Chapter 685: True Data Room

Li Banfeng purchased the lens his wife requested, and she installed it in under an hour.

After leaving the lab, the two went to Xindi, a location near Qiqiu City. This was Wannianlao's territory. Shuiyongquan had mentioned that Wannianlao and Qiuluoye had been on good terms recently, often interacting. Li Banfeng had been looking for an opportunity to get some glue from Wannianlao.

However, today's visit wasn't for glue; it was to test his wife's newly crafted torch. Li Banfeng found an empty space, handed the key to his wife, and used his "Close Doors and Shut Gates" technique to manifest the boundary.

His wife held the key, not understanding what Li Banfeng meant.

Li Banfeng had another purpose in mind; he gave the key to his wife because the boundary moved with the house. If Li Banfeng wanted to cross the boundary, he had to fix it in place first.

His wife lit the oil, and the torch flared to life. The light, channeled through the lens, illuminated the boundary, completely obscuring its aura.

Li Banfeng burst out laughing, "My dear wife, this thing is clearly effective! It's not an exaggeration to say it's foolproof! Let me try it first!"

The phonograph said, "Husband, it's better to be careful."

"I have complete faith in what my wife makes," Li Banfeng declared, releasing Banfeng B. "Go!"

Banfeng B looked back at Li Banfeng, retorting, "What good does it do you to send me to my death? You should at least send a melon-man to go first; that would be better than directly using me!"

Li Banfeng said sternly, "You're trained for this, yet you fear death and want to be a laughingstock? Go ahead!"

Banfeng B said hatefully, "You're taking personal revenge!"

The phonograph said, "Husband, listen to me—"

"Let him go; this boundary won't kill anyone!" Li Banfeng pushed Banfeng B forward, and Banfeng B passed through the boundary, following the light.

Banfeng B was fine, safe and sound! Given his current cultivation level, Li Banfeng's boundary indeed couldn't harm him, but taking absolutely no damage was somewhat unexpected.

Banfeng B joyfully exclaimed, "Old Jia, it doesn't hurt at all! This thing works!"

Li Banfeng, with a smile all over his face, said, "Really? I'll try it too!"

The phonograph advised, "Husband, don't rush, wait a moment—"

Li Banfeng jumped beyond the boundary, following the light, and indeed, he wasn't harmed!

"It really worked!"

"Let me try again!" Banfeng B jumped back in, exclaiming, "It's really fine!"

Li Banfeng jumped in, then Banfeng B jumped out; they went back and forth, jumping several times.

"My dear wife!" Li Banfeng joyfully exclaimed, "This really works!"

Seeing Li Banfeng's delight, the phonograph, not wanting to be too blunt, subtly rephrased its words: "Husband, this boundary was created by you using the House Cultivation technique, so it inherently has no effect on you."

Li Banfeng blinked, "A boundary I created myself has no effect on me?"

The phonograph said, "That's definitely useless."

Li Banfeng genuinely hadn't known this; his boundary always followed him, and he had never stepped beyond it.

Li Banfeng looked at Banfeng B and asked, "Is it useless for him too?"

The phonograph said, "Husband, isn't he just you?"

Both Li Banfeng and Banfeng B stopped smiling.

They walked around the light and jumped back and forth several times in other spots, still remaining completely unharmed.

Banfeng B snorted, "Embarrassed, aren't you? Showing your inexperience? I told you to find a melon-man to test it, but you didn't listen."

Li Banfeng also snorted, "I've long stopped wanting to use you. You're just useless!"

After putting Banfeng B away, Li Banfeng retrieved a cabbage seed from the house, planted it in the soil, and then had the Blood-containing Pendulum release some blood to create a cabbage-man.

The cabbage-man, following the light, attempted to cross the boundary. It was only halfway through when its cabbage leaves began peeling off layer by layer. Before it had fully passed, it had already disintegrated into a pile of scattered fragments on the ground.

The torch wasn't effective.

Li Banfeng retracted the boundary and comforted his wife, "My dearest wife, it's alright. We'll research it slowly."

The phonograph let out a dry laugh. "It seems I overestimated myself. Thinking about it now, it's quite laughable. If one could create boundary-crossing equipment simply with Kong Fang's copper coins, the Peddler would surely have made it long ago."

Li Banfeng said, "Those copper coins are forged from Kong Fang's blood. It's not easy for the Peddler to get them either."

The phonograph sighed, "Husband, please don't comfort me. I've fought with Kong Fang; I know his true capabilities. If the Peddler truly wanted to deal with him, taking his life, let alone his blood, wouldn't require much effort. I'll rest for a night, then go back to the lab tomorrow."

