Chapter 603: Hundred Flowers God

Zhang Xiuling walked out of Tongqing Theatre, her expression somewhat dazed. Duan Shuqun and Shen Rongqing saw her off from behind, accompanying her all the way to a rickshaw.

Today was the opening ceremony of Tongqing Theatre, which Zhang Xiuling attended by invitation. After the ceremony, He Jiaqing discussed some matters with her that Zhang Xiuling found unacceptable.

"Xiuling, I saw you had quite a bit to drink just now. Please be careful on your way," Shen Rongqing said, handing Zhang Xiuling her handbag.

Zhang Xiuling took the bag, said nothing, and told the rickshaw puller to go.

Duan Shuqun called out from behind the rickshaw, "Gate Master Zhang, I'll await your news."

Once the rickshaw was out of sight, Duan Shuqun turned to Shen Rongqing. "Rongqing, we've been friends for so many years, there are some things I don't want to elaborate on. Jiaqing sees all your little maneuvers. Don't be fooled by his usual lightheartedness; he's never been a magnanimous person. When he truly turns hostile, things will become difficult."

Shen Rongqing chuckled. "You have good eyes. What did you see? Go tell him. I'd like to see how grave my 'offense' is and how he plans to punish me!"

Duan Shuqun shook his head repeatedly, saying nothing further.

Zhang Xiuling arrived at Hundred Flowers Garden, the main headquarters of the Hundred Flowers Sect. Four gardens surrounded a Western-style building, where the leaders of various halls gathered in the mansion's great hall, awaiting Zhang Xiuling's decision.

He Jiaqing had laid out his terms: the Hundred Flowers Sect would henceforth belong to the He family, its leader appointed by He Jiaqing. All business within the sect would be managed by the He family, and each hall would receive monthly stipends per head.

These terms were unheard of; He Jiaqing intended to forcefully take over the Hundred Flowers Sect.

He gave Zhang Xiuling three days to decide, but Zhang Xiuling did not want to agree.

"Our Hundred Flowers Sect is one of the foremost gangs in Luozhou. None of its previous leaders were weak-willed. Although I, Zhang Xiuling, am a woman, now that I sit in the leader's position, I absolutely cannot lose our sect's legacy. Even if I am torn to pieces, I will never kneel or bow to the He family!"

As a seventh-level cultivation master and Luozhou's foremost talented woman, her words naturally carried power.

However, after she spoke, the hall masters offered no response.

For them, something more powerful than Zhang Xiuling's words was the severed head of Han Yaomen.

No matter how eloquently she spoke, He Jiaqing was truly ruthless. He didn't just kill Han Yaomen; hundreds of people from the Azure Cloud Society had died, their heads all packed in wooden boxes.

Realizing the situation was unfavorable, Zhang Xiuling first dismissed everyone.

Back in her bedroom, Zhang Xiuling's mind was in turmoil. Fu Lianhong, the leader of the Red Flower Hall, knocked and entered.

The two were usually as close as sisters. Seeing Zhang Xiuling alone in the room, Fu Lianhong decided to speak plainly. "Sister Xiuling, you can't hold onto the sect leader's position. Let's not even mention how ruthless He Jiaqing is; the hearts of the people in the sect have already scattered."

Zhang Xiuling stared at Fu Lianhong for a moment, saying nothing.

Fu Lianhong slapped herself. "Blame me for speaking out of turn. Sister must think I have ulterior motives for saying what I just did. But I'm speaking from the heart, Sister: if you're not in the sect, I certainly won't stay either. As long as you make up your mind, we sisters will leave together. Over the years, I've saved quite a bit. Let's find a quiet place and live a good life. We are scholars; why don't we do what scholars should do? Devoting more effort to cultivation is better than anything else. Why struggle here with a bunch of desperadoes?"

"Scholars..."

Zhang Xiuling stared at her handbag for a moment, recalling another scholar.

Shen Rongqing had taken the bag out for her, and at the time, she seemed to have something to say.

Zhang Xiuling picked up the handbag, opened it, and saw a note tucked inside the powder compact.

The note had only three words: "Find Li Qi."

This was Shen Rongqing's hint to Zhang Xiuling.

Fu Lianhong glanced at it and nodded repeatedly. "That's also a solution. Putting aside all the celestial beings, Li Qi is the only one left in the mortal world who can contend with He Jiaqing."

Zhang Xiuling went to Carefree Dock, but Li Qi was not there. No one knew his whereabouts when asked.

