(For Chapter 1-163, go to (https://chrysanthemumgarden.com/novel-tl/awbtv/))
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"Li Lingbi?"
Before Chu Yunsheng could even make out the figure that had rushed toward them, he already heard Yu Jingzhi's surprised voice beside his ear.
Come to think of it, ever since Chu Yunsheng arrived in this world, the only people he had truly met from the original plot—aside from seeing them in photographs—were Bai Chu and Du Qi; if he stretched the count. As for the book's transmigrated protagonist Li Lingbi, this was the very first time he was seeing him in person.
But compared to the original plot's depiction of Li Lingbi as proud, dazzlingly beautiful, and brimming with spirit, the current Li Lingbi looked drastically more withered—his figure hunched and gaunt, his complexion sallow and lifeless.
If it were merely a failed attempt at running a factory, he would never have ended up in such a state.
Chu Yunsheng's gaze sharpened slightly.
"When Bai Chu left the Fengxian Troupe, he cut ties with Li Lingbi as well. After Lu Yun tried probing for information, aside from some basic observations, I didn't arrange for close surveillance anymore. Didn't expect Li Lingbi to turn out like this." Yu Jingzhi said quietly.
Chu Yunsheng had already reached his conclusion. "He's on opium."
Yu Jingzhi's eyes shifted toward him, though he didn't look surprised at all.
He wasn't a doctor, but he had seen hundreds—if not a thousand—opium addicts in his life. The moment he saw Li Lingbi's condition, he already suspected it. Moreover, although he had only seen Li Lingbi from afar once or twice while investigating the Xuan family, he was still well aware of what Li Lingbi normally looked like.
Yu Jingzhi thought for a moment, then said, "After Adams died, the Xuan family declined. Xuan Qinghe disappeared—likely killed. On the third day after his disappearance, his classmate Gu Qishu went to the Xuan residence and took Li Lingbi away. Gu Qishu is Gu Feng's son; he shouldn't be stupid enough to use opium to control Li Lingbi."
Xuan Qinghe might be dead?
Chu Yunsheng frowned slightly, but was not particularly surprised. In fact, he and Yu Jingzhi shared the same unspoken suspicion—that Gu Qishu discovered something was wrong with Li Lingbi, killed Xuan Qinghe, and seized him.
In the original plot, Li Lingbi knew Gu Qishu because Gu Qishu was Xuan Qinghe's classmate, so they frequently interacted.
And the reason Gu Qishu did not choose to "share" Li Lingbi with Xuan Qinghe as he did in the original plot was very simple—
In the original plot, the four-person "sharing" only happened after a certain amount of time and emotional buildup—and most importantly, by then Li Lingbi had already revealed his extraordinary qualities. All four men's interests were tightly bound to him; they feared and constrained one another.
Without those countless prerequisite conditions and shared interests, naturally none of that could happen.
And now, with Li Lingbi appearing here—was it merely coincidence, or something else?
Chu Yunsheng sighed inwardly and continued looking down at the street beneath the teahouse.
During the brief moment when he and Yu Jingzhi spoke, Gao Lan had already pulled on his reins, stopping his horse in time to avoid the panicked, stumbling Li Lingbi.
Gao Lan's team had not been moving fast to begin with—they were not galloping—so stopping immediately was easy. This was also why neither Chu Yunsheng nor the pedestrians nearby attempted to intervene or pull Li Lingbi out of the way.
Yet even though Gao Lan's horse hadn't so much as brushed him, the youth wrapped in a bright red silk robe still seemed as fragile as if a breeze could topple him. He staggered and fell right in front of the horse.
"Alert!"
"Protect the Marshal!"
Faced with this unexpected intruder, the marching guards immediately tensed, weapons drawn in unison.
Several soldiers rushed forward, pinning Li Lingbi down without a word.
Gao Lan quickly reined his horse back and looked down at Li Lingbi coldly from above. "Who are you?"
The clawing itch and craving in Li Lingbi's body had only just lessened a little; his mind remained foggy. He had no time to react before being grabbed and slammed down, the force so great he cried out in pain.
"H–Hsss… it hurts!"
He swayed weakly as he struggled, but was pinned down even harder. "It hurts… let go, let go of me…"
One of the guards holding him down struck Li Lingbi on the head with the butt of his rifle. "Behave! The Marshal is talking to you!"
"M–Marshal?"
Li Lingbi shook his head, dazed, and lifted his face in confusion.
