Chapter 358: Mastering the Seventh-Level House Skill

Xiao Zhenggong drove his car, speeding all the way to Tulou Village.

Two years ago, demolition began in Tulou Village, and all the residents moved out. Last year, however, the developer absconded, leaving the project half-finished.

Within the construction site, clouds of dust occasionally billowed, accompanied by roars.

The construction site was cordoned off with caution tape. Old Chen had gathered over twenty team members and was deploying them for an operation. Seeing Xiao Zhenggong arrive, Old Chen chuckled, "Captain Xiao, what a rare sight!"

Indeed, Xiao Zhenggong rarely made an appearance during missions.

Xiao Zhenggong glanced at the construction site, and the smell alone told him what was inside.

"Is that a donkey in there?"

Tangyuan shook his head, saying, "Captain Xiao, it's a mammalian vermiform mutant. Its head resembles a mammal's, but its body is more like a worm's."

Xiao Zhenggong scoffed, "That's a 'donkey-head maggot.' I usually just call it a donkey. They use these things as livestock in Proust State."

What was inside the construction site wasn't Xiao Zhenggong's concern. His attention was on Chen Changrui. "Captain Chen, when did you get here?"

"I've been here for a while," Chen Changrui replied. "Captain Xiao, you're so knowledgeable; why don't you handle this task?"

Xiao Zhenggong's eyes drooped at the corners, a cold glint appearing in them.

"Old Chen, let's say what we need to say face-to-face and do things openly. Don't try to trip me up behind my back. It's not that I'm afraid of you; it's that you're old, and I'm being lenient. I'm worried you won't be able to handle it if I really make a move."

Chen Changrui pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and said with a smile, "Xiao Zhenggong, I'm busy with important matters right now. I don't have time for you. Go as far away as you can."

Xiao Zhenggong didn't get angry. "You want me to leave that badly? You don't want me in the public security team? I'm telling you, I'm not going. Let's see what you can do about it."

The two men stared at each other, and the team members were terrified, genuinely worried they might come to blows on the spot.

Only Qin Minghui's eyes remained fixed on the construction site, as he worried the mutant inside might break out at any moment.

Xiao Zhenggong, however, wanted to see how Chen Changrui would react.

If Chen Changrui tolerated it, Xiao Zhenggong would continue to provoke him, seeing if Chen Changrui could still hold his head high in front of the team members. If he couldn't stand it and made a move against Xiao Zhenggong, Xiao Zhenggong could force Chen Changrui out of the Dark Star Bureau.

Chen Changrui understood Xiao Zhenggong's scheme. Normally, he would simply ignore him. But they were currently on a mission, and the 'donkey-head maggot' was rampaging through the site. Chen Changrui didn't want to get entangled with Xiao Zhenggong.

Seeing Old Chen remain silent, Xiao Zhenggong smiled, about to continue his provocation, when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Song Yuwei, the Hall Master of Haichiling.

Song Yuwei was still in another state and had just received news: "Gang Leader, the Haichiling branch has been wiped out."

Xiao Zhenggong's head buzzed.

Another branch was gone!

Old Chen was a Peeker, hearing the phone conversation clearly. He asked with concern, "Gang Leader Xiao, has something happened to your gang?"

Xiao Zhenggong put down his phone and looked at Old Chen, saying, "I need to see the director."

Old Chen chuckled, "Go ahead, no need to ask for my leave. Just don't cry when you see the director; that would be too embarrassing."

Xiao Zhenggong drove away, and Old Chen led his team to deal with the 'donkey-head maggot.'

Inside the portable residence, Li Banfeng, covered in sweat, gently stroked the gramophone, saying, "My dear, let's pause for a moment."

"Oh, my husband," the gramophone cooed softly, "Are you already done for this round?"

"Of course not, how could I be done? I just want to rest for a bit..."

"A man shouldn't say such things. If you don't fight, so be it, but if you fight, you must win. Husband, quickly get up, let's go again. Promotion is something that must be achieved in one go!"

As she spoke, the gramophone sucked Li Banfeng's head back into its horn.

This promotion process was exceptionally long. In the hot and humid environment, Li Banfeng convulsed repeatedly until he heard his 'wife's' sweet singing, and only then did his entire body relax amidst the trembling.

"Winter arrives with vast snow,Warm clothes made for my lover,Living in peace and working contentedly for long years,Adding another room for my husband."

The portable residence now had eight rooms. Although each room had the same layout, Li Banfeng was eager to check out the eighth room.

He tried to stand up twice but couldn't. The gramophone quickly advised, "Oh, my husband, you've just been promoted, so you shouldn't move around carelessly. Rest on the bed for a moment and listen as I explain the techniques of a seventh-level Home Cultivator. The seventh-level Home Cultivation technique is called 'Settled Living and Prosperous Work.' This particular technique doesn't come from your servant, but from our residence itself."

'Settled Living and Prosperous Work,' a technique from the residence.

That sounded a bit abstract.

His 'wife' explained, "As the saying goes, only by settling in one's home can one enjoy one's work. To put it plainly, it means pleasing the residence to gain good fortune."

Good fortune!

This technique is good!

"How can I please the residence?"

"Oh, my husband, simply living peacefully at home pleases the residence. If you live harmoniously with our home and stay inside, the residence will naturally bestow good fortune upon you."

Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng wasn't so excited anymore. He couldn't possibly stay at home all the time.

"How long do I need to stay home each day?"

"My husband, you are already a seventh-level Home Cultivator. Normally, out of twenty-four hours in a day, you should stay for at least twenty hours."

Twenty hours?

That won't do!

That wouldn't even meet the daily requirements for a Travel Cultivator.

