Chapter 808: His Body

In Boundless City, at the Hall of Clarity.

Luo Lijun, after careful preparation, arranged a meeting between Li Qi and Nian Shangyou. Li Qi chose the meeting location. The Hall of Clarity had a unique property: its structure would change based on people's emotions.

Nian Shangyou arrived at the hall first. The originally crystal-clear pillars quickly turned pitch black, signifying his heavy mood. When Li Banfeng entered the hall, the pillars around Nian Shangyou began to tremble. Li Banfeng's goal was achieved; he didn't want Nian Shangyou to beat around the bush.

"Grand Academician Nian," he said, "let's skip the pleasantries. State your business directly."

Nian Shangyou carefully chose his words, expressing Qiao Yi's intentions rather indirectly: "The Imperial Commissioner has been tirelessly devoted to state affairs, working day and night to the point of exhaustion, both physically and mentally. Master Qiao cannot bear to see this and humbly requests His Royal Highness to recall the Imperial Commissioner so he may rest for a few days."

Li Banfeng tilted his head, listening for a moment. "Did I hear that correctly?" he asked. "Is Qiao Yi feeling sorry for Cui Tik?"

Nian Shangyou smiled. "Everyone serves His Majesty," he replied. "Naturally, there's camaraderie among colleagues."

Li Banfeng stared at Nian Shangyou. "Is there really?" he asked.

"Truly," Nian Shangyou replied, but the glazed pillars behind him began to tremble again, proving he hadn't spoken truthfully.

Li Banfeng asked, "What if Cui Tik refuses to leave?"

"Well, he... he ultimately has to obey His Majesty's orders."

Li Banfeng said, "What if His Majesty doesn't want him back either?"

"Whether His Majesty wants him back... doesn't that depend on what Your Highness wants?" Nian Shangyou looked at Li Banfeng, trying to gauge Li Qi's thoughts and observe the changes in the Hall of Clarity.

"Presumptuous!" Li Banfeng roared. "His Majesty's intentions are beyond my influence! I will inform you after I have consulted with His Majesty!"

"Very well," Nian Shangyou said, not daring to add another word, and immediately took his leave.

Behind Li Qi, the Hall of Clarity remained unchanged. Was this because Li Qi's heart was undisturbed? Or was it that the Hall of Clarity couldn't perceive Li Qi's thoughts? The Hall of Clarity was of a high caliber. When Nian Shangyou was still in the military, he had heard people say that it was equivalent to a first-class weapon with a 'thought-scrying' ability. Even a first-class thought-scrying weapon couldn't probe Li Qi's mind?

Nian Shangyou wiped the sweat from his forehead. If Qiao Yi hadn't pressured him so much, he truly wouldn't have wanted to meet Li Qi.

Li Banfeng went to Jade Green Tower, pondering Qiao Yi's intentions. When the plague was rampant, Zhaoge had become a living hell, yet Qiao Yi had not acted against Cui Tik nor intended to send him back. Now that the plague was over, why was Qiao Yi suddenly anxious? Had Cui Tik developed a new disease source?

Li Banfeng took out the rope Ayi had made, considering whether to tie Cui Tik up and bring him back. If Cui Tik had indeed developed a new disease, what would be the consequences of bringing him back now? Would he recklessly bring his 'dream' back to Puro Province?

Li Banfeng looked at Jiang Linger. "Lunatics' actions are always irrational!" he said.

Jiang Linger nodded.

"I'll go to Zhaoge in a few days to assess the situation," Li Banfeng said, "and then make a decision."

Nian Shangyou returned to report: "My Lord, Li Qi didn't say he would take Cui Tik away, but he didn't say he wouldn't either. He said he would make a decision after consulting with His Majesty."

"What 'His Majesty'?" Qiao Yi scoffed, picking up his brush and writing a letter. "That's just a puppet on the throne. Why consult him? Deliver this letter to Shu Wanjuan."

