Chapter 495: Who Will Be the Local Deity of Ye Songqiao?

"Ye Jianhuang, isn't it time we settled our old scores?" The man, who had appeared simple and honest, stood up from his squatting position. With his hands still clasped together, he gave Ye Jianhuang a good-natured smile.

Chu Shaoqiang didn't recognize the middle-aged man, but he could sense Ye Jianhuang's fear.

Ye Jianhuang was indeed afraid. This was Sun Tiecheng, the Lord of Fool's City, whose name had once struck terror into people's hearts.

Ye Jianhuang packed his pipe with tobacco leaves, lit it, and while puffing, said, "I wasn't the only one who made a move back then."

Sun Tiecheng chuckled. "You're not the only one I have scores to settle with. Running into you today is convenient; I'll start with you."

Ye Jianhuang blew out a puff of smoke. Enveloped in the mist, he intended to transform his own body into smoke. This was one of the smoke cultivators' most difficult techniques to counter. Once successfully transformed, many attacks would be ineffective against them.

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand, dispersing the smoke in front of him, and coughed twice. "Can't you smoke something better? This smoke is suffocating. These lousy tobacco leaves will be the death of you. Once you're dead and cremated, *then* you'll turn into smoke!"

As the smoke cleared, Ye Jianhuang had failed to transform. This was because Sun Tiecheng had just said that once Ye Jianhuang died and was cremated, *then* he would turn into smoke. Conversely, if he *did* transform into smoke, would it not mean he was already dead?

Ye Jianhuang vigorously shook his head. *No, I can't think that way.* This was a Foolish Cultivation technique, inverting cause and effect. Ye Jianhuang's ability to transform into smoke was due to him being a smoke cultivator; it had nothing to do with being dead or alive.

But Sun Tiecheng kept smiling at Ye Jianhuang. "Go on, try transforming into smoke. See if you die. See if you can even turn back!"

After a moment of stalemate, Ye Jianhuang dared not transform. He took another puff and blew smoke at Sun Tiecheng, hoping to transform *him* into smoke. He knew it would be difficult, but even if he could only transform a part of him, or for a brief moment, it would give him the initiative.

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand again. He didn't turn into smoke, merely coughing twice. "Are you smoking tree leaves, for heaven's sake? If you spray smoke on me again, I'll sew your mouth shut. With your meager skills, you think you can turn *me* into smoke? Whoever turns into smoke today dies right here!"

Gambling Cultivation technique: One Throw of Heaven and Earth. Sun Tiecheng and Ye Jianhuang had made a wager. If Ye Jianhuang could transform Sun Tiecheng into smoke, Sun Tiecheng would forfeit his life. If Ye Jianhuang transformed himself into smoke, Ye Jianhuang would lose his own life. This effectively cut off Ye Jianhuang's escape.

Did Sun Tiecheng know the Gambling Cultivation technique? Ye Jianhuang was unsure, but he dared not gamble. He couldn't be certain if Sun Tiecheng also cultivated other paths, nor could he tell which of Sun Tiecheng's words were true.

He didn't dare transform himself into smoke, nor could he transform Sun Tiecheng. How was he supposed to fight now? Ye Jianhuang was in a panic. His pipe accidentally knocked against the concrete platform, spilling ash everywhere.

He had many other techniques; he could transform smoke into potent poison, weapons, or even a prison to trap his opponents. But would any of that work on Sun Tiecheng? With the smoke transformation technique nullified, Ye Jianhuang had given up on fighting. He wasn't even sure if he could escape.

Sun Tiecheng clasped his hands behind his back and slowly said, "Ye Jianhuang, aren't you known as 'Three Bowls'? You've only smoked one bowl; the time isn't right yet. Keep smoking, switch to some good tobacco. I'll wait here."

Ye Jianhuang, "Three Bowls," a grandmaster smoke cultivator, without even really making a move, put away his pipe and respectfully bowed to Sun Tiecheng. "Lord Sun, I wronged you back then. If you spare my life, I will let you do as you please."

