Entrance to the Inner State

"Seventh Master, I sent men to the Guanfang Hall to keep an eye on him, but I haven't seen the businessman you mentioned these past two days." Luo ZhengNan was investigating Dick Chen's whereabouts outside the Guanfang Hall, but he hadn't found anything.

"Seventh Brother, I've asked the agents inside the Guanfang Hall, more than one, and none of them know of anyone named Dick Chen." Ma Wu's investigation within the Guanfang Hall yielded no results.

Light Bulb also came from the other side. "Tangyuan is investigating you. She's put in a lot of effort and plans to go to Sea Eat Ridge tomorrow to visit your ancestral home. General Envoy Liao greatly appreciates Tangyuan's attitude and came to our office to praise Tangyuan."

The Light Bulb put in a lot of effort and was able to find out some information about Liao Zihui, but he couldn't find any clues about Dick Chen at all.

Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu and asked, "Who is this guy? Why is he so hard to find?"

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

Dabo Ensi explained, "I know this person quite well; her mother also had a long-term working relationship with me."

Dick Chen laughed and said, "I've told you this before: familiar people and reliable people are two different things. It's precisely because you're too familiar with this person that you've developed undue trust in her."

Looking closely at Lu Xiaolan's past, whether it was her struggle for Red Lotus, her revenge against Ma Wu, or her actions between Iron Sheep Mountain and Jiang Xiang Gang, I can only describe her as utterly worthless.

She missed too many opportunities without achieving anything. One or two failures could be attributed to luck, but repeated failures indicate a lack of ability.

"At least she became the leader of Iron Sheep Mountain." Dabo Ensi's still wanted to say a few words in defense of Lu Xiaolan.

Even with this achievement, Dick Chen didn't approve. "I've been following this matter before, and there are too many coincidences. I see traces of deliberate arrangement. The Ling Miaowen and Ling Miaoying brothers must have played a significant role."

"Dabo, you're so smart, there's no way you wouldn't notice these signs. You seem to have a special affection for Lu Xiaolan, which has made you overlook many things."

Dabo Ensi shook his head and said, "I don't have any extra feelings for her. I just think that people with perseverance and willpower are talents worth cherishing."

Dick Chen sighed, "You must remember this: talent is not something to be cherished, but something to be utilized. Perseverance and willpower can turn into stubbornness and extremism at any time. Such a person will risk everything to achieve some insignificant goal."

Dabo Ensi doesn't deny this, and Lu Xiaolan does indeed have this problem. "It seems that all talented people have some kind of paranoia."

Dick Chen nodded and said, "That's right, but we can't let their paranoia ruin our plans. We must learn to use their paranoia to achieve our goals."

What kind of talent is most easily exploited? Talented individuals who are down on their luck, especially those in despair, are most easily exploited.

Just as a person who is starving will no longer be picky about food, a person who is desperate will no longer persist in their stubbornness.

"Where can we find talent like this?"

"I've arranged to meet someone today to go see something with me."

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

"Because the soda tastes good." Dabo Ensi gave what most Pro State would agree with, given how famous Soda Kiln's soda is.

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

The name "Soda Kiln" doesn't come from the beverages served here. Steam and water are the soul of the steam engine, and this was one of Pro State's earliest industrial centers. If you pay even a little attention to the locals' conversations, you'll know about Soda Kiln's former glory; many people still live in those glorious memories.

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

"Mr. Shi Gongxing," Dick Chen greeted him, "You are still so diligent."

Shi Gongxing, his face covered in grease, crawled out from under the machine and looked at Dick Chen, asking, "What are you doing here again?"

Dick Chen laughed and said, "You should know why I'm here, without me having to explain."

"You can leave now, there's no room for discussion." Shi Gongxing returned to the boiler.

Dick Chen, "Old sir, if there's really no room for negotiation, you should have killed me long ago. My repeated harassment of you will only arouse unnecessary suspicion and expose the secrets here."

