He Jiaqing led his men out of Furong Zhai, carrying one million silver dollars with them. Li Haoyun saw them all the way past the manor grounds.
After bidding farewell and setting off along the road, He Jiaqing warned Qian Xiangjun, "Old Qian, be extra careful during this period. Li Haoyun isn't a magnanimous man. He might come after you for revenge."
Qian Xiangjun shook his head. "No need to worry about that. At first I was a bit scared too—Li Haoyun certainly plays rough. But once he realized this covenant deed belonged to him, I knew his anger was bound to dissipate. He's probably laughing behind closed doors."
Duan Shuqun nodded slightly. "One million silver dollars to complete his covenant deed—he's the one who came out ahead on this."
Qian Xiangjun sighed. "If you ask me, we still asked for too little. Half the pleasure trade in Puluo Province is in Li Haoyun's hands. The man's fortune is bottomless."
He Jiaqing shook his head. "Money is a fine thing, but ask for too much and you ruin goodwill."
Qian Xiangjun did not see it that way. "Goodwill is goodwill, but business is business. In this matter, I don't think asking him for two million would have been too much at all."
He Jiaqing smiled. "Old Qian, you're making it too simple. That figure wasn't tossed out at random. If I had demanded two million silver dollars from Li Haoyun, do you think he could produce it?"
Qian Xiangjun thought about it. "In ready cash, probably not. But if he liquidated some of his assets, he should have been able to scrape together two million."
He Jiaqing asked again, "And do you think we can afford to wait?"
Qian Xiangjun pondered for a moment and said no more.
He felt waiting a bit wouldn't hurt, but he didn't know what He Jiaqing intended to do next.
He Jiaqing sighed. "Old Qian, by the time he liquidates his assets, there's no telling when this deal would ever go through. It might take ten days, a fortnight, or two to three months. In that time, unforeseen complications could arise, and who knows how much trouble would crop up? Right now is precisely when we need money. Getting our hands on the cash a step earlier will yield far more than a single million in returns."
In high spirits, He Jiaqing returned to the film company with the one million silver dollars.
A newsboy stood by the company entrance, and He Jiaqing bought a newspaper.
"Prince Pingyuan?" He Jiaqing let out a chuckle and sighed. "Play with fire every day, and eventually you get burned. Let's see how you get out of this one."
Back at Furong Zhai, Li Haoyun was drinking with Ma the Fifth.
Ma the Fifth cupped his fists. "First thing tomorrow morning, Dongyuan Fruit Market will deliver several cartloads of fresh fruit to Furong Zhai. Inside the carts will be one and a half million silver dollars. One million covers your principal, and the other five hundred thousand is my token of gratitude."
Li Haoyun waved his hand. "Fifth Master, now you're making fun of me. One million silver dollars isn't pocket change to me, but it's an amount I can afford. As for the five hundred thousand fee, you shouldn't even offer it. If you think well of me at all, you shouldn't bring this up."
The reason Li Haoyun had bought Li Furong's covenant deed was that Ma the Fifth had anticipated He Jiaqing would come looking for Li Haoyun and had tipped him off in advance.
It was also thanks to Li Haoyun's decades navigating the jianghu—his words and conduct were completely without flaw, convincing He Jiaqing that Li Furong was indeed Li Haoyun, which allowed him to buy back the deed without a hitch.
When Ma the Fifth asked someone for a favor, he could never let them pay out of pocket. "Master Yun, this covenant deed is extraordinarily important to me. Even if it took bankrupting myself to get it back, I would have done so gladly. You bought it back for just one million silver dollars—I could wake up laughing in my dreams! You must accept both the principal and the fee."
Li Haoyun shook his head. "Fifth Master, I'll lay it on the line right here: I absolutely will not take this money!"
Ma the Fifth found it strange that Li Haoyun was so adamant. They had agreed beforehand that Ma the Fifth would cover all expenses.
Moreover, the five hundred thousand fee was rightfully deserved, as Li Haoyun was also taking on risk; if He Jiaqing realized something was amiss down the line, there was no telling if he might come looking for trouble with Li Haoyun.
Li Haoyun said no more, and the atmosphere grew a little tense. His two wives, Meixiang and Miaolan, spoke up.
