Chapter 371: Xiu

Li Banfeng took He Yuxiu to a guesthouse and checked in.

He gave the clerk an extra banknote and asked him to prepare a large basin of clean water.

The wine gourd said to He Yuxiu: "Sister, take off your clothes and soak in the water. I'll detox you and treat your wounds."

He Yuxiu sat motionless in the room, her gaze blank.

Li Banfeng possessed the technique of Soul-Listening, allowing direct communication with magic treasures.

Can other cultivators communicate with magic treasures?

Yes, but it depends on their Dao school and level—the stronger their perception and the higher their realm, the more they can communicate with magic treasures.

Wu Xiu have weak perception, but He Yuxiu has an eighth-level cultivation base; beneath this level, even if they can't speak to magic treasures, they can still sense some of their thoughts.

But He Yuxiu sensed nothing—this wasn't her area of expertise.

She once tried hard to communicate, but in fits of rage, she smashed several magic treasures—and never succeeded once.

Now, she heard none of the wine gourd's words; Li Banfeng translated for her: "Soak in the water. This sister will heal your wounds."

After speaking, Li Banfeng pulled down his hat brim and left He Yuxiu's room.

"Sister?" He Yuxiu glanced at the wine gourd.

He calls this gourd "sister"?

The wine gourd tugged at its hem, signaling her to undress.

Blood had congealed on her clothes; she tore them off forcibly, leaving her body drenched in blood, then plunged into the basin.

The wine gourd slowly poured wine into the basin—it hurt terribly, but He Yuxiu, stubborn as she was, made no sound.

Soon, the wounds were cleaned; the wine gourd then fed her two sips of wine.

These two sips were different from before; after swallowing, He Yuxiu felt her stomach churn violently, as if she would vomit.

Vomiting into the basin was out of the question; she tried to stand, but her legs gave out, and she couldn't rise for a long time.

The wine gourd swayed toward the door, asking whether she wanted Li Banfeng called in.

After hesitating, He Yuxiu, too embarrassed to endure it, struggled out of the wooden basin and found a bucket to vomit into.

Strange—why did she suddenly feel embarrassed today?

Even He Yuxiu couldn't understand this herself.

After vomiting everything out, she soaked in the basin again; the originally pale red water slowly turned dark green-black.

The poison was being drawn out.

After over an hour of soaking, seven or eight tenths of the poison had been cleared; the wine gourd gave her one sip of wine, and she lay down to sleep.

The wine gourd went to the next room to inform Li Banfeng, only to find he was gone.

He had returned to the Body Dwelling and gone to split the spoils with the gloves.

The Soda Kiln branch had many valuable items; the two sat in the third room, carefully counting each one. They knew this room was special—it held things the steam train liked—and directly sent them to the Body Dwelling.

The gloves first spat out two boxes of banknotes; Li Banfeng roughly counted them—over seventy thousand.

The gloves then spat out a box of silver dollars; Li Banfeng didn't bother counting: "All the money's yours."

"Thank you, Boss!" The gloves beamed and spat out a chain.

It was the chain that had bound He Yuxiu in the dungeon—capable of trapping an eighth-level Wu Xiu. A truly excellent item.

Li Banfeng was about to examine it when the Body Dwelling immediately took it.

"It's a bit subpar, but passable," the Body Dwelling spoke.

Li Banfeng didn't fully understand the steam train's mechanics—could a chain like this even be useful to it?

The gloves reassured him: "Boss, since the mansion took it, we're not at a loss. I've got other treasures."

He spat out a hammer—this hammer had spirit, moving on its own. Li Banfeng assumed the Body Dwelling would take it, but the Body Dwelling seemed disdainful.

"Poor craftsmanship. Give it to the girl."

Which girl?

Li Banfeng handed the hammer to the phonograph.

Hssshhh~

The phonograph exhaled a puff of steam and sang slowly: "Oh, my husband, this heavy labor? Your humble servant knows a thing or two."

She used her needle to detach a wooden beam from the windmill phonograph, tied it to the hammer, and stored it in the front compartment.

Seeing her mistress liked it, the gloves spat out pliers, screwdrivers, saws, chisels, and adzes—all of which the phonograph promptly absorbed.

Only a pile of glass beads remained; the gloves spat them out too: "Boss, these are excellent hidden weapons—perfect for tripping people up."

Li Banfeng had noticed too—these glass beads were unusual. He reached to pick one up, but they all rolled away with a clatter into the third room.

By the time Li Banfeng chased after them, the glass beads had already been taken by the Body Dwelling.

"Old man, what do you need these for?"

"For amusement," the Body Dwelling replied, leaving Li Banfeng stunned.

With the items settled, Li Banfeng exited the Body Dwelling, recalled the wine gourd, and slept through the night.

The Jiangxiang Gang's Soda Kiln branch had been wiped out; the Border Inspector would likely act soon.

Li Banfeng wasn't worried—he had escape plans, for the border no longer blocked him.

As for He Yuxiu, no need to worry—she surely had her own methods.

A misstep in a ditch was rare; He Yuxiu was still the head of the He family. But the reason for this fall needed clarification.