"It's time to kill you." A hook-shaped wrench flew out from under the boiler and smashed directly into Dick Chen's head.

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

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

Dick Chen, lying on the ground, said, "Old sir, no matter how good your machines are, they'll only be buried in this Soda Kiln."

The people at the Soda Kiln have long forgotten their former glory. The once-thriving industrial town has become a topic of conversation at the soda stalls, where they might reminisce about it to entertain their customers.

To restore the glory of the Soda Kiln, we need to send Soda Kiln employees back to the factory. I can help you with that. As long as there are customers, the Soda Kiln factory can operate at full speed.

When they obtain it, the entire Pro State will be astonished. They will know that the finest steam engine is not in Black Stone Slope, nor in Green Water City, but here, in its original homeland.

The hammering sounds ceased, and Shi Gongxing stared blankly at his boiler.

Dick Chen pressed his advantage. "Sir, I'll just go take a look. I'll definitely be back within the time you specify. No one will know about this. Once it's done, I'll send in an order to reserve a large batch of machines. The Soda Kiln factory will be up and running soon."

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

As long as Shi Gongxing doesn't intervene, Dick Chen can walk all the way to the end of the workshop.

Dabo Ensi followed behind Dick Chen, but after taking only two steps, a crack appeared in the paving stones beneath his feet, separating him from Dick Chen.

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

Dick Chen let Dabo Ensi wait where he was, while he walked to the end of the workshop.

At the end of the workshop, there is a ladder leading to a bottomless pool of water.

Dick Chen jumped into the pool and quickly submerged.

The pool inside the factory building has a much larger actual volume than it appears. Dick Chen cannot see the bottom of the pool or the surrounding walls while submerged in the water, which is a testament to the Work Method.

After diving more than 100 meters, Dick Chen spotted a three-meter-long crucian carp with gray-black scales at the bottom of the water.

Dick Chen bowed deeply to the crucian carp.

The crucian carp wiggled its fins, looking Dick Chen up and down.

Dick Chen took out a gold waist tag and presented it to the crucian carp with both hands. The crucian carp stared at the waist tag for a moment in the limited light and determined its authenticity.

It wagged its tail fin, indicating that Dick Chen could continue speaking.

Dick Chen replied respectfully from the water, "Please pass on a message for me. I need an important letter. I have already reported on the matter before. Please believe me no matter what. Everything I have done is for our common glory."

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

Shi Gongxing was still working on technical improvements under the boiler when Dick Chen greeted him and then left the Shi Gongxing.

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

"I'm very curious, but I remember your teaching: never ask questions you shouldn't ask."

"You shouldn't be asking about this place, but I want to tell you today," Dick Chen said, turning back to look at the factory, "This is a door, an entrance to the Inner State."

Dabo Ensi exclaimed in surprise, "The entrance to the Inner State, at the Soda Kiln?"

Dick Chen nodded and said, "There are many entrances to the Inner State, one of which is in the Soda Kiln. Very few people know about it."

,

The old gentleman who repaired the steam engine was—

"He is the Local Earth God of the Soda Kiln, named Shi Gongxing. He is one of the most outstanding craftsmen in Pro State, and also the kind of talent I just mentioned, a talent who has fallen into despair."

Dabo Ensi could understand why the Local Earth God was in despair. He looked around; there were many abandoned factory buildings around the abandoned factory. "What exactly happened at the Soda Kiln? Why would the Local Earth God's residence have an entrance to the Inner State?"

"You've got it backwards. It's because there's an entrance to the Inner State here that the Local Earth God, Shi Gongxing, came to live here. Guarding this entrance is one of his missions, but after being disappointed for so long, this mission has to be compromised now."

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

Dick Chen nodded and said, "Indeed, this isn't the first time. I heard he's accepted bribes from Inner State before."

"Putting pure- Inner State people into Pro State, people in times of despair are really prone to moral decay."

Dabo Ensi asked cautiously, "What brings you to the entrance to the Inner State?"

