Establish the Flag

Li Banfeng looked at Bai Qiusheng in surprise.

Everyone looked at Li Banfeng in surprise.

The girl stood beside him, covering the peach in surprise.

How did we get here?

Li Banfeng's first thought was that someone had taken the key and brought him to Black Stone Slope.

He searched around the factory but couldn't find the key.

"Who has been here today?" In his haste, Li Banfeng's words were incoherent; the key was one of the things he cared about most.

"Quite a few people have come..." Bai Qiusheng was confused and didn't know how to answer. Only after Li Banfeng calmed down a bit did he understand what he meant.

"Seventh Master, let's find a place to talk alone."

In the backyard building, Li Banfeng's room still remains, and someone cleans it regularly.

Upon entering the room, Bai Qiusheng said, "Seventh Master, everyone who came to the newspaper office today is an acquaintance, even the models for the photoshoot are acquaintances who have worked with us several times before."

"Has no one returned from out of town?"

"No, Seventh Master, I've been taking photos in the factory all day today, I can guarantee that."

Li Banfeng couldn't understand it. No outsiders had come, so who brought the key?

Did they not bring the key?

Could the key still be in Carefree Dock?

How did Portable Abode come about?

Doesn't the Portable Abode always follow the key?

Go back to Portable Abode and see if anything is amiss.

After sending Bai Qiusheng away, Li Banfeng was about to return to Portable Abode when he fumbled in his pocket for a long time but found nothing.

I'm so anxious, I can't even think straight.

Without the key, how can I get back to Portable Abode?

Li Banfeng tried his best to remain calm and pondered the reasons behind it.

There are only two possibilities for the key's whereabouts: either it was taken to Black Stone Slope, or it remains in Carefree Dock.

Li Banfeng called Bai Qiusheng back, "Get me a Travel Permit and a train ticket. I need to go back to Green Water City immediately!"

Bai Qiusheng was taken aback. "Buy train tickets now?"

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "The sooner the better."

Bai Qiusheng dared not delay and quickly found someone to handle the arrangements.

Li Banfeng then gave another instruction. "Make a list of everyone who has been to the newspaper office today, and don't leave anyone out."

At 7 p. m., nearly a hundred people from the main and maternal branches of the Lu Family gathered at Lu Maoxian's residence, preparing to avenge Lu Maoxian.

Monkey Qiu looked at everyone, his brows furrowing slightly.

So many people responded to Lu Maoxian's call, which was within his expectations. After all, Lu Maoxian at the height of his power, and this was the rule of the Lu Family.

But gathering everyone at the Lu Family was something he hadn't expected.

Normally, the most important members of the family would stay at the main house to handle the situation and make decisions, while the others would act according to their assigned roles.

Now that everyone has arrived at the mansion, with such a grand procession, aren't you afraid of the news leaking out?

It seems this old man not only wants revenge, but also wants to Establish the Flag.

Foreign affairs are judged by customs and defenses, while domestic affairs are judged by the flag. Lu Maoxian wanted to establish the Lu Family's flag firmly in their own home.

If we hadn't brought Lu Chunying here today, the Lu Family's Direct Lineage wouldn't have been able to produce anyone, and Lu Maoxian would have really succeeded!

Even if Lu Chunying comes, will Lu Maoxian admit his mistake?

Lu Maoxian's eldest son, Lu Dongtang, stood in the center of the hall, scanning everyone and adopting the demeanor of a family head.

Today is to avenge his father, so it's normal for him to show some of the host's aura. The other families didn't say anything.

Lu Dongtang's gaze lingered on Lu Chunying, and he deliberately asked, "Who is this girl?"

Lu Dongtang's younger brother, Lu Donghui, said from the side, "This is my eldest brother's daughter, Lu Chunying."

Lu Dongtang knew Lu Chunying, who was Lu Dongliang's acknowledged daughter. She had met with everyone in the family before. His question was intentionally meant to embarrass Lu Chunying.

"A wild woman's daughter has the nerve to show her face? Is the main family out of people?" Lu Dongtang sneered.

