Chapter 766: Madman's Delirium

The train conductors left a deep impression on Li Banfeng when he first arrived in Puluo State. Their iron rods, in particular, were almost a nightmare for him during his initial cultivation stage.

Even after reaching the Cloud Realm, Li Banfeng had once been forced to jump from a train to escape an attack by a group of conductors. He completely failed to understand their combat prowess. Why would cultivators of such a high caliber undertake such arduous and perilous work on a train?

Now, Li Banfeng finally understood.

The conductor before him was not a cultivator at all. He was a product of the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique, a train manager crafted by a Home Cultivator.

However, two questions now arose that were beyond Li Banfeng's comprehension.

The first question was about the lifespan of these conductors. With his current cultivation, even if Li Banfeng used the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique combined with Zhang Wanlong's seeds to create the most resilient melon-men, they wouldn't survive for long.

The second question was: if conductors created using the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique were so formidable, how immense must the combat power of their creator, the Home Cultivator, be?

Could this Home Cultivator be the Celestial Maiden?

If so, why would she use her unique technique to create conductors for an outside state?

Li Banfeng took out a piece of paper and jotted down a series of clues.

There was an unidentified woman in the Cloud Realm who could open a passage to the Dark Star Bureau.

Inside the Dark Star Bureau were A Yu and the Celestial Maiden. A Yu was a top-tier Peeking Cultivator, and the Celestial Maiden could control the boundaries of Puluo State.

Trains in Puluo State employed conductors created by the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique.

Li Banfeng connected every detail of his past experiences, pondering them repeatedly, when he suddenly heard the conductor announce: "Bumpy section ahead. All passengers, please return to your seats and refrain from moving around. Passengers near windows, please ensure your windows are closed."

In Puluo State, frequent train passengers knew that a "bumpy section" announcement meant only one thing: the train was about to cross a boundary.

The train had now reached the border between Greenwater Bay and Kudaikan. With two distinct jolts, Li Banfeng became much more alert.

The sound was caused by the train wheels striking a break in the tracks.

Judging by the interval between the sounds, this gap in the tracks was quite significant.

Why was the train jolting?

Because the tracks were discontinuous.

Why were the tracks discontinuous?

Many residents of Puluo State claimed one could cross boundaries by walking along the tracks, though it required strict inspection. Consequently, few people had attempted this method of transit.

Could the reason for such rigorous inspections be that the tracks themselves couldn't cross the boundary? Perhaps the tracks were inherently interrupted at the boundary line.

To pass the boundary, did they still need to rely on the Customs and Defense Hall's equipment to signal A Yu, so that A Yu could contact the Celestial Maiden to temporarily lift part of the boundary?

The tracks themselves held no special properties; the outside state hadn't implemented significant precautions regarding them, which even led to the derailment of train 1160.

It was the train itself that could truly cross the boundary. When rebuilding the railway in Qiqiu City, Li Banfeng had exerted considerable effort having his Portable Abode research the tracks, but ultimately, it had all been in vain.

The tracks aren't special, so is the train special?

However, Li Banfeng frequently rode trains, and his Portable Abode had thoroughly researched them, yet he hadn't discovered anything particularly special.

Was the train also just an ordinary train?

Based on this inference, the true agents capable of guiding the train across the boundary were the conductors themselves!

The transportation capacity of Puluo State was maintained by the "delicate darlings" hidden by the Celestial Maiden on the trains, imbued with special abilities granted by her.

Was all of this truly the case, or merely a conjecture?

To verify, he needed to determine if only one conductor had text on him, or if all conductors were products of the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique.

Li Banfeng stepped out of his carriage and saw Conductor Tielv Sheng patrolling the aisle. This was precisely the "patrolling the carriage" described in the text on his body.

"Sir, please return to your carriage!"

"I came out for some fresh air," Li Banfeng replied, offering the conductor a cigarette.

"Sir, please return to your carriage as soon as possible!" the conductor urged, declining the cigarette.

"I'd like to visit the hard-seat carriage; a friend of mine is there," Li Banfeng said, pulling out a banknote and offering it to the conductor.

"Sir, please return to your carriage immediately!" the conductor insisted, refusing the money.

Li Banfeng returned to his carriage, muttering to himself, "Tielv Sheng, this name suits him perfectly."

