...
The next day, Li Banfeng asked Xiao Chuanzi to prepare a gift. Xiao Chuanzi was very reluctant. "Seventh Master, you’re going to the Jiang Xiang Gang’s banquet. Isn’t that like putting on nice shoes just to step in dog poop? What’s your status? And who are they? What if this gets out? How are we supposed to handle that?"
Li Banfeng laughed. "Haven’t I told you? Gang Leader Xiao and I are old acquaintances. We’ve been through life and death together."
By noon, He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, and Chu Huaiyuan had all arrived.
Upon seeing Li Qi, He Yuxiu asked directly, "What’s the meaning of this, Old Qi? You actually associate with that Jiang Xiang Gang? Don’t you find them revolting?"
Li Qi laughed. "Adversity reveals true friendship. The Jiang Xiang Gang is in a difficult situation right now. Someone’s got to lend a hand."
He Yuxiu said angrily, "Why would you lend them a hand? Have you forgotten that I almost died at their hands?"
"How could I forget something like that? I remember it well."
"If you remember it, yet still stage this farce, you’re deliberately trying to disgust me!" He Yuxiu grew angrier as she spoke.
Lu Chunying remained silent nearby.
Chu Er was quiet for a moment, then suddenly spoke up, "Brother Seven, are you really going tonight?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "I really am."
Chu Er said, "Okay, I’ll go with you."
"What are you going for?"
"I also want to discuss our relationship with the Jiang Xiang Gang."
Li Qi shook his head. "What relationship do you have with the Jiang Xiang Gang?"
"No relationship, but I can make one. Brother Seven, whatever you do, I’ll follow. I trust you, and the Chu Family trusts you."
Hearing this, Lu Chunying said, "Then I’ll go with Brother Seven too."
"I don’t know what you all are thinking!" He Yuxiu grabbed a bottle and took a big swig. "Go on, I’ll go with you too. But I threw their invitation into the spittoon right in front of those Bird People from the Jiang Xiang Gang. How are we going to explain that?"
Li Banfeng said, "Just say you’re going for my sake. It’s a perfect opportunity for me to have the Jiang Xiang Gang owe me a favor."
He Yuxiu frowned. "Old Qi, is there something more to this?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "There is. A major matter of faking death and resurrection."
...
By dusk, the Jiang Xiang Gang was bustling with activity.
They had initially planned a simple meal with Cui Tiq, but knowing Li Qi was coming meant the banquet had to be more elaborate.
Now that the He, Lu, and Chu Families had all arrived, a single table was no longer appropriate.
Xiao Zhenggong asked Yao Zhiyi, "How much sway does Li Qi have to bring so many people?"
"Gang Leader, he forced Chief Envoy Liao to cut the transport fees in half. That alone should tell you how capable he is. Since he’s willing to give us this face, I say we should try to keep the Gang going for another two days. Maybe then, the situation with the Outside Provinces will..."
"Maintain what?" Xiao Zhenggong’s face darkened. "Tonight, I’ll hand over the position of Gang Leader to him. From now on, you can work for him!"
Yao Zhiyi quickly clarified, "Gang Leader, I would never think of such a thing..."
Xiao Zhenggong asked, "Why do you think I’ve gone to all this trouble?"
Yao Zhiyi whispered, "To find a way out for our brothers."
"Is there still a way out for the Jiang Xiang Gang?"
Yao Zhiyi lowered his head, remaining silent.
Xiao Zhenggong composed himself for a moment, then said, "Whatever conditions they propose tonight, we’ll agree to them. Let’s just get through this evening. Tomorrow, it’s business as usual. Also, tell the brothers to be extra vigilant, especially with He Yuxiu. If that woman truly goes berserk, ordinary people won’t be able to restrain her."
Yao Zhiyi said, "Is that really necessary? The He Family has already heard that the Flying General Camp is planning to move against us. If she really wants to cause trouble, she might as well wait and strike with them tomorrow."
Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "I told you to tighten security! Why all the chatter?"
Yao Zhiyi quickly dispatched his men. Xiao Zhenggong’s expression grew grave; he found himself increasingly unable to fathom Li Qi’s intentions.
That evening, the first guest to arrive was Cui Tiq.
Cui Tiq arrived carrying a metal canister on his back, dressed in a white coat, and wearing a mask. Reaching the table, he clasped his fist in salute to Xiao Zhenggong. "Gang Leader Xiao, long time no see!"
Xiao Zhenggong scrutinized Cui Tiq, looking him up and down. "What’s with this getup?"
Cui Tiq was taken aback. "We haven’t seen each other for a long time, so ’long time no see’ should be the correct greeting."
Xiao Zhenggong said, "I’m not talking about your choice of words. I’m asking about your attire."
Cui Tiq explained, "I’ve just returned from a house call. There’s a patient with an infectious disease on Qing’an Road."
Upon hearing "infectious disease," Xiao Zhenggong recoiled several steps. "And what’s that canister you’re carrying?"
"This is disinfectant. To prevent the epidemic from spreading, I disinfected his residence."
Xiao Zhenggong blinked. "Since you’re so busy, perhaps you shouldn’t have come tonight."
"I must give face to Gang Leader Xiao!" As he spoke, Cui Tiq started to remove his coat.
Xiao Zhenggong waved his hands dismissively. "No, no, don’t do that. Just sit for a while. And put that canister down first."
"It’s really just disinfectant!" Cui Tiq insisted, shaking it in his hand.
"Are you afraid it’ll get lost? My men can look after it for you, can’t they?"
Cui Tiq handed over the disinfectant, but none of Xiao Zhenggong’s men dared to touch it.
Xiao Zhenggong pointed towards the hall entrance. "Just leave it outside for now. Someone will keep an eye on it."
Cui Tiq shrugged and placed the disinfectant outside the door.
Just as the banquet was about to begin, Li Banfeng arrived, followed by He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, and Chu Huaiyuan.
Xiao Zhenggong emerged from the hall to greet them, clasping his fist to Li Qi. "Brother Li Qi, your reputation precedes you!"
Li Banfeng returned the salute. "Captain Xiao, a pleasure to meet you."
Xiao Zhenggong’s brow furrowed slightly. In Puluo State, apart from people from the Defense Agency, hardly anyone addressed him that way.
Once host and guests were seated, Xiao Zhenggong toasted Li Qi, then toasted He Yuxiu. "Sister Xiu, thank you for gracing us with your presence."
He Yuxiu smiled. "I still remember the kindness you showed when you introduced Doctor Cui to treat Haiqin."