Chapter 305: Is It Theft or Robbery?

Li Banfeng asked, "How did the Green Water Beggar defeat Yuan Skinny Donkey?"

Meng Yuchun shook her head. "I don't know that. I only heard about it. Even now, I can't figure out how a Layer Nine cultivator could defeat an Earth God at Cloud Layer Two."

The Green Water Beggar had seized the Earth God's cultivation and status. This was an excellent path forward: no need to serve as a slave or servant in the Inner Province, and he could keep his body intact.

Another path was stealing.

"How does one go about stealing?"

"Stealing is divided into two types: covert seizure and covert deception. Covert seizure is similar to seizing outright; you steal the status from an Earth God, but cultivation is hard to steal. You must first use a lower-level cultivation to occupy a higher-level status, then find a way to quickly advance. The greatest danger with this method isn't in stealing the status, but in the backlash from the status when a low-level cultivation occupies a high-level one. The other type is more akin to deception: stealing spiritual essence from another's territory to bypass the tribulation and directly ascend to Cloud Layer One."

Li Banfeng was confused. "You can bypass the tribulation?"

"To put it simply, at Layer Nine, you deceive heaven and cross the sea by stealing spiritual essence, using Cloud-level cultivation methods to pass Layer Ten."

"How do you steal spiritual essence?"

"That, I don't know," Meng Yuchun shook her head. "Neither stealing nor seizing is something ordinary people can do. If I had such ability, I wouldn't have to suffer in the Inner Province. I've told you everything I can. You can't go back on your word; you have to find more people to develop the land!"

"I will find people, but your rules need to change!"

Meng Yuchun was displeased. "You're setting conditions with me now? These are my rules, and I absolutely won't change them. If you dare to go back on your word, you won't take another step out of here!"

Li Banfeng looked at the boundaries of the plot. "Your boundary lines are almost as wide as those of proper land."

"Does proper land have boundary lines?" Meng Yuchun looked bewildered.

"Yes, the boundary lines set by the Border Guard."

Meng Yuchun looked at Li Banfeng. "What's a Border Guard?"

Li Banfeng stared at Meng Yuchun in surprise. "Sister, how many years have you been in the Inner Province?"

Meng Yuchun frowned. "Didn't I tell you? I can't remember. Let's clarify the land development matter first!"

"I am talking about the land development. You shouldn't decide how large the plots are; the developers should choose for themselves."

Meng Yuchun shook her head. "That won't do. If you bring a group of people and they only develop a one-li square plot, I have ten thousand such plots. When would they ever be finished? I already think three-li plots aren't fast enough; that would still require over a thousand developments!"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Not everyone has the ability to develop a three-li plot."

Meng Yuchun chuckled. "Don't worry about that. You've seen how many people I've sent these past few days. Anyone who lacks the ability will surely die here."

Li Banfeng didn't know what to say. This sister had apparently become dull from staying too long in the Inner Province.

"You want people to develop the land, yet you've set such high thresholds. If the developers lose their lives, your spiritual essence won't increase either. In the end, no one benefits, and both sides suffer needlessly."

"You think this is some peach, for both sides to suffer needlessly?" Meng Yuchun was unconvinced, but she understood Li Banfeng's meaning. "Alright then, you select capable people, and we can discuss the size of the plots later."

This was a sensible compromise.

The two drew up a contract. Meng Yuchun waved her hand, and the boundary lines around the plot vanished.

Li Banfeng asked, "Is that your technique?"

Meng Yuchun glared. "You're a traveling cultivator; why are you asking about my techniques?"

It was indeed a residence-based cultivation technique.

Li Banfeng walked around his plot and was generally satisfied with the place. "When I'm not here, someone needs to look after my home. Brother Toad, why don't you be my butler?"

The toad, who cultivated literary arts, had suffered some minor injuries and still harbored resentment toward Li Banfeng. Its cheeks puffed out as it asked, "Croak! Why should I be your butler?"

Li Banfeng took out two Profound Red Pills and placed them in the toad's hand. "I certainly wouldn't ask you to work for nothing."

The toad looked down at the pills in its hand, then proudly lifted its head and shouted to a group of strange monsters, "Everyone, stay away from here! This is Master Seven's territory, don't you know?"

The monsters exchanged glances. A gray-furred wolf stepped forward. "Master Seven, just having a butler isn't enough. Don't you think you need a lookout too?"

