Chapter 847: The Boss!

“Brother Huazi, we swore brotherhood with our heads on the ground—any good thing that comes my way, I’ll always think of you!” The glove handed a can to Lü Shuigong.

Lü Shuigong actually took the can.

“Becoming sworn brothers with you really isn’t a loss,” Lü Shuigong said, glancing at Li Banfeng driving the cart. “If I ever face a major crisis, [4] having you as a brother might just save my life.”

Having a brother like you might just save my life.

“I protect you?” The glove laughed. “You’re flattering me too much. Do I have that kind of power?”

Lü Huazi wasn’t joking—he took it seriously: “I haven’t seen how strong you are, but I’ve seen what Li Qi can do. Your relationship with Li Qi is extraordinary, so you must have a way to protect me.”

At the border, Lü Huazi got off the cart, hugging a can nearly as big as himself, and said to Li Banfeng: “Until we meet again.”

Then Lü Huazi ran back into Tushi.

Many still-living people remained—before they died of illness, Lü Huazi would turn them all into Dao Laogui; every Dao Laogui here would become his subordinate.

The Sky Maiden opened an exit along the border, and Li Banfeng drove the cart away from Tushi.

Hong Ying turned to look at the Dao Laogui occasionally appearing in Tushi, then asked Li Banfeng: “Qi Lang, did you give Tushi to Lü Huazi too?”

North Li Banfeng said nothing.

Zhao Xiaowan sighed beside her: “What else can we do? Tushi is already like this—if someone else comes here, won’t it just strengthen Lü Shuigong?”

“Besides, my husband made a pact with Lü Huazi: the loose Dao Gui Ridge can’t be taken away at will. Now that Lü Huazi has water, he can sustain any number of Dao Laogui.”

Hong Ying thought for a moment and became resigned: “Winning such a big battle and losing just Tushi? Not a big deal!”

Jiu’er thought Hong Ying was wrong: “This isn’t even a loss—it’s a reward. Lü Shuigong is from Puluozhou!”

Yuan Miaoping nodded: “That’s right—it’s a reward. The peddler gave Lü Shuigong Lü Shuigui Bay, and no one complained. [18] Our boss only gave away one Tushi—what’s the big deal?”

Our boss gave us just a dirt market—what’s so big about that?

A Yu glanced at Li Banfeng, her heart heavy with worry: “The peddler is the peddler, Qi is Qi. Those old bastards—Qi might not even be able to control them.”

Hong Ying was furious: “How can he not control them? What does our Qi Lang lack compared to the peddler?”

The Sky Maiden smiled: “Your man still falls far short of mine.”

Hong Ying turned pale with rage. Tang Dao stepped forward and whispered something to her; Hong Ying smiled.

She leaned close to the Sky Maiden and whispered: “My man is right here—where’s yours?”

The Sky Maiden grabbed Hong Ying’s hair; Hong Ying reached to scratch her face.

Dan Da shouted: “Stop fighting! The cart’s tipping—don’t fight on the cart!”

A Yu pulled the Sky Maiden back: “Enough. Someone will see and laugh.”

The Sky Maiden gritted her teeth: “Who dares laugh at me? Why aren’t you fighting with me? Isn’t the peddler your man?”

A Yu stared blankly for a long time: “When did the peddler become my man?”

The Sky Maiden snapped: “You’re my household spirit—my man is your man!”

Hong Ying laughed: “Nonsense. A Yu is Qi Lang’s household spirit—technically, Qi Lang is her man!”

The Sky Maiden’s eyes turned red: “A Yu, explain clearly—who is your man?”

After a moment of confusion, A Yu flew into a rage: “What are you talking about? Don’t I have a man? My man is the Fool’s City Lord—I’m not your maid!”

The more they argued, the louder it got; the front cart nearly overturned. Chu Shaoqiang drove calmly and said to Wu Niang: “Let’s just focus on driving. We won’t join their nonsense. [34] Miss, could you stop staring at me? This old man’s bones aren’t worth eating.”

Miss, could you please stop staring at me? This old bones of mine have no flavor.

Wu Niang grinned: “Old bones taste better when chewed!”

Chu Shaoqiang wiped sweat: “Then hurry to the slave market—there are plenty of old bones there, all older than me.”

At the slave market, Lao Huochē had just returned from battle—they’d won a great victory, nearly annihilating the Neizhou navy.

