Li Banfeng spent two days at home painting clouds. When he brought the painting outside and used the Golden House technique, it truly could turn the painting into reality. However, whether it was actually a cloud was another matter entirely.
This texture, this tactile feel—truth be told, it felt more like cotton.
What was more, the thing wasn't large. The clouds he initially painted had an actual surface area smaller than a single room in the companion dwelling.
Luo Yuni had a specialized painting technique that allowed her to create paintings several times larger than the room itself. This technique wasn't difficult; it only required folding the canvas while painting, and Li Banfeng quickly mastered the trick.
But could Li Banfeng control such a massive painting with the Golden House technique?
Among his various arts, the Golden House technique was one he had never mastered well, and it consumed a tremendous amount of energy.
In the end, Li Banfeng painted a cloud twice the size of the companion dwelling, then brought Banfeng C, Banfeng D, and Banfeng E to carry the painting outside.
Exerting every ounce of his strength to perform the technique, only half of the cloud materialized into a solid object; the other half remained trapped inside the painting.
Looking at that half-formed cloud, Li Banfeng felt a strange sensation, as if pulling an object out of some spatial dimension—pulled halfway out, then stuck.
What was that space? Was it a world inside the painting?
Li Banfeng reached his hand into the boundary between the cloud and the painting, feeling what seemed to be a viscous liquid.
What is this liquid—?
Bang!
The newly materialized cloud dissipated, the canvas fully restored itself, and the viscous liquid vanished without a trace. Li Banfeng rubbed his fingers; not a speck remained.
Controlling only half a cloud, and he had barely lasted such a brief moment. The Golden House technique had far too many limitations, and the larger the object being controlled, the harder it was to sustain.
Whether clouds made this way were truly practical remained a huge question mark.
While Li Banfeng was still pondering other ways to produce clouds, the projector flew over to him. "Director Qi, a call—Luo Zhengnan called! Liao Zihui sent word: the twenty thousand three-headed people have arrived."
Li Banfeng, Qiu Zhiheng, Qin Tianjiu, Luo Zhengnan—a whole group went outside the city to receive them.
Orderly settling twenty thousand people was a major undertaking, so Li Banfeng brought along everyone he trusted.
Around the perimeter of Sinners' City lay a ring of Boundary; everyone entering or leaving was subject to strict inspection.
The city gates swung wide open. At Liao Zihui's command, a row of searchlights lit up atop the city walls, overlapping beams of bright light masking the section of Boundary before the gates.
Those searchlights were truly infuriating.
The Dark Bridge Cannon that his lady had poured so much sweat and toil into perfecting was nowhere near as effective as these few searchlights. Li Banfeng badly wanted to find out where they stored these searchlights, but he wasn't familiar enough with the layout of the Defense Bureau.
Could he somehow tie this into the Inner States and find a way to get his hands on one of those lights?
Carrying heavy wooden luggage trunks on their backs, the twenty thousand three-headed people followed Liao Zihui out of the city and formed two square formations.
Photographers and cameramen trailed along beside them. Wearing hypocritical smiles, Li Banfeng and Liao Zihui exchanged cordial words. Once the handover was complete, Liao Zihui immediately returned to the city.
As for where these three-headed people were headed, Liao Zihui didn't ask a single question.
According to Qiu Zhiheng's plan, the twenty thousand were sent to Radish Mountain.
Compared to other parts of Santoucha, Radish Mountain was relatively safe and had less heavenly light. Qiu Zhiheng planned to procure some weapons, hand the twenty thousand over to Tan Jinxiao for training, and soon have a respectable guard force.
Yet when Luo Zhengnan went to invite Tan Jinxiao, Tan Jinxiao refused to come, claiming he was swamped with business at the Sea Market and couldn't pull himself away.
Qiu Zhiheng asked Luo Zhengnan, "Business over at the Human Market is fairly quiet, but is the Earth Market busy?"
Luo Zhengnan said with considerable helplessness, "Master Qiu, these folks in the subterranean city know what they're doing and follow the rules. I haven't run into any trouble at the Earth Market for days on end. I doubt the Sea Market is much busier than the Earth Market."
Qin Tianjiu asked, "That's strange. If it's not that busy, why does Tan Jinxiao refuse to come?"
Qiu Zhiheng hesitated, weighing how much to say.
Li Banfeng thought of something and asked Qiu Zhiheng, "Is Old Tan throwing a fit with me because I became a prince?"
