Chapter 748: Sorry, Fool

The old train entered the Dangkou Army camp and spent about ten minutes cleaning the base roughly.

He didn't care about the golden excrement inside, but the household heads had to be removed—every single dandelion seed had to be picked up; none could be left for Neizhou.

The old train walked out of the camp, and Lao Xu stepped forward to greet him: "Eighteen Wheels, when did you come back from Neizhou?"

The old train smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

Xu Han frowned: "I asked you when—you're nodding for what?"

The old train pointed at the camp above his head; he meant the camp was about to fly away.

Lao Xu nodded: "I know Neizhou's camps can fly, but with your abilities, shouldn't you be able to hold this one down?"

"I—" The old train paused, then vomited with a loud sound, spitting until even green fluid was gone, before stopping.

Lao Xu said: "What are you vomiting for? Seasick on the way here?"

"You're asking me what I'm vomiting for?" The old train exploded in anger. "The stink's too strong—you made this smell, I held my breath going in, and I still couldn't take it."

Lao Xu laughed: "Neizhou rarely sends such a big force—shouldn't we give them a proper welcome?"

"Since you're so generous, send all that golden broth to Neizhou," the old train said, speaking only three-tenths of his mind.

With his current abilities, lacking Master Gongxiu methods, he couldn't stop this camp from returning to Shangguo.

Lao Xu didn't press further; he leapt into the camp and collected every last trace of golden excrement, leaving not a trace of odor.

The old train growled: "Why didn't you retrieve it sooner? You had to make me sick on purpose!"

Xu Han stood on the boat, watching the waves, smoking his pipe: "Spent my whole life as a farmer, now I'm showing up by the sea—I feel a little embarrassed."

The old train laughed until he coughed: "You waiting for me to praise you? Your fight was well-handled, but I've got to be clear: I just checked the household heads—these Neizhou people are thin-skinned, haven't built up any real strength, aren't even a proper Dangkou Army yet."

"Also, Neizhou came in a rush—few cultivators were stationed in the camp. If there'd been even one Wind Cultivator present, you wouldn't have won so easily."

"Lan Qiao Yi doesn't suffer the same defeat twice—next time, you'll need a different strategy."

Xu Han shook his head: "I don't need to change the strategy next time—someone else will."

He stared at Zhang Wanlong for a long while.

Li Li Banfeng gave Zhang Zhang Fanglong five Xiao Xuan Yun Pills and twenty sunflower seeds, and also gave Tan Tan Jinxiao and Xiao Gen plenty of rewards.

Zhang Wanlong looked up at the sky: "If these five islands could just stay here forever—places with sunlight—"

"I could grow even better things."

Li Li Banfeng glanced at Neizhou's camp: "This thing leaves after a while—the five islands must return to the caves."

"Caves? Fine—we've got plenty of methods," Zhang Wanlong smiled, eating peaches with Li Li Banfeng.

Three days later, the massive floating sphere slowly vanished; the five islands moved swiftly across the sea.

Baishun County would return to its cave.

The old train scanned the surroundings—he'd once studied the mechanism of these five islands, but that memory

wasn't in his current body.

The camp returned, the gate opened—inside was empty.

No living people found. No household bodies found. Not even traces of battle.

But Lan Qiao Yi understood one truth: the first battle of the Dangkou Camp had failed—total annihilation.

Sitting in his mansion, Lan Qiao Yi rubbed his forehead and looked at Nian Nian Shangyou: "I underestimated Baishun County."

Nian Nian Shangyou reminded him: "Lord, this battle differs from past ones—we must give an explanation."

In past attacks on Baishun County, we sent slaves down armed to the teeth to fight to the death—slaves died, and that was that.

This time, we sent imperial clan members—we must give a proper account.

Lan Qiao Yi thought briefly, then ordered Nian Nian Shangyou to draft the document: "Han Qing violated military orders, pursued glory recklessly, causing this defeat—three thousand soldiers perished without survivors."

