Chapter 751: Gathering Capital

"Sister, are you out?" Li Banfeng clutched the gold bar, waiting for A-Yu's response.

"Brother, if I really were out, would you be happy or unhappy?"

This question was indeed difficult to answer.

"Do you think I should be happy?"

"Oh, brother, I think you should be happy. Some say you're from Outland, others say you're from Pura Province. But it doesn't matter, your heart has always been with Pura Province. I, your sister, am a Pura Province native, and my heart is entirely for Pura Province's well-being. Could you truly bear to see your sister locked up by Outlanders for life?"

Li Banfeng sat in his office, shaking his head to himself. "I couldn't bear it."

"Since you know you feel for your sister, what are you still worried about? Are you afraid I'll harm the Dark Star Bureau personnel? How could I do such a thing? We two sisters can't leave yet, and we'll still have to rely on the Dark Star Bureau for our livelihood in the future. I just like cleanliness, and I'm teaching them to be clean too. Things got a little out of hand today, and my brother was unhappy. Your sister will change, that's all. Tomorrow, everything will be back to normal. Are you satisfied now, brother?"

Li Banfeng was about to speak when he suddenly heard the Portable Residence whisper in his ear, "A-Qi, don't argue with her."

"Oh, Little Train is here too, hehehe!" A-Yu chuckled again.

"Don't you know if I'm here or not? Hehehe!" Little Train also laughed.

"Still sturdy, are we?" A-Yu seemed very familiar with Little Train.

"Definitely sturdier than you! A-Qi, let's go home. You've been busy all day, you must be tired."

Li Banfeng left the Dark Star Bureau. As he reached the intersection, he saw Chen Changrui sweeping the road with a broom.

"Old Chen, what are you doing now?"

Chen Changrui wiped sweat from his brow. "The Dark Star Bureau is our home. Our own doorstep should be kept clean."

"This is still our doorstep?" Li Banfeng glanced back. "This place is a *li* away from the Dark Star Bureau!"

"Superiors are coming for an inspection tomorrow. If we clean it thoroughly, it'll reflect well on us." Chen Changrui continued sweeping the road, completely oblivious to how unusual his behavior was.

Was something wrong with him, or with this area?

A passerby walked by and threw a bubble tea cup into a trash can. A few drops of leftover tea spilled onto the road. The pedestrian squatted down, pulled out a tissue from their pocket, and wiped the spot for a long time.

Not only were the Dark Star Bureau personnel affected, but even passersby in the vicinity were impacted.

How many bodies did Old Train take from the Dark Star Bureau?

What was the extent of A-Yu's and the Heavenly Maiden's influence?

"A-Qi, let's go home."

Li Banfeng followed the Portable Residence's advice and walked back to his apartment. The moment he pushed open the door, Li Banfeng didn't smell any dust.

Could this apartment also be affected?

Li Banfeng stood at the doorway, hesitating to enter. The ghost servants came out of the room. "Seventh Master, we've cleaned meticulously, just as you instructed."

The Portable Residence whispered in his ear, "A-Qi, don't be so suspicious. Go back and rest."

Li Banfeng entered the bedroom. He planned to return to the Portable Residence to ask his wife how to stop A-Yi and the Heavenly Maiden. Just as he pulled out his key, the Portable Residence cautioned, "When you're home, some things cannot be discussed. I've expended a lot of energy and need to rest for a while."

Little Train didn't explain further, but Li Banfeng faintly heard heavy breathing.

The old man had fallen asleep.

Back in the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng embraced the phonograph and immediately fell asleep upon lying on the bed.

The phonograph asked with concern, "Husband, you must be exhausted today, aren't you?"

"Wife, a lot happened outside today. Did you see it?"

Before his wife could answer, Hong Ying interjected, "We don't know what happened to the Fifth Chamber; we couldn't see anything today."

Little Train expended a lot of energy. Was it for this matter?

Did the Fifth Chamber have such power?

Was the Portable Residence still struggling to resist her?

Since acquiring the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng had never felt his home was in danger, but today, he felt very uneasy.

The phonograph brought its horn close to Li Banfeng's ear and whispered softly, "My dear husband, the matters outside have worn you out. Don't worry about things at home. Fifth Maiden is just tired and will probably rest for a couple of days."

With his wife's words, Li Banfeng felt a little relieved.

After sleeping for a night in the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng arrived at the Dark Star Bureau in the morning. All morning, the situation in the bureau was relatively normal. The Mud Cultivator, the "Accumulator" they had been investigating, was caught.

