Chapter 437: Passing Three Barriers

Chapter 438: Girl, Are You Alive?

Despite having no eyes, Hong Ying wrote the word "bitch" with remarkable precision.

Out of respect for Hong Ying, Li Banfeng didn't wipe the word away. He asked softly, "Yingying, I wanted to ask you about growing flesh."

Hong Ying chuckled, "Are you interested in my flesh now? Do you prefer my peaches or my conscience? Your wicked wife can't grow it, can she? Are you finally getting anxious?"

Li Banfeng honestly replied, "This matter is indeed urgent."

"Alright, I'll teach you. Just call me 'wife,' and I'll teach you."

"No problem!" Li Banfeng took a long moment, straining with effort, and finally squeezed out a sound from his throat: "Yingying."

"I told you to call me 'wife'!"

"Then, then what... darling Yingying."

"I told you to call me 'wife'!"

The gramophone in the main room said, "Darling husband, just call her 'wife.' Your little servant won't be angry."

Li Banfeng took a deep breath, stared at Hong Ying for a long time, but still didn't speak.

He couldn't bring himself to say it.

Anything else was fine, but there was only one wife.

Hong Ying gritted her teeth in frustration, "Fine! I won't make it difficult for you. I can't explain how the flesh grows, so you should ask our Old Master!"

Li Banfeng ran to the Third Chamber, smiling, "Old Master, about this flesh-growing business..."

The Portable Abode sneered, "Coming empty-handed and expecting to learn a skill? Are you not ashamed?"

Li Banfeng thumped his chest and looked up, saying, "I'll definitely make it up to you afterward. I never ask for favors for nothing. Old Master, just tell me what you want."

"Get me two railroad tracks."

Li Banfeng lowered his head again, "Old Master, that's asking too much. Can that just be obtained easily?"

"Put it on my tab, then. You can't learn this method of growing flesh. There's a fundamental barrier there. Bring Red Lotus here. I'll let her figure out a way."

So Red Lotus isn't hindered by that barrier?

Li Banfeng ran to the Ninth Chamber, picked up Red Lotus in his arms, and said, "A-Lian, I've neglected you these past few days."

Red Lotus produced dew all over her body and sprayed it all over Li Banfeng's face.

To show his sincerity, Li Banfeng didn't wipe it off!

He allowed the dew to air dry and carried Red Lotus to the Third Chamber.

The Portable Abode said to Red Lotus, "I'll tell you the principles of the spell, and we'll see if you can create a pill formula."

The two communicated in an unknown manner, and after about ten minutes, Red Lotus produced two lotus seeds.

The first lotus seed burst, and Li Banfeng obtained a Profound Essence Pill.

This was refined from Scholar Guo's corpse.

It's this again.

You might think it's useless, but it truly is a rare treasure.

You might say it's good, but Li Banfeng can't use it yet.

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and asked, "Is this for Brother Qiu?"

Red Lotus seemed to say something, but Li Banfeng couldn't hear clearly.

The Portable Abode translated, "This is for you. Qiu Luoye can't use it. She wants you to look at the other lotus seed."

Li Banfeng handed the Profound Essence Pill to his wife for safekeeping and peeled the other lotus seed.

The lotus seed burst, and Li Banfeng saw a pill formula.

It listed one hundred and thirty-two types of medicinal ingredients, with two pounds of each.

"Are we opening a pharmacy?" Li Banfeng couldn't help but say. Red Lotus clearly didn't want to reveal the formula.

Red Lotus closed her lotus leaves, seemingly pouting at Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng needed their help, so he couldn't get angry. He returned to his wife's side and continued to ask about the Three Trials.

"Darling wife, the first trial is soul separation, the second is resurrection. What's the third?"

"The third trial is 'Safeguarding the Territory.' After resurrection, one must rely on their territory to find their 'status.' The larger the territory and the more familiar one is with it, the faster one finds their status. Qiu Luoye needs to rely on Wuqin Township to regain his status to stabilize his cultivation, and then stabilize his soul. Even a slight unfamiliarity will prevent him from passing this trial. Is he familiar with Wuqin Township?"

Li Banfeng fell silent again.

Aside from the time he killed Qiao Shaofen, Qiu Luoye had never been to Wuqin Township. He disliked the atmosphere there.

Furthermore, Wuqin Township's territory isn't large, only a little over three thousand square units, which is far too small compared to Qiu Luoye's original territory.

Li Banfeng became worried, "Darling wife, these three trials are too difficult to pass!"

His wife sighed, "That's why I said there's less than a ten percent chance. Husband, the stakes are too high, and the odds are too low. Let's think of another solution."

There was no better solution.

There was no time to think either.

