CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 326: TURNING HANDS INTO CLOUDS

The next day, Ma Wu had basically recovered, and Li Banfeng immediately took him out of the hospital.

Zuo Wugang exclaimed, "The medical skills at this hospital are truly miraculous. It’s just that the incident last night made things a bit unsettling."

Cui Tiq and Wan Jinxian had a confrontation in the hospital, and Zuo Wugang had noticed it too.

Huoling didn’t take it seriously. "Let them fight their own battles; it has nothing to do with us. If they dare to involve Wulang, just let them try."

Ma Wu looked at Huoling and couldn’t help but shake his head repeatedly.

Shui Yongquan was right all along; Huoling was neither suited to be an assassin nor a Support.

But Huoling liked Greenwater City very much, and Ma Wu was also reluctant to let her go back.

Huoling was a passionate person; her warmth was quite special.

Back at Xiaoyao Lodge, Ma Wu recounted what had happened: a middle-aged man had left a message near him, and Ma Wu had fallen ill right after.

Li Banfeng knew the middle-aged man Ma Wu mentioned was Cui Tiq’s senior brother. He was also aware that the man had come for him and was one of He Jiaqing’s subordinates.

But who exactly was this senior brother?

"I glimpsed him in the corridor yesterday," Zuo Wugang said, recalling some impression. "The man was covered in rashes—quite disgusting. But looking at his silhouette, he seemed to be Wan Jinxian."

Huoling was startled. "Who is Wan Jinxian?"

"Second Master Lu, Lu Dongjun’s military advisor," Zuo Wugang explained. "This old fox is treacherously vicious. Lu Dongliang used to tell us often to be wary of him."

Li Banfeng listened quietly to the side. Piecing together the conversation from last night between Cui Tiq and Wan Jinxian, a clue slowly surfaced in his mind.

It was a very vague clue. There seemed to be a trail to follow, yet it was intermittent.

This matter needed to be thoroughly sorted out.

Ma Wu was still somewhat weak, so Li Banfeng told him to rest early. He himself returned to Portable Residence and carefully went through last year’s newspapers.

In Medicine King Valley, Li Banfeng first fully understood Puluo State through a pile of old newspapers he bought from the Lu Family Bookstore. Since then, he had developed the habit of keeping newspapers.

During the disaster at Hai Chi Ridge, it was Lu Dongjun’s moment of glory. He frequently appeared in various newspapers, and Li Banfeng found a lot of news related to him.

But who exactly was Wan Jinxian?

Eventually, he found it.

In a local newspaper from Hai Chi Ridge, Li Banfeng saw a report mentioning Wan Jinxian, who at the time was distributing food to some disaster victims on behalf of Lu Dongjun.

Lu Dongjun had gained a good reputation in the early stages of pest control, likely by using Wan Jinxian’s virus. Only later did the mosquitoes mutate, leading to Lu Dongjun’s failure.

But at that time, Wan Jinxian couldn’t have been utterly without a solution, right?

He certainly could have come up with one; he just needed to create another epidemic to suppress the mosquito population. While this method wouldn’t have been a panacea, it could have at least bought Lu Dongjun some time.

However, Wan Jinxian did not do so, and Lu Dongjun completely disappeared not long after.

From the very beginning, Wan Jinxian never intended to help Lu Dongjun with pest control. He merely lured Lu Dongjun to Hai Chi Ridge, first making him gloriously renowned, then leaving him utterly ruined.

What was his purpose in doing so?

To be precise, this wasn’t Wan Jinxian’s purpose but He Jiaqing’s. Wan Jinxian was He Jiaqing’s subordinate.

Li Banfeng spread out the newspapers one by one, specifically looking for news from Hai Chi Ridge during that period.

After searching for over half an hour, Li Banfeng found a key piece of information in the news.

Business dealings.

Business in Hai Chi Ridge!

After achieving success in pest control at First Ridge, Lu Dongjun acquired numerous businesses. News reports at the time featured many photos of him signing contracts, and consequently, many businesses in Hai Chi Ridge came under his ownership.

But where did all these businesses go afterwards?

