Iron Tendon Bamboo (This Chapter Is Nuclear-Level; Non-Combat Personnel, Please Evacuate)

Sun Tiecheng pointed to the blood-stained ball of thread and said to Fan Zhongfu, "The person inside this ball is you. You used your Seamless Heavenly Garment skill to hide yourself inside this garment."

Fan Zhongfu stared blankly at the dumpling in his hand, then shook his head and said, "This can't be me."

The logic is simple: how could he possibly incorporate his own techniques into his own methods?

Sun Tiecheng said, "It must be you. Who else could it be?"

Fan Zhongfu looked at the ball of thread in his hand, seemingly regaining his senses. "No, I just put you inside."

Sun Tiecheng laughed upon hearing this, "Are you talking nonsense? I'm right in front of you, when did you ever take me in?"

Fan Zhongfu touched the ball of thread in his hand; blood was still seeping out, and the flesh inside seemed to be twitching.

He was terrified. The more terrified he was, the faster his heart beat, and the faster his heart beat, the faster the flesh in his hands beat.

"Well, even if it wasn't you, it might not necessarily be me." Fan Zhongfu spoke without confidence. The only explanation he could offer was that he had failed to subdue the middle-aged man in front of him with his technique, and had instead subdued someone of unknown origin.

Sun Tiecheng sighed and said, "How can you be so stupid? Look at me carefully first. I'm standing right in front of you, looking perfectly fine."

That's definitely not me.

As he spoke, Sun Tiecheng pointed at Qiu Zhiheng again. "This guy is as thin as a monkey, but he's standing there properly, so it's definitely not him."

Qiu Zhiheng didn't know what to say, nor did he know what the situation was. Fan Zhongfu was an invincible force to Qiu Zhiheng.

However, in front of this middle-aged man, Fan Zhongfu became someone who could be easily manipulated.

This isn't a metaphor; it's a genuine assessment.

Sun Tiecheng said to Fan Zhongfu, "There are only three of us here. It's not me, and it's not him. Who else could it be but you?"

Fan Zhongfu was speechless.

Having lived to such an old age, he had never seen a truly foolish cultivator, nor had he ever seen a technique that Reversing Cause and Effect. He didn't know what methods the middle-aged man in front of him had used.

Sun Tiecheng said, "If you don't believe me, pinch this ball of thread in your hand and see if it hurts."

Fan Zhongfu's hands were trembling; he dared not squeeze.

With a wave of his hand, as if by magic, Sun Tiecheng produced the ball of yarn into his own hand. "You can't bear to squeeze it?"

Let me help you, see if it hurts.

He took it, he squeezed it.

Sun Tiecheng gently squeezed the ball of yarn in his hand, and Fan Zhongfu's bones cracked as he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

It hurts, it hurts so badly!

After the pain subsided, Fan Zhongfu was puzzled, wondering where he got the bones from.

He is Yi Xiu, Yi Xiu in the clouds, whose flesh, bones, and internal organs have long since turned into clothes.

This is a smokescreen!

This is Illusion Technique!

That ball of thread wasn't me at all; he tricked me!

Fan Zhongfu gritted his teeth, immediately stood up, and with a flick of his wrist, sent out thousands of needles and threads that surrounded Sun Tiecheng.

Clothing repair skills, step stitching and needlework.

These needles and threads form a special array. People trapped inside the array cannot move easily, otherwise they will be cut by the threads.

Between the interwoven threads, there seem to be many gaps and holes. Don't even think about escaping through these gaps and holes. If you stick your hand out of a hole, your hand will be cut off. If you stick your head out, your head will be cut off.

The formation created by the technique of walking on needles and threads offers no way to escape. The way to break the formation is to destroy these needles and threads.

However, these needles and threads are extremely strong, and to destroy them requires specific techniques or weapons.

Fan Zhongfu's tactics were very clear: if the needle and thread could trap the middle-aged man, kill him immediately, and then deal with Qiu Zhiheng.

If the needle and thread cannot bind the middle-aged man, it can at least buy some time, giving Fan Zhongfu a chance to escape.

Trapped in the needlework, Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu and asked, "Are you in pain or not?"