While conductors in Puluo State generally adhered to rules, Li Banfeng found such strictness as Tielv Sheng displayed to be quite rare.

Were all conductors like this?

Li Banfeng recalled another descriptive phrase: "patrolling the carriage until the fifth watch."

The fifth watch spans from three to five in the morning, which meant the conductors should be changing shifts.

Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Abode for a sleep. At 3:30 AM, he exited his carriage again and saw a different conductor this time.

He recognized this conductor. Once, while on the train, he had entered his Portable Abode and overslept. Upon emerging, he found two women asleep in his carriage. Unable to provide a reasonable explanation, Li Banfeng was fined three thousand, given no receipt, and even poked off the train with a pole. This conductor was responsible for that incident.

The conductor spotted Li Banfeng and quickly called out, "Sir, please return to your carriage."

"I want to come out for some fresh air," Li Banfeng replied, offering the conductor a cigarette.

The conductor took the cigarette, lit it, and said with a grim expression, "Don't be out for more than ten minutes."

This conductor was clearly different from Tielv Sheng.

Once his cigarette was finished, the conductor prompted, "You should go back now."

Li Banfeng offered the conductor another cigarette. "Can I stay a bit longer? That small room is too stuffy."

The conductor glanced at Li Banfeng's cigarette pack.

Li Banfeng handed the conductor the remaining half-pack of cigarettes. The conductor nodded and said, "Go back and rest when you're ready."

The conductor lit another cigarette and continued smoking. Their interaction lasted longer this time, allowing Li Banfeng to notice a considerable amount of text on him:

There was a conductor named Tiemian Sheng.

His appearance was stern as a frosted blade, his voice as sharp as metal splitting. Yet, despite his rigid exterior, he was cunning within, secretly adept at street wisdom and skilled in covert maneuvers.

When checking luggage, he roared like a drum; when inspecting berths, he recited regulations fluently. Yet, if a money pouch 'accidentally' dropped, his eyelids would subtly lower, and should a small gift be presented, he would consider making allowances.

During late-night patrols, if he found a cigarette case left on a bunk, he would pocket it, remarking, "This item is dangerous; I'll temporarily confiscate it to prevent fire hazards."

During ticket inspections, if he encountered a passenger traveling beyond their designated stop, he would undoubtedly levy a heavy fine, asserting, "This is not for monetary gain, but solely to uphold the law and set an example."

Li Banfeng couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Tiemian Sheng frowned, his expression grim. "What are you laughing at?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "It's rare to get some fresh air, and I feel so light-hearted, so I just laughed, hehehe!"

He continued to laugh like that, still chuckling even after returning to his carriage.

"Tiemian Sheng, this name suits him perfectly too."

After a moment of laughter, Li Banfeng suddenly gritted his teeth and cursed, "Damn him, he took my money back then and still poked me off the train with a stick! How am I supposed to settle that score?"

This incident had occurred over two years ago.

The first question was now answered: this conductor, created using the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique, had lived for at least over two years.

Along the way, Li Banfeng encountered seven different crew members and a train master. Each of them bore unique text on their bodies, and their descriptions varied.

This largely confirmed Li Banfeng's conjecture: all train personnel were products of the "Golden House Hiding Beauty" technique.

To be capable of creating so many powerful, numerous, and long-lived crew members, it was almost certainly the Celestial Maiden.

Li Banfeng sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside the window, and couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

This time, he was laughing at himself.

He was heading to the Dark Star Bureau, and he had avoided the peddler's house because he didn't want the people in the Cloud Realm to notice him.

He hadn't taken the shortcut through Iron Gate Fort because he didn't want A Yu to detect him.

He didn't take the special train because he didn't want the Dark Star Bureau to become aware of his presence.

Now, however, he realized all his efforts had been in vain.

These crew members were all created by the Celestial Maiden. Through them, she undoubtedly had a way of knowing that Li Banfeng had arrived in the outside state.

If the Celestial Maiden knew, then A Yu would know.

Whether A Yu would inform the Dark Star Bureau depended entirely on her mood.

After his laughter subsided, Li Banfeng felt a surge of emotion, realizing the considerable gap between himself and the Celestial Maiden.

Jiang Linger had once said that if the mastery of "Golden House Hiding Beauty" was rated at ten, Li Banfeng might not even possess two parts.

