Chapter 540: Flesh and Blood

The distribution plan was settled, but before dividing the loot, we must first open Zhang Zhang Gunli's storage room.

Gui Gui Jianchou and Mu Yuejuan each held a walnut, tapped them twice, but nothing happened.

They tapped them two more times—still nothing. Gui Gui Jianchou blamed Mu Yuejuan for not using enough force; Mu Yuejuan blamed Gui Gui Jianchou for not aligning them properly.

Both grew increasingly impatient; Mu Yuejuan finally handed her walnut to Gui Gui Jianchou: "How much each gets is already decided. You open the door yourself."

Gui Gui Jianchou tried several times—still no reaction.

Mu Yuejuan turned to He He Jiaqing: "Mr. He, are these walnuts genuine?"

He He Jiaqing frowned slightly: "How could I dare deceive two senior elders?"

Mu Yuejuan gave a cold laugh: "That's hard to say. Back on Shengxian Peak, the Sage and the Jade Seal vanished in an instant."

He He Jiaqing shook his head rapidly: "This has nothing to do with me. At the time, I was trapped in a cage, barely able to eat or drink."

Feng Feng Chongli glanced at the walnuts: "May I try?"

Gui Gui Jianchou handed the walnut to Feng Feng Chongli. Feng Feng Chongli tapped it a few times—something inside his sleeve responded.

He held the walnut in his right hand and plunged his left hand between the two walnuts.

His left hand passed straight through the walnut, through his right palm, vanishing into nowhere.

After fumbling for a while, Feng Feng Chongli pulled out a silver dollar from the center of the walnut: "Gentlemen, the storage room lies right between these two walnuts."

Gui Gui Jianchou looked at Mu Yuejuan: "Stop staring—help me feel around!"

"Pah! Shameless—who wants to touch you?" Mu Yuejuan spat, yet still shoved her hand between the walnuts.

Inside, there were things—many things.

They rummaged for over half an hour, using every technique they knew, until the storage room was emptied.

The amount of money didn't much concern Gui Gui Jianchou or Mu Yuejuan—they left counting it to Feng Feng Chongli, trusting he wouldn't cheat.

Over three hundred magic treasures, spiritual items, and weapons, of varying quality and rank—this depended on luck and eye for value. The four took turns picking—whatever they grabbed was theirs.

The remaining pile of elixirs was divided equally among the four.

One item remained hard to divide: the storage room itself.

The storage room was priceless—everyone present could see that.

Mu Yuejuan said: "I'm short on a place to store my paintings. Give me this storage room."

Gui Gui Jianchou refused: "Miss Mu, isn't this inappropriate? Such a valuable thing—you just take it?"

Mu Yuejuan's face darkened: "Then who should it go to? Zhang Zhang Gunli's soul and body are yours—you can't be too greedy."

Gui Gui Jianchou raised an eyebrow: "I never said it must belong to me."

Feng Feng Chongli fell silent for a moment, then said: "Senior elders, I give up my share of the silver dollars, magic treasures, spiritual items, and weapons—I only want this storage room. Will you agree?"

Mu Yuejuan said nothing. Feng Feng Chongli was a merchant cultivator—he had good taste; whatever he chose was surely valuable. But she felt he still got the better end of the deal.

Gui Gui Jianchou also remained silent—he agreed with Mu Yuejuan.

He He Jiaqing looked around and said: "Here's my suggestion—I'll give up my share and gift it to you two senior elders. This storage room goes to Brother Feng."

Feng Feng Chongli was stunned: "Mr. He, I didn't mean to—"

He He Jiaqing waved his hand: "Our business can wait. Senior elders, Zhang Zhang Gunli's entire fortune is yours. We only ask for this storage room—is that too much?"

He He Jiaqing waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about our matter later. Elders, we leave all of Zhang Zhang Gunli's possessions to you two; we only want a storage room—is that too much?"

Mu Yuejuan agreed.

Gui Gui Jianchou had plenty of ghost servants who quickly moved everything away.

