What Foolproof Really Means

Li Banfeng was preparing to set out for Yaowanggou to pay a visit to Shopkeeper Feng at Feng's Grocery Store. Bai Qiusheng was just having someone arrange the travel permit and train tickets when a runner suddenly came to report, "Mr. Ai from the Pure Observance Society is here to talk business." At the mention of the Pure Observance Society, Li Banfeng felt a wave of disgust. Bai Qiusheng asked in surprise, "Ai Chixiang? What business could they possibly have to talk with us?" Yuwen Qi said, "Why not just throw them out? We already have bad blood with them anyway." Li Banfeng took out the covenant paper from his breast pocket and saw specks of rust on it. This meant Lü Yuesan was already dead. "There's no harm in talking to them," Li Banfeng said in an utterly calm tone. "First find out clearly what they want to do." Bai Qiusheng went off to discuss business, but ran back before long. "Seventh Master, they want to buy out our projector business! Brand name, craft techniques, factories—they want to take over everything." Yuwen Qi gritted his teeth. "Vile bastards! The moment they see us making money, they want to reach their claws in! Old Bai, I'll go out there with you and curse those sons of bitches to high heaven!" "Cursing them won't do any good. Ai Chixiang brought a lot of men and surrounded our newspaper office. Yue Qingsong is here too. He said if we don't agree, they'll play dirty." Hearing that Yue Qingsong had come, Yuwen Qi fell silent. Yue Qingsong was Wu Decheng's disciple, a fourth-tier Poison Cultivator. Neither Yuwen Qi nor Bai Qiusheng was a match for him. Yet with Li the Seventh here, they weren't afraid. Although they didn't know Seventh Master's exact cultivation tier, dealing with a Yue Qingsong ought to be child's play for him. Both of them looked at Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng was muttering to himself. "The moment I arrive, they want to take over my business. Is that a coincidence? "It definitely isn't a coincidence. They're coming for me. "How did they know I came? Did they interrogate Lü Yuesan to find out? "Shouldn't be. Lü Yuesan had only just left; their movements couldn't be that fast. "They already knew I was here. The second I returned to the newspaper office, they knew I was here. "There's an inside traitor in the newspaper office. "Having a traitor isn't surprising either. Once a business grows large, you get all kinds of people..." Yuwen Qi said, "Seventh Master, what's wrong? Please don't be like this. When trouble comes, we'll think of a way together. Don't scare us." Li Banfeng waved his hand, signaling him not to interrupt, and continued talking to himself: "Knowing I'm in Heishipo, they still dare to come buy out my business? What's their objective? "To kill me? "Does Tang Peigong have the ability? "Just with these few people from the Pure Observance Society? "The big boss of the Pure Observance Society is the Sage, and beneath the Sage is Lu Maoxian. Does the Sage want to deal with me, or does Lu Maoxian want to deal with me? "If the Sage were targeting me, he wouldn't send just these few people. He suffered at my hands at Jianrengang. "It must be Lu Maoxian's idea. "But if Lu Maoxian wants to deal with me, why choose Heishipo? Are these few worthless nobodies in Heishipo even worth mentioning? "Are they really here to deal with me?" Li Banfeng kept muttering to himself, driving Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi frantic with worry. "Don't worry," Li Banfeng said, returning to normal. "Keep chatting with them. Take your time, and let's see what they're really up to." *** In the study of Lu Maoxian's mansion, a roll of bamboo slips fell to the floor. The chief steward, Xu Yangbo, picked up the bamboo slips and brought them to Lu Maoxian's bedroom. Lu Maoxian looked deathly pale. Ever since his root of vexation had been severed, his wounds had never fully healed. Taking the bamboo scroll, Lu Maoxian saw a faint halo of light on the slips. Using a carving knife, he carved a single character into the bamboo slip: *Read*. In the blink of an eye, the character vanished, and a line of text surfaced across a bamboo slip: "Li the Seventh has arrived in Heishipo." Before his root of vexation was severed, Lu Maoxian had issued orders to branches of the Pure Observance Society everywhere: whenever they discovered Li the Seventh's movements, find a way to stall him and report immediately. The Pure Observance Society had many capable figures, but Lu Maoxian had never expected the first to send word would actually be Tang Peigong. Li the Seventh had actually gone to Heishipo? Even Lu Maoxian was a bit surprised. Was it really Li the Seventh? Among that group of theirs, the one who frequently went to Heishipo for business was Ma the Fifth. Why would Li the Seventh go to Heishipo? Li the Seventh's whereabouts were notoriously difficult to track. Could Tang Peigong be making a false report to claim credit? Holding the carving knife, Lu Maoxian replied, "Is the information confirmed?" A line of characters surfaced on the bamboo slip: "Beyond all doubt." *Though Tang Peigong has little ability, he wouldn't dare lie to me.