Meixiang said, "Fifth Master, when men talk business, we women shouldn't butt in. But our young master genuinely wants to make a friend of you."
Meixiang and Miaolan had both been Li Haoyun's maidservants in the past, and even after all these years, they still called him young master.
Miaolan added, "To speak candidly with you, our young master's cultivation is nearly above the clouds. In the days ahead, he'll need you and the prince to look out for him."
"The prince..."
Ma the Fifth pursed his lips.
According to what Luo Yanjun had said, Old Seven might not even know about this whole prince business yet, but already a good number of people had come seeking favors through him.
Ma the Fifth had called who knew how many times, but the calls never went through. It seemed Old Seven still hadn't emerged from the Inner States.
"Master Yun, I will certainly mention this to Old Seven, but this money—"
Li Haoyun waved his hand. "Fifth Master, not another word about money. Bring it up again, and I'll get angry!"
Li Banfeng arrived at the exit of Sui'an Town. Looking at Zuo Anna, he said, "I thought Big Binzi would come to see me off, but he ran off early. The man really has no loyalty to old ties."
Zuo Anna smiled, then clarified her position. "He is indeed a member of the White Falcon League, but my current jurisdiction is limited to Sui'an Town. What happens anywhere else is beyond my remit."
In other words, if Li Seven sought revenge against Daboynes elsewhere, Zuo Anna would not intervene.
Li Seven pulled his hat brim low, preparing to leave. Zuo Anna asked once more, "Mr. Li Seven, do you really have no intention of joining the White Falcon League?"
Li Banfeng shook his head without the slightest hesitation.
Zuo Anna handed Li Banfeng a slip of paper with two strings of numbers written on it. "These are the White Falcon League's communication frequency and cipher key. If you have an assistant skilled in radio, please give this slip to them. These two strings of numbers can help you find us."
Li Banfeng took the note, left Sui'an Town, and entered a mountain cave.
Emerging from the cave, he crossed two mountains in succession, finding the scenery before him increasingly familiar.
He had been here before, back when he was still in university.
This was Lotus Mountain in Yuezhou City. A gateway to the Inner States existed here as well?
Counting the Ruirong Textile Mill, this was the second entrance.
Two entrances to the Inner States in Yuezhou City alone? Just how much effort had the Inner States poured into Yuezhou?
Chen Changrui sat in his office, staring blankly out the window.
For two weeks straight, the Dark Star Bureau hadn't received a single mission—security, reconnaissance, scientific research, nothing at all. Even routine tasks like data analysis had been handed over to other departments.
The new bureau director had never arrived. Chen Changrui knew this was a precursor to the Dark Star Bureau being disbanded. Li Seven had departed, Shen Jingye was gone, and Chen Changrui could never protect the Dark Star Bureau on his own.
Furthermore, Li Seven's status was far from what it used to be; his final ties to the Dark Star Bureau would likely sever as well. Chen Changrui was thoroughly disheartened. The only thing he cared about now was whether his subordinates could find a decent place to land.
One couldn't harbor grand illusions about their prospects. They were dark-energy users, a special class of people. Other departments wouldn't place them in important roles—they would only subject them to strict surveillance and restrictions.
Some might not even find a job with any future. For instance, Zhong'er had suffered such severe injuries and was still in rehabilitation; finding him even a halfway decent post was extraordinarily difficult.
Amid his brooding, the telephone rang.
This phone hadn't rung in days. The moment Chen Changrui picked it up, he heard a man's voice.
"Old Chen, come to my office."
Chen Changrui froze for a second, then checked the caller ID.
Tidying his clothes, he jogged all the way to Li Seven's office.
"Director Li—no, wait, Chief Li—no, not that either, President Li—"
Li Banfeng sat behind the desk and smiled faintly. "Just who did you come here to see?"
Chen Changrui said with a laugh, "Your post was just adjusted, and I'm just used to the old titles—"
"Adjusted again?" Li Banfeng asked with a solemn expression. "First explain what this 'president' business is about. It doesn't have anything to do with a psychiatric hospital, does it?"
Chen Changrui paused in surprise. "A psychiatric hospital? Nothing to do with that!"
Li Banfeng let out a long breath. "As long as it has nothing to do with an asylum. Then what institute is it?"
