Chapter 617: Highly Talented

“A peanut, two kernels inside, yellow skin, purple shell, snow-white flesh. It knows cold and warmth and cares for you; I can't kiss my own wife enough!” Zhang Wanlong embraced his two wives, kissed each of them several times, and then, taking Xiaogenzi with him, headed out to work in the fields.

Seeing Xiaogenzi brimming with inexhaustible energy, Zhang Wanlong asked, "Didn't you go teach Persimmon how to read yesterday? How do you still have so much energy today?" Xiaogenzi chuckled good-naturedly, "Teaching Persimmon to read isn't really tiring."

Zhang Wanlong snorted, "You're still young. You'll know what tired feels like when you reach my age." Xiaogenzi retorted, "With two such considerate wives, what could possibly tire you out?"

Zhang Wanlong nodded, "My two wives are indeed very considerate; I don't have to exert myself for most things!" As he spoke, Zhang Wanlong glanced towards his house.

Du Wenming knocked several times, but getting no answer, he simply pushed the door open and walked in.

Zhang Wanlong's elder wife emerged from the house, looked at Du Wenming, and said, "Who are you? Why are you just walking into someone else's house?" Du Wenming replied expressionlessly, "I'm here to buy seeds from Zhang Wanlong."

"Our man isn't home; please wait here," the elder wife invited Du Wenming into the main hall. The younger wife brewed a pot of tea for Du Wenming. Du Wenming looked at the younger wife, then with a turn of his right hand, extended his arm behind her, intending to wrap it around her waist.

His intention wasn't to take advantage, but to control the two women and then search Zhang Wanlong's house for seeds.

If Du Wenming could embrace the younger wife, she wouldn't be able to move. Du Wenming's technique relied on making opponents dance, which could disorient them within a few steps. The younger wife squatted, retrieved a box of pastries from under the table, and in doing so, perfectly avoided Du Wenming's arm.

Du Wenming froze for a moment, then reached out to grab the younger wife's arm.

The younger wife lowered her head to pick up a pastry, once again evading Du Wenming. Was this intentional or accidental?

If accidental, it was too coincidental. If intentional, her skill was remarkable.

Du Wenming was a cultivator of the cloud realm. If the woman had intentionally dodged twice, her reflexes, speed, and movement technique would be no less than his own. Du Wenming, disbelieving, reached out to touch the younger wife's shoulder.

The younger wife turned, holding the pastry, and put it to her nose, sniffing. "It doesn't smell fresh; I'll get you something else to eat." She evaded Du Wenming once more and went to the back kitchen with the pastry.

It seemed a direct physical confrontation wouldn't work; Du Wenming would have to use his special techniques.

He followed the younger wife into the kitchen, and with a slide and twist of his feet, he began to dance.

The elder wife was lecturing the younger wife in the kitchen. "Did he just touch you?" "No, I didn't let him touch me..." the younger wife explained, looking wronged.

"If our man finds out, just see how he'll deal with you!"

The elder wife pinched the younger wife's buttock hard. The younger wife yelped in pain, covered her buttock, and jumped up and down in place. With that single movement, Du Wenming's dance step was once again evaded.

This could absolutely not be accidental!

The elder wife looked at Du Wenming and sharply asked, "Did you just touch my sister?"

As Du Wenming pondered how to respond, the younger wife complained from behind him, "You shameless man, I'm a married woman! Why are you trying to seduce me?" When did the younger wife get behind him?

Startled, Du Wenming used his agile dance steps to turn and circle around to the younger wife's side.

The elder wife swung a feather duster at the younger wife, "Blaming others for seducing you, you're no good either!"

The younger wife dodged, evading the feather duster, which then landed squarely on Du Wenming.

The blow was fierce, making Du Wenming grit his teeth in pain.

It wasn't that a feather duster was particularly hard to dodge, but the key was that Du Wenming hadn't thought to dodge.

Every movement from the two women seemed not to be aimed at him, yet they could not only counter his moves but also retaliate. What was more alarming was that Du Wenming's crucial techniques had no effect on them.

