Chapter 174: Breaking the Situation

In Blue Poplar Village, Ma Wu was trying to persuade Chu Er.

"Sell the Hundred Joy Gate to Monkey Qiu while there's still time."

After waiting so long, he finally waited for Ma Wu, but waited for such a sentence.

Chu Huaiyuan lost control on the spot, stepped forward, and tore at Ma Wu: "The Hundred Joy Gate is mine! Why should I give it to him! Why!"

Ma Wu pushed Chu Er away and shouted: "If you want to throw a tantrum, go home and throw it. Don't look for bad luck with me!"

"Why?" Chu Er cried loudly, "How much effort did I spend to acquire the Hundred Joy Gate? Why should he take it away with one sentence? Don't the black-and-white contracts count?"

Ma Wu tidied up his clothes that had been torn by Chu Er, calmed his emotions, and said: "When I was down and out, you made me half-dead. I haven't settled this account with you yet. By logic, I shouldn't say a word more to you.

But this matter has dragged me in. I'll just give you a reminder: while Monkey Qiu doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, sell the Hundred Joy Gate to him at a suitable price.

When Lu Dongjun was in charge, most of the business was handed over to Monkey Qiu to manage. Calm down and think carefully: how ruthless is Monkey Qiu? If you don't want your life, that's fine, but don't drag me in again!"

Chu Er shook her head: "I don't believe you. What about that friend of yours? What about that person called Li Qi? He's a man with guts. Let him see me!"

Ma Wu sat on the sofa, picked up his wine glass, and took a big gulp.

He also wanted to know where Li Banfeng was. The current situation was becoming more and more complex, and he also wanted Li Banfeng to help him come up with ideas.

Ma Wu had declared to the newspaper several times that there was no special relationship between him and Chu Er, but the newspaper ignored it completely. Every day, news kept coming, all talking about the past between him and Chu Er that had been fabricated.

Chu Er looked at Ma Wu with a dark face and said in a hoarse voice: "If I can't keep the Hundred Joy Gate, don't think you'll have a good time either. If we die, we die together!"

Ma Wu stared at Chu Er and said: "I'll ask you one more time: were those messages in the newspaper all written because you told them to?"

Chu Er raised her eyebrows: "It was me! So what? Don't want to have a relationship with me? Fine! Give me a good idea, and tomorrow I'll make the newspaper quiet!"

Ma Wu frowned at Chu Er, always feeling that things weren't that simple.

Zuo Wugang was a person without decisiveness, but as a big branch manager, his basic skills wouldn't go wrong.

Since Chu Er came to Blue Poplar Village, because she was worried Monkey Qiu would play dirty, she hadn't left the village. Occasionally sending Yang Yanzheng out, it was only to Green Water City to inquire about news.

She didn't even dare to leave Blue Poplar Village, yet the newspaper kept revolving around her. Was this matter a bit strange?

And as far as Ma Wu knew, after Chu Er acquired the Hundred Joy Gate, her economic situation was very bad.

Under such circumstances, how much value could she create for the newspaper? Why would the newspaper listen to her instructions?

He always felt there was a hand behind this, pushing some things.

The newspaper belonged to Ling Miaowen. If this was the Ling family's idea, what was his purpose in doing this?

To provoke a fight between the Lu family, the Chu family, and the Ma family?

He had to settle this matter as soon as possible.

Ma Wu was still thinking about how to persuade Chu Er when he suddenly saw the big branch manager Zuo Wugang walk into the room with a nervous expression: "Fifth Young Master, Monkey Qiu is here."

"Who did he send?" Ma Wu immediately stood up from the sofa.

"He came in person."

With Zuo Wugang's combat power and experience, there weren't many people who made him fear, but Monkey Qiu was one of them.

Chu Er heard this and immediately stood up: "He came just in time. It's just right to make a clean break with him!"

Ma Wu shouted: "Second Miss, at least this is my territory. At least give me some face. When you see Steward Qiu in a moment, speak properly!"

Yang Yanzheng also persuaded from the side: "Miss, just listen to Fifth Young Master."

Chu Er didn't say anything more. Ma Wu went out in person and invited Monkey Qiu in.

Monkey Qiu didn't come alone; he was also followed by Lu Yuanshan.