Inner Prefecture could make a move at any moment. Qiu Luoye's life was hanging by a thread; it could be gone in an instant.

Li Banfeng left the Portable Abode and found Qiu Luoye.

Qiu Luoye was tipsy from drinking and was just about to go home to sleep. Li Banfeng said, "Brother Qiu, I've come up with an idea. Whether it'll work is hard to say, but if you trust me, let's take a gamble. The method is this..."

Li Banfeng explained the process of passing the three trials to Qiu Luoye. He knew it wasn't easy to understand logically, so he explained every detail in the simplest way possible.

After explaining, Li Banfeng asked, "Brother, is there anything you still don't understand?"

Qiu Luoye rubbed his nose and said, "Isn't it just passing three trials? Which, which three trials were they again?"

Li Banfeng blinked, "Brother, how much have you had to drink?"

Qiu Luoye waved his hand, "Never mind which three trials they are. I'll just follow your lead."

"To make this work, we'll have to dig up your deed. It's a matter of life and death, so you must make the decision yourself."

Qiu Luoye wasn't afraid of this: "Dig it up then! I'm dead either way, so I trust you."

Since the decision was made, they began preparations.

"Brother Qiu, first go and walk around Wuqin Township to familiarize yourself with the territory. The more familiar, the better."

"Old Seven, give me two days. I'll definitely familiarize myself with Wuqin Township."

"Still two days?"

"Two days isn't long. I haven't been there much before."

This matter couldn't be rushed. He could only hope that Inner Prefecture wouldn't make a move in these two days, so the third trial would at least have a chance.

Li Banfeng first went to Ma Wu and gave him the pill formula: "Help me buy some medicinal ingredients."

Ma Wu was startled, "Buying so much? Do you want to open a pharmacy?"

"I do have that intention."

Returning to the Portable Abode, Li Banfeng said to the Old Master, "I need to go to Zhengjing Village."

"What are you going to do there?"

"To learn the Soul Separation mental cultivation method."

The Portable Abode was puzzled. Does anyone in Zhengjing Village know the Soul Separation mental cultivation method?

But he didn't ask further. Li Banfeng imagined Zhengjing Village, and upon opening the door, he indeed arrived there.

Leaving the Portable Abode, Li Banfeng didn't enter the village. He walked steadily into the depths of the New Land, covering over seventy li. Ahead, through the dense fog, a city appeared.

Entering the city gate, a man approached and shouted at Li Banfeng, "Where are you from? Did you pay the city gate fee?"

"They still charge a city gate fee?" Li Banfeng sneered. "Who are you trying to fool? Do you take me for an outsider?"

The man paused, "You're not an outsider?"

"I'm the owner of Changsan Courtesan House, Tang Changfa."

When he left Fool's City, Sun Tiecheng had given Li Banfeng a property: the Changsan Courtesan House in the city, which was temporarily managed by Tang Changfa.

The man scrutinized Li Banfeng, "Nonsense! I know Tang Changfa, and you don't look anything like him!"

Li Banfeng frowned, "I just changed my flesh and blood."

"Changed what flesh and blood?" This sentence made the man feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Are you truly ignorant, or are you pretending? Do I have to spell it out for you?"

"Who has time to listen to your nonsense!" The man turned and left.

Knowing they are dead yet firmly believing they are alive—in this regard, only the people of Fool's City are truly masters.

Every person there firmly believed they were still alive, without a shred of doubt.

This was due to the Fool's Cultivation technique. According to Sun Tiecheng, one could achieve this by speaking with absolute certainty, thereby deceiving oneself.

But Qiu Luoye wasn't a Fool's Cultivator. How could he deceive himself? How could he make himself believe the dead were alive?

The first trial was too difficult; Qiu Luoye couldn't complete it alone. Li Banfeng had to help him, and how exactly to help still needed thorough research.

Researching alone was useless; he needed to conduct an on-site investigation. Qiu Luoye needed time to familiarize himself with his territory, and this time could be used to go to Fool's City to learn the technique.

As for how much to learn and how much to use, that would depend on Li Banfeng's ability and Qiu Luoye's luck.

Wandering aimlessly in Fool's City was also very dangerous. Li Banfeng had to find his property, the Changsan Courtesan House, as quickly as possible.

Li Banfeng had never been to the Changsan Courtesan House before. Sun Tiecheng had only given him a general direction.

He didn't ask for directions; asking for directions in Fool's City was akin to delivering himself on a platter. Li Banfeng walked along the streets, figuring things out on his own.

A fortune teller approached him and said, "Young man, you're destined for a bloody disaster!"

Li Banfeng drew his sickle and said, "You got it right! I'm here to take revenge on you!"

