Chapter 742: First Meeting

Li Banfeng carried the Old Train on his back, running wildly alongside the Old Train's shadow. When they were trapped in Dreamcatcher Tower earlier, the Old Train had similarly carried Li Banfeng to safety.

After running for over a minute, Li Banfeng asked the Old Train's shadow, "Can you possess him? Let him run with us!"

The Old Train's shadow shook its head. "I can't carry him. I've used too many techniques today; my strength is almost gone."

Shadows created by Shadow Cultivation techniques were clearly different from those of Dwelling Cultivation's Form-and-Shadow Suspension, and even more distinct from Li Banfeng's Heaven's Union technique.

A fierce wind suddenly rose, and the smelter turned again, its opening facing the East Palace. Li Banfeng had always believed he could withstand the strong winds, but the moment his feet left the ground, he realized he was being pulled backward uncontrollably. He was truly about to be sucked into the smelter.

Only one option remained: take the Old Train and its shadow back to the Portable Residence. Just as Li Banfeng was about to pull out his key, the Old Train's shadow stopped him. "No, the key will be taken by the smelter!"

The shadow's memory wasn't complete, but its memory of the Little Train remained intact. If they returned to the Portable Residence, the key would be sucked into the smelter, and the Little Train, following the key, would be refined. Even if it wasn't refined, once they stepped out, it would still be the smelter.

With no other choice, Li Banfeng could only continue running wildly. After two steps, he suddenly felt someone push him from behind.

"Brother, I don't know many techniques, but this one is decent."

Li Banfeng looked back to see the Old Train's shadow rapidly retreating behind him, gradually shattering in the strong wind. It had exhausted its strength and could no longer hold on. It hadn't chosen to possess him not because it couldn't carry the Old Train, but because it could use the "Separate Square Inch" technique. It could have returned to the Old Train's body, but it wanted Li Banfeng to get out alive.

Li Banfeng, carrying the Old Train, was lifted into the air and flew out against the wind. The shadow had always insisted it wasn't Li Banfeng's elder brother, but it had just called him "brother." Li Banfeng kept looking back at the East Palace until he flew out of the first layer of the city. He didn't know where he was flying, and neither did the Old Train's shadow. He continued flying until he reached the sea, where both of them fell into the water.

In Boundless City, Qiao Yi looked at Cui Tik in front of him and chatted for a few moments, "You are the disciple of Green Water Bow, aren't you?"

"Hmph," Cui Tik let out a muffled growl. His appearance and demeanor were identical to a Blade Demon. He couldn't understand how Qiao Yi could tell that he was Cui Tik.

Qiao Yi couldn't see Cui Tik's appearance, but he seemed to read his thoughts. "Heroes of this age don't have the same aura as common folk. What's more, you're not impersonating a common person, but a malevolent being with an incomplete mind. I cherish and respect heroes. A dignified hero shouldn't debase himself like this. Reveal your true form, and let's talk calmly."

"Hmph," Cui Tik didn't fall for it. He bared his short, thick, sparse teeth at Qiao Yi—a unique warning from a Blade Demon. Nian Shangyou nudged Qiao Yi from behind. To be honest, he couldn't discern any special aura from the Blade Demon in front of them. He only knew that being injured by a Blade Demon had very serious consequences.

Qiao Yi showed no fear. "I don't know what benefits Li Qi offered you to come to Chaoge and put yourself at risk. Both your Daoist sect and your cultivation pose a grave threat to my Great Shang. Even if I let Li Qi go today, I cannot possibly let you leave."

Cui Tik remained silent. He closed his lips, hiding his fierce, gnashing teeth, and intently waited for Qiao Yi's next words.

Qiao Yi continued, "Killing you would permanently eliminate a future problem for Great Shang. But keeping you could also provide Great Shang with a pillar of talent. I haven't killed you yet; can you discern my intention?"

Cui Tik stared at Qiao Yi's eyes for a long time, very curious. Regardless of how special his aura might be, even if he truly possessed an extraordinary aura, Qiao Yi was blind and couldn't even see appearances. How could he discern an aura? And even if an aura wasn't seen but perceived, who gave Qiao Yi the courage to believe he could kill a Cloud-Tier Three ailing cultivator?

