Chapter 589: Laughing Thousand Hands' Hand

Upon hearing about the thief, Qiu Luoye didn't take it seriously. "You mean those petty thieves from Spring Alley, right? I've taught them a lesson a few times; they just can't shake their habits. But then again, all thieves are like that: they only remember what they gain, never the consequences."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not talking about petty thieves; I'm talking about an old thief – the oldest one."

"The oldest one—"

Qiu Luoye thought about which thief was the oldest. "Are you talking about Xiao Qianshou?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Exactly."

"Wasn't he killed by the Peddler?"

"That old fellow isn't dead. I ran into him the other day and almost fell into his trap."

"Let's go, find him!" Qiu Luoye quickly tidied himself up, ready to confront Xiao Qianshou alone.

Qiu Luoye had been reckless his entire life, yet he always retained a basic sense of caution. Why was he so impulsive this time?

Li Banfeng quickly stopped Qiu Luoye. "Brother Qiu, our cultivation levels are quite a bit lower than his!"

Qiu Luoye chuckled. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Xiao Qianshou is powerful, but here, he can't lay a hand on me. Not unless he wants the Peddler to kill him again."

Qiu Luoye was the local deity of Seven Autumns City, and figures of Xiao Qianshou's caliber couldn't harm him there.

But would Xiao Qianshou abide by the Peddler's rules?

The two descended the mountain. The gloves could sense Xiao Qianshou's presence, and the closer they got, the more terrified the gloves became. "Boss, let's just avoid him. That old fellow has lived for who knows how many years, and his level is unknown. A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle; it's best not to confront him directly. Even though Brother Qiu is the local deity here, that old geezer might not hesitate to attack him. If I may say something unpleasant, Brother Qiu might not even realize he's dead until it's too late."

Li Banfeng was also a little worried. "Brother Qiu, let's go slower. We're not in a hurry. Perhaps Xiao Qianshou is just passing through."

Qiu Luoye was truly riled up. "Even if he's just passing through, it's not allowed! I'll make sure he learns a lesson today. From now on, he'll have to go around me when he's in my territory!"

The two arrived at Junyang Avenue. The gloves, trembling, told Li Banfeng, "He seems to be in that bathhouse."

Qiu Luoye looked at Qiusheng Bathhouse, his teeth clenching. "Damn him, if he dares to come here, I won't let him off!"

Qiusheng Bathhouse was very special to Qiu Luoye. It was in this very bathhouse that he had been reborn and started a new life. Ma Junyang had bought the bathhouse and named it Qiusheng Bathhouse, signifying "Qiu Luoye's Rebirth." Causing trouble in this bathhouse was an outright affront to Qiu Luoye.

Upon entering the bathhouse, Qiu Luoye first asked the shopkeeper, "How many guests are inside?"

Qiu Luoye was a regular VIP, often spending an entire day bathing. The shopkeeper was familiar with him. "Are you asking about the men's pool or the women's pool?"

Qiu Luoye angrily retorted, "Why would I ask about the women's pool? Just tell me about the men's!"

It was late at night, so there weren't many people in the pools. The shopkeeper checked the locker tags: six guests in the men's pool, one in the women's.

Qiu Luoye told the shopkeeper, "I have a friend in the men's pool. I'll have a word with him later. Have your assistant go in and persuade the other guests to leave."

The shopkeeper quickly instructed his assistant. Li Banfeng was about to follow Qiu Luoye in, but Qiu Luoye waved him off. "Brother, wait at the entrance. If anything happens, be ready to help me out. If you come in, things will only get more complicated. He wouldn't dare attack me, but he might not be so polite with you."

Li Banfeng wasn't the local deity, so by the rules, Xiao Qianshou genuinely didn't need to show him any deference.

Qiu Luoye entered the bathhouse, quickly scanned the room, and soon located Xiao Qianshou. Xiao Qianshou was soaking in the pool, with a wine flask placed beside it.

