CHAPTER 438: CHAPTER 308: WHO’S BEHIND THE SCENES?

His wife didn’t know what exactly Li Banfeng had told the estate.

Li Banfeng wanted to show his wife the oil Portable Residence had stolen, but in the blink of an eye, all the oil in the Third Room was gone.

Taken by the train?

Li Banfeng was now on the train. To be exact, the oil hadn’t been taken by the train; it had been moved by the Third Room.

Where to?

The locomotive?

And where was the locomotive?

Ever since he arrived at Medicine King Valley, joined the Taoist Sect, and the Peddler handed over the key to him, Portable Residence had always been with Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng had never delved deeply into Portable Residence’s origin, nor had he thought much about its peculiarities.

The Portable Residence moves with its owner—what an incredible thing that is!

But there were too many incredible things in Puluo State, and Li Banfeng had no time to ponder them further.

Now, it seemed, he truly had to think carefully.

...

The Lu Family’s private train was heading towards Black Stone Slope.

Sitting in such a luxurious carriage for the first time, Lu Chunying felt somewhat uneasy. She sat upright on the sofa, trying her best to maintain the demeanor of a young lady from the main branch of the family.

Tan Fucheng wandered back and forth in the carriage, finding everything new and fascinating. "I’m really riding on Miss Chunying’s coattails! In the past, with my status, how could I have ever qualified to enter this carriage?"

Ma Wu had been on the Lu Family’s private train before. The Ma Family also had one, so he didn’t find it strange. What he couldn’t understand, however, was Monkey Qiu’s demeanor.

Throughout the journey, Monkey Qiu didn’t chat, read newspapers, eat, or smoke; he just kept staring at the scenery outside the window.

What’s so interesting about this scenery?

Having worked with Lu Dongliang for half his life, Monkey Qiu should have seen enough of the scenery along this route.

The train had just left Greenwater Bay and reached the Huangshi Bridge territory when it suddenly stopped.

Ma Wu was startled. Other than passing other trains or taking on water, the private train had no need to stop midway.

Looking out the window again, This doesn’t look like a station.

Monkey Qiu said to everyone, "Let’s get off and buy some food. The meat pies at Huangshi Bridge are famously delicious."

The meat pies at Huangshi Bridge were indeed delicious, and sure enough, vendors were outside hawking them.

All four disembarked. Ma Wu looked around and realized this was a railway depot.

A railway depot actually has food for sale?

Do we really need so many people to get off just to buy meat pies? Couldn’t they just send a servant?

Ma Wu didn’t ask further. He knew Monkey Qiu had other arrangements.

Monkey Qiu bought five pounds of meat pies and whispered a few words to the vendor.

After the vendor left, Monkey Qiu led the group across two railway tracks and onto another train.

Monkey Qiu chose to change trains midway to prevent any foul play.

This train was in much worse condition. It was a freight train, and one of the cars was empty, unventilated, and dark. The four of them huddled inside, eating meat pies with only a kettle of boiled water.

Once the train started moving, Tan Fucheng finally spoke up, "Head Qiu, who are you guarding against?"

Monkey Qiu smiled faintly. "Just taking precautions. It’s not about guarding against anyone in particular. Since it’s Miss Chunying’s first time conducting business, it’s better to be careful."

After speaking, Qiu Zhiheng glanced at Lu Chunying.

Lu Chunying nodded slightly. She not only approved of Monkey Qiu’s actions but could also guess his intentions.

Monkey Qiu’s move was certainly aimed at someone. Ma Wu suspected Monkey Qiu was guarding against Lu Maoxian, but he felt it didn’t make sense.

The Lu Family’s private train is heavily guarded; would Lu Maoxian even have a chance to make a move?

Besides Lu Maoxian, who else could it be?

"Junyang," Qiu Zhiheng said, looking at Ma Wu, "I heard about what happened in Blue Poplar Village. When you get a chance, tell Li Qi that the matter should be put on hold at Song Zhigang’s end for now. Don’t rush to investigate further."

...

Li Banfeng stretched and sat up in bed.

He had stayed inside Portable Residence for three whole days without leaving.

