Who Was Pulling the Strings?

The Wife had no idea what Li Banfeng had said to the mansion.

Li Banfeng wanted to show his Wife the oil he had stolen from Portable Abode, but in the blink of an eye, all the oil in the third room had disappeared.

Was it taken by the train?

Li Banfeng is on the train right now. To be precise, the oil wasn't taken away by the train, but by the Sanfang Company.

Where was it shipped to?

Train Head?

Where is the Train Head?

From the day the Peddler handed the key to Li Banfeng after Li arrived at Medicine King Gully sect, Portable Abode had been following Li Banfeng ever since.

Li Banfeng never delved into the origins of the Portable Abode a type of Portable Abode characteristics.

The ability to move freely with Portable Abode is truly incredible.

But there were too many incredible things happening in Pro State, Li Banfeng had no time to think about it.

Now it seems we need to think about this carefully.

The Lu Family's special train is heading to Black Stone Slope.

Sitting in such a luxurious carriage for the first time, Lu Chunying felt a little uncomfortable. She sat properly on the sofa, trying her best to maintain the demeanor of a young lady from a prominent family.

Tan Fucheng wandered around the carriage, finding everything new and interesting. "I'm only getting in here because of Miss Chunying. Before, with my status, I wouldn't have been qualified to enter this carriage."

Ma Wu had been on the Lu Family Train before, and the Ma family also had its own special train, so he didn't find it strange. It was just that Monkey Qiu's condition was something he didn't quite understand.

Throughout the entire journey, Monkey Qiu neither chatted, read newspapers, ate, nor smoked; he simply gazed at the scenery outside the window.

What's so interesting about this scenery?

Monkey Qiu has worked hard with Lu Dongliang for half his life, and he should have seen enough of the scenery along the way.

The train had just left Green Water Bay and reached Yellow Stone Bridge when it suddenly stopped.

Ma Wu was taken aback. Apart from meeting other trains and refilling water, the special train did not need to stop at any stations along the way.

Looking out the window again, it doesn't seem like this is a train station.

Monkey Qiu said to everyone, "Let's go downstairs and buy some food. The Yellow Stone Bridge Meat Pie are famously delicious."

The Yellow Stone Bridge Meat Pie are indeed delicious; there are even people outside the car hawking them.

The four of them got off the car together. Ma Wu looked around and found that it was a Vehicle Depot.

There are people selling food at the Vehicle Depot?

Buying a meat pie shouldn't require so many people getting off the bus at once, right? Couldn't we just call a servant?

Ma Wu didn't ask any further questions; he knew that Monkey Qiu had other plans.

Monkey Qiu bought five catties of meat pies and whispered a few words to the vendor.

After the vendors left, Monkey Qiu led the group across the two railway tracks and onto another train.

Monkey Qiu chose to switch vehicles midway to guard against any sabotage.

The train was in terrible condition.

This is a truck, one of the cargo compartments is empty, and it is neither ventilated nor dark. Four people are stuck in the cargo compartment, eating meat pies with a pot of boiled water.

Once the train started moving, Tan Fucheng finally spoke, "Chief Qiu, who are you guarding against?"

Monkey Qiu smiled slightly, "It's just to be on guard, not to guard against anyone. It 'Miss Chunying's first time going out to discuss business, so it's better to be careful."

After speaking, Qiu Zhiheng glanced at Lu Chunying.

Lu Chunying nodded slightly. She not only approved of Monkey Qiu 'Monkey Qiu actions, but could also guess his intentions.

Monkey Qiu's actions were definitely aimed at someone. Ma Wu suspected that Monkey Qiu was on guard against Lu Maoxian, but he also felt that this was illogical.

With the Lu Family Train under heavy security, Lu Maoxian have a chance to make a move?

Who else could it be but Lu Maoxian?

"Jun Yang," Qiu Zhiheng said to Ma Wu, "I've heard about what happened in Blue Poplar Village. Find an opportunity to tell Li Qi to stop this matter with Song Zhigang for now and not to rush into further investigation."

Li Banfeng stretched and sat up in bed.

He stayed in his Portable Abode for three whole days without going out.

