At the mention of a thief, Qiu Luoye didn't think much of it. "You mean those petty thieves from Laichun Alley? I've taught them a lesson a few times, but they just can't kick the habit. Then again, thieves are all like that—they remember what they ate, but forget the beatings."
Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not talking about petty thieves. It's an old thief—the oldest of them all."
"The oldest..." Qiu Luoye thought about which thief was the oldest. "You mean Xiao Qianshou?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "That's him."
"Wasn't he beaten to death by the peddler?"
"The old bastard isn't dead. Just a couple of days ago, I ran into him, and I nearly lost my life to his hands."
"Let's go find him!" Qiu Luoye quickly gathered himself and prepared to go after Xiao Qianshou alone.
Qiu Luoye had been reckless all his life, yet he still possessed a basic sense of propriety. Why was he being so impulsive this time?
Li Banfeng hurriedly held him back. "Brother Qiu, our cultivation is far below his!"
Qiu Luoye grinned. "Don't worry, your big brother knows what he's doing. Xiao Qianshou is formidable, but here, he cannot lay a finger on me—unless he wants the peddler to finish him off a second time."
Qiu Luoye was the local spirit of Qiqiu City. A figure of Xiao Qianshou's standing was forbidden from attacking Qiu Luoye.
Yet would Xiao Qianshou abide by the peddler's rules?
The two headed down the mountain. The glove could sense Xiao Qianshou's presence, and the closer they got, the more frightened the glove became. "Master, we'd better stay clear of him. Who knows how many years that old monster has lived, or what layer he has reached! A wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him; we shouldn't bump heads with him. Sure, Lord Qiu is the local spirit here, but that doesn't mean the old bastard wouldn't dare strike. Forgive my blunt words, but Lord Qiu could lose his life before he even realizes what hit him."
Li Banfeng was somewhat concerned as well. "Brother Qiu, slow down a bit. There's no rush. Perhaps Xiao Qianshou is just passing through."
Qiu Luoye had truly dug his heels in. "Passing through won't do either! Today, I'm going to teach him a lesson he won't forget. From now on, in my territory, he has to take the long way around!"
They arrived at Junyang Avenue. The glove trembled as it told Li Banfeng, "He seems to be inside that bathhouse."
Qiu Luoye looked at Qiusheng Bathhouse, his teeth grinding with a clatter. "Damn it all! If he dares come here, I won't let him off!"
Qiusheng Bathhouse held very special significance for Qiu Luoye; it was in this very bathhouse that he had shed his mortal frame and been born anew.
Ma Junyang had bought the bathhouse and named it Qiusheng Bathhouse to signify "Qiu Luoye's rebirth." Causing trouble in this bathhouse was tantamount to slicing at Qiu Luoye's face.
Stepping through the bathhouse entrance, Qiu Luoye first asked the shopkeeper, "How many patrons are inside?"
Qiu Luoye was a distinguished guest who frequented the baths, often soaking for an entire day, and the shopkeeper was quite familiar with him. "Are you asking about the men's pool or the women's pool?"
Qiu Luoye snapped, "What would I care about the women's pool? Just tell me about the men's pool!"
At this hour, deep into the night, there were few people in the pools. The shopkeeper checked the locker tokens: six guests in the men's pool, and one in the women's pool.
Qiu Luoye said to the shopkeeper, "A friend of mine is in the men's pool. I have a few words to say to him in a moment. Have your attendants go in and urge the other guests to leave."
The shopkeeper quickly ordered the attendants to attend to it. Just as Li Banfeng was about to follow Qiu Luoye inside, Qiu Luoye waved his hand. "Brother, wait at the entrance and watch my back if anything happens. If you go in, it'll actually complicate things. He wouldn't dare strike me, but he might not show you the same courtesy."
Li Banfeng was not the local spirit here; by the rules, Xiao Qianshou had no obligation to hold back against him.
Qiu Luoye walked into the hall, glanced around casually, and quickly spotted Xiao Qianshou.