His 'wife' continued, "Our residence is more lenient and doesn't fuss too much about that. However, I've calculated that my husband must stay for at least twelve hours a day. As long as you stay for more than twelve hours, your fortune increases by one point for each additional hour. If you stay for less than twelve hours, your fortune decreases by one point for each hour short."

Twelve hours was still a considerable duration. Li Banfeng was a seventh-level Travel Cultivator, and by his own estimation, unless he was in a dangerous situation or running quickly, his normal walking time outside each day couldn't be less than twelve hours.

What if something unexpected happened, and he couldn't return home, wouldn't his fortune diminish then?

The incompatibility between Travel Cultivation and Home Cultivation was becoming a prominent issue.

Was there a solution?

Travel Cultivation could be maintained with elixirs, but that wasn't a long-term solution.

Through prolonged elixir consumption, Li Banfeng had discovered a pattern: taking elixirs could indeed compensate for basic cultivation for a period, but this time was limited. Staying indoors for three to five days was manageable, but beyond five days, Li Banfeng would feel pain, and his limbs and torso would have an urge to separate, very similar to cultivation backlash. The longer he stayed, the more severe the symptoms.

What would happen if he stayed indoors for more than ten days?

Li Banfeng hadn't tried it. The example of sprinter Qiao Yuesheng was still fresh in his mind, and this was a matter of life and death.

Were there other ways to maintain Travel Cultivation?

Looking at photos or watching movies could provide some cultivation effect for a Travel Cultivator, but this effect was very limited. There weren't many methods for Travel Cultivation. What good methods did Home Cultivation offer?

"Besides staying home, is there any other way to please the residence?"

"Oh, my husband, you're already a seventh-level Home Cultivator. Instead of staying home with your servant, are you thinking of going out to meet some other woman?"

"Going out isn't necessarily for women; perhaps it's for buying groceries. What if I encounter a difficult situation and can't come home, but my fortune still diminishes? Wouldn't your husband suffer a great loss?"

"You're right, my husband. There are still ways to please the residence. You can acquire more household possessions."

"What kind of possessions?"

"That's hard to say. It depends on the residence's preference. If you acquire the right possessions, your fortune will remain full even if you don't come home for a day. But if you acquire the wrong possessions and the residence dislikes them, you'll only incur its displeasure even if you stay home every day."

This sounds risky!

What does the portable residence like?

It's a train. What does a train need?

Railroad tracks?

Those things are too expensive. Two tracks would cost more than a Paramount. And the main problem is there's nowhere to buy them.

I need to think this through carefully.

After resting for half a day, Li Banfeng exited the portable residence, washed up at the inn, and then went to a restaurant with Luo Zhengnan.

In Haichiling, people got hungry too easily. They ate three large bowls of lamb stew with pita bread.

After eating their fill, Li Banfeng and Luo Zhengnan went to the train station. Both bought first-class tickets, each getting a private compartment.

On the platform, Li Banfeng bought a newspaper. News about the Jiangxiang Gang already filled the front page.

"How rare," Luo Zhengnan sighed softly. It was rare for anyone to pay so much attention to the Jiangxiang Gang.

Inside the train car, Li Banfeng asked Luo Zhengnan, "Are you familiar with the Heishipo branch?"

"Very," Luo Zhengnan nodded, pointing out the locations of various sub-branches on a map.

There were some bloodstains on the map, left from the Haichiling branch incident.

The Hall Master of the Haichiling branch wasn't there, but his subordinates had already perished.

The Jiangxiang Gang had a total of twenty-two branches in Proust State, and Li Banfeng had already destroyed two. The Heishipo branch would certainly be destroyed as well. This was Li Banfeng's territory, and he absolutely could not tolerate the presence of the Jiangxiang Gang.

This revenge felt satisfying. Luo Zhengnan firmly believed he had followed the right person, and he meticulously described each sub-branch of the Heishi Hall.

"Seventh Master, the people of Heishipo are brave. The Jiangxiang Gang's business isn't easy there. Their branch isn't large, with only two sub-branches in total..."

Inside the Dark Star Bureau, Director Shen Jingye was trying to persuade Xiao Zhenggong: "Zhenggong, if you and Changrui have any conflicts, you can report them to the bureau. Any requests you have can also be made to the bureau. But arguing with Changrui in front of the team members during a mission reflects very poorly. After discussion, the bureau decided this matter requires serious handling. Zhenggong, the bureau feels you are no longer suitable to remain in the public security detachment."

Xiao Zhenggong looked at Shen Jingye and said, "You think this is my fault?"

"Let's not discuss whose fault it is for now. Your relationship with Changrui has reached a point where continuing to work together would hinder operations. The bureau has already arranged a more suitable position for you, with a higher rank and better benefits."

"Are you joking?" Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Do I care about rank and benefits? I'm not leaving. I'm staying in the public security detachment, not going anywhere else. The reason I came to you was not to resolve the conflict between me and Chen Changrui."

Shen Jingye said, "Are you referring to the matter in Proust State? I've just heard about it myself. I'm not very familiar with the situation in Proust State, nor do I know much about your gang's affairs. I've already informed the Commissioner of Defense about this matter, and I believe he can give you a satisfactory answer."

"When can I expect an answer?"

Shen Jingye slightly furrowed his brow, saying, "Zhenggong, things need to follow procedures..."

"I don't want to wait for any procedures! I've lost two branches; my foundation is almost gone!" Xiao Zhenggong pulled an official seal from his pocket. "I demand to use the Seal of Balance. I require the immediate arrest of He Jiaqing and his subordinates in Proust State!"

Shen Jingye looked at the seal in Xiao Zhenggong's hand. "Are you sure you've thought this through?"

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "I've thought it through very clearly."