Chapter 830: He Is a Man of Iron Will

Li Banfeng informed A Yu that the boundary had been lifted, and then led his people into the Suihuang Wilds.

Qin Tianjiu, Xiao Yeci, and Lu Chunying were visiting the Suihuang Wilds for the first time. Looking at the vast, endless wilderness, they couldn't help but feel a shiver of dread.

"If a real war breaks out, where will the enemy come from?" Xiao Yeci looked around. "This place is so vast; how do we tell which side is ours and which is the enemy's?"

He Yuxiu opened her flask and took a large swig. "This is all our territory. If we encounter people from the Earthfang Nation, don't hold back. Fight them to the death. No matter how many come, kill them all, so they'll never dare set foot in our Puluo Prefecture again."

Zhang Xiuling held a notebook, documenting what she saw along the way. "I should have come here sooner. This boundless wilderness holds many great stories waiting for me to record."

Feng Daiku held a map, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

Li Banfeng asked, "Can 'Threads of Affection' cover the entire Suihuang Wilds?"

Feng Daiku shook his head. "It's too difficult. The Suihuang Wilds are too vast."

The group walked all day and prepared to set up camp as dusk approached.

At their current pace, it would take them at least three to five days to reach Huangtu Town.

Li Banfeng decided to let them sleep soundly that night. He would use the music box to ensure they were completely asleep, then transport them directly to the town using his portable residence.

Just after dinner, Pan Dehai said to Li Banfeng, "Brother, a friend is coming tonight. You might not be fond of him, but he genuinely wants to help."

Li Banfeng was wondering who this friend could be when Bai Ziyu already welcomed the person in. It was the Coachman.

Che Wushang arrived in front of Li Banfeng, pulling a paper cart. Li Banfeng recognized this paper cart as Pan Dehai's 'Feast Cart'.

Li Banfeng hadn't expected Old Pan to go to such lengths. What surprised him even more was that Che Wushang actually had the audacity to come to the Suihuang Wilds.

"Old Seven, I genuinely came to help in the war. My master wouldn't take me; surely you won't refuse me too?"

Li Banfeng replied, "Of course, I'll take you. We fought side by side at Three-Headed Fork back then."

The Coachman was pleased and lit a cigarette for Li Banfeng. Pan Dehai added, "Excuse me, Master Seven, please tell everyone that it's time to get in the cart after a short rest."

Li Banfeng beckoned everyone onto the 'Feast Cart'. Caoye remarked, "How many people can such a small cart hold?"

Youtao pinched Caoye's cheek. "Just get in when told. With Brother Baisha, you'll gain endless insights!"

The four great families, two major gangs, and Li Qi's various friends all boarded the 'Feast Cart'. Inside, there were delicacies from land and sea, plenty to eat and drink, and it wasn't crowded at all.

The Coachman pulled the cart, puffed out his chest, and started running across the vast plains. The efficiency was completely different.

Pan Dehai, panting heavily, ran behind the 'Feast Cart'. "Brother Li Qi, what do you think is Che Wushang's cultivation level?"

Li Banfeng wasn't sure either. If he had high cultivation, he wouldn't have been unwilling to fight Qin Bulou back then, and Qin Bulou's cultivation hadn't even reached the Cloud realm at that time.

But if you say his cultivation isn't high, just consider the technique of 'Wind from Flat Ground'. Old Pan, even wearing a travel artifact, couldn't keep up with him, and Li Banfeng, with his sixth-level Cloud cultivation, found it strenuous to follow.

"Old Pan, if you can't keep up, just get in the cart. Your face is turning green."

Li Banfeng wasn't mocking Pan Dehai; Old Pan's face truly was green.

"No, it's not that. I was worried something might happen to you, and I wanted to take care of everyone on the road. So I said, different professions are like different mountains. Master Che, I can't run anymore; please slow down. I'll get in the cart."

The 'Feast Cart' couldn't stop easily, as it would be difficult to get it moving again. The Coachman slowed down, and Pan Dehai climbed into the cart. Outside, only Li Banfeng and Che Wushang remained. They reached Huangtu Town in less than an hour.

Upon reaching the town, Li Banfeng found Yao Xin.

