Chapter 656

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng, Qin Qin Tianjiu, and the others fought and defeated the mountain bandits.

Of the twenty-plus mountain bandits, nearly half were dead. Although they lost, they didn't flee in a rout but retreated in an orderly fashion.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan had the same question: were such a group of people really mountain bandits?

Their cultivation wasn't low, they were all scorpions, their tactics were tacit, and they were quite disciplined. If they weren't in Santoucha but elsewhere in Like Puluozhou, those twenty-plus people would have been enough to start a sect and form a force that couldn't be underestimated.

Of course, it was also possible that the harsh environment of Santoucha had forced a group of mountain bandits to possess such superb combat power.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng didn't focus all his attention on the mountain bandits; he was more concerned about Qin Qin Tianjiu's condition. Of the eleven mountain bandits killed, six had died at Qin Xiaopang's hands.

Now that the battle was over, Qin Xiaopang was still carrying a pair of scorpion pincers, silently looking at the corpses at his feet.

When a Food Cultivator uses the "Hundred Swallows, Hundred Transformations" technique, they gain some of the opponent's abilities for a short time, but Qin Xiaopang's duration couldn't be considered short.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng knew Two Two Shi Xiu very well. Back then, Lu Lu Dongliang was determined to deal with He He Haiqin, so he had Qiu Qiu Zhiheng put in great effort to understand Two Two Shi Xiu. But looking at Qin Xiaopang's performance today, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng felt he was still somewhat unfamiliar with Two Two Shi Xiu.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng cupped his fists at Luo Zhengnan: "Brother Luo, let's talk over here."

This was a sign of respect for Qin Xiaopang.

After a fierce battle, if the battlefield is left to the Food Cultivator to clean up, it is an affirmation and thanks to the Food Cultivator, but others should not watch from the side.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng meant well, but he didn't expect Qin Xiaopang to have no mood to clean up the battlefield today; he wasn't hungry.

He put away the two scorpion pincers and happily followed them to chat with Qiu Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan.

"Brother Luo, I heard you're here to run an errand for Seventh Brother. What exactly is the matter?"

Luo Zhengnan smiled: "Master Jiu, it's an urgent matter, but also one that cannot be spoken of. I've already told Master Qiu about the reasons for this."

Qin Qin Tianjiu was unhappy: "There's no one else here, just me and Brother Qiu. Can't you tell us the truth?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng waved his hand: "Old Jiu, don't make things difficult for Brother Luo. We're going to the Underground City this time; I wonder if Brother Luo is familiar with the road?"

Luo Zhengnan sighed: "I went once over a dozen years ago, and I've forgotten most of it."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng thought for a moment: "A friend came to the pharmacy who said he wanted to help. He's quite familiar with the Underground City. Why don't you come with us to the pharmacy and take a look?"

Luo Zhengnan shook his head: "I won't go to the pharmacy; there's no time. This is an extremely urgent matter, and I must set off immediately."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng said: "How about this: we'll follow you toward the Underground City, and I'll call someone to invite that friend over."

Qin Qin Tianjiu said: "Brother Qiu, I'll go. I'll bring that friend here immediately."

"Good." Qiu Qiu Zhiheng agreed. Recently, whenever there was a running errand, Qin Xiaopang was especially proactive, and no one knew why he was so diligent.

Qin Qin Tianjiu ran all the way back to the pharmacy, passed a coal pile, and while no one was around, ate over a hundred pounds of it. He drank a few mouthfuls of cold water from a water vat nearby, rinsed the coal dregs from his mouth, and swallowed them all.

……

Luo Zhengnan was a bit uneasy: "Master Qiu, who exactly is the friend you mentioned?"

"His surname is Bai, and his name is Bai Bai Wusong."

Luo Zhengnan knew this person: "From the Ling Miaosheng Phonograph Shop, a friend of Ling Ling Miaosheng, right?"

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was truly impressed. Luo Zhengnan was indeed Li Qi's right-hand man; when Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was by Lu Lu Dongliang's side, he was no better than this.

