Chapter 630: Hundred Demon Master

The Darkstar Bureau was saved, and Shen Jingye was delighted. The two of them had several extra drinks, and Shen Jingye then wanted to listen to some music.

"Which song?"

"That one, 'Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Bloom in Spring.' Should we listen on your computer?"

Shen Jingye shook his head. "A record player sounds much better. We still have a lot to do, but come on, let's go to my office."

Once in the office, Li Banfeng took out a wind-up phonograph, wound it up, placed a record on it, and began playing "Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Bloom in Spring." As the familiar melody, "Butterflies fly away, and my heart is no longer..." filled the air, Shen Jingye looked utterly enchanted.

After the song finished, Shen Jingye sighed, "Beautifully sung. This song is sung so well; only she could sing it like this in the world." Li Banfeng was startled. "You know who sang this?"

Shen Jingye looked quite proud. "If I'm not mistaken, it should be Huang Yuxian." Li Banfeng calmly asked, "Who is Huang Yuxian?"

Shen Jingye was dumbfounded. "You're from Pro Prefecture, and you haven't heard of Huang Yuxian, the legendary diva of her generation?"

Li Banfeng looked thoughtful. "I think I have some impression... isn't she just an opera singer? It's normal that I can't quite recall."

"She's much more than that!" Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "Huang Yuxian, nicknamed the 'Shadow Diva,' was one of Pro Prefecture's foremost divas and also one of its greatest heroines. During the Second Pro Prefecture War, Huang Yuxian commanded over thirty battles, large and small, with scarcely a single defeat.

Especially in the Battle of Suighar Plain, Huang Yuxian led the elite cavalry to defeat the Inner Prefecture army, helping Pro Prefecture secure victory. Huang Yuxian's contributions were indispensable to winning the Second Pro War!"

"What's the origin of the elite cavalry?"

Shen Jingye replied, "They're Pro Prefecture's own army, a very formidable force. Their military achievements are incredible, too much to explain in a few words. I'll get you the relevant documents another day so you can read them."

Li Banfeng grew anxious. "Don't put it off! Today's a good day; I've already checked the almanac."

Shen Jingye smiled. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll notify the archives to send them over. It's not appropriate for people to see me having drunk so much today, and besides, I have many tasks tomorrow. We need to prioritize handling the Hundred Demons Workshop situation."

Li Banfeng said, "That's simple. You find the clues, and I'll take care of it for you."

Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "We absolutely cannot use your method for this. The Outer Bright Bureau handled it too aggressively, and the impact was very negative. We must find another way to deal with it. I'll listen to you on other matters, but please, on the Hundred Demons Workshop issue, you must listen to me. If we follow the Outer Bright Bureau's old path, the Darkstar Bureau truly won't be saved."

As he spoke, Shen Jingye glanced at his watch. It was almost ten o'clock again. "I need to go home." Li Banfeng asked, "You've been gone for half a month; your wife isn't angry with you, is she?"

"How could she not be angry?" Shen Jingye unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a bandage. "She cut me with a knife; a nine-centimeter wound, it almost hit my heart." Li Banfeng asked, "Then why did you come back?"

Shen Jingye gave a wry smile. "Because I couldn't bear to leave. Besides her, who else in this world would care about me?"

He opened the office door, then closed it again as he turned. "I heard A'yi say you looked for me in Hulu Village. Thank you, brother." Li Banfeng smiled and nodded slightly.

Shen Jingye also smiled, then turned and left the office.

The next day, just as Li Banfeng was about to go to work, Luo Zhengnan suddenly called. "Seventh Master, something strange happened in Chu Yaoxian's territory. When Juanzi and her team were preparing to clear the land, they encountered a tiger and a rabbit that looked like puppets. Before they could even enter the plot, they were impaled by tree branches. Juanzi and her team couldn't quite figure out how they died."

Chu Yaoxian's attitude had changed too quickly, raising Li Banfeng's suspicions, which was why he had arranged for Juanzi to lead the team to clear the land.

