Waiting for Me

Liao Zihui and Li Banfeng signed a contract, and ten days later, Li Banfeng went to Yuezhou to take up the Balance Person.

Li Banfeng was still a little curious about this matter. Why did it have to be Yuezhou? Why not some other city?

Liao Zihui said, "Because Yuezhou is the largest city closest to the entrance of Pro State, and the headquarters of the Dark Star Bureau is located in Yuezhou, the Balance Person will definitely have to make an appearance at the headquarters before taking office."

Brother Li, if you don't want to work at headquarters, we can arrange for you to work elsewhere. The position will definitely be high. Of course, you can also do what Xiao Zhengong did and exchange a lower position for better access to information. The Public Security Team is a frontline department of the Dark Star Bureau, so they definitely know more.

That day, Liao Zihui first fulfilled his promise and lifted the traffic restrictions on Ye Song Bridge.

With the Ye Song Bridge open to traffic, Li Banfeng wasn't in a hurry to return to Ye Song Bridge Green Water City; he still had a lot of things to do there.

The most important thing is to repair the station.

This is Li Banfeng's territory, and there must be a station. He had the idea of building a station Portable Abode, but at that time Li Banfeng was not familiar with the territory of Ye Song Bridge, so the location of the station had not been selected.

After a period of exploration, Li Banfeng had a basic understanding of the area around Ye Song Bridge. After comparing different locations, he still chose Mount YeQing as the location for the train station.

Mount YeQing is a famous scenic spot with a lot of pedestrian traffic. Building the station here would actually pose a risk of exposure.

However, Li Banfeng had conducted a thorough investigation and found that there were many remote places in this famous mountain, including a cave that was difficult to find and navigate, and it was easy to get lost once inside.

This place isn't absolutely safe, but there's no absolutely safe place in the world. Building the station here, closer to the deed, means we can respond promptly if anything goes wrong.

The precious material, Heaven Heart Stone, is too hard to find, so building a large station is definitely not realistic. Previously, in Xindi, the Old Train used the large station to exchange for the small station, and the resulting Huan Tu came in handy now.

Speaking of Huan Tu, Li Banfeng felt a pang of heartache. "It's all been used to repair the station. How will we take care of our Wife in the future?"

We absolutely have to leave some!

The record player hurriedly said, "My lord, we can't stay. Repairing the station is a serious matter; we can't cut corners."

While Li Banfeng Portable Abode the train station, he contacted Luo ZhengNan and asked him to come to Ye Song Bridge.

Ye Song Bridge's territory is very large, much larger than what the eyes can see. Since it is his own territory, he must investigate it thoroughly. Among Li Banfeng's subordinates, Luo ZhengNan is currently the only one who can discover the Stealth Space.

Luo ZhengNan had just arrived when Ma Wu, He Yuxiu, Xiao Yeci, and Lu Chunying also arrived.

Upon learning that traffic had resumed at Ye Song Bridge, their first instinct was to find Li Qi.

Everyone was happy to see that Li Qi was safe and sound, but when they learned that Li Qi was going to Outer State, their thoughts were not so optimistic.

"Seventh Brother, you can't go," He Yuxiu strongly objected. "If you go to Outer State, and they have bad intentions and want to harm you, who can help you Outer State that place?"

Xiao Yeci said, "Sister Xiu is right, it's really too difficult to be alone out there!"

Lu Chunying said, "I estimate that even if Seventh Brother survives this trip, he will be placed under house arrest, and it will be difficult for him to come back."

Everyone disagreed with Li Banfeng going, but Ma Wu came up with another idea.

"We can agree to this with the Guanfang Hall, but you can't go in person. We can find someone to go in your place."

This sounds like a joke. The Outer State specifically requested Li Qi to go. How can you just find someone else to do it?

This is not a joke. With Li Qi and Ma Wu's current strength, finding a replacement is not difficult at all.

