Chapter 468: Heroic Zhao Xiaowan

What kind of organization is the Flying General Camp? Who is their leader? And why are they impersonating Madam?

This matter sounded absurd, but it required extra vigilance. Li Banfeng rewarded Kui Bafang and also informed Old Luo, asking him to keep a close eye on any news concerning the Flying General Camp.

Old Luo worried Daboyins might have a backup plan: "Seventh Master, once the Lu Dongliang matter is resolved, you should return to Green Water City first. That fake foreigner is difficult to deal with; he has many tricks up his sleeve in the New Land."

Li Banfeng wasn't too worried; he had plenty of experience in the New Land himself. "A new dance hall has opened on Shaping Road. Go look after the business."

Luo Zhengnan paused, surprised: "You want me to look after the dance hall's business?"

Li Banfeng smiled: "It's your business; naturally, you have to look after it yourself."

"My own business..."

Li Banfeng gave Luo Zhengnan a dance hall; it was what Luo Zhengnan deserved.

Luo Zhengnan was somewhat incredulous: "Seventh Master, my identity isn't fit for the light..."

"Who said that?" Li Banfeng replied seriously. "Old Luo, stand tall! If the Jiangxiang Gang dares to lay a hand on you, we'll wipe out their entire clan!"

Luo Zhengnan thanked him profusely. After hanging up the phone, he pulled an antenna from the top of his head and put it back into its box. He stood on the balcony with his hands behind his back, his posture perfectly straight.

Li Banfeng returned to Fool's City. The journey took an extra two hours because the entrance had changed. Upon arriving at Changsan Abode, he first found an empty room, stored the keys, and then entered his Personal Abode.

Seeing Li Banfeng moving corpses towards the door, Madam asked, "Oh, dear husband, these are our family's provisions. Why are you moving them out?"

Li Banfeng chuckled, "You don't like this coarse, inferior food. I'll send them out first; there's a whole family waiting to eat outside."

"Oh, you madman!" the phonograph exclaimed angrily. "You have another family outside? Isn't one family serving you enough?"

"These two families are different."

"How are they different?"

"That family doesn't have a Madam. My darling Madam, I only have you. Don't fuss over these scraps!"

Lu Dongliang's subordinates were not very high-level cultivators. One five-tiered one was given to Red Lotus for alchemy, another five-tiered one was kept for the Projector to recuperate, and all the rest were sent to the Abode by Li Banfeng.

Inside the Abode, everyone was overjoyed. Yan Qing'er first plucked a pair of eyeballs and installed them for Tang Changfa. Tang Changfa blinked, finding his eyes a bit dry and his eyeballs not moving smoothly. He went to the back kitchen, found a small bottle of cooking oil, and dripped it into his eye sockets, feeling much more comfortable.

The remaining bones and flesh were slowly distributed among themselves. Li Banfeng used the Blood-Filled Pendulum to store a large amount of blood, specifically prepared for Yan Cui'er. This wasn't Li Banfeng playing favorites; Yan Cui'er's physique had been modified by Li Banfeng using the Flesh-Sculpting Technique. The blood could circulate in her body, and only she could make use of it. With the fresh blood, the already plump Yan Cui'er became smooth and lustrous, alluring and charming.

Yan Qing'er got angry: "Why does she get it all? Why don't we get any?"

Li Banfeng said nothing. Among the girls, Yan Hong'er was the smartest and quickly interjected, "When the shopkeeper was learning the techniques, Yan Cui'er contributed greatly, so it's only right that she receives more favor. If we serve the shopkeeper well in the future, rewards will be plentiful. Seventh Master brought us so many good things today; what more could we be discontent with?"

Li Banfeng liked hearing this. Next time he used the Flesh-Sculpting Technique, he would modify Yan Hong'er as well.

However, Li Banfeng actually didn't know how to use the Flesh-Sculpting Technique at all; he used the paste that Sun Tiecheng had given him. Now that the paste had been given to Madam, he needed to find an opportunity to ask Old Sun for another box.

