Chapter 204: Breaking the Curse

The next day, after waking up, Li Banfeng felt refreshed and exited the Portable Dwelling.

He wasn't sure if it was because he had rested well and recovered, or if the house's unique properties had helped him break free from the Foolish Cultivator's techniques, but his thoughts were much clearer than the day before.

In fact, some things can be figured out if one simply calms down and thinks.

Could he really get lost in this city?

No.

If he kept walking in any single direction, he would surely reach the city wall.

Continuing along the city wall, he would surely reach a city gate.

Once he found a city gate, he could leave the city, and Li Banfeng would naturally return to normal.

How large could this city be at its maximum?

At most, it could span a hundred li!

A hundred li was nothing for Li Banfeng; it wouldn't even take him half an hour.

The only thing to note was that he had to travel in a straight line.

The road ahead wasn't entirely straight, with some deviations, so Li Banfeng climbed over walls and jumped through courtyards, rushing forward in a straight line.

After running for over five hours, Li Banfeng still hadn't found the city wall.

Ahead was a main street, with shops open and vendors setting up stalls.

Behind him were alleys, with people strolling and chatting.

Li Banfeng felt he had been to this place before, and more than once.

Using wind direction for navigation, landmarking, leaving markers along the way… Li Banfeng tried a hundred different methods but still couldn't figure out how to leave the city.

Ahead, an old woman had a relatively kind face. He decided to ask her for directions.

Li Banfeng approached the old woman with some banknotes and cautiously asked, "Madam, how do I get to the city gate?"

The old woman was startled. "Are you asking for directions?"

Li Banfeng nodded.

"Oh, child, why are you giving money just for asking directions? The city gate is still far away. You look so tired. Come, come into my house and have some water."

"No, thank you, Madam. I have something urgent to do. I must leave the city. Please just point me in the right direction."

The old woman grew displeased. "I'm just inviting you in for a bowl of water. Could I possibly harm you? If you don't trust me, then go ask someone else!"

What should he do?

Go in with her for a bowl of water?

I'm a fourth-tier Dwelling Cultivator. Even if she poisoned me, it probably wouldn't take me down.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to enter the house, his instinct for averting misfortune warned him not to.

"Young man, come in! Where are you going? Aren't you trying to leave the city? Where are you going? You're going the wrong way. Come have a bowl of water here, and I'll show you the way…"

Li Banfeng didn't look back and ran off.

After running for another hour or so, Li Banfeng looked at the alley in front of him and sat down despairingly against the wall.

"Young man, I told you to come to me for a fortune reading. Why didn't you listen to me?"

Li Banfeng gave a series of wry smiles.

The fortune teller was back.

He couldn't find the city gate, but the fortune teller found him in an instant.

The fortune teller sat down next to Li Banfeng. "Have you still not let go of seeking revenge?"

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "I've let it go. Now I just want to leave the city."

"That's difficult!" The fortune teller sighed deeply and shook his head.

"Is leaving the city really that hard?"

"Difficult, as difficult as ascending to heaven. This is Fool's City; how could it be so easy to leave? Especially for you, your brow is dark, and you carry ill fortune. If you force your way out, I fear your life won't be safe."

Li Banfeng said helplessly, "I really don't want you to tell my fortune. I've already given you money. Can you please stay away from me?"

The fortune teller sighed and said, "I believe in fate. I saw you yesterday and knew you were someone with an extraordinary destiny. To be honest, when I was alive, I was trapped in Fool's City for twenty-eight years, seven months, and three days. I never found the city gate until the day I died. But I believe you can find it. I believe you won't be trapped and die in Fool's City. In the north of the city, there's a large, three-courtyard mansion. It has been abandoned since the day I arrived in Fool's City. You have an unresolved karmic connection with this mansion. You must stay in the mansion for one day and one night to resolve this misfortune. Remember, it's just one day and one night. No more, no less. Enter at a certain time today, and leave at the same time tomorrow. After you come out, with your back to the main gate, walk straight forward. Don't stop, no matter what you encounter. If you encounter a wall, hit it. If you encounter a tree, hit it. No matter what you encounter, don't stop. Keep walking for half an hour, and you'll reach the city gate. Young man, I've said what I needed to say. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

The fortune teller left.

