Chapter 793: 安居乐业

The cost of the Mystic Light Exorcism technique was quite high, so Li Banfeng wasn't in a hurry to test it. Hong Ying's suggestion was, "Seventh Brother, let's stop here. Knowing it halfway is enough. With a technique to support your cultivation, you won't risk it collapsing, and you'll avoid accidentally using the technique and losing your cultivation unknowingly."

Zhao Xiaowan felt it was inappropriate. "If the technique isn't fully mastered, cultivation won't be stable in the long run."

Li Banfeng also believed he should master the technique completely. "Every technique on the cloud is extremely precious; how can I only learn it halfway? Besides, the key to the Portable Residence is fundamental to our existence. If it were truly lost, it wouldn't be a loss for me to use some cultivation on that thief."

He asked the Bronze Lotus, "If I can emit Mystic Light from my body, does that mean I've mastered the technique?"

The Bronze Lotus replied, "Just emitting it isn't enough. The crucial part is being able to track the spirit mark. As long as the Mystic Light can follow the spirit mark, you won't have to worry about this technique in the future. If something is lost, the Mystic Light will pursue and strike whoever stole it."

Li Banfeng imagined the process of performing the technique in his mind. He nodded to Zhao Xiaowan and said, "I've learned it."

Zhao Xiaowan didn't know if Li Banfeng had truly learned it, but this technique was indeed special, and she didn't want Li Banfeng to test it casually.

Li Banfeng got out of bed and walked back and forth. "It's time for more important matters now."

Zhao Xiaowan thought Li Banfeng was going to buy furniture. She looked at Meng De. "My dear, it's still early. The furniture shops aren't open yet."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Let's put that aside for now. There's something more urgent: I need to learn the sixth-level Residence Cultivation technique."

Zhao Xiaowan was stunned. "My dear, you're being too hasty!"

"Didn't you say, wife? Without technique support, cultivation isn't stable," Li Banfeng said, squatting down near the Bronze Lotus. "Teach me the 'All Things As You Wish' technique as well."

"My dear, you won't be able to learn that technique!" Zhao Xiaowan worried.

Even the Bronze Lotus worried for Li Banfeng. "Don't think this is a game. If both techniques are only learned halfway, and your cultivation framework collapses later, you'll have nowhere to cry."

"Who said halfway? My Mystic Light Exorcism technique is quite proficient. I'll leave a spirit mark on you in a moment, then we'll see who dares to steal you away later." Li Banfeng took out a dagger, genuinely preparing to prick his finger.

The Bronze Lotus quickly blocked Li Banfeng with its lotus leaves. "Seventh Brother, there's no need for this. Let's not leave a spirit mark. I can't go anywhere from home. I'll teach you the 'All Things As You Wish' technique right now. To learn 'All Things As You Wish,' three techniques must be mastered: first, the 'Pillars of Residence Cultivation' technique, which allows for counting family treasures; second, the seventh-level 'Land Property' technique, 'Living in Peace and Contentment'; and third, the fourth-level 'Land Property' technique, 'Golden House Hiding a Beauty.' Once you've developed some proficiency in these three techniques, you'll be able to learn 'All Things As You Wish,' and whatever you desire will come true."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "Don't I need to master the 'Sleep Soundly Without Worry' technique? Before learning 'All Things As You Wish,' shouldn't I first display the demeanor of a household head?"

The Bronze Lotus sighed. "I also think the demeanor of a household head is very important, but the 'All Things As You Wish' technique happens to have no connection with the 'Sleep Soundly Without Worry' technique. I've told you everything you need to know; go practice the techniques yourself."

"You haven't told me the key to the 'All Things As You Wish' technique yet," Li Banfeng said.

The Bronze Lotus said, "Didn't I tell you? 'Whatever you desire, comes to you.'"

Li Banfeng was pleased. "That's the key?"

