At Chu Huaijun’s outer residence, Ma Wu sat in the courtyard smoking, with Ah Qin and Duan Wuchou by his side.
The courtyard had originally housed several henchmen. All of them had been injured in a bloody battle with the Three Heroes Gang, but subduing them hadn’t been difficult, especially since Chu Er also brought assistants.
One assistant was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. However, her cultivation level wasn’t low, and Ah Qin guessed she might be over fifty.
This woman wasn’t a major concern, but Ah Qin discovered that Ma Wu had another woman on his mind.
"The way you look at her isn’t right!" Ah Qin’s voice trembled as she spoke.
Ma Wu was stunned for a moment. "You mean the Chu Family’s Second Miss? How could I possibly fancy her? I have a grudge against her!"
Ah Qin scoffed, "Who’s talking about the Chu Family’s Second Miss?"
With that, Ah Qin shot a resentful look at Duan Wuchou.
Ma Wu’s face turned red. "This, this... how should I explain..."
Duan Wuchou showed no particular expression. The head on her neck wasn’t her own; it was a manifestation of Shui Yongquan’s Technique of Myriad Flows and Changes and thus couldn’t make many expressions.
Not long after, Chu Er came out of the house.
She had changed her makeup. The eyeshadow and blush were gone, replaced by a light touch. She wore a deep blue cheongsam.
Ma Wu looked carefully for a moment and almost didn’t recognize Chu Er.
Chu Er bowed to Ma Wu. "Young Master Ma, thank you for your trouble today."
Ma Wu waved his hands repeatedly. "No need for such courtesy. How did things go with your brother? Was it smooth?"
Chu Er nodded. "Quite smoothly. My brother often acts without thinking and has caused you all a great deal of trouble. I’ve clarified everything with him. The Hundred Joy Gate will still be managed by me and the Lu Family together; we’re not selling it to the Border Defense Envoy. As for the Chu Family’s business, my brother doesn’t want to handle it anymore. From now on, it’s all being handed over to me."
Ma Wu was surprised. "Second Miss, are you serious? Do you need me to go back in and have another chat with Huaijun?"
Chu Er shook her head. "There’s no need. My brother is tired and has just gone to rest."
"Then we won’t disturb him any further." Ma Wu looked at the woman behind Chu Er, who was carrying a bundle and standing by Chu Er’s side without speaking.
"And how should I address this sister?" Ma Wu specifically asked.
Chu Er introduced her, "This is my senior sister, her name is Xiang Fenglan."
Ma Wu promptly bowed in respect, and Xiang Fenglan returned the greeting, their gazes meeting and lingering for a moment.
Chu Er tugged Xiang Fenglan’s arm and expressed her gratitude to Ma Wu once more. "Young Master Ma, my senior sister and I have just returned to Greenwater City and are weary from the journey. We wish to freshen up, so we’ll take our leave for tonight. If you happen to see Brother Li Seven, please pass on a message for me. Tell him my brother has caused him a lot of trouble, and I will visit to apologize in person later."
Ma Wu immediately took his leave. Chu Er didn’t stay at the residence either, taking Xiang Fenglan back to her own place.
On the way, Xiang Fenglan kept looking back, wanting to catch another glimpse of Ma Wu’s retreating figure.
Chu Er flexed her thumb and index finger, then fiercely twisted Xiang Fenglan’s Peach.
"What are you doing, that hurts so much!" Xiang Fenglan rubbed it for a long time.
Chu Er said sternly, "Senior Sister, from now on, you are not to meet Ma Wu. If it’s absolutely unavoidable, you are not to speak to him."
Xiang Fenglan frowned, "What, is he your sweetheart?"
Chu Er shook her head. "We have a grudge. He still resents me, and rightfully so. He’s very skilled with women, and I’m worried you’ll be taken advantage of. That’s why I want you to stay away from him."
Xiang Fenglan didn’t believe her. "I think he’s your sweetheart!"
Chu Er scoffed but didn’t explain further. "Bitter Granny asked me to look after you. Just listen to me."
On the way back to Xiaoyao Lodge,
At Xiaoyao Lodge, Li Qi was holding a celebratory feast, primarily for the helpers from New Land.
Previously, He Yuxiu had mentioned that the mutton from the Three Heroes Gang was delicious. So, Li Qi had specifically ordered lamb from the Hundred Shepherds Plains. He had six slaughtered initially to make a hot pot, ensuring they could enjoy its freshness.
The mutton was indeed excellent, especially when cooked with cabbage in the hot pot; the flavor was delightful.
Ma Wu picked up a piece of mutton for Duan Wuchou. "Here, this piece is good. Be careful, it’s hot."
Duan Wuchou received the mutton in her bowl, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it. Then, she daintily wiped her belly button with a napkin.
Li Banfeng never interfered in Ma Wu’s personal affairs. However, when he stepped out to relieve himself during the meal, he couldn’t help but ask, "What is it about Duan Wuchou that you like?"
Ma Wu pondered for a moment before answering earnestly, "I like her eyes. They’re big. I particularly love their expression. Her gaze holds a profound sincerity and a stubborn, unyielding determination!"
Li Qi asked, "Determination?"
Ma Wu replied, "Quite determined!"
"Is her gaze very profound?"
"Not deep, quite shallow, in fact."
"Does she normally wear glasses?"
"No, her vision is pretty good."
Li Banfeng tried to understand Ma Wu. Even after finishing urinating, he still couldn’t comprehend.
Returning to the table, Ma Wu resumed being affectionate with Duan Wuchou, while Liang Wucui kept Li Banfeng engaged in conversation.
