Chapter 339: The Auspicious Star of Misfortune

Jiang Xiang's Yaowang Tang branch, Tangzhu Luo Zhengnan sat on the rooftop listening to the radio, laughing as he listened:

"The world is vast, truly full of strange things—a man and two donkeys on the street… this could happen in Yaowang Gou!"

As Luo Zhengnan chuckled, his enforcer Sun Xingbing reported: "Han Jinwei has arrived."

"Tangzhu Han has come? Quickly, invite him in!"

Sun Xingbing said: "Boss, Han Jinwei hasn't been Tangzhu for a long time—why are you still so polite to him?"

Han Jinwei was formerly Tangzhu of Jiang Xiang's Huangtuqiao branch, but since Huangtuqiao was unprofitable, he often took his men on assignments outside the province.

Last time he was outside the province, he received Xiao Zheng's order to seize "Changqiang Zhao Xiao" at Tiemenbao, but was outmaneuvered by Li Banfeng, resulting in the complete destruction of the Huangtuqiao branch.

Later, "Changqiang Zhao Xiao" was bought back by Luo Zhengnan; Xiao Zheng did not make Luo Zhengnan Deputy Boss, but he did fulfill one promise—he gave Luo Zhengnan the Huangtuqiao branch.

Now Luo Zhengnan is Tangzhu of two branches, while Han Jinwei has become his subordinate—there's no real need for Luo Zhengnan to treat him with courtesy.

But Luo Zhengnan knows how to handle people—he scolded his enforcer: "You're clueless. Why not call him Tangzhu? Who knows when he might rise again?

The old saying goes: politeness never offends. In foreign tongues, that's called high emotional intelligence—do you understand? Go fetch him at once!"

Han Jinwei arrived; after brief formalities, he stated his purpose: "Tangzhu, I'd like to return to Huangtuqiao to inspect our business."

Luo Zhengnan smiled, seeing through Han Jinwei's intentions.

He didn't want to stay in Yaowang Gou—he didn't want to be under Luo Zhengnan's control.

"Tangzhu Han, is there still business in Huangtuqiao?"

"Yes—three duikou, each managing a district. I brought the roster; you may review it."

Luo Zhengnan didn't bother looking: "I just went to Huangtuqiao last month. Walked over ten li—saw hardly any households. That place is abandoned—why go back?"

"Tangzhu, we still have over a hundred brothers there—this matter—"

"Talk it over with the brothers. Those willing to come to Yaowang Gou, I'll take. Those unwilling, cut their incense heads—let them find their own paths."

"Tangzhu, that won't do—they're still working for the gang."

"Working? Do you think I don't know? Huangtuqiao has no viable business left—only human trafficking remains."

Han Jinwei lowered his head: "Even so, it's still our gang's business."

Jiang Xiang does all kinds of business—including human trafficking.

Luo Zhengnan's face darkened; his tone grew harsh: "Lao Han, I've told you this before—I'll say it again:

The gang has its business, each branch has its rules. In Yaowang Tang, human trafficking is forbidden. Whoever does it is opposing me, Luo Zhengnan."

"Of course, of course," Han Jinwei dared not defy Luo Zhengnan; after a few more pleasantries, he quickly left.

Luo Zhengnan resumed listening to the radio, still chuckling over the donkey incident, muttering to himself: "Why would the Sangxiu come to Yaowang Gou? Is this connected to that man in Huangtuqiao?

That fool dared provoke Qiu the Monkey—he only has himself to blame for getting humiliated on the street by a donkey. He won't dare stay in Yaowang Gou now.

Better he leaves—better he leaves as soon as possible."

Luo Zhengnan hoped the Sangxiu would leave quickly—but Yu Heshun hadn't gone yet.

Not only hadn't he left—he'd rested two days, then returned to Qiu's Pharmacy to cause trouble again.

That was the Sangxiu's logic: whoever hurt him, he'd cling to.

"You've injured me like this—if you don't give me satisfaction, you'll have to serve me for life!"

The pharmacy clerk Ding Youming grew angry: "Who's going to serve you for life? What nonsense are you spouting?"