He squeezed the silk thread bag in his hand again.

Fan Zhongfu vomited blood and collapsed to the ground again. In the excruciating pain, the formation could no longer be maintained, and the needle and thread became a tangled mess.

What exactly happened?

Isn't this just a smokescreen?

Why does this pain feel so real?

Sun Tiecheng kicked aside the needle and thread at his feet and walked up to Fan Zhongfu with a smile, "Just tell me, is this place yours?" Fan Zhongfu nodded and said, "Senior, if you say so, then it is. As long as you spare my life, I will do whatever you say."

"Let you go?" Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of silk thread again, and Fan Zhongfu felt as if several of his bones had broken.

It hurt so much that my eyes rolled back.

"Why should I let you go?" Sun Tiecheng squatted on the ground, looking at Fan Zhongfu. "You lied to me just now, saying you knew where the Iron Tendon Bamboo was. I'm an honest man, and I actually believed you. I never expected you to resort to such underhanded tactics against me."

"Don't you deserve to die, you piece of trash?"

"Senior, I am from Snowflake Port. If you want to kill me, you should at least consider Snowflake Port's reputation."

Sun Tiecheng laughed, "What face does Snowflake Port have? If you want to judge face, look at Snow Cream. Snow Cream is a nice thing to put on your face. Are you Snow Cream?"

Fan Zhongfu reiterated, "Whatever you say, senior, goes. If you call it Snow Cream, then I am Snow Cream."

Sun Tiecheng stretched out his hand to Fan Zhongfu and said, "Okay, squeeze some ointment out and let me see."

"I... I can't squeeze it out."

"Shall I squeeze it for you?" Sun Tiecheng squeezed the ball of yarn.

Fan Zhongfu cried out in a loud and impassioned voice, "This junior was blind and did not mean to offend you, senior. Please be merciful and do not hold it against me. Just spare my life and I will do whatever you ask."

Sun Tiecheng nodded and said, "Tell me first, do you know where the Iron Tendon Bamboo is?"

"Senior, I really don't know." Fan Zhongfu wasn't lying; he genuinely didn't know where the Iron Tendon Bamboo was.

The legend that there is Iron Tendon Bamboo on Bitter Mist Mountain is just that—a legend. Fan Zhongfu has never seen iron- Iron Tendon Bamboo in his life, and very few people in the entire Pro State have ever seen it.

"I don't know, then what's the point of keeping you around?" Sun Tiecheng pinched the ball of silk thread back and forth several times.

Fan Zhongfu felt as if all his bones and internal organs had been squeezed into a pulp.

He had tormented many people with his Seamless Heavenly Garment technique, and only today did he truly understand what that technique was like.

"Senior, please allow me to say something. I know where the Iron Tendon Bamboo is."

Sun Tiecheng stroked the ball of yarn and said, "If you know, just say so."

This ball of thread became Fan Zhongfu's nightmare; every glance felt like being torn to pieces.

"Senior, I really can't remember—"

Sun Tiecheng was about to make dumplings again when Fan Zhongfu shouted hoarsely, "I'll take you there, senior! I'll take you there right away! I haven't been to Bitter Mist Mountain for many years, and I've really forgotten. But once I get through this forest, I'll remember. Senior, I really will remember!"

Fan Zhongfu's tears streamed down his face. Sun Tiecheng sighed and said, "You're quite pitiful. Alright, you lead the way. I'll trust you this once."

The two walked into the woods, while Qiu Zhiheng stood still, unsure of what to do.

Sun Tiecheng turned around and said, "I saw a flower in your basket. You're here to Blood Skin Apricot you? There are apricots in this grove. You should go on your way and pretend you never saw us."

Qiu Zhiheng dared not pick apricots, nor did he dare go down the mountain. He stood there, wanting to wait until Sun Tiecheng was completely far away before he left.

After waiting a while, they suddenly heard Sun Tiecheng shouting from afar, "Why are you running away? Don't run! It's good that you're with me. If you run away now, you'll definitely regret it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Zhiheng saw Fan Zhongfu dash down the mountain like a whirlwind. After only a few steps, with a soft "poof," he disappeared down the hillside.

