Chapter 672: The Head of the Family

Inside the Jadeite Pavilion, Li Banfeng held Luo Shaojun in his arms, while a blue-clad woman crouched behind him.

"It's her!" The blue-clad woman extended a hand, pointing at Luo Shaojun.

Li Banfeng looked down at Luo Shaojun and said, "Run!"

Luo Shaojun squirmed out of Li Banfeng's embrace and slowly walked towards the door.

Before the blue-clad woman could move, Li Banfeng shouted, "Run faster!"

Luo Shaojun forced herself to run quickly, rushing towards her snail shell. The blue-clad woman's figure flickered, instantly appearing behind Luo Shaojun.

Luo Shaojun dared not look back. Just as the blue-clad woman was about to strike, she felt the floor tremble.

Creak!

A row of wooden planks surged up from the floor, blocking the blue-clad woman. Li Banfeng had used 'Broken Path' to clear the way.

These planks were borrowed from the floor. The blue-clad woman hesitated for a moment, then, with a flick of her sleeve, turned the planks into splinters, leaving a hole in the floor that offered a clear view of the first floor.

Luo Shaojun seized the opportunity to slip into her snail shell.

Her snail shell was cracked and had not yet fully recovered.

Even if it hadn't been cracked, Li Banfeng had a premonition that this shell wouldn't be able to stop the blue-clad woman.

Just as Li Banfeng was about to take Luo Shaojun and flee, the blue-clad woman suddenly turned back, looked at Li Banfeng, and asked, "A wandering cultivator?"

"Yes," Li Banfeng nodded.

"You damaged my house?" The blue-clad woman stared intently at Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng glanced at the hole in the floor. "Actually, you damaged this house. If you hadn't shattered those planks just now, the floor could have recovered. Or, I can find someone to help you repair it later—"

With another flick of her sleeve, the blue-clad woman gathered all the sawdust on the floor, filling the broken hole. The color was uniform, the new blended seamlessly with the old, and not a single crack remained, as if it had never been damaged.

She turned back to look at Luo Shaojun by the door. Li Banfeng pulled a silk handkerchief from his embrace and called out, "Jiang Ling'er!"

The blue-clad woman turned her head and replied, "Yes!"

Li Banfeng told Luo Shaojun, "Go quickly!"

This time, Li Banfeng dared not call Luo Shaojun by name.

Luo Shaojun hoisted her snail shell and ran out of the Jadeite Pavilion. Along the way, she encountered no barriers.

Standing downstairs, Luo Shaojun was at a loss, then heard Li Banfeng say, "Go farther!"

Luo Shaojun snapped back to reality, carried her shell, and hurried off to call for help.

The blue-clad woman looked at Li Banfeng and asked, "Which one did you mean?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No one. It's just you and me here."

The blue-clad woman pondered for a moment. "Then it can only be you."

As her words fell, the blue-clad woman vanished. Li Banfeng, trembling from the approaching danger, instinctively moved away from his spot.

He moved quickly, but the blue-clad woman was still a step ahead.

Li Banfeng sustained over a dozen wounds on his thighs, knee bends, shoulders, and back, with blood gushing out.

It was unclear whether it was Li Banfeng's luck or if the blue-clad woman held back, but none of the dozen-plus wounds were fatal.

Even if they weren't critical, bleeding from over a dozen wounds simultaneously was unbearable for Li Banfeng. What was worse, he couldn't see the blue-clad woman anymore.

Danger approached again. Li Banfeng used 'Unobstructed Passage' to move directly from the second floor to the first, during which he saw the blue light again, gaining another dozen wounds.

These wounds were not shallow; in many places, bone was exposed. At this rate, wouldn't he be flayed alive?

The main door was right in front of him, but Li Banfeng couldn't break through. He wanted to pass through the wall, but 'Unobstructed Passage' could only go through floors, not walls.

This mansion contained powerful mechanisms.

A flash of blue light. Li Banfeng knew Jiang Ling'er was back. Danger was imminent; he wondered if he could survive this time.

In desperation, Li Banfeng clutched the handkerchief and shouted again, "Jiang Ling'er!"

"Yes!" Jiang Ling'er answered, then glared at Li Banfeng with a grim expression.

