Chapter 582: Husband, Do I Look Good?

"Did you mint this money yourself?" Li Banfeng picked up a silver dollar and examined it closely for a long time. From its style to its pattern, it was indistinguishable from the silver dollars he was familiar with.

The peddler put the silver dollar into his counter. "Since the day Pro Province came into existence, I've minted all the silver dollars. I travel around with my cart not just to do business, but also to understand how many silver dollars are needed in different parts of Pro Province."

Li Banfeng was even more confused. "If you mint this money yourself, why does Snowflake Isle dare to use your name and claim they can mint money?"

The peddler chuckled. "Since Pro Province was founded, there have been thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people operating under my name. They all have their own titles: the Peddler's Gang, the Hundred Merchants Gate, the Gold and Silver Society, the General Store... I've personally disbanded hundreds of such groups. Their objectives vary, and their methods differ. Some seek fame, others profit. Some put on a convincing act, while others are terribly clumsy. Snowflake Isle is quite convincing. I've personally explained to others that Snowflake Isle has nothing to do with me, yet some still don't believe me. They claim it's a Snowflake Isle rule that I can't mention them outside the isle. At first, ordinary people thought Snowflake Isle was my business. Later, many friends also believed Snowflake Isle's nonsense. Even later, quite a few of my enemies started testing Snowflake Isle instead of seeking revenge on me. What kind of situation is it when my enemies no longer target me?"

Li Banfeng considered it. "I think that's a good thing."

The peddler nodded repeatedly. "I think so too!"

This was indeed the case. In this recent rumor incident, Snowflake Isle had truly taken the heat for the peddler.

The peddler grabbed a handful of silver coins and sighed. "Whether in the inner or outer provinces, many people are after the silver dollars. Silver dollars, like initiation medicine, are the lifeblood of Pro Province. These people should have targeted me, but instead, they set their sights on Snowflake Isle. I admit that Snowflake Isle did take the blows for me, but I still can't tolerate them. Some of the things those scoundrels have done are beyond my endurance. I've destroyed Snowflake Isle six times, but after a while, someone always starts it up again. The Snowflake Isle brand is simply too resilient. Even when I've killed everyone from Snowflake Isle, they insist I'm merely eradicating imposters. This brand just can't be shattered. Twenty years ago, the current head of Snowflake Isle, Mr. Kong Fang, approached me. He proposed a twenty-year wager. If I could completely destroy Snowflake Isle within twenty years, he would concede and give his life to me. If I couldn't destroy Snowflake Isle within twenty years, I would concede, and he would disband Snowflake Isle himself and clarify to the world that I truly have no connection to it."

Li Banfeng nodded. "That's a good wager. Either way, you win!"

"It's not that simple," the peddler said with a wry smile. "If I lose, I have to establish Mr. Kong Fang's Dao sect."

"What Dao sect?"

"Deception cultivators."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Didn't you say that Dao sect doesn't exist?"

The peddler sighed. "If I agree to his terms, then won't that Dao sect exist?"

"Mr. Kong Fang is a swindler?" Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "I've met him; he's a truly capable person, strong enough to subdue Zhang Gunli."

"Who says swindlers are necessarily incompetent? Mr. Kong Fang was originally a grandmaster of a certain sect, but he wanted to create his own unique Dao sect and become its patriarch. That's why he set his sights on the elusive deception cultivators. I told you the three key principles of deception cultivation back then, didn't I?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I remember. First, as long as you don't act, your cultivation is real. Second, as long as your actions aren't seen, your cultivation is also real. Third, even if you are seen, but others can't understand what they're seeing, your cultivation is still real."

The peddler nodded. "Snowflake Isle never mints money in front of others. Even their own members don't know how the silver dollars are minted. If you don't act, your cultivation is real. As for the art of deception, Mr. Kong Fang is very skillful."

Li Banfeng asked, "Is Mr. Kong Fang a merchant cultivator?"

The peddler shook his head. "You've seen him fight Zhang Gunli; can't you tell his Dao sect?"

Li Banfeng was recalling the details of that day when the peddler reminded him, "He and I have a contract, so I can't directly reveal his background. I can't tell you his true identity directly. You absolutely must remember, he's one of the top figures in Pro Province. Given your current combat strength, it's best not to interact with him."

