Chapter 392: Old Seven, I'll Follow Your Lead

The boss of the Three Heroes Gate, Bao Yingchen, held a pair of Judge's Brushes, turning them over and over in his hands.

The Third Boss, Yang Xingbo, stared at the Judge's Brushes for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Big Brother, I don't mean to dampen your spirits, but as I see it, this pair is just a set of weapons that don't sit well in the hand."

Bao Yingchen held the Judge's Brushes and channeled some Qi into them; the Judge's Brushes, originally a little over a foot long, instantly grew to over six feet long.

The pair of Judge's Brushes became a pair of solid-iron spears. Bao Yingchen, over sixty years old, wielded the long spears with an agile frame and fierce strikes.

The Third Boss praised, "Big Brother, fine skill! But to speak plainly, this pair of weapons is still nothing special."

Bao Yingchen withdrew his Qi, and the Judge's Brushes returned to their original size. "Lao San, you think these Judge's Brushes are no good?"

The Third Boss shook his head and said, "Weapons that can change size — you've seen plenty of them. Tell me, where exactly is this weapon so fine?

Chu Huaijun's father, Chu Shaoqiang, is a craftsman cultivator; who knows how many of these weapons they have at his house.

He used this thing to fool you? I think his sincerity is seriously lacking."

Bao Yingchen smiled and put the Judge's Brushes back in their case. "Xingbo, I think Chu Huaijun's sincerity runs deep. This thing is a treasure. Although he can't explain its use clearly, I can feel it — this really is a treasure.

These past years, Chu Huaijun has swallowed his pride and bided his time, and at last he's found a chance to turn things around.

If we give him a hand, we both follow the Garrison Commander's wishes and secure our gang's standing — why wouldn't we do it?"

Yang Xingbo laughed and said, "Big Brother, I'll follow your lead."

Bao Yingchen said, "This matter not only requires following my lead, but also Chu Huaijun's.

Chu Huaijun sent over fine goods, so our return gift can't be shabby either.

As for what to give as a return gift, in the end we still have to follow the Garrison Commander's wishes."

Yang Xingbo said, "I reckon the Garrison Commander wants a head."

Bao Yingchen nodded. "Whose head do you think they want?"

Yang Xingbo thought for a moment, then said, "He Yuxiu. I heard that mad woman has come back to Green Water City. She's a thorn in the Garrison Commander's side right now."

Bao Yingchen shook his head again. "Brave but witless — just a fierce woman. The He family has already been beaten by her hands.

She should have died at the Garrison Commander's hands long ago. She's only alive today by sheer luck. Someone like her doesn't need our attention."

"There's also that girl Lu Chunying. In the Hundred Happiness Gate matter, she's been stirring things up from the inside, making things awkward for Chu Huaijun with the Garrison Commander."

Bao Yingchen shook his head and said, "A snot-nosed little girl — what kind of storm can she stir up? This girl is just a bastard Lu Dongliang sowed out there. With a status like hers, she doesn't even have the right to stay in the Lu family."

Yang Xingbo thought some more: "That leaves the Ma family. It depends how you look at it. Ma Chunting has grown old and can no longer see things clearly, but his son Ma Junyang is no pushover."

Bao Yingchen gave a cold laugh. "I don't know if he's a pushover, but he sure saves on food — he nearly starved to death in Blue Poplar Village.

This kid won't be cocky for many more days. He thinks that because he can do a little speculative business, he can carve out a kingdom for himself in Puluo Province? He's suffered too little and dreamed too much."

Yang Xingbo thought for a long while, then shook his head repeatedly. "Big Brother, I can't think of anyone else."

"Yes, this isn't easy to figure out," Bao Yingchen rose and said. "Why is He Yuxiu still alive? Why is Lu Chunying still in the Lu family? Why didn't Ma Wu starve to death in Blue Poplar Village? Whose head the Garrison Commander actually wants — we need to think this through carefully."

……

In Sui Shen Ju, Li Banfeng asked the Judge's Brushes very seriously, "Does your family have any relatives we haven't met yet?"

