Chapter 392: Old Seven, I

The head of San Ying Gate, Bao Yingchen, held a pair of judge's pens, repeatedly feeling them in his hands.

The third head, Yang Xingbo, stared at the judge's pens for a moment, then shook his head: "Big brother, I hate to dampen your spirits, but in my view, these are just a pair of ill-suited weapons."

Bao Yingchen infused some qi into the judge's pens, and the original one-foot-long pens instantly grew to over six feet.

The pair became a set of solid iron spears; the sixty-year-old Bao Yingchen wielded the long spears with agile movements and sharp strikes.

The third head sighed in admiration: "Big brother, impressive skill—but I'll be honest, these weapons still aren't that great."

Bao Yingchen released his qi, and the judge's pens returned to their original size: "Third brother, you think these judge's pens are no good?"

The third head shook his head: "You've seen plenty of weapons that change size—tell me, what's so special about these?"

Chu Huaijun's father, Chu Shaoqiang, is a Gong Xiu—such weapons are countless in his family.

Is he trying to fool you with this junk? I think his sincerity is seriously lacking."

Bao Yingchen smiled and put the judge's pens back in the box: "Xingbo, I think Chu Huaijun's sincerity runs deep—this is a treasure. Though he can't explain its use, I can feel it's truly valuable.

Over the years, Chu Huaijun has swallowed his pride and barely survived until this chance to turn things around.

If we lend him a hand, we satisfy the Border Inspector's wishes and solidify our gang's standing—why not?"

Yang Xingbo laughed: "Big brother, I'll follow your lead."

Bao Yingchen said: "This matter isn't just about listening to me—it's about listening to Chu Huaijun too.

He sent us something valuable; our return gift can't be inferior.

As for what gift to give, ultimately, we must follow the Border Inspector's wishes."

Yang Xingbo said: "I suspect the Border Inspector wants a head."

Bao Yingchen nodded: "Who do you think they want?"

Yang Xingbo thought a moment, then added: "He Yuxiu—I heard that crazy woman returned to Green Water City. She's now the Border Inspector's thorn."

Bao Yingchen still shook his head: "Brave but foolish—a mere fierce woman. He family already fell because of her.

She should've died at the Border Inspector's hands long ago. She's just lucky to be alive—someone like her doesn't warrant our attention."

"Then there's Lu Chunying—that girl's been meddling in the Bai Le Men affair, making Chu Huaijun look bad in the Border Inspector's eyes."

Bao Yingchen shook his head: "A mere immature girl—what trouble can she cause? She's just Lu Dongliang's bastard offspring. With her status, she has no right even staying in the Lu family."

Yang Xingbo thought again: "That leaves the Ma family—it depends. Ma Chunting is old and no longer sees clearly, but his son, Ma Junyang, is no pushover."

Bao Yingchen sneered: "I don't know about being oily, but he's certainly greedy—he nearly starved to death in Lanyang Village.

This brat won't last long. He thinks a few shrewd deals will let him carve out a kingdom in Pu Luo Province? He's had too little hardship and too many dreams."

Yang Xingbo thought long and hard, then shook his head repeatedly: "Big brother, I can't think of anyone else."

"Indeed, 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 Lanyang Village? Who exactly does the Border Inspector want dead? We must think carefully."

…

In his personal chamber, Li Banfeng asked the judge's pens seriously: "Do you have any other relatives?"

After ten minutes, the judge's pens replied: "Hmph~"

Literally speaking, his meaning should be…

Li Banfeng couldn't decipher it.

The phonograph offered advice: "Dear husband, who cares if they're relatives of that damn pen of ours? Old Luo got the info—bring it back first."

If it turns out as useful as our judge's pens, we've just acquired another pair of treasures."

Li Banfeng nodded: "I thought the same—only I worry, the elder of San Ying Gate's belongings won't be easy to take."

"Dear husband, you overrate San Ying Gate. The gang has roots, but their three heads aren't particularly high in cultivation.

You're at the seventh layer, and you run two businesses—you can even fight an eighth-layer cultivator. You needn't fear them."

Li Banfeng gnawed his fingernail: "Yes, I have two household spirits—I'm not afraid of them."

"Dear husband, the key is timing. Dealing with one gold seal isn't hard, but taking on the entire San Ying Gate is another matter."

The wife is right—timing is hard to find.

Even if we can't find timing, it's luck if we seize the judge's pens; if we don't, we lose nothing.

Right now, many other important matters await—Ma Wu is preparing to host a guest at his outer residence.

Normally guests are received at Xiao Yao Wu, but this guest is special and must not be seen easily.

"Old seven, the friend we're meeting today is Shan Baowen—he's from the Border Inspection Office.

In the past, when we sent people to get travel permits, they'd be done in under an hour—all thanks to this man's help.

Today he's come to me, and it's definitely about money. If he demands too much, don't be stingy."

"That money must be spent—no need to consult me," Li Banfeng sat in the corner of the room, trying to sense the man's cultivation.

Soon, the guest arrived.

He appeared to be in his late forties, medium build, slightly thin, wearing glasses, with a scholarly demeanor.

