The goods were loaded, comprising ten large carts.
They were drawn by donkey-headed maggots unique to the New Land.
Donkey-headed maggots, each three meters long, hunched on the ground at about one and a half meters tall. At the Coachman’s call, they would bray and rapidly wriggle forward, pulling the cargo.
Ma Wu rode at the head of the procession on his horse, Yanzi, with Ah Qin at his side.
Li Banfeng sat in a cart at the rear, followed by Xianxian and Qiaocui.
When the caravan set off, Zuo Wugang watched from the land parcel, feeling rather uneasy.
Escorting a caravan in the underworld jargon is called "pulling the banner," and it’s considered one of the duties of Support.
Given the troubles in the New Land, it would have been normal for the Chief Custodian to take charge personally, yet for some reason, Ma Wu didn’t use Zuo Wugang this time.
Once back in the wooden hut, Zuo Wugang fell asleep immediately. Cao Zhida and Zhen Jincheng had nothing else to do, so they had the Cook stir-fry a couple of dishes and settled in to drink sullenly together.
"Old Cao, we are just outsiders after all. No matter how much we struggle and strain for Master Wu, he’ll never fully trust us."
"To talk of someone who’s kind to us, it’d have to be Seventh Master. It was he who recruited us in the beginning, and I’ll never forget that favor."
"But Seventh Master and Master Wu are real brothers; we are outsiders after all. If Master Wu truly turns his face against us one day, Seventh Master couldn’t side with us either."
The two of them sighed deeply, drinking for over two hours until they were completely drunk, and then they both went to sleep.
They slept through most of the day until one of their men burst into the room, shouting, "Brother Cao, Brother Zhen, some people have entered our territory and set fire to our warehouse!"
Zhen Jincheng and Cao Zhida woke up and rushed to check on the warehouse. But before they could reach the spot, a man with a smile on his face approached them.
"Are you two going to save the warehouse? Don’t bother. That’s Ma Wu’s cargo, not yours. It wouldn’t be worth losing your lives over it."
Zhen Jincheng glared up at him and said, "Who the hell are you?"
Cao Zhida gritted his teeth and said, "Do we even need to ask? It must be this Bird Person who started the fire!"
The two pulled out their Weapons, ready to make a move, but the man pressed his palm down, saying, "Gentlemen, I am only looking out for you. Ma Wu treats you as outsiders; he’s not worth your risking your lives for. Isn’t that true?"
"What kind of bullshit reason is that..." Cao Zhida started to respond but then
Zhen Jincheng’s cultivation level was a bit higher than Cao Zhida’s. He rubbed his forehead, looking at the man. "You are Virtue..."
"Bitter medicine is good for sickness; frank words are good for action. I may not be speaking pleasantly, but I truly have your best interests at heart.
"Fellows, whatever we do, we must put ourselves in others’ shoes.
"If Ma Wu treated you like real brothers, diving into boiling water and walking through fire for each other wouldn’t be an issue. But do you really not know how Ma Wu treats you?"
Zhen Jincheng shook his head, still resisting. "This is our duty..."
"Duty? Isn’t it just about earning a living? As long as we’re alive, we have food to eat, wine to drink, and girls to enjoy. That’s the real duty.
"If you lose your life, what else can you do? Once you’re dead and gone, this life is over, so why bother talking about duty?"
Cao Zhida and Zhen Jincheng had been in Support their whole lives.
They indeed had complaints in the past, but they had never done anything that went against their duty.
But today, the situation was different. They returned to their rooms to pack up and observe the situation before deciding their next move.
If nothing serious happened, they would go out and shout a little, to show they had made an effort.
If a big incident occurred, they would immediately flee to ensure they were not implicated.
How could two well-known figures in Support make such a move?
Because they encountered a Fifth Layer Virtue Cultivator who lowered their moral standards!
Virtue Cultivators of the First to Third Layer excel at crushing others from a moral high ground; this Technique is called ’Ethical Act.’ It sets a moral standard for the opponent, leading them into self-restraint.
Virtue Cultivators of the Fourth to Sixth Layer possess another method: they can lower the moral standards of others. This Technique is called ’At Odds With Virtue.’
Those affected by this Technique forget all moral restraints and act solely in their own self-interest.
This Virtue Cultivator shouted all the way, convincing Ma Wu’s men who came out to resist to go back. If he encountered Hunters, he had another set of arguments to persuade them:
"’Rob! Hurry and rob! Ma Wu isn’t around. Someone’s breaking in from outside. His turf is doomed. Soon there will be fires, and everything will burn down.