Xiao Qianshou was soaking in the pool, a flagon of liquor resting beside the edge.
Qiu Luoye stepped forward, picked up the flagon, poured himself a cup, and smiled at Xiao Qianshou. "Old Pincers, come here looking for a meal?"
Xiao Qianshou looked up at Qiu Luoye and chuckled. "Everyone's stripped bare, not a stitch of clothing on them. What kind of meal could I possibly find?"
Qiu Luoye said, "I just heard a guest say several of his belongings have gone missing. Did you take them?"
Xiao Qianshou paused. "Which guest?"
"Never mind which guest. Just answer me: did you take them?" Qiu Luoye had come looking for trouble on purpose.
Xiao Qianshou shook his head. "You've got it wrong. I did take something, but not from any guest—from the shopkeeper."
Qiu Luoye didn't understand Xiao Qianshou's meaning. Xiao Qianshou clapped his hands together and performed a magic trick for him.
In his palms appeared a liver—an entire, intact liver.
He called out in a shrill, piercing voice, "Hey out there, take a close look! Isn't your liver missing?"
His voice was sharp and shrill, carrying clearly to the outside.
The shopkeeper didn't know what he meant, but hearing those words, he did feel a strange discomfort at his waist.
He lifted his clothes to look. Beneath his right ribs was an extra slit—not bleeding, nor painful. He felt it from the outside, and indeed, something seemed to be missing within.
The shopkeeper's mouth twitched, and he looked toward Li Banfeng. "Wh-what happened to me? I was fine just a moment ago."
Li Banfeng told the shopkeeper to rest somewhere and instructed the attendants to fetch a Healer Cultivator immediately.
Inside the hall, Qiu Luoye said, "Old Pincers, what kind of skill is picking on a raw beginner? Put that liver down, and the two of us will have a go right here."
"Have a go with me? Do you even qualify?" Xiao Qianshou held the shopkeeper's liver, kneading it in his hands. "Don't think I wouldn't dare touch you just because you're the local spirit here. I came today precisely to change the master of this land. Qiu Luoye, why don't you take a piss and look at your reflection? Does someone like you even deserve this proper land?"
"Whether I deserve it depends on fortune! Xiao Qianshou, I'll say it one more time: put that liver down, or I'll rip your liver right out of you right now!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Qiu Luoye slammed a fist onto the water's surface. The entire pool splashed into the air, filling the bathhouse hall with dense water vapor.
Qiu Luoye knew the terrain intimately and could find his way blindfolded, whereas Thief Cultivator arts relied heavily on vision; he did this to obscure Xiao Qianshou's eyes.
Anticipating this move, Xiao Qianshou leaped from the pool. Heedless of the bathhouse's layout, he hung suspended in midair and thrust a hand straight into Qiu Luoye's belly. "I'm going to pluck a spare part from you. Guess which one I'll take?"
"Heart, liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys—take whichever you please today!" Qiu Luoye's wound closed swiftly, trapping Xiao Qianshou's hand tightly inside.
Xiao Qianshou was startled; he hadn't expected Qiu Luoye to have such a trick. "Your skills have actually improved!"
Even as he spoke, Xiao Qianshou's hand tore violently back and forth inside Qiu Luoye's belly.
Qiu Luoye paid it no mind, slamming both palms toward Xiao Qianshou's temples.
Xiao Qianshou leaned back to dodge, and Qiu Luoye's palms clapped together.
*Smack!*
A blast of air crashed into Xiao Qianshou's face, fracturing facial bones and splitting his cheek, blood pouring down.
"Well done, Qiu Luoye! You've grown capable!" Xiao Qianshou yanked his right hand out of Qiu Luoye's belly and put distance between them.
Qiu Luoye rubbed his belly and frowned. "That hand just now—was it your own?"
"Indeed it was." Xiao Qianshou shook the blood from his hand.
Qiu Luoye pressed, "You used your own hand?"
Just now, when Xiao Qianshou thrust his hand into Qiu Luoye's belly, Qiu Luoye's wound had healed over it to trap it. He had only hoped to trap it briefly, not expecting to hold it for so long.
