Chapter 489: The Truth About the Light-Chasing Group

The Old Teapot served two pots of tea, and the atmosphere in the room became much livelier.

Mosonov was the most enthusiastic, providing a detailed introduction to his organization, The Light Chasers. This organization worshipped light, not as an abstract concept, but as a tangible entity—what people in Puluo State called Heavenly Light. Besides Heavenly Light itself, they also revered individuals and objects that had been touched by it.

Those touched by Heavenly Light accumulated a significant "Aura of the Path," quickly gaining the basic conditions for entering the Path of Cultivation. The Light Chasers considered these individuals "Favored by Light." Objects touched by Heavenly Light would also acquire substantial "Dark Energy," serving as vital "medicine guides" for cultivators to enter the Path of Cultivation, essential materials for them to become Dark Energy users. This aspect was somewhat similar to Puluo State.

"Where do your initiation powders come from?"

Mosonov shook his head. "In Lavsha, there are no initiation powders like those in Puluo State."

Li Banfeng didn't understand. "Without powders, how do people touched by Heavenly Light survive?"

"Almost no one survives. In their final moments, they face the light and achieve a 'blossoming of life.' This is the light's favor, recorded in our scriptures."

"Blossoming, huh?" Li Banfeng sneered. "Why don't you just say 'explosion'?"

"Not everyone achieves a blossoming of life. Our Pope, after being illuminated by the light, miraculously survived. Therefore, he is destined to be our leader, an emissary of light guiding us forward."

"Who is the Pope?"

"I've seen him many times, but I've never seen his true face. He uses various methods to conceal his appearance. He speaks many languages, each perfectly, so I can't tell where he's from. He is an emissary chosen by light; he is omniscient and omnipotent. Following him is the greatest honor of my life."

Omniscience and omnipotence were surely nonsense; if he truly possessed such abilities, he wouldn't need to form The Light Chasers and cause trouble in Puluo State. However, surviving after being touched by Heavenly Light without powders was genuinely difficult, at least proving the person had very special physical conditions.

"Since there are no powders, how do you determine the Path of Cultivation?"

Mosonov replied, "We don't have what you call the Path of Cultivation. Under the Pope's leadership, we bypassed that conservative and rigid path. What we possess is truly controllable power. After coming into contact with enough light power, we enhance our abilities according to our own will. Although the process is challenging, we are not bound by any conditions. Every bit of power we gain comes from our beliefs and pursuits."

Hong Ying asked the phonograph, "Xiaowan, what is this man talking about? I don't understand."

The phonograph scoffed, "He means their people accumulate enough Aura of the Path, then, without initiation powders, they cultivate as they please. How far they get is entirely up to luck."

Mosonov said, "It's not luck; it's the guidance of light."

Hong Ying sneered, "This foreigner is full of nonsense, 'guidance of light'? I've seen many people like this back then; they couldn't afford initiation medicine and somehow learned strange arts, trying to forcibly practice Path of Cultivation techniques. Nine out of ten of them learned nothing, and many even lost their lives."

"This is light's selection process for us..." As he spoke, Mosonov scraped the ground with his finger, seemingly to alleviate his embarrassment. In reality, he wasn't that embarrassed. He was secretly dipping his finger in his own blood and drawing runes on the ground.

Li Banfeng generally understood the situation of The Light Chasers: they were a group of Dark Energy users who didn't use powders, had no boundaries of the Path of Cultivation, and didn't follow its rules. Although their cultivation methods were somewhat crude, Li Banfeng didn't underestimate them. Their techniques had been refined over years, surely accumulating vast experience and methods. Just like Dick Chen, he practiced "Sleep Cultivation" but had no cultivation level, likely using Lavsha's methods. His individual combat ability wasn't exceptionally strong, but his Sleep Cultivation techniques were outstanding, not only powerful but also incredibly stealthy, capable of playing a huge role on the battlefield.

But since Dick Chen was from Puluo State, why would he choose Lavsha's cultivation methods?

"Do you know anything about Dick Chen?"

Mosonov nodded. "He is the Bishop of the Puluo Camp. His followers are all from Puluo State."

