Chapter 160: This Is Disaster and Famine

Lu Dongjun's residence on Toudao Ridge in Haichi Ridge was under siege. All the guards were on high alert.

The exterminator mosquitoes, thought to have vanished from Toudao Ridge, had returned. Not only had they returned, but they were also immune to Lu Dongjun's medicine. Lu Dongjun scattered medicated rice everywhere, but it had no effect.

Toudao Ridge was caught completely off guard. Everyone had believed they would never see the exterminator mosquitoes again, so no precautions had been taken. The small amount of food they had painstakingly accumulated was entirely wiped out. Toudao Ridge, having just emerged from a period of great suffering, plunged back into despair. The deep reverence they once held for Lu Dongjun had now transformed into an equally intense hatred.

The siege on Lu Dongjun's residence was spearheaded by various gangs, with ordinary citizens also participating. However, breaking through Lu Dongjun's residence with just these people would be difficult, as Lu Dongjun had invested heavily in its defenses. Nevertheless, the major families were also getting involved.

He Haisheng, a cigarette dangling from his lips, was among the crowd, standing beside Han Yaomen, the leader of the Qingyun Society. Both men had their faces concealed by spiritual items, making them unrecognizable to ordinary people.

Watching the relentless torrent of curses directed at Lu Dongjun’s mansion, Han Yaomen sneered, "Just a few days ago, I waited at his gate for half an hour with a congratulatory gift, hoping to see him. But he refused. Soon, I’ll order his main gate to be torn down and let all these people in. We'll see if he’ll meet me then."

He Haisheng glanced at Han Yaomen. "Brother Han," he said, "you’ve come all this way. Surely, you’re not just here to make Lu Dongjun lose face?"

Han Yaomen smiled faintly. "His face certainly won't be spared. As for whether his life will be, that depends on what Third Master He has to say."

"My words alone aren't enough," He Haisheng said, looking around. "Many people want to have their say today."

Ma Chunting, the eldest son of the Ma family, was present. Chu Huaijun, the eldest young master of the Chu family, was also there. Zhang Xiuling, the leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect, was in attendance. Numerous representatives from other prominent families had also been dispatched. They were still waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

Despite their advantage in numbers and combat strength, no one wanted to be the first to charge. No one was willing to directly confront Lu Dongjun; regardless of how incompetent he might seem in other affairs, he was a true master of combat. Lu Maoxian, the Old Master of the Lu family, once remarked that among all his descendants, his second son, Lu Dongjun, was the most formidable fighter. Even Lu Dongliang admitted that if they were to face each other in a martial arts arena, he might not be able to defeat Lu Dongjun. This was not merely an advantage stemming from martial cultivation; it was also one of Lu Dongjun's rare innate talents. When it came to pure combat, free from schemes or stratagems, Lu Dongjun's fighting prowess and quick reactions far surpassed those of ordinary individuals. However, Lu Dongjun was unlucky; everyone who sought to undermine him did so through cunning and manipulation.

Han Yaomen continued to observe the other families and gangs, noting with some surprise that two factions hadn't sent anyone. "No one from the Three Heroes Gate," he mused, "and Monkey Qiu hasn't sent anyone either. I heard the Three Heroes Gate doesn’t want to get involved in this mess, but why not Monkey Qiu? Doesn’t he want revenge on Lu Dongjun?"

He Haisheng shook his head. "Monkey Qiu’s intentions are hard to fathom. I’m starting to wonder if the Lu family will eventually bear the surname Qiu."

Inside the residence, Lu Dongjun was drenched in sweat. A guard, his face marred by wounds, rushed in. "Master," he panted, "we’ve searched all over Toudao Ridge, but we can't find Mr. Wan!"

"Couldn't find him?" Lu Dongjun's cheek twitched. "If you couldn't find him, why are you telling me this?"

"Master, we're about to lose our defenses."

"Where are our defenses failing?"

"Everywhere! Master, there are skilled fighters hidden outside; several of our brothers have been killed."

"Killed my guards?"

"By *them*?"

Lu Dongjun might be careless about other things, but his guards were all meticulously chosen; they possessed not only considerable cultivation but also extensive experience. It was clear that ruthless individuals were making covert attacks. "Where did these ruthless individuals come from?" They must be from the major families and gangs.

Lu Dongjun massaged his forehead and sat down on the living room sofa. Just three days ago, on this very sofa, Lu Dongjun had angrily scolded the eldest son of the Chu family, Chu Huaijun, who hadn’t dared to utter a sound. The very next day, still in this living room, Lu Dongjun had kicked Ma Junjiang, and Ma Junjiang hadn’t dared to utter a peep. Who could have imagined that in the blink of an eye, such a drastic turn of events would occur?