Logically speaking, Xiao Qianshou would not casually use his own hands. He had countless hands; he could have simply left the hand inside Qiu Luoye's body.
Why had he used his own hand just now?
Xiao Qianshou sneered, "Because I think highly of you. Both your heart and liver have been taken by me. Let's see how much longer you can hold out!"
Qiu Luoye laughed. "I don't give a damn about that! Take whatever you want from inside my belly—I can grow it right back!"
"Quit bragging!" Xiao Qianshou grabbed a towel and wiped the blood from his face. "I came here to inquire about someone. Once I get my answer, I'll be on my way."
Qiu Luoye shook his head. "No need to ask. No matter who you ask about, I don't know them."
"Qiu Luoye, just because you traded a couple of blows with me, you think you can act cocky? I told you, stop bragging. I can end your life with the lift of a hand."
Qiu Luoye grinned. "I believe you. Take my life then! If I die fighting here and let the peddler take you out afterward, trading one for one, it won't be a loss for me!"
Xiao Qianshou tossed the towel into the pool. "The peddler failed to take me out last time. What makes you think he can take me out now?"
As he spoke, Xiao Qianshou glanced toward the far side of the hall.
There were several pools in this hall. Xiao Qianshou had been soaking in the large pool, while farther away were several smaller pools. One had the highest water temperature and was rarely used, but right now a foreigner remained soaking inside, having never come out.
Earlier, when the attendants came to persuade everyone to leave, this foreigner had refused.
When Xiao Qianshou and Qiu Luoye started fighting, the remaining guests fled in terror, yet this foreigner still didn't budge.
Xiao Qianshou asked, "You've stayed this whole time. Seems you possess real ability."
The foreigner was very humble, waving his hands repeatedly. "I just wanted to watch the show. I want to see which of you two was actually bragging."
Outside, Li Banfeng heard the voice. It sounded familiar—he knew this person.
Critick!
Why had he come to Qiqiu City?
It seemed Critick's cultivation had improved considerably; no one had noticed him earlier.
Xiao Qianshou looked at Critick, then turned to glance at the partition wall. "Hey, you in the women's pool, aren't you leaving either?"
From next door came a woman's voice. "I paid my money and only just started soaking. If I leave so soon, I'd be taking a loss."
Li Banfeng recognized this person as well—the local spirit of Qianliangfang, the Gambler Cultivator Dou Jiyan!
Xiao Qianshou said, "If you lose your life, isn't that a loss?"
Dou Jiyan responded from next door, "My life is tough. If you don't believe me, let's make a wager: you definitely won't be taking my life away!"
Xiao Qianshou nodded. "Dou Jiyan, you're another one fond of bragging."
Dou Jiyan chuckled. "Let's make another wager: there is only one person in this room talking big, and that person is you!"
Li Banfeng waited by the entrance, ready to storm in and fight at any moment.
Qiu Luoye stretched his body; his stolen internal organs had basically grown back.
Dou Jiyan climbed out of the water, dried herself with a towel, threw on her clothes, and prepared to head next door.
Critick touched his cheek, where a patch of rash had broken out.
Xiao Qianshou didn't know Critick, but he recognized the nature of that rash. "You're a disciple of Lühuazi?"
Critick nodded. "You must be a friend of our patriarch. Our patriarch has been missing his old friends lately. If you have time to spare, why not drop by our patriarch's place for a visit?"
Xiao Qianshou didn't care about his patriarch. He looked at the pool and asked, "You've soaked in this pool?"
Critick nodded. "I've soaked in every single pool here."
Dou Jiyan abandoned the thought of entering the men's pool.
Qiu Luoye moved as far from the pool as possible, deeply regretting having touched the water when he first came in.
Although Li Banfeng had not entered, Xiao Qianshou could sense someone outside the wall.
Besieged by four ruthless figures, Xiao Qianshou wasn't particularly keen on fighting this battle.