The fortune teller ran away.

Li Banfeng continued walking. An inn attendant came out and greeted him, "Sir, are you looking for a room?"

Li Banfeng asked, "How much?"

"A superior room is eighty-one per night."

Li Banfeng extended his hand and said, "Give me the money."

The attendant was stunned for a moment, "You're staying at my inn, and I'm supposed to give you money?"

Li Banfeng drew his Tang blade and said, "I'm not staying here. I'm robbing you."

"Please take care, Sir." The attendant also ran away.

Although Li Banfeng's attitude was domineering, in reality, he dared not say too much to them.

These people were inferior to Li Banfeng in cultivation level, but when it came to Fool's Cultivation techniques, they were all veterans.

Fool's Cultivation techniques disregarded cultivation levels; just a few extra words could lead Li Banfeng astray.

After walking for over half an hour, Li Banfeng found the Changsan Courtesan House.

A young woman came out to greet him. She was wearing an emerald green cheongsam with magpies announcing spring patterns. Her long hair was tied back with a hairpin, and her forehead had a slight wave. Her features were very delicate, but the makeup was a bit too thick, covering her natural skin tone.

"Sir, please come in and sit." The young woman linked her arm with Li Banfeng's and led him into the courtesan house. She first poured him a cup of tea.

Li Banfeng smiled, "Miss, what may I call you?"

"My name is Yan Hong, Sir."

"May I ask the price?"

"Oh my, Sir, you really are..." the young woman said with a playful reproach. "To ask me about prices when you come to a courtesan house, that truly spoils a scholar's elegant mood."

"My apologies, I was rude. How much tuition do you charge for lessons here?"

The young woman smiled and sat on Li Banfeng's lap, "Sir, this is the Changsan Courtesan House. Tea, accompanying drinks, and overnight stays are all three yuan."

Li Banfeng pulled out ten silver dollars and placed them in the young woman's hand.

The young woman panicked, "Oh my, Sir, you've given so much! Your humble servant doesn't know how to serve you anymore."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "You don't need to serve me. You just need to tell me a few things: Are you alive or dead?"

The young woman frowned, "Sir, why would you ask such a question? Of course, I'm alive."

"How do you know you're alive?"

"I have flesh and blood, and I can breathe while sitting here. Of course, I'm alive."

"How did the flesh on your body get attached?"

The young woman stood up and glared at Li Banfeng, "Are you here to cause trouble?"

Li Banfeng pulled out another ten silver dollars from his pocket, "I just want to ask a few things."

The young woman angrily said, "What good is money? Does having money mean you can act wildly here?"

At her shout, many young women in the courtesan house poked their heads out to look.

Tang Changfa, who managed the courtesan house for Li Banfeng, walked out carrying a stick, "Let's see who dares to cause trouble here!"

Yan Hong pointed at Li Banfeng and said, "It's this person!"

Tang Changfa stared at Li Banfeng for a moment, then swung his stick and hit Yan Hong's buttocks.

Yan Hong rubbed her buttocks, her eyes red, and said, "Why are you hitting me? He's the one causing trouble here!"

Tang Changfa angrily said, "This is our esteemed manager! How dare you say he's causing trouble? I think you're asking for a beating!"

After saying that, Tang Changfa hit her a few more times. Yan Hong covered her buttocks, tears welling in her eyes, not daring to make a sound.

Li Banfeng stopped Tang Changfa, "Don't hit the young woman. I just wanted to ask her a few questions."

Tang Changfa dropped the stick and smiled, "Manager, she doesn't understand anything. You can just ask me if you have any questions."

"Alright then, I'll ask you: Are you alive?"

Tang Changfa chuckled, "Yes! Of course, I'm alive!"

"How do you know you're alive?"

"Can a dead person talk to you?"

That was a very logical point!

"How did the flesh on your body get attached?"

"It's been growing on my bones since I was little!"

Tang Changfa's smile remained unchanged, and he answered without hesitation. His level of cultivation was different; no matter what he was asked, he wouldn't get flustered.

This matter was closely related to cultivation level.

Learning from the person with the highest cultivation level would yield the highest success rate.

Was Tang Changfa the person with the highest cultivation level among those present?

He couldn't jump to conclusions.

Li Banfeng called down the other young women, lined them up, and questioned them one by one.

"Miss, what is your name?"

"My name is Yan Cui'er."

"Are you alive?"

Yan Cui'er said, feeling wronged, "Yes, I'm alive."

She felt wronged after just one question, far inferior to Tang Changfa. Her level of understanding was insufficient.

Li Banfeng then asked the next person, "Miss, what is your name?"

"My name is Yan Qing'er."