Chapter 656: Steady Profit Without Loss

Li Banfeng asked Ling Pantao, "What do you mean by 'seeing off the warriors'?"

Ling Pantao poured Li Banfeng a glass of peach juice. "Nai Prefecture has intervened twice recently, and too many people have come. We've lost many warriors, so lately, all the islands have been holding farewell ceremonies for them."

Li Banfeng looked at the singing and dancing crowd. "Have you been fighting Nai Prefecture all this time?"

Ling Pantao nodded. "Because we're very close to Nai Prefecture, we're always the first to engage them. Whenever Nai Prefecture is mentioned, everyone becomes alert."

Li Banfeng gazed at the distant peach grove. "Do those who die in battle become peach trees?"

Ling Pantao nodded again. "Because they are warriors of Baijun County, even in death, they stand tall."

The drums sounded, and the young men and women invited Li Banfeng to dance another song.

Before Li Banfeng could fully grasp the situation, Ling Pantao was pulled to the bonfire by the crowd, where she picked up a basket of flat peaches and joined the dance.

"Friend from afar, let's dance! There will be special signs when the entrance to Nai Prefecture opens. If you still insist on going to Nai Prefecture when the signs appear, we will send you our blessings."

Bai Wusong led the group to the seashore. Qiu Zhiheng asked You Tao to hire a boat, but after half a day of trying, You Tao couldn't find a single one.

Most of the boats by the sea were for transporting soil. Taking on a few extra passengers would be easy money for them, so there was no reason not to accept the business.

However, none of the boat owners dared to take the job, refusing no matter how much You Tao offered.

Qiu Zhiheng understood: someone had given prior instructions.

Qin Tianjiu looked at the numerous boats by the shore, frustrated that they couldn't board any. Growing increasingly annoyed, he said, "Who's causing us trouble? We need to figure out who this person is."

Qiu Zhiheng checked his magic artifacts and weapons. "No need to find them; if they're watching us, they'll likely show themselves soon. Brother Bai, besides this beach, can we rent a boat anywhere else?"

Bai Wusong's expression was grim. "There are other places, but they're not close by."

Luo Zhengnan worried, "We can't afford to waste time. I need to deliver some urgently needed items to Master Qi."

Bai Wusong hesitated, but Qiu Zhiheng made up his mind. "Does anyone among us know how to operate a boat?"

Most of the people Qiu Zhiheng brought had never seen the sea, let alone piloted a boat.

Bai Wusong said, "I used to be a boatman; I know a bit."

Qiu Zhiheng told Bai Wusong, "If we really don't want to take a detour, we can offer a high price to buy a boat. If we can't even buy one, then we'll have to find another way to 'borrow' one."

Everyone understood the meaning of "borrow."

Qin Xiaopang stretched his arms and told Bai Wusong, "Master Bai, just tell me which boat you like."

With so many people, a small boat definitely wouldn't work. But if they chose a large boat, Bai Wusong wouldn't know how to pilot it.

As he pondered which boat would be suitable, he suddenly heard an old man say, "Xiao Songzi, you've returned to Three-Headed Fork but haven't bothered to check in with the sect."

"Sect?"

A few days earlier, Bai Wusong was going to Snake Bridge Village to help settle the Three-Headed people, and he had revealed his true identity to Li Qi.

Everyone around Li Qi knew that Bai Wusong belonged to the White Crane Gang.

This old man mentioned "sect" – was he also referring to the White Crane Gang? Had the White Crane Gang extended its influence to Three-Headed Fork?

The others didn't know the inside story, but Qiu Zhiheng and Luo Zhengnan did.

The White Crane Gang was divided into inner and outer gates. The White Crane Gang familiar to most was the outer gate, with its main hall in Lushui City, led by gang leader Bai Wuchuan, and most gang affairs handled by the outer gate.

However, few knew about the White Crane Gang's inner gate, located in Three-Headed Fork. As the White Crane Gang was a body cultivation sect, and body cultivation originated in Three-Headed Fork, the inner gate had far fewer duties than the outer, primarily focusing on nurturing new talents for the sect.

This was also why Bai Gu'an was so eager to take control of the Sea Market. Despite his high seniority, being an inner gate master in the White Crane Gang meant no financial power or real authority; he was purely a figurehead.

Bai Gu'an approached Bai Wusong and sighed, "Xiao Songzi, you haven't been home for years, and now that you're back, you've caused trouble for the sect. What kind of people have you been associating with? You're even involved with someone like Li Qi, a notorious tyrant. Aren't you worried about ruining the sect's reputation by colluding with such a villain?"

