Chapter 244

At dusk, a group of elders returned to the village weeping and shouting, accusing the bandits of cruelty.

If Li Banfeng had been there, he would have surely Quan them a few words.

Cruelty is only natural—how else could you rob people?

We've tried both soft and hard approaches—none worked.

Several villages discussed it and decided they must involve a Sage's disciple.

The villagers' heartfelt offering to the Sage was stolen by highwaymen—the Sage's disciple cannot stand idly by!

But the Sage's disciples aren't easy to reason with; slightest displeasure, and they'll strike.

The villagers are sincere—they'll take being beaten, they'll take being scolded—all for their devotion to the Sage.

They knelt outside the Sage's disciple's gate, refusing to rise, begging only that their plight be reported to Sage's Peak.

Now it was the disciples' turn to be troubled.

The villagers are showing devotion to the Sage; we are the Sage's disciples—we cannot ignore this.

They are all ruthless—no matter how young the child, they'll strike without hesitation.

But beating a child is one thing; dealing with bandits is another.

Children who are beaten dare not fight back.

Bandits who beat them won't hold back.

In the end, three disciples gathered the courage to accept the task and climbed the mountain that night to deliver a message to the Sage.

Can they reach Sage's Peak?

Yes.

This region is a chain of mountains; there are many paths to Sage's Peak—Li Banfeng cannot ambush every single one.

Besides, he's after wealth—he won't attack every passerby.

The three disciples donned coarse cloth robes, disguised themselves as farmers, and delivered the message to Sage's Peak.

As the Sage's disciples, do they have no cultivation base at all?

Indeed, they have none.

Among disciples, there are differences—those with cultivation reside on Sage's Peak and never descend to teach.

Inside the grand mansion, the boy who had opened the gate for Li Banfeng stood beneath the eaves, waiting beyond the door for his master's command.

From within the room came rapid, labored breathing—his master was cultivating.

When the breathing eased slightly, the boy finally heard his master's voice: "This man claims to be the peddler's senior brother?"

The boy replied: "The villagers say so—likely just nonsense from him."

"That may not be so. He came uninvited and stirred up such turmoil—he must have some foundation. Send Jingzhang and Wenlie down to give him a lesson first."

The boy bowed and accepted. The labored breathing resumed—his master had begun cultivating again.

Outside the mansion, the boy went to two other courtyards and summoned Senior Brothers Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie.

Upon hearing their master's order, the two disciples understood the situation and immediately descended the mountain to find Li Banfeng.

Finding Li Banfeng wasn't hard.

In recent days, over two hundred people from various villages had come to join Li Banfeng—all outsiders who wanted to leave but couldn't.

With so many people, the group grew powerful. At first they lived in caves, but when the caves filled, they built wooden huts—rows of them, now forming a full-fledged Shanzhai.

Li Banfeng named the Shanzhai En Gong Zhai.

Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie were both in their early fifties; each donned a coarse, short tunic, patched multiple times—clearly poor folk.

They arrived at En Gong Zhai and met Niu Guangda and Fang Lianfu patrolling outside the Shanzhai, asking for a drink of water.

Fang Lianfu asked them: "Are you outsiders come here to beg?"

Qu Jingzhang shook his head: "We're not beggars—we're locals. We don't want food, just a sip of water."

Niu Guangda frowned: "You're locals? Why aren't you in your village? Why come to this deep forest to beg water from us?"

Ren Wenlie sighed: "Young man, how can you speak like that? We're old men—do you think we'd lie just to steal a sip of water?"

Even if you fetched us a bowl of cold well water, we'd remember your kindness. Yet you've questioned us repeatedly, as if we're thieves."

Niu Guangda blinked: "I was just asking… no ill intent…"

Fang Lianfu blushed: "We're young, unpolished. Wait—we'll get you tea and some snacks."

Two farmers coming to a remote wilderness to beg water was suspicious.

After hearing their words, Niu Guangda and Fang Lianfu felt deeply ashamed.

After drinking tea and eating snacks, Qu Jingzhang belched: "Young man, let me teach you—respecting elders is the foundation of being human. Haven't you ever been old?"

When you reach our age and are treated like a thief while traveling, how will you feel?"

Niu Guangda and Fang Lianfu turned bright red, speechless.

Ren Wenlie stretched: "Young man, is there a place to rest? We won't stay long—just need a nap, we're exhausted."

Niu Guangda and Fang Lianfu hesitated.

The Shanzhai forbade outsiders from staying overnight—that was En Gong's rule.

But these two elders, so old, only wanted a short nap—how could we refuse? Our conscience wouldn't allow it.

After brief consultation, the two youths said: "We'll take you to our quarters to rest—but you must leave before dark."

