Ling Miaoying’s stomach had burst.
Blood, internal organs, shredded flesh, and a mixture of undigested and digested food all spurted out.
Li Banfeng had been running frantically and had little energy left. Having been away from his residence for too long, his characteristic of not being easily detected wasn’t at its peak. The first successful execution of the Passing Glance Technique had also drained him significantly.
He stumbled and nearly fell. Upon hearing the noise, Tu Yinghong rushed out of her room, ready to attack Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng aimed at Tu Yinghong’s head and fired before she could react.
BANG!
The gun fired.
Ling Miaoying’s pistol was guaranteed to hit its target. However, due to Li Banfeng’s poor marksmanship, it didn’t strike a vital spot, only hitting Tu Yinghong’s right shoulder.
Tu Yinghong wore homemade armor, but Ling Miaoying’s pistol was so powerful the bullet still pierced bone. Before Tu Yinghong could steady herself, Li Banfeng fired four more shots in quick succession.
Of the four bullets, only one actually fired, striking Tu Yinghong in the neck.
Tu Yinghong clutched the wound on her neck, staggering back a few steps. Ling Miaoying shot her a pleading look. Without hesitation, Tu Yinghong jumped out of the corridor window and vanished in an instant.
She had escaped.
Li Banfeng didn’t know what methods she had used to escape so quickly. He also didn’t know if the woman would return.
Li Banfeng knew almost nothing about Tu Yinghong, but he understood Ling Miaoying well. Ling Miaoying seemed to possess an endless supply of Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects, always capable of pulling unexpected tricks.
The clash between Li Banfeng and Tu Yinghong had lasted just over three seconds. In those three seconds, Li Banfeng believed Ling Miaoying wouldn’t have been able to tend to the wound in his stomach.
He had underestimated him.
Ling Miaoying had indeed managed to treat his wound. He shoved his organs back into his stomach and slapped an Adhesive Tape over his belly, surprisingly sealing the wound.
During this, the Tang Sword and Clock Pendulum launched a sneak attack. However, a Light Halo manifested behind Ling Miaoying, acting like a shield and blocking both.
The Wine Gourd released an alcohol mist that enveloped Ling Miaoying; the shield alone didn’t seem capable of withstanding it.
At this critical moment, Ling Miaoying charged toward Li Banfeng. His shoes were special, making his rush incredibly fast.
Exhausted, Li Banfeng was a step too slow and couldn’t dodge in time; Ling Miaoying tackled him.
The two grappled. At such close range, Li Banfeng couldn’t risk using fire without endangering himself, and it was difficult for either to find an opportunity to use Techniques. It all came down to superior close-quarters combat skills and maneuvering.
Ling Miaoying pulled hair; Li Banfeng gouged eyes. Ling Miaoying scratched faces; Li Banfeng choked necks.
One was severely wounded, the other extremely fatigued. Neither could land a killing blow.
One was a Seventh Layer Peeping Cultivation, the other a Sixth Layer Traveling Cultivator who also possessed the skills of a Fifth Layer Home Cultivation. Such intense duels were typical among high-level Cultivators!
The Tang Sword and Clock Pendulum continued to struggle against the shield. The Wine Gourd clashed with the Steel Wire Rope. From a corner, the Projector adjusted its angle.
Although the illusion it created earlier had been decapitated by the Tang Sword, it could still fight. However, it was limited by the Projector’s angle and couldn’t reach the corridor, which was outside the projection range.
After adjusting its angle, the Projector could create a new illusion, one that could move in the corridor and assist Ling Miaoying.
Ling Miaoying had too many Spiritual Objects and looked to be gaining the upper hand.
In the stalemate, the White Glove suddenly dug gently into Ling Miaoying’s ear.
Ling Miaoying shuddered, giving Li Banfeng an opening to use his Techniques.
Li Banfeng abruptly broke free from the grapple, circled behind Ling Miaoying, and began dragging him into the room with superhuman strength.
Ling Miaoying’s eyes bulged, unable to comprehend Li Banfeng’s sudden change.
Li Banfeng was indeed using a Home Cultivation Technique: the Arrow Homing Skill.
