Chapter 629: Demon

Du Wenming sought out He Jiaqing, announcing a promising business opportunity.

He Jiaqing pointed to the newly cultivated land behind him: "What do you think of my business?""Clearing new land? You call that a business?" Du Wenming scoffed dismissively.

He Jiaqing answered earnestly, "In Puluo Prefecture, this is the most legitimate business there is." He then added, "I know Yu Yaoming's whereabouts. Are you interested in that deal?"

He Jiaqing thought for a moment and asked, "Is Yu Yaoming still at Lu Family Bookstore?" Du Wenming nodded.

He Jiaqing shook his head: "Let's forget about this deal. I don't want to damage my good relationship with Boss Lu.""Are you scared because Zhou Badou beat you?" Du Wenming chuckled.

Du Wenming had hit the nail on the head; He Jiaqing was indeed intimidated.

Seeing He Jiaqing remain silent, Du Wenming continued: "Then let's discuss a different venture. Yu Yaoming's boundary-crossing device was indeed successful; people can use his equipment to enter wormholes, but special methods are required to exit them. I can disclose some of his core technical content to you, but on one condition: you help me remove something."

He Jiaqing sized up Du Wenming, guessing his request: "There's a very troublesome mark inside your body. You want me to remove it for you?"

He Jiaqing's immediate insight into the core issue surprised Du Wenming, who nodded repeatedly: "It seems I've come to the right person."

He Jiaqing glanced around: "This deal can be done, but we need to hurry. The person who left that mark on you might be coming for you soon, and I certainly don't want to get involved in this matter. First, show me the relevant core information. I need to confirm if these documents are truly valuable."Du Wenming frowned: "Payment upfront?"

He Jiaqing nodded: "Do you think I'm being a bit overbearing? If you're not satisfied, you can find someone else. But the person looking for you should be very close now."Du Wenming no longer hesitated, pulling out a document bag and handing it to He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing opened the documents and scanned them, seeing a detailed explanation of Yu Yaoming's research results, along with relevant experimental data. "These data are from before Yu Yaoming was arrested. Are they somewhat outdated?" He Jiaqing seemed rather particular.

Du Wenming stood still. On a large tree behind him, a crow's neck twisted to the right, its head turning a full ninety degrees. *Snap!*

He Jiaqing's head also twisted ninety degrees.

He Jiaqing was shocked. He had been wary of Du Wenming's techniques, but Du Wenming hadn't used his technique directly on him. He had used it on the crow, and the crow had transferred the technique to He Jiaqing.

"I paid you, and you're not delivering. That's your fault," Du Wenming said, his eyes glinting with cold light.

He Jiaqing, his head still tilted, managed a slight smile: "Don't be nervous. I just have some questions about the documents. I assure you, I will honor our agreement." Du Wenming waved his hand, and He Jiaqing's neck straightened.

They stared at each other for a moment, a cold wind, like a sharp blade, swept across their cheeks.

If it came down to a fight to the death, He Jiaqing felt he could probably win against Du Wenming, but he didn't want to fight.

He Jiaqing extended his right hand towards Du Wenming: "This might be a bit intrusive, please don't mind." Du Wenming nodded slightly, watching as He Jiaqing's hand entered his abdomen.

After about ten seconds, He Jiaqing withdrew his hand. In his palm was the character "Zhou," inked in jet-black and dripping with fresh blood.

"This is the mark on you. I've already guessed who put it there. Destroying this mark isn't easy. You need to take this with you. I don't want Ink Scholar Badou to find this place."

Du Wenming shook his head: "I have no intention of taking it. I paid you to do this, so naturally, you're responsible for the aftermath. That's fair and reasonable." Du Wenming stood facing He Jiaqing, then took large strides as if moving forward, but his body was rapidly receding, and his figure quickly vanished into the forest. *Does he always have to walk like he's dancing?*

He Jiaqing pondered for a moment before understanding the reason: with Du Wenming's way of walking, it would be difficult for anyone to follow him.

