Shui Yongquan sneered. "I knew he would do this. He charges when he sees people and splits his forces when he doesn’t. That blockhead only knows this one blockheaded tactic."
"Go to the canyon and make some noise, but don’t overdo it. Make Qiu Luoye send more of his men to the canyon."
...
Li Banfeng emerged from the canyon. Guided by the Silk-pulling Earrings, he found the wild boar hidden in the overgrowth.
"Old Pig, I have a matter to discuss with you."
The wild boar didn’t move. Li Banfeng thought.
"Old Pig, I see you."
The wild boar still didn’t move. he sneered inwardly.
"I have something good for you," Li Banfeng said, taking out a Mysterious Red Pill.
Old Pig smelled the fragrance of the elixir and stood up from the underbrush. "What do you want me to do? I’m not going to guard the canyon with you."
"I’m not asking you to guard the canyon. I just want you to help me move some stones—the bigger, the better."
Centipede Woman dangled half her body down from a tree. "We get elixirs for moving stones? How many do you want us to move?"
Li Banfeng smiled. "That depends on how much strength you all have. After moving the stones, you’ll need to move wood too."
Centipede Daughter shook the tentacles on her head. "You want us to help you set traps, right? My mother and I are quite adept at this, but you’d better not shortchange us on the elixir."
"Don’t worry, you won’t be shortchanged. Who else knows how to set traps?"
Two bears, six deer, three centipedes, and a python all emerged from the underbrush and trees, looking toward Li Banfeng.
...
「The next day,」
Li Banfeng stayed inside the Portable Residence during the day and didn’t come out. At night, he continued to use elixirs to enlist the help of the creatures from the mountain stream’s entrance to set up traps.
「On the third day,」
Li Banfeng was painting inside the Portable Residence.
HUFF~ HUFF~
The Phonograph’s labored breathing could still be heard.
The Clock Pendulum, stuck to the back of Li Banfeng’s hand, joined him in adding color.
The Tang Sword was being sharpened back and forth on a whetstone.
Wine Gourd smacked his lips. "I really want a drink."
Old Teapot laughed. "If you want a drink, come have some tea. There’s no way you’re getting any alcohol; it’s reserved. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow if you want some."
Earrings sobbed, "Master, I’m scared."
The Clock Pendulum spat. "You useless creature! If you’re scared, then don’t go out. Just wait for Second Lady to refine you."
Earrings cried out loud.
Judge’s Pen hummed, "What time is it?"
Three words! Even Judge’s Pen grew anxious.
Li Banfeng looked at the Month Plate hanging on the wall.
Month Plates were items still used in Puluo State.
It could be called a New Year painting or a calendar. A painting hung on the wall, with dates and solar terms displayed below it.
Li Banfeng’s Month Plate was over a meter tall, with a graceful lady sitting in the center of the picture.
Hearing Li Banfeng’s question, the lady quickly raised a dial. "Sir, it’s three-thirty now."
From now on, they would have to rely on the Month Plate’s dial for timekeeping because the pocket watch wasn’t accurate enough.
...
Xiao Chuanzi entered Ma Wu’s wooden hut. "Master Wu, I’ve just been to Seventh Master’s plot. Seventh Master isn’t there."
Ma Wu opened his pocket watch. 4:00 AM.
Ma Wu wondered.
Zuo Wugang said from the side, "Master Wu, I have never seen a Local Deity go to war, but I know this is a matter of life and death. Seventh Master has already left. You should set out too."
Ma Wu walked to the doorway, noticing Yanzi, Xianxian, and Qiaocui were all ready.
"Little Brother, when are we setting off?" Qiaocui asked.
Ma Wu frowned deeply.
...
It wasn’t until 4:30 AM that the Tang Sword presented itself before Li Banfeng, bowing deeply. "The jade insignia departs the Phoenix Pavilion; iron cavalry encircles Dragon City! My liege, it is time to set out!"
Li Banfeng looked at the Tang Sword, thinking it seemed like a general today.
"Can you make an extra cut?"
"It’s still three cuts, but now it’s Beheading with Every Blow!"
"Good."
Li Banfeng first equipped all his Magical Treasures, then went out to set them up in key positions.
At 4:45 AM, he returned to the Portable Residence and unfolded all 303 paintings.
Three were painted; three hundred were printed.
It wasn’t until 4:50 AM that Li Banfeng pricked his fingertip and began to sprinkle blood on the paper sheets.
After sprinkling the blood, Li Banfeng approached the Phonograph.
He first filled the oil tank to the brim, then gazed at the Phonograph for a while.
There was a speck of dust on the record tray, which Li Banfeng carefully wiped away.
"Wait for me to return."
Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat, took all the Paper Maidens, and stepped out of the Portable Residence.
HUFF~
The Phonograph’s labored breathing could still be heard.
...
At 4:55 AM, the Paper Maidens took their positions.
Left undisturbed, the printed Paper Maidens could last for fifteen minutes.
At 4:58 AM, as the mist dispersed slightly, Li Banfeng, hidden among the vines, could vaguely make out the enemy’s figures.
For the past two days, Shui Yongquan had been continuously creating a commotion near the canyon. To ensure his own safety, Qiu Luoye had consequently deployed sixty percent of his forces near Hundred Vine Valley.
He held the overall military advantage, so there was no reason for him to remain defensive. As the battle commenced today, he had personally come to the valley entrance.
Li Banfeng hid among the vines, observing silently.
In his mind, the name Qiu Luoye seemed more suited to a creature like a butterfly. Or perhaps a flitting Ghost Fire.
But this Local Deity, Qiu Luoye, didn’t appear as a Ghost Fire. He revealed his true form.
He stood on four legs, was over five meters tall, and had a large head, a long trunk, round ears, and no neck.
It was a Big Elephant.
Li Banfeng wondered.
WOO~ OOM!
At five o’clock, the horn sounded again. The Local Deities’ war had begun!
Qiu Luoye prepared to lead his men to charge into the canyon and battle Shui Yongquan.
His tactic was simple: if Shui Yongquan was in the canyon, they would engage directly. If his forces proved insufficient, he would call for reinforcements from the nearby caves.