Wowo Tou brought him directly back to the bureau. Although the detention area was covered in mud, Wowo Tou wasn't as apologetic as yesterday, simply notifying the cleaning staff to tidy up as soon as possible.

Cleaning up the mud around the Accumulator was an impossible task. Accumulators' control was far inferior to that of Mud Cultivators; they always carried mud wherever they went.

This Accumulator even deliberately caused mischief. Each time the cleaning staff cleaned 70-80% of the area, clumps of muddy water would gush out from under his feet.

Today's cleaning worker was particularly persistent. No matter how much mud there was, she cleaned around the detention cell again and again without a single complaint.

Although the situation was still somewhat abnormal, it remained within a comprehensible range. Li Banfeng persuaded the cleaning worker, and soon after, the Accumulator seemed ashamed and stopped releasing mud.

This was what A-Yu meant by "everything back to normal."

The Dark Star Bureau personnel seemed much more normal than yesterday, but Li Banfeng felt there were other changes he hadn't yet discovered.

Last night, Chen Changrui mentioned that superiors would come for an inspection. In the afternoon, Gao Yina indeed arrived.

Li Banfeng didn't want to see her, but Gao Yina brazenly entered.

If she were to bring up the matter of annexing the Dark Star Bureau again, Li Banfeng might genuinely consider it. But she didn't dare say it aloud. This time, she changed her approach. "Director Li, we plan to add a batch of AI equipment to the Dark Star Bureau. It's just a normal equipment replenishment."

"Do you need to consult me for something so minor?"

Gao Yina answered seriously, "Director Li must make all decisions for the Dark Star Bureau. Old Chen, isn't that right?"

Chen Changrui didn't answer. He took a cigarette from his pack and lit it.

This action greatly displeased Gao Yina. Chen Changrui had never dared to smoke in front of her before.

After two puffs, Chen Changrui spoke. "Director Gao, the Dark Star Bureau doesn't seem to be lacking the AI equipment you mentioned, does it?"

Gao Yina said with a grim face, "Equipment always needs upgrading."

Chen Changrui looked at Gao Yina. "Can we be more sincere in our conversation? The Dark Star Bureau's equipment is constantly being updated. The new equipment you want to add is actually all surveillance equipment, am I wrong? How much surveillance equipment have you added to the Dark Star Bureau recently, and how long has it been since the Dark Star Bureau's combat gear was replenished? Do you distrust the Dark Star Bureau that much? Can't you provide other support for our work?"

Chen Changrui was very unusual.

Gao Yina was even more unusual.

In the past, Gao Yina would have definitely reprimanded Chen Changrui. Even if Chen Changrui had dared to argue with her, he would certainly have lost, as their oratorical skills were vastly different.

But Gao Yina lowered her head, remained silent, and her cheeks flushed red, as if she had done something wrong.

Chen Changrui continued, "Over the years, the Dark Star Bureau's contributions have been evident to all, yet we haven't received much recognition. I admit that the Dark Star Bureau has had some operational mistakes, but how much criticism have we endured? How much injustice have we swallowed? Honestly, was the primary responsibility for those mistakes truly with the Dark Star Bureau?"

Gao Yina sniffled twice and shed tears.

Gao Yina actually cried because of a few words from Chen Changrui!

Gao Yina wasn't faking it; she genuinely felt remorse. "Director Li, Director Chen, I've been reflecting on past events. The Dark Star Bureau has indeed borne too much. For this equipment update, I will proactively remove unnecessary surveillance devices. There isn't much I can do, but within my capabilities, I will provide more support to the Dark Star Bureau."

Gao Yina left, and Li Banfeng broke an unspoken rule by escorting her downstairs.

After seeing Gao Yina off, Li Banfeng went for a walk in the park. Gao Yina's behavior must have been influenced by A-Yu and the Heavenly Maiden.

But given the current situation, was this influence good or bad?

Li Banfeng sat on a park bench, speculating on the relationship between the Heavenly Maiden and A-Yu.

A-Yu, being so fond of cleanliness, clearly possessed the characteristics of a House Spirit.

The Heavenly Maiden could control boundaries. If these boundaries originated from the 'Closed Doors and Shut Gates' technique, then the Heavenly Maiden was likely a House Cultivator.

The numerous abnormal situations in the Dark Star Bureau indicated that it had, to some extent, become the Heavenly Maiden's residence.

The surrounding areas of the Dark Star Bureau were affected, likely stemming from the House Cultivation technique of 'Expanding Territory.'

The logic was sound.