"The full name of the organization is the Comprehensive Research Institute of Equilibrium Work, or Equilibrium Institute for short. You are to serve as the president, two ranks higher than your current post."
"Two ranks higher?" Li Banfeng calculated mentally and said in disbelief, "Doesn't that make me unimaginably high up?"
Chen Changrui nodded. "Indeed."
Li Banfeng chuckled. "That's good news. Did the rest of you get a raise along with it?"
Chen Changrui was taken aback, then let out a bitter smile. "President Li, you're teasing us. Your post went up, but ours stayed the same—and now even those are about to disappear. The Dark Star Bureau is on the verge of being disbanded."
Li Banfeng frowned. "Why is it on the chopping block again? Gao Yina is still the one in charge up top, right? Tell her to come see me."
Clutching at this lifeline, Chen Changrui quickly dialed Gao Yina. She was away on an official trip, but the moment she heard Li Seven had arrived, she dropped everything, commandeered a helicopter, and rushed back as fast as she could.
While waiting, Li Banfeng asked Chen Changrui, "Do you have files on the White Falcon League?"
"Yes!" Chen Changrui didn't dare hesitate, immediately having the archives staff bring over the files on the White Falcon League.
The White Falcon League's files were thick, and Li Banfeng didn't know where to begin. He asked Chen Changrui directly, "Did you know that the White Falcon League has sent many people from the Inner States to the Outer States?"
Chen Changrui nodded. "The Dark Star Bureau conducts a special investigation into this every year. This is the latest roster we have."
Li Banfeng flipped open the roster and saw information and profiles on several hundred people. The Dark Star Bureau had done a fairly thorough job with its investigative work on this front.
The roster was divided into three sections. The first was titled "Collaborators," and among them Li Banfeng found Kang Zhenchang's name.
Li Banfeng said in surprise, "Kang Zhenchang is an Inner States person?"
Chen Changrui thought for a moment. "His identity isn't easy to define. We aren't even entirely sure whether Kang Zhenchang's true path is that of a medicine cultivator or something else."
On this point, Li Banfeng was certain: Kang Zhenchang was Song Qianhun's ghost servant, and the one who truly represented Kang Zhenchang's stance was Teacher Song's father, Song Qianhun.
Chen Changrui continued, "We know Kang Zhenchang lived in the Great Shang Empire and held a relatively high position there. As for whether he was a native-born Shang citizen, we cannot confirm that yet. What we can confirm is that Kang Zhenchang is a member of the White Falcon League. He has consistently maintained good cooperative relations with us, holds a relatively high rank in Huan Country, and possesses the authority to participate in discussions and decisions on major matters."
If Song Qianhun was a member of the White Falcon League, what about his daughter, Teacher Song?
Li Banfeng didn't find Song Shu's name, but he noticed the list of collaborators was very long.
Beside him, Chen Changrui explained, "Not all of these people were brought over from the Inner States, but every one of them has dealings with the White Falcon League, and over seventy percent are formal members."
Li Banfeng looked over the occupation column; these people were scattered across every industry and field. "The White Falcon League collaborates with the Outer States this extensively?"
Chen Changrui lowered his voice. "It was an inevitable choice given the broader trends. The technological progress of Amican Country is evident to everyone, and they were the earliest country to establish cooperative ties with the White Falcon League."
Li Banfeng continued flipping through the pages. The second section was titled "Special Individuals."
In this list, Li Banfeng found a familiar name: Zhao Zhihong, astronomy professor at Yuezhou University.
Balloon Professor Zhao Zhihong.
"Is this Professor Zhao from the Inner States, or is he a member of the White Falcon League?"
Chen Changrui said, "He is a Shang native. When he was young, he fled Nanhao and was placed by the White Falcon League into university. He completed his doctorate with honors and remained at the school to teach. You mentioned him before, saying you hoped professional matters would be handled by professionals. I told you back then that it wasn't so simple, mainly because his unusual background and eccentric temperament make him very difficult for us to handle."
His unusual background was now clear: Zhao Zhihong was from the Inner States. The reason he never parted with his balloons was very likely to disguise his physical form.
"What do you mean by eccentric temperament?"
