Xiao Zhenggong asked Shen Jingye directly, "Give me a straight answer. Are you planning to replace your balancer?"
Shen Jingye maintained his gentle smile, speaking with earnest gravity. "Zhenggong, you're overthinking things. We have indeed encountered a few difficulties in our work, but every difficulty has a solution. Of course, our superiors did share some feedback on certain matters. They weren't particularly satisfied with your performance during that last investigation in Wuqin Township."
Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "What did I do wrong in Wuqin Township? Garrison Commissioner Liu Guocai arranged some food and drinks. Surely you won't settle scores with me over such petty nonsense, will you?"
Shen Jingye shook his head. "I know nothing of your dealings with Liu Guocai. The crux of the matter is that the mission yielded no results whatsoever."
"What results did you want?"
"Our original intention in establishing a balancer was to achieve equilibrium with the Inner States based on shared interests. Yet after going to Wuqin Township, you failed to establish any contact with them at all."
Xiao Zhenggong replied, "You can't blame me for that, can you? I already explained what happened. An epidemic broke out on Sage Peak—a plague spread by the Lüshui Beggar! You probably don't know what kind of monster that beggar is. If I hadn't left right then, I'd have lost my life there for certain!"
Shen Jingye sighed. "The leadership's concerns about your work aren't limited to this one incident. Inner States recently attacked Moxiangdian. Did you receive word of that?"
Xiao Zhenggong countered, "Inner States moves against Puluo Province every now and then. You know that perfectly well yourselves, don't you?"
Shen Jingye nodded. "We are fully aware of the friction between Inner States and the Master of Puluo. To balance everyone's needs, we are even willing to surrender a portion of our interests in Puluo Province. However, we hope Inner States will stop taking unilateral action. It would be far better if they communicated with us beforehand to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and friction. We want all conflicts between both sides to be resolved effectively within the buffer zone of Puluo Province, rather than allowing misunderstandings to escalate until we end up in direct conflict with Inner States."
Xiao Zhenggong seemed to grasp Shen Jingye's point. "So you think I haven't been in touch with Inner States enough?"
Shen Jingye nodded. "That is indeed our concern."
Xiao Zhenggong rose to his feet. "Fine. Then I'll make another trip to Puluo Province and convey your thoughts faithfully to Sage Peak. While I'm at it, I'll go check on my own gang."
***
Lüshui City, Lu Family Bookstore.
Li Banfeng picked out several old newspapers.
The literary supplements of these back issues all featured serialized novels about the Flying General Battalion. Every one mentioned the Flying General Zhao Xiaowan, spinning tales of punishing villains and protecting the innocent, and each had a corresponding report on the front page.
Most of these stories were penned by Sanzhumei, though other news offices published similar works of slightly inferior quality.
Yet while the novels were thrillingly told, the actual news reports merely glossed over the events in a few passing sentences.
Take the recently annihilated Luoyu Pass branch of the Jiangxiang Gang, for example. The novel recounted everything in exquisite detail—the pre-battle plotting, the fierce clash between both sides, and the mop-up operation afterward.
Yet the news report contained only a few meager words:
*The Luoyu Branch of the Jiangxiang Gang has been wiped out, its stronghold destroyed, and its disciples nearly all killed or wounded...*
"Nearly all killed or wounded" again.
Just how many were killed? How many wounded? Where had the branch master gone? Was he dead or injured? The news article made none of it clear.
He needed to ask around at the news office and have them look into it.
Having selected his newspapers, Li Qi was about to have Boss Lu tally the bill when he felt a sudden vibration against his chest.
Noticing that Li Banfeng had business to attend to, Boss Lu said hurriedly, "Boss Li, I'll deliver the papers to Xiaoyaowu for you shortly. Go ahead and take care of your business."
Li Banfeng thanked him, left the bookstore, found a quiet alley, and took the call.
On the other end of the line, Luo Zhengnan said, "Seventh Master, Xiao Zhenggong is coming to Puluo Province. I'm thinking of laying low outside for a couple of days."
Li Qi frowned. "Why hide from him?"
"I'm not afraid of him myself, but this time he's arriving with an identity from the Outer States. I'm worried about dragging you into it..."
"What's there to fear from the Outer States? If anything comes up, come find me at Xiaoyaowu. I'd like to see if he dares lay a finger on you."
Hanging up the phone, Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyaowu, where Youtao had already been waiting for a long time.
"Shan Zhumei received word. In three days, the Flying General Battalion is going to wipe out the main hall of the Jiangxiang Gang."
