Chapter 432: You Are the Thief

Bai Zhiming was once Liao Zihui's trusted subordinate, promoted and recommended by Liao Zihui all the way up to the position of Deputy Director-General.

He was deeply loyal to Liao Zihui and handled affairs efficiently; upon arriving in Wuqin Township, he uncovered preliminary leads within just two days and sent word to Liao Zihui via a spy: the local deity of Wuqin Township, Madame Wuqin, had vanished and was likely dead.

Liao Zihui carefully confirmed with Bai Zhiming: "Could Madame Wuqin have been away handling affairs elsewhere, temporarily absent from Wuqin Township?"

Bai Zhiming replied: "It's not impossible, but the likelihood is extremely low—Madame Wuqin had little contact with others and never left her territory lightly."

Liao Zihui picked up the map and pondered for a long while before asking: "Could it be that Qiū Luòyè killed Madame Wuqin and merged the two territories, causing the boundary between them to disappear?"

Bai Zhiming nodded: "Director-General, I also believe that's the case—but Qiū Luòyè is difficult to communicate with, so I haven't yet been able to verify it."

Liao Zihui thought for a moment and asked again: "Where have the people who came out of Qiū Luòyè's territory gone?"

"Most are gathered at the train station. The route from Wuqin Township to Moxiang Shop is cut off, but other routes are still operational. He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, Ma Junyang, and others are helping them obtain travel permits."

At the train station.

They cannot cross the boundaries of other territories.

A blunder!

A serious blunder!

Li Qi has no ability to manipulate boundaries—the boundary vanished because both territories now share the same master.

Liao Zihui exhaled deeply. This was an internal territorial war among the deities of Pulu Province—a problem far smaller than previously feared, and one with virtually no responsibility falling on the Border Control Office.

Of course, some verification still needed to be done: Liu Guocai, the Border Control Officer of Wuqin Township, must be prompted to contact Li Qi directly and discuss rebuilding the railway, to gauge Li Qi's attitude.

These were matters for later. The immediate problem was resolved; a heavy stone had been lifted from Liao Zihui's chest. He felt utterly at ease, gazed out the window at the sunset, cleared his throat, and unconsciously began humming a tune.

"Across the horizon, o' sea~ afar, seeking, seeking, seeking a soulmate, little sister…"

"Director-General!" Ling Sujun burst in, startled to see Liao Zihui swaying his waist, singing and dancing—awkwardness filled the room.

Liao Zihui regained his composure, frowned, and said: "Don't you know to knock before entering? No manners!"

"I'm sorry, Director-General, urgent telegraph from above—orders for you to answer immediately."

In Pulu Province, communication devices suffer severe interference and require special forbidden artifacts—magic treasures—to function.

Liao Zihui went to the communications room, picked up two palm-sized bronze bells—one to his ear, one to his mouth—and smiled:

"Director Du, how long has it been since we last spoke? Last time I returned for my report, I left in such a rush we never got to meet up…"

After pleasantries, he turned to the matter at hand. After just two sentences, he sensed something was wrong and quickly explained: "Director Du, it's not as you think…"

After a moment of explanation, Liao Zihui fell silent.

Some things were already decided; further explanation was pointless. Director Du had called merely to warn him: outsiders had already sent people.

Liao Zihui walked out of the communications room with a grim face, returned to his office, and told Ling Sujun: "Bring Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai to me."

In the Border Control Office, Liao Zihui usually addressed subordinates by their titles; occasionally he used their given names, but calling them by full name was extremely rare.

Soon, Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai entered the office. Liao Zihui ordered Ling Sujun out and locked the door.

Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai sat nervously in the office for a long while, until Liao Zihui asked: "Which one of you reported this up the chain?"

Reporting up the chain was a grave taboo in both the Border Control Office and the outsiders' organization. The two exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

"Deny it?" Liao Zihui smiled, scanning their faces, lowering his voice: "This isn't the outsiders' territory—it's Pulu Province. Do you really think I won't dare touch you?"

Liao Zihui's face suddenly darkened.

It wasn't an illusion—his face truly turned black. Thick clouds of darkness swirled around his body.

A crushing pressure descended, making them tremble violently, drenched in sweat.

Tang Huanjie shook his head frantically: "Director-General, I would never do such a thing!"

Liu Guocai remained silent for a long while, then raised his head: "Director-General, when such a major incident occurred, I feared chaos—I feared I couldn't bear the responsibility."

It was him.

Liu Guocai had reported the matter upward.

Liao Zihui stared at Liu Guocai for a long while.

Liu Guocai was about to wet himself.

After a moment of silence, Liao Zihui spoke: "Guocai, why did you do this? If you couldn't bear the burden, we could have shared it. You rushed to inform the higher-ups, and now we're in a terrible position."

The familiar Liao Zihui had returned. Liu Guocai secretly exhaled in relief: "I—I was just terrified…"

"Afraid of what?" Liao Zihui smiled. "The matter is clear: two local deities fought, their territories merged, the boundary between them vanished, but all other boundaries remain intact. This has nothing to do with Li Qi."

Liu Guocai immediately stood up: "Director-General, it's all my fault. I'll explain to the higher-ups myself—I accept any punishment."

