Chapter 677: Money and Goods Settled

Detective Daboyens stood on the main street of Suian Town, looking at Li Banfeng across from him. His expression was much like when he first saw Madam Bagworm; he desperately wanted to escape. Yet he knew that while he could run for a long time from Madam Bagworm, he wouldn't even manage ten meters from Li Banfeng.

"I think we can still talk—" Daboyens looked at Li Banfeng, then at Zuo Anna.

Zuo Anna said to Li Banfeng, "I don't know the extent of the bad blood between you two, but Daboyens is a member of our organization. I have a responsibility to protect him; at least within Suian Town, I must guarantee his safety."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Don't be so nervous, both of you. Daboyens and I have quite a history. He sought me out in the New Land, then in Medicine King Gully, and he was still looking for me in Lanyang Village. We have quite a deep relationship."

Daboyens grew increasingly terrified. Indeed, for the sake of the Red Lotus, he had tracked Li Banfeng for a period and even launched a very deadly ambush near Zhengjing Village. There was deep bad blood between them. Daboyens didn't believe Li Banfeng would let him off, nor did he think Zuo Anna could stop Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng entered a teahouse, pulled out chairs, and invited Daboyens and Zuo Anna to sit.

Once seated, Li Banfeng asked Daboyens, "How is Lu Xiaolan doing these days?"

Daboyens took a sip of tea, calming himself. "Lu Xiaolan has returned to Iron Sheep Mountain and continues to manage her bandit stronghold. We have very little contact now."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly. "If you see her someday, please say hello for me."

"Absolutely!" Daboyens nodded repeatedly.

Li Banfeng placed the teapot on the tea stove and asked, "How did you join the White Falcon Alliance? As far as I know, you were a member of the Light Chasing Group."

Daboyens gave a dry laugh. "That was a long time ago."

Zuo Anna was very surprised. "When did you join the Light Chasing Group? I remember you were a member of the Birch Hermitage Society before!"

"You were also a member of the Birch Hermitage Society?" Li Banfeng's smile became even more cordial.

Daboyens explained again, "Before joining the Birch Hermitage Society, I was briefly a member of the Light Chasing Group."

Zuo Anna still shook her head. "That's not right. According to your records, before joining the Birch Hermitage Society, you were a member of the Hundred Demon Workshop."

"You were even a member of the Hundred Demon Workshop? How is it that you're so popular?" Li Banfeng's smile grew increasingly warm.

Daboyens wiped the sweat from his face and suddenly felt the ground shake. Suian Town had "stopped moving."

Daboyens said with a serious expression, "I'll go see what's going on!"

Zuo Anna said, "You don't need to go. I'll check it out. You catch up with your old friend first."

Daboyens looked mournfully at the departing Zuo Anna, then, forcing a smile, turned to Li Banfeng and said, "What happened in the past, that was my fault—"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Then tell me, how was it your fault?"

"I was just doing my job for money; I had no choice."

Li Banfeng nodded. "So, you're saying you didn't do anything wrong."

Daboyens tried to change the subject. "If I recall our first meeting, we were quite compatible."

Li Banfeng recalled the situation. "Compatible, you say? You mistook me for a woman back then."

"At least I had no improper thoughts back then—" Sweat dripped from Daboyens' face.

Zuo Anna returned. "A fast fish arrived outside, in a hurry, not knowing where it was going."

Daboyens stood up again. "This is certainly unusual. We need to get to the bottom of it. I'll go investigate immediately—" Li Banfeng and Zuo Anna both watched him. Daboyens knew he couldn't leave and awkwardly sat back down. At this, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Li Banfeng asked, "How much of the entire Grand Shang Kingdom is ocean?"

Daboyens quickly replied, "It shouldn't be said that the entire Grand Shang Kingdom is ocean, but rather that their entire world is covered by sea. As people from the Outer Provinces say, ninety percent of the Third Planet's land is covered by water, so if you're pursued by the imperial court, escaping into the sea is enough to get away."

