Chapter 398: Thieves' Guild Showdown

"Xiuling, something's wrong," Shen Rongqing whispered. "Bao Yingchen, with his last breath, desperately made it back to the main hall. He should at least have looked for someone to help him detoxify."

Zhang Xiuling, busy writing in her notebook, recording the moving scene, dismissively replied to Shen Rongqing, "Perhaps the poison he took has no antidote."

Shen Rongqing shook her head repeatedly. "Even if there's no antidote, he was back in his own territory; he should have found someone to try."

Zhang Xiuling wrote faster and faster. "Perhaps Patriarch Bao had long come to terms with life and death."

"What a joke! This is about life and death! We only have one life; who doesn't want to live? Instead of just giving his last words here, he should at least have given himself a chance to survive."

Zhang Xiuling chuckled. "This is a realm of understanding, Rongqing. Do you understand the realms here?"

Shen Rongqing truly couldn't understand. "Xiuling, tell me, what kind of realms are there here? What kind of realm truly allows one to be indifferent to life and death?"

"You can't really explain this 'realm' thing," Zhang Xiuling suddenly lowered her voice. "If you haven't come to terms with life and death, don't talk so much."

"You're a businesswoman; you know too little about the gangs. Keep talking, and your life might be unpredictable."

This was the difference between Zhang Xiuling and Shen Rongqing. Both were talented women, but Shen Rongqing was a merchant, while Zhang Xiuling was the sect leader of the Hundred Flowers Gate.

Everyone present had just witnessed the scene; that was the truth.

He also had subordinates; several personal attendants were in the main hall.

Amidst the coming and going of guests, a man in a suit and a top hat entered the mourning hall.

Shen Jinzhong now had two tasks to accomplish.

In the gangs, what you see is real; what you don't see is fake.

He Yuxiu lit an incense stick for Bao Yingchen and said to Shen Jinzhong, "The accomplices have been dealt with. Are you just going to ignore the mastermind?"

Yes, the Chu family indeed didn't come.

What a waste of a good pot of lamb.

Shen Jinzhong, wearing mourning clothes, was heartbroken and almost fainted from crying.

In comparison, all her suspicions were meaningless and would only bring her trouble, perhaps even lead to her death.

He touched Shen Jinzhong from behind. Without that touch, Shen Jinzhong wouldn't have known the person had arrived.

Shen Rongqing still couldn't understand. "Xiuling, don't you want to know the truth?"

"What are you saying, Sister Xiu?" Shen Jinzhong gritted his teeth. "The Three Heroes Gate and the Chu family are sworn enemies!"

Shen Jinzhong shed tears; you saw it, and that's also real.

According to the rules, the Second Golden Seal was now to become the Great Golden Seal. The rules were real, and the Golden Seal was real.

"You've seen all these things. What you've seen is real. It's best not to blindly guess about things you can't see."

"Good!" He Yuxiu nodded. "I'll remember that. Old Bao, with his spirit in heaven, can hear it too!"

Dong Kaibin yelled hoarsely, "I had no knowledge of what the Chu family did!"

First, to properly bury Bao Yingchen. Whether as a sworn brother or a subordinate within the gang, this was Shen Jinzhong's duty.

In fact, he didn't need to bother defending himself, because Shen Jinzhong wouldn't give him a chance to do so.

Several disciples pinned Dong Kaibin onto the table, and Shen Jinzhong directly raised his knife.

Someone at the banquet softly muttered, "Was this really done by the Chu family?"

Dong Kaibin also had cultivation; he was a fifth-level ascetic.

Dong Kaibin was still dazed, not knowing how to defend himself.

Shen Jinzhong hosted a hot pot lamb banquet; he hadn't even invited the Chu family, so how could they have come?

This wasn't a time for reason; it was a time for sentiment and atmosphere.

It was too late for any shouts. Shen Jinzhong chopped off his head with one strike.

Li Banfeng nodded. "Is everything going smoothly?"

Next, the funeral arrangements had to be made. The guests who came for the banquet, naturally, couldn't neglect etiquette and went one after another to pay their respects before the altar.

After reading these few lines, Shen Rongqing fell silent.

Zhang Xiuling, using her skill of writing a thousand lines with one stroke, wrote a few sentences in her notebook and presented them to Shen Rongqing:

"Rongqing, truth isn't always the same. Merchants value genuine goods, but gangs value what's seen with their own eyes."

He called his attendants, but they all had knives held to their throats.

Killing Dong Kaibin avenged the patriarch. Shen Jinzhong's loyalty was sufficient, and the atmosphere was set.

Shen Jinzhong gnashed his teeth. "The Chu family didn't even dare to show up. If it wasn't them, then who else could it be?"

"Smoothly. Once Big Brother is buried, everything else will be easy to handle."

Second, the insider had to be dealt with. Bao Yingchen had finished his words, and the insider was identified as Dong Kaibin.

Watching the blood gush out, He Yuxiu felt a sense of pity.

As for an autopsy, no one dared to mention it. As Zhang Xiuling said, Bao Yingchen was dead, and dead was dead.