The moment Luo Zhengnan mentioned puppets, Li Banfeng's heart sank; he thought of Du Wenming.

Du Wenming's specialty was puppet dance, and in the lab, many people had mistaken Du Wenming himself for a puppet. Comparing the time and location, Li Banfeng suspected Du Wenming might have gone to Chu Yaoxian's new territory, then to Huaxian Manor. "Tell Juanzi and her team to be careful and stay vigilant. I'm returning to Pro Prefecture today."

As he traveled, Li Banfeng pondered: Why would Du Wenming go to Chu Yaoxian's territory? And where was he now?

In the villa's main hall, Du Wenming sat on the sofa, looking at the woman across the coffee table. This woman, in her forties, was named Pei Yurong, the leader of the Hundred Demons Workshop.

Du Wenming lowered his head and said sincerely, "I am willing to accept your criticism, and I am willing to admit my own problems and mistakes. I only hope that we can maintain an attitude of frank communication with each other."

Pei Yurong shook her head. "Director Du, what makes you say that? Considering your current status and past achievements, I am in no position to criticize you."

Du Wenming sighed. "Why say such exasperated things? I know it was the Hundred Demons Workshop that gave me a higher platform and opportunities. After achieving some success, I neglected some work within the Workshop. For this, I must first conduct a profound self-reflection."

Pei Yurong didn't give Du Wenming a chance to apologize. "I sense your sincerity, and I hope we can strengthen our cooperation in the future. If there's nothing else..." Pei Yurong's attitude was as Du Wenming expected, but he wanted to try one more time:

"Leader Pei, there's no need for us to dwell on past conflicts. If you don't trust my current capabilities, I can demonstrate them directly. I know many members of the Workshop have been arrested, and I can figure out a way to rescue them."

Pei Yurong placed her teacup back on the coffee table. "We are already rescuing our members through other channels."

Du Wenming shook his head. "Your channels are nothing more than applying pressure through public opinion. That tactic might work against the Outer Bright Bureau, but it's useless against the Darkstar Bureau. I know the Darkstar Bureau very well. How much effort did the Birch Hermitage put into public opinion back then? You saw what ultimately happened to them, didn't you?"

Pei Yurong shook her head slightly. "We are different from the Birch Hermitage. Although you distanced yourself from us after rising to prominence within the Birch Hermitage, our influence is much greater than theirs. The Hundred Demons Workshop has members all over the globe."

Du Wenming sighed. "Leader, this isn't a problem that can be solved simply by having more people. A superficial difference doesn't change the fundamental outcome. I've worked in relevant institutions for many years, and I can foresee the progression of such incidents.

Many of the members arrested by the Outer Bright Bureau are key figures within the organization, and a significant number of them know too many of the Hundred Demons Workshop's secrets.

These secrets will soon be in the Darkstar Bureau's possession. They are different from the Outer Bright Bureau; they are much more experienced and skilled in interrogation methods. If you truly don't care about these core members, then disregard what I just said."

Du Wenming watched Pei Yurong intently.

Pei Yurong idly rubbed her teacup, deep in thought.

A few minutes later, Pei Yurong looked up at Du Wenming. "The area where they are held is surrounded by boundaries. This is the most difficult obstacle to break through in the rescue operation." Du Wenming said, "That proves I came to the right place. Only I can rescue them."

Pei Yurong was skeptical of Du Wenming. "Do you really have a way to break through the boundaries?"

Du Wenming stared intently into Pei Yurong's eyes. "Do you think I would possibly deceive you on this matter?"

Pei Yurong pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "It's not necessarily about rescuing them, but we must ensure that the organization's secrets are not leaked." After speaking, Pei Yurong began playing with her teacup again, a habit of hers; when discussing crucial matters, her tone and expression often seemed more casual.

Du Wenming stood up. "That makes things much easier. I'll need some support and assistance." Pei Yurong glanced at her subordinate, who then brought a set of communication equipment to Du Wenming.

