After a period of disagreement, the gatekeeper and Li Banfeng eventually reached an accord. Subsequently, the gatekeeper handed over three and a half Ocean Dollars to Li Banfeng.
With the money secured, Li Banfeng proceeded to enter the city.
A sneer played on the gatekeeper's lips. "Judging by your expression, a sense of dissatisfaction lingers. Let me be clear, three and a half is already quite generous. In my more stringent days, I would have only given you three. What recourse would you have had then?"
...
Li Banfeng finally arrived at the Changsan Book Residence. At the entrance, Yan Cui'er was engaged in attracting customers. Inside, Yan Qing'er's singing filled the air, while Yan Hong'er sat nearby, engrossed in a newspaper. Tang Changfa, in the back hall, was diligently managing the accounts.
The sight of their shopkeeper's return brought forth smiles from everyone. Li Qi's gaze fell upon the newspaper held by Yan Hong, and a frown creased his brow. "Is that not last month's publication?"
Yan Hong'er pouted. "I requested newspapers from Tang Changfa, yet he never procures them for me."
A sense of displeasure arose in Li Banfeng. "Old Tang, I previously provided you with a considerable sum. How can we not even afford a newspaper?"
Tang Changfa rubbed his hands together. "Coin is difficult to amass and swift to vanish. All of it represents the shopkeeper's hard-earned wealth. Procuring necessities is acceptable, but we must exercise prudence and avoid squandering it on frivolous matters."
Li Banfeng cast a scrutinizing glance at Tang Changfa. He recalled that Tang Changfa had previously received Huan Country Banknotes, followed by a sum of one thousand Ocean Dollars. Tang Changfa had even presented the ledger, confirming that the funds had been largely untouched.
Regardless of the amount of money entrusted to him, Tang Changfa's sole preoccupation remained securing sustenance and water, a persistent struggle for survival within Fool's City, which he deemed paramount above all else.
Reaching into his wallet, Li Banfeng first presented Yan Hong with a portion of the funds. "Go, purchase some newspapers. Acquire as many as you desire."
Yan Hong'er departed with evident delight. Li Banfeng then gave Yan Cui'er a sum of money. "Procure some wine and meat; select the finest available."
Anxious, Tang Changfa interjected, "Shopkeeper, the account holds ample funds. This expenditure on wine and meat ought not to be entrusted to Yan Cui'er; she exhibits a regrettable lack of frugality!"
"Remain here, and allow them their outing. Let them indulge their desires." Li Banfeng gently restrained Tang Changfa and then presented Yan Qing'er with some money.
"Acquire some new attire; select a garment for each of the sisters!"
Yan Qing'er left with a gleeful heart.
Li Banfeng produced a wad of bills and handed them to Sun Tiecheng. "Go, purchase some rouge and assist the ladies in their beautification!"
Sun Tiecheng peered into a reflective surface. "My current appearance is already quite striking. Is it truly necessary for me to engage in adornment?"
Li Banfeng recoiled in surprise and promptly retrieved the money.
Only the three ladies and Tang Changfa were present in the room moments before. Li Banfeng was genuinely unaware of when Sun Tiecheng had made his entry.
"Elder Brother Sun!" Li Banfeng offered a respectful bow.
Sun Tiecheng motioned for the three ladies to halt their departure. "Do not be hasty; step aside. I have matters of import to discuss with your shopkeeper today."
The three ladies obediently positioned themselves against the wall, while Tang Changfa ushered the other ladies out, who then stood in neat formation along the perimeter.
Sun Tiecheng addressed Li Banfeng. "When you successfully passed Fool's City's trial, I bestowed upon you a reward and imparted the Foolish Cultivation Technique. This instruction was not rendered gratuitously. We had a prior understanding that upon reaching an opportune moment, you would enter my Taoist Sect. That moment is rapidly approaching.
Your Qi cultivation has ascended to the Above the Clouds realm. I am confident in my ability to facilitate your dual cultivation practice without inducing cultivation backlash. Should you join my Taoist Sect, you shall stand as the sole living practitioner of the Foolish Cultivation. However, should you decline, a more profound discussion will be necessitated."
Li Banfeng responded without hesitation, "There is no need for discussion. My heart is set on joining the Taoist Sect!"
Sun Tiecheng acknowledged Li Banfeng's affirmative stance with approval. "Since you concur, let us commence!"
Li Banfeng expressed his surprise. "Commence with what precisely?"
"The initiation into the Path invariably necessitates the application of Medicinal Powder!" Sun Tiecheng retrieved a small cloth pouch, extracted a portion of medicinal powder with his hand, and inquired of Li Banfeng, "Where do you wish for its application?"
A moment of deliberation passed for Li Banfeng.
On the most substantial area?
Given the presence of numerous ladies, the act of removing his trousers would be highly inappropriate.
On his palms or the soles of his feet?
Harm to the limbs would undoubtedly compromise his combat effectiveness. To minimize potential repercussions, Li Banfeng lifted his shirt and indicated his abdomen. "Apply it here, then!"
"Very well!" Sun Tiecheng acknowledged and proceeded to apply the powder to Li Banfeng's face.
Li Banfeng clutched his face, a cry of agony escaping his lips. "Did I not instruct you to apply it to my abdomen?"
Sun Tiecheng let out a chuckle. "Regardless of your stated preference, it is invariably applied to the face."
"Then why did you solicit my input?"
"This was merely to forge you. A certain technique was employed to test your awareness."
Li Banfeng remained unconvinced, retorting, "If I employed a technique on you, would you be able to detect it?"
Sun Tiecheng, with absolute confidence, declared, "I certainly would!"
"Very well, I shall truly attempt one then."
Sun Tiecheng brandished a short knife, challenging, "Go right ahead and try!"
This individual was truly being unreasonable.
Li Banfeng clasped his hands together, crouched low to the ground, and proclaimed, "Today marks my ascension onto the Dao, a most auspicious occasion. Are you truly arriving with empty hands?"
Sun Tiecheng expressed surprise, inquiring, "What do you mean by 'empty hands'? Did I not just bestow upon you medicinal powder?"
Li Banfeng scoffed, "That meager amount of powder holds little value. At the very least, imparting a technique would be a more fitting gesture."
Sun Tiecheng let out a cold snort, responding, "Have I not already imparted sufficient knowledge? Gu Rusong has been under my tutelage for several years, and I've only taught him two techniques. You have already learned four from me; is that not enough?"
"Can he truly be compared to me? I am the paramount inner disciple, the sole living cultivator of the Foolish Cultivation path. Should you not bestow upon me a measure of care?"
Tang Changfa chimed in, "The shopkeeper speaks wisely; you ought to show him more consideration."
Yan Cui gently persuaded Sun Tiecheng, "This is a day of great joy for us. Bestowing a couple more techniques is entirely appropriate."
Yan Hong'er nodded enthusiastically, adding, "Our shopkeeper is the esteemed scion of this city. If you do not favor him, whom else would you care for?"
Yan Qing'er gracefully picked up her pipa, serenading Sun Tiecheng, "City Lord, allow me to perform a song for you. As the esteemed head of Fool's City, do not be so parsimonious in your actions."