You must be careful when going out, because once you leave, you don't know when you'll be able to come back.

He dreamt of Outer State last night, and in the dream he returned to his high school days, reliving a series of unpleasant memories such as picking up trash and sleeping under bridges.

Therefore, Li Banfeng instructed Hong Ying to punish Dream Virtue.

Compared to her Wife, Hong Ying was gentler in this regard. She pulled Dream Virtue out of the calendar poster, pressed him onto her knees, and beat Tao Zi.

Li Banfeng calmly accepted the fact that Hong Ying had grown limbs.

Hong Ying is not a gun. That's what my Wife said. She's a young woman, so she should act like one.

Not only has the gun body changed, but the tip is also slightly different. It's longer, wider, and more rounded than before. If this trend continues, Hong Ying will probably be very proud.

Li Banfeng didn't care about Hong Ying's changes; what truly bothered him was this nightmare.

He dreamed of the sea, Portable Abode took him to the Oil Lake.

Now he dreamt of Outer State, wondering where his Portable Abode would take him.

Li Banfeng still didn't dare to bring the key into the house. Under the current circumstances, Li Banfeng had to adapt to the changes in his Portable Abode.

He turned on the projector and showed footage taken in the warehouse before entering the Portable Abode.

The video was short, only a little over two minutes long. Li Banfeng watched it ten times over, and the image of the warehouse kept replaying in his mind before he carefully opened the door.

With one foot inside and one foot outside the door, Li Banfeng gradually smelled the unique dusty odor of the warehouse before stepping out of Portable Abode.

As expected, the key was still in the warehouse of Carefree Dock. Li Banfeng retrieved it, confirming his suspicions.

The actions of Portable Abode are clearly related to his own consciousness. He had thought about Black Stone Slope before, so he went to Black Stone Slope.

Now that I'm thinking of going to the warehouse, it really is right outside my door.

As for why he went to Oil Lake last time, there was another misunderstanding. However, as long as he makes good use of this characteristic, Li Banfeng can still accurately return to the place where he entered.

After having a couple of drinks at Carefree Dock, Cao Zhida told Li Banfeng that Ma Wu had gone to Black Stone Slope with Qiu Zhiheng.

After leaving Carefree Dock, Li Banfeng went to Dongping Teahouse, ordered a pot of tea, and drank it for half an hour.

A moment later, a waiter came over and said in a low voice, "Sir, please come upstairs to talk."

Upon reaching the second floor, Qin Tianjiu was already waiting in the private room and quickly invited Li Banfeng to sit down.

When he had nothing to do, Qin Xiaopang spent most of his time at Dongping Teahouse. Unless there were special circumstances, Li Banfeng could find him by staying at the teahouse for a while.

It had been a while since they last met, and Qin Tianjiu had lost even more weight. Li Banfeng pulled out a wad of banknotes and stuffed them into his hand. "If you need money, come find me at Carefree Dock. If you can't find me, go ask Ma Wu for some. Don't be stingy with your money."

Qin Tianjiu blushed and said, "Seventh Brother, I... I don't lack money..."

"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and put it away. Have you heard anything about Lu Maoxian lately?"

"There really is!" Qin Xiaopang nodded and said, "Lu Maoxian invited Qiu Zhiheng to dinner yesterday, saying it was about the Blue Poplar Village matter."

Two of his underlings went to cause trouble in Blue Poplar Village, Lu Maoxian said that the matter had nothing to do with him and that the two underlings had already been dismissed from his command.

He even specifically asked our leader to be a witness, but Monkey Qiu doesn't seem to be in Green Water City, so the dinner didn't happen.

Lu Maoxian the patriarch of the Lu Family. If he really did this, he wouldn't need to admit defeat to Monkey Qiu. It seems he really didn't know about this beforehand.

Who exactly is behind this?

It certainly wasn't the housekeeper's idea.

Qin Xiaopang then said, "Seventh Brother, there's something else with the Lu Family. Did you know that Madam Duan has adopted a son?"

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "I know about this. It's Zhang Huaiyi, her nephew."

Qin Tianjiu continued, "Duan Shaoxia has been putting a lot of effort into praising this godson lately; last night she even took him to a banquet with the Lu Family!"