"Where did our city lord go?"

Tang Changfa said: "I heard he has a lover outside. He cleans himself up early every morning and goes out, not returning until after midnight."

Li Banfeng snorted: "With so many good girls in the city, why go outside looking for a lover? He's not serious!"

Tang Changfa agreed: "Our shopkeeper is much more serious than him. When you become the city lord, we'll find lovers right here in the city!"

While everyone was distributing the bones and flesh, Li Banfeng returned to his Personal Abode and brought out two boxes of rouge for each of the girls. Tang Changfa had the most merit, so Li Banfeng gave him a scimitar.

This scimitar was a spirit item. Two old hunters from Zhengjing Village had subdued a fierce evil spirit, but it was too unruly to carry. They commissioned craftsmen to forge it into a scimitar and sold it directly in the village. This scimitar was deadly; if it pierced someone's body, no matter where, the blade's tip would automatically extend towards their head, swiftly and viciously.

Tang Changfa accepted the scimitar, a look of shame on his face: "Shopkeeper, I only wanted to force the Young Master away. I couldn't even manage that small task, and you're giving me something so valuable? It's not right."

Li Banfeng said with a serious expression: "It's perfectly right. My entire fortune in this city relies on your management. Such a great contribution deserves a generous reward. Besides, we run a business, and we encounter all sorts of people. Those who come to cause trouble rely on you to deal with them. You're always chopping people with a cleaver, and that makes people gossip, thinking we run a shady establishment, which harms our reputation."

Tang Changfa didn't quite understand: "If I use a scimitar to chop people, does that mean we're not a shady establishment?"

Li Banfeng frowned: "You're being foolish! This scimitar is much more effective than a cleaver. No matter where you strike, it will sever their head. Without a head, they can't speak, so they can't ruin our reputation!"

Tang Changfa thumped his chest: "Shopkeeper, rest assured! You're destined to become the city lord. If anyone dares to speak ill of you, I'll be the first to chop them down!"

Yan Cui'er, Yan Hong'er, and Yan Qing'er also had significant contributions, so Li Banfeng gave each of them a piece of jewelry. Li Banfeng didn't neglect the other girls either, making a new outfit for each of them.

These girls hadn't seen new clothes in years, and each one was absolutely delighted. As the Abode was bustling with cheer, they suddenly heard someone shouting on the street: "Newspapers! Get your newspapers!"

Yan Hong'er consulted Tang Changfa: "Brother Fa, on such a good day, why not buy a newspaper?"

Tang Changfa frowned: "Didn't I buy you one last month? What's so interesting about it? Haven't you had enough?"

Yan Hong'er dared not speak. Li Banfeng asked, "Is he selling a monthly paper?"

Tang Changfa chuckled: "No, not a monthly. They're regular newspapers, daily and evening editions. I buy them one copy each month so they can keep up with what's happening outside."

Li Banfeng asked, "If there are daily papers, why only buy one a month?"

Tang Changfa rubbed his hands: "The newspaper seller has a special status. The city lord allows him to buy newspapers outside the city and then sell them here. He makes a profit on the difference. He sells one newspaper for over a Huan Nation note!"

Li Banfeng asked: "A silver dollar?"

"One Huan Nation note."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

"Well, that's still quite a bit..." Tang Changfa smacked his lips. He was truly pained by the cost.

Li Banfeng then remembered something: the Abode usually had no business and virtually no income. So where did the Abode's money come from?

The money was distributed monthly by Sun Tiecheng. It wasn't much, just enough to barely cover their food and drink. Tang Changfa said: "Shopkeeper, we need to eat something every day. If we don't eat at all, our bodies won't function properly."

Food was a necessity for maintaining their physiques and cultivation, and also for maintaining their beliefs. But why didn't Sun Tiecheng distribute food directly? Why insist on giving money? This was to make them retain a concept of money and deepen their understanding of life.