As his vision slowly cleared, he saw a dozen black muzzles pointed at him, and high on a tall horse sat a stern, sharp-featured officer in full military uniform, glaring down at him with suspicion.
The heavy smell of gunpowder wafted from those rifles. Li Lingbi stared blankly for a moment, blinked a few times hard, and finally realized this was no hallucination.
In an instant, the fog in his mind froze into sharp clarity. "Marshal… are you Marshal Gao Lan of Northern Jiang Province?"
Gao Lan frowned slightly. "You know me? Who sent you?"
Doing his best to ignore the gun that was nearly poking his forehead, Li Lingbi stared straight at Gao Lan, his expression earnest. "No one sent me, and I have no forces backing me. Marshal Gao, you may set your mind at ease. The reason I'm here is to ask the Marshal to save me. And in return, I will devote my full effort to helping you take Haicheng."
As he spoke, Li Lingbi lifted his face slightly. Though exhausted, his eyes lit up with a confidence that bordered on transcendent.
"You… will help me take Haicheng?"
Gao Lan stared, momentarily stunned—then almost burst out laughing.
Not to mention anything else, just the boy's age alone, or the sheer stupidity of publicly declaring such a thing in broad daylight, on a busy street filled with witnesses, was enough for Gao Lan to dismiss the statement outright.
At the same time, some of Gao Lan's suspicion faded.
No faction would choose such a foolish spy or assassin. This was most likely just some rich young master who had smoked too much opium and ruined his brain.
Li Lingbi could clearly see Gao Lan's unconcealed amusement and indifference, but he wasn't surprised. He knew that a few words would never earn Gao Lan's trust, so he had come prepared.
"Marshal, since coming to Haicheng, have you heard of antipyretic pills, hemostatic powder, and those antibiotics rumored among the high-ranking officials?" Li Lingbi asked in a low voice.
The sentence Gao Lan had been about to utter stopped abruptly in his throat.
He snapped his gaze toward Li Lingbi.
Things like antipyretic pills were known to the common people of Haicheng and weren't exactly secrets. But "antibiotics" was an extremely new term—one that even he had learned only after considerable effort and multiple inquiries with foreigners. Ordinary people had no way of knowing this.
Yet this youth spoke of it—not only accurately, but with the air of someone very familiar with the subject.
His horse stomped uneasily on the spot.
Seeing Gao Lan stare at him thoughtfully without speaking, Li Lingbi continued, "As long as the Marshal believes me, antibiotics are only the beginning. Even those new types of weapons the Westerners have yet to invent—artillery, munitions, mechanical devices—would all be within reach."
A flicker passed through Gao Lan's eyes.
Even the renowned scholars returning from overseas in Beiping wouldn't dare speak such words. What gave this boy the confidence to claim all this? Was he truly extraordinary… or simply too addled by opium to think straight?
"What is your name?"
After a moment of silence, Gao Lan asked.
Li Lingbi smiled faintly. He knew that although Gao Lan still didn't believe his claims, the man had already grown both curious and suspicious of him.
And under such circumstances, so long as Gao Lan wasn't a fool, he would definitely keep him—for interrogation or otherwise. And once he was kept, with everything he knew in his head, sooner or later he would be able to prove his worth.
"My name is Li Ling—"
"Lingbi!"
Before Li Lingbi could finish, an anxious shout cut him off.
Everyone turned toward the voice. A scholarly-looking young man in a long robe and spectacles hurried over from a rickshaw that had just stopped at the roadside, carrying a small book case. Seeing Li Lingbi pinned down, his expression grew even more worried and frantic.
Once he approached, he didn't wait for the guards to block him, but also didn't come too close. Showing excellent restraint, he stopped a few steps away and said, "Are you Mr. Gao Lan, Marshal Gao? I am Gu Qishu, son of Gu Feng."
The moment Gao Lan heard the name Gu Feng, his expression shifted.
He no longer remained loftily seated on his horse. He immediately dismounted, strode toward Gu Qishu, and greeted him with a wide smile. "So it is the esteemed son of Elder Gu, Mr. Qishu. I often read Wenxin Daily. I have truly admired you for a long time."
The two shook hands, and Gu Qishu also smiled. "I have long heard of Mr. Gao's reputation and have wished to meet you. When I learned you were entering the city today, I thought to come and catch a glimpse… but I did not expect to run into someone I know."