This is understandable. Duan Shaohong's son is Duan Shaoxia's nephew. Compared to Lu Chunying, Duan Shaoxia is more accepting of Zhang Huaiyi. Taking this opportunity to build connections for her nephew is a normal move.

Etc...

Duan Shaoxia.

Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead as a clue came to mind.

Could Duan Shaoxia be the mastermind behind the attack on Blue Poplar Village?

Is it possible that she bribed Lu Maoxian's butler to falsely convey Lu Maoxian's orders and incite Song Zhigang to cause trouble in Blue Poplar Village?

Her purpose in doing this was not to escalate the conflict between me and Lu Maoxian, but to escalate the conflict between Monkey Qiu and Lu Maoxian.

Monkey Qiu supports Lu Chunying, Duan Shaoxia drags Lu Chunying into the center of the conflict. On the surface, she can isolate Lu Chunying, but in secret, she can even kill Lu Chunying and then pin the blame on Lu Maoxian.

Is this possibility real?

Exist!

This tactic can indeed eliminate Lu Chunying and make way for Zhang Huaiyi.

How will Monkey Qiu respond?

Monkey Qiu didn't take the bait.

He went to Black Stone Slope.

He took Lu Chunying and hid away.

Duan Shaoxia's efforts were in vain.

However, her scheme also carries considerable risk. By following these two leads, she could trace Lu Maoxian's butler, and by following the butler, she could find Duan Shaoxia.

That said, what methods did Duan Shaoxia use to bribe Lu Maoxian's butler? This butler is so loyal, could he really be bought off with money alone?

Let's not think about this for now; we need to figure out how to proceed next.

"Little Fatty, how long have you been working on this Empty Code Copper Seal? When will you be able to make a proper copper stamp?"

Qin Tianjiu shook his head and said, "Seventh Brother, I've only been working at the copper seal for a few months and haven't made any great contributions. The Silver Seal says I'm not qualified enough, so it's probably too difficult for me to get any territory right now."

"When it comes to qualifications, you need qualifications first, then experience. Let's discuss this with your Silver Seal team. It would be best to have a clear price; just tell me the amount."

The line at Three Heroes Gate cannot be loosened; it is of great importance.

Back at Carefree Dock, Cao Zhida gave Li Qi an invitation. "This was sent by Madam Duan. She said that a banquet will be held at Yue Lai Restaurant tomorrow, and she would like to invite you to attend."

Upon seeing the invitation, Li Banfeng was basically certain that his guess was correct.

He naturally wouldn't attend the banquet, otherwise he might not return.

Li Banfeng instructed Cao Zhida to reply to the person who delivered the invitation, "We have urgent business and cannot attend tomorrow."

Cao Zhida rubbed his hands and said, "Seventh Master, Madam Duan is the legal wife of the Lu Family. I'm afraid a mere 'urgent matter' won't suffice."

"What do you mean by 'send off'? We really have something urgent to do. We're going to reclaim some land in a new area. Call a few trustworthy brothers to come with us. We'll set off tonight."

I have to keep my promise; Miss Meng is still waiting!

Zuo Wugang, Zhen Jincheng, and Huo Ling all went to Black Stone Slope with Ma Wu, leaving Carefree Dock with few capable fighters.

After calculating the Celestial Person, Cao Zhida said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, we'd better bring Genzi with us; he's a master at clearing land."

"Bring it along, we definitely have to bring it along. We also need to prepare some materials for Genzi."

Genzi was practicing in Blue Poplar Village when his spoon was broken. He made a new one, but it wasn't very handy to use.

After collecting most of the gold juice in the village, Genzi went to a new place. An old man who was farming waved to Genzi.

"Young man, are you Jin Xiu? I'm lacking some Jin Juice."

Farming in the new land?

This should be Farming Cultivator, and at a rather high level.

Little Genzi carried the bucket forward and gave the old man a spoonful.

The old man looked at the gold liquid, shook his head, and said, "The quality is poor."

"Not good enough?" Genzi frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

The old man laughed and said, "What else can I say? Just say it outright, it's no good, it's no good!"

P. S.: This Farming Cultivator seems to be someone of high status!