You're Here!

"Old Orange, you're not mistaken, are you?" Granny Ku asked skeptically. "How could Jianrengang possibly connect to Heroes Mountain?" The Old Man of the Orange Orchard sighed. "I'm no good at fighting wars, but questioning the earth is my specialty. The soil doesn't lie. Some things a yard or two of earth might not explain clearly, but several hundred yards tell the whole story without doubt. "From Jianrengang to Heroes Mountain, there is such a road, opened just over the past few days. A lot of earth was sucked into the path, and a lot was blown back out by high winds, so there's absolutely no mistake. "What's more, the soil here told me that Jianrengang might not hold merely fifty thousand men. It feels as though quite a few more are buried in the ground." The Peddler rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath, "Losses and profits, profits and losses..." Others didn't grasp what he meant, but Li Banfeng understood. Sending Cuitike to Chaoge—in the end, had that been a loss or a profit? Cuitike posed an immense threat to the Shang State. His arrival in Chaoge had plunged the capital into chaos, creating favorable conditions for Li Banfeng's subsequent raid on the Bandit Suppressing Battalion. That had been a massive profit for the Peddler. Later, Cuitike went on a slaughter in Chaoge. The Peddler's side certainly suffered no loss, while Qiao Yi eliminated dissidents, which counted as a profit for him too. Then Cuitike butchered cities in Bozhou, allowing Qiao Yi to keep purging political rivals while harvesting immense materials for the Great Totem—a huge profit for Qiao Yi. Taking advantage of Cuitike's absence and the emptiness of Sage Peak, Qiao Yi had set up such a grand trap here. Now, the Peddler had suffered a catastrophic loss. The Peddler's thoughts seemed to stall. Eighteen Wheels looked around at the crowd. "Everyone, who among you can go hold Heroes Mountain?" No one spoke. Patriarch Liu Hutian of the Liquor Cultivators said, "Qiao Yi can attack either direction as he pleases. We have to divide our forces between both fronts, and it must be a fifty-fifty split." Lu Qianjiao frowned. "Nonsense! How many troops do we have in total to be talking about a fifty-fifty split?" Liu Hutian snapped angrily, "If you're not talking nonsense, let's hear something useful from you!" What the Liquor Cultivator Patriarch said wasn't wrong. Qiao Yi currently had two routes available and would take whichever offered less resistance. To completely counter him, splitting their forces in half was the only way. Yet once they divided their forces and spread themselves thin, could they still match Qiao Yi? Gui Jianchou offered an idea. "Old Seven is heading to Suihuang Plain. We can all see how perilous that place is; saying he has a one-in-ten chance of surviving is looking on the bright side. "Our Puluo Province has more than just Old Seven when it comes to young talents, doesn't it? Granny Ku, you're always saying the young master of the He family is quite a figure. Where is this figure now? "He didn't show his face in the earlier battle. Defending Heroes Mountain should be handed to him this time! He has both the Greater and Lesser Brotherhood Alliances—he doesn't lack men!" Qiao Wuzui nodded. "Sounds fine to me! Doesn't your Brotherhood Alliance always clamor about a New Puluo Province? Stop just talking the talk—show us some real action!" Eighteen Wheels had invested in He Jiaqing in the past as well. He looked at Granny Ku. "Can Jiaqing come?" The pressure was now squarely on the Brotherhood Alliance. Song Shu considered volunteering herself—if He Jiaqing refused to go, she would! Granny Ku replied, "Jiaqing will arrive shortly. He went to raise funds and supplies. War burns money, and Jiaqing intends to donate his entire family fortune. Isn't doing that enough?" Gui Jianchou laughed. "How could that be enough? So just because someone donates money, they don't have to fight, is that it? "Old Seven, you're richer than He Jiaqing, aren't you? Donate a bit too, and let's skip Suihuang Plain!" These were Gui Jianchou's true feelings; he genuinely didn't want Li Qi to go to Suihuang Plain. Granny Ku kept quiet, and Eighteen Wheels knew full well that He Jiaqing definitely wouldn't go defend Heroes Mountain. Song Shu moved to stand and volunteer, but Granny Ku pushed her back down into her seat. Zhen Luoming took the chance to bail Granny