Chapter 559: Unexpected Good News

When Huahu Manchun returned to Flower Immortal Manor, the first thing he did was to call his old servant, Ruyu.

Thirty years ago, Ruyu was one of the most favored women in Flower Immortal Manor, but now she was old and faded, left by Huahu Manchun's side to act as a housekeeper.

Ruyu was lucky.

Huahu Manchun extended his index and middle fingers in front of Ruyu, the two fingers moving back and forth like scissors for a moment.

An ordinary person seeing this action would think Huahu Manchun wanted to smoke, but Ruyu understood Huahu Manchun's meaning; this was that he had fire in his heart and wanted to vent it.

Huahu Manchun was a Joy Cultivator and the master of Flower Immortal Manor. If he wanted to vent his fire, he naturally had a special way and special people. There were only three thousand people in the Flower Immortal Manor in total; except for Huahu Manchun, the rest were women.

There were over five hundred people living in the central area of the manor. These people were in the prime of their youth and were also the batch of women Huahu Manchun favored most. Ruyu definitely wouldn't use these people to vent Huahu Manchun's fire, because after the fire was vented, those who could survive might not even be half.

There were over one thousand people living on the edge of the manor. These women, some because they were old, others because they had offended Huahu Manchun, had lost Huahu Manchun's favor and could only do some chores in the manor.

Some were responsible for making beds, some for sweeping floors and wiping dust, and others for heavy labor like grinding flour and pushing carts. Compared to them, Ruyu was truly too lucky.

Ruyu couldn't let these people who had lost favor vent the fire either, because these people might add fire to Huahu Manchun's fire.

There were over five hundred people left, living outside the manor. These women all had cultivation, responsible for patrolling and keeping watch. These people were very important to the manor and were even less suitable for venting fire.

The last thousand people left could not be said to be favored, nor could they be said to have lost favor. For Huahu Manchun, he would remember them when he saw them, and forget them when he didn't. These people were the most suitable.

Ruyu picked thirty people from them and sent them to Huahu Manchun's mansion. These thirty people knew what was going to happen.

Standing in the main hall, they were so scared that they were trembling all over, sweat flowing down. Huahu Manchun waved his hand. Seeing this, Ruyu hurriedly left the main hall and led people to guard in the courtyard. Huahu Manchun, who was furious, might kill at any time; staying far away from him was a wise choice.

Huahu Manchun shouted toward the courtyard: "Ruyu, why don't you understand the rules anymore?"

Ruyu's heart trembled. Lowering her head, she said: "Master, I, I have done as you ordered."

"Are there some things I still need to order? Fetch water for me to bathe!"

"Still washing—" Under high tension, Ruyu didn't control her mouth and blurted out such a sentence, then immediately said, "This old slave spoke too much. This old slave will go burn water for Master."

"Wait a moment!" Huahu Manchun called Ruyu to stop. "What do you mean by 'still washing'? Could it be that I have already washed?"

Ruyu was stunned for a long time. Lowering her head, she said: "This old slave is confused. This old slave remembered wrong. Master hasn't washed yet. This old slave will go burn water for Master—"

It wasn't just Ruyu whose reaction was abnormal; the reactions of the other group of maids in the mansion were also not quite right.

Huahu Manchun shouted: "None of you are allowed to leave. Speak clearly, what exactly happened?"

Everyone stammered and told the story.

According to the descriptions of Ruyu and others, Huahu Manchun had returned two hours ago, took a bath after returning, and then left again, not knowing for what matter he left.

Huahu Manchun was shocked upon hearing this: "What did that person look like? You could even mistake me?"

Hearing the words "mistake me," Ruyu's legs went soft: "Master, this old slave is truly blind. This old slave really didn't see it; that person looked exactly the same as Master."

Asking the other maids, their answers were the same as Ruyu's: "That person did indeed look the same as Master. We served him in his bath. Not only did his face look the same, but his body also looked the same! A scar, a mole, not a bit of difference."

Huahu Manchun was extremely annoyed first, then fell into deep thought.

Someone was impersonating me, and impersonating me so well; it should be a play cultivator.

But what was this play cultivator's purpose?

Ruyu said this person left after taking a bath and did nothing. Dozens of maids testified that this was indeed the situation.

Huahu Manchun didn't believe it. He tied up Ruyu and dozens of maids and had people whip them. Ruyu never changed her statement, and the maids' testimonies didn't change either.

Could it be that what they said was true?

If he couldn't see the other party's intention, then this matter would be difficult to handle.

