Chapter 701: Suihuang Iron Bones

Yao Xin bought a house in Huangtu Town and settled in temporarily; Li Li Banfeng helped him acquire some furniture, and the two sat facing each other, drinking two cups.

After sleeping so long, Yao Xin's personality hadn't changed—he still loved making jokes: "Old Seven, have you and Yu Nan's matter been settled? I figure you two should be having a child soon."

"Old Yao, I'm completely innocent with Yu Nan. She has her own business, and I have my own wife."

Yao Xin exclaimed in surprise: "You and Little Fatty are together?"

Li Li Banfeng waved his hands frantically: "Don't you dare let your Marshal hear that."

Yao Xin laughed: "Good lad, how big a fortune did you just snatch? Our Marshal was the most beautiful woman in the world back then!"

Li Li Banfeng sighed: "Not only beautiful, but also warm-hearted."

"That's why I said you're lucky!"

The two drank a few more cups, then Li Li Banfeng asked: "Old Yao, why did you come to Suihuang Plain?"

)

Thinking of it, Yao Xin still felt disgruntled: "I'd just woken up a few days ago and planned to rest properly in Yaowang Gou, but then the Peddler showed up and insisted I go to Suihuang Plain."

I didn't want to come, but I owed the Peddler a favor—these past days, Old Xu watched over Yaowang Gou solely because of the Peddler's face."

So I figured I'd just watch his stall for two days, but then the Peddler told me to train the Suihuang Iron Cavalry—the very force Huang Huang Yuxian and the Dragon Princess once trained. How could I possibly train them? I refused, but the Peddler said he'd pay me."

I got furious then—I told him this wasn't about money! That's the one thing wrong with him—he's always talking about money!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Exactly! Old Yao, what kind of man are you? Why would you care about a little money?"

Yao Xin sighed deeply: "I thought the same, but he offered such a high price—and I'm a straightforward man, so I—"

Li Li Banfeng smiled, then grew concerned: "Old Yao, no joking now—do you truly not know how to train the Suihuang Iron Cavalry?"

Yao Xin lifted his wine bowl: "I don't know how to train the Suihuang Iron Cavalry, but I do know how to train the Lan Qiao Cavalry. These soldiers in Huangtu Town are useless—turning them into something worthy will take a lot of effort."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "If you need help, just say the word."

"Actually, there is one thing I need your help with," Yao Xin waved his wine bowl, spilling wine across the room, sending up a thick mist of alcohol. "Back when we fought the second great battle, I heard of Huang Huang Yuxian's name. Though I was far away in Yaowang Gou, I heard rumors from old friends."

This General Huang's battlefield tactics resembled our Marshal's, and she too was an opera performer. I thought it strange—was there any connection between her and our Marshal?"

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What do you mean by 'connection'?"

Yao Xin poured Li Li Banfeng another cup: "Let me be clearer—could she be the same person as our Marshal?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I asked. She didn't say no."

"Then it's settled!" Yao Xin exhaled deeply. "The soil here in Suihuang Plain is special. If I use the wrong method, I won't be able to train these soldiers at all."

Li Li Banfeng had never fully understood this "seed-blood" business: "What exactly is seed-blood? Why is it special in Suihuang Plain?"

Old Yao explained: "Because Suihuang Plain is one of the Back Three Lands. You've lived in Pulu Province long enough—"

You should know what 'Pulu's Three Lands' means."

The Front Three Lands have peculiar terrain: Haichiling, Feng Kudai Kan, Zhen Tou Cheng, Bai Fen Jun, Wumian Town—you don't need me to explain; if you've been there, you know."

The Back Three Lands have peculiar people: the folk of Tie Sect Bao are honest, those of Madame Wuqin Xiang are indifferent, the folks of Moxiang Moxiang Dian are fussy, the people of Jianren Gang—"

At the mention of Jianren Gang, Old Yao couldn't find words—he just said: "The people of Suihuang Plain are born with brotherly loyalty. We call such men Iron-Boned."

