Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1310 615: Helping Him Cut the Line_2

"Relying solely on controlling microorganisms won't resolve such tricky fungi," Cui Tiq admitted, feeling a headache coming on. "I need to make a few friends and have a good fight."

Though there were fluctuations, Li Banfeng trusted Cui Tiq: "Control their illness first, I'll go check the status of those gangs."

...

Upon arriving at De Song Cliff, Li Banfeng was sent to Decheng Mountain before he had the chance to visit the villages.

After a call with Luo Zhengnan, he headed to De Yuan Village first.

Cui Tiq and Luo Zhengnan both had deep impressions of this village, because the village chief, Song Demei, was a key figure in this war.

He arrived at the west entrance of the village, where the path of paifangs stretched deep into the village, even more densely than those on Paifang Street of Medicine King Valley.

Luo Zhengnan arrived after Li Banfeng wandered around the entrance for a while. Li Banfeng asked: "Who erected all these paifangs?"

"They were all erected for the people of De Yuan Village, honoring loyal officials, scholars, filial sons, martyr women—people of great virtue. There are over a hundred paifangs here."

"A single village produced over a hundred people of great virtue?"

"That's not much. I heard recently that De Yuan Village calls itself the source of great virtue. Many have passed away years ago while still waiting for their paifang. Although the village chief promised many, the village doesn't have enough land left."

Could the land shortage for erecting paifangs have sparked this war?

Li Banfeng asked: "Have you gathered enough information about the gangs?"

Luo Zhengnan was thorough: "All the information is gathered; sixteen gangs sent people to De Song Cliff, including two gang leaders who came personally."

Li Banfeng was surprised: "Who invited them with such influence?"

"Mostly invited by Song Demei. She mingled in the Jianghu in her early years, making many friends. She invested heavily this time, plundering all resources from the villages under her control, even selling winter grain for money, which she gave entirely to the gang members."

Now understanding the situation, Li Banfeng planned a strategy: "Inform these gang families, find a place for us to host a meal for them tomorrow night."

Luo Zhengnan felt hesitant: "Seventh Master, the location is hard to select. If we choose another village, they might not come. If we choose De Yuan Village, Song Demei might not tolerate us."

Li Banfeng thought De Yuan Village suited well: "Choose this paifang street, I think it's nice. I want to see if Song Demei dares to stop us. If she has the guts, it'll be much easier."

Luo Zhengnan advised: "Seventh Master, Doctor Cui is adept at killing, but why hasn't he acted himself?

I casually probed this while chatting with Doctor Cui; this event was instructed by the peddler, so he can't just kill."

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: "He can't kill, what's that got to do with me? I didn't agree with the peddler."

Luo Zhengnan shook his head: "That's the logic, but the situation isn't that. If we start killing here, wouldn't we embarrass the peddler? Maybe we should negotiate, try to minimize the killing."

The two planned, sent invitations to various gangs, and even specifically invited Song Demei. Just as Li Qi predicted, Song Demei didn't stop Luo Zhengnan, but claimed to be busy with village affairs and didn't attend the banquet.

The gang members respected Li Qi's invitation, arriving on time. However, they had agreed in advance; they could eat and drink, but insisted on not withdrawing their forces.

At 7 PM, the banquet started on time, and the gang members looked around, but none saw Li Qi.

Three Heroes Gang's Silver Seal, Luo Tongkui asked: "Old Luo, what's the meaning of this? We gave Seventh Master face, yet he doesn't respect us. Inviting us for a meal but not showing up, what's going on?"

Luo Tongkui's big head was shiny with no hair, once injured his right eye, wearing an eyepatch, looking somewhat creepy.

Luo Zhengnan smiled: "Mr. Kui, don't be angry, Seventh Master has arrived. I'm taking the liberty of drinking two cups here with everyone, catching up, and socializing."

"Why socialize with you? If Li Qi doesn't come, why are we here? Are we short of your meal?" Luo Tongkui stood to leave but suddenly felt a rush of numbness, his body trembled before sitting back down.

If he were from the Outside Provinces, he'd know he's electrocuted; but People of Puluo State haven't seen much electricity, although Luo Tongkui has seen electricity, he hasn't seen someone electrocuted. After a moment, he pointed at Luo Zhengnan, cursing: "You rascal, dare to lay hands on me!"

Hearing Luo Tongkui curse, several supports rushed forward, surrounding and protecting Luo Zhengnan.

Luo Tongkui was unconvinced, called his brothers: "Alright, let's weigh it here, Three Heroes Gang won't buy this!"

Luo Zhengnan let the supports retreat, asked Luo Tongkui to sit: "Mr. Kui, don't be so angry, I'm doing this for your own good. Our little quarrel is nothing; when Seventh Master arrives, if you speak like that, things will escalate."

"I talk like this everywhere, let me see how big things get. If Li Qi doesn't want to see me, let him see our Great Gold Seal, something to say to him, not me!" Luo Tongkui stood again to leave.

Luo Zhengnan didn't stop him, turned to ask others: "Everyone, are these your intentions too?"