Sun Tiecheng smiled. "Do as I please? Do you want to turn into smoke, or turn into ash?"

Ye Jianhuang understood perfectly: "turn into smoke" meant death, and "turn into ash" meant complete annihilation, not even a soul remaining.

"Lord Sun, I beg you, spare my life!" Ye Jianhuang pleaded again.

"Is this your life?" Sun Tiecheng made a grabbing motion in the air. Ye Jianhuang felt as if something had been taken from inside his body. Sun Tiecheng held a ball of seemingly empty air, kneading and toying with it in his hand.

What technique was this? Had he extracted his life? Ye Jianhuang sensed there was something within that ball of air, and if Sun Tiecheng crushed it, his life would be over.

"Lord Sun, please show mercy."

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "Go wait for me at Fool's City. Don't enter; wait just outside the city gates."

Ye Jianhuang said, "I haven't been to Fool's City in many years. I don't know where it is now..."

Sun Tiecheng smiled. "Go find it. You are a grandmaster smoke cultivator; it shouldn't be difficult. I'm sure you can find it."

Ye Jianhuang didn't dare say more. He picked up his pipe and left. He didn't transform into smoke or use any techniques. Like an ordinary person, he walked out of the abandoned factory, step by step, cautiously.

Sun Tiecheng looked at Chu Shaoqiang. "Whose man are you?"

Chu Shaoqiang replied, "Anyone's fine." This answer sounded rather pathetic, but it came from Chu Shaoqiang's heart.

Sun Tiecheng smiled. "Where is the Red Lotus?"

Chu Shaoqiang picked up the briefcase from the ground and presented it to Sun Tiecheng with both hands.

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "Are you still trying to fool me with this bag?"

Chu Shaoqiang quickly reached in and took out the Red Lotus from the bag. The Red Lotus was protected by layers of magical formations, but another person wouldn't dare touch it easily. Sun Tiecheng, however, showed no fear and simply took the Red Lotus with his bare hand.

Chu Shaoqiang had left mechanisms within the formations, and he could use his techniques to break them at any time. Once the formations were broken, Sun Tiecheng would be in direct contact with the Red Lotus, which would soon attract heavenly light. But Sun Tiecheng was unafraid. He cradled the Red Lotus in one hand, admiring it for a long time, completely unconcerned about any action Chu Shaoqiang might take.

"I'll take this," Sun Tiecheng said, tucking the Red Lotus into his sleeve. Chu Shaoqiang thought his sleeve wasn't that large and wondered how Sun Tiecheng managed to put it away.

After putting away the Red Lotus, Sun Tiecheng told Chu Shaoqiang, "Tell the one who sells soap that I have this item. If he wants it back, he can come to me for it."

Chu Shaoqiang nodded repeatedly.

Sun Tiecheng pointed to the ladder below. "Is there a crucian carp down there?"

There was indeed a crucian carp down there. Chu Shaoqiang said, "He's the person from Inner State who guards the passage."

Sun Tiecheng picked up a steel bar from the ground, bent it into a hook with his hands, and called Shi Gongxing to sharpen the hook's tip. Once the hook was ready, Sun Tiecheng pulled a steel beam from the factory building to use as a fishing rod, attached a rope, tied the hook, and cast it into the water. He then sat leisurely by the pond and began fishing.

"Do you think this crucian carp will take the bait?"

Chu Shaoqiang quickly replied, "I don't know how to fish, so I don't understand the methods here."

Sun Tiecheng was confident. "I've cast the hook; how could he *not* bite?"

Chu Shaoqiang replied, "Well... it's not every time you cast a hook that a fish will bite."

Sun Tiecheng added, "This hook is so big, it was prepared especially for him. How could he be so unappreciative?"

Chu Shaoqiang said, "He does look very much like a crucian carp, but he's actually a person, from Inner State..."

Sun Tiecheng then asked, "Once he bites, and I cook him, will you dare to eat him?"

What was Chu Shaoqiang supposed to say? This "crucian carp" was from Inner State; how could he eat him? "Senior, I don't like eating fish."

