Li Banfeng sat upright in the main room.
The corpse of Lin Dexing was laid out on the floor.
The main room was quiet. After a long wait, the Phonograph finally spoke, "Brothers and sisters, our husband has brought the meal. Let’s all start eating."
The voice of the Phonograph was very muffled, as if it was speaking through pinched nostrils.
No one in the room responded, so the Phonograph addressed the Clock Pendulum, "Sister Blood-Thirsty, have a taste first."
Blood-Thirsty bowed and said, "The Lady hasn’t eaten yet; we can’t break the rules of the house."
"We’re all family here, there’s no need for so many rules. Hong Ying, why don’t you have a taste?"
Hong Ying was putting on makeup in front of the mirror. When addressed by the Phonograph, she hurriedly responded, "I think Blood-Thirsty makes a lot of sense. We shouldn’t disrupt the family’s rules. It’s better if my sister eats first."
"I’ve said we don’t have that many rules in this family. Just eat."
"That won’t do. Even if family rules aren’t strict, military discipline must be observed. You’re the commander, and I’m your subordinate general. I can only eat after you have had your taste."
With a sigh, the Phonograph said, "Why bring this up? This isn’t the military camp."
"I’ve fought battles my entire life and am accustomed to it. In my opinion, the Gloves should eat first—he achieved the greatest merit in this battle." Hong Ying’s voice trembled slightly, and the comb in her hand shook as well.
The Phonograph agreed, "That makes sense. Where are the Gloves?"
The Gloves lay beside the Tang Sword, pretending to be a piece of torn rag.
The Tang Sword was stabbed into the corner of the wall, feigning sleep.
"Gourd Girl, you must be hungry, right?"
The Wine Gourd let out a full burp. "I drank a few extra cups just now, and the alcohol is hitting me. I’ll sleep first."
The Phonograph addressed the Projector, "You missed the last meal. Why don’t you start with this one?"
The Projector was an honest man. "Lady, if I eat this thing, art will be completely withered."
Li Banfeng’s face turned ashen. "Eat! Why won’t any of you eat? This person has an Above the Clouds cultivation level! You usually can’t even get a taste!"
All hope resting on Red Lotus, the Phonograph implored, "Red Lotus, our husband has kindly prepared this. Please eat."
Red Lotus told the Phonograph, "I don’t eat raw. This person is still alive."
The Phonograph let out a long sigh and began singing in a slow, lamenting tone, "Oh, what is to be done?"
Li Banfeng did not find the smell overwhelming, probably because he had become accustomed to it in Elder Yao’s manor. "Wife, you’re eating Souls; it’s different from their food. Can Souls even have any taste?"
The Phonograph sobbed, "Alas, Husband, who set this Technique? This person stinks to the very Soul!"
Li Banfeng left the Portable Residence, leaving everyone inside sighing and lamenting.
They found it truly unpalatable. Yet, if they didn’t eat it, the thing would just remain in the house.
「...」
Arriving at Old Yao’s Manor, Pan Dehai had already left, leaving behind a sugar figurine next to Elder Yao’s bed.
The old Gold Cultivator had not left yet, and Xiao Genzi was also standing by his side.
"Seventh Master, this is our Taoist Sect’s Grandmaster." Xiao Genzi eagerly stepped forward to introduce him.
Li Banfeng straightened his top hat and bowed to the elder.
The elder waved his hand and said, "Forget this Grandmaster talk. My name is Xu Han. I’ve just spent a couple more years in the Taoist Sect, and I’m a few years older than you. Just call me Brother Xu."
The Grandmaster of the Taoist Sect was indeed amiable.
Li Banfeng cupped his hands. "Brother Xu, what brings you to Medicine King Valley, if I may ask?"
The old man glanced at Old Yao. "I’m here to help him watch the house."
Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng fell silent for a long while.
Xiao Genzi said nervously, "Seventh Master, the Grandmaster wouldn’t deceive you..."
It wasn’t that he distrusted the elder or Xiao Genzi.
With the elder’s power, if he truly wanted to forcibly take Elder Yao’s territory, he would not need to deceive Li Banfeng—Li Banfeng would stand no chance against him.
But this concerned Elder Yao’s life and territory, and Li Banfeng could not feel at ease leaving it in the hands of a stranger.
"Are you Elder Yao’s friend?"
Xu Han shook his head. "Yao Xin does not make friends."
"Are you his relative?"
Xu Han shook his head again.
That made it difficult to explain—if they were neither kith nor kin, why should he help Elder Yao?
Xu Han fished in his basket for a while and pulled out a chicken feather duster. "Do you recognize this thing?"
Li Banfeng did recognize it, all too well.
It belonged to the Peddler, and at Iron Gate Fort, Li Banfeng had been thrashed with this very feather duster.
Xu Han said, "I didn’t originally plan to get involved in this matter. Considering the many people vying for Medicine King Valley, I expected relentless turmoil anyway. But I owed the Peddler a favor, and since he asked, I cannot ignore this."
Using the chicken feather duster as a token was a unique understanding between Li Banfeng and the Peddler. Now the matter could be trusted to be 80% secure. The remaining 20% still needed confirmation.
However, Li Banfeng had one question he really wanted an answer to. "The Deathgate Star came to Medicine King Valley, related to Inner State affairs. These three people—Green Flower, Pan Dehai, and Lin Dexing—did they also come on a mission from Inner State?"
"I can’t be sure why Pan Dehai came, but Green Flower and Lin Dexing were likely dispatched by Inner State. Yao Xin isn’t a Local Deity that emerged from Inner State; Inner State has long wanted to get rid of him. Medicine King Valley is also a special territory, which Inner State has always wanted to keep in its grip."
