Inside the companion dwelling, Li Banfeng carefully perused the materials, studying the principles behind the magnetic resonance cannon.
According to Shen Jingye's account, Xiao Zhenggong had been caught by Liao Zihui because he set his sights on the Boundary.
Li Banfeng didn't know how this Xiao Zhenggong had returned from the dead, but he knew how Xiao Zhenggong had been caught. Newspapers across Puluo Province, large and small, carried the news, some even running photographs. Terror-stricken upon learning that Xiao Zhenggong was still alive, Luo Zhengnan had called Li Seven right away.
According to Old Luo's description, Xiao Zhenggong's ordeal was quite similar to Li Banfeng's previous experience, except that the Homestead Cultivator halo had been replaced by the actual Boundary between territories.
Xiao Zhenggong had been surrounded by the Boundary, which then lit up, making him the brightest man in Puluo Province that night.
The magnetic resonance cannon was not meant for shutting down the Boundary, nor did it reinforce it. Its sole function was altering the Boundary's path and brightness. This produced one inevitable outcome: whoever fired the cannon got caught.
After expending so much labor and so many materials to produce an object like this, Li Banfeng felt it was rather a shame.
The companion dwelling didn't find it a shame at all: "Ah Qi, since this thing is useless, hurry up and dismantle it. Destroy all the parts so it doesn't bring any more trouble."
Li Banfeng shook his head. "You can't say it's completely useless."
If nothing else, it could alter the Boundary as well as the halo generated by Homestead Cultivator techniques. This proved that the Boundary's nature was exceedingly close to a Homestead halo—perhaps originally even one and the same.
Was it possible that Puluo Province's Boundaries originated from a group of powerful Homestead Cultivators?
Could a great war among Homestead Cultivators have erupted back then, after which numerous high-tier Homesteaders demarcated their respective domains, which became the Boundaries of today?
If such a war really took place, his lady ought to have mentioned it. Even if she was reluctant to bring it up, the other numinous treasures should have.
Perhaps it was simply too long ago, and his lady had forgotten, just as the people of Puluo Province had forgotten.
Yet if each piece of proper land was territory won through bitter conflict by Homestead Cultivators, why were the local spirits everywhere practitioners of other pathways? How did they wrest these territories away from the Homesteaders?
Matters of history could not be easily investigated, but this magnetic resonance cannon was definitely useful. At the very least, it exerted a substantive effect on the Boundary.
Whether that effect could be altered required further in-depth study.
As Li Banfeng continued carefully studying the documents, the companion dwelling reminded him, "No need to look further. What's written there are engineering techniques, not theoretical principles."
That was true enough. It was purely an engineering manual detailing fabrication techniques, offering next to no explanation of the underlying theory.
Without finding the principles, he could only ponder them on his own. Yet academic questions regarding dark matter were hardly something an undergraduate could puzzle out.
Who might possess knowledge in this field?
Li Banfeng stepped out of the companion dwelling and stood on his residence's balcony, watching the beautiful morning sun on the horizon.
The beautiful morning sun...
He thought of someone—Teacher Song, who was as lovely as the morning sun.
Teacher Song taught mathematics, but perhaps she could introduce an expert who researched dark matter.
***
Liao Zihui went to the train station in person to welcome Special Envoy Xu Shouming and escort him to the Garrison Office. In the next phase, the cases concerning the private investigator Spider Bin, the entrance to the Inner States in Qishuiyao, and the famed general Zhao Xiaowan would all be handled by Special Envoy Xu. Liao Zihui's task was to cooperate fully with Special Envoy Xu in carrying out this work.
Xu Shouming had some understanding of Puluo Province. Back in the day, both he and Liao Zihui had worked in Puluo Province for quite a few years, both striving toward the position of Chief Garrison Envoy. Liao Zihui had succeeded, whereas Xu Shouming had been transferred back to the outer states.
Tang Huanjie was aware of their unique history and worried there might be bad blood between them.
Bad blood certainly existed, but Liao Zihui remained relatively nonchalant: "What happened in the past is behind us. Xu Shouming isn't that petty."
Once they arrived at the Garrison Office, Xu Shouming spoke candidly as well: "We must work in lockstep and cooperate with all our strength to accomplish this arduous task."
Liao Zihui expressed his commitment to his face: "Manpower, materials, funds—Special Envoy Xu need only name it, and the Garrison Office will go all out!"
