Chapter 481: Left and Right Indistinguishable

Liao Zihui's brows were tightly furrowed as he read the report in the Security Hall.

The Security Hall had recently established contact with Saintly Peak, and their relationship held significant potential for growth. It was completely unexpected that such a major incident would suddenly occur. Saintly Peak was gone, the Saint's fate was unknown, and Scoundrel's Ridge was now overrun with Blade Demons. Liao Zihui simply couldn't comprehend why so many dire events had unfolded in just a few short days.

All their previous efforts had come to nothing. As Liao Zihui pondered how to explain the situation to his superiors, Deputy Chief Xia Shumin entered. "Chief," Xia Shumin reported, "there's still no news from Bulb."

Liao Zihui sighed, staring at Xia Shumin for a long moment. He knew Xia Shumin had a complicated background and that he was the likely successor to the Chief's position after his retirement. Because of this, Liao Zihui always maintained a restrained demeanor when speaking with him. However, this time, he could no longer hold back.

"Xia," Liao Zihui demanded, "why did you insist on sending Bulb to monitor Li Qi? It's Bulb's first time in Prolix State. What did you expect him to do by confronting Li Qi? Were you trying to get him killed?"

Xia Shumin bowed his head. "It was an oversight on my part," he admitted, "but Bulb has clearly met with an unfortunate end. Shouldn't Li Qi be held accountable?"

"Who said he met with misfortune?" Liao Zihui roared. "Did you see a body? If there's no body, he's still alive! Go out and find him! Dig three feet deep if you have to, but bring him back!"

Xia Shumin left Liao Zihui's office. Beneath his outwardly dejected expression, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. Liao Zihui was desperate. Desperation was good. Desperation would put him on the right path! Bulb was undoubtedly dead. Finding the body wasn't nearly as important as seeing how long Liao Zihui could hold out.

Bulb clumsily peeled the hide from a Fish-Faced Mantis with a small knife, then carefully hung it in front of the tent. "Uncle Shen," he chuckled, "the hide's all prepared."

The Dark Star Bureau sent people to Prolix State for advanced training every year. Though Junior High Two had applied and wasn't selected, Bulb was forced to come against his will. Upon arrival, he received orders from the new Deputy Chief, Xia Shumin, to monitor Li Qi at Carefree Harbor. Instead, Li Qi sent him to the New Lands, where he encountered a ferocious monstrous creature. After a brutal battle, he was rescued by the old hunter, Shen Xueyong. For the past few days, he had been living and working with Shen Xueyong in the New Lands. While learning about the region, he also assisted Shen Xueyong with tasks, one of which was skinning creatures.

Shen Xueyong emerged from the tent and inspected the hide. Noticing the numerous knife marks on the hide, Shen Xueyong frowned. "This was a first-grade hide," he stated, "and in your hands, it's become third-grade. You're truly not suited for this kind of work."

Bulb's face flushed with shame. "There are still two mantises left," he offered, "I'll try to practice better."

Shen Xueyong waved him off. "Please, don't practice any more," he sighed. "You'll ruin my entire trade. Head twenty li east, and you'll reach Blue Poplar Village. Once there, find a carriage and quickly make your way to Greenwater City."

Bulb rubbed his hands together. "Please, Uncle Shen," he pleaded, "you take me. Twenty li is too far. What if something happens on the way?"

Shen Xueyong spat. "Twenty li, and I still have to take you?" he scoffed. "Do I need to feed you your meals too?"

Bulb's face crumpled. "But this is the New Lands!" he whined. "If I encounter a monstrous creature, I really can't handle it."

"This area is very close to the Right Lands," Shen Xueyong explained. "There aren't any powerful monstrous creatures here."

"The red dragon I encountered earlier was pretty formidable," Bulb argued. "That thing nearly killed me."

"What red dragon?" Shen Xueyong asked with a look of disdain. "That was just an earthworm! I don't even need a knife to deal with those things!"

"Uncle Shen, you must be mistaken," Bulb insisted. "How could that be an earthworm? It caused landslides and cracks in the earth with a single movement!"

Shen Xueyong was at a loss for words. "I am a Body Cultivator!" he exclaimed. "My original form *is* an earthworm. How could I possibly be mistaken about that creature? You're old enough to venture into the New Lands, so you should have some genuine skills, shouldn't you? Even if not, at least have some courage! There's only one road to Blue Poplar Village. If you're any kind of man, you'll walk there yourself. If you're truly too afraid, then bow and beg someone else to take you, but I'm done with you!"

