Come and Take It If You've Got the Guts

Guanfang Hall, Liao Zihui looked at the report and confirmed some details with Liu Guocai, the chief Guanfang Envoy of Kinless Village.

"You didn't sense anything unusual at the time, but your geographical location definitely changed?"

Liu Guocai nodded and said, "The changes mainly focus on the location of the Ink Fragrance Shop and the exit leading to the new land."

Kinless Village was originally right next to Ink Fragrance Shop. Suddenly, a new area appeared between the two places. According to the news from Ink Fragrance Shop, there was nothing unusual on their side at the time.

"Are you sure this land belongs to Li Qi?"

Liu Guocai said, "We have already sent people to scout the edge of the territory. We did not see Li Qi, but we did see the three strange creatures that escaped from the Sinner City, as well as He Yuxiu and Ma Wu. The general terrain of the territory is also completely consistent with the new land that Li Qi has reclaimed."

"Deep within the new land, because of the successful reclamation, it suddenly found itself in the very center of the Proper Land, with nothing unusual around it, it just squeezed in like that," Liao Zihui summarized, then suddenly laughed halfway through his sentence, "Pro State is truly a strange place, I've lived here for so many years and still can't figure it out."

Su-jun, how's the research going?

Secretary Ling Sujun reported, "General Envoy, based on the information we currently have, a similar situation has occurred once before in the history of Pro State."

"Which time?"

"Due to insufficient population, the Proper Land Clan Law City has degenerated into Old Land."

Liao Zihui didn't remember this incident clearly; it must have happened before he came to Pro State: "Is the matter in Clan Law City related to what's happening now?"

Ling Sujun handed the information to Liao Zihui: "The geographical location of Clan Law City has also changed, but it's completely opposite to the current situation. It has moved away from its Proper Land location and entered the depths of a new area."

The surrounding lands converged geographically, filling the void left by the Clan Law City, and the entrances to the new lands also changed. Apart from this, no other obvious anomalies were observed.

Liao Zihui carefully examined the situation in Clan Law City and asked Ling Sujun, "Are there no other similar records in the history of Pro State?"

Ling Sujun said, "The relevant information is very scattered. Based on what we have found so far..."

Liao Zihui shook his head and said, "Continue the investigation. If our information is incomplete, we'll ask Outer State for it. This is a big deal, and everyone needs to cooperate."

Ling Sujun left the meeting room. Liao Zihui reviewed the documents again and asked Liu Guocai, the Guanfang Envoy in Kinless Village, "Is the railway in your area cut off?"

"Yes, when that nameless land appeared, the railway between Kinless Village and Ink Fragrance Shop was broken, but at that time no trains were passing through, and it did not cause serious damage."

The rail's break was very clean, without any twisting or deformation, as if it had been instantly severed by an extremely sharp tool.

Deputy General Envoy Tang Huanjie said from the side, "General Envoy, I have prepared personnel and equipment. As long as Li Qi agrees, we will go to survey the site immediately and strive to start construction as soon as possible."

Liao Zihui frowned. "Where are you going?"

Tang Huanjie was taken aback. "Build a railway."

Liao Zihui said, "You're asking Li Qi for help with building the railway? What are you thinking?"

"Um, that," Tang Huanjie was caught off guard, "Your General Envoy, the railway between Kinless Village and Ink Fragrance Shop is broken, affecting the entire line. If it's not repaired as soon as possible..."

Liao Zihui interrupted Tang Huanjie: "What's the rush? So what if it causes an impact? There are other railway lines nearby. Let's detour!"

"The transportation costs are quite high..."

"It's alright," Liao Zihui waved his hand and said, "We've been tormented by Li Qi so many times, now it's time to rip him off. He's stuck in that area and can't get out. If he wants the railway, he'll have to come begging to me!"

He has to pay for the railway construction, and he has to pay for the maintenance of the Guanfang Hall. He has to give me whatever amount I ask for. If you don't like it, you can stay in that wasteland for the rest of your life!

Tang Huanjie pursed his lips and said, "It's not just Li Qi who's trapped. The heads of all the major Lineage are trapped on that wasteland. I'm afraid they'll cause trouble."

"Who are they going to complain to?" Liao Zihui sneered. "Whoever trapped them, they can complain to. This was all Li Qi's doing. If they want to complain, they should complain to Li Qi. What does it have to do with us?"

By the way, how's the investigation into Li Qi's identity going?

That's the advantage of being General Envoy; you can ask whatever comes to mind, and those below you have to follow up.

Fortunately, Tang Huanjie had prepared in advance. "The investigation is almost complete. Li Qi's real name is Song Zhuowen, he is thirty-two years old this year, and he was born in Sea Eat Ridge."

Growing up in poverty, his parents wanted him to become Dark Energy User, but unable to accumulate the necessary foundation, they took him to Three Heads Junction. On the way, they were attacked by bandits and both he and his companion perished.

Song Zhuowen survived and became a Wanderer. He had been a disciple for twenty-three years, during which time he also lived in Outer State for a period. Now, he had reached the fifth level.

Liao Zihui roughly calculated. "After twenty-three years of cultivation, an ordinary person should only be at the third level. With some pills and accumulation, they could easily reach the fifth level. Where did you find out about the encounter with the bandits?"

"He came from Sea Eat Ridge. Someone was traveling with his family and managed to escape from the bandits. He witnessed Song Zhuowen's parents die at the hands of the bandits. He also saw Li Qi return to Sea Eat Ridge recently and renovate the old house."

We also conducted investigations around Three Heads Junction. More than 20 years ago, bandits were indeed rampant around Sea Eat Ridge, and passersby were killed almost every day.

Liao Zihui pondered for a moment and then asked, "Does this Song Zhuowen have any other relatives in Sea Eat Ridge?"