One of the top? "Is he perhaps similar to you?" Li Banfeng had directly scared off Mr. Kong Fang with his rattle drum. From this perspective, there was still a significant gap between them.

The peddler thought for a moment. "I think I'm a bit stronger than him. If we're just talking about combat strength, he's probably similar to someone named Sun."

Was the peddler referring to Sun Tiecheng? He mentioned Sun Tiecheng directly, which suggested he knew about Li Banfeng's association with the Ignorant Cultivators.

Li Banfeng tentatively asked, "Is Mr. Kong Fang's cultivation also 'Beyond the Clouds'?"

The peddler shook his head. "Mr. Kong Fang isn't 'Beyond the Clouds,' and neither is that friend named Sun, nor are several other old friends. You will also face this issue in the future. How you proceed depends on your own choice."

What did that mean? Was there even a choice?

A man walked up to them. He appeared to be over fifty and was dressed like a newly initiated hunter. He unbuttoned his top and pointed to his abdomen, where there was a festering wound over half a foot long, red and swollen with pus.

The peddler asked, "Want to buy some ointment?"

The man nodded repeatedly; he had a throat injury and couldn't speak.

The peddler asked again, "Do you have money?"

The man fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a few silver coins, his hand trembling slightly with worry that it wouldn't be enough, his eyes filled with pleading.

The peddler took the silver coins, then got some medicinal wine. Pouring it onto a cotton cloth, he first wiped the man's wound. After cleaning away the pus, the peddler tore off two plasters and stuck them over the wound. "Don't let it touch water for three days. Find somewhere to rest and make sure the wound doesn't reopen."

The man bowed repeatedly to the peddler, his face full of gratitude, and then left.

The peddler weighed the few silver coins in his hand and sighed. "Some wins, some losses, it balances out. This business deal ended up at a loss again."

Li Banfeng said, "If you know it's a loss, why do you still do this business?"

The peddler gave a wry smile. "There are many losing businesses. I've lost quite a bit on you too. But this time, I gained from you; you stopped the rumors for me."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Rumors can be stopped, but if things get serious, I won't be able to. If one day you truly encounter someone from the heavens, must you really fight her?"

The peddler put the remaining plasters back into his counter and glanced at the sky. "That was the agreement back then."

"Someone asked me to pass on a message to you. She said for the two of you to stop fighting."

The peddler looked at Li Banfeng. "That was Honglian, wasn't it?"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly.

The peddler smiled. "She's overthinking it. My bond with the person from the heavens is genuine."

Lu Qianjiao bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly. "Are your bonds with everyone else fake?"

Li Banfeng was startled. When had Lu Qianjiao arrived?

The peddler shook his head. "Qianjiao, our bond is unshakeable, unchanging even if seas dry up and rocks crumble. How can you speak of true or false regarding that!"

Lu Qianjiao looked at Li Banfeng. "He said the same thing to that hussy from the heavens, didn't he?"

Li Banfeng paused for a moment. "Did he say that? I wouldn't know!"

The peddler was taken aback. "You two know each other?"

Lu Qianjiao nodded. "Yes, he came to my house that day and asked if you were there."

Li Banfeng looked up. "Sister-in-law, you should tell the whole story."

The peddler looked at Li Banfeng. "Putting aside whether she told the whole story, how did you know where her house was?"

"I, well, I just found it while walking..." Li Banfeng had promised Zhao Lanmeng not to reveal him. But if he didn't, the situation would be hard to explain.

The peddler's gaze shifted. "Brother, this isn't your first time at her house, is it?"

"This is my first time—" "It's definitely not your first time," Lu Qianjiao chuckled. "Senior Brother Li is so kind; he always comes to see me. Unlike you, faithless man, you forget about me in an instant."

Li Banfeng hastily said, "Sister-in-law, you two can quarrel, but you shouldn't drag me into it!"

Lu Qianjiao gritted her teeth. "Who's a couple with whom? What makes you think I can't live without him? Senior Brother Li, let's live together from now on!"

As her words fell, Lu Qianjiao picked up a rock and threw it at the peddler. The rock shattered, turning into countless flying fragments that scattered everywhere. The peddler hid behind his counter, not daring to retaliate.

Li Banfeng didn't want to get involved and turned to leave.

A rock hit Li Banfeng on the back of his head. He endured it, deciding this was no place to linger.

