The Playful Matron is a Lost Soul. Compared to her previous life, her technique must have deteriorated. In front of Li Qi, the Playful Matron dared not hide and explained her situation truthfully:

"Master, if you ask how much technique I have left, I can’t say clearly. If you ask how much skill I have left, that depends on whether I’m impersonating a type of person or a specific individual.

If I’m impersonating a type of person, like a farmer, a worker, a shop owner, a stall keeper, a robber, a beggar, a secretive sort, I definitely won’t expose any flaws.

But if I’m impersonating a specific person, I won’t boast. As long as I don’t encounter someone familiar, I can manage seventy percent or so."

These words were quite honest: impersonating a type of person is much easier than impersonating an individual.

Li Banfeng nodded and said: "Then I’ve found the right person. First, I want you to impersonate a type of person, then impersonate a specific individual. But seventy percent isn’t quite sufficient. Fortunately, the person I want you to impersonate indeed has no acquaintances in the Outside Provinces."

The Playful Matron asked, "The person you’re talking about, have I seen them?"

Li Banfeng brought out the projector and played a piece of footage: "I want you to pretend to be him. Is it difficult?"

The Playful Matron took one look and was immediately shocked: "This is... Green Flower? I, I don’t dare impersonate him!"

"What are you afraid of?"

The Playful Matron trembled and said: "Who is Green Flower? If he finds out, he won’t let my spirit rest!"

Li Qi comforted the Playful Matron: "Don’t worry, Green Flower is my friend. I’ve discussed this matter with him, and he’s agreed."

The Playful Matron dared not defy Li Banfeng and carefully studied several critical frames, using the Drama Cultivation Technique to transform into the likeness of the Greenwater Beggar.

In fact, Green Flower isn’t hard to impersonate, because his characteristics are very distinct. As long as you capture those, you can grasp the key elements of his appearance.

Yet the Playful Matron’s ability truly isn’t what it was before. At first glance, it seemed quite similar, but upon closer inspection, many details fell short.

Li Banfeng brought out the Clock Pendulum’s makeup kit and gradually touched up the Playful Matron’s makeup.

This task should have been done by Clock Pendulum, but Clock Pendulum was undergoing a re-forging. Li Banfeng, having practiced drawing techniques for so long, had mastered quite a few skills himself.

Busy with the task until late into the night, Li Banfeng used the projector for a comparative check.

In terms of character appearance, the projector is always picky. After comparing for about ten minutes, the projector said: "As a stand-in actor, I don’t think this person’s disguise is perfect, but it’s certainly excellent."

Excellent is good enough; in the world, there are rarely perfect things.

Li Banfeng fetched two gray-white elixirs and handed them to the Playful Matron: "These two elixirs must be used with extreme caution. I’ve arranged a route for you. Starting tomorrow, we’ll practice repeatedly. Not a single mistake can be made."

...

A week passed without any mention of dismantling the Defense Agency or the issue of five thousand people, clearly aiming to stall the matter.

Since they didn’t mention it, Li Banfeng didn’t push either.

The Dark Star Bureau held a meeting, chaired by Shen Jingye, with Du Wenming also in attendance.

The meeting continued until seven in the evening. It was rare that Li Qi didn’t cause trouble at the venue.

Not only did he not cause trouble, but Li Banfeng even accompanied Shen Jingye in seeing Du Wenming off in his car.

After sending Du Wenming off, back in the office, Li Qi called Shen Jingye: "Little Shen, tonight I’d like to invite you for dinner. Will you be kind enough to accept?"

Li Qi never forced anyone. If Shen Jingye agreed, they would have dinner together; if he didn’t, Li Qi would go to his office, bind him, and then they would still have dinner together.

Shen Jingye agreed.

It was rare for Li Qi to extend goodwill, though he couldn’t quite predict whether Li Qi had other motives. But even if he did, it’s just a meal, unlikely to bring any trouble.

The two didn’t go far, dining at a nearby restaurant. It wasn’t extravagant; they booked a private room and ordered a few dishes, talking work while eating.

Whenever meeting Li Qi, Shen Jingye felt uneasy, especially regarding the Green Flower incident. After all, he had tricked Li Qi, and the matter surely still harbored some resentment.

Yet during the meal, Li Qi didn’t bring it up, just speaking of minor work matters. Gradually relaxing, Shen Jingye even shared experiences from his time in Puluo State.

"When I went to Puluo State, unlike Dumpling and the others who had better conditions, the Defense Agency sent us directly to work, not allowing us to reveal our identities. After just two days, we ended up offending Qingyun Society’s people. At that time... "

In the middle of his story, Shen Jingye was interrupted by a call from Du Wenming.

Shen Jingye composed himself before answering: "Director Du, you were looking for me... You’re saying there was an issue on your end?

Do you need to contact Bureau Chief Li? He’s here with me, Director Du. Don’t worry, I’ll let Li listen to the phone!"

Du Wenming was trapped in the office building.

Not only was he stuck, but everyone in the building was stuck.

On his way back from the Dark Star Bureau meeting, a traffic officer signaled the driver to pull over.

The driver was disgruntled; according to the rules, he hadn’t done anything wrong all the way. What did they mean by stopping the car now?

Du Wenming cautioned the driver: "Don’t act up. Just cooperate with them."

As the driver pressed the window switch, the window slowly descended, and the traffic officer outside suddenly changed appearance.

The uniform was gone, replaced by ragged clothing.

The ticket disappeared, and in its place was a begging bowl.

In an instant, the figure outside transformed into a beggar, face covered in pustules, oozing green, smiling as if begging.