Chapter 485: The Entrance to the Inner Continent

"Brother Brother Qiye, I sent people to keep an eye on the Government Office, but I haven't seen the merchant you mentioned in the last two days." Luo Zhengnan had been investigating Dick Chen's whereabouts outside the Government Office, but found no results.

"Old Seven, I asked my inside contact at the Government Office, and I asked more than one, but none of them know of anyone named Dick Chen." Ma Wu had been investigating inside the Government Office, and he hadn't found any results either.

News also came from the Lightbulb side: "Tang Yuan is investigating you. She has put in quite a lot of effort, and she plans to go to Hanchi Ridge tomorrow, saying she wants to go see your ancestral home. Chief Director Liao highly appreciates Tang Yuan's attitude and specifically came to our office to commend her."

Lightbulb was putting in a lot of effort; he could even dig up a thing or two about Liao Liao Zihui, but regarding this Dick Chen, there wasn't a single clue.

Li Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu and asked, "What kind of background does this person have? Why is he so hard to find?"

……

"It really isn't easy to find a suitable candidate," Dick Chen said, looking at Lu Lu Xiaolan's file and shaking his head repeatedly. "I don't think this person is very suitable."

Dabo Dabo Ensi explained, "I am quite familiar with this person. Her mother also maintained a long-term cooperative relationship with me."

Dick Chen smiled. "I've told you about this issue before: a familiar person and a reliable person are two different things. It is precisely because you are too familiar with this person that you have developed an undue trust in her.

Look carefully at Lu Lu Xiaolan's various past deeds, whether it was the struggle for the Red Lotus, the revenge against Ma Wu, or some of her actions between Iron Sheep Mountain and the Jiang Xiang Gang—I can only describe them as completely useless.

She has missed too many opportunities yet failed to achieve any results. One or two failures can be blamed on luck, but when it happens repeatedly, it's a matter of ability."

"At the very least, she became the leader of Iron Sheep Mountain." Dabo Dabo Ensi still wanted to defend Lu Lu Xiaolan a little.

Even this achievement was not recognized by Dick Chen. "I paid attention to this matter before. There were too many coincidences in it. I saw traces of human arrangement in it; the Ling Ling Miaowen and Ling Ling Miaoying brothers must have played a significant role.

Dabo, you are so smart; it's impossible for you not to see these traces. You seem to have a special protectiveness toward Lu Lu Xiaolan, which has caused you to ignore many problems."

Dabo Dabo Ensi shook his head. "I have no extra feelings for her. I just think that people with perseverance and determination are talents worth cherishing."

Dick Chen sighed. "You must remember: talents are not for cherishing; they are for utilizing.

Perseverance and determination can turn into stubbornness and extremism at any time. Such people will exhaust all their capital just to achieve a relatively unimportant goal."

Dabo Dabo Ensi did not deny this point; Lu Lu Xiaolan did indeed have this flaw. "It seems all talents have some paranoia."

Dick Chen nodded. "That's right, but we cannot let their paranoia ruin our plans. We must learn to utilize their paranoia to achieve our goals.

What kind of talent is easiest to utilize? Talents in frustration, especially those in despair, are the easiest to utilize.

Just as a person hungry to a certain degree will no longer be picky about food, a person desperate to a certain degree will no longer continue to be stubborn."

"Where should we find such talent?"

"I've made an appointment with one today. Come with me to take a look."

Dick Chen took Dabo Dabo Ensi to a factory that had been abandoned for many years. In front of the factory gate, Dick Chen suddenly asked, "Do you know why this place is called Soda Kiln?"

"Because the soda is delicious." Dabo Dabo Ensi gave the answer that most people in Puluo Continent considered correct; the soda from Soda Kiln was truly too famous.

Dick Chen was somewhat disappointed. "Dabo, I once told you that although the culture of Puluo Continent is full of decay and dross, there are some things you must learn.