Liao Zihui sighed: "The higher-ups are now paying close attention to this. A working group is coming to investigate, and reportedly even a Balance Person will arrive. Our work from now on will be extremely difficult."

Liu Guocai said: "I'll contact them immediately and explain everything clearly."

"No need," Liao Zihui shook his head. "We do have many shortcomings in our work. Let the higher-ups guide us—it's for the best. When they arrive in Wuqin Township, you'll handle reception. Don't dare slip up."

Liu Guocai declared publicly: "Director-General, rest assured—I won't let a single mistake happen!"

Tang Huanjie and Liu Guocai left the office. Watching Liu Guocai's back, Liao Zihui's eyes flickered with a glint of coldness.

Liu Guocai, still shaken, reached the stairwell and whispered: "Director Tang, shouldn't I speak privately with Director Liao again?"

"What did you just say?" Tang Huanjie glanced at his watch. "I've got a dinner to attend. We'll talk later."

…

Huahu Park, He Jiaqing had dyed his hair pure white, dressed as an elderly man, exercising beside fitness equipment.

Datou sat beside the treadmill, whispering: "I'm going to Pulu Province in two days."

"Why go to Pulu Province?"

"Xiao Zheng is going to Wuqin Township in Pulu Province as a Balance Person on official business—he needs an assistant. The Bureau assigned me."

He Jiaqing stepped onto the waist-twister and asked: "What happened in Wuqin Township?"

"A new territory appeared nearby, and a boundary vanished for no reason. Rumor says this is connected to a man named Li Qi…"

Datou told He Jiaqing everything he knew. He Jiaqing warned: "Pulu Province isn't like the outsiders' territory—be extremely careful."

After Datou left, He Jiaqing immediately found He Haisheng: "Uncle Three, I'm going back to Pulu Province. Handle the outsiders' affairs for me for now."

He Haisheng was worried: "The Sage Peak's one is still watching you. Returning now is dangerous—you might be spotted the moment you show your face."

"I must return. This matter is critical!"

He Haisheng noticed the sweat on He Jiaqing's forehead: "Jiaqing, you look weak. Why not wait a few days?"

"I can't wait. I leave tonight."

He Haisheng arranged He Jiaqing's train ticket and travel permit. He Jiaqing changed his identity and appearance, and boarded the train that very night.

Upon arriving in Wuqin Township, He Jiaqing went straight to the abandoned village where Qiao Shaofen lived.

This was a forbidden zone in Wuqin Township, rarely visited by anyone. He Jiaqing circled the village entrance and picked up a hard, dry clump of mud from the tangled weeds.

He sniffed the mud's scent and recognized its origin.

This was Qiao Shaofen's remains.

The truth was drawing closer to his expectations.

He Jiaqing entered Qiao Shaofen's bedroom, crawled under the bed, and stared for a moment.

Though Li Banfeng had restored the scene perfectly, He Jiaqing still spotted the flaw.

He had already guessed what had happened—but he still needed to confirm.

He opened the hidden compartment. Inside was empty—the local deity seal was gone.

Beneath the compartment was a hole. No need to ask—the deed was already dug up.

He Jiaqing slowly crawled out from under the bed, stood motionless by the bedside for a long time.

A wave of dizziness struck him. He collapsed onto the bed, clenched his fists, then his eyes reddened and tears streamed down.

He could endure anything—even losing an ear.

But this—he could not endure. This was the foundation of all his planning.

"Thief! Shameless thief!" He Jiaqing wiped his tears and cursed aloud,

"You kill, fine—but you steal others' possessions? I never steal. I despise this shameless, thieving conduct!"

Filled with rage, He Jiaqing gritted his teeth: "Li Banfeng, if you don't return the deed to me today, I'll take your life!"

…

Achoo!

Li Banfeng was eating noodles at a noodle shop when he suddenly sneezed.

Who's thinking of me?

After the sneeze, he shivered—and suddenly understood.

It's my wife thinking of me. She's waiting for me to oil the machine.

Every time I finish oiling the machine, I shiver—I feel exhilarated, and she feels comfortable.

Thinking of this, Li Banfeng grew impatient.

He walked to the counter and asked the shopkeeper: "How much?"

The shopkeeper was still the old woman. She took two hundred yuan from the counter and handed it to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng checked the bills and nodded: "Keep the change."

The old woman respectfully saw Li Banfeng out the door.

Finding a secluded spot, Li Banfeng hid his key, entered his portable dwelling, pressed down the record player, then lifted the oil can.

The record player cried: "Madman! Slow down—I'm not ready…"

…

He Jiaqing arrived at the noodle shop, glanced around. The old shopkeeper approached: "Would you like noodles?"

"I'm looking for someone," He Jiaqing smiled. He saw no sign of Li Banfeng and turned to leave—when suddenly someone entered the noodle shop's entrance.

The man wore a gray-white overcoat and a gray-white top hat.

He Jiaqing found him familiar, but could not place him at once.

Chu Shaoqiang removed his top hat and said, "Jiaqing, what a coincidence—I was just looking for you. Sit down and have a bowl of noodles together."

PS: Jiaqing should have listened to his third uncle—he shouldn't have come to Puluozhou, but those two deeds were too important to him.

(End of Chapter)