"This communication equipment is protected by ancient enchantments. With the Darkstar Bureau's current technological capabilities, they cannot eavesdrop or track it. You can contact me anytime using this device, and I will have personnel ready to provide assistance whenever you need it."

Du Wenming put away the equipment and bowed. "Thank you for your trust, Leader."

Pei Yurong smiled. "I also hope you can regain our trust. Now, tell me your terms!" Du Wenming no longer demurred. "I need money, and a substantial amount."

Pei Yurong looked skeptical. "You're not joking, are you? The third-in-command of Snowflake Port is short on money?"

Du Wenming gave a wry smile. "Why mock me? Many people already know that Snowflake Port is short on cash."

Yuecheng City, Huaming District, Guling Village, Guyuan Farm.

Ostensibly a state-owned farm, this was actually an external base for the Darkstar Bureau, used to store large materials and equipment.

After Zou Guoming's (Big Head's) escape, this external base acquired new functions. It was also used to detain important suspects because the core area of the base contained different levels of boundaries, whose number and strength surpassed those at the Darkstar Bureau headquarters. Consequently, the security level here was considerably higher than that of the Darkstar Bureau building.

Some of the suspects apprehended by the Outer Bright Bureau from the Hundred Demons Workshop were transferred to Guyuan Farm. Director Yan Songhuai said to Shen Jingye, "Old Shen, I've handed over the people to you. I suppose I've made a fool of myself this time."

Shen Jingye quickly shook his head. "Old Yan, that's unfair to say. We've been brothers for so many years; don't you know what kind of person I am? How could I mock you? Besides, I can't even laugh about this; dealing with the Hundred Demons Workshop is no easy task."

Yan Songhuai looked around, then lowered his voice to Shen Jingye. "Old Shen, this work truly isn't easy. I'm not just complaining because I messed things up; there are many hidden difficulties involved.

The people from the Hundred Demons Workshop are not as easy to deal with as you might think. Not only do they have extensive connections, but they are also quite ruthless. I've said what I needed to say; just be careful yourself." After completing the handover, Yan Songhuai left.

There were twenty cells in two rows, surrounded by a circle of boundaries.

These cells held thirty-eight important suspects, thirteen of whom were core members of the Hundred Demons Workshop.

Shen Jingye called Chen Changrui. "Old Chen, move all the other suspects out. Only the Hundred Demons Workshop members will be detained here.

Each person gets a single cell, and their cells must be changed daily. No one can stay in the same cell for two consecutive days." Just by this treatment, Chen Changrui understood the importance Shen Jingye placed on this matter.

"Director Shen, when will the interrogation begin?"

Shen Jingye thought for a moment. "It starts immediately today. Assemble a task force from the investigation department and the security team. You will personally participate in the interrogations. If there are any important clues, inform me at once.

Additionally, draw personnel from the security team to enhance the farm's security, and instruct the investigation department to pay close attention to the Hundred Demons Workshop's recent movements." As he spoke, Shen Jingye looked at Chen Changrui.

Chen Changrui was looking back over his shoulder, seemingly not having paid close attention to Shen Jingye's words earlier. "Old Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Changrui was the Darkstar Bureau's highest-ranking perceptive cultivator. Just moments ago, he had sensed someone watching him from behind. "Director Shen, I recommend we first conduct a hidden danger sweep of the farm."

Shen Jingye nodded and called for Ji Shoulin, the head of the security team. "Bring Huajia here and have him lead a comprehensive search of the farm. Also, call the head of the investigation department and have him arrange for drones to patrol around the farm twenty-four hours a day."

Du Wenming left the farm with dancing steps. His dance was striking, but the dazzling physical movements paradoxically created a kind of visual obstruction, making anyone who saw him think they were witnessing an illusion on snow.

After walking three kilometers on the road, Du Wenming got into a blue sedan and drove towards the city center.