The most suitable candidate is Xi Xiu. He can absolutely replicate the appearance exactly. As for the inner qualities, he can learn a few similarities after a few days of training. He should be able to handle things for a while if sent to Outer State.

But Li Banfeng refused.

First, a contract has already been signed with Liao Zihui. If the matter is exposed, it would be tantamount to starting a war Pro State and Outer State, and Li Banfeng would also suffer the backlash from the contract.

Secondly, Li Banfeng had another important purpose in becoming Balance Person: he wanted to find a way to break down boundaries.

It's not something that can be delegated to anyone else to find a way out for Pro State.

Third, the Outer State attitude towards the Balance Person is to sacrifice the interests of Pro State to balance the relationship between Outer State and Inner State. This problem needs to be changed, and Li Banfeng needs to help them change it.

We must go to the Outer State, but we must also maintain the situation in Pro State. Li Banfeng instructed everyone, "After I go to the Outer State, if any disputes arise among you, try to exercise more restraint and tolerance towards each other."

Lu Chunying said, "Seventh Brother, don't worry. We have a bond that has been forged in life and death together. There's no grudge we can't resolve."

He Yuxiu remained silent, Ma Wu also did not speak.

Li Banfeng knew very well that the friendship was genuine, but friendship was also unreliable.

With Li Qi present, everyone showed each other deference, not only because of Li Qi 'Li Qi friendship, but more so because of his strength.

Before the conflict broke out, no one knew which side Li Qi was on, so they had to think twice before taking action.

But once Li Qi is no longer in Pro State, conflicts of interest will inevitably arise, and if Outer State Inner State get involved, it's hard to say when a bloodbath might break out.

Conflict and friction were inevitable, and Li Banfeng only made one request. "If you really want to fight, inform me in advance. If anyone keeps it from me, don't blame me for turning against them!"

Everyone agreed. Next, Li Banfeng had to give Ma Wu some instructions, mainly about business matters.

Needless to say, Ma Wu handled all the business in other places very well. The only problem was with Ye Song Bridge.

Every time Ma Wu arrives at Ye Song Bridge, he wears his disdain on his face.

This can't be blamed on Ma Wu. Ye Song Bridge is indeed disliked. Every shop he mentions is a century-old establishment. Ask one of the merchants, and his family has been in this business for generations.

There's nothing new or exciting about Ye Song Bridge. It's always the same few products at the same prices. You can't do business here and calculate the profits for the next hundred years. Ma Wu would definitely find this place disgusting.

But Li Banfeng still wanted Ma Wu to do a good job with Ye Song Bridge's business.

Ma Wu said helplessly, "Seventh Brother, business in Seven Autumn City is getting better and better, and business in Yellow Earth Bridge is gradually improving. I'm putting in effort in these places, and at least I can see changes. But you insist on making me focus on Ye Song Bridge."

What's the reasoning behind this?

How can this be explained?

I've already reached the top, and I need popularity. You have to help me build up Ye Song Bridge's business.

This matter cannot be stated directly. Li Qi's explanation was. "I have consulted the feng shui, and Ye Song Bridge's market value is about to skyrocket. We cannot miss such a good opportunity."

Ma Wu agreed, and he would do whatever Li Qi asked him to do.

Li Banfeng gave some more instructions, and after Portable Abode finished repairing the station, Li Banfeng went to Fool's City.

Some businesses could be handed over to Ma Wu, while others had to be managed by himself. Li Banfeng gave Tang Changfa 10,000 silver dollars, saying, "While I'm away, make sure everyone lives well and doesn't suffer any injustice."

Tang Changfa didn't understand Li Banfeng's meaning, Yan Qing'er asked cautiously, "Shopkeeper, are you abandoning us?"

"What kind of talk is that! I'm just going on a long trip and will be back in a few days. Where is our city lord?"

Hong Er said, "The city lord brought back two helpers from outside, one A'Gui and the other A'Huang. He has been taking them out on errands frequently lately, but we don't know exactly what they are doing."

