False Play Becomes Reality

Dabo Ensi closed the hidden door and said to Xiao Zhengong, "Gang Leader, someone from Inner State asked me to pass on a message to you."

"What did you say?"

"After this is done, if you are willing to go to the Inner State to practice for a period of time, the price can be increased a bit more."

Xiao Zhengong laughed, "How tall?"

Dabo Ensi said, "Within a year, I will add another level to your cultivation."

"A year?" Xiao Zhengong shook his head. "Not fast enough."

Dabo Ensi cautioned, "This is cultivation at the Cloud Realm level."

Xiao Zhengong thought for a moment and said, "The price can be negotiated again. We'll talk about it after things are settled. You should get some rest first. Think carefully about everything that will happen the day after tomorrow, and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Dabo Ensi said nothing more, bowed deeply, and returned to the dark room.

After leaving the basement, Xiao Zhengong called over Yao Zhiyi, who was guarding the door, and asked, "Is the corpse ready?"

Yao Zhiyi nodded and said, "It's all ready. We've checked it thoroughly from top to bottom. No matter who examines it, they won't find any flaws. Even the blood is exactly the same as yours. No matter how you look at it, this corpse is yours!"

"Pah!" Xiao Zhengong spat at Yao Zhiyi.

Yao Zhiyi didn't know how to express himself. "This corpse looks a lot like you, it's very much like you—"

Back in the main building, they found a quiet room. Yao Zhiyi brewed some tea, and Xiao Zhengong took a sip. "Have all the invitations been sent out?"

Yao Zhiyi nodded and said, "They've all been distributed. The major Lineage didn't give us any face and returned the invitations on the spot. Shen Jinzhong, the Big Gold Seal the Three Heroes Gate, was the worst. He tore up the invitation in front of us. And that He Yuxiu threw our invitation into the spittoon."

Xiao Zhengong laughed and said, "As expected, it's good that no one came. That way, it makes sense that Jiang Xiang Gang didn't come."

"Have someone tell Xie Mengjiao to contact Shan Zhumei and publish a news article saying that Jiang Xiang Gang is isolated and helpless, and that all other factions are coldly watching from the sidelines. Why is that?"

Yao Zhiyi pondered the title for a moment and felt it wasn't quite right.

"Let's change the first sentence to say that Jiang Xiang Gang is utterly wicked and isolated. What do you think of this version?"

"You're so wicked, you even know how to use an idiom?" Xiao Zhengong nodded, then kicked Yao Zhiyi. "You freaking know what 'wicked' means? Have you ever been to school?"

You don't need to worry about this. Just think about tomorrow night. Keep what you should keep, and clean up what you shouldn't. Don't let them gossip.

Also, tell the brothers who stayed behind that after tonight they should call me Marshal. Change all the titles used in the sect.

Just then, a disciple requested an audience and whispered a few words to Yao Zhiyi. Yao Zhiyi stepped forward and said, "The foreigner Cui Tike, will be attending the banquet tomorrow night."

Xiao Zhengong frowned and asked, "You sent him an invitation?"

Yao Zhiyi scratched his head and said, "He owns a hospital and cured several of our brothers. I also heard that you and he are quite close, so—."

"Why did you call him here?" Xiao Zhengong rubbed his forehead and said, "Prepare a table of wine for tomorrow night, and I'll have a simple meal with him. The thing is, having dinner with him is a bit scary."

After a while, another disciple came to report.

This time, Yao Zhiyi was very surprised. "Gang Leader, something unexpected has happened with Li Qi."

Xiao Zhengong frowned. "What variables could there be?"

"He replied and said he would also be attending the banquet tomorrow night."

Xiao Zhengong: "What's he doing here?"

Yao Zhiyi shook his head and said, "I don't know what his intentions are either. You can't figure out what's on a person's mind."

"If you can't figure him out, why even send him an invitation?"

"Gang Leader, Li Qi is now a big shot in Pro State. The He Family, Lu Family, and Chu family all listen to him. It wouldn't be appropriate for us not to send him an invitation."