Luo Zhengnan said: "This person is righteous, and I have indeed heard of him. He has had some dealings with Santoucha."

The group walked for dozens of miles, and Bai Bai Wusong caught up with Qin Qin Tianjiu, led the group along a shortcut, and went to the Underground City.

……

Li Li Banfeng sat on the bed in the Leaving Suishenju and looked at Xiang Xiang Hongying: "Xue Yingying, I'll have my wife call me first so I can find my direction, and then find someone to use 'A Parting of Ten Thousand Miles.' Will that allow me to return to my wife's side?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying asked a serious question: "Where are you going to find someone? Didn't you say there wasn't a single person on this sea? Didn't you say you couldn't even find a single fish?"

Li Li Banfeng thought again: "What if I can find a fish?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying shook her head: "Fish don't have much intelligence. For things without intelligence, 'A Parting of Ten Thousand Miles' is hard to make effective."

The glove said from the side: "Can the Master use 'A Parting of Ten Thousand Miles' on me?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying still shook her head: "Magic treasures won't work either; your souls aren't complete."

Li Li Banfeng thought again: "What if I use my shadow? If I kick my shadow, can I go back?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying thought for a long time and shook her head: "Seventh Brother, I don't know how to use shadows. I can't guess this."

Ninth Miss said from the side: "I don't think it will work, Ah Qi. When your shadow uses 'A Parting of Ten Thousand Miles,' you yourself can't distinguish the direction. Are you and your shadow one person or two?

If you are one person, with one intelligence, and it's just a split use, you shouldn't use 'A Parting of Ten Thousand Miles' on your shadow, otherwise it's equivalent to using it on yourself.

If your shadow has other ideas, where he will send you is uncertain."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "How could my shadow have other ideas?"

Ninth Miss raised an eyebrow: "Does he really have no ideas?"

"He does!" Li Li Banfeng stopped smiling. "These bastards, they think about harming me every day."

Li Li Banfeng got off the bed and went out the door.

The Judge's Pen hung with the key, quietly floating at the doorway.

Li Li Banfeng took down the key and patted the Judge's Pen: "Brother, you've worked hard."

After waiting for a long time, he heard no response, only the sound of deep and steady breathing.

Good skill; he can even sleep while flying.

Since crossing the boundary line, Li Li Banfeng had been drifting in the sky for five whole days.

During these five days, Li Li Banfeng hadn't found a place to land, and he didn't have the strength to keep flying. When he was tired, he would return to the Leaving Suishenju to rest, letting the projector and the Judge's Pen take turns watching the key for him.

There were many flying magic treasures, but the Tang Dao didn't fly steadily, the wine gourd didn't fly for long, and the pendulum lacked a response to unexpected situations. The projector and the Judge's Pen were the most suitable for taking turns on duty.

After putting away the Judge's Pen, Li Li Banfeng continued his search.

There was still no movement from his wife; he guessed Old Luo hadn't delivered the parts yet.

This wasn't Old Luo's fault for being slow; some parts had to be bought in the Outer State, and delivering them to Santoucha and then to the Underground City took time.

After searching for a few more hours, an exhausted Li Li Banfeng returned to the Leaving Suishenju and asked: "Old Man, is there any response?"

Li Li Banfeng had gotten a map of the Inner State from Chu Shaoqiang; as long as he reached the Inner State territory, there would be a response.

"The map has no movement," the Old Man sighed softly. "We haven't reached the Inner State yet."

"Then what place is this? The buffer zone between Like Puluozhou and the Inner State?"

The Old Man couldn't say; this was just a vast ocean, and the Old Man had no special memories of this place.

After a sleep, Li Li Banfeng continued searching. This time, he saw firelight on the sea.

An illusion?

Sea fire?

Li Li Banfeng had seen quite a bit of firelight on the sea these days, most of which he couldn't explain.

