Chapter 402: The Head of the Chu Family

Chu Huaijun's outside residence, Ma Wu sat in the courtyard smoking, flanked by Aqin and Duan Wuchou.

The courtyard had originally housed several guards, but after the bloody clash with San Ying Men, all were injured; tending to them was no trouble, and Chu Er had brought reinforcements.

The woman appeared to be in her thirties, but her cultivation base was high—Aqin guessed she was likely over fifty.

The woman herself was no concern, but Aqin noticed Ma Wu still harbored feelings for another woman.

"The way you look at her is suspicious!" Aqin's voice trembled as she spoke.

Ma Wu blinked for a moment and said: "You mean Chu Er? How could I possibly be interested in her? I have a grudge against her!"

Aqin snorted: "Who said anything about Chu Er?"

Then Aqin glared fiercely at Duan Wuchou.

Ma Wu's face flushed red: "Well, how do I put this..."

Duan Wuchou showed no special expression—her head on her neck wasn't hers; it was a transformation of Shui Yongquan's Hundred Changes technique, incapable of conveying genuine emotion.

Soon after, Chu Er stepped out of the residence.

She had changed her makeup entirely—eyeshadow and blush washed off, only a light touch applied, dressed in a deep blue qipao, standing before them.

Ma Wu studied her closely for a moment, nearly failing to recognize Chu Er.

Chu Er bowed to Ma Wu: "Young Master Ma, thank you for your help today."

Ma Wu waved his hand: "No need for formalities. How did your talk with your brother go?"

Chu Er nodded: "Very smoothly. My brother is impulsive and caused you all considerable trouble.

I made everything clear to him—Bai Le Men will continue to be co-managed by me and the Lu family, not sold to the Frontier Guard Commissioner.

My brother no longer wishes to manage Chu family business; from now on, it's all mine."

Ma Wu was astonished: "Young Lady Chu, are you serious? Should I go back in and speak with Huaijun again?"

Chu Er shook her head: "No need. My brother is exhausted—he just rested."

"Then we won't disturb you further." Ma Wu glanced at the woman behind Chu Er, who carried a bundle and stood silently beside her.

"How should I address this sister?" Ma Wu asked deliberately.

Chu Er introduced: "This is my senior sister, Xiang Fenglan."

Ma Wu promptly bowed; Xiang Fenglan returned the gesture, their gazes meeting and lingering for a moment.

Chu Er tugged Xiang Fenglan's sleeve and thanked Ma Wu again: "Young Master Ma, my sister and I have just returned to Lüshui City, weary from travel—we wish to wash away the dust and rest tonight. We beg your pardon for our early departure.

If you encounter Brother Li Qi, please tell him my brother caused him much trouble; I will visit him personally to apologize in due time."

Ma Wu immediately took his leave; Chu Er also did not remain in the residence, departing with Xiang Fenglan to her own dwelling.

On the way, Xiang Fenglan kept glancing back, still trying to catch a glimpse of Ma Wu's retreating figure.

Chu Er twisted her thumb and forefinger, pinching Xiang Fenglan's buttock hard into a knot.

"What are you doing? That hurts!" Xiang Fenglan rubbed the spot for a long while.

Chu Er's face turned serious: "Senior sister, from now on, you must not see Ma Wu again. If you absolutely cannot avoid him, you must not speak to him."

Xiang Fenglan frowned: "What? Is he your lover?"

Chu Er shook her head: "He holds a grudge against me. He still hates me—and he's right to.

This man is dangerously skilled with women. I fear you'll be hurt, so I'm telling you to stay away."

Xiang Fenglan didn't believe her: "I say he's your lover!"

Chu Er scoffed and said no more: "Master Ku made me watch over you. Just listen to me."

…

On the way back to Xiaoyao Wu, Ma Wu felt puzzled.

Chu Er's behavior and words were incomprehensible to him.

So kind, so courteous—was this really Chu Er?

It's been a year—how could her change be so drastic?

…

In Xiaoyao Wu, Li Qi hosted a victory banquet, primarily for the new arrivals from Xin Di.

Previously, He Yuxiu had mentioned San Ying Men's lamb was delicious, so Li Qi had ordered a hundred sheep from Bai Mu Yuan—six slaughtered, cooked in a hot pot for freshness.

The lamb was indeed excellent, especially when dipped in cabbage.

Ma Wu picked up a piece of lamb and gave it to Duan Wuchou: "Here, this piece is good—be careful, it's hot."

Duan Wuchou caught the meat in her bowl, dipped it in sauce, ate it, then politely wiped her navel with a napkin.

Li Banfeng never interfered in Ma Wu's personal affairs, but when he stepped out to urinate, he asked: "What do you find appealing about Duan Wuchou?"

Ma Wu thought for a moment and answered sincerely: "I like her eyes—they're large. I especially love her gaze; it carries a deep sincerity and a stubborn determination."

Li Qi asked: "Determination?"

Ma Wu replied: "Very determined!"

"Is her gaze profound?"

"No, it's quite shallow."

"Does she wear glasses?"

"No, her vision is excellent."

Li Banfeng tried to understand Ma Wu. After finishing his urination, he still didn't understand.

Back at the table, Ma Wu continued to dote on Duan Wuchou, while Liang Wucai kept chatting with Li Banfeng.

Since everyone present was trusted, there was no need to conceal their identities with the Hundred Changes technique—Liang Wucai openly displayed both heads.

Liang Wu was especially fond of Li Banfeng: "Seventh Master, I've often heard Elder Qiu speak of you—he called you a man without peer. At first I didn't believe him,

but now that I've met you, I realize he understated it—you're not just peerless, you're unmatched among millions.