The two women had been engaging Du Wenming without any sign of starting to dance. If Du Wenming couldn't make them dance, many of his methods couldn't be deployed. When Li Banfeng had fought Du Wenming, Li Banfeng's cultivation had reached the cloud realm, yet even he couldn't control himself and had been forced to dance with Du Wenming.

Why weren't these two women dancing? Were they not human?

Were these planted by Zhang Wanlong? Du Wenming was greatly alarmed and continued to dance.

Even if these two women weren't living people, they definitely possessed spiritual energy. As long as something had spiritual energy, even a magical artifact, Du Wenming had a way to make it dance with him. Yet these two women simply wouldn't dance. The elder wife chased the younger wife with a broom, and the younger wife constantly dodged by twisting her waist.

Another broom blow landed on Du Wenming. Du Wenming leaped, clearing Zhang Wanlong's yard, and then slid all the way out of the village. If two 'planted' individuals could be so formidable, how powerful must Zhang Wanlong himself be?

In the fields, Zhang Wanlong wiped sweat from his brow. "Brother, that was a bit of a close call!"

Xiaogenzi was startled, picked up his scoop and bucket, and asked, "A fight? Where was there a fight?" "Just now, a tough character entered our house, and your two sisters-in-law chased him off."

Xiaogenzi let out a long breath. "If he was chased off by the sisters-in-law, how 'tough' could he have been?"

Zhang Wanlong shook his head and sighed, "Brother, you don't understand. If your two sisters-in-law couldn't handle him, we would have had to release something else, and some things simply cannot be seen by outsiders!"

Du Wenming returned to Yetang Teahouse in Greenwater City and reported the situation of his encounter to Mr. Kongfang.

Mr. Kongfang shook his head and took a sip of tea. "Sending you to deal with Zhang Wanlong is still a bit difficult. After all, he's a master among cultivation farmers." Du Wenming remained silent.

Mr. Kongfang added, "The Outer Provinces and Puluo Province are fundamentally different. Since you usually reside in the Outer Provinces, you probably haven't encountered characters like this before." Du Wenming still said nothing.

Mr. Kongfang pondered for a moment, then gave Du Wenming a task: "Ye Songqiao has a few outstanding accounts that haven't been collected for a long time. Go and collect them." Du Wenming didn't speak, and his face showed no particular expression, yet Mr. Kongfang's words pierced him deeply.

Collect debts?

He was the second-in-command of Xuehuapu; was this really something he should be doing?

Mr. Kongfang also noticed Du Wenming's displeasure and specifically added an explanation: "The matters in the Outer Provinces are as they are; you need to put more effort into the business here in Puluo Province." As he spoke, Mr. Kongfang continued to sip his tea. The veil under his bamboo hat obscured his face, so his expression couldn't be seen, but Du Wenming could sense a casual, dismissive perfunctoriness. Without his Outer Province identity, Du Wenming seemed to be of little value now.

Seeing Mr. Kongfang's attitude, Du Wenming directly retorted, "Second Master, I truly don't understand why we need to buy Zhang Wanlong's seeds." Mr. Kongfang blew on his tea. "The situation in Puluo Province is different from the Outer Provinces. Some things, I can't explain clearly to you."

"Please take your time and explain; I'm listening carefully."

Mr. Kongfang put down his teacup and said, "Because we need a decoy. I need to create a decoy just like myself, to lure Zhou Badou out of Lu's Study, and then I'll seize the opportunity to bring Yu Yaoming out myself."

"Then there's no need to ask Zhang Wanlong for seeds. I'll be the decoy; I'll go to Lu's Study and lure Zhou Badou out."

Mr. Kongfang sighed. "Wenming, I'm not looking down on you; I'm just telling you the truth. With your current combat strength, Zhou Badou won't be lured out by you. He wouldn't even bother to look at you."

Du Wenming suppressed his anger and continued, "Then I won't be the decoy. You go lure Zhou Badou out, and I'll go in and take Yu Yaoming." Mr. Kongfang smiled. "I truly am not looking down on you, but even if Zhou Badou isn't there, you wouldn't be able to take Yu Yaoming once you enter Lu's Study."

"Let's give it a try!" Du Wenming could no longer suppress his anger.

