In the grand ballroom, guests took turns toasting Lu Dongliang, with not a single person suspecting he was an impostor.
Even Lu Chunying’s legs went weak. "Sister Xiu, this really is my dad, isn’t it?"
He Yuxiu knew full well that this was a Sweet Melon Person, yet at this moment, she felt as if Lu Dongliang were the real deal, perhaps even likely to come after her for revenge.
Duan Shaoxia was the most nervous. She felt that Li Qi had deceived her, and she believed the real Lu Dongliang was right beside her. She was certain he would kill her son when she got home tonight.
Li Banfeng took Old Luo back to his room to rest, straightened his suit, tipped his top hat, and pushed open the ballroom doors, walking in.
He didn’t use his Home Cultivation talents. Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he entered the ballroom.
Seeing Li Qi arrive, guests quickly approached to greet him.
They didn’t want to offend Lu Dongliang, nor did they want to offend Li Qi. Tonight, they had found a way to keep everyone happy.
Chu Er approached, her shyness befitting a lady, and whispered, "Brother Seven, may I have this dance?"
A lady’s invitation is not something a gentleman should refuse.
Chu Er had been a great help today, and Li Qi was in a good mood.
He accepted her offer.
Jiang Mengting, on stage, had originally planned to sing "Full Moon and Blooming Flowers." But seeing how demurely Chu Er invited Li Qi to dance, she immediately turned to notify the band to change the song.
The prelude played a lively orchestral tune, imbued with the unique jazz style of Puluo State. With a sincere smile, Jiang Mengting dedicated this song to the dignified and reserved Miss Chu Huaiyuan.
"Pretense, pretense, why must we live in pretense!"
"Pretense"...
As Jiang Mengting sang this song, seizing the rare chance to dance with Li Qi, Chu Er’s features twisted slightly.
If Li Qi weren’t there, Chu Er would have charged onto the stage and torn Jiang Mengting’s face apart.
But Chu Er quickly calmed down. Li Qi was dancing with great energy. He seemed to really enjoy the song, and Chu Er almost struggled to keep up with his steps.
A janitor with a broom was cleaning in a second-floor box when He Jiaqing’s voice reached his ear, "Is Lu Dongliang still in the ballroom?"
The janitor knocked the broom three times, indicating his uncertainty.
"Go check the ballroom."
The janitor entered the ballroom and found Lu Dongliang. He was just about to send a message to He Jiaqing.
Jiang Mengting had just reached the chorus of the song’s second verse: "Don’t be like that, don’t put on such an earnest face! Don’t scare people with that stern look!"
The song was very loud at this point, and He Jiaqing’s cheeks twitched.
"Leave the ballroom, get out quickly!"
The janitor was baffled. He didn’t understand what He Jiaqing was up to.
After the janitor left the ballroom and the song gradually faded, He Jiaqing rubbed his ears and cursed under his breath, "Not that damn song again!"
As the dance ended, Chu Er, still wanting more, pleaded with Li Qi, "Brother Seven, will you dance another song with me? Can we change the music this time?"
"What’s wrong with this song? It’s so festive!" Li Banfeng said with a beaming face, signaling Jiang Mengting to sing it once more.
And Jiang Mengting did indeed sing it again.
Chu Er wanted to scratch Li Banfeng’s back out of frustration. But, thinking she got to dance another song, she felt she had still come out ahead.
The banquet was drawing to a close when Qiu Zhiheng found Li Banfeng. "Brother, I’m headed back to Medicine King Valley."
Li Banfeng said, "Brother Qiu, that fake Lu Dongliang knows where you live. You must be very careful."
Qiu Zhiheng wasn’t worried about this. Old Xu was in Medicine King Valley and could ensure his and his family’s safety.
His concern was for Li Banfeng. Having offended the fake Lu Dongliang, Li Banfeng’s situation in Greenwater City was quite precarious.
Li Banfeng was well aware of this himself. He had Old Luo and Kui Bafang on high alert, closely watching "Lu Dongliang’s" movements and ready for combat at any moment.
"Lu Dongliang" seemed to have vanished suddenly. The group of men he had hastily recruited, including Lu Dongchun, had also gone silent.
Loess Bridge was also prepared. Li Banfeng was considering whether to bolster the defenses there when, three days later, Luo Zhengnan suddenly discovered "Lu Dongliang’s" whereabouts.
"Seventh Master, Lu Dongliang might have gone to Zhengjing Village!"
"Is the information reliable?"
"I can’t guarantee it’s reliable. No one has seen Lu Dongliang, but someone saw Lu Dongchun in Zhengjing Village.
"There are a few veteran hunters in the village who once cleared land for the Lu family. They know Lu Dongchun. They even exchanged greetings and spoke a few words."
Zhengjing Village was in Shui Yongquan’s territory. After the battle in Wuqin Village, Li Banfeng’s relationship with Shui Yongquan had grown closer. Joining forces to take on a fake Lu Dongliang shouldn’t be a problem.
"Lu Dongliang" was sent by Inner State. Shui Yongquan might be afraid to fight him. When it came to dealing with Inner State, Shui Yongquan showed some apprehension. This was a common failing among all New Land Land Gods.
That very night, Li Banfeng went to Zhengjing Village. The village still thrived.
Hunters were trading their goods, farmers were tilling the land, and traders were doing small business in the village. Cui Tiq had opened a clinic there.
Li Banfeng entered the clinic and asked, "Doctor Cui, weren’t you running a hospital in Greenwater City? What brings you here?"
Cui Tiq didn’t answer but simply unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his chest.
Li Banfeng saw his newest tattoo: I Love Zhengjing Village!