Master of the Hundred Demons Workshop

With the Dark Star Bureau saved, Shen Jingye was in high spirits. The two drank a few extra cups, and Shen Jingye felt like listening to a tune again. "Which one do you want to hear?" "That same one—'Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Meet the Spring.'" "Listen on your computer?" Shen Jingye shook his head. "It just sounds richer on the gramophone." "You're quite particular. Come on, let's head over to my office." Once in the office, Li Banfeng brought out the wind-up gramophone, wound it fully, set down the record, and started playing "Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Meet the Spring." "The butterfly flies away, the heart no longer stays..." As the familiar melody drifted out, Shen Jingye wore an expression of rapt enchantment. When the piece finished, Shen Jingye sighed with deep feeling. "Sang it well. She sang that tune so wonderfully—in all the world, she's the only one who could ever do it justice." Li Banfeng was taken aback. "You know who's singing this?" Shen Jingye looked rather smug. "If I haven't guessed wrong, it ought to be Huang Yuxian." Li Banfeng kept an even expression. "Who's Huang Yuxian?" Shen Jingye gaped at him. "You're from Puluo Province, and you've never heard of the peerless actress Huang Yuxian?" Li Banfeng adopted a thoughtful pose. "I seem to have a vague impression... Isn't she just an opera singer? It's normal not to recall." "Far from just that!" Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "Huang Yuxian, known by the moniker 'Yin Actress,' was one of Puluo Province's foremost divas and one of its greatest heroines. During the Second Puluo War, Huang Yuxian commanded more than thirty campaigns of all sizes, virtually without defeat! "Especially in the Battle of Suihuang Plains, Huang Yuxian led the Xiaoqi Cavalry and routed the army of the Inner States, helping secure victory for Puluo Province. Huang Yuxian was indispensable to our triumph in the Second Puluo War!" "What was the Xiaoqi Army?" Shen Jingye said, "Puluo Province's own army, an exceptionally formidable force. Their combat record was extraordinary—hardly something that can be explained in a sentence or two. Some other day, I'll bring the relevant dossiers for you to look over." Li Banfeng grew anxious. "Don't wait for another day. Today is fine! I already checked the almanac, it's an auspicious day." Shen Jingye gave a wry smile. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll have the archives send them to you. I've had so much to drink today, it wouldn't look good if someone saw me. Besides, there's a heavy workload tomorrow—the Hundred Demons Workshop matter needs to be handled right away." Li Banfeng said, "That's simple. Dig up the leads, and I'll deal with it for you." Shen Jingye waved his hands in refusal. "We definitely can't use your methods for this. The External Civilization Bureau already caused terrible blowback by being too heavy-handed. We must take a different approach. I'll listen to you on everything else, but on the Hundred Demons Workshop, you absolutely must listen to me. If we walk down the External Civilization Bureau's old path, the Dark Star Bureau truly won't be saved." As he spoke, Shen Jingye checked his watch; it was nearly ten o'clock. "I need to head home." Li Banfeng asked, "You've been gone for half a month. Your wife isn't angry with you, is she?" "How could she not be?" Shen Jingye unbuttoned his shirt, revealing gauze bandages. "She slashed me with a knife. A nine-centimeter wound—it almost hit my heart." Li Banfeng asked, "Then why go back?" Shen Jingye let out a bitter laugh. "I can't bear to let her go. In this world, who else cares about me besides her?" He opened the office door and turned back as he pulled it shut. "A'yi told me that you went to Hulu Village looking for me. Thank you, brother." Li Banfeng smiled and gave a gentle nod. Shen Jingye smiled too, then turned and left the office. The next day, just as Li Banfeng was about to leave for work, Luo Zhengnan suddenly called. "Seventh Master, something bizarre happened on Chu Yaoxian's territory. When Juanzi and the others were preparing to clear the land, they ran into a tiger and a rabbit that looked like they were made of wooden puppets. Before the two creatures could even enter the plot, they were impaled and killed by tree branches. Exactly how they died, Juanzi and the rest couldn't figure out either." Chu Yaoxian's