Ku out: "If you ask me, we should have the City of Fools defend Heroes Mountain. Their discipline is unique, and the Inner Provinces have no good way of dealing with them." Eighteen Wheels drooped the corners of his eyes and glared at Zhen Luoming. "Is that thing growing on your head supposed to be a face? What right do you have to order the City of Fools to Heroes Mountain?" Zhen Luoming lowered his head. "I don't have the right, but the Peddler does. If nobody is willing to go, then we might as well give up on Heroes Mountain altogether." Sui Chanxin nodded. "True enough. Isn't it just a barren hill? In the end, it's just a keepsake from the old days. What difference does it make whether we keep it or not?" "Nonsense!" Lu Qianjiao frowned. "How could we abandon it? Right beneath Heroes Mountain sits Moxiang Shop! Are you telling me we should give up Moxiang Shop too? That is the cultural lifeline of Puluo Province!" Gui Jianchou added, "Besides, Qiao Yi left roots behind this time. Doesn't he still have people ready to receive him over at Moxiang Shop?" At those words, the veins on Liu Hutian's temple bulged with fury. "Who's receiving Qiao Yi? We never colluded with the enemy! We only wanted to establish a local deity for Moxiang Shop because we feared something might happen to it!" Ye Jianhuang shook his head repeatedly. "This isn't just about Moxiang Shop. From the highest peak of Heroes Mountain, one can overlook the entirety of Puluo Province. If Qiao Yi truly takes it, it will be hard for us to ever turn the tables. That ground is of vital strategic importance—just like Wuyouping, it's a critical chokepoint." Bing Suling said, "It certainly is critical. How about you go defend it?" Ye Jianhuang took a drag from his pipe bowl and looked at Bing Suling. "You've been picking fights with me quite a bit today. How about we step outside and measure each other up?" With the conversation about to derail again, the Peddler waved his hands at the crowd. "Why do you all look only at the worst? What's so bad about going to Heroes Mountain? You only think about being hit from both ends by the Inner Provinces, but did you ever consider that we can bottle them up and strike them from both ends too?" Zhen Luoming shook his head with a bitter smile. "We don't have that skill. We know how much we weigh." Granny Ku sighed. "Since there is no other way, let us split the forces fifty-fifty and see who is willing to lead half our people up to Heroes Mountain." "Splitting our forces would be walking right into their trap," the Peddler said, shaking his head repeatedly. "I will go to Heroes Mountain. Leave this side to the Old Train." Eighteen Wheels asked, "How many men will you take?" "No need for men," said the Peddler. Eighteen Wheels was taken aback. "You're going alone?" The Peddler shook his head. "Back when we fought the decisive battle against Tufang State on Suihuang Plain, a detachment of Ironbone Seeds had nowhere to go after the war. I settled them on Heroes Mountain. "Over all these years, fed good food, fine wine, and superior pills, they have all reached cultivation above the clouds. Counting them up, there are quite a few. With the advantage of terrain, they'll be plenty to fight a round against Qiao Yi. "It's just that ordinary people can't move them. I must go in person!" Zhen Luoming smiled. "Truly worthy of our chief. You even kept an ace up your sleeve! If you had said so earlier, our minds would have been at ease." Bing Suling's face darkened. "The Ironbone Seeds sure get grand treatment. Taken care of in retirement after the war—how come we never got that kind of treatment back then?" The Peddler looked at Bing Suling. "If you want that treatment, it's not too late. If you want to go to Heroes Mountain, I can send you up right now. If others heard that, they'd think I mistreated you all." Bing Suling bit her lip and said nothing. Granny Ku looked at the Old Train. "Following the Peddler into battle, I have no objections. But following you, I truly cannot put my mind at rest." Everyone turned their gazes toward Eighteen Wheels, some wearing contempt, others showing helpless resignation. Eighteen Wheels lowered his head in silence. Certain things he had done in the past were indeed difficult to explain away. Beside him, the Peddler said, "Heroes Mountain overlooks all of Puluo Province. I'll be watching from the peak. The moment anything