Chapter 603: False Reputation

Seven Autumn City, laboratory.

Li Li Banfeng held an experimental report and pointed out an error: "My precious wife, it is not completely dark inside the wormhole. I can see the road, and I can see the people around the road."

The phonograph held the report to compare the data: "Husband, did you really see it at that time, or did you sense it through your techniques?"

Li Li Banfeng recalled the process at that time: "I am certain I saw it. I didn't use any techniques at the time, not even my sect talent.

I should have brought a projector inside to take a look, but his mental state was not very stable at the time."

The phonograph also wanted to go in and see: "Having not seen it with my own eyes, I also feel unwilling, but my soul is unstable.

If I were to rush in..."

"Don't be impatient, wife. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You must believe me; there is indeed light inside the wormhole."

The phonograph recalculated the formula: "If there is light, one should be able to see the gap between the first dark bridge and the second dark bridge. From this gap, if a rope were extended, it should be possible to pull the person under the bridge up onto the bridge.

It is just that how to make this rope will require some effort. Husband, the materials for making the rope might not be easy to buy, and the cost will not be low. You must make plans in advance."

Li Li Banfeng was not worried: "He He Jiaqing has basically paid off his debts. Since I helped Shen Zhong Huaien with such a big favor, he should also contribute some effort."

Regarding the matter of balancing the accounts, not only did Shen Zhong Huaien take advantage, but He He Jiaqing's own gains were also not small. Under Li Li Banfeng's coordination, more than twenty of his businesses opened one after another, and his economic situation was improving all the way.

With money in hand, one must expand the business. If one has a hundred businesses, even if thirty are destroyed by others, it will not hurt his foundation. This is the business principle He He Jiaqing has always followed.

But the premise for executing this principle is having manpower, and it cannot be ordinary manpower; one must have capable people and fierce generals under one's command.

Fortunately, his old subordinates and new key members performed well. In less than a month, sixteen new shops were opened across Puluo Continent.

He He Jiaqing visited each shop one by one, focusing on the new silk store opened by Seeing Datou. The silk store was located on Fuxiang Avenue in Green Water City, separated from Baile Gate by a street; it was the most prosperous area in Green Water City.

It is not easy to open a shop here. Seeing Datou's silk store was not small, with three rooms inside and out, and two floors.

It not only sold fabric but also ready-made clothing.

He He Jiaqing was very satisfied and rewarded Seeing Datou heavily: "Brother, life in Puluo Continent cannot compare to the Outer Continent. There is no television or mobile phone at night. Following me, you have been wronged."

Seeing Datou really did not feel wronged. The dozens of people in the silk store all had to salute when they saw Seeing Datou: "Just for this dignity, it can only be fought for in Puluo Continent. He Jiaqing, I can have today all because of you."

"We brothers don't talk about these things. I think our store can still operate something else. The storefront is so big,

it's a pity to only do the clothing business. How about—why is your leg?"

When the two were going up the stairs, He He Jiaqing noticed that Seeing Datou's footsteps were wrong.

"It's nothing. I was in a hurry walking yesterday and sprained my foot."

In the Outer Continent, the level Seeing Datou registered at the Dark Star Bureau was a fifth-layer brawler.

But Seeing Datou's initiation medicine was a family heirloom. He was not a brawler; he was a proper martial cultivator.

When in the Outer Continent, Seeing Datou took many elixirs with He He Jiaqing, and coupled with his diligent cultivation, his cultivation base had long reached the sixth layer.

After coming to Puluo Continent, He He Jiaqing supplied him with a large amount of elixirs, and Seeing Datou was now a seventh-layer martial cultivator.

A seventh-layer martial cultivator sprained his foot walking? Who would believe this?

"Brother, what is the situation? Tell me the truth!"

Under repeated questioning, Seeing Datou told the truth.

This silk store was not easy to get. This shop originally belonged to the Su family. The Su family also counted for something in Green Water City, but because of some friction with the Qingyun Society, the business was seriously affected, so they gave up this shop.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Qingyun Society finding trouble with the Su family was because they wanted this silk store. Unexpectedly, Seeing Datou intercepted it at a high price and snatched the shop. This matter angered Han Han Yaomen, the head of the Qingyun Society.

He personally led people to ambush Seeing Datou. Seeing Datou was a front-line key member of the Dark Star Bureau, and his adaptability was truly strong. He escaped from Han Han Yaomen's hands and saved his life, but injured one leg.

