Chapter 414: Master, Rest Assured

Li Banfeng walked through the night, carrying the Tang blade.

"My Lord, your humble subordinate..." Tang blade hesitated for a long time, unsure what to say.

"When did this start?" Li Banfeng asked as he walked. "When did you start calling yourself 'your humble subordinate'? If I'm not mistaken, it was after we left Iron Gate Fortress."

Tang blade replied, "My Lord remembers correctly. There are some things I haven't told you, not because I deliberately concealed them, but because they are too shameful."

"Why is it shameful?"

"General Hong and the Marshal once said that among the three vanguard generals, only one fled, and that was me," Tang blade's voice was very low.

"I didn't know you then, but after you came with me, you never fled again."

"I did flee..."

"At least you fled after delivering three strikes, and you didn't flee when you were fighting for your life against Qiu Luoye."

"The Marshal's life was hanging by a thread, and you, My Lord, fought with your life. If I had fled again, I would have..." Tang blade sighed. "Let's not talk about that. My deception towards you, My Lord, is undeniable. Allow me to finish this battle for you, and then you can do whatever you wish with me."

Li Banfeng was silent for a moment, then asked, "My wife said you weren't an ordinary magical artifact back then. Did she know your true identity all along?"

"I dare not presume to know the Marshal's thoughts. When I first met the Marshal, I truly didn't know he was the Marshal."

"You never talked about 'taking the enemy's head with every strike' at home, except for that one time when you were fighting for your life against Qiu Luoye. Did you think my wife couldn't hear you?"

Tang blade whispered, "Actually, even then, I didn't dare say she was the Marshal. She was different from back then."

"When Glove tried to take advantage of Melon Hong Ying, you almost cut him down. You really protect General Hong."

"General Hong should be entrusted to someone like you, My Lord, not to be defiled by petty scoundrels!"

Glove didn't like that comment. "What do you mean, 'petty scoundrels'? Besides, that was just a melon, not the real Miss Hong."

"Don't interrupt," Li Banfeng continued. "Every time Hong Ying argued with my wife, you encouraged them not to back down, insisting they fight until a clear winner emerged. I thought you were deliberately stirring up trouble. But actually, you wanted to uncover the truth from back then, didn't you?"

Tang blade gave a dry laugh. "Nothing escapes My Lord's notice."

"Nothing escapes my notice, you say? You hid it so deeply."

Tang blade stammered, "I... I'm sorry, My Lord. After this battle, if you grant me a rust pill, I will end myself."

"Don't talk nonsense. This is no big deal," Li Banfeng smiled. "If we swapped places, if I became a blade and you became the 'madman,' there are some things I might also hide from you. What's more, there are some things I never even asked about. However, there's one thing you must tell me truthfully."

"My Lord, I am in this current state now, and I don't remember many things. But anything I can recall, I am willing to tell you."

Li Banfeng asked very seriously, "Between 'Skinny Donkey' and 'Second Blade,' which name do you actually prefer?"

Tang blade thought very seriously. "Actually, your humble subordinate doesn't like either of them. But if you combine the two names, it might be quite good."

"Combine them."

Li Banfeng understood. "Then from now on, I'll call you 'Second Donkey'!"

Glove wiggled his finger, indicating it was an excellent name.

Tang blade pondered for a moment and said, "When your humble subordinate was in the army, I was lean and skilled with a blade, My Lord. What do you think of the name 'Lean Blade'?"

Scythe didn't like it. "Whether a family prospers depends on whether 'Big Blade' is fat or not. Why would you call yourself 'Lean Blade'?"

Tang blade replied, "You're Big Blade, so it's fine if you're fat."

Li Banfeng quickened his pace. "Lean Blade, can you still use Beggar Arts?"

"I can't. After being defeated by Green Blossom, I lost all my Beggar cultivation, and only a little of my Martial cultivation remains."

"When you encountered that beggar, you were the first to act. Did you recognize him?"

"No, I didn't. He must be a junior in Beggar cultivation. From his techniques, he wouldn't be above Cloud Level One. I am very familiar with his techniques."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Familiarity is good. Tonight, we'll kill this beggar first. Another day, we'll find Green Blossom and get your revenge."

"Revenge?"

Something Tang blade had never dared to fantasize about.