Yao Xin had received news from the Peddler that a war was coming. Hearing that Li Banfeng had brought many people, he was overjoyed and quickly arranged accommodation for everyone.

Pan Dehai asked, "Old Yao, how's the troop training coming along? Bring them out; let me have a look!"

Yao Xin snorted. "Who do you think you are, showing you anything? Do you understand military strategy?"

Pan Dehai scoffed. "Back in my day, I was skilled in both literary and martial arts. The Saint himself said so."

Yao Xin sneered. "When the Saint found you useful, he called you the greatest talent since creation. The day he didn't need you, you weren't even fit to be a foot rag. Rest tonight, and tomorrow morning, you can watch my troops train."

Pan Dehai asked, "Have you sent out scouts for reconnaissance? Do you know where the Earthfang Nation will attack from?"

Yao Xin grew annoyed. "You old geezer, is it your place to dictate how to fight this war?"

Pan Dehai replied, "How dare I dictate? I'm just warning you, I think the people from the Earthfang Nation have already arrived."

Yao Xin waved his hand dismissively. "What could you possibly sense? You're a virtue cultivator; how would you gather intelligence? By fortune-telling?"

Pan Dehai nodded. "I did a divination for you, and a major event is imminent. If you don't believe me, go ask Che Wushang if my predictions are accurate."

At the mention of Che Wushang, Old Yao became nervous.

The Coachman was squatting by the door, smoking. Old Yao poured a bowl of wine and brought it to him. "Brother, did you really see people from the Earthfang Nation?"

"No," the Coachman replied, shaking his head after drinking the wine. "But the scent feels off."

If Che Wushang said the scent was off, then it truly was.

Yao Xin poured another bowl of wine for the Coachman. "How about you rest tonight and go out tomorrow to assess the situation?"

Che Wushang drank another bowl, wiped his mouth, and said, "I won't rest tonight. I'll go out of the city right away to check the situation."

Pan Dehai quickly said, "Brother Che, you must come back if you go out, even if you're scared out of your wits, at least send us a message."

Che Wushang frowned. "What kind of talk is that? Am I going to abandon you all?"

Li Banfeng called Yao Xin aside and spoke to him privately. "Old Yao, tomorrow you'll train your troops in the city; I won't watch. I'll go out with the Coachman to gather intelligence on the enemy. There's also an expert who will observe your training tomorrow. If there's anything important, you can discuss it directly with her."

"An expert?" Yao Xin was startled, then his eyes widened. "Are you talking about our Marshal?"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly.

Yao Xin felt much more at ease. "With the Marshal here, I feel more confident."

Li Banfeng and the Coachman left the city, following the path of avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune, heading specifically towards dangerous areas.

On the way, Li Banfeng asked the Coachman, "Why did you decide to come to the Suihuang Wilds instead of White Falcon Prefecture?"

The Coachman said, "I really wanted to go to White Falcon Prefecture, but Pan Dehai told me that Xu Han and his disciples had it well-covered, and there was no danger that needed my help."

"Actually, I thought Three-Headed Fork was quite dangerous, not the old kind of danger, but a special kind, even more dangerous than the Suihuang Wilds. But Old Pan said it was more suitable for me to come to the Suihuang Wilds, so I came here first."

Li Banfeng sighed. "This will be a tough battle. No place is safe."

Upon arriving at White Falcon Prefecture, Xu Han instructed Zhang Wanlong to prepare another batch of seeds.

Zhang Wanlong had been researching dandelions for some time. When Xu Han asked him to switch seeds, he worried there wouldn't be enough time to prepare.

Xu Han wasn't just having a sudden whim. "Qiao Yi is too cunning. We made him suffer a great loss with dandelions before. After all this time, he's surely prepared a countermeasure."

"Dandelions aren't unusable, but we must also have a backup plan. Go find your senior brother and ask him to help you cultivate some new types of seeds."

Zhang Wanlong went to find Tan Jinxiao, but Tan Jinxiao was nowhere to be found. He only learned from Qiu Zhiheng that Tan Jinxiao had handed over jurisdiction of the Sea Market two days ago, stating he had other important matters to attend to, and had already left Three-Headed Fork.

Zhang Wanlong grew anxious. "Is he seeing a war coming and fleeing?"

