Chapter 828: Dare to Fight Stay

Li Banfeng asked A Yu to make an opening in the boundary. He crossed the boundary to pick up his wife and Jiu'er from Jianren Ridge.

Jiu'er was truly remarkable. The third enemy force was fighting fiercely, and the second enemy force had already rushed to meet the third. Only the first enemy force was still being led around in circles by Jiu'er.

Li Banfeng quietly took his wife and Jiu'er away. On the way back, Li Banfeng praised profusely, "Those so-called old seniors should see how capable our Jiu'er is!"

Jiu'er was momentarily stunned. "What old seniors?"

Li Banfeng told his wife and Jiu'er about the fierce battle they had just witnessed. Jiu'er shook her head and said, "Husband, please take me home. I don't want to see them."

"What's there to be afraid of? We don't owe them anything; they owe you!"

Jiu'er shook her head and smiled. "My dear, you still don't understand these seniors. I'm from Fool's City, so I'm inherently indebted to them."

Zhao Xiaowan, who was nearby, said, "Husband, I should go home too. I'm from the imperial court, and I'm even less worthy than Jiu'er."

Li Banfeng didn't say a word, a hint of chill in his eyes.

Zhao Xiaowan understood Li Banfeng's thoughts. "Husband, with such a formidable enemy before us, some matters shouldn't be dwelled upon. A little injustice for us sisters is nothing. Let's call Yingying back soon. We can discuss family matters amicably and prevent Yingying from causing trouble outside."

Li Banfeng said, "Yingying didn't cause any trouble. She just risked her life for Puluo State!"

Old Teapot also interjected, "Old Seven, we really do want to go home and rest. My tea has run out, and I need to go back for a refill. Hong Ying is tired too; as a house spirit, she should go home to recover. You just mentioned Granny Ku arrived. That old woman is stubborn and likes to reason her way. Don't argue with her, and certainly don't let Hong Ying argue with her. Winning or losing won't do any good."

Approaching the boundary, Li Banfeng contacted Projector and Yuan Miaoping.

Yuan Miaoping said, "I should go home and hide too. It would be too awkward for me to be there."

Li Banfeng asked, "What's so awkward for you?"

"Granny Ku and Huan Wuchang are there, Song Shu is there, and many people from the Brotherhood Alliance have arrived. Whose side would I be on if I went?"

"We're fighting together, so we're all on the same side."

"That's impossible!" Yuan Miaoping pursed her lips around her bubblegum, blew a medium-sized bubble, and then sucked it back into her mouth. "Let me put it this way: I can show up, but I'll stand behind you and specifically support you. The Brotherhood Alliance will have nothing to do with me from now on."

Everyone crossed the boundary together. His wife took Jiu'er, Projector, and Old Teapot back to Suishenju, while Li Banfeng and Yuan Miaoping arrived at the camp.

The camp consisted of about a hundred earth houses built by Old Train and A Yi using local materials. Li Banfeng asked, "Surely we don't have this many people?"

A Yi smiled. "Not everyone has arrived yet; many more will come in the next few days. I'll help you greet them. If you don't see me, don't worry about me. I'll be there instantly when the fighting starts."

Hearing the unusual tone in A Yi's voice, Li Banfeng asked, "What happened?"

Yuan Miaoping, nearby, chuckled. "What else could happen? She got upset by those old geezers."

A Yi looked at Yuan Miaoping, fiddling with her antenna. The two knew each other; A Yi had previously wanted to rescue Yuan Miaoping from the Dark Star Bureau.

"What nonsense are you spouting, girl? How could I be upset by the old seniors? Look how easygoing they are; I love chatting and reminiscing with them."

A Yi's grip was a bit strong, and Yuan Miaoping dodged in fear. "Crazy woman, don't break my antenna! If you're angry, don't take it out on me!"