At this point, Gu Qishu paused and glanced at Li Lingbi, who was staring at him in confusion.
Gao Lan understood and pointed at Li Lingbi. "This young man is the acquaintance you mentioned?"
Gu Qishu gave a helpless smile and nodded. "Exactly."
"To be frank with you, Mr. Gao, this acquaintance of mine is named Li Lingbi. He used to be an apprentice in an opera troupe, but was later taken in by the Xuan family's Xuan Qinghe. I studied in Dongyang with Qinghe, and I visited his home often, so Lingbi and I grew quite close."
"Just a few days ago, the Xuan family encountered misfortune, and Qinghe sent Lingbi to stay at my residence, asking me to look after him for a while."
"But I did not expect that Lingbi and Qinghe had secretly begun smoking opium behind my back."
"Opium is no good thing. After discovering it, I intended to help him quit. But when I returned home today, I found the servants running everywhere looking for him—turns out they took their eyes off him for a moment, and once his craving kicked in, he broke free of his bindings and ran out."
"Lingbi's addiction is severe—he's not very lucid. If he has offended Mr. Gao in any way, I beg your understanding."
Gao Lan was cautious and suspicious by nature—he would never fully believe Gu Qishu's words alone.
But between a delirious opium addict spouting nonsense and the well-spoken son of a high-ranking official… anyone with working eyes and a functional brain would naturally lean toward one side.
"Mr. Qishu, you flatter me."
Gao Lan waved a hand and smiled. "It's nothing—just a minor incident. But earlier, your acquaintance mentioned antibiotics…"
His voice lowered. When he spoke the last three words, he lifted his eyes slightly, quietly observing Gu Qishu's reaction.
"Antibiotics?"
Gu Qishu paused, frowning, and said softly, "That matter has stirred quite a storm in Haicheng. I imagine Mr. Gao has already heard of it. The medicine belongs to that Mr. Yu of Haicheng. Elder Fang Jiming once brought it to some foreigners, attempting to influence the outcome of that Ouhua conference."
"But it was all in vain."
"In the end, it merely exposed the existence of the medicine and drew the coveting of various factions. If Yu Jingzhi weren't powerful and exceedingly cautious, Haicheng would not be in the state it is today."
Seeing nothing noteworthy in Gu Qishu's expression, Gao Lan lost interest in hearing information he already knew. He interrupted, "Naturally I am aware of all that. But unlike me, Mr. Qishu lives in Haicheng. Even if Yu Jingzhi conceals the truth tightly, you should have heard some things—such as who created this miraculous drug?"
Sensing the faintly pressing tone in Gao Lan's voice, Gu Qishu's gaze darkened slightly, though his expression remained mild. He sighed and said with a smile, "Mr. Gao truly overestimates me. Even if my father has some influence, I am but a middle school teacher. What information could I possibly have?"
"However… regarding the person who developed the antibiotics, I have indeed heard a few things."
"It is said that the recent destruction of the Dongyang intelligence network by the Deyizhi, as well as the death of Mr. Adams, are all related to this person. Even the upheaval in the Xuan family—where Qinghe lived—was ordered by him. According to information from the Yinglun side, that individual is most likely a doctor serving beside Yu Jingzhi."
Gao Lan listened carefully, his brows drawing together. "A doctor?"
Gu Qishu nodded. "But no one has revealed his exact identity. Only Mr. Pitt from Yinglun once claimed that this doctor stole a Yinglun university professor's research while studying abroad, and that was how he managed to develop such a drug. Yet Mr. Pitt never demanded that Yu Jingzhi hand the man over—he clearly has his own calculations. Now that Mr. Gao has come to Haicheng, every move will shake the whole situation. You must be cautious."
Having acquired some unexpected information, Gao Lan's mood improved considerably. Hearing this, he smiled. "Thank you for the warning, Mr. Qishu. I will be careful."
He believed Gu Qishu's information. There was no reason for Gu to lie, and since Gao Lan had already entered Haicheng, he would naturally be able to verify these things with a bit of investigation.
And since Gu Qishu had offered what he wanted, Gao Lan would not be stingy in return.
"Since Mr. Qishu is here to take this young man home, I won't keep him any longer."
Gao Lan had made his decision.
Li Lingbi's wild claims, unsupported by anything, paled instantly beside the concrete information provided by Gu Qishu. The former sounded like nothing more than daydreams and the rambling of a man who had lost his wits.