He He Jiaqing stood with his hands behind his back at the stairwell on the second floor, bent over, and looked at the entrance: "This shop is good. It looks like the feng shui is prosperous. No wonder Han Han Yaomen has been thinking about it.

Seeing Datou, be wronged today. No matter how the Qingyun Society provokes trouble, just don't take the bait."

Seeing Datou felt that doing so was wrong. If he let the Qingyun Society bully him, it would be the same outcome as the Su family, and sooner or later, he would have to give away the shop.

He He Jiaqing smiled: "We are different from the Su family. We are different from everyone. These bad habits in Puluo Continent must be changed."

That very day, there were indeed people from the Qingyun Society coming to cause trouble. Several hooligans came in to choose fabric, and every piece of fabric had to be looked at and touched, leaving the fabric covered in mud and oil stains.

After choosing for a whole day, these hooligans didn't buy anything. The customers in the store were scared away, and customers outside didn't dare to come in.

If it were in the past, Seeing Datou would have driven them out long ago.

But He He Jiaqing told him not to make a move, and he endured until closing time at night.

Several hooligans successfully disrupted the silk store's business. Today they counted as having performed a meritorious service. They went to the gambling den opposite,

looking for the shopkeeper to collect the reward.

The gambling den shopkeeper was a middle-level figure of the Qingyun Society, the so-called middle-level person. He gave these hooligans the reward money:

"Tomorrow you guys come again, make more trouble, beat up a few of his clerks, destroy a batch of his fabric,

force them to make a move against you,

and remember, as soon as they make a move, you lie on the ground, let them beat you, let them do whatever. If you get injured, the more severely injured you are, the more I will reward you!"

Several hooligans happily accepted the reward money, and early the next morning, they went to the silk store again.

Seeing Datou gritted his teeth in hatred. He asked He He Jiaqing: "Still enduring?"

He He Jiaqing leaned on the stair railing, looking at the situation in the lobby: "Don't endure today. Beat them up, but don't take their lives."

A hooligan pointed at He He Jiaqing and cursed: "What the hell are you looking at? Haven't you seen your grandfather?"

He He Jiaqing said to Seeing Datou: "This one must be beaten into a cripple, so he can't walk in the future."

The hooligan shouted on the first floor: "What did you just say? Say it again and let me hear it?"

Seeing Datou jumped down from the second floor, grabbed the hooligan's hair, pressed him to the ground, and stomped on one of his legs: "Just now he said, let you not be able to walk in the future."

The hooligan cried out: "You hit me? You dare to hit me? Do you know who I am—."

Crack!

Seeing Datou also stomped on the hooligan's other leg.

The hooligan was in so much pain he passed out. The remaining hooligans shouted loudly: "The boss here hit someone, what kind of business is this, come and see—."

Before he finished speaking, all the teeth in the hooligan's mouth flew out.

Seeing Seeing Datou make a move, the few assistants in the silk store didn't stay idle either, grabbing the hooligans and starting to beat them violently.

These hooligans had no cultivation base, so how could they withstand the beating? In less than ten minutes, the group of hooligans was covered in bruises and thrown on the side of the street.

They lay on the ground, crying for a long time, but no one paid attention to them. They could only support each other and go to the gambling den.

Yesterday the gambling den boss gave instructions that getting beaten counted as a meritorious service, and the more severely injured, the more the reward.

Today they were truly severely injured, and several people would be left with disabilities. Thinking of the amount of the reward, these few people felt that their bodies didn't hurt as much.

The gambling den was very deserted, perhaps because they came too early and business hadn't started yet.

Arriving at the lobby, everyone looked around, but still didn't see anyone. The hooligan with the broken leg crawled on the ground, his line of sight lower than others, and he was the first to see someone.

"Under the table, they are all lying underneath!"

Why did everyone go under the table?

The hooligans leaned down and called for a long time. There were indeed many people lying under the table, but there was no response.

The hooligans were scared. The leader dragged a person out from under the table and found that this person's head was missing.

Dragging out two more, they still had no heads.

The hooligans were scared silly, scrambling out of the gambling den, running and shouting: "The heads are gone, where are the heads, where did the heads go—.."

The heads were placed at the entrance of the Qingyun Society's main hall, one by one, all placed in front of Han Han Yaomen.

