Ferry Gang

Inla la~

A legless "horse" crawled out of the bushes and came to Li Banfeng and Luo ZhengNan.

This Strange Monsters creature has a horse's head and long hair like a horse. If tamed, it can be used as a mount.

But it's not actually a horse; it's a strange species from New Territories called the Horse Head Butterfly.

Butterflies are all transformed from caterpillars, but the Horse Head Butterfly is an exception; it hatches from an egg.

It's a butterfly, a giant butterfly with a horse's head. After a period of cultivation, usually around ten years, the Horse Head Butterfly will spin a cocoon, and after that, it will become a caterpillar, which is the horse- Horse Head Maggot in front of us.

The Horse Head Maggot, which eats both vegetables and meat, saw two people by the lake and was thinking of treating themselves to something better. With a sudden burst of strength from its waist and abdomen...

In the blink of an eye, they were already standing in front of the two of them.

Li Banfeng gestured for Luo ZhengNan to stay put, then used his Traceless Steps to instantly circle behind Horse Head Maggot.

Using the steel wire rope that Ling Miaoying gave him, he tied it around the Horse Head Maggot's neck, and with a pull and a retraction, he could subdue the Horse Head Maggot under normal circumstances.

In the new land, Horse Head Maggot are more valuable than Donkey Head Maggot. Although they are more aggressive, Horse Head Maggot are strong and fast, and a good one can sell for five hundred silver dollars.

Li Banfeng planned to communicate with the insect, focusing on asking about the origin of this new land.

Before Li Banfeng could speak, the Horse Head Maggot shook its head and snapped the steel cable around its neck with a crack.

Ling Miaoying's steel cable can severely injure an eighth-level cultivator.

The worm shook its head and broke off?

The enraged Horse Head Maggot charged straight at Luo ZhengNan. Luo ZhengNan did not dodge. He had encountered the Horse Head Maggot before on this new land and knew that he was no match for the worm's speed.

Just as he was about to retaliate with his technique, he suddenly heard a muffled thud, Horse Head Maggot's body exploded, leaving only its head flying far away and falling into the lake.

Li Banfeng used the Trample Ten Thousand Rivers directly on the insect, putting considerable force into the kick.

Whether the opponent is a person or an insect, if it can break free from Ling Miaoying's steel cable, then such an opponent is worth Li Banfeng's full effort to deal with.

Li Banfeng pulled the horse's head out of the lake, cut open its skin with a sickle, and tested its hardness. "This skin is much harder than armor. I've never seen Horse Head Maggot like this in New Zealand."

Luo ZhengNan said, "The Strange Monsters in this area are indeed much stronger than those in other places. Seventh Master, do you want to go to Iron Gate Fort? I brought some dry clothes with me. Let's change and continue our journey."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Don't rush to Iron Gate Fort. It's a good road, but while you're away..."

I can't open the door either.

"Seventh Master, I came to this Outer State to buy some equipment and try to make a key for Seventh Master. I'm familiar with this area, and the key I make will guarantee that you can get in and out."

Li Banfeng felt that no reward was too much for a subordinate like Luo ZhengNan.

The two returned to the lake and swam back to Flower Lake Park. Just before getting ashore, Li Banfeng heard crying again.

"Lao Luo, have you ever heard a woman crying when you pass by here before?"

Luo ZhengNan said, "I have never heard a woman cry, but I sensed some changes. It was neither a ghost nor a living person, but more like some kind of gate-guarding mechanism."

"Who set up this trap?" Li Banfeng glanced at the Western-Style House by the Western-Style House. The crying sound came from nearby. Luo ZhengNan said, "This matter hasn't been investigated yet. Besides us, there must be others who know about this new land."

Back at their lodgings, the two changed into their finest clothes. Li Banfeng took a check and paid ten thousand silver dollars to Luo ZhengNan.

Luo ZhengNan was embarrassed to accept the money. "Seventh Master, you've given me so many business opportunities, all of which are profitable. You don't need to reward me with money."

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "Keep it. It's a rare trip to Outer State, so enjoy yourself for a while."

Luo ZhengNan really couldn't stay idle; he went to buy equipment that very night.

