I sympathize with Yuxiu, and I understand your intentions, but giving her this territory would be a grave disservice!"
Li Banfeng stroked his chin, appearing quite worried: "Big Brother He, if you hadn’t pointed this out, I would have made a colossal mistake."
He Haiqin let out a sigh: "It’s fortunate you realized it before it was too late."
Li Banfeng rose, setting aside all his magical treasures: "Big Brother He, I shall go and speak with Yuxiu; this matter requires careful consideration. We are unable to hold this territory, so the responsibility falls to you."
He Haiqin waved his hand: "I might not be able to hold it either!"
Li Banfeng gave a smile: "We are all family, there’s no need for such courtesies. Big Brother He has the backing of Inner State; who would dare challenge them, be it Pan Dehai or Tao Feiyan?"
He Haiqin shook his head, offering a humble smile.
Li Banfeng addressed the phonograph: "My dearest wife, please host everyone for dinner first. I shall return shortly. Be sure to invite Big Brother He to join us; he is a distinguished guest."
Hong Ying chimed in: "Do not worry, husband. If he doesn’t sit at the table, what will we eat?"
"Who permitted you to call me husband! And why are you speaking so carelessly!" The phonograph struck Hong Ying twice before courteously saying to He Haiqin, "Big Brother He, you must absolutely join us for the meal."
He Haiqin felt a sense of unease.
Seeing Li Banfeng depart, he sensed something was not quite right.
Recalling the conversation he’d just had with Li Banfeng, his feeling of unease intensified.
Why did I place my trust in him?
Why did I reveal the truth to him?
He Haiqin opened his mouth towards the pile of magical treasures left by Li Banfeng, intending to devour them before fighting desperately.
Hong Ying seized a bottle of Xu Ji soy sauce and thrust it into He Haiqin’s mouth: "This brand of soy sauce is superb, with an exceptional flavor. Xiaowan, you eat yours; I will begin pickling him."
Gloves approached the doorway and heard two pained groans.
The backscratcher lay on the floor. Though broken in half, it had been swallowed by He Haiqin once before, yet this magical treasure proved resilient, not entirely vanquished.
"Leave it be; the master might find it useful." Gloves collected the backscratcher.
...
Returning to the woods, Li Banfeng encountered He Haisheng.
He Haisheng always remained close to He Yuxiu. Though he couldn’t see his sister, simply being near her allowed him to hear her breathing.
Upon seeing Li Qi, He Haisheng looked up and inquired: "Where is my brother?"
Li Qi responded: "He has departed, rushing back for dinner."
He Haisheng grasped Li Banfeng’s true intention.
They were all family; He Haiqin would surely not go to extremes. Now that he had left, the matter was likely concluded.
He Haisheng cast a glance towards He Yuxiu and then said to Li Qi: "Thank you for looking after my sister."
Li Banfeng offered a slight nod.
He Haisheng took a couple of steps before turning back to say: "You must treat her well."
Li Banfeng nodded once more.
After He Haisheng had journeyed some distance, Li Banfeng entered the Dark Dimension Space. He Yuxiu was seated, leaning against a pine tree, her gaze somewhat distant.
"Seventh Brother, I never imagined Third Brother would rescue me. Of all my siblings, he is the one I like the least."
Li Banfeng casually inquired: "And why is that?"
He Yuxiu offered a wry smile: "I cannot precisely recall. I have disliked him since childhood. He always seemed particularly ostentatious, constantly seeking to bury himself in my arms.
It was acceptable when I was five or six, and even at seven or eight, one could indulge him. But at fifteen or sixteen, still wanting to nestle in my arms? Who could possibly tolerate that?"
Li Banfeng turned his attention to He Yuxiu: "At fifteen or sixteen, still nestled in your arms?"
"Yes!" He Yuxiu confirmed with a nod.
Li Banfeng’s gaze shifted towards the edge of the forest, in the direction He Haisheng had departed.
He Haisheng, now far away, suddenly halted his steps, casting a look back towards the distant woods.