"Han Qing died in battle, so he is exempt from punishment; families of the fallen shall be compensated as per regulations."

Nian Nian Shangyou quickly wrote the document, handed it to Lan Qiao Yi for review, then immediately forwarded it to the Ministry of War.

The Ministry of War knew perfectly well this campaign had nothing to do with reckless ambition—but blaming it on Han Qing, he had no grounds to object.

Others could be placated, but Lan Qiao Yi himself couldn't be placated.

This defeat was devastating—he needed to know why he lost.

The matter was hard to investigate, since Lan Qiao Yi didn't know what exactly happened on the battlefield—but setting aside the enemy's role, he realized his side had made mistakes.

First: over-reliance on the Thousand-Man Power Array—the Dangkou Camp soldiers were poorly trained, incapable of handling brutal combat.

Second: deep prejudice against Baishun County—he assumed the mountains were high, the roads distant, unchanging—and treated this major battle as too easy.

"Had I not rushed, waited a few more days, total annihilation wouldn't have happened," Lan Qiao Yi sighed repeatedly, then remembered something else: "Was the news from Zhentou City true or false?"

Nian Nian Shangyou didn't want to bring it up, but Lan Qiao Yi asked—he couldn't evade: "I asked the scouts."

"They replied: the ones who woke up before have fallen asleep again."

He fell asleep again.

Falling asleep again proved the Earth God had returned—proved Zhao Zhao Lanmeng was never dead.

Then what was the earlier report?

Lan Qiao Yi scrutinized Nian Nian Shangyou from head to toe.

Under his gaze, Nian Nian Shangyou felt a knife gliding through his bone seams.

Lan Qiao Yi added another fault to his own: reckless conduct, inaccurate intelligence, biased and credulous.

Nian Nian Shangyou watched silently, filled with helplessness.

Some things were destined to be impossible to explain.

Lan Qiao Yi claimed he acted recklessly—that was nonsense. He'd cross-checked every piece of intelligence multiple times.

As for inaccurate intelligence—it's unclear. Chu Shaoqiang's reports were certainly flawed, but were his own scouts' reports inaccurate too?

The most infuriating phrase was "biased and credulous."

Biased toward whom? Credulous of whom?

It was effectively pinning the blame on Nian Nian Shangyou.

The Zhentou City reports weren't gathered by Nian Nian Shangyou—some came from Chu Shaoqiang, some from Ma Ma Chenxing, others from Lan Qiao Yi's own scouts.

Nian Nian Shangyou was just the messenger—this blame didn't belong on him.

But from Lan Qiao Yi's perspective, all these reports came out of Nian Nian Shangyou's mouth.

Under Lan Qiao Yi's gaze, Nian Nian Shangyou trembled for a long time—then suddenly Lan Qiao Yi sighed: "In the end, I was too impatient. How's the reclamation progressing on those thirteen new lands?"

Nian Nian Shangyou replied: "Progress is acceptable—two-tenths have been cleared."

Lan Qiao Yi asked: "Has the Peddler been consulted?"

Nian Nian Shangyou emphasized: "I heard from Shu Wanjuan—the Peddler visited, said nothing."

Lan Qiao Yi nodded: "These thirteen lands were promised to He He Jiaqing by the Peddler. Since he agreed, we needn't hesitate—urge Shu Wanjuan to hire more laborers and accelerate reclamation."

After finishing the matter of Shu Wanjuan, Lan Qiao Yi asked: "How many days has Dan Chengjun been raiding Pulu Province?"

Nian Nian Shangyou answered cautiously: "Two days."

Lan Qiao Yi smiled faintly upon hearing this.

Before the battle, Lan Qiao Yi ordered Dan Chengjun to raid Pulu Province—to further disrupt the Peddler's movements.

But now the battle was over, days had passed, and Dan Chengjun had only just arrived in Pulu Province.