Shen Xueyong sent Bulb on his way. The old hunter, known for his bravery and skill, held considerable renown among fellow hunters. He was the one who had guided Li Banfeng to the Orange Grove years ago. Taking Bulb along now would not only prevent him from earning money but also bring him embarrassment.

Resigned, Bulb braced himself and, following the map Shen Xueyong had given him, walked all the way to Blue Poplar Village. Along the way, he encountered several monstrous creatures. After his training with Shen Xueyong, Bulb was no longer as fearful. Some creatures were timid and could be scared off, others were intelligent enough to be reasoned with. When he encountered a monstrous creature that was both unreasonable and fearless, Bulb simply fled, running as fast as he could.

Upon reaching Blue Poplar Village, he saw houses and villagers. This was a place where people should live. Though a bit dilapidated, it was infinitely better than the New Lands. Bulb's spirits soared, and his confidence surged. He had survived the New Lands; what obstacle could possibly stop him now? Prolix State was nothing special!

During his time in the New Lands, he had subsisted on dry rations with Shen Xueyong. Li Qi had given him two cans, but those had been stolen by the earthworms. Ahead, he spotted a noodle shop. Enticed by the enticing aroma, Bulb stepped inside, pulled up a chair at a table, and told the waiter, "Bring me a menu."

The waiter understood immediately when Bulb asked for a menu. This man had never been to their noodle shop before. "Honored guest, we don't have a menu here," the waiter replied. "Just tell us what you'd like to eat. While we don't have rare delicacies, our home-style meals are sure to satisfy you."

Bulb nodded. "What's your specialty?" he asked.

"We're a noodle shop," the waiter said, "so our specialty is lamb noodles."

"How much?"

"Noodles are twenty. No tricks, fair to all. Would you like a large or a small bowl?"

"A large bowl of noodles, with extra lamb," Bulb ordered.

The waiter paused. "You want *extra* lamb?"

Bulb chuckled. "What's the worry?" he said. "I'll just pay you more. And stir-fry two small side dishes for me as well."

The waiter paused again. "You want to order *dishes*?"

Bulb frowned. "Don't you make home-style dishes?" he asked.

The waiter gave a simple grin. "Just tell me the dish name," he said.

"Just make whatever you're best at," Bulb instructed. "Something tasty and well-made will do!"

"Right away!" the waiter replied cheerfully, heading to the back kitchen. The other customers in the restaurant stared at Bulb in surprise. Bulb sensed there was something peculiar going on, and he knew this meal wouldn't be cheap. But how expensive could it possibly be, even if it wasn't cheap? As long as the price wasn't outrageous, he'd pay. But if they tried to rip him off, he wouldn't hesitate to fight. What was there to fear? He was a Dark Energy user, and in Prolix State, that meant he was a person of cultivation.

Bulb picked up his chopsticks, determined to enjoy a satisfying meal today!

An hour later.

Bulb emerged from the noodle shop wearing only his boxers, his face covered in bruises and cuts. He had never imagined that noodles would be sold by the strand, and lamb by the thread. The money was gone, and Bulb was even wondering if he could get an extra piece of clothing. The noodle shop owner, carrying a cleaver and wiping blood from his face, grinned at Bulb. "Honored guest," he said, "do you still want some noodles?"

They had fought a brutal battle. If it had truly been a fight to the death, Bulb might not have lost to the owner. However, Bulb felt that fighting to the death for a meal wasn't worth it. Moreover, they were outnumbered. Who would have thought that the entire establishment was filled with the owner's henchmen? Walking some distance away, Bulb glanced back at the noodle shop and spat on the ground. "Just wait until I get back to the Security Hall and tell Chief Liao about this," he muttered to himself. "I'll make sure your miserable shop gets shut down."

But how was he going to get back to the Security Hall? At the village entrance, he saw some carriages. Bulb approached one and asked, "Is there a ride to Greenwater City?"

The carriage driver chuckled. "Greenwater City is no problem," he said, "but do you have any money? All you have left is your underwear. Are you planning to pawn that?"

"Take me to Greenwater City," Bulb stated. "Once we arrive, I'll pay you double the fare."