"’If you don’t rob now, when will you? You think you’ll still do business with Ma Wu in the future?
"’Ma Wu is done for; he won’t last that long. Hurry up and grab what you can; you keep what you loot. Whoever’s slow will lose out.’"
The Hunters’ moral standards were also pulled to the lowest, and they began to rob—goods, money, and even their peers, causing complete chaos in the territory.
While walking, the Fifth Layer Virtue Cultivator encountered Xiao Chuanzi.
Xiao Chuanzi had a Steam Engine strapped to his back, the boiler flames blazing, and the chimney puffing smoke. Chuanzi was holding a steam pipe in his hand, ready to fight desperately!
The Virtue Cultivator advised, "Young man, don’t be rash; don’t get hot-headed. Listen to my advice.
"’You’re just a worker. The Boss pays you, and you work. You owe the Boss no favors or loyalty; there’s no reason for you to risk your life for him.’"
Xiao Chuanzi shouted, "Master Wu has been good to me!"
The Virtue Cultivator laughed loudly. "My boy, you can say that because you’re young. You work hard for your pay, for food. What favors do you owe him?"
"Master Wu is different to me!"
"Different how? It’s all nonsense, HA HA HA..."
SMACK!
A sticky substance entered the mouth of the Virtue Cultivator.
His laughter was loud, his mouth wide open. He planned to mock Xiao Chuanzi to completely break his moral foundation.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Genzi delivered him a spoonful to taste, directly shattering his culinary standards.
After spitting out more than a dozen mouthfuls, the Virtue Cultivator turned to look at Xiao Genzi, who suddenly appeared on the rooftop, and shouted angrily, "You little bastard, have you had enough of living?"
Standing with a spoon, Xiao Genzi replied solemnly, "What’s with your language? I gave you a mouthful to eat, and you’re cursing at me?"
Zuo Wugang, standing beside Xiao Genzi and looking down at the Virtue Cultivator, laughed. "If that doesn’t show his lack of virtue."
The Virtue Cultivator looked up and said, "Oh, if it isn’t Protector Zuo. The landlord doesn’t think much of you; he doesn’t even use you for ’pulling the banner.’ And you’re still shamelessly risking your life here?"
Zuo Wugang looked at Xiao Genzi and said, "This guy’s name is Wang Qi. He used to be a Middleman on Iron Sheep Mountain. He’s not just immoral; his mouth is foul too.
"’Root, give him another spoonful later, to clear that taste out of his mouth.’"
Root was about to really scoop another mouthful when a figure rushed at him from behind.
Zuo Wugang lifted his foot and kicked the man on the body. The man crossed his arms over his chest, rolled over, and stood up next to Wang Qi.
Zuo Wugang laughed. "This one’s called Yu Dacheng, from the same mountain stronghold as Wang Qi, a Body Cultivator. Look at him hopping up and down; he’s just like a toad."
A Fifth Layer Body Cultivator and a Fifth Layer Virtue Cultivator stood before Zuo Wugang. He showed no fear and declared, "Aren’t you the Three Heroes? Where’s the Mouth Cultivator Du Shuping? Have him come too. I’ll take care of all of you at once, save me the trouble!"
Wang Qi, the Fifth Layer Virtue Cultivator, said, "Using numbers to bully the few would be dishonorable for us to claim victory. I am a man who upholds martial ethics..."
Zuo Wugang laughed. "Root, feed him another mouthful later. I’ll tell you, Old Wang, if Du Shuping doesn’t show up, I’ll take action directly!"
As soon as his words landed, Zuo Wugang had already approached Wang Qi.
Wang Qi was a Virtue Cultivator who was one level behind in cultivation level, clearly no match for Zuo Wugang. Body Cultivator Yu Dacheng leaped up, aiming to ram his head into Zuo Wugang’s chest.
Zuo Wugang said, "So many years have passed, and that’s all you’ve got, your Toad Kung Fu!" He then kicked Yu Dacheng in the head, sending him reeling back.
He advanced to deliver another kick, and Yu Dacheng’s back sprouted a layer of tough, sharp, poisonous bumps, looking just like a toad’s, and he collided with Zuo Wugang again.
These bumps were very hard, razor-sharp, and poisonous.
Zuo Wugang still didn’t dodge, continuing to kick.
In the hands of a Martial Cultivator, everything is a Weapon.
The pair of shoes he was wearing was a Weapon, a robust and unbeatable Weapon.
He was confident he could kick Yu Dacheng to death, giving him no chance to fight back. Such was the formidable nature of a Martial Cultivator.