Qin Tianjiu couldn't hold back his anger. "Old man, how dare you speak like that?"

Bai Wusong stopped Qin Tianjiu, then turned to Bai Gu'an, cupping his fists. "Uncle, it was my fault not to visit you immediately upon arriving home. Please allow me to finish this urgent matter, and then I will come to your residence to apologize."

Bai Gu'an frowned. "What urgent matter? Are you still doing something for Li Qi?"

Bai Wusong didn't hide it, nodding. "Yes, it is for Li Qi. He is a hero of our time and has greatly assisted our Taoist sect. For both public and private reasons, and by all sense of duty, I should help him."

Bai Gu'an grew angry. "Did you not hear what I just said? Li Qi's wicked deeds are countless and heinous! And you claim he helped our Taoist sect? I'd like to hear how! Don't even mention those three-headed monsters; they're not even considered human, let alone cultivators of our Taoist sect!"

As he spoke, a group of three-headed laborers on the shore glanced their way.

Bai Wusong smiled. "Uncle, the three-headed people are fellow disciples in my eyes. Let's discuss these matters later. I'm in a hurry to set sail now, so please excuse me."

Bai Gu'an reached out and stopped Bai Wusong. "Xiao Songzi, you were never well-liked when you were studying in the sect. Your senior brother used to beat you often. If I hadn't protected you all these years, you wouldn't be where you are today."

Bai Wusong quickly bowed. "I have never forgotten your kindness, Uncle."

Was there really any kindness?

In truth, there was no kindness. Bai Wusong came from a poor background, and when he was learning his skills, Bai Gu'an hardly gave him a glance.

Yet Bai Gu'an believed he had been kind to Bai Wusong. "Since you remember my kindness, you must listen to your uncle. Take your friends and come with me to the sect. We can discuss whatever matters there are at length."

Who had time for a lengthy discussion with him?

Qin Xiaopang wanted nothing more than to leave with Luo Zhengnan immediately, but he also realized the situation: they couldn't hire a boat because this old man was interfering.

Bai Wusong was silent for a moment, then said, "Uncle, I truly have urgent matters to attend to and no time for your admonitions today."

Bai Gu'an's face darkened. "Xiao Songzi, is this how you speak to me?"

Bai Wusong nodded. "Consider it my offense to you, Uncle."

Bai Gu'an's heart tightened; he felt something was wrong.

Bai Wusong was kind-hearted and one of the easiest among his peers in the White Crane Gang to manipulate. Today's situation seemed different.

After all, they hadn't seen each other in over twenty years; perhaps Bai Wusong's temperament had changed.

Yet, he had heard that Bai Wusong had been in secluded cultivation for those twenty years and hadn't experienced anything significant.

Bai Gu'an continued to assert his elder's authority, sternly shouting, "As the inner gate master, I order you to immediately return to the main hall with me! If you dare say another word, I will instantly expel you from the sect!"

Bai Wusong looked up and asked, "May I ask which sect rule this disciple has violated?"

"You defied your elder! You betrayed your master and ancestors!"

As he spoke, Tangyuan walked over.

She had just been to the beach, presented her ID, and used her status as an outsider to purchase a boat.

Bai Wusong didn't want to waste any more words with Bai Gu'an. "Say what you will today; I must do what I have to do. If you insist on being unreasonable and persistent, just take the roster and expel me!"

Bai Gu'an grew increasingly panicked. He still couldn't understand why things had turned out this way.

Qiu Zhiheng, however, understood perfectly.

Bai Gu'an had eyes but couldn't recognize people.

Bai Wusong was indeed kind, but kindness didn't mean being pedantic.

There was no point in arguing. Bai Wusong didn't entangle himself further with Bai Gu'an. He simply said, "Farewell," and turned to leave.

Bai Gu'an couldn't let him leave. If he failed to stop Bai Wusong, the Sea Market deal would be ruined.

"You wretched scoundrel! Today, I shall purge the sect!" Bai Gu'an leaped into the air, extending his sharp claws, and struck at Bai Wusong's head.

This was the employer's instruction: if persuasion failed, he could kill Bai Wusong.

The only problem now was that Bai Wusong wasn't so easy to kill.

Bai Wusong dodged Bai Gu'an's sharp claws, grabbed the collar of Bai Gu'an's robe, and with a swift push, made him stumble.

"Scoundrel! How dare you lay a hand on me?" Bai Gu'an glared furiously at Bai Wusong, his eyes slowly turning red.