Seventh Master, I toast you—this cup is all mine, you need only sip."

Li Banfeng admired Liang Wu's straightforwardness and raised his cup, draining it in one gulp.

Liang Cai sighed beside her: "This peerless man—will he become our lover? If he cannot stay with us forever, he will only deepen our sorrow."

Li Banfeng didn't know how to respond.

Liang Wu frowned: "Seventh Master, ignore her. She's not speaking to you—she's muttering to herself.

When I lived among mortals, I hated people like her. Who knew that after death, I'd be fused with her in Xin Di?"

Liang Cai sighed again: "Whether our union is fate or mere chance, neither of us truly understands."

"Don't overthink it," Liang Wu snapped. "Seventh Master, let's drink another round!"

They drank another cup. Liang Cai sighed: "Wine doesn't quench your sorrow—it only adds to my pain."

Liang Wu snapped: "I drink my wine—what's it to you if you're in pain?"

Liang Cai sighed: "If you get drunk, don't you think I'll vomit?"

Li Banfeng looked at Liang Cai: "Miss, why do you keep sighing?"

Liang Wu also disliked this: "Seventh Master, ignore her. She's delusional—in other provinces, they call people like her mentally ill."

Li Banfeng liked Liang Wu's temperament—she'd make a fine companion.

But Liang Cai was hard to get along with. For someone who talked to herself, Li Banfeng remained wary—such people might do anything.

Everyone ate and drank freely. Bai Shoulian held twenty bowls, twenty spoons, and twenty teapots, refilling broth, adding meat, and adjusting sauces for all.

Li Banfeng dipped a piece of meat and praised: "Your skill is excellent—did you train as a cook?"

Bai Shoulian laughed: "I was a cook in my youth. After arriving in Xin Di, I kept refining my craft. Next time, I'll prepare a couple dishes for you all."

Bai Shoulian was a bold, straightforward man—if taken to my territory, he'd get along well with that cultivation cook.

Of the six helpers brought from Xin Di, Li Banfeng admired them all.

He truly wished to keep them permanently in Xiaoyao Wu —even if they had to return to Xin Di, he wanted to discuss with Qiu Luoye whether they could be spared, so he could bring them to his own territory.

As long as there were enough laborers for reclamation, Qiu Luoye should agree.

But how could he explain it?

Why did Li Banfeng have a territory? When had he become a land deity?

There would always be a way to explain it—later, he'd think of a solution. Li Banfeng ordered Ma Wu to gather more laborers and send another group to Zhengjing Village to reclaim land.

Everyone ate happily, except the cultivation-food girl, Chi He Liu, who barely touched her food.

Li Banfeng asked: "What's wrong? The lamb not to your taste?"

The girl was shy and silent. Bai Shoulian, who knew her well, chuckled: "Go ahead, eat. She'll eat later."

What did that mean?

Li Banfeng said: "No formalities here—eat together, eat freely!"

Chi He Liu glanced at Bai Shoulian, who told Li Banfeng: "Seventh Master, if she eats freely, we won't have enough lamb."

Ma Wu laughed: "Who says we don't have enough? I slaughtered six sheep—eat your fill!"

Chi He Liu licked her lips, losing control, lifted a whole pot, and poured it straight into her mouth.

Gulp!

Chi He Liu wiped her mouth and smiled at everyone.

Li Banfeng asked: "Sister, was it good?"

Chi He Liu lowered her head, blushing: "I ate too fast—I didn't taste anything."

Ma Wu hurried to find the cooks and ordered them to prepare more sheep.

After the victory banquet, Ma Wu immediately had the news bureau post notices to recruit laborers for reclamation.

…

At the Border Defense Office, Secretary Ling Sujun reported to Chief Border Defender Liao Zihui on Sun Junfu: "His mood has stabilized somewhat, but he keeps demanding to return to Waizhou. I've submitted the report as you instructed, but Waizhou has not yet responded."

Liao Zihui pondered a moment, then said: "Let him go. I'll explain it for him later. Pack his things—does he still need diapers?"

"Probably not anymore. He's started resisting the idea himself."

"Take them anyway. Just in case."

After packing his luggage, Liao Zihui prepared to personally escort Sun Junfu to the train station. As he reached the first floor of the Border Defense Office, a bodyguard approached him holding a wooden box: "We were preparing the vehicle and found this box inside."

Liao Zihui ordered the box taken to the disposal room for handling after he returned.

Sun Junfu believed he had caught Liao Zihui in a mistake and insisted on opening the box on the spot.

If he could uncover a flaw in Liao Zihui's conduct, Sun Junfu would have something to justify his return—and his pants-wetting incident would seem less humiliating.

Liao Zihui reluctantly went with Sun Junfu to the disposal room. Under Sun Junfu's watchful eye, a poison cultivator and a craft cultivator first inspected the box, confirming it contained no poison or traps. Only then did they follow protocol and open it.

Inside the box was one thing: the head of Chu Huaijun.

A neatly prepared, cleanly severed head.

Liao Zihui's expression turned grim. The situation had deteriorated worse than he'd anticipated.

As he pondered his next move, a strange sound reached his ear.

Pula~

Liao Zihui frowned: "Old Sun, did you just soil yourself again?"

"Ugh… ugh…" Sun Junfu stared at the head, speechless.

Liao Zihui turned to Secretary Ling Sujun: "Where are the diapers?"

"I—I didn't bring them…" Ling Sujun looked embarrassed.

"Didn't I tell you to prepare them? Go get them now!"

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(End of Chapter)