No one knew what he was doing there—if things escalated, Lan Qiao Yi would have to clean up his mess.

To Nian Nian Shangyou, both Dan Chengjun and Shu Wanjuan were disloyal—this was clearly Lan Qiao Yi's fault.

But Lan Qiao Yi didn't see it that way.

He hadn't recorded this at all—he even planned to reward Dan Chengjun and Shu Wanjuan.

"Nian Shangyou, handle the rewards yourself. Since both have served the court well, don't slight them."

»

Nian Nian Shangyou replied, truly unsure which of Lan Qiao Yi's words were sincere.

Lan Qiao Yi added: "Give both men roughly equal rewards—so they won't compare later."

"Compare?" Nian Nian Shangyou was even more confused. "Lord, are you saying Dan Chengjun and Shu Wanjuan have contact?"

"Of course they do," Lan Qiao Yi laughed. "I bet the moment we deliver the rewards, they'll exchange messages."

Late at night, Shu Wanjuan met Dan Chengjun at Xueya Mountain.

"Do we really have to meet here?"

Dan Chengjun thought it fitting: "What's wrong with us speaking honestly? You hiding something from me? Tell me—what's new with you lately?"

Shu Wanjuan said: "I just received a reward from Chaoge—eight Xiao Xuan Yun Pills."

"What's new about that? I got the same—eight pills."

Xueya Mountain showed no change—proving Dan Chengjun spoke truthfully; both had received eight pills.

"Why so coincidental?" Shu Wanjuan grew tense.

"What's coincidental?" Dan Chengjun didn't care. "You pay a laborer for his work—we do tasks for the court, giving a few pills is only fair. If we got nothing, wouldn't we be slaves?"

Shu Wanjuan shook his head: "No merit, no reward—I haven't earned any merit for the court lately."

Dan Chengjun's eyes changed: "That's why I dislike you—no merit, no pay? You really think you're a slave? What have you been doing lately?"

Shu Wanjuan chose his words carefully: "I'm reclaiming new land."

Dan Chengjun didn't quite understand: "What's the point of reclaiming land? Planning to become a landlord back in Pulu Province?"

Shu Wanjuan added: "It's the court's order."

If he connected the sentences: I'm reclaiming new land for the court—the stones of Xueya Mountain would explode.

He wasn't reclaiming land for the court.

But if this sentence is split into two, both parts are true.

"The court ordered you to reclaim wasteland—that's meant to seize legitimate land!" Shan Chengjun smiled. "What about the Merchant Lord? Doesn't he care?"

"He hasn't shown up to intervene yet," Shu Wanjuan replied—this too was true.

Shan Chengjun slapped his thigh: "If you can fool the Merchant Lord, that proves you're doing it well. If I were Lan Qiao Yi,

I'd reward you too."

Shu Wanjuan felt further talk would invite trouble and quickly changed the subject: "What did the court send you to Puluo Province for?"

"To stir up trouble for the Merchant Lord—called it 'harassment,'" Shan Chengjun sneered. "Lan Qiao Yi never told me why he wants harassment. To him, everything I do is trivial,

but I've lived through it—harassment means fighting the Merchant Lord for your life. He expects me to truly help him? Lan Qiao Yi overestimates himself.

I came to Puluo Province to confirm one thing: Did Sun Sun Tiecheng really obtain the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian?"

Shu Wanjuan said: "According to what I know, it's true."

"Then why are there rumors that the Waizhou side got the Did Honglian?"

Here on Xueya Mountain, Shu Wanjuan had to answer truthfully: "I heard the Waizhou side obtained the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian from Ye Ye Songqiao, but during transport to Waizhou, the Did Honglian was stolen, passed through several hands, and ended up with Sun Sun Tiecheng.

This is what Chu Shaoqiang reported to Chaoge. Whether it's true or false—I can't say."