He took out an earphone from his pocket, pinched its lower end, and contacted Pei Yurong, the leader of the Hundred Demons Workshop. "Leader Pei, I've scouted the location. I can get things done within five days."

"We can't wait five days. The matter needs to be resolved tomorrow; some secrets absolutely cannot be leaked."

"Tomorrow will be difficult," Du Wenming stated his condition. "I'm experiencing some physical issues; I have some special illnesses that require treatment." Pei Yurong was quite annoyed by the last-minute condition. "Why didn't you explain the situation before?"

"I only realized how serious the condition was today."

Pei Yurong was silent for a moment. "I'll arrange a doctor for you; they can meet you this afternoon."

"If it's just a regular doctor, never mind. My symptoms are a bit peculiar." Du Wenming scratched his arm, and a row of bluish-green rashes appeared.

"She's the Hundred Demons Workshop's most outstanding young healer in recent years. If even she can't cure you, I can't think of any other way. First, give me an address." "Room 5106, 51st floor, Building 2, Yunyi Mingdi Residential Community, Yuxian Road, Jiaxing District."

Back at his residence, Du Wenming took off his clothes, pulled out various potions, and applied them to his body.

The rashes multiplied, itching him unbearably. He filled a bathtub with water, submerged himself, and only then found some slight relief. He endured until two o'clock in the afternoon when the doctor sent by the Hundred Demons Workshop arrived.

This doctor, named Qiu Shiya, appeared to be under thirty. Du Wenming severely doubted her abilities. However, once Qiu Shiya examined Du Wenming's condition, all of Du Wenming's doubts were immediately dispelled.

"Your rash is incurable." "Is there any way to alleviate the symptoms?"

Qiu Shiya puffed out her chest and replied, "There's no way!" Without a doubt, she truly lacked that ability.

Du Wenming politely opened the door, smiled faintly at Qiu Shiya, and said, "Get out!"

Qiu Shiya stormed off. Reaching the community entrance, she glanced back at Building 3 and couldn't help but spit.

"Spitting in public is uncivilized," a middle-aged man said, handing a flyer to Qiu Shiya. "Lu Family Bookstore's weekend grand promotion: 30% off everything. New and old customers welcome." Qiu Shiya took the flyer and looked at the man.

He was right; spitting in public was uncivilized.

"Hah—*ptui*!" Qiu Shiya coughed up another gob of spit, spat it onto the flyer, threw the flyer aside, and walked away.

Boss Lu gave a wry smile. "This young person is really awful! The people who usually come to me to sell things are all quite decent; none of them are like her." After speaking, Boss Lu looked up at the residential community, muttering to himself, "It seems he really is here. Which building, which floor? Should I go in and look?" Boss Lu consulted his almanac, and his brows furrowed.

Today wasn't a good day for finding people.

But he had already come all this way. What if the person moved tomorrow? Boss Lu hesitated for a moment, then put away the almanac.

He couldn't entirely trust this thing.

He tore off another flyer, and the tiny words on it entered the community, burrowing into the various residential buildings.

Du Wenming slapped himself. He shouldn't have harbored any illusions about the Hundred Demons Workshop's healers. Apart from Kang Zhenchang, probably no one in the entire Outer Prefecture could offer an effective solution for this disease.

If he were still Director Du, he could contact Kang Zhenchang anytime, but now he was a wanted fugitive in the Outer Prefecture.

Left with no other choice, he found a mirror, squeezed open a blister, and smeared the pus from it onto the mirror. He then pricked his fingertip and used his blood to draw a picture within the blister's fluid.

The drawing was simple: a circle for a head and an arc for a mouth. After more than a minute, the drawing's mouth began to move. "Who seeks me?" the mirror emitted Cui Tik's voice.

"It's me."

"Who seeks me?" Cui Tik repeated.

"It's me!" Du Wenming used his blood to draw two ears on the mirror's surface. This time, Cui Tik could hear him. "Ah, it's you, Mr. Du. You haven't contacted me in a long time."

