Chapter 426: If You've Got the Nerve, Come and Take It

In the Defense Office, Liao Zihui reviewed the report and confirmed some details with Liu Guocai, Chief of the Wuqin Township Defense Office.

"At the time, you felt no anomalies, yet the geographical location did change?"

Liu Guocai nodded: "The changes centered on the location of Moxiang Shop and the exit to the new land."

Wuqin Township originally adjoined Moxiang Shop, but suddenly a stretch of land appeared between them; according to Moxiang Shop's report, they experienced no anomalies either.

"Is this stretch of land confirmed to be Li Qi's?"

Liu Guocai said: "We've sent scouts to the border—no sign of Li Qi, but we saw three outlaws who escaped from the Prisoner City, and also He Yuxiu, Ma Wu, and others. The general topography matches Li Qi's newly reclaimed land exactly."

"The border deep within the new land, after successful reclamation, suddenly shifted to the center of the proper land, with no anomalies around it—just forcibly squeezed in," Liao Zihui summarized, then suddenly laughed, "This place, Pulu Province, is truly bizarre—I've lived here years and still can't figure it out."

"Su Jun, how's the research coming?"

Secretary Ling Sujun reported: "Chief, according to our current records, a similar case occurred once in Pulu Province's history."

"Which one?"

"Zongfa City, due to insufficient population, regressed from proper land to old soil."

Liao Zihui had little memory of it—it must have happened before he came to Pulu Province: "Is Zongfa City's case related to this?"

Ling Sujun handed him the files: "Zongfa City's location also changed, but in entirely the opposite way—it moved away from proper land and into the deep new land."

"The surrounding borders gathered geographically to fill the void left by Zongfa City, and the entrances to the new land changed too—no other obvious anomalies appeared."

Liao Zihui studied Zongfa City's case carefully, then said to Ling Sujun: "Has Pulu Province ever recorded any other similar cases?"

Ling Sujun said: "Relevant records are extremely fragmented—what we've found so far…"

Liao Zihui shook his head: "Keep digging. If our records aren't complete, go to the outer provinces for help—this is a major matter; everyone must cooperate."

Ling Sujun left the meeting room. Liao Zihui flipped through the files again and asked Liu Guocai, Chief of Wuqin Township Defense Office: "Your railway's broken?"

"Yes. When the unnamed land appeared, the railway between Wuqin Township and Moxiang Shop snapped. No train was running then, so no major damage occurred."

"The rail ends are perfectly clean—no warping or deformation—as if sliced instantly by an extremely sharp tool."

Deputy Chief Tang Huanjie added: "Chief, I've already assembled personnel and equipment. As soon as Li Qi agrees, we'll immediately survey the site and start work as soon as possible."

Liao Zihui frowned: "What for?"

Tang Huanjie blinked: "To repair the railway."

Liao Zihui said: "Do you need Li Qi's permission to fix a railway? What are you thinking?"

"I—I mean," Tang Huanjie was caught off guard, "Chief, the railway between Wuqin Township and Moxiang Shop is broken—entire line is affected. If we don't fix it soon…"

Liao Zihui cut him off: "What's the rush? Let it be affected. Aren't there other railway lines nearby? Detour!"

"But transportation costs will…"

"No problem," Liao Zihui waved his hand. "We've been twisted around by Li Qi so many times—it's time we cut him deep. He's trapped on that land now. If he wants a railway, he'll have to beg me!"

"He pays for the railway repair. He pays for the Defense Office repair. Whatever I demand, he gives. If he refuses, he can stay on that wasteland for life!"

Tang Huanjie pursed his lips: "It's not just Li Qi trapped—heads of every major family are stuck there too. I fear they'll cause trouble."

"Trouble who?" Liao Zihui sneered. "Who trapped them? Let them go complain to him. This is Li Qi's doing. If they're angry, they go after Li Qi—what's it to us?"

"By the way, what've you found on Li Qi's identity?"

That's the advantage of being Chief—you think of something, open your mouth, and subordinates must answer.

Fortunately, Tang Huanjie had prepared: "Almost done. Li Qi's real name is Song Zhuowen, age thirty-two, born in Haichiling."

"His family was poor since childhood. His parents wanted him to become a Dark Energy user but couldn't afford the basic cultivation. They took him to Santou Cha. On the way, bandits attacked; both parents died."

"Song Zhuowen survived, became a Wanderer. He's been cultivating for twenty-three years, lived briefly in outer provinces, and now reaches Level Five."

Liao Zihui calculated roughly: "Twenty-three years in, most would be Level Three. He took some pills, pushed himself to Level Five—typical. Where did you get the bandit story?"

"From Haichiling. Someone traveled with his family and barely escaped the bandits. He saw Song Zhuowen's parents killed with his own eyes. He also saw Li Qi recently return to Haichiling and refurbish the old house."

"We verified around Santou Cha—over twenty years ago, bandits were rampant near Haichiling; people were killed nearly every day."