Sun Tiecheng smiled. "Are you feeling sorry for this crucian carp?"

"I really don't like it..."

"You'll eat it even if you don't like it; this fish is very nourishing!" As he finished speaking, Sun Tiecheng gave a tug on his fishing rod, and the enormous crucian carp was hauled out of the pond.

The crucian carp struggled violently on the iron hook, breaking the ladder and cracking the wall, as if fighting Sun Tiecheng to the death. But Chu Shaoqiang still couldn't understand one thing: as someone from Inner State, why did he bite the hook? Was it because he'd been in the water for too long that his intelligence had truly devolved into that of a fish? Even now, Chu Shaoqiang had not fully grasped the power of the Foolish Cultivation technique.

"Fish is delicious, but it needs to be cleaned first!" Sun Tiecheng threw the large crucian carp onto the ground, tore a large piece of sheet metal from a lathe to use as a knife, and with a few quick motions, scraped off the scales. Next, he gutted it and removed the entrails. Just like that, the crucian carp was cleaned.

Chu Shaoqiang suspected that this person from Inner State had truly turned into a fish. Throughout the entire process, the crucian carp only flapped its body, making no other effective counterattacks.

Sun Tiecheng inserted the fishing rod into the fish's mouth, then turned to Shi Gongxing and told him to start a fire. Shi Gongxing didn't dare say a word. He brought in a pile of scrap wood from outside to use as kindling, dismantled a machine tool to set up a frame, and began roasting the fish right there in the factory.

Before long, the fish was cooked. Sun Tiecheng tore off a piece of fish meat and gave it to Chu Shaoqiang. "Eat it."

Chu Shaoqiang took a bite of the fish, his emotions a complicated mix. He recalled the scene when he first arrived in Puluo State last year. He had been entrusted with an important mission by Inner State to handle crucial matters in Puluo State. He had once sworn that as long as he drew breath, he would brave any danger and sacrifice everything for Inner State. He had publicly stated that he could never repay the kindness shown to him by Inner State, not even in countless lifetimes. And now he had eaten his benefactor...

This whole process was perplexing. How had things come to this? Chu Shaoqiang felt a profound discomfort in his heart, yet a distinct flavor in his mouth. The crucian carp was incredibly delicious!

Sun Tiecheng tore off another piece of fish for him. What was he to do? Chu Shaoqiang suppressed the anguish in his heart and ate this piece of fish as well. After eating, he looked at Sun Tiecheng with deep guilt.

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "Serve yourself; don't make me wait on you all the time!"

Chu Shaoqiang nodded and tore off a piece of fish for himself. Shi Gongxing brought out two jars of wine, and the three of them spent the entire afternoon finishing the large crucian carp. Both Chu Shaoqiang and Shi Gongxing possessed special cultivation methods that allowed them to expand their stomachs, but eating several hundred pounds of fish meat in one sitting still left them feeling rather bloated. Sun Tiecheng didn't feel bloated; he was still somewhat unsatisfied, having scraped all the meat clean from the bones, leaving behind a perfectly pristine fish skeleton.

"Do you two know? This fish is still alive."

Shi Gongxing dared not speak, and Chu Shaoqiang didn't understand what Sun Tiecheng meant.

Sun Tiecheng stroked the clean, neat fish skeleton. "He's truly alive, because he *wants* to live. He can still move. Big crucian carp, if you want to live, try moving."

The fish skeleton twitched.

Sun Tiecheng then touched the fish's gills. "He can still breathe; he's definitely alive. Try breathing."

The gills flickered a couple of times, as if breathing.

"He can still bite." Sun Tiecheng touched the fish's mouth, and the crucian carp opened its mouth and shook its head, seemingly trying to bite.

Splash! Sun Tiecheng picked up the fish skeleton and tossed it into the pond. The fish skeleton swam two circles in the pond before sinking to the bottom, just as if it were alive.