Chen Changrui replied, "He received a sound education in the Great Shang Empire and possesses a strong scientific foundation. After taking university courses, he merged Earth's electrical civilization with the Third Planet's steam civilization, achieving many technological breakthroughs. He should have been placed in an important role, but he frequently uses his academic research to leak information to the public regarding Dark Star and its star system. After repeated warnings failed, we had no choice but to place necessary restrictions on him."
Li Banfeng asked, "Did anyone investigate why he leaked that information?"
Chen Changrui had a deep impression of Zhao Zhihong. "He always says that if Great Shang ever attacks one day, ordinary people need to know how terrifying those people are, where to flee, and how to stay alive."
Li Banfeng said nothing.
Chen Changrui continued, "The truth is, if that day really comes, very few will have the ability to protect themselves. But letting him spread word like that would only cause unnecessary panic."
Li Banfeng made no comment and kept flipping through the roster.
The third section was titled "Ambiguous Personnel."
In this section, Li Banfeng noticed a person named Shi Qiwen.
Li Banfeng had never seen the name before, but the workplace was very familiar:
The Palace of Culture black market.
His file was extremely sparse. Li Banfeng asked Chen Changrui, "Which stall in the black market is his?"
Chen Changrui shook his head. "We haven't been able to determine his identity in the black market yet. We only know the White Falcon League sent him to Yuezhou. He doesn't take the initiative to collaborate with us, nor has he shown overt hostility, but he engages in shady activities within grey areas. There are many like him, and some of them frequently collaborate with stowaways from Puluo Province, causing no small amount of trouble for our operations."
Li Banfeng had Chen Changrui photocopy the roster. While he was looking over the other materials, Gao Yina rushed in.
"President Li, I've finally caught you! We have already arranged your new office. A dedicated car and driver are waiting downstairs for you."
Li Banfeng put on an expression of pleasant surprise. "How are the working conditions?"
Gao Yina smiled. "Top tier in specification, best in environment."
"How about the equipment?"
"The most advanced and first-rate available!"
"What about the staff?"
At this, Gao Yina grew slightly animated. "Through layer upon layer of selection, we've assembled an elite team of top talent for you!"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Not going."
Gao Yina's smile froze. "President Li, everything I just said is completely true—"
Li Banfeng took on a stern expression. "Address me by my proper title at work. Call me Director Li. I am the director of the Dark Star Bureau."
Gao Yina glanced at Chen Changrui, who wore a faint smile and remained silent.
She looked back at Li Banfeng. "The Dark Star Bureau's level is severely mismatched with your rank, so—"
Li Banfeng cut in, "Then elevate the Dark Star Bureau's level. Raise it until it matches mine."
Gao Yina stared in shock. "Raise it to match your rank? Th-that's simply... You're making things too hard for me!"
Li Banfeng spoke with earnest gravity: "The greater the difficulty, the more it reveals a person's character. Comrade Yina, do not fear hardship. This is a test for you, and a sign of trust!"
Her face sallow, Gao Yina nodded. "I will do my best."
She agreed—she actually agreed.
Li Banfeng nodded. "Then off you go."
Once Gao Yina left, Li Banfeng fell into contemplation.
Why had Gao Yina agreed so readily to such an outrageous demand?
Elevating the level of the Dark Star Bureau was an idea Li Banfeng had premeditated for a long time, but he had never expected to accomplish it in a single stroke.
He had merely intended to pressure Gao Yina into preserving the Dark Star Bureau first, never anticipating she would compromise on the spot.
The Outer States had the rules of the Outer States; things had to be done step by step. Yet today, that rule appeared to have been shattered.
Li Banfeng looked at Chen Changrui. "Keep a close eye on this. Gao Yina might just be writing a bad check."
"I don't think so!" Chen Changrui was brimming with confidence. "The moment word comes from above, I'll report to you at once. Also, there's something I haven't had the chance to tell you yet."
"What is it?"
Chen Changrui took out the resignation letters from Lightbulb and Tangyuan. "I haven't approved the resignation requests for these two—"
Li Banfeng took the resignation letters and slipped them into his desk drawer. "It's a misunderstanding. They didn't resign; they're just on a special mission in Puluo Province."