Li Banfeng glanced at his watch; it was 4:30 AM. "Where are you going to buy equipment at this hour?"

"The ghost market at East Immortal Bridge is bustling. Going too early is useless, and going too late means the stalls are closing. Now is the perfect time to go, Seventh Master."

"I'll pass on Qin Tianjiu's matter to Fifth Master shortly. As for the key, please wait for my news in the next couple of days."

Luo ZhengNan left, and Li Banfeng returned to Portable Abode, slept all day, and did not go to the Dark Star Bureau.

That evening, Li Banfeng left his Portable Abode and went to the projector. The projector immediately took out his cell phone and satellite phone. "Seventh Director, I received two calls, both of which I answered as you requested. I also received a message, which I replied to as you requested."

The call was from Tangyuan and Light Bulb. Li Banfeng hadn't come to work, and the two of them were a little worried.

The message was sent by the Chuunibyou. He was also concerned about the newly arrived Director Li, but he was too embarrassed to call.

Shen Jingye neither called nor sent a message.

His work attitude has always been problematic. I didn't come to work, and he didn't even ask me how I was doing.

Li Banfeng left his cell phone and satellite phone in the projector, ate something, tidied up, and when it was almost time, he went to the Culture Palace.

The Culture Palace is showing gunfight movies, but today most of those coming to the Black Market are "trolls" (brokers).

When the snack vendor arrived, Li Banfeng still bought paper, but this time the location had changed; it was in room 202.

Li Banfeng entered the private room with the banknotes in his hand, Yin Siniang greeted him warmly, "Big boss, here to patronize my business again?"

Li Banfeng nodded and smiled, "You really know how to do business."

"How is the girl?"

"I think it's good."

"This time, do you want to buy one that you can sleep in or one that you can fight with?"

"Can't you be proficient in both?"

"Big Boss, you're really playing fancy tricks!" Yin Siniang pulled down a curtain, behind which was a girl wearing Dark Blue Cheongsam embroidered with mandarin ducks and lotus pond patterns, with her hair styled in waves, looking very charming.

Yin Siniang said, "This is a second-level vocal cultivator. Her appearance is beyond reproach, but more importantly, she sings very well. In Pro State, she was once Song Queen."

Li Banfeng nodded repeatedly. Yin Siniang hadn't lied; this woman had indeed been Song Queen.

She is Xu Qiulan. News about her can often be seen in the newspaper. She, Jiang Mengting, and Xiao Xiufēi are known as the three great Song Queen. After becoming famous, Jiang Mengting continued to sing, Xiao Xiufēi switched to film, and Xu Qiulan married Rao Qijun, a wealthy man who was 33 years her senior, and became a rich lady.

How did she become Ghost Servant?

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly. "I don't want the Song Queen, I'm afraid I can't handle it."

Yin Siniang smiled mischievously, "It's not like I'm marrying a wife, so there's no way I can't control her. If you buy her, I'll give you a bundle of rattan canes. You can whip her every day, and I guarantee she'll be obedient."

Li Banfeng shook his head again.

Yin Siniang did not force the issue and drew back another curtain.

Behind the curtain was another woman, dressed in a light blue long gown, with a youthful hairstyle—a typical intellectual woman.

She's fairly pretty.

Yin Siniang said, "This is a literary cultivator on the first floor. Her looks can't compare to the previous one, but she is very talented in literature and can compose poems. She is a true confidante."

Yin Siniang was still speaking, while the woman behind the curtain kept staring at Li Banfeng, seemingly wanting to say something.

Yin Siniang frowned, looked at the woman, and said, "Are you itching for a beating?

The woman quickly lowered her head.

She wanted to speak because Li Banfeng seemed somewhat familiar to her.

Li Banfeng knew her. Her name was Shan Zhumei, pen name San Zhumei. She was a writer under Shen Rongqing and had once joined the Flying General Camp. She had written some stories about Zhao Xiaowan.

It was through her that Li Banfeng discovered the clues about the Flying General and figured out Xiao Zhengong's true intentions.

