Chapter 602: Deceiving the World and Stealing Fame

Seven Autumn City, Laboratory.

Li Banfeng held an experimental report and pointed out an error: "My dear wife, it's not completely dark inside the wormhole. I can see the path, and I can also see people around the path."

Changji compared the report with her data. "Husband, did you truly see them at the time, or did you perceive them using your techniques?"

Li Banfeng recalled the process. "I'm sure I saw them. At that moment, I didn't use any techniques, not even my Daoist abilities. I should have brought Projector in to observe, but his mental state wasn't very stable then."

Changji also wanted to see for herself. "Not having seen it with my own eyes, this servant feels quite unsatisfied. But my soul isn't stable. If I were to enter rashly—"

"Don't rush, my dear. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You must believe me on this: there is indeed light inside the wormhole."

Changji re-arranged her calculations. "If there's light, we should be able to see the gap between the first and second dark bridges. From that gap, if we could extend a rope, we should be able to pull people from under the bridge onto it. However, figuring out how to make this rope will require some effort. Husband, the materials for the rope might be difficult to acquire and quite expensive, so we need to plan ahead."

Li Banfeng wasn't worried. "He Jiaqing has mostly settled his debts, and I've helped Shen Jingye with such a significant favor; he should contribute too."

Regarding the accounting, not only did Shen Jingye benefit, but He Jiaqing himself also gained considerably. Under Li Banfeng's coordination, over twenty of his businesses reopened successively, and his financial situation steadily improved.

With money in hand, it was time to expand. With a hundred businesses, even if thirty were shut down, it wouldn't critically damage him. This was He Jiaqing's long-standing business principle. However, implementing this principle required personnel, and not just ordinary ones; he needed capable and powerful subordinates.

Fortunately, his old subordinates and new key staff performed well. In less than a month, sixteen new shops opened across Puluo Prefecture. He Jiaqing visited each shop, paying particular attention to Datou's newly opened silk shop. The silk shop was located on Fuxiang Avenue in Green Water City, across the street from Bailemen, making it the most prosperous area in Green Water City.

It wasn't easy to open a shop there, and Datou's silk shop was quite large—three rooms deep and two stories high. It sold not only fabrics but also ready-to-wear clothing.

He Jiaqing was very pleased and generously rewarded Datou. "Brother, life in Puluo Prefecture isn't as good as in other prefectures; there's no TV or mobile phones at night. Following me, you must have felt wronged."

Datou genuinely didn't feel wronged. Dozens of people in the silk shop, from top to bottom, saluted him when they saw him. "This kind of respect can only be earned in Puluo Prefecture. Jiaqing, I owe everything I have today to you."

"Let's not talk like that between brothers. I think our shop could operate other things too. Such a large storefront, it's a pity to only do clothing business. How about we also—what happened to your leg?" He Jiaqing noticed Datou's limp as they climbed the stairs.

"Nothing, I was just walking a bit fast yesterday and twisted my ankle."

In other prefectures, Datou was registered as a fifth-level combatant with the Dark Star Bureau. But Datou's entry-level medicine was a family heirloom; he wasn't a combatant, he was a true martial cultivator. While in other prefectures, Datou had consumed many elixirs under He Jiaqing's guidance, and coupled with his diligent cultivation, his cultivation had long reached the sixth level. After coming to Puluo Prefecture, He Jiaqing supplied him with a large number of elixirs, and Datou was now a seventh-level martial cultivator.

A seventh-level martial cultivator twisting his ankle just by walking? Who would believe that?

"Brother, what's really going on? Tell me the truth!"

After repeated questioning, Datou revealed the truth. This silk shop was not easily acquired. The shop originally belonged to the Su family, who also had some standing in Green Water City. But due to friction with the Qingyun Association, their business was severely affected, forcing them to abandon the shop. Anyone with eyes could see that the Qingyun Association was bothering the Su family because they wanted this silk shop. Unexpectedly, Datou outbid them and snatched the shop, which angered Han Yaomen, the chief of the Qingyun Association.