Shan Chengjun said: "Though Chu Shaoqiang is slippery, I believe he wouldn't dare lie. I plan to go to Ji Yuren City and discuss with Old Sun—see if he'll lend me the Did Honglian."

"You're going to find Sun Sun Tiecheng?" Shu Wanjuan couldn't believe it.

"What's wrong with that?" Shan Chengjun thought it perfectly reasonable. "All these years passed—does he still hold a grudge? Back then, we went through so much effort and gained nothing. Now, if we catch up on old times, maybe I can even get some Yu Xiu medicine powder from him."

Shu Wanjuan stared at the surrounding rocks for a long while—none cracked.

"Old Shan, were you just telling the truth?"

Shan Chengjun glared: "Why would I lie to you? I've always wanted the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian—you know that."

Shu Wanjuan waved his hands: "Let me warn you: going anywhere else is fine, but if you dare set foot in Ji Yuren City,

the Merchant Lord will never forgive you!"

Shan Chengjun burst out laughing: "Old Shu, you're hilarious. Under heaven, wherever the Merchant Lord catches me, will he ever let me go?

Back then, if he'd ever found proof we destroyed Ji Yuren City, do you think we'd still be alive to see Puluo Province?

What difference does it make whether I go to Ji Yuren City or not? Do you really think if I never go there again, the Merchant Lord will forgive me and become my friend? Dream on!

I'll ask you one thing: I'm going to get the Did Honglian—will you come with me?"

"No." Shu Wanjuan answered bluntly.

Shan Chengjun glared: "Why not?"

Shu Wanjuan explained: "The reclamation task is extremely heavy."

It was true—He He Jiaqing pressured him, and Lan Qiao Yi pressured him too—the workload was indeed crushing.

Shan Chengjun chuckled: "You really plan to be Lan Qiao Yi's servant?"

Shu Wanjuan couldn't answer—he was being ordered around by more than just Lan Qiao Yi now.

Shan Chengjun sneered: "Fine! If you won't come, I won't let you use the Did Honglian once I get it—don't go drooling over it."

3

Shu Wanjuan said: "I'm not drooling!"

BOOM!

A rock on Xueya Mountain shattered.

Shan Chengjun pointed at Shu Wanjuan: "Look at you—you won't even admit you're tempted! How miserable you live—I feel sorry for you!"

Shu Wanjuan bowed his head to descend the mountain. Shan Chengjun wiped the stone table: "You came all this way—I can't let you leave hungry. Have a meal here."

Saying this, Shan Chengjun called out. A heavily made-up, beautiful woman swayed over to him and whispered softly: "Master, what do you require?"

"Are the wine and dishes ready?"

"Long ago prepared."

The woman smiled, revealing two blood-red fangs.

She signaled two men to bring up a table, upon which sat a covered bowl and a wine jar.

Shu Wanjuan glanced at the two men, then at the woman: "Who are these two?"

The woman replied: "They're both Lin Li. I just took them in."

Shu Wanjuan felt this was odd: "Can you even take in Lin Li? As far as I know, Lin Li are all native-born."

Shan Chengjun frowned: "I'm inviting you to dinner—why so many questions? Are you interrogating my lover?"

Shu Wanjuan looked at the stone table: "Just one dish? You're being stingy with this meal."

"Let's see what's inside," Shan Chengjun lifted the lid—the bowl held half a portion of Jin Jin Yuandan.

Shu Wanjuan picked up one pill, examined it—top-grade quality: "I don't need this anymore."

"I know you don't need it—take it for someone else. Stop doing all the reclamation work yourself—I feel ashamed for you."

Shu Wanjuan carefully inspected the pills again—they were clearly not made by ordinary means: "Where did these pills come from?"

Shan Chengjun pulled the beautiful woman onto his lap: "My lover refined these on Xueya Mountain. Take them. When I get the Did Honglian, I'll have even better things for you."

These pills were indeed useful—Shu Wanjuan used Jin Jin Yuandan to gather a group of people, each with different backgrounds,

including fallen aristocratic families, newly risen elites, and gangs that had gained some reputation.

