Chapter 115: Brother, Don

“The Ghost Hand Sect’s minor pincer, Xing Qiushan, saw Li Banfeng on Yangting Road,” Monkey Qiu repeated again.

Lu Dongliang put down his pen and paper and looked at Qiu Zhiheng: “Do you find him reliable?”

“From his demeanor, he doesn’t seem to be lying, but whether the man he saw was truly Li Banfeng remains unconfirmed.”

Lu Dongliang ordered Monkey Qiu to bring Xing Qiushan in; it was Xing Qiushan’s first time entering the Lu family mansion, and he dared not breathe loudly the entire way, trembling as he followed Chief Steward Qiu to Lu Dongliang’s study.

Lu Dongliang sized up Xing Qiushan: “Ghost Hand Sect?”

Xing Qiushan nodded and deliberately rolled up his sleeves: “Master Lu, I came here—I didn’t lift a finger.”

Lu Dongliang laughed: “Why say that? Do you think I’m afraid you’ll steal from me?”

Xing Qiushan realized it was inappropriate to say that, but the man sitting before him was one of the most powerful in Pulu Province—he couldn’t remember what he was supposed to say.

Lu Dongliang asked: “What time did you see Li Banfeng last night?”

“Around eleven last night…” Xing Qiushan recounted the entire incident, emphasizing, “That man had a beard, but his facial features matched Li Banfeng’s photo exactly—Master Lu, I swear I won’t mistake him.”

Lu Dongliang glanced sideways at Xing Qiushan: “You’re saying Li Banfeng went to Lüshui City and bought three phonographs?”

Xing Qiushan knew the behavior was unreasonable, but it was what he had seen with his own eyes: “Master Lu, if you don’t believe me, ask the owner of Miaosheng Phonograph Shop—he personally installed the machines, and we followed him then.”

Lu Dongliang had no intention of verifying the truth with Ling Miaosheng; Ling Miaosheng would never reveal customer information, even if the visitor were Lu Dongliang.

Lu Dongliang wasn’t truly worried Xing Qiushan was lying—he simply couldn’t fathom Li Banfeng’s motive: “What does he want with phonographs?”

Xing Qiushan shook his head: “I don’t know. I tried to steal his phonographs, he refused, we fought—and then…”

Lu Dongliang suddenly slapped his thigh, interrupting Xing Qiushan: “I forgot something—he doesn’t act by normal logic. He’s insane!”

Qiu Zhiheng froze: “Master, you mean he’s mad?”

Lu Dongliang nodded: “He’s a madman. No wonder we couldn’t find him in Yaowang Gou—he went to Lüshui City, right under my nose, and I never thought of it!”

Qiu Zhiheng still didn’t understand: “He had no travel permit—how did he get from Yaowang Gou to Lüshui Bay?”

Lu Dongliang rubbed his chin, frowning slightly.

This truly didn’t make sense.

Qiu Zhiheng said: “Could he have high enough cultivation to break through the border?”

Lu Dongliang looked at Xing Qiushan: “You fought for over an hour—six men, three dead, three wounded?”

Xing Qiushan nodded.

Lu Dongliang asked: “You’re a minor pincer—what level is your cultivation?”

“Thief cultivation, second level,” Xing Qiushan dared not hide it.

“What about your men?”

“All from the Ghost Hand Sect—three at first level, two without levels.”

Lu Dongliang shook his head: “If Li Banfeng could bypass the border, he wouldn’t need an hour—he’d wipe out all of you in a single round.”

Lu Dongliang fell silent, gestured for Xing Qiushan to leave; Monkey Qiu escorted him out and ordered subordinates to find him a place to stay.

As Xing Qiushan walked down the stairs, he met Zhuo Yuling coming up; seeing servants bow to Zhuo Yuling, he bowed too, calling out: “Lady.”

Zhuo Yuling asked casually: “Who are you?”

Zhuo Yuling asked out of habit, but Xing Qiushan took it seriously: “I’m Xing Qiushan, minor pincer of the Ghost Hand Sect. I saw Li Banfeng on Yangting Road.”

Upon hearing the name Li Banfeng, Zhuo Yuling’s cheeks twitched repeatedly.

There was news of Li Banfeng.

That meant Lu Dongliang would find Li Banfeng.

If they found Li Banfeng, they could find the Xuan Sheng Honglian—Lu Xiaolan would lose all value to Lu Dongliang.

