Chapter 487: This is Really Problematic

The house cultivators from Iron Gate Fort completely eliminated Dick Chen's subordinates.

Wu Yongchao stared at a large crater on the ground, frowning. "Who made this?" he asked.

A house cultivator nearby said, "Could it be that guy, what's-his-name Weixin? He's quite strong."

Another house cultivator confirmed, "Yes, it's Chen Weixin. I saw that huge crater appear right under his feet."

Li Zhijuan walked over and addressed the group. "Stop talking nonsense," she said. "Chen Weixin didn't do this. The Fort Master did."

Everyone gasped, "The Fort Master was here?"

"Someone flashed past Chen Weixin," a cultivator explained. "From his silhouette, I could tell it was our Fort Master."

At the time, Li Banfeng had paused slightly longer in front of Chen Weixin to use his Foolish Cultivation technique, which Li Zhijuan noticed.

Wu Yongchao remembered something. "During the battle, who rang the gong?" he asked.

The others shook their heads repeatedly. Hu Fangyuan replied, "You led the fight. If a gong was rung, it must have been you."

Wu Yongchao knew very well that he hadn't rung the gong.

Everyone else in the fort also knew that when this person named Chen Weixin stormed in, they were on the verge of being overwhelmed. But someone had helped them resist, driving Chen Weixin away.

However, that person moved too quickly for anyone to clearly see their appearance.

"The Fort Master was here," Wu Yongchao said, looking at the large iron gate at the valley entrance.

Iron Gate Fort had only one Fort Master, and his name was simply Fort Master.

No one in Iron Gate Fort knew his real name; they knew almost nothing about the Fort Master.

But he came. He came when the fort was in trouble.

Wu Yongchao stated, "No matter what, he will always be our Fort Master."

Li Zhijuan asked, "Where is the Fort Master now?"

At the market entrance, Li Banfeng pulled out a wad of Huanguo banknotes and asked, "Are you available for hire?"

The coachman extinguished his dry tobacco pipe, chuckling. "Where to?" he asked.

"To Dick Chen's lair."

The coachman nodded. "I'll just get you there. The fighting is your business."

"What if I pay extra?" Li Banfeng asked.

"Extra money won't help. I'm a coachman, not a daredevil. Besides, I doubt you'll need to risk your life with that person." The coachman wiped the seat, gesturing for Li Banfeng to get in. The two continued chatting as they went.

"Old Seven, how did you know to find me at the market?"

Li Banfeng actually didn't know the coachman was at the market. He had simply gone to a crowded place to try his luck, unexpectedly finding the coachman.

Of course, he couldn't explain it as mere luck, as that would make him seem incompetent.

"I found you using the technique of 'Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune,' which you taught me. But why did you send me a message telling me to come to Iron Gate Fort?"

Li Banfeng had received a carriage bell at the entrance of Carefree Hamlet, with the words "Iron Gate Fort" written on it. This was clearly a message from the coachman.

But why would the coachman alert Li Banfeng to come to Iron Gate Fort? Did he know Li Banfeng was the Fort Master?

The coachman replied, "Originally, this Chen fellow came to me, saying he wanted to team up to eliminate you, and that killing you would get my territory back."

Li Banfeng nodded. "That sounds like a good deal. You didn't agree?"

The coachman scoffed. "Don't be silly. We've known each other since you first arrived in Providential Prefecture. You survived the Heavenly Light, for crying out loud.

From being a 'White Lamb' to where you are today, I've seen exactly how resilient you are. That Chen fellow couldn't possibly kill you.

Regarding the Yellow Earth Bridge incident, I left early. I had my reasons, but looking back, I really feel I let you down. I owe you an explanation for that.

I intended to tell you about Chen's whereabouts, but that guy is so elusive and unpredictable. It's rare for him to stay long in Iron Gate Fort, so I sent you the message. Rather than waiting for him to come for you, I thought it best for you to strike first.

But as I said, I've delivered the message. You'll have to handle the life-threatening part yourself. I'm really not cut out for risking my life."