Li Banfeng sat by the wall and scoffed. "Why should I believe you?"

What kind of karmic connection do I have with some mansion?

I've never even been to this place. Where would a karmic connection come from?

Late at night, Li Banfeng arrived in the north of the city and entered the abandoned mansion.

He really didn't want to believe this fortune teller, but he truly couldn't find a way to leave the city.

The mansion's front courtyard wasn't large. There was a row of inverted houses, which served as gatehouses specifically for servants. Passing through the hanging flower gate, he reached the main courtyard. The main house faced south, situated in the north, with wing rooms on both its left and right.

Li Banfeng entered the main house. Outside was the hall, and inside was the bedroom.

He looked up and saw that many roof tiles had fallen off, leaving the roof open to the sky.

The furnishings inside were still somewhat orderly, but the dust accumulation was half a finger thick, indicating it had indeed been abandoned for a long time.

Li Banfeng took a feather duster, brushed off some dust, and sat on a chair, beginning to ponder his next move.

Should he go to the Portable Dwelling next, or stay in this abandoned mansion?

Going to the Portable Dwelling would definitely be safer, but if he entered the Portable Dwelling, would it count as leaving the mansion? Would the one day and one night still be valid?

What if he didn't go to the Portable Dwelling and just stayed here?

A cold gust of wind blew through.

A bit of dust lifted from the table.

Staying in this place for one day and one night, no one could say what he might encounter.

He decided to go back.

Li Banfeng entered the Portable Dwelling, stayed for less than fifteen minutes, and came out again with a paper maiden.

He couldn't waste time in the Portable Dwelling. He still had to stay in the mansion to resolve the karmic connection.

This paper maiden was drawn by him stroke by stroke earlier, taking a lot of effort. Without participating in combat, she could last for over three hours.

He had the maiden patrol the mansion and immediately alert him if she encountered any situation.

He also placed various magical artifacts around him and hung the Calendar Card directly opposite.

The graceful Dreamer bowed deeply and asked Li Banfeng, "Sir, which song would you like to hear?"

"No songs. Set up the dial."

Listening to her sing, he could be drawn into a dream at any moment. The Dreamer's abilities were quite formidable.

Dreamer set up the dial in front of Li Banfeng, and Li Banfeng simply sat there and waited.

Was what this fortune teller said true or false?

If he dared to lie to me, the next time he saw him, he'd definitely have a good talk with him.

What should they talk about?

Should he resort to violence directly, or try to reason with him?

Could he trick him into revealing the city gate's location?

In Fool's City, trying to trick a Foolish Cultivator — wouldn't that be overestimating himself?

Don't think about it, mustn't think about it. Thinking about it gives him a headache.

After waiting for nearly two hours, Li Banfeng was feeling drowsy when a sudden chill swept over him. He shivered, becoming much more alert.

An extra person appeared beside him; it was the fortune teller.

"What are you doing here?"

The fortune teller smiled and said, "I'm here to help you break the evil."

"Can't I just stay here for a day and a night? What evil needs breaking?"

"Just staying here won't do. If you want to safely get through this day and night, you'll need a talisman."

"So you're here to sell talismans? Alright, name your price."

The fortune teller shook his head and said, "As I said, I won't take your money. I only value fate. Young man, give me your hand; I'll draw a talisman for you. With this talisman, the vengeful spirit in this house won't dare to touch you."

"There's a vengeful spirit in this house?" Li Banfeng's eye twitched. If there really was a vengeful spirit, he would surely be able to see it.