Li Li Banfeng guessed: "Having brotherly loyalty means they're fearless on the battlefield and full of backbone."

Old Yao waved his hand: "It's more than that. Their brotherly loyalty isn't a character trait—it's seed-blood. On the battlefield, they possess great power. They once broke Old Huoche's spirit."

Li Li Banfeng stared in shock: "How did they break him?"

Old Yao explained seriously: "One Iron-Boned man, if he's a Bai Bai Bai Gaozi, his combat power is just that of a Bai Bai Bai Gaozi."

Five Iron-Boned men—even if all five are White Lambs—five Second-Stage cultivators might still not defeat them."

Fifty Iron-Boned men—even if still White Lambs—fifty Fifth-Stage cultivators might still not defeat them."

If you gather five hundred Iron-Boned men, how powerful they'd be—I can't say."

Back then, I led five hundred Iron-Boned men into battle. All five hundred were personally trained by our Marshal. Our first fight was against Lu Lu Qianjiao—you may or may not know her; she's the Peddler's lover."

She's a skilled fighter. Yuan Yuan Shoulv, who fought alongside me as Vanguard, was so badly beaten by her he was left dazed!"

Tang Dao hummed, swaying several times against Li Li Banfeng's waist.

Old Yao continued: "I led the five hundred Iron-Boned men into battle and shattered Lu Lu Qianjiao's formation in one clash. She lost nearly half her troops—all her elite archers. Word is she nearly strangled the Peddler in rage."

In the second battle, I faced Ai Ai Yeqing. He could fight, and so could his men—but they were all lone wolves, no discipline. After a fierce clash, they were scattered. Ai Ai Qiandao was nearly killed, his face slashed to ruin."

In the third battle, I met a real monster."

"What kind of monster?" Li Li Banfeng leaned forward, eager. He knew these names—never imagined such dramatic pasts."

Old Yao sighed: "Old Huoche sent out his beloved disciple, Che Che Wushang. Before battle, the boy's reputation was immense—I was terrified. I prepared three battle plans just in case things went wrong."

But as soon as the two armies clashed, Che Che Wushang fled. I didn't understand—I thought, 'You're infantry running from cavalry? That's suicide!'"

So I chased him—but I misjudged. I didn't realize I couldn't catch him!"

Che Che Wushang ran too well. His men ran even better—each one faster than the last."

I chased all the way, my horses worn out, still couldn't catch him. Later, General Hong sent word: 'Don't chase—Shan Chengjun and Lu Lu Qianjiao are flanking you.'"

I panicked and retreated immediately. I was careful, careful, careful—but still fell into Shan Chengjun's ambush. That old bastard fought fiercely. I fought him, lost over thirty percent of my Iron-Boned men—I was heartbroken."

Even now, I hate Che Che Wushang. That boy has thick skin and keeps coming to Yaowang Gou to haul carts. Every time I see him, I feel sick. How did he pull off such a perfect feigned retreat? Why did I fall for it?"

"Old Yao, you misunderstand Brother Che. This might not have been a feigned retreat."

Li Li Banfeng felt a surge of longing—if he could raise tens of thousands of Iron-Boned men in Pulu Province, maybe he wouldn't lose against the Inner States.

"Old Yao, are Iron-Boned men only found in Suihuang Plain?"

Old Yao shook his head: "No. You can find them elsewhere, but they're rare—one in ten thousand."

But in Suihuang Plain, you find one in every few dozen."

"What are the traits of Iron-Boned men?"

Old Yao took a sip of wine, thought long: "I can't describe their traits clearly—but I can recognize them. According to our Marshal, I myself possess this seed-blood—I'm born able to spot Iron-Boned men."

Li Li Banfeng quickly poured more wine for Old Yao: "Then find them fast! Find a few thousand, train them into a great army."