The blade vibrated slightly. "My Lord, do you still trust me?"

"When have I ever not trusted you?"

"Since you trust me, My Lord, could we make some tactical changes tonight?"

"What changes?"

"Major campaigns and overall strategy are the Marshal's domain; your humble subordinate cannot explain them clearly. But for a single engagement or battle, I can still understand how to fight it. That beggar doesn't know about your two open cultivation paths, My Lord, nor has he seen such strange Farming Arts. According to your current strategy, he will certainly suffer an initial disadvantage. Beggars generally have little patience. After suffering a loss, they will inevitably retaliate fiercely; this is the nature of Beggar cultivators. If you dare to gamble on this, My Lord, this battle is a sure win!"

"I dare to gamble, but do you dare to gamble with me?"

Tang blade straightened its body. "Rest assured, My Lord, 'taking the enemy's head with every strike'!"

The beggar sat by the roadside, occasionally glancing at both sides of the road.

It was already late at night, and there were no pedestrians on the road, but he dared not relax even slightly. The bumps on his face itched intensely, as if reminding him that Green Blossom could take his life at any moment.

A sound of footsteps reached his ears, incredibly fast.

Could it be Li Qi?

It shouldn't be him. He just suffered a loss; it's impossible for him to come back for me so quickly.

Did he bring helpers?

The beggar was very nervous. Li Qi's own strength wasn't weak, so his helpers certainly wouldn't be inferior.

If he couldn't win, he couldn't fight head-on. But if he didn't fight head-on, Greenwater Beggar wouldn't let him off.

After a moment of hesitation, the beggar took out a bamboo pipe and began to play a tune.

For a Beggar cultivator, having the first move is paramount. Li Qi had already fought him, so the 'Pleading for Mercy' technique certainly couldn't be used. Playing the 'Bamboo Flute to Beg for Food' thus became crucial.

With his cultivation, two musical phrases would be enough to ensnare Li Qi with the technique. However, this bamboo pipe was newly made and lacked a bit of quality.

As the music began, a white-robed figure flashed past him, reaching out to snatch the beggar's bamboo pipe.

"What great power this person has! And so fast! Li Qi's helper is indeed extraordinary!"

Seeing the white-robed figure approach, the beggar immediately withdrew his bamboo pipe and caused the white-robed figure to stumble. The beggar was very familiar with this tactic.

"'You've already given, so give a little more!'" As he spoke, he casually tore a piece of cloth from the opponent's clothing!

The 'Forced Seizure' technique succeeded.

The 'Pushing for More' technique also succeeded.

This is where Beggar cultivators are disgusting: if he uses the 'Bamboo Flute to Beg for Food' technique, listening to his tune will certainly ensnare you. If you try to stop him, he'll even snatch alms from you.

The white-robed figure ran off into the distance, and the beggar got up and chased him. "'You've already given, so give me a hamstring now!'"

Why didn't the beggar just take the white-robed man's life directly?

This was his experience facing an enemy.

The 'Pushing for More' technique's effectiveness depends on the cultivation gap between both parties. The greater the difference in cultivation, the more the Beggar cultivator can take. If the difference is small and too much is demanded, the technique will fail.

This beggar's cultivation was at Cloud Level, but he didn't know the cultivation of the white-robed figure before him. If he demanded too much too aggressively, he might end up getting nothing.

The 'Pushing for More' technique had already succeeded. As long as he used it properly, he could enter a 'Worsening' cycle, without needing to take too much risk with the 'Pushing for More' technique itself.

Demanding a hamstring first was a very wise move. If a Wanderer's hamstring was severed, their combat ability would be severely diminished. This way, the beggar could both ensure his victory and prevent his opponent from escaping.

The white-robed figure was still limping and running wildly ahead, with the beggar close behind.

Cui Tik was startled awake from his dream. He wanted to keep up but couldn't outrun them.

It was so late, Cui Tik thought there wouldn't be any activity and wanted to take a short nap. He didn't expect things to really start happening.

He quickly inserted nails into his heels, but saw that the beggar's figure had already disappeared into the night.

"Why are they running so fast?"

The beggar was also puzzled. Why was the white-robed figure running so fast after losing a hamstring?

"Did I get the hamstring?"