Cui Tik remained silent for a long time. Qiao Yi sighed softly, "People often say that a wise man knows the times. But how many in this world can truly see the times clearly? The matter of pledging allegiance to Great Shang can be discussed another day. For now, let's properly negotiate this business deal. I tell you honestly, Li Qi cannot rescue the Artisan Grandmaster. If this deal doesn't go through, I will absolutely not let you or Li Qi leave alive. However, if you and I can complete this deal here beforehand, I am willing to double the reward Li Qi promised you. And after you receive the payment, I can ensure your safe departure from Great Shang."

"Hmph," Cui Tik growled again, seemingly with a hint of mockery.

Qiao Yi detected the mockery and took out a string of copper bells from his sleeve. "Relying merely on words, you fault me for insufficient sincerity. There are some methods I prefer not to use, for once they are, Boundless City might very well turn into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood."

Cui Tik meticulously examined the copper bells in Qiao Yi's hand. A city transforming into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood? Such high efficiency? This required a closer look!

Qiao Yi wasn't lying. Just three rings of the copper bells in his hand could bring utter devastation to Boundless City. He and Li Qi had previously signed a pact not to bring weapons into Boundless City. But these copper bells weren't weapons; they were tools for summoning a first-tier weapon. A first-tier weapon was hidden within Boundless City, secretly placed there by Qiao Yi when Lord Leopard Commander was in charge of the city. The bells merely served to awaken the first-tier weapon, so bringing them didn't, in itself, violate the pact. This was why Li Banfeng couldn't fully trust the pact; figures like Qiao Yi indeed had many ways to circumvent it.

Holding the copper bells, Qiao Yi issued a final warning to Cui Tik: "According to the old Great Shang system, weapons are divided into three tiers. I've always believed this classification method too crude. Therefore, a new system is about to be implemented. The disparity between first-tier weapons is vast, and they should be further sub-classified. The weapon today is of the highest caliber among first-tier weapons. Let us both appraise it today!"

"Hmph!" Cui Tik let out repeated grunts, indicating his eagerness.

Nian Shangyou quickly moved to stand beside Qiao Yi. He knew the power of this first-tier weapon; if truly unleashed, it wouldn't spare anyone except the person holding the bells.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The copper bells rang three times. Nian Shangyou's face turned pale as he carefully listened for sounds outside. Cui Tik was very excited; he wanted to see how quickly this weapon could slaughter everyone in the city. Would it be even more efficient than a massacre of every household?

After waiting for about ten minutes, there was no movement. Qiao Yi remembered that the weapon was hidden near the Marquis's Mansion. By now, it should have at least attacked the mansion. Cui Tik sniffed for a while, but he didn't smell any killing intent, not even a hint of blood.

Qiao Yi calmly said, "It seems there are no survivors left in the city. Are you still unconvinced?"

Cui Tik squinted at Qiao Yi, deeply skeptical of his last statement. Nian Shangyou also had doubts; in his memory, that first-tier weapon caused quite a commotion. Taking advantage of their skepticism, Qiao Yi shook the copper bells three more times. After waiting for a long time, there was still no movement. Cui Tik held out a hand, gesturing that Qiao Yi didn't need to be so restrained and could shake them more times. Qiao Yi shook them a dozen more times, suspecting the bells' sound wasn't carrying far enough.

The sound indeed didn't carry far enough; it didn't even leave Jade Green Tower. This was Li Qi's residence. How could he possibly allow the sound of the bells to get out? Even standing at the attic entrance, no one would hear it.

After another half hour, there was finally some movement. Luo Lijun arrived in the back garden, standing by Jade Green Tower, and anxiously called out, "My Lord, I have an urgent matter to report!"

Qiao Yi sighed deeply, "Alas, the lives of this entire city have been utterly ravaged. So be it, what's done is done, there's no turning back. Bring your family here to take shelter temporarily."

Despite all he said, Luo Lijun didn't understand a word. "My Lord, His Highness the Prince has returned."

Qiao Yi was stunned for a moment. "Are you saying Li Qi is back?"

Luo Lijun nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Prince Pingyuan himself."

Qiao Yi specifically confirmed with Luo Lijun, "Nothing else happened in the city?"

Luo Lijun shook her head. "No, nothing else."

Qiao Yi put away the copper bells and said to Cui Tik, "If you had agreed to my offer earlier, there might still have been a chance. Now that Li Qi is back, the deal is off."