He quickly hid the documents Du Wenming had given him inside his clothes, but the bloody character "Zhou" in his hand needed to be dealt with quickly.

What He Jiaqing had just said was true: destroying this mark was indeed not easy. He couldn't do it with his own power alone; he needed a magical artifact. However, this artifact wasn't on him. To be precise, it wasn't even his; it belonged to Xie Juncong, the head of Ghost Hand Sect.

Normally, taking something from Xie Juncong wouldn't be a problem, but the situation was different now. He Jiaqing knew that Laughing Thousand Hands was targeting him, and there was a high chance Xie Juncong might harm him too.

Since the mark was so difficult to destroy, He Jiaqing came up with an idea: he decided to hide it.

Hiding it in Chu Yaoxian's territory would definitely not be suitable. If Zhou Badou came looking, a little torture would make Chu Yaoxian reveal He Jiaqing's whereabouts. Where would be appropriate?

Huaxian Village, Hua Manchun's territory!

Hua Manchun's territory bordered Chu Yaoxian's. Hua Manchun had been killed by Li Banfeng, so the territory now belonged to Li Banfeng and was currently managed by Ma Wu.

If he buried the mark in Huaxian Village, when Zhou Badou found it, he would only be able to confront Li Qi and Ma Wu, leaving He Jiaqing out of it. With this thought, He Jiaqing pulled a wooden box from his pocket, put the character "Zhou" inside, and rushed like lightning to Huaxian Village.

At dusk, Boss Lu arrived at Huaxian Village. In the woods outside the village, he dug up a wooden box. Inside the box was a bloody character "Zhou." This was the mark he had left on Du Wenming's body, and now it was buried here by an unknown hand.

Boss Lu naturally knew Huaxian Village's rules: men were not allowed inside the village. But he saw men coming and going, which proved that some rumors were true. Huaxian Village had changed owners, and this matter was related to Li Qi and Ma Wu.

So, was this "Zhou" character connected to them? Or had Du Wenming visited Huaxian Village?

As Boss Lu pondered, he suddenly saw an acquaintance emerge from the village: Luo Zhengnan, leading a group of craftsmen to select timber in the forest. Boss Lu didn't hide; he walked straight up and greeted him: "Hall Master Luo, long time no see."

Luo Zhengnan paused, then stepped forward: "Boss Lu, what brings you here? Could it be that you're planning to open a bookstore in Huaxian Village?"

Boss Lu chuckled: "Hall Master Luo, you're quite a jester. Huaxian Village doesn't even allow men to enter, how could I do business here? I'm just delivering books to a client and happened to pass by."

Luo Zhengnan shook his head repeatedly: "Boss Lu, what you're talking about is ancient history. Huaxian Village's rules have changed. If you want to open a shop here, just let me know, and I'll find a good spot for you."

Boss Lu cupped his hands and said: "Once I've saved some capital, I'll trouble Hall Master Luo again."

The two men handled the conversation with perfect tact. To whom was Boss Lu delivering books? What kind of books? Why travel such a long distance? These were questions Boss Lu found difficult to answer, but Luo Zhengnan didn't press him.

By the same token, why had Huaxian Village's rules changed? Who was in charge of Huaxian Village now? Luo Zhengnan found these questions difficult to explicitly answer, and Boss Lu didn't ask them.

The two chatted casually, as if they had just met on a street in Greenwater City. When their conversation wound down, Boss Lu cupped his hands and took his leave. Once he was out of earshot, Luo Zhengnan immediately called Li Banfeng.

"Boss Lu went to Huaxian Village?" Li Banfeng couldn't grasp Boss Lu's intentions. Instead of making wild guesses, he decided it would be better to find a suitable day to ask Boss Lu directly.

Which day would be suitable? Li Banfeng consulted the almanac.

Boss Lu returned to his bookstore in Greenwater City, went upstairs, and said to Yu Yaoming: "Du Wenming escaped. I didn't catch him."Yu Yaoming was startled: "Didn't you say you left a mark? Is your mark not working?"

