The Overlord of Puluo

Li Banfeng wanted to go to Medicine King Gully, so Ma Wu helped him prepare the travel permit and buy the ticket.

Ma Wu was still in the process of advancing to another level, so he was quite weak. Even so, he still sent Li Banfeng to the station. After returning from the station, Ma Wu had planned to sleep properly for a few days. But then he saw someone at the newspaper office.

It was Qin.

How was it possible for her to come to Blackstone Slope? Under normal circumstances, she should not be allowed to leave the New Land.

Ma Wu then found out that Qin went to see Qiu Luoye and requested to come see Ma Wu because she missed Ma Wu so much.

After Qiu Luoye agreed, she begged Shui Yongquan to help hide her aura.

She then made her way to Blue Poplar Village, found Ma Wu’s subordinates, collected the travel permit and ticket, and traveled all the way to Blackstone Slope.

Her arrival was a good thing, but unfortunately, Huo Ling was here as well. How were the two of them supposed to get along?

Ma Wu thought, I guess I won’t be sleeping very soundly for the next few days.

As it turned out, Ma Wu had worried for nothing. Qin and Huo Ling already knew each other, and they got along quite well. Once they learned that Ma Wu was about to advance, the two of them even helped him gain more cultivation so he could reach the next level sooner.

After Ma Wu was thoroughly exhausted and had fallen into a deep sleep, they did not disturb him. Instead, they went off together to watch a movie.

The Legendary Bloodblade Detective VI was currently showing in Blackstone Slope, and a long queue had formed outside the cinema.

Bai Qiusheng had previously asked someone to get tickets for Qin and Huo Ling. The two of them watched it and thought it was really good.

Later on, they asked Bai Qiusheng to get them two more tickets so they could watch it again that night.

***

At Yuezhou University, inside the academic lecture hall, nanomaterials expert Zhang Xuanming had just finished his presentation. The applause in the hall went on and on.

After the lecture ended and the students gradually left, He Jiaqing disguised himself as a staff member and went up to the podium to pack away the microphone.

From the base of the microphone, he removed a battery. To anyone who did not know better, it would have looked as though he were simply checking the equipment.

Once he had put the battery away, He Jiaqing left the lecture hall, went to a hotel beside the university, and booked a room.

Once he was inside the room, He Jiaqing placed the battery into the slot on the charger and plugged it in.

A short while later, a white ring appeared on the surface of the battery.

He Jiaqing took the battery out, connected one wire to the positive terminal and another to the negative terminal, then stuck both wires into his own head.

Smoke began curling from He Jiaqing’s head. The effect was quite good. The only small problem was that it hurt his scalp.

Once the battery had finished discharging, He Jiaqing put it back into its box. He had just lain down on the bed to rest when the button on his chest began to tremble.

”Jiaqing, the new film is doing well. The screenings are reaching eighty percent occupancy.”

He Jiaqing nodded. ”I knew you were capable.”

”We have already started shooting the seventh film, but we are running low on film stock. I asked the producers to buy more, but they said that it’s something that must be purchased by you.”

”Sister, the film stock we use is special, so I really do have to buy it myself. Tell them to use what they have sparingly for now. I should be able to send more over in the next day or two.”

After cutting off the connection, He Jiaqing rubbed his scalp and rubbed away quite a few strands of hair.

Oh no... I am really going bald. Whatever. Even if I’m going bald, I have to endure. I cannot slow down right now.

After leaving the hotel, He Jiaqing stood by the street and watched the endless stream of people pass by. In that crowd, he saw countless sources of cultivation.

Earth had to be piled up handful by handful before it could become a mountain. In the same way, he had to keep gathering resources if he wanted to build up his cultivation.

He Jiaqing murmured inwardly, Third Uncle is still lying in the hospital for me, and he will have to keep lying there for quite a while.

When I still had my Wanderlust Cultivation ability, I did not need an imposter at all. As long as I planned the route in advance, I could finish everything in a few minutes. No one would even know I had left the hospital room.

But now that the ability has been used up, everything has become troublesome. I need to replenish my abilities as soon as possible.

Should I go to the stadium again tonight? No, not yet. I cannot visit the same place too often. Where else has as much human energy as the stadium?

With that thought, He Jiaqing headed to the subway station. Evening rush hour was about to begin.

***

Ma Wu slept for a full day and night. By the time he woke up, most of his strength had returned, and he had successfully leveled up.

He was now a level-three Hedonism Cultivator, which meant his cultivation demands were even higher than before.

Fortunately, both Huo Ling and Qin were here. Their bodies were strong, their skills in bed were excellent, and they worked together with surprising ease. With the two of them helping, Ma Wu was sure they could keep up the intensity he needed.

After eating a little, Ma Wu quickly got himself ready. Then he found out that the two beauties were not at the newspaper office. They had gone to watch a movie together.