Especially with a Disease Cultivator among them.
In the past, he had numerous ways to handle Disease Cultivators, but the present circumstances were somewhat unusual.
Critick offered a word of advice: "Senior, if you ask me, let's leave it at that. Your condition is very poor, and you are carrying injuries. It would be most unwise to continue fighting."
Xiao Qianshou rubbed his cheek. "What do these superficial flesh wounds count for?"
Critick shook his head. "The wounds on your face are quite severe, and the internal damage to your body is also very grave."
Xiao Qianshou stared at Critick. "Since when do you people diagnose traumatic injuries?"
Disease Cultivators could not heal wounds—insiders all knew this. But Critick was not wrong. Xiao Qianshou was indeed injured. He had not only been harmed by Qiu Luoye; he had been wounded by Li Banfeng and also injured by Gui Jianchou, and those injuries had yet to heal.
Critick said, "Senior, you know too little about me. I ran a hospital for a very long time and can clearly distinguish between traumatic wounds and illnesses. You had better heed my counsel and leave this place."
"Heed your counsel? What kind of thing do you think you are?" Xiao Qianshou sneered. His body curled into a ball as he plunged into the bathhouse's drainage pipe, vanishing without a trace.
Qiu Luoye's sensory perception was not keen; he had no idea what trick Xiao Qianshou was about to pull.
"He fled!" Critick sighed. "How shameless. He clearly followed my advice, yet still insulted me."
With that, Critick picked the shopkeeper's liver off the ground and handed it to Qiu Luoye. "Give this to the Healer Cultivator. Perhaps that bathhouse shopkeeper can still be saved."
Li Banfeng entered the bathhouse, took the liver, and rushed it to the Healer Cultivator so he could install it back into the shopkeeper.
Qiu Luoye looked at Critick. "Foreigner, what's your background? Did Lühuazi send you?"
Critick shook his head. "I am a friend of Li Qi."
From next door, Dou Jiyan called out, "Same here!"
Critick said, "I came to Qiqiu City because I have matters to discuss with Li Qi."
Dou Jiyan called out, "Same here!"
Critick blinked for a moment, then added, "The matter I wish to discuss with Li Qi is confidential. I do not want others to overhear."
Dou Jiyan called out again, "Same here!"
Critick grew annoyed. "This is a bathhouse! I intend to soak in the bath with Li Qi and discuss business together!"
Dou Jiyan said nothing.
Qiu Luoye looked at Critick and said, "I know Dou Jiyan, but I don't know you. You say you're Old Seven's friend, so why haven't I ever seen you?"
*Splash!*
A figure suddenly rose from the water and said toward Critick, "I've seen him! He practiced medicine in Zhengjing Village!"
Critick hurriedly bowed. "Senior Shui, it's been a long time. I love Zhengjing Village."
Shui Yongquan looked at Critick's chest. Seeing no tattoo, he turned to Qiu Luoye and said, "Fake. That foreigner didn't mean what he just said from the heart."
Qiu Luoye was bewildered. "Old Shui, why did you run down from the mountain? How did you get into the bathhouse without me noticing at all?"
Shui Yongquan chuckled. "To help you, of course! We're good brothers—I'm way better than Zhu Chunhua!"
In a bathhouse, Shui Yongquan truly held an advantage. His memories were basically restored, and his combat power had recovered as well; he was just mentally unhinged.
Shui Yongquan glanced at the drain. "I could have caught Xiao Qianshou just now, but after thinking it over, I let him go."
Qiu Luoye scoffed derisively, "You coward, when push comes to shove, you're still scared."
"Why wouldn't I be scared? How much cultivation do I have left? What layer is Xiao Qianshou at?"
Qiu Luoye snorted. "Whatever his layer, didn't he run for his life just the same?"
Shui Yongquan shook his head. "He fled because he's out of hands. He came here looking for hands in the first place."
Qiu Luoye pondered. "Where can't he look for hands? Why did he have to come to my place? And deliberately come to this bathhouse to bring me bad luck?"