Bao Yingchen was already dead; you saw it, and that's real.

This was also Li Qi's instruction: no hesitation, no leeway, not a moment for argument or maneuvering.

He used his techniques, trying to escape, but was subdued by Shen Jinzhong on the spot.

"Master Qi," Shen Jinzhong approached a corner and whispered, "I've sent someone to look for what you wanted. I estimate they'll find it soon."

"Don't wait any longer; the funeral will be simple." Li Banfeng was somewhat worried that if they waited longer, the cabbage might cause problems.

Shen Jinzhong was also anxious. "It won't work tonight. I've already told the guests that the burial will be arranged for tomorrow."

"The burial is tomorrow," Zhang Xiuling closed her notebook and sighed. "Shen Jinzhong is really in a hurry."

Shen Rongqing lowered her voice. "With the funeral arranged so hastily, doesn't anyone feel suspicious?"

Zhang Xiuling nodded. "Yes, and more than one. But what does suspicion matter? It's just something they think about internally."

"Thinking more won't help. This matter is perplexing; perhaps decades, even a century from now, people still won't understand it."

"But what does understanding matter? The current leader of the Three Heroes Gate is Shen Jinzhong."

Li Qi and Shen Jinzhong were conversing in the mourning hall when Xie Juncong, the patriarch of the Ghost Hand Gate, entered to light incense.

"You must be Master Qi?" Xie Juncong stepped forward and greeted him.

Li Banfeng was somewhat surprised. Not many people noticed him immediately.

Shen Jinzhong stepped forward to introduce him. "This is the patriarch of the Ghost Hand Gate, Sect Leader Xie Juncong."

Upon hearing "Ghost Hand Gate," Li Banfeng had a strong urge to pin this kind-looking old man to the ground and give him a severe beating.

The timing and occasion were inappropriate, so Li Banfeng temporarily restrained himself. Xie Juncong sighed, "When old Bao was leaving, he said he recognized you as a friend."

"He was a true hero, and I, Xie, admire him. From now on, I, Xie, will also recognize you as a friend!"

"Elder Xie, you are highly respected, and I have long admired your reputation..." Li Banfeng was deeply moved and, from the bottom of his heart, concocted a few polite lies to dismiss Xie Juncong.

Bai Wuchuan, the leader of the White Crane Gang, entered the mourning hall. Initially, he hadn't noticed Li Banfeng, but seeing Xie Juncong speaking with him, he also went forward to chat for a few words.

"Master Qi, previously the White Crane Gang didn't have much contact with you, but old Bao's friend is my friend, Bai Wuchuan's friend."

Li Banfeng cupped his fists in return. After Bai Wuchuan left, Li Banfeng asked, "What is the origin of the White Crane Gang?"

Shen Jinzhong said, "In Puluo Province, the White Crane Gang is also a large sect. This sect consists entirely of body cultivators, and within it, there are two factions: transformation body cultivators and metamorphosing body cultivators."

Li Banfeng didn't know much about body cultivation and asked, "What are transformation body cultivators and metamorphosing body cultivators?"

"To put it simply, transformation body cultivators are humans who transform into beasts, and metamorphosing body cultivators are beasts who transform into humans."

"Bai Wuchuan is a transformation body cultivator, and he only took office last year. Logically, the position of gang leader shouldn't have been his."

"He had an older martial brother who was a metamorphosing body cultivator, a person transformed from a celestial crane. It's said he cultivated in seclusion for twenty years and achieved great success."

"A year ago, this martial brother emerged from seclusion, ready to take over as gang leader, but unexpectedly disappeared in the area around Yaowang Gully."

A celestial crane disappeared in the area around Yaowang Gully.

Li Banfeng felt as if he had seen this person before.

That person seemed to have crashed head-first into the border line and was annihilated!

To be able to become a gang leader, this person's cultivation must have been impressive.

It seems it's best to avoid prolonged seclusion in the future; too much seclusion might lead people to act strangely.

While he was thinking, Li Haoyun, the proprietor of Furong Zhai, entered the mourning hall. Having just seen Bai Wuchuan speaking with Li Qi, he also came up to greet them.

"Master Qi, we share the same surname; let's look out for each other in the future!"

After a few polite exchanges, Li Haoyun left. Li Banfeng asked, "What kind of business does Furong Zhai do?"

"Bookhouse business," Shen Jinzhong raised his eyebrows. "Thirty percent of the bookhouses in Greenwater City belong to Furong Zhai. Furong Zhai also has many businesses in Kudai Kan."

Furong Zhai, Li Haoyun.

Li Banfeng inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity with this person.

A few more guests arrived. A subordinate approached Shen Jinzhong and handed him a rosewood box.

Shen Jinzhong dismissed the subordinate and handed the rosewood box to Li Banfeng. "Master Qi, what you wanted has been acquired."

Li Banfeng took the box, opened it, and saw a pair of Judge's Brushes inside.

These were the good things Chu Huaijun sent Bao Yingchen?

