Seven Autumn City

When Chu Shaoqiang took off his hat, He Jiaqing finally recognized him.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised. In Pro State, everyone knew that Chu Shaoqiang was dead. Most people believed that he died while reclaiming wasteland, while a few knew that he had been killed by the Guanfang Envoy.

But almost no one knew he was still alive, He Jiaqing certainly didn't know.

But He Jiaqing knew one thing: meeting Chu Shaoqiang here was probably not a coincidence.

"Uncle Qiang, you've come to Kinless Village to see me?" Chu Shaoqiang was an elder, so He Jiaqing spoke to him very politely.

Chu Shaoqiang smiled and said, "Let's eat noodles first, it's on me."

Chu Shaoqiang ordered two bowls of noodles, two side dishes, and a pot of wine.

The two had a meal together, He Jiaqing said, "Uncle Qiang, shouldn't we get down to business?"

Chu Shaoqiang paid for the meal, smiled, and said, "Let's talk outside. We're not related to anyone here, and it wouldn't be good to involve them."

After the two left the noodle shop, Chu Shaoqiang specifically reminded them, "Don't walk close to the wall, there's mud."

After saying that, Chu Shaoqiang looked at his leather shoes, which were still covered in dried mud.

As they walked and talked, Chu Shaoqiang said, "You were quite lovable when you were little. Hai Qin and I were also quite close. Back then, we even wanted to arrange a marriage between Huai Yuan and you, but I spoiled Huai Yuan, and she wouldn't agree no matter what we said."

He Jiaqing laughed and said, "I am not good enough for Miss Huai Yuan."

"I have to say, you're such a sensible child, and you're so considerate in your words."

The two walked from the main street to the alley, and Chu Shaoqiang got to the point. "In Pro State, I heard a lot of rumors about you."

He Jiaqing said, "If these are rumors related to Sage Peak, there must be a lot of misunderstandings involved."

Chu Shaoqiang nodded. "I also think there's a misunderstanding here. I've also had some misunderstandings with Sage Peak recently. I'm going to take you to Sage Peak to clear up these misunderstandings."

Upon hearing this, He Jiaqing put his hands in his pockets. "Uncle Qiang, is this the purpose of your visit to Kinless Village?"

"Not entirely, but since we've already run into each other, you might as well come with me."

"I cannot go to Sage Peak; the sage on Sage Peak will not tolerate me."

"Jiaqing, I only want to take you to Sage Peak, but I didn't intend to discuss this with you," Chu Shaoqiang said, glancing at He Jiaqing's hands. "Are you going to pull out a weapon with your hands in your pockets?"

He Jiaqing shook his head. "I'm an honest kid, how could I dare to be disrespectful in front of my seniors?"

"It's alright to pull out your weapon. I admire a junior like you and want to see your true skills." Chu Shaoqiang smiled, and a Hunting Net descended from the sky, landing squarely on He Jiaqing.

Chu Shaoqiang looked slightly disappointed; He Jiaqing's abilities had left him somewhat disillusioned.

He advised He Jiaqing, "Son, don't struggle. You can't break free. Struggling will only make you suffer more."

He Jiaqing touched the material of the Hunting Net and sighed, "I really can't break free from this net, but Uncle Qiang might have a way."

Chu Shaoqiang frowned; he didn't understand what he meant.

Could it be that He Jiaqing is Nianxiu, capable of manipulating me to break free from the Hunting Net?

According to the information from Sage Peak, He Jiaqing should be Travel Cultivator.

Chu Shaoqiang didn't dare to be careless, concentrating his mind to guard against the Thought Cultivation Technique.

He Jiaqing took his hand out of his pocket and held a small knife in his hand.

He used the knife to cut open the Hunting Net and quickly escaped from Chu Shaoqiang's sight.

"Impossible, how could his knife have cut through my Hunting Net?" Chu Shaoqiang was skeptical.

In his astonishment, he suddenly felt that something was missing from his body.

That little knife?

Is that knife in He Jiaqing's hand mine?

Chu Shaoqiang looked in the direction He Jiaqing had fled.

He didn't give chase. Thieves are good at escaping; their speed and endurance are not as good as those of Travel Cultivator, but they are much better than those of engineers.

Chu Shaoqiang has a Travel Cultivator, but He Jiaqing has been on the run for some time, so even with the magic weapon, it would be difficult to catch up with him.

Moreover, skilled repairmen are much more restrained by thieves, and Chu Shaoqiang didn't want to take unnecessary risks.