"You must treat her well." He Haisheng murmured to himself.
Having spoken, he wiped the corners of his eyes with the sleeve of his robe.
...
Li Banfeng supported He Yuxiu as they traversed the newly acquired land.
It was imperative for Yuxiu to familiarize herself with the territory, lest she be unable to maintain her status.
He Yuxiu walked with apparent effort, requiring rest after every few miles. The pair sat beneath a tree, and He Yuxiu inquired: "I still cannot comprehend how my two younger brothers managed to locate this place?"
Li Banfeng explained: "This information originated from Inner State; they issued a summons for individuals to claim this territory. Whoever successfully seizes it, possesses it."
He Yuxiu contemplated for a considerable duration: "You may be correct. Their actions do not constitute a breach of contract."
Li Banfeng affirmed: "Indeed, no contract was breached. Their actions were conducted openly, leaving us with no grounds for complaint or objection, making it impossible for us to hold onto this territory."
"If all sorts of ruthless individuals arrive to claim the territory, how can we possibly defend it?" He Yuxiu, unable to devise a solution, smacked her thigh in frustration. "Brother Seven, since we cannot hold onto this territory, let us simply relinquish it. You must immediately return to Greenwater City, and I shall await you at the Contract Book. If all else fails, I will unearth the Contract Book and destroy it on the spot. I will fight with my very life rather than allow them to profit!"
Li Banfeng shook his head resolutely. "This is our territory, and no one should entertain the notion of profiting from it. I have already foreseen Inner State’s intentions and made preparations."
He Yuxiu pondered for a moment. "Are you referring to those three-headed beings...?"
Li Banfeng lifted the rudimentary phone and, after installing the dial plate, contacted Ma Wu through Luo Zhengnan. "Old Five, bring those five thousand people over."
Transporting five thousand individuals, especially three-headed ones, to a new territory presented a significant challenge. Ma Wu quickly devised a preliminary plan: "Old Qi, my plan is to transport these individuals in ten separate journeys, utilizing large wagons. We can simply claim we are transporting goods to the new land."
Li Banfeng stated, "There is no need for ten batches. Send them all at once."
Ma Wu expressed his concern, "This cannot possibly remain concealed; transporting five thousand people simultaneously, what manner of vehicle could possibly accommodate such a number?"
"No vehicles are necessary. They shall simply walk over, openly!"
Ma Wu was utterly taken aback. "Old Qi, what has gotten into you? We cannot afford to be so reckless. Five thousand three-headed individuals, all walking to the new land – would this not spread like wildfire throughout Greenwater City?"
Li Banfeng replied with utmost seriousness, "If the news spreads across Greenwater City, that would be excellent. If it has not spread, we shall publish it in the newspaper ourselves, announcing that Li Qi has acquired five thousand three-headed people for Green Flower, all of whom have been sent to the new land."
Ma Wu paused for a beat, finally grasping Li Banfeng’s ingenious strategy. "Old Qi, you have had this stratagem prepared all along!"
He Yuxiu also understood, her eyes widening. "Brother Seven, you intend to be transparent about this as well?"
"Indeed, entirely transparent," Li Qi declared, gazing into the distance. "Our initial pursuit was tranquility for our cultivation. If the territory had become overpopulated with too many prying eyes, changes would inevitably occur. Now that our cultivation advancement is successful, we shall manage the territory openly. Green Flower has brought five thousand three-headed people; they will stand here, and let us observe how many dare to come and cause trouble."
He Yuxiu looked up at Li Qi, an overwhelming sense of strength flooding her being. "Brother Seven, when they come to develop this land, should I also learn how to manage them?"
"That is a considerable undertaking, requiring dedicated learning," Li Banfeng replied, standing upon the wilderness and surveying the surroundings. "Xiuer, do you not feel that something is lacking in this grand design?"
Xiuer also sensed an absence. "It does seem a bit too quiet, doesn't it?"
PS: What is truly missing in this territory?
This Chapter is so good; dear readers, give all monthly tickets to Shala!