After killing Xiao Zhengong, Li Banfeng ordered Luo ZhengNan to clean up the remaining members of the Jiang Xiang Gang. However, some people only knew that they had joined the Flying General Camp, but did not know that the Flying General Camp was the Jiang Xiang Gang. Luo ZhengNan let most of these people go.

Shan Zhumei was one of them, but Lao Luo let her go. Now she is still dead. Who killed her?

And who brought her soul to Outer State?

Yin Siniang asked, "Boss, are you satisfied with this?"

Li Banfeng still shook his head. "A first-level cultivator is too low-level, and he's still a ghost. His combat strength isn't much stronger than a White Lamb. We can't fight him."

Yin Siniang shook her head and said, "Boss, the one you took away yesterday was a rare find. He was so handsome and capable of fighting. Such a decent Ghost Servant is hard to find. If I found you a female hero weighing around 200 pounds, could you handle her?"

Li Banfeng Orthodox God and said, "I can handle it! I'm not picky about food!"

"Not picky about food! That's what you said!" Yin Siniang turned around and pulled the curtain back again, revealing a handsome man standing behind it.

Li Banfeng waved his hands repeatedly and said, "That won't do. I said I'm not picky, but it has to be a woman at the very least."

Yin Siniang laughed and said, "Don't be impatient, he can turn into a woman."

After saying that, Yin Siniang pulled a vine from the vase. Upon seeing the vine, the three ghosts trembled simultaneously. Yin Siniang said to the man, "Try to transform into a woman."

The man glanced at Li Banfeng felt he looked vaguely familiar but couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.

The man wiped his face with his hand, then rubbed himself for a moment, transforming into a woman with a graceful figure and stunning beauty.

After the transformation, Li Banfeng recognized it.

Actor Cultivator!

The Actor Cultivator in Meng Yuchun's territory was hired by the Mountain Pulling Master to seize Meng Yuchun's land.

After being captured alive, he wanted to submit to Meng Yuchun, but Meng Yuchun did not spare him and directly broke his neck.

Because Meng Yuchun acted too quickly, Li Banfeng was unable to feed him to his Wife, and now he has come to Outer State to become Ghost Servant.

Li Banfeng fell silent.

Yin Siniang displayed three Ghost Servant, Li Banfeng actually recognized them all.

Is this a coincidence?

Li Banfeng turned to Yin Siniang and said, "I can buy all three of them."

Yin Siniang was overjoyed. "Just for your straightforwardness, I'll give you a huge discount. The original price for the Song Queen is seventy, but today I'll give it to you for fifty."

That talented lady's dress originally cost seventy, but since I see you don't really like it, I'll give you a 50% discount, let's say thirty-five.

That man's cultivation level is quite high, he's a sixth-level cultivator, which is rare in the Daoist world. The original price was 120, so I can't offer too much of a discount. I'll give you 100, is that reasonable?

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "You're quite straightforward. It's 1.85 million in total. I'll get the cash for you right now."

+

Yin Siniang said, "Don't say 185, just say 180, I'll keep the change!"

"Okay, you wait here!"

Li Banfeng left the Culture Palace, went into Portable Abode, and withdrew the cash.

Business is business; Li Banfeng will pay what's due.

But after this deal was done, Li Banfeng needed to figure out some things.

After bringing the three spirits back to his residence, Li Banfeng began to question them one by one.

First is the Song Queen Xu Qiulan.

How did you get to Outer State?

With tears in her eyes, Xu Qiulan said, "Is this Outer State? I really didn't know."

"Tell me first, how did you end up in Yin Siniang's hands?"

"This, this is me—"

Seeing Xu Qiulan hesitate, Shan Zhumei said from the side, "This is Seventh Master, just tell the truth."

Xu Qiulan asked in surprise, "You're Li Qi?"

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Answer my question first."

Xu Qiulan lowered her head and said, "I don't know where to begin."

Li Banfeng chose a timeframe for him. "Let's start from the day you died."

Xu Qiulan sighed and said, "After I married Rao Qijun, he always held a grudge about one thing: before I married him, I had a relationship with Ma Wu."

This is nothing new. Among the Song Queen, Ma Wu had relationships with Xiao Xiufēi and Xu Qiulan, but Jiang Mengting was the only one he didn't touch.