Li Banfeng has met A'Gui, but what is A'Huang's background?

Judging from the name, he doesn't seem like an important person.

After leaving Fool's City, Li Banfeng went to Iron Gate Fort. Although Luo ZhengNan had left spies there, Li Banfeng was still worried about the group of House Cultivator.

Upon meeting the lord of the fortress, Wu Yongchao excitedly recounted the battle of a few days prior. "Lord of the fortress, that man Chen Weixin was driven away. Wasn't it you who led the attack?"

Li Banfeng smiled but did not answer. He checked the accounts, left some money for the fort, and called Luo ZhengNan, asking him to take good care of the place.

While Luo ZhengNan was still searching for Stealth Space at Ye Song Bridge, upon hearing Li Banfeng mention Iron Gate Fort, Luo ZhengNan was absolutely certain. "You don't need to worry about Iron Gate Fort. I can't speak for other places, but you definitely don't need to worry about this place!"

Li Banfeng didn't understand Luo ZhengNan's meaning. Luo ZhengNan said, "There are some things I can't tell you over the phone."

I'm afraid others will overhear. I'll come to see you when you arrive in Outer State, and then you'll understand.

After leaving Iron Gate Fort, Li Banfeng went to Medicine King Gully, where Qiu Family Business's Pharmacy opened two branches and its business grew bigger and bigger.

Qiu Zhiheng visited Yao Lao's residence a couple of days ago. "Old Xu found a master of wine cultivation who is treating Yao Lao. I estimate Yao Lao will wake up."

"Brother, you're going to Outer State? I have a friend I can introduce you to."

Qiu Zhiheng wrote a letter and handed it to Li Banfeng: "This friend is involved in the Black Market business. There are quite a few cultivators in Outer State, but most of them don't reveal their identities. The people who deal with them most often are these Black Market merchants."

I know this person well; he's a decent person, and I might find him useful in the future.

Qiu Zhiheng was in charge of the Lu Family's business in Outer State back then, so his connections were naturally very reliable.

After leaving Medicine King Gully, Li Banfeng went to Seven Autumn City, Black Stone Slope, and Yellow Earth Bridge, where he explained everything that needed to be explained. The ten-day deadline had arrived.

The night before Li Banfeng left, Ma Wu held a farewell banquet at Carefree Dock. He asked Jiang Mengting to sing, but Jiang Mengting kept crying and couldn't sing.

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Why are you crying? It's not like I'm not coming back."

Jiang Mengting wiped away her tears and said, "Seventh Master, can you take me with you?"

Li Banfeng said, "Our Pro State's number one Song Queen can't just go to Outer State. Let me go out and make some preparations for a tour, and then I'll invite you to perform on stage."

Jiang Mengting didn't know what a tour was, but tears still kept falling.

Li Banfeng comforted me, saying, "Don't cry, sing me a song!"

After calming down for a long time, Jiang Mengting put the record on the record player and sang the song "When Will You Return".

"Beautiful flowers don't bloom forever, beautiful scenes don't last forever. Sorrow piles up on my brow, tears fall on my longing sash. After tonight's parting, When Will You Return?"

Jiang Mengting's voice is so beautiful. Apart from his Wife, Li Banfeng thinks no one sings better than her, not even Dream Virtue.

Li Banfeng lit a cigarette and kept clapping and cheering for Jiang Mengting. Hearing Li Qi's voice, Jiang Mengting sang even more passionately. After the song ended, she looked at the audience but couldn't find Li Qi anywhere.

There was still half a glass of wine in the glass, and half a cigarette was placed next to it. Jiang Mengting sat in Li Qi's seat and waited for a long time, but Li Qi did not come back.

Where did Li Qi go?

Ma Wu didn't know either.

At Green Water City Train Station, Li Qi had already arrived at the platform.

He said he was leaving tomorrow, but he bought a ticket for tonight. Rather than waiting for a group of people to come and see him off in tears, he would rather leave quietly tonight.