Tang Changfa budgeted carefully each month, and the food he bought was barely enough to fill them. A single newspaper was indeed a luxury for them.

Li Banfeng returned to his Personal Abode, took out 500,000 in cash, and handed it to Tang Changfa: "I don't come back often, so you use this money for now. Eat well, and you must read newspapers. You need to know what's happening outside. If you're alive, you must live properly!"

Tang Changfa tried to decline, but Li Banfeng frowned: "What's wrong with me investing a bit of money in my own family business? Go buy the newspapers first."

Tang Changfa quickly went to buy newspapers. He didn't splurge, buying just two copies of the 'Water City Evening News.' The 'Water City Evening News' was a well-known evening paper in Green Water City, and one of the most famous newspapers published by the Ling Family Press. Tang Changfa handed one copy to the girls to pass around, and the other to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng usually only read the front page, but these girls eagerly grabbed the fourth page; they preferred the supplement.

"Quick, quick! A new installment of 'Tales of the Heroic Knight' is out!"

'Tales of the Heroic Knight'? That's a rather plain title.

A group of women huddled together just to read this issue. Li Banfeng was a bit curious too and opened the supplement to take a look. The serialized story was a chapter pulled from the middle, without beginning or end, and Li Banfeng couldn't quite make sense of it.

Yan Hong'er quickly explained to the shopkeeper: "'Tales of the Heroic Knight' tells the story of the heroic knight Zhao Xiaowan, who takes command to reorganize the Flying General Camp. Her long spear dances, striking fear into villains, as she eradicates evil and brings peace, displaying her might!"

Flying General Camp?

Daboyins had also mentioned the Flying General Camp. This didn't prove anything, however. In the tales praising Zhao Xiaowan, the Flying General Camp was often mentioned. Regardless of which troops Zhao Xiaowan led, they were almost always called the Flying General Camp in these stories; it had become Zhao Xiaowan's hallmark.

Yan Hong'er's voice was loud and clear, with powerful rhythm. Li Banfeng complimented her: "Hong'er, have you ever considered becoming a storyteller?"

Yan Hong'er had indeed thought about it: "Shopkeeper, I really want to try! Please listen to my foundation first! Now, it is said that Flying General Zhao Xiaowan went to Thousand Pearl Mountain alone. In front of that group of fierce bandits, she showed not a hint of fear, and with one spear thrust, she directly took the head of the bandit leader..."

She recounted the story of Zhao Xiaowan's solo venture into Thousand Pearl Mountain. Stories of Zhao Xiaowan were not uncommon, but the one Yan Hong'er told was of high quality, with a captivating and thrilling plot. The story's setting seemed to be the present day, and it mentioned a specific location: Thousand Pearl Mountain.

Thousand Pearl Mountain was home to a group of notorious bandits who committed all sorts of evil. Li Banfeng had paid attention to this place, originally planning to get some 'food' there to nourish Madam, but recent errands had kept him from finding the time. The fact that this incident was written into a story showed how much Thousand Pearl Mountain was hated.

Li Banfeng asked, "How many bandit soldiers are on Thousand Pearl Mountain? If we brought them all back, would it be enough for the entire city to get new bones and flesh?"

Yan Hong'er replied: "There were quite a few bandit soldiers, over three hundred, but that group is gone now. They were all taken care of by the Flying General."

"Over three hundred people taken care of by her single-handedly?"

Yan Hong'er exclaimed in admiration: "The Flying General is divinely brave, unmatched in the world!"

"Is this made up in the story?" Li Banfeng was somewhat skeptical.

Yan Hong'er brought a newspaper: "Shopkeeper, this is true! Look at the news on the front page: The bandits of Thousand Pearl Mountain have been annihilated."

Li Banfeng read through it. This was a newspaper from the New Year period. At that time, Li Banfeng had been busy with the rebirth of Autumn Falling Leaves and hadn't had time to pay attention to the news. The news didn't mention Zhao Xiaowan, only stating that all the bandits were executed, with none spared. In the story on page four, Zhao Xiaowan was repeatedly mentioned, and it was precisely the story Yan Hong'er had just told.