At dawn the next day, Huahu Manchun's fire was vented. The corpses of several women were sent out of the mansion by Ruyu and buried somewhere.

Huahu Manchun tidied up and went into the deep mountains alone, saying he was going to manage business.

Flower Immortal Manor didn't sound like a large territory, but in reality, it was no smaller than Sea-Eating Ridge. The vast mountain land around the manor all belonged to Huahu Manchun, and the businesses on these mountains were indeed numerous. However, including Ruyu, no one knew what business Huahu Manchun was actually doing.

Huahu Manchun went out in the morning and returned at dusk. He asked Ruyu: "Did any situation arise at home?"

Ruyu had just been beaten yesterday and really didn't know how to answer.

She nodded and said: "No special situation."

Huahu Manchun couldn't rest easy. Returning to the main hall, he intended to call all relevant people and ask them a few questions.

Just as he sat on the chair, Huahu Manchun suddenly noticed a painting behind him. The painting depicted three beauties: one holding a brush, one holding a long sword, and one holding a needle and thread.

These were the three women Huahu Manchun favored most. One was named Li Yuping, who excelled in poetry and songs; one was named Luo Yujun,

who had practiced martial arts since childhood and was a third-layer martial cultivator, also considered Huahu Manchun's personal bodyguard; and there was another named Yu Wan, who was most skilled in needlework.

Huahu Manchun asked Ruyu: "Where did these three paintings come from?"

Ruyu knelt on the ground with a thud: "This old slave is blind and mistook Master again. This old slave deserves to die; please punish me, Master."

Dozens of maids also knelt down. They didn't know if they had really mistaken him, or if Master was intentionally testing them. In short, these two days were truly strange; things Master had done personally, he would refuse to acknowledge in the blink of an eye.

Huahu Manchun said to Ruyu: "I won't punish you. Answer my question carefully: when did you see me return?"

"Returned at noon, ate lunch, and you said you wanted to paint. I hurriedly arranged it for you. Li Yuping, Luo Yujun, and Yu Wan were all personally selected by you, and the things they held were also personally ordered by you."

Huahu Manchun looked at the ink painting and remained silent for a long time.

Someone was impersonating Huahu Manchun and had entered Flower Immortal Manor twice in a row.

The first time, he conveyed a piece of information: the other party could accurately imitate Huahu Manchun, including his appearance, figure, and speech, and could deceive Huahu Manchun's closest maids and servants.

The second time, he conveyed another piece of information: this impersonator was also very familiar with the people around Huahu Manchun, knowing which people were favored by Huahu Manchun and what specialties they had.

Encountering this situation, it would be a lie to say he wasn't afraid, but Huahu Manchun remained calm.

He called people over and gave Ruyu another severe beating. Apart from that, there didn't seem to be a better way to respond. For the next three days, Huahu Manchun didn't go out and guarded at home.

During these three days, the impersonator didn't appear.

On the fourth day, Huahu Manchun went out again, still saying he was going to manage business.

Ruyu didn't dare to ask, thinking to herself, what time is this, and he still insists on going out? Is Master really that short of money?

Huahu Manchun was indeed short of money; it was a time when money was needed.

Before leaving, Huahu Manchun exhorted Ruyu: "If you see me return, ask one sentence first: 'Did the business make money?'

If I tell you it made money, and made two golden mountains, this is proof that it is truly me who has returned.

If the answer on the other side is not this sentence, it proves that this person is a fake."

Huahu Manchun entered the deep mountains again, but before noon, he returned.

Just as he reached the door of the mansion, Ruyu's legs went soft, and she sat directly on the ground.

A maid beside her cried: "How is it that another Master has come?"

There was a "Master" in the mansion, drinking tea in the study. He had returned before Huahu Manchun. When he entered the door, Ruyu had asked: "Did the business make money?"

The other party answered: "Made two golden mountains."

It was exactly the same as the answer Huahu Manchun had given Ruyu.

This secret code was told to Ruyu by Huahu Manchun alone. If even this sentence had leaked, there were no secrets left that Huahu Manchun could hide among those around him.

Huahu Manchun had fallen and climbed for many years and had never encountered such a situation, but he remained calm, walking directly into the study and looking at the other "Huahu Manchun" behind the desk.

"This friend, Hua doesn't know what offense he has committed, so I will apologize here first." Huahu Manchun bowed.

The fake "Huahu Manchun" stood up and returned the bow: "Senior, you must not do this. It really kills this He. This He has indeed offended Senior. Waiting here today is precisely to apologize to Senior."

