The Identity of the "Benefactor"

"Jiaqing, Chen Changrui from the Dark Star Bureau came to see me today. He watched me for a long time—he might have noticed something wrong." "You're lying there motionless. How could he possibly notice anything wrong?" "This isn't the first time he's come. Last time, he called the doctor over and had them run several examinations on me. The doctor told him everything was normal, but he still didn't believe it. He even told his subordinates that my condition was off. I'd guess he's already caught on." "Brother, hang in there for two more days. I'll be back in two days." "Jiaqing, this guy Chen is too difficult to deal with. You have to come back as early as you can." ... "Zhou Changhong" severed the connection and stood in a patch of woods, quietly gazing into the distance. After watching for a moment, he wiped the streaks of blood from his face. That local spirit named Qiu Luoye didn't have the best temper, and his strikes were quite heavy. Now he could no longer step foot into the territory of Qiu Luoye and Shui Yongquan, or the consequences would be dire. Was there a way to evade the watchful eyes of Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye and attack the film set again? There were ways, but the risk was too great. Just drop it like this? Just let Ma the Fifth keep shooting the film? Or have Ling Miaoying transition to a different style? A transition wasn't feasible; his objective was never to make money. Wait for the Garrison Commissioner to step in and intervene? Judging by how things looked, they probably wouldn't intervene. Have Lu Xiaolan make a move from the shadows? She likely lacked the nerve for it. If she dared step away from her own parcel of land right now, she would probably lose her life. Why would Ma the Fifth come to the newland to shoot a film? Could such a crazy move really be Ma the Fifth's idea? ... Holding a radio, Luo Zhengnan, the Hall Master of the Jiangxiang Gang's Medicine King Hall, was listening to a broadcast on the terrace: "Dear listeners, Bloodgun Detective III, directed by Ma Junyang, will soon be released. Reactions to this film across all circles have been mixed. In a word, criticism and anticipation coexist. Today, we have invited Luo Guangxun, the editor-in-chief of the magazine New Film Discourse, to share his analysis of the film's trajectory from the perspective of a professional film critic." "Hello, listeners. I am Luo Guangxun. As everyone knows, the Bloodgun Detective film series has challenged the moral conventions of Puluo Province, but at the same time, it has provided the film industry with a fresh direction for growth. In particular, the filming location for the third movie was chosen in the newland, and the newland's aura of mystery adds even more appeal to the film..." Luo Zhengnan chuckled. "Old Fifth Ma really knows how to stir up trouble, running off to the newland to shoot a movie. Isn't he afraid of..." Buzz, buzz— Luo Zhengnan's skull trembled, and a string of digits materialized before his eyes. Seeing this number, he really didn't want to answer. Yet unable to withstand the caller's relentless attempts, Luo Zhengnan finally answered. "Gang Leader, were you looking for me?" "Old Luo, you're getting harder and harder to track down. What, still upset about the vice gang leader matter from last time?" "Gang Leader, you overthink it. I'm a veteran of the gang. I understand propriety and look at the big picture. I've never held grudges over such things, and I fully comply with the gang's arrangements." "Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. I'm not one to go back on my word either. I've been keeping the vice gang leader seat open for you all along. As soon as the right opportunity comes, I'll have you take office immediately." "Thank you for your high regard, Gang Leader!" "Old Luo, I reached out to you this time mainly because I need you to look into something for me. Has someone named 'Benefactor' been active in the Rear Three-Tenths of Puluo Province lately?" "The Rear Three-Tenths? I don't know much about what goes on over there." "That's precisely why I'm asking you to look into it. This person called Benefactor isn't very old, but his cultivation isn't low. His footwork is extremely swift—he's likely a journey cultivator. He's ruthless in his methods and arrogant in temperament. The moment you find any information, tell me immediately." "Gang Leader, whatever you task me with, I will certainly exert every effort to carry it out!" Carry it out? Carry out your mother's ass! Luo Zhengnan hung up the call and went back to listening to the radio. ... As Xiao Zhenggong drove, he muttered to himself: "'Benefactor'... "Who would