Within a vast pine forest, Li Banfeng sat on the back of a mystical creature, slowly navigating through the pines.
The creature, also known as a watermelon bug or a rice soup bug, was a common multi-legged bug found in damp areas.
This particular one was quite large, over two meters in length and more than a meter wide, capable of carrying people as well as luggage.
Not only was it big, but it also possessed a Spirit Attribute. It could talk and was a very honest old grandpa. It carried Li Banfeng through the Red Pine Forest for the price of fifty Huan Country Banknotes.
Li Banfeng was a forthright person and gave the creature one hundred instead.
"Young man, you don’t understand. We have our own village, with food, a place to stay, and even a market. There are plenty of places to spend money... COUGH COUGH COUGH..."
It was cold, and the wind was harsh, causing the old creature to cough uncontrollably.
It wasn’t that he was too lazy to walk. The old creature had said that if it carried Li Banfeng on this road, there would be no trouble. If Li Banfeng walked by himself, there would be a lot of problems.
The Wine Gourd confirmed the creature’s words. "This is an Ironclad Tumblebug. I saw one once when I was younger, in a different place. In the New Land, Ironclad Tumblebugs are a rare benign species. All sorts of creatures would show them some respect near their dwelling."
"Sister, aren’t you also young now?" Li Banfeng touched the Wine Gourd.
"Your tongue is sweeter than honey," the Wine Gourd sprayed out a mist of alcohol.
As Li Banfeng was chatting with the Wine Gourd, the old creature asked, "Young man, who were you just talking to?"
The creature couldn’t hear the Wine Gourd’s voice, so Li Banfeng casually explained, "I just like to talk to myself."
"I have a daughter with the same habit. The doctor in our village said she had hysteria, but she was cured after taking three doses of medicine. You should go see our doctor someday. It’s better to treat this illness early, as it can be cured."
"You have a doctor in your village?"
"Of course! Skilled in medicine and good-looking, a top-notch young lady!"
After traveling for a full eight hours, the creature passed through the Red Pine Forest without any trouble, just as it had said.
After alighting from the creature’s back, Li Banfeng gave it another fifty, making a total of one hundred and fifty.
The Old Man felt it was too much and tried to refuse several times, but Li Banfeng insisted on giving it.
The Old Man sighed and said, "Young man, you’re a good person. Just ahead is the Golden Shrimp Pool; are you here to catch shrimp?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "What’s so good about those shrimp?"
"Those shrimp are alive in the pool, but once caught, they turn dead and, after two hours, turn to gold.
Many people used to come to catch shrimp. But then Bloody Fang Mountain suddenly emerged, and since then, hardly anyone dares to come.
If you’re here to catch shrimp, don’t be greedy. You should let go of the little ones and catch no more than a dozen. Definitely don’t anger the Shrimp King. It’s over a hundred feet long. With one hook, it could drag a person into the pool and chew them up, bones and all."
Li Banfeng thanked the Old Man and walked away.
The old Ironclad Tumblebug continued to wait for business at the edge of the forest.
A centipede climbed onto the creature’s back, holding One Foreign Silver Dollar with its antennae, handing it to the creature.
The Old Man tested the quality of the Ocean Dollar with his own antennae. He said to the centipede, "Young fellow, I can’t make change for this much money."
The centipede laughed. "Just keep it. I’ve done business with you before, and it saves me giving you money every day."
The creature carried the centipede into the Red Pine Forest, chatting and laughing along the way.
Li Banfeng dusted off the snowflakes on his body and arrived at the cliff’s edge.
This cliff was densely covered with caves, even more packed together than the insect holes on Li Banfeng’s body.
According to the markings on the map, his destination was the sixth cave from the left in the seventh row from the bottom.
Climbing the cliff was difficult. Li Banfeng decided to rest for a day before entering the cave.
He took out a Gold Yuan Pill and ate it along with a Blue Leaf Pill, sitting quietly at the bottom of the cliff.
After more than ten minutes, Li Banfeng’s body went numb.
At Hai Chi Ridge, in First Ridge, households were wielding brooms, mops, and rags, cleaning their homes thoroughly.
Dusting and disposing of trash—these were secondary. The main target of the cleanup was mosquito corpses.
The whole First Ridge was littered with mosquito corpses; even if they were cleaned up in the evening, a new layer would accumulate by the morning.
Lu Dongjun once said that there was no need to bother with the mosquito corpses.
But the people of First Ridge were tireless in their efforts. Upon seeing the mosquito corpses, they would gather them and burn them. They felt this was the only way to ensure the mosquitoes were gone for good.
Moreover, the process was quite satisfying.
As for the other things Lu Dongjun said, they were certainly to be heeded.
When Lu Dongjun asked them to queue at the train station for rations, they all obediently went. They stood in the queue properly, and not a single one made a fuss.
Lu Dongjun had them make beautiful clothes for the New Year. Anyone with a little spare cash went to the Lu Family Cloth Store to buy fabric. They actually bought out the biggest cloth store in Hai Chi Ridge.
Lu Dongjun was preparing to open a factory. Some had prepared the Earth Skin, others had contacted equipment suppliers, and many were waiting to work in the factory.
Lu Dongjun wanted to do more business. He gathered all the businesses run by large and small Gangs that had been ruined in the insect disaster and bought them at low prices.
