without permission.

"This is a lesion from Greenwater Bow. As for its severity, further examination is needed."

"Doctor Kang, please confirm again carefully."

Kang Zhenchang said, "The source of the lesion has been confirmed as Greenwater Bow. I've dealt with him for a long time in Proland; I absolutely cannot be mistaken about his lesions. What you need to do now is get bed rest, immediately report this incident to your superiors, and take emergency measures at once to prevent the pathogen from spreading."

Report?

How to report?

Too many questions about the entire incident remained unclear.

Du Wenming immediately called Li Qi, but the call didn't go through.

This must be related to Li Qi; that kid must be hiding now!

He then called Shen Jingye, unexpectedly finding Li Qi dining with him.

Li Qi answered the phone with a pleasant attitude. "Xiao Du, is there something you need from me?"

Du Wenming didn't know where to begin. "Director Li, we've encountered some issues on our end, and I hope you can cooperate with our investigation."

Du Wenming recounted the events.

Li Qi chuckled. At this critical juncture, what was the point of talking about cooperation?

"Xiao Du, I can't cooperate with you on this. We made it very clear before that you'd handle this matter yourselves; it has nothing to do with me."

After speaking, Li Qi handed the phone back to Shen Jingye.

Du Wenming asked on the phone, "Director Shen, when did you and Li Qi go to the restaurant?"

Shen Jingye replied, "We came right after the meeting, around 7:20. There was nothing else; we just had a casual dinner, and we paid for it ourselves."

Du Wenming compared the timestamps. He encountered Greenwater Bow at 7:50.

Could this incident be unrelated to Li Qi?

Impossible. It must have some connection to him, however slight.

"Director Shen, please try to calm Li Qi down and communicate with him as much as possible. Greenwater Bow has reappeared in Yue Province. You must get to the bottom of the matter from him."

"Understood." Shen Jingye hung up the phone and remained silent for a moment.

Li Qi asked, "You were just saying you offended the Azure Cloud Association back then, and you haven't finished that story."

"Ah, that," Shen Jingye recalled. "Do you know Han Yaomen, the leader of the Azure Cloud Association?"

"Yes," Li Qi nodded. "He's quite ruthless."

"He truly is ruthless!" Shen Jingye agreed. "It was a complete accident on my part. Who would have thought Han Yaomen would cling to it and insist on severing one of my arms?

Eventually, with no other option, I revealed my identity, and only then did the situation ease. I really suffered a lot during that time!"

Li Qi nodded. "Han Yaomen is indeed capable of such acts. The Azure Cloud Association truly operates ruthlessly!"

Shen Jingye continued on this topic until dinner ended, never mentioning the matter Du Wenming had instructed him about.

Li Qi had already explained the full story: Greenwater Bow needed five thousand people delivered within five days.

Now, five days had passed, the people hadn't been delivered, and a problem had arisen. What more was there to ask?

Could he just "ask clearly" as Du Wenming casually said, and get the information?

Was Li Qi that easy to talk to?

Shen Jingye understood his position and his responsibilities. After dinner, they each went home. He wouldn't take any action until he received more specific orders.

The next day at noon, Shen Jingye received a document. After reading it, he immediately relayed its contents to Li Qi: "The five thousand people, the superiors have agreed. And the withdrawal of the Soda Kiln Defense Hall, the superiors have also agreed to that."

Li Qi's eyes widened. "That quickly?"

He was genuinely a bit surprised, not expecting the Soda Kiln matter to be resolved along with it.

Shen Jingye said, "The superiors hope we can contact Greenwater Bow as soon as possible to explain the situation. The allocation of personnel will take time, so they want him not to take drastic action.

Additionally, they hope you can go to Three-Fork Crossroads as soon as possible to deliver the personnel to Greenwater City. The situation is urgent, so we'll really have to trouble you."

Li Qi's expression was serious. "This is an inescapable responsibility for a balancer. Arrange for the personnel to make the necessary preparations."

The He Family Estate. He Yuxiu was listening to the accountant, Sheng Shanzhou, report the accounts.

Aunt Liu had prepared all the bedding for He Yuxiu. After listening to the accounts, He Yuxiu would lie down and immediately fall asleep, certainly not suffering from insomnia.

After enduring more than half an hour, Sheng Shanzhou finally finished reading. He Yuxiu groggily walked upstairs. Just as she got into bed, she suddenly heard a sound from the window.

"Who's there? Who dares to sneak into my room in the middle of the night?

Is it that little rascal He Jiaqing again?"

He Yuxiu grabbed the bedside candlestick and swung it. After two exchanges, she missed her target but heard the other party shout, "How audacious! You'd even strike me? Is there no family rule anymore?"

"Old Seven?" He Yuxiu was surprised to hear the voice.

"Call me Seventh Brother when no one else is around!" Li Qi struck a match and lit a candle.

Seeing Li Qi covered in mud and water, He Yuxiu quickly fetched a towel. "Seventh Brother, quickly wipe yourself. I'll find someone to get you a change of clothes."

"No need to change clothes just yet. Find someone to get some food. Don't tell anyone I'm here." Li Banfeng had run all the way from Xindi, not even having time to eat.

He Yuxiu asked Aunt Liu to prepare a late-night snack. Aunt Liu was curious, "Miss, weren't you just asleep?"

He Yuxiu impatiently said, "Just don't ask. I'm hungry again. Hurry up and prepare it."

Aunt Liu prepared a plate of sausages, a plate of roasted chicken, a plate of lamb, and a plate of greens. He Yuxiu carried them into the room herself.

Li Qi ate as he asked, "Xiuer, let me ask you something: what level is your cultivation?"

He Yuxiu gave a simple smile. "Seventh Brother, everyone familiar with me knows this: I'm an eighth-level martial cultivator."

Li Qi chuckled. "An eighth-level martial cultivator strikes so wildly?"

He Yuxiu looked a bit embarrassed. "Weren't you startled just now? I didn't pay attention to my aim."

"Truly eighth-level?"

"Could I lie to you?"

"Are you really not lying to me?" Li Qi pulled out a feather duster.

He Yuxiu shivered and quickly waved her hands. "No, Seventh Brother, let's talk this over. I haven't neglected my cultivation all these years. If I were to say eighth-level, perhaps it's more than that."

"You're quite subtle," Li Qi sneered. "It's been ninth-level for a while, hasn't it?"

He Yuxiu lowered her voice. "No one else can know this. I don't want to be targeted by the Inner Province."

In Proland, a ninth-level cultivator, if their status became known, would easily be targeted by the Inner Province.

Li Banfeng advised earnestly, "Xiuer, it's only a matter of time before they target you. Hiding like this isn't a solution."

He Yuxiu's eyes lit up. "Do you have a good plan?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Xiuer, do you want to become a local deity?"

He Yuxiu thought for a moment. "If it means going to the Inner Province as a slave or servant, I can't do that. I'm not cut out for it."

"What if you don't have to go to the Inner Province?"

He Yuxiu's face showed pleasant surprise. "Such a good thing exists?"

Li Banfeng smiled. "That's why I say Seventh Brother loves you. You've truly stumbled upon something good."