After several kicks to Yu Dacheng, suddenly someone shouted, "So much effort for naught!"
Zuo Wugang smiled. "Du Shuping, you’re here, but that move won’t work on me."
RIP!
Zuo Wugang hadn’t finished speaking when his leather shoes suddenly fell apart, scattering all over the ground.
Du Shuping’s move had worked. ’So much effort for naught,’ indeed, Zuo Wugang’s shoes were truly wrecked.
The toad’s bumps pierced his feet, poisoning Zuo Wugang.
Zuo Wugang tiptoed back two steps and looked at the newly arrived Du Shuping in shock. "You’ve reached the Sixth Layer?"
Du Shuping laughed. "Old Zuo, didn’t expect that, did you? We brothers have suffered enough losses at your hands; it’s time we settled the score."
Zuo Wugang, grinding his teeth, nodded. "Enough with the talk. All three of you come at me."
"Since Master Zuo has spoken, let’s fulfill his wish!" Du Shuping called out to his brothers, "Come on, let’s send Master Zuo off."
Du Shuping, a Sixth Layer Literature Cultivator, was on par with Zuo Wugang in strength.
The other two, one a Fifth Layer Virtue Cultivator and one a Fifth Layer Body Cultivator, could quickly take Zuo Wugang’s life with their combined assault.
Forget experience or tactics; they were all seasoned figures in Jianghu, and none lacked tricks up their sleeves.
Zuo Wugang knew he was going to meet his end here but showed no fear.
He was indeed lacking in decision-making but never hesitated when it came to life-and-death struggles!
Zuo Wugang had been a Chief Custodian his whole life, having failed and lost face before, but he never lost his integrity.
He tore off a strip of cloth, tied up his calf tightly, straightened his back, and challenged the three men, "Come on, all of you!"
As the three men were about to advance, a voice suddenly called from the rooftop, "Old Zuo, well done, I didn’t misjudge you!"
On hearing the voice, Zuo Wugang looked up and asked, "Seventh Master?"
Li Banfeng had indeed come back, or more precisely, he had never left.
To everyone, Li Banfeng was just a man wearing a top hat and a Big Beard, with the brim pulled so low that almost no one could see his face.
That was convenient since Li Banfeng was not particularly skilled at making faces.
He had created a decoy to take his place with the cargo.
No one, except Ma Wu, was aware of this, and even what he told Ma Wu wasn’t explicit.
On the chessboard, Li Banfeng moved his knight, signaling to Ma Wu to go ahead.
He did not move his rook, indicating that he would stay home and guard.
A knight moves while the rook stays; this was a tactic!
The reason he couldn’t be open about it was because Li Banfeng did not know where the traitor was, and he feared he might leak information.
He didn’t even dare stay in the house, afraid of the traitor discovering him, and spent most of his time inside his Portable Residence, only coming out every half hour to check on the situation.
Now, as he emerged, he ran into the three bandits from Iron Sheep Mountain.
Li Banfeng looked at the three men and said, "I am a person who upholds martial ethics. I did not ambush you,
"but seeing you’ve been fighting for so long and must be worn out, if I were to strike now, it would be somewhat unfair. To be fair, I’ll cut myself first!"
Du Shuping was stunned.
He glanced at Wang Qi, the Virtue Cultivator, and asked, "Did you use some Technique on him?"
Wang Qi shook his head. "I didn’t use any Technique; I didn’t even notice him just now..."
Li Banfeng took out a knife, slashed open his palm, and let the blood flow onto the ground.
"Watch closely, gentlemen, I’m injured too!"
Du Shuping, the Sixth Layer Literature Cultivator, was the first to react. "He’s the landlord, run!"
They took off running and didn’t stop until they reached the edge of the property.
A curtain of water fell, and the property had been sealed off.
When the landlord spills blood, the invaders face the wrath of the Local Deity.
Body Cultivator Yu Dacheng, gritting his teeth, charged out, and the moment he hit the water curtain, he was instantly turned into a mass of flesh and blood.
The water curtain was tinged red, and both Du Shuping and Wang Qi were petrified.
Shui Yongquan whispered to Li Banfeng, "Do you want them dead or alive?"
Li Banfeng responded, "Alive. I need to find out who sent them."
"Alright, if those Pioneers sent them, let me know. I need to discuss this with Qiu Daxiang."
No sooner had he spoken than thousands of droplets exploded from the water curtain, piercing through Du Shuping and Wang Qi’s bodies, leaving them riddled like sieves.
PS: Our Ban Feng upholds martial ethics; he could also be a Virtue Cultivator.