Chapter 330

Li Banfeng prepared to set off for Medicine King Gully to find Shopkeeper Feng of Feng's General Store.

Bai Qiusheng was just calling people to prepare travel permits and tickets when he suddenly heard someone report: "Mr. Ai from the Pure Guard Society is here to talk business."

Upon hearing "Pure Guard Society," Li Banfeng felt a wave of nausea. Bai Qiusheng said in surprise: "Ai Chixiang? What business could they possibly have with us?"

Yuwen Qi said: "Why don't we just blast them out? We already have a grudge against them."

Li Banfeng took out the contract paper from his bosom and saw spots of rust.

This meant Lü Yuesan was already dead.

"It doesn't matter if we talk to them," Li Banfeng said in a very calm tone, "First, ask clearly what they want to do."

Bai Qiusheng went to talk business and ran back after a short while.

"Seventh Master, they want to take over our projector business! The sign, the techniques, the factory—they want it all."

Yuwen Qi gritted her teeth and said: "This group of despicable scoundrels! Seeing that we made money, they want to reach out their hands. Old Bai, I'll go out with you and curse these turtle sons to death."

"Cursing them is useless. Ai Chixiang brought quite a few people and surrounded our newspaper office. Yue Qingsong is here too, saying if we don't agree, they will resort to dirty tactics."

Upon hearing that Yue Qingsong was here, Yuwen Qi stopped speaking.

Yue Qingsong was a disciple of Wu Decheng, a fourth-layer poison cultivator. Neither Yuwen Qi nor Bai Qiusheng were his match.

But with Li Qi here, they weren't afraid. Although they didn't know Seventh Master's cultivation level, dealing with a Yue Qingsong should be a piece of cake.

The two looked at Li Banfeng, who was talking to himself.

"I arrived, and they want to take my business. Is this a coincidence?

This is definitely not a coincidence. They are coming for me.

How did they know I arrived? Did they ask Lü Yuesan?

That shouldn't be it. Lü Yuesan hadn't been gone long; their actions shouldn't be this fast.

They knew I arrived a long time ago. As soon as I returned to the newspaper office, they knew I was here.

There is a mole in the newspaper office.

Having a mole isn't strange. When business gets big, you get all kinds of people..."

Yuwen Qi said: "Seventh Master, what's wrong with you? Don't be like this. When we encounter trouble, we'll think of a way together. Don't scare us."

Li Banfeng waved his hand, signaling them not to disturb him, and continued talking to himself:

"Knowing I'm in Black Stone Slope, they still dare to come and take my business? What is the purpose of doing this?

To kill me?

Does Tang Peigong have that ability?

Just relying on these few people from the Pure Guard Society?

The leader of the Pure Guard Society is the Saint. Besides the Saint, there is Lu Maoxian. Is it the Saint who wants to deal with me, or Lu Maoxian?

If it were the Saint dealing with me, he shouldn't just find these few people to come over. He suffered a loss from me at Cheapskate Ridge.

It should be Lu Maoxian's idea."

But if Lu Maoxian wants to deal with me, why choose Black Stone Slope? Are these few rotten garlic cloves in Black Stone Slope enough to look at?

Are they here to deal with me?

Li Banfeng kept talking to himself, and Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi were both anxious.

"Don't be anxious," Li Banfeng returned to normal, "Accompany them and chat. Chat slowly and see what they actually want to do."

In the study of Lu Maoxian's residence, a scroll of bamboo slips fell to the ground.

The head steward, Xu Yangbo, picked up the bamboo slips and sent them to Lu Maoxian's bedroom.

Lu Maoxian's face was pale. After his "worry-root" was severed, his injuries had never fully healed.

Taking the bamboo book, Lu Maoxian saw a faint halo on the bamboo slips.

He used a carving knife to carve a character on the bamboo slips: "Read."

The "Read" character disappeared in the blink of an eye, and a line of text appeared on a bamboo slip: "Li Qi has arrived at Black Stone Slope."

Before Lu Maoxian had his "worry-root" severed, he had given orders to the Pure Guard Societies everywhere: as long as they received news of Li Qi's movements, they were to find a way to drag him down and report the news immediately.

The Pure Guard Society had many capable officers, but Lu Maoxian didn't expect the first one to send news to be Tang Peigong.