Later, after acquiring the "Beauty Scroll," Li Banfeng had felt he was close to achieving eight parts. Now, however, judging by the Celestial Maiden's standards, eight parts was still far off; three parts seemed more accurate.

After disembarking, Li Banfeng went to the Dark Star Bureau. Upon reaching his office, he first called Chen Changrui. "Do you have an urgent matter for me?"

"Yes, it's quite urgent," Chen Changrui replied. "Uh, Director Li, when did you get back? I had no idea!"

"You didn't know?" Li Banfeng chuckled. "Come on, tell me what's urgent."

Chen Changrui arrived at Li Banfeng's office and meticulously reported on the current work. The most pressing task was dealing with the Bandit Suppression Camp.

Li Banfeng's face brightened. "You're also monitoring the Bandit Suppression Camp's movements? Can you ascertain their current location?"

Chen Changrui looked uneasy. "Director Li, the Bandit Suppression Camp is located in Shang Nation. We haven't initiated any corresponding investigative work there."

"Then how do you plan to respond?"

Chen Changrui produced several proposals. "These are the plans for evacuating personnel and supplies from Puluo State. This is the defensive deployment plan for San Tou Cha. And this is the overall defense strategy for Yuezhou should San Tou Cha fall."

Li Banfeng examined the proposals, then asked Chen Changrui, "Running away at the first sign of trouble? Haven't you considered fighting alongside Puluo State?"

Chen Changrui understood Li Banfeng's sentiment. "Director Li, this plan wasn't my decision; we are only to execute it strictly. Actually..."

Chen Changrui hesitated, leaving his sentence unfinished.

Li Banfeng smiled. "Actually, these plans shouldn't have been shown to me, should they?"

Chen Changrui nodded slightly, aware that this matter placed him at considerable risk.

Li Banfeng locked the plans in the safe. He even deliberately felt around the top and bottom of the safe.

"So clean?" Li Banfeng remarked, looking at his fingers. "Truly spotless."

Chen Changrui replied solemnly, "Cultivating a good working environment is fundamental to improving efficiency."

"Haven't been sweeping the streets lately, have you?"

Chen Changrui was entirely upfront about it. "Work has been quite demanding lately, but once this busy period subsides, I genuinely intend to do some cleaning on the nearby streets."

Aside from his fondness for cleanliness, there seemed to be no other peculiarities.

Li Banfeng toured the bureau, observing that everyone else was similar to Chen Changrui. Aside from their meticulous attention to hygiene, there were no other anomalies. The security team, fresh from a mission and covered in dust, didn't hesitate to enter the office building; they simply headed straight to the changing room to swap their clothes after reporting their assignments.

By the end of the workday, each department still proactively took out their trash. Once most people had left, Li Banfeng went to the stairwell and clutched the gold bar.

"Sister, I'm here."

"What for?"

"To bring you something good to eat."

"Come to the nineteenth floor."

Li Banfeng ascended to the nineteenth floor, pushed open the large iron door, and offered A Yu the pastries he had bought from various stations.

A Yu chewed on the pastries, mumbling indistinctly, "I asked you to visit me often, not really for the food, but primarily for our friendship."

Li Banfeng readily agreed with A Yu. "Our friendship is so deep, Sister, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Just tell me!"

"There's a floor-standing black-and-white television set in the Dark Star Bureau, kept in the Old Train Room. What's that television for?"

"Cough, cough, cough." A Yu coughed for a long time. Li Banfeng quickly offered her a pot of wine.

A Yu drank more than half the pot, then caught her breath. "You're just asking directly like that? Shouldn't you investigate this yourself?"

Li Banfeng no longer wanted to investigate. "A Yi wants this television. She says she wants to watch TV. I figured that investigating this in the Old Train Room would be too dangerous, so it's better to just ask you directly."

A Yu wrapped up the remaining pastries, cleared her throat, and said, "If A Yi wants to watch TV, then it must be a regular television. It probably has no special purpose."

"Then why should I investigate?" Li Banfeng replied. "It's just for watching TV, isn't it? I'll buy her a new one; there's no need to seek trouble in the Old Train Room."

A Yu smiled. "Little brother, I'm afraid an ordinary television won't suffice, will it?"

"What won't suffice? Just tell me! Don't you just want to get out? Why beat around the bush? We can discuss this matter."

