Chapter 293: Home Travels Conflict and Harmony

Late at night, Ma Wu had finished setting up the cinema and was about to close for the day. As he reached the entrance, he saw a woman with a delicate face walking towards him.

She was beautiful, but her expression was rigid, making her appearance in the dead of night quite eerie.

"Jun Yang, long time no see."

"She knows me?"

Ma Wu also found the woman somewhat familiar but couldn't recall who she was at that moment.

Zuo Wugang immediately recognized her. "Miss Dongchun!"

The visitor was indeed Lu Dongchun. She rarely went out and had only met Ma Wu twice, so it was normal for him not to recognize her.

However, Zuo Wugang had once been Lu Dongliang's chief aide, and he had met Lu Dongchun many times.

Lu Dongchun was Lu Maoxian's daughter, and Lu Maoxian had always been at odds with Seventh Master. Zuo Wugang worried Lu Dongchun might pose a threat to Ma Wu, so he subtly signaled Ma Wu to keep his distance from her.

Lu Dongchun looked at Ma Wu expressionlessly. Her eyes were so clear that Ma Wu could see his own reflection in her pupils.

"Can we find a place to talk?" Lu Dongchun asked.

Ma Wu led Lu Dongchun into the cinema and opened a private room. Zuo Wugang stood guard by his side, not moving an inch.

Lu Dongchun looked at Ma Wu and said in a flat tone, "I came to discuss taking revenge for my father."

Ma Wu understood the rules. He had paid a tribute to the Lu family and was considered an outside ally. By custom, if the Lu family faced trouble, Ma Wu should offer assistance.

However, outside allies were different from direct family members. If Ma Wu didn't want to go, he had valid reasons to decline.

He followed the main lineage of the Lu family and was not obligated to obey Lu Maoxian's commands.

He could even be more decisive, stating he no longer needed the Lu family's protection and directly severing their relationship.

But Ma Wu was cautious. Lu Dongchun's arrival was too sudden, and he was unprepared. In such circumstances, Ma Wu never made decisions lightly.

"Aunt Dongchun, let's have a drink first." Ma Wu was about to pour wine for Lu Dongchun, but Zuo Wugang stopped him, signaling him not to.

Lu Dongchun's eyes remained fixed on Ma Wu, making him feel completely uneasy.

He put down the wine glass, dropping the pleasantries. "Regarding this matter, allow me to think it over carefully. I'll give you a reply within a day or two."

After seeing Lu Dongchun off, Ma Wu found Li Banfeng and explained the situation.

"Old Seven, do you think we should get involved in this?"

"Yes, we should. If the Lu family just had trouble and we abandoned them, who would dare to deal with us in the future?"

Ma Wu understood the principle, but he was unhappy. "I really don't want to help that old dog, Lu Maoxian."

"Who said we were going to help him? We have our own people."

Ma Wu paused. "Are you talking about Lu Chunying?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "She's from the direct family. Monkey Qiu will definitely have to bring her along. This is a good opportunity for her to establish her authority.

Ling Miaoying is now targeting us, so we can use this opportunity to deal with him."

Ma Wu nodded. "To deal with Ling Miaoying, relying only on Zuo Wugang definitely won't be enough.

I'll go to Zhengjing Village to discuss with Qiu Luoye and borrow Ah Qin and the Scolding Woman. Both of them are highly skilled."

With the matter settled, Ma Wu went to Zhengjing Village that evening. After finding Qiu Luoye and explaining the situation, Qiu Luoye thought carefully for a while:

"The person you're dealing with is a seventh-level Peeping Cultivator. He's ruthless and has many magical artifacts.

The Scolding Woman and Ah Qin are both sixth-level; if you send them, you likely won't gain an advantage. I'll find you another capable person instead."

The local deity was so hospitable that Ma Wu found it difficult to refuse. He was worried Qiu Luoye would find some kind of monstrous being, like Madam Suo'e, which would be difficult to bring to Lushui City.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Luoye had considered it quite thoroughly. He found a tall, robust woman who appeared to be around thirty, quite beautiful and alluring.