Xiao Zhengong remained silent for a while before asking, "Just who exactly is this Li Qi?"

"He's a ruthless man, ruthless and domineering in his actions. He started his business in Blue Poplar Village and amassed some capital with Ma Wu through the new land business."

I thought that someone like him, even if he toiled his whole life, would only be able to barely make a living in Blue Poplar Village.

Who would have thought that after only a short time in Blue Poplar Village, he would wipe out the Blue Poplar Village's leader?

After taking control of Blue Poplar Village, this man couldn't stop. First, he expanded his business to Green Water City, and then he extended his reach to Black Stone Slope.

He cleared out an entire new piece of land and transformed it into the Proper Land, which became the present-day Seven Autumn City.

Neither the Inner State nor the Outer State could control him; among the powerful figures of Pro State, he was one of the most prominent.

Xiao Zhengong had heard of Li Qi's reputation, and now, putting all these things together, he realized this man was indeed extraordinary. "What is his cultivation level?"

"His cultivation level isn't high; he's said to be a fifth-level Travel Cultivator. He once ventured through the Three Heads Junction and even studied in Outer State."

"Has he worked in our line of work before?"

"I've never heard of that."

Xiao Zhengong thought for a long time, still unable to understand. "Then why does he insist on coming to my place for this meal? No one else dares to come. Does he have some kind of relationship with us?"

Yao Zhiyi shook his head and said, "As far as I know, we don't have any close relationship."

Xiao Zhengong added, "Does he have some grudge against us, and at this critical juncture, does he want to see us make a fool of ourselves?"

"I haven't heard anything about the festival, but this man is quite ambitious. The Big Gold Seal of the Three Heroes Gate died at his hands."

It's said that his promotion to the position of Second Golden Seal Official was also closely related to him.

Xiao Zhengong was taken aback. "Is this taking advantage of my predicament? Seeing that I'm in a bad situation, are they trying to use this opportunity to subdue Jiang Xiang Gang?"

Yao Zhiyi nodded and said, "That's possible."

Xiao Zhengong laughed upon hearing this, "Alright, I'll let him take it. Tomorrow night I'll make an alliance with him, and from now on, Jiang Xiang Gang be at his command."

If he's not afraid of ruining his reputation, the Jiang Xiang Gang will be his from now on. Anyway, after the day after tomorrow, the Jiang Xiang Gang will cease to exist.

The next day, Li Banfeng asked Little Chuanzi to prepare a gift. Little Chuanzi looked reluctant. "Seventh Master, you're going to the banquet for Jiang Xiang Gang. Isn't that like stepping in dog poop while wearing nice shoes?"

Who are you? What are they? What if this gets out?

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "Didn't I tell you? Gang Leader Xiao and I are old acquaintances, we've been through thick and thin together."

At noon, He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, Chu Huaiyuan all arrived.

Upon seeing Li Qi, He Yuxiu asked directly, "What do you mean, Seventh Brother? You're even getting involved with Jiang Xiang Gang? Aren't you disgusted?"

Li Qi laughed and said, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Jiang Xiang Gang in a difficult situation now, so someone has to lend a hand."

He Yuxiu retorted angrily, "Why are you helping them? Have you forgotten how I almost died at their hands?"

"How could I forget that? I remember it all."

"Since you remember this, why did you still pull this stunt? You're deliberately trying to disgust me!" He Yuxiu became angrier as she spoke.

Lu Chunying remained silent.

Chu Er was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke up, "Seventh Brother, are you really going tonight?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "We really want to go."

Chu Er said, "Okay, I'll go with you."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll also discuss our relationship with Jiang Xiang Gang."

Li Qi shook his head and asked, "What kind of relationship do you have with Jiang Xiang Gang?"

"Even if we have no connection, we'll create one. Seventh Brother, I'll follow you no matter what you do. I trust you, and the Chu family trusts you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chunying said, "Then I'll go with Seventh Brother too."

"I don't know what you're thinking!" He Yuxiu picked up the bottle and took a big gulp. "Go ahead, I'll go with you."