"Why would people from Puluo State join your organization?"

"They want to pursue the light, but their impoverished backgrounds mean they can't afford those expensive medicines. They also don't want to become low-level mutants, so they chose us. We give them a chance, a truly fair chance, to embark on the Path of Light."

The words sounded convoluted, but the meaning was quite simple. Some people wanted to become cultivators but lacked the money for initiation powders and didn't want to become body cultivators at Three-Headed Fork, so they opted for this seemingly lower-cost cultivation method. Of course, this wasn't the sole reason. Jin Yuankang, the old house cultivator from Iron Gate Fort, also joined The Light Chasers. His reasons remained unclear for now.

"Are your followers all from Lavsha?"

"Yes, we are called the Imperial Camp, and our followers are all from the Empire." A hint of smugness crossed Mosonov's face. He was still secretly drawing runes on the ground. He had finished one; once he completed three runes, the magic array would activate, giving him a chance to counterattack. The others were also secretly drawing runes; each stroke added more power to the array.

Li Banfeng asked, "In Lavsha, do you live among ordinary people, or in places similar to Puluo State?"

"We come from the Land of Slumber; we are people not accepted by the secular world." These words seemed to touch a raw nerve for Mosonov. He clenched his teeth and lowered his head, his expression pained. In reality, he was secretly speeding up his fingers; the second rune was almost complete.

Li Banfeng said, "How is your life in the Land of Slumber?"

Mosonov sighed, "The suffering we endure in the Land of Slumber is unimaginable to people elsewhere."

"So you plan to occupy Puluo State to find a better living environment for yourselves?"

Mosonov didn't deny it. "This is the Pope's order, and also the will of our followers."

Li Banfeng said, "You also opened a 'Conqueror Restaurant.' A restaurant with such an obnoxious name—it seems you really haven't been beaten enough."

Mosonov didn't retort, letting Li Banfeng say whatever he wanted. The third rune was already half-drawn; he just needed three more minutes for the array to activate.

Li Banfeng continued, "How many other camps do you have in Puluo State?"

"There's another camp called the Boundless Camp. It has people from all over, deliberately ignoring bloodline boundaries to recruit their so-called elite members."

Boundless Camp. This reminded Li Banfeng of Boundless Hospital.

"Their Bishop isn't Cui Titke?"

Mosonov shook his head repeatedly. "No, it's not him. That person is very strange. He named his hospital 'Boundless,' which led some of our followers to seek refuge there. But those followers who went to the hospital never came back."

That sounded like something Cui Titke would do. It seemed he had also conducted some research on The Light Chasers, including physical studies. Mosonov continued, "The Bishop of the Boundless Camp is named Grub. He is currently mainly active around Yesong Bridge. His purpose for being there is unknown."

Mosonov was indeed telling the truth. At this moment, he needed to do everything he could to gain Li Banfeng's trust, as the third rune was almost complete. Once the array was activated, he would immediately use its power to kill Li Banfeng, then occupy this strange room and take all the rare treasures within. With this haul, he could make his Imperial Camp the strongest among The Light Chasers' camps, and his status would rise to head Bishop. If he was even luckier, the Xuan Sheng Red Lotus might also be in this room. At that point...

Li Banfeng poured a pot of tea onto the ground, washing away all the runes. Mosonov stared at Li Banfeng for a long time, his body trembling. He wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.

Li Banfeng had no more questions. "Wife, let's start the meal."

The phonograph scoffed, "These hairy fiends reek too much; I don't want to eat them. Yingying, you eat the souls."

Hong Ying shook her gun's muzzle. "I won't eat that; it smells awful. I'm afraid Qilang will dislike it tonight."

"Pah! Who said my husband is sleeping with you tonight?" The phonograph swung its board as if to strike, but in front of outsiders, it couldn't make Hong Ying lose face. "Don't just stand there, all of you. Projector, you lost out at the last family banquet, so you eat your fill first this time."

The projector sighed softly. "This taste isn't artistic..."

The phonograph snapped, "Eat quickly, or you'll get a beating!"