Han Yaomen personally led people to ambush Datou. Datou was a key front-line member of the Dark Star Bureau, and his quick reactions were truly impressive. He escaped from Han Yaomen, saving his life, but injured one of his legs.

He Jiaqing stood at the top of the stairs on the second floor, hands behind his back, bending down to look towards the entrance. "This shop is excellent. Its feng shui looks prosperous. No wonder Han Yaomen has always coveted it. Datou, bear with it today. No matter how the Qingyun Association provokes you, just don't engage."

Datou felt this was wrong. If they allowed the Qingyun Association to bully them, they would end up like the Su family, eventually forced to give up the shop. He Jiaqing chuckled, "We are different from the Su family; we are different from any family. These problems in Puluo Prefecture need to be changed."

Indeed, people from the Qingyun Association came to cause trouble that day. Several thugs entered, selecting fabrics, touching and smearing every piece with mud and grease. They spent the entire day choosing, but these thugs bought nothing. Customers inside the shop were scared away, and those outside dared not enter. In normal circumstances, Datou would have thrown them out long ago. But He Jiaqing told him not to act, and he endured until closing time that evening.

The thugs successfully disrupted the silk shop's business and considered it a job well done for the day. They went to the gambling house across the street to collect their reward from the manager. The manager of the gambling house was Xingyi Grand Uncle, a mid-level figure in the Qingyun Association. He distributed bounties to these thugs: "Come again tomorrow, make even more trouble, injure a few of their shop assistants, ruin a batch of their fabrics, and force them to fight you. Remember, the moment they make a move, you lie on the ground and let them hit you, let them do whatever they want. If you get injured, the more severe the injury, the more I'll reward you!"

The thugs happily collected their rewards and went to the silk shop again early the next morning. Datou gritted his teeth in anger. He asked He Jiaqing, "Are we still enduring this?"

He Jiaqing leaned over the stair railing, watching the scene in the hall. "Not today. Beat them up, but don't kill them."

One thug pointed at He Jiaqing and cursed, "What the hell are you looking at? Haven't you seen your grandpa before?"

He Jiaqing said to Datou, "This one needs to be crippled so he can't walk anymore."

The thug yelled from the first floor, "What did you just say? Say it again so I can hear you!"

Datou leaped down from the second floor, grabbed the thug's hair, slammed him to the ground, and broke one of his legs. "He just said, he'll make sure you can't walk anymore."

The thug cried out, "You hit me? You dare to hit me? Do you know who I am—"

Crack!

Datou broke the thug's other leg as well. The thug fainted from the pain. The remaining thugs shouted loudly, "The boss here is beating people! What kind of business is this? Come and see—"

Before he finished speaking, the thug's teeth flew out of his mouth. Seeing Datou make a move, the other shop assistants at the silk shop didn't stand idly by. They grabbed the remaining thugs and started mercilessly pummeling them. These thugs had no cultivation, so they couldn't withstand the beating. In less than ten minutes, the group of thugs was covered in injuries and thrown onto the street.

They lay on the ground, crying out for a long time, but no one paid attention. They could only help each other to the gambling house. The gambling house owner had instructed them yesterday: getting beaten was a great merit, and the more severe the injury, the more the reward. Today they were truly severely injured; some would even be left crippled. Thinking about the amount of the reward, they felt less pain.

The gambling house was deserted. Perhaps they arrived too early, and the business hadn't opened yet. Upon entering the main hall, everyone looked around but saw no one. The thug with broken legs, crawling on the ground, had a lower vantage point than the others, and he was the first to see someone. "Under the tables, they're all lying down there!"

Why were they all under the tables? The thugs bent down and called for a long time. Indeed, many people were lying under the tables, but no one responded. The thugs grew scared. The leader dragged one person out from under a table and discovered that this person's head was missing. He dragged out two more, and they also had no heads.