The coachman was telling the truth; he genuinely didn't know about Li Banfeng's connection to Iron Gate Fort. He simply wanted to give Li Banfeng a preemptive strike opportunity.

As they spoke, they arrived at the residential house Dick Chen had rented. The coachman said, "There's a 'Spider-man' here, one of Chen's subordinates. He's a well-known private detective; you should recognize him."

Dabo Yience. Li Banfeng knew him all too well.

Li Banfeng had met Dabo Yience in the New Land. Not long after, Dabo Yience had sought him out, blocking the entrance to Yu Nan's home.

Later, Li Banfeng introduced Lady Moth to Dabo Yience, hoping a marriage alliance would resolve their grievances. Unexpectedly, their conflict only deepened.

Dabo Yience had always firmly believed that Li Qi was Li Banfeng, and that Red Lotus was in Li Qi's possession. Based on this, it was highly probable that Dick Chen's conviction that Li Qi was Li Banfeng came from Dabo Yience's information.

Entering the courtyard, Li Banfeng cautiously guarded against spiderwebs. After searching around, he didn't see Dabo Yience.

The Spider Detective had escaped.

The coachman said, "They apparently planned to test a weapon at Iron Gate Fort. That weapon was probably taken by the spider, too."

A weapon?

The Tiger-Blasting Spear?

That spear has caused a lot of bloodshed!

Other matters weren't critical, but this spear had always been connected to Iron Gate Fort. Precautions were necessary.

"Brother Che, do you know the local Earth God here?"

The coachman replied, "I've seen him a few times, but we're not close. If you want to meet him, I can introduce you, but this Earth God has a peculiar temperament. We can't rush it. You should stay in Iron Gate Fort for a night, and once I've smoothed things over, I'll take you to meet him tomorrow."

Li Banfeng agreed. That evening, he quietly entered the fort and observed everyone's reactions.

Since the fort had won a victory, if Li Banfeng were present, a celebration banquet would definitely be held.

Wu Yongchao did arrange one, buying wine and meat, hiring a chef, and preparing dozens of banquet tables.

However, house cultivators had a common flaw: by evening, they found all sorts of excuses not to attend.

Helpless, Wu Yongchao distributed the food and wine to each household. Most house cultivators lived alone, and enjoying a drink with their house spirits was quite pleasant.

Back in his Portable Dwelling, Li Banfeng checked the progress of Red Lotus's pill refinement. Ever since Li Banfeng reached the ninth level of journey cultivation, all the pills produced by Red Lotus had been Golden Yuan Pills. Including Xiao Zhenggong's share, a total of fifty-three pills had been made.

"A-Lian, what's the meaning of this?" Li Banfeng gently stroked the heart of the bronze lotus.

Red Lotus retorted, "You're the one who asked for Golden Yuan Pills! Now that I've refined them, you're not satisfied!"

"I've already reached the ninth level. What use are these anymore?"

"The ninth level aims for the tenth. Golden Yuan Pills are still useful."

"I don't intend to reach the tenth level. I want to jump directly to the Cloud layer."

"Even so, you should wait until you're at the cusp of the tenth level. Consuming enough to fully master the ninth level before jumping to the Cloud layer will give you a better chance!"

That made sense!

Li Banfeng put the pills away. Dick Chen's flesh and blood hadn't been refined yet. Li Banfeng asked, "Will it still be Golden Yuan Pills this time?"

"That's hard to say. I don't know this person's cultivation level."

Li Banfeng was surprised. Although cultivation levels were invisible, Red Lotus had already ingested it. She should be able to tell roughly based on experience.

"A-Lian, what tricks are you playing now?" Li Banfeng continued stroking the lotus heart.

Red Lotus anxiously said, "This time, I genuinely can't tell. That wicked woman ate the soul. Go ask her what quality it was."

Li Banfeng returned to the main house and asked his wife.

His wife was troubled by this matter. "Oh, husband, your little maid has been spoiled by your affection and has eaten too many delicacies. My senses of taste and smell have become quite dull. I can't discern the flavor anymore."