Xu Shouming smiled. "This operation has dedicated funds allocated for the case. The Garrison Office's budget is tight as well, so how could I have the cheek to hold out my hand to Chief Envoy Liao?"
This was telling Liao Zihui plainly: I won't be spending your money.
Looking completely natural, Liao Zihui nodded repeatedly.
Xu Shouming continued, "The Garrison Office is busy with official duties, and your personnel are already stretched thin. When it comes to manpower, I wouldn't want to trouble Chief Envoy Liao either."
His meaning was equally clear: I don't need your support in manpower either.
Xu Shouming had brought quite a sizable team this time—a total of one hundred and twenty-six men, fully staffed across every profession.
Liao Zihui wore a smile and nodded continually.
Xu Shouming went on, "The higher-ups attach great importance to this special case operation and have outfitted us with a substantial amount of equipment. These items need dedicated storage, and I see our Garrison Office doesn't have any spare room. I'll have to trouble Chief Envoy Liao to help arrange something."
This statement conveyed two points:
First, he did not need Liao Zihui's material support either.
Second, Xu Shouming required a dedicated workplace. He wanted the task force to have its own signboard and territory; he did not wish to work out of the Garrison Office.
Liao Zihui readily agreed, contacting Ma the Fifth to help rent a large mansion in Greenwater City for Xu Shouming.
Ma the Fifth was troubled. This was indeed a matter where he should help. After weathering so many storms, he had built a rapport with Liao Zihui. Moreover, Liao Zihui had made it explicit that the rent would be paid in full without shaving off a single coin; he would certainly not try to take advantage of Ma the Fifth.
Yet Ma the Fifth knew little about Xu Shouming's background and found it difficult to judge what sort of place would be appropriate.
Luo Zhengnan offered an idea: "Fifth Master, offer up the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters, and let's see how Chief Envoy Liao reacts."
Ma the Fifth was taken aback. "Old Luo, isn't the Jiangxiang Gang headquarters your territory? How can you give it up to them?"
Old Luo waved his hands repeatedly. "If Chief Envoy Liao likes it, I'll just give it away. I don't want to stay in that place for another day."
Luo Zhengnan was speaking the truth. Ever since hearing that Xiao Zhenggong had come back to life, looking at the Jiangxiang Gang headquarters gave him the creeps.
Still, was it appropriate for a special envoy dispatched by the outer states to reside in the old Jiangxiang Gang headquarters?
Ma the Fifth mentioned the matter to Liao Zihui, expecting him to decline. Unexpectedly, Liao Zihui was thrilled: "Junyang, it's settled! The Jiangxiang Compound it is!"
Ma the Fifth reminded him, "Chief Envoy Liao, that's on your word. If Special Envoy Xu takes offense, you have to cover for me."
"Who's he going to blame?" Liao Zihui sneered. "He came to Puluo Province on official business with over a hundred men, wanting his own territory and signboard, and we gave him both. It's never easy to house so many people, yet we found him such a fitting place—what does he have to complain about? This whole business started with Xiao Zhenggong, who was the chief of the Jiangxiang Gang. Setting up shop on the Jiangxiang Gang's former grounds—could anything be more fitting? Junyang, make sure you collect the rent from him, not a penny short. No need to be polite. If you're too embarrassed to ask, I'll demand it for you!"
From Liao Zihui's reaction, the dynamic between the two men became apparent, and Ma the Fifth knew how to deal with this Special Envoy Xu.
Xu Shouming truly didn't make a fuss about the location. He even expressed his gratitude to Ma the Fifth. Once his men were settled in, Xu Shouming didn't rush into investigating the case. Instead, he invited several old friends over for drinks and reminiscing.
He truly had quite a few friends in Puluo Province: Shen Jinzhong, Great Golden Seal of the Three Heroes Sect; Han Yaomen, Chief of the Azure Cloud Society; and Bai Wuchuan, Leader of the White Crane Gang—all of them enjoyed good relations with Xu Shouming.
At the banquet, Xu Shouming said courteously, "I've returned to Puluo Province on official duty. Whether I can see it through rests entirely on your assistance. I want to bring in the private investigator Spider Bin. This entire chain of events stems from him. If any of you spot Spider Bin's whereabouts, please be sure to pass word to me."
The others agreed on the spot: "Rest assured, Special Envoy Xu. The moment there's word of that fake foreign devil, we'll inform you immediately."
This was pure empty talk, no different from saying, "Let's grab a meal sometime."
