Chapter 537: Including Principal and Interest

Li Banfeng escorted Lu Dongjun to the third room. That evening, no one in the family disturbed the old man, who talked with Lu Dongjun for a long time.

The next morning, the old man woke Li Banfeng. "Ah Qi, let's talk."

Li Banfeng entered the third room but didn't see Lu Dongjun.

The old man said, "He's still in our house. There are some things he shouldn't know, some things he shouldn't remember, but there are also things we still need him for."

"What things?"

"He carries a deeply hidden mark."

Li Banfeng murmured, "A deep mark... Old man, how did you find it?"

Suishenju said, "That's not important. What is important is that this is a mark from Neizhou. Once we're in Neizhou, if we take out a map, this mark will lead us to a specific location. The reason I've kept Lu Dongjun alive until now is because I believe this mark is very important. Ah Qi, who do you think left this mark?"

Li Banfeng replied, "I think it was the master who released him from Neizhou."

"Ah Qi, who do you think that master is?"

Li Banfeng said, "I believe that master is Grandpa Train."

Suishenju was silent for a long time before saying, "You think it's him too?"

"I've been to Neizhou once, not physically, but in a dream."

At Li Banfeng's words, Suishenju recalled something. Li Banfeng had been in a daze at Heishipo, riding the bus for three days without returning home.

Suishenju said, "I guessed it then; you met Old Train in Neizhou."

Li Banfeng nodded. "He saved me from Neizhou, from a crack in the dream realm. Lu Dongjun also emerged from a crack. The method is too similar, so I believe it was Grandpa Train."

"It's him, you think it's him too—" Suishenju trembled, and all thirteen rooms shook. "If this mark truly was left by Old Train, we can rescue him once we enter Neizhou."

Li Banfeng said, "I promised Grandpa Train I'd find a way to rescue him from Neizhou. I'm planning to investigate this, starting with that nightclub in the underground city."

"What are you investigating at the nightclub?"

"There's a formidable person in that nightclub. I suspect they're connected to Lu Dongjun, but Lu Dongjun never mentioned them. This person should hold crucial clues related to Grandpa Train. Through them, we might find the entrance to Neizhou."

Just as Li Banfeng was about to get up, Suishenju called out, "Ah Qi, don't go."

"What's wrong?"

"When you went to the underground city, I went with you. Though we didn't meet, it was clear from his methods that he's a ruthless individual. You can't provoke him yet. I also asked Lu Dongjun, and he knows nothing about this person. It's better to wait until we know more about him before seeking him out."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "I'll investigate the Witchcraft Association first. They summoned Lu Dongjun using a contract. This can't be a coincidence; Grandpa Train might have arranged it."

The connection between a handsome man and a man named Jun might sound like a mere coincidence, but upon closer thought, there are many mysteries involved.

Grandpa Train discovered Lu Dongjun in Neizhou. In the kiln, he recognized Lu Dongjun's power, lent him some strength, and gave him a trial.

Lu Dongjun passed the trial, escaped the kiln, and found a relatively safe place.

At the same time, Grandpa Train made a series of arrangements through helpers in Waizhou, allowing them to summon Lu Dongjun through a special ritual.

Lu Dongjun carries Grandpa Train's coordinates, which is an effective way to rescue him.

Of course, the above ideas are based entirely on Li Banfeng's deductions. To verify if they are true, the investigation must start with the Chamomile Witchcraft Association.

Just as Li Banfeng was preparing to go to the Dark Star Bureau, Suishenju stopped him again. "This could be Old Train's arrangement, but it could also be Neizhou's. They might be fishing, Ah Qi; you absolutely must not fall for it."

"Old man, what's wrong with you? Why are you being so timid? Don't you want to save Old Train anymore?"

"Yes, I want to more than anyone, but I can't risk you to save Old Train."

Li Banfeng relaxed. "You care about me that much?"

"I care, just as much as I care about Old Train," Suishenju suddenly chuckled. "I don't even know why I care about you. The peddler made a mistake in business and gave me to you as compensation. I can't figure out where this bond between us came from either."