"My precious wife, you can't even taste Cloud-level essence?"

*Da-da-da-tai!*

His wife pondered for a long time, then slowly sang:"The soul carried a hint of ancient weariness,Suggesting something of the Cloud realm.Yet it also had an earthy, fishy tang,So it could also be from the ground.In terms of chewiness, it might be a ninth level.In terms of crispness, it might be a first level."

Li Banfeng frowned. "Wife, are you messing with me? If it were just a slight difference, not being able to tell would be understandable. But how far apart are the first and ninth levels? And you're saying you can't distinguish them?"

The phonograph also seemed ashamed. "My dear husband, your little maid loves and dotes on you. How could I dare to lie to you in the slightest? This soul is truly too peculiar; I genuinely can't taste it."

His wife certainly wouldn't lie to him about this.

Moreover, not only could his wife not tell, but Red Lotus couldn't either. This was no longer a matter of discernment.

Could it be that this Dick Chen had no level at all?

What kind of person would have cultivation but no level?

The next morning, Li Banfeng found the coachman at the market entrance. "Did you find the Earth God?" he asked.

The coachman shook his head. "This is strange. The Earth God isn't home. I asked a few old friends in the surrounding areas, and they said this Earth God hasn't been in Iron Gate Fort for quite some time. No one knows where he went."

Li Banfeng saw that the coachman didn't want to leave and quietly asked, "Are you thinking of taking over this spot?"

The coachman shook his head. "I'm not that kind of person. But if something happened to the Earth God here, such a good territory shouldn't go to waste."

Li Banfeng understood the coachman's implication.

He couldn't outright seize it, but picking it up if it was abandoned was a possibility.

"Brother Che, you can wait here for now. I'm going back to Greenwater City first."

"Brother, let me give you a heads-up. This Chen fellow sought me out as a helper, but he probably didn't just find one. Other helpers might still bear ill will towards you. Be extra careful when you return to Greenwater City.

Remember my words: a journey cultivator travels through thousands of mountains and ten thousands of waters, and every step must be taken with your life in mind."

Li Banfeng left Iron Gate Fort, but his mind was uneasy. Since the Earth God couldn't be relied upon, he had to depend on his own people. Li Banfeng instructed Luo Zhengnan to arrange for personnel to keep watch around the fort and report any incidents promptly.

Greenwater City, the Lu family's outer residence.

Lu Chunying was managing accounts in the living room, Xiao Yeci was reading in the study, and You Tao was looking at a Black Stone Hill magazine.

A carriage pulled up to the entrance of the mansion, and a woman in her thirties stepped out.

The woman was dressed very stylishly in a dark red form-fitting top, a matching dark red long skirt, a dark red hat with a veil draped from its brim, and red gloves. She carried a small folding fan.

Upon reaching the mansion's gate, the woman told the gatekeeper, "My name is Xiao Manli. I'm here to see Miss Lu Chunying and Madam Xiao Yeci."

The gatekeeper went to inform them, and Lu Chunying invited Xiao Manli inside. They stared at each other for a moment, and Lu Chunying was quite surprised. "Ms. Xiao, do I know you?" she asked.

Xiao Manli smiled. "We do know each other; we just haven't had many chances to meet. You'll understand once Yeci arrives."

Soon after, Xiao Yeci emerged from the study. The moment she saw Xiao Manli, the book in her hand dropped to the floor.

Xiao Manli smiled. "Yeci, how many years has it been since we last saw each other?"

"It's... it's been ten years, hasn't it?" Xiao Yeci stammered.

"More than ten years. Chunying is so grown up now. Yeci, I came to catch up. Should we talk here, or find another place?"

Lu Chunying said, "You can speak here if you have something to say."

Xiao Yeci said, "Nannan, you eat your dinner at home first. I'm going out for a bit and will be back soon."

Xiao Yeci left the mansion with Xiao Manli.

Lu Chunying frowned slightly. You Tao called a few gatekeepers and told them to follow Xiao Yeci.