The driver laughed again. "When we get to Greenwater City, if you can't produce a single coin, who am I supposed to collect from? Am I going to drag you all the way back here? Young man," he continued, "you look young and clean-cut. Go find a way to earn some money. Walking around the village entrance in just your underwear — aren't you ashamed?" The other carriage drivers nearby all chuckled at Bulb's predicament.

Bulb gritted his teeth, then with a sudden leap, he landed behind the driver and clamped a hand around his throat. The incident at the noodle shop had taught Bulb a clear lesson: to survive in Prolix State, he couldn't afford to be a good person!

Seeing this, the other drivers surrounded them, shouting, "What do you think you're doing? If you can't pay the fare, are you going to cause trouble here?"

"I didn't say I wouldn't pay the fare," Bulb retorted. "Once we reach Greenwater City, I'll pay double. I'm asking you one last time: are you driving or not?"

The driver chuckled. "Easy there, little brother," he said, "I know you're in a tough spot. Everything I said earlier was just a joke. Never mind double the fare; even if you don't pay a single copper, what's it to me to give you a ride? I have a fur coat in my carriage; if you don't mind, you can put it on for now. I'm actually heading to Greenwater City to pick someone up, so I can give you a lift along the way!"

Bulb released the driver. In Prolix State, it seemed, fists were the only true currency. The driver set off immediately, traveling from afternoon well into the night. "Young man," the driver said, "this is an urgent pickup, so I have to travel all night. If you get tired, just sleep in the carriage."

Bulb mumbled a reply, but he dared not sleep. His eyes remained wide open the entire journey, his gaze never leaving the driver. As they passed a hill, the driver suddenly cracked his whip. "Hold on tight, young man!" he shouted. As he spoke, both horses pulling the carriage simultaneously reared up on their hind legs. The carriage lurched, tossing Bulb off. As he tried to get up, the fur coat the old man had lent him wrapped tightly around his body like ropes, immobilizing him.

The old man drove off, leaving Bulb covered in oil. Using the slickness, he managed to wriggle free from the fur coat. He concentrated the oil onto his feet, preparing to chase the old man, when suddenly a group of people rushed down from the roadside, surrounding Bulb. The leader was a dark-faced man named Kang Qihai, who served as the helmsman of a Greenwater branch of the Jiangxiang Gang. On the night Li Qi purged the Jiangxiang Gang, Kang Qihai had been away on business, narrowly escaping the massacre. He had since gathered the remaining forces and established himself as a mountain bandit.

Bulb had never imagined that the carriage driver would be so malicious, leading him directly into a bandit's lair. Seeing the menacing bandits surround him, Bulb puffed out his chest, tugged up his boxers, and declared, "I don't have a single coin on me. See what else you can steal."

Kang Qihai looked at Bulb and chuckled. "He's quite handsome," he remarked.

Bulb froze. What did that mean? The surrounding bandits all laughed. Such occurrences weren't uncommon among mountain outlaws. A group of them stepped forward, tied Bulb up, and brought him back to the mountain stronghold. They had assumed the chieftain was merely toying with him, but to their surprise, Kang Qihai was serious. That night, he didn't touch Bulb. The next day, however, he set up several tables for a feast within the stronghold, brought in a matchmaker from a nearby village, and even prepared a palanquin and a bridal chamber. This was to be a proper, public marriage!

Bulb, dressed in bright red and adorned with a red bridal veil, was tied and placed into the palanquin. He was then carried from outside the stronghold to within, every traditional step of the ceremony performed. By nightfall, Kang Qihai was in high spirits from drinking. Bulb could clearly hear the sounds of shouting and finger-guessing games from the room. What was he to do? Soon, he would come to the bridal chamber! Could he escape?

Bulb had tried. Breaking free from the ropes was easy; the hard part was figuring out how to get out of the stronghold. While his "oiled feet" technique allowed him to run fast, he'd inevitably be captured halfway through his escape. This was partly because his oil supply would run out, and partly because he was unfamiliar with the roads. As the noise from the main hall slowly died down, Bulb prepared to fight to the death.

A flurry of footsteps sounded, and Luo Zhengnan entered the bridal chamber with over a dozen men. Through a gap in his veil, Bulb peeked out and realized the situation was amiss. Had there been a change of plans? Where was Kang Qihai? And what about his bandits?