Mu Yuejuan had her paintings—she transferred everything into them in no time.

Both packed up and left. Feng Feng Chongli was left holding the two walnuts, staring at He He Jiaqing: "Leave me a IOU. I owe you—I'll repay it."

He He Jiaqing shook his head: "No need to repay. You avenged me—this debt of gratitude can't be measured in money."

"Then how should it be measured?" Feng Feng Chongli didn't understand He He Jiaqing's meaning.

He He Jiaqing smiled: "I don't know how to measure it either. If, in the future, you find me worthy and need my help, just call me—I'll come at once."

Feng Feng Chongli paused, stunned: "At my age, calling you brother—is that appropriate?"

He He Jiaqing said: "Everyone around me calls each other brother—regardless of age or closeness."

Feng Feng Chongli looked at He He Haisheng: "Does he call you brother too?"

He He Haisheng coughed twice and looked away.

This man wasn't good with words.

Feng Feng Chongli turned to Shen Shen Rongqing: "Does he call you brother too?"

He He Jiaqing looked awkward, but Shen Shen Rongqing didn't: "Yes, I call him brother too."

Then Shen Shen Rongqing went back to searching for her IOU.

There were many IOUs on the ground. Shen Shen Rongqing examined them one by one. She didn't know how long it would take—no one else seemed to care.

"Let me help you look," Feng Feng Chongli crouched and swiftly scanned the piles of IOUs.

Shen Shen Rongqing said: "Thank you, Senior. My name is—"

"I know your name. The First Talent of Pulu Province. To meet you is an honor for Feng." Feng Feng Chongli scanned briefly, pulled one document from a stack, and handed it to Shen Shen Rongqing.

"I know your name—the top talent of Pulu Province. To meet you is an honor for me, Feng Mou," Feng Feng Chongli glanced around, pulled one document from a stack of deeds, and handed it to Shen Shen Rongqing.

Shen Shen Rongqing took it—yes, it was hers.

"Thank you, Senior," she felt a little more at ease. She reached to tear the IOU—but Feng Feng Chongli stopped her.

"Miss Shen, you mustn't tear it. This IOU carries a curse. It may not even originate from Zhang Zhang Gunli—he always leaves backdoors. Destroy it, and you may be in danger."

Shen Shen Rongqing didn't know what to do. He He Jiaqing said to Feng Feng Chongli: "Senior, can you remove this curse?"

Feng Feng Chongli could, of course—he'd once used his "Payment Settled" technique to burn his own IOU.

"I can do it. But let's clarify: are you asking me to do this, or is it Miss Shen?"

"If you're asking me, I still owe you. If I remove this curse, how much of your debt will it erase?"

He He Jiaqing hesitated. Feng Feng Chongli spoke only of money—no face, no sentiment.

He He Jiaqing had given up Zhang Zhang Gunli's entire fortune to win hearts—but if Feng Feng Chongli used Shen Shen Rongqing's IOU to erase He He Jiaqing's debt, He He Jiaqing would feel cheated.

Not all of it, but how much?

After a pause, He He Jiaqing noticed another serious problem: Shen Shen Rongqing kept her head down, expressionless.

She was waiting for He He Jiaqing to price her—to calculate how much she was worth.

He He Jiaqing quickly said: "Senior Feng, Shen Rongqing is as close to me as flesh and blood. Whatever you say is fine."

Feng Feng Chongli looked at Shen Shen Rongqing. She lowered her head and whispered: "I beg your help, Senior."

"So you're asking me to do this?" Feng Feng Chongli confirmed again.

Shen Shen Rongqing nodded.

Feng Feng Chongli's tone didn't change: "I never do favors for free. Even if Miss Shen herself asks, I must be paid. I'll take one silver dollar from Miss Shen."

Shen Shen Rongqing stared at Feng Feng Chongli in shock.

He He Jiaqing was stunned too—but quickly bowed: "Thank you, Senior."

Feng Feng Chongli ignored He He Jiaqing. He turned to Shen Shen Rongqing: "One silver dollar. Do you have it? If not, we can discuss further."