happens, I'll rush back via the Peddler's Path." With those words spoken, everyone pulled back their gazes. The Peddler was warning them that he could return at any moment. The Peddler continued, "Let's make this crystal clear: we are pinning them from both ends. If Qiao Yi engages you here, I will lead men down from the mountain to hit his rear. If he goes up the mountain after me, you strike his rear from Wuyouping. We absolutely cannot let him defeat us piecemeal!" With the plan settled, everyone dispersed to prepare for battle. Leaving the camp, Li Banfeng asked the Peddler, "Why didn't you mention the White Falcon League to them?" The Peddler shook his head. "I have an agreement with the White Falcon League. Certain things cannot be spoken of lightly. Besides, mentioning it to them would be useless—they would only claim that going to repay a debt to the White Falcon League was a mistake." "How could that be considered a mistake?" Li Banfeng asked. "They'll say running into debt was a mistake in the first place. They'll nitpick step by step, and in the end they'll claim that attacking the Bandit Suppressing Battalion back then was also a mistake. I'm used to this sort of thing, and you'll have to get used to it in time." The Peddler took two jars of vanishing cream from his cart and handed them to Li Banfeng. "The fighting on Suihuang Plain won't be easy. Hold out if you can; if you truly can't hold, pull back. "These two jars of vanishing cream can heal wounds, cure illness, and restore combat strength. Once they're empty, whatever you do, don't throw the jars away. After some time, fresh cream will regenerate inside." Li Banfeng accepted the vanishing cream. The Peddler was about to push his cart away when he glanced back at the camp, still uneasy. "Qiao Yi could attack Heroes Mountain at any time, so I can't delay. Stay one extra day before you leave; I'm worried the Old Train won't be able to keep them in check. "You killed Shan Chengjun, so in their hearts they definitely fear you. Help the Old Train hold down the fort a little longer." Li Banfeng agreed and walked with the Peddler all the way to the Boundary. Across the Boundary lay the territory of Jianrengang. Li Banfeng looked into the distance at Sage Peak, looming faintly in the mist. "Will Cuitike ever come back?" The Peddler sighed. "Probably not. Word from the Inner Provinces says he didn't want to be captured alive by Qiao Yi, so he took his own life in Bozhou." Li Banfeng pulled down the brim of his hat. Pushing his cart forward, the Peddler said, "Take extra care." Li Banfeng smiled. "You're the one who needs to take care. My life is tougher than yours." Li Banfeng returned to the camp and stayed for half a day. Trouble constantly brewed on the Old Train's end, and military orders routinely failed to filter down. Not only did Zhen Luoming, Bing Suling, and Liu Hutian make trouble, even Ye Jianhuang and Qiao Wuzui harbored slight complaints about him. Fortunately, Li Qi made his stance crystal clear, standing firmly behind the Old Train. A'yi, Qiu Luoye, Song Qianhun, Gui Jianchou, Ye Jianhuang, and Qiao Wuzui all took Li Qi's side as well, showing willingness to follow the Old Train's command. Those who had come from Moxiang Shop remained unconvinced in their hearts, but none dared voice it. They could see which way the wind was blowing: before departing, Li Qi was determined to smooth the road for the Old Train, and none of them wanted to be the stumbling blocks crushed in Puluo Province. Toward dusk, Tang Shijiang, Bai Qiaoniang, and Yue Wanshan arrived. Needless to say, Tang Shijiang was an old acquaintance of Li Banfeng. Bai Qiaoniang, like Tang Shijiang, was an apprentice of the Old Train. Li Banfeng had never met her before, but she had once been close friends with his lady, so Li Banfeng had always had a good impression of her, and they hit it off immediately. Bai Qiaoniang dressed almost identically to Tang Shijiang, both in overalls and heavy leather work shoes. Yet Bai Qiaoniang was pretty. Despite barely dressing up, standing next to Sui Chanxin, she looked far more attractive. Bai Qiaoniang practiced both the Craft and Travel paths. Meeting the Travel Cultivator Patriarch, she naturally showed deep respect. That deference gave Tou Youlu entirely different ideas. He privately asked the Old Train, "Eighteen Wheels, has your female apprentice taken a liking to me?" The Old Train