The Bronze Lotus swayed its lotus leaves. "This key principle is easy to understand; even Hong Ying gets it."

Hong Ying retorted angrily, "What? Are you looking down on me?"

Li Banfeng thought for a while. "I should have some proficiency in the 'Counting Family Treasures' technique by now, right?"

"Yes!" the Bronze Lotus affirmed. "Setting everything else aside, if it's for learning the 'All Things As You Wish' technique, you don't need to practice 'Counting Family Treasures' anymore."

Li Banfeng confidently raised his head. "What about 'Golden House Hiding a Beauty'?"

The Bronze Lotus said, "What do you think? You were thinking of Meng Qian before and spontaneously drew a picture of Zuo Wugang. That drawing hasn't even been thrown away yet. Why don't you go take another look?"

Li Banfeng wasn't so confident anymore. "How should I practice 'Living in Peace and Contentment'? By staying at home every day?"

The Bronze Lotus sighed. "Don't ask me how to practice techniques you've already learned. Your Daoist sect is too unique, and you still have travel cultivation. Staying at home every day definitely won't work, and I don't know how to help you."

"If you won't help, then never mind! I'm going to buy furniture!"

Li Banfeng got up, intending to leave. After a moment's thought, he walked towards the third room.

If he pushed the door open now, he would still return to the Portable Residence because the key was on him. To get out, he needed to use the "Connected Wedding Room" technique. The third room had the most spiritual energy, and Li Banfeng was most proficient at using techniques when in it.

Less than a minute passed. Li Banfeng opened the door and entered A Yu's room.

A Yu had just stepped out of the bathtub and quickly grabbed clothes to cover herself. "Brother, can we knock before entering the room?"

Li Banfeng said, "I came in using the 'Connected Spacious Wedding Room' technique. If I didn't push the door open, I wouldn't know if the technique was successful. Sister, let me ask you something. If I leave a spirit mark on an item and gain a perception of it, once the item is lost, can I use the Mystic Light Exorcism technique by concentrating my thoughts?"

A Yu shook her head. "You don't need to concentrate your thoughts; the technique will activate on its own."

Her explanation was identical to the Bronze Lotus'.

Li Banfeng asked again, "What if I don't want the Mystic Light to go out? Can I retract it myself?"

A Yu smiled. "I wouldn't know about that. I've been with the Celestial Maiden for so many years, and every time I've seen her use Mystic Light Exorcism, the technique has activated automatically. I've never seen her retract it, and that bit of cultivation means nothing to her."

Seeing that Li Banfeng came prepared, A Yu did not hide the characteristic that Mystic Light Exorcism would cause cultivation loss.

Li Banfeng smiled faintly. "As expected of the Celestial Maiden, she doesn't care about cultivation. She truly has significant resources."

The old lady upstairs was furious. "This wretch, relying on her seniority, speaks so arrogantly. She doesn't show any respect for the head of the household."

The young girl downstairs said, "Let's just give her a beating. I think she hasn't been beaten enough."

A Yu gave a silent glance downstairs.

Li Banfeng asked again, "Can spirit marks only be left on objects?"

A Yu smiled. "What else? Do you want to leave it on a person? That thing is useless on people."

The woman next door sighed softly. "Sister, we don't care how you deceive others, but when speaking to our household head, you must speak from your conscience."

A Yu looked at the wall and chuckled. "If my conscience isn't in the middle, where else could it be?"

A gust of wind blew in, and the clothes A Yu used to cover herself were blown open.

A Yu quickly covered herself. "What is this? Are you bullying a weak woman like me?"

Since the woman next door had hinted so clearly, Li Banfeng naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity. He looked towards the center of her chest and saw a red mark the size of a peach pit.

A Yu glared at Li Banfeng. "What are you looking at? You're not without a wife, go home and look at her!"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly and stood up. "I'm going back to see my wife. Take care."

Leaving the residence and stepping off the cloud, Li Banfeng took out the key.