Old Yao waved his hands: "Finding too many won't help. Iron-Boned men are hard to train. Didn't I just say? Their brotherly loyalty is seed-blood, not character. There are cowards among Iron-Boned men."

If five hundred Iron-Boned men are all heroes, they can sweep the battlefield. But if just three or five turn out to be cowards, the whole force collapses—worse than ordinary troops."

Li Li Banfeng was astonished: "Even three or five cowards among five hundred ruin it?"

"Absolutely!" Old Yao grew worried. "I've walked through Suihuang Plain. I've met many Iron-Boned men—but eight out of ten are cowards. Training them into Lan Qiao Cavalry will take serious effort."

Suihuang Plain was too important. Li Li Banfeng resolved—if Old Yao couldn't train the Lan Qiao Cavalry, he'd bring his wife out to train them himself.

Suihuang Plain wasn't the only vital place—Yaowang Gou mattered too, and so did Kufu Mountain.

"Old Yao, now that you're in Suihuang Plain, who's guarding Yaowang Gou? Is Old Xu still there?"

"Old Xu left for other matters. Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui is holding it now."

Li Li Banfeng had heard the name Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui but knew nothing of the man.

"What kind of person is he?"

"I knew Lan Qiao Lan Qiao Wuzui when I was young—we were from the same Dao sect, our temperaments matched perfectly, close friends."

But our backgrounds differed—I came from the military, he from the Jianghu. Later, when war came, he followed the Peddler, I followed the Marshal—we served different masters, and our friendship ended."

Among the Peddler's men, he's one of the most loyal. Others with him include Laughing Ghost Wang Guizhouchou, Three-Kettle Pipe Ye Ye Jianhuang, and Hundred-Flower Ink Murong Yuejuan—especially Murong Yuejuan, who deeply admired the Peddler and changed her entire personality just to earn his notice. Though they've all betrayed the Peddler before, I believe those chapters can be turned over."

Li Li Banfeng wanted to know more: "What did they do to betray the Peddler?"

Old Yao sighed: "They joined forces with Shan Chengjun and Shu Wanjuan to destroy Ji Yuren City."

Li Li Banfeng's brow twitched—this was critical: "Why did they destroy Ji Yuren City?"

Old Yao fell silent for a long while, then shook his head slightly: "I can't explain it clearly. I knew little about Ji Yuren City. Not just me—even our Marshal knew little."

Back then, rumors spread that our Marshal had ties to Ji Yuren City—pure nonsense. But those rumors gave Shu Wanjuan and Shan Chengjun an excuse. They gathered a force and wiped out Ji Yuren City."

At the time, the Peddler was busy dealing with the Inner States. When he heard the news, he flew into a rage and nearly killed Shu Wanjuan and Shan Chengjun."

Shu Wanjuan and Shan Chengjun fled with their men. The Saint seized the chance to let Inner State troops in. The Peddler went to handle the Inner States and handed command to Old Huoche."

Old Huoche was once a brilliant commander—but suddenly went mad. His battles were a disaster. Ku Po took over the army, and her methods were even more absurd."

She turned the army into Kucai Zhuang—everyone suffered under her. Who'd want to fight for her?"

This internal betrayal gave our Marshal a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We won battle after battle."

We were on the verge of total victory—then the Peddler brought Lu Lu Qianjiao and the Heavenly Maiden."

Lu Lu Qianjiao's archers were formidable, but the Heavenly Maiden's methods were different. She somehow reassembled the scattered forces—even Shu Wanjuan and Shan Chengjun returned."

After that, battles grew harder. Add the Saint's constant meddling, and the battlefield turned against us. The rest—I told you before. I don't want to speak of it again."

Li Li Banfeng wanted to know more about the Heavenly Maiden.

Old Yao recalled for a long while: "I know little about her. But she's an old acquaintance of the Peddler's. When they met, how well—they knew each other—no one knows."

Li Li Banfeng wanted to know more about Ji Yuren City—but his wife had never mentioned this past. The reason for Ji Yuren City's destruction also differed from what his wife said.