Li Qi actually arrived at Black Stone Slope?

Lu Maoxian was also somewhat surprised.

Is it really Li Qi?

Among their group, the one who often goes to Black Stone Slope to talk business is Ma Wu. Why would Li Qi go to Black Stone Slope?

Li Qi's whereabouts are extremely difficult to grasp. Is Tang Peigong reporting false news to claim credit?

Lu Maoxian held the carving knife and replied: "Is the news certain?"

A line of text appeared on the bamboo slips: "Absolutely certain."

Although Tang Peigong doesn't have much ability, he wouldn't dare lie to me.

Lu Maoxian pondered for a moment and responded: "Drag him down."

Putting away the bamboo slips, Lu Maoxian immediately called for the steward: "Tell people to check the movements of Lu Chunying, Ma Wu, and Tan Fucheng."

The steward left immediately, and before long, the news came:

"Lu Chunying is in her own residence, and Zuo Wugang and two other branch guards are also there."

This was within Lu Maoxian's expectations. After Qiu Zhiheng left, Ma Wu sent branch guards to take turns protecting Lu Chunying's safety. Today it just happened to be Zuo Wugang's turn.

The steward continued: "Ma Wu had a serious illness a few days ago, his body is somewhat weak, and he is still recuperating in Xiaoyao Wu."

"Ma Wu is sick?"

The steward nodded: "He caught an acute illness and almost lost his life."

No wonder Li Qi went to Black Stone Slope; it turns out Ma Wu had just recovered from a serious illness and couldn't leave the house.

A trace of joy appeared on Lu Maoxian's face, and he continued to ask: "What about Tan Fucheng?"

"Tan Fucheng is managing business in his own territory."

Opportunity!

A once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity!

But is it really Li Qi over in Black Stone Slope?

Lu Maoxian still couldn't set his mind at ease, so he had the steward bring the bamboo slips again and carved four characters on them: "Is the news certain?"

The response from the other side was still "Absolutely certain."

Lu Maoxian responded: "Drag him until dawn!"

The steward said from the side: "Master, Li Qi is in Black Stone Slope, which is far from here. What we should be worried about is Zuo Wugang."

Lu Maoxian shook his head: "Zuo Wugang is not difficult to deal with. He has great martial arts skills but lacks decisiveness in critical moments. As long as the situation has more changes, he is a useless person!

Li Qi is elusive; he is the one who truly ruins things. What has the Black Stone Slope Pure Guard Society been turned into by him?

He is a traveling cultivator. If he really runs back, things will have variables. We must drag him down in Black Stone Slope and send more men to drag Tan Fucheng down as well to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Upon hearing this, the steward said: "Master's words are reasonable. Then I will go arrange the men?"

Lu Maoxian nodded: "The men must be arranged well, and the news must be prepared well. Once Lu Chunying's head is taken, spread the news immediately and smear it on Duan Shaoxia."

The steward hurriedly arranged the men. When things were almost ready, the steward took out a letter and handed it to a servant who was sweeping the floor.

The servant didn't ask much and, taking advantage of when no one was paying attention, ran to the Lu family mansion.

Lu Chunying was at home checking accounts.

She was smart and willing to learn, but wanting to learn how to manage a large family was not something that could be done overnight.

Qiu Zhiheng had left, Ma Wu's business was very busy, and he had been recuperating from illness these past few days. No one taught her, and there were some things she couldn't figure out herself.

She invited her cousin Lu Yuanxin to her home.

Lu Yuanxin was the son of Lu Dongjun. Due to Lu Dongjun's involvement, he was currently in the worst situation among the Lu family's peers.

Back at Lu Maoxian's house, Lu Chunying had stood up for Lu Yuanxin. Lu Yuanxin was very grateful to Lu Chunying. Today, he was invited again to be a teacher. Lu Yuanxin was very respectful to Lu Chunying and taught her very earnestly.

Don't look at the fact that Lu Yuanxin had lost his family business; he was a young master of a prestigious family after all, and his knowledge and experience were very broad. Lu Chunying really learned quite a few things.

At dusk, it rained heavily. Lu Yuanxin prepared to go home. Lu Chunying urged him to stay: "Cousin, have a meal at home and just hide from the rain."