The family started their meal with disdain. Mosonov tried to lead his companions in resistance but was scalded to a medium-rare state by the Old Teapot, rendering him unable to move.

Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Dock and found Xiao Yeci, asking about Yesong Bridge. At the mention of her hometown, Xiao Yeci became very excited. "Yesong Bridge is a wonderful place! Although it's just a town, it's full of scholarly atmosphere, with many academies and book houses. And summer is coming, which is when the scenery is at its best!"

Li Banfeng said, "Then let's go take a look!"

At the suggestion of going, Xiao Yeci lowered her head and fell silent.

Li Banfeng frowned. "What's wrong? What are you afraid of?"

Xiao Yeci gave a dry laugh. "I won't go..."

Lu Chunying knew Xiao Yeci's predicament. In Yesong Bridge, she and her mother had a very difficult time, especially Xiao Yeci, whose reputation wasn't very good. But the more this was the case, the more they should go back.

"Mom, I happen to be going to Yesong Bridge to handle some business."

"Do we have business in Yesong Bridge?"

"We do."

"Oh," Xiao Yeci pursed her lips, "Then you go. I still won't."

"Mom, what's wrong with returning home honorably?"

No matter how Lu Chunying tried to persuade her, Xiao Yeci refused to go. Li Banfeng advised Lu Chunying, "Don't make it hard for your mom. If she doesn't want to go home with you, she must have her reasons. Just hold her down, and I'll go get a rope to tie her up."

Lu Chunying said, "Isn't tying her up making it hard for her?"

"Not making it hard, just forcing her." Li Banfeng brought over the rope.

Xiao Yeci cried out, "What are you doing! Why are you tying me up! Don't tie me so tightly! Don't, woo woo..."

Li Banfeng gagged Xiao Yeci, had his subordinates buy tickets, and they took the train that day to Yesong Bridge.

He Yuxiu, who was going to Yesong Bridge for business, went along with them. The two chatted on the train. He Yuxiu remarked, "Yesong Bridge is a really interesting place. Lots of mountains, lots of water, lots of trees, and lots of bridges, right, sister?"

Xiao Yeci nodded vigorously.

He Yuxiu continued, "But doing business there isn't very exciting because there are only a few merchants. Rice sellers sell rice their whole lives, oil sellers sell oil their whole lives. Every shop is a century-old establishment, and nothing much has changed over the years."

Xiao Yeci nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

He Yuxiu sighed, "If I had known that was your hometown, I should have handed over the business to you and Chunying. I really don't want to do business here anymore, especially your Xiao family's timber business. Our accountant, Old Sheng, tells me every day that this business shouldn't be done. There's plenty of timber in Seven Autumn City, and Old Qi even gave me a forest. I don't know how to sell all that timber; importing more from Yesong Bridge isn't really worth it anymore."

Tears streamed down Xiao Yeci's face.

He Yuxiu frowned, "Why are you crying? Worried about your family's business? Don't worry, I was just saying. For the sake of our sisterhood, I'll make do with this business."

"Woo woo," Xiao Yeci sobbed audibly.

He Yuxiu asked, "Sister, do you have something to say?"

Xiao Yeci nodded repeatedly. He Yuxiu quickly removed the cloth from Xiao Yeci's mouth. Xiao Yeci gasped for a moment, then cried out, "Sister Xiu, quickly untie me, I'm going to wet my pants!"

"Sister, why didn't you say so earlier?" He Yuxiu quickly untied Xiao Yeci. "Old Qi is truly ruthless, tying you so tightly. Just hold on a little longer, sister, just a little. Sister, hold it, hold it in. We'll be there soon... What's more, sister, do you have any spare pants?"

The train traveled for three full days, finally arriving at Yesong Bridge. Upon disembarking, although Xiao Yeci was somewhat fearful, she couldn't hide her excitement at returning to her hometown.

Yesong Bridge had a lot of water. In town, there were different ways to get to different places: some by carriage, some by boat, and some by sedan chair. Xiao Yeci said after leaving the station, "Benefactor, I know an inn that's very close, you don't need a boat to get there."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "We're not staying at an inn. Let's go to the market to buy something first."