Li Banfeng took a breath. Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, his consciousness was somewhat hazy.

"Which one did you mean?" Jiang Ling'er repeated her previous question.

Had she reset?

Although it was clear she was furious, her operational procedure seemed largely unchanged.

Li Banfeng had roughly figured out this procedure: as long as he didn't name anyone else, he should be able to leave the pavilion safely.

Li Banfeng activated 'Unobstructed Passage', but still couldn't get out.

Why couldn't he get out?

After calling Jiang Ling'er the first time, Li Banfeng had been able to leave the pavilion. Why couldn't he now?

"Quick, tell me which one!" Jiang Ling'er's tone was different. "If you don't name someone this time, you won't leave the pavilion."

Li Banfeng's inference was wrong. Jiang Ling'er was enraged and had made slight adjustments to her operational procedure.

Naming someone meant she would kill that person. Li Banfeng thought for a moment and said, "The Sage!"

Jiang Ling'er retorted, "Who is the Sage?"

"He is the Emperor of Dashang."

"Where is he?"

"He's in Chaoge, not here."

Jiang Ling'er shook her head. "He's not here, so I can't kill him."

Li Banfeng said, "There's nothing I can do. It's not that I'm unwilling to name someone; it's just you and me here. Naming anyone would be useless."

Jiang Ling'er found Li Banfeng's argument reasonable. "It's just you and me here. It can't be me, so it can only be—"

Oh no!

After being tormented several times, Jiang Ling'er's thought process had shifted. Her logic needed to close the loop!

Li Banfeng quickly pulled out a shadow. "It's him!"

"Who is he?" Jiang Ling'er looked at the shadow, waiting for a name.

Li Banfeng shouted, "Banfengzi!"

Banfengzi looked at Jiang Ling'er and said, "No cosmic energy is greater than harmony. Harmony is the balance of Yin and Yang, the division of day and night, giving rise to all beings. Thus, the Sage said, 'Harmony brings wealth.' Young lady, we should be amiable—"

Crack!

Banfengzi broke in half and fell to the ground.

Jiang Ling'er looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Anyone else?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No one else."

Jiang Ling'er, having completed her task, vanished. Li Banfeng sighed, picked up the two halves of the shadow, and walked towards the door.

"The Sage said, 'You shrew are truly impolite!'" Banfengzi spoke again, the two halves of the shadow becoming two distinct shadows.

"Not dead?" Jiang Ling'er's voice came from upstairs.

Li Banfeng was alarmed. A barrier appeared at the door, blocking his exit.

Jiang Ling'er suddenly appeared and chopped Banfengzi into two again.

This time, she didn't leave, just stood there watching.

Li Banfeng quietly muttered, "Don't get up again. Stay on the ground quietly."

Muttering that was futile.

Banfengzi was also Li Banfeng; as long as he was defiant, he would certainly stand up.

Sure enough, Banfengzi stood up.

"The Sage says, 'A host treats guests not with superficial courtesy, but with genuine sincerity!'"

Crack! Jiang Ling'er chopped Banfengzi down again.

"The Sage says, 'Now there is no superficial courtesy, nor genuine sincerity; what is the meaning of this?'" Banfengzi stood up again.

Jiang Ling'er flicked her sleeve, knocking Banfengzi down once more.

"The Sage says, 'Treat others with courtesy, and pass on virtue within the family.' I came to your house without disrespect, so why have you repeatedly harmed me?"

Jiang Ling'er didn't think of anything else; she just kept chopping.

But today, she had met her match. Among all the shadows, Banfengzi's physique was the strongest; he could stand up immediately after being cut down.

The scene was somewhat absurd, like a robot battling an old scholar.

She chopped for a long time, creating a room full of shadows. Jiang Ling'er kept chopping as if she saw nothing, and Banfengzi, without hesitation, continued to reason with her.

Li Banfeng angrily rebuked Banfengzi, "Just die properly for once!"

Banfengzi looked back at Li Banfeng. "The Sage says, 'I simply will not die!'"

The two were locked in a stalemate.

If Li Banfeng had been in good condition, a bit of attrition wouldn't have mattered and could have bought him significant time.

But Li Banfeng was in poor condition now; he was covered in wounds and bleeding profusely, the blood pooling on the floor, and then—

Then, it seemed the bleeding lessened.