This firelight was different. Through "Hundred Flavors Baiwei Linglong," Li Li Banfeng smelled some smoke and fire, and after opening "Insight Dongxi Lingyin," Li Li Banfeng could also hear some music.

Li Li Banfeng hurriedly flew toward the firelight, and he saw an island.

This wasn't an illusion. As the island slowly approached, the mountains, rivers, and trees on the island became clearer. Li Li Banfeng accelerated, flew over the coastline, and landed in the mountain forest.

From the moment his feet touched the ground, Li Li Banfeng felt waves of numbness throughout his body. He stood on the ground for a full quarter of an hour, not wanting to leave a single step.

Finally landed.

After calming down for a long time, Li Li Banfeng looked at the surrounding environment. This was a peach forest, and the air was filled with the sweet and cloying scent of peaches.

The peach forest was large. Li Li Banfeng walked forward for a distance and saw a young man pruning a peach tree.

This man had thick eyebrows and big eyes, regular features, and was wearing a wide, long gown. This kind of gown couldn't be seen in the Outer State, and it wasn't common in Like Puluozhou either; it looked a bit like the stage costumes Yao Lao had worn, but it seemed even more magnificent than stage costumes.

When Li Li Banfeng walked closer, the man picked a white peach from the tree and handed it to Li Li Banfeng: "It's ripe, eat it."

Li Li Banfeng took the peach and looked at the young man: "Do you recognize me?"

"I don't," the young man shook his head. "A peach isn't worth much, just taste it."

Li Li Banfeng took a bite, and the taste of this peach was truly special.

The skin was very thin, very smooth, and tender.

The flesh was very thick and very plump.

It was very sweet, very juicy, and the fragrance was very strong. Not only was there the fragrance of a peach, but there was also the aroma of some oil.

"Orange!" Li Li Banfeng let out a heartfelt exclamation, which reminded him of the orange orchard in the New Land and the old man who grew oranges.

The young man smiled: "You are truly strange. You're eating a peach, so why call it an orange?"

Li Li Banfeng took two more bites and explained: "I have a friend whose oranges are just as delicious as this peach."

The young man continued to tend to the peach tree: "There are no oranges to eat today, and it's truly not easy to eat an orange."

Li Li Banfeng heard the music again, and quite a few people were singing along with the music.

"Who is celebrating?"

The young man pointed outside the forest: "There is a White Peach Assembly today, go take a look."

Li Li Banfeng finished the peach and buried the peach pit in the soil.

The man looked at Li Li Banfeng and nodded repeatedly: "You are a good person."

Seeing someone fly down from the sky, this man showed no fear and didn't even ask a single question; this kind of indifference was rare.

Li Li Banfeng asked the man: "Is this your territory?"

The man used scissors to cut off a dead branch: "You could say so. My surname is Ling, and I'm called Ling Baita."

Li Li Banfeng asked again: "What is the name of this territory?"

Ling Baita hadn't stopped his work, but he replied to Li Li Banfeng: "This is Bai Taodao."

Bai Taodao!

This is the first stop on my way to the Inner State!

But looking at the person called Ling Baita just now, he didn't look like an Inner State person, and his physique was too far from that of an Inner State person.

Perhaps it was because of the externalized core that he had a physique similar to a normal person; the scissors in his hand were his steam engine body.

Upon arriving in the Inner State, one must be careful everywhere. Li Li Banfeng followed the music and walked along. In the open space outside the peach forest, Li Li Banfeng saw over a thousand men, women, and children sitting in the open space, watching a group of girls and young men dancing.

Among those sitting in the front row, some were playing flutes, some were playing sheng, some were playing pipa, and some were beating drums. A dozen musical instruments played together, and the music came from here.

Looking at the young people's dance steps, the girls were each holding a tray of white peaches, twisting their waists. The white peaches were on the left, and their waists twisted to the right; the white peaches were in front, and their waists tilted backward. The peaches in their hands and the peaches under their waists echoed each other, which was quite pleasing to the eye. The dance steps were a bit rustic, but they danced with fiery passion.

