Chapter 541: War

Li Li Banfeng asked first: "When Luo Su Lijun traded new land for a guarantee from Pulu Province, didn't many in your clan oppose it?"

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "No matter what my sister proposes, some agree and some don't—some matters even my mother thinks shouldn't be agreed to."

The current situation inside Huineizhou is very complex.

Luo Su Lijun overcame widespread opposition and reached an agreement with Li Li Banfeng, an act that defied many people's wishes, including her own family's.

This is why Luo Su Lijun was replaced.

Li Li Banfeng asked again: "Did Huineizhou send you to replace Luo Su Lijun because they plan to go to war with Waizhou?"

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "War means fighting, right? Many in the upper clan love fighting—they're always talking about going to war, saying they must avenge the outer provinces or dishonor their ancestors.

But others don't want to fight. My sister doesn't want to fight. She says the vengeance isn't unimportant—it's just not the right time.

Letting everyone have a few peaceful days isn't so bad.

Those who want to fight and those who don't both think they're right, and neither side will yield. My father never wanted to fight, and he ended up dying in prison."

Inside Huineizhou, factions are divided between pro-war and pro-peace. Currently, the pro-war faction holds the upper hand, and Luo Su Lijun may face the same fate as her father.

"When did Huineizhou and Waizhou become enemies?"

"I don't know that. I wasn't born yet. The elders say Waizhou people are ungrateful, especially that old elder who just returned—

He's an elder of the elders. He says we've always given in to Waizhou, and now we'll be eaten down to our bones. But if we're honest, Yu Yu Songkai's bones were still left."

Ma Wu explained: "Yu Yu Songkai was the previous gatekeeper—the one who turned into a carp bone."

Yes, bones were left—but only bones.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Who is this elder of the elders?"

"I don't know. He has a terrible temper—his name can't even be spoken."

Terrible temper. Name can't be spoken.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "This elder isn't from your clan, is he?"

Luo Luo Yanjun thought carefully: "If you mean bloodline, he's certainly not from our clan—he looks nothing like us.

But if you mean status, he's extremely noble. Even our clan members bow to him."

Li Li Banfeng knew who this person was.

The Sage of Shengxian Peak.

The Sage's temper is indeed formidable, and by his own rules, his name must be avoided—no one may speak it.

After his stronghold was destroyed by Dao Dao Laogui, the Sage vanished. He had gone to Huineizhou.

Chu Shaoqiang once said the Sage was the last emperor of the previous dynasty, who lost the war and lost his empire.

His empire was split into two parts: one controlled by the imperial family, now Huineizhou; the other, now Pulu Province.

Unable to endure the imperial family's oppression, the Sage left Huineizhou and temporarily resided on Shengxian Peak. Now that Shengxian Peak is gone, he had no choice but to return to Huineizhou.

Though he isn't the actual ruler of Huineizhou, from Luo Luo Yanjun's words, it's clear the Sage still holds weight—and it's precisely because he came to Huineizhou that the pro-war faction gained the upper hand.

Ma Wu asked: "Are you planning to go to war with Waizhou at Qishuikao?"

This was critical. If war broke out at Qishuikao, Feng Daiku's painstaking efforts could instantly become ruins.

If the war expanded, all of Pulu Province might turn to ruins.

Luo Luo Yanjun shifted her massive body, turning her face toward the pool at the far end of the factory: "My sister's gone, and they still forced me to come here. What's so good about this place?

The imperial court keeps urging me to stabilize you. I don't even know what 'stabilize' means, or whether you're stable. I just think Ma Ma Junyang isn't stable—he never stops moving."

This was abstract. It took effort to understand.

Luo Su Lijun, because she favored peace, had already been arrested. But Huineizhou sent her younger sister, Luo Luo Yanjun,

to stabilize the situation.

This proved Huineizhou didn't want to break ties with Pulu Province—and thus, Huineizhou likely wouldn't start war on Pulu Province.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Pulu Province's stance is vital to Huineizhou. This proves your sister won't be in immediate danger."

Luo Luo Yanjun sighed: "Whether she's in danger or not, I don't know. I am her sister, that's true,

but we have twenty-eight siblings.

I truly want her to live, but I lack the power to save her. I don't know if anyone will save her,

or if anyone even can. Ma Ma Junyang says her flavor is different from mine—he still has feelings for my sister.

But no matter what, her flavor is hers, mine is mine. No matter what flavor my sister is, I still have to live my own life."

Luo Luo Yanjun was clever. Her step-by-step probing was perfectly executed.