It wasn't that he was impulsive; if he continued to tolerate this, his position as the Second Master would soon be gone, and he would be relegated to trivial tasks like debt collection. Mr. Kongfang waved his hand. "Don't act on impulse; let's think of another way."

Du Wenming shook his head. "I'm not acting on impulse, Second Master. I've followed you loyally for years. Please grant me this one chance to accomplish this important task in Puluo Province."

"Alright, that's ambition." Mr. Kongfang picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Du Wenming, who then picked it up and drained it in one gulp.

Zhang Wanlong picked up the teapot and refilled Li Banfeng's cup. "Seventh Master, you didn't come to see me today just for a chat, did you?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Brother Zhang, I actually do have something to discuss. I heard you're no longer selling seeds, but I'm still in need of some." Zhang Wanlong's elder wife walked over. "Seventh Master, please go elsewhere for seeds. Our Old Zhang has never sold seeds!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Zhang Wanlong glared at his wife, who stuck out her tongue and turned to leave.

"Seventh Master, to be honest, I certainly wouldn't sell to others, but you're an old customer. Just tell me how many you need." Li Banfeng said, "Not many, just five hundred seeds: a hundred each of cabbage, winter melon, corn, wheat, and green peppers." "Alright." Zhang Wanlong had his wife pack the seeds, not asking any further questions.

But Li Banfeng proactively explained the matter: "These seeds aren't for my use; they're to be given to the foreigner, Chutik, concerning the matters of Desong Cliff." Xiaogenzi glanced at Li Banfeng, signaling that this information should not have been shared.

Zhang Wanlong was also taken aback. "Seventh Master, you actually didn't need to tell me this; the seeds are already in your possession."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Business cannot be conducted this way. If you don't want to give these seeds to Chutik, I will return them to you now. Furthermore, I guarantee that any seeds I currently possess will also absolutely not be given to Chutik."

Seeing Li Banfeng's sincerity, Zhang Wanlong also spoke honestly. "Seventh Master, I'm truly afraid of being implicated in the Desong Cliff matter." Li Banfeng produced a contract. "I bought these seeds from you. If anyone pursues this matter, I will bear the responsibility." "Straightforward!" Zhang Wanlong looked at Li Banfeng with respect. "I agree to this. However, I also have something to ask of you." "Please speak."

"The boundaries of my village are expanding, but only three *li* of wasteland have actually been cultivated. Many fields extend beyond the borders, and the strange creatures outside are constantly eyeing them, causing considerable damage to my property.

Moreover, the newly cultivated land has 'heavenly light.' Though the light is faint, some crops truly cannot grow without it. I intend to cultivate ten *li* of land, but the local earth god hasn't responded. I heard Seventh Master has a good relationship with the local earth god here. Would you kindly put in a word and arrange a suitable day for us to clear the land?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Alright, this matter is on me. Once a date is set, I'll inform you immediately."

With both matters settled, Li Banfeng had lunch at Zhang Wanlong's house. He had initially planned to stroll around the village, but Luo Zhengnan called, saying that Boss Lu had invited Li Banfeng to gather at the study, and had even sent a formal invitation.

Boss Lu is looking for me?

The matter with Little Fatty was still unresolved, and Li Banfeng had been planning to investigate Boss Lu. He didn't expect Boss Lu to come to him.

"What does he want from me? When is this gathering scheduled?"

"Boss Lu said it's just to chat, didn't specify the matter, and the time isn't set. He said he's only inviting you, so you can arrange it as you see fit." Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and agreed. "Tell Boss Lu I'll go to see him tonight at ten o'clock."

At 7:30 PM, Boss Lu closed his bookstore, set up his desk, and picked up his pen to continue writing a sequel to "Embroidery Frost Collection." After two hours, he had barely managed to write one page. After writing, he read it through and tore up the manuscript.

A volume of "Embroidery Frost Collection" cost eight Huan Kingdom notes and contained thirty-six stories. If he wrote at this level, Boss Lu felt he would be doing a disservice to those who paid for his books.

As it approached ten o'clock, Boss Lu brewed tea, warmed wine, and prepared pastries and appetizers. The "Closed" sign was still hanging, but he opened the bookstore door. Soon after, Li Banfeng entered the bookstore, and Boss Lu rose to greet him.

"Seventh Master, you're here!"