"The vengeful spirit in this house has been watching you, but you can't see her. The karmic connection on you originated because of her, and this destined calamity also arose because of her. Endure this day and night, and when the karma is repaid, the calamity will disperse. Back then, like you, I was also trapped in Fool's City for a lifetime because of a karmic connection. I've been helping you all this time, asking for nothing in return. I just don't want you to go down the same path as me."

The fortune teller took out a writing brush, dipped it in ink, and looked at Li Banfeng with a sincere expression.

Li Banfeng extended his hand. Just as the fortune teller was about to draw the talisman on Li Banfeng's hand, Li Banfeng suddenly asked, "How many years were you trapped in Fool's City?"

The fortune teller sighed deeply and said, "Twenty-two years, six months, and eight days."

Li Banfeng nodded.

He punched the old man directly on the nose.

The old man clutched his nose and said, "Why did you hit me?"

He had expected the punch to miss the old man, but unexpectedly, this seemingly complete ghost actually felt pain.

"Old ghost! You just said twenty-eight years, seven months, and three days! In the blink of an eye, it's become twenty-two years, six months, and eight days! You lie without even blinking!"

The two immediately started wrestling.

This old man wasn't much of a fighter. Under normal circumstances, Li Banfeng could have taken him down in a few punches and kicks.

But the situation wasn't normal now. Whether Li Banfeng threw a punch or a kick, he was completely different from his usual self.

It wasn't that his strength was insufficient, or his speed too slow. It was that he had become clumsy; every move he made was at an inappropriate time and with an unsuitable method.

If it's not appropriate, then it's not appropriate; I'll just fight wildly. I'm only in my early twenties; I can't possibly lose to an old geezer like you!

Pulling hair, gouging eyes, scratching faces… Li Banfeng, relying on his youth, fought the fortune teller to a standstill.

The Pendulum stepped forward and slashed the fortune teller twice, but neither cut was deep. She also accidentally scratched Li Banfeng once.

Knowing her combat skills were lacking, she quickly turned to urge Tang Dao, "Come help!"

Tang Dao sighed and said, "With my accuracy today, it's better if I don't attack. I might accidentally harm my lord."

This was no joke. The Pendulum specialized in blood siphoning and spraying blood, while Tang Dao was a pure combat artifact. If his blade were to land on Li Banfeng, it would truly be fatal.

All the magical artifacts dared not act rashly. Only Dreamer still felt somewhat confident. She shouted at the fortune teller, "You're immoral!"

The fortune teller sighed with emotion and said, "A young man hitting an old man like me—that is indeed immoral!"

Li Banfeng felt a pang of guilt and was kicked an extra time by the fortune teller.

Dreamer had failed. Who else could help Li Banfeng?

At the critical moment, it had to be the Wine Gourd.

The Wine Gourd was a Thought Cultivator, and its combat experience was also richer than Blood-Contains'.

"Blood-Contains, find his heartstrings!"

This was an insider term for Thought Cultivators. "Finding the opponent's heartstrings" meant manipulating the opponent's thoughts through techniques.

The Wine Gourd whispered to Blood-Contains, "Our Daoist techniques primarily focus on disrupting the mind. They should have similarities with Foolish Cultivation. Even if it's not outright suppression, the techniques themselves might be able to contend with Foolish Cultivation."

Hearing this, Blood-Contains immediately prepared her techniques.

The Wine Gourd seized the opportunity and smashed the fortune teller on the head with itself.

Blood-Contains looked at the Wine Gourd. "You just talked so much about techniques…"

The fortune teller became dizzy, and Li Banfeng seized the opportunity to add a kick.

After taking that kick, the fortune teller decided not to fight anymore. He had intended to escape but was hugged from behind by the paper maiden.

The fortune teller was startled. "Young lady, why are you hugging me? How can you be so shameless…?"

Li Banfeng spat. "You take advantage and then curse people? Come with me!"

The old man struggled free from the maiden's embrace and noticed many paper scraps falling from her body.

"You're a Dwelling Cultivator?" The old man looked at Li Banfeng in surprise.

Li Banfeng did not speak.