Lao Huochē praised: “This victory was thanks entirely to the brothers from Baiji County and Baihe Gang—you scattered soil and seeds, giving them no chance to fight back.”

Ling Bai Tao and Bai Wusong declined: “Senior, you flatter us. The real mastermind is Elder Xu—his seeds are terrifying; once planted, they pierce straight through enemy warships!”

Xu Han shook his head repeatedly: “Let’s not boast. The Shang navy is formidable on water, but they’ve been busy gathering ships to retrieve the Dao Kou Army—they didn’t even want to fight us. Countless warships are stuck in port, just waiting for us to take them.”

“The Dao Kou Army is pinned down by Qi Lang in Tushi. Ultimately, this victory rests on Qi Lang. Qiao Yi is trapped in Tushi—he must be frantic. Qi Lang didn’t have an easy fight either!”

Li Banfeng nodded: “This battle was indeed hard. Qiao Yi was frantic at first—but not for the navy. Now I think Qiao Yi isn’t frantic anymore.”

Xu Han stared blankly for a long while—he didn’t understand.

Lao Huochē stared in shock: “So… you won too?”

Li Banfeng said nothing more—he was exhausted.

Yuan Miaoping arranged footage from different angles; the projector continuously spliced film.

A massive image appeared on the ceiling of the underground city. Yuan Miaoping and the projector worked in tandem, showing everyone the general course of the battle.

Not just the Eighteen Wheels and the Ancestors and Masters, but every resident of the underground slave market could see clearly.

They saw the totem soldiers dead on the battlefield, the Dao Kou Army trapped in Tushi unable to escape, and Qiao Yi lying beside a well, dying in despair.

Everyone who saw these images was stunned.

Even the gravely injured Ku Po Po climbed out of her sickbed.

Crowds gathered on the slave market streets, necks craned upward, watching the ceiling, watching the unimaginably brutal battle.

Some scenes were incomplete; some parts were disjointed. Ku Po Po didn’t understand exactly how Li Banfeng won—but he knew Li Banfeng had won.

Zhen Luoming’s jaw nearly dropped: “This… this is Pulu… Pulu…”

He swallowed the rest of the sentence, too afraid to shout it out.

“This is the Lord of Pulu!” Song Shu cried out.

As a member of the Hand-Foot Alliance, she shouldn’t have shouted it—but she couldn’t help it. Watching the horrific battle on the field, tears streamed down her face.

She wasn’t the only one crying—the entire slave market wept.

No one believed this battle could be won. Everyone thought Tushi was lost, the underground city was lost, San Tou Cha was lost—even all of Puluozhou was doomed.

Many had already prepared to flee the underground city. But some couldn’t leave.

Chen Yongnian had just returned from Suihuangyuan; his wife couldn’t go anywhere, so she had to stay in the slave market. Chen Yongnian had already prepared to die with her.

In every shop in the slave market, how many had already arranged their funerals? Who could have imagined this brutal battle was actually won?

Ma Wu looked at the ceiling and smiled: “Qi is the boss of Puluozhou—I’m the brother of the Lord of Pulu.”

Qin Xiaopang clenched his fists: “Big Brother Qi is the boss of Puluozhou—who dares to defy him?”

Wu Yongchao puffed out his chest: “The Lord of Pulu is our fortress master—our fortress master calls himself fortress master!”

He shouted twice, then coughed—he’d been injured fighting at the port with Lao Huochē; many household cultivators were wounded.

But no matter how badly injured, the household cultivators stood straight.

Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi were writing articles, having moved their newspaper office to San Tou Cha—they planned to publish a special edition tonight!

But after writing several drafts, they were unsatisfied—they felt their skills weren’t enough.

Bai Qiusheng went to find Zhang Xiuling: “For an article this big, we need the First Talent of Puluozhou to write it!”

“Me?” Zhang Xiuling held her brush, excited—but she couldn’t even write the first sentence.

She felt all words at this moment might be pale, unable to describe this battle.

Xiao Yeci offered his suggestion: “Sister Xiuling, just write it plainly. Just write the battle plainly, that’s enough!”

Jiang Mengting agreed: “Plain writing is best. I can compose the melody right away—once Sister Xiuling finishes the article, I’ll use her words for the lyrics.”

Zhang Xiuling still couldn’t pick up the brush: “Plain writing is good, but I feel the images aren’t connected—I can’t write down many things.”

