Chapter 772: The Foundation of Home Cultivation

Old Train declared that the Heavenly Maiden was a scourge on Puluo Prefecture, grinding his teeth in anger as he spoke.

Li Banfeng offered no comment, and the workshop fell silent once more.

Old Train lowered his head, picking up food and stuffing it into his mouth without chewing, his cheeks growing fuller and fuller.

Li Banfeng asked, "If you could get your other half back, would you want to?"

Old Train swallowed the food in his mouth in one gulp. "Then I'd truly go insane," he declared.

Li Banfeng then asked, "If I asked you to release the Heavenly Maiden, would you agree?"

Old Train put down his chopsticks. "Am I insane, or are you?" he retorted.

A dangerous aura emanated from him, Old Train's face etched with murderous intent.

"I'm not insane," Li Banfeng said, shaking his head. "You can't remain separated like this forever, and the Heavenly Maiden can't stay imprisoned forever either."

Old Train shook his head. "Whether I'm separated or not doesn't matter, but she absolutely must remain confined. She absolutely cannot return to Puluo Prefecture. You don't know what Puluo Prefecture was like under her control."

"Puluo Prefecture was once under the Heavenly Maiden's control?"

Old Train replied, "Because at that time, the Peddler wasn't in Puluo Prefecture. He conquered the land but didn't rule it; he left, and no one could control that menace. Puluo Prefecture was at her mercy. You can't even imagine that scene."

Li Banfeng looked at the oil stains on the machine tool, a memory coming to him. "I've seen a similar scene at the Dark Star Bureau," he said. "Everyone became obsessed with cleanliness."

Old Train explained, "She loves cleanliness. She wanted all house cultivators to become clean, everyone who entered a house to become clean. She wanted the entire Puluo Prefecture to become a house, and everyone in Puluo Prefecture to become clean."

After repeating "clean" so many times in one breath, Old Train's tongue stumbled.

Li Banfeng asked, "Just cleanliness?"

Old Train chuckled. "You think getting clean isn't a big deal, right? Do you know what 'clean' means?

"Have you ever thought about one thing? Why does Puluo Prefecture have boundaries? Why don't other places? What exactly are these boundaries? Why do people vanish the moment they touch them?

"Have you ever considered why everyone in Puluo Prefecture thinks these boundaries are perfectly reasonable? No one questions where they came from or when they appeared. It's as if Puluo Prefecture was born with them.

"Go to the streets of Lushui City and ask what Puluo Prefecture was like without boundaries. Do you think they'll know?

"Find any place in Puluo Prefecture and ask how we fought against the Sages back then. See how many people can tell you.

"Besides places like Baiji Commandery and Suihuangyuan, how many people in other areas even remember fighting a war?

"Why are there no historical records in Puluo Prefecture? Even if there's no official history, why isn't there even unofficial history? Why is no one willing to write a history?

"Because they believe history books shouldn't be written, shouldn't be written, and cannot be written!

"Tang Shijiang was my most accomplished student. He ran so many newspapers in Heishi Slope and knew some things should be recorded. Yet not a single newspaper knew to collect past editions.

"Zhou Badou, once his cultivation reached a certain level, finally realized. He knew to collect old newspapers, he knew some things should be remembered. But he wrote so many books, yet never thought of writing a history book!"

Li Banfeng was stunned for a long time. He looked up at Old Train and asked, "Why is this happening?"

Old Train chuckled. "That eldest girl from the He family is your sweetheart. Go ask her about her family's ancestors; she remembers everything clearly. Ask her about her relatives and friends; she remembers everything distinctly.

"But if you ask her about Puluo Prefecture, she definitely won't be able to explain it. You might think the He family's eldest girl isn't bright. In that case, go find someone intelligent and ask them.

"Ma Junyang is smart, right? Chu Huaiyuan is clever, right? Go ask them. How much do they know about things outside their homes?

"They remember everything inside their homes clearly, but everything outside their homes is a blur. This is the fundamental nature of a house cultivator.