Li Banfeng asked again, "I've heard people say that taking the land route to the Inner Provinces, you can still see vast expanses of land."

Zuo Anna was about to explain, but Daboyens interjected, "The 'land route' refers to the Fertile Land, which is the Inner Provinces' only remaining ten percent of land. That ten percent is vast, even larger than all the land in the Outer Provinces combined."

Li Banfeng now had a general concept of the Inner Provinces, or the Third Planet. This planet was larger than Earth, with a supercontinent called the Fertile Land. Although it only comprised ten percent of the planet's surface area, its size still exceeded Earth's total land area by more than twenty percent.

"Since there's such a vast Fertile Land, why is Zhaoge still built on an island?" Li Banfeng thought Zhaoge should be built on the supercontinent.

This information touched upon certain secrets, and Zuo Anna was reluctant to elaborate. However, Daboyens spoke without reservation: "There are two reasons. The first is that the Fertile Land is constantly at war. The Inner Provinces wage war far more fiercely than Puro Province or the Outer Provinces. Their weapons are incredibly powerful, capable of destroying a country in a short time. To ensure survival, many nations' capitals are not located on the Fertile Land, leaving themselves a retreat route."

"The second reason is that the land in the Inner Provinces is constantly shifting, and these changes are even more pronounced on the Fertile Land. If a capital city were built on the Fertile Land, after some time, it might shift into another country's territory. This has happened in the Grand Shang Kingdom, which is why the Grand Shang Kingdom has moved its capital several times. In the Inner Provinces, even slightly larger nations build their capitals and important cities on the sea. Only the White Falcon Alliance is an exception."

Zuo Anna stared at Daboyens for a long time, but Daboyens showed no intention of stopping. "The White Falcon Alliance's capital is in Seven Star Mountain. Seven Star Mountain is a 'still land,' meaning its land does not move, much like the city gates of Zhaoge. Because the land of Seven Star Mountain is so unique, it became a contested territory for all nations. For survival, the nations of Seven Star Mountain formed an alliance, which is the origin of the White Falcon Alliance. Later, many smaller nations, as their lands shifted, became neighbors with the countries surrounding Seven Star Mountain. What happened next was quite peculiar. As long as these small nations successfully joined the White Falcon Alliance, their lands would also become 'still land,' no longer endlessly moving."

Li Banfeng was also surprised. "Why is the White Falcon Alliance so special? What causes the land not to move?"

Daboyens replied, "According to the White Falcon Alliance's official explanation, it's because the power of contracts binds the land. According to other nations' conjectures, the White Falcon Alliance must have mastered some method of manipulating the land."

Li Banfeng pondered for a long time, then suddenly asked, "This sounds very similar to the New Land in Puro Province."

Daboyens nodded repeatedly. "You're right. The New Land in Puro Province also demonstrates the connection between contracts and land. Many people are studying the similarities between the two. Some say the Grand Shang Kingdom also mastered the method of manipulating land with contracts, but they placed all their hopes and means in Puro Province. The place where they create and transport the New Land is right there, in the Fertile Land. I've always suspected that the land of the Fertile Land possesses a certain living quality, with a special sensitivity to contracts—"

Zuo Anna could no longer tolerate it. "Daboyens, Mr. Li Banfeng has not yet joined the White Falcon Alliance!"

Daboyens quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Ms. Zuo Anna. I got a little excited seeing an old friend, and I spoke without enough caution."

Zuo Anna was clever; she knew why Daboyens was acting so unusually. He was trying to appease Li Banfeng, hoping Li Banfeng would spare his life.

"Mr. Li," Zuo Anna pleaded with Li Banfeng again, "please don't put me in a difficult position."

"Don't worry," Li Banfeng nodded, then turned to Daboyens and said, "Our reunion today is like our first meeting."