"This cannot be verified at the moment," Tang Huanjie shook his head and said, "Their family originally came from the countryside to First Ridge, and no one who knows them has ever heard of them having any relatives."

Liao Zihui sighed softly, "The matter is so meticulously planned that the details are impossible to verify. There's still something fishy about this. Huanjie, you need to continue investigating. Put the Sea Eat Ridge line aside for now and investigate in a different direction."

Should we put Sea Eat Ridge aside for now?

Tang Huanjie was in a dilemma.

Li Qi is from Sea Eat Ridge. If he leaves Sea Eat Ridge, where else can we trace him?

After thinking for a long time, Liao Zihui said, "I remember that Li Qi and Ling Family Film Industry seemed to have had a conflict."

Tang Huanjie nodded and said, "Back then, 'Blood Blade Detective' and 'Blood Spear Detective' had quite a few conflicts in their competition for the market."

"Start the investigation with Ling Family Film Industry Company. Since they have a grudge, the Ling family must have investigated Li Qi. Let's see what clues they have."

He Jiaqing set up a camera and microphone in the apartment, arranged a mat and dumbbells, and plugged the wireless network card into his head.

He's currently doing fitness live streams, and the live stream room is called "Xiao Qing Takes You to Fly," which is very popular. As soon as he started the live stream today, he received a constant stream of donations.

"Thanks to the Tranquil Years for sending the big rocket. Xiaoqing will explain the key points of high-frequency push-ups to everyone in a bit."

The atmosphere in the live stream instantly reached a climax. Everyone loved watching Xiaoqing's push-ups, especially his lower back strength.

As popularity continued to rise, He Jiaqing just getting into the zone when the buttons on the table started to vibrate.

Upon hearing Shen Rongqing's voice, He Jiaqing temporarily interrupted the live stream.

"Tranquil Years" sent me a private message, requesting a private chat.

He Jiaqing gave a few perfunctory replies, turned off the camera and microphone, and listened attentively to Shen Rongqing's message.

"Jiaqing, the Guanfang Envoy wants to investigate Li Qi's background."

"I heard they investigated this before, and it seems they've already clarified the matter."

Shen Rongqing said, "According to their investigation, Li Qi's real name is Song Zhuowen, and he comes from Sea Eat Ridge."

"Song Zhuowen?" He Jiaqing was taken aback. "Where did you get this information?"

Shen Rongqing didn't know.

Of course, she had no idea that this message was fabricated by Ma Wu at great expense.

Ma Wu had informants in the Guanfang Hall who knew that the Guanfang Envoy was investigating Li Qi's identity. Ma Wu went to great lengths to fabricate Li Qi's identity.

Song Zhuowen is a real person, and his background and experiences are also real, but he has no relation to Li Qi. All the connections were created by Ma Wu.

Ma Wu first established the framework, then secretly bought Song Zhuowen's old house. Li Qi then went over and tidied up the house, and with the newspaper subtly revealing some rumors, the clues were thus connected.

He Jiaqing fiddled with the button in his hand for a moment, then said to Shen Rongqing, "Let our people also subtly leak some information to confirm the clue that Li Qi is Song Zhuowen."

Shen Rongqing didn't understand. "Jiaqing, are you covering for Li Qi? Are we supposed to go and deal with the Guanfang Envoy for Li Qi's sake?"

He Jiaqing said, "Li Qi has many secrets. I know some of them, but I can't let the Guanfang Envoy know them."

Shen Rongqing was very curious about this. "Jiaqing, shouldn't we sort out what secrets Li Qi holds?"

Just as He Jiaqing was thinking about how to deal with Shen Rongqing, he suddenly saw a private message in the live broadcast room, sent by Ms. "Tranquil Years".

She wanted to meet He Jiaqing in person.

He Jiaqing was pondering how to reply when another private message arrived. "Tranquil Years" sent her home address, followed by a message:

"My sister's family is short of a steel wool pad. If it's convenient, please bring it along."

In Green Water City, south of the Bai Le Men, in front of a Western-style building, a beggar carrying Beggar Bowl walked into the courtyard.

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

The Green Water Beggar looked at him and smiled, "I need a stutter."

The gatekeeper cursed, "You filthy beggar, you've got some nerve, daring to barge into any place? Get out of here, get out of here..." Before he could finish speaking, the gatekeeper's throat tightened, and he suddenly choked.

Green Water Beggar continued walking forward, and several servants tried to stop him. They had only taken two steps toward Green Water Beggar when their bodies suddenly swelled up, engulfing their limbs. Their clothes were torn, and their skin and flesh were stuck together, resembling huge boils, standing in the courtyard.

Green Water Beggar looked at the pustules that had turned into sores. The pustules seemed to have received some kind of instruction and stood in their respective positions around the Western-style building.

Their heads split open, and pus gushed out. The pus that fell to the ground quickly wriggled and soon enveloped the entire building.

Green Water Beggar dragged his alms bowl into the Western-style building and saw Chu Shaoqiang coming out of the bedroom.

Chu Shaoqiang stood by the stair railing, looking down at the Green Water Beggar, and said, "Green Flower, you have quite the nerve to come looking for me so openly?"

Green Water Beggar laughed and said, "I also wanted to find you secretly, but I couldn't hide from the magic weapons around you."

"Do you think you can avoid it by coming openly?"

Green Water Beggar shook his head and said, "Since I can't avoid it, I might as well not. If we're going to be open about it, I'll have fewer restrictions. Let's settle things cleanly today!"

Chu Shaoqiang frowned and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Let's wait until later. We'll have plenty of opportunities."

Green Water Beggar stroked his alms bowl and said, "Still waiting? How many years have you been waiting? Didn't you want Green Water Bay back then? Now I'm here, Green Water Bay is in my hands, come and take it if you dare!"