"What did I say? You injured me—I came to reason with you!" Yu Heshun repeated his old trick, shouting loudly, drawing a crowd.

Ding Youming wasn't afraid—he shouted louder: "Who injured you? You were injured by a donkey! Go reason with the donkey! Make the donkey serve you for life!"

At these words, the crowd burst into laughter.

Yu Heshun's face turned red: "Don't talk nonsense—"

"Who's talking nonsense? Ask everyone—does anyone not know you were humiliated by a donkey on the street?"

"I—that was…" Yu Heshun tried to explain—he'd been struck by a technique.

Ding Youming gave him no chance: "I don't care if you're sincere or faking—you were humiliated by a donkey on the street!"

"I—I was…"

"You were humiliated by a donkey!"

"Don't slander me!"

"I have proof—you were humiliated by a donkey!" Ding Youming turned on the projector, the one Li Banfeng had specially brought.

The footage of the street donkey incident projected onto the pharmacy's front gate.

The crowd roared with laughter and applause; Yu Heshun, furious, turned and stormed off.

In the pharmacy's back hall, Li Banfeng asked Qiu Zhiheng: "Will he ruin our fengshui?"

Qiu Zhiheng shook his head: "We've drawn no criticism—our fengshui is safe. He won't last in Yaowang Gou."

Outside the pharmacy, laughter rolled in waves.

Li Banfeng didn't laugh.

Something was off.

The Sangxiu was indeed hard to deal with—Li Banfeng admitted that.

Qiu Zhiheng was indeed skilled—Li Banfeng admitted that too.

Shopkeeper Feng and Yu Nan avoided the trouble and left—understandable.

But why did the driver flee?

The driver was a high-level Lvxiu. If this was just one Sangxiu, with only this level of power, the driver could've handled it easily.

This matter might not be so simple.

Two days later, Yu's Cloth Shop opened.

Seeing Li Banfeng, Yu Nan was delighted and invited him to drink at the shop.

After two cups, Li Banfeng asked about the avoidance of disaster; Yu Nan replied: "Shopkeeper Feng told me Yaowang Gou was going to have trouble—he told me to leave for a few days, so I went to Xindi."

The rumor still came from Shopkeeper Feng.

A few more days passed; Shopkeeper Feng returned.

Learning Li Banfeng had come back, he was both startled and delighted: "Boss Li, long time no see! I've waited for you days—let's settle the elixir payment first."

All the elixirs Li Banfeng had consigned to Shopkeeper Feng had been sold.

Shopkeeper Feng ran his business by strict rules—he settled accounts fairly, without ambiguity.

Li Banfeng waved his hand: "The elixir payment can wait—first, tell me about this disaster warning. Where did you hear it?"

Shopkeeper Feng sipped tea: "A friend told me."

He didn't want to say—Li Banfeng never pressed him on things he refused to disclose.

"I came to ask about someone—your brother, Feng Chongli."

Shopkeeper Feng frowned slightly, fell silent for a long while, then said: "May I ask—why are you looking for him?"

"Business matters."

Shopkeeper Feng sighed: "I truly don't wish to speak of him—we're blood brothers, but we're not of the same path.

Yet we once made a pact: in business, we must support each other. Since you've asked, I can't refuse—

Recently, he went to Huangtuqiao, then came to Yaowang Gou. He came to me and said a Sangxiu was coming—told me to leave.

Sangxiu are the bane of merchants. I passed the warning to Boss Qiu and Boss Yu, then retreated to my hometown. Only now, hearing the Sangxiu has left, did I dare return.

If you wish to do business with my brother, I believe he's returned to Huangtuqiao—go there; he's likely still there."

Huangtuqiao was a town nestled between Lüshuicheng and Heishipo.

Li Banfeng had passed through Huangtuqiao several times by train but never stopped.

The next day, Qiu Zhiheng helped Li Banfeng obtain his travel permit and saw him off at the station.

At the station square, as they stepped down from the rickshaw, they heard arguing. Following the noise, they saw a crowd harassing a driver.

A young man in his twenties said: "Yuanzheng Street is just a few steps away—you want eight yuan? Are you crazy?"

The driver looked bewildered: "Isn't that the standard fare?"