Again? Ma Wu thought. Is that movie really that good?

Bai Qiusheng came into Ma Wu’s room and shut the door behind him. ”Master Wu, something is not right with your two wives.”

”What is not right?”

”The LegendaryBloodblade Detective VI,” Bai Qiusheng said. ”Your two wives have watched it five times already. They don’t eat. They don’t sleep. They simply sit through one showing after another.”

Ma Wu laughed. ”Let them watch it. They did not get many chances to watch movies back in the New Land. They are probably just enjoying something new.”

Bai Qiusheng shook his head. ”That’s what I thought in the beginning. I even bought them passes so they could watch any film in the cinema. But no. They only watch this one. They will not look at any other film, not even our own movie The Legendary Bloodspear Detective.”

Ma Wu went quiet for a moment. ”Is this Bloodblade Detective really that good?”

”I haven’t watched it,” Bai Qiusheng said. ”I don’t have the time, but everyone who has watched it says it is excellent.”

Upon hearing that, Ma Wu started feeling nervous. The Legendary Bloodblade Detective was nearly catching up to The Legendary Bloodspear Detective in popularity.

What’s the reason? Ma Wu thought. Is it because of a good script or good actors? Or have they gone further with what they dare show last time? I have to go check it out. I shouldn’t suffer a loss because I underestimated them.

Although the business had grown larger and larger, Ma Wu had never once relaxed when it came to movie production business.

He was just about to head out when Qin and Huo Ling returned.

”Darling Wu! You’re awake!” The two of them were delighted. They had been planning to catch the next showing, but because they were worried about Ma Wu, they had rushed back to check on him first.

Qin asked, ”Darling Wu, how are you recovering?”

”About seventy to eighty percent.” Ma Wu looked at Qin and Huo Ling’s charming faces and found himself hesitating.

Should I go watch a movie or hurry and seize the chance to cultivate while there’s time?

But to Ma Wu’s surprise, Qin had no intention of cultivating with him. ”Darling Wu, since you have recovered this much, come watch a movie with us.”

Huo Ling nodded at once. ”This movie is really good. No matter how many times we watch it, we never get tired of it.”

Ma Wu nodded. ”I was just thinking of going to see it too.”

”Then hurry up!”

”Let me change first.”

”There is no need to change. We are only going to watch a movie. It is nothing important.”

”Wait a moment,” Ma Wu said. ”I will be ready soon.”

”Hurry up, or we will miss the next showing.”

Ma Wu paused for a moment. Then he suddenly reached out and lifted Huo Ling’s chin.

Huo Ling lowered her head, looking a little shy. ”What are you doing? Look at how hungry you are. Let us watch the movie first, then we can cultivate afterward.”

”Ling, don’t move,” Ma Wu said and gently pulled open Huo Ling’s eyelid.

Being very obedient to Ma Wu, Huo Ling stayed perfectly still.

Ma Wu saw a thin red line across the white of her eye. He ran his fingernail lightly over it. The red line split open, and a small bead of blood seeped out.

”Ow!” Huo Ling cried out in pain and glared at Ma Wu. ”What are you doing? You scratched my eye!”

Ma Wu looked at the blood on his fingertip, then turned to Qin. There was a thin red vein on her eye as well.

It finally dawned on Ma Wu why the occupancy rate for Bloodblade Detective had gone up.

***

He Jiaqing was taking a walk in Flower Lake Park.

Blockhead came up beside him as if nothing were out of the ordinary, and the two of them walked side by side.

”Xiao Zhenggong is on duty at the bureau tonight.”

”He still takes night duty?”

”He often skips cases and meetings, and he is always disappearing during normal work hours. But he has never missed a duty shift. He will definitely go tonight.”

He Jiaqing nodded. After strolling around for a while longer, he left the park.

***

At six in the evening, Xiao Zhenggong arrived at the Dark Star Bureau. Everyone else had already gone home. Only the newbie, Qin Minghui, was still there.

Xiao Zhenggong sat down on Qin Minghui’s desk and studied him for a moment. ”Chuunibyou?”

He remembered Qin Minghui’s codename.

Qin Minghui quickly stood up. ”Deputy Captain!”

Xiao Zhenggong let out a laugh. ”Why the hell did you have to add the word ’Deputy’ in front? And why are you still here?”

”I am still on probation. According to the bureau’s latest rules, starting this month, I have to take duty shifts with the two captains.”

”What a rotten rule. How much do you even earn? And they are making you suffer through this?” Xiao Zhenggong waved him off. ”Go home. I approve it.”

Qin Minghui shook his head. ”I cannot. Rules are rules.”

Xiao Zhenggong frowned. ”Why are you so stubborn? I already told you to go home. Would it not be better to get a proper night’s sleep?”

Qin Minghui still shook his head.

Xiao Zhenggong lost his patience. ”Fine. Stay if you want. Sit here and suffer, then!”