On the key was a spirit mark he had left. It was made by dipping his fingertip in blood, larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, looking like a tadpole. If the tadpole's tail were covered, would it resemble a peach pit? Not really.

But this was Li Banfeng's spirit mark; after all, his habits differed from the Celestial Maiden's. If the mark on A Yu's body was neither a birthmark nor a scar, but rather the Celestial Maiden's spirit mark, what was the Celestial Maiden's purpose in leaving a spirit mark on A Yu? If A Yu were ever stolen, could the Celestial Maiden track the culprit? No thief in this world could likely steal A Yu. The Mystic Light Exorcism technique didn't seem that simple; this spirit mark must have another purpose.

Li Banfeng went to bother A Yi for a while. A Yi had found Autumn Fallen Leaves on the new land in Gourd Village, and she had been in a great mood these past two days.

The three of them ate together. Autumn Fallen Leaves occasionally gave Li Banfeng knowing glances. Li Banfeng naturally understood Brother Qiu's intentions, and during their casual conversation, he had a few more drinks with A Yi.

Autumn Fallen Leaves saw the wine jar was empty. He stood up and said, "I'll go get another jar of wine."

A Yi said, "My dear, you don't need to do that. I'll have them bring the wine."

"What kind of terrible wine do they have? Can my brother drink that? You two keep eating; I'll be right back."

Autumn Fallen Leaves went to get the wine. Li Banfeng asked A Yi, "Have you been cultivating soil lately?"

"Yes! At least once a month!" A Yi took out a map. "Look, all of this is new land added to Gourd Village. It's almost double what it was when you first came."

A Yi had truly put in the effort. Li Banfeng carefully examined the map; the amount of new land in Gourd Village was indeed astonishing.

"Brother, I'm telling you, we have to expand our territory now, because later, someone won't let me expand it anymore!"

Li Banfeng grew furious upon hearing this. "Who won't let you expand?"

A Yi said with a wronged expression, "The Peddler."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Then you must listen to him!"

A Yi agreed. "What else can I do if I don't listen? We can't beat him. The Peddler said that half of the cultivated soil produced in the future must be sent to Puluo Prefecture. Puluo Prefecture already has so much new land, yet he still covets my little bit of 'soup and water.'"

This wasn't just "soup and water" for her. To acquire this cultivated soil, the Peddler had put in a great deal of effort, so Gourd Village certainly couldn't get all of it cheaply.

A Yi also revealed a secret to Li Banfeng. "The Peddler came to me a few days ago and asked me to bring that foreigner named Cui back from Chaoge City. I went, but I never expected Chaoge to become like that."

"Like what?"

"Let me put it this way: you can walk three to five miles down a street and count the living people you see on one hand. That foreign devil was too ruthless!"

Li Banfeng knew very well that Cui Tick had been waiting for this day. How excited he must be to have a stage where he could truly perform.

"Did you bring Cui Tick back to Blade Ghost Ridge?"

A Yi shook her head. "He wouldn't go back. I heard Qiao Yi tried to persuade him several times, but he just wouldn't leave. He said he was doing well and even had five characters tattooed on his chest: 'I love Chaoge City.'"

Li Banfeng sighed. "I'll find a way to bring him back another day. If Qiao Yi truly decides to turn hostile, it will be too late for Cui Tick to leave."

A Yi said, "My father came to see me a couple of days ago and specifically mentioned you. He wants you to go back and see Fool's City. The Peddler kept his word and truly restored the flesh and blood of Fool's City."

Li Banfeng smiled. "That's good news. I definitely have to go back, and I also need to bring Tang Changfa, Yan Cui'er, and Yan Hong'er back. They've made significant contributions, and such an important matter shouldn't exclude them."

"I want to go back and see too." A Yi's expression was somewhat complex, a look rarely seen on her face.

After two more drinks, A Yi suddenly laughed. "I was just saying it casually. What difference does it make if I go back or not? Isn't Fool's City still the same?"