Li Banfeng nodded and smiled. "Boss Lu personally came to extend an invitation; how could I not come? Seventh Master, please have a seat. Would you prefer wine or tea?"

"I'll follow the host's lead."

"Then let's have both wine and tea." Boss Lu poured tea with one hand and wine with the other. The two sat in the bookstore's main hall, surrounded by dozens of bookshelves, eating and chatting. When the topic turned to new works by famous authors, Boss Lu deliberately brought up "Tale of Jade Fragrance."

"Seventh Master, what do you think? Between 'Tale of Jade Fragrance' and 'Embroidery Frost Collection,' which is superior?"

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly. "'Tale of Jade Fragrance' is a novel, and 'Embroidery Frost Collection' is an anthology. They are different genres; how can they be compared?" "Let's not talk about genres, just narrative. Which book has a more compelling story?"

Li Banfeng first drank a cup of tea, then a cup of wine, and carefully considered his response. "If we consider the era, when 'Embroidery Frost Collection' was written, there were no similar works. It was a groundbreaking work, truly unrivaled at the time."

Boss Lu shook his head. "Let's not consider the era, nor when they were written. Let's just compare them directly."

"If we absolutely must compare them, later authors have naturally improved upon and innovated from the techniques and skills of their predecessors. What they write is, by nature, more appealing than what came before." Boss Lu took a sip of wine and nodded repeatedly.

Although these words sounded disheartening, Boss Lu conceded. "Tale of Jade Fragrance" was indeed more appealing than "Embroidery Frost Collection." Li Banfeng's explanation was also acceptable to Boss Lu: Zhang Xiuling had the advantage of being a successor, not because her talent surpassed his own.

Boss Lu highly valued Li Banfeng's critique, but Li Banfeng was still waiting for Boss Lu to get to the main point.

He surely didn't invite me today just to discuss literature. Was he trying to bring up the matter with Little Fatty? Boss Lu took out a stack of papers. "Seventh Master, please take a look."

Li Banfeng took the papers, expecting that the main topic had arrived.

But upon opening them, he saw it was the manuscript for a sequel to "Embroidery Frost Collection." Li Banfeng asked, "Who wrote this?"

Boss Lu chuckled. "A friend wrote it. He was quite renowned in literary circles back then. Recently, he's had some inspiration and wants to add a sequel to 'Embroidery Frost Collection.'" Still discussing literature?

Could it be that the "friend" he mentioned was the real topic of the evening?

Li Banfeng carefully perused the sequel and offered a critique: "A dog's tail attached to a sable." Boss Lu trembled, nearly dropping his wine cup. "Seventh Master, why do you say that?"

"Please tell this friend of yours to stop writing. 'Embroidery Frost Collection' is a classic; it cannot tolerate such a grotesque sequel. Let's look at the original 'Embroidery Frost Collection': its plot is bizarre and winding, its romantic scenes captivating layer by layer. Where are all these unnecessary twists and turns?

The first story in this sequel you have, the male and female protagonists can't even speak clearly to each other. A simple matter creates so many misunderstandings. Must such vulgar tropes be forced into 'Embroidery Frost Collection'? Is the author perhaps too conceited?"

Boss Lu pursed his lips and defended, "Several renowned authors today, like Zhang Xiuling and Shen Rongqing, don't they all write this way? 'Tale of Jade Fragrance' also has such stories.

This style of writing can portray the twists and turns and resolutions of emotions more clearly."

Li Banfeng smiled. "That's why I said, your friend cannot write 'Embroidery Frost Collection.' The master who wrote 'Embroidery Frost Collection' was able to establish a new school of thought; do you think he would care about other people's writing styles? Would he imitate others' prose? Could he put long-form tropes into short stories?

Your friend, with just this little skill, wants to continue 'Embroidery Frost Collection' and even challenge a master of a generation. Is it unfair to say he overestimates his own abilities?"

*Crack!*

The wine pot in Boss Lu's hand shattered.

"What happened?" Li Banfeng was startled for a moment.

Boss Lu tossed the broken wine pot aside, brought over a new one, and once everything was cleaned up, he began to rub his face vigorously.

His mouth was contorted with anger, and it took him a long time rubbing it to get it back to normal.

