Chapter 740: The Mountains and Rivers Are Always Full of Feeling

Lan Qiao Yi felt along the bedframe and sat on the edge of the bed.

Nian Nian Shangyou hurried forward and said, "My lord, you're awake?"

Lan Qiao Yi's gaze was calm, his expression unchanged; he waved his hand. "Everyone except Nian Shangyou, leave."

Everyone withdrew quickly, leaving only Lan Qiao Yi and Nian Nian Shangyou in the room.

Lan Qiao Yi ordered, "Bring some tea."

Nian Nian Shangyou quickly fetched a teacup, tested its temperature, and handed it to Lan Qiao Yi.

Lan Qiao Yi fumbled for a while, took the teacup, and sipped.

Nian Nian Shangyou extended his palm, testing before Lan Qiao Yi's eyes for a moment, confirming Lan Qiao Yi showed no reaction.

He was blind.

Lan Qiao Yi swirled the tea and asked Nian Nian Shangyou, "Did you figure it out?"

Nian Nian Shangyou feigned surprise. "My lord, what do you mean I figured out? Your servant doesn't understand."

Lan Qiao Yi sighed. "This matter is known only to you and me—do not let it leak."

Nian Nian Shangyou continued to act surprised. "What exactly is this matter? Your servant truly doesn't know—please, my lord, clarify."

"Stop pretending!" Lan Qiao Yi flung the tea out—it missed Nian Nian Shangyou, but Nian Nian Shangyou still wiped his face symbolically.

Lan Qiao Yi asked, "Do you know the reason behind this?"

He still didn't know why he had gone blind.

Nian Nian Shangyou ventured cautiously, "It must be due to Li Qi's spell."

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head. "During our meeting, I took many precautions—I couldn't possibly have been caught by his spell."

Nian Nian Shangyou reminded him, "My lord, you once signed a covenant with Li Qi—not just one, but multiple. Perhaps the covenants were manipulated."

Lan Qiao Yi remembered signing covenants with Li Li Banfeng; according to their terms, he was forbidden from harming Li Li Banfeng.

"Could it really be the covenant?" Lan Qiao Yi didn't believe it.

"My lord, you yourself said Li Qi's covenants are unusual."

Lan Qiao Yi had indeed mentioned this—when Ye Ye Shengge once attacked Li Qi with Joyfire, the flames had ignited Lan Qiao Yi instead.

"I've never seen such a covenant—it must have been forged by Did Honglian," Lan Qiao Yi set down the teacup and recalled the covenant's terms. "It only planted a hook—it doesn't count as harming Li Qi.

Even if it did count as harm, the covenant's judgment shouldn't be this severe. From what I saw then, if Li Qi was attacked, I'd suffer the same pain. I planted the hook on him; if I transferred the hook to myself, that should count as punishment. Why take both my eyes?"

Nian Nian Shangyou had some knowledge on this: "I once heard that a covenant's judgment can be influenced by both parties' intentions. Li Qi may have felt that hook was a grave wound, and in his furious state, forced the covenant to deliver a harsh judgment."

Lan Qiao Yi said nothing.

Nian Nian Shangyou realized he had spoken too much.

After long silence, Lan Qiao Yi said to Nian Nian Shangyou, "Nian Shangyou, have you ever heard that a covenant's terms can be clarified?"

Nian Nian Shangyou sensed trouble and shook his head vigorously; then, remembering Lan Qiao Yi couldn't see, he quickly replied, "What does 'clarify' mean? Please, my lord, explain."

Lan Qiao Yi said, "If one party unintentionally broke the covenant, and the other clarifies it, the judgment can be revoked."

Nian Nian Shangyou hurriedly said, "My lord, don't believe such folk rumors."

Lan Qiao Yi snapped, "This is my own experience—how could it be a folk rumor?"

Nian Nian Shangyou lowered his head. "Your servant is dull—forgive me, my lord."

Lan Qiao Yi sighed deeply. "Given our bond, how could I blame you? Go to Li Qi and clarify it—this will atone for your fault."

Nian Nian Shangyou knew this would happen, but he truly didn't want to meet Li Qi. "My lord, I don't know how to clarify. Let me fetch a physician to treat you instead."

Lan Qiao Yi frowned. "Didn't I just warn you not to let this leak? Are you ignoring me?"