The thugs were terrified. They scrambled out of the gambling house, screaming as they ran, "Their heads are gone! Where are the heads? Where did the heads go—"

The heads were placed at the entrance of the Qingyun Association's main hall, one by one, right in front of Han Yaomen. Han Yaomen gritted his teeth. "He Jiaqing, you resorted to lethal force, so don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Outside Green Water City, in a residential house, He Jiaqing was brewing tea for Ancestor Thief Cultivator Xiao Qianshou. Xiao Qianshou picked up the teacup, took a sip, and shook his head. "The brewing is off; this tea is astringent. Little rascal, did you pay attention to what I asked you to do?"

He Jiaqing re-boiled a kettle of water. "Ancestor, I remember your instructions every day; how dare I not pay attention?"

"I asked you to investigate the medicine powder formula, and there's been no news so far. Yet, I hear you've started a fight with the Qingyun Association?"

He Jiaqing changed to a different box of tea leaves. "It's all minor matters; you don't need to worry about them. This is a new foreign black tea from my tea shop. Please taste it."

"I won't drink that. I'm not used to foreign tea leaves." Xiao Qianshou pushed the cup aside and said to He Jiaqing, "Do you think all these gangs in Puluo Prefecture are particularly easy to deal with?"

This topic seemed unavoidable. He Jiaqing nodded slightly. "Yes, I didn't take the Qingyun Association seriously. Han Yaomen is just a mere seventh-level cultivator; why should I give way to him?"

"Han Yaomen is indeed only a seventh-level cultivator, but the Qingyun Association isn't that simple. This gang has been around for a long time, and its roots run deep. Han Yaomen's grandmaster is a sound cultivator on the Cloud Realm and also a local deity. His grandmaster has other patrons behind him, linked layer by layer; you don't know how many people you'll involve. All the gangs that have a firm footing in Puluo Prefecture have extraordinary backgrounds. Is it worth stirring up this hornet's nest over a small business matter?"

He Jiaqing nodded repeatedly. "Ancestor, I've noted your words."

Xiao Qianshou sighed. "I trusted you back then because I thought you were shrewd, sophisticated, and acted discreetly. You're someone capable of great things. Don't let a trivial matter jeopardize the larger picture."

"How can this be a trivial matter? This is a matter for the He family." He Jiaqing presented the tea to Xiao Qianshou.

Xiao Qianshou frowned. "Are the He family's matters that important?"

He Jiaqing chuckled. "How can they not be important? I am a member of the He family."

"Rascal, purposely trying to provoke me?" Xiao Qianshou's face darkened.

He Jiaqing quickly apologized. "Ancestor, how dare I? I've been busy lately, and my words lacked some propriety. Please, don't blame me."

After brewing this pot of tea, He Jiaqing said he needed to manage his businesses and took the opportunity to leave. Xiao Qianshou balanced the teacup on his fingertips, idly spinning it. After playing with it for a moment, Xiao Qianshou suddenly let out a laugh. "Rascal, you really think you're someone important, do you? Do you really think I respect you? If I weren't missing a hand, some things wouldn't even require you. The first hand is too hard to find, Xie Juncong is old, and the others are useless. I think you're the most suitable. Since you won't listen to me, let's put you to good use."

The Qingyun Association's main hall was also called the Dragon Head Hall. The chief of the Qingyun Association was also called the Dragon Head Elder.

Chief Han Yaomen summoned thirty elites from various Qingyun Association branch halls. They gathered that evening in the Dragon Head Hall with one mission: to burn down the silk shop on Fuxiang Avenue. "If I can't take this shop, no one else will. If this is done tonight, money will be given to those who want money, land to those who want land, and wives to those who want wives! Pick according to gang rules!"

This was the Qingyun Association's rule: they didn't specify the exact reward but instead set a range, allowing gang members to choose for themselves. Of course, when choosing a reward, one had to be sensible. If someone achieved a great功, wanting to marry the singer Jiang Mengting, that would be another matter.

