Chapter 471

Dabo Dabo Ensi closed the secret door and said to Xiao Xiao Zhenggong: "Gang Leader, Neizhou asked me to bring you a message."

"What message?"

"After the matter is accomplished, if you are willing to go to Neizhou to cultivate for a period of time, the price can be increased a bit more."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled: "How much higher?"

Dabo Dabo Ensi said: "Within a year, add another layer of cultivation to you."

"A year?" Xiao Xiao Zhenggong shook his head, "Not fast enough."

Dabo Dabo Ensi reminded him: "This is cultivation above the clouds."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong pondered for a moment and said: "The price can still be negotiated. Let's talk about it after the matter is accomplished. You should rest well first. Think about every step of the day after tomorrow carefully and don't make any mistakes."

Dabo Dabo Ensi didn't say anything more, bowed deeply, and returned to the secret room.

After leaving the basement, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong called Yao Song Zhiyi, who was guarding the door, and asked: "Is that corpse ready?"

Yao Song Zhiyi nodded and said: "It's already ready. It has been checked from top to bottom. No matter who comes to verify it, they won't be able to see any flaws. Even the blood is exactly the same as yours. Looking at it horizontally or vertically, no matter how you look at it, this corpse is yours!"

"Pah!" Xiao Xiao Zhenggong spat at Yao Song Zhiyi.

Yao Song Zhiyi didn't know how to express it: "This corpse and you, it's very similar, he is very similar to what you……"

Returning to the main building, he found a quiet room. Yao Song Zhiyi brewed tea, and Xiao Xiao Zhenggong took a sip: "The invitations have all been sent out, right?"

Yao Song Zhiyi nodded and said: "They have all been sent out. All the major families didn't give any face and returned the invitations on the spot. The Sanying Sect's Great Golden Seal Shen Shen Jinzhong was the worst; he tore up the invitation in front of our people. And that He He Yuxiu threw our invitation into a spittoon."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled: "As expected. It's right that no one came. Only in this way can the Jiangxiang Gang be finished reasonably and fairly."

"In a while, tell someone to tell Xie Xie Mengjiao to have her contact Dan San Zhu Mei and issue a news report, saying that the Jiangxiang Gang is isolated and helpless, and why are all the factions watching coldly from the sidelines?"

Yao Song Zhiyi pondered this title and felt it wasn't very neat.

"Let's change the first sentence. Let's call it 'The Jiangxiang Gang is full of evil and isolated and helpless.' Do you think it's okay to write it like this?"

"'Full of evil'—you can even use idioms," Xiao Xiao Zhenggong nodded, then kicked Yao Song Zhiyi, "Do you even know what 'full of evil' means? Have you ever read a book?"

"You don't need to worry about this matter. Think more about tomorrow night's affairs. Keep what should be kept, and clean up what shouldn't be kept. Don't let them go out and talk nonsense."

"Also, tell those brothers of ours who are staying that after tonight, they should call me Marshal. Change all those titles in the faction."

While they were talking, a disciple asked for an audience and whispered a few words to Yao Song Zhiyi. Yao Song Zhiyi stepped forward and said: "The foreigner Cui Cui Tike is coming to the banquet tomorrow night."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong frowned: "Did you send him an invitation?"

Yao Song Zhiyi scratched his scalp and said: "He runs a hospital and has cured several of our brothers. I also heard that you and he have a close friendship, so I……"

"Why did you ask him to come?" Xiao Xiao Zhenggong rubbed his forehead and said, "Prepare a table of wine tomorrow night. I'll have a simple meal with him. The key is that eating with him is a bit scary."

After another while, another disciple came to report.

This time Yao Song Zhiyi was very surprised: "Gang Leader, there is a change on Li Qi's side."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong frowned: "What change does he have?"

"He replied that he will also come to the banquet tomorrow night."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was stunned: "What is he coming for?"

Yao Song Zhiyi shook his head and said: "I don't know what his intention is either. This person's mind is unfathomable."

"If you can't fathom it, why did you send him an invitation?"

