Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 950 - 528: Xiuer, Seventh Brother Cares About You (Part 4)

The driver exclaimed, "Who are you?"

The policeman outside was stunned, "What do you mean?"

The driver took a closer look and saw that it was still the same policeman outside, no change.

Was he mistaken? Seeing things?

The driver was puzzled for a moment. The policeman asked a few simple questions and then let them go.

On the road, the driver didn’t dare to say much, assuming he just saw things wrong.

Du Wenming asked, "Just now, that person seemed a bit odd."

The driver quickly replied, "He suddenly looked like a beggar, with sores all over his face!"

Du Wenming was shocked and immediately told the driver to turn around and follow that person.

But by the time they got back to the previous intersection, the person had disappeared.

Back at the office building, Du Wenming started to develop a fever, and so did his subordinates. The driver also broke out in a rash.

This was serious, life-threatening.

Du Wenming immediately called Kang Zhenchang. After Kang arrived, he performed an initial diagnosis and instructed Du Wenming to seal off the building immediately. No one was allowed in or out without permission.

"This is the Greenwater Beggar’s infection source. As for the severity, further testing is needed."

"Doctor Kang, please confirm again carefully."

Kang Zhenchang said, "The source of the infection has been identified; it’s the Greenwater Beggar. I have dealt with him in Puluo State for quite a while, and I’m absolutely sure about his infection source.

What you need to do now is rest in bed and immediately report the incident to your superiors, initiate emergency measures at once, and prevent the spread of the pathogen."

Report it?

How to report it?

Too many issues in the whole incident remain unexplained.

Du Wenming immediately called Li Qi, but couldn’t get through.

This must be related to Li Qi; that kid is hiding now!

He called Shen Jingye, not expecting that Li Qi was dining with Shen Jingye.

Answering the call, Li Qi was in a good mood, "Little Du, need something from me?"

Du Wenming didn’t know where to start, "Bureau Chief Li, something has happened on my side, and I hope you can cooperate with our investigation."

Du Wenming recounted the course of events.

Li Qi laughed; even at this critical moment, you’re talking about cooperation with me.

"Little Du, I can’t cooperate with you on this. We’ve been very clear before, you handle this yourselves, has nothing to do with me."

After saying that, Li Qi returned the phone to Shen Jingye.

Du Wenming asked over the phone, "Director Shen, when did you go to the restaurant with Li Qi?"

Shen Jingye said, "We came after the meeting, around seven-twenty. It’s nothing special, just a simple meal, and we’re covering our own costs."

Du Wenming compared the time; he encountered the Greenwater Beggar at seven-fifty.

Could this really be unrelated to Li Qi?

No way; to some extent, it’s definitely related to him.

"Director Shen, first keep Li Qi calm, try to strengthen communication with him, Greenwater Beggar has appeared again in Yuezhou. Make sure to find out the whole story from him."

"Alright." Shen Jingye hung up the phone and remained silent for a moment.

Li Qi asked, "You were just talking about offending the Qingyun Society, you haven’t finished the story yet."

"Oh, that," Shen Jingye recalled, "Do you know Han Yaomen, the head of Qingyun Society?"

"I know him," Li Qi nodded, "He’s a ruthless person."

"He really is ruthless!" Shen Jingye agreed, "I made an unintentional mistake back then, didn’t expect Han Yaomen to hold on and insist on taking off one of my arms,

Later, I had no choice but to reveal my identity, and only then did the matter calm down. In the meantime, I went through a lot of hardship!"

Li Qi nodded and said, "Han Yaomen could really do that, Qingyun Society indeed does things ruthlessly!"

Continuing with the topic, Shen Jingye talked until the end of dinner, never bringing up the matters Du Wenming had entrusted to him.

Previously, Li Qi had already explained the causes and effects clearly: Greenwater Beggar wanted five thousand people delivered within five days.

Now five days have passed, the person hasn’t been delivered. There’s a problem; what else is there to ask?

Du Wenming casually asks for clarity, and I can get you clarity?

Is Li Qi so easy to talk to?

Shen Jingye understands his position and his responsibilities. After eating, everyone returns home, and until he receives more explicit orders, he won’t take any action.

...

The next afternoon, Shen Jingye received a document. After reading it, he immediately relayed the contents to Li Qi.

"Five thousand people, the higher-ups agreed. They also agreed to the removal of the Defense Agency from the Soda Kiln."

Li Qi expressed surprise: "So forthright?"

He felt a measure of astonishment; the simultaneous resolution of all matters pertaining to the Soda Kiln was quite unexpected.