Another rock hit Li Banfeng on the back of his head. He endured it again, still having important things to do.

A third rock flew towards the back of Li Banfeng's head. He turned around and caught it. No, he couldn't take it anymore. Why should he suffer because this couple was fighting?

Li Banfeng held the rock and threw it back at Lu Qianjiao.

Lu Qianjiao was in a fit of rage and wasn't on guard, so the rock hit her directly on the forehead. This one rock completely ignited Lu Qianjiao's fury.

"Fine, attack me! I knew you were sent by that hussy!" She snatched up rocks and hurled them at Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng didn't show weakness, dodging with his Carefree Movement while picking up stones to retaliate.

After a brief exchange, Li Banfeng, unable to defeat Lu Qianjiao, turned and ran.

Lu Qianjiao wiped the blood from her face, staring in surprise at Li Banfeng's retreating figure.

The peddler seized the opportunity and tried to push his cart away, but Lu Qianjiao yanked him back. "That man throws rocks so accurately! He has talent for my Dao sect."

The peddler nodded. "Since he's talented, you shouldn't miss out on such a good prospect. Discuss it with him first and see if he's willing to join your Dao sect. If he doesn't agree, I'll persuade him slowly later!"

Lu Qianjiao hooked the peddler's chin. "His matters can wait. First, explain your own situation clearly. Where have you been all these days?"

Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Dwelling. The main room was so cluttered there was no space to walk. His family was still eating, and the room was a mess.

Li Banfeng had brought back too many ingredients, causing everyone to burp from being overly full.

"Why are you all squeezed in here? With so many rooms, why must you all eat together?"

Hong Ying wiped her mouth. "There's nowhere else to go. The seventh room is occupied by Xiaowan, and the other rooms are all packed by the Old Master."

"Packed with what?" Li Banfeng pushed open the door to the second room. It was full of rickshaw parts.

Pushing open the door to the third room, he saw leather buckets, iron buckets, wooden buckets, spittoons, water jars, bathtubs... everything that could hold water was filled with thick grease.

The fourth room was also full of oil, even more so than the third, and the fifth room was even fuller, leaving no space to walk.

Li Banfeng asked, "Old Master, what are you doing with so much oil?"

"Is this a lot?" The Old Master grunted. "This is all refined by me. Otherwise, our house wouldn't be able to hold it all."

No wonder his face didn't feel particularly dry. If the Old Master had been a bit more ruthless, he might have peeled off a layer of skin.

He continued to the seventh room, where his wife was still interrogating the rickshaw puller. This room was slightly cleaner.

The fake rickshaw puller was barely clinging to life. The Phonograph asked, "Do you truly not want to speak?"

The fake rickshaw puller shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to speak; it's that I truly don't know."

The Phonograph said to Li Banfeng, "Inner Province sent a total of five spies. Three are now dead. Besides him, there's one more whose identity is currently unknown."

Li Banfeng asked the fake rickshaw puller, "Was your mission from Inner Province to seize Huangtu Bridge while the peddler was away?"

The fake rickshaw puller shook his head. "My mission was to lie low in Pro Province. I used to be a chef at Qianyue Restaurant, mainly monitoring the He family's movements. A few days ago, I received imperial documents instructing me to return to Inner Province, undergo remelting, and then become a rickshaw puller."

"How did you know about matters related to rickshaw pullers?"

"Zhang Gunli told me."

That menace, Zhang Gunli, had to be dealt with.

"Were those small rickshaw pullers all born from you?"

"They split from my body, both soul and flesh. They have a connection with me."

No wonder not much flying ash fell from the sky. It turned out the souls of those rickshaw pullers were originally incomplete, merely parts of the Rickshaw Puller Boss.

"Can every Inner Province person reproduce like you?"

The fake rickshaw puller shook his head. "I didn't originally have this ability. After remelting, I don't know whose flesh and blood I gained, but as long as I concentrate my thoughts, I can split off another rickshaw puller."

"What about their rickshaws? Did they also split from you?"

"Their rickshaws split from my own rickshaw. Every time an extra rickshaw puller splits off, I need to find materials like rubber and iron rods for the rickshaw. In about an hour, a new rickshaw can be produced, and only then can the newly born rickshaw puller move."

From this fake rickshaw puller, it was evident that Inner Province's technology had advanced significantly.

"Before coming to Pro Province, what was your name? What did you look like?"