The Healer Cultivator reattached the liver for the shopkeeper. Li Qi entered the hall and saw Shui Yongquan rubbing his temples, straining to search his memory. "Xiao Qianshou's hands aren't easy to find; he can't just make do with any ordinary hand. I heard that back then, the peddler chopped off all his hands. Judging by your fight just now, he's probably down to only his original pair. I expect you must have some other suitable hands here that drew him over."
"I have suitable hands here?" Qiu Luoye couldn't think of anyone who fit the bill.
Li Banfeng knew very well in his heart: the suitable hand was his own calico glove.
Xiao Qianshou could track the glove's movements—he had to be extra vigilant about this.
He looked at Critick. "What did you want to see me about?"
Critick said, "My friend, I have a very important matter that I can only discuss with you in private."
Dou Jiyan called out from next door, "Brother Qiu, Brother Shui, let's go take a stroll outside. Once they finish discussing, I'll talk with Brother Seven."
The three left the bathhouse. Standing by the entrance, Li Banfeng asked Critick, "What is it?"
Critick went into the locker room, put on his clothes, took a fedora, and hung it on the coat hook in the locker room.
The locker room was shielded, cutting off any sound from reaching the outside.
Critick said, "Do you know a man named Du Wenming?"
"I do."
"He recently went to Wuyouping and happened to run into me."
Li Banfeng was quite surprised. "What did he go to Wuyouping for?"
"I found it strange as well. His explanation to me was that he was hit by some special spell and flew uncontrollably to Wuyouping from far away. I figured this might be related to Travel Cultivator arts, which is why I thought of you."
"Did he mention me to you?"
Critick shook his head. "He didn't mention you, but he brought up a very important matter that you might find interesting. He is researching the formula for pathway medicine powder, which is extraordinarily important to me."
Li Banfeng pondered. "As I recall, your pathway's lineage doesn't rely on medicine powder."
"It's not that we don't rely on it, but rather that there is no medicine powder. Currently, there are two explanations. One is that the peddler simply does not acknowledge Disease Cultivator as a pathway at all, which is why Disease Cultivators have layers, but no mature techniques. The second is that the peddler acknowledges the Disease Cultivator pathway, but refuses to provide medicine powder, forcing Disease Cultivators to pass down their lineage by master and disciple cannibalizing one another. This abhorrent method of inheritance has meant that for most of history, Disease Cultivators have had exceedingly few practitioners, keeping the entire pathway hovering on the brink of extinction."
Li Banfeng knew about this, but did Disease Cultivators actually care?
"As far as I know, you Disease Cultivators don't want your pathway to flourish. You don't even want fellow disciples living in this world; even your patriarch isn't particularly friendly toward his own kind."
Critick nodded. "You are correct. I once held similar thoughts: if I slaughtered all my fellow disciples and became the sole Disease Cultivator in the world, very few people would be able to cure the lesions I create, bringing me one step closer to my goal of destroying humanity. But now, my thinking has changed. If my pathway grows and becomes a formidable force, it could likewise create excellent opportunities for me to realize my dream. In the process, Disease Cultivators could also contribute to conquering all manner of ailments in the world. Before humanity is destroyed by me, they could live happier lives. I believe this process could be described as a win-win."
Li Banfeng turned the logic over in his head. "I don't agree with your definition of 'win-win,' but I understand your meaning. Still, why share such a secretive matter with me?"
"Because we are friends, and I very much want to hear your advice: should I research the formula for the medicine powder or not?"
"My advice is that you shouldn't. Doing so is very likely to anger the peddler, and the consequence of angering him might lead directly to the total eradication of Disease Cultivators. My suggestion to you is to tell the peddler your idea directly. He might not support you destroying humanity, but he should support you treating diseases. If he is willing to assist you of his own accord, you can avoid a great deal of unnecessary risk."
Critick thought about it, then nodded. "I accept your advice. I intend to prove to the peddler through practical action that my pathway can bring real help to Puluo Province."