Ren Wenlie clicked his tongue: "What's that supposed to mean? Do you think we'll refuse to leave? Why are young people today so rude? What did your parents teach you?"

The two youths said nothing more, silently leading the elders to their room. As the elders stepped forward, a man wearing a hat and a full beard approached.

"What are you doing? Not patrolling? Coming back to hide and nap?"

Seeing Li Banfeng, Niu Guangda and Fang Lianfu lowered their heads, silent.

Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie exchanged glances—this bearded man must be who they sought.

Ren Wenlie spoke first: "Good sir, don't scold these youths. We're just passing through, seeking a place to rest. These two kind lads found us a spot."

Qu Jingzhang added: "We're old men—asking for a place to rest here—how could that break any rule?"

Li Banfeng quickly replied: "You misunderstand. Respecting elders is the foundation of humanity—no rule overrides it. These youths' quarters are messy and dirty—unsuitable for elders. Come with me—I'll take you to my own quarters."

Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie remained expressionless, following Li Banfeng into the cave.

Ren Wenlie looked around: "You live here?"

Qu Jingzhang sighed: "Young man, why lie to us? You're the leader of this group—how could you live in such a place?"

Li Banfeng bowed his head: "Forgive me—I simply prefer caves to houses."

Qu Jingzhang frowned: "Are you joking with two old men like this? Is that appropriate?"

Ren Wenlie said: "Did your parents never teach you how to speak to elders?"

Li Banfeng answered honestly: "They never did."

As he spoke, sweat poured down Li Banfeng's face—only his low hat brim hid his distress.

They were using De Xiu's technique—See Virtue and Aspire to It.

Under this technique, they imposed a high moral standard on Li Banfeng, forcing him into self-reproach and shame.

Under the technique, the other party had set a very high moral standard for Li Banfeng, causing Li Banfeng to sink into self-blame and guilt under the other's criticism.

It depended on cultivation levels.

From the current situation, Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie each had a cultivation base around Level Five—equal to Li Banfeng's Zhai Xiu, but together, they overwhelmed him.

From the current situation, Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie's cultivation bases were both around level five, equivalent to Li Banfeng's Zhai Xiu, but together they gave Li Banfeng a significant setback.

The wine gourd and the Blood Bell were using Nian Xiu techniques to help Li Banfeng stay conscious, but his thoughts were too scattered—the situation couldn't be reversed yet.

Meng De hung on the cave wall, secretly aiding him.

Only because Li Banfeng prepared thoroughly could he have held out this long.

He looked at the two men, smiling: "I gave you tea, snacks, and a place to rest—and now you nag and nitpick?

Didn't your parents teach you manners? You've lived this long—acting so uncouth—don't you feel ashamed?"

The two froze, stunned he could speak like this.

Qu Jingzhang snapped: "How dare you speak to elders like that?"

Ren Wenlie said: "Do you have no upbringing? No respect for elders?"

Li Banfeng scanned them: "That's what we should ask you—do you even know respect for elders? I'm older than you—do you know that?"

Qu Jingzhang stood speechless for a long moment.

Ren Wenlie sneered: "You say that and don't fear being laughed at?"

Li Banfeng stared at Ren Wenlie: "How many teeth do you have? Are they that loose?"

I'm the peddler's senior brother—I've eaten more salt than you've crossed bridges. What are you showing off to me?"

When you were born, I didn't even know where I was. You two orphans—how do you speak to elders? Didn't your mother teach you manners?"

Li Banfeng's words were chaotic, but most were true.

Yet Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie didn't care about truth—they only cared about one question: Is this man truly the peddler's senior brother?

If he is, then using techniques on him is sheer stupidity.

Seeing their hesitation, Li Banfeng gained confidence—he had succeeded with both Truthful Assertion and the Fool's Thousand Thoughts.

Li Banfeng pointed at them: "Do you have any shame? If you still know what's decent, go stand outside and reflect!"

Qu Jingzhang and Ren Wenlie couldn't determine if Li Banfeng was lying or telling the truth. After much deliberation, they decided to leave this place for now.

If Li Banfeng truly is the peddler's senior brother, their survival so far is thanks to his mercy.

If he isn't, they now know his location—there'll be time later to deal with him.

If Li Banfeng weren't the peddler's senior brother, since he already knew his residence, it wouldn't be too late to deal with him at a suitable opportunity.

The two said no more and turned to leave the cave.

This is a blunder.

A fool's many thoughts bring only anxiety over gain and loss.

This is the most advantageous choice for Li Banfeng.

Never leave your back exposed to a Traveling Cultivator, or you will never have another chance to turn back.

Li Banfeng suddenly stepped forward, crushing a stone beneath his foot.

Several shards of stone struck the backs of their heads.

PS: "I've eaten more salt than you've crossed bridges." Is this statement right or wrong?

(End of Chapter)