A Yu seemed excited. A low murmur came from inside the cell: "Did you hear that? He said we can discuss it! With his help, we can definitely get out!"

Li Banfeng waited for the Celestial Maiden to speak, but after a long silence, he heard no sound from her.

A Yu adjusted her voice, her tone becoming deep and seasoned. "This television in the Dark Star Bureau can receive unusual signals. Through it, A Yi can see her mother, from whom she has been separated for many years. This is her small wish. Are you willing to help her?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "Did A Yi tell you this personally?"

"Not exactly."

"Since she didn't say it, how do you know this is her wish?"

"I guessed, what else would she use this television for?"

Li Banfeng didn't quite grasp A Yu's meaning. "Are you saying A Yi wants that television because she misses you?"

"Yes, through the television, she can see me," A Yu replied, her tone turning slightly wistful again.

Li Banfeng exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, you're on television?"

A Yu paused for a moment. "Why would I be on television? She misses me; she wants to video call me. Don't you even understand that?"

"If she misses you, why doesn't she come to see you directly? I can bring her to the Dark Star Bureau and ensure her safety."

A Yu sighed. "My daughter and I haven't seen each other in many years. Some things cannot be said face-to-face."

"If it can't be said face-to-face, it can be said through a television? What kind of logic is that?" Li Banfeng asked.

A Yu grew irritated. "Have you never had anything you couldn't say face-to-face with your own family?"

"Never!" Li Banfeng replied, very emphatically.

This was the truth; before arriving in Puluo State, he had no relatives at all.

After coming to Puluo State, he felt there was nothing that couldn't be shared with loved ones.

A Yu did her best to explain. "That child, A Yi, isn't as outgoing as you imagine. There are some things she can't say face-to-face."

"What kind of words can't be said?"

"If you were A Yi, what would you say to me when you saw me?"

"Mom, have you eaten?"

A Yu snorted. "You got the first sentence wrong. A Yi doesn't call me 'Mom'; she calls me 'Sister.'"

"Sister, have you eaten?"

"Don't always talk about eating. When A Yi sees me, her first question will undoubtedly be how I'm doing. How can I possibly answer that while I'm trapped in this cage?"

"And you can say it on the television?"

"If I were to talk through the television, I would absolutely not let A Yi see this cage. I'd just show my face and tell her I'm doing very well."

Li Banfeng, mimicking A Yi's voice, said, "Sister, then you can just stay here forever!"

A Yu let out a burst of laughter. "Little brother, you've got the voice down quite well, but the temperament is all wrong. A Yi wouldn't abandon me; she'd definitely want to rescue me. But if she were to act recklessly in the Dark Star Bureau, things would escalate. So, that's another thing that can't be said face-to-face."

Li Banfeng continued mimicking A Yi. "Sister, tell me where you are. I must rescue you."

A Yu sighed. "You don't need to save me; just live your life well."

"Sister, if I don't rescue you, I won't be able to live my life. I wouldn't even want Gourd Village anymore."

"There's plenty of time ahead. When I figure out how to get out, then I'll let you devise a way to rescue me. If you miss me, just turn on the television, and you'll see me."

"Sister, can this television only show you? Can I see other people too?"

"Who else do you want to see?"

"Sister, I want to find someone to help rescue you!"

"I've already told you not to save me! You crazy girl, who could you possibly find to rescue me?"

"I'll go find Lai Wuju. As long as I find her, I can definitely rescue you."

"I can contact Lai Wuju anytime. You don't need to worry about this—"

Halfway through her sentence, A Yu stopped abruptly.

Li Banfeng smiled. "You can contact Lai Wuju anytime, Sister. You're quite capable."

A Yu sniffed. "Did you learn this trick from Sun Tiecheng? It doesn't seem like it! I'm very familiar with Foolish Cultivation techniques: speaking with certainty, producing irrefutable evidence, exploiting weaknesses. Your method isn't like any of those. It's somewhat similar to 'following the slope down the donkey' — going along with a situation — but still not quite the same. You didn't just go with the flow; you built a whole stage and lured me into a play. You performed a play, acting as my daughter, and actually managed to get me tangled up in it. Your technique is incredibly audacious!"

"Sister, let's set aside the play for a moment and talk about Lai Wuju."

