Chapter 346: Who Will Guard Yaowang Valley?

Li Banfeng carried Old Yao into his portable dwelling.

This was very risky; his portable dwelling could be exposed, but Li Banfeng didn't hesitate.

He moved Red Lotus next to Old Yao. The Phonograph exclaimed, "Husband, what are you doing?"

Red Lotus didn't consume living beings, but Old Yao had already lost all signs of life, and Red Lotus's petals still subtly unfurled.

Li Banfeng glared, and Red Lotus promptly closed its petals again.

Leaving the portable dwelling, Li Banfeng began moving medicinal ingredients from Old Yao's house.

He didn't understand the properties of medicine, nor pharmacology, and he didn't even recognize most of the herbs.

He moved every herb he saw, every medicine he found, whether pills or ointments; Li Banfeng transferred them all into his portable dwelling.

Red Lotus understood Li Banfeng's intention and spoke a few words to the Phonograph.

Li Banfeng couldn't hear, so the Phonograph relayed, "Husband, Red Lotus can't wake him up either. At most, she can stabilize his soul."

"That'll do," Li Banfeng said.

Red Lotus unfurled her petals, selecting a dozen types of drugs and medicinal ingredients, which she absorbed into her lotus heart.

Soon, the petals opened, and Li Banfeng peeled off a lotus seed. The seed burst, transforming into a nearly transparent pill.

Li Banfeng handed the pill to his wife. After a quick inspection, she slipped it into Old Yao's mouth.

Old Yao showed no reaction. The Phonograph sighed softly, "His soul is stable now. As for when he'll wake up, that depends on his fate."

Li Banfeng carried Old Yao back to the small courtyard and laid him on the bed.

He then carefully organized the items inside the house and courtyard.

The corpse of Doom Star couldn't be wasted, so Li Banfeng dragged it into his portable dwelling. He had thought there might be some spiritual essence left for his wife to consume, but after a look, she said, "General Yao struck so hard that this fellow's soul was utterly annihilated. There's nothing left."

It was probably for the best; his wife found such things inauspicious to consume anyway.

She also wasn't interested in eating the other magical artifacts, so they all ultimately benefited Red Lotus.

Old Yao's house also contained many magical artifacts. The Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Blade and the Four-Sided Battle Flag were both excellent, high-level items. The Wine Gourd greeted them one by one, but these artifacts didn't respond.

These artifacts had always guarded Old Yao and didn't wish to leave with Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng hadn't intended to take them anyway; Old Yao also needed someone to look after him.

The collapsed wall needed to be repaired quickly so Old Yao wouldn't be exposed to sun and rain. This was a task he could do with Qiu Zhiheng.

But the problem was, besides these magical artifacts, who else could protect Old Yao?

If another local deity came to seize the territory and claim Old Yao's contract, how should they respond?

At daybreak, Qiu Zhiheng came up the mountain and saw Li Banfeng clearing bricks and stones, so he quickly came over to ask about the situation.

Li Banfeng said, "Doom Star is dead, and the Doom Array is broken."

Qiu Zhiheng was momentarily delighted, but when he saw Old Yao's condition, the joy on his face froze.

"Old Yao, he's...?"

"His injuries were too severe; he's fallen into a deep sleep."

"He..."

Li Banfeng knew what Qiu Zhiheng was going to ask: "Whether he can wake up, Old Yao himself doesn't know."

Qiu Zhiheng sat by Old Yao's side, his face filled with bewilderment. In this situation, he didn't know how to respond either.

Li Banfeng asked, "Do you still know local deities from other areas? If you trust any, we could invite them to help look after Medicine King Gully."

Qiu Zhiheng pondered for a long time, then shook his head, "I know some local deities, but none that I can trust."

It was late autumn, and the morning wind was cold.

Li Banfeng sighed, "Let's first get the wall rebuilt."

He had three candidates in mind who could help Old Yao manage the territory, but he needed to consider which one was most suitable.

To look after Medicine King Gully, it had to be someone at the local deity level, and not too mediocre a local deity.

Meng Yuchun lacked experience; she couldn't even manage her own territory clearly, let alone Li Banfeng's. Asking her was clearly unsuitable.

The first suitable candidate was Shui Yongquan. He was the local deity Li Banfeng knew best. His territory wasn't particularly close, but not too far either. With a local deity's abilities, traveling back and forth wouldn't be much of an issue.

Although Shui Yongquan was a new local deity, he was experienced and shrewd in his dealings. He could potentially sustain Old Yao for a few years.

Of course, Shui Yongquan couldn't do this for free. During Old Yao's coma, a portion of Medicine King Gully's popularity would be used to maintain Old Yao's cultivation, with the rest serving as Shui Yongquan's remuneration.

The plan was reasonable, but the problem was that the profits for a proper local deity were immense, and the temptation was too great.

What if Old Shui served as the local deity for a while and then refused to leave?

Although Shui Yongquan was a man of his word, Li Banfeng dared not gamble on this. Even with a contract, Shui Yongquan's cleverness might find loopholes.

Plan B: Ask Qiu Luoye.

