Chapter 277: He Jiaqing

When Duan Shaoxia calmed down, Qiu Zhiheng asked Tan Fu to explain the full story in detail.

Tan Fu first stated one thing: "Head Qiu, this isn't my fault. When the eldest Young Master came to me, his first question was, 'Who is the head of the Lu family?'

I'm a Lu family man—I have to obey the family head. I had no choice."

Duan Shaoxia kept crying, but Monkey Qiu remained calm and asked, "How did you make contact with He Haiqin?"

"The eldest Young Master made the connection—I don't know the details, but I heard it was about his son, He Jiaqing."

"Did He Haiqin act tonight?"

Tan Fu shook his head: "I held the old master in place. The eldest Young Master planned to act himself—he didn't want us watching. I and the second Young Master guarded the alley entrance, while He Haiqin stood by the wall.

For some reason, the eldest Young Master 's body suddenly shattered."

"Shuihuang Sword?"

"I've never seen the Shuihuang Sword, but the eldest Young Master did have a sword in his hand. After the second Young Master rushed over, he tried to stab himself with it. I thought he was being controlled by someone, so I used a technique to stop him."

"What method was used to control him? Mind cultivation technique?"

Tan Fu thought for a moment: "I couldn't tell. I suspect the eldest Young Master died the same way."

Monkey Qiu gritted his teeth: "Why did you have to bring He Haiqin into this?"

Tan Fu said: "The eldest Young Master said that with the help of Elder He, we could block the old master's ambush and ensure absolute success. Head Qiu, this truly isn't my fault."

As he spoke, a servant arrived at the stairs. Monkey Qiu opened the door and asked, "What is it?"

"The old master has arrived!"

Hearing this, Duan Shaoxia rushed to leave the room: "I'll fight him to the death!"

Monkey Qiu shut the door and blocked her: "Lady, don't act rashly—you must not see him."

"What am I afraid of? I'll give up my life if I must!"

"Lady!" Monkey Qiu barked, "This is a matter of life and death—you must listen to me!"

Duan Shaoxia's eyes turned bloodshot. She sat back down. Monkey Qiu turned to Tan Fu: "Who saw you bring the second Young Master back today?"

"A few servants and several servants."

"Keep those people under watch. Don't let them leave the estate these days. Don't mistreat them—don't let the household fall into chaos."

Tan Fu took them to a small building beside the main residence and settled them in.

Monkey Qiu tidied his clothes and went outside, greeting Lu Mao first as usual: "Old Master, it's so late—why are you here?"

"Little Qiu, you still recognize me as your elder and call me Old Master? I've come all this way—do you expect me to stand at the door?"

Qiu Zhiheng smiled: "The lady has retired. I can't take you to the main residence. Why not come to my quarters first?"

"You speak as if I've broken propriety. I came to see my two grandsons. Bring them to your small building—I'll speak a few words and leave."

"You've come at an inconvenient time. Both Young Master said they were going to Haichiling today and took the train at noon."

"Haichiling?" Lu Mao sneered. "I heard they're still in Lüshuicheng. Little Qiu, don't play word games with me. You know what's true—immediately bring them out to see me."

"Old Master, I truly don't understand what's happening now. Both Young Master aren't home, yet you insist on seeing them tonight—isn't this putting me in a difficult position?"

Lu Mao's face darkened: "Can't I put you in a difficult position?"

Dozens of people followed Lu Mao. Monkey Qiu recognized some of them—none among those he knew had a cultivation base below the third layer.

Qiu Zhiheng remained calm: "In this place, you can't put me in a difficult position."

"You have a bold mouth."

"Try me!"

Monkey Qiu raised his voice slightly. Throughout the estate—from front gate to back courtyard—a clamor erupted.

It signaled to Lu Mao that all servants in the estate were in position.

For a moment, Lu Mao truly wanted to storm inside.

But seeing Monkey Qiu's expressionless face, Lu Mao felt a chill.

After Lu Dongliang vanished, the Lu family's elixir room came under Monkey Qiu's control.