Where had Wan Jinxian gone? Could it be that he was incompetent, unable to control the insect plague, and had simply fled? The more Lu Dongjun thought about it, the more fear gnawed at him, a feeling that he had overly trusted Wan Jinxian before.

Another guard approached Lu Dongjun. "Master," he said, "the reporters are here. Would you like to see them?"

Lu Dongjun waved his hand. "No."

The guard turned to leave. Lu Dongjun called him back. "Let the reporters in. I have something to say."

Shortly after, the reporters entered. A cameraman began by taking several photos of Lu Dongjun. Another cameraman was recording with a movie camera.

The reporter asked, "Mr. Lu, what is the reason for the resurgence of the exterminator mosquitoes? Is your medicine unable to completely eradicate them, or was the previous dosage insufficient?"

Lu Dongjun replied calmly, "It was the insufficient dosage, but the most fundamental reason lies with the cost. The medicine's cost is prohibitive, and I’m facing financial difficulties. Furthermore, the major families have recently taken issue with me, secretly employing underhanded tactics to undermine me, which has left me in a very tight spot."

The reporter looked at Lu Dongjun in surprise. "Mr. Lu," he asked, "are you saying you're short on funds?"

Lu Dongjun nodded. "Indeed, it is a matter of money. But please, everyone, do not worry. I, Lu Dongjun, am still here, and I am not going anywhere. I am willing to sell all my assets and empty my coffers. Even if I, Lu Dongjun, am reduced to sleeping on the streets tomorrow, I am determined to control the insect plague in Haichi Ridge. Please tell my friends outside this message: even if the sky falls, I, Lu, will hold it up for Haichi Ridge!"

Cameras flashed incessantly, film cameras whirred, and reporters’ pens never paused on their notebooks. The interview concluded, and the reporters departed.

Lu Dongjun then told his guards, "I’m tired. I’ll rest for a while."

The guards were dumbfounded. The residence was on the verge of being breached—how could he possibly sleep? Lu Dongjun, of course, couldn't possibly be asleep.

Back in his bedroom, he removed his dentures and placed them into the mouth of a stone lion. The lion's eyes immediately glowed, and the bedroom sealed itself off. Lu Dongjun then took out Lu Xiaolan’s necklace and swiftly transformed his appearance. He now looked like one of his guards. This necklace was of extremely high quality, and it was now his only means of escape.

Lu Dongjun opened a hidden compartment in his wardrobe, revealing a set of guard's clothing. Aside from the clothes, there were also checks amounting to hundreds of thousands of silver dollars, and some loose cash. Dressed and ready, Lu Dongjun jumped out of the window.

Once outside, he had two objectives: first, to locate Wan Jinxian, and second, to collect the cash from his various businesses and leave Haichi Ridge as quickly as possible. If he failed to find Wan Jinxian, his reputation would be utterly destroyed. At that point, his only option would be to take his remaining wealth and seek another chance to rebuild his fortune.

A Red Flower Cudgel Master from the Hundred Flowers Sect, standing next to Leader Zhang Xiuling, pointed at a guard exiting the residence and murmured, "That man in the vest is the guard who caused us trouble the other day. He's trying to make a run for it."

Zhang Xiuling cast a glance, recognizing the guard as well. Two days prior, when she had sought to meet Lu Dongjun and he had refused, the Red Flower Cudgel Master had attempted to stand up for her, leading to a confrontation with this very guard. Zhang Xiuling didn't want to concern herself with such an insignificant person, but the Red Flower Cudgel Master held a grudge. "Leader," he said, "please wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back."

Zhang Xiuling frowned. "You're already this old; why are you still acting on impulse?"

The Cudgel Master was indeed over fifty, no longer young, but that was his temper. "Leader," he insisted, "I simply must get this off my chest."

Zhang Xiuling sighed. "Just be careful, and don't draw too much attention."

"Don't worry, Leader." The Red Flower Cudgel Master departed. That’s how gangs operated; as long as actions didn't cross a certain line, subordinates were permitted to vent their frustrations. This Red Flower Cudgel Master was a sixth-level body cultivator, and Zhang Xiuling was confident he would be fine.

The Red Flower Cudgel Master followed the guard into a small alley, then stepped forward to block his path. "Do you still recognize me?" he asked with a smile.

The guard looked up at the Cudgel Master but remained silent.

The Cudgel Master chuckled. "What's wrong? Seeing your master in dire straits, are you trying to abandon him? Shouldn’t we settle our score first?"

The guard still did not speak.