Zhang Shuning, the manager of Carefree Dock, greatly admired Zhang Xiuling. He offered her a suggestion: "Go to New Land and find Fifth Master. Tell him whatever you need."

Zhang Xiuling thanked him repeatedly and took a carriage to the Lu family mansion. Fu Lianhong was puzzled: "Didn't you say to go to New Land to find Ma Wu? What are you doing at the Lu family's?"

"Do you know the cost of seeking Ma Wu?"

Fu Lianhong stamped her foot in frustration. "At a time like this, are you still concerned about such a minor thing? Ma Wu is young and promising. So many girls want to get close to her but can't find a way."

"Li Qi is fine, but Ma Wu is not. I'm not that depraved." Zhang Xiuling refused. She was going to the Lu family mansion to find Duan Shaoxia.

In the past, whenever Duan Shaoxia encountered trouble, Zhang Xiuling always exerted herself, facing all dangers without hesitation. The two were as close as sisters.

But now, upon hearing that Zhang Xiuling was in trouble, Duan Shaoxia had packed her bags overnight and returned to her hometown. Zhang Xiuling couldn't find her.

Fu Lianhong said nothing, unable to bring herself to mock Zhang Xiuling.

Zhang Xiuling returned to Hundred Flowers Garden and had her subordinates arrange flowers.

One hundred fresh flowers were selected from the four gardens, each of a different variety.

Arranging these flowers together, Zhang Xiuling knelt among them, silently praying. She intended to summon the Hundred Flowers Goddess.

There were two theories regarding the origin of the Hundred Flowers Goddess. One theory held that the Hundred Flowers Goddess was the creator of the Hundred Flowers Sect, who, having achieved a certain level of cultivation, transcended the mortal realm.

The other theory was that the Hundred Flowers Goddess was never in the mortal realm to begin with, but rather an exceptionally beautiful fairy from heaven, and the Hundred Flowers Sect, through its love and reverence for flowers, received her protection.

Legend had it that the leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect could gain the Hundred Flowers Goddess's power by praying amidst the flowers, but this was merely a legend, unlike the situation with the Azure Cloud Society.

Bei Wushuang was once the head of the Azure Cloud Society, and he truly did watch over it. However, whether the Hundred Flowers Goddess truly watched over the Hundred Flowers Sect was almost impossible to verify. While some claimed in the past that the sect leader indeed gained power through prayer, there was no definitive conclusion as to whether it was truly the power of the Hundred Flowers Goddess.

Zhang Xiuling prayed devoutly among the flowers, while Fu Lianhong pleaded with her. "Sister Xiuling, let's not waste any more time here. We don't even know if the Hundred Flowers Goddess is real or not. All our past sect leaders were scholars, and we've never had a flower cultivator in our sect. What good will praying to a flower goddess do?"

"It's useful! The spiritual insight of all previous sect leaders was bestowed by the Hundred Flowers Goddess!"

"That story is used to deceive others! How did you end up deceiving yourself? Sister Xiuling, Sis—"

After a long scolding, Zhang Xiuling remained silent. Fu Lianhong felt a strange sensation. Had she truly gained the power of the Flower Goddess?

A cold breeze blew, and a long, translucent string of saliva drifted from Zhang Xiuling's mouth.

She had fallen asleep, drooling profusely.

Fu Lianhong sighed. "Alright, get some good sleep. Once you're fully awake, you'll know what to do."

Li Qi requested a batch of dark energy carriers from Shen Jingye. These carriers were materials used for making ropes.

Shen Jingye, his face wrapped in gauze, looked at the application form Li Qi presented. "You need this much?"

"Xiao Shen, that's beside the point. We're true friends."

"I just asked casually." Shen Jingye waved his brush and signed the application form.

He wasn't worried about Li Qi not returning them; Li Qi followed proper procedures, and as long as it was accounted for on the books, it was fine.

Li Banfeng looked at the gauze on Shen Jingye's face, noticing some dark red bloodstains showing through. "What happened to your face?"

Shen Jingye chuckled. "I had a lot of bumps on my face these past two days, and my wife, with her restless hands, insisted on squeezing them, which ended up injuring my face."

"That's quite a serious injury. Your wife has a heavy hand."

Shen Jingye smiled bitterly repeatedly. "She's a good person, it's just her temper..."

Li Banfeng wasn't in the mood to hear about his wife. He returned to his dwelling, and just as he was about to take the pile of carriers back to his portable residence, he felt the Judge's Brush tremble at his waist.

"Is something wrong?" Li Banfeng picked up the Judge's Brush and asked.