Many people gathered to watch the spectacle. Most of them didn't know Bai Wusong, but many recognized Bai Gu'an.

Bai Gu'an had just greeted a group of boat owners, introducing himself as the new leader of the Sea Market and ordering them to transport only goods, not people, today.

Now, the newly appointed leader was already fighting someone. Neither the boatmen of the Sea Market nor the farmers of the Land Market had ever witnessed such a scene before.

Bai Gu'an suddenly raised his right hand.

Bai Wusong warned those around him, "Everyone, stand back!"

As his words fell, a feather flew out, striking not only Bai Wusong but also Qiu Zhiheng, Qin Xiaopang, and the many bystanders.

The feather moved faster than a bullet, embedding over an inch deep into stone. It was one of the White Crane Gang's unique techniques.

He attacked such a wide area, exploiting Bai Wusong's nature.

Bai Wusong couldn't possibly watch so many people get hurt. Sure enough, he removed his outer robe to block the feathers for those around him, ensuring not a single bystander was injured.

The onlookers fled in terror. Bai Wusong's outer robe, covered in feathers, was tossed aside.

Bai Wusong himself was injured; two feathers were lodged in his back.

"Uncle," Bai Wusong said, cupping his fists towards Bai Gu'an, "Let's consider what I did today a mistake, and you've punished me. How about we end things here?"

Bai Gu'an smiled.

How could it end here?

Those two feathers gave him a huge advantage.

Using feathers to defeat an enemy was a White Crane Gang secret technique, far more complex than just accuracy and force. These two feathers would grow wildly inside Bai Wusong's body until they pierced through his internal organs.

Even worse, the feathers were poisonous, and the poison would spread throughout Bai Wusong's body as they grew.

"Scoundrel! If I don't punish you severely today, I'll not only violate the sect's rules but also ruin the Taoist sect's reputation!" Bai Gu'an let out a long cry to the sky, and the sound of a crane's cry pierced through the air.

This was another deadly move, and it would harm innocent people.

Bai Wusong let out a low groan, absorbing most of the crane's cry damage. After hearing it, the others felt dizzy and disoriented. Bai Wusong, having shielded others from the harm, bled from his ears and the corners of his eyes.

Bai Gu'an sneered, "Scoundrel, why aren't you dead yet? You defy your elders, disrespect your superiors, conspire with evildoers, aid tyrants in their cruelty, your character is rotten like decaying wood and filth, your misdeeds are unforgivable. Today, I, this old man, shall rid the sect of a degenerate like you!"

Qin Xiaopang gritted his teeth and said, "I'll fight that old man."

Qiu Zhiheng stopped Xiaopang. "Don't move at all. Don't make things difficult for Brother Bai."

Bai Wusong was injured and poisoned, yet there was no trace of panic on his face.

He cupped his fists towards Bai Gu'an and said, "Uncle, you've struck three times, and each time was a killing blow, leaving no room for reprieve. The bond between this disciple and his fellow sect member is now at an end."

Bai Gu'an laughed. "Well said. Since there's no camaraderie left, don't hate me in the afterlife!"

Qiu Zhiheng couldn't help but smile too.

This old man truly had no sense of propriety, crossing the line with an honest person without even realizing it.

Bai Gu'an noticed Bai Wusong's movements were slow and stiff, so this time he extended his sharp claws directly towards Bai Wusong's throat.

Bai Wusong stood still. As Bai Gu'an passed by him, Bai Wusong turned to Tangyuan and asked, "Miss, which boat did you buy?"

Tangyuan pointed to a soil-transporting boat by the sea. "This one. It's not too big and a bit rundown, but the owner was willing to sell it."

Bai Wusong looked at the boat's design and told Qiu Zhiheng, "Let's go check out the boiler room and the engine room."

Qiu Zhiheng nodded and followed Bai Wusong.

Qin Xiaopang was stunned for a long time. They just left, even though the fight wasn't over?

Bai Gu'an remained standing in place, motionless for a long time.

Qin Xiaopang walked closer and saw a feather lodged in Bai Gu'an's throat, having pierced through his neck.

Another feather was diagonally inserted into the back of his head, running down his neck and into his spinal column.

Checking for breath, Bai Gu'an was already dead.

But he stood there, unmoving, impossible to push over.

Qiu Zhiheng and his group boarded the boat with Bai Wusong. The boat Tangyuan had chosen was very suitable; Bai Wusong truly could operate it.