"The Heavenly Maiden loves cleanliness, but she didn't just clean houses; she cleaned Puluo Prefecture's minds. To this day, Puluo Prefecture remains this way, because the Heavenly Maiden rooted the fundamental nature of house cultivators into Puluo Prefecture!"

Li Banfeng felt a wave of dizziness.

On closer thought, he had harbored doubts about these very things.

Apart from other things, no one's background from the influential figures in Puluo Prefecture back then was clear. Madam and Hong Ying were two prime examples; in many folk legends, these two even merged into one person, becoming a female general wielding a red-tassled spear, charging into battle.

Was this matter truly difficult to investigate?

Actually, it wasn't difficult. There were many people who knew the truth back then.

But house cultivators weren't willing to investigate. It wasn't a family matter for them.

There were even some things Li Banfeng himself wasn't willing to investigate. His temperament was slowly changing too.

Old Train took out a cigarette for Li Banfeng and lit one for himself. He took a deep drag and sighed, saying, "The Heavenly Maiden doesn't want the people of Puluo Prefecture to remember too many things. It's not good for her.

"I also know I should record some things. I wrote a train log, driving the train all over the place and recording everything I saw and heard along the way. But I kept writing and got confused; later, I don't even know where that log ended up."

A log?

*Wandering Clouds Asking the Post*?

*Wandering Clouds Asking the Post* was written by Old Train?

That book was indeed very messy. When Old Train wasn't raving, he spoke very coherently. It was unexpected that his writing was so terrible.

Mentioning the train log, Old Train sounded regretful. "I suspect A-Yu found that log," he said. "She must have told the Heavenly Maiden, who then used some method to take the log away."

"She wouldn't even let that little bit of information go?" Li Banfeng asked.

"She lets nothing go. She doesn't spare humans; she wished everyone in Puluo Prefecture would become a house cultivator.

"She doesn't spare ghosts either. As long as a house cultivator calls a ghost's name correctly in a house, vengeful spirits and fierce ghosts will all become house spirits."

So the process of house spirits acknowledging a master also originated from the Heavenly Maiden.

Li Banfeng asked, "Why did the Heavenly Maiden go to Outer Prefecture later?"

Old Train stomped out his cigarette and gave a satisfied smile. "Because the person who could control her returned," he said.

"The Peddler?"

Old Train nodded. "When the Peddler first returned, he couldn't do anything about her. She had completely locked down every territory, and the Peddler couldn't find her anywhere to settle the score.

"Later, the Peddler developed the Peddler's Path," he continued. "He finally cornered the Heavenly Maiden, and they fought a fierce battle. The Heavenly Maiden was defeated."

Even at her peak, the Heavenly Maiden still couldn't defeat the Peddler.

Li Banfeng asked, "Did the Heavenly Maiden flee to Outer Prefecture after her defeat?"

At this, Old Train ground his teeth again, his face filled with indignation. "She shouldn't have even had the chance to flee," he fumed. "The Peddler could have killed her,

"But the Peddler didn't do it!"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then, understanding the Peddler's position, he asked, "If the Heavenly Maiden were killed, would the boundaries disappear?"

Old Train nodded. "Yes, they'd be gone. Wouldn't that be better?"

"If the boundaries were gone, what would stop Inner Prefecture?" Li Banfeng asked.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Old Train scoffed. "We don't need her stupid boundaries. I'll rally my brothers and we'll fight them!"

"What if you can't win?" Li Banfeng asked.

Old Train replied, "Even if we sacrifice our lives, at least we'd fall standing."

Li Banfeng pressed, "What if all of Puluo Prefecture is sacrificed?"

Old Train retorted, "That's still better than living in the cage the Heavenly Maiden created!"

Li Banfeng remained silent. Old Train lowered his head and drank in silence.

Once he had calmed down a little, Li Banfeng asked, "How did you trap the Heavenly Maiden in the Dark Star Bureau?"