"Yes." The Judge's Brush swayed.

"What is it?"

"I forgot."

"No rush. Tell me when you remember."

After putting the dark energy carriers back into his portable residence, Li Banfeng spent over two hours with his wife making ropes. Suddenly, the Judge's Brush seemed to remember something. It approached Li Banfeng and asked in a very serious tone, "Do I look like a flower?"

The room went silent for one second.

A second later, starting with his wife, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Only Li Banfeng didn't laugh; he knew the Judge's Brush was serious. "Did you remember something?"

The Judge's Brush was still trying to recall. "I think I raised many flowers."

After waking up, Zhang Xiuling was indeed much clearer-headed.

She brought the Hundred Flowers Sect's roster and its great seal, handing both items over to He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing did not decline, accepting them directly. "Sister Xiuling, don't blame me. I'm doing this for the Hundred Flowers Sect, for its long-term future."

"The brothers are all willing to follow you, and I feel at ease handing the sect over to you." Zhang Xiuling was speaking the truth.

When she proposed handing the Hundred Flowers Sect over to He Jiaqing, not a single hall master objected.

Fu Lianhong added, "Young Master He, from now on you will be the Head of the Hundred Flowers Sect. And I will only call you 'Head' this one time. From this day forward, my sister and I are withdrawing from the Hundred Flowers Sect. Its affairs will no longer concern us."

He Jiaqing expressed great regret. "Sister Xiuling, why go to such lengths? I'm just a nominal sect leader; you'd still be in charge of the sect's affairs."

Zhang Xiuling smiled faintly. "Young Master He, there's no need for pleasantries. At least let me retain some dignity. Let's just let this matter pass."

Zhang Xiuling left Hundred Flowers Garden that very day, and the Hundred Flowers Sect officially became He Jiaqing's.

He Jiaqing was not surprised by this outcome at all. He clearly understood the true nature of the major gangs and knew that their backers would not easily show themselves.

This matter caused another sensation in Luozhou. All major newspapers carried headlines about He Jiaqing.

He meticulously read through every newspaper. All the news reports satisfied him, except for his own newspaper, which was somewhat lacking.

"Hundred Flowers Sect Changes Hands, Why the Sudden Disputes?"

He Jiaqing looked at Shen Rongqing. "Did you write this article?"

Shen Rongqing nodded.

He Jiaqing sighed. "Are you angry with me?"

Shen Rongqing lowered her head. "How would I dare? The article was written in too much haste, and the wording is somewhat inappropriate."

He Jiaqing was clearly displeased with this explanation, and the atmosphere became tense. Duan Shuqun quickly changed the subject. "I heard Zhang Xiuling is leaving Green Water City in a few days. Should we continue to monitor her?"

"No need to monitor her anymore," He Jiaqing shook his head. "Kill her."

Shen Rongqing could hardly believe these words came from He Jiaqing. "Zhang Xiuling has already yielded. The sect has been handed over to you. Can't you spare her life?"

He Jiaqing shook his head. "As long as she's alive, the hearts of the Hundred Flowers Sect members won't settle."

Shen Rongqing took a deep breath. "Jiaqing, Zhang Xiuling is Luozhou's foremost talented woman. If you kill her just like that, how will others perceive you?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm doing this for Luozhou."

Shen Rongqing turned and left. He Jiaqing sat on the sofa, continuing to read the newspaper.

Duan Shuqun sat awkwardly beside the sofa, unsure what to say. Just then, an accountant came to report on financial issues.

Zhang Xiuling was not very good at management; the Hundred Flowers Sect's business was chaotic, and there were indeed many problems.

The accountant practically rescued Duan Shuqun. "Jiaqing, I'll go check the ledgers first."

He found an excuse to leave, leaving only He Jiaqing and Big Head in the hall.

Big Head didn't feel awkward. As He Jiaqing read the newspaper, he read along.

After a while, He Jiaqing suddenly spoke. "Luozhou is like this: they only know fear when they see blood. Only when they fear you will they stare at you intently. They fear me now and watch me constantly. Mr. Kongfang and Old Ancestor Daoxiu are both afraid of being seen, so they won't come looking for me. Besides that, what other benefits do you think I can gain?"

Big Head couldn't guess. He Jiaqing smiled. "Deceiving the world and stealing fame! Whether it's a true name or a false one, good or bad reputation, the greater the fame, the more powerful the momentum!"

Big Head didn't understand the essence of the 'Deceiving the World and Stealing Fame' technique, nor what was meant by 'the more powerful the momentum.'