"Old Yao, did your Marshal truly have no ties to Ji Yuren City?"

Yao Xin drank a large bowl of wine and sighed: "Didn't I say? That's all nonsense. Our Marshal might have known the daughter of the Ji Yuren City Lord—but so what?"

Back then, our General Hong swept the battlefield. Though we were enemies, the Peddler still sent her the Silver Yuan of the Master Cultivator. Does that mean General Hong betrayed us?"

But some treacherous little men used that to accuse her. They submitted memorials to court, claiming she was a traitor. Those bastards deserve to die."

But come to think of it, the things General Hong did to our Marshal afterward—she was a bastard too!"

Honestly, during the war, the Peddler had even granted General Hong the title of Master Cultivator—a move hard for ordinary people to understand.

But Old Yao thought it right: "So what? Many in our army were granted the title of Master Cultivator by the Peddler."

I was even eager—when would he grant me the title? I'd brag about it for life!"

Li Li Banfeng was still trying to understand the Peddler's thinking—but Old Yao had long understood: "War is war."

Dao is Dao. The Peddler has always kept these two separate."

After all, isn't the initiation powder we cultivators use still made by the Peddler?"

Li Li Banfeng looked at Yao Lao in surprise and asked, "Did your powder also come from the peddler?"

Yao Lao nodded. "The peddler's been selling powder for years—war came later. After the war ended, many old comrades in the army followed the peddler."

As he spoke, Yao Lao looked weary. "I don't know much about these things. Pan Pan Dehai, that scoundrel, knows more. You could ask him."

"But I doubt that scoundrel will speak up. This won't benefit him—he fears offending someone if he says too much."

As he spoke, Yao Lao yawned, drank another cup of wine, and lay down on the bed to sleep.

Li Li Banfeng left Huangtu Town by carriage. At the city gate, Chen Laoliu handed several banknotes to the old man who tended the inn's horses.

The old man refused: "Don't give me charity. I don't need your pity."

Chen Laoliu snapped, "You miserable bastard, the inn's gone, your job's gone—what'll you eat from now on?"

Li Li Banfeng said, "Don't worry. I paid the innkeeper to reopen his business. When you go back, tell him I sent you."

The old man said nothing. He was grateful to Li Li Banfeng, but couldn't bring himself to speak.

Chen Laoliu was pleased. As they walked, he asked Li Li Banfeng, "Who is that innkeeper to you? Why did you give him money?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled. "I took a lot of his tables and chairs. I couldn't take them for free."

"How much could those things be worth?"

Chen Laoliu drove Li Li Banfeng to the border of Suihuang Plain. "Wait here. Tomorrow morning, someone will open the border. As long as you have a travel permit, you can leave."

Li Li Banfeng found it annoying. "Just take me to Xin Di. I'll go through Xin Di."

"That's a nightmare. Countless people tried leaving through Xin Di—some walked for years and came back. It's too hard there: too many demons, no clear paths. Listen to me—wait here."

Chen Laoliu drove off. Li Li Banfeng returned to his Sui Shen Ju and spent the night. He studied the Intimate Chamber Technique diligently, while also refining his other skills.

The phonograph was pleased: "My dear husband, now that you've become champion, your spirit truly is different."

Xiang Xiang Hongying frowned. "Qi Lang, you should train your Travel Cultivation too. I have a silver dollar—if you master it, I'll give you the Travel Cultivation Champion title."

Li Li Banfeng laughed. "I'm always running around. Don't you think I've trained enough Travel Cultivation?"

The phonograph asked for details about the Suihuang Plain battle. Li Li Banfeng recounted it briefly, then told his wife about Yao Lao's condition.

His wife was first relieved, then more at ease upon hearing Yao Lao had passed. "Yao Xin led the Suihuang Iron Cavalry. I believe he has the ability."

Xiang Xiang Hongying snorted. "I have that ability too. Try me!"

