Chapter 327: The Peerless Genius Woman

Late at night, Yuezhou's Third Hospital.

He Jiaqing slipped a cigarette into the mouth of the "He Jiaqing" lying on the hospital bed.

This "He Jiaqing" was He Haisheng, currently unable to move or speak, temporarily substituting for He Jiaqing on the bed.

He Haisheng exhaled a puff of smoke directly onto He Jiaqing's face, expressing his displeasure.

He Jiaqing sighed: "Don't be upset, Third Uncle. I've been truly busy these past two days—I even sent someone to bring you cigarettes."

"Third Uncle, you can only smoke this one tonight; otherwise, the smell tomorrow will be too strong for me to explain to the doctor."

He Haisheng took a deep drag, then exhaled another cloud of smoke onto He Jiaqing's face.

"Still not enough?" He Jiaqing sighed helplessly. "Fine, I'll let you have one more. Tomorrow, the attending doctor's sure to scold me again…"

As He Haisheng continued smoking, the button on He Jiaqing's chest twitched, and Wan Jinxian's voice reached his ear.

"Jiaqing, Tu Yinghong left the film company. No one knows where she went."

He Jiaqing took a deep breath, forcing his tone to remain calm.

Wan Jinxian was an elder statesman; He Jiaqing rarely wanted to lose his temper with him.

"Old Wan, didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"

"Jiaqing, I'm old now, useless. I just didn't notice for a moment…" Wan Jinxian's voice brimmed with self-reproach and regret.

He Jiaqing sighed: "Enough. Don't beat yourself up—even tigers nap sometimes.

First, send people to find Tu Yinghong. Second, find someone to soothe Xiao Xiufei."

Xiao Xiufei was originally the female lead in Blood Blade Detective. When filming reached the third installment, Ling Miaoying suddenly rewrote the script, making Tu Yinghong and Xiao Xiufei dual female leads.

By the fourth installment, Tu Yinghong became the sole female lead, and Xiao Xiufei was reduced to a supporting role.

Xiao Xiufei was furious, even boycotting the set—only after multiple attempts at appeasement by Ling Miaoying did she return to filming.

Ling Miaoying knew how to soothe people; Wan Jinxian did not.

"Jiaqing, I truly don't understand film. Find someone else. I'll do everything I can to find Tu Yinghong—if I fail, punish me however you wish!"

"Old brother, don't say that. This isn't your fault—I was careless too."

After exchanging a few polite remarks, they ended the connection.

He Jiaqing lit a cigarette, intending to give it to He Haisheng, but instead put it in his own mouth and took a drag.

"Third Uncle, why is it so hard to find someone reliable?"

He Haisheng gazed at He Jiaqing with a look of grievance, then glanced at the cigarette in his hand.

He Jiaqing took another drag and sighed: "If he really can't handle it, fine. But if he just planted some illness on Tu Yinghong, how could she possibly escape?

Such a simple thing—he just doesn't want to do it. Everyone's the same: mouth full of loyalty, hearts full of hidden agendas.

Third Uncle, why is it so hard to find a brother who truly works for you?"

He Haisheng listened to He Jiaqing's complaints while watching him finish the entire cigarette.

He Jiaqing reached for another cigarette, then changed his mind and tucked the pack away: "Forget it. Third Uncle, sleep now."

He Haisheng stared at He Jiaqing with bloodshot eyes, unwilling to close his own.

He Jiaqing left the hospital and went to Shanxiu Park.

The park was large, and visitors were common.

He Jiaqing slipped into the flowerbed by the park entrance, plucked two vibrant peonies, tucked them into his coat, then headed to the next park.

In total, he picked thirty-six peonies, drove back to his villa, and arranged them neatly on the table.

He retrieved a breeding box from his bedroom, inside which lived a golden bee, no larger than a thumb.

He placed the bee on the peonies; it began to collect nectar in turn.

The bee moved with astonishing speed, visiting all thirty-six flowers in under ten minutes.

After half an hour, a white ring appeared on the bee's golden body.