Through these people, Shu Wanjuan assembled a team to reclaim thirteen territories.

Both sides were pressing him, and the Merchant Lord ignored it—so he might as well expand the operation!

He He Jiaqing felt uneasy: "Sir, do you know all these people?"

Shu Wanjuan snapped: "How many people can I possibly know? If I only brought people I knew, wouldn't you be worried too?"

He He Jiaqing was uneasy about so many strangers—but as the reclaimed territories kept expanding, he didn't dare slow the pace.

At night, He He Jiaqing used stolen Xi Xiu techniques to change his appearance over a dozen times, probing each territory.

On the territory once belonging to Xin Ruxiang, He He Jiaqing entered a three-li area.

The reclamation team had just offered sacrifices; tomorrow's inspection was planned. He He Jiaqing disguised himself as an elderly man with white hair and approached the team: "Who's in charge here?"

A young man stepped forward: "I am."

The old man asked: "Young man, what's your name?"

"Call me Xiao Chu, Elder. What do you need?"

"Xiao Chu—are you from the Chu family?"

Xiao Chu smiled: "It depends on which Chu family you mean. Our family is called Chu too, but we're not connected to Puluo Province's biggest Chu family—if we were, we wouldn't be doing this dangerous work."

He He Jiaqing asked: "Are you reclaiming land for yourself?"

Xiao Chu shook his head: "What use would we have for this wasteland? This land is for Jiang's eldest daughter."

"Which Jiang's eldest daughter?"

"Jiang Jiang Mengting, the Songstress!"

He He Jiaqing frowned: "She's a singer—why reclaim land?"

Xiao Chu said: "She doesn't want to sing anymore, Elder. You don't know? Jiang Jiang Mengting comes from a good family.

The Jiang family was once a powerful clan in Puluo Province, but recently declined. To survive, Jiang Miss took to singing.

Now she's saved enough money to revive the family business. If we do this job well, we'll climb onto the Jiang family's high branch—and have a place to eat in Puluo Province for life!"

He He Jiaqing nodded: "Good—ambitious young man. But Jiang Jiang Mengting is from Xiaoyao Weng. Xiaoyao Weng is Li Qi and Ma Wu's territory. Will they let go of this golden goose?"

Xiao Chu replied: "That's nonsense. Jiang Miss isn't sold to them. What kind of men are Seventh Master and Fifth Master? When they work together, they share profits; when they don't, they part amicably."

"Fair point," He He Jiaqing said, and left.

Was Jiang Jiang Mengting really breaking away?

There had been rumors recently about the Jiang family's revival—but could Li Li Banfeng really ignore it?

The thirteen territories were vast, and reclamation was progressing fast—He He Jiaqing couldn't investigate every detail.

But this matter—he felt he should look into it.

After He He Jiaqing left, Xiao Chu summoned his subordinate Xiao Zhong and ordered: "Go back to Lüshui City and deliver the message: someone's probing."

As Xiao Zhong turned to leave, Xiao Chu added: "Go straight to Da Jin Yin. Don't tell anyone else."

In Lüshui City, Xiao Zhong told Qin Qin Tianjiu.

"Nine Master, can we still reclaim land there?"

Since becoming Da Jin Yin, Qin Qin Tianjiu had grown several sizes fatter, his figure now more balanced. He asked Xiao Zhong: "Did you break any rules?"

Xiao Zhong shook his head: "We followed all reclamation rules."

Xiao Pan said: "Then don't worry. I've already alerted Jiang Miss—I'll inform Seventh Master too."

Li Li Banfeng hung up the call. Lao Huochē beside him asked: "Old Qi, were you just talking about He He Jiaqing?"

"Yes," Li Li Banfeng didn't hide it. "I've had people watching him."

"You two knew each other before, right?"

"Yes. Quite well."

