Qiao Shaofen hastened along the road, with Li Banfeng closely following behind.
Throughout this journey, Li Banfeng walked with fear and trepidation.
He followed her all the way to a desolate village, where Qiao Shaofen entered a large house. Li Banfeng did not follow any further.
Li Banfeng did not linger. He immediately left the desolate village and spent a whole night back in the New Land, unable to find a suitable route.
Nearing dawn, Li Banfeng circled back to Wuqin Village, used the mechanism to open the Boundary, and returned to Qiu Luoye’s territory from the Proper Land.
The territory lay in silence. After returning to the Proper Land, people quickly resumed their daily routines.
By daylight, households began to wake up. Pioneers sought ways out, and Three-Headed People were busy repairing houses and tidying up farmland.
The morning remained calm, but by afternoon, as Pioneers rushed to get home and failed to find a way out, escalating arguments filled the territory.
Qiu Luoye told Li Banfeng about Wan Nianlao’s situation. Li Banfeng wanted to visit Wan Nianlao, but Shui Yongquan advised him to wait.
"Old Qi, you want to bypass through the New Land to get to Wuqin Village," Shui Yongquan said. "However, seeking Wan Nianlao’s help is useless now. The territory has changed, and even Wan Nianlao himself doesn’t know where Wuqin Village is. He even mistook us for people from Wuqin Village before.
"Qiu Daxiang fought him. At that time, Wan Nianlao was alone and weak, so he suffered a loss. If we go to him now, he will surely be on guard and might even set traps. We need to be cautious."
After much deliberation, Li Banfeng still decided to take a trip through Wan Nianlao’s territory. Just as he was about to set out, Juanzi invited Li Banfeng into the house.
"Seventh Master, there’s something... I’ve been hesitant about whether I should tell you..." From her expression, it was clear the matter caused Juanzi distress.
Mengzi impatiently urged, "What time is it? Can’t you see Seventh Master is in a hurry? Just take it out already!"
Xiao Shan also persuaded, "Sis, just show it to Seventh Master."
Li Banfeng stood up and said, "If it’s something I shouldn’t see, then don’t show me. Don’t make things difficult for yourself."
He did not blame Juanzi; he was sincere.
Juanzi stopped Li Banfeng and took out a map from her bosom. "Seventh Master, this was given to me by a benefactor, and I promised never to show it to anyone.
"I’m breaking this promise just this once by showing it to you, Seventh Master. Any and all blame should fall on me. If my benefactor ever finds out, let the punishment be mine alone."
Li Banfeng glanced at the map and immediately understood its importance.
This was a route map of the New Land. By following this map, Juanzi had walked from the City of Sinners to Qiu Luoye’s territory.
But now this map was no longer accurate because Qiu Luoye’s territory had become Proper Land, situated between Wuqin Village and the Ink Shop.
However, the map recorded the terrain of the surrounding New Land. Li Banfeng had seen some of the mountains and rivers on it the previous night in the New Land.
Juanzi was reluctant to reveal the identity of her benefactor, and Li Banfeng had no intention of inquiring further.
As a Traveling Cultivator, Li Banfeng was highly sensitive to maps. He returned the map to Juanzi after memorizing every route in just one look.
Shui Yongquan was still discussing with Qiu Luoye how to borrow a way through Wan Nianlao’s area.
Li Banfeng helped Shui Yongquan draw the route, "Big Brother Shui, if you’re in a rush to leave, we can’t hold you back."
Shui Yongquan waved his hand, "Don’t try to keep me. I really am in a hurry. Your place here has become Proper Land, but in my own territory, not even Pioneers respond."
Li Banfeng chuckled, "I was just about to discuss a transaction involving the Proper Land with you. If it’s not urgent, consider staying to do some business."
Shui Yongquan was puzzled, "Business? Shouldn’t we forget about that for now? First, you need to find a way out for your people."
"The business lies within finding a way out," Li Banfeng said. "Big Brother Shui, look at Big Brother Qiu’s Proper Land. Don’t you want a piece? I don’t have a whole piece to give, but half a piece is negotiable."
"Half a piece of Proper Land?" Shui Yongquan was confused by Li Banfeng’s meaning.
A smile broke out on Qiu Luoye’s face.
Shui Yongquan frowned, "What are you laughing at? Do you understand what he’s saying?"
Qiu Luoye shook his head, "I don’t understand, but there’s no need to. I trust Old Qi."
Li Banfeng said, "Whether it can be done depends on Brother Shui. The key is to keep our tracks hidden."
Qiu Luoye replied with a laugh, "Don’t worry. Old Shui may not be skilled in other areas, but his ability to stay hidden is a genuine skill. When he attacked my home, I didn’t notice a thing."
Li Banfeng smiled, "Big Brother Qiu understands. Brother Shui, do you get it now?"
「At night.」
Qiao Shaofen checked near the entrance of the New Land and circled around the Border Line.
She looked towards Qiu Luoye’s territory, her expression as cold and indifferent as ever.
Wuqin Village was small. After completing her circuit without spotting any outsiders, she returned to the desolate village.
At the entrance of the village sat a tall and burly man, carrying two loads of sweet potatoes and resting on a stone.