Earlier, Luo Zhengnan had summoned a group of friends to the Jiangxiang Gang's main hall to discuss suppressing bandits. Their target was specifically the remnants of the Jiangxiang Gang, and Kang Qihai was one of Luo Zhengnan's objectives. As a former helmsman of the Jiangxiang Gang, Kang Qihai was considered formidable among mountain bandits. However, in Luo Zhengnan's presence, his meager tactics were utterly ineffective. In less than two days, Luo Zhengnan had thoroughly mapped out the mountain paths. Tonight, taking advantage of Kang Qihai's wedding celebrations, Luo Zhengnan led his men up the mountain, swiftly dismantling the stronghold and decapitating Kang Qihai.

Upon entering the bridal chamber, Luo Zhengnan lifted Bulb's veil, gazed at him for a moment, and then remarked with admiration, "He truly is handsome."

Bulb gritted his teeth, broke free from his bonds, and dashed towards the door. Several of Luo Zhengnan's men tried to grab him, but couldn't; Bulb was incredibly slippery. Luo Zhengnan glanced at one of his subordinates, a fire cultivator, who understood the unspoken command. The fire cultivator unleashed a curtain of flames, blocking the doorway. Bulb dared not run anymore, standing in the center of the room, trembling.

Luo Zhengnan chuckled. "An Oil Cultivator," he remarked, "that's a rare cultivation path."

"An Oil Cultivator is good," a subordinate commented. "So slippery!"

"Keep this person for now," Luo Zhengnan instructed. "Seventh Master might have a use for him."

His subordinates looked stunned. "Seventh Master likes *this* too?" one asked.

Luo Zhengnan frowned. "What nonsense are you spouting? Just guard him for now."

"The Seventh Master you're talking about is Li Qi, isn't it?" Bulb cried out. "I know him! We're acquainted! Let me see him!"

Luo Zhengnan paused for a moment. "You know Seventh Master?" he asked.

"I do!" Bulb insisted. "If you mention me to him, he'll definitely know who I am!"

Luo Zhengnan considered for a moment, then found a fishing net. He stuffed Bulb inside and hung him from the bridal chamber's ceiling beam.

At Yellow Earth Bridge, Li Qi handed over more than ten thousand displaced people he had brought from Scoundrel's Ridge to Qin Bulou. Frankly, Qin Bulou was reluctant to take them. As a ninth-tier Calculation Cultivator who had remained at that level for many years, Qin Bulou naturally possessed extensive knowledge. He also knew something of the true state of Scoundrel's Ridge.

"Seventh Master," Qin Bulou said, "I will certainly carry out your orders, but I might not be able to manage all these people."

"You must manage them, regardless," Li Qi replied. "These people can help you guard the territory; you must take them in. However, if anyone dares to spread the Saint's teachings in Yellow Earth Bridge, kill them on sight. Show no mercy."

Qin Bulou agreed and began looking for accommodations for the newcomers.

Li Banfeng walked through the streets of Yellow Earth Bridge. Under Ma Wu's management, the area had shown some improvement, but the results were quite limited. North Bridge was slightly more prosperous than before, and West Bridge, with its mines, showed a faint semblance of activity. However, East Bridge and South Bridge remained desolate. East Bridge, in particular, was still completely empty, appearing no different from before.

As Li Banfeng walked down the street, he noticed a coffee shop and contemplated whether to enter. In Prolix State, coffee was a rare commodity. Yellow Earth Bridge once boasted coffee shops, a testament to its former prosperity. However, a palpable sense of danger now emanated from the abandoned coffee shop, piquing Li Banfeng's curiosity. Who exactly wanted to ambush him here?

Li Banfeng walked past the coffee shop without pause or slowing his pace, as if he hadn't noticed it at all. From the second floor of the coffee shop, a man leaped down and swiftly lunged towards Li Banfeng's back. He didn't need to physically touch Li Banfeng; he only needed to be within a suitable range to infect him with a pathogen.

Li Banfeng glanced back. It was Wan Jinxian, another disciple of the Greenwater Beggar, a strategist for Lu Dongjun, and one of He Jiaqing's most loyal subordinates. According to Cui Tik's description, he was a seventh-tier Disease Cultivator. When Li Qi killed Tu Yinghong, Wan Jinxian had attempted to secretly eliminate him. Li Qi escaped by retreating into his Portable Residence, but Ma Wu contracted a severe illness as a result. Wan Jinxian's impression was that Li Banfeng was a fifth-tier Travel Cultivator. To this day, Wan Jinxian's understanding of Li Qi was stuck in that earlier period, a time when Li Qi dared not confront him directly. Had he known that the current Li Qi possessed dual eighth-tier cultivation in both Residence and Travel, he would never have dared to launch a sneak attack.

