Chapter 800: Impermanence Meets Arrogance

Huancheng took out a folding fan, opened it, and waved it twice in front of his chest.

A cold breeze swept through, and the pot-bellied television disappeared, replaced by a landscape painting.

The picture frame above the television also vanished, transforming into a painting of a beautiful woman.

The sofa turned into a wooden chair, the wardrobe became an upright cabinet, and the scent of old furniture gradually dissipated, replaced by a faint aroma of agarwood.

The entire room transformed from an old downtown apartment building into a mansion from Puluo Province, appearing much older, yet losing the previous oppressive atmosphere.

Huancheng looked at Li Banfeng. "Doesn't this look much better?"

Was this the true appearance of the place?

Li Banfeng glanced around, then shook his head. "This is still an illusion."

Huancheng was slightly surprised. Few people could see through his illusions. "I heard from Old Woman Ku that you're a wandering cultivator, but your eyes are quite extraordinary. Have you also studied other Taoist schools?"

Li Banfeng didn't answer, only commenting, "Fakes are fakes in the end."

"Truth and falsehood, do they really need to be distinguished so clearly?" Huancheng smiled. "When you were in Yuezhou, didn't you also think the private room in that underground KTV was real?"

While on a mission for the Dark Star Bureau, Li Banfeng had once visited an underground KTV, where one private room was extremely dangerous, and he hadn't dared to enter.

He naturally remembered this. "At that time, I really thought it was real. If it hadn't been for your reminder, I might have actually walked into that room. What was the origin of that private room?"

Huancheng replied, "That was a path opened by the Great Melting Pot, a path leading to the Outer Provinces."

Li Banfeng recalled Lu Dongjun, who claimed to have escaped from the Great Melting Pot, been summoned by the Chamomile Society, and emerged directly from the large screen in the underground KTV to appear in Yuezhou.

Lu Dongjun had also said at the time that Old Train saved him from the Great Melting Pot. Sui Shenju had suspected a conspiracy behind this, and now it turned out the Great Melting Pot was leading it.

"The Great Melting Pot has such abilities?"

Huancheng chuckled. "Do you think the Great Melting Pot is just a container for souls? Then you're greatly underestimating this treasure. Among the eleven provinces and three thousand states, Shang State stands above the rest, and the Great Melting Pot is one of its foundations. Many of Shang State's methods, including their unique craftsmanship and weapons, come from the Great Melting Pot. Now that the Great Melting Pot has suffered heavy damage, Shang State's foundation is weakened, and its situation is indeed dire."

Remembering Shang State's grim situation, Li Banfeng felt a little pleased.

However, recalling the aftermath of the private room incident, Li Banfeng grew concerned. There had been no follow-up to that matter; the KTV was simply sealed.

"Senior, is that path still there?"

Huancheng shook his head. "That path concerns the survival of the Outer Provinces. How could I leave it open? I blocked it, but not by myself. Several friends from the Outer Provinces helped, including Lin Fojiao, whom you should know. He's one of my friends."

Li Banfeng was very curious about Huancheng's identity. He had appeared in Yuezhou and San Tou Cha, had dealings with Mr. Kong Fang, seemingly even helping him, and now he was also friends with Lin Fojiao, assisting the Outer Provinces. Now he had reappeared in Bitter Vegetable Village and held a high position in the Brotherhood Alliance. Which faction did this person truly belong to?

Huancheng perceived Li Banfeng's doubts. "You don't need to worry. The Peddler and I are friends. I created the illusion cultivation school, and we were very close back then."

"So, Senior, you are the progenitor of illusion cultivation, my apologies!" Li Banfeng clasped his fists again. "Let's not talk about that time. Let's talk about now. Are you and the Peddler still on good terms?"

The Peddler had too many close friends back then, and many of them were now sworn enemies.

Huancheng chuckled. "That's a bit direct, but I understand what you mean. Many progenitors of various Taoist schools have fallen out with the Peddler. Shu Wan Juan and Shan Chengjun were among them. There were also those whose friendship with the Peddler remained unchanged, like Xu Han, the progenitor of metal cultivation, who had always been very close to him. And there are people like me, whose friendship with the Peddler has faded a bit, but there's no enmity. If I go to Puluo Province, the Peddler won't stop me, but if I want to do certain things there, I must inform him."

Li Banfeng decided to ask even more directly. "You've become the leader of the Brotherhood Alliance. Does that count as enmity with the Peddler?"