Late that night, Suian Town arrived in Xiaodu. This was once the capital of the Grand Shang Empire, and though it no longer matched its former splendor, it remained one of the largest cities in the Shang Kingdom. Zuo Anna headed for the exit, preparing to meet someone, but Daboyens got there first. "Ms. Zuo Anna, let me handle picking up the person."

With that, Daboyens started to leave, but Zuo Anna stopped him. "If you go, will you come back?"

Daboyens shook his head. "Not for a while. I need to go into hiding. At least not until this journey is over."

Zuo Anna frowned. "Are you doing this just to avoid Li Banfeng?"

"Yes," Daboyens answered honestly.

Zuo Anna hoped Daboyens would stay. "I don't think you need to be so afraid. Just today, he gave you his word. Today counts as your first meeting, and bygones are bygones."

Daboyens shook his head. "Our language is different from yours, and what Li Banfeng meant is not what you think. When Li Banfeng said our reunion today is like our first meeting, he didn't mean he was letting me off. He meant that when we first met, I didn't kill him; I gave him a chance to escape. But ever since then, he's been on my hit list, and I've shown him no mercy. So there's no way he'll let me off. If I don't leave now, I won't get another chance."

Zuo Anna said, "In Suian Town, I guarantee Li Banfeng won't harm you. He won't disrupt the current balance of power because of past grievances."

Daboyens shook his head. "This balance is too fragile. Vengeance is a matter of course. I'm already very grateful that he's given me a day to escape. I plan to stay in Xiaodu for a few days. If you could offer me some convenience and a safe place to stay, I would be very grateful."

Boundless City reached its destination. Luo Lijun remained in Boundless City to continue handling political affairs, while Luo Yanjun acted as a guide, bringing He Jiaqing back to the Soda Kiln. No sooner had He Jiaqing emerged from the pool and entered the factory than he vanished.

Luo Yanjun muttered resentfully, "That scoundrel certainly runs fast!"

Banfeng B, from beneath her, tapped its snail shell, signaling her not to worry; there was a plan. Luo Yanjun crawled around the factory for a moment and soon encountered Feng Daiku.

Feng Daiku had been waiting for news of Li Banfeng. Seeing only a snail arrive, and unable to distinguish which one it was, she directly asked, "Miss Luo, where is Li Banfeng?"

Luo Yanjun said, "I don't know Li Banfeng's whereabouts. Right now, I need to see Ma Wu immediately."

Feng Daiku frowned slightly. "Why do you need to see Ma Wu?"

"It's not me who wants to see him; it's a friend of mine."

"What's your friend's background?"

"To be honest, I don't know his background either."

"Surely you know his name?"

Luo Yanjun shook her head. "I don't know his name."

Feng Daiku looked at Luo Yanjun for a long time, speechless. Li Banfeng had left with the Luo sisters and was now unaccounted for. Now she was arranging for someone else to meet Ma Wu. The reason was unclear, the identity was unclear, and she didn't even know the visitor's name. Feng Daiku couldn't find any reason to trust Luo Yanjun.

"I'll tell Ma Wu about this. You wait for my news." Feng Daiku turned to leave, but Luo Yanjun looked at the shadow on the ground. The shadow nodded slightly at her, and Luo Yanjun called out, "The person who wants to see Ma Wu knows Li Banfeng."

"Who is Li Banfeng?" Feng Daiku seemed to have heard the name, but her impression wasn't very strong.

Luo Yanjun said, "Tell Ma Wu that he knows Li Banfeng. He'll definitely want to meet this friend."

In Puro Province, not many knew that Li Banfeng was Li Qi; Ma Wu was one of them. Hearing the name 'Li Banfeng,' Ma Wu immediately rushed to the Soda Kiln and met Luo Yanjun. Luo Yanjun requested that Feng Daiku not be present, stating that some matters could only be discussed privately between her friend and Ma Wu.