Li Banfeng had many ways to kill Wan Jinxian. The simplest would be to instantly vanish from his sight and then cause him to explode. However, this approach came at a great cost. If Wan Jinxian exploded, his remains would be difficult to clean up, and even a slight oversight could trigger a plague. East Bridge was meant to remain a no-man's-land for a long time, and if an epidemic spread, the entire Yellow Earth Bridge would be in dire straits. Although Cui Tik had mentioned that Wan Jinxian's pathogens weren't as potent as the Greenwater Beggar's, Wan Jinxian's body still contained a portion of the Greenwater Beggar's power.

The best approach was to send Wan Jinxian directly into the Portable Residence. Lady and Red Lotus could then completely cleanse his soul and physical body, followed by a thorough steam rinse, leaving no trace. Li Banfeng waited for Wan Jinxian to draw closer, secretly retrieving the key to open his Portable Residence. Wan Jinxian slowly closed in from behind. A strong sense of peril filled Li Banfeng's mind. At the opportune moment, he planned to flash aside, allowing Wan Jinxian to rush directly into the Portable Residence, then shut the door.

However, Li Banfeng now faced a serious problem. Which way should he turn the key? *Am I sick? How many times have I opened the Portable Residence door? Do I really need to think about this?* But Li Banfeng genuinely couldn't recall. Left or right? Which way was left?

Wan Jinxian was drawing closer, and Li Banfeng had to dodge, or risk infection from Wan Jinxian's pathogens. Seeing Li Banfeng evade him, Wan Jinxian expressed a hint of regret. "Travel Cultivators' instinct for self-preservation makes them difficult to deal with," he admitted. "However, I didn't intend to kill you. I merely want to ask you one thing: what exactly is your relationship with He Jiaqing?"

"Why do you ask?" Li Banfeng smiled, though his heart was racing. It wasn't that he couldn't remember how to open the door; it was that he couldn't distinguish left from right. For a moment, he seemed to have lost all sense of direction. Not only direction, but his concept of distance was also blurred. He was now unsure if the space between him and Wan Jinxian was safe, uncertain whether his next move would be forward or backward. He even worried that he might have already been infected by Wan Jinxian's pathogens. Did Wan Jinxian possess pathogens that interfered with one's sense of direction and distance? It was possible. Li Banfeng had witnessed Cui Tik cause one of He Caiyuan's clones to suffer from vertigo. His current condition was somewhat similar to vertigo. Direction and distance were fundamental to Travel Cultivators; losing these senses would severely impair a Travel Cultivator's combat effectiveness.

Wan Jinxian was not in a hurry to strike at Li Banfeng. Before killing him, he needed to gather more information. "He Jiaqing always talks about reclaiming Red Lotus, and he knows it's in your possession," Wan Jinxian said. "Yet, every time he acts against you, he's incredibly cautious. I don't understand why. Can you tell me?"

Li Banfeng smiled. "I believe Red Lotus isn't in my possession," he said. "It's likely in his own hands. He doesn't want that exposed, which is why he's preventing you from dealing a fatal blow to me." The clarity of his statement made Li Banfeng believe he was likely not suffering from any affliction.

Wan Jinxian nodded. "That's what I suspected," he said. "He Jiaqing doesn't want to reveal Red Lotus and is using you as a pretext. But if that's the case, then you're of no use to me."

"Don't say that," Li Banfeng chuckled. "You still have some use to me. How did you know I was in Yellow Earth Bridge? Did you plant a spy near me?"

Wan Jinxian frowned slightly. "Li Qi, why are you always so brazen?" he asked. "Don't you realize you're already a prominent figure in Prolix State? Why do you still prefer to work alone?"

"Perhaps it's the nature of Travel Cultivators," Li Banfeng replied.

Wan Jinxian laughed. "Don't be absurd. I've seen plenty of renowned Travel Cultivators, and they all have companions. Take Bao Yingchen, for instance, the Great Golden Seal of Three Heroes Gate. Speaking of him, there was a rumor that you two fought for days without a clear victor and eventually became friends. I actually believed it at first. But now it seems you don't have that kind of ability at all. How did Bao Yingchen really die? Are you willing to tell me?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," he replied. "You might as well go down and ask him yourself."