Qiu Luoye stepped forward, picked up the wine flask, poured himself a cup, and chuckled at Xiao Qianshou. "Old Tongs, are you here looking for trouble?"

Xiao Qianshou looked up at Qiu Luoye and chuckled. "I'm naked here, not a stitch of clothing. What 'food' could I possibly find?"

Qiu Luoye said, "I just heard a guest say several items went missing from his person. Did you take them?"

Xiao Qianshou paused. "Which guest?"

"Never mind which guest, just tell me if you took them." Qiu Luoye was clearly looking for a fight.

Xiao Qianshou shook his head. "You've got it wrong. I did take something, but it wasn't from a guest. It was from the shopkeeper."

Qiu Luoye didn't understand what Xiao Qianshou meant. Xiao Qianshou clapped his hands together and performed a trick for Qiu Luoye. In his palm, a liver appeared – a complete, intact liver.

He shouted, "Outside! Take a close look! Is your liver missing?"

His voice was sharp and piercing, clearly audible outside.

The shopkeeper didn't know what he meant, but hearing that, he suddenly felt a strange sensation around his waist. He lifted his clothes and saw a fresh incision below his right ribs. It wasn't bleeding, nor did it hurt. He felt around from the outside and realized something was indeed missing from within.

The shopkeeper's mouth twisted in shock as he looked at Li Banfeng. "What...what happened to me? I was fine just a moment ago!"

Li Banfeng told the shopkeeper to lie down somewhere and had the assistant immediately fetch a healing cultivator.

Inside the bathhouse, Qiu Luoye said, "Old Tongs, what kind of skill is it to attack a weakling? Put that liver down. Let's have a real contest right here."

"Contest with me? Are you worthy?" Xiao Qianshou kneaded the shopkeeper's liver in his hands. "Don't think I won't touch you just because you're the local deity here. I came here today precisely because I want to change the owner of this territory. Qiu Luoye, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Do you, a person like you, deserve this rightful land?"

"Whether I'm worthy or not depends on destiny. Xiao Qianshou, I'll say it again: put that liver down, or I'll rip yours out right now!"

As his words fell, Qiu Luoye slammed his fist onto the water's surface, sending the entire pool of water splashing into the air, filling the bathhouse with a thick mist. Qiu Luoye was more familiar with the terrain here; he could find his way even with his eyes closed. Meanwhile, the Thieving cultivation technique heavily relied on sight. He did this to obscure Xiao Qianshou's vision.

Xiao Qianshou had anticipated this move. He leaped out of the pool, disregarding the bathhouse's layout. Suspended in mid-air, he casually reached out and plunged his hand into Qiu Luoye's abdomen. "I'm going to take a part from you. Guess which one?"

"Heart, liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys – take whatever you like today!" Qiu Luoye's wound rapidly healed, trapping Xiao Qianshou's hand inside.

Xiao Qianshou was stunned, not expecting Qiu Luoye to have such a move. "Your abilities have certainly improved!"

As he spoke, Xiao Qianshou's hand tore back and forth inside Qiu Luoye's abdomen. Qiu Luoye paid it no mind, bringing both palms down towards Xiao Qianshou's temples. Xiao Qianshou dodged by arching backward, and Qiu Luoye's palms clapped together. A wave of air struck Xiao Qianshou's face, fracturing his facial bones, tearing his cheeks, and causing blood to flow freely.

"Well done, Qiu Luoye, you've really improved!" Xiao Qianshou pulled his right hand out of Qiu Luoye's abdomen and then put some distance between himself and Qiu Luoye.

Qiu Luoye rubbed his belly, frowning. "Was that your own hand just now?"

"Yes." Xiao Qianshou shook the blood from his hand.

Qiu Luoye added, "You used your *own* hand?"

When Xiao Qianshou had plunged his hand into Qiu Luoye's abdomen, Qiu Luoye's wound healed, trapping his hand. Qiu Luoye had only expected it to hold for a moment, not for so long. Logically, Xiao Qianshou wouldn't easily use his own hand; he had many. He could have simply left a detached hand inside Qiu Luoye's body. So why did he use his own hand just now?