Li Banfeng said, "My dearest wife, rest for a few more days. There's no need to rush this."

"I want to go!"

"My wife, I'm just worried you'll get tired!"

"I insist on going!"

His wife was determined to achieve whatever she set her mind to. Li Banfeng didn't object, and the next morning, he sent the phonograph, along with Zhao Xiaowan's puppet, to the laboratory. This time, they also had to move Luo Yuni's puppet. The phonograph had discovered that Pendulum Luo Yuni was skilled at tightening screws, while Humanoid Luo Yuni was adept at general chores, each having their own distinct uses.

After settling his wife, Li Banfeng returned to his portable residence, where he saw Red Lotus open its petals and softly whisper, "Qi, come quickly!"

Hong Ying picked up her sword and declared, "So, while Xiaowan is away, you've come looking for trouble!"

Jiu'er sighed at Hong Ying, "You two are truly a pair. You talk nonsense and understand nothing, while she appears proper but is inwardly wanton!"

Hong Ying angrily retorted, "Who are you calling ignorant?"

Jiu'er gave a bitter smile, "I was complimenting you, can't you tell?"

Red Lotus was not in the mood to bicker with them. "Qi, the two hands of Laughing Thousand-Hands have been refined. One is for Earring, and the other for Glove, as was originally agreed. Who should come first?"

Li Banfeng asked, "What have they been refined into?"

Two greenish-blue lotus seeds popped out from the center of Red Lotus. The seeds then burst open, revealing two meat-like pellets. They gently pulsed in Li Banfeng's palm.

"What are these things for?"

Red Lotus replied, "These are useless on their own, but they'll become very useful if refined together with Glove or Earring. Exactly how useful, I can't say; it will depend on their fortune."

Both Glove and Earring had been refined by Red Lotus previously, so with their past experience, they remained calm. The two of them entered the lotus heart together.

Li Banfeng asked, "When will they be refined?"

Red Lotus replied, "The fastest is three days, the slowest half a month. A slower process isn't necessarily bad; a more thorough refinement will save trouble with integration later on."

Li Banfeng had originally planned to visit Mr. Kong Fang's home, but since Glove wasn't present, he felt it would be inappropriate to go empty-handed. On second thought, it might be better to take this opportunity to visit Wannianlao, as there was very little glue left at home, and his wife barely dared to use the "Body-Building" technique.

Just as he was preparing to leave for Xindi, the projector received a call from Luo Zhengnan.

"Seventh Master, Liao Zihui just came by. He said something happened at the Dark Star Bureau."

"What happened?"

"He didn't explain the specifics clearly, but it seems to be related to He Haisheng."

Was He Haisheng rescued by He Jiaqing? Since He Jiaqing was able to rescue Big Head back then, it was highly probable he would raid the Dark Star Bureau once more. However, when Big Head was imprisoned, Shen Jingye hadn't been very attentive, and that day, he even fell for He Jiaqing's "lure the tiger away from its mountain lair" ploy. He Haisheng was under strict surveillance. If the Dark Star Bureau couldn't hold someone under such circumstances, Li Banfeng would be at a loss for words.

Following the path from Xindi to Tiemen Fort, Li Banfeng continued through Huahu Park, eventually running back to the Dark Star Bureau.

Chen Changrui was pacing anxiously; when he saw Li Qi, he was too nervous to speak.

Li Banfeng observed many guests at the Dark Star Bureau. Gao Yina was present, though she didn't seem to be a major figure yet. Many other unfamiliar individuals had also arrived, and Gao Yina treated them with great respect, indicating they were likely the true superiors.

Li Banfeng did not greet these superiors. Utilizing his House Cultivation talent, he quietly returned to his office. The presence of so many important figures suggested this incident was significant. He Haisheng shouldn't cause such widespread attention, right?

Li Banfeng called Chen Changrui over. "Has He Haisheng gone missing?"

Chen Changrui shook his head, "He Haisheng hasn't gone missing; the data room was damaged."

Li Banfeng smiled upon hearing this, realizing it was a false alarm. There was nothing real in that data room; it was all bait for phishing. If it was damaged, it was damaged; there was nothing to worry about.

"For such a trivial matter, you didn't even inform Liao Zihui, making me come all this way for nothing!" Li Banfeng then reconsidered, "Such a small matter wouldn't alarm so many people. Did you perhaps catch a big fish?"

Chen Changrui shook his head, "Director Li, not the phishing data room. This time, it's the real data room."

