"Old Qi, I’m truly impressed with you; business is starting to roll in from all over the place!" Ma Wu was incredibly excited and wanted to kowtow to Li Banfeng right there and then.
Li Banfeng stepped aside. "I’ll say this again—if you’re my brother, you can’t kneel."
Ma Wu was convinced, truly convinced.
Shen Rongqing, whom he had tried to persuade many times without success, had been convinced by Li Banfeng.
He was very curious about what Cultivation Technique Li Banfeng used, or what kind of Elixir he had taken.
But all of that was unimportant now. Businesses were up and running, starting with Black Stone Slope, where factory products were sold locally. Although it meant earning a little less profit, the impact wasn’t significant.
More than a dozen merchants took these goods in batches and distributed them for sale in various places. These people were all subordinates of He Jiaqing.
Why didn’t the Border Defense Envoy increase their shipping fees? Why didn’t he issue an order stating that anyone who bought goods from Li Qi and Ma Wu would face a fifty percent increase in shipping fees?
These merchants had different backgrounds, different identities, operated in different industries, and had different channels for moving their goods. If the shipping fees were raised across the board, there’s no telling how many people’s businesses would be implicated. Black Stone Slope, and even the entire Puluo State, would be thrown into chaos again.
The troubles in Black Stone Slope and other places were resolved one after another. Ma Wu was so thrilled that he had Jiang Mengting sing for Li Banfeng all night long.
Li Banfeng admitted that Jiang Mengting’s singing was passable.
Seeing Ma Wu’s enthusiasm, Li Banfeng didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so he found an excuse. "Old Five, having one person sing just for me is boring. Let’s hold a concert and get all our friends together."
Ma Wu was not very confident. They were being targeted by the Border Defense Envoy, and he wasn’t sure how many people would be willing to come.
Li Banfeng didn’t care about that. "Anyone who comes is a friend. Those who don’t come shouldn’t expect to enter our doors in the future."
Ma Wu followed Li Qi’s lead and immediately sent out the invitations.
He liked concerts and enjoyed the spectacle of stars competing on stage. Even though the competition was mostly for show, he loved the atmosphere.
Apart from the Chu Family and their followers, everyone else who was expected came.
The Lu Family, of course, had everyone who received an invitation present. Lu Chunying came, Lu Yuanxin came, and even Duan Shaoxia came.
The He Family was in a difficult situation. He Yuxiu was nowhere to be found, and the main family had no one else to take charge. He Yuxiu had one male cousin and two female cousins who felt their status was insufficient and did not dare to come, so Ma Wu personally invited them; especially at a time like this, the He Family needed all the support they could get.
What surprised Ma Wu even more was that Ma Junjiang, the fourth son of the Ma Family, came.
but he was sincerely there to offer congratulations and even brought two gifts. "One is from our father," Ma Junjiang said.
Ma Wu was taken aback. "What? Our father has started to think highly of me again?"
Ma Junjiang smiled. "He still looks down on the things you did before, but this time he told me that you really have a backbone, just like him."
"Backbone? Are you talking about the issue with the Border Defense Envoy..."
Ma Junjiang glanced around and gestured to Ma Wu not to bring up the Border Defense Envoy. "Old Five, find some time to go home. The Old Man misses you."
Ma Wu thought, but he accepted the gifts.
The remaining seats, a little over ten percent empty, were not left idle by Li Banfeng. He had the support staff, cooks, and cleaners all find a place to sit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if there’s work, keep busy. If not, enjoy yourselves here. Food and drink are on me—my treat!"
The cleaner felt awkward. His broom was special, and sitting with it would definitely be inappropriate. He hesitated to put it aside, fearing that someone might take it by mistake or simply walk off with it.
As the concert began, the dance hall filled with endless applause and cheering.
Li Banfeng glanced over the audience and his eyes met those of a thin young man for a moment. The two left the dance hall one after the other and headed to a private box.
This thin young man was none other than Qin Xiaopang. Li Banfeng furrowed his brow. "You’ve gotten so thin, you’re unrecognizable! Didn’t I tell you? If you don’t have money, come to me. You can’t keep starving yourself."