The boat owner regretted his decision. He didn't want to sell the boat anymore. These people had just killed the new leader, and selling the boat to them meant he probably wouldn't be able to stay in the Sea Market anymore.

But when Tangyuan handed him the money, he didn't dare refuse. These people had even dared to kill the leader, let alone someone as insignificant as him.

With the transaction complete, Bai Wusong did a quick check of the boat, ready to depart.

Xiaopang volunteered to stoke the boiler, taking the opportunity to eat some coal.

Deng Pao, with his slight mechanical knowledge, became the chief engineer. You Tao paid a high price to hire a few brave boatmen, and the group set off in the boat.

Luo Zhengnan made a call to Changji. Before he could finish explaining, a crane's cry suddenly echoed from the boat, making Luo Zhengnan shiver.

Changji also heard the crane's cry over the phone, along with some faint crackling sounds.

This was Bai Wusong's method for removing hooks.

Changji praised him. "Mr. White Crane certainly handles things well. Little Brother Luo, please transfer the call to Miss Xiao."

Xiao Yeci was currently staying at an inn on Yuxiang Island. She picked up the phone and heard a woman's voice. "Miss Xiao, I have something I need you to do."

The woman's voice was truly beautiful.

But I don't know her, so why is she asking me to do something?

"Madam, whom are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for you. I'm Li Qi's friend, and this matter is for Li Qi."

Hearing "Li Qi," Xiao Yeci felt a surge of excitement. After arriving at Yuxiang Island, Li Qi had vanished without a trace, and no one knew where he had gone.

But hearing the woman say she was Li Qi's friend, Xiao Yeci felt a little sad again.

With such a beautiful voice, she must be very attractive.

She said she was her benefactor's friend, but she didn't know what kind of friend...

"Friend, how can I help you?"

"Please inform Tan Jinxiao to prepare to receive Luo Zhengnan."

"Mr. Luo is coming to the underground city?" Xiao Yeci was startled; she knew Luo Zhengnan.

"Yes, their boat is already at sea."

Xiao Yeci quickly picked up paper and pen. "What are the features of Mr. Luo's boat? What does it look like?"

"Don't worry about what Luo Zhengnan's boat looks like. Don't go out to sea easily; just be prepared."

"If we don't go out to sea, how can we receive them?" Xiao Yeci didn't understand what this meant.

Changji replied, "The other side struck first. It's better to counter their move than to disrupt it. First, deal with the superficial, then the underlying. Don't flip the table; send them on a wild goose chase. Tell this to Tan Jinxiao, and he'll understand."

"Understand?"

What was she even saying?

The more Xiao Yeci listened, the more confused she became. She could only relay the exact words to Tan Jinxiao.

Tan Jinxiao was stunned for a long moment. "Miss Xiao, who told you these words?"

"The person said she was Master Qi's friend, but I don't know which friend."

Tan Jinxiao pondered for a moment, then told Xiao Yeci, "Miss Xiao, please trouble you and the Liang Wucai sisters to rent a boat."

Xiao Yeci blinked. "Wouldn't that be bad? Wouldn't letting those two sisters go be too conspicuous? Even Juanzi would be better than them."

In the underground city, people with one head were common, and those with three heads were also not rare. However, the Liang Wucai sisters, with their two heads, were the only known example.

Tan Jinxiao said, "Miss Xiao, trust me. It's precisely because they're conspicuous that I want them to go."

Xiao Yeci, still confused, asked again, "What kind of boat would be suitable to rent?"

Tan Jinxiao waved his hand. "No need to be picky about that. I doubt there are many boats left anyway. Just rent whatever's available."

Xiao Yeci took the Liang Wucai sisters to rent a boat. They went in the morning and had rented one by the afternoon. "There's only one passenger boat left on the island. It's not big, but it can accommodate us. Luckily, I went early; if I'd been late, even this one would have been gone!"

Tan Jinxiao shook his head. "This boat isn't going anywhere. It was specifically reserved for us. Pack your things; we're changing residences."

Everyone thought they were going to board the boat. After they had packed their belongings, Tan Jinxiao handed Juanzi a piece of clothing.

The garment was very loose, made of golden satin, smooth as water.

Juanzi looked at the color and grew suspicious. "Old Brother Tan, what material is this clothing?"

"It's good material, a treasure imbued with the spiritual energy of a dwelling cultivation. Wearing this garment will make you generally unnoticeable to others."

Juanzi put on the garment. Tan Jinxiao then said to Xiao Yeci and the Liang Wucai sisters, "Two young ladies, Juanzi is new to cultivation and needs the protection of spiritual items. You two have cultivated for many years; you should have some invisibility techniques, right?"