The main hall of the Jiangxiang Gang was located in Lüshui City. Its new hall master was named Yao Zhiyi, a Tier Six Literary Cultivator who was also said to practice Emotion Cultivation at Tier Five. He was flanked by two Tier Five cultivators and fifteen Tier Four cultivators, with about a hundred subordinate cultivators under his command.
How did Li Banfeng know this so clearly?
Because he had long been planning to strike at the main hall himself.
Now the Flying General Battalion was about to beat him to the punch.
Youtao said to Li Banfeng, "This is a good thing. The Jiangxiang Gang stops at no evil; they should have been wiped out ages ago. I told A'mei that if this succeeds, I'll reward her handsomely."
Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "It's a good thing, yes, but there's something fishy about it."
Youtao was puzzled. "What's fishy?"
Li Banfeng asked after a brief silence, "Besides recording deeds for the Flying General Battalion, does Shan Zhumei have any other duties?"
Youtao shook her head. "What else could she possibly do? She has plenty of flaws, a terrible temper, zero courage, and her cultivation isn't very high. She couldn't pull off anything else anyway."
Li Banfeng said, "Then how does someone so useless know so many top secrets?"
Youtao froze. Hearing Li Banfeng put it that way, it truly was bizarre.
To Li Banfeng, the Jiangxiang Gang's main hall wasn't overwhelmingly powerful, but it had large numbers, and the gang was infamous for its sinister ruthlessness. To take them down, the blow had to fall without warning, giving them no time to prepare.
The Flying General Battalion did operate with a certain high profile, but surely not to the point of letting a mere scribbler know their operational plans well in advance.
As his suspicions mounted, Qin Tianjiu arrived at Xiaoyaowu.
By now, Qin Tianjiu had been granted an exceptional promotion to silver badge, becoming a figure of standing within Sanying Gate.
He had no need to avoid being seen visiting Xiaoyaowu. Great Gold Seal Shen Jinzhong had been elevated with Li Banfeng's backing, and Qin Tianjiu's newfound favor was owed entirely to his connection with Li Qi.
"Brother Seven, our Great Gold Seal just received word this morning. In three days, the Flying General Battalion is hitting the Jiangxiang Gang's main hall. Those bastards have had it coming for a long time. The Great Gold Seal sent me to ask if you'd like to join in."
Li Banfeng thought it over. "Tell your Great Gold Seal to look further into the Flying General Battalion's origins. Once he learns anything, he must let me know right away. Tell him not to jump into this recklessly."
Sanying Gate had received word as well?
With things blown open to this degree, it would be downright farcical if the Jiangxiang Gang still hadn't caught wind of it.
Wait.
Was Xiao Zhenggong returning to Puluo Province specifically for this matter?
***
After stepping off the train, Xiao Zhenggong went straight to the Garrison Office.
In terms of official rank, Liao Zihui stood above Xiao Zhenggong, but with Xiao Zhenggong's status as a balancer, Liao Zihui naturally treated him with courtesy.
After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Zhenggong brought up the crisis currently facing the Jiangxiang Gang.
Liao Zihui was well prepared. "Regarding the recent string of incidents involving the Jiangxiang Gang, we attach the utmost importance to the matter. We have formed a dedicated task force, formulated a work plan, clarified responsibility targets, and effectively implemented all relevant measures..."
Xiao Zhenggong patiently listened as Liao Zihui finished spewing his bureaucratic drivel, had lunch at the Garrison Office, and headed to the main hall in the afternoon.
His return this time had caused quite a stir. The Jiangxiang Gang appeared to have fortified its defenses thoroughly, which meant that, by all rights, the Flying General Battalion's operation ought to be postponed.
Even Shan Zhumei grew anxious, wondering whether she should continue writing her drafts.
Yet Xie Mengjiao delivered another message to Shan Zhumei: "The operation proceeds as planned. Tell her to hurry her writing so the manuscript is finished the very day the news breaks."
Li Banfeng found the situation increasingly baffling. "Youtao, stay at Xiaoyaowu for the next few days. Don't go looking for Shan Zhumei."
Youtao asked, "Brother Baisha, is this Zhao Xiaowan real or fake?"
Li Banfeng arched his brows. "I think she's a fake."
***
"I think she's real!" Inside the Lu Family Bookstore, He Jiaqing selected a stack of old newspapers and asked Boss Lu for the total.
