To this day, there has been no word from Song Qianhun. The peddler has not been seen since his last appearance at Iron Gate Fort.
Li Banfeng doesn't know how many relatives or friends the peddler has. The peddler mentioned having more than one lover but never their names.
Where else can I investigate?
The Inner State claims there's going to be a war, so perhaps I should investigate the Inner State. Chu Shaoqiang's information might have come from there, too.
Li Banfeng first went to Ma Wu's territory and found Feng Daiku: "I would like to ask Luo Lijun some questions."
Feng Daiku said, "Can you tell me what it's about so I can also provide some help?"
Li Banfeng replied, "The Inner State might be mobilizing for war."
Feng Daiku was doubtful: "That shouldn't be possible. They were just defeated by the Outside Provinces and probably suffered significant losses. How dare they now challenge Puluo State?"
Li Banfeng lowered his voice and said, "There's news that something happened to the peddler."
Upon hearing that something had happened to the peddler, Feng Daiku's complexion changed on the spot.
If something truly happened to the peddler, then the Inner State waging war would make much more sense.
Feng Daiku gave Ma Wu a few words of advice and hurried with Li Qi to the Soda Kiln.
At the factory, Feng Daiku approached the pool and sprinkled a petal into the water.
The surface of the water gently rippled, slowly spinning, then faster and faster, creating a vortex that sucked the petal to the bottom.
"Young Master Li, because we didn't make prior arrangements, it's hard to say when Luo Lijun will get the message. We'll have to wait here for a while."
Feng Daiku couldn't say exactly how long it would be, and Li Banfeng was anxious but could only wait there.
...
Portable Residence, Ninth Room.
Since the Old Man fell asleep, Miss Jiufang's voice had lingered around Red Lotus' ears: "That woman is spending more and more time outside; believe me, she's been gone a long time ago."
Red Lotus felt it was not just a voice lingering by his ear but also a trace of chill: "Did you use a technique on me?"
Miss Jiufang sighed: "If there's no trust between us, how can we accomplish anything?"
Red Lotus truly didn't trust this Miss Jiufang: "Once the task is completed, it's you who'll leave, and I fear you won't take me along."
"Didn't I say, if I don't take you, you can expose me on the spot, and then I won't be able to leave even if I want to."
"If I expose you, then you'll blab about the prior matters, and how could I stay here afterward?"
"Then just stay here forever; I shouldn't have wasted words with you..."
The two were in the middle of their argument when Miss Jiufang suddenly fell silent.
Red Lotus thought the Portable Residence had woken up and stopped speaking as well.
Before long, the door gently opened, and the Phonograph stood at the door: "Ladies, why are you still awake so late? What are you talking about? Mind sharing with me?"
Red Lotus said, "This young lady Jiufang thinks she's quite attractive and wants to be a concubine for your husband, but is afraid you won't agree."
The Phonograph chuckled, "If she's truly talented and beautiful, of course, I'd facilitate such a good match. Sister Jiufang, come out and let me take a look at you, see if your figure is nice and your appearance pleasing."
Miss Jiufang spoke, "We were just jesting. With my looks, how dare I compare to the Lady."
"Oh dear, I'm not worthy of the title Lady. Last time, my husband asked the young lady to translate a few sentences, and I don't know what misunderstanding arose in the process, making my husband so angry. Could you tell me what happened?"
Miss Jiufang explained, "Actually, I don't understand Lavshan Text, and was afraid the host would laugh at me, so I wrote something randomly. I didn't expect that there was an expert at home who exposed me, and I am indeed shamed, willing to be punished by the Lady."
"Punished? Alright," the Phonograph felt this idea was quite good, "Come out and take a beating."
Miss Jiufang said in a low voice, "Lady, please calm your anger. I have no physical form at present; this beating will have to be owed for now."
"Borrowed two copper coins today, next year the interest grows to three taels and three," The record spun rapidly on the platter, with drums and gongs echoing.
"Cursing a little servant with vile character, when grown will surely be an unfilial beast!"
This one line of song made Miss Jiufang cry out.
It hurt, it truly hurt. If the Phonograph sang a few more lines, it could scatter her soul.
But just that one line was enough to wake up the Old Man: "Sigh, we're all family; two hits are enough. Did you really want to beat him dead?"
It was obvious that Miss Jiufang had some means and the Old Man had some fondness for her.
"Since the Old Man pleaded, I have nothing more to say. Sister Jiufang, let the matter pass. Since we're family, let's use less scheming among ourselves in the future." The Phonograph closed the door and left.
Red Lotus unfolded the petals, feeling the chill in the room grow even more intense.
...
Li Banfeng waited in the factory all night when a giant river snail emerged from the pool.
Feng Daiku approached: "Miss Luo, you've finally come."
The River Snail Girl swung her antennae toward Feng Daiku and playfully asked, "Which Miss Luo are you looking for?"
Isn't this Luo Lijun?
Could it be her sister?
Feng Daiku couldn't tell, and it seemed only Ma Wu could discern it in a short time.
But Ma Wu wasn't there, so Li Banfeng could only hazard a guess: "Is it Miss Yan Jun?"
Luo Yanjun was delighted, "The Seventh Young Master recognizes me; he is truly a loyal gentleman."
As she spoke, she grazed Li Banfeng with her antennae.
Li Banfeng dodged the antennae and asked, "There's something I wish to ask, are you planning to march to war?"
Luo Yanjun paced beside the pool for a moment before responding, "I don't know about marching to war; I'm only concerned with acquiring territory. Lately I've been busy acquiring a lot of land."
Compared to Luo Lijun, Luo Yanjun preferred harmonious relations with Puluo State; she didn't want war and would try to give Li Qi some hints, but the premise was not to jeopardize her own safety.
Therefore, her words had to be interpreted indirectly.
Li Banfeng roughly understood her previous statement.
Acquiring land must be related to war, but the exact connection was unclear at the moment, though it was certain that the Inner State was indeed preparing for war.
Li Banfeng simply followed the trend and said, "Acquiring so much land at once, it must be exhausting, right?"
Luo Yanjun shook her head, "Not exhausting, just somewhat troublesome. To acquire land, you need soil, and for soil, you must dig a mountain. There is a mountain with plenty of soil, but I fear it won't be easy to dig."
Li Banfeng asked, "Is the soil too hard?"
Luo Yanjun replied, "Not just because the soil is hard; there's also a tiger on that mountain that's not to be trifled with. If the tiger is home, then I won't dig there, but if it's not, then I'm determined to dig that soil."
Li Banfeng was also worried about this: "Do you think the tiger is home?"
Luo Yanjun pondered, "I can't say for sure, but recently many of the tiger's leopards and serpents have been killed, yet there's been no roar from the tiger. I suspect even if the tiger is home, it's in some kind of trouble, possibly injured, or maybe even dead."
Li Banfeng knew this well, having killed many leopards and serpents.
Luo Yanjun continued, "I'm planning to catch an old fox on the mountain; if the tiger remains silent, it will prove that the tiger isn't home, or maybe it's gone."
Li Banfeng asked, "Do you know where the fox is?"
Luo Yanjun flirtatiously waved her antennae at Li Banfeng: "Foxes are cunning and hard to find, but since it works for the tiger, it will eventually be exposed."
PS: Is the tiger home? Where did it go?
Dear readers, vote for the Lord of Puluo!