Chapter 786: Great hermit lives among the people

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu were preparing to take over the railway. Its smooth operation depended on the cooperation of the Celestial Maidens.

Using the Lianzong Cave-Dwelling, Li Banfeng traveled to the mansion in Gourd Village to discuss the railway matters with A-Yu.

A-Yu was eating oil-splashed spicy noodles. The wide, flat noodles, garnished with vibrant red chili, were devoured by A-Yu with obvious relish, causing Li Banfeng's jaw to clench in response.

A-Yi quickly served Li Banfeng a bowl, and the three of them ate and chatted.

A-Yu finished two bowls of noodles, a lamb leg, and a jar of Nu'er Hong. Daintily wiping her mouth, she said, "The railway's opening is a good thing, and I'm willing to help you. However, I'll need to take the Celestial Maidens to inspect all the railway lines first. We must clearly understand how trains typically operate and how they're cleared at the border crossings."

Li Banfeng asked, "Sister, when you and the Celestial Maidens stayed at the Dark Star Bureau previously, it didn't affect the railway's operation, did it?"

A-Yu shook her head. "That's different. The Outer Province understands railway dispatching, and the train schedules are fixed. I simply clear them according to the rules. You're new here and don't understand anything. If I don't handle this properly, it could lead to fatalities. This matter cannot be taken lightly."

Li Banfeng said, "Sister, you're not joking, are you? Trains passing the border still require your personal clearance?"

"What do you think?" A-Yu asked with a serious expression. "If I don't allow the Celestial Maidens to grant clearance, who can cross that border? Won't an entire train full of people perish at the boundary?"

A-Yi, gnawing on a lamb leg nearby, interjected, "Sister, with so many trains throughout Puro Province, do you really help all of them cross the border? Don't you eat, drink, or sleep?"

A-Yu frowned. "You're an engineering student; why are you speaking such amateur nonsense? As long as the dispatching is managed correctly, the times for all trains to cross the border are fixed. I don't need to worry about it at all."

A-Yi shook her head. "It's precisely because I'm an engineering student that I know what you're saying is unreliable. How can steam trains be so punctual?"

A-Yu's eyebrows shot up. "Are you helping an outsider undermine me? If you don't trust me, then why did you come to me?"

Seeing A-Yu's anger, A-Yi turned to glare at Li Banfeng and demanded, "Do you trust my mother or not?"

Li Banfeng leaned in and whispered to A-Yi, "Do you think she's trustworthy?"

A-Yi whispered back, shaking her head. "She's definitely not trustworthy; that woman is utterly rotten—"

A-Yu kicked A-Yi and fiercely yelled at Li Banfeng, "If you don't trust me, then leave! Don't come looking for me for anything ever again!"

"Oh, my! Is that how you talk to a House Cultivator?" The old lady's voice drifted down from upstairs.

"This woman, if you don't keep her in check for a day, she gets restless." A woman's voice came from next door.

Li Banfeng said, "Sister, I am a House Cultivator, and we understand how trains cross the border. It's not about you opening and closing the border, but rather the train conductors on board."

As he spoke, Li Banfeng took out a box of harmonizers and handed it to A-Yu.

Li Banfeng's ability to discern the conductors' secrets surprised A-Yu.

But A-Yu's expression remained unchanged, and she smoothly recovered, "The conductors' methods for crossing the border also originate from the Celestial Maidens. My intention in inspecting all the railway lines was to check if these conductors are still effective. If not, I'd have to have the Celestial Maidens use their techniques to compensate. Everything I'm doing is for your benefit."

A-Yi exclaimed, "Brother, look at my mom's glib tongue! That's how my dad was tricked by her in the first place!"

A-Yu picked up a stick to hit A-Yi, who quickly shouted, "Sister, let's discuss this. I'll take you for a ride on the train, but please leave the Celestial Maidens at home. Don't bring them out; what do you think?"