On Dongping Road, in a private room of a coffee shop, Xiao Manli and Xiao Yeci sat opposite each other.

Xiao Manli said, "The moment I saw Chunying, I recognized her as my child. She looks just like me, in every way."

Xiao Yeci picked up her coffee, took a sip, and said, "Did you come here to take Nannan back?"

Xiao Manli sighed. "I know I did some things wrong, but I am her mother, after all."

Xiao Yeci frowned. "You remember you're her mother? All these years, have you ever even asked about her?"

"You know, I had my difficulties back then."

"And now you don't have any difficulties?"

Xiao Manli remained silent for a long time before looking up and saying, "Whatever countless mistakes were made in the past, they are over. Lu Chunying is my flesh and blood, and no one can change that."

Xiao Yeci put down her coffee cup. "I'm not saying I want to change anything. Go find Chunying and tell her the truth!"

"If I tell her the truth, how will you be able to stay in the Lu family? Even if Chunying could accept you, would the Lu family tolerate you?"

Xiao Yeci gritted her teeth. "If they can't tolerate me, then they can't. I can survive anywhere!"

Xiao Manli sighed. "Yeci, don't say things in anger. Seeing you become Madam Lu, I'm truly envious—which woman wouldn't be?

In Providential Prefecture, when it comes to wealth and glory, how many can compare to you? Can you bear to give up such a good life?"

Xiao Yeci shook her head. "You don't need to tell me these things. I don't care!"

"Saying you don't care is a lie. You've also known hardship," Xiao Manli gripped Xiao Yeci's hand. "I wronged you back then, and I want to see you live a good life. Just promise your elder sister this one thing. Once it's done, I'll leave immediately and never interfere in your and Chunying's affairs again."

"What is it?" Xiao Yeci couldn't discern Xiao Manli's intention.

Xiao Manli said, "I want you to help me arrange a meeting with someone. I really want to see him."

"Who?"

"Li Qi."

Xiao Yeci was startled. "You know him?"

Xiao Manli nodded. "I know him. He deceived me, he possessed me, he toyed with me, he hurt me too deeply. I need to get an explanation from him.

Just arrange for him to come out. Don't say it's me looking for him; I just need to see him once. Your sister is begging you for this one thing. Can you agree?"

Xiao Yeci pondered for a long time. "What exactly happened between you and Li Qi?"

"Don't ask too many questions. Just tell me if you'll help me or not."

"This... for something like this, you should really tell him yourself..."

"He won't see me. He's unwilling, and he wouldn't dare! Yeci, are you going to help me or not?"

"I..."

Xiao Manli stood up. "If you don't help me, I'll go to the newspaper office tomorrow. If this gets out, Duan Shaoxia definitely won't tolerate you, and the Lu family certainly won't either. No matter where you go, you won't find a way to live.

You're just a swindler, a swindler who abducted someone's daughter. Everyone will consider you a liar. Just watch, the entire Providential Prefecture won't tolerate you!"

Xiao Yeci remained silent for a long time.

Xiao Manli also calmed down slightly. "Yeci, I don't want to escalate things to that point. I'll give you a day. Think about it carefully..."

Xiao Yeci shook her head. "Whatever happened between you and Li Qi, you should tell him directly. Why drag me into it?"

Xiao Manli suddenly began to sob. "I have no other intentions. I just want to see that unfaithful man one last time. I just want to explain things clearly to him.

Once it's clear between us, I'll leave immediately. I won't bother you, and I definitely won't bother him. This is my only request. Why can't you agree?

Think it over carefully. I'll come find you again at this time tomorrow."

Leaving the coffee shop, Xiao Manli boarded a carriage where Dabo Yience was already seated. "Did it go smoothly?" he asked.

"She didn't agree, but she will. I know her too well." Xiao Manli pulled back the carriage curtain and peered out.

She saw Xiao Yeci leaving the coffee shop, with a few gatekeepers following discreetly behind her.

Xiao Manli asked, "Those people didn't go into the coffee shop just now, did they?"