However, Li Banfeng couldn't guess A-Yu's and the Heavenly Maiden's intentions, nor did he know how many variables lay ahead.

"A-Qi, things are always changing. We just need to figure out how to deal with them," the Portable Residence said, sensing Li Banfeng's worry.

"I want to cope, but I feel somewhat powerless," Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead. "Not only are there variables with the Dark Star Bureau, but how involved are Hong Lian and A-Yu? Is Inner Province participating in this? And the true Brotherhood Alliance, how much connection do they have to this matter? I simply can't figure it out."

"You can definitely figure it out. Those people you mentioned aren't smarter than you, they've just lived a few more years. I haven't lived a short time either, and your wife isn't to be underestimated. We have ways to deal with them. Old Train was right, I didn't know House Cultivation techniques before, but now I do. We need to learn some things from them. They're planning big business here with us, but we don't need to be afraid. They'll have to provide the capital!"

Li Banfeng sighed. "But my own capital doesn't seem to be enough."

"A-Qi, you've finally hit the nail on the head. If you know you don't have enough capital, quickly accumulate it. I'll handle things at home, but the capital from outside needs to be recovered quickly. Even if you stay in Outland and figure everything out, you won't be able to change the situation."

Li Banfeng stood up from the chair and looked towards the Dark Star Bureau.

He wanted to go back to the Dark Star Bureau to arrange some matters, but after much hesitation, he clutched the gold bar in his hand.

"Brother, still not satisfied? Tell me, how should your sister change?"

"Sister, I'm quite satisfied. For now, please keep the Dark Star Bureau in this state. Can you help me open a boundary? I want to make a trip back to Pura Province; I have urgent matters to attend to."

"That's right! Go take care of your important business quickly. Don't always argue with your sister!"

A-Yu helped Li Banfeng open a boundary. Li Banfeng traveled through Huahu Park to Iron Gate Fortress, then to Soda Kiln, and entered Tianyi City, rushing all the way to Xiaodu.

Xiaodu was bustling and prosperous. A large number of serfs who had fled there gained their freedom, and factories owned by Tie Baisheng and others were continuously expanding.

Li Banfeng entered the Imperial City directly, without alerting anyone.

All the sunflowers planted in the Imperial City had bent their flower heads, and nearly half of them bore hundreds of divine statues.

Li Banfeng harvested the divine statues, absorbing the 'popularity' from each one.

Nothing could remain constant. Whether things were right or wrong, Li Banfeng couldn't figure it out for now.

But to continue his business, he needed capital.

Having absorbed enough popularity, Li Banfeng sowed a few more sunflower seeds and left the Imperial City. He found Tie Baisheng. "Security around Xiaodu needs to be strengthened, and you must pay more attention to Zhaoge's movements."

Tie Baisheng was very surprised to see Li Qi suddenly appear, but he was prepared for what needed to be done. "I've started building a new batch of warships; they'll be finished within ten days. A few days ago, I went to Zhaoge and garnered some support within the Cabinet."

Li Banfeng was very satisfied. "If you encounter any difficulties, tell me. Contact Limitless City and have the Luo sisters pick me up."

Tie Baisheng didn't know how Li Banfeng had arrived in Xiaodu, but he immediately followed Li Banfeng's instructions.

Limitless City would still take some time to arrive. Li Banfeng entered Tianyi City and returned to the Portable Residence. Hong Lian was in the Fifth Chamber, silently staring at the wall.

Hong Ying sighed beside her. "Fifth Maiden, I don't know what's wrong with her. She can't see anything outside."

Fifth Maiden's image was projected on the wall. She stood on a barren plain, holding flowers, her face full of guilt and grievance.

Li Banfeng smiled. "It's fine if you can't see. I'll tell you what happened. The Dark Star Bureau has returned to normal. I suspect Old Train used some trick to control A-Yu."

"Is that so?" Hong Lian chuckled. "Isn't Old Train mad yet?"

"He's always been mad, but even when mad, he won't forget important business."

Li Banfeng touched Hong Lian, and the aura around her suddenly intensified.

The Glove exclaimed, "Miss Hong Lian, what's wrong? Are you angry with the master? Are you afraid you can't find the Heavenly Maiden anymore?"

Hong Lian smiled, and her lotus leaves suddenly bloomed. "How dare I be angry with Seventh Master? The Tang Saber is forged, Seventh Master, would you like to try it?"

The Tang Saber leaped from the heart of the lotus, its blade emitting an icy chill.

"Turning and fighting for three thousand *li*, one sword once faced a million soldiers. This humble general has endured a thousand trials and stands ready to fight for my Lord!"

