Xiu Er, Let's Get Serious

Li Banfeng took He Yuxiu to an inn to stay.

He gave the waiter an extra banknote and asked him to prepare a large basin of clean water.

The Wine Gourd said to He Yuxiu, "Sister, take off your clothes and soak them in the water for a while. I'll help you detoxify and treat your wounds."

He Yuxiu sat in the room with a blank stare.

Li Banfeng possesses the skill to Discern Spiritual Sounds and can communicate directly with magical artifacts.

Can other cultivators communicate with magical artifacts?

Yes, it's possible. It depends on the sect and level of the practitioner. The stronger the perception of the sect and the higher the level of the practitioner, the more they can interact with the magical artifact.

Martial cultivators don't have strong perception, but He Yuxiu has an eighth-level cultivation. At this level, even if she can't talk to the magic weapon, she can still sense some of its thoughts.

However, He Yuxiu couldn't sense that this wasn't her area of expertise.

She had tried to communicate, but in a fit of extreme anger, she smashed several magical artifacts, and never succeeded in communicating.

She couldn't hear a word the Wine Gourd was saying, so Li Banfeng translated for her. "Soak it in the water, and this lady will help you heal your wounds."

After saying that, Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat and left He Yuxiu's room.

"Sister?" He Yuxiu looked at the Wine Gourd.

He calls this gourd "sister"?

The Wine Gourd lifted her clothes, indicating that she should take them off.

Blood congealed on her clothes, He Yuxiu tore them off forcefully, leaving her covered in blood, before plunging them into a basin of water.

The Wine Gourd was slowly poured into the basin of water. This hurt a lot, He Yuxiu was strong and didn't utter a sound.

Before long, the wound was cleaned up, and the Wine Gourd fed He Yuxiu two more sips of wine.

These two sips of wine were different from the previous ones. After drinking them, He Yuxiu felt nauseous and wanted to vomit.

Vomiting in the basin was definitely not an option. He Yuxiu tried to stand up from the basin, but her legs were too weak to get up for a long time.

The Wine Gourd was waved towards the door, as if to ask if Li Banfeng should be called in.

He Yuxiu hesitated for a moment, feeling really ashamed, and struggled out of the wooden basin to find a bucket to vomit.

That's strange, why are you feeling shy today?

He Yuxiu herself couldn't understand this matter.

After vomiting completely, He Yuxiu soaked in the basin for a while, and the originally light red water gradually turned bluish-black.

This has brought out the poison.

After soaking for more than an hour, He Yuxiu's body was cleared of about 70-80% of the poison. The Wine Gourd fed her a sip of wine, and she lay down on the bed to sleep.

Wine Gourd went to the next room to tell Li Banfeng, only to find that Li Banfeng was not there at all.

He returned to his Portable Abode and went to divide the spoils with the gloves.

The Soda Kiln has quite a few good things. The two squatted in the third room, counting each item one by one. They knew this room was special and contained things that Train liked, so they gave them directly to Portable Abode.

The gloves first spat out two boxes of banknotes, Li Banfeng roughly counted; there were over 700,000 yuan.

The gloves spat out another box of silver dollars, which Li Banfeng didn't bother to count. "The money is all yours."

"Thank you, sir!" The glove was overjoyed and spat out another chain.

These are the chains that bound He Yuxiu in the dungeon. They can trap martial arts practitioners on the eighth floor. This is truly a valuable item.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to study it, Portable Abode took it directly.

"The quality is a bit poor, but it'll do for now," Portable Abode said.

Li Banfeng didn't understand the principles of trains very well. Would something like an iron chain be useful for Steam Train?

The glove reassured him, "Master, since the house has taken it, we haven't really lost out. I have other treasures here."

He spat out another hammer, which was sentient and could move on its own. He thought Portable Abode would accept it, but Portable Abode seemed to dislike it.

"The Work Method is too poor; let's leave it to that girl."

Which girl?

Li Banfeng handed the hammer to the record player.

Huff~

The record player exhaled a puff of steam and slowly sang, "Hey, my lord, this humble Little Slave also knows a bit of this physically demanding work."

She used a stylus to remove a wooden beam from the windmill record player, tied the beam to the hammer, and put it back into the front box.