Xu Han trusted Tan Jinxiao. "He's not someone who fears death. He should have gone to the Suihuang Wilds."

Zhang Wanlong didn't know why. "What would he do in the Suihuang Wilds?"

Xu Han sighed. "He is an Ironbone Seed."

Old Xu was right; Tan Jinxiao, along with over a dozen people, was indeed on his way to the Suihuang Wilds.

These dozen-plus people were all comrades from years past, and among them was Chen Yongnian, the restaurant owner.

He carried a large wooden box filled with various seasonings and cooking utensils. When it was mealtime, it was good to have a place to eat, but if not, his comrades would gather some ingredients on the spot, and Chen Yongnian could still cook a meal.

Tan Jinxiao held his bowl, eating as he asked, "Brother, what did you tell your wife when you left?"

"What else could I say?" Chen Yongnian smiled simply. "I just told her I was going to war, made sure she had enough coal, and left some money with the neighbors to help look after the business. If I come back, life continues; if I don't, she can still get by."

Tan Jinxiao said, "You told her so directly? And your wife agreed?"

Chen Yongnian sighed. "She just cried. What else could she do but agree?"

Tan Jinxiao said, "If you ask me, you shouldn't have come. I'm just an old rascal, with a worthless life. None of you married men should be here!"

Chen Yongnian glanced at Tan Jinxiao. "What kind of talk is that? What did we say back then? We came out of the Suihuang Wilds to make a living, but if anything happened, we'd all go back. I made an oath too!"

Tan Jinxiao sighed. "I only hope my master can hold White Falcon Prefecture. If something happens at Three-Headed Fork, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

At Sinners' City Station, Lin Fojiao delivered a batch of military equipment. Qiu Zhiheng and Liao Zihui personally came to the platform to welcome him.

After disembarking, Lin Fojiao bowed to each. "Chief Envoy Liao, Master Qiu, I apologize for the trouble."

Qiu Zhiheng quickly returned the bow. "Mr. Lin, your help in our time of need is deeply appreciated. How could we call it trouble?"

Liao Zihui said, "The Defense Office is not what it used to be, but if Mr. Lin would honor us, we could share a simple meal."

The status of the Defense Office indeed couldn't compare to its past, but Liao Zihui still represented a faction, so respect naturally had to be given.

Everyone had a meal and drinks at the Defense Office. Lin Fojiao then made a request: "I'd like to visit White Falcon Prefecture. Ling Baitao and I fought together back then; we have some history."

Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "That's easy to arrange. I'll prepare a boat tonight, and we can depart first thing tomorrow morning."

Liao Zihui was somewhat curious. "Mr. Lin, did you help out in White Falcon Prefecture back then?"

Lin Fojiao shook his head. "I originally came from White Falcon Prefecture."

"Aren't the people of White Falcon Prefecture unable to leave those five islands?"

"They can leave," Lin Fojiao sighed. "They are heroes; I am not."

Liao Zihui asked again, "If they leave those five islands, will they still turn into peach trees after death?"

Lin Fojiao shook his head. "They won't turn into peach trees; they can live like normal people."

Qiu Zhiheng reminded Lin Fojiao, "Mr. Lin, we don't know when the enemy will attack. Returning from White Falcon Prefecture might not be smooth."

Lin Fojiao sighed. "I'll think about it more carefully."

Qiu Zhiheng said, "There will be boats going to White Falcon Prefecture all day tomorrow. We can depart once you've made up your mind."

At dawn, Li Banfeng and the Coachman found a camp.

This was the third camp they had found. All three were abandoned, and the enemy had specifically covered their tracks when leaving, but some details didn't escape Che Wushang's eyes.

"Thousands of people eating, drinking, and relieving themselves – it's naturally not easy to clean up completely," Che Wushang said, finding some scattered millet. "Do you recognize this kind of millet?"

Li Banfeng didn't know much about grains; he couldn't tell the difference between this millet and what was sold in the grain stores.

"This kind of millet has a very high yield, but it doesn't grow in New Lands; it only grows in True Lands because it needs sunlight," the Coachman said, chewing on some millet. "This is also freshly harvested millet from this year; it tastes much better than old millet."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "New Lands have no sunlight, so this millet can't grow there. The Inner Prefecture also has no sunlight. Where did this millet come from?"

