Dick Chen burst out of Iron Gate Fort and ran towards the forest.
RUSTLE! RUSTLE!
Li Banfeng threw down a large number of paper figures, surrounding Dick Chen.
Li Banfeng’s deduction was correct. Dick Chen’s Sleep Cultivation Technique had strict limitations on the number of people it could affect: it could control no more than thirty-five combat personnel and induce sleep in no more than three hundred and fifty people.
All three hundred and fifty slots were taken by the paper figures. Then, Li Banfeng’s Trample Over Thousands of Rivers forced Dick Chen awake again.
Dick Chen, covered in wounds, looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Let me say something first. I came to Iron Gate Fort only to verify the authenticity of a weapon. This matter has nothing to do with you."
"Are you done?" Li Banfeng prepared to strike immediately, suspecting an ambush in the forest.
Dick Chen said, "Wait a little longer. If you continue to attack, I’ll activate my Technique again, and we’ll wear each other down for a long time. I don’t know where these strange puppets of yours come from, but they aren’t unlimited. If there’s a mishap and you get caught in my Technique, you know how serious the consequences would be. Just let me say a few words. After I finish, we can each take a step back and leave separately. Wouldn’t that be a good outcome?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Go ahead, I’m listening."
Dick Chen was desperately trying to buy time. He knew the Coachman was in the forest, but he had to wait for the right moment for the Coachman to act.
"Li Qi, your real name is Li Banfeng, right? You’re from the Outside Provinces, and you took the Mysterious Red Life Lotus, right?"
Li Banfeng’s eyebrows twitched. "How do you know that?"
Dick Chen smiled. "To explain this clearly, I need to introduce myself first. Do you know who I am? I am a bishop of the Chase the Light Group, the one who brings light and faith to Puluo State."
These two terms were very rare in Puluo State.
Dick Chen continued, "We believe in the Light—the Light that can truly restore Puluo State. As a messenger of Light, I would very much like to recruit someone as outstanding as you into our group, to become comrades-in-arms who share our beliefs and are as close as brothers."
"Those people who attacked Iron Gate Fort were your comrades-in-arms, right?" Li Banfeng smiled. "Being your comrade doesn’t seem to be a good thing."
"They are too stupid and too weak; only tasks like that are suitable for them. But you are different, Li Qi. You are truly strong, possessing the ability to fight side-by-side with me."
Li Banfeng smiled. "You think so highly of me? In that case, why don’t you introduce me to the Leader of the Chase the Light Group and all its key figures, both major and minor? Then I’ll see if I’m interested in joining."
Dick Chen shook his head. "To join us, one must go through a stringent process. We aren’t yet certain whether you qualify to join the Chase the Light Group. You’ll need a bit more patience regarding this matter."
Li Banfeng laughed. "First, you approached Ma Wu to do business, then you turned around and said Ma Wu wasn’t qualified to collaborate with you. Now, you ask me to join the Chase the Light Group, only to tell me again that I’m not qualified. You’ve said all this just to stall for time, but your way of speaking is truly infuriating."
As his words fell, Li Banfeng vanished.
BANG!
Passing Glance struck true; Dick Chen’s legs exploded.
The Coachman had not yet appeared. Dick Chen had to keep stalling.
His eyes rolled upwards as he prepared to fall into a dream. Li Banfeng let out a great shout: "YAAAHHH!"
If Dick Chen fell asleep now, it would be very difficult to wake him. Li Banfeng’s deduction was correct: Dick Chen possessed a Technique to block out sound.
But Dick Chen hadn’t fallen asleep. Li Banfeng’s continuous shouting prevented him from sinking into slumber.
In the blink of an eye, Li Banfeng reappeared, and Dick Chen’s abdomen burst open.
BANG!
Dick Chen’s neck burst open.
Seeing him lying motionless on the ground, Li Banfeng quickly had the Tang Sword step forward, pick him up, and send him into the Portable Residence.
Dick Chen was still conscious, clinging on through gritted teeth.
...
In the marketplace of Iron Gate Fort, a man bought two bags of rice. Carrying one bag in each hand was somewhat strenuous, and stacking both on his back wasn’t very stable either.
Passing the market entrance, a coachman called out, "Sir, need a ride?"
The man had ventured outside before and had some worldly experience. He looked up and asked, "Brother, what brings you here pulling a rickshaw?"
The coachman smiled. "I’m on a long journey and just passing through. Thought I’d look for some business. Look how heavy those rice bags are. Quick, put them on the cart!"
The man was hesitant. "Brother, I don’t have much money."
The coachman smiled. "Money’s no issue. Just give me whatever you can."
"You’d better name a price!"
"Three yuan in Huan Country Banknotes. I’ll take you and the rice home. How about it?"
The man thought for a good while, then gritted his teeth and agreed. He placed the two bags of rice onto the cart and climbed in himself.
The coachman lifted the shafts and, with light and joyful steps, proceeded down the country lane.
P.S. Even for just three yuan, the coachman still found joy in pulling the rickshaw.
P.S. Li Banfeng once set three rules for Iron Gate Fort; see Chapter two hundred and thirty-four for details.
P.S. A good story should be told in one go. Today’s Chapter is so long—let’s see who still says Shala is short now!