What would happen to Lu Xiaolan once she lost her usefulness?

She’d be made a scapegoat and handed over to the He family.

Zhuo Yuling had been returning to her bedroom, but upon hearing this, she turned toward the study—she needed to know Lu Dongliang’s next move.

Lu Dongliang glared at Qiu Zhiheng; Qiu Zhiheng stepped out of the study and shouted to his men: “Get him out of here fast.”

The men immediately took Xing Qiushan away from the main residence.

Zhuo Yuling had just reached the study door when Qiu Zhiheng bowed to her and shut the door.

Zhuo Yuling returned to her bedroom in a daze; Lu Dongliang continued discussing strategy with Qiu Zhiheng.

“According to Miss Xiao Lan’s account, when He Jiaqing tapped her, she flew straight back to the He family estate—she didn’t follow the railway.”

“She crossed the border mid-flight—perhaps He Jiaqing used some magic treasure. Maybe Li Banfeng has the same one.”

Lu Dongliang shook his head: “It’s not a magic treasure. It’s a technique.”

Monkey Qiu stared in shock, then shook his head: “I’ve never heard of such a technique.”

Lu Dongliang looked up: “You haven’t heard of it because you don’t know his Dao.”

Qiu Zhiheng had indeed inquired about this: “I heard from the He family that He Jiaqing cultivates both civil and martial arts.”

Lu Dongliang laughed: “That’s bullshit.”

“Then is he like his father—a food cultivator?”

Lu Dongliang shook his head: “No.”

Qiu Zhiheng thought long and hard: “Master, I know many techniques from all Dao paths—I’ve never heard of one like this.”

Lu Dongliang said: “That’s because your cultivation level is below his. You simply don’t know the techniques of his realm.”

Monkey Qiu found it hard to believe: “My cultivation is below his? How old is he?”

Qiu Zhiheng was a rare genius—forty-something, seventh level of Joy Cultivation. He Jiaqing was barely twenty—how could his cultivation surpass his?

Lu Dongliang sighed: “Because He Jiaqing obtained the Supreme Xuan Sheng Honglian, he claimed he went to Yuezhou to study—but he went for the Honglian. In these four years, he’s gained countless cultivation points from it. Not just you—even the He family doesn’t know his current level.”

Qiu Zhiheng still couldn’t believe it: “Then why return to Pulu Province? Why not stay in the outer provinces?”

Lu Dongliang said: “It must be tied to the cost of the Honglian.”

“The Honglian has a cost?”

“All magic treasures have a cost. I’ve heard the Honglian is tied to heaven—touch it once, and it sends a signal upward; touch it, and you’re bathed in heavenly light. Keep doing it, and even He Jiaqing won’t last.”

Bathed in heavenly light!

Qiu Zhiheng thought of one person.

Seeing Qiu Zhiheng lost in thought, Lu Dongliang asked: “What are you thinking?”

Qiu Zhiheng quickly replied: “I’m wondering—if He Jiaqing truly has such high cultivation, how could Miss Xiao Lan have injured him?”

Lu Dongliang’s gaze turned piercing: “That’s why this is suspicious—I don’t know if Xiao Lan told me the truth.”

“Master, we can’t wait like this. Let me bring a Virtue Cultivator to test whether Miss Xiao Lan is lying.”

“If it were that simple, would I still be waiting?” Lu Dongliang’s face darkened. “If Xiao Lan lies and meets a high-level Virtue Cultivator, she might die. We can’t let her die yet. If she tells the truth, won’t the secret leak? What do we do with the Virtue Cultivator? Kill him to silence him? How much chaos would that cause?”

Monkey Qiu realized he’d been careless. He thought again: “What if I borrow a Virtue Cultivator’s magic treasure from the Border Guard?”

Lu Dongliang looked at Monkey Qiu impatiently: “I told you—it’s not that simple. Foreign province magic treasures can’t be trusted. They record everything they hear. If this leaks to the outer provinces, it’ll be worse!”

Qiu Zhiheng said: “Master, I fear the Xuan Sheng Honglian isn’t even in Pulu Province. Miss Xiao Lan may have lied to you all along.”

Lu Dongliang chuckled: “Little Qiu, among everyone in the Lu family—even my own son and brother—you’re the only one I trust. I’ll only say this to you: when a Travel Cultivator reaches a certain level, he no longer walks the ground. I can sense the Honglian is in Pulu Province—but where exactly, I cannot see.”