"Hmph," Cui Tik let out a low growl, continuing to express his mockery of Qiao Yi.

Soon after, Li Banfeng entered the attic and stared at Qiao Yi for a moment. Although Qiao Yi couldn't see Li Qi, with his foundation in Peeking Cultivation, he could feel the gaze.

"Your Highness, I have informed you of the Artisan Grandmaster's whereabouts as agreed. The information was accurate, and there were no obstructions along the way. If you cannot rescue the Artisan Grandmaster, Your Highness should not direct your anger at me."

"That makes sense!" Li Banfeng said to Cui Tik, "Go ahead and treat Old Qiao's illness."

That single sentence sent a shiver through Qiao Yi. What did that mean? Li Banfeng fulfilled his promise? He rescued Grandfather Train?

Qiao Yi stood up to leave; he needed to return to Chaoge to verify the situation. Li Banfeng stopped Qiao Yi with a hand. "Brother Qiao, don't rush. This King keeps his word. How can I let you leave when your eyes haven't been cured?"

Qiao Yi asked, "When will my eyes fully recover?"

Li Banfeng said, "At least three days, I'd say." In truth, Cui Tik could cure Qiao Yi's eyes in less than a minute, but to safely leave the Shang Kingdom, the treatment had to last three days. At that moment, Luo Shaojun was already controlling Boundless City, traveling from Chaoge towards Soda Kiln.

Qiao Yi couldn't wait three days, but he couldn't leave Jade Green Tower today. Li Banfeng sat beside Qiao Yi, appearing to others like two old friends chatting casually.

"Old Qiao, I know you carry many communication devices. These aren't considered weapons, so you can circumvent the pact, and I can't say anything about that. But please, do not contact people from Chaoge to pursue and attack Boundless City. Otherwise, not only will your eyes not be cured, but you'll also lose your life here."

Qiao Yi whispered, "Your Highness, don't push your luck!"

"Old Qiao, let's be reasonable. This is a fair transaction, with no one owing anything to the other. We each fulfill our agreements. How can you say I'm pushing my luck? Just focus on your treatment here."

Li Qi left Jade Green Tower, but Qiao Yi was still thinking about summoning the weapon. After fumbling for a moment, he discovered that the copper bells in his sleeve were gone. Nian Shangyou searched with him, but found no trace of the bells. Qiao Yi was burning with anxiety and wanted to leave Jade Green Tower, but the tower door suddenly closed. Qiao Yi and Nian Shangyou tried various methods, but couldn't open the tower door.

"Hiss," Cui Tik called out, signaling Qiao Yi not to move recklessly. This was treatment; he needed to cooperate properly.

Li Banfeng walked out of the Marquis's Mansion. His glove carefully spat out the copper bells. "Boss, I wonder what kind of weapon is hidden in Boundless City."

"Put the bells away first and don't make any noise. There's no rush; we'll have plenty of time to study this later." Li Banfeng entered a residence and went into the bedroom, looking at Grandfather Train lying on the bed. He could move his limbs, he could drink when offered water, and eat when offered food, but he just kept sleeping like that.

Li Banfeng muttered to himself, "How can I wake you up?"

Grandfather Train opened his eyes, sat up on the bed, and said, "Yes, what should we do?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and had an idea: "Let's ask the peddler for some Soul-Revival Soup. I bet that'll work."

Grandfather Train shook his head. "Soul-Revival Soup is for those who are severely injured. Look at me; I don't seem injured, so it won't be effective."

Li Banfeng said, "When I was struck by heavenly light, it was Soul-Revival Soup that helped me recover."

Grandfather Train explained, "Being struck by heavenly light is also an injury; anyone can see that. I'm just unconscious. Soul-Revival Soup won't wake me up."

"That makes sense," Li Banfeng thought again. "How about taking some elixirs?"

Grandfather Train waved a hand. "Elixirs are even worse. Taking elixirs is for accelerating cultivation and enhancing one's power. My cultivation is already so high; what good would that do?"

Li Banfeng felt that statement wasn't accurate. "Some elixirs can cure illnesses!"

The Old Train repeatedly shook his head. "That makes even less sense. Do I look like I'm sick?"

Li Banfeng blinked and said, "It seems elixirs aren't suitable either."