Silver dollars lay everywhere on the ground—the ones He He Jiaqing had used to repay Feng Feng Chongli's debt.

But Feng Feng Chongli didn't glance at them. He only looked at Shen Shen Rongqing.

Shen Shen Rongqing's mansion had been remodeled by He He Jiaqing—many personal items, including her savings, were no longer there.

She rummaged through her body, searching for a long time, and pulled out only scattered banknotes.

She shoved them all into Feng Feng Chongli's hands. He counted out five hundred Hengguo banknotes, then returned the rest to her.

Shen Shen Rongqing refused to take them. Feng Feng Chongli straightened his expression: "Miss Shen, without your life-risking scheme, tricking Zhang Zhang Gunli would've been impossible. Logically, I shouldn't take even one silver dollar from you."

"But this is between you and Mr. He. I shouldn't interfere. I asked for one silver dollar—you didn't bargain. I take it. That's a merchant's duty."

He tucked the banknotes into his robe, picked up the IOU, pinched it between his index and middle fingers, and snapped sharply.

The IOU burst into flame, turning to ash.

Shen Shen Rongqing hurried to thank him. Feng Feng Chongli waved his hand: "Profit and loss, debts cleared. Gentlemen, farewell."

Feng Feng Chongli left.

Shen Shen Rongqing felt a heavy stone lift from her chest—she felt much lighter.

He He Jiaqing said: "Shen Rongqing, you led this effort. Whatever you want, name it—I'll grant it."

What did she want?

Right now, she wanted Ma Wu.

She wanted this man—the one willing to die for her.

But she couldn't say it.

"He Jiaqing, I know you have a grudge against Li Qi, and I know this will eventually reach Ma Ma Junyang."

"I only ask you one thing:"

"If one day Ma Ma Junyang falls into your hands, I beg you—remember our brotherly bond—and spare his life."

He He Jiaqing nodded: "Ma Ma Junyang and I have ties too. He helped greatly today. I won't forget this debt. Don't worry about him—tell me what reward you want."

Shen Shen Rongqing shook her head: "That's my only request. I want nothing else."

"Really nothing?" Ma Wu rubbed the snail shell.

The Snail Girl trembled slightly: "Nothing."

Ma Wu chuckled: "You said it—don't regret it later."

The Snail Girl pouted: "We'll talk about later when later comes."

In Lüshui City, Ma Wu and Shen Shen Rongqing put on a grand show, and even his death notice had already spread.

He was of course not truly dead; he merely staged it to make the act convincing. Now that the storm hadn't yet subsided, Ma Wu came to Qishuikao to avoid trouble—and incidentally to visit this confidant from Neizhou.

After dozens of rounds of combat, Ma Wu grew fiercer with each strike, and the Tian Luo Girl could barely hold her ground. During a lull in battle, Ma Wu asked her a few questions.

"What was the name of that big carp who used to guard the gate?"

The Tian Luo Girl snorted: "What do you mean 'big carp'? Your words are crude. His name is Yu Yu Songkai—he's someone of status among our people."

"If he's someone of status, why is he guarding a gate?"

The Tian Luo Girl twitched her antennae: "There's more to it than that, but I don't know what exactly."

Ma Wu asked again: "Are you someone of status among your people?"

"Of course I am!" The Tian Luo Girl was proud. "If I weren't, would I dare make such a big deal with you? I gave you an entire new territory."

Ma Wu nodded: "Since you're someone of status, may I ask your name, young lady?"

The Tian Luo Girl froze: "What do you mean? My name is Luo Su Lijun! After you're done, you don't recognize me anymore?"

Ma Wu smiled: "Miss, you're not Luo Su Lijun."

The Tian Luo Girl grew angry: "What are you trying to say?"

Ma Wu trusted his judgment completely: "Your appearance, figure, voice—even your habits of speech and action—

are all very much like Luo Su Lijun's,

but you're not her, because the flavor is different. I never mistake that."