How many elixirs this boy consumed, and what his current cultivation base is—Lu Mao had no idea.

"Little Qiu, your temper has grown worse. Since the two children aren't home, let's drop tonight's matter.

I came only to tell them: I've invited several famous performers to sing at home for a few days. If they respect me as their uncle, they should come over and show their support."

Monkey Qiu said: "When both Young Master return, I'll deliver your message."

Lu Mao nodded and left with his men.

On the way, Lu Mao felt deeply conflicted.

Why didn't I dare storm in?

What am I afraid of—a mere steward?

Why is this Monkey Qiu so difficult?

Never mind—I'll wait a few days, gather more men, and come back. I'll see how he dodges me then!

…

Monkey Qiu returned to the main residence and entered Lu Yuanhai's bedroom.

Lu Yuanhai lay on the bed, his features twisted and distorted, showing no improvement.

The physician shook his head: "Manager Qiu, I'm truly sorry—we can't diagnose the illness."

The physicians had intended to leave, but Monkey Qiu stopped them: "Please stay here for a few days."

The physicians panicked: "Manager Qiu, what do you mean?"

"Don't worry—I won't harm you. We'll double your expenses for these days." Qiu Zhiheng said no more, ordering his men to house the physicians in guest rooms.

He fetched a vial, scraped some skin flakes from Lu Yuanhai's face, collected saliva from his lips, and stored them away.

He found Tan Fu and instructed: "Brother, while I'm gone, I'm leaving the estate in your hands."

Tan Fu hesitated—he had his own territory and business, and usually stayed away from the main residence.

But besides him, Qiu Zhiheng trusted no one else. Tan Fu reluctantly agreed.

Monkey Qiu also warned Duan Shaoxia: "For these days, avoid Lu Mao as much as possible. As long as you don't leave the estate, he won't dare enter."

Duan Shaoxia grabbed Monkey Qiu's hand: "Zhiheng, where are you going? You can't abandon us!"

"Lady, I'm going to Yaowanggou. I must find a way to cure the Young Master 's illness.

Lu Mao is manageable, but be extremely careful with He Haiqin—he's the real monster.

If you suffer losses in business, don't argue with him."

…

He Haiqin returned home, sat in the dining room, and devoured a lamb chop with large bites.

He Yuxiu entered the dining room and asked: "Haiqin, did that old Lu Mao die?"

He Haiqin shook his head: "No, I missed. He had helpers—I got a minor injury."

"Injured? Call a physician at once."

"No need. Just a surface wound. Eat more, and it'll heal."

He Yuxiu sighed: "I told you to bring more people."

He Haiqin set down the lamb chop, wiped his mouth: "Bring whom? Can this be known by others?"

"Bring me! Don't you trust your own sister?"

"If both of us are incapacitated, who runs the household?"

He Yuxiu licked her lips: "Then let me suggest—call back the third brother. We'll have backup when trouble comes."

"The third brother can't return. He must watch over Jiaqing. Jiaqing's injury is severe—especially his hand. It's badly hurt."

He Yuxiu froze: "Jiaqing's hand is injured? I don't recall the third brother mentioning it."

"Didn't he mention it?" He Haiqin downed a bowl of wine. "I saw it myself. His left hand is ruined—it doesn't even look like his anymore."

Shuowan, He Haiqin picked up the lamb chop and resumed devouring it.

He Yuxiu felt He Haiqin was strange—when speaking of Jiaqing's injury, he showed no sorrow, even a hint of resentment.

…

Li Ban sat in his personal chamber, staring at a pile of Xuan Chi Dan, troubled.

The previous Pòyǐnyǒng (Cong Shixiang) had produced one lotus seed, which had not burst open for a long time.

Today, the lotus seed burst.

Originally, the ninth-layer Lu Dongliang had produced over eighty Jin Yuandan.

This Pòyǐnyǒng was close to the tenth layer—Li Ban estimated he'd produce at least a hundred.

