Chapter 362: You Really Can't See?

Li Banfeng let Luo Zhengnan leave first, but Luo Zhengnan refused.

He didn't know what Li Qi had gone through back then, but the matter of revenge was something Luo Zhengnan had proposed himself.

Now that Li Qi was going to wipe out the Black Stone Slope branch, how could Luo Zhengnan let Li Qi fight alone?

"Seventh Master, you're insulting me. I'm no saint, Luo, but I'm certainly no coward. As long as you're here, I absolutely cannot leave."

Li Banfeng wasn't being polite with Luo Zhengnan; he was worried Luo Zhengnan couldn't keep up with the pace.

Luo Zhengnan's investigative and judgment abilities were first-rate, but as for his combat ability, Li Banfeng didn't know yet.

Luo Zhengnan said he could fight too, and Li Banfeng didn't doubt that either, but the current situation wasn't one that could be solved by fighting alone.

The Guanfang Shi had stuck his hand into the Jiang Xiang Gang's affairs. Although Li Banfeng wasn't a native of Like Puluozhou and didn't fear the Guanfang Shi as deeply, he had to be prepared to advance and retreat, to maneuver.

To put it plainly, this fight had to be one where they could strike at any moment and run at any moment. A Yu Zhaixiu was skilled at cutting into the battlefield, a Traveler was skilled at withdrawing from the battlefield. Luo Zhengnan didn't have this kind of ability; it would be hard for him to keep up with Li Banfeng's pace.

On this point, Luo Zhengnan also had a clear understanding of himself: "Seventh Master, I won't hold you back. Let's split up. I'll go gather information, and when the timing is right, you make your move,

For the next day or two, you rest and conserve your energy, and try not to show yourself in public."

Li Banfeng said: "You mean there won't be a suitable opportunity in the next day or two?"

Luo Zhengnan smiled and said: "Seventh Master, although the Jiang Xiang Gang is a Xipi Erliu gang, it's been around the jianghu for quite a few years.

Looking at the heavily guarded posture of the branch now, I estimate they can hold out for at least a day or two. If we go head-to-head with the branch in the next day or two, it won't be worth it for us.

It's best we do it like we did with Pei Yikou—try not to make a move inside their den. Since they're in the child-snatching business, they'll definitely have to deliver goods. Wait until I find out the information, and we'll decide on the timing then."

Luo Zhengnan was truly a smart man; he always knew exactly what Li Banfeng needed most.

The two agreed to meet the day after tomorrow at noon. Li Banfeng found an inn, ate a Jin Yuandan, neutralized seven or eight tenths of the dan poison, and then went back to Leaving Leaving Suishenju to rest.

With this Jin Yuandan, staying in Leaving Leaving Suishenju for two or three days wouldn't be a problem. It was a perfect chance to use the Tianhe Zhi Ji to stockpile some fortune.

Previously, staying in Leaving Leaving Suishenju for thirteen hours had caused a small surge in fortune, and this had been very clearly reflected.

The Jiang Xiang Gang's Black Stone Slope branch was very small. According to Li Banfeng's plan, he should have made his move right after getting off the train, but Luo Zhengnan noticed something unusual near the branch—that was where the fortune came in.

What would the effect be if he stayed for a day and a half this time?

After staying for a day, the phonograph casually asked: "Hey, husband, aren't you going out to buy groceries today?"

Li Banfeng stroked the big horn and sang along: "Hey, wife, if husband stays home and doesn't leave, aren't you happy?"

The wife replied: "Hey, husband, if you stay home to keep this little slave company, of course this little slave is overjoyed. I'm only afraid that my husband will grow fond of the comforts of home and let his grand ambitions go to waste."

"Hey, wife, is buying groceries a grand ambition?" Li Banfeng tickled the wife's armpit, and the wife laughed until her whole body trembled.

The two sang back and forth, very sweet. Hong Ying listened and felt something was off.