Xu Shouming hadn't gathered these old friends for empty talk. He produced an agreement: "Whoever can find a lead on Spider Bin—just a lead, no need to apprehend him—this covenant deed is his. With this covenant deed, freight charges for your business in Puluo Province will be cut by half!"
The moment those words were spoken, everyone grew restless.
In Puluo Province, only Li Seven and Ma the Fifth enjoyed half-price freight for their businesses. Anyone else wanting to cut shipping costs had to ship goods through them. Not only did they have to pay a margin, but they also needed a close enough relationship before the pair would even consider lending a hand.
Now that such an opportunity presented itself, they all genuinely wanted to deliver results.
This was especially true for the White Crane Gang. They were a sect of Body Cultivators, and Spider Bin was once a disciple of their gang; part of his network of connections also derived from the White Crane Gang.
Yet Bai Wuchuan had some doubts: was this covenant deed genuine?
He knew the relationship between Xu Shouming and Liao Zihui wasn't great, and freight rates were ultimately under Liao Zihui's control.
It was indeed genuine. While freight rates were under Liao Zihui's purview, at this critical juncture, as long as Xu Shouming asked, Liao Zihui had to agree. He could not make things difficult for Xu Shouming over freight rates, lest he leave himself open to criticism.
Driven by this incentive, in less than three days, White Crane Gang Leader Bai Wuchuan was the first to deliver news: someone had spotted Spider Bin at Yesong Bridge.
Yesong Bridge was Li Seven and Ma the Fifth's territory. Xu Shouming didn't rush to act, first checking in with Ma the Fifth: "Junyang, I want to arrest someone in Yesong Bridge. Traffic will need to be halted for two days. Could you do me a favor here?"
With Xu Shouming putting it so politely, Ma the Fifth naturally couldn't refuse and agreed to the request.
Xu Shouming cordoned off Yesong Bridge. He conducted no searches and made no arrests, but instead leaked word outside through the White Crane Gang.
The word he put out was: Spider Bin didn't have to be arrested, but the things in Spider Bin's hands and pockets had to be obtained.
What did that mean?
Spider Bin understood full well.
He was indeed in Yesong Bridge. From the day traffic was shut down until now, he had been hiding in town, terrified to show his face.
Did he dare not flee? Would forcing his way through the newland truly offer no chance?
There was a chance, but Spider Bin dared not gamble. If he failed and fell into the Garrison Office's hands, he was certain he would lose his life.
He had intended to hold out against the Garrison Office, but upon receiving the word put out by the task force, Spider Bin's resolve wavered.
The thing in his hands referred to the famed general of her era, Zhao Xiaowan. The spear had remained in his possession, yet to this day, he had never learned how to use it.
The thing in his pockets referred to the entrance to the Inner States. Xu Shouming had come specifically for that matter, rumors of which Spider Bin had heard earlier.
If it had been the Garrison Office making the arrest, Spider Bin would have dragged it out indefinitely. Halting traffic put immense pressure on the Garrison Office; once things spun out of their control, the matter would inevitably end unresolved.
Yet the task force was not the Garrison Office. They wouldn't leave until the case was closed. This couldn't be brushed off. Since Xu Shouming had come, he had to provide an account to the outer states.
If he handed over the famed general Zhao Xiaowan and the location of the Inner States entrance now, wouldn't that count as giving them their answer?
After weighing it over and over, Daboynes made an attempt.
It was an extremely risky endeavor, but Spider Bin did it nonetheless.
Under cover of deep night and silence, he placed the famed general Zhao Xiaowan right in front of the Garrison Office's entrance.
The Bluffing Tiger spear possessed tremendous presence. The moment Spider Bin arrived near the Garrison Office, Zheng Siyi, the Garrison Envoy of Yesong Bridge, had already sensed it and rushed out with his men to investigate.
The spear stood planted before the Garrison Office gates, wrapped in spider silk.
Zheng Siyi hurriedly reported the news to Liao Zihui. Liao Zihui grumbled, "Why tell me? This isn't your assignment. Hurry up and report it to Special Envoy Xu!"
Hearing the news, Xu Shouming was overjoyed.
His subordinate, Deputy Special Envoy Hou Haitao, suggested, "The famed general Zhao Xiaowan is a spiritual totem of Puluo Province. Her soul is sealed within this spear. It should be dispatched to Yuezhou immediately for comprehensive research."
Xu Shouming sighed. "Xia Shumin died in Puluo Province. What lesson did you take from that?"