"I told you I went to the wormhole. I couldn't contact you at all while I was in there. I just got out of the wormhole and contacted you once." Cui Tik thought for a moment and then said, "You promised me we'd meet at least once every two days, but I still haven't seen you."

Du Wenming shook his head helplessly and then drew two eyes on the mirror's surface.

The two eyes curved downwards, and the corners of the mouth simultaneously turned upwards. The figure in the mirror smiled. "Friend, I finally see you. Your condition doesn't seem too good." Du Wenming nodded. "My condition is very bad. I didn't deliberately avoid contacting you; I'm a wanted fugitive in the Outer Prefecture, so I have to be extremely careful."

"What did you go to the Outer Prefecture for?"

"I told you I needed to acquire a sum of money and some equipment. Only then can I achieve control over the boundary lines. How can you not remember any of this?" Cui Tik was indeed a bit forgetful. He had been very busy recently; impersonating the God of Flourishing and Withered was already difficult, and he also had to occasionally check on Desong Cliff.

"I remember that, but you told me at the time that you were going to seek funding from He Jiaqing."

"He Jiaqing was unwilling to cooperate with me, so I could only come to the Outer Prefecture for help. I've always considered you my friend; I never had any intention of betraying you." "Mr. Du, are you in great pain?" Cui Tik's voice changed, his tone becoming deeper.

"I am in great pain." Du Wenming nodded repeatedly. He was somewhat afraid now; in his impression, Cui Tik was a very humorous person, but at this moment, Cui Tik's tone was extremely serious.

"Mr. Du, can you tell me whose help you sought in the Outer Prefecture?"

"I sought help from the Birch Hermitage. I told you I was a high-ranking member of the Hermitage."

"But to my knowledge, under Li Qi's leadership, the Birch Hermitage has largely disappeared from Huan Kingdom."

Du Wenming shook his head. "The Hermitage's strength is very formidable; the Darkstar Bureau hasn't caused them much loss." "Then why didn't you seek refuge with the Hermitage when you were wanted? Why did you flee to Pro Prefecture instead?"

"Because I felt Snowflake Port was more reliable."

"Why aren't you looking for Snowflake Port now? Has Snowflake Port become unreliable?"

"I have my reasons." Du Wenming couldn't provide a reasonable explanation; he found it very difficult to deceive Cui Tik.

Cui Tik was silent for a long time. The figure in the mirror's mouth curved upwards, smiling again. "Mr. Du, I detect the scent of lies in your words. There are many dark energy organizations in the Outer Prefecture. You might be involved with many, but there's one organization you absolutely should not contact.

Their actions are equivalent to those of demons among men. I told you the name of this organization; surely you haven't forgotten?" Du Wenming took a deep breath. "I remember. Rest assured, I have no contact with them."

"I don't need to be reassured, because I never needed to worry in the first place. This is your own affair.

I'm giving you five days. You must return to Pro Prefecture within five days. I'm very eager to see your research results on the boundaries. You won't suffer any more pain within these five days, but if I don't see you after five days, you will lose your life."

"Understood."

Cui Tik reverted to his playful tone. "Mr. Du, eat my face. It's excellent medicine for pain relief." The "face" he referred to was the pus and blood on the mirror.

Du Wenming didn't hesitate for a moment, licking the pus and blood clean from the mirror. Before the last of it was gone, Cui Tik didn't forget to add, "Come to Pro Prefecture soon. I'll be waiting for you."

Go to Pro Prefecture? That's still a long way off!

Du Wenming certainly didn't want to live his entire life under Cui Tik's control.

First seeking He Jiaqing, then the Hundred Demons Workshop, Du Wenming had only one goal: he needed money to procure expensive equipment.

He possessed the ability to enter and exit wormholes, but this ability often relied on luck. If he was lucky, he could find the wormhole's exit; if not, he would be trapped in the wormhole for a long time.