change of attitude had been too sudden, which had made Li Banfeng suspicious. That was why he had arranged for Juanzi to lead the team to reclaim the land. The moment Luo Zhengnan mentioned puppets, Li Banfeng's heart lurched. He thought of Du Wenming. Du Wenming's signature specialty was the puppet dance. Back in the laboratory, many people had mistaken Du Wenming himself for a puppet. Comparing the time and location, Li Banfeng suspected Du Wenming had likely visited Chu Yaoxian's newland before heading to Huaxian Manor. "Tell Juanzi and the others to stay on high alert. I'll return to Puluo Province today." Walking along, Li Banfeng pondered continuously: Why did Du Wenming go to Chu Yaoxian's territory? And where was he right now? *** Inside a villa's living room, Du Wenming sat on a sofa, looking at the woman seated across the coffee table. The woman in her forties was named Pei Yurong, the workshop master of the Hundred Demons Workshop. Du Wenming bowed his head and spoke with sincerity. "I am willing to accept your criticism, and I acknowledge the issues and mistakes on my part. I only hope we can maintain an attitude of candid communication." Pei Yurong shook her head. "Director Du, where is this coming from? Whether considering your present standing or your past achievements, I have no qualifications to criticize you." Du Wenming sighed. "Why speak in anger? I know it was the Hundred Demons Workshop that provided me with a grander platform and opportunities. After achieving some success, I neglected some of the workshop's work. On that point, I must first engage in deep self-reflection." Pei Yurong did not grant him the chance. "I have felt your sincerity, and I hope we can strengthen our cooperation going forward. If there is nothing else..." Pei Yurong's attitude was well within Du Wenming's expectations, but he wanted to make one more attempt. "Workshop Master Pei, there is no need for us to remain entangled in past grievances. If you doubt my current strength, I can demonstrate it to you right now. I know many members of the workshop have been arrested. I can find a way to rescue them." Pei Yurong set her teacup back down onto the coffee table. "We are already pursuing other channels to rescue our members." Du Wenming shook his head. "Your channels amount to nothing more than public pressure. That tactic works on the External Civilization Bureau, but it is useless against the Dark Star Bureau. I know the Dark Star Bureau intimately. How much effort did the Birch Hermitage pour into manipulating public opinion back then? Didn't you see how they ended up?" Pei Yurong shook her head slightly. "We are different from the Birch Hermitage. Even though you grew distant from us after rising through their ranks, our influence is vastly greater than theirs. There are members of the Hundred Demons Workshop all across the globe." Du Wenming sighed. "Workshop Master, this is not a problem solved by numbers. Differences in form do not alter the fundamental outcome. I worked in relevant agencies for years, and the trajectory of such events is entirely predictable to me. Many of those seized by the External Civilization Bureau are core figures of the organization, and many of them know far too many of the Hundred Demons Workshop's confidential secrets. "Those secrets will soon fall into the hands of the Dark Star Bureau. Unlike the External Civilization Bureau, they possess vastly more methods and experience in interrogation. If you truly do not care about these core members, then disregard everything I just said." Du Wenming fixed his gaze on Pei Yurong. Pei Yurong stroked her teacup, sinking into contemplation. Several minutes later, she looked up at Du Wenming. "The location where they are held is surrounded by Boundaries. That is the most difficult obstacle to breach in any rescue operation." Du Wenming said, "Then that proves I came to the right place. Only I can get them out." Pei Yurong remained doubtful. "Do you truly possess a method to bypass Boundaries?" Du Wenming stared straight into her eyes. "Do you think I would dare deceive you on a matter like this?" Pei Yurong pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice. "It isn't strictly necessary to bring them out alive, but the organization's secrets must be kept from leaking." With that, she casually toyed with her teacup again—a habit of hers. When discussing the most vital matters, her tone and countenance became deliberately