Li Banfeng asked, "By practical action, you mean...?"
"I want to open a hospital in Qiqiu City."
Li Banfeng fell silent.
Critick looked at Li Banfeng with utter sincerity. "My friend, my hospital in Green Water City provided you with much assistance, and my clinic in Zhengjing Village provided you with help as well. Just moments ago, when Qiu Luoye faced Xiao Qianshou, I still provided help. Surely you don't distrust me?"
At a time like this, saying he didn't trust Critick was truly hard to say out loud. Li Banfeng said diplomatically, "I do trust you, it's just that I can't decide this matter alone..."
Critick shook his head. "Opening a hospital in Qiqiu City requires the local spirit's consent, but surely that isn't difficult for you?"
Li Banfeng indeed found it hard to turn him down. "I'll go discuss it with the local spirit."
Critick bowed deeply in gratitude. "I leave the matter of the hospital in your hands. Next, I must speak with you about the crystallization of our wisdom."
"What crystallization?"
"Our scientific research results have achieved a new breakthrough. The daolao ghosts' dependence on Daogui Ridge has decreased to a certain extent, granting them a relatively broader range of activity. Recently, a portion of daolao ghosts have appeared in Wuyouping."
Wuyouping.
Li Banfeng had already deduced this situation.
Critick had run into Du Wenming in Wuyouping. Under normal circumstances, with Du Wenming's cultivation, he would have had no need to answer any of Critick's questions; even if he didn't want to fight Critick, he possessed the ability to escape.
The fact that he hadn't managed to get away back then proved only one thing: he had encountered not just Critick, but also the daolao ghosts under Critick's control.
Wuyouping was similar in nature to Kucaizhuang; it had many exits leading to different locations across Puluo Province.
If the daolao ghosts spread outward, Puluo Province could face an unprecedented catastrophe.
Critick understood Li Banfeng's concern. "Rest assured, I have already found a method to control them. I will not let them leave Wuyouping; otherwise, the major powers of Puluo Province, including the Garrison Office, would never let me off."
Li Banfeng sorted through the threads in his mind and looked at Critick once more. "Must you tell me about such secretive matters?"
Critick smiled. "We are friends, and furthermore, this is the fruit of our shared creation. I will not conceal anything from you in matters like this."
"Since you put it that way, you can tell me Du Wenming's whereabouts, can't you?"
"He is still working for Xuehuapu. What kind of work he is engaged in, I do not know. I merely warned him not to return to Wuyouping and not to approach our crystallization of wisdom. As for where he went, I have no idea."
"That 'crystallization' was practically all crystallized by you alone. Once we leave this bathhouse, leave my name out of it..." Li Banfeng led Critick out to discuss opening the hospital with Qiu Luoye.
Outside the bathhouse, Dou Jiyan was also discussing doing business with Qiu Luoye.
Qiu Luoye's face darkened, a faint cold glint in his eyes. "Little Sister, you helped your brother take action just now, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In the future, whenever you want to visit me as a guest, eating, drinking, and merrymaking will all be on my tab. Qiqiu City will be just like your home—enjoy yourself however you please! If you run into trouble down the line, just say the word. I'm no good at other things, but I'm quite a hand at fighting. But if you're talking about opening a business in my territory, there's no room for discussion."
Dou Jiyan said, "What's the matter, Brother? Qiqiu City hasn't been established long; isn't it in need of merchants?"
Shui Yongquan chuckled from the side. "That depends on what business it is! On Qiu Luoye's land, gambling is forbidden!"
Dou Jiyan said, "We won't gamble for money! Just play for fun!"
Shui Yongquan shook his head. "That won't do either. Qiu Luoye despises gambling most of all. Back when he was in the newland, he set rules forbidding pai gow, dice, mahjong, and playing cards. The people on his land don't even know how to play xiangqi."
Qiu Luoye argued, "They do know how to play xiangqi!"