The fake rickshaw puller thought for a long time, then shook his head. "I can't remember. I can't remember anything..."

Before he finished speaking, the rickshaw puller's body trembled, and his shoulders and chest suddenly widened.

The rickshaw puller had experienced a similar situation once before in the Portable Dwelling. The Phonograph reminded Li Banfeng, "Husband, stay back; don't get blood on you!"

The fake rickshaw puller's clothes tore, and his right shoulder burst out, continually expanding until it was about the size of a human head. Blue veins bulged beneath his skin.

The skin on his shoulder split open like torn cloth, splattering blood everywhere.

A hairy head emerged from his shoulder, its blood-streaked face dull and lifeless.

The Rickshaw Puller Boss's flesh and skin ripped open inch by inch until a complete body detached itself from his own.

Li Banfeng looked at the newly split rickshaw puller; he was actually wearing clothes.

More precisely, the clothes on his body were a part of his skin.

The torn clothes on the Rickshaw Puller Boss's body writhed and wrapped around the wounds on the new body, greedily absorbing the rickshaw puller's flesh and blood.

The bloodstains gradually faded, and the clothes became as good as new, with no trace of the original tears.

The Rickshaw Puller Boss's collapsed right shoulder slowly recovered, and his entire body, along with his clothes, returned to normal.

He looked at the rickshaw puller that had just split off on the ground and murmured, "Give him a rickshaw, and he'll be alive, he'll be able to fight. They're growing in number, and I'm forgetting more and more things. Actually, they are me, but what I can't remember, they can't remember either. In a few more days, I might be just like them, unable to remember anything, only able to fight. Maybe I was originally just like them, split off from someone else. No wonder I can't remember anything..."

The Phonograph looked at Li Banfeng. "Husband, we've asked everything we needed to, and he's told us everything he knows."

Li Banfeng nodded, and the Phonograph devoured the Rickshaw Puller Boss's soul.

There was too much flesh and blood; the family simply couldn't eat any more. Li Banfeng carried Honglian to the main room, cleaning up the leftovers. "I delivered your message to the peddler."

Honglian unfurled her petals. "Did he reply?"

"Yes! He said you were overthinking it, and his bond with the person from the heavens is genuine."

Honglian cleaned up the flesh and blood on the floor and said to the Phonograph, "We had an agreement. The message has been delivered, so I'll make you a body."

The Phonograph snorted coldly. "It's just a puppet. Who'd care for something like that?"

"Whether you care or not, just watch my skill," Honglian said confidently.

Hong Ying glared at Honglian. "Xiaowan, why bother with her? It would be better to have Qilang get some good seeds and just grow a body."

The Phonograph chuckled. "What's the point of growing one? Like a puppet, it's fake. What use is something fake?"

"Very much looking forward to it..."

"Who?" The Phonograph looked down and saw the Projector's lens flickering. "What did you just say?"

"Madam, you're very much looking forward to your body. On you, there's a red color associated with anticipation." As he spoke, the Projector scurried behind Li Banfeng, afraid of being hit.

"Are you possessed?" The Phonograph raised its needle, truly tempted to hit him.

Li Banfeng held the Projector. "Anticipation, why is it red? Is it like the color of blood?"

"Seventh Guide, the color of anticipation isn't that bright. It's like a flame, a newly ignited flame that looks fragile but isn't easily extinguished."

Li Banfeng stared at his wife for a moment, then turned to ask the Projector, "What color is Tangdao?"

The Projector turned and aimed its lens at Tangdao. "He has a contented yellow on him, a yellow like the setting sun. He's almost asleep in the sunset."

"You're wrong," Li Banfeng said, staring at Tangdao for a moment. "He's already asleep. Now, look at the Gloves."

The Gloves tried to avoid the Projector's lens. "Why look at me? Master, I'm not photogenic. Why not look at Gourd Sister instead?"

The lens remained fixed on the Gloves. The Projector said, "He has green on him. What does green mean? Are you scared?"

The Gloves were speechless for a long time, then gave the Projector a thumbs-up. "You've become truly astute. I just borrowed a spoonful of vanishing cream from the peddler. I was planning to let the Master study it, but then I thought, with my limited skills, I definitely couldn't escape the peddler's notice. I was afraid the peddler might misunderstand our Master, so I was wondering whether or not to tell him."