Nian Shangyou took the letter and read it. "My Lord, are you ordering Shu Wanjuan to attack the Ink Fragrance Shop?"

Qiao Yi nodded. "Since Li Qi won't listen to advice, he naturally needs a lesson."

Nian Shangyou didn't quite understand. "Seizing the Ink Fragrance Shop will teach Li Qi a lesson? It doesn't seem like there's much connection between Li Qi and the Ink Fragrance Shop."

Qiao Yi shook his head and sighed. "Shangyou, you need to pay more attention to state affairs. The Ink Fragrance Shop is one of the foundations of Puro Province. Seventy percent of Puro Province's scholars come from the Ink Fragrance Shop. If the Ink Fragrance Shop belongs to the imperial court, we can use it to change Puro Province's literary tradition and even its customs. The court once sent Ge Jun to seize the Ink Fragrance Shop, with He Caiyuan and Chu Shaoqiang providing assistance. Everything was properly planned, and success should have been smooth, but ultimately, due to interference from people like Greenwater Bow, He Jiaqing, Li Qi, and Cui Tik, the opportunity was missed. By the time the Peddler arrived at the Ink Fragrance Shop, the effort failed at the last hurdle. The Ink Fragrance Shop has a great connection with Li Qi and is a territory Puro Province cannot afford to lose. Shu Wanjuan is the creator of the Ink Fragrance Shop and is most familiar with it. He is the best candidate to handle this matter."

Nian Shangyou muttered to himself: *What 'best candidate'? Does Shu Wanjuan still listen to you? Even if he does, he won't be able to hold the Ink Fragrance Shop after seizing it.* He had to make this clear to Qiao Yi, lest he be blamed later.

"My Lord, Shu Wanjuan has not been in contact with the imperial court for many days."

Qiao Yi understood Nian Shangyou's implication. "Shu Wanjuan prides himself on his achievements. Although he is a marquis, he remains discontent. I have informed him in the letter that if he can seize the Ink Fragrance Shop, the court will surely reward him."

*What kind of reward? Could this promise still deceive Shu Wanjuan?*

Nian Shangyou added, "My Lord, if Shu Wanjuan seizes the Ink Fragrance Shop, I fear the Peddler will not tolerate him."

Qiao Yi nodded. "I have already prepared for this. You just convey the order to Shu Wanjuan first."

Nian Shangyou returned to his residence, entered a secret room, opened a hidden compartment in the floor, and turned a steam valve by the bed. An eight-foot-square spiked board rose from underground. After carefully considering the placement, Nian Shangyou inserted ninety-nine candles into the spiked board. He lit them one by one, then extinguished twelve of them, leaving eighty-seven. Nian Shangyou took the letter Qiao Yi had given him and, with extreme speed, passed it over all the candles. Once the letter ignited, the ashes fell onto the spiked board and vanished instantly.

On Bloodfang Mountain, Shu Wanjuan was discussing the thirteen new territories with Shan Chengjun. He noticed that He Jiaqing had gone to cultivate the land again.

Shan Chengjun's thought was rather simple: "He Jiaqing lost the deed, Li Qi snatched it back, and then returned it to He Jiaqing."

Shu Wanjuan shook his head. "To my knowledge, these two have a feud and have had many disputes."

Shan Chengjun waved his hand. "Second King, your perspective is narrow; you only see things on the surface. How will you govern the empire with me in the future? Although Li Qi and He Jiaqing have fought, they must also have some secret cooperation, just like you and me. We used to fight a lot, but now aren't we as close as brothers?"

Shu Wanjuan made no comment on the "close as brothers" analogy. This was Bloodfang Mountain, where telling lies would make rocks explode.

Shu Wanjuan twirled two small stones in his hand several times, then shook his head. "Li Qi wouldn't easily give such a precious deed to He Jiaqing. There must be something else going on here."

Shan Chengjun said, "Why don't we ask He Jiaqing?"