Hou Haitao thought for a moment. "The greatest lesson I took is that one must never overestimate oneself. With his meager foundation, he had no business provoking Li Seven."
Xu Shouming nodded. "You're right. Anything else?"
Hou Haitao pondered further. "When commanding operations in Puluo Province, don't charge too far to the front lines. It achieves nothing, causes trouble for your subordinates, and very likely gets you killed."
Xu Shouming chuckled. "With Xia Shumin's caliber of skill, charging forward really was seeking death. You're right about that too. Anything else?"
Hou Haitao shook his head. He couldn't think of anything else.
Xu Shouming said, "There is one more lesson, the most critical of all: never rush to take on what Liao Zihui dodges. Acquiring the Xuansheng Red Lotus came entirely down to luck, but transporting it away required skill—and not just any ordinary skill. Liao Zihui concluded he didn't possess that ability, so he fell abruptly ill and dodged the assignment. When even Liao Zihui didn't dare touch it, Xia Shumin insisted on stepping in. Do you think he ever stood a chance?"
Hou Haitao thought it over. "Special Envoy, do you intend to hand Zhao Xiaowan over to Liao Zihui?"
Xu Shouming took on a stern expression. "Don't speak so rashly. Watch your words. It may not even be Zhao Xiaowan."
Hou Haitao said, "That spear possesses such tremendous power..."
"Just because it has power means it must be Zhao Xiaowan? Did you hear it speak, or did you see it kill anyone?"
Hou Haitao thought about it. "Our equipment here is limited after all. It will have to be sent to the outer states for appraisal before we know for certain."
Xu Shouming sighed. "Only if you truly have the ability to transport it to Yuezhou. This spear may not be of much practical use, but it carries immense fame. If it gets lost on our watch, it will definitely be deemed Zhao Xiaowan, and the blame on our heads will be colossal. If Liao Zihui can escort it to Yuezhou, the credit still belongs to us, with at most a share going to him. Why not let him do it?"
Hou Haitao saw the light; he now knew how to handle what came next.
The spear remained at the Garrison Office. Zheng Siyi repeated his old tricks, preparing handover documents along with cameras and video recorders, waiting for Xu Shouming to take custody of the item.
Yet Xu Shouming simply refused to accept it, dispatching Hou Haitao every time to fend off Zheng Siyi.
Left with no alternative, Zheng Siyi could only contact Liao Zihui.
Liao Zihui was helpless as well, telling Zheng Siyi to keep a close watch on it for now.
With "Zhao Xiaowan" secured, one of the three tasks was accomplished.
Special Envoy Xu Shouming ordered traffic restored at Yesong Bridge, though passing pedestrians were to be strictly inspected.
Deputy Special Envoy Hou Haitao felt this was premature: "Restoring traffic so quickly—isn't that openly letting Spider Bin get away?"
Xu Shouming smiled. "We are letting him go, but not so overtly. Yesong Bridge is Li Seven's territory. Li Seven is a balancer, and a notoriously ruthless figure in Puluo Province to boot. When operating in this place, prudence is never a mistake. We've already obtained Zhao Xiaowan, which counts as a success. Restoring traffic promptly tells Li Seven that we mean no offense. If Spider Bin has any sense, he will definitely deliver the entrance to the Inner States. Once we find that entrance, we won't even inspect passersby anymore—we'll clear everyone through, and the Yesong Bridge matter will be settled."
Hou Haitao blinked. "Special Envoy, aren't we arresting Spider Bin anymore?"
"Why arrest him? Is he really that important? Once we've gotten everything we need, why corner him like a desperate dog leaping over a wall? Do you know the consequences of pushing a Puluo Province local too far? The higher-ups gave us three tasks. If we accomplished all three, it wouldn't reflect how difficult the mission was. Accomplishing the two critical ones and abandoning one proves that we conducted repeated deliberations and made painful trade-offs. Only then is the profound significance of this mission truly shown!"
Looking at Xu Shouming, Hou Haitao couldn't help feeling a trace of estrangement. He had worked under Xu Shouming in the outer states for over a decade, yet he had never seen him scheme to this degree. Puluo Province was indeed different; only here was Xu Shouming willing to display his true prowess.
Xu Shouming's deduction was spot-on. The day after traffic was restored in Yesong Bridge, the Yesong Bridge Garrison Office received an anonymous letter containing a map of Qishuiyao, marked with the location of a factory.