Shui Yongquan smiled wryly. "Your xiangqi is just two people throwing the chess pieces at each other until one beats the other into submission. What's more, playing chess on your land forbids flying the elephant, claiming it violates your taboo. With the elephant gone, how can you even call it elephant chess?"
Dou Jiyan couldn't help laughing. Qiu Luoye glared at Shui Yongquan. "Why do you blab about everything?"
Li Banfeng came out of the bathhouse and settled the matter of the hospital with Qiu Luoye. Then it was Dou Jiyan's turn to speak.
"Brother Seven, I also have a favor to ask of you."
Shui Yongquan snorted. "Shameless. Look at your age, calling him Brother Seven."
"I'll call him Brother Seven, so what?" Dou Jiyan hooked her arm around Li Banfeng's and smiled. "Brother Seven, I have a game coming up in a couple of days with very high stakes. I'd like to invite you to be the witness."
Li Banfeng pulled his arm free and kept a modest distance from Dou Jiyan. "What kind of game? What are the stakes?"
Dou Jiyan looked a bit embarrassed. "What I mean is a gambling match. The stake for this match is Qianliangfang."
"You put your territory on the line?" Li Banfeng was shocked.
Dou Jiyan lowered her head. "I had no other choice. The other party named his price and demanded my territory. If I don't gamble, he'll seize it by force."
Li Banfeng asked, "Who has such great ability that they could snatch territory from your hands?"
Shui Yongquan chimed in, "You're talking about your senior brother, Ding Liusan, aren't you?"
Dou Jiyan was astonished. Shui Yongquan's territory was utterly remote and desolate; how could he know so much?
Shui Yongquan continued, "Qianliangfang is the largest gambling den in Puluo Province, home to countless Gambler Cultivators. The flesh and blood on those people is literal gold and silver. Ding Liusan has coveted Qianliangfang for years. Is he preparing to make his vicious move against you this time?"
A Gambler Cultivator's flesh and blood was gold and silver?
Li Banfeng looked at Dou Jiyan. Dou Jiyan raised her eyebrows. "Brother Shui, I truly didn't expect that even the affairs of my pathway couldn't be hidden from you."
Shui Yongquan smiled. "I once hoped to gain another piece of proper land and enjoy a change of scenery. Naturally, I had to know a bit about what goes on in the proper lands."
Qiu Luoye snorted. "Old bastard, you certainly thought through everything. A pity that despite all your scheming, you still ended up looking like this in the end."
Li Banfeng asked, "Since the stakes have been clearly stated, why not just play? Why do you need a witness?"
Dou Jiyan said, "Because my senior brother is a sore loser. I'm afraid that if he loses, he won't honor the outcome and will strike at me from the shadows. I can't beat him in a fight."
Qiu Luoye waved his hand repeatedly. "Old Seven, you can't take this on. Ding Liusan is not one to be trifled with."
Dou Jiyan grabbed Li Banfeng's arm. "Precisely because he's not one to be trifled with, I thickened my skin to ask Brother Seven for help."
Shui Yongquan asked, "If I remember correctly, Ding Liusan runs a pawnshop and possesses cultivation in two pathways, doesn't he?"
Dou Jiyan shook her head. "One is genuine, but the other doesn't quite count yet. That pathway was created by him, called Appraiser Cultivator."
"What is an Appraiser Cultivator?" Li Banfeng couldn't grasp this pathway from its name alone.
Dou Jiyan said, "A cultivator adept at appraisal. The pathway's essentials consist of four characters: Appraise, Steer, Argue, Decide. But let's not dwell on that pathway for now—let's deal with the matter at hand. I'm a straightforward woman, so please bear with me if I cause any offense.
"Brother Seven, if you're willing to be my witness, wherever we go, you will be my brother. In public or private, whenever I see you, I will bow and greet you first. Whatever you instruct, I will obey without question. By day, I will pour your tea and fetch your water; by night, I will make your bed and warm your blanket.
"If you are not willing to be my witness, then from now on we will be strangers, and wherever we meet, we'll act as if we don't know each other. Brother Seven, the decision is entirely yours."
Chapter 589