nonchalant. Du Wenming stood up. "That makes things much easier. I will need support and coordination." Pei Yurong glanced at a subordinate, who brought over a set of communications equipment and handed it to Du Wenming. "This communication device is shielded by ancient sorcery. The Dark Star Bureau's current technological level cannot wiretap or track it. You may use it to contact me at any time, and I will have personnel standing by to assist you." Du Wenming stowed the gear away and bowed. "My thanks for the workshop master's trust." Pei Yurong gave a slight smile. "I also hope you can earn back our trust. Now, state your terms!" Du Wenming discarded any pretense of modesty. "I need money. A substantial amount." Pei Yurong looked skeptical. "Are you joking? The third master of Xuehuapu is actually strapped for cash?" Du Wenming laughed bitterly. "Why mock me? Xuehuapu lacks money—plenty of people already know that." *** Guyuan Farm, Guling Village, Huaming District, Yuezhou City. On the surface, this was a state-run farm; in reality, it served as an external base for the Dark Star Bureau, used to store large materials and equipment. Following the escape of Zou Guoming (Big Head), this external base had taken on a new role. It was now also used to hold important suspects, because the core area contained Boundaries of varying levels, exceeding both the quantity and strength of those at the Dark Star Bureau headquarters. Consequently, its security clearance was substantially higher. A portion of the suspects detained by the External Civilization Bureau from the Hundred Demons Workshop had been transferred to Guyuan Farm. Bureau Chief Yan Songhuai said to Shen Jingye, "Old Shen, I've handed the people over to you. I suppose you're having a good laugh at my expense this time." Shen Jingye waved his hands quickly. "Old Yan, there's no call for talk like that. We've been brothers for so many years—don't you know what kind of man I am? How could I laugh at you? Besides, I can't bring myself to smile either. Dealing with the Hundred Demons Workshop is a treacherous job." Yan Songhuai looked around, lowering his voice. "Old Shen, it really is a brutal assignment. I'm not grumbling just because I botched it; there were plenty of hidden hardships. "The people of the Hundred Demons Workshop aren't as easy to handle as you think. Not only do they have extensive connections, but they strike with vicious ruthlessness. I've said my piece—watch your own back." With the handover complete, Yan Songhuai departed. There were twenty cells across two rows, encircled by a ring of Boundaries. Thirty-eight important suspects were imprisoned here, thirteen of whom were core members of the Hundred Demons Workshop. Shen Jingye summoned Chen Changrui. "Old Chen, move all the other suspects out. House only the Hundred Demons Workshop people here. "Put each person in a solitary cell, and rotate their cells daily. No one is to stay in the same cell two days in a row." Judging by this treatment alone, Chen Changrui could tell how gravely Shen Jingye took the matter. "Director Shen, when do interrogations begin?" Shen Jingye thought it over. "Begin immediately today. Draw key personnel from the Investigation Section and the Security Squad to form a working group. Take charge of the questioning personally. The moment you uncover an important lead, notify me at once. "In addition, transfer personnel from the Security Squad to reinforce the farm's perimeter security. Arrange for the Investigation Section to closely track the Hundred Demons Workshop's recent movements." As he spoke, Shen Jingye looked at Chen Changrui. Chen Changrui was looking back over his shoulder, as if he hadn't been fully listening just now. "Old Chen, what's wrong?" Chen Changrui was the highest-ranking peering cultivator in the Dark Star Bureau. Just a moment ago, he had felt someone watching him from behind. "Director Shen, I suggest we conduct a thorough security sweep of the farm first." Shen Jingye nodded and summoned Security Squad Captain Ji Shoulin. "Call Huajia over and have him lead a team in a comprehensive sweep of the farm. Also call the Investigation Section Chief—have him deploy drones for round-the-clock aerial patrols around the farm." *** Du Wenming left the farm in rhythmic dance steps. His movements were conspicuous, yet his dazzling limb motions created a visual disturbance, making onlookers believe they had caught a mirage against the snow. After