Old Train shook his head. "There was no Dark Star Bureau back then. After the Heavenly Maiden was defeated by the Peddler, she was severely wounded. The Peddler spared her life, and they signed a contract.

"The Heavenly Maiden agreed to withdraw Puluo Prefecture's boundaries and leave the boundaries that defended against Inner Prefecture. They signed the contract, but not long after, Puluo Prefecture's boundaries reappeared.

"The Peddler searched everywhere for the Heavenly Maiden, who had hidden in Outer Prefecture. The Peddler sent her a message: the next time they met, it would be to the death. The Heavenly Maiden replied, and the matter was settled."

"The Peddler didn't go to Outer Prefecture to find her?"

"The Peddler couldn't leave," Old Train explained. "There were too many things happening in Puluo Prefecture back then. But I could leave, so I went!" At this, Old Train's face was full of murderous intent. "I couldn't let her harm Puluo Prefecture any longer. I had to take her life.

"But when I got to Outer Prefecture, I found that things were wrong. To reclaim Puluo Prefecture, the Heavenly Maiden had already colluded with Outer Prefecture. That's when the Border Defense Bureau appeared.

"Outer Prefecture also had a few old friends who had become the Heavenly Maiden's subordinates. Though few in number, with the Heavenly Maiden, they were truly difficult to deal with.

"But difficult or not, I had to deal with them. They wanted to counterattack Puluo Prefecture, and if they had succeeded then, the Peddler might not have been able to withstand them.

"The Peddler carried many burdens for me; it was my turn to carry one for him. While the Heavenly Maiden was still recovering from her severe wounds, I acted preemptively. That time, I was very well prepared. I couldn't kill her, but I trapped her.

"Using the method Face Not Big taught me, I split myself into two. The engineering cultivator me tightly locked down the Heavenly Maiden and A-Yu, while the traveling cultivator me desperately fought my old friends.

"I was badly beaten, left with only one breath, but I won."

At this, Old Train smiled. "Many things I did in the past were cold-hearted," he said, "but with this matter, I did right by the Peddler."

Hearing this, Li Banfeng didn't know what to say.

He lifted the brim of his hat, then asked Old Train, "What if I still want to release her?"

A biting wind suddenly arose, and the workshop felt like it was freezing over.

Old Train looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Brother, I owe you my life. But I've said all this, and you still don't understand the consequences of releasing the Heavenly Maiden?"

"Brother," Li Banfeng said, "I understand everything you've said. If the Heavenly Maiden were to attack Puluo Prefecture again, its situation would certainly be dangerous. But if someone were to use the Heavenly Maiden as a tool to attack Puluo Prefecture, wouldn't the situation still be dangerous?

"You've been to the Dark Star Bureau; you know the current situation. If Outer Prefecture were to completely control the Heavenly Maiden one day, if one day, the Heavenly Maiden were given to Inner Prefecture as a bargaining chip, what would be the consequences then?"

Old Train remained silent.

Li Banfeng added, "Inner Prefecture is about to launch an attack. This matter needs to be resolved soon."

Old Train picked up the wine jar, seemed to want a drink, then put it down. "Do you have a way to deal with the Heavenly Maiden?" he asked.

"Yes," Li Banfeng nodded. "But we two brothers have to do this together."

Li Banfeng and Old Train agreed to meet at the Dark Star Bureau the day after tomorrow.

Before going to Yue Prefecture, Li Banfeng first went to Lushui City, to the General Border Defense Bureau.

The Border Defense Bureau was somewhat quiet today. Liao Zihui sat alone in his office. When he saw Li Banfeng arrive, he didn't put on airs but directly invited Li Banfeng to the sofa for tea.

"Chief Liao, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"Director Li, please speak."

"I want you to close all checkpoints in Puluo Prefecture, including railway, waterway, and land checkpoints."

Liao Zihui wasn't surprised. He calmly asked, "Can you tell me why?"

"No," Li Banfeng said, shaking his head.