Xu Qiulan continued, "He brings this up from time to time. I told him the truth: I had a relationship with Ma Wu before. He didn't believe me and insisted that I had slept with Li Qi half a month ago. I was so annoyed by his questions that I lied and said that I had slept with Li Qi."

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "You lied to him, but you ruined my reputation?"

Xu Qiulan lowered her head and said, "I didn't expect him to actually get angry. He called me a piece of trash, and we started fighting."

I have cultivation, so I wasn't afraid of him at first. But then he called in a powerful martial artist, a third-level cultivator. I couldn't defeat him and was beaten to death.

"Go on."

"After I died, because I retained my cultivation and the memories of my soul, I originally intended to go through the Road to the Underworld to be reincarnated, but I always felt unwilling to accept it, so I wandered around the mansion, looking for an opportunity to take revenge."

I stayed near the house for two or three days when suddenly a group of people came and used magic to take me away.

"I couldn't see their faces clearly; they were all wearing masks and big hats. They asked me if I knew Li Qi, and when I said no, they hit me."

I was terrified of being beaten, so I said I knew him. They asked me what Li Qi looked like. "Seventh Master," I said, "I've heard of your name, but I've never actually seen you. I've never even seen a picture of you."

I just made it up on the spot. I said that Li Qi was big and strong, and could last for three to five hours at a time.

They sensed the flaw in my story and started hitting me again. But when they realized it was useless—I genuinely didn't know—they put me into a magical artifact and brought me to this place.

Li Banfeng frowned; indeed, someone was investigating him.

He then asked Shan Zhumei, "How did you die?"

Shan Zhumei said, "Ever since the Jiang Xiang Gang had their incident, Flying General Camp has also disappeared without a trace, I'm worried there might be some connection here. So I'm planning to leave Green Water City first and go back to the Ink Fragrance Shop to hide for a while."

But I miss Miss You, and I want to see her again. Two weeks ago, I went to Carefree Dock to look for her, but on the way, I unexpectedly ran into Xie Mengjiao, a singer from the Bai Le Men.

Xie Mengjiao was also a member of the Flying General Camp, responsible for message relay, and was considered Shan Zhumei's superior.

Shan Zhumei continued, "I was looking for her at the time. I wanted to know what had happened to the Flying General Camp."

Xie Mengjiao said the street wasn't the place to talk, and suggested I come to her house to discuss it further.

I went to her house. She didn't talk much about serious matters, only about those kinds of things. I... I've always been attracted to women, and with her seductive advances, I wasn't on guard. I fell for her tricks and died in her bed.

Li Banfeng raised his eyebrows and said, "You're not satisfied either, and you want to take revenge on Xie Mengjiao?"

Shan Zhumei shook her head and said, "I didn't want revenge. I just wanted to see Miss You. I really wanted to see her, so I lingered near Carefree Dock. But I was captured. Xu Qiulan and I saw the same thing; we couldn't see the faces of those people."

They asked me if I knew Li Qi, and I said I did, but we weren't close. They didn't believe me and beat me badly. Beating me was useless; that's all I knew. Later, they stopped beating me and brought me here.

Li Banfeng gradually began to understand the situation.

Next, he looked at Actor Cultivator.

Actor Cultivator said, "After I was killed by Meng Yuchun, I also wanted to seek revenge on her, but Meng Yuchun's cultivation was too high, and I couldn't defeat her. I could only ask someone to find out about you."

Later I heard someone call you Seventh Master, and then I learned that you also have a village in Xindi called Decency Village.

I traveled for many days in the new land and finally found Decency Village. I stayed near Decency Village for a long time, but you didn't come. Instead, a demonic cultivator appeared more than ten days ago.

"About ten days ago?"

"The new land doesn't distinguish between day and night. I don't remember the exact number of days, but it should have been about fifteen or sixteen."

Li Banfeng asked, "What level is that demonic cultivator at?"

"I don't know, it should be around four or five layers deep. I fought him for a while, and I thought I had a chance to escape, but I fell into his trap and was caught by him."

He led me away from Decency Village and asked about my relationship with Li Qi. I told him that I was his enemy and recounted the events of the past.

