Chapter 684: Rhythmic Cultivation

Li Banfeng had collected over two thousand copper coins when he suddenly felt danger approaching. He immediately left the villa with Zhao Xiaowan, leaping down along the edge of the cloud.

Soon after they departed, Mr. Kong Fang arrived on the cloud and returned to his house. With just a glance at the main hall, Mr. Kong Fang knew someone had entered. Who had done this? Few possessed the Cloud Gate technique, and even fewer knew about his residence. Who could have entered this mansion?

As he walked to the second floor, Mr. Kong Fang’s body trembled, his many copper coins jingling. The vault had been robbed! Pushing open the door, he saw that over two thousand copper coins were gone! This was his blood; every coin was forged with his blood! To steal on a cloud, of all places! Who had found this cloud?

Mr. Kong Fang examined the cloud surface, gradually discovering some traces. He went to the edge of the cloud and determined the intruders' entry and exit points. But this was the sky; knowing only the entry and exit points didn't reveal the intruders' destination.

Mr. Kong Fang stood at the cloud's edge, gazing out. As he scanned, he noticed another cloud appearing nearby. Was this cloud newly created? Did he have a new neighbor? The person who came to his house must be this neighbor, but this neighbor was very ill-mannered! He needed to have a good talk with this person today!

Mr. Kong Fang leaped across to the opposite cloud. This cloud was different; as he landed, half his body sank into it. The cloud was full of steam, and Mr. Kong Fang's copper coins couldn't protect him; his legs were covered in blisters from the scalding. After steadying himself on the cloud, Mr. Kong Fang stared at it for a long time. The mist was very thick; he could only see a small area beneath his feet, but even that small area seemed illogical to him. Was this even a cloud? It felt more like a giant ball of cotton. What use could such a massive ball of cotton be in the sky?

Mr. Kong Fang looked at the blisters on his legs, wondering if a trap had been deliberately set for him. Perhaps the entire cloud was hard, and only this trapped section was soft. But as far as Mr. Kong Fang knew, this was difficult to achieve on a cloud. A cloud's texture couldn't be easily altered or mixed with other substances, making it extremely hard to set a trap on one.

"It seems I've met a master," Mr. Kong Fang chuckled. "No matter what trick you used today, I will thoroughly eradicate you. I'll show you what 'leaving no blade of grass' means!"

Ten minutes later, Mr. Kong Fang returned to his house. He cut open his trouser legs and began applying medicine, but halfway through, he threw the cotton swab to the ground. "That wretched place really was just a giant ball of cotton. There wasn't even a single blade of grass there, damn it."

Inside the portable residence, the glove spat out copper coins. The Phonograph happily accepted them: "Husband, that's enough."

"Enough of what?"

"Enough items to cross the boundary."

Li Banfeng picked up a copper coin and examined it: "These things can cross boundaries?"

The Phonograph joyfully puffed out steam: "I didn't think so at first; I just thought these coins were good things, so I kept them. But the Peddler's notes say that Mr. Kong Fang has a method to cross boundaries using these very copper coins. According to my calculations, if we melt them all down and re-refine them, we can create a new device."

Li Banfeng's face lit up with surprise. He retrieved the information the Peddler had given him and saw that it indeed contained records about Mr. Kong Fang. It turned out the Peddler had also been developing Mr. Kong Fang's abilities.

"My dear wife, what kind of device can be made this time? A new Dark Bridge Cannon?"

The Phonograph shook its large horn: "Not a Dark Bridge Cannon, but a type of firearm."

What's the use of a firearm?

"To burn away the boundaries?"

"Not burn away, but to cover the boundaries with light."

Li Banfeng exclaimed with delight: "Is it a lamp?"

His wife pondered: "Calling it a lamp isn't wrong. This item is easy to make; as long as the equipment is ready, it can be finished in two or three days. Let's start now."