Compared to Shui Yongquan, Qiu Luoye was less capable but also less cunning. If the contract was written clearly, Qiu Luoye was unlikely to play tricks.

However, Qiu Luoye was reckless and might cause trouble. Others might be fine, but Medicine King Gully was near Green Water Bay. If Qiu Luoye provoked the Green Water Beggars, things would get complicated.

The third option was Feng Daiku.

Ma Wu had a good relationship with her, so asking her to look after Medicine King Gully was also an option.

This was the last resort because Li Banfeng didn't trust Feng Daiku. Not only did he distrust her, but his relationship with her was also quite bad; it was because of her that Li Banfeng almost lost his life in the Iron Line River.

Besides these three, who else was there?

Grandma Ku?

The Peddler?

Li Banfeng didn't even know how to contact these important figures.

While he was pondering, Li Banfeng suddenly started shaking his leg.

Qiu Zhiheng was startled: "Brother, what's wrong?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Nothing much, just walked a bit too much yesterday, my legs are a little sore."

Qiu Zhiheng knew Li Banfeng was a traveling cultivator. Seeing Li Banfeng's body shaking with his leg and cold sweat dripping down his face, recalling that Lu Dongliang had similar symptoms before, he asked, "Are you about to advance?"

Advance?

It was very possible!

Traveling cultivators advanced very quickly in dangerous situations. Medicine King Gully was caught in the Doom Array, which was a great danger. Li Banfeng had almost traveled all over Medicine King Gully with the train, and he had been busy running around, constantly secretly taking pills. It was indeed time for him to reach a breakthrough.

Qiu Zhiheng supported Li Banfeng, "Come home with me and rest."

Li Banfeng shook his head, "First, let's figure out how to build the wall."

"Leave that to me."

"We can't let others know Old Yao's residence."

"Don't worry, last month I bought a spiritual item for craftsmen; it'll be enough."

Qiu Zhiheng still wanted to take Li Banfeng down the mountain, but Li Banfeng said, "I have to stay here, guarding Old Yao's home. Don't worry about me; advancement isn't a big deal. I'll just rest here."

Qiu Zhiheng couldn't persuade Li Banfeng and quickly went down the mountain.

This advancement came on fiercely, and Li Banfeng truly struggled to hold on. After frantically running dozens of laps around the courtyard, Li Banfeng returned to his portable dwelling.

Seeing Li Banfeng's pale face, the Phonograph asked, "My dear husband, what's wrong?"

"I suppose I've been too tired these past two days."

"Come to bed and rest quickly."

Li Banfeng lay on the bed, a puff of steam snuggling closely beside him.

Li Banfeng secretly glanced at Hong Ying, wondering how to ask her about the seventh-level skill.

At Yaowang Hall of the Jiangxiang Gang, Hall Master Luo Zhengnan was leisurely listening to the radio, sitting in a lounge chair on the rooftop.

The weather was clear today, and Hall Master Luo was in a good mood. He plugged the antenna into his skull and carefully sensed.

The ill luck had dissipated. It truly had.

Who broke the Doom Array?

Monkey Qiu?

He didn't have that ability.

The one pulling the cart?

That person wasn't in Medicine King Gully. He didn't know where he had gone.

It was likely the local deity himself had intervened.

How did that old drunkard break the Doom Array?

Having been a local deity for so many years, he surely had his methods.

Perhaps he could establish a connection with him through this matter.

Forget it. His status is too high. Connecting with him would be of no use to me; it might even bring a lot of trouble.

It's better for Medicine King Gully to be peaceful, so I can continue my peaceful life.

Luo Zhengnan was listening to the radio and was about to fall asleep when Rodsman Sun Xingbing suddenly came up to the rooftop: "Report, Hall Master!"

"Report what?" Luo Zhengnan asked irritably.

"Han Jinwei is here."

Why is this fellow here again?

Does he want to go to Yellow Earth Bridge again?

"Please come in!"

Han Jinwei came up to the rooftop. As expected, he really wanted to go to Yellow Earth Bridge.

Luo Zhengnan patiently advised, "Hall Master Han, don't rush. Wait a few more days. Medicine King Gully still has some matters to deal with recently. Once they're resolved, I'll go with you."

Han Jinwei nodded and left the rooftop.

Luo Zhengnan wasn't just placating him; he genuinely planned to visit Yellow Earth Bridge in a few days. If Han Jinwei truly wanted to stay there, he would let him. Luo Zhengnan didn't care about the Yellow Earth Bridge territory; having someone like Han Jinwei close by made Luo Zhengnan uneasy.

But Han Jinwei wasn't thinking the same way.

He gnashed his teeth all the way back to his residence and summoned the newly appointed helmsman, Nightmare Cultivator Mo Jiansheng.

Mo Jiansheng, nearly sixty years old, was subservient and timid in front of Han Jinwei, not even daring to look up when speaking.

Han Jinwei said, "Pack your things. Bring that Doom Cultivator's wandering soul. We'll set off tonight and go to another state with me."

Mo Jiansheng was startled: "Go to another state? A travel permit won't be easy to obtain."