The phonograph scolded her. "You want to compete at everything. Focus on restoring your body. Don't end up useless when you leave."

Xiang Xiang Hongying growled. "Who says I'm useless? I can still fight now!"

The Ninth Maiden sensed deeper meaning. "General Zhao, it seems war is coming."

—

The phonograph hissed steam. "War's already begun. The peddler's pushed this far—this battle will be fiercer than the last."

Li Li Banfeng asked a crucial question: "My dear wife, what is the Dragon Princess's origin?"

The phonograph laughed. "Didn't I already say I'm surnamed Long?"

"The Dragon Princess is also you?" Li Li Banfeng blinked. "Why create two identities?"

"Yes—why two identities?" The phonograph sighed. "I have my reasons. When I remember them, I'll tell you slowly, my husband."

The next day, Li Li Banfeng waited beside the border. At nine in the morning, officials from the Border Control Office arrived.

Li Li Banfeng had no travel permit—he showed his Dark Star Bureau credentials instead.

Everyone knew Li Qi's name. The deputy border commander immediately granted passage and escorted Li Li Banfeng to the train station.

This place was called Iron Bowl Ridge. Li Li Banfeng remembered: a high-level Food Cultivator named Wang You lived here.

Earlier, Pan Pan Dehai had wanted Wang You to take in Qin Qin Xiaopang. She refused, calling the boy rigid and outdated.

I should meet this master someday—but no time now. Li Li Banfeng must return to Lüshui City quickly; the Xin Di Earth God matter isn't settled.

Arriving in Lüshui City by train, Li Li Banfeng first sought Chu Er.

Some matters couldn't be resolved through the newspaper. Chu Er contacting Chu Shaoqiang would solve it faster.

"Seventh Brother, did you get all the deeds?" Chu Er's eyes gleamed, fixed on Li Li Banfeng, never leaving his face.

Li Li Banfeng nodded and said, "Tell them the grudge against the twelve Earth Deities has been settled—I settled it with the Peddler. The killers were Blow-Cut-Hair and Wrist-Open-Mountain."

Chu Er thought carefully: "Blows that snap hair, cut through fur—it must be a great blade cultivator."

Li Li Banfeng said: "This is the ancestral master of blade cultivators. Your father should recognize him—have him spread this news across the New Lands."

Chu Er nodded and hurried off to find his father.

Chu Shaoqiang would certainly spread the word, but his testimony alone carried very little weight.

Li Li Banfeng found the rhythm cultivator Gu Gu Wuyan and told him the story.

Gu Gu Wuyan didn't believe it: "Seventh Master, I know both Blow-Snaps-Hair and Wrist-Splits-Mountain—they've already defected to the Inner State. How dare they return to do this?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "If they don't fight the Sage for a patch of land, how can the Sage reward them with titles and promotions?"

"But if they dare return, the Peddler won't spare them!"

"Exactly—he won't spare them!" Li Li Banfeng pulled out two severed heads. "Now do you see?"

Seeing the two heads, Gu Gu Wuyan stood there with his mouth open, unable to close it: "This, this, they're already dead?"

Li Li Banfeng's expression was grave, his tone firm: "Twelve local gods cannot die in vain—this vengeance must be paid!"

"Then what about He He Jiaqing and the Old Hag?"

"They have their own reasons—later, they'll give a full explanation." Li Li Banfeng didn't elaborate further.

The Peddler agreed to spare He He Jiaqing; Li Li Banfeng couldn't let He He Jiaqing bear the blame anymore.

"Forget them for now—the vengeance is settled! I knew there was still justice in Pulu Province," Gu Gu Wuyan studied the two heads closely—this was vengeance delivered personally by the Peddler and the Seventh Master; even if doubts lingered,

he had to set them aside.

"It's not enough that you know—you must sing it out loud, make every nearby territory know the vengeance is done,

and that all the land deeds have been reclaimed!"