"I don't need to go!" A-Yu threw the stick aside and huffily declared, "You go check on the train yourselves! If you find any conductor isn't working well, then come and tell me!"

A-Yi winked at Li Banfeng, who then immediately instructed Ma Wu to test run the train.

Back at the Dark Star Bureau, Niangzi returned with Second Wife. Although Second Wife was still trembling, Niangzi had personally observed her investigation process and largely agreed with her deduction: "Husband, the lockers at the campus supermarket are likely not shadows of the Dark Star Bureau."

Li Banfeng was startled. "Could it be the other way around, that the Dark Star Bureau is a shadow of the lockers?"

Second Wife shook her head. "Neither. Both the Dark Star Bureau and the lockers are shadows. I haven't found their true forms yet."

"They're all shadows?" Li Banfeng's face showed horror. He first knocked on the desk, then stepped on the floor, touched the wall, and finally pressed the elevator button. How could such a tangible building possibly be a shadow?

Li Banfeng was reluctant to believe, but Second Wife was highly confident in her judgment. "Seventh Master, to be honest, I've handled the peddler's silver dollars, and I am the foremost Shadow Cultivator. Even if the Shadow Cultivator Grandmaster himself stood here today, his eyes might not be as perceptive as mine. I walked around this building with you, and from that moment, I could tell it was a shadow. When I got to Yuezhou University and saw that locker, I can confidently say I wasn't mistaken. The locker and this building are two shadows cast by the same object, just as different light angles create shadows of varying sizes and shapes!"

Li Banfeng asked Niangzi to give Second Wife a Mysterious Essence Pill. "You are the foremost Shadow Cultivator; if it were you, could you manifest a shadow into an entire building?"

Second Wife shook her head. "I cannot. This isn't something one person can accomplish. It involves techniques from Craft Cultivators and Illusion Cultivators, as well as some Daoist methods that I cannot discern."

Niangzi said, "I, too, would like to research some of these techniques. Perhaps from the subtle clues, we can find hints of the original form."

Li Banfeng looked at Niangzi. "It seems there are many powerful figures in the Outer Province."

Niangzi nodded. "It's hard to say if they are united, but there are certainly hidden dragons and crouching tigers. My dear husband, by taking control of the railway, I fear you will offend many people."

Li Banfeng smiled. "So what if I offend them? Am I afraid of them?"

After two days of trial operation, Ma Wu opened the first railway line.

Everyone around felt that Ma Wu was too hasty. The people of Puro Province had never been involved in the railway business. Normally, they would inspect and test-run all railways in Puro Province one by one to ensure foolproof safety before opening each section. Ma Wu also felt he was too hasty, but there was nothing he could do; Seventh Master was pressing too hard. Perhaps after spending a long time with Li Qi, he felt that Seventh Master's reasoning was sound: to do business, one must see the business unfold. Puro Province was so vast that inspecting everything would take ages; it was better to open one line first.

The He, Lu, and Chu families successively received the news and wanted to show their support for Ma Wu. They sent congratulatory gifts and attended the banquet, but they dared not ride the train.

After the banquet dispersed, He Yuxiu and Chu Er went to the Lu family to play mahjong and continued discussing the matter. "I reckon Fifth Master won't be able to sell any tickets this time. Without the Guanfang Hall's support, who would dare ride this train?"

Chu Huaiyuan said, "The business just started; it's not concerning if fewer tickets are sold. It will gradually pick up later."

Xiao Yeci said, "But I heard the ticket prices are very cheap! A hard-seat ticket is only thirty yuan, much cheaper than before. Many people should buy it, right?"

Lu Chunying shook her head. "It's not about the price. If something goes wrong when crossing the border, everyone on the train will lose their lives."

Xiao Yeci said, "But I heard the trains have all been test-run!"

He Yuxiu lit a cigarette and arranged the cards in her hand. "The Outer Province is full of schemes. They'll let you pass during trial runs, but then sabotage you when it officially opens. If something truly goes wrong, Seventh Master and Fifth Master will become criminals."