didn't know how to explain. "That's what you think?" Tou Youlu sighed with a trace of remorse. "It's just that I'm too handsome. How many fine girls have I led astray?" The Old Train also specifically introduced Yue Wanshan to Li Banfeng. He wasn't his disciple; like Li Banfeng, he was more of an ally across generations. Yue Wanshan was a promising talent the Old Train had befriended over a decade ago. Possessing considerable attainments on the Travel path, he had received much guidance from the Old Train, who had even recommended him to become the local deity of Qingyan City. These three brought a massive consignment of military supplies to the Old Train, giving him ample confidence at last. At dusk, the Old Train ordered Zhen Luoming to take a team to patrol the Boundary. Zhen Luoming dragged his feet, reluctant to move, until the Old Train's face turned icy. "This isn't your first day in a war. What happens when you disobey orders on the front lines—you know full well." Seeing the Old Train radiating murderous intent, Zhen Luoming led his men out. The Old Train added a pointed warning: "Inspect every inch of all three hundred li of the Boundary! Overlook a single glance, and don't blame military law for being merciless!" These were no idle words. That night, the Old Train ran a circuit along the Boundary, caught over a dozen slackers on patrol, and sent them all to hard labor. There were also several sentries who, banking on their status, merely registered their names and never actually showed up for duty. The Old Train caught them red-handed. Right before the camp entrance, he set up an execution ground and had them put to death on the spot. During the executions, the Old Train beamed with smiles as though celebrating the New Year. Not a single patriarch or grandmaster dared utter a peep. The companion dwelling sighed. "Old Seven, see that? Once the Old Train goes mad, hardly any of them aren't terrified. You don't need to worry about this place anymore." Seeing the Old Train in this state, Li Banfeng felt reassured as well. He prepared to set off for Suihuang Plain. The Old Train brought out several prized weapons from the bottom of his stash, insisting that Li Banfeng take them along. Li Banfeng shook his head. "Brother, your own hands are full. No need to look out for me; I have my ways when it comes to military supplies." "What time is it to be polite with me?" At the thought of Suihuang Plain, Eighteen Wheels broke into a cold sweat on Li Banfeng's behalf. "Brother, how could you be so reckless? If the Peddler had given you more men, that would be one thing, but relying on just a few of you youngsters—how could you possibly hold off Tufang State? "If worse comes to worst, make another trip to the City of Fools. Talk it over with Old Sun and have him bring people to back you up. "Brother, now is not the time to worry about saving face. Once you truly reach the battlefield, you'll understand..." The Old Train suddenly shuddered, his face draining of all color, rendered speechless. Li Banfeng had witnessed this state once before at Huangtu Bridge. Back then, the Old Train's speech had faltered just like this, though Li Banfeng hadn't known who had scared him so badly. "Big Brother, what's wrong? It's not like I'm going to battle alone. The brothers are coming with me, and besides, there are the Ironbone Seeds over there." "It's not about that!" The Old Train trembled even harder. "I... I sense someone has arrived." "Who's arrived?" Li Banfeng thought Qiao Yi had breached the border line. Beads of sweat covered the Old Train's face. "Last time at Huangtu Bridge, I thought you brought him, and that scared the wits out of me. Looking at it now, he's truly here. "Old Seven, in my life, there are two people I must never see. One is A'yi. Fortunately, we cleared the air recently, so seeing her is fine now. "But there is another person I absolutely, positively cannot see..." Li Banfeng was bewildered. Who on earth was this? The Old Train gulped down half a jar of liquor, drew a deep breath, strode out of the barracks, and headed straight toward the camp gates. Seeing him radiating murderous intent, one knew trouble was afoot. Li Banfeng also stepped out of the barracks and saw a short, stocky man standing at the camp entrance, pulling a rickshaw. It was Che Wushang! Li Banfeng was overjoyed and hurried forward to greet him. Tang Shijiang reached the gate