He looked at the alms bowl in his hand. Although the bowl wasn't big enough to hold a living person, there was indeed a tendon neatly coiled inside.

Its shape resembled a human tendon, but it had no blood and carried a fragrant scent.

The scent of melon.

"Is there a spell involved?"

"Even if there's a spell, I'm not afraid of him!"

The beggar didn't investigate the spell's origin; Beggar Arts all have time limits. He quickly activated 'Worsening': "'You've already given a hamstring, now give an eyeball!'"

*Thump*, an eyeball appeared in the bowl.

"No matter what spell you used, I'll just dismantle you completely!"

The beggar shouted again, "'One eyeball isn't enough, give another eyeball!'"

With both eyes gone, the white-robed figure definitely wouldn't be able to run anymore.

When another eyeball appeared in the bowl, the white-robed figure indeed stopped running.

Not only did he stop running, but the white-robed figure stood still with his back to the beggar and spoke: "You've taken so much from me, it's time for compensation!"

"Votive Cultivator!"

The beggar was startled; he had encountered his nemesis.

Votive Cultivators and Beggar Cultivators counteract each other; it just depends on who is more ruthless.

If he had known the opponent was a Votive Cultivator earlier, he shouldn't have been so conservative.

Now the Votive Cultivator wanted compensation, what should he do?

"Run directly?"

The fact that this Votive Cultivator could run so fast proved he also cultivated as a Wanderer.

When a Votive Cultivator demanded compensation, they would inevitably run even faster; he definitely couldn't outrun him.

The beggar threw out his alms bowl. The bowl grew larger in mid-air and trapped the white-robed figure underneath.

Wasn't he afraid the white-robed figure would use the 'Unimpeded Passage' technique to get out?

He genuinely wasn't.

This alms bowl was specially made; it could delay the 'Unimpeded Passage' technique. As long as the opponent's cultivation wasn't too high, it would definitely take time to get out.

Using this time, the beggar could first avoid the Votive Cultivator and then look for an opportunity to strike.

Learning that the alms bowl had fallen, Li Banfeng smiled.

The tactic was half successful.

After trapping the white-robed figure, the beggar immediately ran. After only a few steps, the white-robed figure appeared beside him, shouting, "You've taken so much from me, I demand compensation!"

"Got out?"

"So fast?"

The beggar was somewhat flustered; his alms bowl shouldn't have been so easily penetrated.

Actually, the previous white-robed figure hadn't gotten out; he was still trapped inside the bowl.

That was Melon Hong Ying. Under the enhancement of the 'Golden House for a Beloved' technique, she only inherited two characteristics from Hong Ying: one was having a powerful presence, and the other was being fast. She couldn't use techniques like 'Unimpeded Passage.'

But why did *this* white-robed figure appear next to the beggar?

Because this was another Melon Hong Ying.

According to Li Banfeng's original tactic, he was to use himself as bait to lure the beggar into acting.

Tang blade changed the tactic: "My Lord, Beggar Cultivators only interact with ordinary people. He certainly won't be able to distinguish this rare Farming Arts technique."

Li Banfeng thought it impossible for a Cloud Level cultivator not to see through the flaws, but Tang blade understood Beggar Cultivators too well. The beggar genuinely believed the white-robed figure had broken through the bowl and was chasing him.

The beggar stopped running. Encountering a Votive Cultivator demanding compensation, he determined he couldn't outrun him.

He waited for the opponent to demand compensation, intending to directly resist with 'Thick Skin.' As long as he endured this one attack, he could then demand alms and turn the tide of the battle.

Now the key was how aggressive the demanded compensation would be, and whether 'Thick Skin' could withstand it.

The beggar was fully prepared. With his combat experience, he could use his techniques at any moment, unafraid of a surprise attack.

Melon Hong Ying stabbed the beggar.

A wound appeared on the beggar's face.

"That's it?"

"Just this much compensation?"

The beggar was stunned for a long time, realizing that things were not good.

Li Banfeng's tactic succeeded.

It was too difficult to find a weakness among the series of techniques: 'Pleading for Mercy,' 'Bamboo Flute to Beg for Food,' 'Forced Seizure,' 'Pushing for More,' and 'Worsening.'

