While pondering, Li Banfeng entered Blue Poplar Village and found it exceptionally quiet today.
An old lady was weaving shoe soles at her doorway. Li Banfeng approached and greeted, "Granny, where have all the villagers gone?"
The old lady showed a kindly smile and said to Li Banfeng, "Child, have a seat. First, have a bowl of water."
Li Banfeng was indeed a bit thirsty. He took the bowl of water and then heard the old lady ask, "Are you from out of town?"
Li Banfeng nodded.
The old lady chuckled. "It’s been a tough journey. Asking for directions costs five yuan, inquiring about matters—ten yuan, and this bowl of water—twenty-five yuan."
Li Banfeng didn’t believe in getting something for nothing, but this price was outrageous.
He lowered his hat brim and smiled slightly at the old lady.
The old lady felt a chill. Having lived to such an age in Blue Poplar Village, she had some discernment. She quickly apologized, "I’m just kidding with you! We don’t need money for such a small matter. Song Zhigang has returned and says he wants to take back the village. Old Root and his men have clashed with them at Mengchun Garden, and the whole village has gone to watch the excitement."
Li Banfeng gave the old woman ten yuan and walked away with a chuckle.
Outside Mengchun Garden, Song Zhigang, the eldest of the Song Family, accompanied by two Martial Cultivators, was in a standoff with Xiao Genzi at the entrance.
In Song Zhigang’s mind, Xiao Genzi was just a worker who laid roads at the village entrance; he didn’t expect him to have the courage to fight in his presence today.
"You little bastard! You dare to make a move when you see me?" Song Zhigang spat. "Move aside now! This is Song Family territory. Whoever obstructs me today shall die!"
Xiao Genzi had wounds on his face; even his spoon had been broken.
But he was holding a bucket and did not back down. "I’m standing right here! Let’s see who dares to come up!"
Song Zhigang covered his nose and sneered, "Trying to be disgusting, huh? Let me tell you, I’m not falling for that." He turned to the two Martial Cultivators and said, "Please, you two, take care of this trash."
The two Martial Cultivators were hesitant; they were both at the Fourth Layer, a cultivation level above Xiao Genzi’s.
But having clashed with Xiao Genzi before, they knew what was in the bucket and didn’t want to get close to him. This was also why Xiao Genzi could hold out until now.
Yet Song Zhigang didn’t want to waste time. When the two Martial Cultivators hesitated to advance, he had several other henchmen attack first.
Xiao Genzi was ready for a desperate fight when Li Banfeng came through the crowd and stopped him. "Root, put down the bucket first. Song Family Master, why are you so angry?"
Song Zhigang stared at Li Banfeng for a long time. He couldn’t see his face, only the hat brim pressed very low.
"You’re Li Qi, right?" Song Zhigang clenched his fists and said, "I’ve been looking for you! Now let me tell you, I’m back, and Blue Poplar Village is still Song Family’s place! You and Ma Wu pack your things right now and get the hell out of here within ten minutes."
Song Zhigang clearly remembered the grudge from when Li Banfeng had given him ten minutes to move out.
Pressing down his palm, Li Banfeng said, "Old Master Song, please calm down. The past is past. Let’s discuss whatever the issue is calmly."
Song Zhigang shook his head. "I have nothing to discuss with you! Are you leaving or not? If you don’t leave today, I will take your life. Don’t say that we are bullying you. Choose one of two options: either we settle this right here by fighting, or we take it to the wild fields tonight to decide life and death. We’ll do it all by Blue Poplar Village rules."
The bystanders widened their eyes in excitement, murmuring among themselves.
"The eldest of the Song Family is back! Is Blue Poplar Village going to fall under the Song name again?"
"They’re back, and they’ll want half the Hua Hong; our days won’t be easy."
"Do you think they can just come back whenever they want? Seventh Master and Master Wu are not to be trifled with."
"If Song Zhigang dares to come back, it means he has a new backer. Those two behind him don’t look like ordinary folk."
Li Banfeng had also noticed the two Martial Cultivators behind Song Zhigang.
In recent days, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu’s business had been growing. Even if Song Zhigang’s information was poor, he should at least know that Blue Poplar Village was still under the Lu Family’s protection.
His daring to come proved he was willing to challenge the Lu Family directly. As for who his backer was, that would soon be revealed.
Li Banfeng said with a chuckle, "Old Master Song, how long has it been since we last met? To start off with such words is so damaging to our rapport. Why don’t you come inside with me and sit for a while? We can have a couple of drinks and talk things over slowly."
Seeing Li Qi backing down, Song Zhigang waved his men to follow Li Banfeng into Mengchun Garden.
Li Banfeng had a private room tidied up, served some wine and food, and then asked all unrelated people to leave.
Li Banfeng greeted everyone warmly, "Please don’t be shy. Help yourselves to the food and drink."
Song Zhigang slammed the table. "Don’t waste my damn time! Let’s get straight to the point. When are you going to leave?"
"Old Master Song, there’s no need to be so hasty. Didn’t we agree to eat first?" replied Li Banfeng, locking the door to the private room.
Song Zhigang exclaimed, "I’m telling you, these two behind me are Chief Custodians to Old Master Lu! My return to Blue Poplar Village was ordered by Old Master Lu, so anything else you say is pointless!"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes, indeed, it’s your last meal, isn’t it? If you don’t eat properly, what’s the use of saying so much?"
The two Martial Cultivators frowned, and one said to Li Banfeng, "Damn it! Refusing my goodwill?"
Before the words were finished, Li Banfeng suddenly appeared behind him and touched the Martial Cultivator’s face. "I invited you to eat out of respect. If you don’t eat properly, then you’re truly spurning my goodwill."
The Martial Cultivator tried to rise but felt his breath obstructed and a weakness overtaking his body.
Li Banfeng’s Sickle had already sliced across his throat.
Blood spurted out as the Martial Cultivator clasped his neck, trying to fight Li Banfeng, but he couldn’t even see Li Banfeng’s Shadow.
After the Martial Cultivator stopped struggling, Li Banfeng took out a roll of Adhesive Tape, tore off a strip, and sealed his neck wound, temporarily keeping him in a half-dead state.
The other Martial Cultivator, shivering, tried to stand up and escape through the window, but Li Banfeng caught him by the hair and pressed him to the ground.
With tears in his eyes, he said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, we didn’t mean to offend you! It was Old Master Lu who sent us; we really didn’t mean any disrespect..."
"I didn’t want to offend you either," Li Banfeng said with a smile. "My brother’s spoon got broken; it was his treasure. How do we settle this?"
"I’ll compensate!"
"Good, you’ll compensate." With a swing of his Sickle, Li Banfeng severed his spine.
The Martial Cultivator collapsed to the floor, limp.
Kneeling on the ground, Song Zhigang said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, I’ll leave right now! I swear I’ll never step into Blue Poplar Village again!"
Li Banfeng smiled. "Old Master Song, that sounds so distant. Blue Poplar Village is your home; you should just settle down here for good."
PS: The first step to increasing strength is to fatten up my wife.