At dusk the next day, He Yuxiu awoke; most of her external wounds had healed, and though residual poison remained, its effect was minor.

She found Li Banfeng and, with flushed cheeks, made a request: "All my money was stolen. Can you buy me some clothes?"

Her clothes were torn and soaked in blood—she couldn't go out like this.

But this was tricky. Money wasn't the issue—He Yuxiu was tall and, more importantly, had a conscience. That conscience was too large for ordinary clothes.

A conscience too big to fit? Peaches were even harder—under her tattered clothes, her plump peach-like buttocks were practically bouncing out.

Li Banfeng visited several tailor shops and bought a large set of men's clothing for He Yuxiu to wear.

A plaid shirt with a beige suit—she pinned her hair under a top hat, and she looked more imposing than any ordinary man.

"I, uh… I'm hungry," He Yuxiu said, blushing. "Could you treat me to a meal?"

He Yuxiu was indeed a proud person.

Dining out would draw attention, so Li Banfeng had the clerk bring wine and dishes to the room.

The Soda Kiln made not only excellent soda but also fragrant wine—the wine gourd kept rubbing against Li Banfeng, begging for a taste.

Li Banfeng patted the gourd, signaling her to drink freely; most of the wine poured into his bowl was secretly sipped by the wine gourd.

After several bowls, He Yuxiu regained her strength and looked at Li Banfeng: "Brother Li Qi, I don't know how to repay you for this kindness."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Saving your life is no small thing. To say 'repay' in a few words? That's not sincere."

He Yuxiu asked: "Then what do you suggest?"

Li Banfeng smiled at her: "We need to get serious."

He Yuxiu asked cautiously: "Are you planning to sleep with me?"

Li Banfeng waved his hand: "No way—we're generations apart. How about this: let's swear brotherhood."

He Yuxiu froze: "Doesn't that still make us generations apart?"

Li Banfeng said: "After swearing brotherhood, what generation gap? Saving a life is the greatest of all debts. If you still care about generations, what's the point of talking about repayment?"

He Yuxiu was torn. Normally, Lu Chunying called her "Sister Xiu," and she accepted it.

But swearing brotherhood was different—it wasn't just a title. In Pulu Province, it was binding—afterward, they'd be equals.

Fine. Before the debt of saving a life, this was trivial.

They immediately burned yellow paper and swore brotherhood.

Li Banfeng said: "Xiu'er, from today on, I'm your elder brother."

"Of course—but wait!" He Yuxiu protested. "You're my elder brother? How old are you to be my elder brother?"

Li Banfeng lifted the wine jug: "Saving a life—this debt is immense. What does age matter?"

"No way!" He Yuxiu refused. "You're bullying me!"

"Xiu'er, drink this wine first. Let me explain. Becoming your elder brother isn't a loss. You don't even know my real age. Let's start with the debt of saving your life…"

You don't know his age?

Isn't he called "Brother Ma Wu"?

Is this really not a loss?

He Yuxiu grew more conflicted.

…

Two jugs of wine were consumed—half a jug by He Yuxiu, the rest mostly by the wine gourd.

The wine gourd silently sighed: The Soda Kiln's wine was strong indeed!

He Yuxiu's cheeks flushed, she patted her conscience, and looked at Li Banfeng: "Brother Qi, I owe you my life. From now on, your affairs are mine. No matter the fire or the knife, I won't hesitate!"

"Splendid! Xiu'er, I admire your spirit!" Li Banfeng praised, pouring her another bowl.

He Yuxiu took a large sip and continued: "By the way, let's talk. I've been through the Jianghu for years. Calling you 'Brother Qi' in public feels awkward."

"How about this: when no one's around, you call me 'Brother Qi' and I'll call you 'Little Sister.' But in public, you call me 'Elder Brother'—deal?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "You just said you've been through the Jianghu for years—how did you get caught by the Jiangxiang Gang?"

"Embarrassing! This is so damn humiliating!"

"Last night you said I had balls—I said I didn't. I really didn't. I was fleeing for my life."

Fleeing was bad enough, but then I got capsized in a ditch. He Yuxiu lit a cigarette, rubbed her forehead, and recounted the whole story.

I offended the Border Inspector; my family's business was sealed up. After much effort, I got it reopened, but Ma Wu feared the Border Inspector would seek revenge, so he told me to hide in Xindi.

I couldn't stand Xindi—it made me feel suffocated just thinking about it. I wanted to hide at Qishui Yao; it's remote, and I cultivated there for years, so I still have some roots there.

I even changed my identity and attire, didn't dare bring a single accessory, bought a hard-seat ticket, and crept all the way to Qishui Yao.

After getting off the train, I went to see an old friend, made arrangements with him, and asked him to find me a place to stay.

But that bastard sold me out—same night, someone came after me.

Little sister isn't boasting, but over a hundred people surrounded me, all with solid cultivation. I still carved out a bloody path.

She escaped even after being attacked by over a hundred cultivators!

Li Banfeng didn't doubt it.

Judging from He Yuxiu's combat strength last night, among all the people Li Banfeng had met, she was the ceiling of the Eighth Layer.