Li Banfeng wanted his wife to rest for a night, but she couldn't wait, so he took her to the laboratory that very night. The Phonograph told Teapot, Pendulum, and Mond to stay and help; these three were easy to work with. The three were unwilling, but once the Phonograph ignited flames, no one dared utter a word of dissent.

Li Banfeng didn't lock the laboratory. He left Green Flower's bowl directly with his wife and also left her a phone so she could contact him anytime. He went to replace his wife's battery. Halfway there, Luo Zhengnan called: "Miss Chu Er said she wants to see you and asked where you are."

"Tell them to come find me in Seven Autumn City."

"Them? Seventh Master, only Chu Er came to find me."

"She definitely brought others. Tell them to come to my residence."

The next day at noon, Chu Er arrived at Li Banfeng's residence with Chu Shaoqiang. "We've found out about Chu Yaoxian's situation. All the local deities on the list are acquainted with He Jiaqing."

"Is that all you found out?"

Chu Shaoqiang replied, "There's one more thing. He Jiaqing told Chu Yaoxian that he has obtained the other half of the deed. He also said he's acquired all the deeds for the surrounding territories. Based on my deduction, He Jiaqing intends to connect these territories to form a single domain. This domain would be quite large. If all a dozen or so territories were connected, it would be comparable to a small state in Neizhou."

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly: "Not just a dozen, it should be thirty."

Chu Shaoqiang said, "If it's thirty deeds, that territory would be frighteningly vast."

Chu Er connected and marked the territories on a map: "The area is large, but these are new lands with sparse populations. How useful can they be?"

Li Banfeng asked, "What if they were converted into established lands?"

"Through reclamation?" Chu Er scratched her head. "But that's useless. Successful reclamation causes territories to shift. Isn't Seven Autumn City an example? Once the territories are reclaimed, they'll each move to the edge of the established lands, and these new territories won't be connected anymore."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment, then added, "What if, before the reclamation succeeds, He Jiaqing kills all the local deities and becomes the sole local deity himself?"

Chu Shaoqiang said, "Then all the new lands would merge into one territory, and upon successful reclamation, all territories would move together!"

Chu Er's eyes widened: "He's trying to create another Proland Province! He wants to be emperor!"

Chu Shaoqiang frowned tightly: "As far as I know, He Jiaqing's cultivation has reached above the clouds. If he does this, he might violate the Peddler's rules. The Peddler won't tolerate him."

Chu Er also knew this rule: "He cannot kill local deities in others' territories; the Peddler won't spare him."

Li Banfeng was silent for a moment, then said, "He can definitely find a way to circumvent the rules."

Chu Shaoqiang looked at Li Banfeng: "Prince, what do you mean?"

Li Banfeng looked at the list in his hand: "Besides Chu Yaoxian, who else on this list are you quite familiar with?"

Chu Shaoqiang said, "I can speak with all of them, except Gu Wuyan, with whom I have a slight awkwardness."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly: "Go and discuss with the local deities. If they are willing to form an alliance with me and sign an agreement not to join the Siblings Alliance, I am willing to give them half of their iron deed. How many people here do you think would agree?"

Chu Shaoqiang thought for a moment: "Everyone except Gu Wuyan should agree."

Li Banfeng nodded: "This Gu Wuyan is quite distinctive. Let's go meet him."

Chu Shaoqiang nodded, then turned to Li Banfeng: "Your Highness, Chu Yaoxian said that these people's deeds are all in He Jiaqing's hands. I don't know if that's true or false, but if you can't obtain their deeds, it's best not to make promises lightly. The deeds are the lives of the new land's local deities. You can't play with them over this."

Li Banfeng smiled: "I'm not playing with them; I truly can get their deeds. Let's use Gu Wuyan as an example first, to show them how it's done."

The three set off that day for the new land of Flower Fairy Estate. On the way, Chu Er warned Li Banfeng: "Gu Wuyan's Dao sect is unusual; you must be extra careful."

"What is his Dao sect?"