Wan Jinxian's face hardened. "I'll ask you one last thing," he said. "Do you know anything about He Jiaqing's trip to Saintly Peak? Why did you bring the people from Scoundrel's Ridge to Yellow Earth Bridge? Is this matter connected to He Jiaqing?"

Li Banfeng sighed. "You talk a lot," he said. "Anything else you haven't finished saying? Because once you're done, it's time for you to go."

"Fine, you've got guts!" Wan Jinxian snarled, lunging suddenly at Li Banfeng. His speed was astonishingly fast, aided by a nail embedded in his heel—a magical artifact used by Travel Cultivators. Although there was provocation in his words, Wan Jinxian was unsure of Li Qi's true strength. Had he not been forced into a corner by the Greenwater Beggar, he wouldn't have wanted to confront Li Qi head-on.

Li Banfeng rapidly retreated, struggling to maintain a safe distance from Wan Jinxian. Due to his impaired sense of direction and distance, his movements were somewhat sluggish. Wan Jinxian pressed closer, knowing that if he could just make Li Qi cough, the initiative would be his. The two circled each other for a long time. Li Banfeng decided to use the Thousand Mountains technique to bring a perilous location into play and end the battle as quickly as possible. Where would be suitable to bring? After a moment's thought, Li Banfeng decided to bring Blade Demon Ridge here. Even if the technique couldn't bring the Blade Demons, Blade Demon Ridge itself was a unique place. Its mountains were densely forested with no established paths. No matter how fast Wan Jinxian was, he lacked the technique to forge a new path. With the advantage of the terrain, Li Banfeng was confident he could kill Wan Jinxian.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to unleash his technique, he felt a tremor in his chest. It was Old Luo's phone. The technique was interrupted, but his sense of direction significantly improved. Li Banfeng seemed able to distinguish left from right again. Should he disregard the plague risk and use "Glimpse of Flowers" to blast him to death? No. His sense of distance was still not quite right. Li Banfeng hesitated to use "Glimpse of Flowers" carelessly, fearing he might suddenly appear too close to Wan Jinxian, not only failing to escape his sight but also falling victim to his pathogens.

Wan Jinxian's movements grew faster and faster, while the phone in Li Banfeng's chest continued to vibrate. Why did receiving a call restore his sense of direction? Amidst their maneuvers, Li Banfeng murmured, "Answer the phone." The glove swiftly retrieved the circuit board from Li Banfeng's chest, inserted the battery, and attached the antenna. The call connected.

At that exact moment, Wan Jinxian suddenly appeared right in front of Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng instinctively kicked Wan Jinxian. Before Wan Jinxian could unleash his pathogens, Li Banfeng's kick sent him flying a considerable distance. How far exactly? Wan Jinxian himself couldn't estimate. He kept flying, colliding with several buildings along the way, yet the buildings remained undamaged, and he himself was completely unscathed. He flew faster and faster, the surrounding scenery blurring from clear to indistinct, until it vanished entirely from sight. He realized he had flown beyond the Yellow Earth Bridge's boundaries, yet he remained unharmed. What kind of technique was this? A Thousand-Mile Farewell? Could Li Qi use A Thousand-Mile Farewell?

In despair, Wan Jinxian continued to fly. The moment he finally landed, he found himself in a dense forest. What was this place? "Screech!" Wan Jinxian heard a roar.

Luo Zhengnan had connected the call but heard no sound from Li Qi. Was it a signal problem? He adjusted the antenna on his head, repeatedly calling out, "Seventh Master, Seventh Master? Can you hear me?"

"Yes." The voice didn't come from the phone. Luo Zhengnan shivered, then spun around sharply, seeing Li Banfeng standing directly behind him.

"Seventh Master, you... how did you get here?"

Li Banfeng himself didn't know how he had arrived. "Weren't you looking for me?" Li Qi said dismissively. "What exactly do you want?"

"Well, I..." Luo Zhengnan composed himself, pulled the antenna from his head, and led Li Banfeng into the bridal chamber. Bulb was still suspended in the fishing net from the ceiling beam. Luo Zhengnan ordered his men to release him.

Li Banfeng lifted Bulb's veil, took a look, and smiled faintly. "You know," he mused, "he really is quite handsome!"