"Alright!" Gu Gu Wuyan went back to fetch paper and ink.

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "What are you taking that for?"

"I need to write lyrics." Gu Gu Wuyan carefully penned each line, documenting the entire event.

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "That's not fair—shu laibao is improvised on the spot."

"No way!" Gu Gu Wuyan shook his head. "How can you sing shu laibao for something this big? This must be sung as Tang Kuai banshu! By the way, where's my Tang Kuai ban?"

Only then did Li Li Banfeng realize shu laibao and Tang Kuai banshu were two distinct arts.

Back at Xiaoyao Wharf, Li Li Banfeng went to find Zhong Er.

Zhong Er had come for treatment, but with the Peddler's condition, no one knew when he'd have time to attend to him.

He'd planned to chat with Zhong Er, urging him to be patient and wait a few days, but he found Zhong Er was gone.

When he asked, he learned Zhong Er had gone with Lightbulb to find Face Not Big.

Why was he looking for him? Face Not Big didn't know medicine.

Li Li Banfeng went to Face Not Big's residence and found Zhong Er sitting in the courtyard with Lightbulb, sweat streaming down his body.

"What are you doing?" Li Li Banfeng asked Zhong Er.

Zhong Er lowered his voice: "I've joined a new Dao sect."

He wanted to cultivate two paths at once?

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "You're injured like this—why join another Dao sect? Wait until you're healed, then focus properly on martial cultivation—wouldn't that be better?"

Face Not Big stepped out of the house: "Ask him if he even wants to learn martial arts."

Li Li Banfeng looked at Face Not Big, then asked Zhong Er: "When you joined the Dark Star Bureau, didn't you choose Combatant yourself?"

Zhong Er looked up, his gaze deep and calm: "As a man with ambition and ideals,

I originally wanted to choose Joy Cultivation—but the Dark Star Bureau doesn't offer that path, so I—"

"So you came here to join Joy Cultivation?"

Zhong Er shook his head: "No—I joined Oil Cultivation. My master said: once you master Oil Cultivation, your path to Joy Cultivation will be twice as efficient."

Professor Balloon had once said: in Pulu Province, people's temperaments change; most become more extreme.

Was Zhong Er becoming extreme—or was he always like this?

"If you join Joy Cultivation, what about Honeydrop?"

Zhong Er answered calmly: "I'll make her happy. There are truly devoted Joy Cultivators in this world."

Actually, there were—Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was one example.

But now that he was cultivating both Martial and Oil Cultivation, Joy Cultivation was effectively out of his reach.

Besides, Zhong Er had entered Oil Cultivation at the third level of Wu Xiu—wasn't he afraid of backlash?

Face Not Big was confident—and admired Zhong Er: "My disciple has limitless potential."

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "Brother, are you coming here to steal my disciple?"

Face Not Big shook his head: "I'm giving him another path—how is that stealing? This boy is straightforward by nature, his Five Elements lack Oil—he's perfect for my Dao sect."

Li Li Banfeng sneered.

Face Not Big grew serious: "You don't believe me? Qin Minghui, show him."

Zhong Er stood and walked slowly toward Li Li Banfeng.

Though he moved slowly, he didn't stumble!

Li Li Banfeng stared in shock for a long while. Face Not Big smiled: "Convinced?"

"Convinced!" Li Li Banfeng nodded. "Brother, can you tell me the secret behind this?"

"No way!" Face Not Big waved his large face. "This is my sect's secret. You're not even in my sect—why should I tell you?"

Li Li Banfeng lowered his voice: "I met the Peddler these past two days—I've learned quite a few secrets. Want to hear them?"

Li Li Banfeng snorted: "What secrets could there be that I don't know? I don't want to hear it!"

"Alright then, Li Li Banfeng, cultivate well. I'm leaving first."

Li Li Banfeng walked toward the door, but Li Li Banfeng caught up: "How about we swap stories instead?"

PS: The Daoist sect known as Jin Xiu is no ordinary one!