A golden eagle flew over. "Master Seven, I'm good at being a lookout. I have excellent eyesight."

The gray-furred wolf became angry. "What good is good eyesight? My nose is sharp!"

The golden eagle snorted. "What good is a sharp nose? Do you guard the house with your nose?"

As the two argued, Li Banfeng gave two pills to each of them, hiring them both.

Besides the butler and lookout, Li Banfeng also hired a family of earth pigs as workers to help him build two houses. Once everything was arranged, Li Banfeng confirmed his direction and immediately set off for Green Water City.

Meng Yuchun's place was remote. With Li Banfeng's cultivation, he ran from dawn until nightfall before reaching Blue Willow Village, a distance even greater than from Black Rock Slope to Green Water Bay.

Along the way, Li Banfeng calculated the time. He had stayed at Oil Lake for three days, spent three days developing new land, and traveled for one day. A full seven days had passed without returning home.

Would the Portable Abode be angry? "What's the point of it being angry? If it weren't for it, would I have gone to Oil Lake?"

The Portable Abode wasn't the main concern; his wife was. His wife must be angry, and he needed to explain things properly to her. Just explaining with words wouldn't be enough; perhaps some 'lubrication' would help. He had plenty of 'oil,' but the 'machine' couldn't last too long.

Using 'oil' wasn't a long-term solution. He should bring his wife some gifts. But what kind of gifts? The things his wife liked to eat were hard to find.

When he reached Layer Nine, how should he ascend to Layer Ten? Should he steal or seize? Seizing was too difficult. The process of stealing was too abstract. Perhaps it wasn't so abstract in practice, just described abstractly by her. He needed to gather more information and plan ahead, laying out his strategy before reaching Layer Nine. However, the most urgent task was to reach Layer Nine as quickly as possible.

While pondering, Li Banfeng entered Blue Willow Village and found it unusually quiet today.

An old woman was making shoe soles by her doorstep. Li Banfeng approached and greeted her, "Auntie, where is everyone in the village?"

The old woman smiled kindly at Li Banfeng. "Child, sit down and have a bowl of water first."

Li Banfeng was indeed a little thirsty. He took the water bowl, and then the old woman asked, "Are you from out of town?"

Li Banfeng nodded.

The old woman chuckled. "You must be tired from your journey. Asking for directions is five yuan, asking for information is ten, and this bowl of water is twenty-five."

The customs of Blue Willow Village were truly "simple."

Li Banfeng never asked for free favors, but this price was outrageous. He pulled his hat brim low and smiled faintly at the old woman.

The old woman felt a chill. Having lived to such an age in Blue Willow Village, she had some discernment. She quickly apologized. "I was just joking with you. Why would I charge for such a small thing? Old Master Song has returned and said he wants to take the village back. Elder Gen and they are fighting in Dream Spring Garden. The whole village has gone to watch the fun."

No wonder the village was so quiet.

Li Banfeng gave the old woman ten yuan and left, smiling. "My wife's meal is settled then."

In front of Dream Spring Garden, Song Zhigang, the eldest son of the Song family, stood confronting Little Gen with two martial cultivators. In Song Zhigang's mind, Little Gen was merely a road worker at the village entrance. He never expected him to have the audacity to challenge him today.

"You little bastard, you dare to make a move when you see me?" Song Zhigang spat. "Get out of the way right now! This is my Song family's territory. Anyone who blocks me today will die!"

Little Gen had injuries on his face, and his ladle was broken. But he clung to his bucket and did not retreat. "I'm standing right here. Let's see who dares to come up!"

Song Zhigang rubbed his nose and sneered, "Trying to be disgusting, are you? I'm telling you, that won't work on me." He turned to the two martial cultivators. "Gentlemen, please deal with this trash."

The two martial cultivators hesitated. They were both Layer Four, with cultivation above Gen's. However, they had fought Gen before and knew what was in his bucket. They didn't want to get close to him right now, which was why Gen had been able to hold his ground until now.

But Song Zhigang didn't want to waste time. Since the two martial cultivators wouldn't step forward, he ordered a few other subordinates to move first.

Gen prepared himself for a desperate fight. Li Banfeng walked out of the crowd and first persuaded Little Gen, "Gen, put the bucket down. Master Song, why are you so angry?"