The Gloves spat out a small porcelain bottle, which was full of vanishing cream. "Master, I was wrong about this. Please punish me!"

Li Banfeng picked up the bottle and smiled. "This little bit is nothing. Ah Ji, now look at me. What color am I?"

The Projector looked for a moment, the light behind its lens flickering rapidly. "Can't look anymore, it's dizzying!"

"Why dizzy?"

"Seventh Guide, to speak very frankly and perhaps a bit crudely, you have many colors on you, as vibrant as the feather duster in the corner."

The whole family watched the Projector's antics, thinking he had eaten too much and was talking nonsense.

The Phonograph found this unusual. "Husband, the Projector has eaten a lot of good things recently. That kid's cultivation must have grown significantly."

Increasing cultivation was a good thing, but no one in the family, including the Projector itself, knew what Dao sect it belonged to.

Li Banfeng put the Projector in his pocket and said to the Phonograph, "It's time to go to the laboratory today. I'll go get the batteries first, and Ah Ji can also see what colors are outside."

Once outside, the Projector's abilities had diminished considerably. "The surrounding colors are too vibrant; I can't discern any changes."

Li Banfeng, carrying two sets of batteries, asked, "Can you see their joy?"

The Projector observed carefully for a while. "I might not be very familiar with these two young ladies yet."

The laboratory was powered up, and Li Banfeng brought out his wife. Today's experiment was complex, and they toiled from dawn until late at night, only managing to achieve some results.

Li Banfeng first sent the Phonograph back to the Portable Dwelling, bringing the batteries home as well. "Once the batteries are charged, I'll take my wife out for a stroll."

The Phonograph had just rested at home for a moment when it suddenly heard Hong Ying shouting from the ninth room, "It's just like you! It's so much like you, Xiaowan, come and see!"

Honglian had finished making the puppet.

"What's there to see—" The Phonograph was a bit nervous. When it pushed open the door to the ninth room and looked inside, it froze.

Honglian unfurled her petals and pushed a woman in front of the Phonograph.

"How do you like my craftsmanship?"

The record spun on the tray, but the needle seemed to have nowhere to rest.

A puff of steam shot from its horn, and the Phonograph replied, "It's just passable."

Honglian smiled. "You should still be able to possess it for a short time. Take this body and go stroll through the market with your man."

Stroll through the market... The Phonograph originally didn't want to speak, but it couldn't help but utter, "Alright."

She possessed the puppet, with only one thought in her mind.

Go out for a stroll with her husband, and keep him good company.

Honglian stared at the puppet for a moment, faintly seeing the smile of the Ninth Room Girl.

You have a chance to go out now, but please don't forget to take me with you.

Arriving at Black Stone Slope, Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Dwelling to get the batteries, preparing to charge them, when he suddenly saw a woman walk out of the second room.

Li Banfeng was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Madam, who are you?"

*Clang!* Tangdao fell to the ground. "Marshal—"

The Projector crawled out of his pocket, its lens flickering incessantly. "Art! This can no longer be described as art; it has surpassed the pinnacle of art!"

The Gloves rubbed its thumb and forefinger for a long time, so much so that it frayed its own seams. "Is this still a human being?"

Old Tea's tea water pushed open the teapot lid. "No, I can't look anymore. One more glance, and this old life will be gone."

The Gourd also didn't dare to look much, swaying as it said, "How I wish I were a man, what a pity!" The Music Box circled the woman, dancing continuously but unable to produce any sound.

The Pendulum asked Mond in a hushed voice, "Is this really our mistress?"

Mond quietly replied, "I didn't believe it at first either. When I saw her for the first time, I almost fell off the wall."

The Earrings jumped onto the woman's palm. "Madam, please let me stay on your ear for a moment. Just a moment will do."

The Judge's Brush, which had been fast asleep, poked its head out from the newspaper and took a glance.

He stopped sleeping, quietly standing by the wall, not feeling tired at all.

Li Banfeng carefully observed the woman and asked, "Is that my wife?"

Zhao Xiaowan smiled sweetly. "Husband, do I look good?"

Li Banfeng sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked the Phonograph. "Very beautiful."

Zhao Xiaowan sat beside Li Banfeng, gently holding his hand. "Husband, this is what I originally looked like."

"Indeed, very beautiful." Li Banfeng turned and slowly embraced the Phonograph.