Feng Daiku said, "You don't trust me, and you expect me to trust you? You still haven't clarified Li Banfeng's whereabouts!"

"I won't be present either; I'll go with you!" Luo Yanjun said. "They'll talk alone. If anything happens to Ma Wu, you can take my life directly."

With Luo Yanjun's life as collateral, Feng Daiku had nothing more to say. The two exited the factory. Ma Wu looked around for a moment, and before he could find the friend, a man's voice came from a shadowed corner: "My name is Li Banling, and I'm a childhood friend of Li Banfeng."

The voice was familiar, very similar to Old Seven's, but with a slight difference. Ma Wu looked towards the shadow and asked, "Are you a Shadow Cultivator?"

"Yes. I've come to you because I need your help to retrieve something for Li Banfeng."

"What thing?"

"A deed for a New Land. The owner of the deed is named Li Furong, and Li Furong is Li Banfeng."

"Why is he called Li Furong?" Hearing the name Li Furong, Ma Wu instinctively thought of Li Haoyun.

"That's one of Li Banfeng's names. This deed is currently in He Jiaqing's possession. He Jiaqing also knows the name Li Furong, but he's not certain if this deed belongs to Li Banfeng."

Ma Wu asked, "How do you know he's not certain?"

"He tested me; he offered to sell me the deed."

Ma Wu was startled. "Did you make an offer?"

"No, I said this deed was useless to me."

Ma Wu breathed a sigh of relief. "Then there's nothing to fear. As long as you didn't make an offer, the item can be retrieved. Where is Old Seven now?"

"I'm also looking for him. He Jiaqing said he returned to Puro Province through another channel. Once he's back, you'll definitely be able to contact him."

Ma Wu nodded and left the Soda Kiln that day.

He Jiaqing, accompanied by Duan Shuqun and Qian Xiangjun, arrived at Furong Studio to call upon Li Haoyun. Li Haoyun had known He Jiaqing previously. As He Jiaqing had recently absorbed many gang factions and his influence was flourishing, Li Haoyun naturally didn't treat him lightly. He selected a courtyard within his manor specifically to host He Jiaqing and his party.

After polite greetings, host and guests took their seats. Li Haoyun raised his cup and said, "This humble meal was prepared in haste, and I apologize if the hospitality is lacking. Please don't take offense, Master Qing."

He Jiaqing raised his cup, but before he could speak, Qian Xiangjun interjected, "Lychee Yun, your hospitality isn't very complete. Whether it was rushed or not is another matter. What do you mean by hosting our Master Qing here? If you truly have sincerity, you'd host us at Lychee Garden."

Upon hearing this, Duan Shuqun's hand trembled. *What's wrong with Old Qian?* Qian Xiangjun, who followed He Jiaqing along with Duan Shuqun, was the eldest and most composed, with considerable prestige in the martial world. He Jiaqing usually referred to him as 'Elder Brother.' Why was he speaking so unrestrainedly today?

Li Haoyun hated two things being brought up: casually mentioning his wife, and casually mentioning lychees. Both were sore spots for him. For friends he valued, Li Haoyun would host them at Lychee Garden, but it wasn't something a guest should proactively mention. Qian Xiangjun had had many dealings with Li Haoyun in the past. Had he forgotten this most basic rule today?

Duan Shuqun worried for Qian Xiangjun, but Qian Xiangjun acted as if nothing was wrong, cheerfully looking at Li Haoyun. He Jiaqing was expressionless and had no intention of reprimanding Qian Xiangjun. Li Haoyun didn't take offense. "There's been a lot of rain recently, and the Lychee Garden is a bit muddy. I'll invite Master Qing to sit in the garden another day."

They thought the matter was over. After two more cups of wine, Qian Xiangjun spoke again. "Never mind not going to the Lychee Garden, but you could at least invite your two esteemed wives out for a drink!"

