Li Banfeng crushed a small stone underfoot.
Li Banfeng had no time to review what had just happened; the furious Ma Lu, already on the ground, charged directly at him.
Li Banfeng summoned his Tang Sword, holding it before him, ready for a head-on clash.
The Wine Gourd acted first, spraying a mist of alcohol onto Ma Lu’s head.
Ma Lu’s head, about to crash into the sword’s point, suddenly stopped.
Perhaps stimulated by the alcohol, Ma Lu’s body began to tremble violently.
Li Banfeng raised his Tang Sword, ready to chop down on Ma Lu’s head.
The Wine Gourd stopped Li Banfeng. "Young Brother, don’t be reckless. Your sword won’t be able to crack its shell. I haven’t seen this insect before, but it’s very formidable. Even if we combine our strength, we might not be its match."
Li Banfeng’s initial estimation was correct: this Ma Lu’s fighting power was not inferior to the Straw Moth Lady’s.
Observing Ma Lu’s drunken state, the Wine Gourd said to Li Banfeng, "You can judge a creature by how it handles its alcohol. This insect handles its liquor well; it must not be a malicious type."
The Wine Gourd indeed wasn’t wrong.
Ma Lu swayed its antennae. It first tried to get up, then tottered and lay back down on the ground.
It didn’t seem drunk, as its two antennae were spinning in a seemingly blissful manner; it was more like it had been captivated by the taste of the fine liquor.
The Wine Gourd said, "Little Brother, step aside. Clear a path and let it pass."
Li Banfeng stepped aside, but the centipede refused to leave. Instead, one of its antennae approached Li Banfeng, waving incessantly before him.
Actually, this Ma Lu had always been docile. It was just nervous upon encountering strangers and had then been enraged by Li Banfeng’s series of actions.
Li Banfeng used the Spiritual Sound Technique and listened intently, barely managing to hear a vague voice.
"Tasty... want more... still want to drink..."
Li Banfeng remembered something and unfolded the map given to him by Elder Yao.
After looking at the map, Li Banfeng smiled.
"You want to drink, right? Carry me for a stretch, and I’ll give you another good drink," Li Banfeng said, beginning to negotiate terms with the Ma Lu.
It wasn’t clear whether the Ma Lu truly understood; it lay still on the ground.
Li Banfeng cautiously sat atop the Ma Lu.
The Ma Lu’s antennae quivered slightly as if it were uncomfortable. It flung Li Banfeng to the ground and quickly departed.
"Unwilling to carry me? Then I won’t give you any more to drink!" Li Banfeng exclaimed, quite angry.
This Ma Lu was very long. Its head was already far from Li Banfeng, but its tail was still outside the cave.
Li Banfeng had the Wine Gourd spray another mouthful of liquor; the fragrant, strong alcohol splashed onto the Ma Lu’s body.
The Ma Lu trembled again and paused for a moment. Then, all of its legs began to move in reverse.
It came back.
"Tasty... want more..."
"You’ve agreed to carry me?" Li Banfeng asked.
The antennae vibrated up and down; the Ma Lu seemed to be nodding.
Li Banfeng mounted the Ma Lu’s back for the second time.
This time, the Ma Lu did not struggle and carried Li Banfeng forward.
Li Banfeng had the Wine Gourd spray a sip of alcohol, which the Ma Lu evidently enjoyed.
"Drink this first; consider it a down payment. Once we arrive at our destination, there’s more to drink," Li Banfeng said.
The Ma Lu, carrying Li Banfeng, traveled for over five miles before stopping.
Just as Li Banfeng was about to ask, he faintly heard the Ma Lu say, "Rest for a while."
Walking in this cave was strenuous for the Ma Lu as well; it relied solely on its robust physique to hold out a bit longer than Li Banfeng could have.
...
In his Portable Residence, Li Banfeng’s wife had sobered up and was washing his clothes.
Inside the outer room, Red Lotus suddenly spoke, "Don’t you think there’s something off about that woman?"
She was referring to the Wine Gourd.
HISS. HISS.
The Phonograph responded, "Yes, something is off. She shows no fear; she must have experienced a great deal."
"You’ve noticed it too," Red Lotus continued. "When that madman brought her to this house, she only looked around and didn’t ask a single question. Later, when she met me, she didn’t ask much. And now, meeting you, she still doesn’t ask much. A person like that must be hiding something."
"Well, no need to worry excessively. We’ll just be a bit more guarded around her from now on." The Phonograph finished washing a pair of trousers, dried them with steam, folded them neatly, and placed them in the wardrobe.
...
「Hai Chi Ridge, First Ridge, Lu Dongjun’s residence.」
The Family Head of the Ma Family, Ma Wu’s father Ma Chunting, was discussing business with Lu Dongjun.
"Dongjun, we’re old friends. I’ve mentioned the tannery for two days now; you’ve got to give me some kind of response," Ma Chunting urged.
Lu Dongjun, holding his teacup, blew on it casually. "Big Brother Ma, didn’t I tell you before? For business matters, just talk to Old Wan. I’m too busy with disaster relief to attend to these trivial issues."
"I’ve already spoken to Housekeeper Wan several times, but there’s been no movement from him. I had no choice but to come to you," Ma Chunting said.
"Is that so? That can’t be right," Lu Dongjun feigned surprise. "Could it be the price isn’t suitable?"
Ma Chunting spread his hands. "It’s exactly the price you quoted. I haven’t haggled over a single coin."
Lu Dongjun smacked his lips. "That shouldn’t be happening. Old Wan... that man is just too petty. Leave it with me; I’ll talk to him about it."