There was indeed a lot of blood on the ground, but Li Banfeng's wounds had all stopped bleeding and scabbed over.

What was happening?

This situation wasn't unfamiliar. Whenever he was in his 'Portable Residence', Li Banfeng's wounds healed very quickly, especially with the 'High Pillow, No Worries' technique, which healed injuries and neutralized poisons in an instant.

But this wasn't his own home. Why was he recovering so quickly?

He had improved!

This must be the strength of the Third Cloud Layer! A House Cultivator's talent could now function even outside their residence!

Could a House Cultivator's techniques be effective?

Li Banfeng tried 'High Pillow, No Worries'. Indeed, most of the blood on his body flaked off, and his hazy consciousness cleared considerably.

His wife was truly something, always saying that House Cultivators couldn't leave their residences, yet here he was, so far from home, and his techniques still worked?

Now that his body had mostly recovered, he should seize the opportunity to ambush her instead of just watching Banfengzi get chopped down.

Li Banfeng rushed forward, engaging in two quick exchanges. He sustained another dozen wounds. Jiang Ling'er's attacks were so fast and fierce that Li Banfeng didn't even have a chance to switch places with his shadow, and the wounds were already on his body.

These wounds were still not vital. It was clear Jiang Ling'er wasn't holding back, but Li Banfeng's luck was simply too good.

Jiang Ling'er looked at Li Banfeng.

After careful consideration, Li Banfeng pointed at Banfengzi and said, "You can keep chopping him."

It was truly strange. Today, Banfengzi was exceptionally resilient. Chopped into two, he immediately recovered, and his color didn't noticeably fade.

Outside the residence, the shadow's power shouldn't have been this strong.

Banfengzi completely ignored Li Banfeng and his own anomaly. He continued to argue with Jiang Ling'er: "The Sage says, 'You shrew are the one who should be killed the most!'"

Jiang Ling'er didn't argue with him. She raised her sleeve, about to chop, when she suddenly heard Li Banfeng roar, "Stop!"

After that shout, the entire Jadeite Pavilion trembled. Jiang Ling'er and Banfengzi both flinched simultaneously. Li Banfeng suspected he had borrowed his wife's 'Voice Cultivation' technique.

Could such a technique, tied to a deep mansion, be used even away from the residence?

Never mind if it worked or not, he just needed to intimidate them first.

Li Banfeng looked at Jiang Ling'er and said, "Had enough chopping?"

Banfengzi angrily retorted, "This woman is too—"

Li Banfeng angrily snapped, "Have you said enough?"

Banfengzi was highly displeased. "She chopped at me, and you won't even let me argue?"

"If she chops you, chop her back! What's the point of saying so much here?"

Banfengzi fell silent.

Jiang Ling'er looked at Li Banfeng and said, "You said that person was him!"

"What if I did?" Li Banfeng said. "What if I say it's not him now? Is that not allowed?"

Jiang Ling'er was at a loss for a reply. "That's just my rule—"

"What rule? You chopped me up like this; isn't that breaking rules?"

Jiang Ling'er wanted to retort, but Li Banfeng's intimidating aura made her unable to speak.

Li Banfeng pointed at the floor. "Look at all this blood on the ground; it's all mine, all from your chopping. And you're still not convinced after I say a few words?"

Seeing the blood on the ground made Jiang Ling'er feel a little dizzy. She had killed countless people, yet for some reason, she was afraid of blood today.

Li Banfeng pointed to the stairs. "Go upstairs and stay there!"

Jiang Ling'er initially didn't want to heed Li Banfeng, but for some unknown reason, her feet unconsciously ascended the stairs.

"Wait a moment!" Li Banfeng called out. "Turn around and lift your hair!"

Making me lift my hair? Is this person crazy?

Jiang Ling'er turned around and lifted her hair.

Li Banfeng nodded. "You're quite pretty. Go on up and wait."

Jiang Ling'er went upstairs, sat on the bed, and couldn't figure it out for a long time.

Why did he ask me to lift my hair?

Did I have to lift it just because he told me to?

Why was I afraid of him?

Just because he was holding a silk handkerchief?

Holding a handkerchief was no reason to fear him! It wasn't as if she hadn't killed people holding handkerchiefs before.

