The Ho Cultivators of Iron Gate Fort had wiped out Dick Chen’s n.
Wu Yongchao stared at a large pit on the ground and frowned, asking, "Who made this?"
A Ho Cultivator beside him said, "Could it be that guy, what’s his na, Chen Weixin? He’s quite strong."
Another Ho Cultivator said, "Yes, it’s that Chen Weixin. I saw with my own eyes that this pit appeared right beneath his feet."
Li Zhijuan walked over and said to everyone, "Stop talking nonsense. This wasn’t made by Chen Weixin; it was our Fortress Lord who did it."
Everyone exclaid, "The Fortress Lord was here?"
"Soone flashed by in front of Chen Weixin. Judging by his figure, I’m sure it was our Fortress Lord."
At that ti, Li Banfeng had paused for a mont in front of Chen Weixin to use his Foolish Cultivation Technique and was seen by Li Zhijuan.
Wu Yongchao rembered sothing and asked, "Who rang the gong during the fight?"
Everyone shook their heads, and Hu Fangyuan said, "You were leading the fight, so if anyone rang the gong, it must have been you."
Wu Yongchao was certain he hadn’t rung the gong.
The other people in the fortress also knew this very well. When the man nad Chen Weixin stord their stronghold, they were on the verge of being overwheld. However, soone helped them resist and drove Chen Weixin away.
But that person moved too quickly for anyone to get a clear look at his face.
"The Fortress Lord was here," Wu Yongchao said, looking towards the large iron gate at the mouth of the valley.
Iron Gate Fort had only one Fortress Lord, and his na was Fortress Lord.
Nobody in Iron Gate Fort knew his real na, and they knew almost nothing about the Fortress Lord.
But he had co. He’d co when the fortress was in peril.
Wu Yongchao said, "No matter what happens, he will always be our Fortress Lord."
Li Zhijuan asked from the side, "Where is the Fortress Lord now?"
At the market entrance, Li Banfeng pulled out a stack of Huan Country Banknotes and asked, "Are you for hire?"
The Coachman stubbed out his pipe and chuckled, "Where to?"
"To Dick Chen’s lair."
The Coachman nodded and said, "I’ll get you there, but the fighting is your business."
Li Banfeng said, "What if I pay extra?"
"Extra pay won’t make a difference. I’m a coachman, not a daredevil. Besides, I reckon you won’t need to risk your life for that fellow." The Coachman wiped down the seat, gesturing for Li Banfeng to get on. They chatted as the coach moved along.
"Old Qi, how did you know to co find at the market?"
Actually, Li Banfeng hadn’t known the Coachman would be at the market. He’d simply decided to try his luck in a crowded place, and unexpectedly, he found him. Of course, he couldn’t just chalk it up to luck; that would imply he lacked skill.
"The Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster Skill you taught led to you. But why did you send a ssage telling to co to Iron Gate Fort?"
Li Banfeng had received a coach bell at the entrance of Xiaoyao Lodge. The words ’Iron Gate Fort’ were inscribed on it—clearly a ssage from the Coachman.
But why had the Coachman alerted Li Banfeng to co to Iron Gate Fort? Could it be that he knew Li Banfeng was the Fortress Lord?
The Coachman replied, "When that fellow Chen first approached , he proposed we team up to eliminate you. He claid that if you were killed, I could get my territory back."
Li Banfeng nodded. "Sounds like a good deal. You didn’t take it?"
The Coachman scoffed. "Don’t be absurd. We’ve known each other since you first arrived in Puluo State. You even survived the Heavenly Light, and you’ve made it all the way from White Lamb to where you are today. I’ve seen exactly how resilient you are. That fellow Chen couldn’t possibly kill you.
"As for what happened at Loess Bridge, I left ahead of you. I had my reasons, but looking back, I truly feel I owe you an apology; I have to make it up to you sohow. I planned to tell you Chen’s whereabouts, but that scoundrel is elusive and his movents are erratic. It’s rare for him to stay in Iron Gate Fort for long. So, when he did, I sent word to you. It’s better for you to strike first than to wait for him to co after you.
"But, as I said, I deliver the information; the dangerous work is up to you. I’m really not cut out for risking my neck."
The Coachman was telling the truth. He didn’t know about any connection between Li Banfeng and Iron Gate Fort; he only wanted to give Li Banfeng the chance to act first.
As they spoke, they arrived at the house Dick Chen was renting. The Coachman said, "There’s a Spider Man here, one of Chen’s subordinates. He’s a private detective, quite famous. You should know him."
Da Boyins. Li Banfeng knew him all too well.
Li Banfeng had t Da Boyins in New Land. Not long after, Da Boyins had tracked him down, cornering him at the entrance to Yu Nan’s Ho.
Later, Li Banfeng introduced the Straw Moth Lady to Da Boyins, hoping a marriage might resolve their enmity. Instead, the conflict between them only deepened.
Da Boyins had always been convinced that Li Qi was Li Banfeng and that Red Lotus was in Li Qi’s possession. Therefore, Dick Chen must have learned from Da Boyins that Li Qi was Li Banfeng.
Upon entering the courtyard, Li Banfeng carefully avoided the spider webs. He searched around but found no sign of Da Boyins.
The Spider Detective had escaped.
The Coachman said, "They ntioned testing a weapon at Iron Gate Fort. That weapon was probably taken by that spider when he fled."
A weapon? The Explosive Tiger Spear? That spear has already caused so much bloodshed! Other matters can wait, but this spear has always been linked to Iron Gate Fort. I need to be careful.
"Mr. Driver, do you know the Local Deity around here?"
The Coachman answered, "I’ve seen him a few tis, but we’re not well acquainted. If you want to et him, I can make an introduction. However, this Local Deity has a peculiar temperant, so we can’t rush things. You should stay in Iron Gate Fort for the night. After I’ve had a word with him and smoothed things over, I’ll take you to et him tomorrow."
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