"Gang Leader, Li Qi is now a big figure in Like Puluozhou. The He family, Lu family, and Chu family all listen to him. It wouldn't be appropriate for us not to send him an invitation."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was silent for a long time and asked: "Who exactly is this Li Qi?"

"A ruthless person. He acts ruthlessly and domineeringly. He started in Lanyang Village and saved up some capital with Ma Wu through the New Land business."

"I thought that a person like him, even if he struggled for a lifetime, would only be able to barely gain a foothold in Lanyang Village."

"Who would have thought that after not many days in Lanyang Village, he wiped out the person in charge of Lanyang Village."

"After occupying Lanyang Village, this person couldn't stop. First, he took his business to Green Water City, and then he reached out to Black Stone Slope."

"He opened up a whole piece of New Land and forcibly turned the New Land into Proper Land, turning it into the current Qiqiu City. Neither Neizhou nor Outer State can suppress him. Among the powerful figures in Like Puluozhou, he is one of the top figures."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong had heard of Li Qi's reputation, and now that he thought about these things together, this person was indeed extraordinary: "What is his cultivation?"

"His cultivation isn't considered high. It is said that he is a fifth-layer traveling cultivator. In his early years, he broke through the Three-Headed Fork and also went to the Outer State to study."

"Has he worked in our line of work?"

"I haven't heard of that."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong thought for a long time and felt even more unable to understand: "Then why does he insist on coming to me for this meal? Others don't dare to come. Does he have a friendship with us?"

Yao Song Zhiyi shook his head and said: "As far as I know, there is no friendship."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong said again: "Does he have any grudges with us? At this juncture, does he want to watch us make a fool of ourselves?"

"I haven't heard of any grudges, but this person has great ambition. The Sanying Sect's Great Golden Seal died at his hands, and it is said that the promotion of the Second Golden Seal also has a lot to do with him."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was stunned: "Is this taking advantage of someone's precarious position? Seeing that my situation is not good, he wants to take the opportunity to subdue the Jiangxiang Gang?"

Yao Song Zhiyi nodded and said: "There is this possibility."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled upon hearing this: "Fine. I'll let him take it. Tomorrow night, I'll sign a covenant with him. From now on, the Jiangxiang Gang will listen to his orders."

"If he isn't afraid of his reputation being ruined, the Jiangxiang Gang will belong to him in the future. Anyway, after the day after tomorrow, there will be no Jiangxiang Gang."

……

The next day, Li Li Banfeng asked Xiao Xiao Chuanzi to prepare gifts. Xiao Xiao Chuanzi looked reluctant: "Brother Brother Qiye, you are going to the Jiangxiang Gang for a banquet; isn't this like wearing good shoes and stepping on dog shit?"

"What is your status? What are they? What should we do if this matter spreads?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Didn't I tell you? I am an old acquaintance with Gang Leader Xiao, and we have a friendship that survived life and death."

By noon, He He Yuxiu, Lu Lu Chunying, and Chu Chu Huaiyuan had all arrived.

Seeing Li Qi, He He Yuxiu asked directly: "What's the meaning of this, Old Seven? You're even dealing with that bunch from the Jiangxiang Gang? Are you really not disgusted?"

Li Qi smiled: "True feelings are seen in adversity. Given the Jiangxiang Gang's current situation, someone has to reach out."

He He Yuxiu said angrily: "What are you reaching out for? Have you forgotten that I almost died at their hands?"

"How could I forget that? I remember it all."

"Since you remember, yet you still pull such a stunt, you are deliberately disgusting me!" He He Yuxiu became angrier the more she spoke.

Lu Lu Chunying didn't speak on the side.

Chu Er was silent for a moment and suddenly spoke: "Brother Brother Qiye, are you really going tonight?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Really going."

Chu Er said: "Fine, I'll go with you."

"What are you going for?"

"I'll also reason with the Jiangxiang Gang about friendship."

Li Qi shook his head: "What friendship do you have with the Jiangxiang Gang?"

"No friendship, just create some friendship. Brother Brother Qiye, I'll follow you in whatever you do. I trust you, and the Chu family trusts you."

