Mourning Star

At the Jiang Xiang Gang Medicine King Hall, the Hall Master Luo ZhengNan sat on the rooftop listening to the radio, laughing as he listened:

"The world is truly full of wonders. A person and two donkeys on the street... how could this happen in Medicine King Gully!"

Luo ZhengNan was enjoying himself when his henchman Sun Xingbing came to report, "Han Jinwei is here."

"Hall Master Han has arrived, please invite him in!"

Sun Xingbing said, "Boss, Han Jinwei is no longer the Hall Master, why are you still being so polite to him?"

Han Jinwei was originally the Hall Master of the Jiang Xiang Gang branch of the Yellow Earth Bridge. Because the Yellow Earth Bridge area was not very prosperous, Han Jinwei often took his men to Outer State on business.

Last time, when Outer State, I happened to receive orders from Xiao Zhengong to go to Iron Gate Fort to seize "Long Spear Zhao Xiaowan". As a result, I was outmaneuvered by Li Banfeng, which led to the complete annihilation of the Yellow Earth Bridge gang.

Later, "Long Spear Zhao Xiaowan" was bought back by Luo ZhengNan. Xiao Zhengong did not make Luo ZhengNan the deputy Gang Leader, but he did keep one promise: he gave Luo ZhengNan the Yellow Earth Bridge branch.

Luo ZhengNan is now the Hall Master of two gangs, and Han Jinwei has become Luo ZhengNan's subordinate, so Luo ZhengNan really doesn't need to be polite to him.

But Luo ZhengNan knew how to handle people. He reprimanded his henchman, saying, "You're just unreasonable. What's wrong with calling him 'Hall Master'? Who knows, he might make a comeback someday."

As the old saying goes, "It's never wrong to be polite." In other words, it's called high emotional intelligence, you know? Quickly, invite them in!

Han Jinwei arrived, and after a few polite words, he explained his purpose, "Hall Master, I want to go back to Yellow Earth Bridge Han Jinwei take a look and also to manage the gang's business."

Luo ZhengNan smiled, seeing through Han Jinwei's thoughts.

He didn't want to stay in Medicine King Gully and didn't want to be under Luo ZhengNan's control.

"Hall Master Han, is there still business at Yellow Earth Bridge?"

"Yes, there are three helms, each in charge of a section. I brought the roster with me, please take a look."

Luo ZhengNan didn't bother to look. "I just went to Yellow Earth Bridge last month. I walked for more than ten miles and didn't see many houses. That place is deserted. What's the point of going there?"

"Hall Master, we still have over a hundred brothers there, this matter..."

"Let's discuss this with the brothers. Those who are willing to come to Medicine King Gully, I'll accept them. Those who aren't, let them go their separate ways."

"Hall Master, this won't do. They've all contributed to the sect."

"What effort are you going to put in? Do you think I don't know? There's no business left to do in Yellow Earth Bridge; the only viable profession is human trafficking."

Han Jinwei lowered his head and said, "That's also our gang's business."

Jiang Xiang Gang does all sorts of business, and human trafficking is one of them.

Luo ZhengNan's face darkened, and he became less polite. "Old Han, there are some things I've told you before, and I'll say them again today."

"Each gang has its own way of doing business, and each branch has its own rules. In the Medicine King Hall, the business of human trafficking is forbidden. Anyone who does so is going against me, Luo ZhengNan."

"That's right, that's right." Han Jinwei didn't dare to contradict Luo ZhengNan. After exchanging a few words, he quickly left.

Luo ZhengNan continued listening to the radio, including the story about the donkey being sold on the street. As he listened, he muttered to himself, "Why did Sangxiu come to Medicine King Gully? Is this related to that guy from Yellow Earth Bridge?"

That bastard dared to mess with Monkey Qiu; he was just blind. He got raped by a donkey right there in the street, and he probably won't have the face to stay in Medicine King Gully anymore.

It would be best if he got out of here, the sooner the better.

Luo ZhengNan hoped that this scumbag would get out of here as soon as possible, but Yu Heshun was still there.

Not only did he not leave, but after recovering from his injuries for two days, he went to Qiu Family Business's Pharmacy to cause trouble again.

This is Sang Xiu's consistent logic: whoever hurts him, he will cling to them.

"You've hurt me like this, if you don't give me an explanation, you'll have to serve me for the rest of your lives!"

Ding Youming, the pharmacy clerk, got angry. "Who's going to serve you for life? What nonsense are you spouting?"