Xu Shouming immediately ordered the strict inspections of passing pedestrians lifted, returning Yesong Bridge to its normal order.
He handed the covenant deed reducing freight rates over to Bai Wuchuan in gratitude, and treated Ma the Fifth to a meal to apologize for the inconvenience caused in Yesong Bridge, even offering to compensate for any business losses.
Naturally, Ma the Fifth didn't bicker over such trivialities. Having handled every detail smoothly, Xu Shouming departed Yesong Bridge in peace and led his men to Qishuiyao, stirring up hardly a ripple—and leaving behind a spear for the Garrison Office.
Inside the Garrison Office, Liao Zihui tapped on his desk and hummed a few bars of a tune. This time, he had truly met his match.
Outside the Garrison Office, Lüshui Beggar picked up a newspaper, read it front to back twice, and seemed to realize where his opponent was.
Arriving at Boundless Hospital, Lüshui Beggar asked Critick, "Have you ever been to Black Rock Slope?"
Critick thought for a moment. "I have. The most recent time was three months ago, when I opened a clinic there."
"Do you know the Night Fragrance newspaper office?"
"I do. Their newspapers and magazines are very enjoyable. I buy every issue."
Lüshui Beggar asked again, "Do you know whose business the Night Fragrance Newspaper is?"
Critick answered truthfully, "Their proprietor's surname is Ye. It's not a very common surname."
Lüshui Beggar took a handful of cold, sour rice from his begging bowl and chewed on it. "I found He Jiaqing in Black Rock Slope. He ran into the Night Fragrance Newspaper Office. I could have caught him, but the local spirit of Black Rock Slope showed up. Do you know Black Rock Slope's local spirit?"
Critick shook his head.
Lühuazi pulled half a fish out of the bowl and gnawed at the flesh. "Black Rock Slope's local spirit is named Tang Shijiang. Count every single local spirit in Puluo Province, and he is the only one I genuinely respect."
Critick said, "For such a powerful local spirit to take the initiative to protect He Jiaqing proves that they have formed an alliance."
Lühuazi shook his head. "I don't think Tang Shijiang was protecting He Jiaqing. He was protecting the Night Fragrance Newspaper Office."
Critick couldn't quite fathom it. "A local spirit protecting a newspaper office?"
Lühuazi spat out a fishbone and grinned. "You can't make sense of it, can you? I can't either. A Special Envoy Xu came from the outer states, said to be on equal footing with Liao Zihui, yet he actually treated Ma Junyang to a meal. Can you make sense of that?"
After thinking for a long time, Critick shook his head. "Does Ma Junyang hold that much standing?"
"Ma Junyang doesn't, but someone else does. That person is unfathomable. I already have some bad blood with him. If he's the one secretly protecting He Jiaqing, this matter will be troublesome."
Critick knew who Lühuazi meant. That person was Li Seven.
Lühuazi shook his bowl. What had been full of food instantly became empty. "Find out Proprietor Ye's identity, and tell me at once."
Critick didn't want to speak Li Seven's name, but this matter couldn't remain concealed.
***
Qishuiyao, the abandoned factory.
Shi Gongxing didn't dare remain in the workshop. He had fled outside the factory and hid inside a warehouse.
He knew that inside the factory's pool, there was more than just that crucian carp skeleton; another person had joined it.
Deputy Special Envoy Hou Haitao led over fifty men directly toward the far end of the workshop.
He had come today to scout the way. If the entrance to the Inner States truly lay inside this workshop, he would report to Xu Shouming immediately, and their mission to Puluo Province would be considered a complete success.
Three subordinates donned diving suits, strapped on oxygen tanks, and dove into the pool. After descending through the water for some time, they spotted the colossal crucian carp skeleton.
One diver was astonished and took two photographs with a camera, while another pulled out a video camera and circled the skeleton, recording footage.
A third diver attempted to communicate with the skeleton. He stroked the bones gingerly, just as one might caress a shark in the ocean—a common way to calm large marine creatures and convey goodwill.
The crucian carp skeleton remained docile, hovering motionless in the water like an obedient pet, letting the diver pet it at will.
Having acquired sufficient information, the three divers surfaced immediately and returned ashore.
They reported what they had observed, and Hou Haitao was thoroughly pleased with the outcome.
Completing the mission was enough; do nothing superfluous. Hou Haitao strictly carried out Xu Shouming's orders and prepared to leave the workshop at once.