The Glove stood on the saber's hilt with its thumb, wiggling its index finger. "Don't talk about the sword for now. Can you strike four times now?"

"No, I can't!" The Tang Saber was very honest. "Although I'm still limited to three strikes, my combat power is vastly different from before."

The Glove burst into laughter. "You're all talk! Isn't it just about decapitating enemies with every strike? How long has it been since you've taken an enemy's head?"

The Tang Saber shook off the Glove and raised its blade. "My Lord, if you don't believe me, I'll try striking Second Madam first!"

Hong Ying was furious. "You try striking her!"

The Tang Saber quickly clarified, "By Second Madam, I meant Madam Hong Lian."

Hong Ying became even more enraged. "Say that again?"

The Tang Saber dared not speak.

The Glove subtly gestured towards Li Banfeng with its finger. It believed the Tang Saber's mind had not been affected.

Li Banfeng used the 'Connecting Chambers' technique to swap out Pineapple and Eight Calculations, teaching them how to control Tianyi City.

"You two control Tianyi City, scout for information near Zhaoge, and inform me immediately if Qiao Yi makes any moves."

Eight Calculations didn't understand Li Banfeng's meaning. "When should we come to pick you up? Today or tomorrow?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "You don't need to pick me up. For a while, Tianyi City will be under your command."

Eight Calculations was stunned. Pineapple asked, "Seventh Master, you trust us?"

"I trust you!"

Eight Calculations said, "We have a contract with the old man; casually leaving the house will result in punishment."

Li Banfeng heard the Portable Residence's laughter.

"Don't worry, the old man trusts you too."

Eight Calculations still couldn't believe it, but Pineapple did.

He borrowed Li Banfeng's simple phone and connected it. "Seventh Master, we'll definitely handle the matters you entrusted to us. With this connection, we can contact you anytime."

Li Banfeng gave Pineapple and Eight Calculations a Profound Elixir each, and gave another to the Keel Waterwheel. With everything settled, Li Banfeng left Tianyi City.

Standing on the shore, Li Banfeng looked at the endless sea.

"Old Man, my wife said that no one can learn the 'Everything Goes As Planned' technique. Do you think I can learn it?"

"I think you can. I'll slowly learn from them first. Once I grasp the essentials, we can then research it with the House Spirit!"

Li Banfeng not only wanted to learn the 'Everything Goes As Planned' technique but also had another skill that needed improvement.

"Every time I visit the peddler's home, when I try to step into the master bedroom, I end up stepping into the stairwell. This must be the 'Connecting Chambers' technique, right?"

"I think so, but this technique isn't meant for a single house."

"Can I train the 'Connecting Chambers' technique to this extent?"

"I think you can. Discuss it with Jiang Ling'er; her house is more 'proper' than mine."

"Can I master this technique even more proficiently?"

The Portable Residence couldn't understand. "To what extent do you want to master it?"

A surge of waves rose on the sea surface. Waves several meters high crashed repeatedly against the reefs, and a large mountain slowly emerged from the shore.

Li Banfeng went to Limitless City and collected many divine statues from the Marquis's Mansion's backyard.

He entered the Jadeite Pavilion and saw Jiang Ling'er.

Jiang Ling'er was trying her best to smile, and she asked joyfully, "Have you been learning opera with Xiao Wan?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "No need to rush into learning opera. Let's learn something else first."

Qiao Yi flipped through the documents sent by the spy and said to Nian Shangyou, "Pura Province is about to gain a new primary land."

Nian Shangyou thought for a moment. "Has He Jiaqing already opened up a new land?"

Qiao Yi frowned. "How could it be He Jiaqing? He would surely open up all thirteen Hai Lands at once to ensure they are connected. This Hai Land is indeed emerging from the He family. He Yuxiu's plot is about to be developed. Find some reliable local experts and send a congratulatory gift to Miss He."

As soon as Nian Shangyou heard this, he felt it was inappropriate. "If we forcefully seize this new land, the peddler will definitely not agree."

Qiao Yi put down the document and looked at Nian Shangyou. "I didn't say we should seize the territory. We need to give them something to do. Li Qi is in Qidu again. Did you know about this?"

Nian Shangyou shook his head slightly. Qiao Yi sighed deeply. "You know nothing. Once Li Qi finds out about the Dangkou Camp, it will be too late for you to say you didn't know. Something is going to happen in Outland. It might not be entirely good for us, but it shouldn't be bad. We need to make sure Pura Province can't handle both ends."