"Jiaqing, Chen Changrui from the Dark Star Bureau came to see me today. He stayed for a long time, he might have noticed something."

"You are just lying there and not moving. How could he possibly notice any issue?"

"This isn’t his first visit. Last time he came, he brought doctors over and had them run several examinations on me.

"The doctors told him everything was perfectly normal, but he wouldn’t believe a word of it. Not a single word. He even told his men that something about me isn’t right. I think he’s figured it out."

"Brother, just hang on for two more days. I will be back in two days."

"Jiaqing, that surnamed Chen is too difficult to deal with. You must come back as soon as possible."

***

The fake Zhou Changhong cut off the connection and stood alone in the woods, staring into the distance.

After a long moment, he raised a hand and wiped the blood from his face. That land deity, Qiu Luoye, had quite the temper. And his strikes? Heavy. Very heavy.

He knew one thing for sure now. He could not step into the territories of Qiu Luoye or Shui Yongquan again. Otherwise, the consequences would be severe.

Was there a way to slip past the watchful eyes of Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye… and still strike the film set? There was. But the risk was huge.

So that's it? the fake Zhou Changhong thought. Should we just give up? Just stand by and let Ma Wu carry on filming? Or make Ling Miaoying try directing a different style of film? There is no way we can change the style of film we are making since we are not doing this for money.

Should I have the Border Controller interfere with Ma Wu’s filming? But with how things are going, I don’t think they will get involved in this.

Should I have Lu Xiaolan make a move secretly? But I don’t think she’s brave enough to do it.

The moment she stepped out of her domain, she would likely lose her life.

Why did Ma Wu come to the New Land to film in the first place? Is such a crazy move really Ma Wu's idea?

***

The hall master of Jiangxiang Gang’s Medicine King Hall, Luo Zhengnan, stood on the terrace with a radio clutched in his hand, listening intently as the broadcast crackled and buzzed.

"Dear listeners, The Legendary Bloodspear Detective 3, directed by Ma Junyang, is set to be in cinemas soon. The film has sparked sharply divided opinions. In short, it stands at the intersection of criticism and anticipation.

"Today, we are joined by Luo Guangxun, editor-in-chief of New Film Review, who will offer his professional perspective on the film’s outlook."

"Hello, listeners. I am Luo Guangxun. You have probably heard of The Legendary Bloodspear Detective series. It’s known for pushing the boundaries of what people in Puluo Province consider acceptable… but at the same time, it’s also opened up a whole new direction for the film industry."

"Especially now that the third film is being shot in the New Land, it’s only made everything more mysterious… and that just gives audiences even more to look forward to."

Luo Zhengnan let out a chuckle. "That Old Wu really knows how to stir things up. Going all the way to the New Land to film… isn’t he afraid…"

Bzzz… Bzzz…

Luo Zhengnan’s scalp tingled as a string of numbers flashed before his eyes.

The moment he saw the phone number, he didn’t want to answer. Yet the call kept coming, ringing again and again without stopping. In the end, he answered the phone call.

"Boss Xiao, you were looking for me?"

"Old Luo, you are getting harder and harder to reach. Why? Are you still upset about not being the deputy gang leader?"

"Boss Xiao, you are overthinking it. I have been with the gang for years. I know how to see the bigger picture. I do not dwell on things like that. I will follow whatever arrangements the gang makes."

"Good. That is what I like to hear. I am not someone who goes back on my word. The deputy gang leader position is still yours. When the time is right, I will have you take the post immediately."

"Thank you for your trust, Boss Xiao!"

"Old Luo, I am reaching out because I need you to look into something for me," Xiao Zhenggong said. "Find out if there is someone calling himself 'Benefactor' who has been active in the Lower Thirty Percent regions of Puluo Province recently."

"The Lower Thirty Percent? I don’t know much about what goes on there."

"That is exactly why I need you to look into it. This ‘Benefactor’ is young, but his cultivation is high. He moves quickly, so he is likely a Wanderlust Cultivator. He acts ruthlessly and has an arrogant temperament. The moment you find anything, report back to me."

"Boss Xiao, I will try my best to handle anything you entrust to me!"

Handle it? Like hell I will.

Luo Zhengnan hung up and continued listening to the broadcast.

***

Xiao Zhenggong muttered to himself as he drove. "Benefactor… Who would give themselves a name like that? Young, yet with high cultivation. Acts recklessly and ruthlessly… Why does that sound so much like that guy? Could it really be him?

