Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 722 - 475: Yin and Yang Set_3

Li Banfeng laughed. "You really don’t have a good eye for people. Why would you pick someone like Xiao Zhenggong? Does he have substantial influence in Puluo State? How many people there are willing to pay attention to him?"

Liao Zihui tapped his finger on the table and sighed. "We also wanted to find a more suitable candidate, but such people may not be willing to cooperate with the Outside Provinces."

Li Banfeng’s tone was slightly mocking. "So you’re not picky anymore? Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be a Balancer? If there’s a conflict between the Outside Provinces and Puluo State, do you think Xiao Zhenggong can solve any problems? Just relying on those few good-for-nothings from Jiang Xiang Gang?"

"If the conflict arises in Puluo State, I believe we would have proper ways to resolve it. But if the conflict is within the Inner State, having someone to mediate would be very significant."

Li Banfeng frowned slightly. "Can you put it more plainly? Are you saying that how deep the conflict with Puluo State is doesn’t really matter, and that only the Inner State is important, right?"

Liao Zihui was silent for a long time and then shook his head. "The basic principles aren’t set by me; this is as far as I can explain. I’ve come to you to tell you that the Balancer is very important to us. Now that Xiao Zhenggong is dead, I need an explanation."

Li Banfeng smiled. "What kind of explanation do you want? Do you want him to come back to life? Or is there something that wasn’t made clear that you want to say to his face?"

"There are some very important documents and materials on him, and especially a seal that is critical, as it pertains to the Balancer’s identity. I must get these items back, and I hope you’ll cooperate."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Blame me for going too hard. Xiao Zhenggong was reduced to ashes, with nothing left of him. You’d better ask around and see if anyone has seen his seal."

TAP. TAP.

Liao Zihui’s fingers were continuously tapping lightly on the table.

"Li Qi, by doing this, you make it difficult for me."

"Old Liao, by coming to me, you’re making things difficult for yourself."

Liao Zihui got up and left. Li Banfeng didn’t see him off.

Li Banfeng sat in the private room for quite a while.

Many people like to tap the table with their fingers when speaking, but does Liao Zihui have this habit?

Li Banfeng recalled the scenes where they had eaten together.

Liao Zihui seemed to have tapped on the table, but not so frequently.

Returning to the Defense Agency, Liao Zihui’s expression was very grim. Secretary Ling Sujun held documents, unsure whether to present them.

The newly arrived Deputy Envoy General, Xia Shumin, said, "Chief Envoy, Li Qi is ultimately a businessman. We hold the lifeline of his business in our hands. If we make some adjustments to the tolls on the roadways, he will surely rein himself in."

The other Deputy Envoys General remained silent. They had tried this method before and learned painful lessons from it.

Liao Zihui raised his hand, and everyone left the office except for Xia Shumin, who was still waiting for the Chief Envoy’s response.

Liao Zihui smiled and asked, "Shumin, after you retire, do you want to go back to the Outside Provinces or stay in Puluo State?"

The Outside Provinces?

Xia Shumin found it hard to adjust to this label.

His home, now being referred to as the Outside Provinces? It is Puluo State that is truly foreign.

Of course, one does not question such things in front of their superior. Xia Shumin diplomatically answered, "I haven’t thought about retirement yet."

He was forty-five this year, at the golden stage of his career. Retirement should indeed not be on his mind yet.

Liao Zihui let out a sigh. "Having stayed in Puluo State so long, I’d probably not adjust well if I went back to the Outside Provinces. I can’t even understand how to use a smartphone. After I retire, I just want to stay in Puluo State and live some quiet days."

Xia Shumin quickly said, "You’re far from retirement. The Defense Agency cannot be without you."

Liao Zihui laughed. "What I mean is, I really want to live peacefully until retirement."

Xia Shumin didn’t know how to continue. Liao Zihui waved his hand again, indicating for him to leave.

Sitting in silence in the office for a moment, Liao Zihui took a pair of headphones from the drawer.

Old Chen, I don’t even know if this thing works. Liao Zihui took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled onto the headphones. They trembled as if something was wriggling inside them.

Liao Zihui put on the headphones and soon heard some sounds.

There were footsteps, sweeping sounds, and the voices of cleaners chatting leisurely.

These were the sounds from the private room in Xiaoyao Lodge. Liao Zihui, using a tool given by Chen Changrui, had planted a hook there—a very deep hook that even high-level Peeping Cultivators would not find.

Was Liao Zihui planning to always listen in on the private room at Xiaoyao Lodge?

Of course not.

This pair of headphones had another important function: it could record important words and phrases it heard.

Li Qi, Old Qi, Seventh Master... All phrases related to Li Qi, as well as the context around those phrases, could be recorded.

He intended to first make recordings in this one private room and then plant hooks throughout Xiaoyao Lodge. Liao Zihui was very patient; he was determined to uncover Li Qi’s true identity.

"We must first ascertain Li Qi’s real identity." On this point, Xia Shumin agreed with Liao Zihui’s view.

But Xia Shumin very much disagreed with Liao Zihui’s approach. "Liao Zihui has already been assimilated by Puluo State. Continuing on this trend, our work in Puluo State will not make any progress. Have the reinforcements called in from the Dark Star Bureau arrived yet?"

Assistant Ding Zhichuan, Xia Shumin’s most trusted subordinate, presented a folder. "The personnel arrived yesterday. There are three of them in total, all nominally here for advanced training."

After looking over the resumes of the three individuals, Xia Shumin chose one. "Let this person keep watch near Xiaoyao Lodge. Since they are here for training, let them start with the most basic tasks."