Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 769 - 486 The Entrance to the Inner State_4

Chapter 769: Chapter 486 The Entrance to the Inner State_4

Having left the Defense Agency and returned to his own mansion, Dick Chen set out to do something he truly cared about.

"Da Boyins, you have always insisted that Li Qi is Li Banfeng, and that the Mysterious Red Life Lotus is in Li Banfeng’s hands. I want to confirm with you one more time, are you really sure there’s no mistake about this?"

Da Boyins said confidently, "He used a very strange Disguise Technique, which caused his appearance to change significantly. However, when I determined his identity, I relied not on his appearance but on the timeline and logical relationships. Li Banfeng is Li Qi; there’s no mistake about it."

"Good. As long as there’s no mistake, it’s Li Qi’s turn next." Dick Chen flipped through the newspapers one by one, gathering news related to Li Qi.

Da Boyins asked, "Are you planning to use the power of the Defense Agency to deal with him?"

Dick Chen shook his head. "This matter can’t possibly involve the Defense Agency. My previous display of disdain for Li Qi was to divert their attention and prevent the Red Lotus from being intercepted by them."

"Then we’ll use our own people."

"Our own people can’t be easily exposed either."

"Just the two of us going against Li Qi?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Dick Chen laughed. "Da Boyins, do you really think I hold Li Qi in such low regard? He’s a powerful figure in Puluo State. How could we possibly take him on alone? We need to find help. And as the old saying goes, those in despair are the easiest to manipulate."

「Late at night」

Dick Chen quietly entered the Lu Family Mansion and sneaked into Duan Shaoxia’s bedroom.

He looked towards the bed but didn’t see Duan Shaoxia. Instead, he felt someone behind him pointing a gun at the back of his head.

"Who... who are you?" Duan Shaoxia, tears in her eyes, held the gun with trembling arms.

Don’t talk nonsense, don’t try to console, and certainly don’t try to threaten, Dick Chen thought. Duan Shaoxia might shoot at any moment. And when she does, her hand will be perfectly steady, without the slightest tremble.

Dick Chen knew about Duan Shaoxia’s Taoist Sect and her combat habits. The best option now was to be direct. "Lady Duan, I’m here to help you—mainly to help your two children."

"Are you trying to harm my children?" Duan Shaoxia’s hands shook even more violently; she was about to pull the trigger.

Dick Chen quickly played his card. "I can get Lu Yuanhai a brand-new body, one that is truly his own. I can also retrieve Lu Yuanshan’s Soul, give him a brand-new body, and bring him back to you."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"I’m not talking nonsense. Everything I’m saying is the truth." Dick Chen slowly turned around to face Duan Shaoxia. "Lady Duan, I can help you, as long as you’re willing to help me."

「At Medicine King Valley Station」

After Dick Chen left the station, he went to the square out front and approached a coachman. "I need to go to Li Gou."

The Coachman, smoking a dry pipe, looked up at Dick Chen. "Li Gou is so close. No need to hire me; take another carriage."

"Don’t you do business?"

"You should take my advice. My carriage has a Fire Wheel; the fare is very expensive."

Dick Chen took out a stack of Huan Country Banknotes and handed them to the Coachman. "Is this enough?"

The Coachman counted the banknotes—a little over two thousand. "You don’t really want to go to Li Gou, do you? What do you want with me?"

Dick Chen lowered his voice. "I want to make a deal with you. I know you’ve lost something very important—you’ve lost your territory. I can help you get your territory back. All you need to do is eliminate someone for me."

The Coachman was interested. "Eliminate one person and get back a piece of territory? Is there really such a good deal?"

"You’re in luck. You’ve really stumbled upon one."

"First, tell me who you want eliminated."

"Don’t be in such a hurry. Once you agree, we can discuss the details."

「Greenwater City, Dongping Tea House, private room.」

Light Bulb showed Li Banfeng a document. "The Defense Agency has just established a new department specifically responsible for liaising with the Inner State."

Li Banfeng read the document carefully. "Wasn’t there a similar agency before?"

Light Bulb said, "I asked a few people. There used to be a department in charge of liaising with the Inner State, but it was disbanded later because there wasn’t much for it to do."

There was nothing for such a department to do before, but now suddenly there is, Li Banfeng mused. This must mean the Outside Provinces and the Inner State have re-established contact, with a key figure playing a role. Who could it be? A Balancer. Xiao Zhenggong is dead, so a new Balancer must have emerged. Who could this new Balancer be? The first person I thought of was Dick Chen. Dumpling couldn’t possibly be a secretary for a businessman, but she could very well be a bodyguard for a Balancer. That’s why she came to the banquet with Dick Chen that day. Of course, this is just a guess. It would be best to confirm it. Who can I ask?

Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Lodge and saw a few songstresses chatting.

"Little Red Peach," Li Banfeng beckoned, "come to my room."

"Ah..." Dumpling froze.

One of the girls next to her nudged Dumpling. "What are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up! Seventh Master has taken a liking to you. This is your lucky day!"

"He... he’s taken a liking to me? For what...?"

"What do you mean, ’for what’?" another girl laughed. "He’s inviting you into his room, don’t you understand? Go on, quickly! Don’t be afraid. Many people wait their whole lives for an opportunity like this and never get it."

What kind of opportunity is this? Dumpling thought, horrified. I don’t even have a boyfriend, and I’m just supposed to give myself to him like this?

Shivering, Dumpling stepped into Li Banfeng’s bedroom. She clenched her teeth. So be it! I’m an excellent agent; I must focus on my task and mission! This is indeed an opportunity. I’ll definitely be able to unearth the most valuable information.

Dumpling stood before Li Banfeng, her pretty face blushing from the tip of her nose to the roots of her ears.

Li Banfeng said in an even tone, "Dumpling, sit over here."

"Ah..." Dumpling was stunned for a long moment.

She hadn’t misheard. Li Banfeng had just called her Dumpling! Her face was no longer flushed; instead, goosebumps prickled her skin. The room suddenly felt very cold. She had a bad feeling she was in real trouble today.

Li Banfeng said impatiently, "Sit down. I have something important to ask you. Don’t be afraid; I won’t bully you."