walking three kilometers along the highway, Du Wenming got into a blue sedan and drove toward the urban district. He pulled an earpiece from his pocket, pinched its lower end, and established contact with Pei Yurong, Master of the Hundred Demons Workshop. "Workshop Master Pei, I've cased the target. I can have the job done within five days." "We can't wait five days. It must be resolved tomorrow. Certain secrets absolutely cannot leak." "Tomorrow will be difficult," Du Wenming stated his condition. "My body has run into trouble. I require treatment for a rather peculiar ailment." Pei Yurong detested sudden demands. "Why didn't you mention this earlier?" "I only realized the severity of the illness today." Pei Yurong fell silent for a moment. "I will arrange a doctor for you. She can meet you this afternoon." "If she's just an ordinary doctor, don't bother. My condition is quite specialized." Du Wenming scratched his arm, where a row of greenish rashes sprang up. "She is the most brilliant young physician the Hundred Demons Workshop has produced in recent years. If even she cannot treat you, I know of no other options. Give me an address first." "Room 5106, 51st Floor, Building Two, Yunyi Mingdi Community, Yuxian Road, Jiacheng District." Back at his residence, Du Wenming stripped off his clothes, produced various medicinal concoctions, and smeared them over his body. The rashes multiplied, itching beyond endurance. He filled a bathtub completely with water and submerged himself, barely obtaining a sliver of relief. Enduring until two in the afternoon, the doctor dispatched by the Hundred Demons Workshop arrived. Her name was Qiu Shiya, and she appeared under thirty. Du Wenming harbored severe doubts about her competence. Once Qiu Shiya examined Du Wenming's condition, however, she dispelled every one of his doubts instantly. "This rash of yours cannot be cured." "Is there any way to alleviate the symptoms?" Qiu Shiya puffed out her chest and replied, "None whatsoever!" There was no need to doubt; she truly lacked the ability. Du Wenming politely opened the door and gave Qiu Shiya a gentle smile. "Get out!" Qiu Shiya stomped off furiously. Reaching the entrance of the residential compound, she glanced back at Building Three and spat on the ground in disgust. "Spitting in public isn't civilized," a middle-aged man said, handing her a flier. "Lu Family Bookhouse Weekend Grand Sale! Thirty percent off storewide! New and returning customers welcome!" Qiu Shiya took the flier and looked at the man. He was right; spitting in public wasn't civilized. "Pfft—ptooey!" Qiu Shiya cleared her throat and spat right onto the flier, tossed it aside, and strode away. Boss Lu gave a bitter chuckle. "Young people these days are truly dreadful! The ones who sold things to me all had decent manners—not one was like her." With that, Boss Lu gazed up at the residential complex, muttering softly to himself, "Looks like he really is here. Which building and floor? Head in to search?" Boss Lu flipped open his almanac, his brow furrowing. According to today's date, it wasn't suitable for tracking down a person. Yet he had tracked him all the way here; what if the man moved tomorrow? Boss Lu hesitated for a moment, then tucked the almanac away. One couldn't place absolute faith in these things anyway. He pulled off another flier. The tiny printed characters on the paper slipped into the complex and squirmed their way into the various residential buildings. *** Du Wenming slapped his own face. He never should have harbored fantasies about the Hundred Demons Workshop's healers. In the entire Outer States, likely no one outside Kang Zhenchang could provide an effective remedy for this affliction. If he were still Director Du, he could contact Kang Zhenchang anytime, but now he was a wanted fugitive in the Outer States. Left with no choice, he found a mirror, popped a pustule, and smeared the pus onto the glass. He then sliced open a fingertip and used his own blood to sketch a drawing within the pustular fluid. The drawing was simple: a circle for a head and a curved line for a mouth. A little over a minute later, the mouth began to move. "Who seeks me?" Critic's voice emerged from the mirror. "It's me." "Who seeks me?" Critic repeated. "It's me!" Du Wenming used blood to draw two ears on the mirror surface. This time, Critic could hear. "Ah, it's you, Mr. Du. You haven't contacted me in quite some time." "I told you before that I