Ma Wu rose to greet him; Li Qi remained seated.

If Shan Baowen noticed Li Qi, it would prove he was skilled—Ma Wu would immediately introduce them.

But Shan Baowen didn't notice Li Qi at all.

His cultivation was low—even possibly nonexistent.

After brief pleasantries, they sat down. Shan Baowen wiped his sweat: "I rushed here—I didn't even have time to drink water."

Ma Wu quickly poured tea for Shan Baowen: "Brother Baowen, yesterday my man came to you for a travel permit—you said you had something urgent to tell me. I couldn't sleep all night."

"It's nothing major," Shan Baowen smiled. "My son started a factory, but his business failed—he lost a lot of money and didn't dare tell me. Yesterday, debt collectors came to the door—I found out.

He's just not cut out for business. I scolded him, and he got defiant. These young people have no ability but huge tempers—it's infuriating."

Ma Wu laughed: "Brother Baowen, that's not how it works. Business skills are honed through experience. Take a few losses, and you'll learn."

Shan Baowen shook his head: "It still depends on talent. He's your age, but his ability is far behind yours."

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

"I'm embarrassed to say it—his business opened two months ago, and he lost five hundred silver dollars."

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

"How can I possibly accept…"

"Don't be so formal with me!"

After more polite exchanges, Shan Baowen lowered his voice: "Yesterday, I delivered documents to the Chief Inspector. Just as I entered and left, I overheard two men say half a sentence—they're going to eliminate someone, and it'll happen soon."

Ma Wu was startled: "Who?"

"I don't know. I only heard that much as I passed by."

Ma Wu rubbed his chin, frowning deeply.

Shan Baowen said: "Junyang, I have other business—I must leave quickly."

Ma Wu immediately stood, packed five hundred silver dollars for Shan Baowen, didn't escort him outside, only to the stairwell, and bid him farewell.

Back in the room, Li Banfeng asked Ma Wu: "Did he say everything?"

Ma Wu thought: "I think he did. He's greedy—if he knew more, he'd have demanded more from me.

Shan Baowen is from Pu Luo Province and holds no official post. In the Border Inspection Office, the only people we can buy are at his level.

Liao Zihui wants Chu Huaijun to eliminate someone—who could it be?"

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

"Not He Yuxiu, then Lu Chunying. They should both flee to Xin Di."

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

Ma Wu thought: "I don't think so. Aside from the newspaper incident, I haven't clashed with the Border Inspector."

"But you're helping He Yuxiu and Lu Chunying—their businesses rely heavily on you."

Ma Wu bit his lip, his cheek twitching involuntarily.

Old seven's right—it could be me!

"Old seven, leave immediately for Xin Di. I'll settle my business matters and join you right away.

If I can't get free, guard our business—don't abandon it. As long as we have business, we have roots. Later, we'll find a chance to avenge me."

Li Banfeng smiled: "Who's the one who can't get free—you or Chu Huaijun?"

"Definitely me! How could it be him?" Ma Wu blinked, then asked, "You want to deal with Chu Huaijun? He has the Border Inspector's backing—he might be stronger than we think."

Li Banfeng lit another cigarette: "No matter how strong he is, we know they're about to strike, and we know who they're targeting. When opportunity comes, we can't let him slip away."

Ma Wu shook his head: "We still don't know who they're targeting."

Li Banfeng said: "He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, or you—it's one of you three. Just gather together.

Move into Lu Chunying's house—take Aqin, Huoling, and Lao Zuo with you.

I'll recruit more men to clear land in Zhengjing Village. I'll speak with Shui Yongquan to bring over several skilled fighters from Xin Di—we'll concentrate all our firepower in one place.

No matter how many men Chu Huaijun sends, we won't let one escape. If he comes himself, we take him too. If the Border Inspector shows up, we take him as well."

"Take the Border Inspector too…?" Ma Wu felt Old Seven was going mad again. "Let's think again—I feel this is reckless.

If we all gather in one place, aren't we just waiting to be wiped out in one stroke?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "One spoon can't swallow us—if they could, they'd have done it already. They don't have a spoon that big."

Ma Wu said: "At least let Lu Chunying go to Zhengjing Village—her cultivation is too low, she can't fight. She'd just be a burden."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "If we do that, we fall right into their trap—they'll pick us off one by one!"

Ma Wu said: "But this way is safer."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "If we do that, we'll truly fall into their trap—they're waiting to pick us off one by one!"

Ma Wu said, "But this way is safer."

Li Qi still shook his head: "If you follow the safest route, you should hide in Zhengjing Village—you're not exactly strong."

But if you hide, can Qin, Huoling, and Lao Zuo still fight? Who are they fighting for?"

If Lu Chunying hides, who are Tan Fu and Lu Yuanxin fighting for?"

If we all hide, only He Yuxiu will be left—when He Yuxiu falls, the Border Inspector will go after the next one."

With this one cruel trick, they've held our lives in their grip all along."

If you're willing to let them control you, go to Zhengjing Village now."

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

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

PS: A fierce battle is coming.

(End of Chapter)