Sun Tiecheng poked Chu Shaoqiang's forehead with his finger. "Remember what you should remember, and forget what you shouldn't. You may leave."

Chu Shaoqiang departed. He didn't walk fast because his legs were too short. Sun Tiecheng told him not to worry, advising him to eat more meat and bones, and his limbs would soon grow back.

Once Chu Shaoqiang was out of sight, Sun Tiecheng turned to Shi Gongxing and chuckled. "Remember what you should remember, and forget what you shouldn't. You'll stay here. If anyone wants to go to Inner State, let them go. They'll go into the pond and feed the fish." After saying that, he also poked Shi Gongxing with a finger. Shi Gongxing shivered, picked up a wrench, and ducked under the machine tool to get to work.

Sun Tiecheng smiled, then slowly and leisurely walked out of the abandoned factory.

***

At Smoke Cloud Tower, Li Banfeng invited Zheng Siyi to dine in Ye Songqiao. Zheng Siyi naturally dared not be remiss; he brought a gift to the banquet. The two ate and drank comfortably, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Banfeng brought up the main topic. "I invited you here today, Brother Zheng, because I need your help with something. There's a pavilion on Water Cloud Road with a special place, and I want to go inside and have a look."

After Chief Envoy Liao Zihui left, Zheng Siyi had the area around the pavilion sealed off, with dedicated personnel guarding it. Those guards naturally couldn't stop Li Banfeng, but Li Banfeng couldn't find the entrance to that special place.

Zheng Siyi said, "According to Chief Envoy Liao's deduction, that hidden space is the residence of Ye Songqiao's Local Land God."

"Hidden space?"

Zheng Siyi explained, "A hidden space is a special dimension existing within a normal dimension. It's called a hidden space because its entrance is very difficult to locate by ordinary means."

Li Banfeng asked, "Are there spaces that don't exist within normal dimensions?"

"Yes," Zheng Siyi nodded. "I'm a straightforward person, so I'll tell you what I know. There's a type of space that doesn't exist within our familiar dimensions. That dimension cannot be observed by ordinary means; we call it a dark dimension. I won't go into too much detail about dark dimensions, as I don't know much myself.

"Seventh Master wants to see the Local Land God's residence. I can withdraw my men at any time to facilitate your visit, but there are two things I must tell you first. One, there's nothing valuable left in this hidden space. Chief Envoy Liao went once, and Chief Envoy Xia also went once, so most useful items have already been taken. Secondly, I cannot open the hidden space myself. Only the main hall has special personnel for that. Chief Envoy Liao had someone named Fu Qingguang by his side; he's very unique and can open hidden spaces using his techniques. I don't have much contact with Fu Qingguang. If Seventh Master can find him, this matter will be easy to handle. If you can't find him, someone from the same cultivation path might also be able to do it."

"What cultivation path is he from?"

"I did inquire. In the Outer State, they call them 'Magneto-Sensitives,' while in Puluo State, they call them 'Electric Cultivators.' This path is very rare. Those within the same path communicate and look out for each other, but very few outside their path know about them."

Magneto-Sensitives? Electric Cultivators? Could Luo Zhengnan be from this path?

As Li Banfeng pondered, Zheng Siyi took a box from his pocket and opened the lid. "Seventh Master, please take a look. How's the quality of this item?"

Li Banfeng took the box and saw that it contained a Profound Essence Pill. He naturally recognized the item, but in front of Zheng Siyi, Li Banfeng didn't speak rashly. "Brother Zheng, this must be a very precious pill, isn't it?"

Zheng Siyi lowered his voice. "This pill is extremely valuable, but we can't use it; it's only useful for cultivators on the clouds. A total of three were found in the Local Land God's residence. Chief Envoy Liao submitted two and extracted one for me. I figured it's useless to me, so I might as well do you a favor and give it to Seventh Master."

Li Banfeng repeatedly waved his hand. "I can't accept something so valuable."