Han Han Yaomen gritted his teeth: "He He Jiaqing, since you are playing for keeps, don't blame me for not showing mercy!"

Outside Green Water City, in a private residence, He He Jiaqing was making tea for the ancestor of the stealing cultivators, Xiao Xiao Qianshou.

Xiao Xiao Qianshou picked up the teacup, drank half a cup, shook his head and said: "The heat is not right. This tea is brewed too astringent. You little brat, have you taken to heart the things I told you to do?"

He He Jiaqing boiled another pot of water: "Ancestor, your instructions, I remember them every day, how would I dare not take them to heart?"

"I told you to investigate the matter of the medicinal powder formula, and there is no news yet. I heard that you and the Qingyun Society started fighting?"

He He Jiaqing changed a box of tea leaves: "These are all small matters, you don't need to worry about them. This is the foreign black tea newly entered by my tea house, you try the taste."

"Don't drink that, I'm not used to foreign tea leaves," Xiao Xiao Qianshou pushed the cup aside and said to He He Jiaqing, "Do you think these gangs in Puluo Continent are particularly easy to deal with?"

This topic seemed unavoidable. He He Jiaqing nodded slightly and said: "Yes, I didn't take the Qingyun Society seriously. Han Han Yaomen is just a seventh-layer land-skin, why should I yield to him?"

"Han Han Yaomen is indeed just a seventh-layer, but the Qingyun Society is not that simple. This gang has been around for a long time, and its foundation is deep.

Han Han Yaomen's grandmaster is a sound cultivator above the clouds, and he himself is a local deity. His grandmaster has other backers behind him, layer by layer connected down, you don't even know how many people will be implicated.

Gangs that can stand firm in Puluo Continent all have backgrounds that are not simple. For the sake of some business matters,

you go and poke this hornet's nest, is it worth it?"

He He Jiaqing nodded repeatedly: "Ancestor, your words, I have remembered them."

Xiao Xiao Qianshou sighed: "I trusted you at the beginning because I felt you had schemes, had depth, and did things without revealing anything.

You are a person who can achieve great things, don't ruin the big picture for the sake of some trivial matters."

"How can this be a trivial matter? This is the He family's matter." He He Jiaqing sent the tea to Xiao Xiao Qianshou.

Xiao Xiao Qianshou frowned and said: "Is the He family's matter that important?"

He He Jiaqing smiled: "How can it not be important? I am a member of the He family."

"You brat, deliberately choking me?" Xiao Xiao Qianshou sank his face.

He He Jiaqing hurriedly apologized: "Ancestor, how would I dare? I've been busy lately, and my words lacked a sense of proportion. You must not blame me."

After brewing this pot of tea, He He Jiaqing said he had to manage the business and took the opportunity to leave.

Xiao Xiao Qianshou placed the teacup on his fingertips and played with it back and forth.

After playing for a moment, Xiao Xiao Qianshou suddenly laughed: "You brat, you really take yourself for a personage. Do you really think I think highly of you?

If it weren't for the fact that I have no hands, some things wouldn't need you to do them at all.

The first hand is too hard to find, Xie Xie Juncong is old, and others are useless. I think you are the most suitable. Since you don't listen to me, then let's make the best use of everything."

The Qingyun Society's main hall, also called the Dragon Head Hall.

The Qingyun Society's head, also called the Dragon Head Master.

Dragon Head Master Han Han Yaomen summoned thirty elites from various halls of the Qingyun Society, gathered in the Dragon Head Hall that night, with only one task: burn down the silk store on Fuxiang Avenue.

"If I can't take down this shop, no one is allowed to interfere. As long as this matter is done tonight, those who want money will be given money, those who want land will be given land, and those who want a wife will be given a wife, pick according to the gang rules!"

The Qingyun Society has this rule. They don't specify the reward money when doing things, but specify a range, letting the gang disciples choose for themselves.

Of course, when choosing what reward, one must have a sense of proportion. If one has performed a great meritorious service and wants to choose the song queen Jiang Jiang Mengting as a wife, then that matter must be discussed separately.

Everything that needed to be said was made clear. The thirty elites set off for the silk store and returned in less than ten minutes.

People in the main hall were puzzled. How did they come back?