"Seventh Master is right; this person overestimates himself!" Boss Lu brought paper and a pen. "Please, Seventh Master, guide me in detail on what was written improperly, and I will truthfully convey it to my friend."

Boss Lu continued to discuss literature, and Li Banfeng accompanied him in the discussion. Li Banfeng offered serious advice, and Boss Lu diligently took notes.

In a flash, it was midnight. Mr. Kongfang, wearing his bamboo hat, arrived at the bookstore entrance, pushed the door open, and walked in.

Li Banfeng heard the door open and glanced back, but his view was obstructed by bookshelves.

Boss Lu shook his head. "Don't mind him. Someone probably didn't see the 'Closed' sign. I'll have an assistant send him away."

Mr. Kongfang entered the study. He didn't see Li Banfeng, nor did he see the table laden with wine and tea. He only saw Boss Lu on a ladder, alone, organizing bookshelves.

Boss Lu looked at Mr. Kongfang. "We're already closed. If you want to buy books, please come early tomorrow."

Mr. Kongfang chuckled. "Old Zhou, I've come here myself. Is it appropriate for you to say you're closed now?"

"We're not closing now; we closed a long time ago." Boss Lu continued to tidily arrange the bookshelves with a straight face.

Li Banfeng had just felt someone enter the bookstore, but in the blink of an eye, the person was gone.

Boss Lu sat opposite him, still reviewing his notes. "Seventh Master, how did you say the sixth chapter of the second volume should be revised?"

Li Banfeng was about to shift his focus back to "Embroidery Frost Collection," when he faintly heard some sounds from upstairs.

*Creak-creak-creak*

Li Banfeng looked up slightly, and Boss Lu said, "Recently, the bookstore has had some woodworms. They chew on the wood every night. Seventh Master, let's continue discussing the sixth chapter." Li Banfeng didn't think it was the sound of woodworms.

The window in the second-floor storeroom opened, and Du Wenming slid through it into the outer room. He quickly opened the door to the inner room and scanned the area for Yu Yaoming, but didn't see him. Instead, he saw Boss Lu drawing back the bed curtains, sitting on the bed, and saying, "Looking for me?"

Mr. Kongfang was downstairs, watching Boss Lu organize the bookshelves. He wasn't in a hurry to act; his purpose was to buy time for Du Wenming.

"Old Zhou, we haven't seen each other in so many years, and this is how you greet me?"

Boss Lu turned his face and looked at Mr. Kongfang. "Do we know each other?"

"How can you say we don't know each other? Back then, we...."

"We really are closed. If you have something to discuss, let's talk tomorrow."

Boss Lu was about to usher him out when suddenly, sounds of a struggle came from upstairs.

Du Wenming had made his move upstairs.

Mr. Kongfang was a little surprised. According to Du Wenming, Yu Yaoming's cultivation was not high, so there was no need for Du Wenming to create such a commotion.

Had something gone wrong upstairs?

Mr. Kongfang pointed upstairs. "A thief? Shall I go check for you?"

Boss Lu descended from the ladder and shook his head. "The second floor is the store's storeroom; no entry for unauthorized personnel."

"I'm not an unauthorized person; I'm your friend." Mr. Kongfang shifted his foot, seemingly about to go upstairs.

Boss Lu appeared at the storeroom door on the second floor, holding an old book. "I really can't recall having you as a friend."

Mr. Kongfang waved his hand, flicking two copper coins that flew towards Boss Lu.

These copper coins couldn't be fended off. Even if Boss Lu conjured a three-foot-thick wall with words, the coins would easily pierce through it.

But if Boss Lu chose to dodge, it would mean clearing the way to the stairs.

Boss Lu didn't dodge. He shook the old book in his hand.

The dust from the old book scattered into the air, coalescing into the character for "door."

The two copper coins flew into the "door" and vanished without a trace.

Mr. Kongfang flew towards the second floor from both the left and right, intending to collapse the second-floor walls with steel coins.

The copper coins flew extremely fast; he was certain Boss Lu could only block one.

Boss Lu stood his ground and wrote the character for "collect" in the air with his finger. Both copper coins dropped into his hand.

