Chapter 328: The Peddler's Tao Gate

"Qilang, high-level industrial cultivators can change their appearance. The woman you captured last time possessed such cultivation. Unfortunately, she died before I had a chance to utilize her. Next time, bring back a living one so I can discuss matters thoroughly with her. I assure you, I will not disappoint your expectations. Qilang, Qilang, what are you doing?"

Li Banfeng was reading a newspaper. He had spread newspapers all over the floor again, searching for news about Tu Shumei.

Ten years ago, Tu Shumei's reputation was indeed significant; her news even appeared in Greenwater City newspapers. She had even acquired two paper mills from the Ma family. However, three years ago, Tu Shumei's fortunes suddenly declined. Her factories were sold off one after another, though the newspapers did not detail who they were sold to or at what price. This was understandable, as these were Greenwater City newspapers, and Tu Shumei was a wealthy businesswoman from Blackstone Slope.

Then, he turned to news about Tu Yinghong. A year ago, Tu Yinghong emerged in Ling Family Pictures, filming several movies consecutively and rapidly becoming a popular star. By the fourth installment of "Bloodblade Detective," Tu Yinghong had replaced Xiao Xiufeng as the lead actress and became the Movie Queen of Puro Province.

Because "Bloodblade Detective" did not surpass "Blood Pistol Detective" in terms of attendance, Tu Yinghong's rise to Movie Queen was not considered particularly illustrious.

The entire sequence of events became clear: Tu Shumei's business failed in Blackstone Slope, she sold off her assets, and then went to Greenwater City to become a Movie Queen. But why did she become a Movie Queen? According to normal logic, as a high-level industrial cultivator, even if she left Blackstone Slope, she should have moved elsewhere to continue operating factories. Was it because she had a talent for acting? Age aside, Tu Yinghong was considered beautiful, but Ling Miaoying was not lacking in beautiful women around her. According to Ma Wu, Tu Yinghong wasn't a very good actress, not even as good as Xiao Xiufeng, who started as a singer. So how did she become Movie Queen? What exactly did she experience during her business decline and subsequent rise in Greenwater City?

Li Banfeng asked Bai Qiusheng to investigate the matter, but Bai Qiusheng didn't quite understand. In Blackstone Slope, there were countless merchants running factories, and businesses rising and falling were commonplace. Why was it so important to investigate this specific situation? However, since it was Master Qi's instruction, Bai Qiusheng naturally did not dare to delay and indeed uncovered some information.

"Master Qi," Bai Qiusheng reported, "Tu Shumei had an accountant named Lu Yuesan. He followed her for many years and should know some inside information. Tu Shumei dismissed him after selling off her assets. Lu Yuesan has changed many places over the years, but because he was dishonest, he never kept a job for long. Two days ago, he was again dismissed by his employer and came to us looking for work. I gave him a few vague words and told him to go home and wait for news."

"Dishonest?" Li Banfeng asked.

"He used accounting tricks to take advantage of his employers," Bai Qiusheng replied.

"He's been an accountant for so many years, and he has no savings?" Li Banfeng asked.

Bai Qiusheng shook his head. "This fellow is a compulsive gambler. He earns some money at the beginning of the month, but within half a month, he'll gamble it all away. For the remaining half of the month, with no food, he steals from his employer. Once he gets used to stealing, he goes out to gamble again. Who would dare employ such a person? A typical accountant wouldn't dare to speak about a former employer's affairs, but this fellow has no such integrity. I'll give him a few silver dollars in a moment; I guarantee he'll tell you whatever you ask."

Li Banfeng nodded, and Bai Qiusheng had someone summon Lu Yuesan. Lu Yuesan, thinking Night Jasmine was willing to hire him, happily arrived at the newspaper office. Hearing the workers say that "Boss Ye" had arrived, Lu Yuesan was quite eager to please. When he saw Li Banfeng, he repeatedly addressed him as "employer," as if Li Banfeng had already hired him.

Li Banfeng didn't beat around the bush and directly asked him about Tu Shumei. Upon hearing this, Lu Yuesan realized it wasn't about employment but an inquiry. He let out a dry laugh and said, "You shouldn't ask about this; it's not proper."

Bai Qiusheng slipped five silver dollars into his hand, smiling. "Brother Lu," he said, "I know nothing of what you and Boss Ye discuss, and no third person will either. So feel free to speak openly." With that, Bai Qiusheng left the room.

Lu Yuesan immediately explained the whole story. "When Tu Shumei's business was at its peak," he began, "she owned two paper mills, five printing factories, and also dealt in ceramics, iron smelting, coal, and ore. At that time in Blackstone Slope, apart from the Four Great Families, Boss Tu commanded the largest business."