He was going to rescue the Heavenly Maiden and A-Yu from the Dark Star Bureau. At that time, it was unknown whether the Border Defense Bureau's control over the boundaries would still be effective, or if the train conductors created by the Heavenly Maiden using her 'Golden House' technique would still be able to cross them. All of this was uncertain.

Li Banfeng didn't want innocent people to be implicated.

Liao Zihui tapped his fingers lightly on his knee twice. "Director Li," he said, "officially speaking, I should keep this matter from you and ask for a favor from you.

"But if I put my official duties aside, I want to tell you the truth, Brother Li. The checkpoints will close tomorrow. Currently, Puluo Prefecture is exit-only; no one can enter. All trains leaving Puluo Prefecture will only carry Border Defense Bureau personnel. The Border Defense Bureau is evacuating from Puluo Prefecture. So this can be done, but not for your sake."

Li Banfeng blinked. This news surprised him. "Can you tell me why?" he asked.

"No," Liao Zihui said, shaking his head.

Li Banfeng gave a wry smile. The words he had just spoken had come back to him.

Liao Zihui poured Li Banfeng a cup of tea. "Brother Li," he said, "it's not that I don't want to tell you; it's that I simply don't know. The only information I have is that Inner Prefecture is going to war, and Outer Prefecture doesn't want to be involved.

"Only a few Border Defense Bureau personnel will remain, leading the Innocent Army to set up defenses in Puluo Prefecture. Brother, if you want to leave Puluo Prefecture, I can arrange a special train for you. If you want to take others with you, give me a list as soon as possible. After midnight tonight, I won't be able to help anymore."

Li Banfeng looked at Liao Zihui. "Why aren't you leaving yet?" he asked.

Liao Zihui replied, "I'm not leaving. I'm going to retire in Puluo Prefecture. If I return to Outer Prefecture, I wouldn't know how to live. I'm staying to organize the defenses."

Li Banfeng put on his fedora. "After you retire," he said, "we'll have a good drink together at the Carefree Dock."

Liao Zihui raised his teacup and said, "You'll be drinking in the audience while I'll have to sing on stage. I still want to earn more retirement money."

Li Banfeng smiled, pulled down the brim of his hat, and his figure vanished.

Liao Zihui took out a record and placed it on the record player.

Gazing at the sunset outside the window, he swayed his body and sang along with the music, "Fear not the strong winds that may scatter love, for mountains and rivers always hold affection.

"Gathering and parting are also destined by heaven. Blame neither heaven nor fate; only ask for mountains and rivers to bear witness."

Li Banfeng returned to the Dark Star Bureau, which was also very quiet today.

Ever since he arrived in Outer Prefecture, his phone had been ringing off the hook. Familiar Dark Star Bureau members—Candied Fruit, Crabapple, Orange, Clam, Steamed Bun—called one after another, all eager to tell Li Banfeng one thing: they were going on vacation.

Even though they knew Director Li's phone was hard to reach, they still called, because something was about to happen at their Dark Star Bureau.

Li Banfeng arrived at the Dark Star Bureau early, intending to send away any irrelevant personnel. It seemed his action was a bit redundant.

Gao Yina and Chen Changrui were waiting in the office, knowing Li Qi was coming back.

Li Banfeng didn't beat around the bush. He had already understood some things. "So, the Dark Star Bureau is really evacuating this time?" he asked.

Gao Yina shook her head. "It's not an evacuation, but a transfer," she said. "We are moving the Dark Star Bureau to a suitable location to continue its function. The Dark Star Bureau must still maintain high combat capability and awareness, in order to—"

Li Banfeng interrupted Gao Yina. "So, you're abandoning this building?" he asked.

Gao Yina was accustomed to Li Qi's demeanor. She nodded slightly. "This is a decision from higher-ups," she said. "With the joint efforts of Director Li and us, Puluo Prefecture has shown strong development momentum, and some unnecessary interventions in Puluo Prefecture should be adjusted in due time."

"Stop rambling," Li Banfeng interrupted Gao Yina again. "Be more direct."

Gao Yina said, "