Lao Huochē thought a moment: "I shouldn't interfere in your affairs. He He Jiaqing often acts dishonorably, but sometimes he genuinely wants to do the right thing—he deserves a chance."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "He's already had his chance. But everything has limits."

"That's true—it must have limits—" Lao Huochē, usually cheerful, suddenly grew somber, as if this wasn't about He He Jiaqing at all.

After a long silence, Lao Huochē spoke: "I too want to find an opportunity to do something."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Is it about reclaiming half your body from Waizhou?"

Lao Huochē let out a bitter laugh: "Old Qi, maybe one day I'll have to reclaim that half of my body—"

But don't let that day come too soon,

if you truly take back your body, I might no longer be myself; if you take back your body, you'll probably hate me with all your heart.

That scary?

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Then what kind of opportunity are you looking for?"

Old Train didn't answer; he asked Li Li Banfeng: "When I saw Zhang Zhang Gunli, I recovered some memories. When you fought Zhang Zhang Gunli, I saw you use Foolish Cultivation Technique. Do you know where Foolish City is?"

Li Li Banfeng didn't answer either; he asked Old Train: "Why go to Foolish City?"

Old Train spoke with deep gravity: "I want to find an old friend, to apologize to him. That matter—the Peddler was at fault, but it wasn't his fault alone. He's carried the blame for all these years, and I've never been able to let it go."

Li Li Banfeng had already deduced which matter it was: "Sun Sun Tiecheng died on the battlefield against the Pacification Camp?"

»

"Yes," Old Train nodded.

"Sun Sun Tiecheng fell in battle, and Shan Chengjun led his men to break into Foolish City?"

Old Train nodded again.

Li Li Banfeng fell silent for a long while, then shook his head: "I don't understand."

Old Train said: "Shan Chengjun has long coveted Foolish Cultivation Technique. That bastard is capable of anything."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I don't struggle to understand Shan Chengjun—I struggle to understand the Peddler. Why didn't he seek revenge for this?"

Old Train also fell silent for a long while: "I disapprove of many things the Peddler has done, but in this matter, he truly did not err.

At the time of the incident, the Peddler was locked in bitter combat with the Pacification Camp. By the time he returned, not a single soul remained alive in Foolish City. Though some helped gather their souls, the souls' memories were damaged, and none could recall who the killer was.

None of those involved dared admit it; those who knew but weren't involved dared not point the finger at Shan Chengjun.

Without concrete proof, the Peddler nearly beat Shan Chengjun to death—this had already stirred up widespread outrage. If he had killed him outright, the morale of the troops would have shattered, the army would have dissolved, and Proletariat Province would never have existed."

Li Li Banfeng ran through the entire sequence of events from start to finish, feeling there were too many coincidences: "The Peddler left, Sun Sun Tiecheng left, the hundred elite inside the city left,

then Sun Sun Tiecheng died, you went mad, the Peddler was locked in a desperate battle—

and at that exact moment, Shan Chengjun struck. Wasn't the timing too perfect? How did Shan Chengjun get such complete intelligence?"

Old Train said: "This was a scheme by the Sage. Zhang Zhang Gunli acted as the intermediary, guiding Shan Chengjun to attack Foolish City, with the ultimate goal of driving the Peddler to madness so he would destroy the Righteous Army himself."

Li Li Banfeng said: "What if the Peddler had found concrete proof back then?"

Old Train said: "He still would've fallen into the Sage's trap. The Peddler would've killed off the core forces of the Righteous Army, and the army would no longer have been a match for the imperial court."

"Couldn't you have discussed it with the Peddler first—kill the enemy commander as an example?"

"Impossible!" Old Train shook his head. "The Peddler isn't as soft-hearted as you imagine."

Both fell silent. Li Li Banfeng spoke first: "Actually, there's still one witness. A Yu's memories have always been intact. You should know about this."

"I know," Old Train nodded. "I hid her away. That's why I owe Foolish City a debt."