This hit right at the heart of the matter.
Qiu Zhiheng said, "Old Tan fought wars against the Inner States—you know that. Now you're a prince of the Inner States, and you want to train an imperial guard for the Inner States' emperor. This really puts him in an impossible position."
Xiao Yeci said with dissatisfaction, "What's so impossible about it? Doesn't he know who the emperor he's protecting is? That's one of our own!"
Liang Chai could understand Tan Jinxiao. "He knows the emperor is Juanzi, and he's well acquainted with her. After all, we've risked our lives together. But that chasm in his heart isn't something easily crossed."
Li Banfeng was at a loss for words, but in truth, one couldn't blame Old Tan. Put in his shoes, even understanding the underlying reasons, Li Banfeng might not have been willing to do it either.
"Brother Qiu, settle these people in first. Pick two hundred with sturdy constitutions, and I'll arrange for them to enter a Daoist sect to be trained into elite soldiers. Find work for the rest so they can support themselves. Also select a good number among them for when I find a domain for you, so you can use them when clearing new land."
Qiu Zhiheng felt delighted. Li Seven had just agreed to two massive matters, giving him both land and manpower.
Yet amid his joy, Qiu Zhiheng also worried for Li Seven. "Old Seven, these twenty thousand were meant to be the imperial guard. You went to great lengths to requisition them from the Outer States; you can't just let go of them so easily."
Li Banfeng shook his head. "I never intended to have an army of twenty thousand. I only ever wanted to foster two hundred elite troops. This is Puluo Province. If an army of twenty thousand lacks proper weapons and cultivation, they might not fight any better than two hundred elites. Besides, we don't know how to train tens of thousands of troops, but a hundred or two we can cultivate ourselves. Brother Qiu, if you're overwhelmed, have Tangyuan and Lightbulb help you. They know a thing or two about training methods from the Outer States."
Qiu Zhiheng nodded, and Luo Zhengnan discussed the three-headed people's food and lodging with Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng repeatedly urged, "Make sure to treat these three-headed people well. High and low across Santoucha, everyone thinks the three-headed people are guilty, and even they themselves believe they are sinners. That mindset has to change."
Qiu Zhiheng looked toward the slowly marching ranks of three-headed people. From time to time, they glanced back at Sinners' City behind them, where their families still remained.
After stealing a glance, they would immediately lower their heads and trudge forward in silence. In Sinners' City, permission was required for everything; looking around without authorization was met with punishment.
One of the three-headed people looked back a couple of times too many, slipped, and stumbled hard. The strap of his luggage trunk snapped, and the heavy wooden case nearly crashed to the ground.
The trunk wasn't light, looking to weigh well over two hundred jin. A three-headed man behind him caught the trunk before it hit the ground.
He signaled the man ahead to keep walking and stay quiet to avoid punishment.
Seeing this, Chuanzi said to Qiu Zhiheng, "Brother Qiu, this man is good. Great strength, solid build, and good character too."
Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "Help me ask his name, and write him down on the roster."
Duan Shuqun handed the list to He Jiaqing. "Thirteen agreed, all listed here. Six refused, written on the back."
"Some people truly refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Do they think I have no ways to deal with them?" He Jiaqing stared at the six names on the back for a long time.
He Jiaqing had brought back twenty-one newland earth god covenant deeds from the Wenyuan Pavilion of Great Shang. He had traded one with Li Banfeng for Chu Yaoxian's deed, and sold one to Li Haoyun, leaving nineteen. He Jiaqing sought out the rightful owners one by one, intending to hand the deeds over to them.
These people all had some relationship with He Jiaqing. Naturally, the deeds were not given for free; these earth gods had to make a pact and join the Brotherhood Alliance before they could receive the deeds to their domains.
Thirteen earth gods had sworn the pact on the spot, but six began bargaining over terms with He Jiaqing.
They wanted the covenant deeds too, but joining the Brotherhood Alliance was no small matter. They would have to risk their lives for the alliance and offend plenty of ruthless figures—including someone like Li Seven, whom nobody wanted to cross.
These six earth gods naturally didn't dare ask for the deeds for nothing, so they wanted to negotiate a price. Some offered money, some offered magical treasures, and some were even willing to hand over their entire life savings to He Jiaqing.
Yet He Jiaqing wanted none of these things.