The fog on Bitter Mist Mountain was very thick. Qiu Zhiheng didn't know why Fan Zhongfu had disappeared. As he got a little closer, Qiu Zhiheng smelled a strange odor and then heard Fan Zhongfu struggling.

Puff, puff!

Fan Zhongfu struggled to swim in a pool of golden soup, but the soup was too thick, and Fan Zhongfu had to endure great resistance with every step he took.

Why is there a Golden Pool on Bitter Mist Mountain?

This place shouldn't be suitable for farming. Who would undertake such a large-scale project here?

After a difficult struggle, Fan Zhongfu finally swam to the edge of the pool.

He gripped the slippery pool wall and used his clothing repair technique— Feather Coat Creates Wings.

His clothes gathered at his back, unraveling into strands of silk, which were then rewoven and intertwined to form a pair of enormous wings.

The wings, soaked with the golden liquid, became slightly heavy, but after flapping a few times, Fan Zhongfu still managed to take flight.

The Golden Pool was very deep, and Fan Zhongfu struggled to fly even a foot higher.

This was not only because his wings were very heavy, but also because his body was severely corroded by the molten gold.

Since falling into the Golden Pool, he has returned to his original state of being a clothing repairman. His body has no flesh and blood, but is covered with layers of clothing. However, from the innermost layer to the outermost layer, every piece of clothing is corroded and riddled with holes.

This is equivalent to a normal person having a thousand holes burned through their body. Under such conditions, Fan Zhongfu can still fly, which shows his profound cultivation.

Flying upwards inch by inch, Fan Zhongfu finally reached the edge of the pool.

Old Xu stood by the pool and casually sprinkled a spoonful of golden soup down.

This is Gold Cultivation Technique, Golden Light Shines Everywhere.

Bathed in golden light, Fan Zhongfu's wings turned to ashes, and he fell back into the pool.

Sun Tiecheng sighed, stood by the pool, and said to Fan Zhongfu, "Why can't you listen to me? I told you not to run away, but you wouldn't listen. Now you regret it, don't you?"

Qiu Zhiheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Old Xu arrive.

Xu Han asked, "Little Qiu, what brings you to Bitter Mist Mountain?"

Qiu Zhiheng took out some Blood Skin Apricot blossoms from the basket and said to Xu Han, "I want to pick some Blood Skin Apricot for Yao Lao to eat."

Xu Han laughed and said, "Silly boy, in the future, just tell me about these kinds of things. Try to avoid coming to places like this. Hurry up and go down the mountain."

Qiu Zhiheng turned and walked down the hillside. Sun Tiecheng said, "Don't chase him away! He's here to pick apricots! Young man, there are indeed apricots in that grove. Pick a few more and bring some for Old Xu too. If Old Xu hadn't saved you today, you would be dead."

Yes, it was all thanks to Old Xu saved me and brought me back to life.

Qiu Zhiheng looked back, a little worried for Old Xu.

Xu Han waved her spoon, signaling him to leave quickly.

Watching Qiu Zhiheng walk away, Sun Tiecheng sighed, "Old Xu, what are you doing? He really came to pick apricots. Aren't you interrupting his important business?"

Xu Han looked at Sun Tiecheng and said, "Never mind what others are doing. Tell me first, what brings you here?"

Sun Tiecheng glanced at the Golden Soup Pool, smiled, and said nothing.

Xu Han poured another spoonful of liquid over Fan Zhongfu's head. This technique is called "Golden Fluid Covers the Head." The golden juice flowed down Fan Zhongfu's head at a steady pace until his whole body turned golden. Now Fan Zhongfu couldn't hear anything, and apart from the golden light all around him, he couldn't see anything.

Upon seeing this, Sun Tiecheng spoke up, "I came to Bitter Mist Mountain to obtain some Iron Tendon Bamboo to Pill Refining back home."

Xu Han frowned and said, "Who told you that Iron Tendon Bamboo is used for Pill Refining?"

Sun Tiecheng laughed and said, "Never mind that, just tell me whether you'll give it to me or not."