She had served as a house spirit for others before—when had a house spirit ever rushed the house cultivator to go out?

What did Zhao Xiaowan mean by this?

Li Qi also found it very strange; he seemed to know Zhao Xiaowan's thoughts.

After staying another half day, Li Banfeng went out. As he was leaving, the phonograph urged: "I see your complexion, husband—your fortune is very good today. You can be more decisive in what you do."

Fortune very good!

The thirty-plus hours hadn't been spent in vain.

After going out, Li Banfeng's legs couldn't wait to speed up, and he quickly found Luo Zhengnan.

Luo Zhengnan had actually gathered information: "Seventh Master, I spent all of yesterday looking into the child-snatchers and didn't find anything. Then I switched my approach and actually picked up some movement.

There's a peep-show man near Black Stone Slope recently. He leaves home before dawn, heading specifically for the outer suburbs, and comes back at some uncertain hour at night.

I have a friend who lives near his place and saw two fortune-tellers. Judging by their business style, he knew they were from the Jiang Xiang Gang—they should be standing guard for this peep-show man.

Using peep shows to abduct children is a common trick of the Jiang Xiang Gang. Two hours ago, my friend sent word: that peep-show man has gone to the western suburbs."

Li Banfeng organized his thoughts and made a plan: "I'll go to the western suburbs to find this peep-show man. You go to his place and check out the situation. I reckon the children are all hidden at his place.

Just get a clear picture of the situation, and absolutely don't tip them off. Let's both get a clear count on our ends, and then we'll catch them all in one net."

Luo Zhengnan kept nodding; Li Qi's thoughts were completely in line with his own.

……

Clang-clang, clang-clang!

Western suburbs, Liutang Village.

A burst of rattle-drum sound reached the village entrance, and several children followed the drum sound and gathered around.

They thought a peddler had come and wanted to buy a couple of pieces of candy. When they got closer, they saw it was actually a peep-show man.

This peep-show man pushed a four-wheeled cart with a large wooden cabinet on it; the wooden cabinet was a size larger than a peddler's goods cabinet.

The cabinet had eight glass lenses on the front and back—they were magnifying glasses. Those who came to watch the peep show pressed against the lenses to look at the pictures inside the cabinet.

What kind of pictures were in the cabinet?

There were scenic spots and story picture books. Peep-show men all had the storytelling skills of a professional narrator. Pulling ropes, beating the rattle-drum, switching the pictures one by one in hand, and telling the story piece by piece with his mouth.

What's good about this thing? Why not go into the city to watch a shadow play?

That depends on the place. Liutang Village was in the outer suburbs. A trip to Black Stone City and back took a whole day. The cheapest shadow-play ticket was three bucks. Add in food and drink, and a day cost at least ten or eight bucks. Farmers couldn't bear to spend that money.

Watching a peep show, a dime was enough—especially the village children, who especially loved this.

Five children pressed against the glass lenses, watching intently. The peep-show man beat the rattle-drum in his hand and told the story in a leisurely manner.

Today's story was Wu Song Fighting the Tiger. Wu Song had just drunk eighteen bowls and hadn't even gotten up Jingyang Ridge when the peep-show man started shooing people away: "That's enough, that's enough, that's all for today. Go on home, everyone."

The onlookers around dispersed, but these five children watching the peep show didn't leave.

Judging by their posture, these children hadn't seen enough. In fact, they couldn't move.

No one knew what they had seen. The peep-show pictures in the cabinet all carried illusion-craft techniques.

The peep-show man pushed the cart forward, and the five children followed behind the cart.

When they reached a deserted place, the peep-show man opened the cabinet door, and the five children lined up and all went into the cabinet.

The peep-show man shut the cabinet door, pushed the cart, and left Liutang Village.

Li Banfeng followed right behind this person, planning to make his move once they reached a suitable spot.

At the same time, Luo Zhengnan had already arrived at the peep-show performer's residence, only to find no fortune-tellers around.