Above the clouds, each had their own cultivation methods. Only He Jiaqing himself could perceive that his cultivation was rapidly increasing.

Zhang Xiuling and Fu Lianhong hid in the outer residence, not daring to show their faces for several days.

Fu Lianhong felt the immediate danger had passed. She arranged for travel permits and train tickets, planning to hide in a stationery shop for a while. Zhang Xiuling had a great reputation among scholars, and in the land of scholars, He Jiaqing supposedly wouldn't dare act recklessly.

The two didn't dare take a carriage. They took their spiritual travel artifacts and ran directly towards the train station.

Passing through a deep alley, Zhang Xiuling's legs gave way, and she suddenly fell to the ground. Fu Lianhong leaned down to help her up, and when she looked up again, she found He Jiaqing standing before them.

When had he arrived?

Fu Lianhong prepared to draw her weapon but was stopped by Zhang Xiuling.

He Jiaqing said, "Sister Xiuling, I've organized a literary salon. I'd like to invite you to attend."

Zhang Xiuling smiled. "I have an urgent matter, I really can't make it today."

"If Luozhou's foremost talented woman doesn't attend, I fear this event won't hold up."

"I'm hardly the foremost talented woman; that title should belong to Rongqing." Zhang Xiuling shielded Fu Lianhong behind her, signaling her to leave quickly.

"In literature there's no first, in martial arts no second. How about this: you and Rongqing have a competition tonight, and we'll see who truly deserves the title of 'foremost talented woman'!" He Jiaqing specifically looked at Fu Lianhong behind Zhang Xiuling. He pressed his palm down, signaling her not to move, implying neither of them could escape.

Fu Lianhong understood the situation and pulled out a brush from her waist, preparing to use the 'Counting Ink and Tracing Lines' technique.

Among the scholars' escape techniques, 'Counting Ink and Tracing Lines' was the most effective. Fu Lianhong, with her six-level cultivation, was highly skilled at this technique. She didn't need to write stroke by stroke; simply flicking ink would transform into characters that could surround He Jiaqing.

Yet, she flicked the brush for a long time, but not a single drop of ink came out.

Had she forgotten to refill the ink before leaving?

This brush was Fu Lianhong's most important weapon. The brush handle had a special cavity for storing ink. Fu Lianhong tested its weight; there was at least more than half of the ink left in the handle.

But the ink wouldn't come out. Fu Lianhong flicked it several times, the brush growing lighter and lighter, yet not a single drop of ink appeared.

As Fu Lianhong grew anxious, unable to use her technique, Zhang Xiuling cut her finger, squeezed out blood, and prepared to use the 'A Word Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces' technique.

This was Zhang Xiuling's most proficient technique. Characters written with blood possessed extremely high combat power. Zhang Xiuling was confident she could hold off He Jiaqing for a while, giving Fu Lianhong a chance to escape.

Her bleeding finger traced the wall, but Zhang Xiuling couldn't write a single character. The wall remained clean, with no bloodstains left behind.

He Jiaqing extended his hand, pointed to the ground, and motioned for Zhang Xiuling to try another spot.

Zhang Xiuling's hand trembled.

She squatted on the ground, writing with her fingertip, but still no bloodstains appeared on the ground.

What exactly was happening?

He Jiaqing looked around. "Why don't you try another spot?"

Zhang Xiuling gritted her teeth and quietly scooped up a handful of sand from the roadside.

She straightened up and asked He Jiaqing, "Why can't you give me a way out?"

He Jiaqing looked at Zhang Xiuling's right hand and smiled. "Trying to write characters on the ground with sand? How many words do you want to write? I'll wait here for you."

Fine sand flowed between Zhang Xiuling's fingers. She was indeed writing with sand.

He Jiaqing was utterly brazen; he saw through Zhang Xiuling's technique yet didn't stop her. Zhang Xiuling's fingertip trembled, and she successfully wrote the character "刀" (knife) on the ground.

Zhang Xiuling flicked her wrist, preparing to send this "knife" character to attack He Jiaqing's face. But how effective could a single character be?

Ordinary people didn't understand Zhang Xiuling's methods, but Fu Lianhong did. This "knife" character would shatter in front of He Jiaqing, becoming as fine as sand.

Each grain of sand would transform into a tiny knife. According to Zhang Xiuling's estimation, He Jiaqing, facing such an onslaught, would need at least twenty seconds to parry the knives, which would give them a chance to escape.

