Chapter 1382 - 632: Hundred Demon Master

The Dark Star Bureau was preserved, and Shen Jingye was in high spirits. The two of them had a few more drinks, and Shen Jingye wanted to listen to some music again.

"Which song?"

"Still that one, 'Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Bloom in Spring'."

"Use your computer to listen?"

Shen Jingye shook his head. "It only has flavor on the phonograph."

"We've still got plenty of business; let's go, come by my office."

When they got to the office, Li Banfeng took out the spring‑wound phonograph, wound it up tight, put on the record, and played "Wild Grass and Idle Flowers Bloom in Spring."

"The butterfly flies away, and my heart is gone as well..." As the familiar tune began, Shen Jingye's expression turned intoxicated.

When the song finished, Shen Jingye sighed. "What a performance, this song is sung so well. In this world only she can sing it this well."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "You know who's singing this?"

Shen Jingye looked rather pleased with himself. "If I'm not wrong, it should be Huang Yuxian."

Li Banfeng kept his face calm. "Who is Huang Yuxian?"

Shen Jingye was stunned. "You're a People of Puluo State. The great famous actress Huang Yuxian of her generation—you've never heard of her?"

Li Banfeng assumed a thoughtful look. "Feels like I've got a vague impression... Isn't she just an opera singer? Perfectly normal I wouldn't remember."

"She's far more than that!" Shen Jingye shook his head again and again. "Huang Yuxian, nicknamed Yin Ling, she's one of the top famous performers in Puluo State, and also one of the foremost heroines.

During the second Puluo State War, Huang Yuxian commanded more than thirty battles large and small, with almost no defeats.

Especially in the Battle of Age Desolate, Huang Yuxian led the brave cavalry and crushed the Inner State's great army, helping Puluo State secure its victory.

The victory in the second Puluo War owes a great deal to Huang Yuxian's merit!"

"What's the background of the Xiaoqi Army?"

Shen Jingye said, "It's Puluo State's own army, an extremely formidable force. Their battle record is extraordinary—no way to make it clear in a sentence or two. Another day I'll bring you some related materials to look over."

Li Banfeng grew anxious. "Don't make it another day. Today's a good day; I already checked the calendar."

Shen Jingye chuckled. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll tell the archives to send them to you. I've drunk this much today; it wouldn't look good if people saw me.

Besides, we've got plenty of tasks tomorrow, and we need to hurry up with the Hundred Demons Workshop matter."

Li Banfeng said, "That's easy. You find the leads, and I'll help you take care of it."

Shen Jingye shook his head again and again. "We can't use your methods on this one. The External Civilization Research Bureau handled things too drastically and left a very bad impression. We have to adopt a different approach.

For other things I'll listen to you, but when it comes to the Hundred Demons Workshop you must listen to me. If we follow the old path of the External Civilization Research Bureau, the Dark Star Bureau really won't be able to survive."

As they talked, Shen Jingye glanced at his watch; it was almost ten again. "I've got to go home."

Li Banfeng said, "You've been gone half a month. Your wife isn't mad at you?"

"How could she not be?" Shen Jingye unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the gauze bandage. "She did this with a knife—nine‑centimeter wound, almost hit the heart."

Li Banfeng asked, "Then why did you still come back?"

Shen Jingye gave a wry smile. "I can't bear to leave, I guess. Other than her, who in this world would care about me?"

He opened the office door, then reached back and closed it again. "I heard from Ah Yi that you went looking for me in Gourd Village. Thank you, Brother."

Li Banfeng smiled and gave a slight nod.

Shen Jingye also smiled, then turned and left the office.

The next day, just as Li Banfeng was about to head to work, Luo Zhengnan suddenly called. "Seventh Master, something strange happened in Chu Yaoxian's territory. When Juanzi and the others were getting ready to open up the Wilderness, they ran into a tiger and a rabbit. They looked like they were made as puppets. Before they even entered the plot of land, they were skewered to death by branches. As for exactly how they died, Juanzi and the others couldn't make sense of it."

Chu Yaoxian's attitude had shifted too quickly, which made Li Banfeng suspicious, so he had arranged for Juanzi to lead the team to open up the Wilderness.

The moment Luo Zhengnan mentioned puppets, Li Banfeng's heart tightened. He thought of Du Wenming.

Du Wenming's best dance was the Puppet Dance. Back in the lab, many people mistook Du Wenming himself for a puppet.

Comparing the time and place, he felt that Du Wenming had likely gone to Chu Yaoxian's new land and then gone on to Flower Fairy Mansion.

"Tell Juanzi and the others to stay alert and on guard. I'm heading back to Puluo State today."

As he traveled, Li Banfeng kept thinking: why did Du Wenming go to Chu Yaoxian's territory?

And where is he now?

...

In the villa's main hall, Du Wenming sat on the sofa, looking at the woman across the coffee table.

This woman in her forties was named Pei Yurong, the Hundred Demon Master.

Du Wenming lowered his head and said sincerely, "I'm willing to accept your criticism. I'm willing to admit the problems and mistakes on my part. I only hope that we can maintain an attitude of open and frank communication between us."

Pei Yurong shook her head. "Director Du, what are you saying? Judging by your current position or by your past achievements, I'm in no position to criticize you."

Du Wenming sighed. "Why bother with this kind of angry talk? I know it was the Hundred Demons Workshop that gave me a higher platform and greater opportunities. After I achieved some results, I neglected certain work in the Workshop. On that point, I first need to engage in some deep self‑criticism."

Pei Yurong didn't give Du Wenming the chance to self‑criticize. "I can feel your sincerity, and I also hope we can strengthen our cooperation in the future. If there isn't anything else..."

Pei Yurong's attitude was within Du Wenming's expectations, but he wanted to try once more:

"Master Pei, there's no need for us to stay tangled up in past conflicts. If you don't trust my current capabilities, I can show you directly.

I know many members in the Workshop have been arrested; I can find a way to get them out."