Huancheng closed his folding fan, transforming it into a teapot, and poured some tea for Li Banfeng. "Young man, you underestimate the Peddler's magnanimity. He has never dealt harshly with the Brotherhood Alliance. As long as Puluo Province's rules aren't broken and its interests aren't harmed, the Peddler never interferes with the Brotherhood Alliance's actions. Furthermore, I am not the leader of the Brotherhood Alliance. The head of the Brotherhood Alliance is the Heavenly Maiden; that's an unchanging rule of the alliance. It's just that due to the Heavenly Maiden's unique circumstances, I sometimes help her handle certain matters. I am indeed a member of the Brotherhood Alliance, and my status within it is not low, but this identity depends on where it's mentioned. Once I enter Puluo Province, this identity doesn't count. I'm just a business person who minds his own affairs."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Identity can be defined like that?"

Huancheng nodded. "I've always defined it that way."

"Isn't Bitter Vegetable Village part of Puluo Province?"

"This Bitter Vegetable Village right in front of you is indeed not in Puluo Province!" Huancheng pointed out the window. "Cars, traffic lights, utility poles—these are all real." He reached back and flicked a light switch, and the chandelier on the living room ceiling lit up. "This Bitter Vegetable Village is in the Outer Provinces, and you won't find it on ordinary maps. However, you can find a classified map in the Dark Star Bureau's archives and take a look. This is a real place. It's only because I am currently in the Outer Provinces that I count as a member of the Brotherhood Alliance. We must distinguish clearly when it comes to identity."

Li Banfeng understood Huancheng's definition of identity and then asked, "Aside from being a member of the Brotherhood Alliance, what other identities do you have in the Outer Provinces?"

"I am a friend of the Outer Provinces!" Huancheng gave a very vague concept. "In Puluo Province, many people are friends with the Outer Provinces. Lin Fojiao is one of them, and Song Qianhun is another."

Li Banfeng lifted the brim of his hat. Huancheng's statement was unclear. Although both Song Qianhun and Lin Fojiao were in the Outer Provinces, their situations were different. Song Qianhun's relationship with the Outer Provinces was indeed unusual; not only he himself, but also his daughter, his ghost servant, and his pants, all had intricate connections with the Outer Provinces. Lin Fojiao, however, was special. His relationship with the Outer Provinces was very delicate; it would be more accurate to describe him as both friend and foe.

"Senior, is your identity in the Outer Provinces similar to Lin Fojiao's or Song Qianhun's?"

Huancheng transformed the teapot back into a folding fan. "A bit closer than Lin Fojiao, a bit further than Song Qianhun. Unlike Lin Fojiao, I don't ignore many matters of the Outer Provinces, but for some things, I won't directly interfere like Song Qianhun."

Li Banfeng said, "Please elaborate, Senior."

Huancheng gave an example: "There was a scoundrel in the Dark Star Bureau, that Deputy Director Wang. He was bought by Shang State to be an internal mole, causing the deaths of many people and doing many disgusting things. I always wanted to get rid of him, but I couldn't act directly, so I could only give you hints. Unfortunately, you didn't understand them when you were in Yuezhou. After you reached San Tou Cha, you finally helped me eliminate him."

Li Banfeng had indeed dealt with Deputy Director Wang later, but the matter shouldn't have needed to be so complicated. "To deal with such a scoundrel, did you really need to borrow a knife from me?"

Huancheng shook his head. "I can't act directly, or it would create unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings in the Outer Provinces. I still have many businesses to run there, and if I meddle in things I shouldn't, my path ahead will be difficult."

Li Banfeng remained silent.

Huancheng asked, "Do you think I'm a bit soft?"

Li Banfeng didn't directly comment. "Everyone acts with their own sense of proportion."

Huancheng chuckled. "No need to be so indirect. Shan Chengjun once called me a spineless coward who loves to avoid trouble, right to my face. If it was just that one remark, it would have been fine, but he actually said my bones were softer than Che Wushang's! That really infuriated me at the time! But anger aside, I didn't argue with him. I admit I am someone who likes to avoid trouble. When I fought alongside the Peddler, I always avoided unpleasant matters. If they argued over troops, I'd stay out of it. If they argued over provisions, I'd also stay out of it. When they played dirty tricks on Fool's City, I didn't get involved, nor did I inform the Peddler. After they drove away the Saint, Shan Chengjun wanted the Peddler to be emperor. The Peddler refused, which pleased Shan Chengjun, who then said he wanted to be emperor. I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no either. Anyway, I wasn't going to be emperor, so I didn't care who was. But the Peddler didn't agree. He drove Shan Chengjun away, saying that Puluo Province could not have an emperor. His intentions were good, but people are different. Ruthless people are different from kind people, and smart people are different from honest people. There will always be those who want to be masters, and inevitably, there will be those who are servants. No one can change this. So, I came up with an idea for the Peddler: I would create an illusion for them, allowing everyone to be a master."