Xu Han shook her head. "Why should I give you such precious medicinal herbs?"

Sun Tiecheng shrugged. "Based on our past relationship."

Xu Han shook her head again. "I don't have any relationship with you."

"Regardless of our relationship, let's talk about our grudges."

"I have no grudge against you, and I wasn't involved in the destruction of Fool's City."

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "You didn't get involved, which proves you're my Old Sun. When friends meet, they should have a drink and catch up. Why do they have to fight?"

Xu Han thought about it and felt that what he said made sense. He scooped a spoonful from the pool and handed it to Sun Tiecheng: "How about we have a drink together?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "Sure, let's drink together!"

Xu Han took a Wine Gourd off his waist and drank all the wine in it. "I drank the first toast as a sign of respect, but he drank it all. Only the golden soup in the iron spoon is left."

Sun Tiecheng sighed, gave a wry smile, and said, "You old codger, why can't you get the hang of it?"

Xu Han also sighed, "I am a farmer. Whenever I fall into your trap, it is always the farmers who suffer."

Wen Sun Tiecheng waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about anything else, let's get down to business. I need the Iron Tendon Bamboo, are you going to give it to me or not?"

Xu Han said, "You want it, but I don't want to give it to you. There's no point in talking about it anymore. Let's just have a fight."

"I've already told you, we're friends, let's not resort to knives or guns. How about this, let him be the judge, and we'll do whatever he says!" Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu in the pool.

Xu Han used a spoon to scoop Fan Zhongfu out of the water.

Fan Zhongfu wiped the gold juice off his face and looked at Sun Tiecheng and Xu Han.

Sun Tiecheng spoke first, "We have something going on between us, and we'd like you to judge it. I came all the way to Bitter Mist Mountain hoping to gather some medicinal herbs, but this old man refuses to give them to me. What do you suggest we do about this?"

Xu Han took a spoon and stirred the golden liquid in the pool. "Ordinary medicinal herbs are given away without a second thought, but some medicinal herbs are priceless and cannot be taken away by him with just a word."

Sun Tiecheng said, "If one sentence isn't enough, let's say a few more. Name your price, and I'll buy it."

Xu Han said, "I won't name a price, I won't sell to you, and I won't let you take it. What can you do about it?"

Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu and said, "Listen to what he's saying. Is it reasonable?"

Xu Han also looked at Fan Zhongfu: "Tell me, what exactly is reason?"

Fan Zhongfu licked his lips and looked at Xu Han first.

He knew this was Ancestor Jin Xiu. Before he came, someone in Snowflake Port had told him to avoid Xu Han, but he didn't expect that he couldn't avoid Xu Han and instead encountered another ruthless person.

Sun Tiecheng grew impatient and squeezed the ball of yarn in his hand. "I'm asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"

Xu Han was also a little angry, waving the spoon in front of Fan Zhongfu: "Why are you hesitating? Just say it if you've thought it through!"

How so?

To tell Sun Tiecheng that would be tantamount to offending Xu Han, which would mean being thrown into the Jinchizi.

To speak to Xu Han would be tantamount to offending Sun Tiecheng, and he would surely be torn to pieces by him.

Fan Zhongfu knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the two men. "Seniors, grandfathers, please be magnanimous and spare my life."

Upon hearing this, neither of them was pleased.

Sun Tiecheng, holding the ball of yarn, said, "I think you're sick. You can't even speak clearly. I need to loosen up your muscles and bones."

"Don't relax your muscles all the time. You need to take medicine to cure an illness," Xu Han said, handing a spoon to Fan Zhongfu. "Come on, young man, open your mouth."

I have no choice but to say it today.

Fan Zhongfu never imagined that he would have such a day, being able to judge these two reclusive masters.

After careful consideration, Fan Zhongfu spoke up. He looked at Sun Tiecheng and said, "I think this brother makes sense. We are all friends. He came from afar, without stealing or robbing. He just wanted to collect some medicinal herbs. We should do him a favor."

Sun Tiecheng laughed, "Old Xu, listen to what they're saying!"

Fan Zhongfu wasn't just making things up; he had really thought it through carefully.