It didn't matter if she couldn't figure it out. The mansion had barriers; they couldn't get out anyway. She could kill them once she understood.

A twist!

Li Banfeng collected a group of shadows, pushed open the door, and exited the pavilion.

Jiang Ling'er was dumbfounded. She asked in a hoarse voice, "Why did you let him go?"

Creak, creak, creak.

The pavilion's beams and pillars let out several sharp creaks.

Jiang Ling'er looked stunned. "You're afraid of him too? Why are you afraid of him?"

Li Banfeng was also pondering that question: why had Jiang Ling'er been afraid just now?

But considering his own situation, Li Banfeng figured it out.

He had been covered in blood at the time, threatening Jiang Ling'er. This situation was strikingly similar to Tang Changfa's 'Challenge to Fight'.

It made sense that a 'Foolish Cultivation' technique, which ignored levels, would frighten Jiang Ling'er.

But the key question was, could he use 'Challenge to Fight'?

Senior Brother Sun certainly hadn't taught him. He had seen Tang Changfa use it twice before, but had he perhaps learned it on his own?

Was it truly a 'Foolish Cultivation' technique just now?

As he pondered, Li Banfeng, leaving a trail of bloody footprints, walked out of the pavilion. Luo Shaojun was the first to rush up. "Seventh Brother, you scared me badly! What happened? Why are you covered in blood?"

Outside the pavilion, people stood packed together, but none dared to approach. Li Banfeng asked, "What exactly is wrong with this pavilion?"

Luo Shaojun said, "I asked the people in the manor. The Jadeite Pavilion was modified by Lord Baoying. Let's go to my place to discuss the details."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No, we won't discuss it there. I'm not living in the Marquis's Mansion anymore. I'm moving to Hu Chihong's place."

Luo Shaojun pouted. "What's so good about Hu Chihong's place?"

Li Banfeng didn't explain. "Find someone to seal off this area. No one is to enter. Trespassers will be killed without question!"

Leaving the Marquis's Mansion and arriving at Hu Chihong's residence, Hu Chihong quickly arranged rooms for them. Luo Shaojun produced an iron tablet, upon which was engraved a passage of text.

Judging by the shape of the iron tablet alone, Li Banfeng had thought it was a deed from a local deity. But upon reading the content, he realized it wasn't a deed; it was an instruction manual.

It contained the usage instructions for the First-Grade Weapon, Jiang Ling'er.

The weapon had form but was invisible, it had sound but was inaudible.

The weapon had a chamber that it could not leave; this was the place where enemies were slain.

Lead the enemy into its chamber, grasp its deed, call its name, then call the enemy's name, and the enemy shall surely die, unable to escape.

Once one enemy died, call another; repeat this process, and any enemy who enters the chamber, even if they number in the thousands, shall surely perish.

Once Jiang Ling'er was summoned, at least one person must be killed. If there was no one to kill, the deed-holder would not escape death.

This time, Li Banfeng finally understood.

Jiang Ling'er was an invisible and inaudible weapon. Li Banfeng possessed the techniques 'Golden Eyes of Autumn' and 'Perceptive Spiritual Hearing', which allowed him to see her.

These two techniques were given by his wife. Why they were effective against a First-Grade Weapon from Neizhou was still unclear.

The handkerchief Li Banfeng picked up was Jiang Ling'er's deed. Holding her deed and calling her name was equivalent to summoning her.

Once Jiang Ling'er was summoned, she had to kill someone. If there was no one to kill, she would kill the person holding the deed.

This First-Grade Weapon was very powerful but also dangerous to use. For someone like Lord Baoying, it was no problem; if there was no one else to kill, he could simply summon a servant and have Jiang Ling'er kill them.

Recalling the situation in the pavilion, Luo Shaojun still felt a chill down her spine. "Seventh Brother, if you hadn't been so quick, we would all have perished in the Jadeite Pavilion."

Li Banfeng said, "It will be another three days until we reach Chaoge. On our way back, we'll still have to pass through Boundless City. For these next few days, we must guard the Jadeite Pavilion.

Not only must we guard the pavilion, but we must also guard the information about it. This place might have a great use in the future!"