Shu Wanjuan wasn't sure if Shan Chengjun was joking. "It wouldn't be appropriate to ask directly, would it?"

Shan Chengjun replied very seriously, "If you think it's inappropriate, I'll ask for you. You don't have to worry. Look, your heart is already smoking."

Shu Wanjuan took out a smoking yellow paper from his chest, blew out the flame, and read the words on it. After reading it, Shu Wanjuan shook his head and sighed, "Going back on his word, playing games repeatedly, and exhausting all sincerity."

Shan Chengjun's face darkened. "What's exhausted? Explain it clearly!"

Shu Wanjuan handed the yellow paper to Shan Chengjun.

After reading it, Shan Chengjun was surprised. "This is good news!"

Shu Wanjuan frowned. "What good news?"

"Didn't Qiao Yi write this? As long as you take the Ink Fragrance Shop, he will surely reward you."

Shu Wanjuan carefully observed every stone around him. None of them exploded, proving that Shan Chengjun hadn't lied. He then closely observed Shan Chengjun; he truly couldn't understand Shan Chengjun's mental state.

"Old Shan, I thought you were a discerning person!"

Shan Chengjun puffed out his chest. "I've always been quite discerning."

"Before, you said Qiao Yi was always deceiving me!"

Shan Chengjun nodded. "He's still deceiving you now."

Shu Wanjuan's eyes widened. "Then you tell me this is good news?"

Shan Chengjun said, "He's asking you to seize the Ink Fragrance Shop, which proves it's useful and contains valuable things. Once we get our hands on these valuable things, won't we be able to negotiate terms with him?"

Shu Wanjuan lowered his head and furrowed his brow. "Ge Jun went there once before and lost his life. What exactly are the valuable things in the Ink Fragrance Shop?"

Shan Chengjun slapped his thigh. "You should know! The Ink Fragrance Shop is your old home!"

Shu Wanjuan stroked his chin, thinking for a long time. "Could it be the body of my grand-disciple?"

Shan Chengjun froze, then called over the Bloodfang Monster and hugged it. "Old Shu, you can keep your grand-disciple's body. I have a wife; I don't desire that."

Shu Wanjuan gave Shan Chengjun a look. "What are you thinking? That's the body of a Sagacious Scholar. Sagacious Scholars are the most talented individuals in my Daoist sect."

Shan Chengjun, holding his 'wife,' said, "I don't desire that either!"

Shu Wanjuan frowned. "I don't desire that either!"

A huge boulder in the mountains exploded.

Shan Chengjun hugged the Bloodfang Monster tightly, pulling a distance from Shu Wanjuan. "Old Shu, I've always considered you a true brother, really."

Shu Wanjuan shook his head. "It's not him I desire; I desire a good disciple."

Shan Chengjun vigilantly watched the surrounding stones; none of them exploded.

"Look how you scared me!" Shan Chengjun wiped sweat from his brow and released the Bloodfang Monster.

Shu Wanjuan was puzzled. "What are you afraid of?"

Shan Chengjun shook his head. "I'm a martial artist; I don't understand your Daoist sect. Who knows what you scholars ponder usually. Besides, your disciple isn't bad. Zhou Badou is also a formidable person."

Shu Wanjuan sighed. "If we only compare natural talent, the Eight-Peck Ink Scholar is slightly inferior to the Sagacious Scholar."

Shan Chengjun scoffed, "What's the use of natural talent? I trust talent the least."

Shu Wanjuan said, "It is useful. If one obtains the body of a Sagacious Scholar and places a soul into it, it would become a peerless talent once again."

Shan Chengjun thought for a moment. "You mean using the Great Melting Pot to re-equip a soul? If that's the case, Ai Yeqing's body could also fetch a good price. But isn't the Great Melting Pot broken?"

"Even if it's broken, it can eventually be repaired."

Shan Chengjun thought for a long time, then shook his head. "No, it can't be that simple. Think carefully again, what other treasures does the Ink Fragrance Shop have?"

