Beneath the gentle caress of Steam, Li Banfeng slowly opened his eyes.
"Hey there, husband, you’re finally awake!"
Steam helped Li Banfeng sit up on the bed.
Li Banfeng rubbed his throbbing head and asked the Phonograph, "What did I just hear?"
"An indescribable sound."
"Can I listen to it one more time?"
"Hey there, husband, if you listen again, your Little Servant will be widowed."
"Why can’t I listen again? Is it because this house is too high up?"
"Yes, husband, it’s high and unfathomable."
"But I did hear some sounds just now."
"This, this..." The Phonograph couldn’t explain either. "Perhaps it’s because the house isn’t too shy; it deliberately let you catch some clues. Husband, the use of a magical treasure always comes with a cost. The earrings’ cost isn’t much, but if used too often, you will hear strange sounds. Some can be heard without consequence, but others can bring disaster. Please be very careful, husband."
Li Banfeng still thought about other things in his home that might have a Spirit Attribute.
Anything with a Spirit Attribute had already been refined by the Copper Lotus Flower.
The Phonograph hinted from the side, "Husband, whether knowingly or not, that bitch Red Lotus just refined a Magical Treasure for you. Why doesn’t husband try it? Do you loathe the Magical Treasure? Or do you loathe that bitch Red Lotus?"
Li Banfeng took out the Earrings and held them to his ear for a moment, then shook his head and said, "There’s no sound."
"Listen more carefully, husband."
After another moment, still nothing.
"Husband, concentrate your thoughts by your ear, and listen more carefully."
This time Li Banfeng pressed the Earring close to his ear and finally heard some sounds, as if someone was speaking.
Li Banfeng pressed the Earring even tighter and barely made out the words.
It was a woman’s voice, whispering in Li Banfeng’s ear, "Sir, whatever you want to hear, just command me."
"I want to hear what my wife has to say."
"Alright, sir."
HEE HEE. The Phonograph laughed twice.
There was a continuous ringing in Li Banfeng’s ears, and he nearly became deaf on the spot.
He was too close to the Phonograph; it was as if he had added a super-powered amplifier to it.
Li Banfeng quickly removed the Earrings, and the Phonograph sang cheerfully, "Hey there, husband, your Little Servant is right beside you. There’s no need for such a treasure to listen. Wait until you’re dealing with something you want to hear but can’t before using these Earrings again. As these Earrings can pull strings and hook things, let’s call her the Silk-pulling Earrings."
Li Banfeng picked up a pair of scissors and asked, "Does this thing not have a name?"
"My lord, why bother naming such a foolish thing? Better give it to Red Lotus to make some Elixir."
He held the scissors to his ear for a moment and heard only one word: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Li Banfeng put away the Earrings and scissors, straightened his clothes, and left to catch the wind of Jiang Xiang Gang.
As he left, Li Banfeng heard the Phonograph start to sing a tune.
"Rose, rose, so delicately fair
Rose, rose, most radiant flare
Summer bloom on branches high
Rose, rose, you I do admire."
Inside the Portable Residence, the Phonograph moved the room’s clutter, item by item, into the newly created space. Then, it steamed and laundered each piece of Li Banfeng’s discarded clothing until it was spotless.
...
Walking on the main street of Li Gou, Li Banfeng looked for a place to eat.
It was eight o’clock; not easy to find a restaurant.
Despite its size, Medicine King Valley is but a town; without electricity, most small eateries were closed.
Larger restaurants were crowded and full of prying eyes. Li Banfeng had just blown up Jiang Xiang Gang’s dance floor, and it wasn’t worth the risk for a meal. After much deliberation, he chose Fu Wang Baozi Shop.
Intending to eat quickly and leave, he had just pulled up a chair to sit down when he heard someone calling out: "Brother Seven!"
Qin Xiaopang waved vigorously, beckoning Li Banfeng to come over and join him at his table.
This was exactly why Li Banfeng had been reluctant to choose Fu Wang Baozi Shop; Qin Xiaopang was almost always eating there.
Today, with Zhang Liuge busy elsewhere, Qin Xiaopang had come alone. Feeling bored, he quickly told the waiter to add two more dishes and bring out a pot of wine.
Having been recognized anyway, Li Banfeng did not stand on ceremony; he tucked into two baskets of Steamed Buns to satiate his hunger first.
After a hearty meal, Qin Xiaopang grabbed Li Banfeng, "Brother Seven, come see where I’m living. I’ve got a home now in Li Gou."
Li Banfeng followed Qin Xiaopang to his residence—Threadneedle Alley—a small courtyard with just one room. The house was rented, but Qin Xiaopang was quite satisfied.
Threadneedle Alley, the He Family Old House was on that street, and Lu Xiaolan was still in the house.
After entering the room, Qin Xiaopang brewed a pot of tea for Li Banfeng. Taking advantage of the time while drinking tea, Qin Xiaopang pulled out a cloth pouch from his chest and poured out twenty Elixirs.
Snake-Patterned Pills!
Qin Xiaopang handed the Elixirs to Li Banfeng, "Brother Seven, this is my filial respect to you."
Li Banfeng was taken aback, "Where did these Elixirs come from?"
"This afternoon, as I was passing by the Geng Family mansion, old Master Geng compensated me with them—that’s Geng Zhiwei’s father!"
Li Banfeng smiled, "His father gave in?"
Qin Xiaopang clenched his teeth, "He was all bluster before, puffing up and glaring at me, thinking he was backed by Jiang Xiang Gang and that I wouldn’t dare touch him. Today he caved in, invited me for tea, bowed and scraped, and gave me so many Elixirs, asking me not to hold a grudge. Later, brothers from the Three Heroes Gang told me that Jiang Xiang Gang isn’t looking out for their Geng Family anymore. That old man pissed himself with fear and came to apologize to me the very same day!"