Li Banfeng understood. "In plain terms, it's like Meng Qian's approach: creating a 'Dream Pavilion' where you have everything in a dream."

Huancheng waved his hands repeatedly. "The dream cultivation method doesn't work. When people are asleep, they can't do anything. Where do the expenses for food, drink, and daily needs come from? You have to pay to enter the Dream Pavilion, and those without capital can't have good dreams. This is the crux of dream cultivation. It's not just the Dream Pavilion; even in Pillow City, you can have three seasons of good dreams a year, but for the remaining season, you still have to work hard to earn your food. My method is different from dream cultivation. The clever people, outside the illusion, direct the honest people to do things. The honest people, within the illusion, believe they are clever and that they are also masters. Both sides are quite happy. Don't you think this is the best of both worlds?"

Li Banfeng said nothing.

Huancheng gave a wry smile. "It seems you don't agree with me. That's fine. The Peddler also didn't think this was the best of both worlds back then. If he doesn't want me to do it, then I won't. I don't need to offend the Peddler over such matters. I can't be like those foolish people who were directly driven away by him."

Li Banfeng pondered the situation of the Dream Pavilion. "Was Meng Qian exiled to Neizhou because she offended the Peddler over money matters?"

Huancheng shook his head. "Meng Qian is a junior; I don't know much about her affairs. But she was certainly not driven away by the Peddler because of money. As long as her prices were clearly marked and both parties were willing, the Peddler would surely tolerate her. But as far as I know, when Meng Qian was in Puluo Province, she once used dreams to lure many unsuspecting people into the Dream Pavilion, and that violated the Peddler's rules. In contrast, Zhao Lanmeng was much more sensible. Pillow City allowed free entry and exit, and he never interfered. The Peddler not only didn't trouble him but also gave him a lot of consideration."

Li Banfeng recalled the Peddler's catchphrase: "'Loss and gain, no debts owed' — that's the fundamental principle."

Huancheng nodded. "In Puluo Province, as long as both parties are willing, the Peddler never causes trouble. Old Woman Ku has always defied the Peddler, even keeping the bitter cultivation powders herself, yet the Peddler still tolerates Bitter Vegetable Village. Entering Bitter Vegetable Village and eating a bowl of sandy rice counts as joining the path of bitter cultivation. Old Woman Ku wants to spread her rules throughout Puluo Province, but she has never forced anyone."

"What are Old Woman Ku's rules?" Li Banfeng had never quite understood this.

"'Fortune and suffering are interdependent!'" Huancheng explained. "As much suffering endured, so much fortune enjoyed. I have always strongly agreed with Old Woman Ku's rules. This is a legitimate path for Puluo Province, but the people there can't learn these rules."

"Why can't they learn it?"

"Because there are too few smart people!" Huancheng waved his folding fan, and the view outside the window changed into a construction site, where a group of workers were toiling arduously. Huancheng pointed at a worker. "This young man works hard; he's capable of enduring hardship. He toils all day and accumulates a lot of good fortune, but he doesn't know how to use it. In the evening, he goes home, eats and drinks well, and has a peaceful good dream, squandering all that good fortune."

Li Banfeng was stunned for a long time. "Senior, I might not have heard clearly. To work hard all day, earn some food and drink for oneself, and get a good night's sleep—can that really be considered squandering?"

Huancheng sighed. "That's why they don't understand the law of interdependent fortune and suffering."

He waved his folding fan again, and the view outside the window changed once more. Li Banfeng saw the bitter cultivators toiling in Bitter Vegetable Village. They endured much suffering, yet saw no reward whatsoever. Huancheng said, "Old Woman Ku set a rule for them: first, they suffer here to accumulate good fortune. Old Woman Ku keeps it for them, and at the right time, she uses that good fortune for them where it's needed."

Li Banfeng frowned. "Whose good fortune is this?"

Huancheng looked pleased, thinking Li Banfeng hadn't understood him. "This is their own good fortune, but they aren't smart enough to know how to manage it."