He Jiaqing picked up the bee, positioning its stinger directly above his scalp.

He took a deep breath, then drove it down.

After a spasm, the bee died, its body dissolving into a pulp of flesh.

A golf-ball-sized bump rose on He Jiaqing's head. He sat on the sofa, staring at the withered peonies on the table.

"These seeds aren't doing well; we need to grow some new flowers again."

As he spoke, He Jiaqing winced—the bump on his head still hurt.

Once the bump receded, He Jiaqing rhythmically pressed the button on his chest.

A mature female voice reached his ear: "Jiaqing, you called for me?"

"Sister, I need your help with something."

"You don't need to be so formal with me."

"I want you to take over Ling's film company, but I know your duties are heavy—I'm worried you won't have time."

"I can still manage it, but I don't understand the film industry."

"It's no different from leather trade. With your talent, you'll master it at once."

"If you say so, sister will give it a try."

"I've prepared the company's deed for you. We'll arrange your appointment in three days."

"Three days is too soon, Jiaqing. I'm still at Haichiling—I need to delegate my business matters."

"Then five days. If anything's unclear, come straight to me."

…

Li Banfeng bought every newspaper from the past decade and hauled them all back in a cart to Xiaoyao Village.

Among these papers, he focused intently on the names of a dozen or so individuals.

Shen Rongqing, Qian Xiangjun, Duan Shuqun, Luo Suxuan, Liu Zexun, Wang Minggeng…

In the newspapers, Li Banfeng occasionally saw reports of these people acquiring businesses—brief notices, with no background on any of them.

Yet based on Li Banfeng's estimates, if all these businesses were properly managed, these dozen or so individuals were likely major figures in Puluozhou.

The Four Great Families plus Ling's household were Puluozhou's top-tier clans; these dozen were all second-tier upper echelon.

But if they were second-tier upper echelon, why were they so unknown?

Were they hiding deep, or was I just ignorant?

Li Banfeng sought out Ma Wu and asked about Shen Rongqing.

Ma Wu's eyes shone with reverence: "A genius. An unparalleled genius. Ranked alongside Zhang Xiuling as an unparalleled genius!"

Li Banfeng froze for a long moment.

"Isn't Zhang Xiuling the leader of Baihua Sect? Is she a genius too?"

"She can wield a blade and hold a brush. Have you ever read Zhang Xiuling's works?"

"No!"

"You must read them. You absolutely must. Only then will you understand…"

"Forget Zhang Xiuling for now—I'm asking you about Shen Rongqing."

"Shen Rongqing is even more gifted—she writes novels, poems, songs—she masters them all. If only such a genius could spend one night…"

"I didn't ask you that! You just got out of the hospital!

I'm asking about business—has Shen Rongqing ever engaged in commerce?"

Ma Wu paused, then said: "I don't think she has."

Li Banfeng pulled out a newspaper: "Shen Rongqing bought a factory from your family in Heishipō. Did you know about that?"

"I vaguely recall—I even asked Shen Rongqing for a signed book. I'll show you."

"No need. Since this transaction is confirmed, it proves Shen Rongqing is a merchant."

"No!" Ma Wu firmly denied it.

"What do you mean?"

"Shen Rongqing could never be a merchant. She would never soil herself with the stench of copper."

Li Banfeng frowned: "Doesn't she eat? Do you think she's immortal?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "She may have turned the factory into a newspaper office, or into a mansion. Either way, she could never be a merchant like us."

Ma Wu's reverence for Shen Rongqing baffled Li Banfeng.

He learned nothing useful from Ma Wu, and inquiries with others yielded the same conclusion.

Shen Rongqing was a genius.

Shen Rongqing could never be a merchant.

Li Banfeng obtained a travel permit, bought a train ticket, and went to Heishipō.

He read Shen Rongqing's poetry collection, paying little attention to its literary merit, focusing instead on her biography.

Shen Rongqing's hometown was Heishipō.

Her first poetry collection was published in Heishipō.

Further review of newspaper reports revealed most of Shen Rongqing's business dealings were centered in Heishipō.