Ma Chunting stood up. "Then I’ll have to trouble you with this."
Lu Dongjun didn’t stand. "I’m swamped with work, so I won’t keep you."
Ma Chunting forced a laugh and left the Lu Family Mansion.
The tannery he mentioned had originally been the Ma Family’s business.
When Hai Chi Ridge experienced a famine, the tannery closed down. It was left unattended until Wan Jinxian came to Hai Chi Ridge and acquired it for an extremely low price.
Now that the insect plague was under control and the tannery was operating again, Ma Chunting wanted to buy it back. However, he was told he could only purchase shares, and the price had tripled.
Ma Chunting disagreed and wanted to play hardball with Lu Dongjun. But with the various gangs in Hai Chi Ridge supporting Lu Dongjun, the Ma Family suffered a significant loss.
Ma Chunting relented and brought up buying shares again. This time, Wan Jinxian proposed a price hike, increasing it fivefold.
Gritting his teeth, Ma Chunting agreed, but to this day, Wan Jinxian had yet to give him an answer.
"Damn it!" Back at his lodgings, Ma Chunting was furious, seething, "I’m practically handing Lu Dongjun money, and I still have to endure his damn attitude!"
Ma Junjiang, who was nearby, commented, "You’re right. Lu Dongjun is far too arrogant."
Ma Chunting packed his pipe with tobacco and, clenching it in his teeth, said, "That’s just Lu Dongjun’s way. I can stomach his wild talk, but who the hell does Wan Jinxian think he is, daring to bare his teeth at me?"
Ma Junjiang nodded. "Exactly. Wan Jinxian is just a servant of the Lu Family. What right does he have to be so brazen in front of us?"
The more Ma Chunting thought about it, the angrier he became. "I don’t even know what Wan Jinxian is busy with all day! It’s impossible to get an audience with him. He’s too arrogant!"
Ma Junjiang nodded repeatedly. "That’s right..."
"Is ’that’s right’ all you can bloody say?!" Ma Chunting slammed his pipe on the ground. "This whole time, you’ve said nothing but ’right’! The tannery was our family’s business! Aren’t you ashamed of how things have turned out? If Old Five were here, would I have suffered such a huge loss?"
Having suffered a business setback, Ma Chunting found himself missing Ma Wu.
Such are the ways of powerful families.
However, Wan Jinxian had indeed been rather busy lately; even Lu Dongjun had difficulty finding him.
After Lu Dongjun sent people to summon him several times, Wan Jinxian finally arrived at the residence late that night.
Lu Dongjun frowned. "Where have you been running off to? You’ve vanished for the whole day!"
Wan Jinxian explained, "Business affairs have simply been overwhelming."
"Speaking of business, I was just about to discuss something with you," Lu Dongjun said. "The Ma Family wants to buy shares in the tannery. Are you aware of this?"
Wan Jinxian nodded. "Ma Chunting has brought it up a few times. I ignored him. Previously, I offered it to him at three times the price, but he refused and even stirred up trouble. Now he’s offering five times. I plan to keep him waiting for a couple of days."
Lu Dongjun nodded. "Keeping him waiting for a few days is reasonable, but don’t push things too far. The Ma Family still has its foundations."
"As you say, Master," Wan Jinxian replied with a smile and a nod.
"You need to pay more attention to business matters, but the insect issue cannot be neglected either. It’s time to make a move on Second Ridge," Lu Dongjun instructed.
"Master, rest assured, everything is prepared. We will proceed the day after tomorrow," Wan Jinxian replied.
"Good!" Lu Dongjun nodded in approval. "Get some rest early. You’ve worked hard these past few days; make sure not to overwork yourself."
Wan Jinxian left the Lu Family Mansion. He didn’t take a vehicle but instead walked around First Ridge to ensure no one was following him. Then, he headed to Shiweitian Restaurant and entered a western-style house nearby.
Inside the western-style house, Ling Miaoying, the third of the three Ling Family brothers, had been waiting for some time.
"Brother Wan, everything is prepared on my end," Ling Miaoying said.
"Thank you for your efforts, Third Master," Wan Jinxian replied.
Ling Miaoying then walked in with another man.
Wan Jinxian eyed the man intently and nodded slightly. "I can’t see any flaws. Let’s get it done tonight."
...
As dawn broke over Shaomai Street in First Ridge, within Wonton Alley, inside a civilian’s house.
The woman of the house rose early to start a fire and cook porridge.
Ever since the insect disaster struck Hai Chi Ridge, every household had been afraid to open their rice bags. Any remaining rice had to be sealed in locked boxes. Yet, despite such rigorous precautions, they still couldn’t fend off the mosquitoes.
But now, there was no need for fear. Second Master Lu had dealt with the insects. People could now boldly open their rice bags, rinse the rice, and put it in the pot.
This rice was also a gift from Second Master Lu; everyone in Hai Chi Ridge was grateful for his kindness.
"Drifting clouds disperse, the bright moon shines upon arrivals, a reunion full of joy, tonight I shall indulge." The woman hummed a little tune while rinsing rice when, suddenly, a sharp buzzing filled her ears.
BUZZZZ!
CLANG! The woman’s hands trembled, and the basin she was using to rinse the rice fell to the ground.
This sound was the nightmare of everyone in Hai Chi Ridge. Any resident who heard it would feel a shiver run down their spine, their whole body going numb.
The woman looked down and saw the rice grains scattered on the floor.
She hurriedly bent down to pick them up.
BUZZ.
A mosquito landed right in front of her, settling on the rice grains.
PS: Disaster looms for Lu Dongjun!