Lu Lu Chunying said upon hearing this: "Then I'll go with Brother Brother Qiye too."

"I don't know what you all are thinking!" He He Yuxiu picked up a wine bottle, took a big gulp, "Go ahead, I'll go with you all too."

"But I threw their invitation into a spittoon in front of that bird from the Jiangxiang Gang before. How do I explain this?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Just say you went for my sake, just to let me sell the Jiangxiang Gang a favor."

He He Yuxiu frowned: "Old Seven, is there something going on here?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "There is something going on, a major event of faking death and being reborn."

……

By dusk, the Jiangxiang Gang was busy.

Originally, they planned to have a simple meal with Cui Cui Tike, but hearing that Li Qi was coming, the banquet couldn't be too simple.

Now that the He family, Lu family, and Chu family have all come, it wouldn't be appropriate to just set up one table of wine.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong asked Yao Song Zhiyi: "What kind of face does Li Qi have to be able to summon so many people?"

"Gang Leader, when he was able to force General Manager Liao to cut his freight in half, you knew how much means this person has."

"Since he is willing to give us this face, I have to say, we might as well maintain the faction for two more days. Perhaps the Outer State side will……"

"Maintain what?" Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's face sank, "I'll give him the position of Gang Leader tonight. You can work for him from now on!"

Yao Song Zhiyi hurriedly explained: "Gang Leader, I don't have that intention……"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong asked: "What did I spend so much effort for?"

Yao Song Zhiyi whispered: "It's to find a way out for our brothers."

"Does the Jiangxiang Gang still have a way out?"

Yao Song Zhiyi lowered his head and didn't speak.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong calmed down for a moment and said: "No matter what conditions they propose tonight, we will agree to them. Let's muddle through tonight, and tomorrow's affairs will remain the same."

"Also, tell the brothers to be careful and on guard, especially He He Yuxiu. If this woman really goes crazy, ordinary people can't suppress her."

Yao Song Zhiyi said: "It shouldn't be that bad. The He family has already received news and knows that the Flying General Battalion is going to take action against us. If she really wanted to cause trouble, she might as well wait until tomorrow to take action together."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong frowned: "I told you to be on high alert; why so much talk!"

Yao Song Zhiyi hurriedly went to call people. Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's expression was solemn; he was increasingly unable to guess Li Qi's intention.

In the evening, the first guest to arrive was Cui Cui Tike.

Cui Cui Tike was carrying an iron canister, wearing a white coat and a mask. He came to the banquet, clasped his fists at Xiao Xiao Zhenggong, and bowed: "Gang Leader Xiao, long time no see!"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong stared at Cui Cui Tike, looked him up and down: "What's the meaning of this?"

Cui Cui Tike was stunned: "We haven't seen each other for a long time. The phrase 'long time no see' shouldn't be used incorrectly."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong said: "I'm not talking about your choice of words; what's with this outfit of yours?"

Cui Cui Tike said: "I just came back from a house call. A patient on Qing'an Road caught an infectious disease."

Hearing about an infectious disease, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong took several steps back: "What are you doing carrying that canister?"

"This is disinfectant. To prevent the spread of the plague, I disinfected his residence."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong blinked and said: "Since you are so busy, don't come tonight."

"Gang Leader Xiao's face must be given!" While speaking, Cui Cui Tike was about to untie his clothes.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong waved his hands repeatedly and said: "Don't do that. Sit down for a while first, and put down that iron canister behind you first."

"This really is just disinfectant!" Cui Cui Tike shook it in his hand.

"Are you afraid of losing it? It's fine if my men help you keep it."

Cui Cui Tike handed over the disinfectant, and his men didn't dare to touch it.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong pointed outside the hall door: "Put it outside first; someone will help you look after it."

Cui Cui Tike shrugged and put the disinfectant outside the door.

Just before the banquet started, Li Li Banfeng arrived, followed by He He Yuxiu, Lu Lu Chunying, and Chu Chu Huaiyuan.

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong welcomed them out of the hall, clasped his fists at Li Qi: "Brother Li Qi, long admired your name!"