a step ahead, shouting toward the Old Train, "Master, Junior Brother is here!" Bai Qiaoniang also rushed forward to greet her senior brother. Catching sight of the Old Train, the rickshaw man lowered his vehicle to the ground and bowed deeply. "Master, your disciple has arrived late!" Trembling all over, the Old Train hurried forward. "Aiyo, if it isn't Master Che!" "Master, I've come to follow you into battle." "Master Che, in this bitter cold, what brought you here?" "Master, your disciple is willing to go through fire and water for you." "Master Che, I have nothing good to entertain you with here. Shijiang, go prepare some fine wine and dishes for Master Che, and treat him to a proper meal at once!" "Master, your disciple... er, didn't come to eat..." "Master Che doesn't eat! Master Che is a busy man! Master Che won't do us the honor! Then I won't hold Master Che back! Safe travels, Master Che! Mind your step, Master Che! Do visit again when you have time, Master Che!" The Old Train forcibly ushered Che Wushang out. Tang Shijiang was thoroughly embarrassed. "Master, since Junior Brother came all this way, why do this?" Li Banfeng couldn't figure out either just what kind of trauma Che Wushang had inflicted on the Old Train. The Old Train was still shaking slightly. "Let me tell you, never let him come when fighting a war! It's bad luck! The moment I see him, I..." The Old Train stopped dead in his tracks again. He sensed the danger had not gone far. Turning around, he stepped outside the gate and found Che Wushang still lingering near the camp. "Master Che, why are you back again?" Che Wushang said, "Master, your disciple is willing to fight by your side to the bloody end, and I swear never to retreat a single step!" "Master Che, look at you being polite again! Master Che, will you have some tea? Master Che, will you have some food? Master Che, you aren't hungry, right? If you aren't hungry, then I won't hold you back! Safe travels, Master Che! Watch your step on the road, Master Che! Master Che, I won't see you off any further..." Li Banfeng couldn't bear to watch any longer. "The man is already here, do you really have to chase him off?" Beside them, Ye Jianhuang tapped his pipe bowl and said to Li Banfeng, "Old Seven, you'd better stay out of this. The Old Train made Che Wushang his vanguard three times in the past. That's why he's terrified in his heart..." That evening, Li Banfeng set out on his journey. He went first to the border line, placed three bowls on the ground, and poured three bowls of wine: one for Cuitike, one for Cuitike's brother, and one for Xiao De. Having poured the wine, he set out three cans of food, gazing into the distance for a long time before departing. Had it not been for dreaming of Cuitike, he wouldn't have come to Jianrengang, and Wuyouping would have fallen long ago. As the cold wind swept past, Li Banfeng seemed to hear that familiar voice once more: "My friend, take good care." ... Li Banfeng boarded a train for Suihuang Plain. Midway, he called Ma the Fifth; military materiel was indeed something that demanded careful attention. Fatty Qin had cleared out the Three Heroes Sect's vault, and Zhang Xiuling had emptied the coffers of the Hundred Flowers Sect. The He, Lu, and Chu families, along with everything Ma the Fifth had saved over the years, were completely laid out. Yet even to that extent, everyone's equipment still fell a bit short in caliber. Fortunately, Li Banfeng still had reserves. He had sent Ma the Fifth to Sleepless Town in advance. Back when Li Banfeng killed Wang Zimian, the local deity of Sleepless Town, Wang had left behind an entire warehouse of top-grade magical artifacts and weapons, all claimed by Li Banfeng. Later, Li Banfeng took a few items from the warehouse to share with Ma the Fifth and Feng Daiku, and locked the rest away. He had never forgotten about them; it was simply that Li Banfeng did not lightly bond with artifacts and weapons, for once taken in, they had to be treated as family. Thus, those goods had remained untouched until now—and this time, they would prove tremendously useful. Ma the Fifth retrieved the goods without a hitch and headed toward Suihuang Plain alongside Feng Daiku. Aboard the train, Li Banfeng entered the companion dwelling to study tactics with his lady. She stared at the map, tracing and marking as she deduced the location of the battlefield. "The battlefield