"I don't know what you mean—I'm going back!" The Tian Luo Girl turned toward the pool, but Feng Dailu suddenly appeared, blocking her path.

Ma Wu continued: "Miss, we don't wish to break harmony. I only want to ask you one thing: where is Luo Su Lijun?"

The Tian Luo Girl waved her antennae, preparing to fight: "If you want to fight, I'll fight. If you're too cowardly,

then don't block my way! I am Luo Su Lijun—ask a hundred times, I'll say the same!"

Ma Wu shook his head: "No need for a hundred times. Truly, no need."

"No need for a hundred times? Three times is enough."

On the wasteland beyond Qishuikao, Gui Gui Jianchou sighed repeatedly.

Ordinary people arriving at Qishuikao couldn't escape Feng Dailu's eyes—but Gui Gui Jianchou wasn't ordinary. He had just returned from Lüshui City, and while investigating Qishuikao, he not only avoided detection by Feng Dailu but gained valuable information.

He had just watched Ma Wu interrogate the Tian Luo Girl: "Three times. Just three times. After three rounds, she answers anything you ask. Could you do that?"

He spoke this to a ghost servant named A Xiong, who in life had been a Huanxiu of Cloud Level One and one of Gui Gui Jianchou's fiercest generals.

Seeing A Xiong remain silent, Gui Gui Jianchou grew more displeased: "Tell me—if this happened to you, how many times would it take?"

A Xiong lowered his head: "That Tian Luo girl… I… I couldn't do it—"

"You're picky and fussy! You have no shame!" Gui Gui Jianchou roared. "Look at Ma Ma Junyang!

Look at his methods, his techniques, his precision in every advance and retreat!

I heard he's only at Earth Skin Level Five, barely twenty years old. What's your cultivation level? How old are you?

How many battles have you fought? Compare yourself to him—don't you feel ashamed?

All these years, how much money have I spent? How many elixirs have I bought? I've fed you countless doses. Tell me—have you ever been useful?"

The other ghost servants pointed and whispered:

"A Xiong is useless—I know that."

"How do you know? Did you test him?"

"No need to test. Just look at him—he's useless."

"After death, his cultivation suffered. He's far worse than when he was alive."

"He wasn't even good when alive. Most of his boasts were lies!"

A Xiong gritted his teeth. In the past, he would've crushed every one of these bastards.

Now, with his weakness exposed, he had nothing to say.

Gui Gui Jianchou sighed, muttering to himself: "Should I tell Old Sun about this?"

A Xiong whispered: "Tell him. Once the egg is broken, nothing's useful anymore."

Gui Gui Jianchou kicked A Xiong: "Damn it! You can't do a damn thing, yet you've got a big mouth. When this is over, I'm giving you a month to capture Mu Yuejuan. If you fail, your elixirs are cut off forever!"

A Xiong looked pained: "Mu Yuejuan's a ruthless one—how can you just snap her up?"

Gui Gui Jianchou grew angrier: "You say the Tian Luo girl's ugly—I'll accept that. But is Mu Yuejuan ugly? If you can't capture either, what good are you?"

In Yuezhou, Hengchun Avenue, Yueshan Community.

Li Li Banfeng stood outside the community, studying the location of Building Five, Sixteenth Floor, Unit 1605.

A man named Quan Quan Jinfeng lived here. According to Tong Tong Yousan's account, it was this man who gave him the contract summoning Lu Lu Dongjun, instructing him to sell it to the Chrysanthemum Witch Society, for which he paid Tong Tong Yousan a generous reward.

Li Li Banfeng had Mi Zhen investigate Quan Quan Jinfeng's background: he came from Like Puluozhou, was a Level Seven Artisan, held legal status in Heng State, and had once provided technical support to the Dark Star Bureau.

With his cultivation level, he must have known what consequences the contract would bring. What was his purpose?

Artisans were Master Gongxiu.

He might be a disciple of Train Eunuch—or one of his subordinates—seeking to release Lu Lu Dongjun to reveal Train Eunuch's coordinates within Neizhou.