Boss Lu shook his head: "Someone took the mark from Du Wenming and buried it in Huaxian Village.""What kind of place is Huaxian Village?"

"It's rumored to be Li Qi's territory."

"Li Qi?" Yu Yaoming exclaimed in surprise, "Li Qi and Du Wenming are enemies. I was captured by Li Qi back then, and Du Wenming rescued me. Afterward, Du Wenming tried to help me retrieve my equipment, but he fell into Li Qi's trap and lost his Outer Prefecture identity and all his belongings. Their hatred runs deep. They're bound to fight to the death eventually. How could Li Qi have saved Du Wenming?"

Boss Lu sat by the tea stove, poking at the coals: "There's a lot of bustling activity, all driven by profit. The boundary involves significant interests, so Li Qi must also want to find a way to break through it."Yu Yaoming thought about it but still found it illogical: "He took out Du Wenming's mark and then buried it in his own territory? Doesn't that just lay the whole thing bare for you to see?"

Boss Lu put some tea leaves into the teapot: "If anyone else did that, it would be unreasonable, but Li Qi never cares about reason when he acts. He might be warning me that Du Wenming is now under his wing, and I shouldn't go after him anymore."

"He's warning you?" Yu Yaoming found it illogical. "Does he possess that kind of power?"

Boss Lu poured two cups of tea, one for Yu Yaoming and one for himself: "Strength and combat power are two different concepts. Whether in Inner Prefecture, Outer Prefecture, or Puluo Prefecture, Li Qi has capital, and capital is strength. I admire this person; I don't want to fall out with him."

Yu Yaoming had a bitter expression: "Then if we don't fall out with him, won't the boundary secret leak?"

"I need to find an opportunity to sound out Li Qi. I can't rush it; I'll have to beat around the bush and test him repeatedly." Boss Lu sipped his tea, contemplating his future strategy. Yu Yaoming also wanted to offer some advice when he suddenly saw a magazine on the bookshelf move.

This was a magazine published by Black Rock Slope, which Yu Yaoming particularly enjoyed reading. The cover featured three beautiful women in traditional attire, cupping their hands in a greeting, celebrating the New Year. On the first page of the magazine's main content, the three women had shed their traditional clothes, each holding a golden ingot, symbolizing prosperity and wealth.

On the second page, six women were depicted without clothing, each holding a golden ruyi scepter, symbolizing 'six-six great success' and everything going smoothly. On the third page, Tang Shijiang was holding a pot of peonies, symbolizing blossoming wealth and prosperity.

This page was very important. Whenever Yu Yaoming saw the second page, he was on the verge of succumbing, but he always managed to persevere until the third page. The fourth page was an advertisement, which Yu Yaoming rarely looked at.

The fifth page was particularly exciting; Yu Yaoming looked at it the most, almost wearing it out. Boss Lu was annoyed: "When you read, you should be more careful with the book."

"I should indeed cherish it..." Yu Yaoming was very surprised. Except for Tang Shijiang on the third page, the figures on all the other pages actually moved. They moved!

Boss Lu paused on the fifth page for a moment. The women in the book suddenly disappeared, and the original picture transformed into the bookstore's main hall, where a man in a jacket stood.

"He's here," Boss Lu murmured, his brow furrowed slightly.

Yu Yaoming looked for a long time. He didn't recognize the man's face but felt that the jacket was somewhat common in the Outer Prefecture. "Is that Li Qi?"

Boss Lu nodded: "It's him. He came from the Outer Prefecture bookstore."

"Li Qi came at this time?" Yu Yaoming found it hard to understand, and Boss Lu was also puzzled. Boss Lu went downstairs and walked around the third row of bookshelves twice.

Logically, after circling the bookshelves, Boss Lu should have arrived at the Outer Prefecture shop. However, looking at the situation outside the door, he found himself still in Greenwater City. This situation was normal; within Puluo Prefecture's territory, Boss Lu could go to any Lu Family Bookstore whenever he wished.

