Li Banfeng obtained a Guide Token, purchased a train ticket, and prepared to go to Loess Bridge.
Shopkeeper Feng’s elder brother, Feng Chongli, was still at Loess Bridge, waiting to conduct a major business deal. Throughout Li Banfeng’s investigation of the railway tracks, Feng Chongli was the most critical clue.
He didn’t tell Qiu Zhiheng the reason for his departure, only that he would return as soon as possible.
Only Shopkeeper Feng knew what Li Banfeng planned to do at Loess Bridge, and he accompanied him.
"My brother has a rule for doing business," Shopkeeper Feng explained. "You need to find a witness, and this witness must know both you and him. Not many people are aware of this rule, and he does not wish to tell others in advance. After negotiating business with him, many end up unhappy because they lack a witness."
Li Banfeng was puzzled. "Why must you find a witness? What if you don’t?"
"Without a witness, the business deal will undergo major changes. If he’s buying something, he will drive the price down, possibly by more than half. If he’s selling something, he will raise the price, possibly doubling it, or even simply renege on the sale. This witness is related to his cultivation practice. A business deal without a witness seems detrimental to his cultivation."
"Since the witness is so important, why not tell people about this rule beforehand?"
Shopkeeper Feng shook his head and sighed. "That, I do not know."
Though they were brothers and from the same Taoist Sect, Shopkeeper Feng’s understanding of Feng Chongli was not very deep.
Before leaving, Li Banfeng visited Elder Yao’s residence for a moment.
Wife had cut a vinyl record and said to Li Banfeng, "Give this to the Local Deity surnamed Yao. He’s a capable fighter. As long as he defends his home, the Deathgate Star should be no match for him. But the Deathgate Formation has already been established in Medicine King Valley. Just in case there is an accident, if he faces a surprise attack by the Deathgate Star, this record might come in handy."
The power of Wife’s record was beyond doubt.
"But Elder Yao doesn’t have a phonograph," Li Banfeng mused. "What will he use to play the record with?"
Li Banfeng took a spring-driven phonograph from Liu Fang. It had been bought from the Beautiful Voice Record Player Shop.
Li Banfeng often went to the Beautiful Voice Record Player Shop to buy phonographs. The phonographs from Amikan Country were compatible with Wife’s parts and were mostly used for her upgrades. If he found other foreign-made phonographs to his liking, Li Banfeng would also purchase them to add to his collection.
This phonograph was an Audrey model, and its sound quality was quite good, but Elder Yao did not like it.
"I really don’t care for things made by foreigners," Elder Yao said. "Keep it in the house. Just consider it a decorative item."
Li Banfeng placed the phonograph at the head of the bed and said, "I’ve wound it up for you. Just remember, when you’re in a fight, turn it on. It will be of great use."
Elder Yao snorted. "You think I’ll have the mind to listen to this thing while fighting?"
Li Banfeng then handed Elder Yao the adhesive tape made by Ling Miaoying and said, "Stick this on if you get injured."
Elder Yao examined the adhesive tape and asked, "Is this for sticking on people or on tires?"
"It’s a good thing. Keep it and use it when needed!"
Seeing Li Banfeng walk away, Elder Yao sighed. "I never befriend anyone, so why do you give me all these things?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a breeze stirred.
A leaf fluttered down. Aiming for Elder Yao’s cheek, it suddenly accelerated towards him.
Elder Yao swung his liquor flask, and two ounces of old liquor splashed out from the spout.
As the liquor passed over the leaf, trails of green smoke rose.
Elder Yao turned into a mist of alcohol, following the green smoke in pursuit.
After about fifteen minutes, Elder Yao returned to his lounge chair and grumbled, "Old dog, you’re fast on your feet!"
Blood flowed from his left arm, but Elder Yao paid it little mind, continuing to drink his liquor.
After a few sips, he glanced at the adhesive tape Li Banfeng had brought, chuckled, and said, "It’s the thought that counts. Let’s give it a try!"
Inside the Portable Residence, Hong Ying asked, "Medicine King Valley, that’s the old Bitter Medicine Pass, right?"
HISS.
The phonograph responded with one word: "Yes."
Hong Ying murmured to herself, "So that person really is Yao Xin."
Again the same word responded: "Yes."
"That old fellow is actually still here," Hong Ying said.
"He has always been here," the phonograph replied.
"You knew he was here?"
"I knew."
"Does he know you’re still alive?"
"He knows."
"After that incident, have you ever seen him?"
"No."
"Do you hate him?"
"I’ve never hated this old general. Among all the forces, he is the only one I’ve never harbored hatred for."
Hong Ying sneered. "Then why do you hate me?"
"You’re not like him. He was a qualified general. He defended Bitter Medicine Pass and has continued to do so to this day."
Li Banfeng and Shopkeeper Feng took the train and arrived at Loess Bridge. Of the entire train, they were the only two who got off at this station.
From the moment they got off the train until they reached the station’s square, they didn’t see anyone else except for the ticket checkers at the exit.
This place was exceedingly desolate.
Desolate as it might be, the territory was not small. Several main roads crisscrossed, with tracks running along them, reminiscent of Black Stone Slope, but tainted by an even heavier scent of rust and dust.
The strong smell was natural. The railway tracks were covered in rust, and beside them stood a Little Train, its decay even more severe.
Several wheels had been removed from the train. The few remaining ones, bearing the weight of the train, were probably left because they were too difficult to dismantle further.
As for the machinery on board, it went without saying—apart from the steam dome and boiler, anything removable had been taken.
Walking down the main street for a few hundred meters, Li Banfeng didn’t see any open shops. Only one restaurant had windows that were still intact; touching the windowsill, he found the dust to be over an inch thick.
This town was sizable, nearly the size of a small city, yet it was desolate to an astonishing degree.
Li Banfeng asked Shopkeeper Feng, "Where do we find your brother?"
Shopkeeper Feng said, "If I remember correctly, there’s only one inn left open in Loess Bridge. Let’s head in that direction and take a look."