Chen Changrui nodded repeatedly and left the office.
Li Banfeng sank into thought.
What on earth had happened? Promoted so quickly, things going so smoothly... How had my trip to the Inner States brought about such massive changes?
There had to be a reason behind this.
Li Banfeng placed a call to Ma the Fifth.
Upon receiving word from Li Banfeng, Luo Zhengnan was overjoyed.
Patching the call through to Ma the Fifth, Ma the Fifth sounded both delighted and anxious. "Old Seven! I've been looking for you for days—how are you only getting in touch now?"
"Did something big happen?"
"Something huge, yes. He Jiaqing got his hands on Li Furong's covenant deed."
Li Banfeng frowned. "Where is he right now? I'll go find him immediately."
Now that the covenant deed had fallen into He Jiaqing's hands, getting it back wouldn't be easy.
Ma the Fifth said, "No need to look for him. I asked Li Haoyun to buy it back. It cost one million silver dollars."
The moment he heard Li Haoyun's name, Li Banfeng pieced together the general sequence of events.
He Jiaqing must have gotten confused and mistaken Li Haoyun for Li Furong.
Ma the Fifth recounted what had happened and asked Li Banfeng, "Is Li Banling really your brother? From the looks of it, he seems to be a shadow practitioner."
"That person..." Li Banfeng blinked.
Li Banling had grown up with Li Banfeng in the orphanage. In Li Banfeng's sophomore year of university, Li Banling had already gone off to Chancheng to work, and they had barely kept in touch since.
The person Ma the Fifth had encountered wasn't Li Banling; in all likelihood, it was Banfeng Two.
"Old Five, as long as the deed is back, that's what matters. I owe you big this time."
Ma the Fifth said, "What are brothers for? Don't mention it. The tricky part is how to handle Li Haoyun. I tried to pay him back the one million silver dollars plus a five-hundred-thousand fee, but he refuses to take it."
"Does he think it's too little? Then offer more."
"It's not that. He doesn't want money at all. His cultivation is nearly above the clouds."
Li Banfeng understood: he wanted a territory.
Truth be told, given He Jiaqing's strength and methods, few dared play mind games against him. Li Haoyun had shouldered immense risk to help Li Banfeng this once, and that sentiment was certainly no small thing.
"The one million principal must be returned to Li Haoyun."
"I truly tried to pay him back, but he won't take it under any circumstances."
"Tell him that the brotherhood between Li Seven and Ma the Fifth isn't something bought with coin."
"Old Seven, saying that in the past was fine, but not anymore."
"Why not?"
"Your status is different now. Ordinary people don't dare speak of friendship with you."
"How is it different?"
"You're an imperial prince now."
"A prince of where?"
"A prince of the Great Shang Empire."
"Conferred by whom?"
"By Qiao Yi and the rest. An expedited decree was delivered to Puluo Province, and it's already in the newspapers."
An expedited decree?
Li Banfeng recalled encountering an express fish halfway through his journey, one that had frightened Sui'an Town into halting.
Could that fast fish have been dispatched just to deliver the decree?
Li Banfeng was dumbfounded for a long while before asking, "Isn't Qiao Yi just a Grand Councilor? On what authority can he confer princely titles? How could he have the standing?"
"It wasn't him alone. Leading the entire imperial family alongside the Grand Secretariat, he conferred upon you the title of Prince Pingyuan."
Li Banfeng was struck dumb.
No wonder Gao Yina had been so cooperative; no wonder his official rank had soared so high.
Turns out he had unwittingly become an Inner States prince.
For the Outer States, this was a massive boon—with higher status, his role as a balancer would be vastly more prominent.
But was this really a good thing for Li Banfeng?
Ma the Fifth said, "Old Seven, the people coming to ask you for favors have nearly kicked our threshold down."
"What favors?"
"Inner States business. Some are asking you for land, some for official appointments. I managed to turn some away, but others refuse to leave no matter how hard I drive them out."
"News sure travels fast. I'm probably the last person on earth to find out."
"Old Seven, whatever you do, do not come back to Puluo Province right now."
"Why can't I come back?"
"If you return now, will the peddler let you off?"
"Why wouldn't the peddler let me off?"