From the station to Paifang Street was eight yuan—that was the going rate.

Yuanzheng Street was slightly farther—eight yuan wasn't excessive.

But the crowd wouldn't relent. An old woman said: "Standard fare? You charge an old woman exorbitantly? With your character, you deserve poverty for generations! Seven yuan—that's it. Will you go or not?"

The driver, frightened, nodded: "Alright, I'll go."

The old woman called out: "Get on!"

Over a dozen people moved toward the cart. The driver panicked: "Gentlemen, my cart holds only two! What are you doing?"

The old woman snorted: "Who says it holds only two? We'll squeeze!"

The driver blocked them: "No—you'll break my cart!"

"What? Pay and you still can't ride? Are you bullying outsiders? Is this the culture of Yaowang Gou? Is this place even worth living in?"

The crowd shoved and pushed; the driver pulled the cart and ran.

Li Banfeng counted roughly—fifteen people surrounded the driver.

Qiu Zhiheng was stunned: "Brother, hurry—don't get involved!"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I can't leave yet—I need to see an old friend."

Qiu Zhiheng paused: "I'm also looking for an old friend—could we be looking for the same person?"

They were indeed looking for the same person.

Qiu Zhiheng took Li Banfeng to Baixiang Village; they traveled seventy li southeast to a desolate mountain.

Deep in the mountain, past two abandoned graveyards, they saw a small courtyard in the distance.

Entering the courtyard, a strong smell of alcohol hit them; Yao Lao lay on a reclining chair, clutching a wine jug, singing opera:

"This letter arrived just in time—Heaven aids Huang Zhong to achieve success; standing at the camp gate, I sound the order: all soldiers, listen well…"

"Dingjun Mountain!"

Honestly, Yao Lao's singing, strict and precise, was quite good.

Seeing Li Banfeng, Yao Lao rose from the reclining chair, grasped Li Banfeng's hand, and grinned: "What brings you here, boy?"

Li Banfeng replied politely: "I came specially to visit you, Elder."

"How's your business?"

"Thanks to your blessing, it's going well."

"Why didn't you bring your wife and children along?"

"My…?" Li Banfeng didn't know how to respond.

Yao Lao frowned: "Xiao Qiu, I'm telling you, look at your beard—you never bother to tidy it up."

Li Banfeng looked at Qiu Zhiheng, his expression awkward.

Yao Lao glanced at Qiu Zhiheng, rubbed his forehead, and said: "Had too much to drink—mistook you. That one's Xiao Qiu!"

He turned back to Li Banfeng: "Why are you here with Xiao Qiu?"

"I've known Brother Qiu for a long time."

"I know you know each other, girl—I must warn you: Xiao Qiu is a married man, he's not right for you."

"Aren't you always fond of Li Qi? But that Li Qi isn't any good either!"

"Li Qi's actually quite fine," Li Banfeng said to Yao Lao, "How much have you drunk?"

"Not much!" Yao Lao held up two fingers. "Eight and a half jin, half a jin still in the jug."

Qiu Zhiheng said: "Master Yao, we came to tell you: the Corpse Cultivators have arrived at Yaowang Gou."

"I heard," Yao Lao said dismissively. "So what? One Corpse Cultivator? Can't you handle that? Why come bother me?"

Qiu Zhiheng shook his head. "Not one—fifteen altogether."

"Fifteen?" Yao Lao froze, sobered instantly.

"How could fifteen come?" Yao Lao muttered. "How many do they even have in that sect? How could fifteen come?"

After a moment of silence, Yao Lao looked up: "Who among you recently went to Huangtu Bridge?"

Li Banfeng shook his head vigorously—he'd never been there.

Qiu Zhiheng said: "I went there once earlier this year."

"What was it like?"

"Not good—desolate. Almost no one's left."

Yao Lao blinked. "I remember that place had coal and iron mines. It shouldn't have sunk this low."

Qiu Zhiheng said: "Doing business there brings too many troubles. Merchants all went to Heishipo; ordinary families moved away too."

Yao Lao set down the wine jug, his face stunned. "Is the Death Star targeting me?"

PS: Big trouble is coming to Yaowang Gou.

(End of Chapter)