"What did I say? You hurt me, so I'm here to reason with you!" Yu Heshun old tricks, shouting loudly, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

Ding Youming wasn't afraid of him and spoke even louder, "Who hurt you? You were hurt by a donkey, so go and reason with the donkey! Make the donkey serve you for the rest of your life!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

Yu Heshun blushed and said, "Don't talk nonsense..."

"Who's talking nonsense? Ask around, everyone knows you got fucked by a donkey in the street!"

"I... that was..." Yu Heshun tried to explain that he had been affected by a technique.

Ding Youming didn't give him a chance to explain, "I don't care if you were sincere or not, you were just raped by a donkey in the street!"

"I, I am..."

"You were fucked by a donkey!"

"Don't make false accusations!"

"I have evidence that you were raped by a donkey!" Ding Youming turned on the projector, the one that Li Banfeng had brought specifically for him.

The image of a donkey being robbed on the street was projected onto the front of the pharmacy.

The crowd roared with laughter and cheers, Yu Heshun was furious and turned to leave.

In the back room of the pharmacy, Li Banfeng asked Qiu Zhiheng, "Won't he ruin the feng shui of the pharmacy?"

Qiu Zhiheng shook his head and said, "We haven't been criticized by others, so the feng shui won't be ruined. He can't stay in Medicine King Gully any longer."

Outside the pharmacy, laughter echoed in waves.

Li Banfeng didn't laugh.

Something's not right.

Li Banfeng admitted that Sang Xiu was indeed difficult to deal with.

Qiu Zhiheng is indeed resourceful, a fact that Li Banfeng also acknowledges.

Steward Feng and Yu Nan didn't want to get involved in any bad luck, so they went away, which was perfectly reasonable.

Why did the Carriage Driver try to avoid it?

The Carriage Driver is a highly skilled Travel Cultivator. If this is the only cultivator he has, and if this is all the strength he possesses, the Carriage Driver will surely have a way to deal with him.

Things may not be that simple.

Two days later, Yu Family Cloth Shop.

Upon seeing Li Banfeng, Yu Nan was delighted and invited Li Banfeng to the cloth shop for drinks.

After having a couple of drinks, Li Banfeng asked about the disaster relief efforts. Yu Nan replied, "Steward Feng told me that something bad was going to happen in Medicine King Gully and that I should go away and hide for a couple of days. So I went to Xindi."

The news still came from Steward Feng.

A few days later, Steward Feng returned.

Upon learning that Li Banfeng had returned, Steward Feng was both surprised and delighted. "Boss Li, it's been so long! I've been waiting for you for so many days. Let's settle the payment for the pills first."

Li Banfeng has sold all the pills he consigned with Steward Feng.

Steward Feng is very particular about rules in business. He follows agreements, keeps clear accounts, and is never ambiguous about anything.

Li Banfeng waved his hand and said, "The money for the pills isn't urgent. Let's talk about avoiding the disaster first. Where did you hear about this?"

Steward Feng took a sip of tea and said, "I heard it from a friend."

He didn't want to talk about it, Li Banfeng never pressed him about things that Steward Feng didn't want to talk about.

"I've come to you to ask about someone, your elder brother, Feng Chongli."

Steward Feng frowned slightly, and after a long silence, said, "May I ask what business you have with him?"

"Business matters."

Steward Feng sighed and said, "I really don't want to mention him. Although we're brothers, we're not on the same path."

But we had an agreement that we would look out for each other in business matters. Since you've asked, I can't not tell you.

A few days ago, he went to Yellow Earth Bridge, and from Yellow Earth Bridge came to Medicine King Gully. He came to see me and said that a funeral was coming to Medicine King Gully, and that I should go out and hide there.

Sangxiu is a businessman's nemesis. I told Boss Qiu and Shopkeeper Yu the news and went back to my hometown in the countryside. I only dared to come back these past two days after hearing that Sangxiu had left.

If you're looking to do business with my brother, as far as I know, he's gone to Yellow Earth Bridge again. Go there and see; he shouldn't have left yet.

Yellow Earth Bridge is a town nestled between Green Water City and Black Stone Slope.

Li Banfeng had passed by Yellow Earth Bridge several times by train, but had never been there.

The next day, Qiu Zhiheng helped Li Banfeng his Travel Permit and took him to the station.

Upon arriving at the station square, the two had just gotten off the rickshaw when they suddenly heard an argument. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a group of people harassing a Carriage Driver.

A young man in his twenties said, "It's only a few steps to Yuanzheng Street, and you want eight yuan? Are you out of your mind?"

The Carriage Driver looked bewildered and said, "Isn't this the price for everything?"

It costs eight yuan to get from the station to Pailou Street; that's the going rate.