"He's a Rhyme Cultivator. His speech rhymes and follows a rhythm. The more precise his rhymes, the more his words resonate with the enemy, and the stronger his combat power becomes."

Hearing about rhyming and rhythm, Li Banfeng immediately thought of poets: "Did Rhyme Cultivation originate from Literary Cultivation?"

Chu Shaoqiang shook his head: "Literary Cultivators study the Four Books and Five Classics, while Rhyme Cultivators deal with common street rhymes. They don't share the same origin. Your Highness, if you want to talk to Gu Wuyan, you must remain calm. Rhyme Cultivators are notorious for being annoying; don't take him seriously."

The three arrived at Gu Wuyan's territory. Over thirty percent of this hundred-mile area had already been developed, with villages, shops, and even a theater. It resembled a proper village, making Li Banfeng feel quite comfortable. Chu Shaoqiang entered a noodle shop and said to Li Banfeng, "Gu Wuyan often comes to this place. Let's wait here for a bit; we're sure to meet him today."

Li Banfeng scanned the customers in the noodle shop. It wasn't a large establishment; those who came were mostly farmers and hunters from the village, eating primarily for sustenance. His frequent visits suggested Gu Wuyan was likely unpretentious.

Chu Shaoqiang ordered three bowls of noodles. The three ate while waiting. As they neared finishing their noodles, a jingle of bells sounded at the entrance.

Chu Shaoqiang said, "Gu Wuyan is here."

Li Banfeng turned his head and saw a middle-aged man around fifty. His hair was neatly combed, his face clean. He wore a short jacket of faded blue cloth, patched in many places. In his hands, he held a pair of large ox scapulae, adorned with red tassels at the top and bells tied to the bottom. The two ox scapulae clacked rhythmically, and the man began to sing:

"Clapping the bones, with strides so grand,I've arrived at the noodle stand.Noodle stand, with cleaver's art,Good broth and spices play their part.Good water, fine white flour,Kneaded dough, like a single flower.Rolled into a pancake, wide and thin,Then cut to noodles, a thread within.Boiled in the pot, a swirling delight,Served in a bowl, a lotus white.Both tasty and grand, one eats a pound and a half in hand.For the shopkeeper, I'll calculate with glee,May your business thrive, a fortune you'll see!"

Li Banfeng thought the singing was good and quite entertaining.

Chu Er whispered, "This beggar is Gu Wuyan."

Chu Shaoqiang frowned: "Don't talk nonsense; that's disrespectful to an elder. He's not a beggar, he's a 'fool'."

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: "Is calling him a 'fool' respectful?"

Chu Shaoqiang explained, "Your Highness, 'fool' isn't exactly respectful, but it's jargon for their profession. He's a Shulaibao performer. The two ox bones in his hand are called heshan; they are his livelihood and also his weapons. These performers call themselves 'Old Fools,' so calling them 'fools' isn't disrespectful. They are artists who earn a living by performing, but you absolutely mustn't call them beggars."

The noodle shop owner quickly took out some change and gave it to Gu Wuyan. Gu Wuyan didn't take the money with his hand; he used his ox scapulae to collect it. Chu Er said, "That's also a rule of their trade: they must use the ox bones to collect money, and the shopkeeper must give it. If they don't, he'll start cursing."

Just as they were speaking, Gu Wuyan glanced into the shop, clacked his bones, and sang:"Stepped outside, headed north,Saw a living running dog worth.Running dog, thick-skinned and sly,Crawls and barks, and bows to try.Looks like a man, eats noodles like a hound,Eat your fill, diarrhea will abound!"

Chu Shaoqiang let out two dry laughs: "Your Highness, do you see? This Rhyme Cultivation has nothing to do with Literary Cultivation. This Dao sect is far too vulgar."

Li Banfeng disagreed: "I think his singing is quite literary. Who was he cursing just now?"

Chu Er snorted, "He's cursing my father, of course! 'Running dog' refers to him!"