Seeing that the mistress liked it, the gloves spat out all the pliers, screwdrivers, saws, chisels, and adzes, and took the record player along with them.

There was still a pile of glass beads left, and the gloves were spat out. "Boss, these are good hidden weapons, specifically designed to be aimed at the feet."

Li Banfeng also noticed that these glass beads were indeed different. Just as he was about to pick one up, he saw all the glass beads roll into the third room with a clatter.

By the time Li Banfeng caught up with them and entered the third room, the glass beads had already been taken by Portable Abode.

"What do you need this for, old man?"

"To relieve boredom." Portable Abode's answer surprised Li Banfeng.

After settling his belongings, Li Banfeng left his Portable Abode, Wine Gourd back by his side, and slept for the night.

Jiang Xiang Gang's gang was wiped out at the Soda Kiln, Guanfang Envoy estimated that he would take action soon.

Li Banfeng wasn't worried about this; he was confident he could escape because the border couldn't stop him now.

As for He Yuxiu, there's even less to worry about; she definitely has her own methods.

It's a low-probability event to capsize in a ditch, He Yuxiu is ultimately the head of the He Family. However, the reason for this capsizing needs to be clarified.

The following evening, He Yuxiu woke up. Most of her external injuries had healed, and although the remaining poison had not been completely eliminated, it did not have a significant impact.

She approached Li Banfeng and, with a thick skin, made a request. "I've been robbed of all my money, could you buy me some clothes?"

Her clothes were torn and covered in blood; she really couldn't go out looking like that.

But this is really not a good thing. Money is not the problem. The key is that He Yuxiu is tall and has a conscience. Her conscience is too big to be contained in ordinary clothes.

Her conscience couldn't hold her, and it was even harder to hide her peach; her chubby little peaches were practically popping out from under her tattered clothes.

Li Banfeng went to several clothing stores and bought a set of oversized men's clothing for He Yuxiu to wear.

Wearing a plaid shirt and a beige suit, He Yuxiu, with her hair tucked into a top hat, exuded a more dashing air than the average man.

"I... well, I'm hungry," He Yuxiu said, blushing. "Could you treat me to a meal?"

He Yuxiu is a person who cares a lot about saving face.

To avoid attracting attention when eating out, Li Banfeng asked the waiter to prepare some food and drinks and bring them to his room.

Not only does the Soda Kiln make excellent soda, but it also brews fragrant and mellow wine, making the Wine Gourd rub against Li Banfeng incessantly.

Li Banfeng patted the gourd, signaling her to drink as much as she wanted. Most of the wine poured into Li Banfeng's bowl was secretly drunk by the Wine Gourd.

After a few bowls of wine, He Yuxiu regained much of her strength and looked at Li Banfeng, saying, "Brother Li Qi, I really don't know how to repay this kindness."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "A life-saving grace is a big deal. You're not being sincere by talking about repaying it in just a few words."

He Yuxiu asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Li Banfeng looked at He Yuxiu and smiled slightly, "We need to get serious."

He Yuxiu asked tactfully, "Are you going to sleep with me?"

Li Banfeng waved his hand. "That won't do, we're from different generations. How about this, let's become sworn brothers?"

He Yuxiu was taken aback. "Does this mean there's no difference in seniority?"

Li Banfeng said, "After we've sworn brotherhood, what's the difference in seniority? Saving my life is the most important thing. You're even arguing with me about seniority, how can you talk about repaying a debt of gratitude?"

He Yuxiu was a little conflicted. Normally, Lu Chunying would call her Sister Xiu, and she would accept it.

But the matter of becoming sworn brothers is another story. It's not just a simple title; in Pro State, this is a serious matter, and from now on, they will truly be peers.

Well, considering the life-saving grace, this little thing really shouldn't be taken too seriously.

The two immediately burned yellow paper and became sworn brothers.

Li Banfeng said, "Xiu Er, from today onwards, I am your elder brother."

"That's right, we're... wait a minute!" He Yuxiu protested, "You're the older brother? How old are you to call yourself my older brother?"

Li Banfeng picked up the wine jar and said, "This is a life-saving grace, a debt of gratitude beyond measure. At our age, what's there to haggle over!"

"That won't do!" He Yuxiu objected. "That's going too far!"