The Old Train urged, "Quickly think of a good solution. I'm quite anxious."

Li Banfeng was also anxious. "Don't rush me. The more you rush me, the less I can think."

The Old Train nodded. "Alright, I won't rush you. I'll sleep a bit more." He lay back down and slept.

Li Banfeng continued to ponder, "How can I wake him up? Should I find the renowned physician Kang Zhenchang? He's not injured, nor is he sick, so finding a famous doctor would be useless, wouldn't it? Not injured, not sick, then why is he unconscious? Could it be because he's insane? Who should treat insanity? Then I can only go to Gourd Village to find A'Yi! A'Yi is best at treating madness. But A'Yi isn't related to him; why would she help treat him? Then, let's marry him to A'Yi as her husband!"

The Old Train took a deep breath, sat up on the bed, and looked at Li Banfeng with teary eyes, "Brother, I'm awake!"

"Elder Brother, you're truly awake!" Li Banfeng clasped the Old Train's hand. "Should we still go to Gourd Village?"

The Old Train repeatedly shook his head. "I'm already awake; why go to Gourd Village? I'll never forget your life-saving kindness. From now on, should you ever need my service, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Li Banfeng said happily, "What are you talking about, Elder Brother? Seeing you safe and sound is all I need."

The Old Train cried out twice, "Brother, you're truly closer to me than my own kin. What was your name again?"

Li Banfeng's face fell. "Elder Brother, that's not right of you."

The Old Train asked, "How is it not right of me?"

"We're so familiar, and you can't even remember my name?"

"Have we met before?"

Li Banfeng said, "We met years ago in Dreamcatcher Tower!"

The Old Train shook his head. "That was half my soul, not me."

"We also met in Chaoge!"

"That was my shadow, not me either!"

"And we met in Outstate!"

"That was half my body, still not me!"

Li Banfeng was speechless. The Old Train chuckled, "So, as I said, this is our first meeting. What's your name?"

"My name is Li Qi."

"I'm called Eighteen Wheels!"

Li Banfeng took a deep breath and said, "I truly am called Li Qi."

The Old Train's expression became very serious. "I truly am called Eighteen Wheels: a steam locomotive, 1-4-1 wheel arrangement—two leading wheels, four driving wheels, one trailing wheel. The tender also has four pairs of wheels. All together, that's eighteen wheels. We're so familiar, and you don't even know my name?"

Li Banfeng said, stunned, "But aren't we meeting for the first time?"

The Old Train became angry. "I saved your life in Dreamcatcher Tower! I saved your life again in Chaoge! And you tell me this is our first meeting? Where's your conscience?"

Li Banfeng lowered his head and picked up a piece of kindling.

The Old Train asked, "What are you doing with that?"

Li Banfeng answered honestly, "I want to knock you out."

"Why would you do that?"

"Seeing you unconscious would make me feel a little better."

"No need to hit me, I'll faint myself!" The Old Train lay back down and slept again.

Three days passed in a flash. The Old Train was mostly asleep, waking only for brief periods. Li Banfeng had many questions for him, but the Old Train's words were incoherent, making it impossible to get any answers.

Upon reaching Soda Kiln, Qiao Yi's eyes were finally cured. He stared at Cui Tik, examining him for a long time. "Young hero, are you truly not planning to go to Great Shang to achieve great things?"

Cui Tik smiled and said his first words to Qiao Yi, "I will certainly go to Great Shang, and I will certainly achieve great things. I hope at that time, you will welcome me just as you did today."

Qiao Yi left Jade Green Tower. Li Banfeng instructed Luo Lijun to prepare a boat to send Qiao Yi back to Chaoge.

"Your Highness Prince, may I have a look at the Artisan Grandmaster?" Qiao Yi made a request.

Li Banfeng shook his head. "The Artisan Grandmaster is still recuperating and not convenient to receive visitors. There's no need to rush; you'll have plenty of opportunities to see him in the future."

Qiao Yi said no more. He took Nian Shangyou and departed from Boundless City by boat. With his eyesight restored, Qiao Yi was in high spirits, constantly gazing at the seascape from the boat.

Nian Shangyou said from the side, "My Lord, I don't think Li Qi rescued the Old Train at all. The Old Train was trapped in the smelter, and even I didn't dare approach. How could Li Qi rescue him? He's just bluffing!"

