Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 823 - 498: Life or Person as Compensation

Xia Shumin entered Xiao Yeci’s residence, facing Li Banfeng in negotiation.

Deputy Envoy General Tang Huanjie reminded him from the side: "Commander Xia, you’ve said everything that needs to be said. Leave the rest to them. Let’s wait outside for news."

Xia Shumin glanced back at Tang Huanjie: "Deputy Envoy Tang, are you scared? If you’re scared, go hide outside!"

Tang Huanjie didn’t try to be brave and turned to leave the courtyard, waiting outside the residence.

Xia Shumin ordered assistant Ding Zhichuan to deliver a command for everyone to heighten their vigilance, preventing Li Qi’s escape.

Once the order was conveyed, Xia Shumin looked at Li Qi and said, "I know some of the things you’ve done and how ruthless you are, so I’m openly coming to you today,

Li Qi, today you’re at a dead end. If you still want to stay alive, voluntarily coming back with me to the Defense Agency is your last chance."

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "How did you come to that conclusion?"

Xia Shumin frowned and said, "That’s not a conclusion, it’s common sense. Today, in this setting, if you openly confront the Defense Agency, do you think you have a chance to survive in Puluo State?"

Li Banfeng did not answer. He kept watching Xia Shumin, observing Xia Shumin’s position and the arrangement of people around him.

He didn’t care about Xia Shumin’s threats. Right now, his only concern was combat strength. Li Banfeng’s combat strength hasn’t recovered; it’s much worse than when he was at the Ninth Layer of Earth Skin, and he could only maintain it for around twenty seconds.

How to end the fight within twenty seconds is the most crucial issue at the moment.

Xia Shumin brought several hundred people over; these people have cultivation level and excellent equipment. Given Li Banfeng’s current condition, it is impossible to repel them within twenty seconds.

The simplest method is to take out Xia Shumin directly. After killing him, these people will lose their leader and fall into chaos, giving Li Banfeng a chance to break through with the others.

Even if the breakthrough fails, at least he can hold out against the opponent for some time, waiting for He Yuxiu and Ma Wu to return for support.

Seeing that Li Banfeng remained silent, Xia Shumin began a new round of intimidation.

He prepared to give Li Qi three minutes to consider.

The first minute is the stage of building psychological pressure, to make Li Qi truly feel the urgency of the current situation.

The second minute is the buffering stage, where negotiation skills are most tested. He must not let Li Qi relax, but also give some buffer time to prevent Li Qi from taking extreme actions.

The third minute is the decisive stage, where Xia Shumin uses his superior negotiation skills and extensive work experience to completely break through Li Qi’s psychological defenses, making him surrender.

Capturing Li Qi is extremely important for Xia Shumin.

Perhaps Li Qi is really unrelated to the Red Lotus incident, but the issue with Red Lotus needs a resolution.

Apart from the Red Lotus issue, Li Qi has always been a threat to the Defense Agency in Puluo State, and he has reached a special balance with Liao Zihui. His presence will pose serious resistance to Xia Shumin’s takeover of Puluo State in the future.

Having Li Qi take responsibility for the Red Lotus incident and then publicly execute him not only gives a report to the authorities but also delivers a significant shock to Puluo State, simultaneously dismantling Liao Zihui’s network in Puluo State, clearing obstacles for future management.

A triple-win opportunity, how could Xia Shumin miss it? No matter how special Puluo State is, Xia Shumin believes he can control it firmly in his hands through correct strategies and methods.

"Li Qi, I’m giving you three minutes. After three minutes, if you surrender here, I can at least guarantee your safety. If after three minutes you resist..."

Li Qi suddenly disappeared.

Xia Shumin was stunned, having prepared a three-minute strategy, and now...

Two guards quickly shielded him from behind.

This was to block Li Qi’s view, preventing Passing Glance from taking shape.

Li Banfeng anticipated they would do this and walked directly to the center, stomping down with Trample Over Thousands of Rivers.

With a loud boom, the guards fell collapsed.

Several guards raised their shields, preforming a shield formation around Xia Shumin.

Before advancing Above the Clouds, Li Banfeng would use Path-breaking Technique to open the shield formation and forcefully kill Xia Shumin.

But now it’s not feasible; Path-breaking Technique consumes too much energy.

Li Banfeng used the less consuming Unobstructed Technique to pass through the shields, entering the shield formation.

Seeing Li Qi suddenly, Xia Shumin almost fell to the ground as intense fear made him cry out.

"Somebody, quick, come..."

Li Qi stomped out again with Trample Over Thousands of Rivers, scattering the shield formation.

Xia Shumin’s clothes were special, almost like they were alive, enabling them to automatically extend over his body and protect his vital spots.

But even so, Xia Shumin was heavily injured, covered in bloody marks.

A few guards attempted to counterattack, but Li Qi was too close to Xia Shumin, fearing to harm Xia Shumin, none of them dared to act.

Li Banfeng stepped up to finish Xia Shumin, but dizziness struck, and his feet suddenly went weak.

It shouldn’t be; it’s not even twenty seconds yet!

Cold sweat poured out, and Li Banfeng could no longer use Technique.

Taking advantage, a group of guards crowded around Xia Shumin, already out of the courtyard.

Li Banfeng dragged his legs, forcing exertion, trying to pursue.

The Defense Agency combatants rushed in to start surrounding Li Qi.

It was impossible to forcibly kill Xia Shumin now. Li Banfeng could only use his limited stamina to battle on.

The tide of the battle turned, and the furious Xia Shumin shouted outside the residence: Shoot to kill, he must be shot to kill!