Li Li Banfeng returned the salute: "Captain Xiao, nice to meet you."

Captain?

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's brows furrowed slightly. In Like Puluozhou, except for the people from the Border Defense Hall, very few people called him that.

He came to find me; could it be for the Outer State matter?

The host and guests took their seats. Xiao Xiao Zhenggong toasted Li Qi, and then toasted He He Yuxiu: "Sister Xiu, thank you for gracing us with your presence."

He He Yuxiu smiled: "I still remember the friendship when you introduced Dr. Cui to see He Haiqin."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's mood eased slightly.

For many years, he had been maneuvering among the major families. Although he wasn't welcomed anywhere, he felt that there should be some friendship between him and the He family.

Of course, this didn't include He He Haiqin's attitude toward him, nor did it include the grudge between him and He He Jiaqing.

Moreover, he didn't know about He He Yuxiu's encounter at the Soda Kiln. The branch master of the Soda Kiln had captured He He Yuxiu and wanted to send her directly to the Commissioner to claim credit; he hadn't reported it to Xiao Xiao Zhenggong at the time.

After the fact, when he wanted to report it, there was no opportunity. Li Li Banfeng and He He Yuxiu directly wiped out the entire branch.

Li Li Banfeng looked at Cui Cui Tike and said: "Dr. Cui, what's with this outfit? Did you just come back from seeing a patient?"

Cui Cui Tike nodded: "Saw a patient with an infectious disease."

Everyone's complexion changed, and they quickly kept their distance from Cui Cui Tike.

"I've disinfected!" Cui Cui Tike stood up and said, "My disinfectant is outside. I'll go get it and show you all."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong pressed his palm down: "Dr. Cui, sit down and eat first. Don't keep thinking about your disinfectant."

The disinfectant was placed at the door. Xiao Xiao Zhenggong always felt that there might be some kind of pathogen in that iron canister.

Having worked with Cui Cui Tike many times, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong knew his methods and had always been wary of him.

Facts proved that his wariness was correct.

There was indeed something in the canister, but it wasn't a pathogen.

The drain valve at the bottom of the canister opened, and the liquid inside flowed out unknowingly, along the lawn, and into the woods by the lake.

In the woods, the liquid gathered together, slowly turning into a human shape, turning into He He Jiaqing.

He He Jiaqing was dressed as a Jiangxiang Gang disciple and walked toward the rockery by the lake.

There were two disciples guarding the rockery, not allowing others to approach.

When He He Jiaqing passed by the rockery, his fingers trembled, and two silver needles pierced into the foreheads of the two disciples.

The two stood in place, expressionless, showing no abnormalities.

Seeing that there was no one else around, He He Jiaqing walked directly into the rockery, and the two didn't react at all.

At the end of the cave, He He Jiaqing saw the stone cones embedded in the wall. Relying on his talent, he saw at a glance that this was the mechanism to open the door.

This mechanism was not easy to control; the two stone cones had to be turned to fixed angles to open the secret door.

He He Jiaqing grasped the first stone cone, turned it slowly, and sensed the changes in mechanics and spirituality behind the stone cone.

In less than five minutes, the first stone cone was in place.

The second stone cone had a stronger mechanical feel. It only took less than three minutes for the stone cone to be in place, and the secret door opened.

He He Jiaqing looked at these two stone cones; he could sense that these were rare treasures.

Take these two stone cones away?

If they were really taken away, this secret room would be closed and could never be opened again.

He was very clear about his purpose for this trip. His purpose was to transform into the Flying General Zhao Zhao Xiao Wan with the long spear; he wanted to take back what he had lost.

He walked quietly down the stairs into the basement. Through the wall, he had already sensed the compelling power.

The door of the secret room slowly opened, and a woman walked out carrying a long spear.

"It's you?" The woman gritted her teeth and looked at He He Jiaqing.

He He Jiaqing raised the corners of his mouth, smiled, and said: "Lu Xiaolan, we finally meet."

Lu Lu Xiaolan laughed: "Very surprised, right? Did you think I would die in your old house, and you would never want to see me again in this life?"