Yuan Miaoping whispered to Li Qi: “Should we show the Dao Laogui footage?”

Li Banfeng nodded: “Show it.”

Yuan Miaoping warned: “Once they see the Dao Laogui, their attitude won’t be the same.”

Li Banfeng was already prepared: “Can we hide it anyway? Show everything.”

When the Dao Laogui appeared on the ceiling, the slave market residents grew restless; the attitudes of the Ancestors and Masters changed too.

“So that’s how they won?”

“Isn’t this driving a tiger to devour a wolf?”

“Can we still keep Tushi?”

“It’s all plague—how can we keep it?”

“Even without plague, so many Dao Laogui would kill us all!”

Zhen Luoming roared: “Qi, what kind of thing is this? Isn’t Tushi still destroyed?”

Bing Suling sneered: “Not just Tushi—the slave market is nearly finished too. Dao Laogui plus Lü Huazi’s plague—can anyone live here? The entire underground city is finished!”

Song Shu tried to defend Li Banfeng: “There’s a boundary between Tushi and the slave market—the Dao Laogui can’t cross, nor can the plague—there’s no need to worry—”

The Sky Maiden was candid: “The boundary is about to collapse.”

The temporary boundary, hastily created, drained the Sky Maiden immensely—she was at her limit.

Li Banfeng said to the Sky Maiden: “Remove the boundary.”

Everyone’s faces changed!

The Sky Maiden didn’t care—she’d made a pact with Li Qi: once the battle was won, she’d obey him. Li Qi said remove it, so she immediately dissolved the boundary.

But now the plague and Dao Laogui would come.

Several Ancestors rose to leave.

Zhen Luoming stared at Li Banfeng: “When the Dao Laogui attack, what about all these civilians? What about all these brave warriors who came to fight? Li Qi, have you considered the consequences?”

Li Banfeng said: “I already foresaw the consequences. I made a pact with Lü Huazi: the Dao Laogui must not leave Tushi—or I’ll kill him.”

“A pact with Lü Huazi? Hah!” Zhen Luoming laughed loudly. “Everyone, you all heard that? This is Puluozhou’s new boss! [99] He made a pact with Lü Huazi—what nonsense! Who is Lü Huazi? Can such a man keep a pact? Don’t you know his character, Li Qi?”

He made a pact with Green Flower Kid—isn’t that just a dream? Who is Green Flower Kid? Can such a person keep a pact? What kind of character is this person? Don’t you know, Li Qi?

The crowd followed Zhen Luoming’s lead, surrounding Li Qi, berating him louder and louder.

Li Banfeng remembered the peddler’s words: “If anyone blames you, blame it all on me.”

Back then he’d only thought the peddler was hard-done-by; now he understood the weight of those words.

Li Banfeng had no desire to explain. A low hum echoed through the marketplace—Zhao Xiaojuan spoke.

“What’s wrong with making an alliance with the Green Flower Kids?” Zhao Xiaojuan scanned the crowd. “The peddler made an alliance with them, and didn’t the Green Flower Kids keep their word? You all made pacts with the peddler too—how often have you broken your own rules?”

This speech left the crowd speechless.

The Wine Cultivator Patriarch Liu Hutian said: “General Zhao, that’s not fair. We’ve had our share of grudges, but we all act for the sake of Pulu Province. You shouldn’t lump us together with people like the Green Flower Kids.”

“As for you—you’re an imperial agent, your hands are stained with Pulu Province’s blood. Sometimes we ignore you. You’d better keep quiet.”

Bai Qiao, the female disciple of Old Train, spoke up: “What’s wrong with being imperial? During the Year of Famine, General Zhao went by the name Huang Yuxian.”

“She led the Iron Bone Troops and drove back the Tufang army—surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Wang Youniang, the Earth God of Tiewan Gang, added: “When the Tufang army pressed at our borders, how many of you just stood around watching? Zhen Luoming, I paid dearly to ask you to scout the enemy—you refused. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

Zhen Luoming waved his hand: “Don’t bring up old business. Don’t compare me to some actor—I’d never live it down.”

“What’s wrong with being an actor?” Zhao Xiaojuan’s brow furrowed. “I’m an actor from Pulu Province, my blood is Pulu’s blood—do I not even have the right to speak?”

Seeing the argument flare again, Sui Chanxin rose and smiled sweetly at the crowd, diffusing the tension.