There weren't many people taking the night train, and the platform was deserted. There were a few vendors selling late-night snacks nearby. Tangyuan and Light Bulb were buying food. They were going back to Outer State with Li Banfeng.

"Seventh Master, what would you like to eat?" Having gotten used to calling him that in Carefree Dock, Tangyuan would call him Seventh Master as soon as he opened his mouth.

Li Banfeng glanced around and saw vendors selling oil tea, eggs, pastries, and instant noodles.

Instant noodles·-

This is not common in Pro State.

The instant noodle vendor was an elderly woman. Li Banfeng approached her and lowered his voice, saying, "Second Aunt, are you here to see me off?"

The Bitter Granny chuckled, "Eldest nephew, you're just leaving like that? When are you going to repay me for those three training sessions you owe me?"

"What three rounds of tempering?" Li Banfeng didn't understand.

"You don't want to admit it, huh? I'll let you off the hook tonight, we'll settle things later," the Bitter Granny called out, turning around to a corner of the platform, "Come on!"

Chu Er, dressed in coarse cloth, approached Li Banfeng, lowered his head, and rolled his eyes as he asked:

Why do you want to go to Outer State?

Li Banfeng replied, "Let's go out for a walk."

Chu Er bit her lip and asked, "Is it for me?"

Li Banfeng smiled but didn't say anything.

Chu Er's voice trembled slightly. "I went to Ye Song Bridge because I have a grudge against the Guanfang Hall, not to save you."

"If there's anything with the Guanfang Hall, have them come to me. My affairs are none of your concern. Don't go to Outer State."

Li Banfeng stared at Chu Er for a moment, but still didn't say anything.

Waaah~

The train whistle sounded; it was about to depart.

Chu Er whispered, "Don't go, I beg you—"

Li Banfeng placed his hand on his hat and lowered the brim.

Chu Er raised her head, wanting to take another look at Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng's hand was still on the hat; he hadn't put it down.

Waaah~

The train whistled again.

Li Banfeng took off his top hat and placed it on Chu Er's head.

His movements were very light, serious, and meticulous.

He stared at Chu Er for a long time.

Chu Er looks very handsome in his top hat.

Waaah~

Li Banfeng turned around and boarded the train.

Whew, Whew~

The train started moving.

Under the shadow of the hat brim, Chu Er's tears slid down one by one.

The brim of his hat was lowered, as if he didn't want others to see Chu Er's tears.

Inside the carriage, Tangyuan and Light Bulb were playing cards.

Light Bulb knew how to count cards, while Tangyuan played entirely by instinct. In less than two hours, Tangyuan had almost lost a month's salary.

Li Banfeng kept looking at the scenery outside the window, while the Light Bulb seemed a little worried. "When we came, Big Head told me..."

On 1160 Train, it's best to draw the curtains, especially when you get to the Three Heads Junction. You shouldn't look out there; someone of my status might get into trouble if they did.

Tangyuan asked, "Why didn't Big Head come back with us?"

"He requested to stay in Pro State for another month, saying he had unfinished tasks," said the Light Bulb.

Tangyuan asked, "What mission?"

The Light Bulb shook its head and said, "I don't know. Ever since I came to Pro State, I've had no idea what he's been up to."

In Green Water City, at the former site of the Jiang Xiang Gang headquarters, Big Head led Xie Juncong to the rockery.

Over the past period of time, Big Head searched everywhere for He Jiaqing's whereabouts. He discovered that He Jiaqing had recently been in contact with Cui Tike, and finally contacted Cui Tike through the connections of the Guanfang Hall.

Cui Tike had just returned from Bastard Slope when Big Head asked him about He Jiaqing. Cui Tike gave him a clue: the clue was at the old site of the Jiang Xiang Gang headquarters.

Now this old site has become Luo ZhengNan's territory. Xie Juncong has come and gone several times but has not found any useful clues. Now, taking advantage of Luo ZhengNan at Ye Song Bridge, where the defenses are relatively lax, Xie Juncong called Big Head over, and the two of them searched together.