Everything was explained clearly. The thirty elites set off for the silk shop and returned in less than ten minutes. Everyone in the main hall was still wondering how they came back so quickly. From the Dragon Head Hall to Fuxiang Avenue, it normally took over an hour to walk. These people had cultivation, so they naturally walked faster than ordinary people, but a round trip would still take at least half an hour. Furthermore, they weren't just strolling; they were going to set a fire. How did they return so quickly?

When Han Yaomen opened the wooden box in the center of the hall, his subordinates understood. The box contained thirty human heads. He Jiaqing had written a line on the lid of the box: "I've sent your people back."

Han Yaomen was enraged beyond measure. He gathered his men, intending to rush to He Jiaqing and fight to the death, but Yue Hongliang, an elder within the gang, stopped him. "Chief, you can't go. If you do, our gang will be gone."

Han Yaomen furiously said, "What kind of talk is that? Have you lost your nerve?"

Yue Hongliang shook his head. "Chief, I'm over seventy this year. I've been through so many bloody conflicts over the years; I've already lived long enough. What am I afraid of? I'm worried for our gang!"

Han Yaomen sat in his chair without speaking. Yue Hongliang took the opportunity to dismiss the others. "Chief, we just sent those men out, and He Jiaqing collected their heads. Don't you understand this situation?"

Han Yaomen pondered for a moment. "There's an internal traitor in the gang?"

Yue Hongliang nodded. "There must be an internal traitor, but we don't know how many."

Han Yaomen stood up. "We can't take this lightly. Let's clean out the internal traitors first, and then we'll deal with He Jiaqing."

Yue Hongliang lit his dry tobacco pipe and took a puff. "Chief, if you ask me, it's best to take a long-term approach to this matter. For the time being, let's not go after He Jiaqing anymore."

"Why not?" Han Yaomen slammed the table. "Can we really swallow this insult?"

"Chief, He Jiaqing is not to be trifled with. For one silk shop, how many of our people has he killed? Think about his past behavior. He used to feign death in a hospital in another prefecture, then hid in Puluo Prefecture, afraid to show his face. When have you ever seen him act so crazy? There's something going on here, something we don't know. We can't guess what He Jiaqing intends to do. In this situation, it's best for us to stay far away."

"Stay away—" Han Yaomen gritted his teeth. "If I hide, the Qingyun Association will lose all face."

"He Jiaqing is from the He family. The He family is already a tyrant in Puluo Prefecture. It's not shameful for us to avoid him."

"Then our brothers died in vain?"

"Chief, I've been in the gang for so many years. I know how many brothers we've lost. They died, and how many were truly avenged? Just find an excuse to smooth things over, and it's done."

The words were unpleasant, but the reasoning was sound. Han Yaomen found an excuse to put the matter aside for now, then focused on clearing out the internal traitors in the gang. He had just identified a group of people, but before he could act, they received news and all fled. Han Yaomen was furious and ordered all branch halls to find their families and leave no one.

Two days later, Han Yaomen received another box of heads. The families of the internal traitors were not found, but two Qingyun Association branch halls had been annihilated. Han Yaomen was dumbfounded, and Yue Hongliang was also shocked. Previously, they thought if they couldn't provoke him, they could at least hide. Now they realized they couldn't even hide.

The next evening, Han Yaomen received another wooden box; two more branch halls had been destroyed. He Jiaqing didn't seem to be after the silk shop; he was after the Qingyun Association! Han Yaomen panicked and gathered some core members of the gang for advice. Everyone's idea was to fight He Jiaqing to the end, but the elder Yue Hongliang offered another suggestion: "Ask He family's eldest sister to mediate between the two sides. Whatever grievances there are, let them be laid bare on the table. If we can calm things down, we'll accept some losses."

Han Yaomen was indignant. "Haven't we suffered enough losses?"

Yue Hongliang remained silent. The disparity in their methods was clear for all to see. What good would indignation do? After two days of hesitation, and losing two more branch halls, Han Yaomen went to New Land, bringing generous gifts, and found He Yuxiu, asking her to mediate.