"Her name is Huoling. She's a fire spirit with seventh-level cultivation. She's skilled in combat and excels in Daoist techniques; she rarely meets an opponent in my territory. I'm lending her to you. Another day, just have someone build a few more small buildings here to bring more vitality, and that'll be thanks enough."

Qiu Luoye was truly efficient in his dealings. Ma Wu took Huoling to find Shui Yongquan to conceal her monstrous aura.

Shui Yongquan recognized Huoling. He took Ma Wu to a secluded place and asked privately, "What do you plan to do by taking her to the Righteous Land?"

Ma Wu didn't hide anything and roughly explained the situation.

Shui Yongquan frowned. "Ah Qin should go for this. She's a top-tier assassin. The Scolding Woman would also work; she acts prudently and won't easily reveal weaknesses."

Ma Wu replied, "Qiu Luoye said Huoling has higher cultivation and is a better fighter, making her attacks more reliable."

Shui Yongquan smacked his lips. "When I was in the mortal world, I handled many such matters. Choosing personnel requires discernment; it's not necessarily true that the best fighter is always the most effective.

Since you and Old Qiu have already settled it, I shouldn't interfere. Just make sure to appease Huoling; she doesn't have a very good temper."

Shui Yongquan then concealed Huoling's aura.

Huoling's temper was indeed not good. Shui Yongquan was a water cultivator, and the techniques he used somewhat displeased Huoling. She even argued with him for a bit, but Shui Yongquan didn't bother to engage.

It was Ma Wu's first time meeting Huoling, and her disposition suggested she wasn't easy to get along with. They didn't talk much during the journey, only trying to sleep once in the carriage.

Upon returning to Xiaoyao Dock, Huoling found the carriage too bumpy and hadn't slept well. So, they found a room and slept again.

After two sleeps, the awkwardness between them lessened.

In the afternoon, Ma Wu received a message from Lu Dongchun: they would take action against Ling Miaoying that very night.

Ma Wu felt things were happening too quickly, but Huoling felt no rush at all. "Just finish the task quickly, get it over with, and go back to sleep," she said.

"Killing a few people? Look at the effort you're expending! With this much time, I could wipe out everyone within a mile radius!"

Li Banfeng received the news and also felt the timing was just right. "If we delay any further, Ling Miaoying will likely catch wind of it. Don't just consider how many people the Lu family has gathered; Ling Miaoying is a Peeping Cultivator with many magical artifacts and quite a few subordinates. If he's fully prepared, it's hard to say who would win."

He returned to his portable residence to prepare for the fierce battle that night.

Staying in the residence before the battle not only maintained his optimal combat strength but also preserved his characteristic of being easily overlooked.

The last time he encountered Ling Miaoying, Li Banfeng had already been away from his portable residence for over seven hours. He had deceived Tu Yinghong at the time, but not Ling Miaoying.

If he had just emerged from his residence, perhaps Ling Miaoying wouldn't have noticed him the moment he appeared.

"Wait!"

Li Banfeng suddenly sat up in bed.

"What's the difference between not being noticed and not being seen?"

Conceptually, there's a difference: not being seen means not appearing in the other person's line of sight at all.

Not being noticed means appearing in the other person's line of sight, but they didn't pay attention.

But essentially, the effect is the same: the other person didn't perceive one's existence.

For the skill of "Quick Glance," is this effect also the same?

If I had kept staring at Tu Yinghong yesterday, would it have directly detonated her?

Is it true that Dwelling Cultivators and Traveling Cultivators only restrain each other?

Is it possible there's also a mutually beneficial aspect?

This matter cannot be easily investigated because the paths of Dwelling and Traveling cultivation normally cannot be practiced together. It's difficult to find a precedent like Li Banfeng.

Though it cannot be inquired about, it can be verified. Seeking revenge against Ling Miaoying tonight is a perfect opportunity. Even if he can't deal with Ling Miaoying himself, he can try it on his subordinates.

If the "Quick Glance" skill and the Dwelling Cultivation's characteristic of being easily overlooked complemented each other, Li Banfeng would gain a massive advantage!

"Vision!"

Quick Glance not only requires speed and the ability to remain unseen, but also keen vision.