Since it was a private meal among their own people, there was no need to use the Hundred Flows and Changes Technique for concealment. Liang Wucui boldly displayed both her heads.
Liang Wu felt a particular rapport with Li Banfeng. "Seventh Master, I often hear Elder Qiu mention you. He says you’re a hero one might find once in ten thousand. At first, I didn’t believe it. But now that I’ve met you, I realize you’re not just one in ten thousand; you’re one in tens of millions! Seventh Master, I toast you with this cup. I’ll drink it all; you only need to take a sip."
Li Banfeng also liked Liang Wu’s straightforwardness, picking up his cup and draining it in one gulp.
Liang Cai, beside him, sighed softly. "This one-in-a-million man... could he become our lover? If we cannot be together always, it will only deepen our sorrow."
This statement left Li Banfeng not knowing how to respond.
Liang Wu frowned. "Seventh Master, don’t mind her. She’s not talking to you; she’s talking to herself. Back when I was alive, I found her type—so full of affectation—the most annoying. Who knew that after dying and coming to the New Land, I’d end up fused with her."
Liang Cai sighed again. "Whether we are together due to fate’s design or a chance encounter, neither of us can truly say."
"If you can’t tell, then stop talking about it," Liang Wu said impatiently. "Seventh Master, let’s drink another round!"
They had another drink. Liang Cai lamented, "Alcohol cannot drown your sorrows, Liang Wu; it only deepens my pain."
Liang Wu retorted angrily, "I’m drinking my wine! What pain are you even talking about?"
Liang Cai sighed, "If you get drunk, don’t you think I’ll end up vomiting?"
Li Banfeng looked at Liang Cai. "Miss, why do you keep sighing?"
Liang Wu clearly disliked this too. "Seventh Master, don’t mind her. She has hysteria. In the Outside Provinces, they call people like her mentally ill!"
Everyone ate and drank heartily. Bai Shoulian, seemingly with twenty bowls, twenty spoons, and twenty kettles at his disposal, bustled about adding soup, serving meat, and adjusting seasonings for everyone.
Li Banfeng tasted a piece of meat and praised, "Your cooking skills are quite impressive. Have you formally studied it?"
Bai Shoulian smiled. "I worked as a cook when I was younger. Even after arriving in the New Land, I’ve often practiced and refined my skills. I’ll prepare a few special dishes for everyone to try another day."
Li Banfeng then instructed Ma Wu to gather a team and send another group to Zhengjing Village to begin pioneering.
Everyone was enjoying the meal, except for the Food Cultivator girl, Chi Liuhe, who had barely touched her chopsticks.
Li Banfeng asked, "What’s the matter, don’t care for the mutton?"
The girl was shy and didn’t speak. Bai Shoulian, who knew her well, laughed. "Everyone, please continue. She’ll eat in a bit."
Li Banfeng said, "There are no such strict rules here. Eat together, eat as much as you like!"
Chi Liuhe glanced at Bai Shoulian, who then said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, if she eats to her heart’s content, this much mutton won’t be nearly enough."
Ma Wu laughed, "Who said it wouldn’t be enough? I’ve slaughtered six sheep; go ahead and eat freely."
Chi Liuhe licked her lips, unable to hold back any longer. She lifted an entire hot pot and poured its contents directly into her mouth.
GULP!
Chi Liuhe wiped her mouth and smiled at everyone.
Li Banfeng asked, "Little Sister, was it tasty?"
Chi Liuhe, blushing and head down, said, "I ate too fast and didn’t taste the flavor."
Ma Wu hurriedly went to find the cooks and asked them to prepare a few more sheep.
After the celebratory feast, Ma Wu immediately had the news bulletin posted, calling for pioneers.
In the Defense Agency, Secretary Ling Sujun was reporting to Chief Defense Envoy Liao Zihui. Regarding Sun Junfu, Ling Sujun said, "His emotional state has stabilized somewhat, but he repeatedly asks to return to the Outside Provinces. I’ve filed the report as you instructed, but there’s been no response from them yet."
Liao Zihui pondered for a moment. "Let him go back. I’ll provide an explanation for him when the time comes. Help him pack. Does he still need diapers?"
"He probably doesn’t need them anymore; he’s somewhat resistant to the idea."
"Bring some anyway, just in case," Liao Zihui instructed.
After Sun Junfu’s luggage was packed, Liao Zihui prepared to personally escort him to the train station. As they reached the ground floor of the Defense Agency, a bodyguard approached Liao Zihui, holding a wooden box. "Sir, we found this wooden box in the car while preparing it."
Liao Zihui ordered the box to be taken to the processing room first; he would deal with it when he returned.
Sun Junfu, thinking he had found some leverage against Liao Zihui, insisted on opening the box for inspection on the spot.
If he could find something incriminating on Liao Zihui, Sun Junfu would have something to report upon his return, and the incident where he soiled his pants might seem less shameful.
Liao Zihui, left with no choice, accompanied Sun Junfu to the processing room. Under Sun Junfu’s watchful eye, a Poison Cultivator and a Craftsman Cultivator first examined the box, confirming it contained no poisons or traps, before opening it according to procedure.
The only thing inside the box was the head of Chu Huaijun.
A neatly severed and clean head.
Liao Zihui’s expression turned grave.
As he was pondering his next move, a peculiar sound caught his attention.
SPLAT!
Liao Zihui frowned deeply. "Old Sun, did you have an accident again?"
"Uh, uh..." Sun Junfu couldn’t speak as he stared at the head.
Liao Zihui turned to Secretary Ling Sujun. "The diapers?"
"I didn’t, didn’t bring them..." Ling Sujun was embarrassed.
"Didn’t I tell you to have them ready? Go get them now!"
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