"Do you still need to worry about travel permits?" Han Jinwei often went to other states on business before. He had travel permits for other states and could also bring several attendants.

Mo Jiansheng was a bit scared; he had never been to another state in his life: "This is such a big matter. Shouldn't we tell Hall Master Luo first?"

Han Jinwei frowned, "Tell him what? Am I not the Hall Master?"

"But, but I've been with Hall Master Luo for so many years..."

"If you were so loyal to him, why did you come to me in the first place?! You're this old and you haven't even become a helmsman. If it weren't for my recommendation, you'd still be a patroller! Aren't you ashamed?"

Mo Jiansheng dared not speak.

"Go home and pack your things immediately!"

Mo Jiansheng returned home and packed his luggage.

His son, Mo Linping, asked, "Dad, where are you going?"

"Don't ask. Wait for my news at home for the next couple of days. If ten days pass and you still haven't heard from me, go find our Hall Master Luo and tell him that our local deity here has had an accident."

"The local deity?" Mo Linping gasped.

"Don't shout!" Mo Jiansheng glared at his son. "No one but the Hall Master can know about this."

Han Jinwei took Mo Jiansheng and secretly boarded a train that night.

The next day, Luo Zhengnan received news that Han Jinwei was gone.

He called Rodsman Sun Xingbing and told him to quickly go to the station and find an acquaintance to investigate Han Jinwei's whereabouts.

Sun Xingbing quickly found the information: "Hall Master, Han Jinwei went to another state."

"Another state?" Luo Zhengnan was surprised. "What is he doing in another state?"

Sun Xingbing didn't know: "He's probably running an errand for the Gang Leader. The Gang Leader used to send him to other states often."

"No way, there wasn't even a hint of it before?" Luo Zhengnan frowned deeply, feeling that something bad was about to happen again.

In Yuezhou, Xiao Zhenggong was napping in his villa when a bodyguard reported that Han Jinwei had arrived.

Xiao Zhenggong's face darkened; he didn't want to see him.

Having failed to handle matters effectively at Tiemen Fortress previously, Xiao Zhenggong deeply disliked Han Jinwei.

After a moment, he thought that Han Jinwei must have an urgent matter if he traveled such a long distance. Xiao Zhenggong put on his clothes and went to the main hall.

"What do you want?"

Han Jinwei looked around, and Xiao Zhenggong dismissed the others.

"Gang Leader, I received news that Medicine King Gully's local deity has had an accident."

"The local deity? Old Yao? What happened?"

"He fought a fierce battle with Doom Star. Doom Star set up the Doom Array in Medicine King Gully, and it's likely that old man couldn't endure it."

Xiao Zhenggong was startled: "Is the information reliable?"

"Reliable. Doom Star had a Doom Cultivator's ghost, which escaped during their fight. This ghost witnessed it firsthand, and it was captured by my helmsman, Mo Jiansheng."

"Where is that Mo-what's-his-name?"

"He's waiting outside the door."

"Bring him in!"

Mo Jiansheng, trembling, brought the Doom Cultivator's wandering soul before Xiao Zhenggong.

Xiao Zhenggong smiled faintly, "Helmsman Mo, don't be afraid. Tell me the whole story."

Mo Jiansheng dared not speak much, so he released the Doom Cultivator's wandering soul, letting it speak directly to Xiao Zhenggong.

The wandering soul recounted the entire story. Xiao Zhenggong nodded and asked, "Who else knows about this?"

Han Jinwei said, "Helmsman Mo only told me."

Xiao Zhenggong looked at Mo Jiansheng: "You didn't tell Luo Zhengnan?"

Mo Jiansheng didn't know how to answer, but Han Jinwei was prepared: "Hall Master Luo has been getting too close to Qiu Zhiheng recently. There are some things I dare not let him know."

"Qiu Zhiheng, Monkey Qiu? What dealings does he have with Luo Zhengnan?"

"It's hard to say." Han Jinwei gave Xiao Zhenggong a meaningful look.

Xiao Zhenggong nodded, "Well done. It's good that the news didn't leak out. You two have rendered great service and should be rewarded. First, let's have a drink."

Xiao Zhenggong went to the wine cabinet and took out a bottle of champagne. A smile appeared on Han Jinwei's face.

With this merit, being restored to his original post was certain. In the future, if he wanted to transfer to a better place, the Gang Leader would surely agree, and even the position of deputy gang leader wouldn't be far off.

Xiao Zhenggong swirled the champagne. With a pop, the cork flew out, piercing through Han Jinwei's head.

Han Jinwei was still standing there on the ground, and Mo Jiansheng was terrified.

He wanted to run, but his legs felt weak, and he couldn't take a step.

"Don't be afraid, have a drink." Xiao Zhenggong poured a glass of champagne and tossed it to Mo Jiansheng.

The champagne glass embedded itself in Mo Jiansheng's skull.

The Doom Cultivator's wandering soul quickly turned invisible. Xiao Zhenggong took out a copper coin, flicked it casually, hitting the wandering soul. In the blink of an eye, the wandering soul was annihilated.