"There's a hidden room under this artificial hill," Xie Juncong said. "If we can't find it here, we don't need to come here again. Luo ZhengNan isn't someone to be trifled with; if he catches us, we won't be able to get away easily."

Big Head couldn't find any trace of the secret room. Xie Juncong tried various magical artifacts and spent several hours, but still couldn't find the entrance.

"Forget it, this Work Method is too ingenious, I'm out of ideas. Let's go." Xie Juncong was ready to give up.

Big Head insisted that he keep searching.

After searching for more than an hour, it was almost dawn. Xie Juncong was about to leave when he suddenly heard some noises.

"There's someone in the dark room!" Xie Juncong chuckled, followed the sound and groped around on the ground for a moment, then turned to Big Head and said, "There's a brick underneath, it looks like there's a crack, but it hasn't been dug through."

When the train arrived at Sea Eat Ridge, Li Banfeng and Tangyuan bought a lot of things: steamed buns, fried dough sticks, fried cakes, and pancakes.

Fried dumpling.

The two ate and drank heartily, while the Light Bulb, with its dark eyes, didn't touch a single bite.

Li Banfeng was very curious. "You've arrived at Sea Eat Ridge, yet you don't want to eat anything? That's quite a bit of willpower!" Light Bulb. "What's wrong with you? Are you sick?"

The Light Bulb gave a dry laugh, "No, I'm just tired."

Tangyuan snorted, "He deserved it. I told him before when we passed Belt Ridge that he absolutely mustn't open the window."

He went back to his own compartment and secretly opened the window.

Li Banfeng, pleased, asked the Light Bulb, "How many times have you come?"

The Light Bulb pursed its lips. "It should be sixteen times."

"You stopped at the station for twenty minutes, and you came sixteen times?"

"That place in the Belt Ridge, ah--" The Light Bulb closed its eyes, recalling the rich sweetness of the Belt Ridge.

Tangyuan glared at the Light Bulb: "Let me tell you, there's Three Heads Junction in the road just ahead, so you'd better close the curtains properly."

That place is off-limits!

Having lived in Pro State for two whole years, Li Banfeng still hasn't been to Three Heads Junction.

With just over ten kilometers to go before Three Heads Junction, the train's announcement came over the loudspeaker again. "Dear passengers, we are about to enter Three Heads Junction. Please return to your carriages, do not move around unnecessarily, lower the curtains, and do not open the windows. If you feel unwell, please contact the train crew as soon as possible."

Tangyuan stood up and said, "Seventh Master, we're going back to the carriage. Please be careful, and it would be best if you could also close the curtains."

Li Banfeng nodded, and Tangyuan and Light Bulb returned to their respective carriages.

The curtains couldn't be drawn; Li Banfeng had to take a closer look this time.

Not long after, the train entered the tunnel, and for a full hour, it was pitch black outside the train window.

After exiting the tunnel, Li Banfeng finally saw some light, not sunlight, but beams of shimmering light.

It was as if frequent flashes of lightning streaked across the night sky.

Was it lightning?

No!

More persistent than lightning, beams of light fell from the sky, lasting for several seconds before disappearing.

Li Banfeng was very familiar with this beam of light; it was the light of heaven.

Sunlight fell intermittently, illuminating the woods, where large shadows loomed toward the train.

The train was moving so fast that ordinary people couldn't even see where the shadow came from.

But Li Banfeng could see clearly that these were people, a dense mass of figures rapidly surging toward the train.

These figures were very tall, with three heads on their broad shoulders.

A Three-Headed People jumped onto the train and desperately clung to the outer wall of the carriage.

Li Banfeng opened the car window, intending to put the Three-Headed People into the carriage.

Bang!

An iron rod extended down from the roof of the vehicle and shoved the Three-Headed People under the vehicle.