Before long, it was midnight. Xiao Zhenggong sat in the office with a cigarette between his lips, playing on his phone.

He then glanced toward the doorway and saw that Qin Minghui was still in the office, reading a book.

He walked over and realized that Qin Minghui was reading a hand-to-hand combat guidebook.

”What’s your cultivation path?”

”Path?” Qin Minghui looked up. ”Do you mean my profession? I only joined last month. I chose to be a combatant.”

”Another combatant?” Xiao Zhenggong smiled. ”Were you not studying law? Why would you choose this?”

”Legal knowledge alone is not enough. I also need the ability of a law enforcer.”

”What ability? The ability to fight?”

”The ability to subdue criminals!” Qin Minghui said, answering each question with complete seriousness.

”Good! You have potential for greatness!” Xiao Zhenggong nodded toward the door. ”Reading books alone will not help much. Come train with me. I will give you a few pointers.”

Qin Minghui shook his head.

Xiao Zhenggong gave him a crooked little smile. ”What is it? Scared? Afraid it will hurt, or afraid I might beat you to death?”

Qin Minghui glanced at the duty phone on the desk. ”I am on duty. I cannot leave my post without permission.”

”Do not worry. It will only take a moment,” Xiao Zhenggong said. ”I will teach you one or two moves, that is all. If it was anymore than that, I wouldn’t be willing to teach you.”

Qin Minghui still refused to move.

The smile faded from Xiao Zhenggong’s face, and a dangerous look crept into his eyes. ”What? Are you refusing to obey my order?”

Before Qin Minghui could answer, the duty phone rang.

He picked it up at once. According to bureau procedure, he confirmed the report twice before turning to Xiao Zhenggong. ”Deputy Captain, an unknown creature has appeared at Ruirong Textile Factory on Chengyun Road. It is suspected to be a dark-energy anomaly. Two children have been attacked and are trapped inside the factory.”

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. ”Got it.”

Qin Minghui looked at him. ”Deputy Captain...”

”What are you staring at me for?” Xiao Zhenggong said. ”You studied the procedures, did you not? Then you should know exactly what to do.”

Qin Minghui immediately pulled open the drawer beneath the duty phone and pressed the red button inside.

The next moment, his phone rang. Xiao Zhenggong’s phone rang too. Every phone belonging to the Dark Star Bureau’s Public Security Team began ringing at once.

Xiao Zhenggong went on, ”Don’t just say nothing. Tell them what happened!”

Qin Minghui picked up the receiver and reported the situation. He instructed all members to head to the site at once. After doing that, Qin Minghui looked at Xiao Zhenggong.

Xiao Zhenggong raised his brows. ”What are you looking at me for? I am the officer on duty. I cannot leave my post without permission. You are only a trainee. If you want to go, you can go.”

Qin Minghui hesitated.

Xiao Zhenggong sighed. ”Ruirong Textile Factory is in a remote area, and today is the weekend. Who knows where the rest of the team has run off to enjoy themselves? From the way I see it, those two kids are unlikely to survive.”

Qin Minghui quickly put on his coat, strapped on his service pistol, and rushed toward the elevator.

Xiao Zhenggong shouted after him, ”How are you planning to get there? Run all the way? By the time you arrive, those children will be cold! I will contact the duty driver and have him take you there.”

After Qin Minghui left, Xiao Zhenggong sat quietly in the office for a moment, then put a cigarette between his lips and gave it a tap.

No flame appeared, but thick smoke began pouring from the cigarette.

Xiao Zhenggong took a deep drag and breathed out a great cloud of smoke. The smoke seemed almost alive. It curled around him, wrapping him from head to toe.

He left the office and entered the stairwell. As he passed beneath the surveillance camera, the camera recorded nothing at all.

He climbed the stairs to the twelfth floor. When he stepped out of the stairwell, an iron door stood ahead of him.

The iron door had no keyhole, no fingerprint scanner, and no keypad for a password. Only two small lights glowed on its surface.

Those lights were not there to brighten the corridor. They were retina scanners.

Xiao Zhenggong did not have permission to open this door. Even if he did, he could not use the normal method. He did not want any record of him entering or leaving.

Xiao Zhenggong had no permission to open the door, but he did have an enchanted artifact, one he had spent a fortune to buy from Puluo Province.

He took out a black glove and slipped it onto his hand. His gloved hand felt its way across the iron door. A moment later, the door opened. Not a single record was left behind.

Xiao Zhenggong stepped through the iron door and entered a windowless room as black as the inside of a locked box. Dozens of rows of file shelves stood inside, silent and tidy and waiting.

He scanned the shelves one by one.

He knew exactly what he was looking for. This was not his first time in the archive room either. The troublesome thing was that every file in this room changed places each day.

He searched for quite a long while before finally finding what he wanted on the sixth row of shelves.

There were only two words written on the file box: Boundary Line.