She was right: Luo Su Lijun was Luo Su Lijun, and she was herself. Though they were close sisters and she wanted to save her, saving her sister depended on ensuring her own safety.

She first tested whether Li Qi had any chance of saving Luo Su Lijun. If Li Qi couldn't tell the real Luo Su Lijun from the fake,

it meant Li Qi didn't value Luo Su Lijun—and asking him for help would be unwise, since his likelihood of aiding was low.

In time, Li Qi could have distinguished Luo Luo Yanjun from Luo Su Lijun. But no one expected Ma Wu to discern it so efficiently.

Even after confirming Li Qi might save Luo Su Lijun, Luo Luo Yanjun remained cautious. She still had to test whether Li Qi had the will to save her.

Due to taboos, she couldn't speak plainly. In negotiations, she could only hint at Luo Su Lijun's plight. If Li Qi intended to save her, she'd continue. If not, she'd withdraw cleanly.

Li Qi saw her intent and said directly: "I want to help your sister—but my help isn't free."

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "I'm not ambitious. I just like buying land. I just bought two plots. I haven't found suitable Earth Deities yet, and I don't know when I can deliver them to Pulu Province."

Li Qi and Ma Wu understood: this was her price—two new plots of land.

She emphasized her ability to acquire land, proving she could deliver the reward.

Li Qi said: "You know my rules for accepting land, right?"

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "Suitable Earth Deities are hard to find. Rather than waste effort, I'd rather not find any—I'll just give them all away.

But now my clan watches tightly—even my mother has gotten involved. Unless my sister helps, I can't deliver these lands."

She knew Li Qi's rule: every land transfer required complete deeds.

She told him she controlled partial authority over the new land—but now wasn't the time. Only if she freed her sister could she deliver the land.

Ma Wu chuckled: "You're good at bargaining. You want delivery before payment."

Luo Luo Yanjun looked wounded: "Why are you talking business with me? Isn't this all about feeling?"

Ma Wu said: "Feelings? Let's see what you really want. You don't want war, do you?"

Luo Luo Yanjun shook her head vigorously: "Not necessarily. I can fight too."

As long as survival was assured, Luo Luo Yanjun might change her stance.

Li Qi said: "To save your sister, you must tell me where you plan to fight. If not in Pulu Province, then the location must be special."

Luo Luo Yanjun wriggled through the factory, climbing onto a lathe: "My great-grandfather said Waizhou people are the worst. Their machines are clumsy, huge, useless.

We gave them good machines, and they called us benefactors. But once they gained strength, they forgot all gratitude and turned on us. Thinking of this, everyone in our clan hates them.

Pulu Province is the same—not good at all. Look at these machines in this factory—they were all sent by us. Now you've got new ones, you've forgotten the old!"

Were these machines sent by Huineizhou?

Pulu Province's first steam engines appeared at Qishuikao.

So Pulu Province's first machines came from Huineizhou.

Ma Wu was confused: "Miss Luo, I know you have your reasons, but your words are all over the place.

One moment you're talking about war, the next you're talking about machines."

"I don't understand war," Luo Luo Yanjun climbed onto a milling machine. "But I understand machines—especially our first batch. They were excellent!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "You mean the place where the first machines were made?"

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "Pulu Province's first machines were made right here. Waizhou's first machines were made by themselves, but the first good machines came from us. Where we sent them—I don't remember."

She said she didn't remember. But Li Li Banfeng remembered.

There was a textile mill—once the banner of Heng Kingdom's industrial history!

Inside that mill was a special space—likely the entrance to Huineizhou!

No wonder Li Li Banfeng had always felt the factory layout was familiar. The equipment here matched Ruirong Textile Mill exactly.

Ruirong Textile Mill was built by Huineizhou.

Huineizhou might launch its attack from there.

Li Li Banfeng now knew the war's location. He knew what to do next.

If Huineizhou catches Waizhou off-guard and wins, the pro-war faction will dominate absolutely—and Luo Su Lijun will almost certainly die.

If Huineizhou loses this battle, the pro-war faction will fall, and Luo Su Lijun might have a chance to survive.

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'll do my best. When it's done, Miss Luo, don't break your word."

Luo Luo Yanjun asked Ma Wu: "Is my flavor worse than my sister's?"

Ma Wu translated: "Miss Luo means her word."

Back at Anxing Bureau, Li Li Banfeng called and summoned Shen Shen Jingye.