Luo Shaojun nodded. "Seventh Brother, rest assured. I'll have people clear out the backyard and guard it strictly, ensuring not even a mosquito can fly in!"

Li Banfeng looked bewildered. "Are there mosquitoes in Dashang too?"

"Yes!" Luo Shaojun nodded repeatedly. "Among all living creatures in the world, these are the most detestable!"

Late at night, Li Banfeng sat by the window on the second floor of the Jadeite Pavilion, opening it to look outside.

Shaojun stood downstairs, her eyes welling up with tears. "Seventh Brother, I truly had people guard it strictly, but I didn't expect you to still get in. It's all my fault; I'm willing to be punished."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No need for punishment. You go rest. I'll have a good talk with her."

Shaojun stood stunned downstairs, unsure who Li Banfeng intended to talk to.

Closing the window, Li Banfeng looked at Jiang Ling'er by the bed and said, "What exactly do you want?"

Jiang Ling'er looked back at Li Banfeng. "You sneaked into my bed in the middle of the night, and you're asking me what I want?"

Li Banfeng roared, "Who sneaked into your bed? Shameless!"

Banfengzi emerged from behind him. "The Sage says, 'This woman is indeed shameless.'"

Jiang Ling'er stared at Li Banfeng for a long time, then said expressionlessly, "Are you two bullying me?"

Li Banfeng discussed with Banfengzi, "She chopped us so many times; it's only right that we bully her."

Banfengzi nodded. "The Sage says, 'Indeed so.'"

Jiang Ling'er's brows furrowed, the corners of her eyes drooped, and her mouth twisted as she tried to make a somewhat wronged expression, but failed. Li Banfeng didn't push it. "The sentiment is there."

Banfengzi said, "The Sage says, 'If she's not wronged, we'll continue to bully her.'"

Jiang Ling'er asked, "Are you two people, or one?"

Li Banfeng said, "It's one person."

Banfengzi didn't quite agree but remained silent.

Li Banfeng continued, "I answered one of your questions. Now it's your turn to answer mine. What sect do you belong to?"

"I don't know," Jiang Ling'er shook her head blankly.

"What techniques do you know?"

"No techniques."

"What means do you use to kill?"

"Killing is just killing, no means needed."

She was likely telling the truth. After being turned into a weapon, she probably lost over ninety percent of her memories and fought purely by instinct.

So strong just by instinct, fearless even of thousands of troops?

This must be some special attribute.

Li Banfeng looked around the room. "Is this your house?"

Jiang Ling'er nodded vigorously. This matter was very important to her.

Li Banfeng deduced from this, "Are you a House Cultivator?"

This wasn't Li Banfeng guessing wildly. Jiang Ling'er had a deep sense of identification with the residence and possessed subtle, unnoticeable characteristics.

"House Cultivator—" Jiang Ling'er was sensitive to these two words. She tried to think, but couldn't come to a conclusion.

Of course, another possibility couldn't be ruled out.

"Are you a House Spirit?"

"House Spirit—"

This time, Jiang Ling'er's reaction was even more pronounced. Some memories seemed on the verge of being triggered.

"Are you afraid of me?" Li Banfeng activated his 'High Pillow, No Worries' technique again, looking at Jiang Ling'er with a chilling expression.

Jiang Ling'er averted Li Banfeng's gaze, lowering her head. "No."

"Are you truly not afraid?" Li Banfeng continued to look into Jiang Ling'er's eyes.

Jiang Ling'er fully dodged. "I only asked you one thing. Why are you asking me so many questions?"

Li Banfeng said, "Because I'm bullying you."

Jiang Ling'er's body trembled, unsure if it was from anger or fear.

Li Banfeng confirmed she was scared.

Another name for the 'High Pillow, No Worries' technique was 'Master of the House'.

Some questions now had answers.

The reason Li Banfeng could intimidate Jiang Ling'er wasn't because he used a 'Foolish Cultivation' technique, but because he used 'High Pillow, No Worries'.

It should be impossible to use 'High Pillow, No Worries' without a residence. The reason the technique worked was that Li Banfeng had called Jiang Ling'er's name inside the residence, and she had responded, which aligned with the procedure for a House Cultivator to acquire a House Spirit.

