But who can be expected to clear this land?
Clear land for Li Furong as Li Qi?
So far, only Oil Peach has come to clear land. Expecting her to clear a hundred plots of land was a formidable task.
"When did you join the Taoist Sect?" Li Banfeng asked.
Oil Peach laughed. "I joined at sixteen, so it’s been eight years now. I’m not far from the Second Layer."
The Cook raised his eyebrows. "I’m off to cook."
He didn’t have the heart to say it outright, but given Oil Peach’s condition, reaching the Second Layer was still a distant prospect.
Li Banfeng said, "Your cultivation level is increasing too slowly. You’re not very diligent in your practice, are you?"
Oil Peach sighed. "Cultivation depends on fate. Without the right person, who could I possibly find to practice with?"
As she spoke, Oil Peach glanced at Li Banfeng, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Li Banfeng gazed at Oil Peach, a hint of chill in his eyes.
Seeing Li Banfeng’s unpleasant expression, Oil Peach lowered her head. Her thoughts drifted to Xiao Feng, and she couldn’t help but feel desolate.
Li Banfeng reminded her, "You’ve interrupted your practice for three days. You need to find a partner quickly."
As they were talking, Yellow Butterfly flew over. Li Banfeng thought she would be a good candidate, though he wasn’t sure if Meng Yuchun would be willing.
Oil Peach, however, had no interest in Yellow Butterfly. To be honest, Yellow Butterfly’s appearance made her uncomfortable.
Yellow Butterfly wasn’t there to find Oil Peach; she came for Li Banfeng.
"A wild woman has appeared in Miss Meng’s territory, saying she’s looking for you. That woman is incredibly fierce."
Li Banfeng suddenly remembered He Yuxiu and quickly went to Meng Yuchun’s territory.
He Yuxiu gripped a python, asking, "Did you hear what I just asked? Has a man been here?"
The python was so scared it turned greenish, having no idea which man He Yuxiu was referring to.
Meng Yuchun watched from the shadows, her fists slowly clenching.
In principle, a Local Deity shouldn’t interfere in such minor matters, but she had a quick temper and couldn’t stand He Yuxiu causing a scene in her territory.
Li Banfeng approached Meng Yuchun and explained, "This is my younger sister. I apologize in advance for any offense she may have caused."
Meng Yuchun huffed coldly and turned away. Li Banfeng approached He Yuxiu. "You came so quickly?"
He Yuxiu dropped the python and clapped her hands. "Brother Seven, this place was really hard to find. Have you finished your business?"
After returning to Greenwater City, He Yuxiu had acquired a considerable sum of money.
But she was still wearing the baggy men’s clothing Li Banfeng had bought for her. She wore a plaid shirt and a beige suit, her hair tucked under a top hat, looking as handsome and spirited as ever.
Li Banfeng stared at He Yuxiu for a long moment, then grabbed her hand. "Sister, come with me."
"Where to?"
"To my place. I’m in a hurry."
"So urgent?" He Yuxiu exclaimed. "Uh, Brother, I’ve been traveling all day and I’m covered in sweat. Let me find a place to wash up first."
"No worries, you can wash at my place. I have water."
"You’re in such a rush, Brother Seven..."
Li Banfeng was indeed in a hurry. The more he looked at He Yuxiu, the more impatient he became.
Once they arrived at Li Banfeng’s territory, he said, "Sister, pick a plot."
He Yuxiu was startled. "Brother, if we’re doing it out here... shouldn’t we at least put something down? This ground prickles!"
Li Banfeng touched the ground. "It’s quite flat. It won’t prickle."
"How can it not?" He Yuxiu sounded a little aggrieved. "If you don’t believe me, lie down and try it yourself."
Li Banfeng looked puzzled. "Lie down for what?"
He Yuxiu lowered her head. "Well, even if I don’t lie down, my palms and knees won’t be able to take it."
"What’s there to not handle? Aren’t you a martial artist?"