He had to be cautious about going out, because once he left, there was no telling when he could return.

Last night, he had dreamt of the Outside Provinces. In his dream, he had relived his high school days, including painful memories of scavenging for trash and sleeping under bridges.

For this, Li Banfeng had Hong Ying punish Meng De.

Compared to his wife, Hong Ying was gentler in this regard. She pulled Meng De out of the Month Plate, held him over her knee, and spanked his backside with the Peach.

Li Banfeng accepted Hong Ying’s transformation into a being with limbs very calmly. Hong Ying wasn’t a spear, his wife had said; she was a young lady and should look the part. Not only had the spear’s shaft changed, but its tip was also slightly different—elongated, widened, and rounder than before. At this rate, Hong Ying would probably grow a face soon.

Li Banfeng was unconcerned with Hong Ying’s changes; what really troubled him was the nightmare.

He had dreamt of the sea, and Portable Residence had taken him to Oil Lake.

Now that I’ve dreamt of the Outside Provinces, where will Portable Residence take me?

Li Banfeng still didn’t dare bring the key into the room. In the current situation, he had to adapt to Portable Residence’s changes.

He turned on the projector, displaying the footage taken in the warehouse before he had entered Portable Residence.

The footage was short, just over two minutes. Li Banfeng watched it ten times, over and over, thoroughly ingraining the warehouse scene in his mind before carefully opening the door to his room.

With one foot inside his room and one foot out, Li Banfeng gradually smelled the warehouse’s unique dusty air before stepping out of Portable Residence.

He was indeed still in the Xiaoyao Lodge warehouse. Li Banfeng retrieved the key, confirming his speculation.

Portable Residence’s movements were clearly linked to his consciousness. Previously, thinking of Black Stone Slope had taken him there.

And now, by thinking of the warehouse, he had emerged right into it.

As for why he had gone to Oil Lake last time, that was due to a misunderstanding. However, as long as he used this feature rationally, Li Banfeng could still accurately return to his point of entry.

After having a couple of drinks at Xiaoyao Lodge, Cao Zhida told Li Banfeng that Ma Wu had already followed Qiu Zhiheng to Black Stone Slope.

Leaving Xiaoyao Lodge, Li Banfeng went to Dongping Tea House, ordered a pot of tea, and drank for half an hour.

Before long, a waiter came over and whispered, "Guest Master, please come upstairs to talk."

Qin Tianjiu was already waiting in a private room on the second floor and quickly invited Li Banfeng to sit.

When he wasn’t busy, Qin Xiaopang spent most of his time at Dongping Tea House. Li Banfeng knew he could usually find him there by waiting a little, unless there were special circumstances.

Qin Tianjiu, whom he hadn’t seen for some days, had lost more weight. Li Banfeng took out a stack of banknotes and pressed them into his hand. "If you’re short on money, find me at Xiaoyao Lodge. If I’m not there, ask Ma Wu. Don’t skimp on food, alright?"

Qin Tianjiu blushed and said, "Brother Seven, I... I don’t lack money..."

"Cut the crap and take it. Any news about Lu Maoxian recently?"

"Actually, yes!" Qin Xiaopang nodded. "Lu Maoxian invited Qiu Zhiheng for dinner yesterday. It was about the Blue Poplar Village matter. Apparently, two Supports under him caused trouble in Blue Poplar Village. Lu Maoxian claimed it had nothing to do with him and that those two Supports had already been removed from his service. He even specifically asked our boss to be a witness. But it seems Monkey Qiu wasn’t in Greenwater City, so the dinner didn’t happen."

Lu Maoxian was the Lu Family patriarch. If he were indeed behind this, he wouldn’t need to defer to Monkey Qiu. It seemed he genuinely hadn’t known about it beforehand.

But who was the real instigator?

It certainly wasn’t the butler’s own idea.

Qin Xiaopang continued, "Brother Seven, there’s something else about the Lu Family. Did you know Lady Duan has acknowledged an adopted son?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I know. It’s Zhang Huaiyi, her nephew."

Qin Tianjiu continued, "Lately, Duan Shaoxia has been very active in burnishing her adopted son’s reputation; she even took him to a banquet with Lu Family members last night!"