Splash—
The surface of the pool churned, and a woman's voice drifted up from beneath the water: "Who are you?"
Everyone was taken aback, especially the three divers. They hadn't expected that crucian carp skeleton to speak.
Hou Haitao was quick on his feet and responded promptly: "We come from outside Puluo Province. We have arrived here bearing goodwill and friendship."
Splash—
Waves churned across the pool's surface once more as the enormous crucian carp skeleton slowly floated up from the bottom.
The divers had said they saw a moving fish skeleton, but Hou Haitao had been unable to picture what that looked like.
Now he saw it. The spotless fish bones bore no flesh or blood, yet its body swayed back and forth upon the water.
Hou Haitao didn't know what words to describe it with. To be frank, he was terrified.
Xu Shouming had told him that people from the Inner States took very peculiar forms, and that he should not cause offense on that account.
If one wished to avoid giving offense, praise was the safest choice.
A word came to Hou Haitao's mind: "Magnificent!"
Was this word appropriate? It was the only thing Hou Haitao could think of at the moment. He could deliberate over phrasing later. Today was at most a greeting; everything else was for the Special Envoy to handle.
"You think it's magnificent?" The woman's voice spoke again. "Is this how you show your goodwill?"
Even if his wording was poor, there was no need for the other party to take such offense. Sensing some other misunderstanding, Hou Haitao looked at the three divers.
One diver made a petting gesture, indicating that they had stroked the skeleton underwater.
Hou Haitao hurriedly explained, "Our customs may differ somewhat from yours, but we truly wish to convey goodwill. Every physical touch was our way of expressing—"
Plop!
Hou Haitao's feet slipped, and he tumbled to the ground.
For some reason, the previously dust-covered floor had become coated in a layer of slick slime.
Two subordinates tried to help Hou Haitao up. Taking a single step, both fell flat on the floor as well.
All fifty-plus subordinates collapsed. They struggled fiercely, but slipped continuously; not a single one could stand.
Hou Haitao shouted toward the fish skeleton, "We harbor no ill intent! Please believe us!"
The fish skeleton continued swaying its body, and waves churned once more across the pool.
Two long serpents undulated their bodies, slowly emerging from the water.
Were these really serpents?
Why were there no scales or serpent heads?
No, these weren't serpents—they were two tentacles.
Behind the tentacles, Hou Haitao saw a gargantuan snail shell.
Hou Haitao turned around and shouted, "Quick! Ready the steam machine guns!"
His reaction was correct, but his men couldn't stand, not even two fifth-tier Wanderers of the Travel pathway.
The subordinates crawled stumbling toward the machine guns, but the heavy boilers attached to the barrels slid endlessly across the workshop floor. They couldn't anchor the guns, let alone stoke the fires to generate high-pressure steam.
The giant river snail crawled out of the pool. Looking at the high-pressure machine guns in the distance, it asked Hou Haitao, "Is this also how you show your goodwill?"
Only now did Hou Haitao realize that the woman who had spoken earlier wasn't the crucian carp skeleton, but this Snail Maiden.
The river snail slithered toward Hou Haitao: "Today, let me show you my goodwill as well."
Hou Haitao scrambled frantically through the slime.
The Snail Maiden opened her colossal mouth, revealing rows upon rows of layered teeth.
***
The next morning, Xu Shouming arrived at the Garrison General Headquarters to meet Liao Zihui directly.
Dispensing with pleasantries and probing, Xu Shouming spoke bluntly: "Old Liao, you have to help me."
Liao Zihui forced a smile. "Special Envoy Xu, what are you saying? You haven't gone and captured someone from the Inner States and want me to escort them to Yuezhou for you, have you?"
Xu Shouming produced a stack of photographs and handed them to Liao Zihui. "I sent Hou Haitao to scout the entrance to the Inner States. He took over fifty men with him and didn't return for a day and a night. Later, when I sent more men to reconnoiter near the entrance, inside that abandoned factory, this is what they found."
From the ceiling rafters of the workshop hung rows of skeletons, each and every one stripped clean, without leaving behind a single trace of flesh or blood.
Liao Zihui stared in shock for a long while before asking, "The people from the Inner States did this?"
Xu Shouming said, "I can't be sure. I lost over fifty men, and I can't conduct any more probes. Old Liao, you must help me."
Liao Zihui shook his head. "I can't help you. Submit a report to the higher-ups, the sooner the better. Wait for them to mobilize a balancer."
Chapter 516