The other party revealed that his surname was He. Huahu Manchun deduced slightly: "You are the eldest young master of the He family, He He Jiaqing?"

He He Jiaqing cupped his hands: "It is indeed me."

Huahu Manchun was shocked in his heart. He didn't expect He He Jiaqing to have such superb means.

But his face was calm, as if he were reasoning with a friend: "Young Master He, I have no grudges with you. You playing with me like this, what is the principle?"

He He Jiaqing laughed: "Senior Hua, you truly have no grudges with me, but you have deep grievances with my friend Chu Yaoqian.

This sister of mine is a bit honest and has offended Senior in many places in the past. I hope Senior will be magnanimous and spare my sister's life for my sake."

The words were humble, but the means used were tough. He He Jiaqing entered Flower Immortal Manor three times, which was called "soldiers first, etiquette later," proving his own strength and also making Huahu Manchun re-evaluate his own capital during the negotiation process.

Huahu Manchun truly made a concession: "I have no grievances with Miss Chu either. Our territories are adjacent, and we have occasional friction, plus some small matters from the past, which others have turned into big matters. As long as we can speak clearly,

there is no talk of grievances at all."

While speaking, Huahu Manchun took out a vanity box and handed it to He He Jiaqing: "This is a treasure Miss Chu lost, which I picked up. I was planning to return it to Miss Chu.

Since she is Young Master He's sister, then I will trouble Young Master He to hand this vanity box to Miss Chu."

He He Jiaqing accepted the vanity box. Huahu Manchun continued: "Young Master He is a rising star, and I would also like to make you a friend. It's just that Flower Immortal Manor has rules: men cannot enter or leave at will. I hope Young Master He will follow the customs and not make things difficult for me anymore."

"Naturally," He He Jiaqing apologized again. "If I come to visit Senior again in the future, I will look for another place. This He will take his leave."

Arriving at Chu Yaoqian's residence, He He Jiaqing took out the vanity box.

Chu Yaoqian was full of surprise: "This box is my magic treasure. Last time I fought with Huahu Manchun, it was snatched away by him.

Big Brother He, how did you get it back?"

He He Jiaqing laughed: "On the surface, it's by strategy; in reality, it's by ability. Sister, you don't need to be afraid of Huahu Manchun in the future. After this lesson, he won't dare to make things difficult for you again."

Chu Yaoqian called him Big Brother with every breath, and He He Jiaqing called her Sister with every breath. The two got along very harmoniously.

This lesson was very painful, but Huahu Manchun didn't admit defeat.

In front of He He Jiaqing, his words were very polite, but the fire in Huahu Manchun's heart burned more and more fiercely.

He was currently pondering a question: Did He He Jiaqing do this purely to stand up for Chu Yaoqian, or was there another reason?

Before this, Huahu Manchun had just been humiliated by Li Qi. Could this matter also have a connection with Li Qi?

Dealing with He He Jiaqing alone was not easy. If Li Qi were to strike in the dark again, Huahu Manchun really wouldn't be able to handle it.

He called Ruyu over and asked: "How many years have you been with me?"

Ruyu answered tremblingly: "Master, I have been with you for forty years."

"I remember I favored you back then."

Ruyu nodded: "Master's kindness, this old slave will remember for a lifetime. The things these days were all done wrongly by this old slave. This old slave has no face to stay by Master's side. Allow this old slave to do some rough chores, and with this old bone, exert one last bit of effort for Master."

"Encountering such a ruthless person, how could you defend against it," Huahu Manchun laughed. "This matter is not your fault.

Call Xiuyan over."

Xiuyan was watering flowers in the courtyard and could hear if she was called.

But in front of Huahu Manchun, Ruyu didn't dare to speak loudly. She came to the door of the main hall and beckoned to Xiuyan.

Xiuyan looked up, saw Ruyu bleeding from seven orifices, and falling outside the door.

"Old Sister—" Xiuyan exclaimed, and carefully came to the door to check the situation.

Ruyu was dead; she had been hit by Huahu Manchun's technique.

Huahu Manchun asked her to call Xiuyan. Xiuyan came and was beckoned by Ruyu. In Huahu Manchun's view, this was considered Ruyu finishing her last errand.

Regardless of how strong He He Jiaqing's strength was, for Huahu Manchun, having mistaken the master three times in a row, Ruyu should have died long ago.

Huahu Manchun wrote a letter and handed it to Xiuyan: "You go outside the manor, find Yuan Yuan Chunping, give this letter to her, let her finish reading it in front of you, and then burn it."