"No," Dabo Yience confirmed, having observed them clearly. "Those people didn't go upstairs. I had already arranged for your private room so no one could overhear your conversation. My only concern is that Xiao Yeci might tell Lu Chunying the whole story once she gets home."

"She won't," Xiao Manli shook her head. "She's someone who would swallow her own teeth rather than speak. How could she possibly let Lu Chunying know about something like this? My concern is that she might not be able to lure Li Qi out at all."

"She can," Dabo Yience stated confidently. "Duan Shaoxia would have trouble getting Li Qi to meet, and even if she did, Li Qi would surely be on guard.

But Xiao Yeci is different. She's someone Li Qi trusts. If she asks Li Qi to meet, he won't even bring a single guard."

Xiao Manli sighed lightly. "If I had known this, you wouldn't have needed to seek out Duan Shaoxia as a helper. You could have come directly to me, and things would have been much easier."

Dabo Yience said, "Dick probably had his reasons. After all, he's a cautious person."

"What does that have to do with caution?" Xiao Manli sneered. "It simply means you didn't trust me!"

Dabo Yience frowned. "To earn someone's trust, you need to take some concrete actions, especially when your reputation is so poor."

When Xiao Yeci returned to the mansion, Lu Chunying quickly rushed to greet her. "Who was that person? What did she want from you?"

Xiao Yeci smiled. "Oh, she's a relative from our hometown. She heard we've become prosperous and wanted to borrow some money."

"Who did I think she was?" Lu Chunying scoffed. "When we were struggling, why didn't any relatives show up? Now she comes running to borrow money. You shouldn't have bothered with her!"

Xiao Yeci smiled. "It's a small matter, don't worry about it, Nannan. Mommy's tired and wants to go to bed early. Don't stay up too late either."

Lu Chunying said, "Sleeping so early? Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I've eaten!" Xiao Yeci replied, returning to her room and sitting silently on the bed for a while.

She went to her desk, picked up a fountain pen, and wrote a letter.

She didn't believe there could be much entanglement between Li Qi and Xiao Manli. Xiao Manli was a married woman, and her looks were decent, but Li Qi wasn't lacking in women. Besides others, just Jiang Mengting and Chu Huaiyuan were a hundred times better than Xiao Manli.

There was something suspicious here; Li Qi needed a warning.

After writing down the matter, Xiao Yeci packed her bags, preparing to secretly leave Greenwater City.

Some things she couldn't change: Xiao Manli was Lu Chunying's biological mother.

Some things she couldn't bear: people would call her a fraud, a child abductor. The mere thought of these things was enough to break her.

Leaving like this was the right choice for both herself and Lu Chunying.

It was past one in the morning, and everyone in the family was asleep.

Xiao Yeci quietly exited her room. The gatekeeper on duty asked, "Madam, where are you going?"

"I have some private matters to attend to. You don't need to concern yourselves."

Xiao Yeci didn't want to say more, and the gatekeepers didn't dare to ask further.

Reaching the courtyard gate, she looked back at the mansion, then bit her lip and walked away, carrying her suitcase.

At the train station, Xiao Yeci bought a ticket to Ink Fragrance Shop and sat alone in the waiting room.

Few people traveled by train at night. Strangers came and went in the waiting room, but no one recognized Xiao Yeci, nor did anyone pay her any attention.

Xiao Yeci murmured to herself, "It should have been this way. Just treat it as a dream. Just treat it as..."

Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, and Xiao Yeci sobbed.

You Tao pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.

"Thank you..." Xiao Yeci jolted in surprise when she saw You Tao!

"Why are you here?!"

You Tao said, "I saw you were upset and wanted to cheer you up tonight. But you weren't in your room, so I realized you had run off! Where are you trying to go?"

"I... I just wanted to go out for a change of scenery."

"Going out for a bit of fresh air is fine, but you should tell your daughter. If she finds you gone, she'll turn Providential Prefecture upside down!"

Xiao Yeci sighed. "There are some things you don't understand. I'm not her real mother."

