Chapter 425: No One Buried Her

Qi Luoye and the burly man had nothing in common; with a sudden kick, he sent the man flying.

The burly man shot straight up, crashed through the front gate of the courtyard, flew out the back, skidded along the ground, carving a deep trench over a hundred meters long.

The burly man's skin was thick and his flesh tough—he wasn't badly hurt—but before he could rise, Qi Luoye was already upon him, bringing his foot down.

If Qi Daxiang's foot had landed true, no matter how tough the man was, he'd never have gotten back on his feet.

Unexpectedly, the burly man was nimble; he rolled sideways, dodging Qi Luoye's kick, then tilted his head up and spat a thick glob of phlegm straight at Qi Luoye's face.

Back when Qi Luoye's cultivation was still at Earth Skin level, he'd traveled the martial world and seen thugs brawl—spitting phlegm in an opponent's face was a surprisingly effective tactic.

Those with skill could spit directly; those without could first spit into their palm, then smear it onto the enemy's face—blocking their vision and sapping their fighting spirit.

Qi Luoye normally didn't fall for this trick, but the burly man's phlegm was genuinely sticky—it clung to Qi Luoye's face, blinding him.

Seeing his chance, the burly man leapt up and clung to Qi Luoye's body, launching a close-quarters assault.

Qi Luoye hated this style—fight properly, use your fists and feet, why cling like a leech?

He tried several times to shove the man off, exerting great force, but instead of loosening his grip, the two became even more stuck together.

Shui Yongquan spotted the anomaly—he'd misjudged the man's sect.

Such a bulky man, with two fangs, should've been a Body Cultivator, maybe a Martial Cultivator; if older, possibly a Strength Cultivator.

But the man's technique revealed him as a Glue Cultivator—a sect whose hallmark is sticking to the body.

A Glue Cultivator's sweat, saliva, and even tears are all sticky; once attached, they're nearly impossible to shake off.

Qi Luoye, driven to his limit by the clinging, unleashed raw power and flung the man away.

He was flung off—but a large patch of Qi Luoye's skin and flesh remained stuck to the man.

Qi Luoye wasn't bothered; he didn't even feel pain.

The burly man rose from the ground and spat again; Qi Luoye dodged, only to be stuck to once more.

Qi Luoye tried again to shake him off, but Shui Yongquan could no longer watch.

Glue Cultivators shouldn't strike so fast—making glue takes time.

Yet this burly man struck instantly, sticking on contact—proving his cultivation was already at Cloud Level; who was stronger, him or Qi Luoye, was unclear.

Body Cultivators, Martial Cultivators, Strength Cultivators—all clearly disadvantaged against Glue Cultivators.

If Qi Luoye kept fighting like this, he wouldn't need the burly man to exert force—he'd tear his own skin off just trying to peel him away.

Huh!

A stream of water surged forward, reducing the burly man's stickiness.

Qi Luoye seized the opening, broke free, and unleashed a barrage of punches—soon, the burly man surrendered.

"Enough! Two on one—that's not fair!"

Qi Luoye turned to Shui Yongquan: "I didn't need your help!"

The burly man roared: "Have the guts to wait till I'm dry—we'll fight one-on-one!"

As the two were about to clash again, Shui Yongquan stepped forward: "Friend, your words were too harsh, and my brother's temper isn't gentle either—words escalated, and harmony was lost,

but we only came to ask for directions, nothing more. We'll be neighbors going forward—we ought to get along."

The burly man snapped: "If you're neighbors, why ask for directions?"

Shui Yongquan smiled: "We just moved in."

"Just moved in?" The burly man blinked, looking at Qi Luoye. "You're the new Earth God of the north?"

That wasn't wrong.

Qi Luoye wiped his eyes as he replied: "So what?"

The burly man's face lit up: "Did the old woman in the north die—or run off?"

"What old woman?"

"No one buried her!" the burly man laughed. "You became Earth God—you must've taken her territory. Now I won't have to live next to her—she's unbearable."

There was a misunderstanding here, but it couldn't be explained clearly.

The burly man assumed Qi Luoye had seized the northern territory and become Earth God.

But if Qi Luoye said he'd brought his own territory with him, the burly man wouldn't understand it right away.

Better to leave it unexplained for now—Shui Yongquan pressed on: "You said this old woman—what exactly made her so hateful?"

The burly man stared, astonished: "You don't think she's hateful? When she needs a favor, she calls you brother, claims kinship, invents friendships—even if you've never met—she'll charm you with talk.

But when you go to her for help, she says, 'No family, no ties, nothing to do with me,' and sends you packing. That woman has no shame, and neither do her followers—no one even buried her after death—just looking at her makes you sick."

Hearing this, Shui Yongquan suddenly understood: "Friend, the place you mean—is it Wuqin Township?"

"Yes!" the burly man nodded. "You're Earth God now—and you still don't know the place's name?"

Qi Luoye shook his head: "My territory is different from hers."

The burly man sneered: "One land breeds one kind of people—you're Earth God here now, you'll turn into her kind eventually. All of you are the kind no one buries!"

Qi Luoye stood up: "Still want to fight?"

The burly man didn't flinch: "Fight if you dare—just don't bring your buddy."

Shui Yongquan intervened: "Enough, both of you—there's a misunderstanding. We'll settle it later.

Daxiang, the matter's clear—we should leave.