give themselves a name like that? "Young in age, high cultivation, arrogant conduct, ruthless temperament... Why does that description sound so much like him? "Could it really be him? "That brat's cultivation has never been clear. "But he's been lying in the hospital the entire time. Reasonably speaking, he shouldn't have had any chance to go to Jianrengang. "Could it be..." Xiao Zhenggong suddenly braked to a halt in the middle of the road. No matter how much the drivers behind him honked their horns, he simply did not budge. He was pondering something. Chen Changrui had been making frequent trips to the hospital lately. He kept saying there was something wrong with He Jiaqing's condition. What kind of problem, he still couldn't say for sure. Could it be that the person lying in the hospital bed right now isn't He Jiaqing? The real He Jiaqing ran off to Jianrengang to cause trouble? Does this brat have that much nerve? Xiao Zhenggong's gaze darkened. He made a direct U-turn at the intersection and headed for Yuezhou Third Hospital. Once inside the ward, he stared at He Jiaqing in the hospital bed for a long time. "Are you He Jiaqing?" Xiao Zhenggong asked. He Jiaqing lay completely motionless, offering no response. Xiao Zhenggong spoke again: "If you're an impostor, you'd better not tough it out. Now that the heat has died down lately, I'm getting ready to kill He Jiaqing. You wouldn't want to be a scapegoat, would you?" Still, He Jiaqing showed no reaction. Xiao Zhenggong patted He Jiaqing's cheek. "My coming here today is just to give you a heads-up. Next time, I really will strike." ... "Jiaqing, Xiao Zhenggong from the Dark Star Bureau came again. He said he's going to kill me." "He says he's going to kill me every single day. Don't worry, brother. He doesn't dare make a move." "When on earth are you coming back?" "Just wait a few more days! A few days is all it will take!" ... Xiao Zhenggong returned to his villa, where a beautiful blonde woman was waiting for him in the living room. "Gang Leader Xiao, did you invite me over today out of affection or for business?" Xiao Zhenggong stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Ailiya, chuckling. "Isn't it all the same?" Ailiya stroked Xiao Zhenggong's face. "If it were out of affection, you certainly wouldn't be in such a rush. Let's talk business first." Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "Nothing gets past you. Did your younger brother come to the Outer States?" "Yes. He's taking care of a few things in the Outer States and leaving tomorrow." "Invite him over. I have a matter that requires keeping him for an extra day." "Keeping him an extra day is easy enough to arrange, but as for the price, I shouldn't need to spell it out, should I?" "Look at how you talk. When have I ever mistreated him?" ... The following day, Xiao Zhenggong went to visit He Jiaqing with a bouquet of flowers. He sent the orderly away, placed the flowers on the table, and stood by the bedside, staring at He Jiaqing for a long time. "I gave you a chance. Since you won't speak, I'll take it that you truly are He Jiaqing." Having said that, Xiao Zhenggong inserted the flowers into a vase, retrieved a bottle of mineral water from his waist, and poured it over the blooms. After watering the flowers, Xiao Zhenggong turned and left the ward, standing quietly by the doorway to watch. A minute later, the fresh flowers blossomed. From the center of the blooms, a cluster of golden pollen crawled into He Jiaqing's nostrils as if endowed with life. This cluster of pollen indeed possessed life; it was a masterpiece crafted by Critick. Within thirty seconds of the blossom opening, this pollen would locate any human within two meters and parasitize their body. If it failed to find a host within a two-meter radius, the pollen would die immediately without leaving the slightest trace. Xiao Zhenggong departed. He Jiaqing, lying on the bed, felt an odd sensation in his throat. An hour later, he began to feel alternating waves of chills and heat. A fever? Yet the monitoring equipment showed no noticeable change in his body temperature. His throat felt dry and itchy, but he still didn't dare make a sound carelessly. When night fell, taking advantage of the orderly stepping out to use the restroom, He Jiaqing covered his mouth and coughed twice, only to find his palm covered in blood. What is happening to me? His mouth was filled with the metallic, salty taste of blood. "He Jiaqing" panicked. ... "Jiaqing, that guy named Xiao Zhenggong used some method on me! It feels like I've contracted a terrible illness. I'm coughing up blood—coughing constantly! I really can't hold out much longer..." "I already told