entered a wormhole. Inside the wormhole, I couldn't reach you at all. The moment I came out, I contacted you once." Critic thought back, then said, "You promised me you would meet with me at least once every two days, yet I haven't seen you to this day." Du Wenming shook his head helplessly and drew two eyes on the glass. The two eyes curved downward while the corners of the mouth turned upward; the face in the mirror cracked into a smile. "Friend, I finally see you. You don't appear to be in good shape." Du Wenming nodded. "I am in terrible shape. I didn't avoid contacting you on purpose. I'm a wanted fugitive in the Outer States, so I must act with utmost caution." "What did you go to the Outer States for?" "I told you—I need to secure a sum of money and procure a batch of equipment. Only then can I achieve mastery over the Boundary. How could you forget?" Critic was indeed somewhat forgetful. He had an enormous amount on his plate lately; impersonating the God of Flourishing and Withering was no easy task, and he also had to look after Desong Cliff from time to time. "I recall now. But what you told me back then was that you were seeking funding from He Jiaqing." "He Jiaqing refused to cooperate with me, so I had no choice but to seek help in the Outer States. I have always regarded you as my friend, and I never intended to betray you." "Mr. Du, are you in great pain?" Critic's voice shifted, dropping into a much deeper register. "I am in agony." Du Wenming nodded repeatedly. He felt a trace of fear now; in his memory, Critic was an exceptionally witty, jovial person, yet right now, Critic's tone was grim and solemn. "Mr. Du, could you tell me whose assistance you sought in the Outer States?" "I sought the help of the Birch Hermitage. As I told you, I am an executive of the Hermitage." "Yet as far as I know, under the orchestration of Li the Seventh, the Birch Hermitage has essentially vanished from the Huan Country." Du Wenming shook his head. "The Hermitage possesses immense strength. The Dark Star Bureau didn't inflict significant losses on them." "Then when you were initially placed on the wanted list, why didn't you seek refuge with the Hermitage instead of fleeing to Puluo Province?" "Because I believed Xuehuapu was more reliable." "Then why not turn to Xuehuapu now? Is Xuehuapu no longer reliable?" "I have my own difficulties." Du Wenming could offer no plausible explanation. He found that lying to Critic was exceedingly difficult. Critic remained silent for a long while. The corners of the portrait's mouth curled upward into a smile once more. "Mr. Du, I smell the stench of lies in your words. There are many organizations of dark-energy users in the Outer States. You may interact with many of them, but there is one organization you had best never touch. "Their conduct is identical to demons walking the mortal realm. I told you the name of that organization before; surely you haven't forgotten?" Du Wenming took a deep breath. "I remember. Rest assured, I have had no contact with them." "I have no need to rest assured, because I was never worried in the first place. That is your own concern. "I give you five days. You must return to Puluo Province within five days. I am eager to see the fruits of your research regarding the Boundary. During these five days, you will no longer endure pain, but if I do not see you after five days, you will forfeit your life." "Very well." Critic reverted to his playful tone. "Mr. Du, eat my face. It is an excellent remedy to dispel your agony." The "face" he referred to was the pus and blood upon the mirror. Without the slightest hesitation, Du Wenming licked the mirror entirely clean of the bloody pus. Before it was completely consumed, Critic did not forget to offer a parting reminder: "Come to Puluo Province soon. I shall be waiting for you." Go to Puluo Province? Far too soon for that! Du Wenming had no desire to live under Critic's thumb for the rest of his days. First He Jiaqing, then the Hundred Demons Workshop—Du Wenming had only one objective: he needed money to purchase costly equipment. He had the ability to enter and exit wormholes, but that ability relied mostly on luck. With good fortune, he could locate the exit; with poor fortune, he could be trapped inside for an eternity. He had researched wormholes extensively, and paired with his firsthand experience inside one, he was confident he could assemble a device to lock onto exits within a short