Chu Shaoqiang frowned: "Impudent! Watch your words. How do you know he was cursing me? He could also be cursing His Highness the Prince!"

Chu Er shook her head: "He doesn't even know Seventh Brother, how could he curse Seventh Brother?"

Chu Shaoqiang called out to Gu Wuyan: "Brother Gu, come in and have a word."

Gu Wuyan, holding his ox scapulae, laughed at Chu Shaoqiang: "Whose dog leash came undone, letting you out? What is there for me to say to a dog like you?"

Seeing the situation turn sour, the shopkeeper quickly intervened: "Old Fool, I've given you the money. Please move on to the next house."

"Not going to the next house today, I'm staying right here!" Gu Wuyan continued to sing at Chu Shaoqiang:"Are you a man, or are you a dog?Show your courage, let's take a stroll.My hands are empty, in a troubled state,I'll pluck your dog's head, a fine drink mate!"

On the way here, Chu Shaoqiang had constantly advised Li Qi to remain calm, but now, his own veins were already bulging. It wasn't Chu Shaoqiang's unstable mindset to blame; it was because the opponent used a Rhyme Cultivation technique, where the rhythm of speech pierced the heart. Shulaibao also used the thirteen great rhythms, ensuring that every rhyming word and phrase struck the opponent's core, inevitably provoking Chu Shaoqiang's anger. But despite his anger, Chu Shaoqiang took no action. He was already affected by the technique, and engaging Gu Wuyan directly would surely put him at a disadvantage.

Gu Wuyan shouted from the doorway: "I say, are you looking for me? Come out and exchange a few moves!"

Chu Shaoqiang calmly pulled out two earplugs from his sleeve and inserted them into his ears. But blocking them was useless. Gu Wuyan sang two more verses. Chu Shaoqiang's earplugs shattered, and blood flowed from his ears. The clacking sounds outside continued; Gu Wuyan was still singing. Chu Shaoqiang's brow bones split open, his nose bridge twisted, and his cheekbones contorted with cracking sounds.

Chu Shaoqiang flicked his sleeve, and several buttons flew out, darting towards Gu Wuyan's face. Originally, these buttons were very fast, but as they neared Gu Wuyan, they began to bounce rhythmically with his clacking. Gu Wuyan casually waved his hand, shattering the buttons. His rhythm remained perfect, and his rhymes flowed more smoothly with each verse.

Chu Shaoqiang, his face covered in blood, told Li Banfeng: "Your Highness, either we leave, or we fight. If we delay any longer, I will be severely injured."

Li Banfeng looked at Chu Er; she was sitting next to Chu Shaoqiang and seemed unaffected. Li Banfeng himself was unaffected. The other diners in the noodle shop were terrified, but their conditions were normal. This proved that the Rhyme Cultivation technique was targeted, as Chu Er had mentioned, based on resonance. Gu Wuyan was singing about Chu Shaoqiang; his target today was Chu Shaoqiang. Even with full preparation, it was useless for Chu Shaoqiang. Once a Rhyme Cultivator gained the initiative, it would be extremely difficult to counter.

The shopkeeper continued to plead: "Master Fool, please don't make things difficult for me. I run a business here."

Gu Wuyan snorted: "Shopkeeper, don't interfere. Collect your money and treasure, but don't invite curses. Help spirits or men, but don't help him."

Li Banfeng stood up and slowly walked to the doorway: "The shopkeeper is right; he still has a business to run. If you want to fight this badly, let's find another place. I'll fight you."

Gu Wuyan looked at Li Qi, clacking his bones and laughing: "Young brother, don't be hasty. I'm not looking for you. Who are you, who is he? I don't mistake Zhang Fei for Li Kui."

Li Banfeng chuckled: "Forget Zhang Fei and Li Kui. I'm here for you today."

Gu Wuyan raised his voice: "Young brother, you talk big, staring with wide eyes, wanting to fight me. If you want to fight, let's not go far. How about we train right here?"

