After interring the contract book and the land seal, Li Banfeng made his exit from the Dark Dimension Space. He manipulated a crimson spoon, turning it three times clockwise, followed by two and a half turns counterclockwise, and concluding with another clockwise rotation, thereby setting a password to secure the entrance.
Having attended to his personal affairs, Li Banfeng re-entered the Portable Residence. There, he enlisted the aid of his wife and the clock pendulum to assume the guise of Green Flower. At precisely ten in the evening, he made his way back to Longmen Road.
Green Flower's abode was, without a doubt, still stocked with numerous valuable items. Gloves had previously conveyed that their findings were limited to a few elixirs, the contract book, and the land seal; not a single magical treasure had been unearthed.
Given the immense prosperity of Greenwater Bay and the considerable power wielded by Green Flower, it seemed improbable that his residence would be devoid of a magical treasure. Such a lack would be entirely inconsistent with his standing.
Li Banfeng harbored no avarice for Green Flower's magical treasures. His sole concern was that, having dispatched the Greenwater Beggar to Knife Ghost Ridge, his return home would be delayed. With so many cherished possessions, he felt a persistent unease at the thought of them being pilfered by another.
As he ambled alongside a streetlamp, Li Banfeng's fingers fumbled with the begging bowl, poised to disengage the lock. At that critical juncture, two menacing energies assailed him, one from the front and the other from behind.
One of these auras originated directly ahead, emanating from within Green Flower's very house.
The second emanated from the rear, originating from the direction of the Muyuan Teahouse.
Suddenly perceiving that circumstances were amiss, Li Banfeng rapidly manipulated the red spoon. He executed two counterclockwise turns, followed by one and a half clockwise turns, and then a final half turn counterclockwise, effectively applying an additional layer of security to Green Flower's door.
Following this hasty maneuver, Li Banfeng departed the scene, the begging bowl still clutched in his hand.
It was fortunate for Li Banfeng's swift egress that he did not venture inside Green Flower's residence.
Within Green Flower's dwelling, Feng Chongli and Mu Yuejuan were engrossed in their search for the contract book. They possessed the clear vantage point to observe every action transpiring outside. Upon witnessing Green Flower's approach to the lamppost, their hearts leaped into their throats.
Their apprehension did not stem from a fear of being outmatched by Green Flower; indeed, their respective cultivation levels significantly surpassed his.
However, they were bound by the stringent rules stipulated by the peddler. By virtue of their esteemed status, they were prohibited from casually engaging Green Flower within the confines of Greenwater Bay.
Upon observing Green Flower's departure, Feng Chongli exhaled a subtle breath of relief. Mu Yuejuan, however, remained visibly tense. "He may yet return," she voiced, her brow furrowed, "Perhaps he detected some oversight on our part."
Feng Chongli cast a glance towards Muyuan Teahouse. "Fear not," he reassured her, "We have an operative within the teahouse."
Shortly thereafter, an elder, his hair and beard streaked with gray, emerged from the teahouse. He proceeded to discreetly follow Green Flower.
Mu Yuejuan recognized the individual. "Is that not An Zongding? What is his cultivation level?"
Inquiry into cultivation levels was generally considered impolite. However, given the prevailing circumstances, if An Zongding's cultivation surpassed the 'Above the Clouds' realm, he would be precluded from making any overt move against Green Flower within Greenwater Bay.
Feng Chongli, occupied with manipulating a finely crafted abacus as he continued his treasure hunt within Green Flower's residence, offered further reassurance. "Worry not," he stated, "His intervention against Green Flower shall not constitute a breach of the stipulated rules."
Mu Yuejuan's concern persisted. "If Green Flower is indeed alive, we ought not to tamper with his contract book!"
Feng Chongli flicked a bead on the abacus. "Were it any other individual, one should indeed refrain from touching it. But now, with our powerful backing, what cause have you for apprehension? Do you truly believe a mere peddler holds sway over Snowflake Beach?"
A wave of anxiety washed over Mu Yuejuan. She harbored a profound reluctance to be ensnared within this burgeoning conflict. Yet, at this juncture, she found herself utterly incapable of devising a means of extrication.
...
Li Banfeng proceeded onward, with An Zongding trailing discreetly behind him.
Had it been the genuine Greenwater Beggar, he might not have perceived An Zongding's presence. An Zongding moved with an air of naturalness, resembling nothing more than an elderly gentleman on a leisurely stroll, exhibiting not a single discernible flaw.
However, Li Banfeng possessed the 'Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster Skill,' a legacy passed down from a seasoned coachman. Despite An Zongding's exceptional tracking prowess, Li Banfeng nevertheless became aware of his pursuit.
Traversing Longmen Road and entering the labyrinthine String of Alleyways, Li Banfeng directed his course toward a less frequented section of the district.
An Zongding followed with unhurried steps, maintaining his tail until they reached Yangjiao Garden.
Yangjiao Garden is a public park. Within the state of Puluo, the concept of a park is a relative novelty. Such amenities are typically found only in major metropolises like Greenwater City and Black Stone Slope.
This particular park had been established by the Defense Agency. Its original intent was to offer residents a communal space for social interaction and relaxation, while simultaneously enhancing the agency's public image.
Nonetheless, the Defense Agency had evidently miscalculated the prevailing customs of Puluo State at the time. The local populace lacked the inclination for park visits; consequently, the park inadvertently transformed into a frequent arena for gang rivalries.
At half-past eight in the evening, Yangjiao Garden was cloaked in silence as Li Banfeng prepared to test the old man’s capabilities. An Zongding, a Nightmare Cultivator hailing from Above the Clouds, was poised with his Ghost Servant, ready for an ambush.
Both parties sought to capture the initiative, neither anticipating that a slender young man would emerge from the shadows and snatch it away first!
This thin figure, it turned out, was none other than Qin Tianjiu!
Qin Tianjiu brought his axe down with force upon An Zongding’s head.
Li Banfeng was left astonished, and An Zongding was equally taken aback.
This young man had been concealed within Yangjiao Garden, undetected by either of them.
Was it Little Fatty’s own skill that allowed for this?
No, it was not.
The true architect of his concealment was his wife, the green-clad girl Feng Yuqiu.
Feng Yuqiu, a Cold Cultivator, possessed exceptional talents in stealth.
Recalling when An Zongding had visited Qin Xiaopang’s residence, he had presented numerous gifts and offered considerable guidance on cultivation. Feng Yuqiu had genuinely regarded An Zongding as a friend. However, the following day, when An Zongding made another visit, Feng Yuqiu, caught off guard, was inadvertently captured by him.
Now, Feng Yuqiu, having tracked An Zongding’s movements, had hidden alongside Qin Xiaopang in Yangjiao Garden, successfully deceiving An Zongding.
Yet, even if they had managed to fool him, could they truly defeat him?
Little Fatty hastily shoved a bag of dried rations into his mouth, gambling everything to confront An Zongding directly, while Feng Yuqiu maneuvered around, intending to launch a surprise assault on An Zongding. They absolutely had to secure victory in a single strike. Though Qin Xiaopang was currently at the third layer of cultivation, his recent meal fueled a swift and potent assault, presenting a rather formidable appearance.