After a moment of silence, both Li Banfeng and Suishenju laughed simultaneously.

After the laughter, Li Banfeng went to the Dark Star Bureau.

The matter needed to be investigated, but precautions were also necessary.

The members of the Chamomile Witchcraft Association were still detained at the bureau. Li Banfeng asked them several questions; most were irrelevant, but one was key: "Where did you get the contract for summoning the deceased?"

After so many days at the Dark Star Bureau, Chairman Cherivico's mindset had become much calmer. He no longer resisted interrogation and generally answered Li Banfeng's questions truthfully. "I've answered this question before. This contract was transferred to me by another Witchcraft Association in our country."

According to him, the matter seemed significant, involving multiple forces from different countries.

However, Li Banfeng didn't think so. He noticed that Cherivico was deliberately omitting some details. "Does 'transferred' mean it was purchased?"

Cherivico nodded.

Li Banfeng wasn't satisfied with the answer. "You'd better be more specific. Was this item bought from Lavsa or from Huanguo?"

Cherivico hesitated for a moment. "In Huanguo."

"Was it bought from a Lavsan or from a Huanguo native?"

Cherivico lowered his head. "From a Huanguo native."

With that, the situation became much clearer.

Cherivico quickly emphasized, "But he truly was a member of another Witchcraft Association. He presented their emblem, which proves his identity."

Li Banfeng asked, "Just presented an emblem, with no one else introducing him and no other evidence shown?"

Cherivico remained silent; Li Banfeng was indeed correct.

Li Banfeng had someone bring paper and a pen and handed them to Cherivico. "Write down that person's name. If you can't write, then we'll have to move somewhere else and talk for a while longer."

Cherivico could write Huanguo characters, and he wrote down the person's name.

The person was named Tong Yousan, a name that didn't sound like it belonged to someone from Waizhou.

Li Banfeng put away the notebook, returned to his office, and called for Shen Jingye.

Shen Jingye entered the office excitedly. "Director Li, have you found that high-level combatant?"

"How could it be that easy to find?" Li Banfeng told Shen Jingye to sit down first. "Xiao Shen, how do you plan to handle the members of the Chamomile Association?"

"Hand them over to the judicial authorities. They endangered public safety and must not be let off lightly."

Li Banfeng was quite satisfied with this handling method.

"What about the person who provided them with the contract?"

Shen Jingye shook his head. "I don't think there's a need to pursue this further. There are simply too many such contracts on the market. I've seen the cheapest one sell for only sixteen yuan. Some might take it home to study, others buy it just for fun. It's no different from those fortune-telling, divination, or geomancy manuals on the market. If we get serious about this, we'd have to arrest countless people."

Shen Jingye knew perfectly well that the contract came from the black market; he simply didn't want to pursue the investigation further.

His approach was correct. To ensure these people received their due punishment, the situation shouldn't be escalated, which would prevent things from being muddled and eventually dropped.

Li Banfeng also understood Shen Jingye's reasoning. "I'm only investigating the matter, not easily arresting people. This contract is genuine, not like the scribbled stuff on the market. We might find the whereabouts of the deceased through it."

Currently, they relied entirely on Li Banfeng to find the deceased. Naturally, Shen Jingye took every request from Li Banfeng seriously. "Director Li, you don't need to investigate this personally. I'll send Mijian. Isn't that person named Tong Yousan? I estimate she can find him in half a day."

Many people thought Shen Jingye wasn't too concerned with frontline matters, but he was very familiar with the characteristics of most members of the security team.

Within the security team, apart from Datou, Mijian was the most knowledgeable about the black market. Indeed, in just half a day, she uncovered Tong Yousan's identity. "He runs a bookstore on Nan Shankou Pedestrian Street in Jia城区, and privately deals in contracts and similar items, having some reputation in the black market."

Li Banfeng asked, "Is he connected to Lavsan people?"