News on page one, a story on page four – isn't that a bit too fast?

Li Banfeng put the newspaper away. Yan Hong'er was a little reluctant, so Li Banfeng comforted her: "You'll have plenty of newspapers from now on. Next time I come, I'll bring you extra rouge too."

After eating a meal in Fool's City, Li Banfeng was about to leave. Everyone in the Abode was reluctant to see him go; no one had treated them so well in all these years.

Li Banfeng smiled: "All of you, cultivate well here and learn more skills. I'll still need to seek your guidance in the future."

Tang Changfa said: "Shopkeeper, you speak like a stranger. Why talk about seeking guidance among family? I'll teach you the essentials of the Challenge Provocation Technique right now. It's just that I don't have the city lord's abilities, so I don't know if you'll be able to learn it."

The essentials of the technique could be learned, but Li Banfeng was not a member of the Fool's Cultivation Daoist Sect and lacked their cultivation level. Without Sun Tiecheng's personal instruction, learning any number of essentials would be useless; he wouldn't be able to master the technique. Li Banfeng had already tried this with Yan Cui'er. Li Banfeng didn't know what special methods Sun Tiecheng possessed. As for the Challenge Provocation Technique, which relied on self-harm to deter enemies, Li Banfeng also had no desire to learn it.

Returning to Zhengjing Village, Li Banfeng found Ma Wu and showed him the newspaper. Ma Wu was busy with business, first in Qiqiu City, then Huangtu Bridge. Apart from business news, he hadn't paid much attention to other matters.

"Thousand Pearl Mountain was pacified by Zhao Xiaowan? Is Zhao Xiaowan still alive?" Ma Wu thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Someone must be acting under Zhao Xiaowan's banner. Whether they're truly doing justice will require further investigation."

Li Banfeng said: "I'm about to investigate this matter. The author of this story is Sanzhumei. Have you had any contact with her?"

Ma Wu nodded: "I've had contact, but not extensively. Sanzhumei's real name is Danzhumei, and she's from the Ink Fragrance Shop, a capable associate under Shen Rongqing. She's aloof and difficult to get along with. She accompanied Shen Rongqing for two meals with me, but we barely exchanged words."

If even Ma Wu couldn't get a word in, what kind of woman was she?

Li Banfeng said: "When we return to Green Water City, arrange for Ms. Dan to come out for a meeting."

Ma Wu shook his head: "I really don't want to see her. You'd best not go either, to avoid being rebuffed."

"We won't confront her. I'll find someone else to."

Back in Green Water City, Li Banfeng booked a banquet at the Peace Hotel. Ma Wu went to the newspaper office to invite Danzhumei. The first invitation, Danzhumei declined, stating she was too busy recently to socialize. For the second invitation, Shen Rongqing personally intervened, and Danzhumei reluctantly came, but only on the condition that Shen Rongqing accompanied her.

Shen Rongqing, fearing Ma Wu's embarrassment, advised: "They're inviting you alone, so I don't need to go."

Danzhumei responded in front of Ma Wu: "As a woman, attending a banquet alone might damage my reputation."

Ma Wu frowned: "How would it damage your reputation?"

Shen Rongqing interjected to mediate: "Don't fuss over such a small matter. Ah Mei and I will go together."

When the day arrived, hosts and guests took their seats. There were five people in total. Danzhumei offered no greeting and barely spared Li Banfeng and Ma Wu a glance, acting as if inviting her to dinner was like owing her money. Although Shen Rongqing was aloof, she understood social etiquette; her words and actions were never impolite. She knew Li Banfeng, and she knew Ma Wu very well. She greeted them and exchanged a few pleasantries. There was also another woman at the table whom she didn't know, waiting for an introduction.

This woman was very beautiful, charming and ethereal, making people unable to help but take a second look. Upon closer inspection, one would realize that while her face was flawless, her figure surpassed it, making it impossible to look away.