A Yi gritted her teeth. "I'm not angry. I get along with them perfectly. I just want to invite them to Gourd Village for a meal. I'll treat them to the finest explosives, a bowl for each. After a 'bang,' I guarantee they won't find a single fault!"

Qiu Luoye walked closer and said, "Sounds good to me. I'll go back and get the explosives right now!"

Li Banfeng asked, "Brother Qiu, are you angry too?"

"Hehe!" Qiu Luoye gave a wry smile. "So many years have passed, and I thought my temper had changed a lot, but I can still be ignited by them within three sentences. A Yi and I will help you greet the guests. If I really do bring the explosives later, remember to remind those old bastards to talk less, or I'll blow their mouths off first!"

The couple walked away in a huff.

Li Banfeng was about to find Yuan Miaoping a tent when Song Shu happened to walk over from the opposite side. "Disciple greets Grandmaster!"

Song Shu performed a grand bow to Yuan Miaoping, who angrily snapped, "Why are you bowing to me? Don't you know the rules?"

Song Shu was startled by the remark. Was performing a grand bow to a grandmaster considered not knowing the rules?

Yuan Miaoping pointed at Li Banfeng and said, "I'm now a member of the Suiju Gang. This is our gang leader, and I am a hall master under him. From now on, you'll salute the gang leader first, then me."

Song Shu was stunned for a long time. "Grandmaster, what did you just say about the Suiju Gang?"

Yuan Miaoping looked Song Shu up and down. "What? Didn't you understand? Let me put it simpler: I've joined another gang. From now on, I'm following our Boss Li. The Brotherhood Alliance has nothing to do with me anymore. Do you understand now?"

Song Shu stared at Yuan Miaoping in shock, then looked at Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng was also a bit surprised when he suddenly saw Grandmaster Mei Xiu, Sui Chanxin, emerge from an earth house, smiling. "Seventh Master, you're finally here. I've missed you so much I couldn't eat or sleep."

Grandmaster Huan Xiu, Huan Wuchang, also came out. "Seventh Master, what a skill you possess. Even Grandmaster Dian Xiu has bowed down to you. If we don't join her, would it be a bit unappreciative?"

Grandmaster Jiu Xiu, Liu Hutian, pulled back the door curtain. "Li Qi, come in and say a word. Everyone's waiting for you."

Li Banfeng really didn't want to go in. He wasn't in the mood to talk to them right now.

Suishenju reminded him from behind, "A Qi, don't be willful. It's not easy to gather these people. We'll have to rely on them during the war, so don't let their morale scatter."

Li Banfeng entered the room, and a chilling aura of killing intent made him shiver.

The room was large but had only two windows, making it quite dim and the atmosphere somewhat oppressive. But where did this killing intent come from?

The killing intent came from Hong Ying. As soon as Li Banfeng saw her pale, greenish face, he knew Hong Ying was upset.

Seeing this, Yuan Miaoping quickly stepped forward. "Second Young Mistress, we members of the Suiju Gang are magnanimous and don't bother with petty grievances. Now that our gang leader is here, let him speak with them if there's anything. Let's you and I go for a walk."

Yuan Miaoping persuaded Hong Ying to leave, and she also took the opportunity to escape.

As Li Qi pulled up a chair and sat down, Grandmaster Kui Xiu, Zhen Luoming, spoke first. "This battle is over. At least we fought united and won. Many cultivators from Kucai Manor perished, and I also lost many disciples. Even if others didn't lose their lives, they were all wounded. Shouldn't we discuss these matters now?"

Li Banfeng wasn't familiar with Zhen Luoming, but his impression of him during the battle wasn't good. The man had yelled and screamed randomly, nearly causing disarray in the troops.

"What do you want to discuss?" Li Banfeng asked directly.

Zhen Luoming was startled. "What, Seventh Master doesn't want me to speak?"

"Aren't I letting you speak?"

Zhen Luoming said, "I want to ask Seventh Master on everyone's behalf: such a huge incident occurred in Puluo State, losing such a large territory, where did our leader go? Where is the Peddler?"