Lu Yuanxin said with a constrained expression: "I dare not disturb you, I will go back now."

"It's just a simple meal, don't be polite." Xiao Yeci personally went to the kitchen and cooked a few small dishes.

Lu Chunying didn't have that many rules either; she brought a few branch guards to eat at the same table.

Ever since Lu Dongjun's incident, Lu Yuanxin had suffered all kinds of cold looks. This rare courtesy from the main family made Lu Yuanxin very grateful.

Halfway through the meal, they suddenly heard someone knocking on the door.

This was strange.

Lu Chunying's residence wasn't big, but it had gatekeepers and branch guards standing watch.

Guests naturally had people to announce them. What was the situation with knocking on the door?

This meant something was wrong; the gatekeepers and those standing watch had likely all been taken down.

Zuo Wugang told everyone not to move. Cao Zhida went to the door to open it, and Zhen Jinchen went to the window to lie in ambush.

This was their tacit understanding after many years. After opening the door, Cao Zhida would respond first, Zuo Wugang would control the battle, and Zhen Jinchen would prevent sneak attacks and think of an escape route.

After opening the door, Cao Zhida was stunned at the doorway and didn't make a response.

Zuo Wugang was very nervous and hurriedly went to the door to provide support.

When he arrived at the door, he was also stunned.

"Madam..."

Standing outside the door was Duan Shaoxia, without branch guards, without attendants, soaked through by the heavy rain, having come alone to Lu Chunying's residence.

Zuo Wugang looked at Lu Chunying.

In Zuo Wugang's impression, Duan Shaoxia was just a "white lamb."

If he had to fight, he could fight; he wouldn't care about old feelings, but the premise was that Lu Chunying also had no concerns.

Duan Shaoxia also looked at Lu Chunying and smiled slightly: "With such heavy rain, you're just going to let me stand at the door?"

Lu Chunying bowed her head in salute and invited Duan Shaoxia into the house.

Duan Shaoxia scanned the room and saw Lu Yuanxin: "Yuanxin is here too?"

Lu Yuanxin bowed slightly and kept his distance from Duan Shaoxia.

He didn't know Duan Shaoxia had cultivation, but seeing her come alone to Lu Chunying's residence while the gatekeepers and branch guards outside hadn't reacted, he knew she definitely wasn't an ordinary person.

Duan Shaoxia turned her eyes to Xiao Yeci: "Little sister, do you have hot soup? Ladle me a bowl; I'm quite cold."

Xiao Yeci nodded: "I'll go ladle you some soup. I have clothes here too; you should change into one."

Lu Chunying tugged at Xiao Yeci's lapel, signaling her to stay away from Duan Shaoxia's eyes.

Duan Shaoxia said to Lu Chunying: "I came to save you. Do you believe me?"

Lu Chunying was startled and then asked: "You came alone to save me?"

Duan Shaoxia smiled: "If I brought people, some things wouldn't be clear. Chunying, do you want to fight, or do you want to run?"

"What do you mean by run, and what do you mean by fight?"

Duan Shaoxia said with a solemn tone: "If you fight, you fight this one battle; if you run, you run for a lifetime!"

Black Stone Slope, *Fragrance at Night* newspaper office.

Bai Qiusheng was still talking business with Ai Chixiang. They talked for several hours and didn't reach any result.

Bai Qiusheng stated that the projector business was not for sale. Ai Chixiang threatened: "I'll put it this way: if you don't want to sell, you won't be able to do this business in Black Stone Slope in the future."

Bai Qiusheng stated that he couldn't make the decision.

Ai Chixiang laughed: "You can't make the decision? Why don't you ask your boss? I know he's right here."

Their trump card was revealed, and Bai Qiusheng broke into a sweat.

Ai Chixiang threatened again: "Make it clear to your Boss Ye. We came to talk business with him, and we've already given him enough face. If he doesn't agree, he will bear all the consequences himself!"

Threats were threats, but Ai Chixiang never made a move.

Yuwen Qi didn't know how to respond either and hurriedly went to the backyard to inform Li Qi.

Li Banfeng felt the situation was increasingly strange.

Just playing with words, not doing anything for real.

They aren't here to deal with me; they are here to tie me down!

And why tie me down?

Is this Lu Maoxian's order?