Shu Wanjuan pondered for a long time. "If we're talking about treasures, it should be the literary tradition. Puro Province's literary tradition resides in the Ink Fragrance Shop."

Shan Chengjun's eyes lit up. "Why didn't you say you had such a good thing earlier? Where is the literary tradition hidden? Let's find it."

Shu Wanjuan didn't know how to explain. "The literary tradition isn't hidden. It refers to the Ink Fragrance Shop itself, where all of Puro Province's scholars are cultivated. Stop talking about useless things. What is 'literary tradition'? Is there a 'martial tradition'? I've never heard of it. Anyway, the Ink Fragrance Shop must have something good. If not, we can just ask the local deity. Who is the local deity of the Ink Fragrance Shop?"

Shu Wanjuan sighed repeatedly. "You only care about the Peddler, no one else. The local deity of the Ink Fragrance Shop is the Sagacious Scholar."

"Didn't you say the Sagacious Scholar only had his body left? Where's his soul?"

"No one knows where his soul is."

Shan Chengjun smiled. "So it's unclaimed territory? That makes it easy. We'll take the territory, without killing the local deity or causing any commotion. Then you can negotiate with Qiao Yi!"

Shu Wanjuan deliberated for a long time, then took out a yellow paper. "Should I reply to him now?"

Shan Chengjun nodded. "Reply now! We'll act tomorrow!"

"Act tomorrow?" Shu Wanjuan was startled. "Isn't that a bit hasty?"

Shan Chengjun shook his head. "Delay breeds trouble. Tomorrow is perfect."

Nian Shangyou received the reply and hurriedly reported to Qiao Yi. He hadn't expected Shu Wanjuan to actually agree. Qiao Yi wasn't particularly surprised. It was good that Shu Wanjuan agreed, but if he hadn't, Qiao Yi would have simply assigned someone else to the task. Moreover, Shu Wanjuan hadn't agreed unconditionally. Although the letter was subtle, it still expressed an expectation for rewards:

"Though this humble servant is slow-witted, I work diligently from dawn to dusk, looking to Your Majesty's countenance and striving for elevation. Though my achievements are meager, I serve with utmost loyalty and wisdom, cherishing small merits and hoping for grace and honor."

Qiao Yi snorted. "Those words are quite blunt!"

Nian Shangyou asked, "My Lord, what title do you intend to bestow upon Shu Wanjuan?"

Qiao Yi looked at the letter again. "Didn't he say he'd act tomorrow? I'll respond tomorrow."

Nian Shangyou remained silent, but his heart was full of complaints. *If Qiao Yi didn't honor his promise this time, he likely wouldn't be able to approach Shu Wanjuan again in the future.*

At Lu Family Study, Li Banfeng was designing characters with Boss Lu. *Ink Essence Pavilion* was selling well, and Boss Lu had released a new volume. Many of the characters in it were somewhat rigid in design, so Boss Lu asked Li Qi for help with revisions. *Ink Essence Pavilion* was a collection of supernatural tales. If the characters were all uniformly green-faced and fanged, others would find it uninteresting.

Li Banfeng certainly hadn't read as many books as Boss Lu, and his vocabulary wasn't as ornate, but he excelled at 'plain drawing,' using details in speech and action to portray characters. Boss Lu greatly admired this. "The words capture the essence vividly; this is talent."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "It's not talent; I've received much guidance." This was true; the Judge's Brush had indeed been guiding Li Banfeng. And thanks to the Judge's Brush, Li Banfeng's skill in "housing beauties in a golden mansion" had greatly improved.

Boss Lu nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "Master Qi, have you ever taken on disciples?"

Li Banfeng picked up his teacup and drained it. "That's a joke. My meager skills with a brush, how could I dare take disciples?"

Boss Lu shook his head. "Not just your skills with a brush, but other abilities too. If you encountered a uniquely gifted disciple, would you teach him everything you know?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "Perhaps..."