He Yuxiu looked at her own territory, her expression troubled. "Old Han, as you can see, I have my own domain now, and I can't look after family matters. Jiaqing is also an adult; it's impossible for him to listen to everything I say. I'll find some time to advise him, but whether he listens to me is another matter."

Han Yaomen felt that He Yuxiu might not be reliable in this matter. He was wrong; it wasn't that she wasn't reliable, it was that He Yuxiu simply didn't intervene. The silk shop was He Jiaqing's own business, and He Yuxiu shouldn't interfere. Han Yaomen provoked first, and He Jiaqing retaliated. He Yuxiu wouldn't turn against her own; she would definitely stand with He Jiaqing. As for whether the retaliation was too harsh, no one could truly define it. When Han Yaomen eventually turned the tables and retaliated against He Jiaqing, he certainly wouldn't show mercy.

Accountant Sheng Shanzhou felt that He Jiaqing had done nothing wrong. "Young Master's approach has even more courage than the Old Master back then. Either we don't act, or when we do, we clean them out completely." He Yuxiu and Han Yaomen didn't have a deep friendship to begin with. He Yuxiu didn't care about what would become of the Qingyun Association in the future. She just didn't quite understand He Jiaqing's actions. "What's wrong with Jiaqing? He usually acts so secretive, afraid to leave any trace. Why is he acting so overtly this time?"

With continuous casualties in the Qingyun Association's branch halls, Han Yaomen knew He Yuxiu hadn't helped. Out of desperation, he could only resort to his last move. "I must invite my grandmaster out!"

Yue Hongliang was somewhat worried. "The Old Master hasn't managed gang affairs for a long time. When the previous chief had trouble, we pleaded with him so much, but the Old Master didn't intervene." The 'previous chief' referred to the previous leader of the Qingyun Association, who was also Han Yaomen's master. Yue Hongliang's 'trouble' referred to an internal conflict within the Qingyun Association, where the previous chief's pleas for help were fruitless, and he eventually died in that internal dispute.

"This situation is different from last time. Last time was an internal struggle within our gang; this time, it's total annihilation. Grandmaster won't stand by and do nothing!" Han Yaomen ordered the setting up of an incense hall. Incense and candles were arranged, and a hanging scroll of the grandmaster was displayed. Most people couldn't tell it was a portrait of the grandmaster because the painting depicted a camel's head. Below the painting was the grandmaster's name: Bei Wushuang.

Han Yaomen prayed in the incense hall for three days and three nights but received no response. Yue Hongliang, fearing the worst, advised Han Yaomen to seek another way out. "Where is the way out?" Han Yaomen could no longer think of one. "Go find Li Qi. We are considered friends with Li Qi too."

Han Yaomen carefully considered his relationship with Li Qi. Were they friends? Certainly. The three major gangs in Puluo Prefecture were all considered friends of Li Qi, but among friends, there were varying degrees of closeness. Shen Jinzhong of Sanying Gate was closest to Li Qi; it was rumored that he was supported by Li Qi. Han Yaomen certainly couldn't compare to that relationship. Zhang Xiuling of Hundred Flowers Gate was also very close to Li Qi; some said that "Jade Fragrance Chronicle" was written by Zhang Xiuling under Li Qi's guidance. Han Yaomen couldn't compare to that relationship either. All things considered, Han Yaomen's relationship with Li Qi might not even be as close as that of Li Haoyun of Furong Zhai and Bai Wuchuan of White Crane Gate; it was merely an acquaintance. Now that the Qingyun Association was facing annihilation, would Li Qi be willing to help? If Qiu Zhiheng were in Green Water City, it would be great. His friendship with Han Yaomen was deep, and so was his friendship with Li Qi. With him acting as a bridge, Li Qi would surely help.

Yue Hongliang said, "Chief, Medicine King Valley isn't far. How about you go there in person?" Han Yaomen thought about it and agreed. He instructed his subordinates to prepare travel permits and left for the train station that night.