Running his fingertip repeatedly across the names of these six earth gods, he said coldly, "This is a bad habit spoiled into them by the peddler. If not for all his messy rules, I'd go straight to their domains right now and take both their deeds and their lives."
These were no idle words. With He Jiaqing's strength, if not for his dread of the peddler's rules, he could have marched onto their domains, slaughtered all these earth gods, and seized all six covenant deeds for himself.
He Jiaqing tossed the list aside and chuckled mockingly. "It is precisely because of his foolish rules, shackling the strong, that the weak have grown bold enough to challenge their betters, plunging Puluo Province into endless strife and chaos."
Duan Shuqun felt that He Jiaqing had lost his composure somewhat.
He Jiaqing indeed had. He had planned for this day for far too long; he truly could not control his emotions.
These six newlands were crucial to He Jiaqing. Aside from the deeds for Li Furong and Chu Yaohan, which were unexpected gains, every single deed he had stolen from the Inner States had been meticulously planned over a long time; each deed was a vital puzzle piece in his grand design for dominion.
A puzzle piece, in the literal sense.
He Jiaqing unrolled a map. Counting Chu Yaoxian's domain, he had twenty deeds in his possession, and thirteen domains were already secured.
Another ten were in the hands of Li Banling. Among them was the domain of Chu Yaohan, which He Jiaqing had never heard of, while the other nine were also ones He Jiaqing had carefully selected in advance.
If those nine domains were added, a total of twenty-nine newlands, connected to one another, formed a vast territory across the map.
Gently tracing his fingers across the map, he mentally erased all the boundaries between these twenty-nine newlands.
He Jiaqing smiled. "Newlands have no boundaries to begin with. But what happens once they become regular lands?"
Having posed the question, He Jiaqing answered it himself: "Even after becoming regular lands, there won't be any boundaries."
Why would there be no boundaries even after becoming regular lands?
Duan Shuqun understood this clearly.
As long as these twenty-nine domains shared the same earth god, those boundaries truly would disappear.
"Every deed was won with my life on the line. This is an empire that belongs to the Brotherhood Alliance, an empire that belongs to..."
He Jiaqing trailed off. He smiled, the hand caressing the map trembling slightly.
To be honest, seeing such an enormous territory with no boundaries between them, Duan Shuqun felt a twinge of excitement as well.
"Old Duan, go talk to them again." He Jiaqing's fingertip never left the map. "Tell them that what the Brotherhood Alliance sets out to do will certainly be done. The outcome will be the same sooner or later. Advise them not to damage our harmony."
Duan Shuqun left, and He Jiaqing rolled up the map.
Bai Wuchuan, leader of the White Crane Gang, walked into the office.
"Young Master He, Shen Jinzhong agreed to attend the banquet tomorrow evening. I should be able to persuade him."
He Jiaqing nodded. "Well done. If he agrees, tell him to do one thing for me—a very small thing."
"What would you have him do?"
He Jiaqing looked up at Bai Wuchuan. Bai Wuchuan shivered, realizing he had likely asked too much.
After staring at him for a moment, He Jiaqing smiled. "Once he agrees, I will naturally tell you."
Bai Wuchuan left, and Shen Rongqing entered the office. "Jiaqing, you called for me?"
He Jiaqing nodded. "There's a man named Li Banling. Help me investigate his whereabouts. He's an orphan who grew up in the Outer States, a shadow cultivator, and has close ties with Li Seven."
Shen Rongqing nodded. "I'll look into it right away."
Leaving the film studio, Shen Rongqing went to the Hundred Flowers Garden and found Zhang Xiuling.
"Xiuling, I'd like to have a meal at your place. When would be convenient for you?"
Zhang Xiuling laughed. "Why put on airs with me? Since when do you need to pick a time to eat at my place? Tonight works fine. After dinner, you can stay the night; it'll give us a chance to go over the next volume of *Yuxiangji*."
Shen Rongqing nodded. "That's all well and good, but I'd like to invite someone else to have dinner at your place too. Would that be convenient?"
Zhang Xiuling's eyes lit up. "Who are you talking about? Is it Li Seven? If Li Seven can come, we won't bother studying *Yuxiangji* tonight."
Shen Rongqing shook her head. "Not Li Seven. Li Seven's brother."
"Brother?" The light in Zhang Xiuling's eyes vanished. "You don't mean Ma the Fifth, do you?"