The young men's dance steps were more fierce. When the dance music was gentle, they only served as foils for the girls, but when the dance music reached its climax, the young men lifted the girls up.

Li Li Banfeng had high expectations for this dance step, but he found that the young men stood still, and the girls continued to shake the peaches in mid-air.

This kind of dance step was a bit monotonous.

Li Li Banfeng took out the projector, preparing to record the local customs of the island, but he saw the island master, Ling Baita, walk to the center of the crowd and say to Li Li Banfeng: "Guest from afar, come dance with us."

Being able to find Li Li Banfeng directly in the crowd proved that this island master's cultivation was not ordinary.

Under the guidance of the island master, the girls and young men extended a warm invitation together.

The girls were still holding peaches in their hands; these should be their externalized cores.

The young men were all empty-handed; where were their externalized cores?

Was there a misunderstanding here?

Li Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly: "I don't know how to dance. I want to ask you one thing: is this the Inner State?"

As soon as the two words "Inner State" were spoken, the faces of the originally enthusiastic girls and young men all changed.

The girls put down the peaches and drew daggers from their waists.

The young men put down the girls and drew short knives from their legs.

The old man playing the Hu Qin pulled his bow, making an extremely harsh sound.

While the middle-aged man playing the suona played continuously, the thousand-plus people on the field all drew their weapons, ready for battle.

Li Li Banfeng stared at the crowd and scanned them once, his gaze stopping on Ling Baita: "I was just asking, is this the Inner State?"

Ling Baita shook his head: "This is not the Inner State; this is Bai Taodao in Bai Sun Commandery of Like Puluozhou."

Bai Sun Commandery?

Ma Wu had mentioned this place; he said it was the first third of Like Puluozhou.

Am I still in Like Puluozhou?

Li Li Banfeng asked again: "Where is the entrance to the Inner State?"

The hostility of the surrounding people became even stronger. Ling Baita asked: "You are not an Inner State person, why do you want to go to the Inner State?"

Li Li Banfeng didn't answer: "Since you can tell I'm not an Inner State person, you should know I have no malicious intent."

The surrounding people sneered, and Ling Baita shook his head repeatedly: "There are many Like Puluozhou people who are more hateful than Inner State people."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "I agree with that. I just want to find the entrance to the Inner State. Can you point me in the right direction?"

Ling Baita said: "If you continue walking north, you will find the place you want to go."

Li Li Banfeng didn't say anything more; the current situation wasn't suitable for talking more. He left the open space, found a quiet place, flew into the sky, and flew north for a day and a night.

Bai Sun Commandery, Bai Taodao—what a special place.

They were very sensitive to the words "Inner State." Judging from their reaction just now, they had excellent combat discipline.

They had a near-fanatical worship of peaches, which might be related to the characteristics of the first third of the land, just like the Trouser Belt Pass, Pillow City, Sea-Eating Ridge, and Sleepless Town.

But all the first thirds of the land could be reached in Like Puluozhou through normal channels. The location of Bai Sun Commandery seemed a bit special; it felt like this place had been marked out of the territory of Like Puluozhou.

An island appeared ahead, and an exhausted Li Li Banfeng landed on the island.

A sweet and cloying fragrance hit him, giving Li Li Banfeng a strange feeling.

Why is it still the scent of peaches?

Ahead was a peach forest. In the forest, Li Li Banfeng saw a man picking peaches. He looked different from Ling Baita; he was taller and stronger, but his way of speaking was similar: "Hungry? Eat a peach?"

Li Li Banfeng looked at the peach in his hand; it wasn't a white peach, but a yellow peach.

"What should I call you?"

The man replied: "I am the master of the Peach Garden, and my name is Ling Huangta."

"What is Ling Baita to you?"

"He is my elder brother."

Li Li Banfeng breathed a slight sigh of relief, at least proving that he hadn't returned to the same island.

"May I ask how to get to the entrance of the Inner State?"