He had conducted extensive research on wormholes, and combined with his personal experiences within them, he believed he could quickly create equipment to pinpoint exits. With this equipment, he could cross boundaries at will and seek refuge in wormholes anytime.

He could also continuously enhance his cultivation by consuming worms in the wormhole until he could neutralize Cui Tik's affliction. As for the organization Cui Tik mentioned, he had it in mind.

Cui Tik was right; the Hundred Demons Workshop's actions were akin to those of demons.

However, there was one thing Cui Tik didn't know: Du Wenming himself was a member of the Hundred Demons Workshop.

He had deep conflicts with the Hundred Demons Workshop, and when he was down and out, he hadn't dared to seek out Pei Yurong, knowing the Workshop was capable of anything.

But now that Du Wenming had a way to cross boundaries, he also had leverage for negotiation. He believed he could secure the compensation he deserved from the Hundred Demons Workshop.

After consuming the pus and blood, the intense itching on his body disappeared, and the rashes slowly receded. Du Wenming calmed down and meticulously planned his next five days. Step one: tomorrow, extract the Hundred Demons Workshop's secrets, then kill the core members, and directly demand payment from the leader.

Step two: immediately contact buyers who have ready stock. As long as the money is paid, the equipment can be delivered the same day.

Step three: take three days to assemble the equipment. This is a portable device, much simpler than the one Yu Yaoming designed. Step four: once the equipment is ready, immediately enter the wormhole and suppress the affliction by consuming worms until he is strong enough to neutralize it. Step five: once he possesses sufficient cultivation and the ability to cross boundaries, he will be able to...

What was that on the floor? Ants?

Du Wenming's thoughts were interrupted. He realized that what was crawling on the floor wasn't ants, but words—three neatly written, printed characters. These three characters read "Grand Promotion."

Could it be him...

Without thinking further, Du Wenming immediately leaped out the window and climbed down the wall from the fifty-first floor. No sooner had he left than Boss Lu entered his room.

Scanning the room, Boss Lu noticed a mirror on the table.

The mirror held a trace of spiritual energy. Boss Lu approached and touched it, immediately sensing danger. There was a strange scent on the mirror, somewhat similar to the smell on the Green Flower.

Affliction!

Boss Lu flung his hand, and the words from the flyer darted out, wrapping around his right hand and tearing off a layer of skin.

"I shouldn't have come! I already checked the almanac! It clearly said not to come today!" Boss Lu was filled with regret, wishing he could slap himself.

Late at night, the Three-Headed people and the Aberrant Creatures ceased their fighting, each preparing for the next day's assessment.

Chu Yaoxian returned to her residence, heated a basin of water, washed away the grime of travel, lay down on her bed, and fell asleep. After a short rest, she suddenly felt someone by her bedside and quickly asked, "Is that Jiaqing?"

"No," Li Banfeng lit a match, then a candle, illuminating Chu Yaoxian's face. "Does He Jiaqing always come at this time?" Chu Yaoxian was terrified. "Seventh Master, what are you doing entering a woman's home in the middle of the night?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment; indeed, it was a bit inappropriate. "How about you come to my place for a talk instead?"

"Seventh Master, what exactly do you want from me?" Chu Yaoxian was very scared. Li Qi had entered her room and sat by her bed without her detecting him at all, which showed the vast disparity in their strengths.

Li Banfeng asked, "Have you seen Du Wenming?"

"Who is Du Wenming?" Chu Yaoxian genuinely didn't know the person. "A Dance Cultivator, from your same Daoist sect, and more powerful than you."

Chu Yaoxian lowered her head. "Many people have come to this territory in the past couple of days; I don't remember..." Li Banfeng smiled. "How about we talk somewhere else? Perhaps you'll remember then?" Chu Yaoxian shook her head repeatedly. "Seventh Master, don't worry, I remember now!" "Remember what?"

"He Jiaqing was also there that day, and he chatted with that Dance Cultivator for quite a while. What they discussed, I truly don't know."