Mr. Kongfang nodded. "We haven't fought in so many years. Your quality is no worse than it was back then. What a pity, I'm not the same as I was back then."

After speaking, Mr. Kongfang tore three tassels from his hat, placing one between each finger from his index finger to his pinky.

The tassels elongated, resembling three golden snakes, and lunged towards Boss Lu's face. The copper coins on the tassels swayed, creating a jarring, chaotic clanging sound that disrupted Boss Lu's judgment.

There was certainly no time to spontaneously write characters now. Boss Lu opened his book, and characters flew out from its pages, engaging in a fierce battle with the three tassels.

The fighting power of these three tassels clearly surpassed the characters released by Boss Lu. An entire page of characters was quickly shattered and scattered by the tassels, and even the book in Boss Lu's hand was torn apart by them.

"Your book is ruined. What will you fight me with now?" Mr. Kongfang leaped onto the second floor.

Boss Lu waved his hand, and two bottles of paste flew up from the first floor. One was for gluing the book, and the other glued Mr. Kongfang's shoe soles to the floor. Glue his shoes?

Mr. Kongfang almost burst out laughing. "Old Zhou, your skill is still decent, but your mind is truly failing. Has selling books here every day made you foolish?"

He simply took off his shoes and floated in mid-air. With a flick of his fingertips, the copper coins from the three tassels flew out, striking Boss Lu and riddling him with holes.

He didn't dodge?

Mr. Kongfang was startled, seeing blood flowing from Boss Lu's body.

The blood wasn't red; it was black.

Mr. Kongfang murmured, "You're not Zhou Badou?"

Boss Lu swayed. "I don't know you, but I suppose I do now."

After speaking, "Boss Lu"'s body flattened, his limbs twisted and stretched, and his body, riddled with holes, transformed into the character "Zhou," dissolving into a puddle of ink on the floor.

This was a single character written by Zhou Badou?

Just one character?

Mr. Kongfang's thoughts were muddled; he found this situation somewhat unacceptable.

He kept repeating a sentence: "We've been equally renowned for so many years; our methods should be equal, should be equal..." This situation was clearly not equal. Mr. Kongfang didn't think further and quickly pushed open the storeroom door.

The storeroom was divided into an inner and outer room. Kongfang passed through the outer room and pushed open the inner room's door. He saw Du Wenming, covered in ink, trapped on the floor.

He had considered letting Du Wenming suffer a minor setback to humble his arrogance and gain some experience, but he had never intended for Du Wenming to be captured alive by an enemy. Mr. Kongfang rushed into the inner room, aiming to rescue Du Wenming. However, as soon as he crossed the threshold, the surroundings changed.

The storeroom was gone; Mr. Kongfang was standing on a street.

By a frozen lakeside, a man in a black Zhongshan suit and a white scarf recited poetry amidst the gently falling snowflakes: "Beautiful flowers, now in full bloom, the cold wind cannot steal life's splendor, nor can it steal my love for you."

A woman gazed up at the man with deep affection, tears welling in her eyes. Only after the man finished reciting the poem did the first tear trickle down her cheek. Mr. Kongfang knew where he was.

He had been sent to the Ink Fragrance Shop.

"We were equally renowned; our methods should be equal." He kept repeating this sentence.

At Lu's Study, Boss Lu had been discussing the details of the sequel with Li Banfeng the entire time, never having left. They discussed until dawn, and Boss Lu, having gained considerable insight, decided to close the store for a day to focus on writing.

"Seventh Master, I have noted this friendship. If there's ever a need for me, Boss Lu, you need only command." Boss Lu bowed deeply. Li Banfeng rose to return the bow. He first looked at the door, then upstairs.

He was certain someone had entered through the door last night, but he didn't know where that person had gone. He had perceived someone entering the storeroom last night, but now he couldn't sense anything. Li Banfeng left the study, returned to Xiaoyaowu, and rested for a day.

Boss Lu wrote until late into the night, quite pleased with his new work. After putting away the manuscript, he pushed the door open and left the study. Outside was Kudaikan, and Boss Lu went to Piaoxiangyuan.

On the second floor of Piaoxiangyuan, Yu Yaoming was still enjoying drinks with women on both sides.