Ever since fleeing Black Stone Slope, Li Banfeng had constantly felt the pull of Arrow Homing, worried he might never return to his Portable Residence.
With the Skill now empowering him, nothing could stop Li Banfeng’s homeward steps.
Li Banfeng dragged Ling Miaoying into the room. Ling Miaoying struggled vigorously, but the disparity in their strength was vast.
The Projector created a new illusion, but limited by its projection angle, the illusion couldn’t enter Li Banfeng’s room.
It adjusted its angle again, attempting to project an illusion inside Li Banfeng’s room.
Li Banfeng reached under the bed with one hand and retrieved a key from a crack in the floor.
Li Banfeng was ecstatic, his strength surging even more.
Ling Miaoying strained his neck and bit fiercely at Li Banfeng’s wrist.
As the Arrow Homing Skill reached its peak, Li Banfeng felt no pain. He twisted open the Portable Residence and dragged Ling Miaoying inside.
With their master gone, the Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects fell into disarray.
The Wine Gourd seized the opportunity to knock over the Projector, sending the newly formed illusion flickering outside the window.
The Clock Pendulum and the Tang Sword weaved back and forth, tangling up the Steel Wire Rope, then followed Li Banfeng into the Portable Residence.
The White Glove, seeing no one was paying attention, swallowed Ling Miaoying’s Projector and also returned to the Portable Residence.
Back in the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng threw the key outside the door, then collapsed from exhaustion, lying motionless on the floor.
Ling Miaoying sprang up, grabbed the Steel Wire Rope, and aimed to chop off Li Banfeng’s head.
Li Banfeng laughed.
Ling Miaoying’s hand froze in midair, caught by the Phonograph’s needle.
The Phonograph was about to play a slow tune when Li Banfeng preempted it, singing a verse from *Du Shi Niang*:
"My dear, are you terribly hungry? If you’re terribly hungry, just tell your husband, and I will make noodle soup for you!"
The Phonograph chuckled. "Hey, Husband, this isn’t noodle soup; these are top-notch ingredients!"
Ling Miaoying stared at the Phonograph and exclaimed, "A Steam Phonograph from the Amikan Country! How could it possibly become a Magical Treasure?"
A blast of steam scalded Ling Miaoying, splitting his skin and exposing raw flesh. The Phonograph was angry, its belly grumbling loudly.
Li Banfeng smiled. "You have a good eye, worthy of being Ling Miaosheng’s brother. But you speak too carelessly. This is my wife; how dare you call her a Magical Treasure?"
Ling Miaoying couldn’t understand, nor did he have the chance to ponder it.
The Phonograph was famished and devoured its meal with some impatience.
Watching his wife wolf down her food, Li Banfeng was very content.
Li Banfeng slapped his forehead, reminding himself not to let his thoughts wander.
He had some speculations.
Tu Yinghong returned to Xiaoyao Lodge to find a crowd in the corridor, mostly overnight guests and dancing girls.
They had heard the gunshots and fighting. Initially, they hadn’t dared to leave their rooms; in Puluo State, excessive curiosity could easily be fatal.
Only when the noise gradually subsided did a group venture out to investigate.
The gatekeeper, who had been sound asleep, was also startled awake. Tu Yinghong looked around but saw no sign of Ling Miaoying or Li Qi.
She feigned curiosity and asked the bystanders what had happened.
"Don’t know what’s going on. Just heard some gunshots."
"There’s blood here too. No idea whose."
"Not just blood! Look, what’s this? Intestines, right? And there are even vegetable leaves on them!"
No one around could explain what had occurred.
Tu Yinghong glanced into Li Banfeng’s room; it was empty.
She wanted to enter for a closer look, but the gatekeeper stopped her. "Back to bed, everyone! Stop causing trouble!"
Tu Yinghong was shoved slightly.
If she wished, she could kill the gatekeeper with a flick of her finger.
A few more flicks, and she could slaughter everyone in the corridor, then inspect the room thoroughly.
But she didn’t.
She knew it wouldn’t help Ling Miaoying and would only bring him more trouble.
