Li Banfeng sat in the teahouse, holding the "Erudite Lantern Talk" and flipping through its pages.
This was also a novel depicting the legendary stories of Erudite Scholars, but unlike other versions, this one recounted some of Murong Gui’s dark history.
In the book, Murong Gui was still adept at discerning people’s thoughts, but due to two miscalculations, he almost lost his family’s legacy.
Murong Gui had once managed a Gang. In other books, he was depicted as very diligent and never negligent.
In this book, Murong Gui spent half a month lazing about in Fireworks Alley, disregarding all affairs, which nearly led to the destruction of his Gang.
Li Banfeng touched the Judge’s Pen.
The Judge’s Pen replied, "Both are."
Cui Tiq arrived at the teahouse. Seeing Li Banfeng reading, he nodded and said, "If I’m not mistaken, Murong Gui’s situation must be excellent now. Even you have taken such a liking to books."
"I am a great lover of knowledge," Li Banfeng said, putting down the "Erudite Lantern Talk." He then asked, "Has your Taoist Sect Grandmaster made a move?"
"Yes, he’ll arrive at the Ink Shop tonight. He’ll also bring your good friend. The plan is to find Murong Gui first, kill him, take Ge Junma hostage, and force Chu Shaoqiang to appear.
If Chu Shaoqiang finds Murong Gui first, things will get a bit more complicated. The Grandmaster might choose to intercept or ’play the bottom hand.’ These are mahjong terms, I haven’t used them incorrectly, have I?"
"Basically correct."
Cui Tiq took a sip of tea and said, "In either case, we must choose the right moment to make our move. How many fish we can ’touch’ isn’t the point; the point is whether we can successfully ’reach the shore’."
Li Banfeng asked, "If your Grandmaster gets to Murong Gui first, what do you plan to do?"
Cui Tiq wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "First, I’ll help my Grandmaster defeat the Local Deity and the Inner State People. Then, I’ll look for an opportunity to send the Grandmaster to another world, take the Contract Book from the Ink Shop, and return to Greenwater City."
Li Banfeng was quite surprised. "You’re going back to Greenwater City?"
Cui Tiq appeared somewhat distressed. "Greenwater City is the legacy my Grandmaster built throughout his life. Now that he’s gone, I can’t bear to let this legacy go to waste."
Li Banfeng thought.
Tears welled up in Cui Tiq’s eyes, showing his sincere affection for the Greenwater Beggar.
Li Banfeng then asked, "And if Chu Shaoqiang moves against the Local Deity first, what’s your plan?"
"That would require more patience. Chu Shaoqiang has the backing of Inner State and is clearly stronger than the Grandmaster. By my estimates, he might bring three to five powerful henchmen from Inner State.
However, Ge Junma, the person he’s trying to rescue, is a pure-blooded Inner State person. Ge Junma shouldn’t have come to Puluo State; doing so violates its laws. Chu Shaoqiang must act discreetly.
As long as the Grandmaster picks the right moment, he still has a chance to win. After the Grandmaster prevails, we’ll find an opportunity to send him away. Then, there’s no need to rush; we’ll have plenty of time to share the spoils."
"What if Chu Shaoqiang wins?"
Cui Tiq fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "If Chu Shaoqiang wins, I don’t think we can continue this business of fishing in troubled waters.
We’ve gathered enough intelligence, and the Grandmaster has made sufficient preparations. If we still lose to Chu Shaoqiang, it only proves one thing: Chu Shaoqiang has too many people and is too powerful.
In that scenario, I’d be lucky just to escape with my life. You’d better not get involved, or you might not find your way out."
Li Banfeng looked at Cui Tiq. "So, you never planned to move against Chu Shaoqiang? Has your blade always been aimed at your Grandmaster?"
Cui Tiq explained, "This is just my analysis based on the battle situation. I hope you won’t doubt my affection for my Ancestral Master because of this."
"I’m not questioning your loyalty. I think you’re a very... dedicated person."
Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat. Cui Tiq raised his teacup and said, "Once the Grandmaster arrives, we won’t have many chances to meet. But I believe we’ll have sufficient tacit understanding on the battlefield."
Li Banfeng returned to Sand Goose House and saw Tan Fucheng, axe in hand, yelling at the top of his lungs. A crowd around him was in disarray, trying to pull him back.
"Don’t stop me! This hand has to go! I have to chop it off!"
Because he had previously used the "Hundred Family Surnames" to wipe soup from his face, Tan Fucheng felt increasingly guilty and thus had the impulse to chop off his hand.
Li Banfeng persuaded him, "Big Brother Tan, keep your hand for now. Take Madam Xiao and Miss Chunying with you and hurry back to Qi Qiu City."
"But I still want to study here!"
"Rest assured. Once things here are settled, I’ll make special arrangements for you to come and study. We’ll even draw up a Contract Book; you won’t be able to refuse even if you want to!"
"Really?"
"Absolutely!"
To engage in such a life-or-death venture, one must eliminate any potential worries. If Xiao Yeci and the others ran into trouble at Sand Goose House, Li Banfeng would indeed find it difficult to handle.
Tan Fucheng’s cultivation level was still intact. Although he had lost his senses earlier, after Li Banfeng talked him down, he quickly remembered the purpose of his journey.
His primary mission was to protect Madam Xiao and her daughter; studying was secondary.