The next morning, Han Yaomen's head was displayed at the Qingyun Association's hall. He was dead. As the head of Puluo Prefecture's second-largest gang, Han Yaomen's death caused quite a stir. On the day of the funeral, He Jiaqing personally went to pay his respects and met Ma Wu in the mourning hall. The two chatted briefly. "How has Li Qi been lately? I haven't seen him in a long time."

"He's been busy with official business in other prefectures and doesn't return much."

"When he comes back, tell him to visit me. I have some things I'd like to discuss with him properly."

"If it's not a private matter, you can tell me, and I'll pass it on to Old Seven."

"The matter between us is actually a bit private."

After paying his respects, He Jiaqing didn't forget his main task. The Qingyun Association couldn't be without a leader for a day. He chose an elder to succeed Han Yaomen as the Dragon Head Elder. This elder was Yue Hongliang. Some in the gang believed that Yue Hongliang had dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the Qingyun Association and deserved this position. But others brought up another point: ever since Han Yaomen took Yue Hongliang's advice, his life had only gotten worse.

Leaving the Qingyun Association's main hall, Ma Wu contacted Li Banfeng. "The matter has been verified. Han Yaomen is indeed dead. He Jiaqing's hand was truly ruthless. Han Yaomen had already surrendered and was just short of kowtowing to him, yet he still took Han Yaomen's life. Now the Qingyun Association has completely fallen into He Jiaqing's hands. We need to talk to Sister He Yuxiu soon to find out who truly leads the He family now. If He Jiaqing is in charge, we really need to be more cautious. Who knows, he might come after us next."

Li Banfeng looked at the newspaper in his hand. The headline read: "Young Master Massacres Qingyun Association, He Scion's Might Shakes All Directions." This newspaper was published by Shen Rongqing's newspaper agency, meaning He Jiaqing intentionally wanted to publicize this matter. Why? Li Banfeng truly couldn't understand. "Old Five, based on my understanding of He Jiaqing, even if he wants to kill someone, he'd do it secretly. He wouldn't act so high-profile."

"That's what I'm saying," Ma Wu, He Jiaqing's childhood friend, also couldn't understand. "I've sent people to investigate this matter, but I doubt we'll find any results."

Zhang Xiuling left the Qingyun Association's main hall, where a rickshaw was waiting. As she was about to get in, Duan Shuqun approached, took off his hat, and bowed first. "Gate Master Zhang, I've brought you an invitation."

"What invitation?" Zhang Xiuling took the invitation and saw it was for the opening ceremony of a theater in Green Water City, inviting her to attend. This theater originally belonged to the Qingyun Association, but now all of the Qingyun Association's businesses belonged to He Jiaqing. Zhang Xiuling naturally didn't want to attend the ceremony. She didn't have much friendship with Han Yaomen, but in her view, He Jiaqing's actions of completely eradicating a gang over a small dispute, and publicly humiliating them, were completely against the rules.

"Boss Duan, thank you for your kind invitation, but the timing isn't convenient. I happen to have an urgent matter that day. But rest assured, even if I can't be there in person, my regards will surely be delivered." Zhang Xiuling wanted to send a gift and be done with the matter.

Duan Shuqun shook his head. "Gate Master Zhang, if you don't come in person, your regards won't be considered delivered. Our boss said there's also an important matter to discuss with you that day."

"Discuss what?"

"That's hard to say now. If you agree, it will be a good thing." Duan Shuqun left the invitation and turned to leave. Zhang Xiuling felt a chill run down her spine. Could He Jiaqing be planning to target the Hundred Flowers Gate next?

She guessed correctly; He Jiaqing's next target was the Hundred Flowers Gate. Back at Liu Family Pawn Shop, He Jiaqing was discussing plans to deal with Hundred Flowers Gate with Datou when a servant came to announce that a friend named Kong wished to see him.