Luo Zhengnan's heart flipped, and he realized the situation was bad.

He slipped into the courtyard, searched each of the three tile-roofed rooms, and found not a single person inside.

Could it be that they had already moved the goods?

If that were really the case, the situation wouldn't be too terrible.

What truly worried Luo Zhengnan was that word might have leaked, and the other side was prepared.

If that were really the case, Li Banfeng would be in danger.

Luo Zhengnan immediately left the courtyard, returned to his own residence, took a dial out of a box, plugged it into his spine, fitted an antenna on top of his head, and hurried to send word to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng was carrying a simple telephone set on his person; the telephone had no antenna plugged in, and he had no idea how the signal was.

Facts proved the signal was still decent—the telephone buzzed—only the message arrived a little late.

Li Banfeng had already walked into an ambush.

He had been following the peep-show performer, looking for a suitable chance to pry some information out of the man's mouth.

But this peep-show performer had long been prepared; he had led Li Banfeng right into the ambush circle.

Five people stepped out from around them, and together with the peep-show performer, six in all, surrounding Li Banfeng in the middle.

One of them, a middle-aged man of over fifty, dressed in a Western suit with a necktie, asked Li Banfeng: "Are you one of He Jiaqing's people?"

Li Banfeng didn't answer; he stared and sized this person up—the man's attire was somewhat unusual.

In Like Puluozhou, people in Western suits were not few, but their suits differed from authentic Western suits—cinched waists, long hems, short lapels—bearing a strong Like Puluozhou style.

What Li Banfeng wore was a typical Like Puluozhou Western suit, but this middle-aged man was clearly wearing an orthodox Western suit, which was not at all common in Like Puluozhou.

Seeing that Li Banfeng kept silent, this middle-aged man revealed his identity: "I am a special commissioner of the Border Defense Office, acting on the orders of the Border Defense Commissioner, inviting you to the Border Defense Office to answer a few questions,

you need not worry, we will give you the chance to clarify the facts, we will not let a single bad person go, but we will absolutely not wrong a single good person."

Sure enough, this person was from another state.

Li Banfeng smiled: "You want me to clarify the facts? Aren't the facts right there before your very eyes?"

The middle-aged man's brow furrowed slightly: "I don't know what facts you're referring to?"

Li Banfeng suddenly crushed a pebble underfoot; the shattered stone fragments smashed the peep-show performer's cart.

Five children sat inside the cabinet; under the influence of an illusion technique, these five children had fallen into intense vertigo, and combined with the jolting along the way, each of them was dazed and confused, their faces blank, with all manner of vomit still hanging at the corners of their mouths.

Li Banfeng pointed at the cart and said: "Can't you see it?"

The middle-aged man was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "I truly cannot see it; I only saw you assault an honest, decent businessman just now."

Li Banfeng pointed at the peep-show performer and asked: "You say he's an honest, decent businessman?"

The middle-aged man nodded: "Who is honest and who is not, I have a clear idea in my heart; you will come with me to the Border Defense Office right now, otherwise I will have to take extraordinary measures."

Li Banfeng said nothing; he was now pondering his countermeasure.

The peep-show performer was from the Jiang Xiang gang—his methods were extremely professional, that went without saying.

The man in the Western suit was indeed from the Border Defense Office, that was beyond doubt.

The four people beside him were his subordinates; their cultivation was certainly not low, but just how high could it be?

Before Li Banfeng entered the ambush circle, he had not sensed any danger, which proved these four people could conceal their malice.

Was it by relying on a cultivation gap to conceal their malice?

Li Banfeng was a seventh-layer Traveler; if they were concealing malice purely through a cultivation gap, the opponents' cultivation must have reached the ninth layer.

A ninth-layer cultivator would not debase himself so much as to serve as someone else's hired thug.

So most likely they had used a treasure or spiritual item that concealed malice.