Li Banfeng gave his testimony, and Zhong Bai led the others out of the room and handed them over to the Music Box.

The Music Box played a tune, and they all fell asleep.

Li Banfeng asked the Actor Cultivator, "What things did you talk about?"

The situation regarding the Actor Cultivator was quite different from that of Xu Qiulan and Shan Zhumei; he knew a great deal about it.

"I told you that you and Meng Yuchun joined forces to defeat the Mountain Pulling Master, and then you betrayed me and killed me."

"You only said we defeated the Mountain Pulling Master?" Actor Cultivator knew that Li Banfeng had killed the Mountain Pulling Master. Actor Cultivator nodded and said, "I only said you won. I dare not say anything else, otherwise they will not let me go."

This new Wandering Monster is indeed clever. If he had revealed more details, the other party would not have put him on the shelf, and would not have tortured him until now.

All of this happened in the last half month. A group of people are investigating me in Pro State. We don't know who they are or what their background is yet.

But someone should know.

It was 4:50 a. m., and dawn was breaking.

The movie theater has shown three films; the Black Market should close up shop tonight.

Yin Siniang took about ten porcelain jars, one for each of the Ghost Servant, packed them all up, and put them into her leather trunk.

Besides the Ghost Servant, there were two boxes of cash and two boxes of miscellaneous items. Yin Siniang was quite strong; she carried the four boxes downstairs, loaded them directly onto the truck, and stepped on the gas to get on the street.

Yin Siniang lowered the car window, enjoying the breeze and humming a little tune, having a very pleasant journey.

How could she not be delighted to have encountered such a generous buyer who purchased four Ghost Servant without even haggling over the price?

"The south wind blows cool, the south wind is really cool, why is the south wind so cool—."

Li Banfeng sighed and said, "Is this the only line you know?"

Yin Siniang flinched, swerved the steering wheel, and the truck almost fell into the ditch.

She stared at the big boss in surprise and asked, "When did you get in the car?"

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "It just arrived. I'd like to do business with you again."

Yin Siniang shook her head and said, "If you want to do business, come find me at the Culture Palace tomorrow night."

"Why do we have to go to the Black Market? We're already so familiar with each other."

"That won't do!" Yin Siniang said. "I follow the rules in business and never do business with customers in private."

"What kind of rule is this?"

"The rules of the Black Market!"

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "This isn't Black Market, why should you follow the rules of Black Market?"

That makes a lot of sense, and Yin Siniang seemed unable to refute it.

"In short, I don't want to do business with you here." Yin Siniang's eyes turned to the seatbelt buckle next to the car seat. Hidden inside the buckle was an iron bead, a Spiritual Object that was extremely adept at combat.

Yin Siniang once used this bead to hold back a cultivator at the seventh level, giving herself a chance to escape. She was also able to retrieve the bead, which shows the power of this Spiritual Object.

But this time, Yin Siniang doesn't intend to take the bead back.

The big boss got on the bus without Yin Siniang, which shows how powerful he is. To get rid of him, she didn't care about the bead or the bus; she just wanted to save her life.

Li Banfeng advised Yin Siniang, "You do business day and night in a daze, and it's not easy to earn a little money. If we can reach an agreement on this deal, I can buy all the Ghost Servant in your carriage without having to pay the Black Market cut."

"What kind of business do you want to discuss?"

"I'd like to ask, where did you buy these Ghost Servant in your car?"

"Didn't I tell you? It came from Pro State!"

"I'm not asking about their homeland; I'm asking, where did you buy these Ghost Servant?"

"I got it myself from Pro State!" Yin Siniang's hand reached for the seatbelt buckle.

When did you go to Pro State?

"I go there often; I just got back from Pro State last week!"

Li Banfeng sighed and said, "In doing business, the most important thing is to be honest."

"How am I being dishonest? I'm telling the truth!"

What is the signboard of Green Water City?

Yin Siniang thought for a moment and said, "It's that signboard on the city gate!"

"Which street is the Lu Family on?"

"I have never been to the Lu Family."

"Aren't you Zuo Wugang's god-sister? Didn't he take you to see him?"