"There's a real data room too?" Li Banfeng was startled. "What's kept in the real data room?"

Chen Changrui shook his head, "I don't know what it contains. None of us are authorized to view this real data room."

Li Banfeng said, "A data room in the Dark Star Bureau that we're not authorized to view? Who is authorized?"

"Previously, only Director Shen was authorized to enter and exit the real data room. Besides him, no one knew its location, and few even knew of its existence."

Li Banfeng's eyes darted. He recalled asking Shen Jingye about a high-level archive, to which Shen Jingye had replied it shouldn't be located within the Dark Star Bureau. That old guy lied to me again!

"Old Chen, did you know about the real data room?"

"I knew such a data room existed, but I've never been there, nor do I know where it is."

Li Banfeng found this illogical. "Then how do you know the real data room was damaged?"

Chen Changrui recounted the events: "Last night, the Dark Star Bureau was invaded. It's confirmed that He Jiaqing was responsible, and Big Head likely participated. From the surveillance footage, I could identify some of their characteristics. Their target was likely He Haisheng, but they didn't know his detention location. Based on the footage, they spent most of their time searching. For a period, they entered a surveillance blind spot, and a very short time later, they reappeared on the surveillance screen."

Li Banfeng asked, "How short was 'a very short time'?"

Chen Changrui recalled, "Less than a minute."

Seeing his somewhat vague speech, Li Banfeng suspected he couldn't remember some details clearly. Furthermore, the "surveillance blind spot" he mentioned was certainly not a literal blind spot; it was simply that there was some surveillance footage he wasn't authorized to view.

"Can I still see last night's footage?"

Chen Changrui shook his head. "No, I can't. In fact, I didn't even see all of it; the surveillance footage has already been confiscated by our superiors." "They even confiscated the footage?"

Chen Changrui explained, "Director Gao Yina stated that this matter involves top secrets. She also said we have serious issues in our work and that the Dark Star Bureau will face repercussions."

Li Banfeng didn't quite understand. "What exactly did you do wrong? Where is the problem?"

Chen Changrui didn't know what he had done wrong. "The suspects entered the surveillance blind spot at 2:46 AM. At that exact moment, I received an automated message from the bureau's communication system." He handed his phone to Li Banfeng. The message displayed only three words: "Data room damaged."

Li Banfeng said, "Just from this one message, you knew the real data room was damaged?"

Chen Changrui shook his head. "I assumed it was the original data room that was damaged. I presume Director Shen also mentioned to you that most of the information in the ordinary data room is fake."

Li Banfeng inwardly gave a bitter smile, remembering that Shen Jingye hadn't volunteered this information; he had probed it out himself and nearly fallen into the "Magnetic Shock Cannon" trap.

Chen Changrui continued, "Even if the data is fake, it's a significant matter for the Dark Star Bureau. The data room's damage proves that the Dark Star Bureau was invaded, and much of the data can attract very important figures. I immediately returned to the Dark Star Bureau, only to find the data room perfectly intact. I found the duty officer, who didn't even know anyone had entered the Dark Star Bureau. It was only then that I began to suspect the real data room had been damaged. I reviewed the surveillance footage and saw He Jiaqing and his group. I hadn't even seen how the suspects left the Dark Star Bureau – I wasn't even sure if they truly left – when Director Gao Yina arrived."

Li Banfeng asked, "You didn't ask her to come?"

Chen Changrui quickly explained, "At that time, I hadn't even reported this matter to you yet, how could I have let Gao Yina know? After Gao Yina arrived, she merely instructed me to manage the scene; she herself didn't know much about the real data room's situation."

Li Banfeng asked, "Who actually knows about the real data room's situation?"

Chen Changrui was unable to answer. "This morning, many people of higher rank than Director Gao arrived. Their ranks should be comparable to yours, or even above yours; they should know about the real data room."

Li Banfeng asked again, "I'm currently the head of the Dark Star Bureau. Am I able to access the real data room's information?"

"Probably... yes." Chen Changrui's answer was hesitant, as Li Qi had an undeniable identity: he was from Puluo State.

"Director Li, there's one more thing I need to tell you—" Chen Changrui was about to reveal some important information, but he suddenly looked towards the door mid-sentence.

Chen Changrui's perception was superior to Li Banfeng's, so it took a moment longer for Li Banfeng to sense someone approaching.

Knock, knock, knock! The person knocked on the door.

Li Banfeng called out, "Come in!"