This time, Li Haoyun said nothing, but it was clear he was angry. Qian Xiangjun remained unconcerned, and He Jiaqing's face was still expressionless.

Duan Shuqun couldn't sit still. "Old Qian, are you drunk?"

Qian Xiangjun waved his hand. "Not drunk. How many cups have I had, anyway?"

"I think you are drunk. Come outside with me for some fresh air." Duan Shuqun dragged Qian Xiangjun out. Once outside the courtyard, Duan Shuqun asked, "What's wrong with you? You're deliberately poking at Li Haoyun's sore spots. What are you trying to do?"

Qian Xiangjun laughed. "Just teasing him. Can't you tell I'm doing it on purpose?"

"Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Is Li Haoyun someone to mess with?"

Qian Xiangjun still didn't take it seriously. "What's so hard to deal with? It's just the Three Unknowns, isn't it?"

The 'Three Unknowns' were Li Haoyun's trademark: first, his wealth was unknown; outsiders didn't know how much money he had. Second, his manpower was unknown; outsiders didn't know how many people he commanded. Third, his path was unknown; outsiders didn't know his cultivation and sect affiliation. Precisely because of these 'Three Unknowns,' ordinary people couldn't gauge Li Haoyun's true strength and were quite wary of him. During the height of the Four Great Families, neither the He family nor the Lu family would easily offend Li Haoyun. Yet today, Qian Xiangjun seemed to have taken the wrong medicine, insisting on provoking Li Haoyun.

Old Qian shouldn't be acting so unusually. Duan Shuqun's eyes darted, and he quietly asked, "Did Jiaqing tell you to do this?" Qian Xiangjun smiled but didn't answer. Duan Shuqun punched Qian Xiangjun. "You didn't even warn me beforehand! You scared me half to death. Let's go back and drink!"

Qian Xiangjun shook his head. "No rush for now. Jiaqing is discussing something over there."

He Jiaqing first apologized to Li Haoyun. "Old Qian drank quite a bit before coming, and he spoke without restraint. Master Yun, please don't hold it against him."

"No matter," Li Haoyun casually replied, picking up the teacup from the table. This was a sign to dismiss the guests.

Seeing this, He Jiaqing didn't rush to leave. Instead, he continued, "I came to see Master Yun today to discuss a business matter."

"Business matters can wait for another day," Li Haoyun said. He didn't want to discuss anything now; he just wanted He Jiaqing to leave.

He Jiaqing asked again, "Master Yun, do you know someone named Li Furong?"

Li Haoyun frowned slightly. "Master Qing, are you giving me a new nickname?"

He Jiaqing laughed. "I'm afraid it's more than just a nickname, isn't it? Even if it is a nickname, it's probably not a new one, is it?"

"What do you mean by that?" Li Haoyun set down his teacup.

He Jiaqing took a deed from his pocket. "Master Yun, this is a deed for a New Land's local deity. This deity is named Li Furong. Do you know this person?"

Li Haoyun's cheek twitched slightly, and he chuckled, "It's quite a coincidence that a local deity has such a name."

He Jiaqing put the deed back into his pocket. "So it was just a coincidence. It seems I've come to the wrong person. Farewell."

He stood up, about to leave, but Li Haoyun quickly urged, "Master Qing, we've only had two cups of wine. How can you leave?"

He Jiaqing paused, surprised. "Just now, I saw Master Yun pick up his tea. Wasn't that a sign to dismiss guests?"

"I was thirsty and took a sip of tea; I forgot my manners. My apologies," Li Haoyun apologized to He Jiaqing first.

He Jiaqing said, "Old Qian offended Master Yun just now. Master Yun wouldn't secretly harm him, would he?"

"What are you saying? I am not one to quibble over trifles." As he spoke, Li Haoyun poured He Jiaqing a cup of wine, and the atmosphere relaxed again.

For someone to break Li Haoyun's rules and for Li Haoyun to force himself to swallow his anger—such a situation was rare. He Jiaqing had now concluded that this deed was intimately connected to Li Haoyun.