These days, whenever he heard news of Li Qi, Shen Shen Jingye grew excited: "Li Ju, did you capture the spirit of the fighter?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Captured. I've dealt with him. You don't need to worry."

Shen Shen Jingye was overjoyed: "I'll file the report right away!"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Don't file it yet. This isn't urgent."

Shen Shen Jingye stared: "This isn't urgent? This kind of spirit could bring disaster to Yuezhou!"

"Compared to real disaster, this spirit means nothing," Li Li Banfeng said gravely. "Huineizhou is going to war—with Waizhou."

At this, Shen Shen Jingye frowned.

"I told you this wouldn't be easy," Shen Shen Jingye lit a cigarette. "Li Ju, you've dumped this on me. I said from the start this should've gone to Liao Liao Zihui. Now what?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "This has nothing to do with Liao Liao Zihui. The Qishuikao matter is resolved. Huineizhou won't fight at Qishuikao or in Pulu Province. Their war will begin at Ruirong Textile Mill."

Shen Shen Jingye: "How is this possible? How could people from Neizhou bypass Like Puluozhou and reach the textile factory?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Little Shen, still pretending with me? So many incidents have happened at Ruirong Textile Factory, yet it's still standing—don't you know at least some of the reasons? It's a corridor between Neizhou and Waizhou. Do you really think I don't know?"

Shen Shen Jingye pressed his lips together: "I only know a little about this situation, but you can't act on guesswork alone—you need some evidence."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Don't ask for evidence. Your job now is to notify those in charge and prepare defenses immediately—don't let Neizhou catch you off guard."

The situation came too suddenly; Shen Shen Jingye was already unprepared: "I have no proof, just words—how am I supposed to report this to my superiors?"

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "Then don't report it. Just wait for war. We'll sit here and watch the show."

Shen Shen Jingye didn't dare watch a show—he rushed back to his office and immediately contacted Director Du.

This time, the efficiency was real: Director Du replied the same afternoon.

Shen Shen Jingye ran to Li Li Banfeng's office: "Director Du says he hopes we can resolve this through negotiation."

In plain terms, he still wanted Li Li Banfeng to find a solution for them.

Li Li Banfeng refused on the spot: "I've already negotiated everything I could. This is no longer a matter for negotiation—the Sage has returned to Neizhou and is strongly advocating war. To stop this war now, our top priority is defense."

Shen Shen Jingye relayed the message back to Director Du. Less than two hours later, he received a reply: Given the gravity of the matter, the Star Shadow Bureau must still obtain verifiable evidence.

Where could Shen Shen Jingye find verifiable evidence?

He had no choice—he had to find Li Qi again.

But Li Qi wasn't easy to find; he'd already clocked out and gone for barbecue with Tang Chang, Yan Cui'er, and Yan Hong'er.

The next morning, Li Qi's phone was flooded—everyone in the Star Shadow Bureau was looking for him. Li Qi told Shen Shen Jingye to reply directly: This was intelligence received through a special channel; no verifiable evidence exists.

Shen Shen Jingye ran back and forth, but no matter what the higher-ups decided, Li Qi ignored them all—even when Du Du Wenming came in person, he was given the same one-line dismissal.

After three full days of back-and-forth, tension within the Star Shadow Bureau grew tighter, and rumors began to leak out.

Li Qi remained calm. That night, he invited Tang Yuan, Dengpao, and Zhong Er to his home for hot pot. Halfway through the meal, Zhong Er pulled out a spiritual artifact and severed all sound between Li Li Banfeng's residence and the outside world.

This wasn't Like Puluozhou—spiritual artifacts like this shouldn't be casually displayed. Tang Yuan was terrified: "Where did you get this thing? Did you go through the proper procedures?"

Zhong Er's expression turned serious: "I went through the procedures—just didn't get Chen's signature."

Tang Yuan stared for a moment: "You've got the nerve? Without Chen's signature, that's not a procedure! You're too bold—why did Shan Xing'er give this to you?"

Shan Xing'er was the administrator responsible for managing commonly used dark energy carriers for the Security Team.

Dengpao added from the side: "Zhong Er promised to take her shopping on the weekend. That girl's honest—she's been tricked by Zhong Er more than once."

"Forget that for now," Zhong Er turned to Li Li Banfeng. "Li Ju, I heard we're going to war?"

Li Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: "How do you know that?"

Zhong Er didn't answer, but asked: "Is the battlefield going to be Ruirong Textile Factory?"

Li Li Banfeng was startled: "You know that too?"