The name Soda Kiln does not come from the beverages here. Steam and water are the soul of the steam engine. This was the earliest industrial hub of Puluo Continent. If you paid even the slightest attention to the local people's conversations, you would know the glory of Soda Kiln back then. Many people still live in the memory of that glory today."

In a corner of the workshop, Dick Chen found a maintenance worker. He was modifying the reheat circuit of a steam engine. If the modification was successful, he could increase the overall efficiency of this steam engine by two percentage points.

"Old Master Shi Shi Gongxing," Dick Chen took the initiative to greet him. "You are still as diligent as ever."

Shi Shi Gongxing crawled out from under the machine with a face full of grease, looked at Dick Chen, and asked, "What are you here for again?"

Dick Chen smiled. "I don't need to say it; you should know my intention."

"Go away, there's nothing to discuss." Shi Shi Gongxing returned under the boiler.

Dick Chen said, "Old Master, if there really was nothing to discuss, you should have killed me long ago. Me coming here to pester you again and again will attract unnecessary suspicion and also expose the secrets here."

"I should have killed you." A hook-shaped wrench flew out from under the boiler, smashing directly toward Dick Chen's head.

Dick Chen dodged the wrench and smiled. "If you really wanted to kill me, you wouldn't use such a childish method."

Shi Shi Gongxing looked at Dick Chen from under the boiler and asked, "Do you really want to die, or is your mouth just naturally annoying?"

Dick Chen lay on the ground and said, "Old Master, no matter how good a machine you make, it can only be buried in this place called Soda Kiln.

The people of Soda Kiln have long forgotten the glory of the past. The industrial hub of yesteryear has become a talking point for soda stalls; they tell a story or two when they have nothing to do, just to entertain the guests.

If you want to regain the glory of Soda Kiln, you have to send the people of Soda Kiln back to the factory. I can help you with this. As long as there are people coming to do business, the factories of Soda Kiln can run at full speed.

When that time comes, the entire Puluo Continent will be shocked. They will know that the best steam engine is not in Black Stone Slope, nor in Green Water City; it is here, in its original hometown."

The hammering and banging sounds disappeared. Shi Shi Gongxing was staring blankly at his boiler.

Dick Chen struck while the iron was hot. "Old Master, I'll just go take a look. I will definitely return within the time you specify. No one will know about this. After it's done, I will send orders to book a large batch of machines, and the factories of Soda Kiln will soon be running."

Shi Shi Gongxing remained silent for a long time. Dick Chen walked step by step toward the depths of the workshop.

As long as Shi Shi Gongxing did not come out to stop him, Dick Chen could walk all the way to the end of the workshop.

Dabo Dabo Ensi followed behind Dick Chen. After walking just two steps, the floor tiles under his feet cracked, opening a gap that separated him from Dick Chen.

This was a warning to them: only one person could enter the depths of the workshop.

Dick Chen let Dabo Dabo Ensi wait in place, and he himself walked toward the end of the workshop.

At the end of the workshop was a ladder, and below the ladder was a bottomless pool of water.

Dick Chen jumped into the pool and dived down rapidly.

The true volume of this pool built inside the factory was much larger than its appearance. Dick Chen could not see the bottom of the pool in the water, nor could he see the surrounding walls; this was the manifestation of the cultivation technique.

After diving more than a hundred meters, Dick Chen saw a crucian carp over three meters long with grayish-black scales at the bottom of the water.

Dick Chen first bowed deeply to the crucian carp.

The crucian carp flicked its fins, sizing Dick Chen up and down.

Dick Chen took out a gold waist token and presented it to the crucian carp with both hands.

Relying on the limited light, the crucian carp stared at the waist token for a moment, discerning the authenticity of the token.

It flicked its tail fin, signaling that Dick Chen could continue speaking.

Dick Chen replied respectfully in the water, "Please help me convey a message. I need an important letter. I have reported on relevant matters before. Please believe me no matter what; everything I do is for our shared glory."

