Chapter 262: Old Friend

In the Dark Star Bureau, Datou reported to Captain Chen Zhangrui that Xiao Zheng had gone to the hospital.

He only mentioned that Xiao Zheng had visited He Jiaqing's ward, without saying He Jiaqing had regained consciousness.

"Captain, Xiao Fu has been going to the hospital a lot lately."

Chen Zhangrui nodded and said, "I know about this."

"It seems there's personal animosity between him and He Jiaqing."

"I know about that too."

"I'm afraid he'll kill He Jiaqing," Datou said bluntly.

Chen Zhangrui smiled and said, "I know about that too."

The captain's attitude puzzled Datou.

He knew everything, yet did nothing.

What kind of logic was that?

Chen Zhangrui offered Datou a cigarette, lit one for himself, and asked, "What kind of person do you think He Jiaqing is?"

Datou took a drag and said, "I don't know—I've never interacted with him. I only know he's someone the Bureau values highly."

Chen Zhangrui took a deep drag, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and asked, "What kind of person do you think Xiao Zheng is?"

Datou fell silent for a long while, hesitant to answer: "I don't know Xiao Fu well either."

Chen Zhangrui flicked ash and smiled: "You truly don't know, and you can't know. Neither He Jiaqing nor Xiao Zheng falls within your sphere of understanding—they're from Pulu Province.

You've never been to Pulu Province; you don't know what it's like. I lived there for years. The people of Pulu Province clawed their way out through bloodshed and deceit.

We've lived long enough to think we've seen enough, that we're shrewd, experienced, and calculating. Let me tell you plainly—our little tricks mean nothing in Pulu Province.

Do you think someone lying in a hospital bed is necessarily a patient? Do you think someone holding the title of Deputy Captain is necessarily a member of the Dark Star Bureau?"

"These people aren't things we can handle. Let one of them deal with the other—isn't that better?"

Datou remained silent.

Captain Chen smiled: "Datou, there are unfair things in the Bureau—I don't like them either. If I can fight for you, I will. If I can't, it's only because I'm powerless.

But we're Bureau personnel—we handle our own affairs. Pulu Province's matters? We're better off staying out. Don't you agree?"

Datou's chest tightened, but his face showed no expression.

Captain Chen crushed his cigarette and said, "A new recruit came this year. I'm assigning him to you."

"Tangyuan" You Xuehan brought in a young man—average build, ordinary face, plain but neatly kept clothes, radiating the vigor of youth.

The young man introduced himself: "My name is Qin Minghui. I'm twenty-three, a recent law graduate from Yuezhou University."

Captain Chen said, "This kid scored first in written exam, interview, and physical test. He could've chosen a better post—but he picked the Dark Star Bureau."

Datou asked, "Why choose the Dark Star Bureau?"

Qin Minghui answered: "To protect."

"Protect what?"

Qin Minghui said: "To protect this world, and everything important in it."

Before he finished, Tangyuan's face turned red as he barely held back laughter.

Chen Zhangrui and Datou burst out laughing; Qin Minghui joined in.

He laughed naturally, without a trace of embarrassment.

"Datou, from now on, Xiao Qin will be under you. Give him a codename."

Masters giving disciples codenames is a Dark Star Bureau tradition.

Datou was always kind to new recruits and would ask their opinion when choosing a codename: "What kind of nickname do you want?"

Qin Minghui scratched his head: "My senior brothers already named me 'Zhong Er.'"

Chen Zhangrui waved his hand: "Ignore them. A codename is serious—it prevents identity leaks and aids communication during missions."

"Call me Zhong Er," Qin Minghui said without objection. "I think I am pretty Zhong Er too. Maybe after a few more beatings, I'll stop being so foolish."

Datou didn't want to overthink the nickname. Since the recruit was fine with it, he'd call him Zhong Er.

"Start by studying the Bureau's regulations."

"Senior brother, I've already studied them…"

"Study them again. I've studied half my life and still haven't mastered everything."

…

Lüshui City, Heping Building Cinema.

Movie star "Zhou Changhong" sat in the back row of the second floor, watching "Blood Blade Detective" Part III.

Ling Miaoying had released Part III before Ma Wu.

But no matter how fast she acted, it made little difference—before "Blood Spear Detective," "Blood Blade Detective"'s attendance rate was drastically lower.

Yet even with the gap, people still came to watch "Blood Blade Detective." After a week of screening, it maintained over twenty percent daily attendance. The theater was quiet, but these viewers had vastly different tastes and levels.

"Zhou Changhong" could hear murmurs from some audience members:

"This is real cinema. This is true art."

"Forget everything else—just look at the lighting and framing. No other film compares."

"The character Liang Chunjie is also brilliantly portrayed. The actor nailed it. A master's touch is unmistakable—I've memorized many of his lines."