"Outsiders all say that He Jiaqing is skilled in both literature and martial arts, Sage Peak says that He Jiaqing is Travel Cultivator. I never expected that he would actually be a thief."

Chu Shaoqiang walked around the town for a while and saw Ma Wu preparing for the construction site on the side of the street.

He glanced at the blueprints in Ma Wu's hand and learned that Ma Wu wanted to build a restaurant.

Kinless Village has a small population and bad local customs. Can you make money building a restaurant here?

However, on the other hand, Ma Junyang is a business genius, and he might actually be able to make a name for himself.

Looking at Ma Wu's blueprints, Chu Shaoqiang said, "Young man, your restaurant is too extravagant; it's not suitable for this place."

Ma Wu looked back at Chu Shaoqiang and felt that the man looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.

The fact that this person can discern the intricacies from the blueprints proves they are an expert, Ma Wu always holds experts in high regard. "I think this restaurant is rather plain, several levels below Thousand Delights Pavilion."

"Thousand Delights Pavilion?" Chu Shaoqiang laughed. "That's one of the top restaurants in Green Water City. This is Kinless Village; how could it possibly deserve such a fine place?"

"I can take it!" Ma Wu said confidently. "Brother, from now on this place will no longer be called Kinless Village, this place will be called Seven Autumn City."

"Seven Autumn City? Kinless Village has been called that for so many years, who changed the name?" Chu Shaoqiang was very confused.

Ma Wu laughed and said, "Would you believe me if I said it was a name changed by Local Earth God?"

This was the name Qiu Luoye changed. Li Banfeng thought it should be called Qiu Qicheng, since Qiu Luoye was the elder brother and the elder brother's name should be put first.

Qiu Luoye said, "Autumn Seven City sounds like seven cities, but we only have one city. We'll call it Autumn Seven City when we have seven cities!"

That's how Seven Autumn City was decided.

Ma Wu said to Chu Shaoqiang, "Brother, you're a truly capable person. Seven Autumn City is currently hiring. If you're willing, you can come and find work here. I never mistreat anyone with real skills!"

"Sure," Chu Shaoqiang nodded, "I'll draw up another blueprint for you, even more impressive than Thousand Delights Pavilion!"

Xiao Zhengong walked along the village road, listening to Liu Guocai explain the whole story.

"Team Leader Xiao, this is all a misunderstanding. Please explain this to your superiors."

Xiao Zhengong sneered, "I'm already here, and you're telling me it's a misunderstanding? People on Sage Peak are waiting for my reply."

"Then I'll have to trouble you to inform the Sage as well."

"How do I say it? Can you teach me?"

"No, no, Team Leader Xiao, I would be eternally grateful if you could just relay the truth."

"Let's wait and see. Is what you say the truth? We'll talk about it after we've investigated it thoroughly."

That evening, Liu Guocai hosted a banquet for Xiao Zhengong and his party. Liu Guocai repeatedly stated, "Kinless Village has nothing; the ingredients and cooks were all sent from Green Water City."

Xiao Zhengong nodded slightly, his expression seemingly showing a hint of appreciation.

To be honest, Da Tou had never eaten such a high-class feast Big Head, neither the wine nor the food.

But he dared not touch his chopsticks. Their mission was very special, and he Liu Guocai. Moreover, Liu Guocai held a very high position. This humble attitude made Big Head very uncomfortable.

"Eat up, it's a rare treat for Envoy Liu to be so hospitable!" Xiao Zhengong said, Big Head no longer needed to be polite.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks, a woman in a Dark Blue Cheongsam sat down next to Big Head and poured Big Head a drink.

Cheongsams are not uncommon in Outer State, but this was the first time Big Head had seen such an exquisite cheongsam, one that showcased every detail so clearly.

Of course, the appearance is displayed on the cheongsam, but the essence of the details comes from the girl herself.

Big Head blushed. Xiao Zhengong looked at Big Head and smiled, "Eat up, it's all delicious. In Pro State, there aren't so many restrictions."

Xiao Zhengong only stayed in Kinless Village for two days before setting off for Bastard Slope.

Upon reaching Sage Peak, checkpoints were set up on the mountain path, prohibiting everyone from climbing up.

Xiao Zhengong glanced at the man guarding the checkpoint and asked in a low voice, "Do you know who I am?"

The man actually knew, and he replied in a low voice, "Senior brother, please don't make things difficult for me. It's for your own good that I don't want you to go up the mountain. There's an epidemic on the mountain, and dozens of my fellow disciples have already died."