Use the 'Closed Doors and Shut Gates' technique to trap the beggar, and then use a Wanderer technique to subdue him?

The idea was good.

But Li Banfeng wasn't skilled with 'Closed Doors and Shut Gates,' and the beggar's 'Thick Skin' might be able to withstand the aura of 'Closed Doors and Shut Gates.'

If he were to snatch something or play a tune, Li Banfeng would suffer a serious blow.

Defending against the attack of a Cloud Level Beggar Cultivator was almost impossible with Li Banfeng's current cultivation. In a head-on fight, he would be subdued in just a few rounds.

If he couldn't attack the opponent's offense, he had to attack their defense.

'A Thousand Catties in One Bowl' surrendered; the tactic was half successful!

The other half was 'Thick Skin.'

This technique was troublesome because the beggar was experienced and always ready to use it.

There was only one situation where he couldn't prepare his technique.

That was immediately after a technique had just been activated.

'Thick Skin' had already been activated and used, and a wound appeared on his face. This interval was Li Banfeng's best opportunity.

A figure flashed past the beggar.

The beggar's 'Thick Skin' technique wasn't ready yet, and his gaze had to be locked onto the opponent, otherwise he would fall victim to the 'Fleeting Glimpse' technique.

He didn't expect that the one he locked onto was still Melon Hong Ying, the third Melon Hong Ying.

Li Banfeng suddenly appeared behind the beggar.

This was very dangerous; the beggar might snatch things from him.

Going against all advice, Li Banfeng gambled it all!

He stomped down with his 'Treading Through Ten Thousand Rivers' technique, and the beggar's flesh and blood splattered everywhere.

He was injured, but not fatally. His Cloud Level cultivation allowed him to withstand that stomp.

Li Banfeng raised his leg and stomped again.

The beggar endured it again. With Cloud Level cultivation, even without using 'Thick Skin,' his physique was still so powerful.

He turned to pull at Li Banfeng's clothes. Li Banfeng didn't dodge and pulled out the key to his Portable Residence.

"'Taking the enemy's head with every strike!'" Tang blade roared, splitting down towards the beggar's forehead.

The position was extremely precise. If the beggar didn't dodge, the blade would hit him squarely in the forehead. If the beggar did dodge, Li Banfeng would immediately use 'Fleeting Glimpse.'

But the beggar had another option, a choice very familiar to Beggar Cultivators.

"'You've already given!'" The beggar didn't even think, directly grabbing Tang blade.

The opponent counterattacked by directly snatching the weapon; this was a fixed tactic for Beggar Cultivators, and the 'Pushing for More' technique succeeded.

This time, he didn't want to be conservative anymore; he only wanted Li Qi's head.

"'Just give it!'" Li Banfeng grabbed the beggar and activated the 'Homeward Bound Like an Arrow' technique.

"Such great strength!"

The beggar was startled. What kind of technique was this?

"'Give me your head!'" The beggar activated the 'Pushing for More' technique, but it didn't succeed.

'Going Against All Advice' forcefully raised Li Banfeng's Residence cultivation technique to the ninth level. With a two-level difference from Cloud Level One, the beggar couldn't take Li Banfeng's head.

If he had wanted one of Li Banfeng's hands, he might have succeeded.

Li Banfeng dared to gamble because he listened to Tang blade's advice: the beggar had suffered a loss before, so this time he would definitely strike hard.

"'Fight!'" Tang blade shouted loudly.

Dozens of Melon Hong Yings from around them charged forward together.

The ninth-level 'Homeward Bound Like an Arrow,' combined with Tang blade's forceful dragging, a group of Hong Yings pushing and colliding, and the beggar being injured—multiple forces combined to drag the beggar toward the Portable Residence's door.

"This is a residence?"

"Such great strength is a Residence cultivation technique?"

"How could this person be a Residence cultivator?"

"How could a Wanderer also be a Residence cultivator?"

The beggar couldn't understand. He also had no time to think further; he didn't want to enter a Residence cultivator's home.

"'You've already given...'" The beggar tugged at Li Banfeng's clothes, about to activate the 'Pushing for More' technique again.

"Waaah!" My wife roared from inside the residence. The beggar suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented, losing all power to resist, and was dragged into the Portable Residence by Li Banfeng.