"What are you going to the Inner State for?" Ling Huangta's eyes changed, becoming more guarded and hostile.

Li Li Banfeng didn't explain much: "I'm just asking for directions."

Ling Huangta thought for a moment: "Follow me."

Li Li Banfeng followed Ling Huangta out of the peach forest, and outside the forest was a large open space.

"Is this the entrance to the Inner State?"

"Not at all." Ling Huangta shook his head and beat a large drum in the open space.

Amidst the rumbling of the drums, men, women, and children gathered in one place. Those sitting in the front row each took their musical instruments, blowing, pulling, plucking, and playing music.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Is this another White Peach Assembly?"

"Ling Ling Huangtao, this is the Ling Ling Huangtao Assembly!" Ling Huangta extended an invitation: "Friend from afar, come dance with us."

The girls and young men crowded around. Li Li Banfeng waved his hand: "I am determined not to dance. I just want to ask where the entrance to the Inner State is."

Upon hearing "Inner State," everyone grabbed their tools and surrounded Li Li Banfeng again.

Ling Huangta looked at Li Li Banfeng with an icy expression: "You refuse to dance, and you still want to go to the Inner State. You are not a friend of Ling Ling Huangtao Island."

"If I'm not, then I'm not! Just point me in the right direction!"

Ling Huangta pointed north: "You go north."

……

Bai Bai Wusong led the group to the Underground City, went to the human market, and found a restaurant by the street to eat.

The restaurant owner, Chen Yongnian, recognized Bai Bai Wusong and said with a face full of surprise: "Master Bai, you're back?"

Bai Bai Wusong lowered his voice: "I'm just back to take a look. Don't make a scene. Prepare some food for us; we have to hurry on our way after eating."

Chen Yongnian took the menu from the wooden box behind him. The group ordered dishes, and Qin Xiaopang ordered two portions of rice with steamed pork.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng said: "Just two portions of rice, will you be full?"

Qin Qin Tianjiu explained: "I ate plenty of dry rations on the road, so I'm not too hungry. Shopkeeper, where is your latrine?"

Chen Yongnian pointed to the back door: "The latrine is in the backyard. You'll see it as soon as you go out. If you can wait a moment, I'll take you there after ordering."

Qin Qin Tianjiu waved his hand: "I can't wait, I'm in a hurry, I'll go myself."

In the backyard, Qin Qin Tianjiu found the coal pile, stuffed about fifty pounds of coal into his mouth, used the water vat nearby to drink a few mouthfuls of cold water, rinsed the coal dregs from his mouth, and swallowed them all.

Qin Xiaopang returned to the table, ate the two portions of rice with steamed pork, and let out a satisfied burp.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng frowned and said nothing.

After everyone had eaten their fill, Bai Bai Wusong paid the bill, but Chen Yongnian refused to take it: "Master Bai, you come to my place to eat, how can I take your money? I owe you..."

Bai Bai Wusong stuffed the money into Chen Yongnian's hand: "Business is business. No need to mention the past. It's not easy to do business here, so don't be polite with me."

"Business is easier to do now; the rent has been halved."

Bai Bai Wusong was stunned: "The human market changed bosses? The proprietor has developed a conscience?"

Chen Yongnian sighed: "We don't know what the proprietor said, but the human market has indeed changed bosses. Zhu Zhu Yugui posted a notice before he left, halving the rent for all shops. The former foreman, Nie Nie Congyang, is in charge of the human market now. He said that everything Master Gui promised before will be carried out."

Nie Nie Congyang was originally a foreman under Zhu Zhu Yugui. Back then, he claimed his mother was ill, defied Zhu Zhu Yugui's orders, and left the Green Garden early. Currently, he had also become one of the few survivors under Zhu Zhu Yugui.

Bai Bai Wusong nodded repeatedly: "That's good, that's a good thing. You still have to take this money."

The two were still pushing the money back and forth when Qin Xiaopang stepped forward and asked: "Shopkeeper, why do you carry a wooden box everywhere you go?"