Xiao Yeci wasn't very confident. "I know a little, but it definitely wouldn't fool an expert."

Tan Jinxiao said, "Whether someone is an expert depends on how you look at it. Anyone living in Three-Headed Fork, unless they have three heads, usually has some level of cultivation. I know the innkeeper here; if I'm not mistaken, he's a second-level body cultivator, transformed from a snake. His eyesight isn't great, especially when it's cold, and he's not very energetic. Are you confident you can fool him?"

Xiao Yeci thought for a moment, then nodded. "I should be."

"The innkeeper also has several attendants, all first-level cultivators. Can you fool them?"

"I should be able to."

Tan Jinxiao then looked at the Liang Wucai sisters. "What about you two?"

The Liang Wucai sisters, having taken so many good elixirs with Li Qi, had both reached the seventh level of cultivation. This small task was nothing to them.

"Since you all have abilities, let's first deal with the superficial. There's a mountain behind this inn; you've all seen it, right?"

The Liang Wucai sisters nodded. "We even walked around the mountain yesterday, looking for Master Qi."

"There's a pavilion halfway up the mountain; you all know where it is, right?"

Everyone nodded; they had been to that pavilion.

Tan Jinxiao said, "We'll go separately. Miss Xiao will go first, then you two sisters, and finally, Juanzi and the three of you. When you leave, make sure no one discovers you. I'll handle the rest."

Xiao Yeci asked, "We're not boarding the boat?"

Tan Jinxiao said, "The boat matter is the underlying strategy; I'll handle the underlying."

Xiao Yeci asked no further questions. She was the first to leave the inn, and as she walked down the stairs, she cautiously peeked into the lobby.

The innkeeper was organizing ledgers, and the attendants were sweeping the lobby.

Xiao Yeci softly chanted, "I speak not, you perceive not."

A literary cultivation technique: a word made reality.

Without saying a word, she walked out of the lobby. The attendants showed no reaction. The innkeeper felt someone pass by the entrance, looked up at the attendants coming and going, but didn't pay it much mind.

Half an hour later, the attendants finished sweeping and went to sleep, leaving the innkeeper alone, still managing accounts at the counter.

The Liang Wucai sisters came downstairs.

The sisters were Nian Cultivators, and used a technique directly as they walked down the stairs.

The innkeeper felt his ledger becoming increasingly muddled, as if something was wrong. He focused all his attention on the ledger, completely oblivious as the Liang Wucai sisters walked directly out the front door.

Another half hour passed. The innkeeper closed his ledger and dozed off behind the counter.

Juanzi, wearing the yellow garment, also walked out of the inn.

Tan Jinxiao remained in the inn, taking a small porcelain bottle from his backpack.

He clutched the porcelain bottle, fumbled for a moment, and muttered to himself, "It's been so many years since I used this skill; I wonder if it still works."

He opened the bottle's lid, poured out a lump of golden paste, coughed up some old phlegm, mixed them together, and molded a small figure.

The small figure was molded in the image of Xiao Yeci. Tan Jinxiao compared it to his memory, nodded, and said, "It's about seventy percent similar; that's good enough."

He then molded a two-headed figure and a three-headed figure.

He placed the three small figures on the table and said, "Smile."

After saying that, he himself laughed first, and the small figures followed suit.

Tan Jinxiao picked up the porcelain bottle again and sprinkled some golden liquid onto the small figures. The three figures rapidly grew, their sizes roughly matching Xiao Yeci, the Liang Wucai sisters, and Juanzi.

He took the three figures downstairs and approached the counter, waking the innkeeper. "Brother, check out!"

The innkeeper rubbed his eyes and looked at Tan Jinxiao. "Master Tan, you're not staying anymore?"

"It's time to go out and handle business. I'll stay here again when I return someday."

The innkeeper glanced around. The lobby was large, but the candlelight wasn't very bright. Seeing what appeared to be those few people, the innkeeper didn't ask further questions and quickly settled Tan Jinxiao's bill.

After the group left, the innkeeper called an attendant. "Quickly send word to Master Miao; these people have boarded a boat."

Tan Jinxiao led the group onto the boat. The boat captain looked at Tan Jinxiao, then at the others. His eyes felt uncomfortable, as if something had irritated them, burning and making him want to tear up.

Tan Jinxiao asked, "What are you looking at? Didn't our Miss Xiao make arrangements with you?"