If he offended Sun Tiecheng, and the little ball of yarn squeezed him a couple more times, he would lose his life.

But if he offends Xu Han, he can save his life by soaking in the golden pool a little longer.

If you survive, you still have a chance to escape.

Xu Han sighed. Since there was a prior agreement, given their respective positions, he and Sun Tiecheng could not go back on their word.

"Old Sun, I really can't tell you where Iron Tendon Bamboo grows."

Sun Tiecheng crossed his arms and said, "If you don't keep your word, you're bullying an honest person."

Xu Han pointed at Fan Zhongfu and said, "You hand this man over to me, and I'll go get you two Bamboo. What do you think?"

"Okay!" Sun Tiecheng nodded. "I don't want bamboo leaves, I don't want bamboo stalks, I just want bamboo shoots!"

He wants bamboo shoots!

Xu Han's expression became even more serious.

Sun Tiecheng, hands clasped, said, "What, you don't want to give it to me again? Your mouth is your word, Old Xu. I respect you, so you have to keep your promise!"

"Okay, you stay here and wait, I'll go get the bamboo shoots."

Not long after, Xu Han returned, carrying two bamboo shoots. "Ten iron bars. You can inspect the goods yourself. If you find anything wrong later, I will not accept returns or exchanges."

After examining the Bamboo, Sun Tiecheng nodded and said, "What you brought can't be fake."

After saying this, Sun Tiecheng clasped his hands in a fist salute and left with the bamboo shoots.

Xu Han glanced at Fan Zhongfu and laughed, "Now it's just the two of us."

Fan Zhongfu knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, crying out, "Senior, spare my life! I never intended to offend you. I came here to find Qiu Zhiheng. I've been in Medicine King Gully for many days but haven't dared to look for him, precisely because I was afraid of offending you."

I only followed him after learning that Qiu Zhiheng had gone to Bitter Mist Mountain. You saw it yourself; Qiu Zhiheng was perfectly fine. I didn't hit him or kill him; I just scared him a bit. Senior, you can't take my life over something like this!

"Get up first. I don't intend to kill you. I have three questions for you. If you answer them truthfully, I will let you go."

Fan Zhongfu nodded and said, "Please speak, senior."

"First of all, why did you cause trouble for Little Qiu?"

Fan Zhongfu answered truthfully, "I am from Snowflake Port. My superiors told me to find Qiu Zhiheng, to lure Li Qi out through him, and then to investigate the whereabouts of Mystic Life Crimson Lotus through Li Qi."

Upon hearing this, Xu Han asked a second question, "Everyone says that Snowflake Port is a place where Peddler work, have you ever seen Peddler in Snowflake Port?"

Fan Zhongfu said, "I have never seen Peddler in Puzi."

"Thirdly, did you see the Peddler outside Snowflake Port?"

Fan Zhongfu lowered his head and said, "I definitely saw it. When I entered the Daoist sect, I bought the medicine powder from Peddler."

Xu Han shook his head and said, "I'm not talking about things that far in the future. I'm asking if you've encountered Peddler since you joined Snowflake Port?"

"I've met him before. I bought some things from him, so I naturally wouldn't dare to be impolite to him. But I can't talk to him much, especially about things in Puzi, that's absolutely off-limits."

There's a rule in Snowflake Port: unless you're on a mission, you can't talk about things that happened inside the pu once you leave.

You mustn't recognize anyone from Puzi Village. Even in front of the Peddler, you have to act like an ordinary person and not let anyone notice anything special about you.

After asking the three questions, Xu Han pondered for a while.

He put away his spoon and said to Fan Zhongfu, "I can let you go now, but when you return to Snowflake Port, you must act as my inside man and write me a letter every day, informing me of the situation in Snowflake Port."

Fan Zhongfu nodded repeatedly.

Can he write a letter every day?

He couldn't do it; he wouldn't even act as an inside man for Xu Han.

He just wanted to get away as soon as possible, and he would agree to whatever Xu Han said.

Xu Han took out two gold nuggets, real gold nuggets, and handed them to Fan Zhongfu: "From now on, use these to write letters. If you have paper, write on it; if you don't have paper, write on the wall; if you don't have a wall, write on the ground. As long as you can write the words, I will receive them. Got it?"