……

Dabo Dabo Ensi waited in the factory for a full three hours before finally seeing Dick Chen walk back from the end of the workshop.

Shi Shi Gongxing was still making technical improvements under the boiler. Dick Chen greeted Shi Shi Gongxing and then left the workshop.

Walking outside the factory, Dick Chen asked Dabo Dabo Ensi, "Aren't you curious about where I just went?"

"I am curious, but I remember your teaching: things that shouldn't be asked, absolutely do not ask."

"You really shouldn't ask about this place, but today I want to tell you," Dick Chen looked back at the factory and said, "This is a door, an entrance leading to the Inner Continent."

Dabo Dabo Ensi said in surprise, "The entrance to the Inner Continent, in Soda Kiln?"

Dick Chen nodded. "There are many entrances to the Inner Continent, and one of them is in Soda Kiln. Very few people know about this."

"That old master who repairs steam engines is..."

"He is the Local Deity of Soda Kiln, named Shi Shi Gongxing. He is one of the most outstanding industrial cultivators in Puluo Continent, and also what I just mentioned—a frustrated talent, a talent frustrated to the point of despair."

Dabo Dabo Ensi could imagine why this Local Deity was desperate. He looked around; there were many abandoned factory buildings around this abandoned factory. "What exactly happened in Soda Kiln? Why would the Local Deity's residence have an entrance to the Inner Continent?"

"You have it backward. Because there is an entrance to the Inner Continent here, the Local Deity Shi Shi Gongxing lives here. Guarding this entrance well is one of his missions, but having been frustrated for so long, this task is now going to be discounted."

Dabo Dabo Ensi remembered the scene just now; Dick Chen had successfully bribed Shi Shi Gongxing. "Judging from the situation just now, it seems this isn't the first time he's done this."

Dick Chen nodded. "It is indeed not the first time. I heard that he had previously accepted bribes from the Inner Continent, letting pure-blooded Inner Continent people into Puluo Continent. When people are in frustration, it is really easy to degenerate."

Dabo Dabo Ensi asked cautiously, "What is your purpose in going to the entrance of the Inner Continent?"

Dick Chen shook his head. "You shouldn't ask this question either, but since you've already asked, it doesn't hurt to tell you.

I obtained a letter from the Inner Continent, a letter written to the Government Office."

Dick Chen handed a scroll to Dabo Dabo Ensi. Dabo Dabo Ensi unfolded it and saw that the scroll was empty, without a single word.

"You should have seen this type of letter. The Outer Continent has unique equipment; they can crack the contents of the scroll," Dick Chen put away the scroll. "Actually, the content is nothing special. The Inner Continent hopes the Outer Continent will help them crack the boundary leading to Puluo Continent."

Dabo Dabo Ensi said in surprise, "The Outer Continent can also crack the boundary between the Inner Continent and Puluo Continent?"

Dick Chen nodded. "In essence, the boundary between the Inner Continent and Puluo Continent is no different from the boundary between Green Water City and Pants-Belt Ridge, just a bit thicker.

The boundary between Green Water City and Pants-Belt Ridge is equivalent to a sheet of paper, while the boundary between the Inner Continent and Puluo Continent is equivalent to a wall. Breaking through a sheet of paper is not difficult for the Inner Continent, but they have no way to crash through a wall.

Cracking the boundary is the Inner Continent's greatest expectation of the Outer Continent, and also the Outer Continent's greatest bargaining chip against the Inner Continent. The Inner Continent and the Outer Continent had a long negotiation on this matter.

During the period when Xiao Xiao Zhenggong served as the Balancer, this negotiation was interrupted. The ostensible reason was that the Inner Continent's overly urgent demands shook the foundation of the negotiation."

Dabo Dabo Ensi sighed. "Some of the Outer Continent's words are somewhat profound. What does 'overly urgent demands' refer to?"