Earlier, Lan Qiao Yi had claimed he was gravely wounded, plunging Shang State into panic. Now that he'd stabilized morale, if word spread he was blind, Shang State would collapse—and the peace treaty with Tufang State would surely be torn up.

Nian Nian Shangyou still tried to dodge. "If I go to Li Qi to clarify, what if he refuses?"

Lan Qiao Yi frowned. "You've followed me for years—can't you even negotiate? If he demands a price, accept it. Whether it's acceptable or not, come back and we'll discuss it."

Nian Nian Shangyou boarded a fast boat and raced to Wubian City.

Luo Su Lijun bowed deeply to Nian Nian Shangyou and immediately sent word. Nian Nian Shangyou wondered what he'd say when he met Li Qi—but he needn't have worried; Li Qi refused to see him. Instead, Luo Luo Shaojun came out.

Luo Luo Shaojun's attitude toward Nian Nian Shangyou was entirely different: "Seventh Brother doesn't want to see you. Come back another day."

Nian Nian Shangyou said, "I have urgent business to discuss with the Prince. Please, miss, inform him once more."

No matter how much Luo Luo Shaojun shooed him, Nian Nian Shangyou stayed at the gate, refusing to leave.

Li Qi's voice came from inside: "Tell your master—he's a traitor who broke his oath. He has no right to speak to me. He used that hook to harm me—I will repay this debt!"

Nian Nian Shangyou said, "Your Highness, let me explain—"

"No need! Luo Shaojun, help me back to my room!"

Li Qi called out; Luo Luo Shaojun hurried inside.

Clatter!

Nian Nian Shangyou heard something fall inside—not like an angry smash, but as if accidentally knocked over.

Clatter!

Another sound.

Nian Nian Shangyou was puzzled, trying to peer inside, but Luo Luo Shaojun shut the door and had men drive him away.

After Nian Nian Shangyou left Wubian City, Luo Luo Shaojun asked, "Seventh Brother, what happened just now? Why did you knock over the teacup and teapot?"

Li Li Banfeng sighed. "I was furious—he broke our alliance and dares come to me?"

"Seventh Brother, covenants can be clarified. I think Nian Nian Shangyou came for that," Luo Luo Shaojun explained the concept of clarification to Li Li Banfeng.

"Is that so?" Li Li Banfeng had never heard of such a thing. "Then I suppose he'll come again."

+

Nian Nian Shangyou returned to Chaoge and reported to Lan Qiao Yi: "My lord, Li Qi refused to see me."

"Why? He won't even negotiate a price? That's unlike Li Qi."

"He said he hates us for breaking the oath and vows to take revenge."

Lan Qiao Yi flew into rage. "I only planted a hook—I lost both my eyes. Isn't that revenge enough?"

In his fury, Lan Qiao Yi knocked over the vase on the table.

Nian Nian Shangyou paused, then picked up the vase. "My lord, when Li Qi was inside, I couldn't see him, but I heard him knock over several things too."

Lan Qiao Yi said, "Knocked over?"

Nian Nian Shangyou was certain. "Those sounds were definitely accidental bumps—not thrown."

Lan Qiao Yi stood up, and with Nian Nian Shangyou's help, paced slowly around the room.

"He stayed inside and didn't come out—is it because he doesn't want to see you, or because he can't?"

Nian Nian Shangyou was thinking the same thing. "I believe if Li Qi truly held the upper hand, he'd demand exorbitant terms. But now he won't even name a price—he probably can't see me."

Lan Qiao Yi nodded, agreeing with Nian Nian Shangyou. "He lost his eyes, and I lost mine—that fits the covenant's nature.

He was harmed—but by whom? Why does the covenant blame me?"

Nian Nian Shangyou asked, "My lord, could it be because Li Qi read that letter? Who wrote it to him? What did it say?"

Lan Qiao Yi still couldn't confirm the letter's author. As he pondered, a messenger arrived with a secret report.

Nian Nian Shangyou quickly guided Lan Qiao Yi to the desk. Lan Qiao Yi leaned over the writing table, holding a brush as if reviewing documents.

The messenger presented the report; Lan Qiao Yi didn't take it—Nian Nian Shangyou accepted it for him.

After the messenger left, Nian Nian Shangyou handed the report to Lan Qiao Yi.

Lan Qiao Yi felt the envelope, seized the inkstone, and swung it toward Nian Nian Shangyou's head.