Xiao Zhengong was taken aback. "What kind of epidemic?"

"A rash, a rash with green pus, can cover the whole body in a day, and the person will die after three days."

"I'm lucky to be able to guard this checkpoint; my fellow disciples up on the mountain don't even know if they'll survive to tomorrow."

Xiao Zhengong immediately left Sage Peak. As a high-level martial arts cultivator, he ran at the speed of Travel Cultivator.

No wonder the sage has been quiet lately.

Dozens of disciples were lost in one go.

Sage Peak has suffered a severe blow.

Who did this?

Green Flower?

When did he turn against the sage?

Xiao Zhengong looked at the farmers working by the roadside and didn't see any rashes on them yet.

Why did they only target Sage Peak and spare the commoners of Bastard Slope?

This doesn't seem like something Green Flower would do.

Cui Tike asked the farmer for a bowl of water and drank it down in one gulp.

It's been three days.

He walked for three whole days, but still couldn't get out of the Bastard Slope.

This is a technique used by a sage, a high-level Joy Cultivation Technique called "Layered Peaks."

Cui Tike had seen this technique once, but he didn't know how to counter it.

He had two paths before him.

The first path is to keep going and try to find a way out of Bastard Slope. The Layered Peaks have an end, but whether you can go in the right direction depends on Cui Tike's luck.

Even if one is extremely lucky and chooses the right direction, after walking for ten days or half a month, reaching the edge of the Bastard Slope, a saint only needs to change his technique once and have to start all over again.

The second option was to spread the plague directly in the villages.

These villagers are the saint's crops; the saint depends on them for survival.

Cui Tike could force the saint to let him leave by spreading the plague to the villages and causing them to die one after another.

But doing so would expose Cui Tike's whereabouts, and he could be captured alive by the saint at any time.

Cui Tike was torn; he had to choose one of these two paths.

Just as he was about to make a decision, a man dressed in a white Slanting Placket Changshan, wearing a white top hat, and holding a Folding Fan approached Cui Tike.

"You're from out of town? Don't you know the way? I'll show you the way."

Cui Tike frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

The man laughed and said, "Now he's your benefactor, but in the future we should be acquaintances. Your Grandmaster wants to cooperate with me, and he's shown great sincerity, so I should give him a return gift."

"What cooperation, what return gift?" Cui Tike refused to believe the man in front of him.

The man urged, "Let's leave here first. The last place I should have come to in this world is this Bastard Slope."

The man hadn't lied to Cui Tike; he led Cui Tike for over two hours until a valley appeared at the end of the mountain path.

Cui Tike had walked this mountain path many times, but he had never seen the valley.

"What technique did you use? How were you able to find a way out?" Cui Tike was very puzzled.

The man looked around the valley. "Let's take a look first; it's hard to say if this is the way out."

After passing through the valley, a wilderness appeared ahead.

"This is Carefree Plains!" Cui Tike exclaimed with delight.

The man nodded and said, "Carefree Plains, the former Royal Capital, is now Old Land. Let's hurry up and try not to run into Prince Actor."

Cui Tike said, "You know this place very well."

"Yes, the people here want me to come over, but if I didn't know the way, I wouldn't dare to just show up."

After leaving Carefree Plains, the man took Cui Tike onto the nearest train and they traveled back to Green Water Bay.

Upon arriving at the Boundless Hospital, a doctor was reviewing medical records in Cui Tike's office.

"Master, I have completed my mission." Cui Tike bowed to the doctor.

Green Water Beggar took off his mask, nodded, and smiled, "I've been keeping an eye on your business too."

After saying that, the Green Water Beggar looked at the man in the white robe. "He Jiaqing, you keep your word."

Cui Tike was startled; it turned out that this person was He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing shrugged. "The First Boss of Green Water Bay must keep his word."

Green Water Beggar took out a semi-arched iron certificate from his pocket and handed it to He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing accepted the iron certificate, and after checking that it was correct, he said to the Green Water Beggar, "I never expected that you would exchange such a precious item for a disciple."

Green Water Beggar looked at Cui Tike and said, "He deserves it."

He Jiaqing accepted the contract and said, "I believe we will have many more opportunities to cooperate."

Green Water Beggar nodded. "There are quite a few opportunities right now. You know Chu Shaoqiang, right?"

PS: The extra contract in Green Water Beggar's possession came from another beggar.