Tang Yuan and Dengpao were equally surprised. They'd heard about the war, but not about Ruirong Textile Factory.

"This isn't rumor—I deduced it," Zhong Er explained. "If Neizhou strikes, I believe the most likely target is Ruirong Textile Factory. I've always suspected it's an entrance from Neizhou."

"Tell me how you reached that conclusion."

Li Li Banfeng listened carefully to Zhong Er's reasoning.

Since Li Li Banfeng had assigned Zhong Er to investigate Ruirong Textile Factory, Zhong Er had never stopped working on it.

Li Li Banfeng believed that, within the entire Star Shadow Bureau—even extending to its upper echelons—no one understood Ruirong Textile Factory better than Zhong Er.

He had woven together all official records and folk rumors into one conclusion: "Ruirong Textile Factory was built with help from Neizhou.

Technically speaking, since its construction, the factory has maintained a leading edge for decades. In the early 20th century, this technology clearly surpassed its time."

Zhong Er's conclusion matched Luo Luo Yanjun's description almost exactly.

Tang Yuan listened intently: "Could it be that Neizhou sent personnel to Yuezhou, providing the technical concepts and design plans to build this factory?"

Zhong Er shook his head: "I once reached that conclusion too. But later, I reviewed many reports: Ruirong Textile Factory's extraordinary production efficiency drew attention from numerous experts. During the equipment's service life, Yuezhou formed expert teams to study its operational mechanisms.

Even after the equipment was retired, experts still tried to replicate its mechanical components—but all failed. The reason? Most of the metal materials in this steam system exceeded the technological capabilities of the era.

This factory wasn't built in Yuezhou—Yuezhou couldn't even produce the materials needed to construct it. This factory was moved intact from Neizhou. What kind of channel could move an entire factory?

According to my deduction, there's only one possibility: Ruirong Textile Factory is an exit from Neizhou to Yuezhou, bypassing Like Puluozhou entirely."

Dengpao chewed a slice of lamb and shook his head: "I don't get it. Between Yuezhou and Neizhou lies Like Puluozhou. Geographically, they don't touch—how could Neizhou bypass Like Puluozhou and open an exit in Yuezhou?"

Zhong Er didn't answer that question yet: "Neizhou's structure can't be measured by our familiar concepts of direction and distance. Li Ju, if my deduction is correct, our top priority now is to deploy defenses at Ruirong Textile Factory."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "You're right. Neizhou's battlefield is Ruirong Textile Factory. The Bureau has received the intelligence and passed it up. The higher-ups are still seeking verifiable evidence."

Zhong Er didn't understand: "We're this far along—what evidence are they still looking for? When the enemy actually attacks, there'll be proof—but will it be too late to prepare?"

Dengpao dropped a slice of tripe into the pot: "We don't need to worry about that."

"How can we not worry!" Zhong Er was tense. "With our current state, can we even fight?

At least in the Star Shadow Bureau, I see no signs of preparation."

Dengpao fished the tripe out: "No preparation? Then how did you hear about the war? Someone's deliberately leaking hints to get us ready.

So eat this hot pot well—when real war comes, will you still get this? Compressed biscuits will be a luxury!"

Tang Yuan prepared a separate dipping sauce for Li Li Banfeng: "Even if war breaks out, do we necessarily have to fight?"

Zhong Er couldn't eat anymore: "Are we really preparing? I'm terrified we'll be caught completely unprepared and crushed without a chance to fight back."

Dengpao shook his head: "If you say we're completely unprepared, that's an exaggeration."

Zhong Er said: "I'm not exaggerating. Every day after work, I go to Ruirong Textile Factory. Aside from the few warning lines set up earlier, there's not a single guard post around the factory. Who would believe this is wartime? I'm afraid that when Neizhou attacks, we'll still be searching for evidence!"

Hearing this, Tang Yuan grew tense too. The tripe he'd just dipped tasted bland.

Dengpao wasn't worried—he ate as he spoke: "Some things must be verified continuously, because no one wants to take responsibility. But some things must be prepared for, because some responsibilities are too great for anyone to bear.

You should go to Like Puluozhou sometime. See how many changes happen there every day. Watch how Director Liao handles all those changes.

We've had too much peace. Like Puluozhou has never known peace. Go there for a few days—you'll understand things better."

You should go to Prolo Province and see how many changes occur there each day, then watch how Director Liao handles all those changes.

Not mocking Dengpao—he was right.

After his trip to Like Puluozhou, he'd changed too much. He could now see certain things clearly.