Luckily, he couldn't see—or he would've hit him.

Nian Nian Shangyou opened the report and read it aloud.

The report was from Shu Wanjuan, informing Lan Qiao Yi that he had reached Dao Dao Guiling. Cui Ti's defenses were tight—he dared not act rashly.

Lan Qiao Yi sneered. "The ancestor of Five Wen Xiu dares creep onto Dao Dao Guiling and still tremble? Send word back—he must uncover Cui Ti's movements within three days."

Nian Nian Shangyou quickly drafted the reply: "My lord, should we go to Li Qi again?"

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head. "We must go to him—but not now. Later, come with me to Jiucheng—I'm entering the Furnace."

Nian Nian Shangyou gasped. "You truly mean to enter the Furnace!"

Lan Qiao Yi frowned. "Lower your voice! I only need to replace my eyes—prepare quietly. Don't let anyone know."

Nian Nian Shangyou urged, "My lord, the Furnace is deadly—please be cautious."

Lan Qiao Yi nodded. "Going alone is too risky. You'll come with me."

Nian Nian Shangyou wanted to slap himself—he held back.

He knew well: whether he said it or not, he'd have to accompany Lan Qiao Yi.

Nian Nian Shangyou had been tempered in the Furnace more than once—he knew the path well and could still navigate inside.

Lan Qiao Yi only needed to replace his eyes—he only had to walk along the edge of the Lotus Heart, not enter its core.

But even that was perilous: the whirlwinds around the Lotus Heart were violent; every step had to land precisely.

If he stepped into any hole of the Lotus Heart, he might never emerge the same.

Lan Qiao Yi gripped Nian Nian Shangyou's arm tightly, sweat pouring down.

It wasn't just fear—it was pain. The Lotus Heart's winds felt like they were tearing his flesh.

Nian Nian Shangyou warned, "My lord, follow me exactly. Keep only one thought in mind: replace your eyes. Don't think of anything else."

After half an hour on the Lotus Heart, Lan Qiao Yi's eyelids fluttered—two eyeballs fell from his sockets.

Overwhelmed by agony, Lan Qiao Yi fainted.

Nian Nian Shangyou carried Lan Qiao Yi out of the Lotus Heart, back to the mansion. After hours lying still, Lan Qiao Yi opened his eyes—and saw Nian Nian Shangyou.

He saw it.

Two new eyeballs had grown in his eyes; though slightly smaller than the eye sockets, his vision was mostly restored.

Lan Qiao Yi perked up, sat upright on the bed, and said to Nian Nian Shangyou: "Bring me the important documents—I'll review them one by one. Summon the newly appointed Minister of Works to see me. I need to inspect the progress of the altar's repair."

"Lord, don't rush."

"Summon all the envoys sent to Tufang State—I'll question each one personally, and prepare questions to test them on the spot."

"Lord, you should rest a little."

"No time to rest. Bring me the documents of the newly appointed generals too—some still need further evaluation."

"Lord," Nian Nian Shangyou interrupted Lan Qiao Yi again, "you really should—"

Lan Qiao Yi flew into a rage: "Do you think you need to instruct me in how to do my job?"

Pata!

A drop of blood fell onto Lan Qiao Yi's robe.

Lan Qiao Yi's vision grew blurry.

Nian Nian Shangyou bowed his head: "Lord, your eyes are bleeding."

Lan Qiao Yi's vision went black, and his heart followed suit.

In his inner chamber, Li Li Banfeng, leaning on Did Honglian, asked with a smile: "Ah Hong Lian, have you ever seen the furnaces of Neizhou?"

"Never. That Renxi is in Chaoge's Ninefold City—hard to even catch a glimpse."

"But I heard the furnaces of Chaoge look exactly like you."

"Such a coincidence? Rumors are always nonsense—don't believe them."

"What if I saw it with my own eyes?" Li Li Banfeng had indeed seen it himself—Li Banfeng Yin was Li Li Banfeng, and in the shadow of Xi Zhao Fu, he had witnessed the furnace bloom.

Did Honglian thought for a moment: "Perhaps someone in Neizhou saw me, thought I was extraordinary, and built a furnace in my likeness."

"But they missed the essence—I don't eat raw things, yet I've heard Neizhou's furnaces eat anything."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'll tentatively accept this as true. You were made by the Heavenly Maiden—could the furnace be connected to her too?"