But if he left the boundaries of Puluo Prefecture, it would depend on the Three-Headed Fork's state.

Currently, the Three-Headed Fork was in a very peculiar state; there wasn't even a gap in the boundary line. Boss Lu couldn't cross it and had to use special means.

He went under the counter and took out two documents, stamping them with his jade seal. He kept one document on his person and slipped the other outside the bookstore door.

He returned to the first row of bookshelves, stood for a moment, then circled the third row of bookshelves twice. When he emerged from between the two rows of shelves again, Boss Lu had arrived at the Outer Prefecture shop, where Li Qi was currently standing by the bookshelf near the entrance.

"Master Qi, I apologize for not greeting you sooner!" Boss Lu cupped his hands.

Li Qi returned the greeting and went straight to the point: "There's something I want to ask you. I originally planned to find a suitable day, but then I checked the almanac, and today seems quite appropriate."Boss Lu pondered for a moment, then also glanced at the almanac.

And indeed, today was quite a good day!

The two sat down in the main hall. Boss Lu brewed the wine tea, and Li Banfeng said, "I heard from Old Luo that you went to Huaxian Village. What was the reason?"Boss Lu stared at Li Qi for a moment, then simply counter-questioned: "You don't know about this?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you."

Boss Lu was silent for a moment. He had been prepared to find clues through indirect questioning and repeated probing. Yet, in just a few words, the matter seemed about to become clear.

When they discussed writing back then, Li Qi had once advised Boss Lu that good works should be straightforward.

To avoid any further misunderstanding, he decided to explain clearly: "Du Wenming and I had a bit of a disagreement, so I put a mark on him. I don't know who helped Du Wenming remove this mark and bury it in Huaxian Village."

"What kind of mark?"

Boss Lu glanced at the bloody character "Zhou."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I haven't seen this mark before, and my subordinates haven't seen Du Wenming recently. But since the mark appeared in Huaxian Village, it indicates this matter is directed at me. I'll pay closer attention."

As they spoke, Boss Lu kept watching Li Banfeng's expression. Li Banfeng offered no further explanation, rose, and took his leave.

Boss Lu gave a reminder: "Du Wenming's cultivation has greatly improved, Master Qi. Please be extremely careful." Li Banfeng thanked him and left the bookstore.

Boss Lu walked around the second row of bookshelves twice. Looking out the window, he was still in the Outer Prefecture, and the Three-Headed Fork boundary remained impassable.

"I thought I could save a document," he muttered. He took out the remaining document from his pocket, slipped it outside the door, walked around the second row of bookshelves twice, and then returned to Greenwater City.Upstairs, Boss Lu told Yu Yaoming: "You guessed correctly. This has nothing to do with Li Qi."

Yu Yaoming said: "Li Qi wasn't here to warn you?"

Boss Lu shook his head: "If he was secretly helping Du Wenming, he wouldn't have left the document in Huaxian Village. If he wanted to openly threaten me, he wouldn't have denied it. As it appears now, he didn't do it. So, who did?"*Ding-ding!*

A bell rang; someone had entered the bookstore.

Boss Lu picked up the magazine from the bookshelf and flipped through it page by page.

He flipped all the way to the last page and saw the situation in the ground floor hall: "Ah, a customer has come to buy books!"

Yu Yaoming was stunned for a moment: "I heard the bell downstairs a while ago! You've been flipping through that for ages; I think you just wanted to read the magazine!"If it were an ordinary person, Boss Lu might not have paid attention, but today's customer had some standing: Ling Miaosheng from Miaosheng Phonograph Shop.

Boss Lu went downstairs, walked directly to the counter, and said with a smile, "Boss Ling, have you come to buy sheet music?" Ling Miaosheng nodded and selected several music scores, including both Western music and traditional music.

According to Boss Lu's impression, Ling Miaosheng didn't usually study traditional Chinese music: "Boss Ling, so you've taken a liking to our ancestors' fine creations."