Furthermore, Li Banfeng had slept in the Jadeite Pavilion twice in a row, staying for an extended period. This not only created a bond with the residence but also activated the House Cultivator technique 'Peaceful Living', which boosted Li Banfeng's luck, ensuring he never suffered fatal injuries during his encounters with Jiang Ling'er.

Initially, the residence still leaned somewhat towards the House Spirit, obeying Jiang Ling'er's commands most of the time by using barriers to block Li Banfeng.

However, once Li Banfeng used 'High Pillow, No Worries', under the 'Master of the House's' intimidation, the residence deepened its bond with Li Banfeng, allowing him to leave smoothly.

The key question now was why Li Banfeng always returned to the Jadeite Pavilion to sleep.

Li Banfeng asked Jiang Ling'er, "Tonight, when I returned to the pavilion in the middle of the night, it wasn't your doing, was it?"

Jiang Ling'er replied, "Initially, you didn't name an enemy, so naturally, I had to bring you back.

Today, you already named an enemy. I didn't try to find you; you came back on your own."

Li Banfeng sighed. "Since you're here, just sleep here."

He lay on the bed, leaving no space for Jiang Ling'er.

Jiang Ling'er stood by the bed, her brows and eyes twitching as she tried to make a resentful expression, but failed.

Three days later, Luo Lijun delivered news: Boundless City had arrived at the entrance to Chaoge.

Li Banfeng instructed Luo Lijun and Luo Shaojun to accompany him into the city, while Lord Yan, Lord Yu, and Lord Xiu remained in the city to guard their retreat.

Upon reaching the entrance to Boundless City, two mountain ranges slowly parted. Li Banfeng led Lijun and Shaojun out of Boundless City.

For Boundless City, it was merely opening its mouth; for Li Banfeng and the others, it was equivalent to crossing a mountain.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, a dazzling blaze of light illuminated their path, giving Li Banfeng a slight illusion; he thought he saw a fiery dragon.

As they drew closer, they saw two lines of white horses ahead, each carrying two enormous torches on its back, extending forward.

Bai Liangchen, who was accompanying them, was quite proud; these white horses were all members of his clan.

He specifically emphasized to Li Banfeng, "Your Highness, a corridor of white horses is the highest courtesy of our Dashang."

Li Banfeng greatly valued these white horses, especially their robust physiques.

He asked Bai Liangchen, "Can these horses run?"

Bai Liangchen raised his horse's head and replied, "Traveling a thousand *li* in a day is no challenge."

Li Banfeng then asked Luo Lijun and Luo Shaojun, "Can you two outrun a horse?"

Luo Shaojun was still calculating their respective speeds, while a layer of water beads seeped onto Luo Lijun's snail shell.

Chaoge was faintly visible in the night. Luo Shaojun lowered her voice and asked, "Sister, Chaoge has Nine Gates. You've been to the Sixth Gate. You told Seventh Brother the routes for the first five gates, right?"

Luo Lijun nodded. "I taught him hand-in-hand, drawing each section multiple times. I just don't know if Chaoge is still the same as it was."

On the dark, greenish-black city walls, mottled with rust, rugged, winding pipes were crisscrossing, some of them still slowly writhing.

Zuo Anna cupped her hands in a salute to a three-headed person. "I'll leave it to the three generals."

The three-headed person returned the salute. "Those words should be from me. My entire family, old and young, I've entrusted to Miss Zuo."

Before parting, Zuo Anna admonished He Jiaqing, "I'll only wait for you for one day. By this time tomorrow, whether you've returned or not, I will have Sui'an Town leave this place."

He Jiaqing smiled. "You can't bear to leave me."

Zuo Anna sneered, "Do you think I fancy you?"

He Jiaqing shook his head and chuckled, "You don't fancy me, but you can't bear to part with Cui Tik. Don't worry, I'll bring back Rong Sijiao's deed. As for the questions I asked you, make sure you have the answers ready."

Zuo Anna nodded. "Alright, I'll wait for you. The place you're going is at the Fifth Gate. It's not your first time, so you know the way; I don't need to remind you. But if you don't bring back the deed, don't ask me any more questions in the future."

He Jiaqing nodded. "It's settled then."

Dozens of three-headed people, each carrying their luggage, followed Zuo Anna to Sui'an Town.