Zheng Siyi chuckled. "I heard Chief Envoy Liao say that Seventh Master is acquainted with the Local Land God of Seven Autumn City and knows many cultivators on the clouds. A pill like this truly achieves its worth in Seventh Master's hands!"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No reward without merit; I truly cannot accept this."

Zheng Siyi said, "To be frank, I also have a request. I came to work in Puluo State right after graduating from university and built my home here. After more than twenty years, I've grown accustomed to Puluo State. If I were to return to Outer State, I wouldn't even sleep soundly. My thoughts are the same as Chief Envoy Liao's: I want to retire and live out my old age in Puluo State. In the future, if anything happens in Puluo State, I'll need Seventh Master's continued support."

Li Banfeng repeatedly declined, but Zheng Siyi insisted, and the Profound Essence Pill was ultimately given to Li Banfeng.

Back at his residence, He Yuxiu was looking for Li Banfeng to discuss something. "Old Seven, I really don't want to do the Ye Songqiao business anymore. There's not much money, but plenty of trouble. I plan to give all the business to Chunying."

Lu Chunying stood silently nearby. She didn't want to take on this business either, but with Sister Xiu having spoken, it was difficult to refuse.

Li Banfeng said, "Give the business to me. I quite like this area."

"Then it's settled." That very day, He Yuxiu completed the transfer. Li Banfeng handed the business over to Ma Wu. Ma Wu also found it difficult, but with Old Seven having agreed, he couldn't say much.

Five days later, Ma Wu and Luo Zhengnan arrived together at Ye Songqiao. While Ma Wu sorted out the business, Li Banfeng greeted Zheng Siyi and then took Luo Zhengnan to search for the Local Land God's residence. His deduction was correct; Luo Zhengnan was indeed an Electric Cultivator. Upon reaching the vicinity of the pavilion, he quickly detected an anomaly.

However, Luo Zhengnan didn't possess the excellent equipment that Fu Qingguang had. His devices were all self-made. It wasn't until four in the morning, after nearly a whole night's work, that Luo Zhengnan barely managed to open an entrance. He couldn't enter himself and had to remain guarding the door.

"Seventh Master, please be quick. I estimate I can only maintain this for about ten minutes."

Li Banfeng squeezed through the entrance and entered the hidden space. Inside the space was a three-story Western-style building with a small courtyard. Looking up, one could see the night sky and stars; looking down, one could see dew on the flowers and grass. This was simply a courtyard located by Water Cloud Road, just one that couldn't be observed through normal means.

Li Banfeng walked through the courtyard into the Western-style building, searched the living room, then walked through the second and third floors, and promptly left the hidden space. As long as he had his gloves, finding things wouldn't take too much time. Zheng Siyi had previously mentioned that all valuables had been cleared out. Li Banfeng wasn't looking for magic treasures or pills; he only wanted to find the Local Land God's deed.

However, the gloves couldn't detect anything, and Li Banfeng found no clues. It was highly likely that the palanquin bearer hadn't buried the deed in his residence. This made it difficult to find. Xiao Yeci had once read in a book that some Local Land Gods of auspicious lands didn't bury their deeds in their residences—a relatively cautious choice. Now, Li Banfeng truly understood the significance of this caution.

The palanquin bearer was already dead. Unless his contract guardian spirit could be found, the deed might be lost forever. He was a palanquin bearer; what kind of existence would his contract guardian spirit be?

Li Banfeng and Luo Zhengnan left Water Cloud Road and walked to the riverside. Li Banfeng noticed a newly opened bookstore with a sign that read "Lu Family Bookstore." Boss Lu's business was expanding. He'd have to come back another day to see if this shop's layout was the same as his previous ones, and if Boss Lu himself happened to be there.

Back at his residence, Li Banfeng sat by the lotus pond in the backyard, holding a meeting with himself.

Banfeng B: "The palanquin bearer's contract guardian spirit must be another palanquin bearer. The palanquin bearer profession should always appear in pairs."

Banfeng C: "But we haven't seen another palanquin bearer before."

Banfeng D: "That only proves the other palanquin bearer is very well hidden. But as long as we grasp this clue, there's a chance to find them."