"I have never been able to figure out that dude's cultivation. But he’s been lying in the hospital the whole time. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have any chances to go to Vilefolk Hillock. Could it be…"

Xiao Zhenggong slammed the brakes and stopped dead in the middle of the road. Cars behind him immediately exploded into a chorus of furious honking, but Xiao Zhenggong did not move.

He was thinking about something.

Recently, Chen Changrui has been visiting the hospital very frequently. He kept saying that something’s off about He Jiaqing’s condition, yet every time he tried to explain, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Xiao Zhenggong’s mind began to twist itself into a knot. What if the person lying in that hospital bed is not He Jiaqing at all? What if the real one had already slipped away… crept off to Vilefolk Hillock to cause trouble? Is that fella really bold enough to do something like that?

Xiao Zhenggong’s gaze darkened. He made a U-turn at the intersection and headed straight for Yuezhou Third Hospital.

After arriving at the ward, he stared at He Jiaqing on the hospital bed for a long time.

"Are you He Jiaqing?" Xiao Zhenggong asked.

He Jiaqing remained motionless and gave no response.

Xiao Zhenggong continued, "If you’re an imposter, don’t push yourself too far. The heat has died down recently, and I am planning to kill He Jiaqing. You wouldn’t want to be a scapegoat, would you?"

He Jiaqing still didn’t move at all.

Xiao Zhenggong patted He Jiaqing’s face. "I came this time to give you a warning. Next time, I will really make my move."

***

"Jiaqing, Xiao Zhenggong from the Dark Star Bureau came again. He said he’s going to kill me."

"He says that every day. Brother, don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare act."

"When are you coming back?"

"Give me a few more days! Just a few more days!"

***

Xiao Zhenggong returned to the villa to find a beautiful blonde woman waiting for him in the living room.

"Boss Xiao," she said, "did you call me here for love or for business?"

Xiao Zhenggong stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Aiya. He chuckled and said, "Isn’t it the same?"

Arya reached out and touched Xiao Zhenggong’s face. "If it were for love, you wouldn’t be in such a hurry. Let’s talk business first."

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "I can’t hide anything from you. Is your brother in the Outer Provinces?"

"Yes. He’s handling some matters here. He will leave tomorrow."

"In that case, invite him over," Xiao Zhenggong said. "I need his help with something. I’ll have to trouble him to stay an extra day."

"Getting him to stay an extra day is no trouble, but I won’t have to explain the price to you, right?"

"Listen to yourself! When have I ever treated him unfairly?"

***

The next day, Xiao Zhenggong brought a bouquet of flowers and went to visit He Jiaqing.

He sent the caregiver away, placed the flowers on the table, and stood by the bed, staring at He Jiaqing for a long time.

"Well," Xiao Zhenggong said at last, "I already gave you a chance. If you are not going to talk… then I suppose you really are He Jiaqing."

After saying that, Xiao Zhenggong placed the flowers into a vase, took out a bottle of mineral water from his waist, and poured it over them.

After watering the flowers, Xiao Zhenggong turned and left the ward. He stood just outside the ward watching quietly.

One minute later, the flowers bloomed. From their centers, a soft, glittering cloud of golden pollen rose into the air. Like a swarm of tiny, glittering creatures, it slipped through the air, found He Jiaqing’s face… and wriggled straight into his nostril.

The pollen was indeed alive. It was Cedric’s creation.

Within thirty seconds of blooming, the flowers released their secret.

The golden pollen would dart about like it had a mind of its own, searching for a human host within two meters. If it found one, it would slip inside and make itself at home.

If it didn’t? It would die at once, leaving no a single trace.

Xiao Zhenggong left.

Lying on the bed, He Jiaqing felt something strange in his throat. After an hour, he began to feel alternating chills and heat.

Am I getting a fever?

The waves of heat and cold kept coming but the monitor beside the bed showed that his body temperature was stable.

His throat turned dry and itchy, but he didn’t dare make a sound.

By nightfall, the caregiver stepped out to use the restroom. The moment the door closed, He Jiaqing covered his mouth and coughed twice.

When he pulled his hand away, his palm was covered in blood.

What’s going on?

The metallic and salty taste of blood flooded his mouth, and for the first time, the fake He Jiaqing panicked.

***

"Jiaqing… that man, Xiao Zhenggong, did something to me. I think I am seriously ill. I am coughing up blood… I can’t stop… I really can’t hold on much longer…"

"I told you already, I will be back soon. Just hold on a bit longer. If it’s nothing urgent, stop contacting me all the time."