The Coachman clapped his hands. "It must have come from the Suihuang Wilds. Someone is supplying food to the Earthfang people."

The two walked around the camp. The Coachman, by observing the traces left by the fences, estimated the number of enemy troops. "The two previous camps we saw could accommodate over three thousand people. This camp we found today can hold over five thousand. More than one group of enemy forces has arrived."

Li Banfeng was silent for a long time. This was Yao Xin's flaw: he didn't pay attention to certain details in the territory. Back then, when the Harbinger of Doom set up the 'Gate of Woe Array' in Yaowang Gully, Old Yao didn't even notice.

But it couldn't be entirely blamed on Yao Xin. Feng Daiku was right; the Suihuang Wilds were simply too vast.

The Coachman found some cart tracks around the camp. Smelling the earth, he shivered.

"Following these tracks might lead us to the enemy."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Let's go look. If we can launch a surprise attack, that would be ideal."

At the mention of a surprise attack, the Coachman rubbed his chin. "If I say I regret it, is it still too late?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "It's too late. If you leave now, people will mock you for many years."

The Coachman snorted coldly. "Do you think I haven't been mocked for many years? Do you think I truly care about that?"

"If you don't care, then why did you come to fight?" Li Banfeng looked towards the distant Huangtu Town. "I wonder how Old Yao's troops are doing with their training."

Li Banfeng took out Yuan Miaoping from his portable residence. "Can you help me contact someone?"

"Who do you want to contact?" Yuan Miaoping chewed bubblegum, checking her battery level. "Don't be too far; I don't have much power."

"Not far." Li Banfeng hesitated. He wanted to contact Yao Xin, but remembering the phrase "attacking the mind is superior," he contacted Pan Dehai first.

Early in the morning, Pan Dehai asked Yao Xin for the roster of the Suihuang Iron Cavalry.

Yao Xin was surprised. "Do you really want to help me train troops?"

Pan Dehai shook his head. "I won't interfere with the training; you're the expert. I just want to walk around town."

Yao Xin frowned. "Then why do you need the roster? It contains many secrets; how can I just disclose them to you?"

Pan Dehai chuckled. "This is Old Seven's instruction. If you don't trust me, do you not trust him either?"

Old Pan was indeed brought by Li Qi. Although Pan Dehai's character wasn't the best, he was a childhood friend. After much hesitation, Yao Xin handed the roster to Old Pan.

After reviewing the roster, Old Pan pointed to the names of several camp officers. "These people come from wealthy families. Can they truly risk their lives in battle?"

Yao Xin chuckled. "Never mind their backgrounds. Just go to the training ground later, and you'll see their quality."

"Indeed, we should see their quality." Pan Dehai didn't go to the training ground; he actually went wandering around town.

Yao Xin arrived at the training ground and personally beat the war drum. In less than half an hour, the Suihuang Iron Cavalry had assembled.

"Yingying, look at their assembly time. Yao Xin has put in the effort."

"Their formation is also quite orderly. I wonder what it will be like in battle."

Every time troops were drilled, many common folk gathered to watch. Zhao Xiaowan, Hong Ying, and Jiu'er, dressed in coarse cloth and disguised as ordinary people by Zhongbai, were also among the crowd, observing.

Yao Xin looked in Zhao Xiaowan's direction; he recognized his Marshal.

Zhao Xiaowan nodded slightly towards Yao Xin. Yao Xin then led his troops and began the drill.

They drilled for the entire morning, practicing advances, retreats, attacks, and defenses. The Suihuang Iron Cavalry performed flawlessly.

After the crowd dispersed, Yao Xin approached Zhao Xiaowan and bowed deeply. "Please, Marshal, offer your guidance."

Zhao Xiaowan praised him, "General, your might is as great as ever. The Suihuang Iron Cavalry is strong in both men and horses; they will surely defeat the enemy and achieve victory."

With Zhao Xiaowan's words, Yao Xin felt reassured. Hong Ying, standing nearby, was about to speak but was stopped by Zhao Xiaowan.

In the afternoon, Yao Xin continued training his troops, while Zhao Xiaowan left the training ground.