"The same?" Li Banfeng felt that Fool's City would undergo significant changes. "Everyone has real flesh and blood now, so there's no difference from truly living people. Fool's City has over ten thousand residents; once they all become living people, Fool's City should become a proper land."

A Yi shook her head. "It's not that simple. For an old land to become a proper land, it's not enough just to gather ten thousand people. These ten thousand people must truly settle in Fool's City, live well, have homes, livelihoods, and also have aspirations. How does that saying go? It's called, called—"

"It's called 'Living in Peace and Contentment,'" Li Banfeng said.

"Yes, 'Living in Peace and Contentment,' that's an excellent phrase!" A Yi looked at Li Banfeng with admiration. "Only after the tens of thousands of people in Fool's City have lived in peace and contentment for several years will there be hope for it to become a proper land again."

After a satisfying meal and drinks, Li Banfeng prepared to go to Yesong Bridge. He wanted to buy furniture, and Yesong Bridge had the best wood.

A Yi instructed A Yun to take Li Banfeng to Yesong Bridge. She then called out to A Long, "Quickly bring my wife back so he can say goodbye to his brother."

Li Banfeng looked downstairs. A group of people was carrying a large net containing Autumn Fallen Leaves, taking him into the village chief's small building.

Originally planning to use the opportunity to get wine to escape Gourd Village, Autumn Fallen Leaves had failed.

A Yi exclaimed excitedly, "And that dowry, bring it along too!"

Another group of people carried a net, carrying White Crane Bai Wusong into the building as well.

"And that servant girl! Bring her in too!"

Two people carried a net, bringing in Bai Xinsheng, Bai Wusong's disciple.

Bai Wusong and Bai Xinsheng had come to rescue Autumn Fallen Leaves. The two of them had infiltrated Gourd Village two days prior and arranged to take Autumn Fallen Leaves out today. But unexpectedly, near the exit, the three of them encountered a trap A Yi had set in advance.

A Yi looked at Bai Wusong and said, "How did you get into the village?"

Bai Wusong turned his head away and remained silent.

Entering Gourd Village was indeed not easy, but Bai Wusong was once someone who had crashed through boundaries. As long as he saw a path, he could find a way in.

Seeing his silence, A Yi didn't press him. "All of you, reflect thoroughly here. No untying tonight!"

Once A Yi left, Bai Wusong looked at Autumn Fallen Leaves and said, "Master Qiu, don't worry. I will definitely get you out."

Autumn Fallen Leaves said mournfully, "Master Bai, have we utterly disgraced the White Crane Sect?"

Bai Wusong was speechless.

Bai Xinsheng, Bai Wusong's disciple, shook his head. "Master Qiu, that's not how it is. The other sects at Three-Headed Fork already know about this. They say we haven't just disgraced the White Crane Sect, but the entire Body Cultivation lineage!"

Autumn Fallen Leaves took a deep breath. "Once we get out, I'll go to our sect's forbidden area and end things myself."

Bai Wusong said, "Master Qiu, how can you be so short-sighted? Let's cultivate for more time in the forbidden area. Next time we face her, we certainly won't be afraid of that woman."

Li Banfeng arrived at Yesong Bridge. He was looking for a furniture store on the street. He actually had quite a few businesses in Yesong Bridge, but when it came to furniture, the shops under Xiao Yeci's management were the best.

Entering the Ciyun Furniture Store, Li Banfeng spotted a writing desk he liked. Just as he was about to ask for the price, he heard familiar voices from the entrance.

"Why are you being so polite with me? I'll just have it delivered to your home!"

"No, that won't do. This is business. If you don't accept payment, I won't take it."

Li Banfeng looked back. He recognized both of them: one was Xiao Yeci, and the other was Chu Huaiyuan.

This shop belonged to Xiao Yeci, so her presence there wasn't surprising. What was Chu Er doing here?