Banfeng E: "I think you're oversimplifying things. Who says a palanquin bearer's contract guardian spirit must be another palanquin bearer? If their connection were that strong, I don't think there would be any need for such a guardian spirit at all."

Banfeng F: "Currently, we have no better option. To find the deed, we can only investigate along the palanquin bearer's trail."

Sun Tiecheng: "I don't think you necessarily need to investigate further. I already have the deed. If you want it, I can give it to you."

Banfeng A declared the meeting adjourned, then stood up and said to Sun Tiecheng, "Brother Sun, when did you arrive?"

"Just arrived. I saw you were quite busy earlier, so I didn't disturb you. Go on with your discussion; I'll leave after sitting for a bit."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "It's just a habit of mine. Sometimes, when I'm thinking, I talk to myself."

Sun Tiecheng looked at Li Banfeng and asked seriously, "You don't always do that, do you?"

"No, occasionally. Just occasionally."

Sun Tiecheng clicked his tongue. "What am I going to do? I've only taken two disciples; one was killed by you, and the other is a madman."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not mad. I've seen a doctor, and even the doctor says I'm not mad."

Sun Tiecheng sighed and took out two arched iron tokens. "These are the deeds to the Ye Songqiao domain. That Lever Cultivator is already dead, so I've changed the name. How about 'Li Two'? Do you think that's suitable?"

"Li Two?"

"Are you referring to me?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded.

"Why 'Li Two'?"

Sun Tiecheng said, "You're my second disciple."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No, I want to be the first disciple."

"The first disciple position is taken!"

"Didn't he die?"

"Even if he's dead, he's still the first disciple. That status remains."

Li Banfeng clasped his hands and squatted on the ground. "No, I *must* be the first disciple!"

Sun Tiecheng frowned. "Why are you being so unreasonable now?"

"Who's being unreasonable!" Li Banfeng retorted angrily. "Your previous disciple colluded with Inner State, tried to rebel in Fool's City, and even tried to take my life! If I hadn't fought him to the death, Fool's City would be finished, and our cultivation path would be extinct. Yet you still want to preserve his status? Aren't you hurting my feelings?"

These words left Sun Tiecheng speechless. After a long moment of hesitation, he sighed. "Alright, fine, then it'll be 'Li One'! But you have to accept the name 'Li One'!"

Li Banfeng said, "Of course I accept it! This name certainly sounds better than 'Li Two'!"

Sun Tiecheng shook his head. "It's not about how it sounds. When I write your name on this deed, it's not to find you a piece of land; I want you to ascend to the clouds!"

Indeed, Sun Tiecheng's intention aligned with Li Banfeng's. He also didn't want Li Banfeng to go to Inner State; he wanted him to bypass the ten layers and ascend to the clouds.

Li Banfeng raised his eyebrows. "Isn't ascending to the clouds still a long way off?"

Sun Tiecheng smiled meaningfully. "I don't think it's far off. Otherwise, your senior disciple wouldn't have died by your hand. I've changed the deed for you; find a suitable place to bury it. Whether you can hold onto it will depend on your own fortune."

Li Banfeng asked, "It seems the Ye Songqiao domain isn't easy to hold onto?"

Sun Tiecheng stood up. "This is an auspicious land. Once you ascend to the clouds, immense favor will await you. Who wouldn't want such a good place? If things had been handled more discreetly, it might have been fine. But now, the people from Outer State have caused such a commotion that all of Puluo State has been alerted. Everyone who wants a slice of this pie will reach out for it. I'll help you resist for a while and catch up with some old friends. But I can't help you indefinitely. Once I've dealt with these old friends, you'll be on your own."

Li Banfeng found himself in a dilemma. It wasn't that Sun Tiecheng had used a technique; it was the current situation itself that was truly perplexing. Li Banfeng already had his own domain, and now Sun Tiecheng had given him another, Ye Songqiao. His own domain was discreet, but its profits were limited. Ye Songqiao offered substantial profits, but too many people coveted it.