Fan Zhongfu accepted the gold nugget and nodded, saying, "I'll remember that."

"Once you've got it, go down the mountain. With your cultivation level, you should be able to leave Bitter Mist Mountain within an hour. Find a place to stay first, then write me your first letter. Got it?"

"Got it!"

"I'm reminding you again, you must write to me within one hour, understand?"

"I've got it!" Fan Zhongfu grabbed the gold nugget and ran wildly down the mountain.

One hour to leave Bitter Mist Mountain?

He underestimated me!

Fan Zhongfu once again used the Feather Coat Creates Wings technique, and two wings grew from his back. He took out a needle and thread and, while flying, stitched up the wounds on his body.

At first, he flew very slowly. After five minutes, the golden liquid on his wings dried, and he stitched up some of the wounds on his body himself. In less than ten minutes, Fan Zhongfu flew out of the territory of Bitter Mist Mountain.

After descending the mountain, he didn't head towards the town or look for a place to stay. He went straight to Xindi, wanting only to leave Medicine King Gully as soon as possible.

After flying for more than three hours, Fan Zhongfu found the scenery below somewhat familiar. After the village came the wilderness, and after the wilderness came the village again, in a cycle that never ended, but he never saw any new land.

Lost?

Fan Zhongfu firmly believed that he could not possibly be lost, and he realized that he had fallen into Xu Han's trap.

I was careless.

I should write him a letter. If I don't write this first letter, I'll never be able to leave Medicine King Gully.

Fan Zhongfu landed on the ground, found a stone in a grove of trees, and was about to write a letter when he suddenly saw Xu Han standing in front of him.

"Senior—" Fan Zhongfu trembled, "I was just about to write to you, but I haven't found a suitable place yet..."

I'll write it to you right away; I've almost taken out my gold nuggets.

Xu Han sighed, "Why did you break your promise to me?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the surrounding scenery changed.

The surrounding woods were gone, replaced by a thick fog.

He is still on Bitter Mist Mountain.

Fan Zhongfu exclaimed, "Senior, I was wrong! I really wanted to write you a letter, but I just forgot about the time!"

Xu Han shook her head and said, "This is an illness, and it needs treatment!"

"Senior, sen--"

Xu Han pinched Fan Zhongfu's mouth shut, picked up a spoon, and served him the golden-yellow medicinal soup. "Here, take your medicine."

The warm medicinal soup slid down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Fan Zhongfu's eyes were filled with tears, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"As Mr. Sun walked beneath the city walls, he pondered and sighed, recalling the events of that year with profound sorrow. I was like a caged bird with wings that could not spread, like a tiger separated from its mountain, suffering loneliness; like a wild goose from the south, lost and scattered, like a shallow-water dragon trapped on the beach—."

Sun Tiecheng revised his own version of "Fourth Son Visits His Mother," singing it all the way back to Fool's City, and triumphantly entered his own courtyard.

Gui Jianchou was still squatting at the door, not moving an inch.

Sun Tiecheng frowned and said, "You're really squatting here? Get up now, stop blocking the way!"

Gui Jianchou straightened up and said with a smile, "City Lord Sun, has the matter been accomplished?"

Sun Tiecheng snorted coldly, "Is there even a need to ask? Today I'll show you what Iron Tendon Bamboo shoots are like!"

Gui Jianchou really wanted to see it for himself, as he had never seen the bamboo shoots of the Iron Tendon Bamboo before. "I've heard that the Iron Tendon Bamboo has ten iron tendons. I wonder if you can see them on the bamboo shoots."

"Sure! Why not?" Sun Tiecheng said proudly. "I was afraid Old Xu would lie to me, so I counted them one by one in front of him—a full ten, not one less!"

As they were talking, Sun Tiecheng took out the bamboo shoots, and Guijianchou carefully counted them beside him.

The emerald green bamboo shoot sheath is covered with ten metallic tendrils, each extending from the tip of the shoot to the root.

Gui Jianchou exclaimed in admiration, "Not a single one is missing."