Ling Miaosheng nodded: "Our ancestors' creations are indeed excellent. I recently met two friends who are proficient in all instruments like the qin, se, sheng, and xiao, but are a bit lacking on the erhu. I'm buying two scores to study with them..."

Midway through his sentence, Ling Miaosheng suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

Boss Lu quickly helped Ling Miaosheng sit down: "Boss Ling, are you ill?"

Ling Miaosheng shook his head: "I don't know what's wrong. Perhaps it's been cold these past two days, and I caught a chill." Boss Lu remained silent. Ling Miaosheng's condition didn't seem like a common cold; it looked more like an internal injury.

After sitting for a moment, Ling Miaosheng recovered, took his sheet music, and returned to the phonograph shop. He entered his room, put on a record, and listened quietly.

These were records sent from the Ameikang Kingdom, a total of over ten. Each record had different music, and his memories from Ameikang Kingdom were hidden within them. He had even told Li Qi that once the records arrived, his memories would return. Yet, Ling Miaosheng had listened to them dozens of times, repeatedly, and recalled nothing.

After listening to two pieces, just as Ling Miaosheng was about to put on the third record, an assistant reported that Mr. Yang Shaofeng and Mr. Cai Weiming had arrived.

Yang Shaofeng and Cai Weiming were aliases for Bai Wusong of the White Crane Sect and his attendant Bai Xinsheng. These were the two people Ling Miaosheng was waiting for, so he quickly instructed the assistant to invite them in. "Gentlemen, why are you here so early today?"

Bai Wusong cupped his hands and said: "Mr. Ling, we have come to bid you farewell today."

Ling Miaosheng was stunned. He had a particular affinity with Bai Wusong; they had been studying music together every day recently. Bai Wusong's announcement of departure made Ling Miaosheng truly reluctant. "Are you two in a hurry to leave because I've been a poor host?"

Bai Wusong took a letter from his pocket: "To find a true friend in life is my good fortune, and to receive Mr. Ling's help in my distress is even greater fortune. This small token is intended to cover our expenses for food and lodging during this time. Please, Mr. Ling, you must accept it."

Ling Miaosheng took it and saw a thick stack of banknotes inside the envelope: "Gentlemen, this embarrasses me. With three simple meals a day, how could I count such things with you?""Mr. Ling, I don't know how to repay your kindness. If you don't accept this small token, it will make me feel truly uneasy."

Bai Wusong sincerely wanted to give it, but Ling Miaosheng absolutely refused to accept: "Gentlemen, forgive my impertinence, but could you tell me where you are going? That way, if I wish to visit you in the future, I'll know the way."

Bai Wusong deliberated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth: "At this point, to continue concealing it would truly be a disservice to your generosity, Mr. Ling. So, I will tell you the truth now. My name is not Yang Shaofeng, and my disciple's name is not Cai Weiming. My name is Bai Wusong, and we are both members of the White Crane Sect."

Ling Miaosheng knew of the White Crane Sect; it was a sect for body cultivators. The name Bai Wusong also sounded familiar, but after his trip to the inner Ameikang Kingdom, his memory was damaged, and he simply couldn't recall who Bai Wusong was.

"Are you two planning to return to your sect?"

Bai Xinsheng said with his head down: "If only we could return to the sect." It seemed Bai Xinsheng didn't want to leave Greenwater City.

Bai Wusong glared at Bai Xinsheng, then said to Ling Miaosheng: "To be honest, we're not planning to return to our sect. We intend to make a trip to Snake Bridge Village. I presume Boss Ling also knows the origins of the White Crane Sect. I am a Hua Sheng body cultivator, and my disciple is a Bian Sheng body cultivator. From the day I joined, I've believed one thing: all body cultivators under heaven are our brethren. The day before yesterday, I learned that Mr. Li Qi has settled a group of my brethren in Snake Bridge Village. These brethren are people who suffered at the Three-Headed Fork, and I want to help them, otherwise I wouldn't have..."

Bai Wusong stopped mid-sentence.

