Chapter 184: Cause and Effect

In the early morning, Big Head woke up and saw that his wife had already changed into formal attire and prepared breakfast.

“If you get off work early tonight, please pick up the children. Several companies are holding conferences at the hotel, so things are a bit hectic.” Since restarting her job, Miao Ruifang’s mental state had improved significantly.

Big Head nodded, saying, “I’ll pick up the children, and I’ll make dinner tonight.”

“Oh, please don’t cook. Your cooking… well, how would we eat it? I’ll cook when I get back. If you’re really hungry, just have some biscuits to tide you over.”

Big Head chuckled, “How about we eat out tonight?”

“No, thank you. I’ve already bought all the groceries for today’s meal.” His wife remained as thrifty as ever.

“Your work is also quite busy. Maybe we should hire a nanny?”

“I’ve only been back at work for a few days; look at how worked up you’re getting,” his wife said, clearly displeased. “While we’re still young, let’s earn and save more. There will be many more expenses in the future.”

Looking at his wife and children at the dinner table, Big Head felt he was the happiest man in the world.

First, he drove the children to school, then dropped his wife off at work. By the time he arrived at the bureau, Big Head was a few minutes late. In the elevator, he encountered a leader who lectured him about work discipline.

In fact, the leader was also late.

Back at his desk, a colleague nicknamed “Glasses” leaned over and, with a mysterious expression, asked Big Head, “Have you heard? Sugar Cube is about to be promoted to team leader.”

Sugar Cube, a Love Cultivator from the second floor, joined the Dark Star Bureau three years ago and has now become a team leader.

Big Head had been with the Dark Star Bureau for nearly twenty years, yet he remained an agent.

“That’s good, Sugar Cube is a good person,” Big Head nodded.

Another colleague, nicknamed “Bun,” also chimed in, “Brother Ming, I really don’t understand. In terms of cultivation and seniority, how can she compare to you? How can someone like her become a team leader?”

Big Head chuckled, “It’s fine, it’s good.”

Both Captain Chen and Captain Xiao arrived, and the entire team held a routine meeting. As everyone got busy with their own tasks, Big Head found a moment to visit the Yuezhou Third Hospital.

He Jiaqing’s ward was crowded with medical staff. An important tube inserted into He Jiaqing had come out, but how it happened and why remained unknown.

The attending physician told Big Head, “I suspect the patient might have moved; otherwise, this tube wouldn’t have come out.”

Big Head looked at He Jiaqing lying on the bed and said to the attending physician, “It was probably an accident.”

“Shouldn’t your captain be informed about this?”

Big Head nodded, “I’ll report it to the captain in a moment.”

He did not report it.

He merely wrote “all normal” in his work log for that day.

Doing so carried a risk.

However, based on Big Head’s experience, this matter typically wouldn’t attract attention, and he could bear that small risk.

Li Banfeng found a patch of wasteland. In Bitter Greens Village, such desolate land was abundant.

He sowed a bag of seeds on this land. These seeds had been given to Li Banfeng by the Cultivator of Tilling from Pancake Village, and they promised a harvest within the same month of planting.

Bitter Greens Village had barren land. After planting a quick-growing crop, this plot would need a year to recuperate, but at least the sixty or so residents of Bitter Greens Village would have enough food to eat.

Next year, they would cultivate a different area. Bitter Greens Village was vast; Li Banfeng had walked for days, covering thousands of miles, yet couldn’t find its borders.

Old Teapot said that Bitter Greens Village bordered every place in Puluo Prefecture, but Li Banfeng checked the map given to him by Shopkeeper Feng and couldn’t find Bitter Greens Village’s location at all.

Li Banfeng still hadn’t figured out what kind of existence this place truly was.

He decided not to dwell on things he couldn’t figure out for now; there was much to be done.

The Bitter Cultivators of Bitter Greens Village now held Li Banfeng in high regard. Carrying his Tang blade, Li Banfeng visited each household, and the Bitter Cultivators all followed him to the fields to work.

Bitter Cultivators were resilient and hardworking, especially when Li Banfeng brought out his teapot; everyone’s morale soared.

After the farm work was done, those whose homes were nearby returned, while those from afar pitched tents and spent the night next to the fields.

Qian Jiafeng and Ou Haidong returned to the same home. Mother-in-law Ku did not pursue the matter from that night, as it truly wasn’t their fault.

However, since that night, they had become much bolder, completely disregarding the rules.

Others were even bolder than them, such as the middle-aged woman.

She still didn’t trust men, yet she found herself attracted to them.

In the evening, Li Banfeng distributed alcohol to everyone. This time, it didn’t need to be mixed into porridge; whoever wanted some could take it.

In any case, the bearded man was responsible for this, so if Mother-in-law Ku were to blame anyone, it would be him.

Li Banfeng didn’t care either. Since Mother-in-law Ku couldn’t kill people, as long as he was driven out of Bitter Greens Village, everything would be perfect.