Chu Huaiyuan scoffed, "Sister Xiu, the Outer Province isn't that bold. I heard that Seventh Brother has already subdued them. Ma Wu's opening, and Liao Zihui hasn't made a move, has he?"

He Yuxiu bit on her cigarette. "I've heard from the elders in my family that the Outer Province is not so simple, especially concerning the railway. Many ruthless individuals are involved. Seventh Master and Fifth Master reaching out here are likely to face difficulties."

Xiao Yeci felt indignant. "Benefactor is doing this for the good of Puro Province! I'll go buy a ticket tomorrow to show my support!"

Lu Chunying glared at Xiao Yeci. "You're not allowed to go! What good would one extra ticket from you do?"

"You're so disrespectful! What right do you have to tell me what to do?"

Lu Chunying angrily retorted, "Today, I *am* telling you what to do! I forbid you from going! Are you not convinced?"

Xiao Yeci said nothing more, but after the mahjong game dispersed, she secretly took Youtao to buy tickets. Unexpectedly, she couldn't buy any. All train tickets for the next three days were completely sold out.

Xiao Yeci exclaimed in surprise, "These tickets sold very well! This is different from what they said."

Youtao wrapped her arm around Xiao Yeci's waist and gently squeezed it. "You've had too many good days, and some things you just don't understand anymore. Do you know how overjoyed I was the first time I rode a train? Do you know how many people in Puro Province have never ridden a train in their entire lives? A thirty-yuan ticket? It's bound to be snatched up everywhere! Moreover, Ma Wu knows how to pick his locations; this line was opened very strategically."

The first railway line Ma Wu opened led to Kuidai Kan.

Although Greenwater City is the largest city in Puro Province, Kuidai Kan's reputation is just as significant. Although Greenwater Bay and Kuidai Kan are adjacent, due to restrictions on travel permits, for most people, Kuidai Kan only existed in legends.

Now, the legend was about to come true. Many people, riding a train for the first time and unfamiliar with its rules, bought tickets for 3 PM but began queuing at 6 AM. The station entrance was packed with people. Ma Wu also saw a few acquaintances, including a middle-aged man wearing a blue cloth robe, carrying a blue cloth bag with a rolling pin sticking out of it. Behind him were several assistants, all carrying bags of flour. This was the noodle shop owner from Lanyang Village.

Ma Wu asked, "Are you heading to Kuidai Kan?"

Seeing Ma Wu initiate conversation, the noodle shop owner was both delighted and proud. "Fifth Master, we're going to Kuidai Kan to open a restaurant. We heard there's no place selling noodles there."

Feng Daiku chuckled from nearby, "Nonsense!"

Ma Wu instructed the noodle shop owner, "Once you're in Kuidai Kan, you must sell noodles by the bowl."

The owner patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Fifth Master, we conduct business honestly and fairly; we certainly won't disgrace Lanyang Village!"

The first train departed at 7:30 AM. Ma Wu boarded the first carriage in front of everyone. Seeing Ma Wu board the train, all passengers felt at ease. Feng Daiku also boarded the first carriage. The train departed on time, and six hours later, it successfully crossed the border between Greenwater Bay and Kuidai Kan.

Ma Wu wiped his sweat, embraced Feng Daiku, and kissed her fiercely. "This is our initial operation, so let's prioritize stability. Later, when we increase the speed, we can travel even faster."

Feng Daiku looked at the scenery outside the window, pondering another matter. "Fifth Lad, I'll need your help looking after the Soda Kiln from now on."

Ma Wu was startled. "You're usually at the Soda Kiln; do you still need me to look after it?"

Feng Daiku shook her head. "I'll be in Kuidai Kan often from now on. I believe Kuidai Kan's popularity won't fall short of Greenwater City's in the future."

As the two were talking, the usually taciturn conductor suddenly spoke up. "Passenger trains are straightforward, but what about freight trains?"

Ma Wu looked up at the conductor. "Aren't freight trains even simpler? Transporting goods is always easier than transporting people."