Hong Ying commented, "Xiaowan, I think these Ironbone Seeds are a bit lacking."

Jiu'er thought there was no flaw. "I carefully observed their formations. General Yao's training is very meticulous; I can't find any faults."

Hong Ying shook her head. "When Ironbone Seeds fight, you can't just look at the formations. I think those few camp officers are no good."

Zhao Xiaowan nodded slightly. "There is indeed a slight deficiency, but where exactly does it lie?"

Hong Ying shook her head. "I can't explain it clearly, but it's different from the Ironbone Seeds of the past!"

Back at their residence, Zhao Xiaowan and the Five Mistress Girls carefully discussed strategy. "Time is short; it might be too late to replace the camp officers."

The Five Mistress Girls pondered for a long time. "I also went to the training ground just now. The camp officers must be replaced. These few clearly don't want to fight. If they go to the battlefield, all the Ironbone Seeds will be implicated by them."

Zhao Xiaowan also found it strange why these camp officers lacked fighting spirit.

Pan Dehai walked to the market and entered a rice shop.

Bai Muyu asked, "Is there anything special about this rice shop?"

Pan Dehai said, "I just inquired; this is the largest rice shop in Huangtu Town, and its owner is a virtuous person."

A Xia couldn't understand. "Just because a rice shop is big, does it necessarily mean its owner is virtuous?"

Pan Dehai smiled. "If he weren't virtuous, his business shouldn't have grown this large."

A shop assistant from the rice shop came forward to greet them. "Esteemed customer, what can I get for you?"

Pan Dehai said, "I'm here to buy grain, a large bulk purchase."

"A bulk purchase?" The assistant was startled. "How much do you need?"

Pan Dehai picked up a handful of millet. "Thirty to fifty thousand catties."

Hearing this, the assistant quickly invited Pan Dehai to the back room. "Esteemed customer, I can't decide on such a large deal. You'll need to discuss it directly with our manager."

Pan Dehai told A Xia and Bai Muyu to wait in the shop, instructing them to keep a close eye on the front door, while he went to the back room alone.

In the back room, Pan Dehai met the manager. After exchanging pleasantries, they both sat down.

The manager stared at Pan Dehai for a moment. "You look unfamiliar; you're not from around here, are you?"

Pan Dehai nodded. "You have good eyes, Manager. I just arrived in Huangtu Town yesterday. I heard that among the grain merchants here, your business is the largest, so I wanted to discuss a big deal with you."

The manager chuckled modestly. "You flatter me too much. Please tell me which type of grain you want and the quantity."

Pan Dehai placed the millet he was holding onto the table. "I want this kind of millet, thirty thousand catties."

"Thirty thousand?" The manager was startled. "What do you need so much millet for?"

Pan Dehai said, "To be honest, I heard there's going to be a war here, so I want to buy some grain to send to the military camp for the soldiers to eat."

The manager quickly cupped his hands in respect. "So you are a righteous person! If you want rice or flour, that quantity is easy to arrange. But if you specifically want this type of millet, I don't have that much."

Pan Dehai shook his head. "I've set my sights on this millet. It's very filling and most suitable as military rations."

The manager chuckled. "It's not easy for soldiers to fight so bravely on the battlefield. I've also sent a lot of grain to the military camp, and I always send fine grains."

"So, you're also a righteous person?"

The manager sighed. "I dare not claim to be righteous. I am a local, and the Suihuang Wilds are my homeland. Now that bandits have come, I can't help with much else, but I can still provide this much grain!"

"Well said!" Pan Dehai stared at the manager for a long time, then nodded. "I heard your son is in the military camp, and he's even a camp officer?"

The manager was startled. "You know that?"

Pan Dehai nodded. "I'm acquainted with many people in the military camp, and they really want to eat this millet. Just sell it to me."

The manager sighed. "As I just said, it's not that I don't want to sell it; it's that I don't have that much millet. If you buy fine grains, fifty thousand catties is no problem."

Pan Dehai stroked the cane in his hand. "The Suihuang Wilds produce the most millet. You have no shortage of rice, yet you lack millet. This doesn't make sense, does it?"