Li Banfeng continued to look through the newspapers and found that these businesses were then sold by Lu Dongjun.

Shen Rongqing, Qian Xiangjun, Duan Shuqun...

Li Banfeng hadn’t heard of any of these merchants’ names before.

Lu Dongjun was like a facilitator, gathering businesses into his hands only to disperse them all within a short period.

What was the reason for this?

Business dealings...

It seemed like there was a big deal at that time.

Who made the deal?

Chu Er!

Continuing to go through the newspapers, Li Banfeng found that before heading to Hai Chi Ridge, Lu Dongjun had sold off quite a few of the Lu Family’s businesses in Greenwater City. The most famous deal was when Lu Dongjun sold the Hundred Joy Gate to Chu Er!

Later, Qiu Zhiheng reclaimed most of these businesses, though some were purchased by others.

Who took them over?

Shen Rongqing, Duan Shuqun...

The same group of people again!

Li Banfeng stared at the newspapers, his thoughts racing.

"Hey, my dear, why are you so studious today? Try on this suit of armor; it’s a rare sight..."

"My beloved wife, let’s not speak of armor for now. Sing me a cheerful song."

"My dear, feeling so spirited today?"

"It’s not that I’m in high spirits. I’m about to fall ill."

Such a big gambit.

A huge gambit indeed!

Li Banfeng’s brain felt like it was overloading.

Upon hearing Li Banfeng say he was about to fall ill, the Phonograph immediately began singing "Stars in the Sky."

"A star in the sky lights up my heart, and my heart also reflects someone. When dry, it moistens me; when lost, it guides me..."

Accompanied by the violin and piano, the Phonograph’s tender song quickly calmed Li Banfeng, allowing him to gradually piece together the information.

He Jiaqing had used Wan Jinxian to deceive Lu Dongjun into going to Hai Chi Ridge.

During this period, Lu Dongjun served like a tool for He Jiaqing, gathering a significant number of business deals.

Considering the businesses mentioned in these newspapers, along with the Ling Family’s assets, He Jiaqing’s holdings were comparable to those of the Four Great Families.

Was this the capital he needed to rebuild Puluo State?

Not just that!

In the conversation last night, they had mentioned He Haiqin.

The reason He Haiqin fell ill was due to Wan Jinxian’s actions.

If Wan Jinxian were merely Lu Dongjun’s military advisor, what he did would be reasonable and justified.

However, if it was done under He Jiaqing’s directive, things would become complicated again.

Li Banfeng had bought three and a half years’ worth of newspapers from the Lu Family Bookstore at that time, and within those newspapers, Li Banfeng found the news of He Haiqin’s serious illness.

It was during this time that Wan Jinxian inflicted illness upon He Haiqin.

Before He Haiqin fell ill, most news focused on the struggle between the He and Lu Families. The overall trend at that time showed that the He Family had a slight advantage.

After He Haiqin fell ill, the Lu Family dominated. This meant that from that time onward, He Jiaqing had already begun manipulating the landscape of Puluo State.

What happened next?

Then I came along.

Li Banfeng laid out the newspapers one by one, from the main room all the way to the Seventh Room.

The Phonograph played over and over, fearing Li Banfeng might succumb to his affliction, but he remained unnaturally calm.

The clues became increasingly clear.

After Li Banfeng arrived in Puluo State, wave after wave of turmoil had followed, almost without interruption. Once Lu Dongliang died, chaos ensued within the Lu Family, and the Ling Family seized the opportunity to rise.

Was all this within He Jiaqing’s control?

Not necessarily.

The death of Lu Dongliang definitely wasn’t within He Jiaqing’s control; he couldn’t have expected Lu Dongliang to die by my hand.

But the turmoil within the Lu Family surely had something to do with him. According to the news from that time, the Lu and He Families had already openly turned against each other in their fight for Red Lotus.

As for whether it was He Yuxiu or Lu Dongjun who attacked Lu Dongliang, that matter could be temporarily set aside. As long as problems arose between the Lu and He Families, He Jiaqing’s purpose was achieved.

Is this why he wanted me to bring Red Lotus back to Puluo State?

Logically, it makes sense.