You Tao laughed. "How could I not understand? You blush if I tease you a little. It's obvious you've never been with a man, so how could you have had a child? That woman today must be Chunying's real mother, right?"

Xiao Yeci nodded.

You Tao said, "This is easy to handle. It just depends on whether Chunying acknowledges her or not. If she does, then live together. If not, then just pretend such a person never existed."

Xiao Yeci shook her head. "Sister Tao, you don't understand. Things in noble families aren't that simple."

You Tao shrugged. "If I don't understand, then discuss it with Chunying. Anyway, go home first."

"I can't go home."

"You'll go home whether you want to or not. Don't make me tie you up and drag you back." You Tao's eyes flashed with a cold glint.

Xiao Yeci grew angry. "What are you doing? Do you think I'm scared of you?"

You Tao was a second-level Joy Cultivator, while Xiao Yeci was a second-level Literary Cultivator.

With similar cultivation levels, they began to fight.

After more than a dozen rounds, both were beaten out of the waiting room by railway staff wielding clubs.

You Tao laughed. "Can't leave now, can you?"

Xiao Yeci gritted her teeth. "You are truly vicious!"

When Xiao Yeci and You Tao returned home, Lu Chunying was almost frantic. She sent the others away first, then shouted at Xiao Yeci, "How could you abandon me? I've never abandoned you!"

Xiao Yeci lowered her head. "But there's nothing I can do!"

"Why is there nothing you can do? We've managed to get by until today, haven't we always figured things out bit by bit? If we truly can't think of anything, aren't there others who can help us?"

"Others can't know about this!"

"If you don't trust others, isn't there still Brother Qi?"

"He absolutely cannot know! His affairs are involved here too!"

Lu Chunying took out the letter Xiao Yeci had left and said, "You believe this? With Xiao Manli's character, which eye of Brother Qi's would ever find her appealing?"

Xiao Yeci said, "You shouldn't talk like that. That's your biological mother."

"I only have one mother!" Lu Chunying gritted her teeth. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone deal with her, and this matter will be over!"

Xiao Yeci gasped. "You absolutely cannot act recklessly!"

"This is a proper solution. Just listen to me!"

The next morning, just as Lu Chunying was about to send for Tan Fucheng and Lu Yuanxin, two gatekeepers from the main Lu family mansion arrived. "Miss Chunying, Madam would like to arrange a meeting with you."

At this critical moment, Duan Shaoxia had asked to meet with Lu Chunying.

Lu Chunying's heart tightened. Had the secret been exposed?

At dusk, Xiao Manli returned to Xiao Yeci's residence. The two left the house and went back to the same coffee shop. Xiao Manli asked, "Yeci, have you thought about what I told you yesterday?"

Xiao Yeci nodded. "I've thought about it. I agree. I'll arrange for Li Qi to meet you."

"Good. As long as you get him to meet, I'll leave Greenwater City immediately after tonight." Xiao Manli patted Xiao Yeci's back.

Xiao Yeci felt something was off. "What did you just do?"

Xiao Manli looked surprised. "What's wrong? Can't your sister even touch you?"

Xiao Manli had placed something on Xiao Yeci's person. Xiao Yeci didn't know what it was, nor how to remove it.

Li Banfeng returned to Carefree Hamlet and told Luo Zhengnan to expedite the investigation into the Chasing Light Group.

This organization was truly mysterious. Luo Zhengnan, despite his extensive information network, had never even heard of the Chasing Light Group.

The Security Bureau might have their files.

Li Banfeng was about to contact Lightbulb when Xiao Yeci suddenly arrived at Carefree Hamlet.

"Brother Qi," Xiao Yeci asked cautiously, "Can I invite you to dinner tonight?"

Li Banfeng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Who else have you invited?"

Xiao Yeci said, "Just the two of us. Is that alright, Brother Qi?"

Li Banfeng tilted his head, looking at Xiao Yeci.

Xiao Yeci, blushing, asked, "So, is it alright or not, Brother Qi?"

The way she called him Brother Qi was very strange.