Shen Rongqing felt a bit awkward. "He's just coming for a meal."
In truth, Ma the Fifth frequently visited the Hundred Flowers Garden as well. He was an avid fan of Zhang Xiuling's books and treated her with great respect, never making any improper advances. It was just that hearing this come from Shen Rongqing's mouth struck Zhang Xiuling as rather odd.
Zhang Xiuling scrutinized Shen Rongqing from head to toe. "Just one meal. Once dinner is over, he must leave. You can stay, but he absolutely cannot spend the night."
Shen Rongqing shook her head. "He and I won't be eating together. When he comes, I can't be here."
Zhang Xiuling was bewildered. "If you're not coming, who's going to invite Ma the Fifth?"
Shen Rongqing said, "I can't be the one to invite Ma the Fifth. You have to invite him."
Zhang Xiuling was thoroughly perplexed. "What on earth do you mean? Why would I invite him? What will it look like if word gets out?"
Shen Rongqing lowered her voice. "Word must not get out. No one can know. You must invite him secretly, just like a rendezvous."
Zhang Xiuling's face darkened. "Shen Rongqing, are you playing matchmaker for Ma the Fifth? What do you take me for?"
Shen Rongqing waved her hands. "Xiuling, that's not what I mean—"
"Shut up!" Zhang Xiuling gritted her teeth. "Say another word about Ma the Fifth and I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"Xiuling, I'm doing this for Li Seven too!"
The following evening, Ma the Fifth prepared gifts and arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden for the banquet.
After losing the Hundred Flowers Sect, Zhang Xiuling focused on her writing at the Hundred Flowers Garden under the protection of Li Seven and Ma the Fifth. In truth, Ma the Fifth could visit the Hundred Flowers Garden openly and uprightly.
Yet Zhang Xiuling had stated that no one must know about this matter, and that Ma the Fifth had to come under the strictest secrecy.
Receiving such an intimate invitation from Puluo Province's foremost gifted woman left Ma the Fifth thoroughly thrilled. But once he arrived at Zhang Xiuling's home, intuition told him that what she intended to do was not what he had envisioned.
After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, Zhang Xiuling wrote the character "Tranquility" to seal the room from eavesdropping.
Zhang Xiuling began by asking Ma the Fifth, "Among Li Seven's friends, is there a man named Li Banling? Do you know him?"
Ma the Fifth lit a cigarette, looked at Zhang Xiuling, and asked, "Who wants to know about this?"
It certainly wasn't Zhang Xiuling's own inquiry; there was no reason for any connection between her and Li Banling.
Zhang Xiuling answered truthfully, "Rongqing asked me to ask."
Ma the Fifth smiled. "Shen Rongqing may be my friend, but at the end of the day, she belongs to He Jiaqing's camp. Is it appropriate to ask me this directly?"
Zhang Xiuling shook her head. "It isn't appropriate, which is why she's asking you."
Ma the Fifth frowned. "What kind of logic is that?"
Zhang Xiuling said, "The logic is: whatever you say, Rongqing will report."
Ma the Fifth caught Zhang Xiuling's meaning. "Since he's Old Seven's friend, how about I ask Old Seven first?"
At Qianyue Tower, inside a private dining room, the wine and dishes were fully served.
Bai Wuchuan, leader of the White Crane Gang, said, "Big Brother Shen, have you heard? He Jiaqing procured covenant deeds for quite a few earth gods."
Shen Jinzhong nodded. "I've heard. I originally thought only Li Seven was capable of pulling that off; I hadn't expected He Jiaqing to possess such ability as well."
Bai Wuchuan lowered his voice. "Though the He family isn't what it once was, He Jiaqing is still a young master from an illustrious clan. In conduct and character, he is completely different from the rough men of the jianghu."
Shen Jinzhong gave a slight laugh. "Brother Bai, are you looking down on jianghu folk? Aren't we jianghu folk ourselves?"
Bai Wuchuan shook his head. "We're different. We have proper sects and lineages, legitimate origins. We've burned incense and kowtowed to the Patriarchs; we know the rules and boundaries of conduct. But that man—does he follow any rules? In our White Crane Gang, the inner leader calls the shots now."
Shen Jinzhong sighed. "That is indeed a bit out of line. I'll have to have a proper talk with Master Seven one of these days."