This was Li Li Banfeng's theory, but it contained obvious inconsistencies.

If the one who rescued Lu Lu Dongjun was truly Train Eunuch, and Train Eunuch maintained contact with Waizhou, seeking to escape through internal collusion, why not directly reveal his location to Quan Quan Jinfeng? Why go through Lu Lu Dongjun to transmit the coordinates?

Perhaps this was due to Neizhou's unique nature.

Chu Shaoqiang had once given Li Li Banfeng a map of Neizhou—its locations couldn't be described by direction or distance; the map only functioned within Neizhou itself.

Thus, it was possible Train Eunuch could only transmit coordinates out of Neizhou through a specific vessel—and that vessel was Lu Lu Dongjun.

But why choose Lu Lu Dongjun?

If Lu Lu Dongjun arrived in Waizhou, he would inevitably stir up trouble. If the coordinates fell into the hands of certain powerful figures, Train Eunuch might not be rescued—and might even invite greater danger.

All these inconsistencies demanded answers—and the answers might lie with Quan Quan Jinfeng.

Of course, Quan Quan Jinfeng might not hold the answers—he might be a trap. This probe must be handled with extreme caution.

Li Li Banfeng circled the community, found a secluded spot, and prepared to leap over the fence, when the projector whispered: "Seventh Director, your simple phone is ringing."

Leaving the community, Li Li Banfeng answered the call and heard Ma Wu's voice: "Old Seven, something's changed in Neizhou. Luo Su Lijun has been replaced. Neizhou may have other intentions—be extremely careful. You should come to Qishuikao."

After hanging up, Li Li Banfeng looked up at the community.

He did not enter the fence; instead, he turned toward Huahu Park.

Ma Wu paced back and forth in the factory, visibly uneasy. Feng Dailu urged: "Wu Lang, don't worry too much. Li Qi is clever and his cultivation is high. If Neizhou wants to move against him, it won't be easy."

Ma Wu remained anxious. He had just received news from Shen Shen Rongqing: "Zhang Zhang Gunli was also clever and his cultivation was absurdly high—yet he still fell to He He Jiaqing. I fear it's a case of intent against carelessness."

After waiting, Li Li Banfeng arrived at Qishuikao. Ma Wu first told him about Zhang Zhang Gunli: "Shen Shen Rongqing didn't give many details, but Zhang Zhang Gunli is definitely dead. The Smiling Ghost King was involved too. I heard from Miss Feng that these are legendary figures from Like Puluozhou."

The Smiling Ghost King must be A Gui.

He's now under Sun Sun Tiecheng's command. Why is Sun Sun Tiecheng involved in this?

Short on money?

Sun Sun Tiecheng has many ways to get money.

Short on magic treasures?

How useful could Zhang Zhang Gunli's treasures be to Sun Sun Tiecheng?

Feng Feng Chongli once sold Li Qi a pair of Judge's Pens and earned eighty silver dollars—he's always handled big deals. He's also from Xuehua Pu. With that status, would he really need to borrow high-interest loans?

Li Li Banfeng had serious doubts about Xuehua Pu's situation.

Set that aside for now—Li Li Banfeng's main purpose here was the Tian Luo Girl.

Ma Wu introduced: "Her name is Luo Luo Yanjun. She's Luo Su Lijun's twin sister."

Li Li Banfeng studied Luo Luo Yanjun front and back several times. He couldn't see any difference between her and Luo Su Lijun—he had no idea how Ma Wu had discerned it.

"You're Luo Luo Yanjun?"

"Yes."

Even her voice was identical.

"Why did you replace Luo Su Lijun as gatekeeper?"

Luo Luo Yanjun shook her antennae: "Neither my sister nor I are gatekeepers. The entrance has a new gatekeeper—a lower-clan member who's always inside and has never shown himself. Our family is upper-clan—we don't do gatekeeping."

Li Li Banfeng didn't fully understand: "What's an upper-clan member?"