But I threw their invitations in my spittoon right in front of that bastard Jiang Xiang Gang. How am I supposed to explain that?

Li Banfeng said, "Just say you went because of me, and I'll do Jiang Xiang Gang a favor."

He Yuxiu frowned and asked, "Seventh Brother, is something wrong here?"

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "It's something important, a case of faking death and being reborn."

As dusk fell, Jiang Xiang Gang with the work.

I originally planned to have a simple meal with Cui Tike, but when I heard that Li Qi was coming, the banquet couldn't be too simple.

Now that the He Family, Lu Family, and Chu families have all arrived, it's no longer appropriate to just have one banquet.

Xiao Zhengong asked Yao Zhiyi, "Li Qi has such a big reputation, how could he have invited so many people?"

"Gang Leader, you can tell how powerful he is by the fact that he was able to force General Envoy Liao to reduce his shipping costs by half."

Since he's willing to give us this face, I'd say we should keep the gang going for a couple more days.

Perhaps in Outer State—.

"Maintain what?" Xiao Zhengong's face darkened. "I'm handing over the Gang Leader's position to him tonight. From now on, you'll work for him!"

Yao Zhiyi quickly explained, "Gang Leader, I have no such intention—"

Xiao Zhengong asked, "What was the purpose of all this effort?"

Yao Zhiyi whispered, "It's to find a way out for us brothers."

"Does Jiang Xiang Gang still have a way out?"

Yao Zhiyi lowered his head and remained silent.

Xiao Zhengong calmed himself for a moment and said, "Whatever conditions they propose tonight, we'll agree to them and get through tonight. Tomorrow's arrangements will remain the same."

Also, tell the brothers to be careful, especially He Yuxiu. When that woman really goes crazy, no one can hold her down.

Yao Zhiyi said, "It can't be that bad. The He Family has already received the news that the Flying General Camp to take action against us. If she really wants to cause trouble, she might as well wait until tomorrow to strike together."

Xiao Zhengong frowned and said, "I told you to be on high alert, why are you talking so much!"

Yao Zhiyi quickly sent someone over. Xiao Zhengong looked grave; he was increasingly unable to guess Li Qi's intentions.

That evening, the first guest to arrive was Cui Tike.

Cui Tike, carrying an iron can, wearing a white coat and a mask, arrived at the table and bowed to Xiao Zhengong with clasped hands, saying, "Gang Leader Xiao, it's been a long time!"

Xiao Zhengong stared at Cui Tike, sizing him up. "What do you mean by this?"

Cui Tike was taken aback. "We haven't seen each other for a long time. I think I'm right to use the phrase 'long time no see'."

Xiao Zhengong said, "I'm not talking about your choice of words, but what's with your outfit?"

Cui Tike said, "I just came back from a house call. There was a patient on Qing An Road who had an infectious disease."

Upon hearing about an infectious disease, Xiao Zhengong took several steps back. "What are you doing carrying that jar on your back?"

"This is disinfectant. I disinfected his residence to prevent the spread of the disease."

Xiao Zhengong blinked and said, "Since you're so busy, don't come tonight."

"We must give Gang Leader Xiao face!" As he spoke, Cui Tike began to take off his clothes.

Xiao Zhengong waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Don't do this. Sit down for a while and put down that iron can behind you."

"This really is just disinfectant!" Cui Tike shook it in his hand.

"Are you still worried about losing it? My men will keep it safe for you, won't that be enough?"

Cui Tike handed over the disinfectant, and none of his men dared to touch it.

Xiao Zhengong pointed to the door of the hall. "You can leave it outside for now, someone will look after it for you."

Cui Tike shrugged and placed the disinfectant outside the door.

Just before the banquet was about to begin, Li Banfeng arrived, followed by He Yuxiu, Lu Chunying, and Chu Huaiyuan.

Xiao Zhengong came out of the hall to greet Li Qi, cupping his fists in a fist salute and saying, "Brother Li Qi, I've long admired your name!"