"Brother Kongfang has arrived," He Jiaqing raised an eyebrow, signaling Datou to step aside. Soon, Mr. Kongfang arrived in the courtyard. He drank two cups of tea with He Jiaqing and briefly inquired about the Qingyun Association matter. He Jiaqing told him truthfully. Mr. Kongfang then asked, "I hear you've set your sights on Hundred Flowers Gate next?"

He Jiaqing nodded. "We need money for our experiments. I need to find some quick money-making ventures."

Mr. Kongfang remained silent. Just as He Jiaqing was about to pour more tea, Mr. Kongfang covered his cup. "Jiaqing, our business ends here."

He Jiaqing was startled. "What does that mean?"

Mr. Kongfang stood up. "It means we go our separate ways from now on." With that, Mr. Kongfang disappeared. He Jiaqing stood still, holding the teapot, gazing at the teacup in front of him.

Outside Green Water City, on Yiming Mountain, in a birch forest halfway up the mountain, Xie Juncong, the head of Ghost Hand Gate, knelt on the ground, trembling. Xiao Qianshou stood before him and asked, "Was it that difficult to arrange a meeting with He Jiaqing?"

Xie Juncong said, "He's too high-profile now. Anyone who approaches him will be watched by various sects and factions. Our Ghost Hand Gate is wary of such attention. I also need to find the right timing."

Xiao Qianshou was also a bit lost. "What exactly does this rascal want to do? I can't figure him out either. Alright, tell everyone in our gate to stay far away from him."

That night, He Jiaqing and Datou drank together. About halfway through, Datou asked, "Jiaqing, I remember your ambition was to transform Puluo Prefecture, and even beyond, to ensure that capable people could live with dignity. Has your thinking changed now?"

"No, it hasn't," He Jiaqing shook his head.

"Then your current approach—"

"You don't understand, do you?" He Jiaqing lit a cigarette and let out a bitter laugh. "I went to a bookstore a few days ago. I saw a book there, and that book taught me a lot."

"What book?" Datou was curious.

"I didn't remember the title, but I remembered the characters inside. Any random character could beat me hands down. I thought the owner of that bookstore was invincible. I thought I was going to die inside that book. Who would have thought, a friend came and saved me. He didn't put in much effort. He said the bookstore owner gave him face."

"Such great face?" Datou didn't understand and could only agree.

"Yes, they all have such great face! But how much face do I, He Jiaqing, have? How much ability do I possess? Why would they do business with me? What virtue or ability do I have? What's my true worth?" He Jiaqing stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Datou, speaking with some emotion. "Brother, it's been a long time since I've met someone I could speak my true feelings with. I had one in college, but now that person doesn't want to talk to me anymore. This matter truly pains me. I always used to think that cultivation topped out at the third level of the Cloud Realm, and once you reached that, with a bit more effort, you'd be Above the Cloud Realm. Above the Cloud Realm has no further levels, and combat power should be roughly equivalent. As long as I endured and reached Above the Cloud Realm, I'd be among the strongest. In other prefectures, I used every means to gather popularity—delivering food, doing live streams, crawling through sewers—all to rush to Above the Cloud Realm. Now I've rushed up there, but what's the result? I'm far behind them. I couldn't even touch that bookstore owner; I couldn't even beat a few of his books. And there are people with similar strength who claimed they wanted to do business with me—it was all a lie. They hired me to be a scapegoat. I pay the money, I put in the effort, and I might even lose my life. All the risks in this business are borne by me, but once the business is done, I certainly won't reap any benefits because I don't have the资格 to reach out. If that's the case, why even do this business?"

Datou seemed to understand. "You destroyed the Qingyun Association because you wanted them to stay away from you?"

"Exactly!" He Jiaqing poured a cup of wine for Datou. "They do business that can't see the light of day. I, on the other hand, will shine the light directly on myself. I want all of Puluo Prefecture to watch me. As long as there's light around me, they must stay far away. There's a Cloud-level technique in thief cultivation called 'Deceiving the World, Stealing Fame'. Brother, you must remember: what we 'steal' doesn't necessarily have to be a good reputation."