Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 6: Why Shoot to Kill?

Stretched out on the dormitory bed, Li Banfeng's gaze fixed absently on the ceiling. The elevated bed brought the surface uncomfortably close, its patches of mold resembling vacant eyes peering down, observing his every twitch. Indeed, eyes were upon him, scrutinizing his every move.

CLICKETY-CLICK! A notification chimed from his phone once more.

The device vibrated relentlessly with a ceaseless stream of messages. Li Banfeng reached for it, his screen displaying over a dozen texts from He Jiaqing's number.

"Ban Feng, in all four years of university, you're the only genuine brother I've ever had!"

"If we're down to just one cup of liquor, you drink, and I drink."

"If there's only one cigarette left, you light up half, and I'll finish the other half!"

"The first time I took my wife out to eat, you were right there with us. The first time we were going to spend the night together, your call interrupted, and I ended up at the internet cafe with you for the entire night."

"When you were diagnosed with a mental illness, I drove you to the doctor. When your funds ran dry, I covered you. When I was broke, I took on work at a construction site, hauling stones, and I didn't stop until you were medically cleared."

"Last year, during the exams, I failed a course trying to pass you answers and nearly faced academic probation. Through these four years of university, you are the sole person I've ever recognized as my brother! Only you!"

...

The sheer volume of messages confirmed one undeniable fact: He Jiaqing was the sender. Certain intimate details could only be known by the two of them.

The final message stated, with desperate urgency: "Brother, save me. You're the only one who can."

Li Banfeng inhaled deeply and dialed the number again, seeking to confirm He Jiaqing's voice. The call failed to connect, prompting Li Banfeng to send a text: "How did you get back from the station, and why are you in my dorm room?"

He Jiaqing replied promptly: "That wasn't me."

Li Banfeng rapidly typed back: "If it wasn't you, then who was it? And where are you? How can you even see me?"

Though Li Banfeng harbored a multitude of questions for He Jiaqing, these were the most pressing that came to mind at that moment.

CLICKETY-CLICK!

He Jiaqing's response arrived: "I desperately want to explain, but time is short. The train is about to depart. If you don't come to my rescue today, who knows when the next opportunity will arise. You might never see me again."

Li Banfeng quietly slipped out of bed and peered through the window.

Below, the Sixth Dormitory building was unnervingly silent, its clotheslines starkly empty. Yet, beneath the sprawling willow tree in the courtyard, a lone figure stood waiting.

It was a young man, slender in build, appearing to be Li Banfeng's age. His eyes were remarkably large, gleaming like illuminated bulbs, visible even from the third floor. He seemed to be anticipating someone's arrival.

Within this dormitory building, apart from Li Banfeng, only the janitor remained. Setting the janitor aside, it was clear this individual had come specifically for Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng messaged He Jiaqing: "I'm being watched."

He Jiaqing replied: "It must be someone from the Dark Star Bureau."

Li Banfeng typed back: "What exactly is the Dark Star Bureau?"

"I truly can't elaborate right now," He Jiaqing responded. "The name 'Dark Star Bureau' should not be spoken lightly; they possess the ability to sense such mentions. Brother, you absolutely must save me, or it will be too late."

Li Banfeng retreated to his chair, his mind a whirl of contemplation. He sat perfectly still for over ten minutes. During this interval, the janitor briefly ascended the stairs and, glancing at Li Banfeng, inquired, "Why haven't you departed yet?" Li Banfeng offered no reply, seemingly oblivious to the janitor's presence, his thoughts consumed by a rapid recollection of his four-year association with He Jiaqing.

After a prolonged silence, Li Banfeng finally typed on his phone: "Brother, over our four years at university, you too have been the only one I've truly considered my brother. If there's but a single cup of liquor left, we share it, drop by drop. If a single cigarette remains, we each take half. Should you need funds for medical treatment, I'd head straight to a construction site and haul stones without a second thought. However, this particular situation... I no longer wish to be involved."

Li Banfeng gently placed his phone down, his heart heavy with indecision. The primary reason for his reluctance to engage further was that the current predicament lay far beyond his capacity to comprehend. To Li Banfeng's knowledge, the He Jiaqing in the hospital bed and the He Jiaqing communicating via phone were both tragically misplaced in time and circumstance. He also knew that over the past four years, He Jiaqing had never once exhibited any extraordinary abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught cheating. Li Banfeng considered himself quite resilient, but this kind of bizarre scenario could easily shatter a person's sanity.

CLICKETY-CLICK! The phone, silent for an extended period, pinged with a new message from He Jiaqing.

"Understood."

*CLICKETY-CLICK!* Another notification pinged from Jia Qing.

"Take care of yourself."

Li Banfeng sat up abruptly and sent a message back, his fingers flying across the screen: "How can I save you?"

He Jiaqing’s reply arrived with haste, the rapid typing conveying agitation even through the digital text: "Ban Feng, my good brother, I’m practically begging you, help me retrieve an item and bring it to my residence."

"What item is it?" Li Banfeng inquired, his gaze drifting towards He Jiaqing’s storage locker. As far as he recollected, it had been empty for an age.

He Jiaqing typed back, "The item isn’t located in the dorm; it’s situated within the campus supermarket."

Li Banfeng moved to the window, peering down. His eyes first scanned the figure still crouched beneath the solitary tree, then swung towards the campus supermarket, which lay a short distance away.

Li Banfeng transmitted a message: "You mentioned taking the item to your house. You aren’t referring to your hometown, are you?"