Dick Chen shook his head. "You shouldn't have asked this question, but since you have, I might as well tell you."

I obtained a letter from the Inner State, a letter addressed to the Guanfang Hall.

Dick Chen handed a scroll to Dabo Ensi's. Dabo Ensi's unrolled scroll and found it completely blank, without a single word on it.

"You've probably seen this type of letter before. Outer State has unique equipment that allows them to decipher the contents of scrolls," Dick Chen said, putting away the scroll. "Actually, the contents aren't anything special. The Inner State wants the Outer State to help them crack the border leading to Pro State."

Dabo Ensi exclaimed in surprise, "The border between Inner State and Pro State can be broken even in Outer State?"

Dick Chen nodded. "Essentially, the boundary between Inner State and Pro State is no different from the boundary between Green Water City and Belt Ridge, only it's a bit thicker."

The boundary between Green Water City and Belt Ridge is like a piece of paper, while the boundary between Inner State and Pro State is like a wall. Breaking through a piece of paper isn't difficult for Inner State, but they can't break through a wall.

Breaking down the barriers is the biggest expectation of the Inner State for the Outer State, and also the biggest bargaining chip of the Outer State against the Inner State. The Inner State and the Outer State have had a long period of negotiations on this matter.

During Xiao Zhengong's tenure as the Balance Person, these negotiations were interrupted, ostensibly because the Inner State's overly urgent demands undermined the foundation of the negotiations.

Dabo Ensi sighed. "Some of the things said in Outer State are a bit too profound, too demanding."

What does that refer to?

"The Inner State desperately wanted the Outer State to help them completely break down the border, Outer State refused because if the Inner State were to launch a large-scale invasion of Pro State, it would inevitably affect the Outer State's interests in Pro State."

Of course, even with disagreements, negotiations can continue. The main reason the talks were interrupted was due to Xiao Zhengong's meddling.

"Xiao Zhengong?" Dabo Ensi asked, quite surprised. "He played a role in this?"

Dick Chen laughed and said, "According to the Outer State, Xiao Zhengong is the most incompetent of all the Balance Person in history. Almost all his communication with the Inner State has to go through the Sage. During the plague outbreak at Sage Peak, some messages even had to be relayed through us."

Many people believe that Xiao Zhengong's reluctance to get involved in the conflict between the Inner State and Outer State is a means of self-protection.

This is a misunderstanding of Xiao Zhengong. Xiao Zhengong is not that cowardly; he is a risk-taker. He has been doing his best to disrupt the connection between the Inner State and Outer State.

The Inner State relies on the Outer State to resolve the boundary, and Xiao Zhengong is also researching how to break the boundary. If the Inner State stops relying on the Outer State and instead relies on Xiao Zhengong, Xiao Zhengong will become the master of the Pro State in the future.

Dabo Ensi fell silent.

Dick Chen asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I was shocked. I never expected Xiao Zhengong to have such a grand plan."

Dick Chen laughed and said, "You should have seen it when you partnered with him to establish the Flying General Camp."

He is a very cunning person.

Dabo Ensi shook his head and said, "I know too little about him, and I am very shocked after hearing your description."

Was Dabo Ensi really that shocked?

No.

He was the best private investigator in Pro State, and during his collaboration with Xiao Zhengong, he also acted as a go-between between Xiao Zhengong and Dick Chen.

Dabo Ensi had already made fairly accurate deductions about some of Xiao Zhengong's plans.

What truly worried him at that moment was Dick Chen's purpose. Was he testing him by saying so much all of a sudden?

Dick Chen was indeed testing him. "Dabo, you don't need to act slow to realize things in front of me. We don't need this kind of pretense between us."

We are comrades with a common goal. From now on, I will tell you more secrets. I hope my honesty will help you grow.

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

In a private residence in Green Water City, Tangyuan changed into a dark blue floral cheongsam, put on light makeup, and prepared to go to work at Carefree Dock.