Mijian smiled slightly, a dimple appearing on her left cheek. "Whether he's connected depends on where the client is from. If they're from Lavsa, he's a member of the Lavsa Witchcraft Association and can speak fluent Lavsan. If the client is from Ingley, then he's a member of the Ingley Royal Mages' Guild, with an emblem and certificate, and can speak fluent Ingley."

Li Banfeng chuckled. "What a talent! I'll go see him."

Mijian took Li Banfeng to Sanyou Bookstore. The owner, Tong Yousan, was organizing shelves and didn't pay much attention to the two customers.

The two walked to the third row of bookshelves. Mijian picked up a copy of *Medieval Dark Magic*, flipped through a couple of pages, and said to Li Banfeng, "This book isn't interesting; there's nothing genuine in it."

Tong Yousan looked at them, walked closer, and asked, "What genuine items are you two looking for?"

"What do you think?" Mijian waved the *Medieval Dark Magic* book. "We've come a long way; we're certainly not here for children's tricks."

Tong Yousan chuckled. "This stuff is originally meant to fool children. Who would take any of it seriously?"

Mijian lowered her voice. "Boss Tong, we're experts. We came here to buy some real goods."

Tong Yousan seemed not to understand. "My books are genuine. Aren't genuine books considered real goods?"

Mijian frowned. "Talking like this is pointless!"

Tong Yousan looked bewildered. "What exactly do you mean? I have many books here. If you find this one uninteresting, feel free to look at others."

Mijian became annoyed and was about to get tough.

Li Banfeng bought the copy of *Medieval Dark Magic* and left the bookstore with Mijian.

Back in the car, Mijian felt somewhat ashamed. It was her first solo mission with Director Li, and she had botched it. "This person usually conducts business openly. I don't know why he's so cautious today."

Li Banfeng was actually satisfied with today's outcome. "It's good that he's cautious; it proves he's not an ordinary person."

That evening, after the bookstore closed, Tong Yousan sat behind the counter, smoking one cigarette after another.

His wife came over and made him a cup of tea. "Maybe we should hide."

"Where can we hide?" Tong Yousan sighed. "As long as we're in Huanguo, there's no escaping the Dark Star Bureau. If we stay put now, we might be fine, but if we make a move, we'll be caught instantly."

His wife sighed. "We still have our travel permits. How about we just go back to Prouz?"

"How can we go back?" Tong Yousan gave a bitter smile. "How will we repay Zhang Gunli's debt?"

"We've made a lot of money these past few years. We originally borrowed 500,000 silver dollars from him. Isn't repaying him a million, principal and interest, enough?"

"A million?" Tong Yousan shook his head repeatedly. "You don't know how he calculates interest. A million isn't even enough to cover the interest with him!"

Li Banfeng stood by the bookstore wall, quietly listening to the conversation inside.

So he was from Prouz.

Who was Zhang Gunli? If he owed 500,000 silver dollars, how much exactly would he have to repay?

"No matter how much we repay, it's useless!" Feng Chongli sighed. "That bastard Zhang Gunli can turn a single yuan into a mountain of gold."

Mu Yuejuan took a painting and gave it to Feng Chongli. "Even with a 9-out-of-13 repayment scheme, he still has to follow rules. I put a lot of effort into this painting; it's worth something. Take it to offset the debt."

"Thank you for your kindness," Feng Chongli returned the painting to Mu Yuejuan. "My debt is too large, and Zhang Gunli's interest accumulates too fast. This painting is a drop in the ocean; it's useless."

Mu Yuejuan touched Feng Chongli's cheek. "I offered you my good intentions, and you're still ungrateful. If I hadn't shared a boat journey with you and developed some affection, I wouldn't bother caring whether you lived or died."

Feng Chongli was startled. "You and I have affection?"

"Why else?" Mu Yuejuan pinched Feng Chongli's nose. "Your body isn't very strong; you can't last many rounds in a fight. If it weren't for affection, what else would I see in you? I used to value your Xuehuapu status, but now I can't understand why Xuehuapu has become so poor. How could it make a wealthy merchant like you so destitute that you have to borrow money from Zhang Gunli?"