Li Banfeng picked up the Judge's Brushes and examined them.

They were indeed fine weapons, meticulously crafted with excellent materials.

But after listening closely by his ear for a moment, Li Banfeng heard no sound.

He possessed the skill of discerning spiritual sounds. If he heard no sound, it proved that this pair of Judge's Brushes had no spiritual essence whatsoever.

"Just a pair of weapons like this, and Bao Yingchen would fight to the death for them?" Li Banfeng didn't quite believe it.

Seeing Li Banfeng's strange expression, Shen Jinzhong quickly explained, "Master Qi, we need to be clear about this. This item was given to you as soon as it was found. I haven't touched it."

Li Banfeng looked around the courtyard and saw Xie Juncong, the patriarch of the Ghost Hand Gate, walking towards the exit.

"What's the relationship between the Three Heroes Gate and the Ghost Hand Gate?"

Shen Jinzhong sighed. "With a gang like that, how should I put it?"

"Offending them easily brings trouble, and getting too close to them brings even more trouble. We just manage to get along, enough not to fall out, and that's it."

Li Banfeng took two steps to stand behind Xie Juncong and asked, "Elder Xie, are you heading back? Shall I see you off?"

Xie Juncong shook his head. "I'm not leaving tonight. I want to see old Bao off on his final journey."

He said he wasn't leaving.

Could it be that he wasn't the one who took the item?

Li Banfeng didn't ask further and turned to leave.

Seeing Li Banfeng walk away, Xie Juncong pulled out a white-threaded glove from his sleeve.

This glove was something he had taken from Li Banfeng. Although he didn't know its specific use, a thieving cultivator had means of identifying treasures, and he knew it was an extremely valuable magical artifact.

Xie Juncong secretly sighed, "This young man, to suspect me, seems to have some cleverness. But to dare to casually come and test me, he ultimately lacks some experience."

Xie Juncong checked the time. He waited until past 2 AM, and while everyone was tired, he found an opportunity to leave the Golden Seal Hall.

For a thieving cultivator, making a move depends entirely on timing.

What kind of timing was most suitable?

The Golden Seal Hall of the Three Heroes Gate was heavily guarded. Normally, even Xie Juncong wouldn't dare claim full confidence in sneaking in.

But now Shen Jinzhong had invited him to a hot pot lamb banquet, allowing him to openly walk into the hall. This was the most suitable timing.

As for whether Shen Jinzhong would seek retribution afterwards, that was hard to say. But Xie Juncong knew his priorities; the task assigned by He Jiaqing was more important to him.

As the saying goes, "catch a thief, catch him with the goods." Without proof, even if they came looking, Xie Juncong wouldn't admit to anything.

Moreover, Shen Jinzhong had just become the Great Golden Seal and hadn't yet established his footing, so Xie Juncong wasn't afraid of him making an enemy.

Back at his old house next to the Houtang City God Temple, Xie Juncong took out a pair of Judge's Brushes. He was about to contact Wan Jinxian to hand over the treasure to He Jiaqing when he suddenly found the brushes somewhat familiar.

It wasn't just familiar; these were the Judge's Brushes he had commissioned someone to make, the very ones he used for the swap in the Golden Seal Hall!

How did they get swapped back again?

Where was the real item?

Xie Juncong froze for a moment, then patted his inner pocket, realizing that the glove he had taken from Li Banfeng was also gone.

Inside the Portable Residence, the glove spat out the Judge's Brushes and sneered, "This wretched old man dares to take any item. He's lived to such an old age, yet still acts so carelessly."

"Patriarch, take a look, how's the quality of this item?"

Li Banfeng smiled. "You're an expert; what you deem correct can't be wrong."

He held the pair of Judge's Brushes and went over to his own Judge's Brush, quietly calling out, "A-Bi, your two brothers are here to see you. I see you all look the same, so I won't give them separate names."

"From now on, this one will be 'Second Brush,' the other 'Third Brush,' and you'll still be 'Jian Bi.' How does that sound?"

The Judge's Brush was asleep and ignored Li Banfeng.

The Judge's Brush designated as second-in-line voluntarily swapped places with the third-in-line, as he wasn't keen on being called "Second Brush."

After waiting for a long time, the two newly arrived brushes seemed to have no connection with the original Judge's Brush.

Li Banfeng frowned. "What's the meaning of this?"

The Portable Residence suddenly spoke, "A-Qi, bring this item to the third room, let this old man take a look for you."

Li Banfeng brought the Judge's Brushes to the third room.

The Portable Residence said in a serious tone, "A-Qi, put the brushes down first. Let this old man examine them carefully!"

"Put them down..." The glove was a little nervous.

"A-Tao, don't say another word!" The Portable Residence's tone became even more serious.

Li Banfeng placed the pair of Judge's Brushes on the ground.

"Wonderful items, ho ha ha ha!" The Portable Residence burst into laughter, and the pair of Judge's Brushes instantly melted, seeping into the ground and vanishing.

Li Banfeng was stunned for a long time, then angrily said, "Old thief, why are you openly stealing them?!"