Grandmaster Jiu Xiu, Liu Hutian, said, "Indeed. Inner State has attacked our doorstep; the Peddler shouldn't be unaware, should he?"

Sui Chanxin sighed. "Has he gone to Wansheng State again? I truly don't understand why the Peddler is so fond of Wansheng State. Does he have a sweetheart there?"

Zhen Luoming snorted. "All day long he's looking for a sweetheart. Is he truly worthy of Puluo State, this family?"

Xu Han tapped his pipe. "What kind of talk is that? If he's not worthy, are you?"

Zhen Luoming snorted. "Old Xu, I know you'll definitely speak for the Peddler. I dare not say I'm worthy of Puluo State, but I am here today, and I at least made it to Wuyouping! In that regard, I've done better than the Peddler!"

Xu Han sneered, "If Old Seven hadn't sent the message, how would you have arrived at Wuyouping?"

"I was just about to ask," Zhen Luoming glanced at Li Qi, "How is Seventh Master's information always so well-informed?"

*Clang!* Xu Han slammed down his pipe. "What do you mean by that?"

Gui Jianchou snorted. "Can't you hear it? He's saying our Old Seven is colluding with the enemy!"

Zhen Luoming waved his hand. "I wouldn't dare to speak carelessly. We have no dealings with Inner State, nor are we Prince Pingyuan. We don't know who's colluding with the enemy."

"What nonsense!" Xu Han's veins bulged, his face twitching with suppressed rage.

Gui Jianchou's smile remained unchanged as he said to Zhen Luoming, "Don't be so modest. Didn't you go to stir up trouble at the Ink Fragrance Shop a few days ago? Did Inner State not reward you with a princely title?"

Zhen Luoming's face flushed, and he looked at Liu Hutian.

Liu Hutian took a sip of old wine and said to Gui Jianchou, "Smiling Ghost, your grandmaster was just killed. Do you know who did it?"

Gui Jianchou feigned surprise. "How did my grandmaster die? Don't tell me he went to cause trouble at the Ink Fragrance Shop too? What's so great about that place? I heard a mere land cultivator named Shao Yingzhen can boss you all around. Don't you feel ashamed staying there?"

Grandmaster Han Xiu, Bing Suling, chuckled. "You're more shameful, running off to Fool's City and becoming Sun Tiecheng's third-tier lackey!"

Ye Jianhuang said, "Debts must be paid. I don't see anything wrong with that."

Zhen Luoming laughed. "Almost forgot, there's another lackey here."

Ye Jianhuang gritted his teeth and said nothing. Li Banfeng touched his gloves. "Brother, how much explosive is left?"

If it weren't for the number of his own people present, Li Banfeng would have really wanted to blow them up.

Zhen Luoming specifically asked, "Seventh Master, who were you talking to just now?"

Li Banfeng lifted the brim of his hat, smiling at Zhen Luoming. "I was just chatting with Seniors Chang Jiuhai and Qi Wujian. They said they were a bit bored and wanted someone to talk to."

The room fell silent.

Zhen Luoming looked at Liu Hutian, who was lowering his head, pouring and drinking by himself. Sui Chanxin looked at Feng Xuanzhen's embroidery. Huan Wuchang and Grandmaster Sheng Xiu, Shang Yuzheng, were chatting in hushed tones.

Granny Ku spoke up. "Today's battle is over. It might not have looked pretty, but at least we won. Old Seven was the first to detect the enemy, and this is a merit for our Puluo State; we must remember it. Everyone who risked their lives on the battlefield today has earned merit. Others might forget, but I, this old woman, will remember. In the future, if anyone comes to Kucai Manor seeking my help, as long as I can assist, I will not hesitate!"

Liu Hutian praised from the side, "Listen, everyone, to be able to say such words, this is what a true leader sounds like."