"You've become an Inner States prince! That's tantamount to betraying Puluo Province. How could the peddler ever spare you? And look at your title—Prince Pingyuan, the 'Pacifier of the Distant'! Just who are you supposed to pacify?"
The veins bulged on Li Banfeng's forehead.
Qiao Yi had truly turned the tables and checkmated him.
"Old Five, I'm returning to Puluo Province today."
"Old Seven, didn't you hear a word I just said? Lie low in the Outer States for a while. You cannot come back."
"Why shouldn't I come back? I still have a mountain of things to do."
Li Banfeng hung up the phone.
Sweat dripped from Ma the Fifth's brow in agitation. Feng Daiku said, "Wulang, you have to find a way to talk him out of it. If the peddler makes a move, no one will be able to save him."
Ma the Fifth sighed. "How can I persuade him? When he sets his mind on something, who has ever managed to talk him down?"
Acting as the intermediary operator, Luo Zhengnan was just as anxious, yet he kept his cool. He knew there was someone who might just be able to persuade Li Seven.
The phone rang on Li Banfeng's end. Picking it up, Li Banfeng smiled. "My precious wife, did you miss me?"
"Husband, have you arrived in the Outer States?"
"Yes, I'm in the Outer States."
Zhao Xiaowan said, "Husband, I've heard about what happened in the Inner States. Becoming Prince Pingyuan certainly wasn't your intention. Listen to me—whatever you do, don't come back. Hide in the Outer States for a while."
Li Banfeng frowned. "Why are you saying that too?"
"Husband, I know you and the peddler usually get along well, but in this situation, the peddler will never tolerate you. You think the peddler is easygoing normally, but that's only because you haven't seen his ruthless methods when he turns vicious. You must not return to Puluo Province!"
Li Banfeng fell silent for a moment. "Wife, I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"
"My precious husband, I know you did nothing wrong, but some things can't be reasoned out! Besides, word has already spread through Puluo Province—the ruthless figures who want to deal with you might not be limited to the peddler!"
"Precious wife, wait for me at home."
"Husband! Husband—"
At dusk, Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyaowu from Peach Blossom Lake and changed out of his wet clothes.
Hearing movement in Li Seven's room, Ma the Fifth hurried over. Pushing open the door, he saw Li Banfeng sitting by the window, sure enough.
"Old Seven, why did you come back after all? Why won't you listen to my advice?"
Li Banfeng smiled faintly. "This is my home. Am I not allowed to come home?"
Ma the Fifth said urgently, "Go hide in the Outer States for a while first! I'll have the newspaper run an article saying you had no knowledge of this, saying you were framed!"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "No need to write any articles. Very few in Puluo Province know anything about the Inner States to begin with, and I don't need to explain myself to anyone."
"Old Seven—"
"Old Five, I'm fine. Go attend to your business. I'll rest a bit."
Ma the Fifth sighed and left.
Li Banfeng sat by the window, quietly watching the clouds in the sky. He felt somewhat restless, and also somewhat weary.
Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he heard a voice speak beside his ear:
"The winds and clouds in the sky are unpredictable."
Li Banfeng opened his eyes and saw a man sitting beside him.
"Aye, unpredictable indeed. The winds and clouds shift too quickly; I can't see them clearly, nor can I make sense of them," Li Banfeng let out a long sigh.
"That's not what I meant," the peddler said, wiping soot from his face. "What I meant is that there are plenty of clouds in the sky, and you don't necessarily have to fixate on my patch. There are plenty of houses in the sky, and you don't necessarily have to burn down my home."
Li Banfeng looked at the peddler. "I did not betray Puluo Province."
The peddler nodded. "I know."
Li Banfeng asked earnestly, "Do you really know?"
The peddler chuckled. "Are you feeling wronged? Risking life and limb only to end up misunderstood by everyone—it's bound to hurt."
Li Banfeng asked, "You know that too?"
The peddler rolled a cigarette. "Of course I know. I've suffered far more grievances than you have. Besides, you're luckier than me."
Li Banfeng pondered, unable to understand. "Why am I luckier than you?"
"Because, at least, someone still believes in you."
"Who believes in me?"
"Me." The peddler looked at Li Banfeng and handed him the rolled cigarette. "I believe in you."
Chapter 678