Rhyme Cultivation technique: rhymes create momentum. Li Banfeng sensed the danger. Gu Wuyan's combat power had clearly increased, but it was still within Li Banfeng's tolerable range.

The shopkeeper was so anxious he wanted to cry: "I beg you two, please go somewhere else!"

Li Banfeng looked at Gu Wuyan: "Can this place really not be changed?"

Gu Wuyan shook his head: "No change! This is the most suitable! Let's gamble our lives here. Whoever loses will be buried right here."

For a Rhyme Cultivator, this place truly couldn't be changed. He had been singing here for so long, drawing in popularity, morale, and even auspicious energy. This was precisely where he was in his best state. The ox scapulae clacked louder and louder. The diners' eardrums hurt from the vibrations, and they were all scared away. Gu Wuyan was about to get serious.

"Young brother, you truly dare to come.Dare to come, dare to kill, I dare to bury.Shopkeeper, make it convenient for me,Don't sell noodles, let's sell coffins!Our coffin is truly fine,One end big, one end small.Dead men inside cannot flee,Living men inside cannot bear the thrall!It fits your size just right,Be at peace, be buried bright!"

Li Banfeng felt his body tremble in waves; he had been struck by a technique. This was a Rhyme Cultivation technique, "Rhythm Tendon Pull," a Rhyme Cultivator's killing method. Every word and phrase landed on Li Banfeng's tendons and joints, pulling his bones and causing his internal organs to tremble. For an ordinary person, they would have disintegrated, flesh and blood, on the spot.

But Li Banfeng didn't disintegrate. He endured it with his "Benevolent Heart" technique, walking step by step towards Gu Wuyan. Chu Shaoqiang was astonished. Li Banfeng was a Journey Cultivator. He didn't dodge or run, yet he could withstand Gu Wuyan's killing move.

Gu Wuyan also grew somewhat nervous. The momentum he had just built up suddenly deflated by half. "Young man, your cultivation is quite high. May I ask your esteemed name?"

Li Banfeng didn't speak. Tang Dao suddenly leaped out and stabbed towards Gu Wuyan's face. Gu Wuyan quickly used the ox scapulae in his hand to block. Blocking the attack, Gu Wuyan saw Tang Dao clearly. His hand trembled; he seemed to recognize this blade. Tang Dao suddenly shifted, turning its thrust into a chop, striking a blow towards Gu Wuyan's chest. Gu Wuyan parried again with his ox bones, but he wasn't as fast as Tang Dao and was struck. However, Tang Dao didn't leave its sheath; it merely gestured across his chest. Gu Wuyan's face flushed crimson. He didn't know whether to fight or not.

Tang Dao circled Gu Wuyan for more than a dozen exchanges, never leaving its sheath. Not leaving the sheath didn't count as drawing the blade, so Tang Dao wasn't restricted by the "three-blade" limit. It wanted to continue fighting Gu Wuyan, but Gu Wuyan didn't want to engage anymore. He stood rooted to the spot, head lowered.

"Master Donkey, is that you?" Gu Wuyan whispered. He not only recognized Tang Dao's appearance but also its unique swordplay.

Li Banfeng was startled. Gu Wuyan actually knew Tang Dao was Yuan Shoulu? How did he figure it out? Tang Dao had been with them for some time. His wife had only recently seemed to discover his identity, and even Hong Ying hadn't recognized Tang Dao as Yuan Shoulu. Were these two so familiar with each other?

Tang Dao poked Gu Wuyan's chest. Gu Wuyan didn't dare to dodge or parry; he simply endured it where he stood.

"Master Donkey, I won't fight anymore," Gu Wuyan looked up at Li Banfeng. "Young hero, may I know your name?"

Li Banfeng said, "Let's find a suitable place to talk at leisure first."

Chu Shaoqiang and Chu Er wanted to follow, but Li Banfeng waved them off, telling them to wait at the noodle shop. Gu Wuyan no longer insisted. He extended his hand and said "Please," and Li Banfeng followed him out of the village into a small courtyard. In the courtyard was a single tiled house, simply furnished but meticulously clean.