* Lu Maoxian pondered for a moment, then responded, "Stall him." Putting away the bamboo slips, Lu Maoxian immediately called for the steward. "Send men to check the whereabouts of Lu Chunying, Ma the Fifth, and Tan Fucheng." The steward went at once, and before long, the report arrived: "Lu Chunying is at her own residence. Zuo Wugang and two guards are there as well." This was within Lu Maoxian's expectations. After Qiu Zhiheng left, Ma the Fifth had dispatched guards to take turns protecting Lu Chunying's safety, and today happened to be Zuo Wugang's shift. The steward continued, "Ma the Fifth fell severely ill a few days ago. His body is quite weak, and he's still recuperating at Xiaoyaowu." "Ma the Fifth is sick?" The steward nodded. "It was an acute illness; he nearly lost his life." *No wonder Li the Seventh went to Heishipo. Ma the Fifth is barely recovering from a major illness and can't step out of the door.* A hint of delight surfaced on Lu Maoxian's face. He then asked, "What about Tan Fucheng?" "Tan Fucheng is tending to business on his own turf." An opportunity! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Yet was that really Li the Seventh in Heishipo? Lu Maoxian still couldn't put his mind at ease. He had the steward bring the bamboo slips again and carved four characters onto them: "Is the information confirmed?" The response from the other side remained: "Beyond all doubt." Lu Maoxian responded, "Keep him stalled until dawn!" The steward remarked from the side, "Master, Li the Seventh is in Heishipo, far away from here. The one we should worry about is Zuo Wugang." Lu Maoxian shook his head. "Zuo Wugang isn't hard to deal with. He has great martial skill and nothing else—no decisiveness when a crisis strikes. Introduce a few twists to the situation, and he becomes useless! "Li the Seventh appears and vanishes like a ghost. He is the one who truly ruins plans! Look at what state the Pure Observance Society in Heishipo was reduced to because of him! "He's a journey cultivator. If he really turns on his heels and sprints back, variables will arise. We must pin him down in Heishipo, and send more men to pin Tan Fucheng down too. Only then can we ensure everything is foolproof." Hearing this, the steward said, "Master speaks with reason. Shall I go arrange the personnel?" Lu Maoxian nodded. "Position the men properly, and prepare the news as well. Once Lu Chunying's head is taken, spread the word immediately and pin it on Duan Shaoxia." The steward hurried off to arrange the men. When preparations were largely complete, the steward took out a letter and handed it to a sweeping chore-servant. Without asking questions, the servant took advantage of an unobserved moment and ran off toward the Lu family mansion. *** Lu Chunying was at home auditing accounts. She was smart and eager to learn, but learning to manage a great clan was not something achieved overnight. Qiu Zhiheng was gone, and Ma the Fifth was busy with business and had been sick these past few days. With no one to teach her, there were things she couldn't figure out on her own. She had invited her cousin Lu Yuanxin to her home. Lu Yuanxin was Lu Dongjun's son. Implicated by Lu Dongjun's actions, his situation was currently the worst among his peers in the Lu family. Back at Lu Maoxian's residence, Lu Chunying had stood up for Lu Yuanxin, earning his deep gratitude. Now that she had invited him over to be her teacher, Lu Yuanxin treated Lu Chunying with great respect and taught her with utter dedication. Although Lu Yuanxin had lost his family wealth, he was still the son of a prominent house. His knowledge and experience were vast, and Lu Chunying truly learned quite a bit from him. At dusk, heavy rain fell. As Lu Yuanxin prepared to head home, Lu Chunying urged him to stay: "Cousin, have a meal with us and wait out the rain." Looking uneasy, Lu Yuanxin said, "I wouldn't dare impose. I'll take my leave now." "It's just