"A talk?" Bai Wuchuan sneered. "Would talking do any good? Is Li Seven a reasonable man? Qin Tianjiu went and offended An Zongding on his own, nearly losing his life. By all rights, that had nothing to do with you, Big Brother Shen, did it? Yet how did Li Seven handle things back then? He subjected you to no small amount of humiliation!"
Shen Jinzhong sighed. "Things of the past—best leave them unmentioned."
Bai Wuchuan shook his head slightly. "Even if you don't bring it up, Big Brother Shen, I doubt the matter will simply pass. Qin Tianjiu has gone missing again. How long has it been since that incident at the gold shop, and he's still nowhere to be found?"
"I've already made that matter clear to Li Seven."
Bai Wuchuan nodded. "Then I spoke out of turn. If Big Brother Shen feels it's settled, then let it be settled."
Bai Wuchuan poured wine for Shen Jinzhong, whose face had turned grim, leaving him with no appetite at all.
"Brother Bai, inviting me here today, you must have other business to discuss, right? Qianyue Tower is He family territory, after all."
Bai Wuchuan smiled. "Nothing too pressing. I'm just passing along a message on Young Master He's behalf: if you're willing to join the Brotherhood Alliance, we'll all be brothers from now on."
Shen Jinzhong frowned. "I'll let it slide since only I heard it, but I share a deep bond with Li Seven. You shouldn't say such things in front of me."
Bai Wuchuan smiled. "Big Brother Shen, I tend to speak bluntly. Still talking about friendship with Li Seven—isn't that overestimating yourself a bit? He has already become Prince Pingyuan of the Inner States. Do you think we still share the same standing as him?"
Shen Jinzhong chuckled. "I speak bluntly too. Since Li Seven has become a prince, shouldn't I cling even tighter to such a lofty branch?"
Bai Wuchuan sighed. "The price is too steep; I fear you can't afford it. He became a prince for the Inner States—do you know how many people in Puluo Province despise that? Do you know how many want him dead? He's immensely capable, so he won't die anytime soon, but the people around him might all end up dragged down with him. Big Brother Shen, is it worth gambling your life to climb a high branch?"
Shen Jinzhong drank two cups of wine and asked Bai Wuchuan, "What exactly is your relationship with He Jiaqing?"
Bai Wuchuan filled the cup to the brim. "The Brotherhood Alliance. We are brothers to one another."
Shen Jinzhong said, "Meaning, if I wish to join the Brotherhood Alliance, you can make the introduction for me?"
"Making the introduction is simple enough, but you understand the rules. If you want to seek refuge under a banner, it's best not to come empty-handed."
Shen Jinzhong smiled faintly. "The Three Heroes Sect is the foremost sect in Puluo Province. If I throw my lot in with the Brotherhood Alliance, how many sects will follow my lead? Have you calculated that account?"
Bai Wuchuan nodded. "We've certainly calculated it. But others are others, and you are you. At the very least, do a small favor for the Brotherhood Alliance to show your sincerity."
Shen Jinzhong asked, "Just a small matter?"
Bai Wuchuan raised his wine cup. "As long as you agree, Big Brother Shen, I'll go speak with Young Master He tomorrow. Rest assured, it's just a trifling matter. If you feel you can't do it, you can back out immediately, and we'll act as though I never brought it up."
When the banquet ended, Bai Wuchuan escorted Shen Jinzhong downstairs. Silver badge Tan Jinle and bronze seal Yue Shucai were waiting below. Tan Jinle had originally been Qin Tianjiu's superior; when Qin Tianjiu served as the Empty Pier bronze seal, he had earned plenty of merits under Tan Jinle. And when Li Seven and Shen Jinzhong joined hands, Tan Jinle had contributed considerably in between.
Yue Shucai was Qin Tianjiu's follower, nimble and diligent. After Qin Tianjiu was promoted to silver badge, he had elevated Yue Shucai to bronze seal.
The two had a rickshaw ready, saw Shen Jinzhong into it, and escorted him all the way to the Golden Seal Hall.
Returning to their own branch hall, Tan Jinle dismissed the bystanders and said privately to Yue Shucai, "Shucai, a major upheaval is coming to our sect."
Yue Shucai had sensed something amiss as well, but rather than speaking bluntly, he probed cautiously, "Master Jin, what kind of upheaval do you mean?"
"The White Crane Gang has been butting heads with Master Seven lately and having frequent dealings with He Jiaqing. Today he invited the Grand Gold Seal to dine at Qianyue Tower—what do you suppose that means?"