Li Banfeng said, "Whether they're smart or not, this is their own good fortune, isn't that right?"

Huancheng was stunned for a moment, then chuckled. "The Peddler also said something similar to you. Each Taoist school has its own rules, and I can't tell who's right or wrong, but I think Old Woman Ku is correct. That's why I often come to Bitter Vegetable Village to stay for a while and accumulate some good fortune for myself." He waved his folding fan, and the scene outside the window reverted to a desolate street. "Young man, you came to see me today, presumably not to argue about right and wrong, right?"

Li Banfeng said, "I came to Senior to inquire about something: the Great Totem of Shang State. Does Senior know where it is?"

Huancheng held his fan and tapped it against his palm a few times. "Why did you come to me?"

Li Banfeng replied, "I guessed."

"Such an accurate guess?" Huancheng waved his folding fan, and the room reverted to the old residential building, an oppressive atmosphere enveloping the living room. This was Huancheng's warning to Li Banfeng. Huancheng—his name was truly fitting. In a single sentence, he seemed ready to turn hostile.

Li Banfeng said expressionlessly, "I've been in the Dark Star Bureau for so long and had quite a few dealings with the Heavenly Maiden. It's only reasonable that I would guess your whereabouts."

As his words fell, the scene in the room changed. All the furniture and furnishings vanished, the living room turned into the Dark Star Bureau's stairwell, and the walls transformed into a large iron door with "Cell No. 6" written on it. In Huancheng's home, Li Banfeng used the 'Thousand Mountains of Intent' technique, which was his response to Huancheng.

"Have you forgotten where this is?" Huancheng's face was livid; he was extremely displeased with Li Banfeng's attitude.

The two exchanged silent gazes, and the atmosphere in the room grew even more oppressive.

When the 'Thousand Mountains of Intent' technique dissipated, the picture frame on the television suddenly shattered, and photographs drifted out, circling around all four walls. The people in the photos had lost their smiles, staring fixedly at Li Banfeng.

"I don't know the location of the Great Totem. Go ask someone else. Please leave, I won't see you out!" Huancheng closed his folding fan, and his figure vanished from the lounge chair.

Li Banfeng picked up the teacup, drained the tea, pulled down the brim of his hat, and rose to leave the room.

After a long while, Huancheng reappeared and tidied up the tea set on the coffee table.

"What an audacious young man!" Huancheng was still annoyed, and also bothered by something else. "Who leaked my whereabouts to him? This must be thoroughly investigated. I shouldn't have let him leave just now!"

Just as the tea set was put away, Li Banfeng's voice suddenly came: "Senior, I haven't left."

Huancheng was greatly alarmed! He looked around, but couldn't see Li Banfeng.

"Come out and speak!" Huancheng's fingertips continuously rubbed his folding fan.

"Senior, I am right before your eyes."

The voice indeed sounded close by, yet Huancheng couldn't see Li Banfeng.

"What do you want? Do you intend to fight me?" Huancheng unfolded his fan.

Li Banfeng still didn't appear: "Senior has guided me twice, and I sincerely thank you. However, I must get an answer regarding the whereabouts of the Great Totem."

Huancheng tapped the ribs of his fan, and one by one, the furnishings in the room vanished. The cabinets were gone, the coffee table was gone, the sofa and television were all gone. Even a layer of plaster peeled off the walls, leaving only bare bricks. The entire room was stripped so clean, yet Huancheng still couldn't see Li Banfeng. This made Huancheng very nervous; he didn't know what kind of invisibility technique Li Banfeng had used.

After a long silence, Huancheng spoke. "I had friends investigate the Great Totem in Shang State. I've only heard some rumors, and I can't tell if they're true or false yet."

"Please tell me, Senior."

Huancheng said, "According to rumors, the Great Totem was built in Chaoge, then destroyed by the Peddler, leaving less than ten percent of its function, and was sent to Yindu."

"Where is Yindu?"

Huancheng explained, "Yindu is the old capital of Shang State. After Shang State moved its capital to Chaoge, Yindu's whereabouts became unknown. You can still see Yindu's location on some early Shang State maps." After speaking, Huancheng entered the bedroom and brought out an iron box. "These are maps I've collected over the years. They all mark the location of Yindu, but no one sent to investigate using these maps has been able to find Yindu. If you can find the Compass Map, perhaps you can find Yindu."

"Thank you, Senior."

Li Banfeng appeared before Huancheng, took the iron box, and left the residential building.

Huancheng waved his folding fan, conjured a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.