After waiting ten-odd minutes, the Judge's Brushes replied with one line: "Hmph~"

Taken at face value, its meaning should be……

Li Banfeng couldn't figure it out.

The Gramophone did offer a suggestion: "Hey, husband, who cares if it's a relative of our cheeky brushes? Since Old Luo has already gathered the information, let's bring it back first.

If it really is as useful as our Judge's Brushes, that'd be another pair of supreme treasures in our hands."

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "I think so too. But something belonging to the Three Heroes Gate's Grand Elder probably won't be easy to take."

"Husband, you think too highly of the Three Heroes Gate. This gang does have some foundation, but those three bosses of theirs aren't necessarily that high in cultivation.

Husband has Seven-Layer cultivation, and with two mansions open for business, even against an Eight-Layer he could put up a fight — no need to fear him."

Li Banfeng bit his fingernail and said, "Right, I have two house spirits, so I'm not afraid of him."

"Husband, the key is to pick the right moment to act. Taking on a single Jin Yin isn't hard, but taking on the entire Three Heroes Gate is no easy matter."

Wife has a point — a good moment is hard to find.

It's fine if we can't find the right moment. Snatching this pair of Judge's Brushes would be a stroke of luck, and missing out wouldn't be a loss either.

Right now there are many important things going on. Ma Wu is preparing to host a guest at the outer residence.

Usually guests are hosted at Carefree Fortress, but this guest is special and can't be seen in public lightly.

"Lao Qi, the friend we're meeting today is called Shan Baowen. He's a man from the Garrison Office.

In the past, when we sent people to the Garrison Office to handle travel permits, they were done in less than an hour — all thanks to this friend's help.

Today he came to find me, it must be about money. If he names a high price, don't you go feeling the pinch."

"This money is well spent — no need to consult me." Li Banfeng sat in a corner of the room. He wanted to test the man's cultivation.

Before long, the guest arrived.

By his looks, the man was forty-seven or forty-eight, of medium build, a little on the thin side, wearing a pair of spectacles, with a refined and scholarly appearance.

Ma Wu rose to greet him. Li Qi stayed seated and didn't move.

If Shan Baowen noticed Li Qi, it would prove his cultivation was no small matter, and Ma Wu would immediately introduce the two of them.

As it turned out, Shan Baowen didn't notice Li Qi at all.

This man's cultivation wasn't high — he might not even have any cultivation.

After a few pleasantries, they each took their seats. Shan Baowen wiped his sweat and said, "I rushed all the way here and didn't even have time for a sip of water."

Ma Wu hurriedly poured tea for Shan Baowen. "Brother Baowen, yesterday when my man came to you to handle a travel permit, you said you had something to tell me. I was so anxious I couldn't sleep all night."

"It's nothing major," Shan Baowen smiled. "My son set up a factory, didn't manage the business well, lost quite a bit of money, and didn't dare tell me. Yesterday the debt collectors showed up, and only then did I find out.

The boy's just not cut out for business. I said a couple of words to him, and he still wasn't convinced. These young people nowadays — no real ability, but plenty of temper. I'm full of anger."

Ma Wu laughed and said, "Brother Baowen, that's not how to put it. Skills in the business world are all honed through experience. Take a couple more losses, and he'll find his footing."

Shan Baowen shook his head and said, "It still depends on talent. He's about your age, but when it comes to ability, he's nowhere near you."

"You're too kind — how much does he owe?"

"I'm almost embarrassed to say it. The shop's been open two months and I've lost a full five hundred silver dollars."

"Is that even a problem?" Ma Wu laughed. "I'll cover it. Call it tuition for my brother."

"I couldn't possibly—"

"Don't stand on ceremony with me!"

After another round of pleasantries, Shan Baowen lowered his voice and said: "Yesterday I went to deliver documents to the Chief Commissioner, and he happened to be entertaining a guest. Guess who the guest was?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "I couldn't possibly guess."

"The eldest of the Chu family — Chu Huaijun. In the time it took me to walk in and out, I caught half a sentence between two people. They're going to get rid of someone — in the next few days."

