Chapter 403: This Move Works Well

At 7:00 AM, a septuagenarian, completely naked, was sprinting wildly in front of Xiaoyaowu.

Li Banfeng ran alongside the old man, a camera recording their synchronized sprint.

"Isn't that Xie Juncong, Master Xie of the Ghost Hand Sect?" Li Banfeng's introduction was thorough, and his voice was booming.

Xie Juncong let out two dry chuckles. "Master Seven, I didn't expect us to meet here."

"Master Xie Juncong, you're in such a hurry. Do you have something urgent to attend to?"

"Nothing urgent, just out for some exercise."

"Master Xie Juncong, you're wearing so little. Is it because of the hot weather?"

"You know what, the weather is indeed quite hot today!"

"Master Xie Juncong, are you going home? Shall I hire a car to give you a ride?"

"No need to be so polite, I'll just walk back!"

Li Banfeng truly wanted to send him on his way, perhaps even send him back to his hometown for good.

This was the second time this old thief had stolen from him.

However, the glove repeatedly pleaded with Li Banfeng: "Master, you can't kill him yet. I still have some matters I want to uncover through him.

Moreover, his cultivation isn't low. If you fight him directly, Master, you might not have the upper hand."

Li Banfeng smiled. "With you here, should I be afraid of not beating him?"

The glove replied, slightly ashamed, "Master, I am merely a magical artifact, and this body of mine is simply too inadequate. In terms of skill, he is not as good as I am, but when it comes to a life-and-death struggle, I'm truly not his match.

This old scoundrel will definitely not dare to come to Xiaoyaowu again. For today, please consider it a favor to me and don't settle scores with him just yet."

Li Banfeng agreed to the glove's request and temporarily let Xie Juncong go. He extracted photographs from the recorded footage and sent them directly to the newspaper office.

By nightfall, Li Banfeng prepared some gifts and went to Furongzhai with Ma Wu.

Furongzhai was a mountain estate built on Linglong Mountain, east of Greenwater City. More than half the hillside, from halfway up to the summit, belonged to Furongzhai, featuring over a hundred various buildings, including Western-style houses, pavilions, and multi-story towers — a clear indication of Li Haoyun's wealth.

Li Banfeng was a bit unclear about Li Haoyun's identity. Was he a businessman or a gang leader?

Ma Wu couldn't answer either.

In Puro Province, the boundary between the two was never clearly defined; all gangs had businesses, and businessmen often had ties to gangs.

Li Haoyun welcomed them at the foot of the mountain. While they were still some distance apart, Ma Wu saw two women standing beside Li Haoyun. He turned to Li Banfeng and said, "Old Seven, these two women are Li Haoyun's wives. Later, during dinner, don't ask about them."

Li Banfeng frowned. "Why would I ask about someone else's wives?"

Ma Wu said, "There's an issue here. Li Haoyun's wives don't have very good backgrounds. Some people have joked with Li Haoyun about this, and his reaction when he gets angry is truly terrifying."

As they spoke, the two parties approached each other and exchanged a few pleasantries. Li Haoyun then led everyone up the mountain path to the Lychee Garden.

The Lychee Garden was a large garden, but the path was truly difficult to navigate, making it a relatively secluded spot within the entire Furongzhai estate.

Inside the garden was a large mansion, and the rest of the area was covered with lychee trees, though unfortunately, it wasn't the season for lychees.

The guests and host took their seats in the main hall and were chatting casually when a subordinate came to speak with Li Haoyun. Li Haoyun excused himself for a moment.

Ma Wu took the opportunity to say to Li Banfeng, "Inviting us to the Lychee Garden proves that Li Haoyun considers us among his most esteemed guests. Whatever you do, don't ask about the origin of the Lychee Garden; there's a story behind that too."

Li Banfeng naturally wouldn't ask about the origin of a garden, but according to Ma Wu's description, Li Haoyun had too many rules, which made Li Banfeng feel a bit repulsed.

If Li Haoyun were truly a pretentious person, Li Banfeng would have simply gotten up and left. But when Li Haoyun returned and they continued their casual conversation, Li Banfeng found him to be quite a casual person, not someone with so many hangups.

Perhaps he was just good at hiding it now, and might explode at any moment.

A short while later, the food and wine were all served, a very lavish spread.

Li Haoyun called over several women to warm wine and serve food to the two, attending to them very thoroughly.

Ma Wu was accustomed to such scenes, but his cultivation couldn't be delayed. After two cups of wine, he had already begun his practice.

Li Banfeng had no interest in the women beside him, nor did he particularly want to talk much with Li Haoyun.

Seeing Li Banfeng's lack of enthusiasm, Li Haoyun smiled and said, "Master Seven, do you think my business is unclean, and thus look down on me?"

Li Banfeng smiled faintly. "That depends on what kind of business you're doing."

Li Haoyun looked at the young women beside him and said, "The women of Furongzhai are free to come and go. I keep those who want to earn money here, and I don't stop those who want to find another path; I even provide travel expenses. I think my business is quite clean."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly. If business was conducted this way, there truly was nothing wrong with it.

Li Haoyun continued, "To be frank, my parents did this kind of business. They passed away early and left the family business to me. The business at that time truly disgusted me, so I changed professions."

Ma Wu was startled. Li Haoyun had voluntarily brought up his past, which truly meant he didn't treat Li Qi as an outsider.

Li Banfeng asked, "Which profession did you switch to?"

Li Haoyun smiled. "I went into business. I sold all my parents' businesses and opened new shops. I sold antiques and calligraphy, and I lost money.

Then I sold fabrics and dyes, and lost money.

Then I sold rice, flour, grains, and oil, and still lost money.