Feng Chongli sighed. "Don't say you don't understand; there are some things I don't even understand myself. My life hasn't been easy since I entered Xuehuapu!"

"Why don't you find another patron?"

Feng Chongli shook his head. "It's difficult. Xuehuapu isn't a place you can just leave whenever you want. It's almost time for Zhang Gunli to collect his debt again. These past two days, I've had to urgently raise funds, at least enough to cover the interest. If I really can't manage it, I'll have to find another way. I also don't know where that bird Zhang Gunli has gone."

Mu Yuejuan chuckled. "I could offer you some advice, but it depends on whether you want to hide from him or find him."

Feng Chongli was stunned. "How could I possibly want to find him?"

"You truly want to find me?" At 7:11 PM, in a private dining room at Peace Building, Zhang Gunli looked across at Shen Rongqing.

Shen Rongqing nodded. "I've decided. I want to borrow eight layers of combat power from you for two days."

Zhang Gunli rubbed the walnuts in his hand. "May I ask, why are you borrowing combat power?"

Shen Rongqing took a sip of tea, then looked up. "It seems this isn't something you should ask."

"Yes, I shouldn't ask. If it were anyone else, I truly wouldn't," Zhang Gunli twirled the walnuts twice. "You might not believe some things, and in your eyes, I might just be a common person. But I enjoy reading your books and greatly admire your talent. When something like this happens, I want to give you a couple of reminders. If you've encountered an enemy, it's best to find an assassin. If you can't find a suitable one, I can point you in the right direction."

Shen Rongqing shook her head. "No assassin would dare take on the person I want to kill."

"Please tell me the name."

Shen Rongqing said, "The fifth young master of the Ma family, Ma Junyang."

Zhang Gunli rubbed the walnuts for a long time, then sighed. "This person is indeed difficult to deal with. His influence is too great. Those you can afford to hire wouldn't dare touch him, and those who would dare, you likely can't afford."

Shen Rongqing said, "So I have to do this myself."

Zhang Gunli placed the walnuts on the table. "You need to think this through carefully. Borrowing eight layers of cultivation for two days will be a difficult debt to repay."

Shen Rongqing said, "If I can't repay, I'll offer myself as collateral. You can do whatever you wish with me."

Seeing Shen Rongqing's resolve, Zhang Gunli said no more. "Which cultivation path do you wish to borrow?"

"Scholar cultivation."

"Just combat power, or with techniques too?"

"Both combat power and techniques."

"Do you need it today, or should we arrange another time?"

"Today."

"Alright!" Zhang Gunli took a promissory note from his pocket. "Please put your handprint here."

Shen Rongqing looked at the amount on the promissory note. Although she was mentally prepared, she couldn't help but tremble.

Zhang Gunli's price was truly ruthless. If she had to repay with money, Shen Rongqing would never be able to afford it.

But if not with money, what else could she use? Only herself.

Zhang Gunli gave one last reminder: "It's not too late to regret it now!"

"No regrets!" Shen Rongqing pricked her fingertip with a needle and pressed her handprint onto the promissory note.

Zhang Gunli held the promissory note. Layers of mist rose from it, swirling around Shen Rongqing.

"Miss Shen, from now on, you possess eight layers of scholar cultivation. In two days, your cultivation will be fully established. Tell me a place, and I'll come collect the debt."

Shen Rongqing said, "Let's agree on my residence; you should know where it is."

"Miss Shen, when I come for you, it's best you wait for me at home. If you owe me money, even half a day's delay in repayment will change the interest calculation. Never try to hide from me; I can find you anywhere."

That night, Ma Wu was managing accounts at Xiaoyao Dock when Zuo Wugang entered. "Fifth Master, Miss Shen is here to see you."

Ma Wu relaxed, then his face lit up with pleasure. "Please, quickly."