He truly wanted to help the Three-Headed People of the Three-Headed Fork. He had been in secluded cultivation precisely to find a way to break through the boundary line, otherwise he wouldn't have crashed into it in the first place.

He couldn't finish that thought. Bai Wusong sighed and said, "I know I don't have much ability, but once we reach Snake Bridge Village, I will do everything I can, no matter how small the task. I'm willing to even do odd jobs."

Ling Miaosheng secretly admired him. He had traveled extensively, north and south, and people like Bai Wusong were truly rare, whether in Puluo Prefecture or Outer Prefecture. Setting aside other matters, how many body cultivators in this world would consider the Three-Headed People as their brethren?

Ling Miaosheng said: "I also have a connection with Li Qi. How about this: I'll take you two to Snake Bridge Village and have Li Qi introduce you."Bai Wusong shook his head: "We wouldn't dare trouble you, Mr. Ling. We don't need an introduction; we've seen Li Qi here at the phonograph shop before. It's enough for Mr. Li Qi to know that people like us exist. We're not going to Snake Bridge Village to bother anyone; we genuinely want to help."Ling Miaosheng smiled: "My relationship with Li Qi is quite strong too, and I also want to lend a hand in Snake Bridge Village. Let's set off today."

"But what about the business here...?"

"Someone will manage the business, don't worry, both of you."

Ling Miaosheng had his luggage prepared and a carriage ready. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt a dull ache beneath his ribs, followed by a wave of weakness throughout his body, almost making him collapse to the ground.

Seeing Ling Miaosheng's pale face and cold sweat, Bai Wusong asked, "Mr. Ling, what's wrong?"

Ling Miaosheng shook his head: "It's nothing serious. Perhaps it's been humid these past two days, and I just feel..."

Seeing Ling Miaosheng struggle to speak, Bai Wusong quickly helped him sit down: "I, Bai, have some slight medical knowledge. If you trust me, Mr. Ling, let me take your pulse."After taking his pulse, Bai Wusong pondered for a long time, then asked Ling Miaosheng: "Have you suffered an internal injury?"

An internal injury?

Ling Miaosheng thought for a long time, when a memory suddenly struck his mind.

"I was indeed injured..." Ling Miaosheng remembered the injury beneath his ribs. He also recalled the scene of someone treating him: he had collapsed, severely wounded, and an Ameikan had carried him back from the battlefield.

But how he had been injured, Ling Miaosheng couldn't recall.

Bai Xinsheng didn't want to go to Snake Bridge Village; he genuinely wanted to stay in Greenwater City. Now, seeing Ling Miaosheng injured, Bai Xinsheng quickly offered: "My master is extremely skilled in medicine, especially adept at acupuncture. If he treats you for a month or so, he can definitely heal your internal injury."

Ling Miaosheng looked at Bai Wusong. Bai Wusong already owed Ling Miaosheng a favor, so he certainly couldn't refuse this matter. "My acupuncture skills haven't been used for many years; I'm afraid they've become rusty. If you still trust me, Mr. Ling..."

"I trust you!" Ling Miaosheng cupped his hands and said, "I'm imposing on you, sir.""Not at all, not at all." Bai Wusong instructed Bai Xinsheng to prepare for the acupuncture.

Ling Miaosheng asked: "I'm a bit afraid of pain. When you perform the acupuncture, could I listen to some music?"Bai Wusong nodded: "That's perfectly fine."

Ling Miaosheng wasn't truly afraid of pain; he had just remembered something important. He wanted to retrieve his memories through the records.

With preparations complete, Bai Wusong began the acupuncture. Bai Xinsheng placed the first record on the phonograph. The melody was soothing and flowing, and Bai Wusong's needle insertion was steady. After the first piece finished, Bai Xinsheng put on the second record. The melody was light and cheerful, and Bai Wusong's mood relaxed considerably.

When the third record was put on, the orchestra immediately swelled, and the melody turned mournful and grand. Sweat beaded on Bai Wusong's forehead.

A moment later, the melody became low and oppressive, as if power was accumulating. Veins throbbed on Bai Wusong's temples.