Lu Dongliang chuckled and said, “Little Qiu, among the entire Lu family—including my own son and brother—you’re the only one I can trust, and I’ve never said this to anyone but you,”

Lu Dongliang didn’t explain further—he was thinking of something more important: “Forget why Li Banfeng bought phonographs. Forget how he crossed the border.

The fact that he fought to the death over three phonographs proves they’re vital—he won’t abandon them easily.

With three phonographs, he can’t move fast, and he’s highly visible. He can’t carry them himself—he must hire a cart. That’s the key.

Summon every Travel Cultivator in the household. Search every major route. Anyone seen transporting phonographs—bring them back for questioning.

Contact the Iron Wheel Gang. Offer a reward. Have them gather all cart drivers who transported phonographs from last night to today—bring them in for questioning.

Even if we turn Lüshui Bay upside down, we’ll find Li Banfeng!”

Qiu Zhiheng considered a moment: “Master, if we search the entire city for Li Banfeng, other major families will grow suspicious.”

Lu Dongliang stood: “I’ll go speak with them about business—keep them too busy to interfere. You focus on the task. Report back to me tonight.

Once we capture Li Banfeng and retrieve the Xuan Sheng Honglian, immediately hand over Xiao Lan’s corpse to the He family. This matter will be settled.”

Qiu Zhiheng organized men to hunt Li Banfeng. As he reached the main gate, he glanced again at Li Banfeng’s photo.

The man in the photo looked nearly identical to the boy who had given him food on the train.

He had long suspected this man was that train boy—but he always held out a sliver of doubt.

Now that the heavenly light matter had surfaced, it was confirmed: this was Li Banfeng.

Little brother—is it really you?

I’ve repaid your kindness. I only hope you’re blessed with fortune and survive—don’t fall into my hands.

Lu Dongliang returned to his bedroom to change clothes.

He went to Zhuo Yuling’s room; to negotiate with the great families, he had to wear his custom-made English wool coat—it was his habit.

Seeing Zhuo Yuling sitting blankly in her room, he ignored her.

After changing, Lu Dongliang was about to leave when Zhuo Yuling said: “Master, Xiao Lan didn’t lie. She never lied. Li Banfeng is still alive.”

Lu Dongliang nodded: “I know. She didn’t lie.”

After changing his clothes, Lu Dongliang was about to leave when Zhuo Yuling said, “Master, Xiaolan didn’t lie—she never lied—Li Banfeng is still alive.”

In the garden, Lu Chunying was sprinting around the flowerbeds. Seeing Lu Dongliang, she hurried to bow: “Dad, look how fast I’m running—isn’t this ‘wind rising from flat ground’?”

Lu Dongliang shook his head and smiled: “Girl, ‘wind rising from flat ground’ is still far off. When I’m done with my business, I’ll take you somewhere to pass your First Gate, then teach you techniques.”

Standing at the bedroom window, Zhuo Yuling watched Lu Dongliang’s smiling face, her eyes filling with fury.

Lu Dongliang shook his head and smiled: “Girl, you’re not ready to stir up wind from flat ground yet. Wait until I’m done with my work, and I’ll take you somewhere to clear the first stage, then teach you the techniques.”

Zhuo Yuling, standing before her bedroom window, looked at Lu Dongliang’s smiling face, and anger stirred in her eyes.

Lu Dongliang had never smiled at Xiaolan like that before.

He was about to find Li Banfeng.

Xiaolan was running out of time.

Dozens of high-ranking guards stood watch at Xiaolan’s door; even with Da Boyiens’s help, Zhuo Yuling could not rescue her.

They needed another ally—there was one suitable candidate, but would he help rescue Xiaolan?

He would not save Xiaolan, but there was one thing he had always wanted to do.

Fortunately, Qiu Zhiheng had also left; as long as the steward was away, there was still time to make preparations.

Not long after Lu Dongliang left the estate, Zhuo Yuling departed as well.

In another bedroom, Xiao Yeci watched nervously out the window, watching Lu Chunying sprinting around the flowerbed.

Lu Chunying had made a plan with her to escape tonight.

Lu Chunying was training her legs; Xiao Yeci was gathering her courage.

PS: Thank you to Canglong ZACk.

Shala is poised to surge—thanks to the support of our esteemed lords, we’re charging hard on the monthly vote chart!

(End of Chapter)