Xiao Qianshou chuckled. "Because I respect you. I've taken your vital organs; let's see how long you can last now."

Qiu Luoye laughed. "I don't care about that! Take whatever you want from my belly; I can regrow them!"

"Don't brag!" Xiao Qianshou took a towel and wiped the blood from his face. "I came here because I wanted to ask you about someone. Once I get my answers, I'll leave."

Qiu Luoye shook his head. "Don't bother asking. No matter who you ask about, I don't know them."

"Qiu Luoye, just because you think you can exchange a few blows with me, you've become arrogant. I told you before, don't brag. I could take your life with a mere flick of my wrist."

Qiu Luoye laughed. "I believe you. This life is yours. I'll fight to the death here, and then let the Peddler finish you off. A life for a life, I won't lose out!"

Xiao Qianshou tossed the towel into the pool. "The Peddler didn't finish me off last time. What makes you think he can this time?"

As he spoke, Xiao Qianshou looked towards the far end of the bathhouse. There were several pools in the bathhouse. Xiao Qianshou was in the large pool, and there were several smaller ones further away. One of these smaller pools had the highest temperature, and it was rarely used. Currently, a foreigner was soaking in it and hadn't come out. Earlier, the assistant had tried to persuade him to leave, but the foreigner refused. Xiao Qianshou and Qiu Luoye started fighting, scaring away all the remaining guests, but the foreigner still wouldn't leave.

Xiao Qianshou asked, "You haven't left. It seems you have some real skill."

The foreigner humbly waved his hands. "I just wanted to watch the show. I wanted to see which of you two was truly bragging."

Hearing this from outside, Li Banfeng found the voice familiar. He knew this person: Cui Tike! Why was he in Seven Autumns City? It seemed Cui Tike's cultivation had greatly improved, as no one had noticed him earlier.

Xiao Qianshou looked at Cui Tike, then turned to the wall. "And you, over there in the women's pool? Are you not leaving either?"

From next door, a woman's voice replied, "I paid for this! I've only just started soaking. Leaving so soon would be a waste of my money."

Li Banfeng also knew this person: the local deity of Thousand Taels Workshop! A Gambling cultivator, Dou Jiyan.

Xiao Qianshou said, "If you lose your life, won't that be an even greater loss?"

Dou Jiyan responded from next door, "My life is tough. If you don't believe me, let's make a bet: you definitely can't take this life from me!"

Xiao Qianshou nodded. "Dou Jiyan, you're quite the braggart too."

Dou Jiyan chuckled. "Let's bet again. There's only one person bragging in this room, and that's you!"

Li Banfeng waited at the entrance, ready to rush in and fight at any moment.

Qiu Luoye stretched his body. His stolen internal organs had mostly regrown.

Dou Jiyan emerged from the water, dried herself with a towel, put on her clothes, and prepared to go next door.

Cui Tike touched his cheek; a rash had appeared on his face. Xiao Qianshou didn't know Cui Tike, but he recognized the nature of the rash. "Are you a disciple of Green Flower?"

Cui Tike nodded. "You should be a friend of our Grandmaster. Our Grandmaster has been missing old friends recently. If you have enough time, perhaps you could visit him."

Xiao Qianshou wasn't concerned about his Grandmaster. He looked at the pool and asked, "Have you soaked in this pool?"

Cui Tike nodded. "I've soaked in every pool here."

Dou Jiyan abandoned her idea of coming to the men's pool. Qiu Luoye tried to stay as far from the pools as possible. He regretted touching the water when he first came in.

Although Li Banfeng hadn't entered, Xiao Qianshou could sense someone outside the wall. Being surrounded by four formidable individuals, Xiao Qianshou wasn't too keen on this fight, especially since one of them was a Sickness cultivator. In the past, he had many ways to deal with Sickness cultivators, but the current situation was somewhat unique.