The next morning, three newcomers arrived at the White Food Pavilion, preparing to join the Daoist sect.

Li Banfeng stormed into the pavilion and, with a flurry of punches and kicks, chased them all away.

The uncle who served food hid in the kitchen, not daring to make a sound.

Today, the uncle was wearing a red padded jacket.

In the afternoon, as everyone toiled in the fields, Li Banfeng sketched nearby.

Indeed, his drawing skills had somewhat improved. The general outlines were good, and the details of the workers were passable.

Chu Er approached Li Banfeng, glanced at the drawing, and exclaimed in surprise, “You can draw? Could you draw one for me?”

Li Banfeng shook his head. “Your family doesn’t lack for artists.”

“Just draw one for me, please! I’ve put in a lot of effort for you lately!”

“Alright, shall we draw it now?”

Chu Er shook her head. “Later tonight, I’ll tidy myself up.”

That evening, Li Banfeng went to Chu Er’s dwelling. Chu Er was still wearing her coarse cotton clothes, without makeup, having simply washed her face and tidied her hair.

She sat upright in the courtyard, and Li Banfeng, holding his drawing board, meticulously sketched the lines.

“Do I look unattractive without makeup?” Chu Er asked, a little nervous.

Li Banfeng shook his head. “You look very good.”

“Am I being a bit silly just sitting like this?”

“Not at all silly. Just stay still.”

“Should I be…” Before she could finish, Chu Er shivered and quickly stood up.

Li Banfeng looked back and saw Mother-in-law Ku standing at the doorway.

As if she had expected his presence, Li Banfeng put down his paper and brush, smiling at Mother-in-law Ku. “Is it time for another tempering today?”

Chu Er quickly explained, “Mother-in-law, please listen. I was the one who asked him to draw…”

“Child, go back inside and wait. I’ll come find you later,” Mother-in-law Ku said, sending Chu Er away before turning to Li Banfeng. “You, come with me.”

Li Banfeng followed Mother-in-law Ku all the way to the wilderness. Mother-in-law Ku said to him, “Do you know that there aren’t many cultivators in Bitter Greens Village to begin with?”

“I know,” Li Banfeng nodded.

“Do you know that if you keep causing trouble like this, this Daoist sect will go extinct?”

“Really?” Li Banfeng smiled. “If it can truly go extinct, I’m willing to keep causing trouble here indefinitely.”

Mother-in-law Ku frowned slightly. “How bold of you, to say such things in front of me. Don’t you know that someone in this world must always suffer?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “I know, but one must always strive for a life of happiness.”

“Don’t you know that those who haven’t experienced suffering truly don’t understand what happiness is?”

“I know, but one still has to strive for a life of happiness.”

“Don’t you know that cultivating amidst hardship is also the righteous path?”

“It is the righteous path, but ultimately, people must strive for a life of happiness.”

Whenever the words “enjoying happiness” were spoken, a smile always graced Li Banfeng’s face.

Seeing Li Banfeng’s smile, Mother-in-law Ku recalled someone. “Do you know Feng Daiku?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “I’ve met her once.”

“Her name contains the character for ‘bitter,’ yet she detests that character the most. Later, some called her ‘Feng Pocket,’ and she wasn’t angry. Some called her ‘Feng Belt,’ and she still wasn’t angry. As long as the character for ‘bitter’ wasn’t used, she’d agree to any name. You and she have similar temperaments.”

Li Banfeng sneered, “She herself refused to endure hardship, yet she made me suffer quite a bit.”

“Did she harm you?”

“That depends on how you look at it. All things considered, I didn’t suffer too great a loss.”

Mother-in-law Ku sighed. “It’s karma after all. Do you know why you came here?”

“Are you referring to Bitter Greens Village?”

Mother-in-law Ku shook her head.

Li Banfeng understood.

Mother-in-law Ku had initially worried that Li Banfeng wanted to leave Puluo Prefecture.

When she asked why he came, she was also referring to Puluo Prefecture.

“Why I came, I can’t quite say, but staying here is quite good. Whether it’s enduring hardship or enjoying happiness, it’s all good.”

“Very well. I gave you a send-off once; now I shall send you off again.” Mother-in-law Ku grabbed Li Banfeng’s clothes and brought him to a patch of wasteland. Amidst the swirling sand, Li Banfeng saw a dense, black fog.

This was the edge of the New Land.

Mother-in-law Ku looked at Li Banfeng. “Do you remember how many times I tempered you?”

“Three times.” Li Banfeng had been severely beaten three times; he would never forget that.

“This karmic debt ends here. Happiness and hardship are intertwined; what’s owed must be repaid. Originally, you should have repaid more, and more harshly, but if I let you continue causing trouble, my Daoist sect might truly cease to exist.”

My Daoist sect.

She seemed to never mention Bitter Cultivators.