Boss Lu smiled. "Why do you think this Zhao Xiaowan is real?"
He Jiaqing replied, "Because she's attacking the Jiangxiang Gang! The Flying General is a great hero, ridding the world of evil. It only makes sense. The Jiangxiang Gang are all villains—robbers who steal other people's belongings. I hate robbers more than anything!"
Boss Lu nodded. "Does that mean you've been robbed by the Jiangxiang Gang before?"
"I have. Even now, thinking about it makes my blood boil. I'll settle this score sooner or later!"
Carrying his newspapers, He Jiaqing walked away.
As he walked, a grin spread across his face.
Still grinning, he muttered to himself, "Xiao Zhenggong, that score is about to be settled!"
***
That evening, Li Banfeng received an invitation: Xiao Zhenggong was inviting Li Qi to a banquet at the Jiangxiang Gang's main hall tomorrow.
Qin Tianjiu rushed to Xiaoyaowu specifically to warn Li Qi. "Brother Seven, you absolutely cannot go. That Xiao fellow has bad intentions. Everyone knows what kind of wretched conduct the Jiangxiang Gang is guilty of. Now that total ruin is staring him in the face, he's begging all over for help. Xiao Zhenggong sent out dozens of invitations this time, but nobody in Lüshui City is giving him the time of day. No one wants to walk into his ambush, and nobody wants their reputation ruined on his account."
Looking at the invitation, Li Banfeng smiled faintly. "It wouldn't be proper not to go. Chief Xiao and I are old acquaintances, after all!"
Qin Tianjiu was stunned. "Brother Seven, you knew Xiao Zhenggong before?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Of course. We have a life-and-death bond!"
***
At the Jiangxiang Gang's main hall, Xiao Zhenggong was flipping through a roster, making marks beside the names one by one.
Hall Master Yao Zhiyi whispered beside him, "There are two brothers who have been very loyal to the hall. They handle matters properly and keep their mouths shut tight. I'd like to keep them."
Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Which two?"
Yao Zhiyi pointed out two names on the roster.
Xiao Zhenggong nodded and drew a circle beside each of them.
After reviewing the roster, Xiao Zhenggong took a walk through the front and back of the compound.
Though the Jiangxiang Gang was only a second-rate sect, its main hall was quite grand, consisting of five pavilions front and rear, with a lake in the center bordered by woods. Some people even referred to the estate as Jiangxiang Garden.
Xiao Zhenggong sighed. "Back when my father was alive, I told him not to put too much effort into keeping up appearances. A tall tree catches the wind; it's never a good thing. Make sure the brothers memorize the route thoroughly so no one takes a wrong turn at the critical moment."
Yao Zhiyi smiled. "Rest assured, sir. It's our own compound; nothing will go wrong."
Xiao Zhenggong followed Yao Zhiyi to the rockery beside the lake. Inside the cave, Yao Zhiyi twisted two stone cones, opening a hidden door, and they descended a staircase into a basement.
Glancing around the underground chamber, Xiao Zhenggong asked, "When was this place brought over?"
"Last night!"
Xiao Zhenggong laughed. "To think such a massive space could be stuffed beneath the lake. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."
Yao Zhiyi nodded. "I didn't believe it either at first. Seeing it scared the wits out of me!"
Xiao Zhenggong urged, "When you step through the door tomorrow, you must get the timing exactly right. There won't be a Jiangxiang Gang anymore after this. If you show up late, don't blame me for leaving you to die."
Yao Zhiyi said, "Don't worry, sir. Absolutely nothing will go awry."
After touring the basement, Yao Zhiyi pushed open a concealed door in the wall, and an overwhelming aura surged out.
Yao Zhiyi's body couldn't help shuddering. Xiao Zhenggong told him to leave first and keep watch by the rockery, as he had private words for the person inside the secret room.
Once Yao Zhiyi had departed, the great detective Daboynes stepped out of the hidden doorway and stopped before Xiao Zhenggong.
"Gang Leader!" Daboynes bowed deeply to Xiao Zhenggong.
Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "You've suffered these past days."
Lowering his head, Daboynes said, "To serve the Gang Leader is my highest honor."
Xiao Zhenggong disliked Daboynes's pretentious tone. Facing the dark room, he called out, "Until the deed is done, you'll have to hold out here a while longer. Can you manage?"
A woman's voice came from within: "The Marshal worries too much. When there was no food to eat, living off feral cats was enough to survive half a year. Now that we have food and drink, what is there to endure?"
Chapter 469