With the last bit of money left, I came to this mountain to grow lychees. To this day, I still keep the Lychee Garden, which is this very place."

Was this why he didn't want others to ask about the Lychee Garden?

"But selling lychees isn't shameful, is it?"

"It's not shameful, but I lost money even selling lychees. All I had left were the lychees; I didn't even have money for food.

My name is Li Haoyun. Back then, everyone who knew me called me 'Lychee Yun.' Calling me that once or twice was fine, but being constantly mocked like that truly made me angry."

So that was the reason he didn't like others inquiring about the Lychee Garden.

Li Banfeng smiled. "After losing money selling lychees, did you switch to any other trades?"

Li Haoyun shook his head. "I wanted to, but I couldn't. I had lost all my money. I still had two maids who had served me since childhood. I gave them my last bit of savings and told them to go back to their hometowns, but they wouldn't listen.

They sold themselves to raise capital for me. I dared not spend this money recklessly; I couldn't afford to lose any more, nor could I afford to lose it. I could only pick up the old business again and continue this trade.

After I got back on my feet, the first thing I did was marry these two maids and bring them home as my wives. Some say their backgrounds are not good. I can't control what they say behind my back, but if they say it to my face, I will definitely get angry.

They can look down on me, but they cannot look down on my wives. This is the one thing I'm particular about."

As he spoke, Li Haoyun smiled and raised his wine cup.

Li Banfeng raised his cup in response and drained it in one gulp.

This was the first cup of wine Li Banfeng had drunk.

The atmosphere instantly softened. Li Banfeng then asked, "Master Li, since you are good at this business, why did you switch professions in the first place?"

Li Haoyun sighed. "Master Seven, you don't know this, but my parents' business was quite different from mine. Their business was not clean at all; the girls they had were all bought from human traffickers.

The girls, once bought, were theirs for life, used to earn money when useful, and resold to others when no longer useful.

Obedient girls were persuaded, disobedient ones were beaten into submission. In their home, twelve whips hung, each stained with blood.

There was one girl who was particularly strong-willed; she was beaten half to death but still refused to submit. But my mother had a way: she had healing medicine, top-grade healing medicine.

She first applied medicine to the girl, then waited on her, serving her food and drink, bringing her soup and water every day, and even assisting her to the outhouse.

After some days, the girl recovered. Guess what happened?

This girl treated my mother as her benefactor; she listened to everything my mother said and told everyone my mother had saved her.

But how could she forget who had beaten her like that in the first place?

Master Seven, this trick was effective, especially effective. So many people were deceived this way, becoming willing victims. Isn't that infuriating?"

Ma Wu was startled, realizing Li Haoyun's words had a deeper meaning.

Li Banfeng raised his wine cup and drained it again in one gulp.

The next evening, Liao Zihui came to Xiaoyaowu. He left his driver and bodyguards downstairs and went alone to the private room for the banquet.

The two parties took their seats. Liao Zihui spread his hands and said, "I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gifts. I hope you two don't mind."

Ma Wu smiled. "No need to be so polite."

Li Qi nodded. "I actually do mind."

Liao Zihui was startled. "Are you blaming me for being disrespectful?"

Li Qi retorted, "Do you think it's not disrespectful?"

Liao Zihui smiled. "If you put it that way, I actually did bring a gift for you two."

"Then let's see it?"

Liao Zihui pulled out a document. "From today onwards, the transit fees for your businesses will be reduced back to the original price."

Ma Wu was very happy to hear this; the biggest obstacle to their business had been resolved.

He was about to raise his cup to toast when Li Banfeng stopped him.

"Chief Envoy Liao, what kind of gift is this?"

Liao Zihui was stunned for a long time.

He wanted to change his strategy towards Li Qi and had voluntarily made a concession, but he didn't expect Li Qi to have this attitude.

"The transit fees are back to the original price, are you still not satisfied?" The smile vanished from Liao Zihui's face.

Li Banfeng smiled. "Original price means it's still the original price. What advantage have we gained?"

Liao Zihui frowned. "What you were charged before wasn't the original price."

Li Banfeng calmly said, "That proves you were doing something wrong before."

"Do we need to recount every single past incident?"

"Let's count and see. My arithmetic is quite good; I should be able to count it well."

Liao Zihui's cheek twitched a few times. "I don't want to bring up past matters again. I came with sincerity; I truly want to settle things down."

Li Banfeng remained calm. "If you feel that settling this matter will put you at a disadvantage, then we don't have to settle it."

Ma Wu didn't dare to say a word; the atmosphere before him made him breathless.

Liao Zihui took a deep breath and said, "What do you want?"

Li Banfeng said, "Shipping fees reduced by half."

Liao Zihui smiled. "Do you think that's possible?"

Li Banfeng also smiled. "I think it's very possible."

Liao Zihui was silent for a long time, then shook his head. "You're making things difficult for me; I can't do this."

Li Banfeng said earnestly, "In the face of difficulties, one must not retreat. You must display initiative. If you don't try, how will you know you can't do it?"

Liao Zihui gritted his teeth, then got up and left.

Outside the window, the sound of a steam car starting up was heard. Liao Zihui was gone.

Ma Wu knew he couldn't persuade Li Banfeng, but still couldn't help but say, "Old Seven, this might truly be too difficult for him. He definitely can't make the decision to cut shipping fees by half."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "If he had to lower all shipping fees in Puro Province by half, he indeed couldn't do it. But just for our one business to be reduced by half, he should have the authority for that."

Ma Wu sighed. "How are we going to get along with them in the future?"

Li Banfeng smiled. "He'll have to learn to get used to it. This is just the beginning."