Yue Shucai thought about it and said, "I found it strange too. Why did it have to be a meal on He family turf?"
Tan Jinle sighed. "Xiao Jiu gave us a good start. It wasn't easy, wouldn't you say?"
Yue Shucai nodded. "Yes, Ninth Master had it rough."
Tan Jinle looked at Yue Shucai. "So you see what I mean, don't you?"
See what?
Yue Shucai was taken aback for a moment.
Tan Jinle patted Yue Shucai on the shoulder. "Brother, go home and get some rest."
Yue Shucai walked out of the hall, and several brothers caught up with him.
Reaching a fork in the road, Yue Shucai said, "You guys go on back. I'm sleepy, just want to go home and get some shut-eye."
The brothers quickly stopped him. "Brother Yue, you haven't eaten all evening! We booked a table and drinks at Yao's, and we're waiting for you to join us."
"I'm not hungry."
"Not hungry doesn't matter, you can do something else! We've already arranged for singing girls."
"Not tonight. Go enjoy yourselves." Yue Shucai took out two silver dollars to send the brothers off, then rounded two streets and made his way to Qin Tianjiu's residence.
He knocked lightly twice. The door swung open, but no one stood behind it.
Summoning his courage, Yue Shucai walked into the courtyard. Passing through the empty front yard, he entered the main courtyard and finally saw a woman in green, looking at him with a cold expression.
Anyone else would have been scared half to death.
Yet Yue Shucai knew Qin Tianjiu well and was aware there were no servants in the household—only his wife, named Feng Yuqiu.
"Sister-in-law, I have something to tell Brother Nine."
Feng Yuqiu turned and led Yue Shucai into the parlor.
Bringing a telephone from the inner room, she dialed a number and handed the receiver to Yue Shucai.
Li Banfeng arrived at Radish Mountain, settled the three-headed people, and had a meal with Qiu Zhiheng and Qin Tianjiu.
Full of food and drink, Li Banfeng held his newly painted cloud and was just about to ascend to the sky when the telephone suddenly rang.
Picking it up, he heard Ma the Fifth's voice on the line: "Old Seven, He Jiaqing had Shen Rongqing probe for news about Li Banling. Shen Rongqing went through Zhang Xiuling to reach me. How should I reply to her?"
Without hesitation, Li Banfeng replied, "Tell her Li Banling is an orphan who grew up with me and is currently an ordinary worker in the Outer States."
Ma the Fifth had met "Li Banling" and felt things weren't that simple. "Old Seven, you can't just brush this off haphazardly. I suspect He Jiaqing is testing Shen Rongqing. Shen Rongqing risked her life to pass us word; we can't throw her under the bus."
Li Banfeng said, "Don't worry, this is all the truth. Then have Shen Rongqing pass word to He Jiaqing that I have nine covenant deeds waiting to be sold—say Zhang Xiuling pried this information out of me."
Hanging up the phone, Li Banfeng immediately sought out Luo Zhengnan. "Get me a travel permit. I'm leaving Santoucha tonight."
Before the travel permit was even issued, Qin Tianjiu found Li Banfeng. "Brother Seven, trouble's brewing in the Three Heroes Sect."
He recounted everything Yue Shucai had witnessed tonight. Qiu Zhiheng's heart sank. "Not good. The Three Heroes Sect holds too much influence; this is going to drag in countless sects. He Jiaqing has always been cautious and timid—why did he strike so ruthlessly this time?"
"He's doing it for the covenant deeds." Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead. Right now, he had no time to attend to the Three Heroes Sect.
Qin Tianjiu said, "Brother Seven, have Old Luo arrange another travel permit. Leave the matter of the Three Heroes Sect to me."
Qiu Zhiheng shook his head. "This won't be easy to handle. I'll go along with you."
Qin Tianjiu waved his hands repeatedly. "Brother Qiu, your reputation is too grand. If you go to Green Water City, it'll only make things harder to handle. Brother Seven, I know the rules of the Three Heroes Sect; your brother hasn't spent these past two years in the jianghu for nothing. Even if I fall short, Brother Five is there to watch my back. Just await my word."
PS: Tan Jinle and Yue Shucai were characters from the period when Qin Tianjiu served as the Empty Pier bronze seal, having previously appeared in Chapter 258.
Chapter 680