Did Honglian laughed: "I did have a good relationship with the Heavenly Maiden, but where did this rumor come from—that I was created by her? It's absurd, yet everyone believes it."

Li Li Banfeng glanced at Zhao Zhao Xiaowan.

The Heavenly Maiden was Did Honglian's creator; Did Honglian was made by her—this was common knowledge across Like Puluozhou. How could there be any deviation here?

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan said: "If you weren't made by the Heavenly Maiden, then who made you?"

Did Honglian's tone held a hint of disdain: "Why do all of you assume I was made? At the dawn of heaven and earth—"

"It rained for three years. After the rain, a pond appeared on the earth, and from it grew a lotus flower—"

"That lotus was me."

Li Li Banfeng sneered: "Dawn of heaven and earth? I know how planets form."

Did Honglian said: "I'm not talking about planets. I'm talking about the dawn of heaven and earth in Like Puluozhou."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan doubted this wasn't truth: "At the dawn of heaven and earth, were there lotus seeds? No seeds—how could there be a lotus?"

3

Did Honglian unfurled her lotus leaves: "That's the crux. Without a lotus, how could there be seeds? No one can say whether the seed came first or the flower—so they call me Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian."

Li Li Banfeng nodded repeatedly—he found Did Honglian's logic sound—but one problem remained: "Ah Hong Lian, does your theory apply to eggs? Then why is there no Xiao Xuan Sheng egg?"

Did Honglian grew angry: "I tell you the truth, and you don't believe me. Say what you want—I've never seen Neizhou's furnaces."

On the wall of the room, a scene appeared: Nian Nian Fuyan paced back and forth in the courtyard, heading to Wu Bian City to find Li Qi.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan said: "Husband, why not negotiate with him?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "If it were anyone else, I'd bargain with him. But this man—I'll let him wait a few more days." Xiang Xiang Hongying asked: "What's so special about him?"

"He's nothing special—but his master is. Lan Qiao Yi has only just gone blind; he hasn't suffered enough yet. I need him to suffer longer."

Xiang Xiang Hongying immediately understood: "Seventh Lang, this tactic is brilliant. When I first went blind, I didn't care—I just pretended I was resting with my eyes closed. But after a few days, I couldn't bear it. If it stayed dark forever, I'd go mad. At that moment, I'd have done anything for someone to restore my sight."

"But Seventh Lang, don't drag it out too long. If I grow used to it, the suffering fades—and then the price won't be worth paying."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan warned Li Li Banfeng: "Husband, Neizhou's furnaces have many methods—perhaps they could replace Lan Qiao Yi's eyes. If he takes desperate measures, you'll lose more than you gain."

Li Li Banfeng had already considered this: "Replacing the eyes might not be hard—but it won't remove the root cause. In the end, he'll still be blind. If he can replace his entire body, then I'll admit he's got guts."

Nian Nian Fuyan failed to find Li Qi, returned to Chaoge, and gave Lan Qiao Yi advice: "Lord, why not go to the furnace again?"

Lan Qiao Yi asked: "What use is going to the furnace? If I replace my eyes again, can you guarantee it won't recur?"

"If eye replacement fails, replace the whole body!"

Lan Qiao Yi hurled his brush at Nian Nian Fuyan—but since he couldn't see, it missed, splattering ink across Nian Nian Fuyan's face and onto a pile of documents.

No matter how angry he was, Lan Qiao Yi valued state affairs above all. Hearing the sound was wrong, he immediately asked:

"Which document is stained?"

Nian Nian Fuyan checked: "Only one urgent document—Shu Wanjuan's secret report."

Lan Qiao Yi hadn't read it yet. Nian Nian Fuyan read it aloud: the main content was that Shu Wanjuan had contracted the illness-essence and planned to leave Dao Dao Guiling.

Lan Qiao Yi was deeply dissatisfied with Shu Wanjuan—once one of Like Puluozhou's strongest warriors, now humiliated by a junior illness-cultivator: "He has the Heaven-Union Technique—how could he not resist the illness-essence?"

Nian Nian Fuyan didn't know Shu Wanjuan was severely wounded; he found Shu's behavior odd, but since Lan Qiao Yi asked, he had to offer an explanation: "The illness-essence is invisible, intangible. Once touched, unless completely eradicated, it can recur. Shu Hou was tricked on Dao Dao Guiling—it's understandable."