"I... I've never been there—"

"Yes, you haven't been there," Li Banfeng laughed. "Not only have you never been to the Lu Family, you've never even been to Pro State."

Yin Siniang stepped on the brakes and stopped the car. With a bang, she slammed her left hand on the seatbelt buckle in one smooth motion.

The iron ball did not fly out.

Li Banfeng asked in surprise, "What are you trying to do?"

Yin Siniang patted it again, but the iron bead still didn't fly out.

Li Banfeng looked at the seatbelt buckle. "You can't unbuckle your seatbelt?"

Yin Siniang gritted her teeth and patted it again, and the iron bead came out.

The iron ball was in Li Banfeng's hands.

"Is this what you're looking for?" Li Banfeng asked, holding the iron beads. "How do you use this? Do you just throw it?"

As he spoke, Li Banfeng seemed about to throw the iron bead at Yin Siniang's face.

Yin Siniang quickly ducked to avoid them, and then took out a stack of contracts from beside the carriage door. "Get on board, all of you!"

She wanted to use the contract to control the Ghost Servant and attack Li Banfeng.

Bang bang bang!

There was a commotion inside the truck bed, as if something was trying to crawl out.

"Whoosh!" Li Banfeng shouted, and the carriage instantly fell silent.

Yin Siniang clutched her head, huddled in her chair, snot and tears streaming down her face.

Li Banfeng looked down and saw that a pale yellow, unidentified liquid had submerged the soles of his shoes.

"These shoes, oh, they're—"

These shoes were just issued by the Dark Star Bureau, and after wearing them for only a few days, they got soaked in urine.

This isn't Yin Siniang's fault, it's Li Banfeng's fault.

After ascending to the Cloud Realm, the Deep Mansion Technique and dealing with land become fundamentally different. His shout almost cost Yin Siniang her life.

Yin Siniang cried, "Boss, I know I was wrong. I won't lie to you. I'll answer whatever you ask. I'll return all the money to you in a bit, and I'll give you the car too. Everything in the car is yours."

"I don't want these things. I just want to know where these Ghost Servant came from?"

"They came from the ferry."

Li Banfeng was getting a little impatient. "I didn't ask you about your mode of transportation."

"I'm not talking about transportation. That group is called the Ferry Gang, and their Gang Leader is called the Boat Boss."

What do the Ferry Gang do?

"Those who rummage through things, moving things in and out of Pro State."

This is what Ma Wu was talking about: people who do business Outer State?

Is this Ferry Gang a powerful local force or a secret society?

Have you seen the Boat Boss?

"I've seen him, twice. He personally handled all the valuable items. This batch of Ghost Servant was sold to me by him personally."

"Will you be able to see him one more time?"

"I'll be contacting them again to restock in another week. If I can see him, I'll definitely let you know beforehand."

Li Banfeng took out a Contract Paper and said, "Then it's settled. Put your fingerprint on it."

Yin Siniang couldn't find any ink pad, so she dipped her finger in water from the chair and tried to press it onto the Contract Paper.

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Isn't this your urine? Do you use urine to sign a contract? This requires blood!"

Yin Siniang had indeed never been to Pro State, and she was unaware of the rules Pro State. If the big boss ordered the use of blood, then she would use blood.

She put her finger in her mouth, the same one that had been dipped in water before, and bit the tip until it bled.

"Couldn't you have changed it—" Li Banfeng didn't know how to comment. He watched as she pressed the bloody handprint on the paper. Li Banfeng took the contract, got off the carriage, and went inside to collect all the Ghost Servant.

"We'll settle the price after the business is done. I'll wait for your reply."

Yin Siniang was still shivering in the car, while Li Banfeng had already walked far away.

Ferry Gang, who exactly are you people?

Are you just middlemen?

Or is it that you want to investigate me?

Back at his lodgings, Li Banfeng took a short nap. The projector then placed a phone in front of him. "Seventh Director Li Banfeng..."

A message came in: the Dark Star Bureau is holding an important meeting this morning.

The message was sent by Shen Jingye.

Did you remember me during the meeting?

This meeting seems very important.

P. S.: Some things can only be found out in Outer State.