"The Inner Continent urgently hopes the Outer Continent will help them thoroughly crack the boundary. The Outer Continent did not agree because if the Inner Continent were to invade Puluo Continent on a large scale, it would inevitably affect the Outer Continent's interests in Puluo Continent.

Of course, if there is a conflict, they can continue to talk. The reason why both sides interrupted the negotiation is mainly blamed on Xiao Xiao Zhenggong stirring up trouble."

"Xiao Xiao Zhenggong?" Dabo Dabo Ensi was quite surprised. "He played a role in this matter?"

Dick Chen smiled. "According to the Outer Continent, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was the least proactive of all the Balancers. Almost all his communication with the Inner Continent had to go through the Saint. During the plague at Saintly Peak, some messages even had to be conveyed through us.

Many people thought Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was unwilling to intervene in the conflict between the Inner Continent and the Outer Continent; this was his means of self-protection.

This is a misunderstanding of Xiao Xiao Zhenggong. Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was not that cowardly; he was a person who dared to take risks. He had been trying his best to sabotage the contact between the Inner Continent and the Outer Continent.

The Inner Continent relies on the Outer Continent to dissolve the boundary, and Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was also researching how to crack the boundary. If the Inner Continent no longer relied on the Outer Continent but instead switched to relying on Xiao Xiao Zhenggong, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong would become the master of Puluo Continent in the future."

Dabo Dabo Ensi fell into silence.

Dick Chen asked, "Why aren't you speaking?"

"I am very shocked. I didn't expect Xiao Xiao Zhenggong to have such a large layout."

Dick Chen smiled. "When you worked with him to establish the Flying General Camp, you should have been able to see that he was a very scheming person."

Dabo Dabo Ensi shook his head. "I knew too little about him. After hearing your description, I feel very shocked."

Was Dabo Dabo Ensi that shocked?

No.

He was the best private investigator in Puluo Continent. During his cooperation with Xiao Xiao Zhenggong, he had even acted as a mouthpiece between Xiao Xiao Zhenggong and Dick Chen.

Regarding some of Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's schemes, Dabo Dabo Ensi already had a relatively precise deduction.

What truly worried him at this moment was Dick Chen's purpose. Why did he suddenly say so much? Is he testing me?

Dick Chen was indeed testing him. "Dabo, there's no need to act slow-witted in front of me, and we don't need this kind of hypocrisy between us.

We are comrades with a common goal. From now on, I will tell you more secrets. I hope my sincerity can be exchanged for your growth.

Don't use people who shouldn't be used anymore. Lu Lu Xiaolan looks a bit like you; you can protect her in a different way."

……

In Green Water City, in a private residence, Tang Yuan changed into a dark blue floral cheongsam, applied light makeup, and prepared to go to work at Xiaoyao Dock.

She did not go to Hanchi Ridge, nor did she intend to go to Li Qi's ancestral home. That residence had been investigated too many times; it was impossible to find any valuable clues.

Yesterday, she went to Xiaoyao Dock to apply for a job and successfully became a singer.

With her current performance level, she did not yet have the ability to go on stage alone; she could only sing in chorus with other new singers or sing backing vocals for other singing stars.

These were not important to Tang Yuan; what was important was that she had to seize this investigation opportunity.

Removing her glasses, Tang Yuan put on a pair of earrings.

These earrings had a disguise function; even if her colleagues from the Dark Star Bureau stood in front of her, they might not recognize her.

She gave herself the stage name Little Xiao Taohong.

She set a time limit of one month for herself.

She knew she wasn't a fool like Lightbulb, who was caught by Li Qi just one day after going there, but if the time dragged on too long, she might also arouse Li Qi's suspicion.

One month was just right. Tang Yuan planned out every day's schedule; as long as she calmed down and investigated seriously, she would definitely be able to find clues that others hadn't discovered.

……

In the Government Office, Dick Chen handed the scroll to Liao Liao Zihui in the secret room.