***

The next night, Xiao Zhenggong came back to the ward. He sent the caregiver away as usual, then strolled to the bedside with a pleasant little smile.

He then asked, "Not feeling so good, are you?"

The fake He Jiaqing was really not feeling well.

His chest burned as though someone had lit a fire inside it. Blood kept rising in his throat, warm and thick, yet no matter how many tests the doctors ran, they found absolutely nothing wrong. Every breath was a struggle, but he didn’t dare to show it.

Xiao Zhenggong lowered his gaze and said, "I will give you one last chance. Tell me. Are you really He Jiaqing? If you are, then it means I am not killing the wrong person. If you are not, I can still save you now."

Xiao Zhenggong waited for a moment, then smiled. "Still not talking? Fine. Someone will come collect your corpse soon."

Just as Xiao Zhenggong reached the door, "He Jiaqing" opened his eyes. "Wait. I am not actually He Jiaqing."

"That’s more like it." Xiao Zhenggong walked back to the bedside. "Start with this. Who are you?"

"My name is Zhou Changhong. I am from Puluo Province."

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "A celebrity, huh? I have heard of you. Why are you pretending to be He Jiaqing?"

"He Jiaqing was going to Puluo Province, so he had me stand in for him here."

Puluo Province. The location matched.

"When did you start pretending to be He Jiaqing?"

"Three months ago."

Someone called Benefactor went to Vilefolk Hillock three months ago. The timing matches, Xiao Zhenggong thought.

"What is your relationship with He Jiaqing?"

Zhou Changhong fell silent for a moment before answering, "He is my benefactor."

"Benefactor? Do you call him Benefactor?"

Zhou Changhong nodded. "I did before, but he said it made us seem like strangers, so he told me to call him brother."

Benefactor… Even the name matches, Xiao Zhenggong muttered inwardly.

Xiao Zhenggong took out a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Zhou Changhong. "Drink this. You will feel better soon. Then tell me everything you know about this Benefactor."

"Back then, I was just a poor opera performer, taking on bit parts in the theater. I could barely afford to eat. It was He Jiaqing who found me. He said I had what it took as a performer and helped me step onto the Performer Cultivation path. He even introduced me to Ling Miaoying…"

***

Blockhead stepped out of the elevator and saw the caregiver crouching by the entrance. He glanced at him. The man was pale, and his eyes were unfocused. He seemed to be in a daze.

Blockhead had seen this kind of situation before.There was someone in the ward and it was most likely Xiao Zhenggong.

A Martial Cultivator's perception was not very powerful, but Xiao Zhenggong's level of cultivation was very high. If Blockhead continued heading toward the ward, Xiao Zhenggong would definitely sense him.

Blockhead took a wireless earpiece from his pocket and slipped it into his ear. Faint voices from the ward came through. He listened for a moment, then turned around, took the elevator down, and left the hospital.

***

At Vilefolk Hillock, on Virtuous Adept Peak, within the Sage’s residence, a white-clothed youth stood outside the door and reported, "Teacher, Second Senior Brother has already figured out that thief’s identity. His name is He Jiaqing."

"What kind of person is he?"

"He is the son of He Haiqin, a wealthy merchant in Puluo Province."

"How could a merchant’s son possibly defeat Cong Shixiang?"

The white-robed youth said, "Second Senior Brother believes that this man’s cultivation is not low, but he should not be of the same level as Eldest Senior Brother. This disciple thinks that, since Eldest Senior Brother has lost his soul and his mind is incomplete, he must have suffered greatly when he fought He Jiaqing."

"Do you think Eldest Senior Brother’s only disadvantage was his lack of intelligence? Not necessarily."

The breathing inside the room abruptly stopped.

Having witnessed the Benefactor's domineering presence, the Sage thought that the Benefactor was truly powerful.

The Sage then asked, "Where is he now?"

"According to Second Senior Brother, he was recovering in the Outer Provinces, but he has already returned to Puluo Province under the name Zhou Changhong. He has been dealing with the Ling Family quite often."

"The Ling Family? Merchants again. All the merchants are in Greenwater Bay. Go there and have your Third Senior Brother bring a generous gift to an old friend of mine.

"Let him test the capabilities of He Jiaqing. It would be great if this old friend of mine can kill He Jiaqing. If not, it does not matter. We must at least figure out his Daoist path and his cultivation level."

Author's Note:

PS: Who could this friend of the Sage be?