But summoning over a hundred cultivators at once? That could only mean the Border Inspector had acted.

He Yuxiu took a sip of wine and continued: "I lost all my magic treasures and my travel permit. Those aren't the big issues—I kept my life, fought and ran for two full days and nights, and finally shook them off."

For two days and nights, I didn't eat or drink. I was starving and parched, so I found a soda stand hoping for something to eat.

I dared not go to crowded places, so I picked a quiet spot—only to run into the Jiangxiang Gang's scum. A few bottles of soda knocked me out.

I survived the fiercest storms, only to be felled by a soda peddler. Isn't that utterly humiliating? Seventh Brother, you must never tell anyone about this. I can't bear the shame.

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Sister, this isn't shameful."

He Yuxiu looked up. "I was tricked by those thieves—how isn't that shameful?"

Li Banfeng asked: "Have you read Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"

He Yuxiu shook her head. "I haven't read the book, but I've heard a few stories."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Do you know Lü Bu?"

"Of course—I've heard he was the strongest in the Three Kingdoms!"

"How did Lü Bu die?"

"He died at Bai Men Lou—bound by his own men and handed over to Cao Cao."

"What were his men's names?"

He Yuxiu blinked, then shook her head. "I can't remember."

"Zhang Fei was called a match for ten thousand men. How did he die?"

"Also killed by his own men."

"What were their names?"

He Yuxiu scratched her head, unable to answer.

"Can't remember, right?" Li Banfeng said. "How did Guan Yu die?"

He Yuxiu thought. "I recall he was brought down by a horse-tripping rope."

"Who laid the rope?"

He Yuxiu stared wide-eyed. "How would I know?"

"Exactly! I don't know either!" Li Banfeng said seriously. "Many heroes have fallen in the gutter—but heroes remain heroes."

"Xiu'er, you fought your way out of an attack by over a hundred cultivators—you are a hero. Being ambushed while exhausted? That's nothing to be ashamed of!"

He Yuxiu lowered her head. "I just fear others laughing at me. I can't go around saying I escaped from over a hundred men—that would only make them laugh more…"

Li Banfeng looked at He Yuxiu. "Let them laugh. They laugh behind your back—we can't hear them. Let them laugh all they want."

"If they dare laugh to your face, we'll pull out their teeth and see if they can still laugh."

He Yuxiu held her wine bowl, studying Li Qi closely.

She was poor with words—some things she couldn't explain.

But for some reason, she felt calling him Seventh Brother was worth it.

"Xiu'er, what are your plans now?"

He Yuxiu thought. "I'll go to Xindi. There's He family land there too. Ma Wu was right—only Xindi can hide me."

"What about returning to Lüshuicheng? Let's go back openly."

"Openly?" He Yuxiu said. "Buy a train ticket straight to Lüshuicheng? We might not even get into the station."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Buying a ticket won't work. Doesn't your He family have a private train? Call it—have it come to Qishui Yao to bring the family head home!"

He Yuxiu gasped. "That's too showy."

"Scared?"

He Yuxiu paused, then downed her wine in one gulp. "I'll follow you. I'm not afraid."

Li Banfeng nodded. "That's right. Brothers like us must have this dignity."

Dignity was fine—but would it save their lives?

"Seventh Brother, I lost all my magic treasures and can't contact home. I don't trust anyone else."

"I'll handle this."

Li Banfeng contacted Luo Zhengnan, instructing him to notify Ma Wu to contact the He family and dispatch the private train immediately to Qishui Yao to retrieve the family head.

Ma Wu didn't understand Li Banfeng's plan—it would kill He Yuxiu.

After thinking, he still contacted the He family.

The He family immediately dispatched the private train, bringing over a hundred attendants to retrieve the family head.

The train departed that day, expected to arrive in Qishui Yao in three days.

The He family's attendants prepared for a final battle—even for combat aboard the train.

The Border Inspector's office received the news and realized He Yuxiu was openly defying them.

They ordered the Jiangxiang Gang to hunt He Yuxiu with all force—alive or dead, they must deliver results within three days.

Qishui Tang had no one left; the Border Inspector's office transferred many personnel from other branches.

The Border Inspector's order was clear: kill He Yuxiu in Qishui Yao. She must not board the train back to Lüshuicheng—and the operation must be kept utterly secret.

Though secretly backed by the Border Inspector, this was still difficult for the Jiangxiang Gang.

Elite from several branches arrived; every possible tactic was deployed.

Over the next three days, Qishui Yao would be turned upside down!

On a steam-powered freight train bound for Lüshuicheng, He Yuxiu sat up from a coal-filled carriage, wiping coal dust from her face. "Seventh Brother, is this what you meant by dignity?"

Li Banfeng snorted. "What? Do you look down on me? Is this how you speak to your elder brother? No family discipline left?"

"I don't look down on you—I just think our journey's been… a bit…"

Li Banfeng's expression turned serious. "I'm telling you—I'm not afraid of them. I'm avoiding their sharp edge; I'm doing this for…"

"Seventh Brother, the train conductor's coming!"

Li Banfeng lay motionless in the coal pile.

PS: They just swore brotherhood—what about Jiaqing?

(End of Chapter)