"What’s special about Medicine King Valley?" Li Banfeng didn’t understand.
In the unique environment of Puluo State, compared to other places, Medicine King Valley seemed perfectly normal.
"The specialty lies in Kuwu Mountain," Old Xu chuckled. "Young brother, don’t ask too much about this matter, nor should you investigate. Knowing too much is harmful and not beneficial."
"I promised the Peddler I’d stay here for three years and give that worthless Disciple of mine a lesson or two. Whether Yao Xin wakes up within these three years is up to his own fortune."
With the Greenwater Beggar personally entering the fray, Li Banfeng had no idea what to do in such a situation.
He glanced at Root and asked Old Xu, "The worthless Disciple you mentioned, is it my brother here?"
Xu Han shook his head, smiling. "Root is a good kid. He’s bound to achieve great things. The Disciple I’m referring to isn’t under the tutelage of Gold Cultivation but under Farming Cultivation."
Xu Han, not wishing to divulge more about his identity, sighed. "Via Farming Cultivation, enduring hardship until one becomes a force to be reckoned with, reigning supreme at the Fifth Layer as Feudal Lords. Over the years, my Disciple’s cultivation level has grown. By the look of things, he has set his heart on becoming a Feudal Lord, planting all sorts of miscellaneous things every day. A couple of years ago, he grew some watermelons and sold them everywhere, becoming a catastrophe."
Li Banfeng said, "Are they the type of watermelons that can fight? I’ve encountered them once."
Xu Han laughed. "This man is not short of talent. If he could be persuaded to turn back, he might achieve something in the future. If not, I won’t be able to keep him. Root, go back with Brother Li Qi."
Xiao Genzi looked at Li Qi. He still wanted to continue cultivating with his Grandmaster but was afraid that Li Qi wouldn’t agree.
Such a great opportunity, naturally, Li Banfeng couldn’t stand in the way. "Brother Xu, please let Xiao Genzi continue cultivating with you."
Old Xu shook his head, looking at Root. "Cultivation isn’t something that can be taught. I’ve given you all the guidance you need. You have ambition and perseverance. You’re sure to make something of yourself. Take my advice, go and make your way in the world."
With that said, it was clear they couldn’t impose further on Old Xu. Li Banfeng took Root down the mountain, found a hotel, and settled Root in, as his unique cultivation traits weren’t suited for staying at Qiu’s Pharmacy.
Li Banfeng also rented a room for himself and entered his Portable Residence.
His Wife had just finished consuming Lin Dexing’s Soul and was pressuring the others to sit at the table.
"What are you looking at! I’ve eaten, what do you all want? Eat, all of you, no one’s allowed to fall behind!"
Hong Ying gritted her teeth. "Even if it means you have to beat me to death today, I’m not eating that!"
"Then I’ll beat you to death, you cheap mare!"
Just as they were about to start fighting, Li Banfeng intervened, "If you really don’t want to eat it, just give it all to Red Lotus."
His Wife’s voice trembled.
"Oh, Husband, you can’t be so biased towards them. If this goes on, is there still any rule of the house?"
"Wife, have you ever heard of Xu Han?"
"Never heard of him."
A tightness clenched in Li Banfeng’s heart.
"Then do you know who the Gold Cultivation Ancestor is?"
"I know that. His name is Xu Jinkui."
Just as Li Banfeng was about to leave, he heard Hong Ying calling out, "Qi Lang, I have something important to tell you! Tell that wicked woman to stop forcing me to eat this!"
"What is it?"
"Xu Han is Xu Jinkui. They are the same person."
"Is that true?"
"I recognize Xu Han. The Gold Cultivation discipline was founded by him. He is a venerable senior among Cultivators. The name Xu Jinkui is a misnomer spread by the public. There’s no mistake about it. Qi Lang, please don’t trouble me anymore."
Still worried, Li Banfeng asked, "What connection does he have with Farming Cultivation?"
"He’s the Grandmaster of Farming Cultivation. Although he didn’t found the discipline, he’s achieved great heights in it."
Hong Ying’s account matched that of Old Xu. With this, Li Banfeng finally felt at ease. He looked at the corpse of Lin Dexing and spoke to Hong Ying, "This man’s presence here is also partly due to the venerable senior’s efforts. You can’t let his consideration go to waste, alright?"
Hong Ying sobbed, "I can’t bear such kindness. Qi Lang, spare me this once, and I’ll obey you in everything from now on."
Li Banfeng smiled deeply.
「...」
At the Jiang Xiang Gang’s Medicine King Hall, Luo Zhengnan sat heavily laden with concerns on the rooftop.
Mo Jiansheng had been missing for ten days, and his son, following his father’s instructions, had reported the news to Luo Zhengnan.
The Local Deity was in trouble.
Such a significant incident was unwittingly discovered by Mo Jiansheng.
Luo Zhengnan thought he wouldn’t make it back.
As he pondered, Staff Bearer Sun Xingbing came to report, "Master Pei from Green Smoke City has arrived."
"Are you saying Pei Yikou is here?" Luo Zhengnan was stunned for a moment, his face lighting up with joy. "Hurry, invite him to the main hall."
Sun Xingbing went downstairs to welcome Master Pei, and Luo Zhengnan’s smile disappeared. He muttered to himself, "Pei Yikou, ’One Bite Leaves No Ash’—a Fifth Layer Fire Cultivator who kills without leaving a body. What is he doing here?"
Instead of going directly to the main hall, Luo Zhengnan returned to his bedroom.
A few minutes later, Luo Zhengnan came out of the bedroom, his face wearing a look of shocked delight.
PS: It seems that trouble is brewing for Luo Zhengnan.
Thank you to Alliance Hierarch YaphetFan for the generous support to Shala and this work.