Tu Yinghong quietly left Xiaoyao Lodge and returned to her small building to await news of Ling Miaoying.
At Lu Maoxian’s home, Lu Chunying and her contingent were also silently awaiting news of Ling Miaoying.
It was nearly seven o’clock, and the sky was bright when a Spy finally delivered a message.
The Border Defense Envoy had left the Book Residence, but Ling Miaoying was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Dongtang lost his composure and cursed his men, "The Border Defense Envoy is out! What are you waiting for? Go into the Book Residence and find him!"
"The Floating Life Book Residence is Chu Family business. We can’t just..."
"The Chu Family? So what? Am I supposed to be afraid of them?"
His subordinates went to the Floating Life Book Residence but soon ran back.
"We searched the entire Book Residence. No sign of Ling Miaoying."
Lu Dongtang was speechless.
Lu Chunying stood up and sighed. "No wonder Uncle was outsmarted by Ling Miaoying. This level of cunning truly runs in the family."
Lu Dongtang, unable to restrain himself any longer, stood up to retort when Qiu Zhiheng shot him a look. Blood rushed to Lu Dongtang’s lower body, concentrating in one spot, and with a sudden surge, ripped his pants open.
Clutching his torn pants, Lu Dongtang slumped back into his chair, hastily lowering his head.
Another glance from Monkey Qiu could have rendered him sterile forever.
With the head of the main family gone, the representatives from the other families also departed one by one.
Lu Maoxian sat in his bedroom, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Outside the mansion, Ma Wu said to Monkey Qiu and Tan Fucheng, "Uncle Qiu, Uncle Tan, if you don’t mind, let’s go to Xiaoyao Lodge for a drink."
Tan Fucheng glanced at Qiu Zhiheng, who in turn looked at Lu Chunying.
Lu Chunying smiled. "Big Brother Qiu, Fifth Brother is being so thoughtful; we can’t very well refuse."
Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "Alright, let’s go together."
Ma Wu gestured. "After you, Uncles."
Tan Fucheng frowned. "Miss Chunying is already calling you ’brother.’ Why are you still calling us ’uncle’? From now on, let’s consider ourselves peers."
The group headed towards Xiaoyao Lodge. Before they could enter, the gatekeeper rushed up.
"Master Wu! Something happened last night! Someone came into Seventh Master’s room, guns were fired, it’s a huge mess..."
The gatekeeper’s explanation was as muddled as the scene he described.
Ma Wu had everyone rest in the dance hall while he hurried to the rear building.
Reaching the second floor, Ma Wu’s heart tightened. He saw bloodstains, scorch marks, and other unidentifiable matter in the corridor—a fierce battle had clearly taken place.
Sweat beaded on Ma Wu’s forehead.
At Li Qi’s door, two men stood guard, barring entry to onlookers.
"Master Wu, it’s a wreck in there, and there’s blood. Do you want to take a look?"
Ma Wu pushed open the door and entered, only to find the room remarkably tidy.
The gatekeeper was dumbfounded. "Master Wu, it wasn’t like this just now! It was..."
SPLASH.
A sound of running water came from the washroom, and Li Banfeng walked out.
The gatekeeper stammered, "S-Seventh Master! When... when did you get back?"
Li Banfeng, drying his hands, said, "I returned last night."
Ma Wu, immensely relieved, wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He dismissed the gatekeeper and asked, "Did something happen last night?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Something did."
"What happened?"
"I haven’t fabricated the story yet."
Ma Wu looked exasperated. "Why fabricate anything between us? Can’t you tell me the truth?"
"I can tell you, but it’s not for others to hear." Li Banfeng produced a bundle and handed it to Ma Wu.
Ma Wu took the bundle, unwrapped it, and recoiled. Inside was Ling Miaoying’s severed head.
"Old Qi..." Ma Wu’s jaw dropped, and it took him a moment to speak. "The Lu Family’s members waited for Ling Miaoying all night, and you... you just brought him back like this?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Exactly. That’s why I need a good story. We can’t let him die so simply. He needs to... contribute a bit more."