"How should vision be trained?"

Li Banfeng lay flat on the bed, allowing his blood to flow freely, and concentrated his thoughts on his eyes. He took out the photos he had taken at Black Stone Slope.

Grandfather Train once said that Traveling Cultivators, once they reach a certain level, don't just traverse physical ground. As I looked at the photos, I could feel my cultivation slowly increasing. This must be a good way to train vision.

While looking at the photos, he recalled the situation at the time, trying to use his eyes to penetrate the images and see the original scenes.

Indeed, his cultivation seemed to grow much faster. This method was very effective!

His wife, by his side, reminded him, "Oh dear, husband, don't stare with such wide eyes. Be careful your eyeballs don't fall into that girl's peaches."

His wife was joking again.

Li Banfeng's thoughts were interrupted, and the improvement in his cultivation stagnated.

He switched to another photo, intending to continue, but suddenly felt something was wrong.

His wife's voice earlier hadn't sounded right.

Her voice was much weaker than usual.

"Wife, are you hungry again?" Li Banfeng had been buying groceries frequently lately, but the quality of ingredients was truly subpar. Only two hoodlums had reached the first level, and the rest were just easy targets.

His wife chuckled lightly. "Husband, don't worry, your humble servant isn't hungry."

Hearing the feebleness in her voice, Li Banfeng felt a pang of heartache.

Hong Ying laughed from the side. "Wicked woman, if you don't get a full meal soon, never mind taking him to the sixth level, I'm afraid you won't even be able to maintain your own cultivation, will you?"

The gramophone snorted coldly. "Don't listen to that wretch's nonsense. Your humble servant is truly not hungry."

Li Banfeng gently stroked the gramophone's turntable. "Wife, don't worry. Husband will go buy groceries tonight and bring back good quality ingredients."

He lay back on the bed and continued to train his vision with the photos.

Meanwhile, Ma Wu distributed the spirit items and magical artifacts he had to Zuo Wugang and Huoling. Huoling, finding the items cumbersome, pushed them back to Ma Wu.

"These things are useless," she said. "When the fight starts, you'll see what I can do."

Qiu Zhiheng arrived at a mansion in the east of the city, accompanied by Tan Fucheng.

Lu Chunying and Xiao Yeci were already waiting in the hall.

Xiao Yeci was very anxious. "Butler Qiu, you must take good care of my darling girl! You promised she would only make an appearance; you absolutely cannot let her fight!"

Qiu Zhiheng nodded. "Don't worry."

Lu Chunying said, "Elder Brother Qiu, when the fight really breaks out, don't worry about me. I wouldn't claim to be able to fight, but at least I can run. Please be extra careful yourself and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Qiu Zhiheng smiled but said nothing. Tan Fucheng, standing nearby, remarked, "Miss Chunying, both your brothers call him Uncle Qiu, but you call him Elder Brother Qiu. Is that appropriate?"

Lu Chunying puffed out her chest. "We don't look at seniority; we look at personal affection!"

Qiu Zhiheng smiled and nodded. He then left the mansion with Lu Chunying and proceeded to Lu Maoxian's residence to rendezvous with Lu Dongchun.

Seeing that it was almost time, Li Banfeng tidied his clothes and gently touched the gramophone's horn. "Wife, please be patient for now. Good food will be here soon."

The gramophone was a bit worried, as Li Banfeng had been looking at photos for several hours. Fearing he might be exhausted, she said, "Husband, please be extra careful."

Li Banfeng put on his fedora, pulled down the brim, and left his portable residence, ready to get the key.

"Where's the key...?"

Li Banfeng stared at the ground for a long while, realizing this wasn't the wooden floor of Xiaoyao Dock, but the red brick floor of a factory.

"This isn't Xiaoyao Dock..."

A familiar voice reached his ear:

"Come on, lift your hair, don't block your face. Lower your waist a bit more, and those peaches a little higher..."

Click, click!

The camera shutter clicked incessantly.

Li Banfeng walked over and asked, "Qiusheng?"

Bai Qiusheng put down his camera, turned his face, and looked. "Seventh Master, why are you here?"