Li Banfeng returned the greeting with clasped hands. "Team Leader Xiao, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Team Leader?

Xiao Zhengong frowned slightly. In Pro State, apart from the people in the Guanfang Hall, very few people called him that.

Did he come to see me because of something that happened Outer State?

After the guests and hosts were seated, Xiao Zhengong toasted Li Qi and then He Yuxiu, saying, "Sister Xiu, thank you for coming."

He Yuxiu smiled and said, "I still remember the kindness you showed when you introduced Doctor Cui to Hai Qin."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhengong's mood eased slightly.

Over the years, he has been moving between various Lineage. Although he is not well received anywhere, he feels that he should have some affection for the He Family.

Of course, this does not include He Haiqin's attitude towards him, nor does it include the grudges between him and He Jiaqing.

Moreover, he was unaware of He Yuxiu's ordeal at the Soda Kiln. The Soda Kiln's Hall Master had captured He Yuxiu, intending to hand her over directly to the Guanfang Envoy favor, without reporting it to Xiao Zhengong at the time.

Afterwards, when he wanted to report it, he had no chance, as Li Banfeng and He Yuxiu had wiped out the entire gang.

Li Banfeng looked at Cui Tike and said, "Doctor Cui, why are you dressed like that? Did you just come back from seeing a doctor?"

1

Cui Tike nodded and said, "I saw a patient with an infectious disease."

Everyone's expression changed, and they quickly distanced themselves from Cui Tike.

"I've disinfected it!" Cui Tike stood up and said, "My disinfectant is outside, I'll bring it over and show you."

Xiao Zhengong pressed his palm down. "Doctor Cui, sit down and eat first, don't keep thinking about your disinfectant."

With the disinfectant placed at the door, Xiao Zhengong always felt that there might be some kind of lesion inside that metal can.

Having collaborated with Cui Tike multiple times, Xiao Zhengong knew his methods and remained wary of him.

As it turned out, his precautions were justified.

There was something in the metal can, but it wasn't a lesion.

The drain valve at the bottom of the can was opened, and the liquid inside flowed out without anyone noticing, running down the lawn and into the woods by the lake.

In the forest, the liquid gathered together and slowly transformed into a human shape, which became He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing, dressed as a disciple of Jiang Xiang Gang, walked towards the artificial hill by the lake.

Two disciples were guarding the artificial hill, preventing anyone else from approaching.

As He Jiaqing passed by the artificial hill, his fingers trembled, and two silver needles pierced the foreheads of the two disciples.

The two stood there, expressionless, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Seeing that there was no one else around, He Jiaqing walked directly into the artificial hill. The two people did not react at all. When he reached the end of the cave, He Jiaqing saw the stone cone embedded in the wall. With his talent, he immediately recognized that it was the mechanism to open the door.

This mechanism is not easy to operate; the two stone cones must each be rotated to a fixed angle before the hidden door can be opened.

He Jiaqing stood on the first stone awl, slowly turning it, sensing the mechanical and spiritual changes behind it.

In less than five minutes, the first stone cone was in place.

The second stone cone had a stronger mechanical feel, and it took less than three minutes for the stone cone to reach its position and the hidden door to open.

He Jiaqing looked at the two stone cones and could sense that they were rare treasures.

Take these two stone cones away?

If it's really taken away, this dark room will be closed and can never be opened again.

He knew very well the purpose of his trip: to transform into the Flying General Zhao Xiaowan with her long spear and to take back what he had lost.

He quietly walked down the stairs into the basement, and even through the walls, he could already sense the imposing aura emanating from it.

The door to the dark room slowly opened, and a woman carrying a long spear walked out.

"It's you?" The woman gritted her teeth and looked at He Jiaqing.

He Jiaqing smiled and said, "Xiao Lan, we've finally met."

Lu Xiaolan chuckled, "Surprised, aren't you? Did you expect me to die in your old family home and never want to see me again in this lifetime?"

He Jiaqing shook his head and said, "If I hadn't written to Lu Chunying, you would never have had a chance to get out of the old house. You would have been trapped inside to death."