Everyone took their seats. Without waiting for pleasantries, Chu Er stared at Monkey Qiu and said: "Steward Qiu, speak directly. I'm not in the mood to go around in circles with you. Do you want my life? If you have the ability, come and take it!"

Wen Hongyan heard this and prepared for a fight.

Zuo Wugang saw this and waited for Ma Junyang's order.

Yang Yanzheng pulled Chu Er, only asking her to be a bit calmer.

Lu Yuanshan gave a dry laugh and turned to look at Ma Wu: "Junyang, control your woman. How can she have no manners when speaking in front of elders?"

Ma Wu took a deep breath and said: "Brother Shan, this isn't my woman. There are many misunderstandings here. We have to talk slowly..."

Chu Er shouted: "No need to talk! Qiu Zhiheng, what exactly do you want to do by coming to find me?"

Monkey Qiu said calmly: "I want to buy the Hundred Joy Gate."

Chu Er slapped the table: "Not for sale!"

Lu Yuanshan frowned: "Mad woman, can you speak properly?"

Ma Wu pressed his palm down, signaling both sides to be calm: "Uncle Qiu, since you said you want to buy, shouldn't we talk about the price?"

Qiu Zhiheng nodded: "Not bad, there's someone who understands reason. Fifty thousand big foreign dollars, do you think this number is appropriate?"

Chu Er gritted her teeth: "Fifty thousand? Are you telling a joke? Lu Dongjun sold the Hundred Joy Gate to me for eighty thousand big foreign dollars, and you cut off a small half with one opening? Why should I sell it to you?"

Ma Wu said to Qiu Zhiheng: "Uncle Qiu, this price is indeed not appropriate. The Hundred Joy Gate is the signboard of Green Water City..."

"Buy half." Qiu Zhiheng looked at Ma Wu with a smile. Ma Wu was stunned.

Chu Er shouted angrily: "I won't sell even half. I'll..."

Ma Wu looked at Chu Huaiyuan. Chu Huaiyuan only felt blood rushing up, condensing near her neck, and her throat was blocked.

Blood-Rushing Technique?

It shouldn't be. Ma Wu only had a first-layer cultivation base.

Monkey Qiu was quite surprised: "Junyang, your cultivation base has grown."

Ma Wu smiled: "Let Uncle Qiu laugh. My cultivation base isn't enough, and I can't use the Blood-Rushing Technique yet. What I just used was the Encouragement Technique."

Monkey Qiu was a seventh-layer Joy Cultivator and was of the same sect as Ma Wu. He observed carefully, and Ma Wu was indeed using the Encouragement Technique.

The Encouragement Technique was a low-level technique, but in principle, it had similarities with the Blood-Rushing Technique. Being able to use the Encouragement Technique to achieve the effect of the Blood-Rushing Technique proved that he had excellent talent in Joy Cultivation, which truly made Monkey Qiu look at him with new eyes.

Taking advantage of Chu Er not being able to speak, Ma Wu hurriedly took over the conversation: "Does Uncle Qiu mean that the Hundred Joy Gate should be operated jointly by the Lu family and the Chu family?"

Monkey Qiu nodded.

Ma Wu never dreamed that the situation that seemed impossible to save would be resolved in this way.

Lu Yuanshan looked at Chu Er: "Huaiyuan, Uncle Qiu has given enough face. Shouldn't you be satisfied in your heart?"

Yang Yanzheng persuaded repeatedly from the side: "Miss, just settle it this way."

Chu Er swallowed for a long time before she could ease this breath.

Her brain was much clearer, and the tone of her speech changed: "Uncle Qiu, let's make it clear. Does the Hundred Joy Gate belong to the Chu family or the Lu family?"

This was a key question. Shares could be divided into two, but who would have the management rights?

Qiu Zhiheng said: "It belongs to both the Chu family and the Lu family. Seeing that you have been quite diligent in your management before, the management rights will be temporarily handed over to you. With Junyang helping you, I suppose the Hundred Joy Gate won't lose money. But if the losses exceed twenty percent, you must hand over the management rights. Do you agree?"

Although Chu Er was splashy and fierce, she wasn't stupid. Monkey Qiu had made such a big concession, so she naturally wouldn't continue to throw a tantrum. She immediately drew up a contract and settled the matter.

Ma Wu put his heart down and said to everyone: "If Uncle Qiu doesn't mind, stay at Dream Spring Garden for one night. Tonight, this junior will host a dance party to fulfill the duties of a host."