Qiao Yi shook his head. "If he were truly bluffing, he wouldn't have invested so much. He's not someone who'd willingly suffer a loss. If he hadn't rescued the Artisan Grandmaster, he would never have agreed to cure my eyes, let alone give up those two cities."

"So the Old Train really was rescued by him?" Nian Shangyou still found it hard to believe.

Qiao Yi pondered for a long time. "Upon returning to Chaoge, immediately inform the Ministry of War to gather weapons and provisions. The Bandit Suppression Camp should prepare to mobilize and attack White Falcon Prefecture."

Nian Shangyou was taken aback. "So urgent?"

Qiao Yi sighed. "We can't afford not to be urgent. I don't know what the Artisan Grandmaster took with him, nor how many secrets he possesses. If he goes to defend White Falcon Prefecture, it will be too late for us to launch an attack."

Li Banfeng left Boundless City with Cui Tik and the Old Train. Under the glow of the projector, the Luo sisters couldn't see the Old Train, but Cui Tik always felt someone beside him, someone who carried the aura of both water and fire.

Upon arriving at Soda Kiln, Li Banfeng gave Cui Tik twenty sunflower seeds. "Friend, you've worked hard. This time, the reward is a little meager."

Cui Tik shook his head. "On the contrary, I think this reward is overly generous. You see, what I need most recently is popularity. But I can't stand in the Blade Ghost Ridge temple every day; I have many other things to do."

"I hope you complete your general promotion safely." Li Banfeng offered a sincere blessing.

Cui Tik said goodbye and glanced at Li Banfeng's side, always feeling as though someone was watching him from there.

After Cui Tik had gone far, Li Banfeng put away the projector, and the Old Train appeared. He stood beside Li Banfeng, drooling, fast asleep.

Li Banfeng woke Grandfather Train. "Elder Brother, where should we go now?"

Grandfather Train said, "Where do you think I should go first?"

"I think there are quite a few places we could go, like White Falcon Prefecture, or perhaps the staircase of the Dark Star Bureau."

Grandfather Train said, "Are we going to cause trouble, or do something serious?"

Li Banfeng said very seriously, "With such a formidable enemy before us, who has time for causing trouble? Naturally, we're going to do something serious."

"If we're doing something serious, we need to sleep first."

"What does that have to do with sleeping?"

"Only by sleeping can I dream, and only by dreaming can I retrieve my other half-soul from Dreamcatcher Tower."

Only then did Li Banfeng understand why Grandfather Train had been sleeping for the past three days.

"Are you confident you can bring your soul back?"

"No confidence," the Old Train repeatedly shook his head. "That woman Meng Qian, she can't defeat me, but her illusion array in dreams is too powerful; I can't escape it. Honestly, sometimes I'm quite afraid. What if I dream of her again and lose this half of my soul too? What would I do then?"

Li Banfeng thought for a long time and came up with an idea. "How about this: I'll take you somewhere to sleep, and we'll find someone to help bring your soul back."

"There are helpers for sleeping? What place are you talking about?"

Li Banfeng said, "Pillow City."

The Old Train smiled. "Zhao Lanmeng! But that person is very lazy. Would he be willing to help me?"

"We can discuss it. Let's hear his price; we can't expect him to do things for free."

Grandfather Train patted his stomach. "Let's find somewhere to eat. I haven't eaten in a long time."

"I offered you food in Boundless City, but you refused."

"The food in Boundless City wasn't good. The food in Puro Province is much more flavorful. At this time of year, Pillow City is probably asleep. Let's find a place to eat first; it won't be too late to go there after we're full."

Li Banfeng agreed, "That's easy to arrange. Let's go to Gourd Village for a meal. A'Yi has been thinking of you all these years."

The Old Train's cheek twitched. "I'm not eating. I'm not hungry anymore. Let's go directly to Pillow City!"

Li Banfeng truly didn't understand. "What's wrong? Why do you get so distressed every time I mention Gourd Village?"

"Brother, you don't know this, but there are two people I'm most afraid to see in my life, and A'Yi is one of them. That girl is foolish; she insists on being my wife, but we're from different generations!"

Li Banfeng was quite curious. "You just said two people. Who's the other person you're afraid of?"

The Old Train glared. "Can I tell you that? If I give you my weakness, won't you hold it over me every day from now on?"