The plan was very clear. Zhang Xiuling waved her hand, but the "knife" character on the ground failed to fly up.

Where did the "knife" character go?

Zhang Xiuling looked down; there was no "knife" character on the ground at all, nor could she even see the sand she had just scattered.

He Jiaqing rubbed his fingers, and grains of sand slipped from his fingertips one by one.

The sand had been stolen by him.

He had stolen the sand from the ground right in front of them, and neither of them had noticed.

It wasn't just the sand that had been stolen. He Jiaqing continued rubbing his fingers, and drops of ink appeared at his fingertips.

This was why no ink came out of Fu Lianhong's brush.

Next came blood droplets, Zhang Xiuling's blood.

Every drop of blood that flowed from her fingertip had been stolen by He Jiaqing, which was why Zhang Xiuling couldn't write on the wall.

Zhang Xiuling was the leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect and had experienced many confrontations, but at this moment, she was terrified. The vast disparity in strength between them left her breathless.

"Sister Xiuling, come to the salon with me. I genuinely invite you—"

He Jiaqing couldn't help but yawn. For him, perhaps the current battle was too uninteresting.

Zhang Xiuling grabbed Fu Lianhong and turned to run. She knew she couldn't escape, but at that moment, her actions were purely instinctive.

He Jiaqing slowly pursued them from behind, his steps remarkably slow.

Zhang Xiuling didn't know He Jiaqing's purpose. In her extreme fear, she only knew to flee frantically with Fu Lianhong.

A cold wind suddenly arrived, and it began to snow.

Amidst the falling snowflakes, He Jiaqing watched the two women slowly disappear from his sight.

It's snowing now, should I still pursue them?

A little snow doesn't seem like a big deal. Why did I suddenly stop wanting to chase them?

Is it because I touched Zhang Xiuling's blood...?

He Jiaqing stopped, looked at the bloodstains on his fingertips, then at the snowflakes dancing in the wind.

In this kind of weather, one should be wrapped in a blanket, curled up in bed, drinking a bowl of hot soup, and then getting a good night's sleep.

Thinking this, He Jiaqing yawned again.

Zhang Xiuling wanted to go to the train station, but along the way, there were He Jiaqing's people everywhere.

She took Fu Lianhong, wanting to return to the outer residence, but it had already been burned down.

They wanted to go to the Red Flower Hall, but the hall had already been occupied by He Jiaqing's people.

They found an inn, hoping to sleep for a night, but Big Head quickly found the inn and invited Zhang Xiuling to the salon. Zhang Xiuling had been drained of much of her energy by He Jiaqing and was very weak. Fu Lianhong had been injured by He Jiaqing's subordinates, and her condition was worrying.

With nowhere left to go, the two eventually fled to the vicinity of Carefree Dock.

Zhang Xiuling hesitated whether to go in. In her current state, entering Carefree Dock would be akin to bringing trouble to Li Qi and Ma Wu.

But if they didn't enter Carefree Dock, they wouldn't survive the night.

After much thought, Zhang Xiuling decided to leave.

She and Li Qi were friends, very close friends.

Even if she was destined to die tonight, she didn't want to drag her friends into trouble.

"Lianhong, I'll take you to the station in a bit. If we see He Jiaqing's people, I'll hold them off. Don't fight, just run."

"Sister, what are you saying? I've followed you for half my life. If we're leaving, we leave together!"

"I can't leave. They're coming for me!"

"Then I'll die with you."

These were true sisters!

As heavy snow fell, Zhang Xiuling embraced Fu Lianhong. "Listen to your sister, you must live, you absolutely must live—"

Ma Wu opened an umbrella, shielding them from the snowflakes. "Ladies, if you want to live, come with me to Carefree Dock."

Zhang Xiuling looked up at Ma Wu.

Ma Wu smiled. "It's not me inviting you; it's Old Seven. When he arrives, you can chat more."

Zhang Xiuling refused to go. Ma Wu frowned. "Carefree Dock is my and Old Seven's territory. There, I can still stop He Jiaqing. If you two just stay out here on the street, you'll truly drag me down."

This was sound reasoning. Ma Wu persuaded them a couple more times, and Zhang Xiuling finally agreed, taking Fu Lianhong into Carefree Dock.

Ma Wu first settled the two in and then called for a medical cultivator to treat their injuries. Ma Wu still wanted to ask Zhang Xiuling about some details when he suddenly heard the manager, Zhang Shuning, report: "Fifth Master, Young Master He wishes to see you."