Chen Yongnian smiled: "Oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar are all in the box, making it easy to take and use."

"Let me see what good things you have in this box." Qin Xiaopang reached out to rummage through the box.

Chen Yongnian was anxious: "This guest, there's nothing in my box, please don't..."

Qin Qin Xiaopang stuffed the banknotes into the wooden box: "Then I won't look. I've paid, let's go."

He had given extra money, which counted as buying the coal.

Chen Yongnian felt bad and wanted to push it back, but Qiu Qiu Zhiheng shook his head slightly at Chen Yongnian.

He signaled for Chen Yongnian to take the money quickly and not make any more noise.

Chen Yongnian understood, took the money, and thanked him repeatedly.

After leaving the restaurant, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng said to Bai Bai Wusong: "Brother Bai, this place is not suitable for a long stay, let's hurry to Haishi."

After walking through two streets, Luo Zhengnan said to Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Master Qiu, we're being watched."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng didn't feel like they were being followed, but Luo Zhengnan's sect was special, and his perception was sharper than Qiu Qiu Zhiheng's.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng looked at Kui Guan Bafang, who nodded slightly; his judgment was the same as Luo Zhengnan's.

Qin Qin Xiaopang lowered his voice: "I'll go finish him off."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng shook his head: "We don't know the other party's intentions, don't act rashly. Youtao, leave him something."

Youtao understood, squatted down, tightened his shoelaces, and casually dropped two silver dollars.

After Youtao left, the man tailing them saw the silver dollars on the ground and understood the other party's meaning. This was a rule of the underworld, telling him to quit while he was ahead.

The man picked up the silver dollars, turned, and entered an alley. He hadn't gone far before he was blocked by two burly men.

The man was stunned: "I don't know you, what do you want?"

A woman in blue walked out from behind the burly men and said with a smile: "Do you know those people just now?"

"What people just now?" The man looked blank.

Another woman in red walked over: "What are you pretending for? We all saw you pick up their silver dollars, and now you're denying it."

The man defended himself: "I just picked up some money, I didn't..."

Before the man could finish, a burly man stepped forward and slapped him: "Don't know pain, huh? Can't speak human language, huh?"

After this slap, the man lay on the ground motionless.

The burly man stepped forward and kicked him: "Still pretending to be dead, damn it?"

The man on the ground twitched and quickly shrank, turning into a copper coin.

Seeing this copper coin on the ground, everyone was scared silly.

The woman in red whispered: "Not good! This is the Proprietor's method!"

The woman in blue turned pale: "We've ruined the Proprietor's business."

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do, especially the burly man who had hit him, whose tears fell directly: "Big Sister, Second Sister, I only did it because you ordered me to..."

*Ding-ling~*

The copper coin on the ground stood up, spun in place a few times, and lay back down on the ground, with three more words on it: "Go to Green Garden."

The woman in red looked at the copper coin: "Sister, shall we go?"

"Go!" The woman in blue nodded. "We acted unintentionally; the Proprietor shouldn't hold us accountable."

……

The Red-Clad Sister and Blue-Clad Sister brought their subordinates to the twelfth floor of the Green Garden Building. As soon as they opened the door, they saw a person sitting behind the desk, wearing a bamboo hat with strings of copper coins hanging from it.

The two women hurriedly asked for forgiveness: "Our subordinates were blind and offended the Proprietor. We ask the Proprietor to punish us."

Mr. Kong Fang smiled: "Subordinates offended? Aren't subordinates also listening to your orders? I haven't even arrived yet, and you're already steering the rudder so fast.

I haven't been back to the city for a long time, and there are many people I don't recognize. Since you call me Proprietor, you are my people, but I don't know you yet. Tell me your names first."

The woman in blue replied: "My name is Lan Lan Qiao."

The woman in red replied: "My name is Hong Mi Jiao."