From the Dragon Head Hall to Fuxiang Avenue, it normally takes more than an hour to walk. These people had cultivation bases, so naturally, they walked faster than ordinary people, but it would take at least half an hour to go back and forth.

Moreover, they didn't go shopping; they went to set a fire. How did they come back so fast?

When Han Han Yaomen opened the wooden box in the center of the hall, his subordinates all understood.

The box contained thirty human heads. He He Jiaqing wrote a line on the box lid: "I have sent the people back to you."

Han Han Yaomen was furious, brought his men, and went directly to the He family to fight for his life. Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang, an old man in the gang, stopped him.

"Master, you can't go. If you go, our gang will be gone."

Han Han Yaomen said angrily: "What kind of talk is this? Have you been scared out of your wits?"

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang shook his head and said: "Master, I am over seventy this year. After so many years of bloody storms, I have lived enough. What am I afraid of? I am worried for our gang!"

Han Han Yaomen sat on the chair without speaking. Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang took the opportunity to send others away: "Master, we just sent people out, and He He Jiaqing collected their heads. Can't you see this situation?"

Han Han Yaomen thought for a moment and said: "Is there an internal traitor in the gang?"

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang nodded: "There must be an internal traitor, but I don't know how many there are."

Han Han Yaomen got up and said: "This matter cannot be taken lightly. Clean up the internal traitors first, and then we will clean up He He Jiaqing."

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang lit his dry tobacco pipe and took a puff: "Master, if you ask me, it is best to discuss this matter in the long run. In the near future, let's not go looking for He He Jiaqing again."

"Why?" Han Han Yaomen slammed the table, "Can this breath still be swallowed?"

"Master, He He Jiaqing is not coming with good intentions. For the sake of a silk store, how many of our people has he killed?

Think about his previous style. In the Outer Continent, he lay in the hospital pretending to be dead, and after returning to Puluo Continent, he hid east and west, not daring to see the light. When have you ever seen him this crazy?

There is something in this, something we don't know. What exactly He He Jiaqing wants to do, we can't guess. In the current situation, it is best for us to stay far away.

17

"Stay away—" Han Han Yaomen gritted his teeth, "If I stay away, the Qingyun Society's face will be gone."

"He He Jiaqing is a member of the He family. The He family was originally a hegemon in Puluo Continent. It is not shameful for us to stay away from him."

"Then didn't our brothers die in vain?"

"Master, I have been in the gang for so many years. I know how many brothers we have died. If they die, they die. How many have really been avenged? Just find a reason to deal with it and it's over."

The words were unpleasant, but the reasoning was correct. Han Han Yaomen found a reason to gloss over the matter first, and then began to concentrate his energy on cleaning up the internal traitors in the gang.

He had just found a batch of people and hadn't had time to take action when these people received the news in advance and all ran away.

Han Han Yaomen was furious and ordered various halls to find the families of these people and leave none behind.

Two days later, Han Han Yaomen received another box of heads. The families of the internal traitors were not found, and two halls of the Qingyun Society were destroyed.

Han Han Yaomen was dumbfounded, and Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang hadn't expected this either.

Before, they had thought that if they couldn't afford to provoke someone, they could at least hide, but now they realized that even if they wanted to hide, they couldn't escape.

The next evening, Han Han Yaomen received another wooden box; two more of his branch halls had been wiped out.

He He Jiaqing didn't seem to have come for the silk shop; he had come for the Qingyun Society!

Han Han Yaomen panicked and summoned the key members of the gang to brainstorm ideas.

Everyone's idea was to fight He He Jiaqing to the end, but the veteran Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang offered another suggestion: "Find Eldest Sister He to step in and mediate between the two sides. Whatever grudges there are, lay them out on the table. If we can calm things down, we'll just have to accept taking a small loss."

Han Han Yaomen was unconvinced: "Haven't we taken enough losses already?"

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang stopped speaking; the difference in their methods was plain to see, so what use was there in being unconvinced?

After hesitating for two days and losing two more branch halls, Han Han Yaomen went to Xin Di, bringing generous gifts to find He He Yuxiu and ask her to mediate.

He He Yuxiu looked at her own territory, her expression somewhat troubled: "Old Han, you've seen it yourself; I have my own territory now, and I can't look after the family's affairs anymore.

He Jiaqing is an adult now, too; it's impossible for him to listen to me on everything. I'll find a time to advise him a couple of words, but whether he listens to me or not is another matter entirely."