Xiuyan nodded repeatedly, took the letter, and ran toward the outside of the manor.

In the camp outside the manor, she found Yuan Yuan Chunping. This woman was not considered a person of Flower Immortal Manor, because she was not the Manor Master's woman; she should be considered the Manor Master's guest.

Yuan Yuan Chunping opened the letter and saw two lines written on it: "Li Qi and He He Jiaqing are going to join forces to deal with me. Find a way to send Li Qi away, and we will defeat them one by one."

Xiuyan asked: "Miss Yuan, have you finished reading the letter? Master told you to burn it immediately after reading."

Yuan Yuan Chunping nodded and burned the letter with the candlelight.

The flames of the letter reflected on Yuan Yuan Chunping's face, making this woman look incomparably beautiful.

Xiuyan looked at Yuan Yuan Chunping, a burst of palpitations rising in her heart, making her unable to control herself.

"Miss Yuan, I—" Xiuyan began to smoke.

Yuan Yuan Chunping was startled: "What's wrong with you?"

"I, just, feel hot." Xiuyan caught fire, truly caught fire.

Yuan Yuan Chunping exclaimed: "Hurry and bring water."

Among the women around, not a single one dared to move.

They knew this was Huahu Manchun's technique.

They just watched Xiuyan, watching her slowly burn into ashes.

Huahu Manchun didn't intend to keep Xiuyan. Among all the maids in his mansion, he didn't want to keep a single one.

"Mistaking the master, regardless of the reason, should be killed," Huahu Manchun looked at the corpses in the courtyard, the hatred in his heart reduced slightly.

"Li Qi, you live a few more days first. He He Jiaqing, I will send you on your way first."

Huahu Manchun wanted to wait a few days before dealing with Li Qi, but Li Qi now wanted to find Huahu Manchun.

Ma Wu's new land was operating smoothly. Li Li Banfeng discussed with Feng Daiku: "Huahu Manchun is your neighbor, and this person's character is not bad. Last time we met, there were too many things, and I didn't treat him well. Could I trouble you to invite him out so we can meet again?"

Feng Daiku knew Li Qi's temperament and also knew Li Qi's purpose.

She knew Li Qi was not an ordinary person. She had indeed suffered many losses at Huahu Manchun's hands, and this was a good opportunity for revenge.

But Feng Daiku still persuaded Li Qi: "Young Master Li, this matter is not urgent for the moment."

Li Qi shook his head: "I am urgent. If I don't see Manor Master Hua for one day, I feel uncomfortable."

Feng Daiku said: "Young Master Li, I have fought with Huahu Manchun for many years, and I know this guy's methods very well. He not only has high combat power himself but also knows some ruthless people. The origins of these ruthless people are still unknown.

Give me some time to find out the origins of this group of people, and then we will think of a foolproof plan before taking action."

Feng Daiku was truly thinking for Li Qi. Although this was a great opportunity to get rid of Huahu Manchun, in Feng Daiku's eyes, Li Qi was absolutely not someone to be used. He was a friend, a true friend, a comrade-in-arms who fought side by side.

But Li Qi was not so easily persuaded. Huahu Manchun had already been put on the ingredient list, so Li Qi naturally had to put him into the procurement plan.

Through Feng Daiku, Li Li Banfeng learned some more about Flower Immortal Manor. He prepared to go to Flower Immortal Manor first, and then invite Huahu Manchun to sit at home.

Huahu Manchun had worked hard for so many years, which was not easy. If he were gone, and the business were to be abandoned, Li Qi would feel quite sorry in his heart.

He was just planning to take a trip to Flower Immortal Manor when Liao Liao Zihui suddenly came to the new land.

Liao Liao Zihui said he came to offer congratulations and truly gave Ma Wu a congratulatory gift. Afterward, he found Li Qi and said there was an important matter to discuss.

After several collaborations, the hostility between the two had lessened quite a bit. Li Li Banfeng specially arranged a place for them to chat alone.

"Brother Li, I received a piece of news. I don't know if it's good news: the higher-ups agreed to give you another twenty thousand three-headed people, saying they want to help you strengthen your power."

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "This is a good thing! But why do they want to strengthen my power?"

"From the news I received, the higher-ups mean that you have effectively fulfilled the duties of a balancer in several missions. You are the most outstanding one among all the balancers in their eyes.

So the higher-ups hope you will have greater power in Puluo Continent, so as to play a greater role in the future."