Li Banfeng introduced himself: "My name is Li Qi. Thank you for your trouble."

Hearing the name Li Qi, Gu Wuyan lowered his head and said, "Since you are Master Donkey's friend, I should treat you with respect. If it were last year, I would still respect you as a hero. But now I hear you've become a Prince in Neizhou... how can I even begin to comment..."

Before Li Banfeng could speak, Tang Dao leaped out again and poked Gu Wuyan's chest twice. Gu Wuyan lowered his head and said, "I know, I owe Master Donkey a debt of gratitude that I can never repay. Seventh Master, please feel free to command me in anything."

Li Banfeng said, "I'd like to form an alliance with you, so we can look out for each other. What do you think?"

Gu Wuyan let out a laugh: "Your Highness, you think too highly of me. What am I? How much better am I than a beggar? What right do I have to form an alliance with you?"

Li Banfeng frowned: "What exactly is your issue with me becoming a Prince in Neizhou?"

Gu Wuyan shook his head: "Nothing at all bothers me personally, but I just don't get along with Neizhou. As long as I draw breath, I will fight Neizhou to the very end."

Li Banfeng chuckled: "Is that what you say everywhere?"

Gu Wuyan nodded: "Everywhere."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Alright then, no need for an alliance. But there are two things you must promise me. The first is what you just said: no matter where you are, you must fight Neizhou to the end. The second is that you cannot join the Siblings Alliance."

Gu Wuyan said, "He Gongzi and I have a good personal relationship. He did mention the Siblings Alliance to me, and I was considering..."

Li Banfeng interrupted Gu Wuyan: "Can you do those two things I just mentioned?"

Gu Wuyan asked, "Are you not letting me join the Siblings Alliance because you're at odds with He Jiaqing?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "My business with him has nothing to do with you. I see you have some backbone, so I want you to live a bit longer."

Gu Wuyan didn't understand. Tang Dao swayed in front of him. Gu Wuyan lowered his head and said, "Since you're Master Donkey's friend, and I still owe Master Donkey a debt of gratitude, I will..."

Li Banfeng pulled down his hat brim: "This doesn't count as repaying Yuan Shoulu's kindness. Yuan Shoulu just saved you again. You now owe him another life. The agreement is here; it's up to you whether to sign it or not."

The Judge's Brush had already written the agreement, detailing two conditions: first, no surrender to Neizhou; second, no joining the Siblings Alliance. Gu Wuyan read it through and pressed his handprint. In Gu Wuyan's eyes, enduring humiliation before Li Qi was all for Yuan Shoulu.

Li Banfeng took out a piece of iron deed and waved it in front of Gu Wuyan. Gu Wuyan was taken aback. Although the writing on the iron deed wasn't large, he naturally recognized his own name. Li Qi had his deed? Gu Wuyan's heart leaped into his throat. If Li Qi wanted his life, all he had to do was destroy the deed. Gu Wuyan would have no chance to resist. He felt a knot of conflict in his heart, thinking he should have signed the alliance agreement with Li Qi just now. Li Qi was not a bad person; he didn't take advantage of others. Master Donkey was willing to follow him, probably valuing his character. But since his deed was in Li Qi's hands, he would naturally be at his mercy in the future. He only hoped this person would be magnanimous and not retaliate against him for today's events.

"Take it." Li Banfeng handed the iron deed to Gu Wuyan.

Gu Wuyan was stunned for a moment. He wanted to reach out but then withdrew his hand. "Seventh Master, what does this mean?"

"You don't want it?" Li Banfeng smiled, pushed the deed into Gu Wuyan's hand, and turned to leave.

Gu Wuyan, holding the deed, chased out of the courtyard: "Seventh Master, I'm unreasonable; I apologize to you. Seventh Master, just tell me what you need; I will obey your every command. You cannot just give this to me, and I cannot simply take it. I don't have the face for it; I'm not that kind of person. Seventh Master, please wait. Whether it's scaling a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire, just give me an order, give me something to do! Otherwise, I truly cannot accept this!"