"Zhou Changhong" was satisfied—this was exactly the effect he wanted.

One-third into the film, an elderly man sat beside Zhou Changhong and whispered: "Big star, I didn't mistake you, did I?"

"Zhou Changhong" had already spotted the man. He feigned surprise, quickly rising: "Mr. Lu, what are you doing here…"

Lu Maoxian, patriarch of the Lu family, waved him off: "No need for formalities. I just came to watch a movie.

This film is truly well-made. Too bad few in Pulu Province understand it. But one thing bothers me—Liang Chunjie should've been played by you. Others just don't capture the role."

"Zhou Changhong" smiled humbly: "Sir, you flatter me."

Lu Maoxian waved again: "This isn't flattery. At my age, I have no reason to flatter anyone. These are my honest thoughts.

Changhong, why didn't you take the role? Was the price offered by Lao Ban unsatisfactory?"

"Zhou Changhong" shook his head: "I tried. But Lao Ban had someone else in mind."

"I'll speak with Miaoying about this. The right person must do the right thing. No one else suits this role better than you."

They chatted briefly, then fell silent, each focusing on the film.

Why was Lu Maoxian so warm toward Zhou Changhong?

Actually, it wasn't strange. In Pulu Province, especially in Lüshui City, movie stars and wealthy families often had connections.

"Zhou Changhong" didn't take it to heart. Judging by this, the real Zhou Changhong must have been close to Old Master Lu.

After the movie ended, "Zhou Changhong" exchanged a few polite words with Lu Maoxian, and they parted ways.

Walking down the street, "Zhou Changhong" heard a man and woman still discussing the film.

"Zhou Changhong" instinctively placed a pin near his left ear and listened for a moment—heard nothing.

His left ear still hadn't improved.

He moved the pin near his right ear—this time, he heard clearly.

The man said: "This movie is pointless. Better to watch 'Blood Spear Detective.'"

The woman said: "How vulgar can you be? Can you even watch that kind of movie?"

"The plot of 'Blood Spear Detective' isn't bad either—it's just all the same…"

"Don't say any more—I don't want to hear it!" the woman snapped. "You don't watch movies just for the plot—you watch for the realm.

The realm of Liang Chunjie can't be matched by any other film character.

I especially admire his line: A family needs a master, a city needs a master, a region needs a master. Without masters, the masses are scattered sand—doomed to be oppressed."

The man said: "I disagree. Can't you live without a master?"

The woman sighed: "We have nothing in common."

"Zhou Changhong" nodded.

Aside from the much lower attendance, everything else met his expectations.

He wanted to hear more audience reactions when a button on his chest suddenly vibrated.

"Jiaqing, something happened at the hospital."

It was Datou's voice.

"What happened?"

"Zhou Changhong's identity was exposed by Xiao Zheng. Zhou Changhong told Xiao Zheng the truth."

"Zhou Changhong" frowned—his good mood vanished instantly.

"Is this reliable?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

"Thanks, brother." He Jiaqing, disguised as "Zhou Changhong," cut the connection, realizing the gravity of the situation.

He shouldn't have ignored Zhou Changhong. He shouldn't have overestimated his loyalty.

He Jiaqing walked calmly toward the train station, preparing to buy a ticket back to Waizhou.

Of course, buying a ticket was one thing—actually boarding the train was another. He had other ways to return to Waizhou.

The exposure was already certain; speed didn't matter. What mattered was secrecy.

Secrecy…

Just now, Lu Maoxian came to me—was there another reason?

"Sir, buy a newspaper?" A newsboy blocked his path. He Jiaqing, irritated, shoved the boy aside.

Lu Mao came to find me first—was that really a coincidence? Could he have recognized me?

Impossible.

Simply from his cultivation base, he shouldn't be able to spot any flaw, unless he's had contact with Xiao Zhenggong. Could the Jiangxiang Bang also have ties with the Lu family? Or perhaps…

"Have pity on me, give me something to eat," another beggar blocked his path. He Jiaqing grew impatient and stepped aside.

Lu Mao really might have had contact with Xiao Zhenggong. Xiao Zhenggong isn't just the boss of the Jiangxiang Bang—he's also a Balancer. His identity is extremely complex…

"Have pity on me, give me something to eat," the beggar circled back in front of He Jiaqing.

Why is this man so persistent?

He Jiaqing, once again interrupted, glared angrily at the beggar before him—his tattered clothes, his face covered in pus-filled sores, the greenish pus oozing from those sores.

Greenwater Beggar…

He Jiaqing's expression tightened.

The beggar smiled: "Have pity on me, give me something to eat."

He Jiaqing tapped the button on his chest and whispered, "Don't speak. Stay in contact."

PS: The Sage's old friend has arrived.

(End of Chapter)