Shen Jingye stated: "The higher-ups wish for us to establish contact with the Greenwater Beggar swiftly, to apprise him of the situation. Personnel assignments require time, and we must thus counsel him against any precipitous actions.

Furthermore, they are counting on you to proceed with haste to Three-Head Fork and dispatch the necessary personnel to Greenwater City. This matter is of considerable urgency and will undoubtedly be a burden upon you."

Li Qi's countenance grew serious: "It is the Balancer's duty, and one that cannot be shirked. Make the arrangements for the required personnel and preparations."

...

At the He Family Mansion, He Yuxiu was engaged in a review of the household accounts with the accountant, Sheng Shanzhou.

Mother Liu had prepared the sleeping arrangements for He Yuxiu. After the accounting report was concluded, He Yuxiu retired to bed, confident of undisturbed rest.

Approximately half an hour later, Sheng Shanzhou had finally finished presenting the accounts. He Yuxiu, feeling drowsy, ascended to her chambers. No sooner had she settled into bed than she detected an unfamiliar sound near the window.

Who could it be? Who would dare to infiltrate my room in the dead of night?

Could it be that impudent brat, He Jiaqing, once more?

He Yuxiu swiftly grasped the candlestick by her bedside and swung it defensively. A brief exchange ensued, but she failed to strike her unseen assailant. Instead, she heard the opponent exclaim: "Such impudence! To strike at me, have you no regard for family proprieties?"

"Old Qi?" He Yuxiu's surprise mounted upon recognizing the voice.

"Referring to me as 'Brother Seven' when no one else is present is customary!" Li Qi quipped, striking a match to illuminate the candle.

Upon observing Li Qi’s mud-splattered state, He Yuxiu promptly offered a towel: "Brother Seven, please cleanse yourself at once. I shall arrange for fresh attire to be brought to you."

"There is no need to change just yet. Procure some sustenance for me instead, and endeavor to keep my presence discreet." Li Qi had traveled a considerable distance from New Land without partaking in any food.

He Yuxiu instructed Mother Liu to prepare a late-night meal. Mother Liu inquired with a hint of curiosity: "Miss, did you not just retire for the evening?"

He Yuxiu responded with a touch of impatience: "Ask no further questions. I find myself hungry once more; please prepare the meal with haste."

Mother Liu subsequently presented a platter of sausages, a roasted chicken, a portion of lamb, and a selection of vegetables. He Yuxiu personally carried the repast to her room.

As Li Qi partook of the food, he posed a question: "Xiuer, allow me to inquire, what precisely is the extent of your cultivation level?"

He Yuxiu offered a modest smile: "Brother Seven, regarding this matter, any familiar acquaintance would confirm that I am an Eighth Layer Martial Cultivator."

Li Qi chuckled: "An Eighth Layer Martial Cultivator strikes with such formidable force?"

He Yuxiu appeared slightly embarrassed: "Were you not startling me just now? I did not precisely gauge the strength of my blows."

"You are truly at the eighth layer?"

"Would I deceive you on such a matter?"

"You are genuinely not concealing anything from me?" Li Qi humorously produced a feather duster.

He Yuxiu visibly flinched and gestured emphatically: "Please desist, Brother Seven. Let us discuss this amicably. I assure you, I have not neglected my cultivation throughout the years. If you perceive me as being at the eighth layer, it is possible that my true attainment exceeds that."

"You are indeed quite discreet," Li Qi remarked with a knowing sneer. "Have you been residing at the Ninth Layer for some time now?"

He Yuxiu whispered: "It is imperative that others remain unaware of this. I have no desire to attract undue attention from the Inner State."

Within the Puluo State, should the cultivation insights of a Ninth Layer cultivator become public knowledge, they would likely draw the scrutiny and potential threat of the Inner State.

Li Banfeng offered counsel with earnestness: "Xiuer, it is merely a question of time before they focus their attention on you. Maintaining such a clandestine existence is not a sustainable solution."

He Yuxiu's eyes brightened with interest: "Do you perhaps possess a viable strategy?"

Li Banfeng nodded affirmatively: "Xiuer, would you consider the prospect of becoming a Local Deity?"

He Yuxiu deliberated for a moment: "If that entails servitude within the Inner State, then I cannot accept. My disposition is not suited for such a fate."

"And what if such a journey to the Inner State were entirely unnecessary?"

He Yuxiu's joy was palpable: "Is such an arrangement even conceivable?"

Li Banfeng smiled broadly: "It is no wonder that Brother Seven holds you in such high regard. Such exceptional fortune is indeed yours to claim and embrace."