But instead of Jin Yuandan, he produced over nine hundred Xuan Chi Dan.

Li Ban doesn't consume this—its cultivation growth is too slow, and its poison is no less than Jin Yuandan's.

Did Honglian do this on purpose?

Fortunately, the Jin Yuandan supply is sufficient for Li Ban to reach the eighth layer. But what to do with these remaining Xuan Chi Dan?

Distribute them as bonuses.

Ma Wu is family—he follows Li Ban's every order. When money is made, Li Ban always takes the largest share; he can't shortchange him on elixirs.

Li Ban gave him twenty: "Take it slow. Pay attention to detoxifying."

Ma Wu knows his limits.

Others received one to ten each, according to merit.

Zuo Wugang, Zhen Jincheng, and Cao Zhida all knew elixirs and their dosages. The scolding woman and A Qin were even more experienced.

Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi were both first-layer Wen Xiu. They'd never eaten such high-grade elixirs, but that didn't matter—they were cautious. Before taking any, they first consulted Ma Wu on detox methods.

When it came to Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi, trouble arose.

Xiao Chuanzi received ten pills, became overjoyed, swallowed three at once, and collapsed right there in the room; had Ma Wu not noticed in time, he would have died.

Xiao Genzi also received ten pills, but he refused to take even one and returned them all to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng didn't understand: "Why not take them?"

Xiao Genzi hugged his barrel, puffed out his chest, and said: "I heard if you take these pills, you'll have to lie down for at least a day—how am I supposed to cultivate then?"

"But one day won't hurt, will it?"

Genzi shook his head: "Not even one day can be wasted!"

When he first entered the Daoist sect, the peddler had warned Xiao Genzi that higher-level Jin Xiu must carry their barrel for at least eight hours daily.

Xiao Genzi carried it twenty-four hours a day, through heat and cold, never once skipping.

Aside from eating and sleeping, Xiao Genzi scoured everywhere for materials, carefully preparing the golden fluid—Li Banfeng had never seen anyone so diligent.

"Genzi, put down that barrel!"

Li Banfeng urged him earnestly: "Cultivation can't be delayed, but you must take the pills—otherwise, you're wasting your natural talent."

After thinking it over, Xiao Genzi finally accepted the pills: "I'll take them once I find the right place."

The "right place" he meant—surely not the latrine…

Li Banfeng didn't dare ask further.

The Qingshou Society stopped harassing the movie theater; the Blood Spear Detective case was essentially resolved.

Ma Wu took the opportunity to connect with local merchants for stone and coal deals—he was an expert, so Li Banfeng didn't need to worry.

A few days later, the deals were settled, and everyone prepared to return.

The Ye Lai Xiang had fulfilled its mission; there was no need to continue publishing newspapers or magazines, so Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi should go back too.

But they didn't want to return.

Bai Qiusheng said: "Seventh Master, when we suffered in Heishipō, we dreamed of leaving this place—but now I don't want to go. We want to keep running Ye Lai Xiang."

Zuo Wugang said: "Once we leave, how will you handle the local gangs? We've offended them plenty."

Bai Qiusheng laughed: "Don't worry—we still have the Ye Lai Xiang name. We'll negotiate with them first; if that fails, we'll ask Seventh Master for help."

Yuwen Qi said: "Seventh Master, rest assured—this is your business. All profits go to you; just give us a salary."

"You can't run a business like that," Li Banfeng shook his head. "Split it three ways: three-tenths for me as profit share, three-tenths for you two, three-tenths for your staff's wages, and one-tenth kept for emergencies."

The arrangement was settled; Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi thanked him profusely.

Ma Wu led the group back to Lüshuicheng; Li Banfeng and Chuanzi stayed behind.

Chuanzi wanted to continue cultivating in Heishipō, and someone had to oversee the stone and coal business.

Li Banfeng wanted to explore Heishipō thoroughly.

He liked Heishipō—he liked the character of its people.

There was one other place he very much wanted to visit: he wanted to see what this new land looked like.

PS: This new land has a railway!

(End of Chapter)