Li Banfeng walked far away; Gu Wuyan wanted to chase him but couldn't catch up. Tang Dao turned back and poked Gu Wuyan: "You useless fellow! I showed you a good path, and you can't even walk it yourself! If I had known, I should have turned you into a blade back then!"

Gu Wuyan didn't speak; he couldn't hear Tang Dao's words, but he could sense Tang Dao's full displeasure. Tang Dao ran back to Li Banfeng's side and was about to plead, but Li Banfeng smiled: "He's a good man. As long as he doesn't violate the agreement, I certainly won't trouble him in the future. How do you know him?"

"When I heard the name Gu Wuyan, I didn't think it would be him. Later, when Miss Chu Er said he was a Rhyme Cultivator, I became a little suspicious. This person was originally named Gu Dalian. He served with me in the military back then and was always my subordinate. Later, when I became a local deity, he served as my guard. Then, I was defeated by Green Flower, and he was also killed by Green Flower. Later, I gave him the chance to be reborn, allowing him to live again. The cost was that I turned into this blade and couldn't change back. That's why he has always felt indebted to me."

Li Banfeng said, "You've remembered a lot of things?"

"Yes, I've remembered quite a bit, especially after seeing this guy; many things came back to me."

Li Banfeng was startled: "You also have a means of rebirth?"

Tang Dao swayed its blade: "It's not that I have a means of rebirth, but someone possesses such a method. I can't quite remember who it is. I vaguely feel this matter is related to Neizhou's 'Melting Pot.' Gu Wuyan didn't remember that person back then either. Perhaps he remembers now. Master, why don't we go back and ask him again? You've shown him such great kindness; he wouldn't possibly hide something like this."

Li Banfeng looked up and gazed ahead. Chu Shaoqiang walked over. Li Banfeng said to Tang Dao: "Now is not the time. We'll ask Gu Wuyan later when there's an opportunity."

Tang Dao also looked at Chu Shaoqiang: "Do we still need to be wary of this person?"

"Of course we do. Chu Shaoqiang has faced life and death multiple times and survived until today; he's definitely not a simple character. Moreover, he arrived just after I finished handling things. Don't you think that's a bit too coincidental? Besides, Gu Wuyan most likely hasn't remembered who that person is. If we don't find out anything and expose our own secrets, that would be a huge loss."

Chu Shaoqiang approached, asking with concern: "Your Highness, where did Gu Wuyan go? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Li Banfeng said, "The matter is settled. I gave him the deed to this territory."

Chu Shaoqiang was surprised: "You really have the deeds?"

Li Banfeng smiled: "Yes, I have all the deeds on the list. He Jiaqing gave them to me. Tell the other local deities that if they want their deeds, they can come to me. If they don't believe it, they can ask Gu Wuyan."

Chu Shaoqiang nodded repeatedly: "We'll do as Your Highness says."

Chu Er looked at Li Qi, her face full of smiles. Every achievement of Li Qi made her feel very proud. Chu Shaoqiang felt a little afraid. Li Qi, standing before him, instilled a sense of dread in his heart. He was reconsidering his position and his next steps.

Li Banfeng had originally planned to explore the surrounding territories, but in the afternoon, he received a message from his wife.

"My dear husband, it's finished."

"That fast?"

Li Banfeng immediately rushed to the laboratory, where a colossal torch was presented before him. The Phonograph lit the torch and told Li Banfeng: "With two lenses, focusing the light onto the boundary will cover it. As long as the light remains, the boundary will stay covered, making it much easier for us to cross." Li Banfeng hugged the Phonograph and kissed it for a long time.

Although its appearance was very different, Li Banfeng believed this was the very searchlight used by the Border Defense Office!

"My dear wife, I'll go buy the lenses right away. We'll conduct an experiment tonight!"