Qin Xiaopang spoke somewhat breathlessly, "Brother Seven, I don’t know what’s happening. I can eat dozens of pounds of food a day and still not feel full at all."
Li Banfeng frowned. "Is the Intestinal Wheelworm that harsh?"
Little Fatty shook his head. "Even our Silver Seal contact has seen people infested by Intestinal Wheelworms, but he said it’s the first time he’s seen anyone who can eat like I do. No matter how much I eat, I’m never satisfied. Yesterday, I weighed myself, and I was less than a hundred pounds."
"This won’t do!" Li Banfeng grew worried. "I’ll find someone to help you get this worm out. You can’t keep suffering like this."
"No, Brother Seven," Little Fatty said reluctantly at the thought of having the worm removed. "I’ll endure it for another month or so. I should reach Fourth Layer cultivation by then, all thanks to this worm boosting my abilities!"
"Fourth Layer?" Li Banfeng felt even more certain. "Brother, listen to me. Get rid of the worm as soon as possible."
"Brother Seven, just let me hold on for a couple more days. If I really can’t bear it, then I’ll find a solution," Little Fatty quickly changed the subject, mentioning affairs within the Gang. "Because my cultivation level is rising fast, my Silver Seal contact values me highly and takes me everywhere. A few days ago, we visited the second-in-command’s grand house, and after a few extra drinks, he blurted out some things he shouldn’t have."
"What did he say?"
"He said that the Head of the family is a coward, a dog to the People from other provinces, and that the Three Heroes Gang will eventually be ruined under his leadership."
After hearing this, Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then asked, "Did he say these words sincerely, or were they meant for you to hear?"
"Why would he say it for me to hear? I’m hardly a significant figure..." Halfway through speaking, Little Fatty realized something.
Li Banfeng smiled; such a scenario was all too common.
In less than two years, Little Fatty had advanced to the Third Layer of Food Cultivator, a feat difficult to explain by sheer talent alone.
Li Banfeng had also given him considerable financial support. It was understandable that he caught the second-in-command’s eye.
"I actually hope he said those words for you to hear." Li Banfeng opened his wallet and pulled out a stack of banknotes for Qin Xiaopang.
Qin Xiaopang waved his hands. "Brother Seven, I’ve not been short of money lately..."
"You take the money for now and go investigate the second-in-command’s past. See if he truly has guts, and if he’s done things that prove it. Also, give some more money to your Silver Seal contact. Seniority equates to financial power. You need the resources to have clout!"
Returning to the dance hall, as soon as Li Banfeng sat down, Ma Wu also took a seat beside him, pointing at a man in his forties. "That’s He Yuxiu’s cousin, He Haijian."
Li Banfeng looked at the man’s location and frowned. "He shouldn’t be sitting there. He ought to be in the VIP seats."
"I invited him to the VIP seats, but he didn’t dare to go. He said his status wasn’t high enough. I wanted to discuss business with him, but he claimed he didn’t have the authority to make decisions, that talking to him was useless. Look at how he sits, all cautious and trembly! Does attending a concert really warrant such anxiety?"
Li Qi and Ma Wu had now offended the Border Defense Envoy. Their situation was not safe.
Lu Chunying was currently clashing head-on with the Border Defense Envoy over the Hundred Joy Gate affairs. Her situation was also not safe.
The concert was nearing its end. Ma Wu stepped forward to present the award to the Singing Empress. Needless to say, Jiang Mengting naturally won it. The remaining awards went to the new stars Ma Wu was nurturing.
Lu Chunying, sitting beside Li Banfeng, spoke in a hushed tone, "Brother Seven, Duan Shaoxia is inviting us to dinner later. What should we do about that?"
"Where? The Lu Family Mansion?"
"Right here, at the Xiaoyao Lodge."
"There’s no need to worry, then. Let’s go and hear what she has to say. If she wants you to let go of the Hundred Joy Gate, you must absolutely not agree to it."
"Don’t worry, Brother Seven."