Cui Tike advised, "Senior, I suggest we stop here. Your condition is quite bad, and you're already injured. Continuing this fight would be very unwise."

Xiao Qianshou rubbed his cheek. "What are a few superficial wounds?"

Cui Tike shook his head. "Your facial injuries are serious, and your internal injuries are severe as well."

Xiao Qianshou looked at Cui Tike. "Since when did you learn to assess injuries?"

Sickness cultivators don't heal injuries; everyone in the know understood this. However, Cui Tike wasn't wrong. Xiao Qianshou was indeed injured. He had been wounded not only by Qiu Luoye but also by Li Banfeng and Gui Jianchou. His injuries hadn't fully recovered.

Cui Tike said, "Senior, you know too little about me. I've run hospitals for a long time and have a clear understanding of the difference between injuries and illnesses. I still advise you to listen to me and leave here."

"Listen to your advice? What are you?" Xiao Qianshou sneered, shrinking his body into a ball and disappearing without a trace into the bathhouse's drainage system.

Qiu Luoye's perception was not strong; he had no idea what move Xiao Qianshou was planning.

"He fled!" Cui Tike sighed. "That person is so shameless. He clearly took my advice but still had to insult me."

After speaking, Cui Tike picked up the bathhouse shopkeeper's liver from the floor and handed it to Qiu Luoye. "Give this to a healing cultivator. Perhaps the bathhouse shopkeeper can still be saved."

Li Banfeng entered the bathhouse, took the liver, and quickly handed it to a healing cultivator, asking him to reattach it to the shopkeeper.

Qiu Luoye looked at Cui Tike. "Foreigner, what's your background? Did Green Flower send you?"

Cui Tike shook his head. "I am Li Qi's friend."

From next door in the bathhouse, Dou Jiyan shouted, "Me too!"

Cui Tike said, "I came to Seven Autumns City because I have some matters to discuss with Li Qi."

Dou Jiyan shouted, "Me too!"

Cui Tike paused for a moment, then added, "The matters I need to discuss with Li Qi are private. I don't want anyone else to hear them."

Dou Jiyan again said, "Me too!"

Cui Tike got annoyed. "This is a bathhouse! I plan to soak with Li Qi and discuss things together!"

Dou Jiyan remained silent.

Qiu Luoye looked at Cui Tike. "I know Dou Jiyan, but I don't know you. You say you're Old Seven's friend, but I've never seen you before."

Splash!

Suddenly, a person stood up in the water and said to Cui Tike, "I've seen him before! He practiced medicine in Zhengjing Village!"

Cui Tike quickly bowed. "Senior Shui, long time no see. I love Zhengjing Village."

Shui Yongquan looked at Cui Tike's chest, not seeing a tattoo. He turned to Qiu Luoye and said, "Fake. What this foreigner just said wasn't sincere."

Qiu Luoye was puzzled. "Old Shui, how did you come down from the mountain? How did you get into the bathhouse? How did I not notice at all?"

Shui Yongquan chuckled. "I came to help you! We're good brothers. I'm much better than Zhu Chunhua!"

In this bathhouse, Shui Yongquan indeed had an advantage. His memory had mostly recovered, and his combat strength was restored, though his mind wasn't entirely normal.

Shui Yongquan looked at the sewer. "I could have caught Xiao Qianshou just now, but after thinking it over, I let him go."

Qiu Luoye's face was full of scorn. "You coward, in the end, you still got scared."

"Why shouldn't I be scared? How much cultivation do I have left? What level is Xiao Qianshou?"

Qiu Luoye snorted. "No matter his level, didn't he still run for his life?"

Shui Yongquan shook his head. "He fled because he has no hands left. He came here to find hands."

Qiu Luoye pondered. "Why couldn't he find hands elsewhere? Why did he have to come to my place, and even deliberately cause trouble in my bathhouse?"