time. With that equipment, he could cross Boundaries at will and take refuge inside wormholes whenever necessary. He could also continuously elevate his cultivation by consuming the worms within the wormholes until he was capable of resolving Critic's infectious affliction on his own. As for the organization Critic mentioned, he knew full well. Critic was right: the deeds of the Hundred Demons Workshop were truly comparable to mortal demons. Yet there was one thing Critic did not know: Du Wenming was himself a member of the Hundred Demons Workshop. He had deep-seated grievances with the workshop. During his lowest point, he hadn't dared seek out Pei Yurong, knowing the workshop stopped at nothing. Now, however, Du Wenming possessed the means to traverse Boundaries, which gave him bargaining chips. He was confident he could extract the compensation he deserved from the Hundred Demons Workshop. Having ingested the bloody pus, the unbearable itching vanished, and the rashes slowly receded. Calming down, Du Wenming reviewed his plan for the next five days. First step: extract the Hundred Demons Workshop's secrets tomorrow, slaughter those core members, and demand his payment straight from the workshop master. Second step: immediately contact the suppliers. They had stock on hand; as long as money was provided, the equipment could be delivered the same day. Third step: spend three days assembling the device. It was a portable unit, far simpler than the machine Yu Yaoming had designed. Fourth step: once equipped, enter the wormhole at once and consume worms to suppress the affliction until his own strength could dissolve it. Fifth step: with sufficient cultivation and the ability to breach Boundaries, he could... What was that on the floor? Ants? Du Wenming's train of thought was severed. He realized the crawling objects on the floor were not ants, but printed characters, neatly written. The characters read: "Grand Sale." Could it be him... Without a second thought, Du Wenming leaped out the window, clinging to the outer wall as he scrambled down from the fifty-first floor. He had barely left when Boss Lu stepped into the room. Scanning the interior, Boss Lu spotted the mirror on the table. The mirror carried a faint trace of spirituality. Boss Lu touched it, instantly sensing danger. There was a peculiar scent upon the mirror, somewhat resembling the scent on Lühuazi. A pathological affliction! Boss Lu flicked his hand, and the characters upon his fliers raced forth, wrapping around his right hand and forcefully ripping off a layer of his skin. "I shouldn't have come! I clearly checked the almanac! The almanac said I shouldn't come!" Full of regret, Boss Lu felt like slapping himself. *** Late at night, the three-headed people and strange beasts called a truce, each preparing for the following day's assessment. Chu Yaoxian returned to her dwelling, boiled a basin of hot water to wash away the grime, and lay down in bed to sleep. After a brief slumber, she sensed someone by her bedside and blurted out, "Is that you, Jiaqing?" "No," Li Banfeng struck a match, lit a candle, and illuminated Chu Yaoxian's face. "Does He Jiaqing always come at this hour?" Chu Yaoxian was terrified out of her wits. "Seventh Master, what are you doing entering a woman's home in the dead of night?" Li Banfeng considered it; it was indeed somewhat inappropriate. "How about you come sit at my place instead?" "Seventh Master, what is it you actually want from me?" Chu Yaoxian was frightened. Li the Seventh had entered her room and sat by her bed without her noticing in the least, demonstrating the staggering gulf between their strengths. Li Banfeng asked, "Have you seen Du Wenming?" "Who is Du Wenming?" Chu Yaoxian truly did not know the name. "A dance cultivator. The same pathway as you, with cultivation higher than yours." Chu Yaoxian lowered her head. "Many people have arrived on the territory these past two days. I don't recall..." Li Banfeng smiled. "How about we change locations to talk? Perhaps that will help you remember?" Chu Yaoxian shook her head in panic. "Don't rush, Seventh Master, I remember now!" "What do you remember?" "He Jiaqing was there that day too. He chatted with that dance cultivator for quite a while. As for what they discussed, I truly don't know." P.S. He Jiaqing had always assumed Chu Yaoxian was someone who couldn't withstand torture. In truth, he had underestimated her—she didn't need to be tortured at all.