RWNEFE -Chapter 183 Band of Wandu Sect—Ban Sicao!

Qian Feng was uneasy: “Master, should I follow?”

Shen Lanxi: “If you want to, go ahead.”

The fruit seller wasn’t far; any movement would be audible.

Qian Feng followed and soon returned with a strange expression.

“Master, Vice General Shen and that person just bought all the fruits and made the seller eat them in front of them!”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, smiling: “There must be a reason.”

Qian Feng twitched at the corner of his mouth: “They told the seller he had cheated them. The seller denied the fruits were sour.”

So they bought all the fruits to make the seller eat them—if the seller admitted they were sour, they wouldn’t pay a single copper coin?

Quite a clever idea!

Soon, Shen Yuanjing and the young man returned.

“I’m Ban Sicao, just here for fun. You guys?”

Shen Yuanjing replied: “We’re here for fun too.”

Ban Sicao’s attendants brought several oil-paper-wrapped packages and eyed them warily.

“Master, who are they?”

Ban Sicao: “Don’t know, just met them—also here for fun.”

Attendant: “Master, the meat is here.”

Ban Sicao handed a package to Shen Yuanjing: “Consider this as payment for the fruits. Just now, you only had one fruit—you looked reluctant, so this balances it.”

Shen Yuanjing: “…”

This guy really holds grudges and talks so much.

Shen Lanxi: “Take it. Divide it up, and before it gets dark, let’s explore a bit.”

“All right!”

Cheng Zheng bought several books, treating them carefully like treasures and storing them in his bundle.

After dividing the meat and signaling Ban Sicao with a nod, they left.

The reason anyone could enter Liucheng now, besides the Guigu heir, was its special geographic position.

Liucheng was at the edge of Dongchuan—technically part of Dongchuan and under the East Liao King’s jurisdiction.

It had always been under East Liao King’s control.

But now, with war ongoing, Liucheng was abandoned by the higher authorities. Being close to Prince Cheng’s fief, Prince Cheng’s men didn’t come to take control either—it became a lawless zone.

Even the county office was nominal; after the Guigu heir appeared, its gates were never opened. Ask about it, and you’re told the magistrate was ill, or mourning a family member—no one took office for three to five years.

After walking around and understanding the area, Shen Lanxi decided to return and station troops.

Not far from the city gate, they saw a group under attack.

They recognized the besieged—Ban Sicao and his attendants.

“Master, we should keep our distance. That man is not ordinary!” Qian Feng warned, referring to Ban Sicao.

“When I was in the southwest, the mountains were treacherous and filled with poisonous mists. Many locals mastered toxins—we suffered losses because of them!” Qian Feng said cautiously.

Shen Lanxi watched Ban Sicao; wherever he swept his fingers, people fell in clusters.

Unfortunately, there were more attackers than defenders.

Zhao Chengkai’s sharp eyes recognized the attackers as Imperial Guards but said nothing.

“Let’s go. Weren’t we supposed to station troops in Liucheng? If we delay, it’ll get dark!” Zhao Chengkai urged.

Liu Yanhui: “Master, should we help them?”

Zhao Chengkai frowned: “Don’t get yourselves into trouble!”

The others gave him a displeased look—who gave Zhao Chengkai the courage to interfere with their Master?

Shen Lanxi observed for a moment and said: “You stay here. I’ll go save them.”

Zhao Chengkai wanted to warn her not to meddle, but then thought—if she wanted to risk death, let her. So many witnesses were around to testify.

Once Shen Lanxi died, he could maneuver to take control of the pacification army.

His real mission was to take command of the army on the Emperor’s secret orders; the role of monitor-general was merely a ruse for these incompetent men.

“Not going to stop her at all?” Zhao Chengkai fretted after she left.

The others were calm.

“No need!”

Zhao Chengkai refused to believe that a woman, no matter how capable, could have extraordinary skill.

Over a hundred Imperial Guards awaited—each could take on hundreds!

He hadn’t seen Shen Lanxi act since arriving; he assumed her position was due entirely to her male aides.

A woman relying on beauty could only charm a few men—not so many in broad daylight.

Just thinking of Shen Lanxi’s face and figure, Zhao Chengkai felt uneasy.

But just as he lamented the possible death of such a beauty, he witnessed a shocking sight.

Shen Lanxi strolled casually, as if in her own backyard, swinging a long staff—sweeping enemies aside!

A single swing knocked down a crowd, another swing sent people flying five or six meters like rag dolls, landing heavily.

Those who hit the ground didn’t even struggle—their fates unknown.

Shen Lanxi’s staff whistled, eyes sharp, scanning those too cautious to approach.

“I’m saving this person today.”

“If you don’t leave, you die!”

One leader of the attackers threatened: “Do you know who we are? How dare you interfere?”

Shen Lanxi: “Don’t understand me?”

Ban Sicao and his attendants were injured; the attendants more severely, Ban Sicao less.

“Thank you, I’ll remember this and repay you someday!”

Shen Lanxi: “Consider it payment for your braised meat.”

Ban Sicao’s eyes gleamed: “Fine, we’re even.”

Then he coldly glared at the attackers.

“You’ve all been poisoned with my ‘Three-Breath Powder.’ In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, it will kill you all!”

The attackers neither left nor spoke.

Ban Sicao sneered: “I’m doing one good deed today—leave now, and I spare you.”

The leader hesitated: “If we leave now, will you give us the antidote?”

Ban Sicao: “I don’t need antidotes. Leave now, or I’ll kill you myself!”

After a brief hesitation, the attackers fled with their fallen comrades.

Once they left, Ban Sicao looked at Shen Lanxi curiously.

“You weren’t poisoned?”

Shen Lanxi turned and left.

“Hey, how could you possibly not be poisoned? Impossible!”

“Wait, stop!”

Ban Sicao rushed to grab her hand—but a staff pressed against his chest.

“I can save you, and I can kill you!”

Ban Sicao stared at the glinting staff, recalling the cracking bones earlier, and shivered involuntarily.

He had never seen a woman like this. Interesting.

“Are you here to see the Guigu heir? I know where he is. If you tell me why you weren’t poisoned, I’ll tell you where Song Daoxi is.”