Monkey Qiu frowned, but before he could speak, Lu Chunying looked directly at Lu Dongtang and said, "Today is to avenge your father. I'm here to give your father face. It's not your place to tell him what to do."

Lu Dongtang frowned. "Who are you talking to?"

"I'll talk to you!" Lu Chunying said without fear. "I'm already doing you a favor by being willing to talk to you!"

Lu Dongtang was furious. He took a step forward, but suddenly felt his veins throbbing and he felt dizzy.

Why are you so angry?

Surely not?

Lu Dongtang sensed something was wrong and found Qiu Zhiheng staring at him coldly.

"What do you mean by this? Are you using techniques on me?" Lu Dongtang gritted his teeth and looked at Monkey Qiu.

Qiu Zhiheng lit a cigarette and said calmly, "Chunying is a young lady from the main family. You should speak more politely."

Lu Dongtang swallowed his anger. In terms of cultivation and methods, he was no match for Monkey Qiu.

He turned his head and fixed his gaze on Lu Yuanxin again.

Lu Yuanxin is Lu Dongjun's son. Because of Lu Dongjun's past, Lu Yuanxin's situation in the Lu Family is very bad. He not only lost all the family property, but his status in the Lu Family is also lower than that of a maternal relative.

Lu Dongtang looked at Lu Yuanxin and said, "You're here too? Who sent you?"

Lu Yuanxin lowered his head, his face flushed, and said, "Aunt Dongchun asked me to come..."

Lu Dongtang laughed, "You came just because I told you to? You actually have the nerve to show your face?"

Lu Yuanxin felt somewhat awkward about it.

Before Lu Dongjun's accident, Lu Yuanxin was a proper Lu Family. With his outstanding talent and abundant elixirs, he had already become a third-level Insect Cultivator in his early twenties, a true young talent.

In terms of face and substance, Lu Yuanxin is no less than his peers, but now he is down on his luck. However, he came tonight for the sake of his Lineage, yet he has suffered this humiliation.

Lu Yuanxin turned to leave when he suddenly heard Lu Chunying say to Lu Dongtang, "Did you bring us here today to avenge your father, or to glorify yourself? If you look down on us, we'll just leave!"

Lu Dongtang's brows furrowed again; every word this girl spoke was like a slap in the face.

In fact, Lu Chunying wasn't wrong. Lu Dongtang was putting on this show because he wanted to save face, but now that he couldn't save face, Lu Dongtang walked straight towards Lu Chunying.

Monkey Qiu put out his cigarette and quietly watched Lu Dongtang.

Just as the two sides were about to fight, Lu Dongchun came downstairs. "Brother, Father wants you to come over."

Lu Dongtang went upstairs with a resentful look on his face and entered Lu Maoxian's bedroom.

Lu Maoxian looked quite well; his injury had healed by about 50-60%, but his right hand hadn't grown back.

He was too old to risk going to Three Heads Junction, and would think of another way later.

"Dongtang, I heard the main family's daughter has arrived?"

Lu Dongtang said angrily, "A little yellow-haired girl, I don't know where Lu Dongliang got her from."

"Lu Chunying," Lu Maoxian remembered this person, "I thought Monkey Qiu would bring Zhang Huaiyi, but I didn't expect him to bring this girl instead. Don't get angry with her. In this situation, arguing will not benefit us, no matter who wins or loses."

Lu Dongtang said, "Father, this girl is a complete bastard, the child of a wild woman..."

Lu Maoxian glared at Lu Dongtang: "Aren't you listening to me?"

Lu Dongtang didn't dare say anything more, Lu Maoxian asked, "Has Tan Fucheng arrived?"

"They're here."

"He rarely appears in public, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Lu Dongtang said, "My men have seen him before. He's standing next to Ma Wu, so they won't mistake him."

Lu Maoxian sighed, "That bastard attacked me underhanded back then, and he still dares to come into my house today. It looks like he was sent by Monkey Qiu to back up that girl."

And then there's Ma Wu, he's another character; Lu Chunying has deep roots behind him.

Lu Dongtang lowered his voice and said, "Rather than leaving behind trouble, it's better to just..."