Li Li Banfeng looked at Liao Liao Zihui and asked: "Do they really think so?"

Liao Liao Zihui shook his head: "I don't know what they think, so I said I don't know if it's good news.

But since I received this news, if I didn't pass it on to you, I would be doing wrong.

If I pass this news to you and it causes you some misunderstanding, then I would be doing even more wrong."

Liao Liao Zihui acted cautiously, and he did this especially cautiously.

Li Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and returned to Yuezhou the next day.

Arriving at the Dark Star Bureau, Shen Shen Jingye also sent the same news: "Li Ju, the higher-ups intend to enhance your strength and want to send a batch of people to you in Sinner City."

Li Li Banfeng pinched his chin and said: "No merit, no reward. Suddenly sending me such a large batch of people, I am still a bit worried."

"I also feel this matter came too suddenly," Shen Shen Jingye looked at Li Li Banfeng with deep meaning. "But I also heard another thing: the higher-ups are extremely dissatisfied with the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society and hope we will clean up this organization."

Li Li Banfeng asked intentionally: "What kind of organization is this?"

Shen Shen Jingye introduced the nature of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society roughly, emphasizing the recent situation of this organization: "Their president seems to have disappeared for a period of time, and many activities of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society have also been suspended.

But during this period of time, I don't know what changes have occurred; their activities have gradually become frequent, especially in the black market, where they are conducting large-scale transactions, buying and selling very frequently."

The Birch Hidden Cultivation Society had been revived.

Miglov couldn't be resurrected; his soul was collected by his wife, and other parts had long been cleaned up.

Now it seems they have a new president.

This new president made such a big move as soon as he took office? Is this matter true?

"Little Shen, you mean the higher-ups hope I will take down the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society, and as a reward, they are willing to give me another batch of three-headed people."

Shen Shen Jingye shook his head: "I didn't say that; I didn't say anything. I just said that the timing of these two events is a bit coincidental."

After speaking, Shen Shen Jingye left.

He spoke even more cautiously than Liao Liao Zihui, which Li Li Banfeng didn't find surprising.

But his intention was basically the same as Liao Liao Zihui's. They were expressing a certain hint, a hint that carried danger but could not be stated clearly.

Is Shen Shen Jingye trying to make me guard against the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society?

Li Li Banfeng called Chen Chen Zhangrui and asked about the tasks arranged before: "Are there any activities for dark ability enthusiast groups like Huang Huaye and Night Walk Green Shade recently?"

Chen Chen Zhangrui shook his head: "They are all quite peaceful. Huang Huaye has almost stopped all activities recently."

Looking at these signs, the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society doesn't seem to have been revived. It is also possible that Chen Chen Zhangrui's source of information is not accurate.

Late at night, Li Li Banfeng contacted Tang Tang Changfa: "Are there any movements from the Ferry Help or the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society in the black market recently?"

Tang Tang Changfa shook his head: "I haven't heard any news about the Birch or the Ferry. I have seen a few foreign devils walking around in the black market."

The clues were confusing, as if the answer was in the Cultural Palace black market.

Should I go and investigate what the Hidden Cultivation Society wants to do in the black market?

Two days later, Shen Shen Jingye came to see Li Li Banfeng: "Li Ju, the higher-ups have an order for us to attach great importance to the inspection work of the black market this month."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Doesn't the Dark Star Bureau often check the black market? What is special this time?"

"I don't know what is special, which is why I specially notified you. Do you want to participate in this inspection? The action is the day after tomorrow."

"Let me see the schedule first—"

After Shen Shen Jingye left, Li Li Banfeng had an in-depth discussion with other Banfengs.

Investigating the black market in the name of the Dark Star Bureau is indeed a good opportunity, but this opportunity came too suddenly.

Not only was this opportunity sudden, but a series of events were also a bit sudden.

The day after tomorrow.

Should I go or not?

Late at night, Song Laoshi's phone rang.

Song Laoshi looked at the caller ID, answered the phone and said: "Lin Lin Fujiao, this is fresh. You would take the initiative to call—" "I have a matter here that is burning my eyebrows; I have to take the initiative. Someone is casting bait at my place, and I don't want to be implicated in this matter—"

After hanging up Lin Lin Fujiao's phone, Song Laoshi pondered for a moment and called Li Li Banfeng:

"Li Banfeng, there is an academic exchange meeting at the school introducing wormholes. Old and new professors are competing. Can you come to participate?"

PS: Lin Lin Fujiao is the boss of the black market. ===== CHAPTER 560 =====