Yuanzheng Street is a little further than Pailou Street, and it costs eight yuan, which isn't much.

But the group wouldn't let it go. An old woman said, "What's the going rate? You're asking for an exorbitant price from an old person like me. With your character, you deserve to be poor for generations to come. I'll give you seven dollars. Are you leaving or not?"

The Carriage Driver was also startled, and nodded, saying, "Let's go then."

The old lady called out, "Get in the car!"

A dozen or so people started to get into the cart, which terrified the Carriage Driver: "Gentlemen, this cart can only hold two people at most. What are you trying to do?"

The old lady snorted and said, "Who said it can only seat two people? We can just squeeze in!"

The Carriage Driver stopped the crowd, saying, "No, you've damaged my cart!"

"What's this? You paid but won't let us ride? Are you bullying us outsiders? Is this the prevailing attitude in Medicine King Gully? Is this place any better?"

The crowd pushed and shoved, Carriage Driver pulled the cart away.

Li Banfeng glanced at the numbers; there were fifteen people surrounding the Carriage Driver.

Qiu Zhiheng was also stunned. He said to Li Banfeng, "Brother, let's go! Don't get tainted by bad luck."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "I can't leave yet; I need to see an old friend."

Qiu Zhiheng was taken aback. "I'm also going to see an old friend. Aren't we looking for the same person?"

They were actually looking for the same person.

Qiu Zhiheng took Li Banfeng to Hundred Fragrance Village. From the village, they traveled more than 70 li southeast to a barren mountain.

Deep in the desolate mountains, after passing two mass graves, a small courtyard came into view in the distance.

Upon entering the courtyard, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over. Yao Lao was reclining in a deck chair, holding a wine jug, and singing opera:

"This letter arrived at the perfect time, Heaven is helping Huang Zhong achieve his success. Standing at the camp gate, he relayed the camp signal; all the young men, young and old, listen carefully..."

Dingjun Mountain!

I must say, Yao Lao sang quite well, with his precise and methodical delivery.

Upon seeing Li Banfeng, Yao Lao stood up from his recliner, grabbed Li Banfeng's hand, and said with a smile, "What brings you here, lad?"

Li Banfeng replied politely, "I came here specifically to visit you, sir."

"How's business?"

"Thanks to you, business is pretty good."

"Why didn't you bring your wife and kids along?"

"I... well..." Li Banfeng didn't know how to respond.

Yao Lao frowned and said, "Little Qiu, I'm not trying to criticize you, but look at your face and beard, you never bother to take care of them properly."

Li Banfeng looked at Qiu Zhiheng with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

Yao Lao glanced at Qiu Zhiheng, rubbed his forehead, and said, "I had a few too many drinks and mistook him for someone else. That's Little Qiu!"

He turned to Li Banfeng and asked, "Why did you come with Little Qiu?"

"Brother Qiu and I already knew each other."

"I know you two know each other, girl, I have to remind you, Little Qiu is married, he's not suitable for you."

"Didn't you always like Li Qi? Actually, that Li Qi isn't a good person either!"

"That stuff from Li Qi is pretty good," Li Banfeng said, looking at Yao Lao. "How much did you actually drink?"

"Not much!" Yao Lao held up two fingers. "Eight and a half catties, and half a catty is still in the pot."

Qiu Zhiheng said, "Yao Lao, we came to see you to tell you that a group of Medicine King Gully to mourn."

"I've heard about it!" Yao Lao said nonchalantly. "It's just a funeral procession, isn't it? You can't even handle that? Why do you need to come to me for such a small matter?"

Qiu Zhiheng shook his head and said, "It wasn't just one vengeful cultivator; a total of fifteen came."

"Fifteen?" Yao Lao was taken aback, then sobered up.

"How could fifteen people have come?" Yao Lao muttered to himself. "How many people are there in his sect? How could fifteen have come?"

After a moment of silence, Yao Lao raised his head and asked, "Has anyone been to Yellow Earth Bridge recently?"

Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly; he had never been there.

Qiu Zhiheng said, "I went there once at the beginning of the year."

"How's the situation there?"

"It's not good, it's very desolate, there are hardly any people left."

Yao Lao blinked and said, "I remember that place produced coal and iron ore; it shouldn't be in this state."

Qiu Zhiheng said, "Doing business in that place is too troublesome. Merchants have all gone to Black Stone Slope, and ordinary people have also moved away."

Yao Lao put down the wine pot, looking astonished, and said, "That Mourning Star has his eye on me?"

P. S.: Something big is about to happen in Medicine King Gully.