"Illness-essence?" Lan Qiao Yi seemed to grasp something: "Could my blindness be caused by the illness-essence?"

Nian Nian Shangyou thought it impossible: "Cui Cui Maoke is far away on Dao Dao Guiling, and Lüshuichu hasn't appeared here. You've never been to Like Puluozhou—how could you have contracted the illness-essence?"

Lan Qiao Yi murmured: "That letter—Li Qi read it, damaged his eyes. Through the covenant, it reached me. The letter bore the name of Dan Chengjun. Shu Wanjuan refuses to leave Dao Dao Guiling—could the illness-essence come from Cui Cui Maoke? Across thousands of mountains and rivers, there's collusion here!"

Many clues, but none yet connected.

Lan Qiao Yi ordered Nian Nian Shangyou to send a command to Shu Wanjuan: "Within three days, you must capture Cui Ti alive!"

Shu Wanjuan hid in a peasant's house, watching characters slowly appear on his palm.

Previously, the order was to find Cui Ti's movements within three days. Now it was to capture him alive.

Previously, it was about tracking Cui Ti's movements within three days; now it's about capturing him alive.

Outside the house, the howls of Dao Dao Laogui echoed—they had surrounded the village.

By the time they found this house, it would be too late.

While there's still time—flee.

Lüshui City, General Defense Headquarters.

Liao Liao Zihui extended his left hand, swayed his waist, smiled seductively, and sang as he danced: "Unafraid the fierce wind scatters my love, thousands of mountains and rivers are still affection!"

His singing was good, his dance graceful—except his waist was the thickest part of his body, and he twisted it the most.

As he danced, Liao Liao Zihui nodded to the audience beside him.

Where was the audience?

Liao Liao Zihui turned—and saw Li Li Banfeng holding a feather duster, dancing alongside him.

"Brother Li Qi, you came without warning—you startled me!" Liao Liao Zihui stopped dancing and straightened his clothes.

Li Li Banfeng hadn't finished: "Don't stop—keep singing. Your figure's great. When you retire, I'll find you a job at Outside Xiaoyao Wu—General Defense Commander performing on stage? You'd draw bigger crowds than Jiang Jiang Mengting."

"I'm taking that seriously—I'll perform daily at Outside Xiaoyao Wu after retirement," Liao Liao Zihui invited Li Li Banfeng to sit on the sofa. "Young brother, what do you want?"

"I'm taking that seriously—I'll come perform at Xiao Yao Wu every day after I retire," Liao Liao Zihui said as he sat down beside Li Ban on the sofa. "Brother, what brings you here?"

Liao Liao Zihui said: "The peace talks between Tufang State and Shang State succeeded."

Liao Liao Zihui said: "The peace talks between Tusi Country and Shang Country have succeeded."

"What were Tufang State's terms?"

Lan Qiao Yi was a shrewd trader—Li Li Banfeng knew this deal must have made him rich.

Liao Liao Zihui shook his head: "I don't know. The negotiations were deeply hidden. But no matter the terms, the war's over. Like Puluozhou is quiet, the outer states are quiet—how could I not be happy?"

"Not necessarily," Li Li Banfeng said. "If they stop fighting each other, why wouldn't they turn and attack Like Puluozhou?" He thought Liao Liao Zihui was too optimistic.

"Impossible!" Liao Liao Zihui pulled out four teacups. "These two are Shang and Tufang—they're neighbors. These two are Da Huan and Like Puluozhou—they're neighbors too. Tufang has lost the war—no strength left to fight. If Shang attacks, Da Huan and Like Puluozhou will unite against it, while Tufang waits at the border for revenge. Do you think Shang dares?"

"I estimate nothing will happen for years. By then, I'll be retired—I'll find a quiet place in Like Puluozhou and live peacefully."

Li Li Banfeng made no comment. Liao Liao Zihui spoke common sense—but common sense wasn't always reliable.

"Brother Liao, I need you to help me find someone. Do you know where Master Kongfang Master is?"

Liao Liao Zihui's smile vanished: "Seventh, you've already taken over the underground city. That's enough. Master Kongfang Master is a patriarch—he's under the control of the Peddler, sometimes dares not leave his home. You can't keep hunting him down like this!"