Han Han Yaomen felt that He He Yuxiu might not be able to handle this matter reliably.

He was wrong; it wasn't that she couldn't handle it reliably, it was that He He Yuxiu hadn't handled it at all.

The silk shop was originally He He Jiaqing's own business, so He He Yuxiu shouldn't have interfered.

Han Han Yaomen had provoked him first, and He He Jiaqing had retaliated; He He Yuxiu couldn't possibly favor an outsider over her own kin, so she was definitely standing on He He Jiaqing's side.

As for whether this retaliation was too ruthless, no one could define it; once Han Han Yaomen turned the tables and retaliated against He He Jiaqing, he certainly wouldn't show any mercy either.

The accountant Sheng Sheng Shanzhou felt that He He Jiaqing had done nothing wrong: "The Young Master's approach has more resolve than the Old Master did back in the day. Either we don't make a move, or if we do, we have to clean them out completely."

He He Yuxiu and Han Han Yaomen didn't have a very deep friendship to begin with, and He He Yuxiu didn't care where the Qingyun Society would end up in the future.

She just didn't quite understand He He Jiaqing's approach: "What's gotten into He Jiaqing? He's usually so secretive, afraid of leaving any traces, so why is he acting so brazenly this time?"

With casualties mounting at Qingyun Society branch halls everywhere, Han Han Yaomen knew He He Yuxiu hadn't helped.

In desperation, he could only use his final resort.

"I have to invite the Grandmaster out!"

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang was somewhat worried: "The Old Master hasn't concerned himself with the gang's affairs for a long time. When the Old Boss met with trouble, we begged him so hard, yet the Old Master didn't make a move."

The "Old Boss" referred to the previous leader of the Qingyun Society, who was also Han Han Yaomen's master. The "trouble" Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang mentioned referred to the internal strife within the Qingyun Society; the Old Boss had begged for reinforcements to no avail and ultimately died in that internal strife.

"This matter is different from last time. Last time it was our gang's internal fighting; this time it's a catastrophe. The Grandmaster won't just watch and do nothing!"

Han Han Yaomen ordered the incense hall to be set up; the incense and candles were arranged, and the Grandmaster's portrait was hung.

An ordinary person wouldn't be able to tell that this was a portrait of the Grandmaster, because this painting depicted a camel.

Below the portrait was the Grandmaster's name; this Grandmaster's name was somewhat special—he was called Bei Bei Wushuang.

Han Han Yaomen prayed in the incense hall for three days and three nights without receiving any response. Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang worried that the situation was looking grim,

and advised Han Han Yaomen to seek another way out.

"Where is the way out?" Han Han Yaomen could no longer think of a way out.

"Go find Brother Brother Qiye; we can be considered friends of Brother Brother Qiye."

Han Han Yaomen thought carefully about his relationship with Li Qi. Could they be considered friends?

They certainly could.

The three major gangs of Puluo Continent were all considered friends of Li Qi, but among friends, there are varying degrees of closeness.

Shen Shen Jinzhong of the Sanying Sect had the closest relationship with Li Qi; there were rumors that he had been propped up by Li Qi. Han Han Yaomen certainly couldn't compare to that relationship.

Zhang Zhang Xiuling of the Baihua Sect also had a very close relationship with Li Qi; some said that "Jade Fragrance Record" was written under Li Qi's guidance. Han Han Yaomen couldn't compare to this level of relationship either.

After calculating it all, Han Han Yaomen's standing with Li Qi was perhaps not even as good as Li Li Haoyun of the Li Furong Studio or Bai Bai Wusong of the Bai He Sect; it was just a nodding acquaintance.

And now that the Qingyun Society was facing a catastrophe, would Li Qi be willing to help?

If Qiu Qiu Zhiheng were in Green Water City, it would be great. He had a very deep friendship with Han Han Yaomen and also a very deep friendship with Li Qi. With him acting as a go-between, Li Qi would definitely be able to help.

Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang said: "Boss, Yaowang Valley isn't too far away. Why don't you make the trip yourself?"

Han Han Yaomen thought that made sense, so he ordered his subordinates to arrange for a travel permit, and that very night, he went to the train station.

The next morning, Han Han Yaomen's head was placed at the Qingyun Society's branch hall.

He was dead.