The healing cultivator reattached the shopkeeper's liver. Li Banfeng entered the bathhouse and saw Shui Yongquan rubbing his temples, struggling to recall something. "Xiao Qianshou's hands are hard to find. You can't just pick up any hand to replace them. I heard the Peddler chopped off all his hands back then. Judging by your fight just now, he probably only has his original pair of hands left. He likely sensed that you have other suitable hands here, which drew him to this place."

"I have suitable hands here?" Qiu Luoye couldn't think of anyone.

Li Banfeng knew clearly that the "suitable hands" referred to his own spotted gloves. Xiao Qianshou could track the gloves' whereabouts; this was something they needed to guard against.

He looked at Cui Tike. "What do you need me for?"

Cui Tike said, "Friend, I have something very important that I can only discuss with you privately."

Dou Jiyan shouted from next door, "Brother Qiu, Brother Shui, let's go for a walk outside. After they finish their discussion, I'll talk to Brother Qi."

The three left the bathhouse. Li Banfeng stood at the entrance and asked Cui Tike, "What do you need me for?"

Cui Tike went to the changing room, put on his clothes, and hung a top hat on a coat rack in the changing room. The changing room was shielded; no sound could be heard from inside.

Cui Tike said, "Do you know someone named Du Wenming?"

"Yes, I do."

"He recently went to Wuyou Ping and happened to run into me."

Li Banfeng was surprised. "What was he doing at Wuyou Ping?"

"I was also very curious. He explained that he was hit by a special spell and uncontrollably flew from a distant place to Wuyou Ping. I suspect this might be related to the techniques of Journey cultivators, which made me think of you."

"Did he mention me to you?"

Cui Tike shook his head. "He didn't mention you, but he brought up something very important that might interest you: he's researching the formula for Daoist medical powders. This is incredibly significant to me."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "I recall that your Daoist lineage doesn't rely on medical powders."

"It's not that it doesn't rely on them, but rather that there are no medical powders available. Currently, there are two theories: one, the Peddler doesn't acknowledge the Sickness cultivators as a Daoist sect at all. This means Sickness cultivators have levels, but no fully developed techniques. Two, the Peddler acknowledges the Sickness cultivators as a Daoist sect but refuses to provide medical powders, forcing Sickness cultivators to pass down their lineage through master-disciple cannibalism. This brutal method of inheritance has resulted in very few Sickness cultivators existing for most of history. The entire Daoist sect has always teetered on the brink of extinction."

Li Banfeng knew about this, but did Sickness cultivators truly care?

"From what I understand, you Sickness cultivators don't wish for your sect to prosper. You don't even want fellow disciples to exist; even your Grandmaster isn't very friendly towards them."

Cui Tike nodded. "You're right, I once had similar thoughts. If I eliminated all my fellow disciples, and I was the only Sickness cultivator left in the world, then very few would be able to neutralize the diseases I created. Perhaps I'd be one step closer to my goal of destroying humanity. But now, my thoughts have changed. If my sect grows and forms a powerful force, it could also create excellent opportunities for me to achieve my dream. And in this process, Sickness cultivators could also contribute to conquering various diseases in the world. Humans could live even happier lives before I destroy them. This process could be described as a win-win."

Li Banfeng pondered the logic. "I don't agree with your definition of 'win-win,' but I understand what you mean. However, why are you telling me something so confidential?"

"Because we are friends. I genuinely want your opinion: should I or should I not research the medical powder formula?"

"My advice is no. Doing so could very likely enrage the Peddler, and angering the Peddler could directly lead to the extinction of the Sickness cultivators. My suggestion to you is to tell the Peddler your ideas directly. He might not support your goal of destroying humanity, but he should support you in treating diseases. If he is willing to actively assist you, you can avoid many unnecessary risks."

Cui Tike thought for a moment, then nodded. "I accept your advice. I plan to prove to the Peddler through practical actions that my Daoist sect can bring genuine help to Puluo Continent."

Li Banfeng asked, "What 'practical actions' are you referring to?"

"I want to open a hospital in Seven Autumns City."