Li Banfeng kept talking to himself, and Yuwen Qi was scared pale.

"Seventh Master, why don't you see..."

"You go watch Bai Qiusheng's side. I estimate there won't be any major trouble."

Sending Yuwen Qi away, Li Banfeng returned to his "Personal Residence" and continued talking to himself: "Lu Maoxian wants to tie me down. What exactly is his intention?

I haven't had much direct contact with him, so I really don't know what kind of temperament he has."

Others were familiar with Li Banfeng's temperament; when Li Banfeng was talking to himself, it was best not to disturb him.

The projector hadn't arrived long ago and thought Li Banfeng was asking them something. It took the initiative to answer: "Seventh Director, I know Lu Maoxian's temperament quite well. He is 'old but still vigorous.' He really is old but still vigorous!"

The glove slapped the projector: "You really don't know the rules. When the boss is thinking, don't keep interrupting."

Li Banfeng was actually quite interested and asked the projector: "What do you mean by 'old but still vigorous'?"

The projector released a segment of footage: "This is what I recorded from Lu Maoxian's house when I borrowed Ling Miaoying's hook. Most of the film isn't on me; I only kept a small segment. Seventh Director, look, three girls together. Isn't that 'old but still vigorous'?"

Li Banfeng watched, entranced.

The phonograph sneered: "Short, really short. It's a pity for these three good girls.

I say, husband, why are you watching so carefully? This old thing is far worse than you."

Li Banfeng asked the projector: "Is this Lu Maoxian's house?"

The projector said: "Yes, he has a hook in his bedroom!"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and said: "Play this segment ten times."

"Ten times?" The phonograph was stunned. "Husband, what's wrong with you? Is it that good to watch?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "It's not good to watch, but I can't figure out this thing Lu Maoxian did. I have to find someone who understands to ask."

"Hey, husband, which person who understands are you going to find?"

"Lu Maoxian, of course. Isn't he the one who did this?"

The phonograph was confused.

Li Banfeng watched the movie seriously, looking at every detail in the room.

In the bedroom, Lu Maoxian took a pellet to keep his body in the best possible state.

Everyone in the house who could fight had been sent out.

One group was to entangle Tan Fucheng, one group was to monitor Ma Wu, and the most important group was to go take Lu Chunying's head.

Tang Peigong had just sent news that Li Banfeng was still being dragged down in Black Stone Slope.

It would be too late for him to come back now.

According to Lu Maoxian's calculations, Zuo Wugang and his group of subordinates, even if they fought with their lives, could hold out for ten minutes at most.

In such a short time, whether it was Li Qi, Ma Wu, or Tan Fucheng, no one would be able to arrive in time to support.

Once Lu Chunying died, the news would be released immediately and smeared on Duan Shaoxia.

Everyone knew Duan Shaoxia held a grudge against Lu Chunying; she wouldn't be able to argue her way out of this.

After killing the main family's daughter, Lu Maoxian could logically expel Duan Shaoxia from the Lu family, and even killing her would be reasonable.

At that time, Lu Maoxian would legitimately become the head of the Lu family.

Next, he would focus on dealing with He Jiaqing and get his revenge!

This revenge must be taken! Thinking of this, Lu Maoxian gritted his teeth in hatred!

Although He Jiaqing had disguised himself, he was certain that He Jiaqing was the one who did it.

He had thought about gathering the Lu family again to seek revenge on He Jiaqing.

But how could he say this? He Jiaqing, who was far away in the outer provinces, ran back and castrated him?

Who would believe that?

He told the matter to the Saint's disciples, but the Saint thought he was useless and instead sent a white-clothed disciple to scold him.

This revenge could only be taken by himself. Once he became the head of the Lu family, he would bring the matter into the open. Regardless of whether He Jiaqing admitted it or not, he would use the full power of the Lu family to completely wipe out the He family. From then on, Puluo Continent would be his world.

"Nothing can go wrong, nothing can go wrong!" Lu Maoxian couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Pfft!

A Tang Dao suddenly pierced through Lu Maoxian's chest.

Someone whispered in his ear:

"Tell me, what exactly is 'nothing can go wrong'?"

PS: Lu Maoxian's steward was bought off by Duan Shaoxia; it was introduced in Chapter 308.

(End of chapter)