She didn't go to Sea Eat Ridge, nor did she plan to go to Li Qi's ancestral home. That house had been searched too many times, and no valuable clues could be found.

Yesterday, she went to Carefree Dock for a job interview and successfully became a singer.

With her current performance level, she is not yet capable of performing on stage alone. She can only sing duets with other new female singers or provide backing vocals for other singers.

None of these things mattered to Tangyuan; what mattered was that she wanted to seize this opportunity to conduct the investigation.

After taking off her glasses, Tangyuan put on a pair of earrings.

These earrings have the function of disguising her appearance; 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 Peach Red.

She set herself a timeframe of one month.

She knew she wasn't a fool Light Bulb Li Qi who would catch her after only one day, but if she lingered too long, Li Qi might become suspicious.

A month is just the right amount of time. Tangyuan has planned out her daily schedule. As long as she calms down and investigates carefully, she will definitely find clues that others have not discovered.

Guanfang Hall, Dick Chen handed the scroll to Liao Zihui in a secret room.

Liao Zihui knew that this was a letter from Inner State. He handed the scroll to the technicians to decipher it. After learning the contents of the letter, Liao Zihui praised Dick Chen to his face, "Little Chen, this letter is not simple. Our negotiations with Inner State, which have been interrupted for many years, have been resumed."

0

Dick Chen laughed and said, "That's why I said I want to do more valuable work. Don't come looking for me for trivial things like Li Qi's anymore."

Liao Zihui remained composed, smiling slightly, and said, "I have already sent this letter to Outer State, and I expect to receive a reply within a few days."

But don't get your hopes up too high that you can completely break down the border Inner State and Pro State in a short period of time.

This idea is probably not very practical.

,

Dick Chen shook his head. "I don't think the Inner State would have such unrealistic ideas. What they probably want is for the Outer State to help them expand some of their access routes."

The natural passageways have already used up their annual quota, and with more than half a year left, it's difficult for Inner State to send any more people to Pro State. If we were willing to build them a road, I think relations between the two states could improve considerably.

Liao Zihui nodded and said, "I will also submit your suggestion, and I believe it will be adopted."

"My suggestion—" Dick Chen said with a smile, "Very well, thank you for your trouble General Envoy."

Dick Chen knew the way Outer State operated very well. Although he was the one who connected the Inner State and re-established communication between Outer State, his opinions were worthless in front of his superiors.

He did this for one purpose only: he hoped to gain a firm foothold in the position of the Balance Person.

Leaving the Guanfang Hall and returning to his residence, Dick Chen wanted to do something he truly cared about.

"Dabo, you've been insisting that Li Qi is Li Banfeng, and that the Mystic Life Crimson Lotus is in Li Banfeng's hands. I'm asking you one more time, are you really sure you're not mistaken about this?"

Dabo Ensi was very confident about this. "He used a very strange disguise technique, which caused a significant change in his appearance."

But when I determined his identity, I didn't rely on his appearance, but on the timeline and logical connections. Li Banfeng is Li Qi; there's no mistake about that.

"As long as it's correct, it's Li Qi's turn next." Dick Chen flipped through the newspaper page by page.

Collect news related to Li Qi.

Dabo Ensi asked, "Are you planning to use the Guanfang Hall to deal with him?"

Dick Chen shook his head. "This matter cannot be handled by the Guanfang Hall. My previous disdain for Li Qi was to distract them and prevent them from intercepting Red Lotus."

"Then let's use our own people."

"We can't easily expose our own personnel."

"You think the two of us can handle Li Qi?"

Dick Chen laughed, "Dabo, do you really think I underestimate Li Qi? He's a powerful figure in Pro State. How could we possibly handle him alone? We need to find some help. Like I said..."

People in despair are most easily manipulated.

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

He looked towards the bed but didn't see Duan Shaoxia. Instead, he felt someone pointing a gun at the back of his head.

"Who, who are you?" Duan Shaoxia asked, tears welling in her eyes, her arm trembling as she held up the gun.