Li Banfeng fell silent.

Cui Tike looked at Li Banfeng earnestly. "Friend, my hospital in Green Water City provided you with much help, and my clinic in Zhengjing Village also helped you. Just now, when Qiu Luoye confronted Xiao Qianshou, I still offered you assistance. You surely don't distrust me, do you?"

It was indeed difficult to say he didn't trust Cui Tike at that moment. Li Banfeng said tactfully, "I do trust you, but this matter isn't something I can decide on my own..."

Cui Tike shook his head. "To open a hospital in Seven Autumns City, you need the local deity's consent. But that shouldn't be too difficult for you, should it?"

Li Banfeng truly found it hard to refuse him. "I'll go discuss it with the local deity."

Cui Tike bowed deeply in gratitude. "I'll leave the hospital matter to you. Next, I want to talk to you about our intellectual property."

"What intellectual property?"

"Our scientific research has achieved a new breakthrough: the Blade Labor Ghosts' reliance on Blade Ghost Ridge has significantly decreased. This has given them a relatively wider range of activity. Recently, some Blade Labor Ghosts have appeared in Wuyou Ping."

Wuyou Ping. Li Banfeng had already deduced this situation.

Cui Tike encountered Du Wenming at Wuyou Ping. Under normal circumstances, with Du Wenming's cultivation, he wouldn't need to answer any of Cui Tike's questions, and even if he didn't want to fight Cui Tike, he would have been able to escape. The fact that he couldn't escape at that time could only mean one thing: he encountered not only Cui Tike but also the Blade Labor Ghosts under Cui Tike's command.

Wuyou Ping's nature was similar to Bitter Herb Village; it had many exits leading to different locations across Puluo Continent. If the Blade Labor Ghosts spread, Puluo Continent could face an unprecedented catastrophe.

Cui Tike understood Li Banfeng's concerns. "Don't worry, I've found a way to control them. I won't let them leave Wuyou Ping. Otherwise, the major powers of Puluo Continent, including the Border Defense Office, wouldn't let me off the hook."

Li Banfeng carefully traced the implications. He looked at Cui Tike again. "Do you really have to tell me something so secret?"

Cui Tike chuckled. "We are friends, and this is a result we created together. I won't hide anything from you regarding this matter."

"Since you've said all that, you should be able to tell me Du Wenming's whereabouts, right?"

"He's still working for Xuehua Pu. I don't know the exact nature of his work. I merely warned him not to return to Wuyou Ping or approach our intellectual property. As for where he went after that, I don't know."

"As for that 'intellectual property,' it's mostly your own creation. Once we leave the bathhouse, don't mention my involvement." Li Banfeng then took Cui Tike to discuss opening a hospital with Qiu Luoye.

Outside the bathhouse, Dou Jiyan was also discussing business with Qiu Luoye.

Qiu Luoye's face darkened, a cold glint in his eyes. "Sister, I truly thank you for helping me out just now. From now on, if you want to visit me, all your food, drinks, and entertainment will be on my tab. Seven Autumns City is like your own home; enjoy yourself as much as you like! If you ever run into trouble, just tell me. I'm not good at much else, but I'm a good fighter. However, if you're talking about starting a business here, that's completely out of the question."

Dou Jiyan said, "What's wrong, Brother? Seven Autumns City was only recently established; isn't it in need of business people?"

Shui Yongquan chuckled from the side. "That depends on what kind of business it is. In Qiu Luoye's territory, gambling is strictly forbidden!"

Dou Jiyan said, "We don't gamble for money! We just play for fun!"

Shui Yongquan shook his head. "That's not allowed either. Qiu Luoye hates gambling the most. He set rules back in the New Land: pai gow, dice, mahjong, and poker are all forbidden. People in his territory can't even play chess."

Qiu Luoye retorted, "We can still play chess!"

Shui Yongquan gave a wry smile. "Your 'chess' involves two people throwing pieces at each other until one gives up. And in your games, you're not even allowed to move the 'elephant' piece far, claiming it violates your taboo. If there are no elephants, what kind of chess is that?"