will definitely be Huangtu Town, right? That's the center of Suihuang Plain. Tufang State will surely find a way to take the town." His lady shook her head. "Not necessarily. Your humble servant feels Tufang State won't attack Huangtu Town. After all, assaulting a fortified town incurs heavy losses, whereas attacking the heart is far easier." "How so, attacking the heart?" Zhao Xiaowan explained while tapping and pointing across the map, giving Li Banfeng a general grasp of the concept. "Husband, to win this battle, we must see through each other's reality and deception—especially since we must rely on the Ironbone Seeds. If military morale is broken, this fight will become truly difficult." The entire household deliberated on tactics together until daybreak. Worried there might be oversights in the plan, Zhao Xiaowan went to the fifth chamber to go over the details with Lai Wuju. The girl of the fifth chamber sat on the open field, looking at Li Banfeng and Zhao Xiaowan. "If I help you, are you willing to help me?" Zhao Xiaowan understood what Lai Wuju meant: she wanted the Ashes of Innocence, the means to break her curse. "Husband, you make the decision." Li Banfeng looked at the fifth chamber girl. "Put it simply: how do you plan to help me?" Lowering her head, the girl said, "Whether General Zhao or General Hong, I have heard of your renown on the battlefield. By rights, I shouldn't be showing off my rudimentary skills before masters. "Yet I, too, have fought in many battles, and I know no small number of battlefield tactics. This is a bitter fight; there must be somewhere I can be of help. "In this war, I am willing to fight with all my heart and strength. If you deem my contribution sufficient, please give me a portion of the antidote. If you deem it not enough, at least credit me with merit and allow me to earn more later. I trust you, and only ask that you let me see a glimmer of hope..." Beside them, the Bronze Lotus sneered repeatedly. Lai Wuju had borne that curse for so many years; did she really expect to break it after just one battle? Where in the world was there such an easy bargain? "Take it." Li Banfeng produced a bottle of the Ashes of Innocence and handed it to the fifth chamber girl. The Bronze Lotus gasped, and the fifth chamber girl herself was stunned for a long moment. "Seventh Master, did you misunderstand me?" the fifth chamber girl explained. "I'm not trying to swindle your antidote. I want to earn it with merit." "I believe you," Li Banfeng said, setting the Ashes of Innocence by the wall. "We cannot afford to lose this war. Your reward is given; you must do your utmost." "Hehehe!" the companion dwelling chuckled. Li Banfeng stood up. "My lady, continue going over the tactics with the Fifth Miss. I'll go check the situation outside." Zhao Xiaowan looked at Li Banfeng with a smile. She knew her man's temperament, and she knew just how much of a role Lai Wuju could play. The fifth chamber girl picked up the bottle from beside the wall and downed the potion in a single gulp. Above her collarbone, an insect slowly emerged. She pulled the bug out from her flesh, her hands trembling slightly. Holding the written tactical plan, Zhao Xiaowan looked back at the fifth chamber girl. The fifth chamber girl looked back at Zhao Xiaowan and nodded vigorously. ... The train arrived at Tiewangang. Lady Wangyou, the local deity of Tiewangang, led the ridge's cooks in preparing an assortment of delicacies to feast and reward everyone. Among them, a cook wearing a round skullcap and round-framed glasses had prepared a bowl of braised pork knuckle in brown sauce that particularly suited Li Banfeng's taste. Yet this person was not from Tiewangang. "Elder Pan, having you cook in person truly makes me feel a bit embarrassed." Pan Dehai smiled. "An old man of my advanced years still wanting to step onto a battlefield—I'll have to rely on Seventh Master to look after me." Li Banfeng sometimes couldn't fathom Pan Dehai's thinking. "Elder Pan, if you're willing to fight, why didn't you go to Wuyouping?" Pan Dehai shook his head. "There are too many virtuous men on Wuyouping. I feared my virtue wouldn't measure up, and going there would only invite mockery." Li Banfeng looked into the distance. "Are there many virtuous people on Suihuang Plain?" Pan Dehai replied, "I hear there are quite a few, but this old man can still preach a bit of virtue to them."