Do not say anything carelessly, do not try to comfort, and do not try to threaten. Duan Shaoxia may shoot at any time, and when she does, her hand is very steady and will not shake at all.

Dick Chen knew about Duan Shaoxia's sect and her fighting style, so the best option at this moment was to speak frankly, "Madam Duan, I'm here to help you, mainly to help your two children."

"Are you going to hurt my child?" Duan Shaoxia's hands trembled even more violently as she was about to pull the trigger.

Dick Chen hurriedly revealed his bargaining chip. "I can get Lu Yuanhai a brand new body."

His own body

I can also retrieve Lu Yuanshan's soul, give him a new body, and send him back to your side.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm not lying, I'm telling the truth," Dick Chen slowly turned around and looked at Duan Shaoxia. "Madam, I can help you, as long as you're willing to help me too."

At Medicine King Gully Station, after exiting the station, Dick Chen arrived at the station square and walked up to a Carriage Driver: "I want to go to Inner Gully."

The Carriage Driver, puffing on his pipe, looked up at Dick Chen and said, "Inner Gully is so close, don't bother looking for me, find another car."

"Don't you do business?"

"You have to listen to my advice. My cart has a fire wheel, and the fare is too expensive."

Dick Chen took out a stack of Huan Country Notes and handed them to the Carriage Driver: "Is this enough?"

The Carriage Driver took the money and counted it; it was nearly two thousand yuan. "You don't want to go to Inner Gully, do you? What do you need me for?"

Dick Chen lowered his voice and said, "I want to do business with you. I know you've lost something very important—you've lost your territory."

I can help you take back the territory, and all you need to do is help me eliminate one person.

The Carriage Driver was intrigued. "Get rid of one person and you can get back a piece of land? Is there really such a good deal?"

"You're lucky, good things really happened to you."

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

"Don't rush, we'll discuss it slowly after you agree."

Green Water City, Dongping Teahouse, Private Room.

The Light Bulb showed Li Banfeng a document. "The Guanfang Hall has established a new department specifically responsible for liaising with Inner State."

Li Banfeng carefully read through the document, "Weren't there similar institutions before?"

The Light Bulb said, "I asked a few people, and there used to be a department responsible for liaising with the Inner State, but later the department disbanded because there was nothing to do."

I used to have nothing to do, but now I suddenly have something to do.

This proves that Outer State and Inner State contacts have been re-established, and key figures have played a role in this process.

Who could it be?

The Balance Person.

Xiao Zhengong is dead, and now a new Balance Person has emerged.

Who is this Balance Person?

The first person Li Banfeng thought of was Dick Chen.

Tangyuan is unlikely to be a secretary for a businessman, but she is very likely to be a bodyguard for Balance Person, which is why she came to the banquet with Dick Chen that day.

Of course, this is just speculation, and it would be best to confirm it.

Who can I ask to confirm this?

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

"Little Peach Red," Li Banfeng beckoned, "Come to my room."

"Ah—" Tangyuan was stunned.

A girl next to Tangyuan nudged her, saying, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go! Seventh Master has taken a liking to you. What a blessing!"

"He... he's taken a liking to me, what's wrong with him—"

"What are you talking about? We've already let you into the room, don't you understand?" another sister laughed. "Go on, don't be afraid, so many people never get this kind of opportunity in their lives."

What kind of opportunity is this?

I don't even have a boyfriend, and I'm just handing him over like this?

Tangyuan entered Li Banfeng's bedroom tremblingly, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I'll confess then. I am an excellent detective, and I must understand my mission and duty!"

This is indeed an opportunity; I'm sure I can find out the most valuable information.

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

Li Banfeng said calmly, "Tangyuan, sit here."

"Ah—.——" Tangyuan was stunned for a long time.

She hadn't misheard; Li Banfeng had just called her Tangyuan).

Her face stopped burning, but the hairs on her body stood on end instantly. Tangyuan felt the room was very cold, and she had a feeling that something bad was going to happen to her today.

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