Ma Wu was startled: "Who?"

"I don't know that. I just passed through and heard that much."

Ma Wu pinched his chin, his brow tightly furrowed.

Shan Baowen said: "Junyang, I've still got business on my end — I need to get back right away."

Ma Wu stood up at once, packed Shan Baowen five hundred silver dollars, and didn't dare see him past the door — only to the top of the stairs, where the two parted ways.

Back in the room, Li Banfeng asked Ma Wu: "Did that man tell the whole story?"

Ma Wu thought for a moment: "I think he did. The man's greedy — if he knew more, he'd have squeezed me for more.

Shan Baowen is from Pulozhou, and he doesn't hold any real post. At the Garrison Bureau, the only people we can buy are at that level.

Liao Zihui has Chu Huaijun going after someone — who could it be?"

Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu: "What do you think?"

"Either He Yuxiu or Lu Chunying. Best to send them both to hide in New Land."

Li Banfeng lit a cigarette: "Could it possibly be you?"

Ma Wu thought for a moment: "I don't think I count. Apart from the newspaper business, I haven't fallen out with the Garrison Commissioner."

"But you're helping He Yuxiu and Lu Chunying right now. The businesses of both their families depend on you to a great extent."

Ma Wu pressed his lips together; his cheek twitched involuntarily.

Old Seven has a point — it really might be me!

"Old Seven, you set off at once and go hide in New Land. I'll wrap up the business matters and come find you right away.

If I can't get away, you look after our business — you absolutely must not let go. With the business, we have a foundation. Later we'll find a chance to avenge me."

Li Banfeng laughed: "Who's the one who can't get away — you, or Chu Huaijun?"

"It's got to be me — how could it be him?" Ma Wu was taken aback, then asked, "You want to take Chu Huaijun on? He's got the Garrison Commissioner behind him — hard to say how strong he is right now."

Li Banfeng lit a cigarette: "No matter how strong he is, we know they're going to make a move, and we know who they're going to move against. Our chance has come — we can't spare him."

Ma Wu shook his head: "It's still hard to say who they're going to move against."

Li Banfeng said: "He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, and you — it's one of you three anyway. You might as well gather together.

You move into Lu Chunying's place too. Bring Aqin, Huoling, and Old Zuo along.

I'll recruit another batch of people to open up wasteland at Zhengjing Village. I've talked it over with Shui Yongquan — we'll bring a few good hands over from New Land and concentrate all our firepower in one spot.

No matter how many men Chu Huaijun sends this time, don't let a single one get away. If Chu Huaijun comes in person, take him along with the rest. If the Garrison Commissioner comes, take him too."

"Even the Garrison Commissioner—" Ma Wu felt Old Seven was about to go mad again. "Let's think it over. I just feel this plan of ours is a bit rash.

If we all gather in one place and a real fight breaks out, won't that just be letting them stew us all in one pot?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "One pot can't stew all of us. If they could stew us, they'd have done it long ago — they don't have a pot that big."

Ma Wu said: "At least let Lu Chunying hide out at Zhengjing Village. Her cultivation is too low — she can't fight. Staying behind would just be a liability."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "If we do that, we've really fallen into their trap. That's just waiting for them to pick us off one by one!"

Ma Wu said: "But this way is more reliable."

Li Qi still shook his head: "If we go by the most reliable approach, you should hide at Zhengjing Village too. You're not much of a fighter either.

But if you hide, will Aqin, Huoling, and Old Zuo still be able to give it their all? For whom would they risk their lives?

If Lu Chunying hides, for whom would Tan Fucheng and Lu Yuanxin and the others risk their lives?

If we all hide, in the end only He Yuxiu is left. Once He Yuxiu falls, the Garrison Commissioner moves on to the next one.

With just this one dirty trick, they keep a grip on our lives.

If you're willing to be gripped by them, then go to Zhengjing Village right now.

If you're not willing, pack your things and go to Lu Chunying's place."

Ma Wu took a drag of his cigarette, looked up, and said: "Old Seven, I'll follow your lead."

PS: A fierce battle is coming.

(End of chapter)