Song Zhigang stared at Li Banfeng for a long time. He couldn't see his face, only the low brim of his hat. This was the lunatic who had torn down his house!

"Your name is Li Qi, right?" Song Zhigang clenched his fists. "You're the one I'm looking for. I'm telling you now, I'm back, and Blue Willow Village still belongs to my Song family. You and Ma Wu, pack your things right now. You have ten minutes to get out."

Li Banfeng had given Song Zhigang ten minutes to move out back then; Song Zhigang still remembered that grudge.

Li Banfeng pressed his palm down. "Master Song, calm down. Past grudges are over. Let's discuss whatever matters there are now."

Song Zhigang shook his head. "I have nothing to discuss with you! Are you leaving or not? If not, I'll take your life today. Don't say we're bullying you. I'll give you two options: either we fight it out here and now, or we have a life-or-death duel in the wilderness tonight. We'll follow Blue Willow Village's rules."

The onlookers' eyes were wide with excitement, and some whispered amongst themselves. "Old Master Song is back. Will Blue Willow Village be named after the Song family again?" "If they're back, they'll want half the profits, and our lives will be hard." "They can't just come back whenever they want, can they? Master Seven and Master Five aren't easy to provoke." "Song Zhigang daring to return proves he has a new backer. Those two behind him don't look ordinary."

Li Banfeng also noticed the two martial cultivators behind Song Zhigang. Lately, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu's business had grown significantly. Even if Song Zhigang was poorly informed, he should at least know that Blue Willow Village was still under the protection of the Lu family. His audacity to come meant he dared to challenge the Lu family directly. As for who his backer was, he would soon find out.

Li Banfeng smiled warmly. "Master Song, how long has it been since we last met? To start talking like this immediately is truly damaging to our good relations. Why don't you come inside and sit with me? Let's have a few drinks first, and then we can talk slowly about what's happening."

Seeing that Li Qi had backed down, Song Zhigang instructed his subordinates to follow Li Banfeng into Dream Spring Garden.

Li Banfeng had a private room prepared and brought out some wine and dishes, then dismissed everyone not directly involved.

Li Banfeng enthusiastically welcomed everyone. "Please, don't be shy, help yourselves to the food and drink."

Song Zhigang slammed the table. "Don't waste time with nonsense! Get straight to the point: when are you getting out?"

"Master Song, don't be so impatient. Didn't I say we should eat first?" Li Banfeng turned and locked the door to the private room.

Song Zhigang roared, "I'm telling you, these two behind me are Grand Lookouts by Old Master Lu's side! My return to Blue Willow Village was ordered by Old Master Lu. Anything else you say is useless."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes, this is your last meal. If you don't eat properly, what's the use of saying so much?"

The two martial cultivators frowned. One looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Damn it, are you being ungrateful for kindness?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Banfeng suddenly appeared behind him and touched the martial cultivator's face. "Inviting you to eat is showing you respect. If you don't eat properly, then you truly are ungrateful for kindness."

The martial cultivator tried to stand up, but suddenly felt his breath constricted and his body weak. Li Banfeng's scythe had already sliced across his throat. Blood gushed out. The martial cultivator clutched his neck, trying to fight Li Banfeng to the death, but he couldn't even see Li Banfeng's shadow.

Once this martial cultivator stopped struggling, Li Banfeng took out a roll of adhesive tape, tore off a strip, and stuck it to his neck, temporarily maintaining his half-dead state.

The other martial cultivator shakily got up, attempting to jump out the window and escape, but Li Banfeng grabbed him by the hair from the window and pressed him to the ground. With tears in his eyes, he pleaded with Li Banfeng, "Master Seven, we didn't mean to offend you. Old Master Lu ordered us to come. We truly didn't mean to offend you..."

"I didn't mean to offend you either," Li Banfeng said with a smile. "My brother's ladle was broken; that's his treasure. How should we settle this?"

"I'll compensate!"

"Good, you'll compensate." Li Banfeng swung his scythe, severing the man's spinal cord. The martial cultivator collapsed to the ground.

Song Zhigang knelt on the ground and said to Li Banfeng, "Master Seven, I'll leave immediately. I swear I'll never set foot in Blue Willow Village again."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Master Song, that sounds a bit estranged. Blue Willow Village is your home. You should settle down and live here from now on."