a simple home-cooked meal, no need to be polite," Xiao Yeci said, having gone into the kitchen herself to cook a few small dishes. Lu Chunying didn't adhere to many formalities, having the guards join them at the same table. Ever since Lu Dongjun's downfall, Lu Yuanxin had suffered cold shoulders everywhere. Receiving such courtesy from the main branch filled him with deep gratitude. Halfway through the meal, there was a sudden knock at the door. This was strange. Lu Chunying's courtyard was not large, but it still had gatekeepers and sentry guards. If a guest arrived, someone would naturally announce them. What was the meaning of a knock on the door? It meant something was wrong—the gatekeepers and sentries might have already been taken down. Zuo Wugang signaled for everyone to stay still, Cao Zhida went to answer the door, and Zhen Jincheng moved to the window to ambush. This was a tacit understanding formed over years: after opening the door, Cao Zhida would react first, Zuo Wugang would control the overall battle, and Zhen Jincheng would guard against sneak attacks while plotting an escape route. When the door opened, Cao Zhida froze at the threshold, offering no reaction. Tense with worry, Zuo Wugang rushed to the door to back him up. Upon reaching the doorway, he froze as well. "Madam..." Standing outside was Duan Shaoxia. She had brought no guards and no attendants. Drenched to the bone by the pouring rain, she had come all alone to Lu Chunying's residence. Zuo Wugang looked toward Lu Chunying. In Zuo Wugang's impression, Duan Shaoxia was merely a white lamb. If they needed to fight, they could fight; he wouldn't let past ties stay his hand, provided Lu Chunying had no reservations either. Duan Shaoxia also looked at Lu Chunying and gave a faint smile. "In rain this heavy, are you going to leave me standing at the doorway?" Lu Chunying bowed in salute and invited Duan Shaoxia into the room. Duan Shaoxia glanced around and spotted Lu Yuanxin. "Yuanxin is here too?" Lu Yuanxin gave a slight bow, keeping his distance from Duan Shaoxia. He didn't know Duan Shaoxia possessed cultivation either, but seeing her arrive at Lu Chunying's residence all alone without the gatekeepers or guards outside having raised any alarm, he knew she was definitely no ordinary mortal. Duan Shaoxia turned her gaze to Xiao Yeci. "Sister, do you have any hot soup? Scoop me a bowl, please. I'm quite cold." Xiao Yeci nodded. "I'll fetch you some soup. I have extra clothes here too; you should change into dry ones." Lu Chunying tugged at Xiao Yeci's hem, warning her to avoid meeting Duan Shaoxia's eyes at all costs. Duan Shaoxia said to Lu Chunying, "I came to save you. Do you believe me?" Lu Chunying was taken aback, then asked, "You came to save me all by yourself?" Duan Shaoxia smiled. "If I had brought men, certain things wouldn't be easy to explain. Chunying, do you want to fight, or do you want to run?" "What do you mean by running, and what do you mean by fighting?" In a solemn voice, Duan Shaoxia said, "If you fight, it's just this one battle. If you run, you'll run for a lifetime!" *** Heishipo, the *Night Fragrance* newspaper office. Bai Qiusheng was still discussing business with Ai Chixiang. After talking for several hours, they hadn't reached any conclusion. Bai Qiusheng insisted the motion picture player business wasn't for sale. Ai Chixiang issued a threat: "I'll lay my cards on the table. If you don't want to sell, this business won't be able to continue in Heishipo going forward." Bai Qiusheng said he couldn't make that call. Ai Chixiang laughed. "If you can't make the call, go ask your boss! I know he's right here." His hand revealed, Bai Qiusheng broke into a sweat. Ai Chixiang threatened once more: "Make it clear to your Boss Ye: coming to talk business with him is already giving him ample face. If he doesn't agree, he will bear all the consequences himself!" Threats aside, Ai Chixiang never made a move. Not knowing how to handle this, Yuwen Qi hurried to the back courtyard to inform Li the Seventh. Li Banfeng found the situation increasingly bizarre. *All talk and no real action.* *They aren't here to take me down—they're trying to tie me down!* *And why tie me down?* *Is this Lu Maoxian's order?