The manager grew displeased. "Are you implying I'm deliberately refusing your business? My millet is sold out, I have no stock left. What's wrong with that?"

Pan Dehai adjusted his round-rimmed glasses and smiled. "Who did you sell it to?"

"That's none of your business, is it?" The manager stood up, preparing to tell the assistant to show him out.

Pan Dehai's fingertip twitched, and the back room door closed. No matter how loudly the manager shouted, no sound could be heard from outside.

The manager became a little scared. "Esteemed customer, what are you doing?"

Pan Dehai, leaning on his cane, approached the manager. "As a businessman, doing business with whoever pays more is usually understandable."

"But during wartime, some transactions simply cannot be made. That's basic morality. You can't forget your own lineage!"

The manager retreated to the door. "All my business is honest. My ledger is right on the counter; if you don't believe me, go check it."

Pan Dehai's smile vanished, and an imposing aura made the manager breathless. "Logically, a traitor like you should have been killed by me long ago. But with a great enemy before us, I don't want to cause unrest among the people."

"Who did you sell the millet to? And where was it sold? Tell me honestly now, and it's still not too late!"

Li Banfeng and the Coachman found two more camps, but they were both empty.

The Coachman observed the scale of the camps and deduced, "We've found five camps in total, all varying in size. If these are five different encampments, then when the fighting starts, the enemy will appear and disappear like ghosts, feigning attacks in one direction while striking in another. Old Yao's group won't last two battles."

This was what his wife meant by "attacking the mind is superior."

Only when the Coachman put down his Western-style cart did Li Banfeng truly realize that this man had once been a renowned general on the battlefield!

And a general with a very great reputation!

But the crucial point was that they could only find abandoned enemy camps, yet couldn't locate where the enemy truly was.

Yuan Miaoping swayed her antenna, sending a message to Li Banfeng. "Old Pan has a response. Just yesterday, someone transported provisions to the enemy two hundred li north of Huangtu Town, at a place called Iron Cage Lake."

Che Wushang's judgment was correct; there truly was someone in Huangtu Town aiding the enemy!

Li Banfeng praised him, "Brother Che, I truly wasn't mistaken about you!"

The Coachman took a deep breath. "Shall we go?"

"Yes! Haven't we been searching all this way just to find the enemy's camp?" Li Banfeng unfolded the map and found Iron Cage Lake. Just as the two were about to leave, the gold bar in Li Banfeng's pocket vibrated.

A Yu sent a message. "Old Seven, the Celestial Maiden can't hold on any longer; the boundary of Wuyouping is about to disappear."

Li Banfeng put away the gold bar and said to Yuan Miaoping, "Can you send a message to the Peddler?"

"Qunying Mountain?" Yuan Miaoping checked the signal. "That's a bit difficult. You'll have to wait for me a bit longer."

"Let's talk as we go."

Li Banfeng carried Yuan Miaoping and walked all the way towards Iron Cage Lake.

Twenty li from the camp, the Coachman stopped Li Banfeng. "We're almost there. Are we fighting or just observing? Give me a definite answer."

Li Banfeng put down Yuan Miaoping. "Fight! We're at their doorstep; not fighting would be impolite!"

The Coachman's body trembled continuously. Yuan Miaoping also shivered. "I've contacted the Peddler! Let me go home!"

Li Banfeng told the Peddler about the boundary. The Peddler remained calm. "If it's gone, it's gone. It's already impressive it held out this long. I'll tell Old Train to prepare for war in a moment."

Lin Fojiao walked to the pier. After much deliberation, he decided to visit White Falcon Prefecture. "If I truly encounter the Bandit Extermination Camp, I'll stay and fight this battle. Perhaps it's destined!"

Qiu Zhiheng was also about to go to White Falcon Prefecture, and the boat was ready to depart. Suddenly, a warship, smoking and aflame, returned to the pier.

This was one of the six warships Qiu Zhiheng had sent to support White Falcon Prefecture. Judging by the condition of this ship, it had been attacked midway.

Qiu Zhiheng leaped onto the warship and asked the captain what had happened.

The captain, severely wounded, said, "Master Qiu, Inner Prefecture attacked from the Land-Changing Island and is heading straight for the Underground City!"

Qiu Zhiheng was dumbfounded.