Mr. Kong Fang thought for a moment: "Mi Jiao and Lan Qiao from the Dao Ma Camp, also known as the Scorpion Army—able to fight, able to carry, and poisonous. You should have been trained by Cai Cai Junshan, same origin as the Sinless Army. How did you end up under me?"

Lan Lan Qiao lowered her head: "Because of some things we did improperly before, we angered the Border Defense General, Liao Liao Zihui, and he crossed out our designation. General Cai disbanded us.

We twenty-plus camp officers gathered together and found Master Miao, begging him to take us in. We work for Master Miao now, so we are your people."

"Master Miao? You mean Bai Ling Miaosheng?"

Bai Ling Miaosheng was the boss of the Earth Market.

Lan Lan Qiao nodded.

Mr. Kong Fang took out a copper coin and spun it on his fingertips: "Bai Ling Miaosheng is getting bolder; he dares to take in anyone. What did you do back then? How did you anger Liao Liao Zihui?"

Hong Mi Jiao replied: "Proprietor, we were born in Iron Bamboo Ridge. That place is bitter, and we picked up many bad habits from childhood. After arriving at the Border Defense Hall, we did some robbing and kidnapping, which Liao General found out about."

Mr. Kong Fang pinched the copper coin and rolled it on the table: "Just this?"

Lan Lan Qiao added: "We also embezzled some of the military pay allocated to us by our superiors."

Mr. Kong Fang let go of the copper coin and rolled it on the table again: "Just this?"

Hong Mi Jiao replied: "Sometimes we didn't know our own strength and killed people who shouldn't have been killed."

Mr. Kong Fang flicked his finger, and the copper coin returned to his palm. He nodded: "You find a place to rest first. When Bai Ling Miaosheng comes, I have a mission for you."

After a few hours, the Earth Market boss, Bai Ling Miaosheng, arrived and called Lan Lan Qiao and Hong Mi Jiao over: "Proprietor, they have no rules in their work. I brought them to ask for forgiveness."

Mr. Kong Fang waved his hand: "That's in the past. I have an errand for you to do."

Bai Ling Miaosheng said: "Is it to deal with Bai Bai Wusong? Leave this to me. He and I come from the same sect, and I know him very well."

Mr. Kong Fang shook his head: "Not just Bai Bai Wusong, but also Tan Tan Jinxiao. This rascal is also not easy to deal with."

Bai Ling Miaosheng recommended someone: "My grand-uncle has been in Haishi for the past two days; he should be able to help."

"Your grand-uncle? Bai Guan?" Mr. Kong Fang thought for a moment. "Isn't he the master of the Bai He Sect? He came to the Underground City too?"

Bai Ling Miaosheng nodded: "He has some business in Haishi, and he's been discussing it for the past two days."

"Business? Is he eyeing Haishi?" Mr. Kong Fang guessed Bai Guan's intention.

Bai Ling Miaosheng didn't deny it: "Still have to wait for the Proprietor's word."

"Fine!" Mr. Kong Fang agreed. "Bai Bai Wusong's matter is left to your grand-uncle. Have him come see me in a moment."

Bai Ling Miaosheng was stunned: "Bai Bai Wusong is left to him, but what about Tan Tan Jinxiao?"

Mr. Kong Fang said: "You go to Fish Fragrance Island and persuade Tan Tan Jinxiao to stop associating with Li Qi. If you can't persuade him, use force, but absolutely do not kill him."

This wasn't the result Bai Ling Miaosheng wanted; he didn't want to fight at sea: "Proprietor, this is a bit difficult. Tan Tan Jinxiao is not easy to talk to."

Mr. Kong Fang said: "Bai Bai Wusong is not easy to talk to either. The ruthless man by his side, Qiu Qiu Zhiheng, is much harder to deal with than Old Tan's side."

Bai Ling Miaosheng still felt it was difficult: "The key is that you won't let us kill Tan Tan Jinxiao, so this matter is hard to handle."

Mr. Kong Fang held the copper coin and rubbed it for a moment.