To uncover Shen Rongqing's true background, Heishipō was the correct starting point.

On the train, Li Banfeng refused to stay in the carriage. He hid his key and returned to his personal dwelling.

As soon as he entered, he saw a long spear embedded in armor—its condition was strange.

"Seven Lang, does it look good?"

It was Xiang Hongying wearing the armor—her entire body was encased, visible only by the crimson-tipped spearhead.

"Very nice," Li Banfeng replied vaguely, then turned back to the phonograph with affection.

The phonograph's flames burned hotter than ever, its three horns fixed on Xiang Hongying.

Li Banfeng touched the steam's warmth and asked his wife: "Do you want it?"

His wife startled: "Want? Want what?"

"Armor!"

The phonograph laughed: "Oh, husband, you're joking—how could I possibly wear armor looking like this?"

Though she spoke lightly, Li Banfeng detected a hint of envy in her tone.

"I'll just have a Wu Xiu make you a custom set."

After a moment of silence, she smiled again: "Husband, you're cruel—teasing little wife like this."

"I'm serious. I'm going to Black Stone Slope—there are plenty of good Wu Xiu there."

"Husband, don't say more—it's embarrassing! Speaking of Wu Xiu, the Wu Xiu woman you brought home before should be ready to take out of the cauldron."

Li Banfeng then remembered Tu Yinghong. He took Tu Yinghong's lotus seed from the Red Lotus and detonated ten Jin Yuandan.

Li Banfeng asked the Red Lotus: "Tu Yinghong and Ling Miaoying should have similar cultivation bases—why is the elixir so different?"

The Red Lotus explained to the phonograph, who relayed: "Husband, Tu Yinghong's cultivation base is slightly higher than Ling Miaoying's—she's nearly at the Eighth Layer."

Tu Yinghong looked to be around thirty—achieving such cultivation was truly difficult!

To be nearly at the Eighth Layer and still go out to become an actress—her motives were hard to understand. Was it truly only because of her bond with Ling Miaoying?

Li Banfeng glanced at the projector: "Do you know Tu Yinghong?"

The projector had mentioned Tu Yinghong before, but now it hesitated: "Well, regarding artistic matters, I have some understanding. In other aspects…"

The phonograph added: "Husband, don't pressure the film projector. A magic treasure shouldn't speak of its former master—it violates its code of conduct and the covenant. It could suffer backlash."

That was indeed true.

Li Banfeng stopped asking. After a pause, the projector volunteered: "Seventh Director, Tu Yinghong and Ling Miaoying's bond may not have been as deep. Her coming to you may not be for revenge on Ling Miaoying's behalf."

Li Banfeng froze: "Then why did she come to me?"

The projector recalled their first clash: "I remember Tu Yinghong kept mentioning her iron rulers. She owned a pair of extremely precious iron rulers—I don't know their exact use, but it seems one of them is lost."

Iron rulers?

"Lost?" Li Banfeng pondered for a long while. "If she lost her iron rulers, why come to me?"

The Sui Shen Ju fell silent.

All the magic treasures, including his wife, pondered the reason.

Tang Dao glanced at Li Banfeng's pistol—the pistol the Glove had stolen from Ling Miaoying.

"Lord, I feel this matter—"

The Glove suddenly interrupted Tang Dao: "Master, isn't it because you also own a pair of iron rulers?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "I do have a pair."

He brought out his own iron rulers and asked the projector: "Are they the same as Tu Yinghong's?"

The projector replied: "I've never seen Tu Yinghong's iron rulers, but I think the Glove is right—perhaps it was these weapons that caused her misunderstanding."

Li Banfeng smiled: "Then she died rather unfairly."

The Glove shook his index finger: "Not unfair. Anyone who offends the Master deserves to die!"

…

The train arrived at Black Stone Slope. Li Banfeng stepped off.

The familiar industrial scent filled him with warmth.

He boarded a small train, planning to visit Shen Rongqing first.

PS: He wanted to see just how deep He Jiaqing's Hand and Foot Alliance really went.

(End of Chapter)