As the two women passed Li Banfeng, they didn't notice him at all.

Chu Er took a liking to a set of cabinets and also a sofa. "Look at this craftsmanship. In the entire Puluo Prefecture, your family's work is truly unique!"

Xiao Yeci was a little embarrassed. "Miss Chu, you flatter me. I only understand this much about business; I really can't figure out anything else! I'll have someone deliver the furniture to you in a moment."

Chu Er then took a fancy to a screen. "No rush, I'll pick two more items."

"There are so many furniture stores in Greenwater City, why did you have to come all the way here to buy?" Li Banfeng said.

Chu Er said, "You've come all the way to Yesong Bridge, and you don't know the reputation of Ciyun Furniture?"

"Even if it has a great reputation, you two don't need to come in person just to buy furniture!" Li Banfeng said.

Xiao Yeci was startled. She knew Chu Er's temper, and this sentence might anger her. As expected, Chu Er turned her head, lowered it, and rolled her eyes upwards, saying, "Where this old lady chooses to go, it's none of your—" (seeing Li Banfeng) "—Seventh Brother, why are you here too?"

"Make yourself clear, can I or can't I manage you?" Li Banfeng said.

Chu Er nodded repeatedly. "Seventh Brother can manage me; however you wish is fine."

"Why are you two in Yesong Bridge?" The two exchanged glances. Li Banfeng lifted his hat brim and looked at them.

Xiao Yeci couldn't bear it anymore. "Benefactor, let's talk in the back hall."

In the back hall, Xiao Yeci and Chu Er explained the full story.

A Hundred Flowers Rain fell over the Hundred Flowers Garden. Zhang Xiuling believed the Hundred Flowers God was about to descend. She sought out Ma Wu, wanting to reclaim the Hundred Flowers Sect from He Jiaqing. Ma Wu agreed.

Chu Huaiyuan said, "If Ma Junyang and He Jiaqing were squaring off, I'd bring the Chu family and fight He Jiaqing to the death. Just for Seventh Brother's sake, I'd have to stand with Ma Junyang. But Ma Junyang is stepping up for Zhang Xiuling, so it's difficult for me to intervene. Zhang Xiuling and I are mere acquaintances. Fighting to the death over this would be hard to explain to my family."

Xiao Yeci said, "There were rumors before that He Jiaqing had severed Young Master Wu's hamstrings, but when I went to visit Young Master Wu, I found his leg was fine. I didn't dare to ask too much about it."

"What about Lu Chunying? Is she also hiding in Yesong Bridge?" Li Banfeng asked.

Xiao Yeci shook her head. "It's hard for her to hide. Duan Shaoxia and Zhang Xiuling are very close; she needs to support Zhang Xiuling. She's the Lu family's First Madam! If Chunying leaves now, wouldn't that be undermining Duan Shaoxia?"

Chu Er said, "If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but the key is that Sister Xiu is also involved here. If things really escalated, Sister Xiu would definitely still help He Jiaqing; he's her biological nephew. We were fighting together in Neizhou just recently, but now everyone has turned against each other. Miss Xiao and I saw that things were going wrong on all fronts, so we hid in Yesong Bridge."

Xiao Yeci said, "Benefactor, we know we shouldn't be hiding. We'll take the train back to Greenwater City tonight."

Chu Er nodded. "Since Seventh Brother has intervened, there's nothing more to say. Regardless of the reason, we'll go back, gather our people, and fight He Jiaqing to the end."

Chu Huaiyuan was truly unequivocal. Back then, to save Li Qi, she even fought against the General Headquarters of Frontier Defense. The General Commander of Frontier Defense, Xia Shumin, died by her hand.

But Li Banfeng wouldn't let her fight. "You can't go back to Greenwater City. All of you, honestly stay hidden here. Also, call Lu Chunying back. If Yesong Bridge is no longer safe, then hide in Qiqiu City."