After another moment, the melody became even more agitated. Bai Wusong applied force with his fingertips, pushing a silver needle half an inch deep, causing Ling Miaosheng to shiver in pain. Bai Wusong turned back and angrily scolded Bai Xinsheng: "Why are you playing this music? Are you intentionally trying to cause trouble?"

Just as Bai Xinsheng was about to change the record, Ling Miaosheng waved his hand: "Wait, let me listen a little longer."Bai Wusong paused the acupuncture. After listening to the piece, Ling Miaosheng said to Bai Wusong: "This is a battle song."

Bai Wusong nodded: "Western battle songs indeed have a fierce spirit. They make me want to go to battle."

"Battle..." Ling Miaosheng recalled more things. "I've fought in wars, many fierce battles, but I can't remember who I fought against." Bai Wusong didn't ask further. He signaled Bai Xinsheng to change the song.

Bai Xinsheng changed the record. Just as Bai Wusong was about to continue the acupuncture, he again felt uneasy. This piece was eerie and unsettling, its modes shifting constantly, and its scales rising and falling.

Bai Wusong shook his head: "This music is unbearable. It sounds like a hundred demons rampaging through the streets."

"A hundred demons!" Ling Miaosheng suddenly looked up. "Yes, exactly a hundred, a hundred demons! Demons sent by the Inner Prefecture!"

Li Banfeng returned to his residence, carefully pondering Boss Lu's words and speculating on the hidden implications. As he thought, a surge of power coursed through his body, making him shiver involuntarily.

This power came from the popularity within his body. Previously, at Haichi Ridge, Pan Dehai had given Li Banfeng the statue of Master Qi. Li Banfeng absorbed this popularity, greatly improving his cultivation. At Elbow Mountain, he had used his berserk cultivation technique and also 'Expanded Territory'.

The sheer amount of popularity, coupled with Li Banfeng not having advanced in rank, meant that this popularity had not yet been fully absorbed.

This was Pan Dehai proactively showing goodwill to Li Banfeng, and it wasn't the only instance; Pan Dehai had also taken in Qin Xiaopang earlier. Thinking of Qin Xiaopang, a clue surfaced in Li Banfeng's mind.

Qin Tianjiu's cultivation had greatly improved after he emerged from the wormhole. Boss Lu had just mentioned that Du Wenming's cultivation had also advanced significantly.

Qin Tianjiu was sent into the wormhole by Boss Lu, so how did Du Wenming's cultivation improve? Was he also sent into the wormhole by Boss Lu?

And how did Du Wenming get out of the wormhole?

Boss Lu was actively searching for Du Wenming, which proved that Du Wenming wasn't likely released by Boss Lu. Could he have found his own way out? Did Du Wenming already possess the ability to exit the wormhole?

He had become that powerful.

Considering his past conflicts with Du Wenming, Li Banfeng felt danger approaching. He immediately called Luo Zhengnan on a simple phone: "Old Luo, keep an eye on Du Wenming's movements. This person went to Huaxian Village, and Boss Lu went there specifically for him."

Luo Zhengnan immediately led his people to investigate. As Li Qi was pondering Du Wenming's whereabouts, he suddenly heard the projector say: "Director Qi, you have a call from Shen Jingye."Shen Jingye had bought food and wine at his office and invited Li Banfeng for a drink, as there was good news today.

Arriving at the office, Li Banfeng saw Shen Jingye's face light up as if a flower had bloomed. He asked, "What good news is it?"

Shen Jingye chuckled: "The Dark Star Bureau is safe. Half of it is because you insisted on staying, and the other half is because something happened with the Outer Bright Bureau.""What happened?"

"The Outer Bright Bureau wanted to establish its authority, so they started with the Hundred Demon Workshop, an dark energy organization. In fact, the Hundred Demon Workshop was quite a law-abiding organization, but the Outer Bright Bureau lacked discretion and went too far, causing widespread dissatisfaction among many international dark energy organizations and creating a very negative impact.