"Buy what?" Xiao Yeci asked, holding her luggage. "If we're not staying at an inn, are we buying bedding to sleep on the street?"

"We're going to buy a house!"

"Who buys a house just by stepping out of town?"

Lu Chunying said, "I think Seventh Brother has a point. We've never had a house in our hometown."

He Yuxiu said, "I have a residence here. Let's stay there first. A house isn't something you can just buy on a whim."

"Staying at Sister Xiu's is fine for now, but we must buy a house." Li Banfeng told his subordinates to settle the luggage, then took Xiao Yeci and Lu Chunying to buy a house.

The small town wasn't large, and good residences were few. Coincidentally, two were for sale today: one was the Liang family's residence, and the other was the Xiao family's residence. In the past two years, both the Liang and Xiao families' businesses had been sluggish, and they had sold off a considerable part of their assets.

Lu Chunying took a liking to the Xiao family's residence. "Mom, if I remember correctly, this residence was for my uncle's wedding, wasn't it?"

Xiao Yeci nodded. "That's right!"

Lu Chunying said, "Uncle hadn't even married yet when the house was bought for him. Grandpa reportedly spent six thousand silver dollars on it. Less than a month later, you and I were kicked out of the house. How much money did Grandpa give you then?"

Xiao Yeci lowered her head. "I... I forgot..."

"I think I heard you say once it was two hundred Huan notes, right? One hundred each for us."

Xiao Yeci stammered, "It's been so many years, I can't remember."

Lu Chunying called over a broker and asked him the asking price for the house. The broker didn't know Lu Chunying or her background, but since she asked, he politely replied, "Master Xiao is asking seven thousand silver dollars."

"Oh, the price went up," Lu Chunying smiled. "Bought for six thousand, selling for seven thousand, that's fair enough. I'll give you a check. Go directly to the bank to cash it later. I'll take this house."

The broker was startled. "Miss, may I ask your name?"

"Go tell Master Xiao that Xiao Yeci bought this house!"

"Xiao Yeci?" The broker was shocked. "The Xiao family, that one..." He almost mentioned Xiao Yeci being kicked out of the house, but quickly corrected himself, "You mean that young lady from the Xiao family?"

Xiao Yeci was a bit nervous. He Yuxiu, beside her, said, "Sister, when it's time to save face, you absolutely cannot back down."

Xiao Yeci took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said, "It's me."

The broker didn't dare say another word. He took the check, verified it at the bank, but didn't dare cash it himself. He took the check to the Xiao family.

The Xiao family was quite pleased to hear the house was sold without bargaining. Master Xiao, Xiao Jianzhang, asked, "What's the buyer's surname? Are they local?"

"They are local, and even related to you," the broker chuckled dryly. "Your daughter, Xiao Yeci, bought it."

Upon hearing the name Xiao Yeci, Xiao Jianzhang became angry. "What is she trying to do?"

Xiao Jianzhang's eldest son, Xiao Yucheng, stepped forward and said, "Dad, don't get angry yet. Yeci is not simple now. The girl Lu Chunying she took away has already entered the Lu family. Yeci, on the surface, is that child's mother!"

"I know that!" Xiao Jianzhang's eyebrows shot up. "No matter what her status is now, she is my daughter. If she wants to come back, I can let her into this house. But if she dares to show off in front of me, I will never tolerate it! Tell her, I won't sell her this house. Even if she offers ten thousand silver dollars, I won't sell it. I'd rather burn it down than sell it to her!"

Xiao Jianzhang's main wife, Sun Huiqin, said to the broker, "Yeci, that child, gets more unruly with age. Tell her she doesn't need to come back anymore. The way she talks, with all those 'ya's and 'ya's, it's just like her dead mother. I find it annoying."

Xiao Yucheng said, "Why go to such trouble? If we offend the Lu family, will our lives be any easier in the future?"

Xiao Jianzhang said, "We do business with the He family; we never had much interaction with the Lu family. No matter who is in charge of the Lu family, no matter who comes today, they must explain themselves clearly. I am her father; I will not tolerate her insolence!"