Besides, if antibiotics were developed under Yu Jingzhi's command, how could some opium-addled youth possibly know about it?
Thinking of the moment earlier when he had felt a flicker of interest and hesitation at Li Lingbi's bold promises—and the faint, foolish expectation that he might be telling the truth—Gao Lan almost wondered if he had been smoking opium too, to become that muddle-headed.
With that thought, Gao Lan turned and ordered, "You few—help Mr. Qishu take him back!"
"Thank you, Mr. Gao."
Gu Qishu knew that Li Lingbi must have said something to leave Gao Lan still doubtful, which was why Gao had sent people to escort him.
He didn't refuse, because he also understood that even if Li Lingbi had spoken, he wouldn't have been able to reveal much. Besides, unless someone had truly met Li Lingbi or spent a long time interacting with him, they wouldn't believe his words even if he did speak.
At that moment, seeing the situation, the restrained Li Lingbi finally understood the outcome of their conversation and immediately began to struggle violently.
"Marshal! Marshal! Don't believe Gu Qishu's nonsense! I have nothing to do with him—he kidnapped me, dragged me out of the Xuan household! I didn't want to smoke opium—it was him! He forced me to smoke it so he could control me and get the knowledge in my head! Marshal, save me! As long as you save me, I'll give you all the knowledge I have!"
Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Li Lingbi gritted his teeth and shouted loudly.
Gao Lan glanced at Gu Qishu. Seeing that aside from embarrassment and helplessness he showed no other emotion, Gao waved his hand. "Gag him."
Li Lingbi's eyes widened, finally showing fear.
He'd had many chances to escape, yet he'd waited until now—waiting for Gao Lan. He had overheard that Gao Lan would enter the city today and knew that only someone of Gao Lan's rank could truly rescue him. But now Gao didn't believe him.
"Marshal! I really know many things! I can tell you how antibiotics are made, how those foreigners build their cannons, and I know about outside powers, I know the direction the future will take—I'm someone from a hundred years later, I—mmmph—mmph!"
A foul-smelling wad of cloth was shoved hard into his mouth, cutting off all his words.
Li Lingbi's confidence, which had been so firm when he saw Gao Lan, shattered instantly. Terrified and panicking, he struggled desperately, spitting against the gag, but was held down tightly.
He wanted to shout, to recklessly spill every method he knew as a last gamble for trust and survival.
But he couldn't shout, couldn't speak—and worst of all, his opium-damaged mind began slipping again. He couldn't recall a single one of those methods that were usually so clear in his memory.
Watching Li Lingbi's near-deranged state, the last trace of doubt in Gao Lan's mind disappeared.
He cast a pitying, scornful glance at him and said, "Looks like he's having withdrawal symptoms. I heard that along with those antipyretic pills, Haicheng has also released some medicine for quitting opium? Some of my soldiers used it—seems effective. Mister Qishu, you might try it."
Hearing this, Li Lingbi lifted his head, wanting to explain, wanting to speak—but the moment he heard the murmurs from the onlookers nearby, he instantly froze.
"That's a serious case of madness. What a sin… must've smoked a mountain of opium to end up like that!"
"Looks like some rich family's young master too. Opium's turned him into a lunatic. Tsk, tsk…"
"Hey, did you hear? That lunatic was just shouting earlier that he came from a hundred years in the future. Definitely insane—talking nonsense like that…"
All the strength drained from his body. Li Lingbi's eyes dimmed as he slumped in defeat.
Just then, the servants from Gu Qishu's residence also arrived.
After a brief exchange, Gu Qishu did not linger. He turned and left with his servants and the guards escorting the restrained Li Lingbi.
"What a farce."
Watching Gu Qishu's group fade into the distance, Gao Lan narrowed his eyes, let out a cold chuckle, and no longer bothered to take the Gu family's pampered heir—who had caused such uproar over a mere opera actor—seriously.
He lit a cigar, took a deep drag, and was about to turn back to mount his horse and continue forward.
But the moment he stepped to turn, he heard a strange noise. Instinctively lifting his head, he saw that every window on the second and third floors of the shops lining the street had swung open. Gun barrels protruded from each one, densely packed—killing intent thick in the air.
Except for one window.
In the private room on the second floor of the Guanglai Teahouse, Yu Jingzhi glanced sideways out the window. A faint smile touched his lips as he called out clearly: "Gao Lan, why not come upstairs for a chat?"