Granny Ku continued, "Now, the Inner State army is still before us. Let's stay here a few more days to observe the enemy's movements. Fighting is not easy; it requires soldiers, horses, and resources. Inner State won't be able to sustain it for too long. We'll wait until their army disperses before leaving; it won't be too late."

"Alright!" Zhen Luoming shouted, "I'll listen to the old sister!"

Old Train glanced at Li Banfeng and smiled helplessly. "Old Seven, look how smoothly she picked that peach."

The others didn't say much because Granny Ku's words themselves were faultless.

Li Banfeng looked at everyone and said, "Granny is right. I truly must ask all of you to stay a few more days; this battle isn't over yet."

As his words landed, there was an uproar.

Zhen Luoming said, "What do you mean? Do you want us to help you recover lost territory? We can't do that. The enemy is too fierce; we don't have that capability."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "This boundary line before us won't hold much longer. At most five days, at least three, and the boundary will be gone. At that time, we'll have to fight a bloody battle with Inner State."

The room fell silent once more. Granny Ku was stunned speechless. Old Train looked at Li Banfeng and asked, "Is that true?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Absolutely true."

Liu Hutian rubbed his wine pot and said, "We can't fight. This, we really can't fight anymore..."

Li Banfeng asked, "What if we don't fight?"

"This requires long-term planning..." Liu Hutian looked left and right, then wiped the wine pot in his hand several times.

Grandmaster Sheng Xiu, Shang Yuzheng, asked, "Seventh Master, you're not testing us, are you?"

Li Banfeng scanned the crowd and said, "I'm not testing any of you. The boundary truly won't hold much longer, and this battle is indeed not over."

Zhen Luoming stammered for a moment. "Then, then we can't fight anymore. How about, how about we retreat a step?"

Old Train frowned. "This is Wuyouping. How many places in Puluo State is it connected to? Where do you think we can retreat to?"

Sui Chanxin said, "Even if we can't retreat, we can still negotiate. Sister Ku was right; fighting isn't easy, and I doubt Inner State wants to keep fighting indefinitely. Let's just talk with them."

Qiao Wuzui took a swig of rice wine and asked, "How do you propose we negotiate? What will we use as leverage?"

Sui Chanxin rolled her eyes at Qiao Wuzui. "Don't ask me. What would a woman like me know?"

Ye Jianhuang bit on his pipe. "Talking about anything else is useless; we still have to fight!"

Liu Hutian repeatedly shook his head. "If you want to fight, you go. My old bones can't endure that."

Lu Qianjiao said, "What if we don't fight? Are we going to surrender the entire Puluo State to them?"

Grandmaster Han Xiu, Bing Suling, said, "That depends on how you look at it. This was originally imperial court territory."

Lu Qianjiao was furious. "What are you trying to do? Sell Puluo State to the imperial court?"

Bing Suling's expression didn't change. "That's exactly my point! You're the Peddler's sweetheart, so it's natural for you to fight for him. We're not related to him, so why should we risk our lives for him?"

The group argued all night, leaving Li Banfeng agitated and distraught.

The next morning, the group gathered again and continued to argue. They had split into three factions: one advocating for peace, one for war, and one for fighting while negotiating.

Li Banfeng truly didn't want to listen to their nonsense. He barely held on until noon when Qiu Luoye entered the room and whispered in Li Banfeng's ear, "Old Seven, Old Five and the others are here."

Hearing this, Li Banfeng's spirits immediately lifted.

He immediately stood up and walked out of the room without looking back, seeing Ma Wu, Qin Tianjiu, Chu Er, and Lu Chunying waiting in the courtyard.

Ma Wu said, "Old Seven, the brothers have all been rallied."

Qin Tianjiu said, "Seventh Brother, the brothers from Three Heroes Gate have arrived. Zhang Xiuling will be here soon with the brothers from Hundred Flowers Gate!"

Lu Chunying said, "The Lu family members have also arrived. Brother Qiu said he'll be here tomorrow, and Brother Zhang Wanlong and his group are also coming! Sister Xiu and the others are almost here!"