All the train attendants went to the roof and, one by one, shoved the Three-Headed People who had climbed onto the train down.

After the train passed through the forest, the Three-Headed People disappeared, leaving the boundless wilderness empty.

Another half hour or so passed, and the train stopped. An announcement came over the loudspeaker. "Three Heads Junction Station has arrived. Passengers arriving at this station, please gather your belongings and disembark as soon as possible."

Due to the short stop time, passengers who have not yet arrived at their destination are requested to remain in their seats and refrain from moving around, opening windows, or drawing curtains.

Li Banfeng opened the car window and quietly watched the scenery outside.

The platform was deserted; only two passengers got off, and no one got on.

At the edge of the platform was a metal fence, and through the gaps in the fence were hands, hands reaching in one by one.

A group of Three-Headed People crowded outside the fence, reaching out towards the platform.

They wore tattered clothes, which could hardly be called clothes; they were just rags barely covering their bodies. Even the Qi Gong of Pro State were dressed much better.

Their hair was disheveled and covered in dust, appearing a bleak gray under the streetlights, which contrasted sharply with their dark faces, making it impossible for Li Banfeng to discern their age or even their gender.

They keep reaching out their hands; what do they want?

Li Banfeng threw all the food in the carriage out the window. The food flew over the platform, over the fence, and landed among the crowd.

The Three-Headed People accepted the food and briefly scrambled for it.

But whether they succeeded or not, they all stretched their hands out of the fence and bowed to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng stood by the window, motionless for a long time.

Ding ding!

The train conductor knocked on the door and then came in.

"Sir, please close the car window."

Li Banfeng turned around, looked at the train conductor, and remained silent.

After a moment of eye contact, the train attendant lowered his head, stepped outside the carriage, and closed the carriage door.

The train conductor was terrified. He was extremely capable of fighting on the train, and in theory he shouldn't be afraid of anyone, but just a moment ago, he truly felt fear.

The train started moving, but Li Banfeng continued to gaze out the window.

Watching the figures rapidly retreating, Li Banfeng muttered to himself:

"Wait for me, wait for me!"

The train pulled out of the station and was about to reach the border between Pro State and Outer State.

Li Banfeng hid the key and returned to Portable Abode.

Whether Portable Abode can break into Outer State depends on this.

Buzz~

A slight tremor came from inside the house, Portable Abode was exerting force, and the whole family was on edge.

Li Banfeng held the record player, which softly played "Train Ballad":

"Running on flat ground, crossing mountains and rivers, billowing smoke."

We add coal and water and set off; once the train starts moving, its power is boundless—we cross bridges, we crawl through tunnels, our iron wheels churning through perilous passes.

We fear no hardship, we will brave wind and rain to cross countless rivers.

Midon!

The Portable Abode jolted violently, and Hong Ying, somewhat frightened, asked, "Grandpa, can we get across?"

After a long wait, an aged voice rang out. "This is the Outer State? I feel like I've been here before."

It's over!

It was much easier than I had imagined.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The record player then asked, "Grandpa, what's the Outer State like?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's not quite the same as Pro State."

Li Banfeng touched the speaker of the record player. "My dear Wife, when we get there, I'll take you out for a walk."

Portable Abode got angry. "You think you can just leave whenever you want? Haven't you got any rules in the house?"

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "Our family is making our way in Outer State, so we'll definitely have to be more flexible. Let me buy some good stuff and then we can discuss it slowly."

Green Water City, the former site of the Jiang Xiang Gang headquarters.

Xie Juncong spent three nights and used dozens of Spiritual Object and treasures to finally dig a crack between the bricks.

These Spiritual Object not only came from the Ghost Hand Gate, but Shen Rongqing also mobilized all the belongings of his brothers, sending over everything that could be used.

A flat, paper-like figure emerged from the gap.

The figure lay on the ground for a long time, gradually transforming into the emaciated He Jiaqing.

PS: Lord of Pro, Volume 1, The World of All Beings, End!