"Then how did she fall into decline?" Li Banfeng asked.

"She didn't decline," Lu Yuesan corrected, "her business was always prosperous. It's just that later, she bought something that cost a great deal of money, spending her entire family fortune."

"What did she buy that could exhaust such a large family fortune?" Li Banfeng pressed.Lu Yuesan looked at Li Banfeng, smiling but remaining silent, clearly indicating he wanted more money.

Li Banfeng gave Lu Yuesan thirty more silver dollars. Lu Yuesan took the money and, lowering his voice, said, "Tu Shumei bought a weapon. I don't know the exact type of weapon."

Tu Shumei was an industrial cultivator; what kind of weapon couldn't she make herself? What sort of weapon was worth her entire fortune? No need to guess, it must have been that pair of iron rulers!

"Who did she buy the weapon from?" Li Banfeng asked.

"Feng Chongli," Lu Yuesan replied. "He's a merchant who uses hidden routes. Ordinary people wouldn't know him, but I've met him once!"

"Do you know how to contact him?"

"That's hard to find," Lu Yuesan replied. "He doesn't have a fixed residence."

"Such a major merchant, without a fixed residence?" Li Banfeng questioned.

Lu Yuesan raised his eyebrows and remained silent again. Li Banfeng gave him twenty silver dollars, but Lu Yuesan still raised his eyebrows, signaling it wasn't enough.

Li Banfeng emptied all the silver coins from his pocket, along with some Imperial banknotes, and handed them all to Lu Yuesan. Lu Yuesan thanked him repeatedly and then said, "He's a merchant with a Daoist sect connection, like a peddler. He likes to travel everywhere."

"Like a peddler? What kind of Daoist sect?" Li Banfeng asked.

"I heard Tu Shumei mention it once," Lu Yuesan replied. "It's called 'Merchant Cultivation.' This Daoist sect cultivates by doing business; the more business they do, the higher their cultivation."

"Merchant Cultivation?""So this is the peddlers' Daoist sect?" Li Banfeng looked at Lu Yuesan. "What else do you know? Name your price, and then tell me everything."

Lu Yuesan asked Li Banfeng for fifty more silver dollars. Li Banfeng nodded and agreed, "You can collect the money from the accounting office later."

"Boss Ye," Lu Yuesan continued, "I truly don't know where Feng Chongli is, but he has a younger brother named Feng Xincheng, who runs a general store in the inner ravine of Medicine King Gully."

"Are you talking about Fengji General Store?" Li Banfeng asked.

"Boss Ye, you know this place?" Lu Yuesan asked, surprised.

Li Banfeng nodded. "Then I have nothing more to say," Lu Yuesan concluded.

"How did you know all this?" Li Banfeng asked.

"There are some circumstances involved," Lu Yuesan said, rubbing his hands, clearly wanting more money again.

"It's fine, just name your price," Li Banfeng assured him.

Lu Yuesan asked for another fifty silver dollars and explained to Li Banfeng, "When Tu Shumei first met Feng Chongli, she was captivated by that weapon and immediately paid the deposit. As her accountant, I naturally handled the payment. Later, Tu Shumei tried to sell her factories, but they didn't sell quickly. Feng Chongli had other business, so he returned the deposit and left Blackstone Slope. Tu Shumei grew anxious and inquired everywhere about Feng Chongli's whereabouts. Boss Tu had been in the business world for many years, so her information network was indeed extensive, and she managed to find out about Feng Xincheng. At that time, I went with Tu Shumei to Medicine King Gully, and we found Feng Chongli through Feng Xincheng. During that period, I helped Boss Tu transfer money from various banks. After the deal was done, Boss Tu disappeared, and I lost my livelihood."

So, Tu Shumei spent all her savings to buy the iron rulers from Feng Chongli, then changed her appearance, became a Movie Queen, and transformed into Tu Yinghong. The process was now clear, but something felt amiss. This was Tu Shumei's biggest secret; if this accountant knew about it, why didn't Tu Shumei silence him? Was the accountant telling the truth or lying?

"Alright," Li Banfeng said with a smile, "do you have anything else to say?"

Lu Yuesan shook his head. "No, Boss Ye, I've told you everything I know about what you asked!"

Li Banfeng stood up. "Don't tell anyone about what you've told me today, including that you've seen me," he instructed.

"Rest assured," Lu Yuesan vowed, "I'll keep it absolutely confidential!"

"I believe you," Li Banfeng said with a smile, taking out a contract paper. "But you need to sign a contract." Lu Yuesan was an unlearned man; he didn't recognize the contract paper, and having signed too many contracts, he didn't take this seriously either. He took the pen, wrote his name, and pressed his handprint.