Shen Rongqing entered the room and first bowed with clasped fists. "Long time no see, Fifth Young Master, are you well?"

Ma Wu quickly returned the bow. "Thanks to your good fortune, Miss, I'm doing well. I've merely missed you day and night."

Shen Rongqing's cheeks flushed slightly. "You truly missed me?"

"Truly." Ma Wu gazed at Shen Rongqing with deep affection.

This was a test for Ma Wu. He preferred to be straightforward, but with Shen Rongqing, he had to learn to be indirect.

The earlier pleasantries were mere banter, but now, as their eyes met, Shen Rongqing showed some emotion, and Ma Wu had to keep pace.

"Fifth Young Master, I've cooked some lotus seed soup at home. Eating alone, I truly feel lonely." Shen Rongqing extended an invitation.

Ma Wu put down his ledger. "If you are willing, Miss, grant me a bowl tonight."

Shen Rongqing took Ma Wu's hand.

Ma Wu followed Shen Rongqing, leaving Xiaoyao Dock.

Upon arriving at Shen Rongqing's residence, there were no servants. She had indeed prepared lotus seed soup and served a bowl to Ma Wu.

Ma Wu took a spoonful, found the taste good, and just as he was about to take a second, Shen Rongqing embraced him from behind:

"Junyang, I want you."

"Rongqing, I want you too."

Their cheeks pressed together, and a bloodshot vein appeared in Ma Wu's eye.

The seed of infatuation had entered his eye, ready to be planted at any moment.

Ma Wu was easily possessed but not easily carried away.

In the middle of the night, she suddenly sought him out; there had to be a reason.

"Junyang, we've known each other for so long. Do you trust me?" Shen Rongqing kissed Ma Wu's cheek.

"I trust you." Ma Wu nodded slightly.

Shen Rongqing hugged Ma Wu tightly. "Since you trust me, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Ma Wu nodded. "Alright, let's discuss it slowly."

He looked at the window.

Beneath the window was Shen Rongqing's garden.

Zuo Wugang waited silently in the garden, watching the lights on the second floor.

Two days later, after Ma Chunting had dinner and taken a pill, he had just returned to his room to rest when Ma Junjiang rushed into the bedroom. "Father, something has happened to Fifth Brother. Someone saw his body outside the city."

Ma Chunting was silent for a moment, then said with a blank expression, "I knew this day would come for him eventually. Is that truly his body?"

Ma Junjiang replied, "I'm just about to go check."

"Go," Ma Chunting lay back on the bed. "Collect his body. He is, after all, a member of the Ma family."

He Yuxiu was overseeing the reclamation of new land when the accountant Sheng Shanzhou brought news. "Miss, Ma Wu is dead." He Yuxiu was startled. "Who did it?"

"I heard it's connected to Shen Rongqing."

"That wretch must be insane!" He Yuxiu immediately set off for Lushui City.

The cook said, "Miss He, we can't do without you for this reclamation!"

"Leave it for now. Something happened to Fifth Brother; we can't ignore it! Has Old Qi been informed about this?"

Sheng Shanzhou said, "This isn't something we should tell Seventh Master. The people at Xiaoyao Dock probably haven't informed him either."

"Was that truly Ma Wu?" At Baimen, Chu Er looked at Yang Yanzheng, his face full of doubt.

Yang Yanzheng said, "We'll wait for the Ma family to identify the body, but it's likely him."

"Does Li Banfeng know about this?"

"He's in Waizhou; he probably hasn't received the news yet."

Chu Er stood up. "Take our people; let's go see together."

"No, how could something have happened to Fifth Young Master!"

"Mom, don't go yet. We don't know the situation. I'll go with Brother Xin to check first."

"Of course I'm going! Fifth Young Master is our friend! What if our benefactor finds out? Has anyone told him?"

Li Banfeng was casually chatting with Tong Yousan at Sanyou Bookstore. "Did you really get that contract from Lavsa?"

Tong Yousan was still holding firm. "It truly came from Lavsa, no doubt about it."

"Have you been to Lavsa?"