"The work needs to be done, but we can't rush it," Lu Maoxian said calmly. "We've made such a big show of things tonight to use Ling Miaoying Establish the Flag. If we're going to take Lu Chunying's head, we'll have to do it to Ling Miaoying first."

If you can avenge me and eradicate the root of the main family, then this banner will be firmly established, understand?

Lu Dongtang returned to the main hall and addressed the crowd, saying, "I invited you all here today for the sake of the Lu Family's reputation and honor."

My father was the most senior member of the Lu Family, and he was betrayed by that bastard third son of the Ling family. Today, we must settle this score.

Lu Dongtang's cousin, Lu Donggen, said, "We must collect the debt, but we need to understand the situation first. I've heard about Ling Laosan's methods. If we fight him on his turf, we probably won't gain any advantage."

Lu Dongtang said, "Don't worry, everyone. We won't do anything on his turf. Tonight, he's having dinner with the Guanfang Envoy at Yue Lai Restaurant. After the meeting, we'll take care of him on the way."

This is my father's business, so naturally our family will be the first to go. I'd appreciate it if you all could lend a hand and keep watch at all the entrances and exits. We can't let him escape. Tonight, we must take this bastard's life!"

The atmosphere in the hall was lively, and everyone was very excited. Tan Fucheng lowered his voice and said, "Fifth Master, look at this, it's turning into a private performance! Do you think this will work? This old man is really going all out to Establish the Flag!"

Ma Wu smiled but remained silent.

He was thinking about something else.

Where did Seventh Brother go?

Before setting off tonight, he searched everywhere for Li Banfeng but couldn't find him.

It's better if they didn't find it. Given the current situation, it's best for Seventh Brother not to get involved in this mess.

Li Banfeng was pacing anxiously in Black Stone Slope. Bai Qiusheng had drawn up a list. Everyone who came to the newspaper office today was an acquaintance; none of them were from out of town.

We searched the entire newspaper office several times, but we still couldn't find the key.

Li Banfeng could only pin his hopes on the fact that the key was still in Carefree Dock.

Around 8 o'clock, Little Chuanzi ran over, breathless, and said, "Seventh Master, there's an express train going to Green Water Bay tonight."

Li Banfeng asked with delight, "Great! Do you have train tickets?"

Little Chuanzi shook his head and said, "This is not a passenger bus, it's a freight truck, it carries coal, and it doesn't go to Green Water City, it only goes to the Vehicle Depot on the border of Green Water Bay."

"That works too. What time does the bus depart?"

"5 p. m."

"Five in the afternoon..." Li Banfeng roared, "That bus left a long time ago, what are you talking to me about?"

Little Chuanzi said helplessly, "Seventh Master, you gave me only one train today."

The bus departs at 5 PM.

It might not be too late!

Li Banfeng got up to leave, and Little Chuanzi asked, "Seventh Master, I've reduced the cost of the projector to two thousand. Shall I show it to you?"

"I'm not looking anymore. Lower it a little more, down to 1,500." After saying that, Li Banfeng immediately left the newspaper office and sped away into the night.

At Yuezhou Third Hospital, the buttons on He Jiaqing's chest trembled.

While He Haisheng was away, He Jiaqing fiddled with the buttons, and Wan Jinxian's voice reached his ears:

"Jiaqing, I've heard that the Lu Family is going to seek revenge on Ling Miaoying tonight."

This was within He Jiaqing's expectations. "It's alright, as long as Ling Miaoying hides well, the Lu Family won't be able to find her."

"Ling Miaoying didn't hide anything; he invited Guanfang Envoy dinner at Yue Lai Restaurant."

He Jiaqing frowned. "What does he want with the Guanfang Envoy?"

Before Wan Jinxian could explain, He Jiaqing smelled smoke.

He Haisheng is back.

He Jiaqing immediately cut off contact.

He Haisheng entered the ward, intending to glance at He Jiaqing before going to the hotel to rest.

He stood by the hospital bed for a moment and noticed that one of the buttons on He Jiaqing's shirt was a little loose.

PS: Ban Feng is going to catch the train.