Li Banfeng told him to collect his money from the accounting office. Bai Qiusheng quietly asked, "Master Qi, should we dispose of this man?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "I paid him for information. As long as the information he provided is accurate, there's no reason to kill him. Besides, I'll need to verify many other things with him in the future."

"I'm worried he'll talk carelessly afterward," Bai Qiusheng clarified.

Li Banfeng shook his head. "He won't be able to speak. If he really dared to, he'd be doing me another favor."

Lu Yuesan returned to his dwelling. With over two hundred silver dollars from Night Jasmine, he meticulously counted them twice, pondering how he would live his life from now on. This was a considerable sum, enough for him to start a business in Blackstone Slope. However, Lu Yuesan knew that doing business wasn't easy, and he didn't want to bother with it. First, he decided, he'd buy food, then clothes. His old clothes had been pawned, and the ones he was wearing were infested with lice; it was time for a change. He would save the remaining money. Later, when he found a suitable gambling den, he would win back all his old capital, and he wouldn't have to worry for the rest of his life.

As he was contemplating gambling dens, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. He opened it and saw Ai Chixiang from the Purity Guardians.

Ai Chixiang was a disciple of Elder Tang Peigong of the Purity Guardians, an influential figure in Blackstone Slope. However, last time, he was doused with "golden liquid" by Xiao Genzi and then severely beaten in the arena, causing his status to significantly decline. Even after all this time, the smell on Ai Chixiang hadn't completely dissipated. Lu Yuesan wanted to cover his nose but didn't quite dare.

"Master Ai, you're looking for me..." Lu Yuesan held his breath and greeted him with difficulty.

Ai Chixiang said, "I heard you just went to the Night Jasmine newspaper office?"

Lu Yuesan's heart jolted. How did he know about this? Given Ai Chixiang's status, it was impossible for him to be keeping an eye on a small-time figure like Lu Yuesan. It seemed he had been watching Boss Ye for a long time.

Lu Yuesan replied without hesitation: "I had no livelihood, so I wanted to find a job at the newspaper office. But they told me they didn't need an accountant, so I didn't get the job."

Ai Chixiang nodded. "Who did you see at Night Jasmine?"

"I saw their manager, Bai Qiusheng. You know him too; he's from Blackstone Slope," Lu Yuesan replied.

"Only him?"

"And a few workers underneath him, but I didn't remember them."

Ai Chixiang frowned. "Tell me the truth!"

"I'm telling the truth, how would I dare to lie to you!" Lu Yuesan protested.

Ai Chixiang took out twenty silver dollars and slipped them into Lu Yuesan's hand. "Do you think I don't know you?" he asked. "Who else did you see? Did you also see their boss?"

Lu Yuesan accepted the silver dollars and let out a dry laugh. "Nothing escapes Master Ai. I did indeed see their boss once."

"The one named Ye?" Ai Chixiang pressed.

"Yes, everyone calls him Boss Ye."

"What did he want from you?"

Lu Yuesan rubbed his hands. "This... I can't quite..." he began.

Ai Chixiang took out twenty more silver dollars. Lu Yuesan still felt it wasn't quite enough. "Master Ai," he stammered, "this amount might be... might... might be..."

As he spoke, Lu Yuesan suddenly had a coughing fit. Ai Chixiang was startled and took two steps back. Lu Yuesan coughed for a long time, and there was a gurgling sound in his throat, as if he was coughing up phlegm. When he finally spat it out, it was a mouthful of rusty water.

Ai Chixiang was greatly alarmed and turned to leave. Lu Yuesan clutched his chest, coughing and gasping continuously. He was in so much pain that he couldn't help but pound his chest with his hand. There was a dull thud. His hand shattered, and his chest caved in. Lu Yuesan stared blankly for a moment, then his body collapsed to the ground, dissolving into a pile of rusty residue.

Ai Chixiang jogged all the way to Tang Peigong's residence. "Master," he reported, "the matter has been clarified. The spy's message was correct; that person named Ye has indeed come to Blackstone Slope. Lu Yuesan saw him at the newspaper office."

Tang Peigong, worried the information might be wrong, asked, "Did you bring Lu Yuesan?"

"I wanted to bring him," Ai Chixiang replied, "but it seems that fellow was poisoned; he was spitting yellow liquid from his mouth."

Tang Peigong nodded. "This person named Ye is Li Qi. He's silencing a witness. Bring the magic weapon. I'll send a message to Elder Lu. Are the men ready?"

"They're already ready," Ai Chixiang affirmed.

Tang Peigong said, "Remember Elder Lu's instructions. According to our plan, take your men and pin down Li Qi. Under no circumstances must he be allowed to leave Blackstone Slope!"