Friend, may I ask your name?"

The burly man said: "I'm Wan Nianlao."

Qi Luoye's right eye still wouldn't open: "Another Wan Nianlao?"

The burly man waved his hand, dispelling the spell—Qi Luoye's eye opened.

Not bad—the man was straightforward.

Wan Nianlao told Qi Luoye: "We fought today—you beat me, I tore off a layer of your skin—we're even.

I don't care what grudge you have with that old woman—henceforth, we keep our distance. No provoking each other!"

Qi Luoye smiled: "Hard to say. If I'm in a bad mood one day, I'll come over and beat you for fun."

Wan Nianlao didn't hesitate: "Come if you dare—I'll be ready."

Shui Yongquan asked: "Mr. Wan, you're the Earth God here, right?"

Wan Nianlao nodded: "So what?"

"May I ask—is your territory new land or old soil?"

"New land, of course. What's old soil? Look at how much spiritual energy I have!"

Shui Yongquan smiled: "To be honest, on my way here, I saw almost no living beings."

Wan Nianlao snorted: "That's to avoid those no-one-buries types. Some things you can't guard against—you'll learn soon enough."

Shui Yongquan bowed and took his leave. On the road, Qi Luoye was still fuming: "Old Shui, how do you fight those disgusting Glue Cultivators?"

"You can't fight them properly," Shui Yongquan shook his head. "Daxiang, listen to me—get along with Wan Nianlao. He's not bad.

Glue Cultivators dominate close combat. As far as I know, only one sect can counter them—every other close-combat sect loses to Glue Cultivators."

"Only one," Qi Luoye thought. "You mean Oil Cultivators?"

Shui Yongquan nodded: "Too bad—that sect is nearly extinct."

Qi Luoye said: "Next time, send Li Qi to Green Water City to check if any Oil Cultivators remain.

Even if none exist, no problem—have Li Qi bring some good oil. I'll smear it on myself and beat Wan Nianlao again."

"Green Water City?" Shui Yongquan sneered. "Do you think Green Water City is easy to reach?"

Qi Luoye said: "Now I know—it's the original territory of Wuqin Township. Now that we know the place, how hard can it be to find the way?"

"How? All four sides are sealed by boundaries. You already angered the Border Warden—how do you get out now? Wait for him to open the gate? Or build you a railway?"

Qi Luoye realized the situation was serious: "Only Wan Nianlao's new land connects to the outside. Looks like I'll have to deal with him often."

"So you can't break ties!" Shui Yongquan sighed. "Even if he's willing to help, the path through new land isn't easy.

Qi Daxiang, I really shouldn't have come to your territory to watch the show—now I don't even know how to get back."

Qi Luoye was anxious—he needed to find Li Qi and discuss a strategy.

But he couldn't find Li Qi.

Li Qi was inside the Portable Dwelling, listening to the old man recount his research findings.

"When Qi Luoye's territory moved over, I remembered something—I think I witnessed a similar scene when I traveled with the old train.

But if I think carefully, those memories are still vague. Ah Qi, find a chance to cross the boundary once—I'll observe the changes closely."

"Tonight's a good opportunity," Li Qi had long wanted to visit the neighboring territory—he needed to know who his neighbors were and find a way to open an exit.

Deep in the night, while everyone slept, Li Banfeng brought his device to the western boundary.

When Qi Luoye's territory first arrived, villagers on the other side had watched—any village meant Li Banfeng could quickly gather information.

He pulled the device's lever, first sending Xianggua Hongying across the boundary.

Xianggua Hongying crossed unharmed; Li Banfeng followed.

This device could only be used once per day—unless the Portable Dwelling clearly saw what lay beyond, they'd have to wait until tomorrow.

He walked along the village path for a while, then saw an old man struggling up a steep slope, pulling a cart full of coal.

The slope was long—the old man hadn't even reached halfway before his strength gave out; he slipped back step by step.

"Young man, lend a hand!" the old man waved at Li Banfeng. "Help me—I can't pull it anymore.

I've got some money on me—I'll give it all to you when we reach the top. I've got some dried food too—I'll give you that as well!"

Li Banfeng gave the cart a light push from behind—the old man instantly felt lighter, pulling the cart smoothly to the top.

The old man set down the cart, sat by the roadside, wiped his sweat, lit his pipe, and never looked at Li Banfeng again.

Li Banfeng asked: "Where is this place?"

The old man said nothing.

Li Banfeng thought he hadn't heard clearly and asked again: "Old sir, I'm asking for directions—where is this place?"

The old man said without expression: "We're not kin or acquaintances. I don't know your background, and at this hour, I don't know your intentions. Ask someone else."

"Fair enough." Li Banfeng nodded, picked up the cart shaft, gave it a casual push, and the cart clattered down the slope from the top all the way to the bottom.

The old man stared in shock: "You, you young man, how could you…"

"Not kin or acquaintances—what do you expect me to do?" Li Banfeng pulled down his hat brim and turned away.

PS: Wuqinxiang, He Jiaqing has deep roots here—see Chapter 238.

The Lord of Pulu has earned One Star of Glory. Shala doesn't understand operations—she owes her rise to One Star entirely to the readers' full support. Shala is deeply grateful for the readers' kindness.

Gratitude to Jin Xiu's Ancestor for the concept and material.

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(End of Chapter)