By March, I managed to lure Xiao Xiufei from Chu Er’s grasp. Of the three top Singing Empresses, I now had two under my wing. They normally performed at two different dance halls, but sometimes they also appeared together on the same stage to sing.
"Brother Li, let me tell you, during that period, nearly half of the business in the dance halls of Greenwater Bay was mine. During the day, I’d even arrange for the two of them to record albums..."
Li Banfeng knew why Ma Wu could earn two-tenths of the Ma Family’s revenue from just two dance halls. The man truly knew how to make money; his business acumen was simply exceptional.
He also understood why Miss Chu Er wouldn’t let him off the hook.
"Brother Ma, you’re so good at business. Don’t you know that cutting off someone’s livelihood is akin to killing their parents?"
Ma Wu was stunned for a moment and then fell silent.
Initially, as the Fifth Young Master of the Ma Family, he simply thought that in business, everyone relied on their own abilities.
But now that he had fallen on hard times, he realized that in front of Chu Er, he was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will.
The Chu Family was also one of the Four Great Families.
Li Banfeng, however, was quite optimistic. "She definitely won’t kill you. The Chu Family wouldn’t allow her to do that either; otherwise, the ones she sent wouldn’t be this sort of riffraff. As for whether she’ll continue to hassle you, I reckon she won’t stop. But if it’s still this kind of riffraff, they shouldn’t be too hard to deal with."
After pondering for a moment, Ma Wu said, "You’ve offended the Lu Family, and I’ve offended the Chu Family. It’s not easy for us to just scrape by here in Blue Poplar Village."
Li Banfeng was displeased. "What do you mean, ’scrape by’? We’re here to achieve great things!"
...
「Yuedong Province, Yue State City, Eastern Suburban Villa District.」
Xiao Zhenggong sat in the spacious living room, looking at the bloodstained scissors Cui Tiq handed him.
"Head Xiao, do you recognize these scissors?"
Xiao Zhenggong shook his head slightly.
Cui Tiq said, "I think you should know more about your Gang. These scissors belonged to one of your subordinates. Her name is Zhou Yujuan."
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhenggong said, "That name... sounds somewhat familiar."
Cui Tiq said, "She is the owner of the Xianle Dance Hall in Medicine King Valley. The dance hall is an asset of the Jiang Xiang Gang. She disappeared, and along with her, Du Hongxi, the Xunfeng of the Medicine King Hall’s Second Helmsman."
Xiao Zhenggong remembered something. Luo Zhengnan, the Hall Master of Medicine King Hall, had once reported to him that the Xianle Dance Hall had been bombed. "Where were these scissors found?"
"They were found at Li Banfeng’s place."
"Li Banfeng? He stole Zhou Yujuan’s scissors?" Xiao Zhenggong found it unbelievable. "Are you suggesting that the White Lamb bombed the Xianle Dance Hall?"
Cui Tiq shook his head. "Head Xiao, you don’t seem to know much about your opponents either. Li Banfeng is not the White Lamb you’re referring to. He is a Dark Energy User, preliminarily judged to be a Traveling Cultivator. His level might not be high, but he possesses many powerful weapons—what are commonly known in Puluo State as Spiritual Objects and Magical Treasures. Besides these powerful weapons, he also has very clear tactical thinking and an unpredictable fighting style that ordinary people find hard to grasp. He is not an ordinary opponent."
Xiao Zhenggong waved his hand. "You don’t need to tell me all this. Just tell me, how much money will it take to find him?"
After thinking for a moment, Cui Tiq shook his head. "Head Xiao, this is no longer just a matter of money. You still haven’t realized the seriousness of the situation. The Lu Family, the most powerful clan in Puluo State, has already turned its attention to Li Banfeng. I’ve clashed with the private detective they sent. This person, who calls himself Da Boyins, is one of the best detectives in all of Puluo State."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhenggong laughed. "I’ve known about this for some time. This private detective was sent by Zhuo Yuling. She’s not Lu Dongliang’s primary wife, and her actions don’t represent the Lu Family."
"Head Xiao, that was in the past. Perhaps you’re still unaware that Lu Xiaolan has already returned to the Lu Family Mansion. She has informed her father about Li Banfeng. The Lu Family has already deployed significant manpower to search for Li Banfeng in Medicine King Valley. I believe Lu Dongliang won’t doubt his daughter. The resources they’re committing will only increase. If I continue to be involved, I will be taking a very significant risk."
Xiao Zhenggong’s brow furrowed. He lit a cigar and said to Cui Tiq, "You need to find Li Banfeng before the Lu Family does. Whatever conditions you want, we can discuss them."
Cui Tiq sighed. "Head Xiao, you don’t understand my meaning. I can’t go up against the Lu Family."
"The Jiang Xiang Gang can help you."
"The Jiang Xiang Gang is no match for the Lu Family either."
Xiao Zhenggong took a puff of his cigar and smiled faintly. "If the Lu Family were to go all out, no one in Puluo State would be their match. But they can’t go all out; the He Family still restrains them. My intention in having you cure He Haiqin was precisely for this purpose."
Upon hearing this, Cui Tiq nodded slightly.
On many occasions, Cui Tiq had looked down on Xiao Zhenggong.
But he had to admit that regarding the matter of saving He Haiqin, Xiao Zhenggong had indeed done a spectacular job.
Xiao Zhenggong, holding his cigar and tilting his head, looked at Cui Tiq. "Hurry up and state your conditions while I’m still willing to listen."
After much consideration, Cui Tiq stated the price he desired most.
"I want to open a hospital."
"You? Open a hospital?" Xiao Zhenggong thought.
He knew what kind of Taoist Sect Cui Tiq belonged to, and he was aware of the unspeakable Techniques within Cui Tiq’s sect.
Seeing the astonished expression on Xiao Zhenggong’s face, Cui Tiq smiled faintly. "Head Xiao, do you think I can’t open a hospital?"
"You can, of course you can. It’s just a matter of money, isn’t it?" Xiao Zhenggong struggled to control his expression.
"It’s not just about money. In Puluo State, all businesses must have a Gang’s backing, and hospitals are no exception. Head Xiao, you should understand my predicament."
Xiao Zhenggong pursed his lips.
After much hesitation, Xiao Zhenggong agreed. "I’ll contact the Hall Master of Medicine King Hall."
Cui Tiq shook his head. "I don’t want to open a hospital in Medicine King Valley. I want to open it in the city—in Greenwater Bay."
Xiao Zhenggong’s cheek twitched. "This is... difficult. After all, you’re not yet part of the Jiang Xiang Gang. Opening a hospital in a place like Greenwater Bay... I’m afraid I can’t guarantee your protection."
"I am a member of the Jiang Xiang Gang." Cui Tiq pulled open his shirt, revealing a tattoo on his chest. It was boldly inscribed with five large characters:
I Love Jiang Xiang Gang.
Stunned for a long moment, Xiao Zhenggong said, "Before, wasn’t it ’I Love Puluo State’?"
Cui Tiq smiled. "I feel my bond with the Jiang Xiang Gang is deeper."
Xiao Zhenggong pursed his lips. "You... that tattoo of yours... it can’t just be changed randomly."
Cui Tiq’s expression turned earnest. "I can change it whenever I like. I could even change it to ’I Love Head Xiao’."
Xiao Zhenggong, cigar in hand, turned pale. "That won’t do! You’d better not change it. Don’t let others see that tattoo of yours normally. You don’t understand the customs here in Puluo State. If a tattoo like that is exposed, it’s considered indecent."
PS: Shala also decided to get a tattoo: "I Love My Readers."