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "No, one is missing."

Gui Jianchou shook his head and said, "I counted them, ten iron bars, not one missing."

Sun Tiecheng shook his head and said, "It's not the iron core, it's just that a bamboo shoot is missing!"

Xu Han gave Sun Tiecheng two bamboo shoots, and Sun Tiecheng brought one back with him.

"Where did the other bamboo shoot go?" Sun Tiecheng asked Gui Jianchou.

Gui Jianchou shook his head and said, "I certainly don't know."

Gui Jianchou was very nervous. Actually, Sun Tiecheng wasn't angry. He looked at Gui Jianchou very seriously. "I'm asking you to tell me, who stole this thing?"

Gui Jianchou thought for a moment, "The only person who could steal something from you is probably that old ancestor of the Thieves Cultivators."

Sun Tiecheng thought for a moment and said, "You mean Smiling Thousand Hands? That should be the only one, but I remember he was beaten to death by the Peddler."

Gui Jianchou thought for a moment and said, "I think the Peddler could definitely beat him, but whether he could kill him is another matter."

In the depths of a hutong in Green Water City, Yuanzhu Ward, lies a small courtyard.

There were two tiled houses in the courtyard, and an old man was sitting in the main house, drinking tea.

The old man had very distinctive features: he was thin and wiry with a hunched back. When he sat in a chair, his feet barely touched the ground, and when he stood, he was only slightly taller than the table.

Looking at his appearance, his high cheekbones were red, his pointed chin was black, he had two thin eyebrows, a pair of narrow eyes, and two sharp, thin front teeth that occasionally peeked out from his thin lips.

The old man took a sip of tea, put down his cup, and called out to the empty courtyard, "Come in!"

He Jiaqing appeared next to the old poplar tree in the courtyard, entered the main house, and respectfully bowed to the old man.

The old man chuckled, "You little rascal, I told you to come, and you actually did!"

He Jiaqing said, "Since the ancestor gave the order, how could I dare not come?"

"How's the ring coming along?"

"There's just a little decoration left, and it'll be finished soon."

"Let me see it."

He Jiaqing quickly placed the ring on the table.

The old man glanced at it, nodded, and said, "To be honest, I don't really appreciate your other crafts, but this ring is somewhat decent. Don't bother with the decorations; I'll keep this one, and we'll call it even."

"Our ancestor is so magnanimous!" He Jiaqing bowed again.

The old man accepted the ring, He Jiaqing didn't see how he accepted it.

He was holding a teacup in one hand and the lid in the other, stirring the tea, when suddenly the ring on the table disappeared.

"Little Qingzi, I called you here today to show you something good." The old man didn't move his hands; a bamboo shoot appeared on the table. "Do you recognize this?"

He Jiaqing looked it over and nodded, saying, "I've seen this in photos before. It's Iron Tendon Bamboo, which can treat internal injuries and is considered a rare medicinal herb."

"Rare? You've got quite the nerve!" the old man grinned. "Young Qingzi, do you know who I offended because of this bamboo shoot?"

He Jiaqing shook his head and said, "I really dare not guess."

The old man then asked, "Do you know what this Iron Tendon Bamboo is used for?"

He Jiaqing thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Besides treating internal injuries, what else can it be used for?"

The old man said, "It can also be used to make medicinal powder. Iron Tendon Bamboo Shoot are the main ingredient for Peddler to make Entry Medicine Powder!"

"Refining Entry Medicine Powder?" He Jiaqing exclaimed in surprise. "Aren't introductory medicinal powders all refined from the corpses of cultivators?"

The old man laughed upon hearing this, "Refining medicine powder from corpses, what kind of skill is that? Even that bastard Hua Manchun can do that."

The corpses are passed down from generation to generation, and some are lost with each generation. If this method is used, won't the number of cultivators in Pro State decrease?

He Jiaqing's eyes widened as he looked at the Bamboo in his hand. "Peddler can use medicinal herbs to make basic medicinal powder?"

"What do you think?" The old man took a sip of tea. "This is the capital of the Lord of Pro."

PS: But the problem is, how do I make medicine with this bamboo shoot?

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