"And this young lady is?"

Li Banfeng introduced: "This young lady is You Xuetao, a talented woman. We invited Miss You today specifically to discuss literature with both of you."

Shen Rongqing nodded and smiled: "Excellent. Then tonight we shall only discuss literature and nothing else."

As they spoke, Danzhumei first looked at Ma Wu, her eyes full of disgust. Shen Rongqing kept her gaze on You Xuetao: "Miss You, what kind of literature do you like best? Have you brought any of your works?"

You Xuetao slightly lowered her head, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, carrying shyness within it, a slight awkwardness within the shyness, and within that awkwardness, excitement and joy. Ma Wu's cultivation was above You Xuetao's, but he couldn't replicate that single expression.

"Before two teachers like yourselves, how dare I speak of my own works?" You Xuetao first looked at Shen Rongqing. "I am a loyal reader of both of you, especially fond of Teacher Shen's essays and Teacher Dan's poetry."

Danzhumei, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: "I'm no teacher. You mustn't compare me with Teacher Shen."

You Xuetao lowered her head: "I was presumptuous."

Shen Rongqing smiled: "Let's not call each other teacher; it makes one sound old. Miss You, which of Zhumei's poems do you like?" This was a test; she wanted to see if You Xuetao was merely flattering them indiscriminately.

You Xuetao looked up, gazing at Danzhumei, and recited: "When my body falls into the abyss, forever trapped in the demon's dungeon, I shall still gaze upon you, for you are my only salvation in this life." As she spoke, You Xuetao's eyes gleamed. A hint of clear tears, reflecting the candlelight, expressed her inner admiration, affection, and longing to the fullest.

Danzhumei was utterly stunned for a long time. There was actually such a pure and lovely woman in this world.

Li Banfeng took a sip of wine. Who would have thought that such a pure and lovely woman was once shaking peaches at him non-stop on Bitter Mist Mountain? Dealing with different people required different methods. Ma Wu knew this principle, but his skill truly couldn't compare to You Xuetao's. Yet, despite You Xuetao's great talent, she only barely reached the second tier with He Yuxiu's help.

During dinner, the three women kept discussing literature, giving Li Banfeng and Ma Wu almost no chance to speak. After dinner, Ma Wu suggested going to the dance floor. Shen Rongqing remained noncommittal, and Danzhumei flatly refused, her face dark. You Xuetao kept watching Danzhumei. Danzhumei controlled her emotions and stated that she was tired and wanted to go home to rest.

Danzhumei left by car. Ma Wu sighed: "This person is too difficult to deal with. It might take more effort to succeed. In a few days, I'll invite her out again."

You Xuetao shook her head: "No need to wait. Since we've found her residence, I'll go to her tonight."

Ma Wu was a little surprised: "Miss You, there's no need to be so rushed about this."

You Xuetao rubbed her forehead: "I am in a hurry. After having dinner with her and reciting poetry for three days with Xiao Yeci—her writings are complete nonsense, they make me sick to read, and she insists I memorize them! If I wait for another dinner, I'm bound to make a mistake. It's better to just get it done tonight."

Li Banfeng liked You Xuetao's temperament. When doing important things, one shouldn't delay overnight!

Danzhumei returned home, feeling a little dejected. As a newspaper editor, her income was decent but not wealthy. She lived alone in a small, detached courtyard, couldn't afford servants, and didn't even have anyone to talk to. After lying on the bed for a while, she wanted to write something, but once she picked up the pen, she didn't know what to write. After an hour of agonizing, she straightened her bed, intending to sleep, but then suddenly heard a knock at the door.

She opened the door to see You Xuetao standing outside. Danzhumei's heart quickened. As their eyes met, she cautiously asked, "Who brought you before me?"

You Xuetao smiled: "It was destiny."

Danzhumei asked again: "Who controls destiny?"

You Xuetao smiled again.

Who was it, again?

I forgot.