As the leader of the second-largest gang in Puluo Continent, Han Han Yaomen's death caused quite a sensation.

On the day of the funeral, He He Jiaqing went to pay his respects in person and met Ma Wu in the mourning hall, where the two chatted for a few moments.

"How has Li Qi been lately? I haven't seen him in a long time."

"He's been busy with official business in the outer states lately and hasn't been back much."

"When he gets back, have him come over to my place for a sit-down. I have some things I'd like to discuss with him properly."

"If it's not a private matter, you can talk to me too. I'll help you pass the message to Old Seven."

"The matter between him and me is indeed a bit private."

After paying his respects, He He Jiaqing didn't forget his main business. The Qingyun Society couldn't go a day without a leader, so he selected a veteran to succeed Han Han Yaomen as the head leader.

This veteran was none other than Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang.

Within the gang, some felt that Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang had served the Qingyun Society with all his heart and soul, and that sitting in this position was well-deserved.

But others brought up another matter: ever since Han Han Yaomen took Ban Yue Ban Yue Hongliang's advice, his days had never been good again.

Leaving the Qingyun Society's main hall, Ma Wu contacted Li Li Banfeng: "The matter has been verified; Han Han Yaomen is indeed dead.

He He Jiaqing's move was truly ruthless. Han Han Yaomen had already conceded and was just a step away from kowtowing to him, yet he still took Han Han Yaomen's life.

Now the Qingyun Society has fallen completely into He He Jiaqing's hands. Another day, we'll have to chat with Sister Xiu—who is actually in charge of the He family now?

If He He Jiaqing is in charge, we really need to be on guard. If things go wrong, one day he might strike at us."

Li Li Banfeng looked at the newspaper in his hand.

The headline in the newspaper was "Young Master Washes Qingyun Society in Blood, Young Master He's Might Shakes All Directions."

This newspaper was published by Shen Shen Rongqing's press, which meant He He Jiaqing intended to publicize this matter.

Why was this?

Li Li Banfeng truly couldn't understand.

"Old Five, based on my understanding of He He Jiaqing, even if he wanted to kill someone, he would do it behind the scenes; it's impossible for him to act so high-profile."

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Ma Wu was He He Jiaqing's childhood friend, and he couldn't understand it either. "I'll send people to investigate this matter, but I expect we won't find any results."

Zhang Zhang Xiuling left the Qingyun Society's main hall, where a rickshaw was waiting at the entrance. Just as she was about to board, Duan Duan Shuqun walked over, took off his top hat, and bowed first: "Sect Master Zhang, I've come to deliver an invitation to you."

"What invitation?" Zhang Zhang Xiuling took the invitation and saw that a theater in Green Water City was opening, and it was inviting Zhang Zhang Xiuling to attend the ceremony.

This theater originally belonged to the Qingyun Society, but now all the Qingyun Society's businesses belonged to He He Jiaqing.

Zhang Zhang Xiuling naturally didn't want to attend this ceremony. She didn't have much of a friendship with Han Han Yaomen, but He He Jiaqing had wiped out an entire gang over a minor grievance and even humiliated the other party in public. In Zhang Zhang Xiuling's view, this was acting completely against the rules.

"Boss Duan, thank you for your kindness, but the date is inconvenient. I happen to have some urgent business that day, but don't worry,

even if I can't be there in person, my well-wishes will definitely be delivered."

Zhang Zhang Xiuling wanted to send a gift and be done with the matter.

Duan Duan Shuqun shook his head: "Sect Master Zhang, if you aren't there in person, then the well-wishes haven't been delivered. Our boss specifically said that he has urgent business to discuss with you that day."

"Discuss what?"

"That's hard to say. If you agree, it'll be a good thing." Duan Duan Shuqun left the invitation and turned to leave.

Zhang Zhang Xiuling felt a chill run through her body.

Could it be that He He Jiaqing was going to strike at the Baihua Sect?

She guessed correctly; He He Jiaqing's next target was the Baihua Sect.

Returning to the Liu Family Pawnshop, He He Jiaqing was discussing the plan to deal with the Baihua Sect with Seeing Datou when a clerk came to pass on a message: a friend surnamed Kong requested an audience.

"Brother Kong Fang is here." He He Jiaqing raised an eyebrow, signaling Seeing Datou to withdraw first.

