In a confrontation with a formidable foe, possessing a single technique, even just one, could grant oneself a tremendous advantage.
First, one must choose a technique that's easy to master; but which one would be suitable?
Having left the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng arrived at Ma Wu's New Land, where quite a few guests had come to offer their congratulations. Compared to when Chu Er acquired the land before, there were even more guests this time.
Sha Dingzhong, Rong Si Jiao, and Xie Laizi—several of the New Land's Local Deities—were all present, as well as Hua Manchun and Dou Jiyan, the Local Deities of Proper Land.
Pan Dehai arrived a little late. Feng Daiku initially wanted to avoid him, but Pan Dehai approached on his own initiative.
"Miss Feng, congratulations to you."
Feng Daiku sneered, "Old Pan, you must be joking. This territory isn't mine. What is there for me to be happy about?"
Pan Dehai said, "Miss Feng, you and Young Master Ma are deeply in love; is there really any need to differentiate between yours and mine?"
Feng Daiku frowned, "Is Old Pan mocking me? Young Master and I are not formally married as husband and wife."
Pan Dehai quickly said, "Every word I speak comes from the heart. Were I to open this chest, I would so wish to show you this true heart."
"Alright, I'll help you open it!" Li Banfeng arrived holding a knife.
Pan Dehai hurriedly saluted and said, "Brother Li Qi, a talent both strong and virtuous, and now a feudal lord in his own right."
Feng Daiku said, "Young Master Li, be careful. 'Strong and virtuous' is Old Pan's technique."
"Tsk tsk," Pan Dehai shook his head and said, "Miss Feng, why such heavy skepticism? I truly come without malice, merely seeking future support."
Li Banfeng held the knife, "Let's first open the chest for a check."
Pan Dehai quickly changed the subject, turning to Hua Manchun with fists clasped, "Master Hua, it's been years since we've seen each other; we must have a good drink later."
Hua Manchun, a middle-aged man in his fifties, wore a white long robe and white turban, holding a feather fan, looking like an ancient scholar.
Seeing Pan Dehai striking up a conversation, Hua Manchun returned the salute with a clasped fist, "Old Pan, we must have that drink, but let me first discuss some serious matters with Miss Feng."
Feng Daiku felt something was off, first glanced at Ma Wu, then smiled at Hua Manchun, "Today is a great day for Young Master; why are you all congratulating the wrong person?"
Hua Manchun waved his hand, "I'm not just here to offer my congratulations; there's also a matter I must discuss with Miss Feng. I heard you recently acquired the Soda Kiln's territory and have been running it splendidly. Perhaps you can't fully attend to the small area of Pants Belt Pit. Would Miss Feng be willing to let it go to me, Hua?"
Feng Daiku critically examined Hua Manchun, "Just now, did I mishear? Is Master Hua asking me to cede the territory to you?"
Hua Manchun shook his feather fan, "Naturally, Hua would not take it for free. Gold, silver, jewels, spiritual objects, magic artifacts—anything Hua has, you may choose at will, miss."
As he spoke, Hua Manchun looked directly into Feng Daiku's eyes, a hint of teasing seemed to linger.
Few would have the courage to do so; staring into Feng Daiku's eyes risks immediately succumbing to her Emotional Root.
This move by Hua Manchun was both a probe and a warning. He had methods to counter the Emotional Root as well as the Emotion Cultivator.
Feng Daiku shook her head slightly, "Master Hua, I appreciate your kindness, but Pants Belt Pit is where I began. Though the territory is small and remote, it is immensely valuable to me. I truly cannot part with it. Master Hua, perhaps you should inquire elsewhere."
The folding fan in Hua Manchun's hand stopped abruptly, his smile vanished as he gazed at Feng Daiku, "Miss Feng, were those words meant to taunt me just now?"
To be frank, today is a joyous occasion for Ma Wu, and Feng Daiku truly didn't want to bicker with Hua Manchun.
Hua Manchun has had his eye on Pants Belt Pit for a long time, and it wasn't a short-term interest. He has openly and covertly tried to take it from Feng Daiku through countless skirmishes due to their neighboring territories.
At this particular event, why insist on making his intentions clear in public?
Feng Daiku said, "Everyone here today is to celebrate Young Master Wu's joyful day. Master Hua, let us leave our old grievances for another day."
"No more leaving it for another day; today we settle this," Hua Manchun first glanced at those around, then at Feng Daiku, "Let's address the issue at hand. Just now, in our earnest discussion, I spoke with the utmost respect, without the slightest disrespect. Miss Feng, to reply with such mockery, what do you mean by this?"
Ma Wu, listening, didn't catch where Feng Daiku had slighted him.
Feng Daiku gestured for Ma Wu not to speak; she knew she had not mocked Hua Manchun in any word. Hua Manchun was simply picking a fight.
"Master Hua, blame me for speaking carelessly just now; if I have offended, I ask for your forgiveness."
"Carelessly?" Hua Manchun's face darkened further, "Are you saying I deliberately found fault with you?"
Ma Wu couldn't help but ask, "Master Hua, I'm not well-educated and not very bright; I truly didn't hear which words from Miss Feng offended you. If there really are such words, I will apologize with Miss Feng today. But if there isn't a legitimate reason, you'd be causing trouble on my territory on purpose."
Hua Manchun waved his fan and laughed, "I'm someone who speaks frankly; don't mind me, Young Master Wu,
Many heroes have come today to congratulate Young Master Wu, yet Young Master Wu may be lacking in discernment, thinking these heroes are here for him,
In reality, everyone here knows we're here to give face to Li Qi; we admire this young talent's capabilities, hence we're willing to lend him support. Old Pan, did I speak wrongly?"