Li Banfeng blinked. “Sister, can we speak a little more plainly?”

Mother-in-law Ku frowned. “You call me sister? Do you know who I am?”

Li Banfeng thought for a long time. “I can’t say.”

Mother-in-law Ku sighed. “Take care, young man.”

Happiness and hardship are intertwined.

Li Banfeng walked into the depths of the thick fog. He looked back and saw Mother-in-law Ku still there, then said, “Take care, Auntie Er.”

Hearing “Auntie Er,” Mother-in-law Ku couldn’t help but smile.

“Auntie Er, happiness and hardship are intertwined. Letting the Bitter Cultivators occasionally enjoy some happiness wouldn’t be a loss for you.”

“You rascal! If you know that happiness and hardship are intertwined, then you should especially not let this Daoist sect go extinct!”

Li Banfeng didn’t understand, but he smiled at Mother-in-law Ku and left.

Watching Li Banfeng’s receding figure, Mother-in-law Ku sighed.

Karma could not be severed after all. That boy of yours even ate one of my bitter greens. I was the one who met you first. You have a hard destiny, so you should be one of my Daoist sect members. My Daoist sect is indeed difficult; most cultivators die prematurely, and for many years, no one has risen to high ranks, yet others call them Bitter Cultivators. It’s rare to find someone with a hard destiny like you, but it’s a pity you’re afraid of hardship and unwilling to join. Are there any others with such hard destinies?

Mother-in-law Ku returned to Chu Er’s dwelling. Chu Er was staring blankly at the unfinished sketch.

“He’s gone,” Mother-in-law Ku said calmly.

Chu Er’s body trembled, and she clutched the drawing paper tightly in her hand.

“Does it hurt?” Mother-in-law Ku asked.

“It hurts,” Chu Er nodded, her hand unconsciously covering her chest. “It hurts terribly.”

“It’s good that it hurts. Only when you know the bitterness in your heart can your cultivation advance.”

Chu Er couldn’t help but shed tears. “It’s too painful.”

“Heartache alone isn’t enough; you need physical pain as well,” Mother-in-law Ku said. She pulled over a stool, picked up a firewood stick, and roared, “Lie down here!”

Chu Er sobbed twice and lay down on the stool.

“You wretched hussy! I told you to seduce men! And you can’t even keep them after seducing them, turning the village into chaos! Do you know what pain is now?”

Mother-in-law Ku swung the firewood stick, viciously beating Chu Er’s buttocks.

Chu Er gritted her teeth, staring at the drawing paper as tears streamed down her face.

Li Banfeng walked for over ten miles in the New Land, gradually figuring out his location.

Comparing his surroundings with Elder Yao’s map, Li Banfeng quickly found the route back to Blue Poplar Village.

It turned out these two places weren’t far apart; walking quickly, he could get back in less than a day.

Li Banfeng was delighted and was about to quicken his pace when he suddenly saw a massive creature ahead, clinging to a tree and munching on leaves.

Was that a green worm?

Could it be…?

No, not just one green worm.

Two?

Three?

Five?

Li Banfeng didn’t dare to count any longer.

This was Bitter Greens Village, the New Land of Bitter Greens Village.

After Bitter Cultivator women died, if they were unwilling to reincarnate, they would transform into Lady Coiled Moth!

So many Lady Coiled Moths…

Li Banfeng carefully considered his life. He felt that Mother-in-law Ku’s words made a lot of sense, and he now wanted to stay in Bitter Greens Village for a few more days.

“This man is so handsome,” one Coiled Moth discovered Li Banfeng.

“Look at that beard! I love men like him the most!”

Li Banfeng tore off his beard, put it into his pocket, and said, “I don’t have a beard!”

“Oh my, he’s even more handsome without a beard!”

Li Banfeng took off running, a swarm of Lady Coiled Moths chasing after him.

In Blue Poplar Village, Ma Wu was pacing anxiously because Li Banfeng hadn’t returned for over ten days.

Has Old Seven run into trouble?

Could it be related to Chu Er?

I was careless. I should have followed Chu Er and escorted her out of the New Land!

Even if I had escorted her out, it wouldn’t have mattered; she could always find her way back.

Why is this person so persistent!

As he fretted, he suddenly heard Xiao Chuanzi report, “Fifth Master, Seventh Master is back! Two Coiled Moths are chasing him, and he’s almost out of breath!”

Ma Wu was startled. He rushed out of the house, mounted Swallow, and told Xiao Chuanzi, “Quick, lead the way!”

Swallow said, “Young Master, don’t panic. I can handle those two wretched hussies myself!”

Ma Wu asked Xiao Chuanzi, “Has Old Seven returned to his own plot of land?”

“He has!”

“Sprinkle blood! Sprinkling blood can stop the Coiled Moths!”

“I did! It’s useless, the Land God isn’t responding!”

End of Chapter.