Lu Xiaolan said, "What do you mean? Should I thank you?"

He Jiaqing nodded and said, "Xiao Lan, you harmed me first. I spared your life; you should indeed thank me!"

Lu Xiaolan said, "Isn't it all thanks to you that I've become the way I am today?"

"Xiao Lan, you're lucky to be alive. If I hadn't asked Ling Miaowen to introduce you, do you think you would have been able to get up Iron Sheep Mountain?"

You've been hurting me all along, and I've been helping you all along. Everyone in this world has the right to hate me, except you!

Lu Xiaolan lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

Fool Cultivation Skill Holding Others Shortcomings.

She felt guilty towards He Jiaqing, which was her weakness, and He Jiaqing seized upon it.

The atmosphere at the banquet was getting better and better, and Xiao Zhengong was becoming more and more relaxed.

The previous deduction was correct. Li Banfeng asked a lot about the Dark Star Bureau. It seems that his visit is indeed related to the Outer State.

"Brother Li Qi, is there something you want to discuss with me about in Outer State?" Xiao Zhengong asked directly.

This slope is almost complete.

Li Banfeng also toasted Xiao Zhengong, and continued down the slope, saying, "Team Leader Xiao, you are incredibly insightful. The reason I came to see you this time is indeed about matters in Outer State."

Xiao Zhengong finished his drink and asked, "Is there anything I can help with? Just tell me."

Li Banfeng then chimed in, "I have a friend who's being targeted by the Dark Star Bureau."

Xiao Zhengong asked, visibly surprised, "What's the matter?"

Li Banfeng said, "He himself couldn't explain what happened. First, he was questioned by people from the Dark Star Bureau, and then he was being followed. I suspect there might be a misunderstanding here."

Xiao Zhengong smiled upon hearing this and shook his head slightly, "Outer State, there are rules to follow. If the Dark Star Bureau is targeting this person, it's most likely not a misunderstanding."

Your friend must be a Dark Energy User, what we in Pro State call a cultivator.

As the conversation progressed smoothly, Li Banfeng asked, "Is it illegal to practice as a healer in Outer State?"

Xiao Zhengong laughed and said, "Brother Li Qi, I heard you studied in Outer State. Surely you don't know the rules here?"

Li Qi shook his head and said, "When I was in school, I really didn't know any rules."

Xiao Zhengong smiled and said, "That's because you're lucky. There are indeed quite a few cultivators in Outer State. These people must register with the Dark Star Bureau in their locality. If they don't register, they are illegal cultivators. These people are a potential threat. Once discovered, questioning and surveillance are just polite measures. If they encounter me, I might just kill them on the spot."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "A potential threat, so we have to kill it?"

Xiao Zhengong said, "Brother, this is what you don't understand. When it comes to such threats, it's better to kill a thousand innocent people than to let one guilty person go free. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable."

He Yuxiu, standing nearby, said, "I don't quite understand the word you used. What does 'killed' mean?"

Xiao Zhengong explained, "It means the gun barrel is pressed against his forehead, and one shot will kill him."

Chu Er laughed and said, "Are guns from Outer State really that effective?"

Xiao Zhengong said, "The Outer State is different from ours; their gunpowder rarely malfunctions."

Lu Chunying asked, "What if one shot doesn't kill him?"

Xiao Zhengong laughed and said, "The gun barrel is right on your forehead. If one shot doesn't kill you, just fire two more."

"That makes sense." Li Banfeng nodded, pulled out a pistol, pressed it against Xiao Zhengong's forehead, and fired six shots.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Luckily, five out of six shots went off.

Li Banfeng moved too fast and attacked too suddenly; Xiao Zhengong didn't have time to react.

Five bullets pierced his head.

P. S.: "Riding the Donkey Downhill" isn't just a phrase used to extract information.

When Li Banfeng first obtained the Copper Lotus, Xiao Zhengong ordered the Light Bulb to shoot Li Banfeng dead. See Chapter Six for details.