Liao Liao Zihui knew this was a letter sent from the Inner Continent. He handed the scroll to the technical staff for decryption. After learning the content of the letter, Liao Liao Zihui praised Dick Chen to his face: "Little Chen, this letter is not simple. The negotiation between us and the Inner Continent, which has been interrupted for many years, has resumed."

Dick Chen smiled. "That's why I said, I want to do more valuable work. Don't come to me for trivial matters like Li Qi's in the future."

Liao Liao Zihui maintained restraint and smiled. "I have already sent someone to deliver this letter to the Outer Continent. I estimate there will be a reply within a few days.

But don't hold too high expectations. The idea of thoroughly cracking the boundary between the Inner Continent and Puluo Continent in a short time is probably not very practical."

Dick Chen shook his head. "I don't think the Inner Continent would hold such an impractical idea. What they hope for should be the Outer Continent helping them expand a portion of the passages.

The original natural passages have already used up this year's transit quota, and there is still more than half a year left. It is already very difficult for the Inner Continent to send people to Puluo Continent. If we are willing to build a road for them, I think the relationship between the two sides can ease up quite a bit."

Liao Liao Zihui nodded. "I will also submit your suggestion. I believe it should be adopted."

"My suggestion..." Dick Chen smiled. "Alright, thank you, Chief Director."

Dick Chen knew the Outer Continent's style of doing things very well. Although he was the one threading the needle, and although he was the one who re-established contact between the Inner Continent and the Outer Continent, his opinions were worthless in front of his superiors.

He had only one purpose in doing this: he hoped to gain a firm foothold in the position of Balancer.

Leaving the Government Office and returning to his residence, Dick Chen had to do something he truly cared about.

"Dabo, you have always insisted that Li Qi is Li Li Banfeng and that the Profound Life Red Lotus is in Li Li Banfeng's hands. Let me confirm with you one more time: are you really not mistaken about this?"

Dabo Dabo Ensi was very confident about this. "He used a very strange disguise technique, causing his appearance to change greatly.

But when I judged his identity, I didn't rely on his appearance, but on the timeline and logical relationships. Li Li Banfeng is Li Qi; there can be no mistake about this."

"As long as there's no mistake, it's Li Qi's turn next." Dick Chen flipped through the newspapers one by one, collecting news related to Li Qi.

Dabo Dabo Ensi asked, "Do you intend to use the power of the Government Office to deal with him?"

Dick Chen shook his head. "It's impossible to let the Government Office intervene in this matter. My previous disdain for Li Qi was just to divert their attention and prevent the Red Lotus from being intercepted by them."

"Then let's use our own manpower."

"Our own manpower shouldn't be exposed easily either."

"Are we just going to rely on the two of us to deal with Li Qi?"

Dick Chen smiled. "Dabo, do you really think I despise Li Qi that much? He is an overlord of Puluo Continent; how could we deal with him relying on just us? We need to find helpers. Still the same saying: people in despair are the easiest to utilize."

……

Late at night, Dick Chen quietly entered the Lu family mansion and sneaked into Duan Duan Shaoxia's bedroom.

He looked toward the bed and did not see Duan Duan Shaoxia's figure, but felt someone behind him pointing a gun at the back of his head.

"Who, who are you?" Duan Duan Shaoxia held back tears, holding the gun, her arm trembling non-stop.

You must never speak carelessly, do not try to comfort, and even less try to threaten. Duan Duan Shaoxia could pull the trigger at any time, and when she pulled the trigger, her hand was very steady, without the slightest tremor.

Dick Chen knew Duan Duan Shaoxia's Daoist sect and also knew her combat habits. The best choice at this moment was to speak directly: "Madam Duan, I am here to help you, mainly to help your two children."

"Are you going to hurt my children?" Duan Duan Shaoxia's hand shook even more severely; she was about to pull the trigger.

Dick Chen hurriedly stated his bargaining chip: "I can get Lu Lu Yuanhai a brand-new body, a body of his own.

I can also find Lu Lu Yuan Shan's soul and give him a brand-new body, sending him back to your side."