"Xiao Yeci" smiled behind Tan Jinxiao.

The boat captain nodded. "Yes, it's settled. Shall we leave now?"

"What are we waiting for then? Is the cabin clean?"

"It's been cleaned for a while now, please come and see!"

The passenger boat was indeed small, with only two cabins. Tan Jinxiao sighed. "We'll make do. Set sail quickly for Soil Exchange Island."

The boat captain asked, "Are you going to Soil Exchange Island to find someone or to do business?"

"Why ask so many questions? Just sail the boat, quickly!"

The boat captain dared not ask more and quickly ordered his crew to set sail.

Tan Jinxiao entered the cabin, poured out another lump of golden paste, and molded a figure of Tan Jinxiao.

He knew himself well; the small figure he molded looked exactly like him. When he sprinkled it with golden liquid, Tan Jinxiao smiled, and "Golden Tan Jinxiao" also smiled.

The passenger boat sounded its horn, weighed anchor, and set off.

Tan Jinxiao quietly left the passenger boat, returned to the island, and disappeared into the darkness.

As the passenger boat weighed anchor and headed for Soil Exchange Island, the boat captain quickly sent a message to Bai Miaosheng.

Not long after leaving the dock, another passenger boat followed closely behind.

Bai Miaosheng and the Delicate Horse-Taming Camp were on this passenger boat.

Hong Jiao asked Bai Miaosheng, "Master Miao, why do we keep following them from behind? Why not just board their boat and deal with them directly?"

Bai Miaosheng pinched Hong Jiao's cheek and chuckled, "There's no soil on the boat, so I can't grow anything. How do you expect me to fight on board?"

Hong Jiao grumbled, "We should have gone to Yuxiang Island just now and dealt with Tan Jinxiao there."

Bai Miaosheng shook his head. "That's why I say you lack foresight. If I had dealt with them on Yuxiang Island, where would I find Bai Wusong?"

Lan Qiao exclaimed, "Wasn't Bai Wusong handed over to your grand-uncle-master?"

Bai Miaosheng said, "I just received news that my grand-uncle-master is dead. He couldn't persuade Bai Wusong, nor could he defeat him, and was killed by Bai Wusong on the coast. Bai Wusong has already set sail."

Lan Qiao asked, "So, Tan Jinxiao is setting sail from here to meet up with Bai Wusong?"

Bai Miaosheng nodded. "Our employer doesn't trust me and insisted on sending my grand-uncle-master to deal with Bai Wusong. That old man didn't know his own capabilities and actually dared to take on this task. Bai Gu'an thought Bai Wusong was honest and easy to bully. That just goes to show he was blind, couldn't judge people, and accomplished nothing in his life!"

Hong Jiao asked, "Master, what should we do then?"

Bai Miaosheng smiled. "Tan Jinxiao is going to Soil Exchange Island to rendezvous with Bai Wusong. I'll have my subordinates ready on Soil Exchange Island to capture them all in one fell swoop."

Lan Qiao was somewhat worried. "Bai Wusong plus Tan Jinxiao... even ignoring others, just those two won't be easy to deal with. Can our people alone handle this?"

Bai Miaosheng nodded at Lan Qiao. "That's why I say you're the elder sister; you're indeed more sensible than Hong Jiao. We definitely can't do it alone. Send a message to Envoy Cai and have the Customs and Defense Hall send people to help. Let Envoy Cai see who can truly be in charge in the underground city!"

Lan Qiao returned to her cabin, pulled out her hairpin, bit it, and her teeth clicked against it incessantly.

At the Customs and Defense Hall, the telegraph machine flickered, receiving a message.

Tick, tick-tock, tick-tock.

Mr. Kong Fang gently tapped a copper coin on the table, the frequency and speed exactly matching Lan Qiao's.

"I knew it; those two women are still with the Customs and Defense Hall," Mr. Kong Fang said, putting away his copper coin and smiling.

Embezzling military pay, kidnapping for ransom, indiscriminately killing innocents—such things were common in Three-Headed Fork. Why would Liao Zihui bother with them?

The Delicate Horse-Taming Camp was an informant group planted by the Customs and Defense Hall in the underground city. Bai Miaosheng knew this yet deliberately took them in. Who were these informants meant to monitor?

Clearly, they were meant for me.

Bai Miaosheng, you can slowly kill them. If you win, Li Qi won't spare you. If you lose, you'll lose your life, and Bai Wusong and Tan Jinxiao will also suffer greatly.

This business, I'm guaranteed to profit from!