This made sense. Duan Shaohong’s son was Duan Shaoxia’s nephew. Compared to Lu Chunying, Duan Shaoxia naturally favored Zhang Huaiyi. Taking this opportunity to build her nephew’s connections was a logical move.

Wait a second...

Duan Shaoxia.

Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead as a thought surfaced.

Could Duan Shaoxia be the one behind the attack on Blue Poplar Village?

Could she have bribed Lu Maoxian’s butler to falsely relay Lu Maoxian’s orders, inciting Song Zhigang to stir up trouble in Blue Poplar Village?

Her goal wasn’t to escalate the conflict between me and Lu Maoxian, but to heighten the tension between Monkey Qiu and Lu Maoxian.

Monkey Qiu strongly supports Lu Chunying. If Duan Shaoxia dragged Lu Chunying into this conflict, she could isolate her publicly and even have her killed privately, then blame Lu Maoxian.

Is that possible?

It is!

With this tactic, she could indeed eliminate Lu Chunying and pave the way for Zhang Huaiyi.

How did Monkey Qiu respond?

Monkey Qiu didn’t take the bait.

He went to Black Stone Slope.

He took Lu Chunying and got out of the way.

So Duan Shaoxia’s scheme was all for nothing.

But her plot is risky. If those two Supports are traced, it would lead to Lu Maoxian’s butler, and then to Duan Shaoxia.

Then again, what did Duan Shaoxia use to bribe Lu Maoxian’s butler? Could such a loyal servant be bought with money alone?

That’s something to consider later. First, I need to plan my next move.

"Little Fatty, how long have you had this blank Copper Seal? When can you get a proper one?"

Qin Tianjiu shook his head. "Brother Seven, I’ve only been in charge of a Copper Seal for a few months and haven’t made any major contributions. The Silver Seal says my qualifications are insufficient. Wanting a territory now is probably too difficult."

"Qualifications are built on ’capital’ first, then ’experience.’ Discuss it with your Silver Seal. It’s best to get a clear price. Just tell me the amount."

He couldn’t let the Three Heroes Gang connection weaken; it was too useful.

Back at Xiaoyao Lodge, Cao Zhida handed Li Qi an invitation. "Lady Duan sent this. She’s inviting you to a banquet at Yuelai Restaurant tomorrow."

Seeing the invitation, Li Banfeng was almost certain his suspicions were correct.

He naturally wouldn’t attend; it might be a one-way trip.

Li Banfeng instructed Cao Zhida to give a reply to the person who delivered the invitation: "We have urgent business and won’t be able to make it tomorrow."

Cao Zhida wrung his hands. "Seventh Master, Lady Duan is the Lu Family’s principal wife. An excuse of ’urgent business’ might not be enough to put her off."

"What do you mean, ’put her off’? We genuinely *do* have urgent business. We’re going to the New Land to develop it. Gather a few trustworthy brothers. We set off tonight."

He had to keep his promise; Miss Meng was still waiting!

With Zuo Wugang, Zhen Jincheng, and Huoling having gone with Ma Wu to Black Stone Slope, Xiaoyao Lodge didn’t have many capable fighters left.

After Cao Zhida tallied up their manpower for a while, he said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, we should definitely bring Xiao Genzi. He’s an expert at land clearing."

"Definitely bring him. And we’ll need to prepare some materials for Root too."

...

Root was cultivating in Blue Poplar Village. His ladle had broken. He had made a new one himself, but it wasn’t very comfortable to use.

Having gathered most of the Golden Juice in the village, Root went to the New Land. There, an old man tilling the fields waved at him.

"Young brother, are you a Gold Cultivator? I’m a bit short on Golden Juice here."

Farming in the New Land?

This must be a Farming Cultivator, and a high-level one at that!

Xiao Genzi, carrying his bucket, approached and offered the old man a scoopful.

The old man examined the Golden Juice and shook his head. "The quality is lacking."

"Lacking?" Xiao Genzi frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

The old man smiled. "What else could I mean? I’m saying it plainly: it’s lacking, that’s all!"