Back at Qunyingshan, Sui Chanxin had casually said she’d follow Li Qi. Li Qi had actually wanted to see how serious she was.

Sui Chanxin spoke plainly: “General Zhao has nothing to answer for—she shed blood for Pulu Province. She is one of us.”

“General Hong fought hard in these battles too. Let’s drop the old grudges—digging them up just makes us look vile.”

As she spoke, Sui Chanxin glanced at Zhen Luoming and Liu Hutian.

Zhen Luoming’s face flushed slightly, but he said nothing.

Liu Hutian sipped from his wine flask, still pouring for himself.

Sui Chanxin continued: “Handing the Earth Market to the Green Flower Kid isn’t necessarily bad. He’s capable—he turned Flower Bay into Green Water Bay, transformed Pulu’s poorest region into its richest. I trust his ability!”

“As for the Dao Laogui, yes, we must guard against it. But we have many threats to guard against. How many of you here didn’t fight through fire and blade to survive in Pulu Province? The Dao Laogui was contained at Dao Guiling—why can’t we contain it now that it’s come to the Earth Market?”

This silenced Zhen Luoming, Bing Suling, and Liu Hutian. Many Patriarchs and Masters abandoned their thoughts of leaving.

Shi Baling seized the moment: “Old Seven fought brilliantly. I don’t care what others say—in my eyes, he’s firmly seated as Pulu Province’s boss.”

Xu Han nodded: “He’s solid in my eyes too!”

Sun Tiecheng said: “Yuren City trusts Old Seven!”

Ling Baitao said: “Bainian Commandery trusts Li Qi!”

Chen Yongnian said: “The Iron Bone Troops trust Seventh Master!”

Pan Dehai rose and bowed: “Those with virtue, in virtuous lands—all are ready to follow Seventh Master’s orders!”

Song Qianhun said: “Tiemen Fortress has only one boss—we all answer to the boss!”

Ye Jianhuang and Qiao Wuzui bowed to the crowd: “Smoke and alcohol are inseparable—my brother and I, plus our gangs, will follow Seventh Master from now on.”

Song Shu looked toward Ku Po Po, waiting for her stance.

Yuan Miaoping cleared her throat: “You’re dense, girl. Who’s the boss of the Blood-Bound Alliance? Is it Ku Po Po? Your boss has pledged to our master—what’s left to hesitate over?”

Song Shu rubbed her forehead, realizing she’d overlooked something.

Yuan Miaoping was right—the Heavenly Maiden was the Blood-Bound Alliance’s boss.

The Blood-Bound Alliance waited for the Heavenly Maiden’s word. She glared at Yuan Miaoping: “I have a man. Who said I’d follow Li Qi?”

Yuan Miaoping laughed: “Then what do you want?”

The Heavenly Maiden paused, then said: “I made a pact with Li Qi—if we win the war, I follow him. Today’s matter—he decides.”

The Blood-Bound Alliance members wore complex expressions. When they joined, each had their own motives—most had never met the Heavenly Maiden before.

But now she had spoken. No one dared object. The Blood-Bound Alliance was settled.

With all major factions and powers having declared their stance, Zhen Luoming saw the tide had turned—he could only seek a chance to slip away: “Who becomes boss doesn’t concern me.”

“This war was hard. Some gave their lives, some their blood, some their strength, some their gold—but others just watched.”

“We fought tooth and nail through so many battles. Don’t we deserve some compensation? Can’t we go home with something?”

All eyes turned to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng nodded: “Anyone who gave their all for Pulu Province will be rewarded—no one will leave empty-handed.”

Zhen Luoming asked: “What will you pay with?”

Li Banfeng replied: “Gold. Real silver. Paid on the spot.”

Zhen Luoming sneered: “I know you’ve got wealth—but you don’t know how much we’re worth. Let me tell you plainly: even if you bankrupted yourself, you couldn’t pay half our due.”

Ma Wu spoke up: “If Old Seven can’t pay, I’ll cover it—I’ll give up everything I own!”

Chu Er said: “My Chu family will chip in too!”

Lu Chunying said: “Our Lu family joins in.”

Xiao Yeci said: “Our Xiao family too.”

Zhen Luoming scanned the young faces: “You talk big. Fine. Let’s settle accounts now—I’ll see how long your bravado lasts.”

Li Banfeng looked at Zhen Luoming: “Go ahead. You first.”

