"My dear, what’s that whirring noise?" The Phonograph couldn’t quite understand.
"THRRRUMMM~ THRRRUMMM~" Li Banfeng tried to imitate the sound a few times.
"Is it the wind?"
"It’s not the wind. It’s very loud; it makes your chest hurt."
"How long did it last?"
"About two minutes."
PANT, PANT. The Phonograph pondered for a moment, its needle trembling; then, from the Big Horn in the middle, a low hum sounded: "THRRRUMMM~ HUMMM~"
"My dear, is it this sound?"
"Exactly, my love, that’s the sound."
THRRRUMMM! THRRRUMMM!
"My dear, that’s the Local Horn! How did you hear that sound? Have you been clearing land in the New Land?"
His wife had guessed it, and naturally, Li Banfeng didn’t deny it. "I did indeed clear a piece of wasteland in the New Land."
"Ordinary creatures can’t hear the Local Horn; only the subordinates of the Local Deity can. The Local Deity is calling for war! This is very rare; it might not happen even once in decades. My dear, do you want to join the war?"
"Can I choose not to join?"
"Why couldn’t you? You’re not like the other creatures of the New Land; you weren’t born and raised there. If it comes to it, you can just give up the land."
"What if I still want this piece of land?"
"Ah, my dear, it’s truly difficult for you to give up anything you’ve worked hard to earn. If you’re reluctant to part with the land, then you’ll need to join the war. However, you can choose to only defend your territory and not go on expeditions. Just send people to guard your own plot. According to the contract, as long as the Local Deity wins, the land is still yours."
"What if the Local Deity loses?"
"If the Local Deity loses, you better run for your life. All contracts will become void, and the land won’t be yours anymore."
"My dear, if the Local Deity asks you to go on an expedition, you must not agree. He might promise you many benefits, but they are not so easy to claim. Once you’re on the battlefield, your life is no longer your own. You must listen to me, my dear; you absolutely cannot go."
Having made up his mind, he heard the Phonograph saying, "My dear, that bitch Red Lotus seems to be up to something these past few days. The Insect Leader is too strong for her, and she appears to be struggling. I’m afraid she won’t be able to complete the Elixir. When you have a moment, go and check on that bitch. I’m extremely tired, so I’ll go to sleep first."
PANT, PANT. His wife fell asleep.
After such a long time, the insect’s head still hadn’t been digested. Li Banfeng was also worried. When he went into the outer room, he saw Red Lotus’s leaves trembling.
Li Banfeng went to the Fifth Room, took out the Wine Gourd, Clock Pendulum, Tang Sword, Earrings, and Teapot, and placed them all on the table before returning to the outer room.
Everything was cleared away, and the Lotus Flower bloomed quietly.
HO HAHA HAHA!
Li Banfeng revealed a ferocious smile, quietly waiting for the Lotus Seed to explode.
CRACK! An Elixir popped out of the Lotus Seed.
Li Banfeng’s smile froze.
"Ah Lian, did you secretly keep the good stuff for yourself? Such a big insect head, calling itself an Insect Leader, even claiming to be more formidable than the Local Deity, and this is all you refined for me?"
Red Lotus was drenched in dewdrops. They were not drool, but tears of grievance.
It was an extraordinary Elixir. The rich fragrance of the medicine quickly spread, filling the entire outer room with a refreshing aroma.
Li Banfeng realized this Elixir was out of the ordinary. Red Lotus whipped up a whirlwind and swiftly drew the fragrant air into its Lotus Heart. The Lotus Leaf kept trembling, reminding Li Banfeng to quickly stow the Elixir away.
Li Banfeng found a cloth bag to store the Elixir, but the fragrance still escaped. He then found a wooden box for it, but it still couldn’t contain the aroma. The Lotus Heart blew over a few sheets of paper, and Li Banfeng wrapped the box with several layers. This time, he finally managed to envelop the fragrance.
Red Lotus’s leaves curled back and forth, signaling Li Banfeng to leave the Portable Residence quickly.
The Lotus Leaf swung back and forth. After a long while, Li Banfeng understood Red Lotus’s intention.
"But what if my wife asks about the whereabouts of the Insect Leader’s head? How would that be explained?"
From within Red Lotus, another Lotus Seed emerged. It exploded directly in the Lotus Heart, turning to nothingness.
Li Banfeng patted Red Lotus, and Red Lotus shyly curled her leaves.
Li Banfeng grew more excited as he thought about it. He took the Elixir, left the outer room, and entered the main house.
Passing by the Phonograph, its breathing became rapid, as if it were about to wake up.
Li Banfeng quickened his steps to the door. Just as he was about to open it, he heard a CLANG! The Judge’s Pen fell from his waist to the ground.
The Judge’s Pen didn’t know how it had suddenly fallen out either and, in fright, exclaimed, "AH!"
The two noises woke his wife.
CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER!
"My dear, where are you going? Oh, my~ What is this delightful scent?"
「...」
「Bitter Vegetable Manor.」
Bitter Granny was picking bitter vegetables when suddenly a leaf fell to the ground.
Bitter Granny picked up the leaf and glanced at it. "Has that lad used up his first streak of luck so quickly? What has he encountered?"
Bitter Granny continued to pick vegetables.