Monkey Qiu nodded: "That's fine. I also want to stay for one night and talk business with Junyang tomorrow."

The heart that had just been put down immediately hung up again.

What business did Monkey Qiu want to talk about with Ma Wu?

Ma Wu was a smart person and could naturally think of it.

Shaving off the Liu family and the Si family in the middle, Blue Poplar Village was, in the final analysis, still Lu family territory.

Ma Wu was operating here and had to give the Lu family a share of the profits. How much exactly to give depended on how to discuss it tomorrow.

Monkey Qiu stated the matter first, which gave Ma Wu enough time to prepare. From all aspects, Monkey Qiu did things without any leaks.

Next, it depended on Ma Wu's sincerity.

How much share is appropriate?

Split in half?

Would Monkey Qiu be satisfied?

Giving more, Ma Wu couldn't accept it either.

Brother Li, where did you run off to?

This matter has to wait for you to come back to discuss.

At seven o'clock in the evening, the dance party started. Lu Yuanshan invited Chu Er to dance, but Chu Er had no interest; her heart had almost flown to the Hundred Joy Gate.

Ma Wu had made careful preparations, calling over the most beautiful and best-dancing dancers in Blue Poplar Village, taking turns to invite them to dance.

Monkey Qiu was a Joy Cultivator. By logic, he should have gladly accepted this hospitality.

But he didn't seem to have much interest either, sitting alone in a corner drinking. Helpless, Ma Wu had to take the dancers and dance one song after another, maintaining the atmosphere of the dance party.

Halfway through the dance party, Little Xiao Chuanzi changed the song. In the busy rush, he changed to "When Will You Return."

Ma Wu glared at Xiao Chuanzi. This song had a special implication, meaning the dance party was about to end.

"Good flowers don't bloom often, good scenery doesn't last long, sorrow piles up to untie the smiling eyebrows, tears sprinkle on the lovesickness belt, after tonight's parting, when will you return..."

The music sounded, but it wasn't easy to take back. Ma Wu looked embarrassed, but saw Monkey Qiu change his position.

He sat from one corner to another.

There, there was a special guest, wearing a black suit and a top hat, with the brim pressed very low, and one could vaguely see the dense beard on his chin.

Li Qi!

Ma Wu didn't expect Li Banfeng to have returned, nor did he know when he had entered the dance floor.

Monkey Qiu knew.

From the moment Li Banfeng entered the door, he had already noticed.

The two sat silently for a while, and Monkey Qiu asked: "Little brother, have you been well since we last met?"

He recognized Li Banfeng.

He was a seventh-layer Joy Cultivator and could, to a certain extent, resolve the talent of being ignored by residential cultivators.

Most importantly, he had not only seen Li Banfeng's photo but also Li Banfeng himself. Although he couldn't see Li Banfeng's appearance, he hadn't forgotten Li Banfeng's figure.

Li Banfeng nodded slightly: "I'm quite well. How has Brother Qiu been recently?"

"Not very well," Qiu Zhiheng sighed. "Ever since I looked for you in Green Water City last time, until now, the troublesome matters haven't stopped."

"Are you here to find me today too?" Li Banfeng thought Monkey Qiu came for Red Lotus's matter.

Monkey Qiu was silent for a moment: "You could say that."

Li Banfeng put his hand into his pocket and grasped the key.

Monkey Qiu continued: "I came to find you for the matter of Blue Poplar Village. This is still Lu family territory. In the future, the share of profits must be given some."

Li Banfeng's sitting posture remained unchanged, and he answered in a low voice: "Ma Wu and I are just trying to make a living here. How much to leave for us depends on Brother Qiu's meaning."

Trying to make a living...

Qiu Zhiheng remembered asking Li Banfeng for food on the train.

This matter had already passed, and the favor that should have been repaid had been repaid. Qiu Zhiheng didn't need to struggle over this matter.

Until the end of the music, Qiu Zhiheng opened his mouth: "If it's still the two of you operating it, just send a token of heart to the Lu family every year-end.

But the Ma family cannot take over Blue Poplar Village. The Lu family's flag is still here, otherwise, the matter will be discussed separately."

Qiu Zhiheng made a concession again.

Li Banfeng took off his top hat, placed it in front of his chest, and bowed to Qiu Zhiheng.