"He came so fast!" Ma Wu straightened his clothes and followed the manager to the small circular hall.

He Jiaqing, holding a wine glass, greeted Ma Wu. "Junyang, it's been a long time since I came to Carefree Dock for a drink." Ma Wu smiled. "You didn't used to come much. I remember you came once for the opening and once before you left to study in another province. Just those two times."

"Only twice? No way. Among our peers, we two are the closest. Of course I'd come to support your business."

"Are we the closest?" Ma Wu thought carefully. "Then what about Lu Xiaolan?"

He Jiaqing frowned. From his expression, he seemed to care about Ma Wu's joke, but in reality, he was concerned about the button on his chest.

This button had been vibrating constantly, but it was inconvenient for him to answer.

The two chatted and laughed for a while. He Jiaqing offered Ma Wu a cigarette. "Is Zhang Xiuling here with you?"

"Yes." Ma Wu took the cigarette and lit it.

"I'd like to invite her to my place. I've organized a literary salon, and Shen Rongqing has already arrived. If I call Zhang Xiuling over too, Luozhou's two foremost talented women will be gathered."

Ma Wu poured He Jiaqing a glass of wine. "Two foremost talented women gathered together, that's a rare opportunity!"

He Jiaqing took the glass. "Indeed. Shen Rongqing has been waiting for quite a while. How about you bring Zhang Xiuling over, and we can all sit together at my place?"

"What a coincidence! I'm about to host a singing gathering here. Jiang Mengting is ready, and Zhang Xiuling is also ready. If you call Shen Rongqing over too, then all the 'singing divas' and talented women will be here."

He Jiaqing took a large gulp from his wine glass, his tone no longer as amiable. "Junyang, you should know about my business with the Hundred Flowers Sect, right?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "I've been in New Land recently, so I haven't really paid attention to other matters."

"If you say you don't know, I'll tell you now: I'm taking Zhang Xiuling with me. No one can stop me today."

"That depends on whether she wants to go. We're all refined people; if she doesn't want to, you can't just kidnap her, can you?"

"Refined people?" He Jiaqing drained his glass. "Since I walked through this door, I've been very refined. I've given you enough face. Now, with sincerity, I'll say something less refined: stop being ungrateful."

Ma Wu also drank the wine in his glass. "Since you're so sincere, I'll tell you the truth: this is Carefree Dock. Who the hell do you think you are, daring to act wild here?"

The two sat facing each other, smiles on their faces, but with cold glints in their eyes.

Feng Daiku stood guard at the door, ready to act at any moment.

He Jiaqing put down his wine glass and casually touched the button on his chest. Before taking action, he wanted to know who was so urgently trying to contact him.

"Jiaqing, the batch of goods we sent to the other province was intercepted by the Customs and Defense Office at San Tou Cha. Just now, someone from the Customs and Defense Office came, saying our goods were not right and they want to shut down our premises."

He Jiaqing raised a hand, cutting off the communication.

He picked up the wine bottle and poured Ma Wu another glass. "I drank too much, and spoke too hastily. Don't take it to heart."

Ma Wu smiled. "We've been friends for so many years; who would dwell on such a thing?"

After finishing his wine, He Jiaqing left Carefree Dock.

Big Head waited outside the door and quietly asked, "Where's Zhang Xiuling?"

"Can't take her," He Jiaqing sighed. "No choice, they've got us by the throat."

In the circular ballroom, Ma Wu drank a glass of ice water, taking a long time to calm himself.

Feng Daiku wiped sweat from him. "Scared now?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "You were right outside the door. What do I have to be afraid of?"

"I am scared," Feng Daiku said, pulling a silk thread from the air. "More than half of the 'love threads' I placed in the room were stolen by He Jiaqing. That man's cultivation is probably above mine. If we really fought, I might not actually win against him."

"There won't be a fight. Old Seven said he made arrangements, though I don't know what they are." Ma Wu poured another glass of ice water and drank it in one go.

Li Banfeng was on his way to Green Water City, chatting with the Judge's Brush as he walked. "Are you saying you lent some of your power to Zhang Xiuling, and this power isn't even on you?"

"Mm!"

Li Banfeng fell into thought, turning the Judge's Brush several times. The Judge's Brush became displeased. "Stop spinning, I'm dizzy!"

"But I really can't figure out, if your power isn't on you, where else could it be?"

"In the sky." After saying these two words, the Judge's Brush no longer wished to answer Li Banfeng's questions. It burrowed into Li Banfeng's sleeve and went to sleep.