“I won’t go first!” Zhen Luoming shook his head. “I don’t care about a few coins, nor do I want to be first. That woman over there—Madam Yu—isn’t she? Ask her how much she spent on battle robes alone—she nearly bankrupted the Green Water City silk shops!”

Yu Nan replied: “Sir, just say what you need. Don’t drag me into this. I came here to fight with my Yu family.”

“We have no other skill—we make two kinds of battle gear. If we’ve done our part, we’re content. Don’t trouble yourself with the rest.”

“I’m defending you, and you’re ungrateful!” Zhen Luoming scowled at Yu Nan, then turned to Qin Tianjiu. “Your San Yingmen lost so many men. You’re like brothers with Li Qi—you fought for him, that’s natural. But who speaks for the dead? Who takes care of their families?”

Qin Tianjiu said: “I’ll handle it. I must handle it. But this has nothing to do with Seventh Brother.”

Zhen Luoming frowned: “How isn’t it his? Isn’t he Pulu Province’s boss?”

Qin Tianjiu looked at the crowd: “Gentlemen, I’m speaking out of turn, but let me say this: how many gangs and factions are there in Pulu Province?”

“I can’t count them. But in this war, everyone who should’ve come came—and they came rightly.”

“On San Yingmen’s land—whether opera halls, teahouses, or street noodle stalls—if they sold one bowl, San Yingmen took a cut.”

“That money was their sweat and blood. We took it. We spent it. Now it’s our turn to bleed—there must be no hesitation.”

“Don’t pretend to be noble!” Zhen Luoming’s face darkened. “While we fought, Green Water City held singing parties! Who cared if we lived or died?”

Liao Zihui spoke: “I love music. I love singing. Whether they sing or sell noodles, every drop of sweat they shed helps Pulu Province. Now it’s our turn—and you still have so much resentment?”

“I’m an outsider—I shouldn’t say much. But our Border Office has done its duty, spent its gold. We owe nothing to Seventh Master.”

Zhen Luoming waved his hand: “Master Liao, we don’t have your wealth. You don’t count—I do.”

Zhang Xiuling nodded: “Fine, Sir. Settle your accounts clearly—then none of us will owe you anything.”

Zhen Luoming fell silent. After all that talk, no one supported him—not even Bing Suling or Liu Hutian, who’d always backed him.

These men had businesses in Pulu Province. If they tore the mask off now, their future would be hard.

They didn’t want to settle accounts—but Li Banfeng did. He handed the task to Ma Wu and Xiao Pang.

Those who gave much must not be shortchanged—they must be compensated.

Those who gave nothing must not profit—every faction, every power, must pay their due.

Traitors will be punished severely—no mercy.

With all arrangements made, Ling Baitao rose and said:

“The Inner Province may not stop here. Please open the border—I must return to Bainian Commandery.” Li Banfeng was about to speak: “From now on, there will be no border between Bainian Commandery and the Underground City.”

Ling Baitao stared in shock: “But without a border, we’ll—”

Li Banfeng said: “From now on, people of Bainian Commandery may come or go as they wish. Those who stay, I’ll reward richly. Those who leave, I’ll help them establish new homes.”

Xu Han smiled. Zhang Wanlong smiled too.

They knew how hard the men of Bainian Commandery had lived.

Ling Baitao’s eyes filled with tears—he didn’t know how to thank him.

He was lucky he didn’t thank him—Li Banfeng felt he didn’t deserve it.

Zhen Luoming glared: “What’s this? If the Inner Province attacks through Bainian Commandery, the entire Three Forks will be wide open!”

Li Banfeng lifted his hat brim and looked at Zhen Luoming: “When Bainian Commandery fought, you watched coldly, didn’t you? You enjoyed comfort elsewhere, didn’t you?”

“From today, there is no border between Bainian Commandery and the Year of Famine Plains. From today, heroes of Pulu Province will never fight alone!”

“All Pulu Province factions must recruit men to guard the borders.”

Zhen Luoming looked around. No one spoke. Ku Po Po gave a slight nod.

The Heavenly Maiden, obeying Li Banfeng, immediately removed both borders.

Li Banfeng ordered Old Train to reorganize the defenses of Three Forks and the Year of Famine Plains. He still had two urgent matters to handle.

“Two hidden threats must be cut off.”

Zhao Xiaojuan guessed Li Banfeng’s thoughts: “One is the Great Totem. The other is the Jade Seal. Both are hard to deal with.”