Luo Luo Yanjun explained: "Our clan divides into upper-clan and lower-clan. The Luo family belongs to the upper-clan, and we hold high status. My sister once achieved great merit and speaks with great weight in the clan."

Her words didn't answer Li Li Banfeng's question—but they conveyed a message.

Luo Su Lijun wasn't merely a messenger. In the matter of trading the new land for Li Li Banfeng's guarantee, she played a significant role.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Go on. I'm listening."

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "As for why I replaced my sister—I don't know. The court issued an edict, and I came.

The edict clearly ordered me to assume my sister's identity. We grew up together, and I've impersonated her before. My appearance is identical, and I've mastered her mannerisms perfectly.

Once, my sister committed a grave offense—I took her punishment. When I was beaten, even our own mother couldn't tell us apart. Yet Ma Ma Junyang figured it out—"

Li Li Banfeng glanced at Ma Wu—he was equally curious.

Ma Wu asked calmly: "Stop talking about irrelevant things. Just tell me: why did you replace Luo Su Lijun?"

"I really don't know," Luo Luo Yanjun shook her head repeatedly. "Since receiving the edict, I haven't seen my sister again. I suspect she's been imprisoned."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Your sister is a high-ranking upper-clan figure—how could she be imprisoned?"

Luo Luo Yanjun's expression seemed poor. She struggled to explain: "There are many upper-clan figures, and their goals differ.

Like my father—at his peak, the whole clan obeyed him. But when he fell, he became a prisoner."

Her answers were disjointed, as if constantly evading the question.

Is this young lady truly unable to express herself?

She is a Haomen daughter, with considerable status even within Huineizhou; she shouldn't be unable to explain a single matter.

After carefully analyzing her words from beginning to end, Li Li Banfeng uncovered much information—about Huineizhou.

From the perspective of Waizhou and Like Puluozhou, Huineizhou is a unified whole: pure-blooded Huineizhou dwellers occupy the upper echelons, while Like Puluozhou cultivators who come to Huineizhou to cultivate are enslaved by them.

But in reality, even among pure-blooded Huineizhou dwellers, there are different strata and factions, each engaged in struggle and intrigue.

After a long silence, Li Li Banfeng said to Ma Wu: "I suspect she still isn't telling the truth."

Ma Wu nodded: "I feel the same. Lao Qi, you step aside for now—I'll question her more carefully."

Luo Luo Yanjun hurriedly said: "Don't come back again. I'm telling you the truth. I can only say this much. I haven't lied to you."

"Only this much?" Ma Wu laughed. "Just hearing that, I know there's definitely something hidden here! Lao Qi, no need to step aside—I'm going to act now!"

Luo Luo Yanjun wriggled her antennae: "I really don't want to deceive you. Even if I did deceive you, it wasn't my intention."

Ma Wu no longer wished to waste words—he prepared to take out his tools!

"Wait!" Li Qi stopped Ma Wu, then asked Luo Luo Yanjun: "Why did you tell us all this?"

Luo Luo Yanjun pointed her antennae at Ma Wu: "For him."

"Is that the truth?"

Luo Luo Yanjun shook her head.

Ma Wu grew angrier. What did that mean? Was she plainly telling him she was lying?

Li Li Banfeng asked again: "Are there things you cannot speak of voluntarily?"

Luo Luo Yanjun lifted her body: "There are things I cannot say. You may ask them. If you ask, I may not answer all—but I can answer some."

Ma Wu grew even more confused, but Li Li Banfeng began to understand.

"They have taboos—taboos we cannot yet comprehend."

Ma Wu understood: there were things she could not say outright, similar to certain curse arts in Like Puluozhou.

Luo Luo Yanjun did not have a communication disorder—she was forbidden from speaking.

Li Li Banfeng paused, then asked: "Are you telling us this because you want our help?"

Luo Luo Yanjun still did not answer the question, but spoke of family matters: "My father became a prisoner. He said he would restore justice. Later, he died in prison."

PS: Luo Luo Yanjun is intelligent—more so than her sister.