* Li Banfeng kept muttering to himself, terrifying Yuwen Qi until his face went pale. "Seventh Master, maybe you could..." "Go keep an eye on Bai Qiusheng's side. It probably won't amount to anything serious." Having sent Yuwen Qi away, Li Banfeng returned to the Portable Abode and continued muttering to himself: "What on earth is Lu Maoxian's motive for trying to tie me down? "I've never had much direct contact with him, so I really don't know what kind of temperament he has." The others in the abode were familiar with Li Banfeng's habits; when Li Banfeng was talking to himself, it was best not to disturb him. The projector, having arrived not long ago, thought Li Banfeng was asking them a question, so he took the initiative to reply: "Director Qi, as for Lu Maoxian's temperament, I understand it quite well! Hale and hearty in his old age—truly hale and hearty!" The glove smacked the projector. "You really don't know the rules! When the Master is thinking, stop cutting in." Li Banfeng, however, grew quite interested and asked the projector, "What do you mean by hale and hearty in his old age?" The projector cast a segment of footage: "Back then, using Ling Miaoying's hook, I recorded this from Lu Maoxian's house. Most of the film isn't on me, and only a short clip was left behind. Director Qi, take a look! Three girls at once—isn't that hale and hearty?" Li Banfeng stared at it, mesmerized. The gramophone sneered. "Short. Truly short. What a pity for those three fine young women. "I say, Husband, why are you watching so intently? That old thing is far inferior to you, Husband." Li Banfeng asked the projector, "This is Lu Maoxian's home?" The projector replied, "Yes! There was a hook in his bedroom!" Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and said, "Play this footage ten times." "Ten times?" the gramophone said in astonishment. "Husband, what has gotten into you? Is it really that good to watch?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "There's nothing good to watch about it. But I can't figure out what Lu Maoxian is doing, so I need to find someone who understands and ask them." "Aiyo, Husband, which knowledgeable person are you going to ask?" "Lu Maoxian, of course. Isn't he the one behind this?" The gramophone was completely confused. Li Banfeng watched the footage with utmost seriousness, observing every single detail in the room. *** In his bedroom, Lu Maoxian swallowed a pill to keep his body in the best possible condition. Throughout the household, everyone capable of combat had been dispatched. One group was tying up Tan Fucheng, another was keeping watch on Ma the Fifth, and the most vital group had gone to take Lu Chunying's head. Tang Peigong had just sent word that Li Banfeng was still stalled in Heishipo. Even if he wanted to rush back now, it was too late. By Lu Maoxian's estimation, even if Zuo Wugang and his group of subordinates fought with their lives on the line, they could hold out for ten-odd minutes at most. In such a brief window, neither Li the Seventh, Ma the Fifth, nor Tan Fucheng could possibly arrive in time to reinforce them. As soon as Lu Chunying died, they would spread the news immediately and pin the blame on Duan Shaoxia. Everyone knew Duan Shaoxia harbored resentment toward Lu Chunying; she would have no defense. For murdering a daughter of the main branch, Lu Maoxian could naturally and legitimately expel Duan Shaoxia from the Lu family, and even killing her would be entirely justifiable. At that time, Lu Maoxian would rightfully and legitimately become the Lu family patriarch. After that, he would devote all his attention to dealing with He Jiaqing and avenging himself! This vendetta had to be avenged! Whenever he thought of that incident, Lu Maoxian gnashed his teeth in hatred! Even though He Jiaqing had worn a disguise, he was certain that He Jiaqing was the culprit. He had once considered gathering the entire Lu family to seek vengeance against He Jiaqing. But how could he explain it? That He Jiaqing, far away in the Outer States, had rushed back just to castrate him? Who would believe it? He had reported the matter to the Sage's disciples, but the Sage had deemed him useless and instead sent white-robed disciples to scold him harshly. He could only avenge this grudge himself. Once he became the Lu family patriarch, he would lay the matter bare. Whether He Jiaqing admitted to it or not, Lu Maoxian would mobilize the full power of the Lu family to completely wipe out the He family. From then on, Puluo Province would belong to him! "Foolproof! Utterly foolproof!" Lu Maoxian couldn't help letting out a laugh. *Pfft!* A Tang dao suddenly pierced clean through Lu Maoxian's chest. A voice whispered softly beside his ear: "Why don't you tell me: what exactly is foolproof?" PS: Lu Maoxian's steward had been bought off by Duan Shaoxia, as introduced in Chapter 308.