Of course, this was only Li Banfeng's own speculation; perhaps these people were all tools specially cultivated by another state.

The wisest course of action right now was to flee immediately.

The other side had numbers; a head-on clash would be far too difficult, but at a seventh-layer Traveler's speed, escaping would be considerably easier.

But judging from the other side's attitude, he didn't seem worried at all that I might flee.

These four subordinates were positioned closely around the middle-aged man, their attention also focused on the middle-aged man, not paying much attention to me.

They didn't look like hired thugs, but more like bodyguards.

One of them kept his hand in his trouser pocket, as if preparing to operate some kind of mechanism.

If I chose to flee, would I fall into their trap?

What if I don't flee?

The moment the thought surfaced, an intense sense of danger flooded his mind.

This was a warning from Tianhe Zhi Ji—the opponent's strength was not low; charging in would mean facing extreme risk.

In the whirl of his thoughts, Li Banfeng heard the middle-aged man's warning again: "I believe you were merely deceived by others, I even believe this matter has nothing to do with you,

come with me, once we get to the Border Defense Office, everything can be made clear, I assure you…"

Before he finished speaking, Li Banfeng's figure suddenly blurred—he had activated Qiji Bixiong.

These four subordinates were experienced, and reacted extremely quickly.

They noticed Li Banfeng had used Qiji Bixiong, realized Li Banfeng was a Traveler; two of them stepped in front of the middle-aged man, one took position behind him.

They watched Li Banfeng closely, and at the same time blocked Li Banfeng's line of sight toward the middle-aged man—this was a defense against Qu Ji Bi Xiong.

They knew the Traveler's fifth-layer art!

Another subordinate operated the mechanism in his trouser pocket, and a ring of light flared up around them.

A boundary!

Li Banfeng recognized this thing!

Meng Yuchun had used a similar boundary line to fight Ba Shan Zhu, and Ba Shan Zhu had crashed into the boundary line, nearly losing half his life.

Fortunately, Li Banfeng did not choose to run, or he would have crashed into the boundary line and been gravely injured even if not killed.

The four guards watched Li Banfeng closely, holding still to react, waiting to see what action he would take.

These four people had responded very thoroughly; clashing head-on with them would indeed carry enormous risk.

But Li Banfeng still charged straight at the middle-aged man.

It was a mad move.

These four subordinates' cultivation was indeed not low—two at the seventh layer, two at the sixth layer.

The instant Li Banfeng charged over, they adjusted their positions, almost giving him no chance to strike.

Boom!

A tremendous crash!

A cloud of dust rose from the ground.

The four subordinates along with the middle-aged man were sent tumbling to the ground by the powerful shockwave; the impact of that single stomp that shattered ten thousand rivers filled these four people with an indescribable terror.

What level of cultivation is this man?

Could it be a Travelling Cultivator's seventh-layer technique?

All four subordinates were wounded; they scrambled to their feet at once and surrounded Li Banfeng, yet none dared to strike.

At this moment, Li Banfeng had seized the middle-aged man by the hair.

The middle-aged man's face was covered in blood, two front teeth knocked out, and he said in a garbled voice, "Young man, don't be rash. I very much admire your courage, and I also admire your character.

The fact that you haven't killed me yet proves you still want to continue negotiating with me. I can give you the chance to negotiate.

But this is the last chance I'm giving you—release me immediately, and I can overlook what just happened!"

"You've misunderstood. The reason I haven't killed you is that I have something to ask you." Li Banfeng pointed at the peep-show cart and asked the middle-aged man once more, "These five children—can you really not see them?"

The middle-aged man replied, "Why are you so fixated on this matter? What does it matter if I can't see them? Is it really that important? You hurt me, and for you that is an overwhelming disaster. I'm giving you one chance—this is my mercy toward you…"

"Since you can't see, what do you need eyes for?" Li Banfeng raised his hand and gouged out both of the middle-aged man's eyes.

(End of chapter)