"Xiu Er, drink this wine first, and let me explain the reasoning behind this. I'll act as your elder brother; you won't be at a disadvantage. Actually, you don't know how old I really am. Let's start with the story of how you saved my life..."

I wonder how old he is?

Didn't he address Ma Wu as his brother?

Is it really true that you won't lose out in this situation?

He Yuxiu was becoming increasingly conflicted.

Of the two jars of wine, one and a half jars were drunk, with He Yuxiu drinking most of it and the rest going into the Wine Gourd.

The Wine Gourd sighed inwardly, "The liquor from the Soda Kiln is really strong!"

With a blush on her face, He Yuxiu patted her conscience and looked at Li Banfeng, saying, "Seventh Brother, I owe you my life. From now on, your business is my business. No matter what, I'll do it without hesitation!"

"Great job! Xiu Er, I admire your character!" Li Banfeng exclaimed, then poured He Yuxiu another bowl.

He Yuxiu took a big gulp and then said, "Well, let's talk this over. I've been through so much in the martial arts world for so many years, and I feel a little awkward calling you Seventh Brother in public."

How about we talk this over? When we're alone, I'll call you Seventh Brother, and you call me Little Sister. When we're in a group, you can call me Sister, okay?

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "You just said it yourself, after all these years of struggling in the martial world, how did you fall into the hands of Jiang Xiang Gang?"

"How pathetic! This is absolutely pathetic!"

Last night you said I was a coward, and I said I wasn't. I really wasn't a coward; I came here to escape a disaster.

"Fleeing is shameful enough, but to make matters worse, we capsized in this ditch." He Yuxiu lit a cigarette, rubbed her forehead, and recounted the whole story:

"I offended the Guanfang Envoy, and my family's business was shut down. After finally managing to get it back, Ma Wu, fearing Guanfang Envoy, told me to go hide in Xindi."

I can't stand that place in New Town; just thinking about it makes me feel suffocated. I want to hide away in the Soda Kiln; it's more secluded there. I've practiced my cultivation there for a few years, so I have some foundation there.

I even changed my identity and clothes, and didn't dare bring a single accessory. I bought a hard-seat ticket and carefully made my way to the Soda Kiln.

After getting off the train, I went to find an old friend and we discussed it, and I asked him to arrange accommodation for me.

Who would have thought that this bastard would betray me? That very night, someone attacked me.

"I'm not bragging, but even with hundreds of people surrounding me, none of them weak in combat, I still managed to fight my way through."

Even when surrounded by hundreds of cultivators, they managed to fight their way out!

Li Banfeng had no doubt about this.

Judging from He Yuxiu's fighting prowess last night, among all the people Li Banfeng has met, He Yuxiu is considered to be at the top level.

However, the fact that they were able to gather over a hundred cultivators at once confirms that it was the Guanfang Envoy the move.

He Yuxiu took a sip of wine and continued, "I lost all my magic treasures and my Travel Permit, but those aren't big deals. At least I survived. I fought and ran for two whole days and nights, and managed to shake off that group of people."

I haven't eaten or drunk anything for two days and two nights. I'm extremely hungry and thirsty, so I'm looking for a soda stand to grab something to eat.

I didn't dare go to any overly conspicuous places, so I found a secluded spot. Little did I expect to run into Jiang Xiang Gang and his gang of bastards; a few bottles of soda knocked me out.

We've weathered so many storms, and to be brought down by this soda vendor is just humiliating! Seventh Brother, please don't tell anyone about this, I can't bear the shame."

Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Girl, there's nothing shameful about this."

He Yuxiu raised her head and said, "I was tricked by these scoundrels, isn't that shameful?"

Li Banfeng asked, "Have you read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"

He Yuxiu shook her head and said, "I haven't read the book, I've only heard a few passages mentioned in the story."

Li Banfeng laughed and asked, "Do you know Lü Bu?"

"Then I know, he was the best fighter in the Three Kingdoms!"

How did Lü Bu die?

"He died at the White Gate Tower, bound by his men and brought before Cao Cao."

"What's the name of his subordinate?"

He Yuxiu blinked and shook her head, saying, "I can't remember that."

"Zhang Fei was known as a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men, so how did he die?"

"He was also killed by his subordinates."

"What are the names of his men?"

He Yuxiu scratched her head, unable to answer.