The Cudgel Master suddenly twisted his body, and a long tail, tipped with a hook, shot out from his lower back, aiming directly for the guard’s head. It was a scorpion's tail. The Cudgel Master launched a killing blow immediately. His leader had warned him not to attract too much attention, and he had no desire for a prolonged entanglement. The strike was incredibly swift; an ordinary person would have no hope of dodging it. The scorpion's tail carried potent venom, ensuring death upon drawing blood.

The guard didn't dodge. Instead, he seized the Cudgel Master's tail with one hand, twisted his wrist, snapped it off, and tossed it to the ground. The Cudgel Master was stunned. He had fought this guard before and remembered him as merely a fourth-level martial artist; such incredible skill was impossible. He never dreamed that the man standing before him was, in fact, Lu Dongjun.

The Cudgel Master’s left arm transformed into a pincer, and he lunged at Lu Dongjun. Lu Dongjun seized the Cudgel Master’s pincer, twisted his wrist again, and snapped it off. The Cudgel Master stood rooted to the spot, his consciousness hazy from severe injury. Lu Dongjun grabbed the Cudgel Master's hair, then used the severed pincer to crush his skull.

The situation was critical, and Lu Dongjun had no time to dispose of the body. He immediately departed.

Half an hour later, Zhang Xiuling sensed something amiss and ordered her people to search the area. They found the Cudgel Master’s corpse in the alley. A sixth-level body cultivator, dead just like that? Without a single sound? Who could have killed him so easily? Zhang Xiuling pondered for a moment, then called for her subordinates. "Tell Third Master He that Lu Dongjun has escaped!" she commanded.

Emerging into a stretch of wilderness, Li Banfeng saw the long-awaited sunlight. He had left Xindi and finally arrived at Haichi Ridge! He found it difficult to open his eyes, not only due to the dazzling sunlight but also because of the overwhelming swarms of mosquitoes that blotted out the sky. The mosquitoes were simply too numerous; with every breath, there was a risk of them flying into his nostrils, which made it hard for Li Banfeng to clearly see his surroundings at first.

When his vision finally cleared, he saw a village, a simple one, much like Lan Yang Village. Why compare it to Lan Yang Village? Because a simple villager stood directly before him. This villager had a rosy complexion and a thick, greasy sheen on his skin. Despite Haichi Ridge being in the throes of disaster, his healthy appearance suggested he was eating quite well.

The man held a curved knife and looked at Li Banfeng. "I want one of your hands," he said. "You won't die. I’ll cut it off from the shoulder, and then I’ll let you go. It sounds a bit scary, but truly, losing a hand isn’t such a big deal. My knife is especially swift; you won’t feel a thing when I cut."

Li Banfeng looked bewildered. "It really won't hurt?" he asked.

The man chuckled. "It really doesn't hurt. Don’t believe me? Want to try?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Do you want the left hand or the right hand?"

The man tilted his head and stared at Li Banfeng. "Are you messing with me? I'm going to chop off one of your hands, do you understand? If not, take a look; there are live examples over there."

Nearby, a woman was gagged and pinned to the ground by two burly men, while a third held an axe, poised to chop off her arm. On the ground lay numerous corpses; some were missing limbs, others were mere skeletons, yet all retained their heads. No wonder they all looked so well-fed; it seemed they weren't starving at all. These people still retained some common sense; they knew not to consume the head.

Famine. This was the true face of famine! In times of famine, people turn into monsters.

The man looked at Li Banfeng. "If you understand, extend your hand. If not, you’ll end up like them," he said.

Li Banfeng said solemnly, "I understand. I am sincerely asking, do you want the left hand or the right hand?"

The man froze, a chill creeping up his spine. How could this person not be afraid? He tightened his grip on the knife. "I want the left hand," he told Li Banfeng.

"Alright!" Li Banfeng took a short step forward, snatched the knife, and said, "You want the left hand, so give me the right." With a squish, Li Banfeng chopped off the man's right hand.

The man cried out, collapsed to the ground, and writhed in agony.

Li Banfeng frowned. "Didn't you say it wouldn't hurt at all? It’s wrong to lie. I won’t give you the left hand either."

Squish! Li Banfeng chopped off the man's left hand as well.

The man fainted and fell silent. The others were utterly terrified, even the woman pinned to the ground. They abandoned the woman and advanced with their weapons to attack Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng held the knife and addressed them one by one. "Do you want the left hand or the right hand? Not answering, are you? Then I’ll chop off both of yours, and you can pick later. And you? You’re not answering either? Then I'll start chopping off legs!"

An extra chapter will be added tomorrow!

(End of chapter)