Danzhumei was still waiting for an answer. You Xuetao put one arm around her waist, placed her other hand on the back of Danzhumei's head, and then covered her lips.

Three days later, Danzhumei came to Carefree Haven, wanting to see Li Banfeng and Ma Wu. However, they weren't people you could see just because you wanted to. Li Banfeng couldn't be bothered with her. Ma Wu was absent, having gone to Huangtu Bridge to manage business.

Danzhumei went to plead with Shen Rongqing, asking her to arrange a meeting with Li Banfeng. Shen Rongqing refused to help: "Ah Mei, you gave them a cold shoulder at dinner that day. Now you want me to ask them on your behalf? That's not appropriate."

Danzhumei had no choice but to seek out Zhang Xiuling. And surprisingly, Zhang Xiuling actually admired Danzhumei and did help her. Zhang Xiuling, the foremost talented woman of Puluo Prefecture and leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect, personally went to Carefree Haven to find Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng had to give her some face: "Alright, a meeting is fine, but it's not proper for a man and woman to meet alone. Let's all three have dinner together."

The three ate together at Carefree Haven, and Danzhumei found it difficult to bring up the matter during the meal. After the dinner, she shamelessly pleaded to speak with Li Banfeng alone for a while.

Zhang Xiuling chuckled: "Ah Mei, even if you've taken a liking to Seventh Master, you shouldn't be so impatient."

Regardless of Zhang Xiuling's teasing, Danzhumei persisted. Li Banfeng reluctantly agreed, had a private room opened, and spoke with Danzhumei for a few moments.

Danzhumei's request was simple: "I want to see Miss You again, but I can't find her."

"You can find Miss You. Miss You particularly admires you. This article, you wrote it, didn't you?" Li Banfeng handed the newspaper to Danzhumei.

Without needing to look, she recognized her own writing: "Yes, I wrote it."

Li Banfeng asked: "Have you ever been to Thousand Pearl Mountain? How did you write about this incident?"

Danzhumei replied: "I haven't been to Thousand Pearl Mountain. I wrote this based on the news."

"The news came out that day, and you wrote it that very day?"

Danzhumei said: "I saw the news draft and rushed it out overnight."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Everything that was in the news, I see you wrote it down."

"Just copying it, it's very easy."

"Things not in the news, you wrote those too."

"Those I made up."

Li Banfeng looked at the details and chuckled: "You made it up so it seems real?"

Danzhumei pursed her lips: "It's artistic embellishment."

Li Banfeng put down the newspaper: "Embellished to seem real?"

Danzhumei started to sweat: "I put a lot of effort into it."

Li Banfeng looked at Danzhumei: "This effort seems real too?"

The questioning intensified, and Danzhumei began to lose her composure: "What exactly do you want to ask?"

Li Banfeng calmly said: "I'm asking if it's truly real?"

"I didn't say it was real!"

"If it's not real, why did you write it so realistically?"

Danzhumei retorted angrily: "How do you know it's realistic? Did you see it with your own eyes?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "I saw it with my own eyes. That's why I say your writing is realistic. Did you see it with your own eyes?"

"I didn't see it..."

"You didn't see it, so how did you write it as if it were real?"

Danzhumei's resistance completely collapsed: "I, I heard it from someone..."

"Heard it from whom? And they told it as if it were real?"

Danzhumei took a deep breath, feeling the strings in her mind snapping one by one: "Xie Mengjiao, the singer from the Hundred Joys Gate, brought me the news. She recounted the entire incident to me and asked me to write this piece."

"She told you to write it, and you did? Why are you so obedient to her?"

"Because..." Danzhumei didn't know how to answer.

Li Banfeng answered for her: "Because you are all members of the Flying General Camp, correct?"

Danzhumei remained silent for a long time, then suddenly looked up: "So what if I am? Following the Flying General to eradicate evil and bring peace, I have no regrets in this life. Since you've discovered my identity, do as you please, kill or torture me. I will not reveal anything about the Flying General Camp, nor will I reveal anyone!"