After a few rounds of drinks and some casual chat, Li Haoyun couldn't hold back and proactively asked, "Master Qing, you said you wanted to do business with me earlier. Were you referring to this deed?"

He Jiaqing nodded. "Yes, it was the deed. I originally thought it might have some connection to Master Yun, but it seems I was mistaken. Consider it unsaid."

Li Haoyun sighed. "Master Qing, if you truly hadn't brought it up, the matter would have passed. But now that you have, it's weighing on my mind. To be honest, my cultivation among those on the land is not low. In a few years, I should be able to ascend to the clouds. Such a rare opportunity, I truly don't want to miss it."

He Jiaqing nodded upon hearing this. "Obtaining a deed, seizing a territory, forcefully claiming a divine position, ascending to the clouds, and avoiding suffering in the Inner Provinces—that's certainly a righteous path. But I only have the deed; I don't have the territory, and I don't even know where this local deity named Li Furong resides. So, this item might not be of much use to Master Yun, either."

Li Haoyun poured He Jiaqing more wine. "Ascending to the clouds isn't something that happens overnight. Let's secure the deed first; we can discuss future matters later."

He Jiaqing drank the wine. "So, this business deal is possible?"

"It is! Master Qing, what price do you propose?"

He Jiaqing smiled. "If we talk about price between us, it becomes formal. I've always regarded you as a friend, Master Yun. If you think highly of me, why don't we become sworn brothers from now on?"

Li Haoyun understood the implication. Becoming sworn brothers with He Jiaqing wasn't as simple as kowtowing and pledging brotherhood; He Jiaqing was inviting him to join the Brotherhood Alliance.

"Master Qing, it's not that I don't appreciate the offer. We can be brothers, but I'm used to a leisurely life. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to achieve much under your command. It's better if we stick to clear prices."

He Jiaqing was not surprised by Li Haoyun's response. Li Haoyun had struggled for so many years and never easily joined other factions. Back when Bao Yingchen presided over the Three Heroes Gate, he tried repeatedly to recruit Li Haoyun, using intimidation, persuasion, every tactic imaginable, but Li Haoyun always refused.

"Since Master Yun won't give me this face, I won't force it then." He Jiaqing stood up, about to leave again.

Li Haoyun urged, "Master Qing, this local deity is named Li Furong, which has a connection to both me and Furong Studio. This destiny cannot be missed. Please do me this favor and name your price."

He Jiaqing considered carefully, then named his price. "Since Master Yun desires this deed so much, I, your brother, will name a price: one million silver dollars. Master Yun wouldn't consider that too much, would he?"

This price was truly exorbitant. When Lu Dongjun sold Bailemen to Chu Er, the price was eight hundred thousand silver dollars, and that was a prominent establishment in Puro Province. He Jiaqing asked for a million right off the bat; many powerful figures in Puro Province couldn't raise that much even if they pooled all their assets.

Li Haoyun put down the wine pot and remained silent for a long time before saying, "Master Qing, do you believe I have that kind of financial capability?"

"I believe you do!" He Jiaqing poured Li Haoyun a cup of wine.

Li Haoyun gripped the wine cup, gritted his teeth, and said, "Alright, if we can close this deal today, then it's done!"

He Jiaqing pulled out the deed again. "I've brought everything. Whether the deal is made depends on your word."

Li Haoyun looked at the deed. "I trust you, but you wouldn't trick me with a fake, would you?"

He Jiaqing laughed. "The He family's reputation is at stake. If this turns out to be fake, I'll compensate you double."

Li Haoyun looked at the deed, nodded, and said, "Master Qing, did you bring enough men today?"

"Yes, I brought enough. Dozens of my brothers are waiting outside."

"Good. Master Qing, come with me to the treasury to carry the boxes. We'll count the money face-to-face and complete the transaction!"