"You can't remember, can you?" Li Banfeng asked again, "How did Guan Yu die?"

He Yuxiu thought for a moment, "I remember being tripped by a tripwire."

"Who put the tripwire?"

He Yuxiu stared wide-eyed and said, "How would I know?"

"That's right! I didn't know either!" Li Banfeng said with Orthodox God. "There are plenty of heroes who have fallen into the gutter, but a hero is still a hero."

"Xiu Er, you were surrounded by hundreds of cultivators, yet you fought your way out. You are a hero! Being ambushed when you were at your last gasp is nothing to be ashamed of!"

He Yuxiu lowered her head and said, "I'm just afraid people will laugh at me. I can't just tell everyone that I fought my way out of hundreds of people. If I keep saying that, wouldn't that make me even more of a laughingstock..."

Li Banfeng looked at He Yuxiu and said, "Let them laugh. They're laughing behind our backs, we can't hear them. Let them laugh their fill."

"If they dare to laugh in front of us, we'll break their front teeth and see if they can still laugh then."

He Yuxiu held the wine bowl and looked carefully at Li Qi.

She's not good with words, and there are some things she can't explain clearly.

But for some reason, she felt that calling him "Seventh Brother" was a really worthwhile thing to do.

"Xiu Er, what are your plans for the next step?"

He Yuxiu thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to Xindi. Xindi, where the Soda Kiln located, also He Family Land Block belonging to the He family. Ma Wu is right, only Xindi can hide it away."

"If someone in the Proper Land is selling you Soda Kiln, why don't they sell you one in the new city? Let's go back to Green Water City and go back with dignity."

"Upright and honorable?" He Yuxiu said, "Buy train tickets directly to Green Water City? I'm afraid we won't even be able to get into the station."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Buying train tickets won't work! Doesn't the He Family have a special train? Call it over and bring the head of the family home!"

He Yuxiu exclaimed in astonishment, "This is too ostentatious!"

"Scared?"

He Yuxiu pondered for a moment, then downed her drink in one gulp. "I'll listen to you, I'm not afraid!"

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "That's right, we brothers should have this kind of dignity!"

It's respectable enough, but can I save my life?

"Seventh Brother, I've lost all my magic weapons and can't contact my family now. I don't trust anyone else."

"I'll figure something out."

Li Banfeng contacted Luo ZhengNan and asked him to inform Ma Wu to contact the He Family and send a special train to pick up the head of the family from the Soda Kiln.

Ma Wu didn't understand Li Banfeng's idea; doing so would kill He Yuxiu.

After thinking for a moment, he still contacted the He Family.

The He Family immediately dispatched a special train with about a hundred people of all ages to pick up the head of the family.

The train departed that day and was expected to arrive at the Soda Kiln three days later.

The He Family's support team was prepared for a fight to the death; they were even prepared to take action on the train.

The Guanfang Hall received the message and realized that He Yuxiu was openly provoking them.

They ordered Jiang Xiang Gang to do everything in his power to capture He Yuxiu, and they had to see results within three days, whether she was alive or dead.

The Soda Hall was empty, and the Guanfang Hall transferred a lot of people from other branches.

The Guanfang Envoy's order was clear: He Yuxiu's life must be kept at the Soda Kiln, and she must not be allowed to board the special train back to Green Water City. Moreover, the matter had to be handled very discreetly.

Although the Guanfang Envoy covert support, this posed a significant challenge for Jiang Xiang Gang.

Elites from several different factions arrived, and all available means were employed.

Over the next three days, the entire Soda Kiln will be turned upside down!

On a steam-powered freight car bound for Green Water City, He Yuxiu sat up from the coal-filled compartment, wiped the coal dust from her face, and said, "Seventh Brother, is this what you call respectable?"

Li Banfeng snorted and said, "What, you look down on me? Is this how you talk to your elder brother? Have you forgotten about family rules?"

"I'm not looking down on you, I just feel that our journey together has been a bit... well..."

Li Banfeng said with a serious expression, "Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of them. I'm avoiding their sharp edge. I'm doing this so that..."

"Seventh Brother, it looks like the train conductor is here!"

Li Banfeng lay motionless in the coal pile.

PS: They've become sworn brothers just like that, what about Jiaqing?