It was their way of presenting a sign of allegiance to Lu Dongjun.
The local Gangs all wanted to pledge their allegiance to Lu Dongjun.
Lu Dongjun was now the god of Hai Chi Ridge.
Because he had exterminated the mosquitoes at First Ridge!
Ever since he scattered rice laced with medicine at the Shiweitian Restaurant, the mosquitoes at First Ridge had gone extinct not long after!
Late at night, a drunken Lu Dongjun returned to his mansion, had a cup of tea, and said to Wan Jinxian, "Old Wan, when will we take action at Second Ridge?"
Wan Jinxian handed Lu Dongjun a list.
"Master, there’s no rush with that. We haven’t even started sorting through the business at First Ridge.
I have picked out these dozen or so shops for you; please take a look first."
Lu Dongjun pushed the list to one side. "Don’t bother me with these trivial matters. I’ve told the accountants, you’ll handle the business affairs.
As for Second Ridge, you better pay close attention. I’ve already discussed it with those from the Outside Provinces. Within five days, the mosquitoes at Second Ridge must be exterminated!"
Wan Jinxian nodded and said, "Rest assured, Master. But I heard that the He Family and the Ma Family have sent people to Hai Chi Ridge. I’m worried they’re here to pick peaches."
"Let them come," Lu Dongjun scoffed. "Let’s see if anyone in Hai Chi Ridge cares about them!"
"Many from the Three Heroes Gang and Qingyun Society have also arrived."
Lu Dongjun spat. "Let them come, all of them, dammit! I’m waiting for them one by one!"
"Boss Chu of the Chu Family has come. He’s not looking for trouble. He wants to discuss business with you. We’ve acquired quite a few businesses, and he wants a share of the profits too."
Lu Dongjun laughed. "Wants to get rich with us? Sure, I’ll bring him in. Boss Chu has always been sensible. It’s just his sister, too impulsive in her actions!"
"Hundred Flowers Gate and Jiang Xiang Gang also want to talk business with you..."
"Let’s talk, everyone can negotiate. As long as they’re sensible, there’s meat for them on my table.
"There’s one thing, though. I will sell them shares in the businesses I’ve bought at three times the price—shares only, and at least triple the price. If they don’t want to buy, then forget it!
"If they want to start new businesses in Hai Chi Ridge, that’s fine too. But they need to give me half the shares. If they don’t want to, I’ll smash their shop the day after it opens. Anyone who disagrees can damn well try me."
Wan Jinxian bowed his head and said, "Master, I’ll follow your orders."
Lu Dongjun shook his head. "Don’t come to me for everything. I’m too busy dealing with reporters every day. Old Wan, these matters are for you to handle!"
Outside the mansion, He Haisheng bought an evening paper from a newsboy.
The local newspaper of Hai Chi Ridge was entirely dominated by Lu Dongjun on the front page. He also featured heavily on the second and third pages.
He Haisheng glanced at the layout of the mansion, pulled up the collar of his woolen coat, and silently vanished into the night.
In the Lu Family Mansion, Monkey Qiu was also reading the newspaper; the news from Hai Chi Ridge had reached Greenwater Bay.
Lu Yuanshan, the eldest son of the Lu Family, said, "Uncle Qiu, should we make a trip to Hai Chi Ridge?"
Qiu Zhiheng shook his head. "We can’t go. It’s not the right time yet."
Lu Yuanhai said, "If we don’t go now, we could lose all our business in Hai Chi Ridge."
Qiu Zhiheng put down the newspaper. "The business is already lost. Those Shopkeepers in Hai Chi Ridge have turned over their accounts to Lu Dongjun."
Lu Yuanshan exchanged glances with Lu Yuanhai; it seemed that Qiu Zhiheng had quite a few informants in Hai Chi Ridge.
But Qiu Zhiheng was not worried about the situation. He said, "Not only has our family lost business, but the He Family, the Ma Family, and the Chu Family have all suffered great losses. Let’s sit back and see who loses patience first."
Lu Yuanshan brought up another issue. "The Head of the family from Three Heroes Gang has sent me another invitation. Should I go?"
Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "Go, but don’t agree to anything. Just talk with him slowly. We’ll wait for the situation in Hai Chi Ridge to resolve before making any decisions."
At the Yuezhou Sanatorium, He Jiaqing sat up in his sickbed.
A man’s voice whispered in his ear, "Lu Dongjun is very much in the limelight right now, having thoroughly taken over First Ridge. He’s been buying low and selling high, making a huge profit."
He Jiaqing’s expression remained calm as he asked, "What about Second Ridge?"
"Many families at Second Ridge have also paid their respects to Lu Dongjun."
"What’s the use of paying respects if they don’t hand over their family’s assets?"
"They haven’t handed over their assets."
He Jiaqing frowned. "If they’re not giving up their own assets and are just paying lip service by ’paying respects to the mountain stronghold,’ it’s all nonsense. These people, playing their little games every day, are the damn pests of Puluo State!
Can we still take Second Ridge?"
"It’s tough. Never mind Second Ridge, even First Ridge is barely holding on."
"If it can’t hold on, then don’t," He Jiaqing commanded. "Tell Old Wan to reel in the net."