"Even for a martial artist... this place isn’t suitable."
"If this place isn’t suitable, we can find another. First, tell me how big you want!"
He Yuxiu, confused, said, "How can I say how big? It depends on how big yours is, Brother Seven!"
"I have them in all sizes!"
He Yuxiu was stunned.
After pondering for a moment, He Yuxiu said, "I think a slightly larger one would be good."
"That’s right," Li Banfeng nodded, then added, "but not too big."
"Yes, if it’s too big, I wouldn’t be able to handle it."
Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "How about three li?"
He Yuxiu exclaimed, "You measure it in li?"
"Yes, one li, three li, five li—pick one. Just don’t pick ten li for now; that’s really too much for one person to handle."
He Yuxiu’s expression was dazed for a moment. She roughly understood what Li Banfeng meant.
「...」
For the three-li territory, He Yuxiu arranged the offerings and burned the Contract Book.
She thought Li Qi made a lot of sense: to hide from disasters in the New Land, one needed their own plot of land.
Li Banfeng, hanging on the Judge’s Pen, first illuminated the plot of land. Then, waving his arms, he floated to the offering table and ate the offerings.
A jar of sorghum wine and a whole roasted sheep. Li Banfeng’s appetite wasn’t usually this large, but He Yuxiu had bought these from the Cook.
The Cook’s skills were simply too good. Li Banfeng ate a considerable amount and stored the rest in his Portable Residence for his next meal.
He had also wondered where the sheep came from, and if it might be poisonous if it was from the New Land.
But the Cook assured Li Banfeng he could eat it without worry, stating that as long as it was an ingredient, he could remove any toxins.
He Yuxiu hadn’t made many preparations. A three-li plot of land wouldn’t be difficult for her unless she encountered special circumstances.
She wanted to find a place to rest, and Oil Peach had already set up a tent.
He Yuxiu was taken aback. "Girl, do I know you?"
"My name is You Xue Tao. A friend surnamed Li asked me to come and help out."
He Yuxiu smiled. "Alright then. Which Taoist Sect are you from, and what’s your cultivation level?"
It wasn’t proper to ask such a question lightly, but since You Xue Tao had approached He Yuxiu herself, it was only right for her to state her background.
"I’m a Lust Cultivation practitioner, at the First Layer."
"First Layer... that’s a bit lacking. Can you handle some chores?"
"Yes!" Oil Peach nodded vigorously, occasionally stealing glances at He Yuxiu.
Oil Peach didn’t recognize He Yuxiu. She rarely read newspapers and wouldn’t have had contact with someone of He Yuxiu’s standing.
He Yuxiu said to Oil Peach, "Fetch some water for me. I want to wash up."
"Alright!"
Oil Peach’s face flushed red, and her heart pounded as she ran out.
「...」
Li Banfeng was delighted, but then he felt a series of palpitations.
Li Banfeng waved his arms excitedly and flew over. Halfway there, the Judge’s Pen dropped him to the ground.
"Walk on your own!"
The Judge’s Pen rarely spoke so loudly. It was truly angry.
As Li Banfeng approached the plot of land, he saw that someone had indeed set up an offering table.
Two men were clearing the land. The middle-aged one said, "Brother, we still need to make some preparations. Even though a one-li plot isn’t difficult, it’s always better to be cautious."
"Leave it to me. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve never failed on a one-li plot. I have all the materials ready. Besides, Seventh Master recommended this place; there aren’t too many Strange Monsters."
"It’s not that I don’t trust you. Clearing land is just unpredictable. What if we encounter Wandering Monsters? It never hurts to be more prepared."
"The preparations I’ve made are more than enough. Let me show you right now."
The young man unstrapped his bucket and casually picked up a ladle.
Li Banfeng dashed over with all his might. "Root, put that bucket down!"
P.S. We can’t let Root clear land using his usual method; see Chapter 265 for details.
Dear readers, have a great weekend, and please give all your monthly tickets to Shala.