"He said he felt insulted?" Lu Chunying scoffed. "He asked seven thousand, and we bought it for seven thousand. Who insulted him? What exactly insulted him?"

The broker didn't dare say more.

Xiao Yeci sighed. "Ultimately, he just didn't respect me. I'll go see him and clarify everything I wanted to tell him back then!"

Lu Yuanxin said, "Madam, don't go. Some things can be said later. I'll go clarify the house matter with him first. He didn't want seven thousand, so now I'll offer him one thousand and see if he sells it."

He Yuxiu watched from the side. Lu Yuanxin's temperament was truly similar to Lu Dongjun's. If he went, something major would surely happen to the Xiao family. His offer of one thousand silver dollars wasn't for the house; it was for their lives.

"Yuanxin, you don't go either. I'll just send someone." He Yuxiu wasn't afraid of someone dying, but she didn't want Xiao Yeci to be too upset. She sent her accountant, Sheng Shanzhou, to the Xiao family.

This visit was originally to sort out business. When Sheng Shanzhou entered the Xiao family residence, they greeted him warmly. After inspecting the quality and price of the timber, Sheng Shanzhou shook his head. "Leave this timber for other families; we no longer want it."

Xiao Jianzhang panicked. "Master Sheng, what's wrong? Please tell me if there's anything unsuitable about this timber."

"Nowhere is suitable," Sheng Shanzhou had long advised He Yuxiu not to engage in the timber business in Yesong Bridge, and today was a good opportunity to cancel the deal. "Old Xiao, we've known each other for so many years. Let me tell you something: broaden your horizons, be more open-minded, and be clearer in your actions. Your daughter Xiao Yeci came with our mistress; they're as close as sisters. Your family's house wasn't selling, and your daughter bought it. You should go to her door and thank her. Have you forgotten how you treated her back then? After thanking her, you still owe her an apology!"

Xiao Jianzhang retorted angrily, "Master Sheng, that's not how it works! I'm her father!"

"Oh, Master Xiao, you truly have an aura when you speak! You're a father!" Sheng Shanzhou sneered. "With such great power, don't bother arguing with me. With your seniority, go be the patriarch of the Lu family. What's the point of you doing this small business?"

Sheng Shanzhou stood up to leave. Xiao Jianzhang quickly stopped him. "Master Sheng, I wasn't speaking to you, I was..."

"Speaking to her is even worse, Old Xiao. If I were you, I'd take the land deed and house deed and go to Miss Xiao, give her the house, and see if this can be salvaged. If you can salvage it, your Xiao family can live well in the future. If not, starting today, no major family in Puluo State will do business with you. Don't doubt me."

Sheng Shanzhou left. Xiao Jianzhang sat in the courtyard, staring blankly, sighing repeatedly. After thinking for over two hours, Xiao Jianzhang finally understood. He asked his wife, Sun Huiqin, to retrieve both the house deed and land deed.

Sun Huiqin protested, "Master, that's Yucheng's residence. Why should it be given to that girl?"

Xiao Yucheng said from the side, "Mom, don't make things worse. This house was meant to be sold anyway, and we truly wronged Yeci back then."

"Who wronged her!" Sun Huiqin cried. "She ruined our family's reputation; shouldn't she have been driven out?"

Xiao Yucheng sighed, "You know who ruined whose reputation. Please don't bring this up again. Bringing it up again means slapping the Lu family's face!"

Taking the house deed and land deed, Xiao Yucheng put them into Xiao Jianzhang's hand. "Dad, you go deliver them."

"You deliver them," Xiao Jianzhang shook his head. "I cannot bow my head in front of her."

Xiao Yucheng sighed, "It's useless if I deliver them. They might not even accept them."

As expected, Xiao Yucheng delivered the land deed and house deed but was sent back without even seeing Xiao Yeci. "Dad, Yeci and Chunying want you, Mom, and me to go see her together."