"What on earth are you talking nonsense about?"

"I am not talking nonsense; everything I say is the truth," Dick Chen slowly turned around and looked at Duan Duan Shaoxia. "Madam, I can help you, as long as you are also willing to help me."

……

At the Medicine King Ditch station, after Dick Chen exited the station, he came to the square in front of the station and walked up to a rickshaw puller. "I want to go to Ligou."

The rickshaw puller was smoking a dry pipe and looked up at Dick Chen. "Ligou is so close; don't look for me, look for another rickshaw."

"Are you not doing business?"

"You have to listen to advice; my rickshaw has a fire wheel, the fare is too expensive."

Dick Chen took out a stack of Da Huan Kingdom banknotes and handed them to the rickshaw puller. "Is this enough?"

The rickshaw puller took the banknotes and counted them—about two thousand and some dollars. "You probably don't want to go to Ligou, right? What do you want with me?"

Dick Chen lowered his voice. "I want to do a business deal with you. I know you lost something very important; you lost your territory.

I can help you get your territory back, and you only need to help me get rid of one person."

The rickshaw puller was very interested. "Get rid of one person, and I can get a piece of territory back? There's such a good thing?"

"You're lucky; you really did run into a good thing."

"Tell me first, who do you want to get rid of?"

"Don't be in a hurry. Once you agree, we'll discuss it slowly."

……

In Green Water City, at the Dongping Tea House, in a private room.

Lightbulb showed Li Li Banfeng a document: "The Government Office has established a new department specifically responsible for liaising with the Inner Continent."

Li Li Banfeng read the document carefully. "Was there no similar organization before?"

Lightbulb said, "I asked a few people. There were departments responsible for liaising with the Inner Continent before, but later, because there was nothing to do, the departments were disbanded."

There was nothing to do before, but suddenly there is something to do now.

This proves that the Outer Continent and the Inner Continent have re-established contact, and a key figure has played a role in it.

Who could it be?

The Balancer.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong is dead, and now there is a new Balancer.

Who could this Balancer be?

Li Li Banfeng's first thought was Dick Chen.

Tang Yuan couldn't be a secretary for a merchant, but she could very likely be a bodyguard for a Balancer, which is why she came to the banquet with Dick Chen that day.

Of course, this is still just a deduction; it would be best to confirm it.

Who can I go to to confirm this?

Li Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Dock and saw several singers chatting idly.

"Little Xiao Taohong," Li Li Banfeng waved his hand. "Come to my room for a moment."

"Ah..." Tang Yuan was stunned.

A sister beside her pushed Tang Yuan. "What are you stunned for? Hurry up and go. Brother Qiye has taken a fancy to you; what a great blessing this is."

"He, he has taken a fancy to me, for what..."

"What do you think? He's already let you into his room; don't you understand yet?" Another sister smiled. "Hurry up and go, don't be afraid. Many people wait their whole lives and don't get an opportunity like this."

What kind of opportunity is this?

I don't even have a boyfriend, and I'm just going to give it to him like this?

Tang Yuan entered Li Li Banfeng's bedroom, shivering. She gritted her teeth and thought, "If I give it, I give it. I am an excellent agent; I must understand my mission and duty!

This is indeed an opportunity; I will definitely be able to dig up the most valuable information."

Tang Yuan stood in front of Li Li Banfeng, her pretty face flushed from the tip of her nose to the roots of her ears.

Li Li Banfeng said in a calm tone, "Tang Yuan, sit over here."

"Ah..." Tang Yuan was stunned for a long time.

She didn't hear wrong; Li Li Banfeng just called her Tang Yuan.

Her face stopped burning, and the hair all over her body stood up instantly. Tang Yuan felt that this room was very cold; she felt that something was going to happen to her today.

Li Li Banfeng said impatiently, "Sit down first. I have important matters to ask you. Don't be afraid; I won't bully you."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 486 =====