He Jiaqing’s response was immediate: "Yes, my hometown. It’s not an excessive distance away. I shall purchase a train ticket for you; it departs this very afternoon! Make haste to East Station! I implore you!"

Li Banfeng drew a deep breath, swinging his legs off the bed. He splashed cool water on his face, attempting to quell the gnawing fatigue from the recent days. Donning a simple short-sleeved T-shirt, loose-fitting sweatpants, and a pair of sneakers, he began to pack for his journey. First, his wallet, ensuring his identification was tucked safely inside, and he withdrew the two thousand yuan in cash his Third Uncle had entrusted to him. Next, he retrieved a backpack from the depths of the wardrobe. He Jiaqing had acquired it from a street vendor – a mere thirty yuan for one, or two for fifty. Jia Qing had purchased a pair and generously gifted one to Li Banfeng. He packed a change of clothes, preparing to depart without further delay.

Before exiting, Li Banfeng cast another glance out the window; the man with the prominent eyes, who had been observing him, remained in his position.

Li Banfeng sent a message: "That fellow watching me... since he’s clearly not a law enforcement officer, I assume a bit of physical contact wouldn't be entirely out of bounds, correct?"

*CLICKETY-CLICK!*

He Jiaqing replied instantly, "Refrain from any impulsive actions."

Li Banfeng typed back, "Rest assured, I am fully aware of my limitations. Any interaction will undoubtedly fall strictly within the realm of justifiable self-defense."

"It’s not a matter of your limits," He Jiaqing countered. "He is a Dark Energy User. You stand no chance in a direct confrontation. You must devise a method to evade him."

"And what exactly constitutes a Dark Energy User?" Li Banfeng questioned.

"I am unable to provide an explanation at this precise moment," He Jiaqing responded.

"Upon my arrival at your location, you are obligated to divulge every single detail, leaving nothing unsaid," Li Banfeng stated firmly.

Li Banfeng exited the dormitory. The moment he stepped outside, the individual with the large eyes remained motionless. Only after Li Banfeng had covered a distance of several dozen meters did the man silently begin to follow.

Li Banfeng casually ambled into the campus supermarket, feigning the usual intent of purchasing a packet of spicy strips.

The slender man with the striking, large eyes was identified as Dong Xiaoning, operating under the codename Light Bulb. He had recently enlisted with the Dark Star Bureau, joining their ranks only last month, and many of his operational methods still bore the mark of inexperience. For instance, his surveillance techniques were regrettably inadequate, a fact he was keenly aware of. Currently, he stood at the supermarket’s entrance, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features. The campus supermarket was not an expansive establishment; should he venture inside, Li Banfeng would likely detect his presence with ease. However, if he abstained from entering, he harbored a significant apprehension of losing his quarry.

*CLICKETY-CLICK!* A message materialized from He Jiaqing.

"The item is secured within a storage locker inside the supermarket."

Li Banfeng proceeded towards the bank of storage lockers. The campus supermarket exclusively utilized lockers equipped with facial recognition technology; the sole means of storing or retrieving items involved the scanning of one’s face.

"How does one access the locker? Perhaps with your photograph?" Li Banfeng messaged back, a touch of curiosity lacing his tone.

"No such action is required," He Jiaqing replied. "Simply initiate the retrieval process directly."

Li Banfeng actuated the 'retrieve' function, and the locker's screen immediately initiated facial recording.

*CLICK!* Locker number six swung open.

Li Banfeng stood frozen, a look of profound astonishment etched on his face, unable to reconcile the event with his understanding of reality.

Nestled within the locker was a package, meticulously sealed with layers of duct tape. Though not substantial in size, it possessed an unexpected and considerable weight. Li Banfeng swiftly deposited the package into his backpack. Just as he was preparing to exit the supermarket's confines, he observed Light Bulb stationed at the entrance, seemingly engaged in a telephone conversation.

Li Banfeng rapidly messaged He Jiaqing: "The individual tailing me is currently occupied with a phone call. Are you capable of discerning any part of his conversation?" Should the adversary be summoning reinforcements, Li Banfeng needed to formulate a counter-strategy.

He Jiaqing’s response arrived: "I can perceive faint fragments, but the clarity is insufficient. I cannot effectively assist you alone; our camaraderie as brothers necessitates coordinated action. Could you manage to approach him more closely?"

Li Banfeng procured a shopping cart, positioning himself nonchalantly near the supermarket's entryway. Light Bulb's voice gradually intensified, allowing Li Banfeng to discern his words with enhanced clarity. It appeared He Jiaqing had temporarily amplified Li Banfeng’s sensory perception with a portion of his unique abilities. Not only could Li Banfeng clearly perceive the voice of the big-eyed man, but he could also distinctly hear the voice emanating from the other end of the phone line, sharp and unambiguous.

"Chief Xiao, Li Banfeng has pilfered an item from a storage unit within the supermarket. Its provenance is unknown to me," Dong Xiaoning relayed through his phone.

From the other end, Xiao Zhenggong inquired, "Did you inform Captain Chen of this incident?"

"I attempted to contact Captain Chen, but was unsuccessful in reaching him," Dong Xiaoning responded.

A significant pause ensued before Xiao Zhenggong's directive followed: "Eliminate him. Retrieve the stolen item and return it to the bureau."

Dong Xiaoning's entire body shuddered upon hearing this command. Nearby, amongst the shelves, Li Banfeng was also experiencing tremors, trembling even more intensely than Dong Xiaoning.