This was expressing gratitude to Qiu Zhiheng.

Qiu Zhiheng smiled, put on his top hat, and left the dance floor.

That night, Qiu Zhiheng and Lu Yuanshan left Blue Poplar Village.

Ma Wu was terrified. He thought Qiu Zhiheng had recognized Li Banfeng and would take action against Li Banfeng. After all, Lu Dongjun had been hunting Li Banfeng all along.

If that were really the case, Ma Wu would have to fight Monkey Qiu to the end, even if it meant risking his life and exhausting all his family assets, and would firmly protect Li Banfeng.

But he didn't expect Qiu Zhiheng to just leave like this. Not only did he not hurt Li Banfeng, but he also settled the matter of Blue Poplar Village.

Only need to express a token of heart at the end of the year?

Monkey Qiu was actually so tolerant?

Ma Wu was overjoyed: "Brother Li, do you have a friendship with Qiu Zhiheng?"

Li Banfeng didn't answer.

There was a friendship, but it didn't reach this point.

The matter on the train had already been resolved, and both sides owed each other nothing. Monkey Qiu's tolerance made Li Banfeng somewhat puzzled.

In the carriage, Lu Yuanshan asked Qiu Zhiheng: "Uncle Qiu, are we being too lenient with them? I think we should at least occupy sixty percent of the Hundred Joy Gate and collect at least thirty percent of the profits from Blue Poplar Village."

Monkey Qiu shook his head slightly and handed a newspaper to Lu Yuanshan.

This was the evening paper of the day. The headline news was the Lu-Chu rivalry: Who can carry the signboard of Green Water City?

In the second edition, there was also a piece of news: The tiger falls to the flat plains, the Ma family takes the opportunity to seize Blue Poplar Village. Can the Lu family be willing to suffer humiliation?

Similar news appeared every day, and Lu Yuanshan didn't feel there was anything special about it.

Monkey Qiu said: "Even you don't feel it's special, and the entire Puluo Continent feels there's nothing special about it. Tomorrow, if he issues another message saying the Lu family has fallen out with the Ma family and the Chu family, others will also feel it's a matter of course."

Lu Yuanshan didn't care: "Newspapers are all like this. Let him write whatever he wants. This isn't true either."

Monkey Qiu shook his head: "If the matter hadn't been settled tonight, this matter could have become true. If Chu Huaiyuan and Ma Junyang had died at our hands, tomorrow we might have gone to war with the Chu family and the Ma family.

Although these two people are abandoned sons of the Chu family and the Ma family, they ultimately concern the face of the big families. Added to the fact that someone is fanning the flames in the middle, the situation could easily become uncontrollable."

Lu Yuanshan looked at the newspaper again and realized the severity of the problem: "The fanning of flames Uncle Qiu mentioned, is it the Ling family?"

Monkey Qiu's eyes carried a trace of cold light: "Lu Dongjun has been making a big splash at Sea-Eating Ridge, and now there's no news of him, but the Ling family has received a large amount of business.

They have made a fortune at Sea-Eating Ridge and are coming back to hit Green Water City's idea. Today the Lu family and the Ma family are at odds, tomorrow the Lu family and the Chu family fall out, the day after tomorrow the Lu family has internal strife. In their newspaper, it seems the Lu family is about to fight all over Puluo Continent.

The income from the Hundred Joy Gate and Blue Poplar Village can be temporarily yielded, but the situation must never be allowed to be manipulated by the Ling family.

Yuanshan, I remember you also ran a newspaper before."

Lu Yuanshan nodded: "I ran it for a while and made quite a bit of money, but my father said it was useless, and I also did movies, which my father didn't look down on either, so it just fizzled out."

"Get the newspaper running again, and set up the film studio. Don't always let the Ling family do big things in silence; uncover their old bottom."

Lu Yuanshan smiled. This was something he was willing to do.

Three days later, the Hundred Joy Gate reopened. Chu Huaiyuan and Ma Wu held a song and dance competition together and selected twelve song queens for the year.

He Jiaqing sat on the hospital bed, his face pale.

Monkey Qiu had broken the situation.

The Hundred Joy Gate situation, the Blue Poplar Village situation, all had been broken by him!

Truly underestimated him!

PS: In front of old Jianghu people, He Jiaqing also has times when he miscalculates.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 175 =====