"Don't go to the textile factory anymore—it's extremely dangerous," Dengpao added to Zhong Er.

Zhong Er sighed: "Even if I don't go, others will. The roads around the factory have reopened. Yesterday, I saw several dark energy enthusiasts going there to take photos."

Dengpao frowned: "Let them kill themselves. But you listen to me!"

After dinner, Zhong Er didn't go home. He had no car—he took the subway back to Ruirong Textile Factory.

Maybe Dengpao was right. But since Li Li Banfeng had confirmed the battlefield, Zhong Er decided to take leave from the Bureau and personally stake out the area around Ruirong Textile Factory.

If war truly came, even if he died the instant it began, if he could send just one signal, if he could buy even a moment of preparation time—his life would be worth it.

To protect this world and everything important in it—Zhong Er's belief had never changed.

At three a. m., six young men and women in Western robes, carrying magic wands and crystal balls, arrived at the factory gate.

They intended to cross the warning line and hold a mysterious ritual inside the factory—

Perhaps to commune with spirits, perhaps to pray, perhaps to seek guidance from some entity.

Since the factory relaxed its controls, this haunted site had become a hotspot for dark energy enthusiasts.

Zhong Er, crouching behind the stone pile, frowned. He prepared to immediately drive them away—if they refused, he'd beat them.

Just as he stepped out of the grass, he felt the ground tremble beneath his feet.

The middle-aged man crouching behind the stone pile frowned; he was ready to immediately drive away these dark energy enthusiasts, and if they refused to listen, he'd punch them!

Or some kind of control technique?

Was the enemy attacking?

Zhong Er pulled out his signal pistol, adjusted his stance, and tried to steady himself before firing.

The six dark energy enthusiasts had no such physical resilience—they all collapsed to the ground, struggling to rise but failing each time.

Had they been affected by a technique too?

The six dark energy enthusiasts lacked such physical conditioning—they all fell to the ground, trying several times to rise but failing each time.

As Zhong Er adjusted his stance, he realized his own body was fine. The ground trembled because it was genuinely shaking violently.

Boom!

As the middle-aged man adjusted his center of gravity, he realized his body was fine; the reason he felt the ground trembling was because the ground truly was violently shaking.

A band of blue-white light enveloped the ground, blinding Zhong Er.

This was—earthquake light!

Zhong Er, well-versed in common knowledge, realized it was an earthquake. He tried to save the youths near the gate, but the tremors intensified. Every step became agonizing.

Dust rose, obscuring his vision.

The middle-aged man, with his wealth of common sense, recognized this as an earthquake—he wanted to save the few young people near the factory gate, but the earth's trembling grew fiercer; every step he took became excruciatingly difficult.

Zhong Er fell to the ground, hearing stones clashing against each other.

The stone pile had collapsed!

Zhong Er was less than two meters from the stone pile. As a Level Two combatant, he believed self-rescue would be easy.

But when he tried to rise, he found it nearly impossible—the earthquake grew fiercer, and he couldn't stand.

Amid the dust, he saw the silhouette of falling stones—first drawing near, then receding.

Someone rescued him—dragged him away from the stone pile.

The earthquake lasted three full minutes. To Zhong Er, it felt like three years. During the peak shaking, he couldn't even control his own breathing.

When the tremors finally subsided, Zhong Er struggled to lift his head—and saw the person who had saved him.

The earthquake lasted exactly three minutes; to Zhong Er, those three minutes felt like three full years, and during the most violent shaking, he could not control his own breathing.

When the earthquake finally subsided, Zhong Er struggled to lift his head and saw the person who had saved him.

"Director————" Zhong Er saw Li Qi, and also saw those several death-seeking dark ability enthusiasts.

Those enthusiasts lay on the ground, screaming hoarsely—not from pain, but from terror.

Li Qi took them away from the factory grounds and dumped them on the empty stretch across the road, then ignored them; he pulled Zhong Er along,

swiftly distancing themselves from Rui Rong Textile Factory.

Zhong Er asked: "Was that an earthquake?"

Li Qi said: "It was an earthquake, but not a natural disaster."

"Did Huineizhou launch an attack? Has the war started?" Zhong Er raised his signal flare gun again.

Li Li Banfeng glanced back at the billowing clouds of dust and shook his head: "The war is already over."

The dust gradually cleared, revealing cracks along the factory's perimeter wall—but it had not collapsed; this was the result of some controlled force.

Within the factory grounds, hundreds of drones rose into the air, scouring for any surviving enemies.

PS: Waizhou is very powerful.