Though Liao Liao Zihui spent his days at the Defense Headquarters, he knew more than anyone about Like Puluozhou's affairs.

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'm seeking Master Kongfang Master to make peace."

"Really?" Liao Liao Zihui didn't believe him. "Young brother, I truly don't know where Master Kongfang Master is. I can't help you."

Liao Liao Zihui's smile vanished: "Old Seven, you've already taken over an entire underground city—enough already. Master Kong Si is a grand master of his generation; he's under the control of the peddler and sometimes dares not leave his workshop. You can't just cling to him—you don't have to wipe him out completely."

Liao Liao Zihui hesitated. If he said he didn't know, Li Qi wouldn't leave.

He opened a bookshelf, pulled out a row of scrolls, and from a hidden compartment retrieved a painting scroll.

"This painting was given to me by Mu Yuejuan herself. There's a thirty percent chance it leads to Mu Yuejuan herself, thirty percent to a beauty she painted, thirty percent to seeing nothing at all—just a loop—and ten percent you get trapped inside and can't escape. Take it—try your luck."

Li Li Banfeng took the painting, returned to Outside Xiaoyao Wu, hung it on the wall, and summoned Li Banfeng Yi: "Go."

Liao Liao Zihui hesitated for a moment; if he claimed ignorance again, Li Qi would likely not leave.

It was a meticulous landscape painting, with strong perspective and hyperrealistic style.

"This painting was given to me personally by Mu Yuejuan. There's a thirty percent chance you'll find Mu Yuejuan herself, thirty percent you'll find the beautiful woman she painted, thirty percent you'll see nothing at all and just spin around and walk out, and ten percent you'll get trapped inside and never escape. Take it and try your luck."

Li Li Banfeng took the painting, returned to Xiaoyao Wu, hung it on the wall, and called out Li Banfeng Yi: "Go."

,

It was a detailed ink-and-color landscape painting, with strong perspective and an extremely realistic style.

Li Banfeng stood before the scroll for a moment and said, "Do you think I can find Mu Yuejuan?"

Li Li Banfeng was very optimistic: "If I find her, it's a win; if I don't, you come back—we'll try again several times. If we still can't find her, I'll go to Qiqiu City and burn down Kong Si's house."

Kong Si had a cloud above him in the heavens, clearly visible from Qiqiu City; Li Li Banfeng had once used the Cloud Palm technique

to take his wife there.

Li Banfeng still felt uneasy: "What if I don't come back?"

"One percent chance? How likely is it you'll hit that? Just go!"

Li Banfeng stepped into the scroll, turned his head, and emerged: "You go burn down the house in Qiqiu City!"

"Why rush to burn the house? If you don't find her, it's no big deal—just try again."

"No need to try again—I've already found Mu Yuejuan. She's inside Kong Si's house, the one on the cloud, in Chaoge's Sixth City. Lan Qiao Yi rubbed the vial on the table and asked Nian Nian Fuyan: 'Is this the Peeping Cultivator powder?'"

Nian Nian Fuyan corrected him: "This isn't called Peeping Cultivator powder. It's an external state guidance agent—called the Peeper!"

This vial was formulated by Shang State itself; the formula was supplied by Tusi State.

Tusi State supplied two formulas for Dark Energy Guide Agents; this was Lan Qiao Yi's condition for peace talks, and Tusi State agreed.

Lan Qiao Yi truly didn't want to choose the Peeper—he wanted to become a Five Wen Xiu, and had previously studied techniques close to Five Wen Xiu arts.

But now his eyes are useless; he can't remain blind forever. To stabilize the court, he must temporarily rely on the Peeper's technique.

Lan Qiao Yi gritted his teeth, picked up the potion, and drank it.

After resting on the bed for a moment, Lan Qiao Yi said to Nian Nian Fuyan: "Has there been any word from Li Qi yet?"

Nian Nian Fuyan said: "I heard from the Luo sisters that he returned to Pulu State. You know the rules of Pulu State—I can't press further."

"Then send Chu Shaoqiang to ask. Has Shu Wanjuan replied?"

"I just asked—he said he's powerless."

"Tell him to return to Chaoge immediately. He owes me an explanation for the Dao Gui Ridge incident!"

"Order the pharmacy to produce more medicine. The Dangkou Camp must intensify training."

PS: This Dangkou Camp is likely formidable in combat.