Gao Yina pushed the door open and entered. "Director Li, you're finally back. We need to hold a very important meeting now, and your attendance is mandatory."

Li Banfeng invited Gao Yina to sit down. "First, tell me the meeting's agenda."

Gao Yina shook her head. "The meeting content is strictly confidential; I haven't even received the materials myself yet."

Li Banfeng also shook his head. "If I don't know the meeting's content, I won't attend."

Gao Yina said, "I'm not deceiving you; this meeting is indeed very important. It will determine the final fate of the Dark Star Bureau."

Li Banfeng said, "Then you'd better tell me its fate now."

Gao Yina emphasized the meeting's importance: "We will make decisions through this meeting, and your opinions and suggestions will play a crucial role in the outcome."

Li Banfeng was expressionless. "I'll repeat myself: if I don't know the meeting's content, I will not participate in any meeting."

Gao Yina grew somewhat anxious, her tone tinged with a hint of threat: "The trends and direction of certain matters are not within your control. If you don't attend this meeting, the future of the Dark Star Bureau will be quite grim!"

Li Banfeng looked at Gao Yina and said, "Please tell those who can control trends and directions that while I cannot control the Dark Star Bureau's fate, I can control my own. I refuse to attend this meeting."

Gao Yina was dumbfounded. Li Banfeng's resolute attitude left her unable to think of any counter-measures.

At this moment, Li Banfeng was perfectly clear-headed; he knew he had to be resolute and not underestimate a well-prepared meeting. The intention of this meeting was very clear: they did not want to retain the Dark Star Bureau, yet they still wanted to continue playing the role of a balancer. If Li Banfeng were to attend the meeting without any prior knowledge, he would likely face a very unfavorable situation. This was fundamentally no different from the negotiation meeting with Qiao Yi in Neizhou, and his near-death experience was still vivid in his memory.

Gao Yina left the office, but returned shortly after.

"Director Li, I've consulted with my superiors. The information I'm about to disclose is strictly for your ears only. I hope you can maintain strict confidentiality."

Li Banfeng looked at Chen Changrui, who immediately left the office.

Gao Yina had no written materials. She took out a device resembling a computer keyboard. Li Banfeng initially thought she was going to retrieve a file, but Gao Yina explained it was specialized equipment for blocking surveillance and listening devices.

After confirming that all surveillance and listening devices were blocked, Gao Yina said, "Director Li, you might not yet understand the gravity of the data room incident."

Li Banfeng nodded. "I didn't even know such a data room existed, so how could I grasp the severity you're referring to?"

Gao Yina said, "Let me first give you a simple explanation. The Dark Star Bureau has two data rooms. You should be familiar with one of them, so I won't elaborate. My main focus will be on the other data room. Including myself, and my predecessor Du Wenming, as well as many superiors, none of us know the exact location or activation method of this data room. This alone demonstrates its significant importance. This data room contains crucial information. If it were to be leaked, our security foundation would be severely compromised. The Dark Star Bureau's original mission, at its inception, was to protect the security of these important materials. Other duties were added later as circumstances evolved. Now that the data room has been compromised, all signs indicate that the Dark Star Bureau is no longer capable of fulfilling its basic responsibilities. Another agency must take over this crucial mission, which is our primary reason for planning to disband the Dark Star Bureau."

Repeatedly trying to disband the Dark Star Bureau, just for one data room? This operation truly baffled Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng said, "Can you explain the reasons more clearly?"

Gao Yina said, "I've explained it clearly enough. I understand your appreciation for the Dark Star Bureau, and we consistently acknowledge its outstanding achievements in various work areas. However, as you can see, the current situation is that the Dark Star Bureau has been infiltrated multiple times. This is purely a matter of operational capability; the current Dark Star Bureau lacks the ability to secure the data room."

Li Banfeng said, "The most perplexing issue for me is this: almost no one in the Dark Star Bureau knows about the existence of this data room. How do you expect them to protect a data room they don't even know exists?"

Gao Yina didn't see an issue with this. "This was a choice made out of necessity. This data room is too important. If any information about it were disclosed within the Dark Star Bureau, it could leak, posing an even greater security threat. Therefore, we cannot carry out any overt defensive measures."

Li Banfeng frowned, "Don't you think your explanation is contradictory?"

Gao Yina nodded. "There are some contradictions, but this method is highly practical. It allows the Dark Star Bureau to maintain a high level of alert, fully committed to guarding its own gates. They don't need to know how precious the contents inside are; they simply need to fulfill their duty of ensuring the Dark Star Bureau is not infiltrated. This is the optimal solution we could conceive under the current circumstances."