Li Banfeng's attitude surprised Xiao Yeci, but Chu Huaiyuan, having struggled within the Chu family for so long, could understand Li Banfeng's intention. "Seventh Brother, you don't want to blow things out of proportion?"

"Things *are* going to get big. The Hundred Flowers God has appeared; that's certainly a face to be given respect! Don't you agree?" Li Banfeng touched the Judge's Brush.

The Judge's Brush remained silent. Xiao Yeci and Chu Huaiyuan both nodded. "Yes, yes, we'll all listen to Seventh Brother."

The two of them told Li Banfeng about Ma Junyang's recent actions. Li Banfeng understood immediately: crashing parties, seizing businesses, forcing opponents to turn hostile – this was the fighting style of the previous generation in Puluo Prefecture.

Li Banfeng asked Xiao Yeci to custom-make a set of furniture for use on a train and deliver it to his residence. Xiao Yeci refused to accept payment, so Li Banfeng simply left a check.

Leaving the furniture store, Li Banfeng immediately hurried to Greenwater City. On the way, Li Banfeng asked the Judge's Brush, "What's this about the Hundred Flowers God?"

The Judge's Brush said, "That's not me."

"I know it's not you. Who do you think it could be?"

"I can't guess. Stop always saying 'the ya'!" The Judge's Brush hesitated for a long time before uttering a long sentence, "Don't let them fight. Someone is deliberately causing trouble."

"They have to fight. If they don't, this Hundred Flowers God won't emerge!" Li Banfeng said.

Returning to Carefree Dock, Li Banfeng found Ma Wu.

Upon seeing Li Qi, Ma Wu almost burst into tears. He sent Feng Daiku, Huoling, A Qin, and everyone else away, just wanting to speak a few more words with Li Qi.

"I was really worried that He Jiaqing might harm you. If anything happened to you, I'd fight tooth and nail to kill He Jiaqing!"

Li Banfeng carefully examined Ma Wu's leg. "You still don't seem to be walking very smoothly."

Ma Wu sighed. "He Jiaqing extracted the tendons from my leg – not the main tendons, but the fine strands within. Only He Jiaqing possesses such skill. Later, Mu Yuejuan brought my tendons back, and Miss Feng helped me reattach them. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to walk for the rest of my life."

Ma Wu also mentioned the incident where someone caused trouble at Carefree Dock. "Old Nine was poisoned because of it, but thankfully he's resilient and pulled through."

"Did He Jiaqing do this too? What is he trying to provoke with all this?" Li Banfeng was a little puzzled.

Ma Wu had also been contemplating the reasons during this time. "At first, I thought he was seeking revenge for past events, which is why I worried he might harm you. Then I mused that he might be trying to threaten me with the tendons, since we control the railway, and He Jiaqing would certainly be covetous. Later, after the incident at the Hundred Flowers Garden, I thought he might be trying to pressure us because of Zhang Xiuling. I suspect this 'Hundred Flowers Rain' was a scheme by Zhang Xiuling herself; she's long had plans to reclaim the Hundred Flowers Sect."

Li Banfeng felt that all three of these speculations were a bit off.

"Let's think about the reasons later. First, let's consider what he's going to do next."

Ma Wu had already thought it through. "I estimate he'll come to Carefree Dock to find me soon. I've laid plenty of ambushes here, waiting for him."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Not necessarily at Carefree Dock. He Jiaqing prioritizes profit. In his eyes, the most valuable thing you possess isn't at Carefree Dock."

Ma Wu pondered for a moment, then was suddenly alarmed. "Could it be that he's going after my territory?"

"With over ninety percent of the territory cultivated, who wouldn't want it?" Li Banfeng said.

Ma Wu panicked slightly. "I'll quickly take people to—"

"Don't rush to bring people," Li Banfeng said, rotating his wrist. "I haven't opened up new land in a long time. It'd be a good opportunity to visit your territory."