"Yes, I studied abroad in Lavsa. I speak authentic Lavsan. If you don't believe me, call a Lavsan lady to ask."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Exactly. I was wondering how you speak so authentically. Are you a speech cultivator?"

Tong Yousan's psychological defenses were about to break. The projector whispered to Li Banfeng, "The temporary phone is ringing." "Let's talk later," Li Banfeng said, stepping out to answer Luo Zhengnan's call.

"Seventh Master, I just received the news too. Fifth Master has met with an accident; his body is outside the city."

Li Banfeng's head buzzed.

He didn't return to Sanyou Bookstore. Instead, he ran directly to Huali Park. By the lake, Li Banfeng stumbled, nearly falling.

Something had happened to Ma Wu.

His body was outside the city.

Li Banfeng felt like he hadn't fully woken up, as if he'd had a nightmare out of nowhere.

He had just jumped into the lake when the projector said, "Director Qi, the temporary phone is ringing again."

Li Banfeng returned to the surface of the lake and answered the call.

"Old Qi, it's me."

Li Banfeng blinked, wiped his face, and left Huali Park while on the phone.

Tong Yousan thought the customer had left and had just relaxed, only to see the person, drenched, return.

"Where did you just go?"

Li Banfeng said casually, "It's nothing. I was a bit sleepy, so I went to wash my face. Let's continue. Are you or are you not a speech cultivator?"

"There's no such cultivation path as 'speech cultivation.' Aren't you joking?"

"Then which cultivation path do you belong to? When did you join? Was it when you studied abroad in Lavsa? Is Lavsa also called a cultivation path?"

Zhang Gunli arrived downstairs at Shen Rongqing's place, rubbed his walnuts, and checked his pocket watch.

Shen Rongqing certainly had no money to repay, and Zhang Gunli didn't intend to demand it from her.

He spoke truthfully: he admired Shen Rongqing and her talent. Having such a woman by his side wouldn't be bad.

Would Shen Rongqing agree?

Zhang Gunli didn't mind Shen Rongqing resisting; the more she resisted, the more he liked it. He enjoyed the stubbornness inherent in scholars.

At 7:11, Zhang Gunli entered.

Shen Rongqing sat silently in the living room, her expression blank.

Zhang Gunli pulled out the promissory note. "Miss Shen, time's up."

Shen Rongqing nodded.

"I heard about Ma Wu. Since you've handled the matter, I presume you have no regrets."

"Yes, no regrets." Shen Rongqing looked up at Zhang Gunli.

Zhang Gunli said, "You know the amount due. Is the money ready?"

"It's ready." He Jiaqing walked down the stairs from the second floor.

A wisp of mist lingered in the hall for a moment, then transformed into He Haisheng, blocking the doorway.

Zhang Gunli smiled. "Young Master He, what are you doing?"

Truth be told, Zhang Gunli was unprepared; Shen Rongqing had acted her part too convincingly.

But it seemed he didn't need to be prepared anyway.

"I'm here to reason with you," He Jiaqing lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled smoke. "When I borrowed life from you, I repaid it on time, principal and interest, without owing you anything, correct?"

Zhang Gunli nodded. "No, you didn't owe anything. You even paid a little extra."

He Jiaqing continued, "I always addressed you as 'senior' and conducted business with you properly. I wasn't disrespectful, was I?"

"You were not disrespectful, and you certainly know the rules."

He Jiaqing took another puff of his cigarette. "Since I acted according to the rules and owed you nothing, what logic is there in you turning around and selling my information to Mu Yuejuan?"

Zhang Gunli chuckled. "That logic is indeed hard to explain, but I don't need to explain it to you. What right do you two, an uncle and nephew, have to reason with me?"

"If we're not talking about logic, then this matter becomes simple." Feng Chongli pushed open the door and entered the living room.

Zhang Gunli was startled; he hadn't expected Feng Chongli to be there as well.

He Jiaqing said with a smile, "It's time for us to settle accounts, principal and interest included."