After vomiting yellow bile and then green, bitter fluid followed by salty water, until there was nothing left in his stomach to vomit, Li Banfeng staggered to his feet from the ground.
The record spun on the tray, and the Phonograph hummed softly, "My lord, why must you fight such a bitter battle?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "Winning means it isn’t bitter. Madam, please tidy up our home. I shall return shortly."
"Where are you going again, my lord?"
"To buy vegetables."
"Little Servant is not hungry today. Please don’t go, my lord."
Li Banfeng was startled. Looking at the Phonograph, he said, "Feeling sorry for me?"
The Phonograph coyly replied, "Little Servant cherishes my lord at every moment."
Li Banfeng smiled and left the Portable Residence.
The needle of the Phonograph gently swayed, as steam slowly spewed out.
...
Li Banfeng arrived at the helm platform’s main hall to find the tea on the ground had dispersed.
Shi Boyu was lying motionless on the ground. Li Banfeng did not rashly approach him.
First, he retrieved the key. Regardless of whether Shi Boyu was alive or dead, Li Banfeng had to get the key back. Otherwise, he would not be able to leave the helm platform.
Having secured the key, Li Banfeng then picked up the Teapot. A voice from the Magical Treasure whispered in his ear, "Are you cold? Would you like to warm up?"
Li Banfeng ignored it and picked up the scissors from the ground, then walked over to Shi Boyu.
He first took out the Iron Ruler and poked Shi Boyu with it.
Shi Boyu’s body trembled slightly. He was still alive, just unconscious.
Li Banfeng immediately opened the Portable Residence and threw Shi Boyu inside.
As for the manager who could turn into a ladybug, the Peeping Cultivation with Favorable Wind Ear, and those who seemed to have a cultivation level, Li Banfeng threw all of them into the Portable Residence, then headed to the second floor.
He wanted to see if there was anything in this building that he desired.
After checking each bedroom, Li Banfeng had gathered over five hundred thousand in cash.
Li Banfeng suspected he hadn’t looked in the right place. Returning to the largest bedroom, he decided to search again, but then he suddenly heard a soft chant near his ear, "Since you’re here, let’s bring an end to it. Let us fight to the death!"
Li Banfeng was startled.
Li Banfeng quickly created distance from the source of the sound, with one hand holding the Iron Ruler ready for an enemy, and the other hand holding the key, ready to retreat.
After waiting a while, Li Banfeng saw no one, but a secret compartment opened on the wall.
A Tang Sword about a meter long floated out from the compartment, addressing Li Banfeng, "The dark clouds enshroud the snowy mountains true, as the solitary city gazes upon Yumen Pass. The time for our final battle has come. Make your move!"
CLANG! CLANG!
The Tang Sword came out of its Scabbard, blade aimed at Li Banfeng.
The Tang Sword spoke again, "Generals dance with long swords aloft, gallant men’s shouts stir Jiu Gai! What are you waiting for?"
Li Banfeng replied with a wooden expression, "Aren’t you a sword? Why talk about dancing with swords?"
The Tang Sword fell silent for a moment before responding, "Once the sentiment is right, it’s good enough. Attack now, for today here we stake our lives!"
"No need to stake lives upon our first meeting. Can we do it another day?" Li Banfeng seriously negotiated with the Tang Sword.
"Why can’t we have our duel today?" the blade of the Tang Sword still pointed at Li Banfeng.
"I’m poisoned. The remnants of the poison linger, and even if you win against me, the victory would not be merited." Li Banfeng earnestly reasoned with the Tang Sword.
"Fine, I will wait for you until tomorrow!"
CLANG! CLANG!
The Tang Sword returned to its Scabbard.
Li Banfeng secured the Tang Sword and considered looking for other items, when he suddenly heard footsteps downstairs.
"What’s happened? Where’s the Helm Master?"
"The Helm Master is in the main hall. He hasn’t come out."
"What’s with this water on the ground?"
Someone had returned.
Li Banfeng pushed open the window, opened the Portable Residence, and threw the key over the courtyard wall.
By the time he exited the Portable Residence again, Li Banfeng had already left the Helm Courtyard.
While there was no one around, he staggered along to Paifang Street, entered String of Alleyways, hid the key in Qin Xiaopang’s courtyard, and then entered the Portable Residence.
The remnants of the poison still lingered, and this was no lie. Li Banfeng lay on the bed, drenched in sweat.
Of all the people he brought back, only Shi Boyu was alive. His Soul had already been consumed by the Phonograph, and all the corpses were sent to the outer room by the Phonograph, to be fed to Red Lotus.
HISS. HISS.
"My lord, why did you bring this sword?"
Li Banfeng said weakly, "Need you ask? It’s a Magical Treasure."
"My lord, Magical Treasures may be valuable, but you can’t just keep every one you see. This sword is more troublesome than the Teapot."
As they spoke, the Teapot suddenly interjected, "Are you cold? No matter what you say, I’m determined to warm you up."
The Teapot tried to spray water, but a cloud of steam spewed by the Phonograph pressed it down.
"Oh, my lord, this Teapot cannot be used now. Little Servant shall seal it first, and we can figure out how to deal with it later. My lord, this sword will not acknowledge a master unless you defeat it in a duel."
Li Banfeng snorted coldly. "A duel is a duel! What do I have to fear?"
"Oh, my husband, with your combat power today, you won’t last a single round against it. One wrong move could cost you your life. It’s better not to be reckless. Little Servant would like to fight for you. However, if I strike too hard, I fear I might destroy it, and if I strike too lightly, it won’t admit defeat. This is a very delicate balance to strike."