He Jiaqing is too conspicuous. If he were to bring Red Lotus back personally, news would undoubtedly leak. The He Family would be besieged, and he wouldn’t be able to remain uninvolved, likely becoming the focal point of any attack.

But there’s a problem with the process.

He didn’t have to bring Red Lotus back.

He could’ve kept Red Lotus in the Outside Provinces.

He had already used the Thousand Mile In A Step Technique to trap Lu Xiaolan in the He Family Old House. Furthermore, he had feigned being a victim, successfully holing up in the hospital.

All he needed to do was spread the word that Lu Xiaolan had stolen Red Lotus and then disappeared. The Lu Family would then be defenseless and plunged into adversity.

Meanwhile, He Jiaqing could stay in Yuezhou with Red Lotus, indulging in Alchemy. Wouldn’t that have been the perfect outcome for him?

Why did he insist that I bring Red Lotus back?

Why must Red Lotus return to Puluo State?

The clues haven’t been thoroughly sorted out yet.

When did He Jiaqing start planning this scheme?

Was it after he went to Yuezhou, or had it begun while he was still in Puluo State?

I don’t have the older newspapers here anymore.

I should have bought more old newspapers at the time; their value is too great.

Does Greenwater City have a similar place?

Li Banfeng hugged the Phonograph affectionately for a moment. Making sure he wasn’t ill, the Phonograph also felt relieved.

Upon leaving Portable Residence, Li Banfeng asked Zuo Wugang, "Does Greenwater City have a place that sells old newspapers?"

"Newspapers, these newspapers..." Zuo Wugang wasn’t very literate and rarely read newspapers, so this question was tricky for him.

Chu Xuan, a songstress from Xiaoyao Lodge, loved reading newspapers and knew where to find old ones.

"On Wansheng Road, behind Ning Shou Restaurant, there’s a Lu Family Bookstore. I’ve been there once, and they sell old newspapers."

Li Banfeng knew Ning Shou Restaurant; he had been there for drinks.

Li Banfeng was just about to leave when he turned around and asked again, "Which bookstore did you say?"

"The Lu Family Bookstore."

The one in Medicine King Valley that sold old newspapers was the Lu Family Bookstore.

Why is it called the Lu Family Bookstore even in Greenwater City?

A chain store?

Li Banfeng quickly reached the Lu Family Bookstore. The bookstore wasn’t large, but it looked familiar. The facade and signboard were exactly the same as the Lu Family Bookstore in Medicine King Valley.

Is this chain store so standardized?

Not only was the facade the same, but the layout inside the bookstore was also identical.

"Are you buying a book?" Boss Lu came forward to welcome him.

Even the owner was the same!

Li Banfeng inquired, "Weren’t you doing business in Medicine King Valley before?"

"You recognize me?" The boss’s eyes brightened. "I was indeed in Medicine King Valley, but business improved, so I moved here to Greenwater City."

So that was the situation.

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "I want to buy newspapers."

"Right this way."

Boss Lu handed a stack of newspapers to Qiu Zhiheng. "These are the ones you asked for," he said. "Please check if the dates are correct." Qiu Zhiheng paid him and took the newspapers back to Qiu’s Pharmacy.

His wife asked from the side, "Why did you bring back so many old newspapers?"

Qiu Zhiheng replied, "I haven’t really managed the Medicine King Valley business properly. I need to take a detailed look at the situation here."

"You’ve weathered so many storms in your life," his wife chuckled. "Can’t you grasp the situation in Medicine King Valley at a glance?"

"At a glance, I can only get a general idea," Qiu Zhiheng shook his head. "Overlooking something can lead to great trouble."

As they were talking, the medicine delivery person arrived.

"That young girl who delivers the medicine is so delightful," his wife smiled. "I’ll go see her."

Qiu Zhiheng casually asked, "Which young girl?"

"She’s from the Old Xue Family in Sanpu Village, Waigou. Her name is Xue Yingying."

Qiu Zhiheng thought for a moment and shook his head. "Has she been here before?"

"Of course, she’s been here. She delivered the medicine last time. Her nickname is Cao Ye."