The journey back was extremely smooth, with only a slight delay in the caves.
This time, he didn’t encounter Ma Lu and steadily made his way out on his own.
Taking advantage of the rest, Li Banfeng took a Blue Leaf Pill and then a Gold Yuan Pill. Once he had recovered sufficiently, he hurried on his way.
Passing Bloody Fang Mountain, Li Banfeng took the same path Lin Li had once traveled. He encountered no Blood Fang Monsters. Once clear of the Sanpan River, Li Banfeng was no longer restricted and sprinted with all his might back to Li Gou.
He had intended to visit Feng’s Grocery Store first, to see if Shopkeeper Feng could arrange a Guide Token to Greenwater Bay, as wandering about in New Land was quite dangerous.
Just as he arrived at the entrance of the Yu Family Cloth Store, Yu Nan was standing in the doorway. Her face lit up with joy as she said, "Seventh Master, you’ve really come!"
Li Banfeng paused at the entrance of the cloth store, looking at Yu Nan in surprise. "How did you know I was coming?"
Without a word, Yu Nan grabbed Li Banfeng’s hand and led him into the shop. They went through to the backyard, where she opened a door to a room. Inside sat a disheveled old man with gray hair and a beard.
After leading Li Banfeng in, Yu Nan quickly left the room. Old Master Yao took out a wine jug, poured two bowls of wine, and gestured for Li Banfeng to sit.
"Young man, this business trip must have been hard on you."
Li Banfeng shook his head slightly. "The business trip itself wasn’t tough; delivering medicine is hardly a difficult task. Any hardship was of my own making."
Elder Yao laughed. "That’s not quite right. If it hadn’t been for your desperate efforts to control the insect plague, that old dog Pan Dehai would surely have continued to cause trouble. And if he had really released those insects, who knows how many people would have perished throughout Puluo State."
"I’ve asked you here today for two reasons. First, to formally hand over the Wine Gourd. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to handle things, so the Contract Book for the Wine Gourd remained with me. Second, I want to give you an extra reward. What would you like?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "You’ve already given me what was due. I don’t really want anything more."
"When I say I’ll give you something, I mean it. Think carefully. I’ll settle matters with the Gourd first."
The Gourd rubbed against Li Banfeng, awaiting his approval.
Li Banfeng placed the Gourd on the table.
"Should I step out?" Li Banfeng asked as he was about to get up, but Elder Yao waved his hand.
"Young man, just stay seated. I simply want to hear her account of how the insects were eradicated. I won’t ask about anything else."
Pan Dehai had told Elder Yao his version of the eradication. However, Elder Yao, fearing Pan Dehai might not have told the whole truth, also consulted the Wine Gourd for confirmation.
The Wine Gourd recounted the events in detail. She spoke only of the insect eradication, not mentioning the Portable Residence or anything within it.
Once the matter was clarified, Elder Yao sighed lightly. "I knew it. No poison in this world can truly exterminate an entire species. In the end, it still comes down to the disciples of Green Flower."
Saying this, Elder Yao took out a Contract Book and, in front of Li Banfeng, burned it to ashes.
Li Banfeng was curious about the Contract Book. "Do Magical Treasures and their masters always need to establish a contract?"
Elder Yao shook his head. "Low-level Magical Treasures don’t. For high-level ones, if they can be controlled, a contract isn’t needed either. The Gourd has followed me for many years. To be honest, I was never certain I could truly control her. As for affection, I’m not one to trust in such emotions."
With the Contract Book destroyed, the Gourd returned to Li Banfeng’s side.
Elder Yao didn’t ask whether Li Banfeng would sign a contract with the Wine Gourd, nor was it his place to interfere.
"Have you thought of a reward yet? Don’t say you don’t want one. I really dislike owing favors."
Li Banfeng had indeed thought of something. "I managed to acquire an Intestinal Wheelworm and plan to gift it to a friend. I’m not sure what preparations are necessary."
"Intestinal Wheelworm?" Elder Yao’s eyebrows knit together. "Pan Dehai gave it to you, right?"
Li Banfeng nodded.
Elder Yao gave a wry smile. "That old scoundrel, he’s always making things difficult! You’re not a Food Cultivator. Giving that to you is clearly asking for trouble."
"I want to give it to a Food Cultivator."
"You mean that plump fellow? His cultivation level is still at the First Layer, right?"
Li Banfeng nodded again.
Elder Yao produced a packet of Medicinal Powder and a wine jug. He poured the powder into the jug, filled it with liquor, and said, "Let the plump fellow drink this wine first, then have him eat the Intestinal Wheelworm. Tell him that if, one day, he can’t bear it anymore, he should come find me. I can extract the Intestinal Wheelworm, but he’ll need to figure out what to do with it afterward."
Elder Yao shook his head. "Being a bit hungry is good for Food Cultivators. The more they eat, the faster their cultivation level grows. I’m more worried he won’t be able to afford it, as that plump fellow isn’t the brightest, nor does he seem like someone who’s good at making money. In half a year to a year, he could eat himself into poverty."
Li Banfeng accepted the Medicinal Liquor. He shared a few more drinks with Elder Yao and they chatted idly for a while.
Hearing the sound of bells outside, Old Yao stood up, wiped his mouth, and said, "I should go. My ride is here. You should have a meal and some drinks with that Yu girl, and then get some sleep with her. She misses you quite a bit."
Li Banfeng answered very seriously, "Eating and drinking are fine, but isn’t sleeping together a bit inappropriate?"
Elder Yao spoke righteously, "How is it inappropriate? Don’t you sleep at night? It’s a cold night; just share a blanket with her. Huddling together will keep you both warm, and I’m not asking you to do anything else!"
"That works," Li Banfeng agreed.