"She's gotten rebellious!" Xiao Jianzhang was indignant. He contacted relatives and friends, trying to sell the timber to another family, but no one dared to take it. Left with no choice, Xiao Jianzhang took the house deed and land deed, and with his wife, went to see Xiao Yeci.

This time, both Xiao Yeci and Lu Chunying appeared. The two were staying at He Yuxiu's residence, sitting in the living room playing cards with He Yuxiu, while Xiao Jianzhang, Sun Huiqin, and Xiao Yucheng stood in the courtyard for two hours.

Lu Chunying looked at Xiao Jianzhang and finally spoke, "Grandpa, the year you drove my mother and me out, I barely remember, but I heard others say that my mother cried for an entire day, and you couldn't even be bothered to look. Now I've made you two stand here for two hours; isn't that a bit too lenient on you?"

Xiao Jianzhang suppressed his anger, lowering his head. "At that time, I had my difficulties..."

"What difficulties? Tell us. Did my mother bring shame to your Xiao family, or did I?"

Xiao Yucheng pulled Xiao Jianzhang from behind, warning him not to speak carelessly. Xiao Jianzhang sighed deeply, "It's not easy to preserve this family's legacy. Everything I've done has been for this family! Yeci, if you hate, just hate me alone. As long as the Xiao family's legacy remains, I'm willing to die right here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Jianzhang moved as if to bash his head against a stone. Sun Huiqin and Xiao Yucheng quickly held him back from behind. "Dad, you can't! Our family can't do without you!"

He Yuxiu lit a cigarette and chuckled, "Don't stop him, any of you. Let's see if Old Xiao really has the guts to die here."

Xiao Jianzhang panicked. He glanced at his wife and son, signaling them to make sure they stopped him. The family cried as if their lives depended on it, still putting on a show. Xiao Yeci turned her face and finally spoke, "Father."

"Yeci!" Xiao Jianzhang quickly responded.

Xiao Yeci said, "I grew up with my mother from a young age and only entered the Xiao family home at nine. My mother told me to call you 'Father,' but you never agreed. You looked down on my mother, and you looked down on me. Why are you coming to me now?"

Xiao Jianzhang said with tears in his eyes, "Everything I did was for the Xiao family."

Xiao Yeci couldn't understand, "Looking down on me was also for the Xiao family? What kind of logic is that?"

Xiao Jianzhang sighed, "Yeci, what happened back then is all in the past. I don't even remember it anymore. Why do you keep bringing it up? Now I only ask you to give the Xiao family a way to survive. If you truly can't let go of this grievance, you can do anything you want with me!"

Xiao Yeci nodded. "Alright, you said it. I can deal with you however I want."

Xiao Jianzhang looked back at his wife and son, signaling them to make sure they stopped him at the crucial moment.

Xiao Yeci took out her wallet and pulled out a stack of Huan notes. "When you drove us out of the house, you gave me two hundred. Now, as a gesture of filial piety, I'll pay you back tenfold. I'll give you two thousand. You can leave the Xiao family with nothing, find your own way, and then this matter will be over."

"I..." Xiao Jianzhang turned his head, signaling his wife and son to quickly stop him.

Sun Huiqin didn't stop him. Xiao Yucheng didn't stop him either. This outcome was acceptable to both of them.

But Xiao Jianzhang couldn't accept it. "This, this, this won't do! Everything I did was for the Xiao family; the Xiao family can't be without me!"

Lu Chunying couldn't help but laugh. He Yuxiu laughed aloud. Xiao Yeci let out a long breath. The knot in her heart for so many years had finally loosened.

Li Banfeng sat in a small boat, observing the scenery on both banks. He had to admit, Yesong Bridge was truly beautiful, as beautiful as a painting. The buildings were orderly, uniformly black-tiled and white-walled. Distant mountains loomed faintly in the mist, their lines simple, their artistic conception profound. If not for the occasional sight of people walking on the stone paths, one might truly believe the scenery was sketched with ink and brush.

Upon reaching the mouth of an alley, Li Banfeng paid the boatman and disembarked. Deep within the alley was a two-story building. Li Banfeng had found a clue these past few days: the Bishop of The Light Chasers' Boundless Camp lived there.