Before long, Mr. Kong Fang arrived in the courtyard, drank two cups of tea with He He Jiaqing, and briefly asked about the Qingyun Society matter.

He He Jiaqing told him the truth.

Mr. Kong Fang asked again: "I heard you've set your sights on the Baihua Sect again?"

He He Jiaqing nodded: "We need money for our experiments, so I have to find some businesses that make money quickly."

Mr. Kong Fang didn't speak. Just as He He Jiaqing was about to refill the tea, Mr. Kong Fang covered his cup: "He Jiaqing, let's end our business dealings here."

He He Jiaqing was stunned: "What does that mean?"

Mr. Kong Fang stood up and said: "It means that from now on, we go our separate ways."

After saying this, Mr. Kong Fang vanished.

He He Jiaqing held the teapot, quietly looking at the teacup in front of him.

Outside Green Water City, on Yiming Mountain, in a birch forest halfway up the mountain, Xie Xie Juncong, the leader of the Guishou Sect, knelt on the ground,

shivering uncontrollably.

Xiao Xiao Qianshou stood before him and asked: "I asked you to arrange for He He Jiaqing to come out for a meeting; is this matter really that difficult?"

Xie Xie Juncong said: "He's too high-profile right now; anyone who gets close to him gets targeted by various sects and factions. Our Guishou Sect is afraid of this, and I have to find the right opportunity."

Xiao Xiao Qianshou was also somewhat confused: "What exactly does this brat want to do? I can't figure him out either. Fine, tell our sect members to stay far away from him."

At night, He He Jiaqing and Seeing Datou were drinking together. After drinking about half, Seeing Datou asked: "He Jiaqing, I remember your ambition was to change Puluo Continent, or even more than just Puluo Continent. You wanted people with ability to live with dignity.

Has your thinking changed now?"

"It hasn't changed." He He Jiaqing shook his head.

"Then this approach of yours—"

"You can't understand it, right?" He He Jiaqing lit a cigarette and gave a bitter laugh. "I went to a bookstore two days ago,

and saw a book. This book taught me quite a few things."

"What book?" Seeing Datou was quite curious.

"I didn't remember the title, but I remembered the words inside. If you pulled out just one, it could strike me so hard I couldn't fight back.

I thought the owner of that bookstore was invincible; I thought I was going to die in that book.

Who would have thought that a friend would come and save me? He didn't expend much effort; he said the bookstore owner gave him face."

"Such great face?" Seeing Datou didn't understand, so he could only echo the sentiment.

"Exactly, they all have such great face! But how much face does He He Jiaqing have? And how much ability do I have? Why should people do business with me? What virtue or ability do I have? What am I worth?" He He Jiaqing stubbed out his cigarette, looked at Seeing Datou, and said with some agitation,

"Brother, it's been a long time since I've met someone I can speak the truth to. I had one back in college, but now that person doesn't want to talk to me. This matter really makes me feel miserable. I always thought that cultivation was something that topped out at the third layer above the clouds, and once you reached the third layer above the clouds, you just had to push a little harder to reach the 'Above the Clouds' realm.

The 'Above the Clouds' realm doesn't have layers; combat power should be basically equivalent. As long as I endured until I reached the 'Above the Clouds' realm, I would be among the strongest.

I exhausted all my methods in the outer states to gather popularity—delivering food, livestreaming, crawling through sewers—all just to rush to the 'Above the Clouds' realm. I've rushed up there now, but what's the result?

I'm far worse than them. I can't touch the bookstore owner; I can't even beat a few of his books.

There are others with strength equivalent to his who said they wanted to do business with me, but they were all lying to me. They hired me to be a scapegoat.

I put up the money, I put in the effort, and if things go wrong, I might even lose my life. I bear all the risks in this business, but when the business is done, I definitely won't get any benefits because I don't have the qualifications to reach out. Instead of this, why bother doing this business?"

Seeing Datou seemed to understand: "You wiped out the Qingyun Society to make them stay away from you?"

"Exactly!" He He Jiaqing poured a glass of wine for Seeing Datou. "They do business that can't see the light of day, but I insist on shining the light on myself. I want all of Puluo Continent to watch me. As long as there is light around me, they have to stay far away from me.

The Thief Cultivation has a technique called 'Stealing a Name to Deceive the World.' Brother, you must remember: what we steal doesn't necessarily have to be a good name."