Once the concert concluded, Duan Shaoxia had a table prepared at the Xiaoyao Lodge, inviting Li Qi, Ma Wu, Lu Chunying, Lu Yuanxin, and also Zhang Xiuling, the head of the Hundred Flowers Gate.
Li Banfeng excused himself due to other obligations and did not attend. Ma Wu had ways to resist the influence of Emotion Cultivators, which Li Banfeng did not, and he preferred not to have too much contact with Duan Shaoxia.
Upon seeing Zhang Xiuling, Ma Wu felt a bit nervous. This talented woman, on par with Shen Rongqing and who also shouldered the responsibility of a Great Clan Gate in Puluo State, was truly a legend.
Zhang Xiuling and Duan Shaoxia addressed each other as sisters. If she intended to target Lu Chunying, Chunying’s situation would become even more precarious.
After exchanging pleasantries, Duan Shaoxia got to the point. "Now that Chunying is in charge of the Lu Family, I shouldn’t interfere with business matters. But as Dongliang’s daughter-in-law, for the sake of the Lu Family, there are things I must say. Chunying, I heard that you’re having some friction with the Border Defense Envoy over the Hundred Joy Gate."
Lu Chunying nodded, not denying it.
Ma Wu, holding his cup, considered Zhang Xiuling to be the true threat present.
Lu Yuanxin sat up straight in his chair, not touching the food or drink. He also viewed Zhang Xiuling with caution and was ready to act at any moment.
Duan Shaoxia held Lu Chunying’s hand, looking at her. "Chunying, please listen to me. The Border Defense Envoy is indeed not easy to deal with. But the Hundred Joy Gate is the hallmark of the Lu Family, of Greenwater City, and of our Puluo State. This banner cannot fall into the hands of People from other provinces. If the Border Defense Envoy tries to deal with you through official channels, you should negotiate—you’re an expert in this. If they come at you with force, you don’t need to be afraid. I’m here, and Xiuling is here. We’ll fight them to the end!"
Lu Chunying, Ma Wu, and Lu Yuanxin were all stunned.
Ma Wu looked at Zhang Xiuling.
Zhang Xiuling said to Lu Chunying, "Miss Chunying, the Hundred Flowers Gate does not bow down to People from other provinces. The symbol of Puluo State should stay in the hands of the People of Puluo State."
She was making her position clear, indicating her willingness to support Lu Chunying.
Duan Shaoxia added, "Chunying, just keep your back straight. We, the Lu Family, must keep this banner flying at all costs."
Lu Chunying nodded. "Madam, our Lu Family’s backbone is certainly upright, but we own only half of the Hundred Joy Gate."
The crux of the matter lay here: the Hundred Joy Gate was owned half by the Lu Family and half by the Chu Family.
Lu Yuanxin sighed. "When Chu Huaiyuan purchased the Hundred Joy Gate, Chu Huaijun didn’t even have the guts to take a look. Now, taking advantage of Chu Huaiyuan’s absence, this Bird Person has the cheek to come and reap the benefits!"
"That Bird Person, Chu Huaijun, would lick the Border Defense Envoy’s boots if he could, throwing away all of Puluo State’s dignity," Zhang Xiuling gritted her teeth.
Speaking of Chu Huaijun, Duan Shaoxia’s face showed disgust. "Such a Bird Person shouldn’t be given any attention. Chunying, besides the Hundred Joy Gate, let’s cut all business ties with the Chu Family from now on. Junyang, I will meet with your father again tomorrow to see his stance towards Chu Huaijun. You have backbone; your father shouldn’t disgrace you."
Ma Wu had no suitable reply to that statement and simply raised his drink.
While drinking, he observed everyone at the table.
In the private room, Li Banfeng was teasing Xiao Yeci.
"You have an older sister coming to Greenwater City, who will stay with you for a few days initially."
Xiao Yeci was surprised. "But I don’t have an older sister."
"You do now. A biological sister."
"That doesn’t make sense! How can I suddenly have a biological sister?"
"I say you have one, so you do. Not only an older sister, but you’ll also have a younger sister. Your family’s house isn’t small, so they’ll stay with you for now, alright?"