"What about Xie Mengjiao?"

Danzhumei lowered her head: "Except for her."

Li Banfeng said: "If I apprehend her too, and she reveals others, won't that also be counted against you?"

Danzhumei's features began to contort. Whatever Li Banfeng asked, she answered.

The Flying General Camp had many members. Danzhumei didn't know the exact number, but she had met over a dozen. The singer Xie Mengjiao's main task was to transmit messages, the merchant Fang Guiquan's task was to gather information, and her own task was to record the various deeds of the Flying General Camp.

"You write their deeds directly in the newspaper. Aren't you worried about leaking information about the Flying General Camp?"

"This was the Flying General's command. The General told me to spread these gratifying deeds."

"You've met the Flying General?"

"Yes!" Danzhumei was very excited. "Although I haven't seen her face, just from her indistinct silhouette, I could tell she is the most beautiful woman in this world!"

"Are you sure that was Zhao Xiaowan?"

"I'm certain it was her. She is the embodiment of beauty and wisdom. With a gentle wave of her long spear, everyone was awed and dared not look directly at her. After annihilating the bandits of Thousand Pearl Mountain, the General immediately had Xie Mengjiao inform me of the victory. Even before the newspaper office received the news, I had already started writing this piece, a work that will make me proud for a lifetime!"

"Is there a next work?"

"Yes!" Danzhumei answered proudly. "The General has already led people to Falling Jade Pass to eliminate the Jiangxiang bandits there."

Li Banfeng was startled: "Zhao Xiaowan is going to fight the Jiangxiang Gang?"

Danzhumei nodded: "The Jiangxiang Gang commits all sorts of evil. The Flying General Camp is irreconcilable with them! Within three days, the Flying General Camp will destroy the Jiangxiang Gang's stronghold at Falling Jade Pass. This great deed will be spread by my pen."

Li Banfeng blinked. This "Zhao Xiaowan" acts very high-profile. Was what Danzhumei said true? This matter was easy to verify; they would know the result in three days.

Li Banfeng stood up to leave, but Danzhumei stopped him: "Are you trying to silence me? I don't cling to life. I just want to see Miss You again."

Li Banfeng didn't respond, walked around Danzhumei, and left the private room. Danzhumei sat in the private room, distraught and weeping incessantly. After crying for a while, the private room door was pushed open, and You Xuetao appeared before Danzhumei. Danzhumei clutched You Xuetao's lapel, seemingly finding a glimmer of hope.

You Xuetao stroked Danzhumei's hair: "Let's wait for the General's victory news together. I still want to read the stories you write."

Just two days later, Luo Zhengnan was the first to receive news: "The Jiangxiang Gang's stronghold at Falling Jade Pass has been destroyed. Over three hundred gang disciples were killed or wounded."

You Xuetao also sent news: "The Flying General Camp is preparing to press on with their victory and destroy two more Jiangxiang Gang strongholds."

Li Banfeng returned to his Personal Abode, embracing the phonograph. "My darling Madam, someone is doing something big under your banner."

"Oh, dear husband, what kind of big thing?"

"Fighting the Jiangxiang Gang. This is good news, genuinely good news!"

Dark Star Bureau, Director's Office.

Xiao Zhenggong looked at Director Shen Jingye and said: "The Flying General Camp has successively destroyed three of my strongholds. Are you going to intervene or not?"

Shen Jingye replied: "The higher-ups are currently expediting their study of this matter. A work plan is expected to be released soon."

"A plan? You just want to watch the Jiangxiang Gang fall apart!"

Shen Jingye offered no further explanation. He simply asked: "Do you still intend to use the Balance Seal?"

Xiao Zhenggong looked at Shen Jingye: "If I use the Balance Seal one more time, the Jiangxiang Gang will be completely consumed by you. Without the Jiangxiang Gang, I suppose you won't need me, the Balancer, anymore. You want to replace the Balancer, didn't I get that right?"