The one coming for Qiu Luoye had a Cloud Top cultivation level. He would bring two helpers, possibly also with Cloud Top cultivation levels. Even if not, they’d likely be at the Eighth or Ninth Layer.
Li Banfeng, exhausting all his skills, could tie up a Cloud Top First Layer cultivator outside the Portable Residence, but to win, he had to lure that Cloud Top First Layer cultivator inside the Portable Residence.
According to Qiu Luoye’s description, the person from Inner State was evidently not a mere Cloud Top First Layer cultivator, and their cultivation level might even surpass Qiu Luoye’s. Li Banfeng himself could hardly count on a victory, and those two helpers would be even more difficult to deal with.
Various suggestions kept coming to his mind, yet were continuously rejected. Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead and shouted, "Keep the order when speaking!"
Juanzi had just finished boiling a pot of dumplings when, before she could serve them, several gluttons ate half.
Before the year’s end, Li Qi had sent rice, flour, wine, meat, sugar, and tea. For the Three-Headed People, this was the happiest New Year they had ever experienced.
Li Banfeng knocked on the door and entered Juanzi’s house.
Several Three-Headed People stood up and greeted Li Banfeng, asking him to sit down.
Someone poured wine, someone passed cigarettes, and someone came over to offer New Year’s greetings.
He looked at the lanterns outside the window, the paper-cuts on the casements, and the lavish feast on the table.
He took off his backpack and poured out a bag full of Ocean Dollars.
Juanzi was stunned. "Seventh Master, what does this mean?"
Li Banfeng said, "It’s the New Year. This is a red envelope for everyone. In addition, there’s another matter I need your help with."
"Seventh Master, please put the money away," Juanzi pushed the Ocean Dollars back. "Whatever it is, just give us your instructions."
Li Banfeng shook his head. "It’s not about giving instructions; I’m in no position to give any. I want to ask if anyone here wants to make some quick cash?"
Juanzi didn’t understand. "Seventh Master, are you asking us to go robbing?"
"Not robbing. I rarely do that sort of thing... well, I haven’t done much of it before anyway. Tomorrow, some tough characters are coming to take this territory, and I need to fight them. I want to hire a few helpers.
I won’t shortchange anyone. Whoever wants to come, find me by the woods tomorrow night."
Juanzi thought for a moment, then asked, "Seventh Master, do you have any weapons?"
"Yes, I can come up with one or two hundred weapons. It would be great if you could find me thirty to fifty people, but ten or twenty is also fine. Even if you can’t find any, that’s alright too. Whoever is willing to go, after the battle is over, there will be a generous reward."
Li Banfeng took out a Contract Book and handed it to Juanzi. This was a life-risking task, and the amount of money each person should get couldn’t be ambiguous.
Juanzi accepted the Contract Book and nodded. "Seventh Master, wait for my news."
Returning to the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng said to his wife, "Sweetheart, I have to fight three cultivators Above the Clouds. Got any good ideas?"
"Three cultivators Above the Clouds?" Hong Ying was stunned.
The Phonograph, spouting steam, said, "Beloved husband, it’s the New Year holiday! What on earth are you trying to do?"
"Someone came knocking at our doorstep. If I don’t drive them away, we can’t celebrate the New Year properly."
"Three enemies Above the Clouds came knocking at your doorstep? What’s their background?"
"They come from Inner State, wanting to snatch the new territory I’ve opened up."
A moment of silence filled the room, then Hong Ying spoke to the Portable Residence, "Old thing, let me out. I’ll go join Qi Lang and fight them. How do you expect Qi Lang to fight three cultivators Above the Clouds?"
The Portable Residence didn’t respond, and although Hong Ying couldn’t see, she could feel as though someone was scrutinizing her.
"Don’t you trust me?"
"Correct, I don’t trust you," came the simple response from the Portable Residence.
The Phonograph let out a cold laugh. "Vile woman, you’ve stabbed me in the back; how could the Old Man trust you? Old Man, let me out to help my husband."
"I don’t trust you either."
The Phonograph was speechless while Hong Ying burst out laughing. "Wicked woman, do you think you’re such a good person?"
The Portable Residence sighed deeply and asked, "Ah Qi, is this battle truly unavoidable?"
"Absolutely unavoidable!"
The Portable Residence sighed. "Since you’ve made your decision, I can’t stop you. At the critical moment, I will have a workaround."
The Phonograph said, "Beloved husband, you can’t be rigid in battle. If you can’t win, you must retreat. Tell me what kind of abilities the opponents have, and Little Servant will help you strategize."
Li Banfeng only knew there was a Craftsman Cultivator on the other side.
「New Year’s Day, at night.」
In Qiu Luoye’s residence, the Covenant Guardian Spirits were all bustling around.