This old man's experience was indeed rich; he had recognized Li Banfeng's fourth-tier technique.

"That shouldn't be. You run so fast. Aren't you a Journey Cultivator? Did you cultivate two Daoist paths? But Dwelling and Journey cannot be cultivated together…"

Li Banfeng stopped talking nonsense with the fortune teller. His mind was now filled only with anger, the anger of being toyed with by this fortune teller.

"Wifey, dinner time!" Li Banfeng dragged the fortune teller into the Portable Dwelling.

"Husband, have you left Fool's City?" The wife was overjoyed.

"Not yet," Li Banfeng said, throwing the fortune teller in front of the Phonograph. "Anyway, let's eat first."

The fortune teller looked at the Phonograph, examining it up and down. He asked, "Are you his dwelling spirit?"

The Phonograph sneered, "Your eyesight is quite good."

The fortune teller shook his head repeatedly. "Impossible. His dwelling couldn't possibly be in Fool's City…"

A puff of steam scalded the fortune teller, making him yelp. The Phonograph roared angrily, "Impudent! Who told you to speak? First, tell me, are you a Foolish Cultivator?"

The fortune teller nodded and said, "When I was alive, I was indeed a Foolish Cultivator."

"What tier cultivation do you have?"

"Second tier!"

"Second tier?" Li Banfeng didn't believe it. He couldn't have been dragged into a tough fight by a second-tier cultivator. "Wifey, don't believe him. This old man's cultivation is definitely more than second tier."

The wife, however, thought the old man wasn't lying. "Husband, I've heard seniors mention that there have indeed been instances of second-tier Foolish Cultivators killing third-tier cultivators and even contending with fourth-tier cultivators."

Second tier contending with fourth tier?

How strong must this Daoist path be?

Li Banfeng said, "You're second tier. What tier is the ointment vendor?"

The fortune teller said, "He is third-tier cultivation."

He has third-tier cultivation?

His cultivation is higher than the fortune teller's?

You must be joking, right?

"What tier cultivation does the innkeeper of Youlai Inn have?"

"He is fourth-tier cultivation."

The innkeeper who held a knife and wanted to chop Li Banfeng into pieces.

The innkeeper who brought an entire inn full of people, chasing Li Banfeng, trying to chop him everywhere—is he really fourth-tier cultivation?

Wasn't it said that Foolish Cultivators were all very shrewd?

"Liar!" Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Wifey, this person is a liar."

The Phonograph couldn't discern the truth for a moment and instead asked, "Do you know the way to leave Fool's City?"

The fortune teller nodded and said, "Yes, only I know. I can lead the way for him. It just depends on whether you believe me."

Lead the way?

That was out of the question.

Li Banfeng would never let this fortune teller go.

The wife also disagreed. "Old geezer, letting you go out would surely harm my husband. Tell me the method to leave the city. If it works, I will naturally release you. If it doesn't, I will cut you into a thousand pieces."

The fortune teller nodded. "What I told your man before was the truth. He has a karmic connection with that abandoned mansion. He must stay in that abandoned mansion for one day and one night, and only after resolving the karma can he leave the city."

Was he telling the truth?

What if he lied to her husband?

Should she let her husband go out and try first?

But if she didn't believe him, what other options were there?

Torture him, slowly force a confession.

But what if they forced the truth into a lie?

The Phonograph's mechanism spun faster and faster.

The fortune teller's expression became increasingly calm.

Li Banfeng's thoughts spun even faster than the Phonograph.

The other magical artifacts couldn't think of a countermeasure.

Even Red Lotus was somewhat conflicted.

The Portable Dwelling was unusually quiet. Amidst the anxious atmosphere, a yawn was suddenly heard.

"Are you hungry?"

The Judge's Brush spoke.

He rarely spoke, and this was only four words.

He seemed to be speaking to the Phonograph.

The Phonograph asked in surprise, "You're asking me if I'm hungry?"

The Judge's Brush was too lazy to repeat itself, and simply added, "Eat if you're hungry."