Chu Er said, "Seventh Brother, my side also..."

Li Banfeng said, "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you there was an urgent matter?"

He was still waiting for Chu Er to contact the Peddler.

The Peddler said, "Her urgent matter is done. It's time to talk about our urgent matters. Zhang Wanlong should not come to Wuyouping yet."

Everyone was greatly surprised. Except for Li Banfeng, everyone else stepped aside. None of them had realized the Peddler had suddenly appeared.

Li Banfeng gave a series of wry smiles. "Senior Brother, you're finally here!"

The Peddler smiled. "Have you been wronged? The old seniors are getting on in years; you need a bit of patience when talking to them."

Li Banfeng said, "I'm quite patient, but some people we simply cannot afford to use. Moreover, the boundary cannot hold; it can only last for three to five days."

The Peddler looked towards the location of the boundary. "This is Wuyouping. It's already difficult enough for her to create a boundary line. Three to five days is not a short time. If there's truly no other way, release her true form. A boundary created by her true form can hold for more days."

Li Banfeng looked around, lowering his voice. "If you release her true form, what will you do? Wouldn't your meeting be a life-or-death confrontation?"

The Peddler frowned. "I said to release her only when there's absolutely no other way. Isn't there still a way now? Go in and talk to them."

The Peddler pushed the door open and entered the room. Everyone instantly fell silent.

Standing in the center of the room, scanning the crowd, the Peddler smiled. "Everyone, it's been a long time!"

Eighteen Wheels and Xu Han both smiled.

Lu Qianjiao's face turned beet red with laughter, and her posture straightened considerably.

Tou Youlu snorted. "Look how happy you are. Just tell me, what about me is not as good as him?"

Lu Qianjiao turned and glanced at Tou Youlu. "Who are you talking to?"

Tou Youlu felt wronged and took out paper and a pen to write, "I just can't stand fickle women like this. Yesterday she was so good to me, and today she pretends not to know me. I guess she and I were not destined."

Grandmaster Kui Xiu, Zhen Luoming, pondered for a moment before asking the Peddler, "Leader, allow me to ask you, where have you been?"

Li Banfeng was waiting for him to ask that very question. Today, he needed them to understand why the Peddler had been tirelessly traveling and how many burdens he usually shouldered alone.

The Peddler looked at Zhen Luoming and said, "I went out for a stroll, mainly to clear my head."

Li Banfeng was stunned for a long time. What kind of talk was this?

He had gone to the White Falcon Alliance to repay debts. Why wouldn't he tell these people?

The Peddler said nothing more, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

Granny Ku said, "Old Seven must have told you that the boundary line at Wuyouping can't hold. We don't know the origin of the enemy army, and we can't defeat them. You need to decide whether we fight or make peace."

The Peddler looked at everyone and said, "I just took a walk through the enemy camp and gathered some intelligence. The army opposite us comes from the Great Totem. The enemy soldiers bear the Great Totem's mark; they are warriors crafted by the Great Totem from spirits and flesh. Their memories have been wiped, but some weren't wiped thoroughly, allowing me to recover a portion and uncover some background information."

At the mention of the Great Totem, the room erupted as if a pot had boiled over. Everyone started discussing, and Bing Suling said, "Didn't you destroy the Great Totem?"

The Peddler nodded. "I did destroy one, but I didn't expect Qiao Yi to create another. He has invested such a massive amount because he wants to become emperor. He must swallow Puluo State to secure his throne. There's no room for negotiation this time because Qiao Yi sees Puluo State as the capital for his ascension to emperor. Therefore, we must fight."

Liu Hutian said, "How do we fight? Can we win? Do you know how formidable those soldiers are?"

The Peddler nodded. "I just tested the skills of two of them. One soldier's combat power is comparable to a local deity of the first layer of Yunshang."