"Many important figures need to transport goods, and some of them, you might not even know their identities." After saying this, the conductor fell silent. This conductor had previously reminded Ma Wu of certain things, but each time, his warnings never exceeded two sentences. Indeed, some individuals from the Outer Province conducted business with Puro Province via railway, but Ma Wu only recognized a fraction of them.

In Yuezhou, at the Workers' Cultural Palace, Tang Changfa was playing cards with Yan Cui'er and Yan Hong'er. Relying on Li Qi's connections, Tang Changfa's business grew steadily. He now conducted business from a private room on the third floor, which featured both an inner and outer room, as well as a bathroom. Tang Changfa initially couldn't believe that such an old movie theater could possess such luxurious suites. Later, he discovered that this was not the only opulent suite in the cinema; many others were even more extravagant. Sometimes, Tang Changfa couldn't quite grasp just how vast this cinema truly was.

The private room door suddenly opened, annoying Tang Changfa. Who was so impolite as to not even knock? He turned his head and saw that the snack vendor had entered. Tang Changfa quickly stood up to greet him. "You've arrived; please take a seat." The snack vendor glanced at Yan Cui'er and Yan Hong'er, indicating he didn't want to discuss certain matters in front of them. Tang Changfa invited the snack vendor into the inner room. The snack vendor handed Tang Changfa a bottle of water and asked, "Have you had many customers recently?" This wasn't merely casual conversation with Tang Changfa; his offering of water signaled his intention to discuss business. Tang Changfa accepted the water and placed it on the table. "Thanks to your blessing, business is quite good." The snack vendor lit a cigarette. "Our boss's business hasn't been good lately, and his temper is a bit short. You must be very careful." Tang Changfa took two stacks of banknotes from under the table and placed them next to the water bottle. "What's the matter?" The snack vendor didn't touch the banknotes and shook his head slightly. "It's not convenient to say." Tang Changfa placed two more stacks of banknotes next to the water bottle, but the snack vendor still remained silent. It seemed something significant was happening. Tang Changfa collected the banknotes from the table, then retrieved a small box from the safe beside the sofa. He opened the lid in front of the snack vendor. The snack vendor glanced at it, deemed the amount sufficient, closed the box, and said to Tang Changfa, "Some of our spirit materials have had their supply cut off." Tang Changfa said, "That's easily remedied. Just let me know what you need, and I'll go procure it for you." The snack vendor shook his head. "It's not that we can't buy it; it's that we can't transport it in. If it were wartime, that would be one thing, but even in these peaceful times, we can't get it shipped. Our boss is quite angry. If certain issues can't be resolved, we might be facing trouble." Tang Changfa pondered for a moment, understanding the snack vendor's meaning. "I'll go inquire about this matter and get back to you then." The snack vendor took the money box, stood up, and said, "No need to update me; just focus on your business."

Once the snack vendor left, Tang Changfa immediately called Li Qi. "Shopkeeper, the black market boss might cause trouble."

Li Banfeng had already anticipated someone from the Outer Province would cause trouble. Now, it seemed, the first to make a move was an acquaintance.

That evening, Li Banfeng went to the Cultural Palace. The movie theater was showing a comedy, indicating that most of what was sold today were spiritual items and magic treasures. He didn't watch a movie on the first floor as usual, waiting for the snack vendor to arrive. This time, he went directly to the third floor and entered Lin Fo Jiao's office. Lin Fo Jiao was sitting on the sofa, fast asleep. Li Banfeng sat in front of him for a moment, and Lin Fo Jiao opened his eyes. "Seventh Master, you're here?"

"Long time no see, Boss Lin." Li Banfeng leaned back against the chair, feeling a strange sense of relaxation he couldn't explain. He suspected he might have been affected by a Lazy Cultivation technique. Lin Fo Jiao usually only opened his eyes halfway, but today he had them open wider than usual. He poured Li Banfeng a cup of tea and pushed it towards him.