He He Jiaqing shook his head and said: "If I hadn't written to Lu Lu Chunying, you wouldn't have had the chance to come out of the old house at all. You would have really died in there."

Lu Lu Xiaolan said: "How do you say that? Should I thank you?"

He He Jiaqing nodded and said: "Lu Xiaolan, you harmed me first, and I spared your life. You should indeed thank me!"

Lu Lu Xiaolan said: "Didn't I end up in this state today because of you?"

"Lu Xiaolan, you're lucky to be alive. If I hadn't asked Ling Ling Miaowen to recommend you, did you think you could have gone up Tieyang Mountain?"

"You have been harming me, and I have been helping you. Everyone in this world has the qualification to hate me, except you!"

Lu Lu Xiaolan lowered her head and didn't speak for a long time.

Foolish cultivation technique, holding onto people's shortcomings.

She felt guilty toward He He Jiaqing in her heart; this was her shortcoming, and it was grasped by He He Jiaqing.

……

The atmosphere of the banquet became better and better, and Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's mood also became more and more relaxed.

The previous inference was correct. Li Li Banfeng asked many things about the Dark Star Bureau. It seems that his visit this time really had to do with the Outer State.

"Brother Li Qi, is there something about the Outer State you want to discuss with me?" Xiao Xiao Zhenggong brought the matter to the table directly.

This slope was almost formed.

Li Li Banfeng also toasted Xiao Xiao Zhenggong and followed the slope down: "Captain Xiao is as wise as a god. I came to find you this time, and it really is for the Outer State matter."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong drank the wine and asked: "Is there anything I can help with? Just say it."

Li Li Banfeng continued to build the slope: "I have a friend who has been targeted by the Dark Star Bureau."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong looked quite surprised: "What is the reason?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "He himself can't say clearly what the matter is. First, he was questioned by people from the Dark Star Bureau, and then he was tailed. I suspect there might be a misunderstanding here."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled upon hearing this and shook his head slightly: "The Outer State also follows rules. If the Dark Star Bureau has targeted this person, it's mostly not a misunderstanding."

"This friend of yours should be a Dark Energy User, which is what we often call a cultivator in Like Puluozhou."

The slope became smoother and smoother. Li Li Banfeng asked: "Is it illegal to be a cultivator in the Outer State?"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled: "Brother Li Qi, I heard you studied in the Outer State. You shouldn't be unaware of the rules here, right?"

Li Qi shook his head: "When I was studying, I really didn't know there were any rules."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled: "That's because you were lucky. There are indeed many cultivators in the Outer State. This type of person must register and file a record at the local Dark Star Bureau."

"If there is no record, this is an illegal cultivator. This type of person belongs to a potential threat. Once discovered, questioning and tailing are polite. If you encounter me, you might be shot dead directly."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned: "Potential threat, and you have to shoot them dead?"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong said: "Brother, that's where you don't understand. For such a threat, it's better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let one go. Otherwise, if something happens, the consequences would be unimaginable."

He He Yuxiu said on the side: "I don't quite understand the words you use. What does 'shot dead' mean?"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong explained: "It means the muzzle is pressed against the forehead, and one shot takes their life directly."

Chu Er smiled: "Is the gun in the Outer State that easy to use?"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong said: "The Outer State is different from us. Gunpowder rarely fails."

Lu Lu Chunying said: "What if one shot doesn't kill them?"

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong smiled: "The gun barrel is on the forehead. If one shot doesn't kill them, just shoot two more shots."

"Makes sense." Li Li Banfeng nodded, took out his pistol, pressed it against Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's forehead, and fired six shots in a row.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Luck was not bad; five of the six shots fired.

Li Li Banfeng's movements were too fast, and the attack was too sudden. Xiao Xiao Zhenggong didn't react in time.

Five bullets passed through his head.

PS: Following the slope to get off the donkey can be used for more than just fishing for words.

When Li Li Banfeng just got the copper lotus, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong once ordered the lightbulb to shoot Li Li Banfeng dead directly. See Chapter 6 for details.

(End of chapter)