A Yu's tone became exceptionally gentle. "I was just tricking A Yi. How could I possibly contact Lai Wuju? Don't pay attention to my nonsense."

Li Banfeng said, "With this television, you can simultaneously coordinate with A Yi and Lai Wuju, prompting them to work together to find a way to rescue you. Is that the logic?"

A Yu sighed. "Look at you, why are you always so suspicious? A Yi isn't that cunning."

"But you, Sister, are quite cunning."

"Oh, little brother—"

"Don't rush, Sister. Didn't I just say that if you want to get out, I can help you? But shouldn't we discuss the price?"

A Yu felt she was at a disadvantage. "A Yi must have offered you a price when she asked you to get the television. If you're going to charge both of us, that wouldn't be fair."

Li Banfeng sighed. "I just feel like I'm losing out on this deal."

"First, tell me what price A Yi offered you."

"She promised to help me forge a path in Dingye City."

"Dingye City! I'm familiar with that place!" A Yu chuckled. "You want to burn down Shang Nation's granary?"

"It's no longer a granary. It's a military camp now—the encampment of the Bandit Suppression Camp."

A Yu hissed, "The Bandit Suppression Camp is formidable; Puluo State might not be able to withstand it. Who came up with the brilliant idea of placing the Bandit Suppression Camp in Dingye City? Was it Qiao Yi?"

Li Banfeng praised her repeatedly. "Sister, even though you're confined to this cell, you know everything that happens outside."

"You flatter me, little brother," A Yu said, beginning to haggle. "Dingye City is extremely dangerous. A Yi promised to forge a path for you, so you're not losing out on this deal."

"A Yi is merely forging a path. Whether the Bandit Suppression Camp can actually be suppressed is another matter entirely. I, on the other hand, have to physically retrieve the television. By that calculation, I'm still at a disadvantage," Li Banfeng retorted, continuing to bargain.

A Yu was, in fact, a fair person. "Indeed, forcing your way into Dingye City won't be easy. How about this: once A Yi clears the path, you bring the television there, and I'll give you a hand."

"How will you help me, Sister?"

"As I just said, I am very familiar with Dingye City. As soon as the television arrives there, I can find a way to transmit some techniques and directly help you locate the Bandit Suppression Camp. How does that price sound to you?"

Li Banfeng was somewhat skeptical. "Are you truly that familiar with Dingye City?"

"What, you don't believe me?" A Yu laughed. "Dingye City is also known as Grid Island. If one grid faces danger, the others aren't affected for a short time. Doesn't that remind you of a certain place?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "Are you referring to Puluo State, Sister?"

"Precisely! The main landmass of Puluo State is also formed by grids. Dingye City is essentially a miniature Puluo State. Your sister, I, have ample means to employ there."

Li Banfeng still found the idea unreliable. Could A Yi really locate the Bandit Suppression Camp just based on similar patterns?

"Little brother, you still don't believe me. How about this: once it's done, I'll teach you a technique—a Home Cultivator's technique."

"Do you think I'm a Home Cultivator, Sister?"

"You know I have contact with Lai Wuju. This matter naturally can't be hidden from me. It's just a thin veil; we might as well tear it. Go ahead and choose a technique. If I can't teach it to you, then you don't have to give that television to A Yi."

Li Banfeng pondered for a long time. "I choose 'Everything Goes As You Wish.'"

A Yu laughed for a long time. "Little brother, you certainly know how to pick them. Very well, as you wish, 'Everything Goes As You Wish' it is."

"Let's sign a contract," Li Banfeng said, pulling out a contract paper from his satchel.

A Yu suddenly said, "Wait a moment, is this the contract paper the peddler gave you?"

Was this matter truly that important?

"What if it is?"

A Yu hesitated for a moment. "If that's the contract paper the peddler gave you, then I can't teach you 'Everything Goes As You Wish,' because no one can learn this technique except for her."

"Sister, you're being too disingenuous," Li Banfeng said. "Were you planning to deceive me earlier? If 'Everything Goes As You Wish' can't be taught, then what technique *were* you planning to teach me?"

A Yu was much more cautious this time. "Regarding the technique, I'll discuss it with her. I guarantee it will be a Cloud Realm technique, and one you haven't learned before. Once the Bandit Suppression Camp is eliminated and you've learned the technique, then you can hand the television over to A Yi. Little brother, is it a deal?"