Sui Chanxin said, "Brother Peddler, then what are we fighting for? I heard there are over twenty thousand people on the other side."

The Peddler shook his head. "More than twenty thousand. From what I can currently see, there are nearly fifty thousand people, and that's after accounting for casualties from the previous battle."

Feng Xuanzhen put away her embroidery, and Liu Hutian also put away his wine pot.

Many people present were preparing to stand up and leave.

Fifty thousand people.

Many people had lost all hope for this battle, but the Peddler still spoke clearly: "Whoever wants to leave, I won't stop them, and Puluo State won't keep them in the future. Those who dare to fight, stay and fight with me. We drove Inner State out back then, and this time, we'll fight them again."

Everyone looked at Zhen Luoming, expecting him to lead the way out.

This man was talkative and provocative, but he didn't leave. He looked at Granny Ku.

Granny Ku looked at the Peddler and said, "Alright, we fought with you back then, and we'll fight with you today. Tell us, how do we fight?"

The Peddler said, "It's easy for us; all of you have fought alongside me. On the battlefield, we have plenty of methods. However, Qiao Yi leaves loose ends. He has formed an alliance with the Earth Square Kingdom, and the Earth Square Demonic Lord is preparing to personally lead troops to attack Suihuang Plain."

The Peddler didn't just go to the White Falcon Alliance to repay debts; he also gathered a lot of useful intelligence:

"Suihuang Plain is currently guarded only by Yao Xin, with a group of barely trained Iron Bone cultivators under him. If Suihuang Plain falls, we'll be attacked from both sides. Who is willing to go support Suihuang Plain? Let me state upfront that we cannot divide our forces. If you go to Suihuang Plain, you'll have to find your own manpower."

The room was silent; no one was willing to go to Suihuang Plain.

Here, fighting as a group, they could advance or retreat with the Peddler. Going to support Suihuang Plain, without troop division from this side, meant standing firm with Yao Xin against the Earth Square Kingdom, with little hope of returning alive.

Li Banfeng said from the side, "I'll take my people to Suihuang Plain. We'll set off today!"

"Good!" The Peddler nodded at Li Qi. With Li Qi taking on one side, he felt greatly relieved.

The Peddler continued, "In Shang State, the Bandit Suppression Army has one Forged Camp remaining. I've received news that the Forged Camp is preparing to attack White Falcon County. If White Falcon County falls, Inner State will invade from Three-Headed Fork. Who is willing to go support White Falcon County?"

This was why the Peddler didn't want Zhang Wanlong to come; White Falcon County was in a very dangerous situation.

The crowd remained silent. In this situation, the Peddler definitely wouldn't divide the troops, and no one wanted to face the Bandit Suppression Camp alone.

Xu Han stood up. "I'll go. I have a bad temper, and I'm afraid of hurting these old friends. I just came from White Falcon County, so going back once more is fitting."

The old man truly had a stubborn temper, leaving as soon as he spoke. He walked to Qiao Wuzui's side and whispered, "If I don't come back, you must guard Yaowang Gully."

"What nonsense are you saying? I'll go with you!" Qiao Wuzui reached for his wine bottle, but Xu Han pressed him back into his chair and left the room alone.

As he reached the door, Xu Han suddenly stopped.

He opened the door and respectfully invited an old man from outside into the room, then pulled up a chair for the elder. "Teacher, please have a seat here."

Granny Ku looked up and exclaimed, "Old Orange, why are you here?"

A Yi smiled from behind. "I brought him."

Elder Tangerine Garden had arrived.

Li Qi quickly stood up to greet him, and everyone else present also rose.

Elder Tangerine Garden waved his hand. "No time for pleasantries with you all. I need to say a couple of words to the Peddler."

He walked to the Peddler's side and said, "Dividing forces into three might not work. There's a path at Jianren Ridge that leads to Qunying Mountain."

The Peddler was surprised. "Where did such a path come from?"

Elder Tangerine Garden said, "I asked the earth; it just opened up."