Bai Ling Miaosheng wasn't nervous at all, just waiting quietly for Mr. Kong Fang's reply.

Mr. Kong Fang placed the copper coin on the table: "I'll relax the rules for you a bit more. You can kill anyone by Tan Tan Jinxiao's side, just don't kill Tan Tan Jinxiao; this person still has great use."

"Tan Tan Jinxiao's matter can be handled, but I have a lot of business in the Earth Market, and no one has been managing it these days. If I go on a long journey..." Bai Ling Miaosheng was still negotiating, and his conditions contained hints.

It seemed he still wanted to recommend a boss for the Earth Market.

He had just been promised Haishi for his grand-uncle, and he wanted to get his hands on the Earth Market too.

In the entire Underground City, only Bai Ling Miaosheng dared to negotiate with Mr. Kong Fang like this.

He indeed had the capital; two of the three big bosses were dead, and Bai Ling Miaosheng had a deep friendship with the Border Defense Hall.

Mr. Kong Fang fiddled with the copper coin in his hand and nodded: "You handle the matter first, and I won't treat you unfairly regarding the Earth Market."

Bai Ling Miaosheng nodded and set off with the Mi Jiao and Lan Qiao sisters.

Mr. Kong Fang sat in the office for a while, and Nie Nie Congyang entered the room: "Proprietor, did you call me?"

"I'm looking for you to talk about the rent."

"Proprietor, the Earth Market is collecting half rent; this was Master Gui's order, and the notice is still posted on the street. I really don't know where Master Gui went, I can only act according to his orders..."

Mr. Kong Fang knocked on the table: "Little Nie, I didn't say you did anything wrong. For now, continue to handle these matters according to the old rules. You just need to ensure that nothing happens in the Earth Market during this time."

Nie Nie Congyang nodded repeatedly and exited the office.

After a while, the inner master of the Bai He Sect, Bai Ling Miaosheng's grand-uncle, Bai Guan, entered the door and bowed to Mr. Kong Fang: "Proprietor, this old man has been waiting for you for many days."

Mr. Kong Fang asked: "Bai Bai Wusong is your grand-nephew, right?"

Bai Guan nodded: "Exactly."

"He wants to send a batch of items to Li Qi, and I don't want him to send them. You stop him and don't let him go to sea."

Bai Guan agreed immediately: "Proprietor, rest assured, leave this to this old man."

"If the matter is accomplished, Haishi will be handed over to you. Whether you use soft or hard methods, you decide for yourself. Even if you kill Bai Bai Wusong, I won't blame you."

Bai Guan smiled: "Proprietor, rest assured, it won't come to that. The Bai He Sect is the most disciplined. Bai Bai Wusong's master is dead, so he will definitely listen to me now. If he contradicts me once, I can expel him from the sect!"

Mr. Kong Fang nodded, signaling that Bai Guan could leave.

After Bai Guan left, Mr. Kong Fang tapped the table with the copper coin and muttered to himself: "Li Qi, you've caused me so much trouble, I'll borrow your hand to help me handle some things.

When the matter is finished, I'll go to the ship to find you. Let's see what methods you have left?"

……

Bai Sun Commandery, on Flat Peach Island, a group of girls holding flat peach baskets were twisting their waists, holding a Flat Peach Assembly.

When the music reached its climax, the young men appeared together. Li Li Banfeng stood among the young men, picked up a girl, and twisted along with her.

He had to dance.

If he didn't dance along, Li Li Banfeng was certain he wouldn't be able to walk out of Bai Sun Commandery.

After twisting for over an hour, the Flat Peach Assembly finally ended. Li Li Banfeng wiped his sweat, ate a flat peach, and asked the island master, Ling Panta: "Why do you always hold a peach assembly? Is it just because you love eating peaches?"

Ling Panta shook his head: "We hold the Flat Peach Assembly because many of us have turned into peach trees again."

While speaking, Ling Panta also took a bite of a flat peach: "We are seeing off the warriors of Bai Sun Commandery."

PS: What does he mean by that?