Liao Zihui pondered: "Does Song Zhuowen have any other relatives in Haichiling?"

"We can't verify that yet," Tang Huanjie shook his head. "His family moved from the countryside to Toudao Ling. No one who knew them ever mentioned relatives."

Liao Zihui sighed: "Everything fits too neatly. Details can't be verified—this still smells fishy. Huanjie, keep digging. Put Haichiling on hold—switch direction."

Put Haichiling on hold?

Tang Huanjie was troubled.

Li Qi is from Haichiling. If you drop Haichiling, where else do you look?

Liao Zihui thought long: "I recall Li Qi had conflicts with Ling Family Film."

Tang Huanjie nodded: "When 'Blood Blade Detective' and 'Blood Spear Detective' competed for market share, the two sides clashed repeatedly."

"Investigate Ling Family Film. Since they had a grudge, they must've dug into Li Qi. See what clues they have."

…

He Jiaqing set up cameras and microphones in his apartment, laid out mats and dumbbells, and plugged a wireless card into his head.

He was currently doing fitness livestreams. The channel name was "Xiao Qing Takes You Flying"—extremely popular. Today, as soon as he went live, tips poured in.

"Thank you 'Suiyue Jinghao' for the big rocket. Xiao Qing will now demonstrate the technique for high-frequency push-ups."

The livestream exploded with excitement—viewers loved watching Xiao Qing's push-ups, especially his core strength.

Audience energy flowed into He Jiaqing's head. He was just getting into rhythm when his button vibrated.

Hearing Shen Rongqing's voice, He Jiaqing paused the livestream.

"Suiyue Jinghao" sent a private message requesting a private chat.

He Jiaqing brushed her off with a few words, turned off camera and mic, and listened carefully to Shen Rongqing's message.

"Jiaqing, the Defense Office is investigating Li Qi's origins."

"I heard they already investigated—this was supposedly cleared up."

Shen Rongqing said: "According to their findings, Li Qi's real name is Song Zhuowen, from Haichiling."

"Song Zhuowen?" He Jiaqing froze. "Where did this come from?"

Shen Rongqing didn't know.

Of course she didn't—this rumor was fabricated by Ma Wu at great cost.

Ma Wu had eyes inside the Defense Office. He knew they were investigating Li Qi's identity, so he spent heavily to fabricate it.

Song Zhuowen was real. His background and history were real. But he had nothing to do with Li Qi—all connections were engineered by Ma Wu.

Ma Wu first built the framework, then secretly bought Song Zhuowen's old house. Li Qi later refurbished it, and rumors were subtly leaked through newspapers—thus the trail was forged.

He Jiaqing toyed with the button, then said to Shen Rongqing: "Have our people leak hints too—solidify the link that Li Qi is Song Zhuowen."

Shen Rongqing didn't understand: "Jiaqing, are you covering for Li Qi? Are we really going to fight the Defense Office for him?"

He Jiaqing said: "Li Qi has many secrets. Some I know—but the Defense Office must never find out."

Shen Rongqing was curious: "Jiaqing, shouldn't we list all Li Qi's secrets?"

He Jiaqing was thinking how to brush her off when a private message popped up in his livestream—sent by "Suiyue Jinghao."

She wanted to meet him offline.

Before he could reply, another message arrived—"Suiyue Jinghao" sent her address, followed by a note:

"My place needs a steel wool pad. If you're free, bring one along."

…

In Lüshuicheng, outside a Western-style mansion south of Bailamen, a beggar entered the courtyard with a begging bowl.

The gatekeeper shouted: "What are you doing here?"

Lüshui Beggar smiled at him: "I want something to eat."

The gatekeeper cursed: "Filthy beggar, how dare you burst in here? Get out, get—" His throat tightened—he choked to death.

Lüshui Beggar walked forward. Several guards tried to stop him. As they took two steps toward him, their bodies swelled violently, engulfing limbs, clothes tearing, flesh fusing—suddenly standing in the courtyard as massive, pulsating boils.

Lüshui Beggar glanced at the boils. They seemed to receive an order, positioning themselves around the mansion.

Their heads split open, pus gushing out. The pus on the ground writhed rapidly, soon encasing the entire mansion.

Lüshui Beggar dragged his bowl inside, finding Chu Shaoqiang stepping out of the bedroom.

Chu Shaoqiang stood by the staircase railing, looking down: "Lühuazi, you've got guts—coming straight to me like this?"

Lüshui Beggar chuckled: "I wanted to sneak in, but I can't evade your magic treasures."

"And coming openly helps?"

Lüshui Beggar shook his head: "Can't evade it. So I won't. Coming openly removes my restrictions. Let's settle this today—clean and final!"

Chu Shaoqiang frowned: "Why rush? Wait. We'll have other chances."

Lüshui Beggar stroked his bowl: "Wait? How many years have you waited? Didn't you want Lüshui Bay back then? I'm here now. Lüshui Bay is in my hands. If you've got the guts, come take it!"

(End of Chapter)