Dou Jiyan couldn't help but laugh. Qiu Luoye looked at Shui Yongquan. "Why do you tell everyone everything?"

Li Banfeng exited the bathhouse. He had finished discussing the hospital matter with Qiu Luoye, and now it was Dou Jiyan's turn to speak.

"Brother Qi, I also have a favor to ask of you."

Shui Yongquan snorted. "Aren't you ashamed? At your age, calling him 'Brother Qi'."

"I'll call him Brother Qi, so what?" Dou Jiyan hooked her arm through Li Banfeng's and chuckled. "Brother Qi, I have a game coming up in a couple of days with a very large stake, and I'd like to ask you to be a witness."

Li Banfeng withdrew his arm, keeping some distance from Dou Jiyan. "What kind of game? What's the stake?"

Dou Jiyan seemed a bit embarrassed. "I'm talking about a gambling match, and the stake for this match is Thousand Taels Workshop itself."

"You're gambling away your territory?" Li Banfeng was greatly startled.

Dou Jiyan lowered her head. "I had no choice. The other party made an offer and demanded my territory. If I didn't gamble, he would forcibly take it."

Li Banfeng asked, "Who is so powerful that they can seize territory from you?"

Shui Yongquan said, "You're talking about your senior brother, Ding Liusan, aren't you?"

Dou Jiyan was very surprised. Shui Yongquan's territory was extremely remote; how could he know so much?

Shui Yongquan continued, "Thousand Taels Workshop is the largest gambling house in Puluo Continent. It's home to countless Gambling cultivators, and the flesh and blood of these people are literally pure gold and silver. Ding Liusan has been eyeing Thousand Taels Workshop for many years. Is he finally making a ruthless move against you this time?"

"The flesh and blood of Gambling cultivators are pure gold and silver?"

Li Banfeng looked at Dou Jiyan. Dou Jiyan shrugged her eyebrows. "Brother Shui, I really didn't expect you to know so much about the affairs within my sect."

Shui Yongquan smiled. "I once wanted to gain another piece of rightful land to change my environment, so of course I had to know something about what happens on these lands."

Qiu Luoye snorted. "Old fellow, you scheme so thoroughly, yet it's pathetic that with all your cunning, you still ended up looking like this."

Li Banfeng asked, "Since the stakes are clear, why do you need a witness for this gamble?"

Dou Jiyan said, "Because my senior brother is a sore loser. I'm afraid if he loses, he won't admit it and will try to harm me later. I can't defeat him."

Qiu Luoye waved his hand repeatedly. "Old Seven, you really shouldn't get involved in this. Ding Liusan is not easy to deal with."

Dou Jiyan grabbed Li Banfeng's arm. "Precisely because he's difficult to deal with, I shamelessly asked Brother Qi for help."

Shui Yongquan said, "If I recall correctly, Ding Liusan runs a pawnshop and possesses two cultivation techniques, isn't that right?"

Dou Jiyan shook her head. "One is real, but the other doesn't quite count. That one he created himself; it's called 'Appraisal cultivation'."

"What is Appraisal cultivation?" Li Banfeng couldn't grasp the nature of this Daoist sect just from its name.

Dou Jiyan said, "They are cultivators skilled in appraisal. The core principles of the Daoist sect consist of four characters: Discernment, Guidance, Argumentation, and Resolution. Let's not talk about this sect for now, but focus on the immediate matter. Your little sister here is quite straightforward, so please forgive any offense, Brother.

"Brother Qi, if you are willing to be my witness, then from now on, wherever you go, you will be my elder brother. Whether in public or private, when you see me, I will greet you with a bow. I will carry out all your instructions, serve you tea and water during the day, and warm your bed at night. However, if you are unwilling to be my witness, then we will be strangers from now on. Wherever we meet, we will pretend not to know each other. Brother Qi, the decision is entirely yours."