you, I'll be back very soon. Just hang on a little longer. Don't contact me all the time unless it's an emergency." ... The next evening, Xiao Zhenggong arrived at the ward once again. After sending the orderly away, he looked at He Jiaqing with a smiling face and asked, "Doesn't feel very pleasant, does it?" It was indeed excruciating. His chest burned with agonizing pain, blood welled constantly into his throat, and the doctors still couldn't detect a thing. He Jiaqing felt as though every single breath were an ordeal, yet he dared not let the slightest sign show on the surface. Drooping his eyelids, Xiao Zhenggong said, "I'll give you one last chance. Tell me: are you really He Jiaqing or not? If you are, it proves I didn't kill the wrong man. If you aren't, I can still save your life right now." Xiao Zhenggong waited a moment, then said with a smile, "Still silent? Fine. Someone will be along shortly to collect your corpse." Just as Xiao Zhenggong reached the doorway, "He Jiaqing" opened his eyes. "Wait... I'm not He Jiaqing." "Now that's more like it." Xiao Zhenggong walked back to the bed. "First, tell me: who are you?" "My name is Zhou Changhong. I'm from Puluo Province." Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "The big star. I've heard of you. Why are you impersonating He Jiaqing here?" "He Jiaqing needed to go to Puluo Province and had me take his place here." Puluo Province—the location matched. "When did you begin impersonating He Jiaqing?" "Three months ago." Three months ago, a man called "Benefactor" had gone to Jianrengang—the timing matched. "What is your relationship with He Jiaqing?" Zhou Changhong fell silent for a moment before answering, "He is my benefactor." "Benefactor? Do you address him as 'Benefactor'?" Zhou Changhong nodded. "I used to call him that, but he said it sounded too distant and told me to call him brother." Benefactor. Even the name matched. Xiao Zhenggong produced a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Zhou Changhong. "Drink this. You'll start feeling better in a moment. Now tell me about this Benefactor in detail." "Back then, I was just an impoverished actor, playing bit parts in theaters, struggling even to afford food. It was He Jiaqing who discovered me. He said my acting was professional enough, helped me enter the pathway of the drama cultivator, and introduced me to Ling Miaoying..." ... Stepping out of the elevator, Big Head saw the orderly squatting near the elevator doors. He glanced at the orderly: the man's face was deathly pale, his eyes unfocused, his mind in a dazed, dissociated state. He had encountered this situation before. Someone had entered the ward—in all likelihood, Xiao Zhenggong. A Martial Cultivator's sensory perception was not exceptionally sharp, but Xiao Zhenggong's tier was very high. If Big Head continued walking toward the ward, Xiao Zhenggong would definitely detect him. Big Head retrieved a wireless earphone from his pocket and popped it into his ear. Through this earphone, he could faintly hear the conversation in the ward. After listening for a short while, Big Head promptly turned around, took the elevator down, and left the hospital. ... Jianrengang, Peak of the Sages, the Sage's residence. Amidst the layers of corridors, the white-robed youth reported through the door, "Master, Second Senior Brother has uncovered the villain's identity. His name is He Jiaqing." "Who is he?" "The son of He Haiqin, a wealthy merchant of Puluo Province." "How could the son of a merchant possibly overcome Cong Shixiang?" The white-robed youth said, "Second Senior Brother says this man's cultivation is not low, but it shouldn't reach Eldest Senior Brother's level. This disciple believes Eldest Senior Brother had lost his soul and his faculties were compromised, so he must have suffered a severe disadvantage when locked in combat with He Jiaqing." "Merely disadvantaged by his faculties? Not necessarily." The panting inside the room came to an abrupt halt. The Sage had experienced firsthand the commanding presence of that "Benefactor." He believed the man possessed genuine ability. "Where is this person now?" "According to Second Senior Brother, this person was originally convalescing in the Outer States, but has now returned to Puluo Province under the alias Zhou Changhong, maintaining close ties with the wealthy Ling family." "Wealthy merchants yet again. The wealthy merchants are all in Lüshuiwan. Make a trip to Lüshuiwan and have your Third Senior Brother bring a generous gift to an old friend of mine. Have this friend test He Jiaqing. It would be best if he can eliminate him; if he cannot, that is fine as well, but he must ascertain his pathway and cultivation."