From the Outer State's perspective, Gao Yina's explanation was indeed logical, and many operations were conducted in precisely this manner.

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and said, "Since you don't trust the Dark Star Bureau, then move the data room elsewhere. Why must you disband the Dark Star Bureau?"

Gao Yina shook her head. "The crucial information within the data room cannot be moved; this involves many complex issues."

Li Banfeng said, "If the data cannot be transferred, then move the Dark Star Bureau. Relocate the Dark Star Bureau elsewhere, and find another agency to protect the data room."

Gao Yina shook her head repeatedly. "We did propose that plan, but it was ultimately rejected. The Dark Star Bureau suddenly moving, and then another agency occupying this building, could itself expose critical information and draw even more attention to this building."

Li Banfeng remained silent. The Outer State's emphasis on this data room far exceeded his imagination.

Seeing Li Banfeng remain silent for a long time, Gao Yina sighed. "There's something I must tell you. Our dissatisfaction with the Dark Star Bureau is not directed at its work capability or efficiency. Our only concern is the Dark Star Bureau's anti-infiltration capabilities. In truth, you know well that every place, whether Neizhou, Puluo State, or here, faces the threat of infiltration. Puluo State, due to its unique circumstances, has a much stronger resistance to infiltration because, as a fragmented state, there's no central core area for infiltrators to concentrate their attacks on."

Li Banfeng glanced at Gao Yina. Gao Yina explained, "I don't mean to belittle Puluo State, but the situations in Huanguo and Puluo State are entirely different. The Dark Star Bureau has been infiltrated more than once, and each infiltration could lead to serious consequences. Director Li, the trend of disbanding the Dark Star Bureau is irreversible. We will provide you with a better working environment and superior human and material resources. Please understand and support our current decision."

After a brief silence, Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm very sorry, I neither understand nor support this. I can only continue to perform my duties as a balancer in the Dark Star Bureau."

Gao Yina looked at Li Banfeng with a helpless expression. "This is truly not something you can change—"

"Then there's no need for me to attend the meeting either," Li Banfeng said, rising. "Please go to the meeting venue and convey my opinion on my behalf."

What exactly was stored in that real data room?

Back in the duplex apartment, Li Banfeng sat silently on the sofa for a moment. While he was contemplating, the projector received a phone call. It was the phone provided to Li Banfeng by the Dark Star Bureau. He initially didn't want to answer, but noticed it was an unknown number.

"Banfeng, it's me."

He Jiaqing!

"How did you get this number?"

"I've been to the Dark Star Bureau twice; how could I not even get a contact list? Don't worry, I've used special methods, so this call won't be monitored. Banfeng, I want to discuss a deal with you."

"It's about your third uncle, isn't it?"

"You're right. I wanted to rescue my third uncle, and although I didn't succeed, I saw many good things. Do you want to know the secrets inside the Dark Star Bureau building? I believe you already know some, but they will never tell you the full picture."

"Do you know the full picture?"

He Jiaqing had been in the so-called real data room for less than a minute. If he claimed to have seen the complete picture, it would prove he was lying.

"I didn't see the full picture; I didn't have enough time. But I know how to see the full picture, and I can tell you where to find important secrets."

"That place is in the Dark Star Bureau; I can certainly find it."

"You definitely won't find it, Banfeng, I guarantee you won't! I'm willing to tell you everything I saw, as long as you promise to release my third uncle."

"I release your third uncle, and then I wait for you to deceive me with false information?"

"That kind of deal isn't fair. We'll use Puluo State's most traditional method: first, we sign a contract. Then I'll tell you what I know. You can verify it immediately, and after successful verification, you release my third uncle. If you break the contract, I will retaliate against you using the contract paper. Do you think this price is fair?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and said, "Allow me a few days to consider it, then I'll get back to you."

"Two days, just two days. If you don't want this deal, I'll find someone else. I can tell you, many people will be interested in the secrets within the Dark Star Bureau, and the price I'm offering is certainly not high."

Li Banfeng said, "Isn't it just a data room? Why are you making it sound so mysterious?"

"Data room? Is that what they told you? Banfeng, you've been deceived. I can reveal a little bit of information to you: that place isn't a data room. At least, it didn't look like a data room to me. The things there aren't just 'data'. In that special place, there are key means to control Puluo State. Even if the Peddler himself saw it, he would be utterly captivated. Don't hesitate. If you don't see that place, you might regret it for a lifetime. With such a sincere offer, are you still afraid of losing out?"