Boss Lu continued, "If you encountered a brilliant disciple, would you entrust him with important responsibilities?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "That would be appropriate."

Boss Lu then asked, "If you encountered a disciple capable of great achievements, would you give him more training?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment, then asked Boss Lu, "Only training, with absolutely no selfish motives?"

Boss Lu replied excitedly, "Absolutely no selfish motives."

The Judge's Brush excitedly spat, "Pah!"

Li Banfeng made no comment and drank another cup of tea.

Boss Lu hadn't seen Li Qi refill his cup, yet the tea seemed inexhaustible. Perhaps his refilling motion was too quick for Boss Lu to notice at first. Boss Lu picked up the teapot, intending to pour Li Banfeng another cup, but suddenly found the teapot empty.

Just as Boss Lu found the situation strange, Li Banfeng's phone suddenly rang. It was Pineapple calling. They had gathered intelligence in Zhaoge: Cui Tik had gone to Hao Province as an Imperial Commissioner. Li Banfeng still doubted the truthfulness of this news. The world was vast; could Cui Tik's movements be so easily tracked?

Pineapple replied, "Master Qi, it's easy to inquire about this. After Cui Tik left, Zhaoge City was decorated with lanterns and streamers, celebrating for three full days."

Cui Tik had gone to wreak havoc in Hao Province, and Qiao Yi had just let him go. Was it still to eliminate dissenters? Or was it to drive Cui Tik away, like a desperate patient trying any remedy? What was Qiao Yi thinking?

Nian Shangyou entered the study with a stack of documents. "My Lord, these are all reports from Hao Province."

"Are they all about the Imperial Commissioner?" Qiao Yi casually flipped through two pages. "Hao Province previously established a new cabinet and handled many state affairs. It's only reasonable for the Imperial Commissioner to go and inspect. Just give a perfunctory reply."

This attitude made Nian Shangyou somewhat nervous. He worried that he would be blamed later. "My Lord, if Cui Tik goes to Hao Province, it's hard to say how many lives he will take."

Qiao Yi looked up. "Then what do you think is best? Will you persuade him to return to Zhaoge?"

Nian Shangyou said no more and replied to the documents one by one according to Qiao Yi's instructions. By dusk the next day, Nian Shangyou yawned and sent out all the documents. Hao Province also stopped submitting memorials. The Imperial Commissioner had already arrived; those who could escape had fled, and those who couldn't were now utterly trapped.

Qiao Yi, seeing the time was right, had Nian Shangyou reply to Shu Wanjuan: "Tell him to seize the Ink Fragrance Shop within three days. If he succeeds, he will be enfeoffed as the Prince of Jingshuo Commandery."

Enfeoffed as a prince! They were serious now!

Nian Shangyou drafted the document. After Qiao Yi reviewed it and made minor revisions, he immediately stamped it. Nian Shangyou took the document home, lit candles, and sent it back to Shu Wanjuan. Lighting candles was an encryption process. Shu Wanjuan had the ability to encrypt letters directly, but Nian Shangyou had to rely on tools.

Shu Wanjuan and Shan Chengjun were already waiting at the Ink Fragrance Shop. They had reserved a private room in a teahouse, awaiting news. Throughout the day, they had drunk several pots of tea, but no letter arrived from Zhaoge. Shu Wanjuan wanted to leave, but Shan Chengjun urged him to wait a bit longer: "If he doesn't make an offer, we don't act. If he's not in a hurry, why are you? We won't lose out either way."

"I'm just afraid Qiao Yi is going to play tricks on me again—" Shu Wanjuan's chest began to smoke again.

Shan Chengjun delightedly said, "Quick! Take it out and let me see!"

Shu Wanjuan opened the letter and saw, "He's enfeoffed me as a prince."

"What kind of prince?" Shan Chengjun read the letter, shaking his head slightly. "Prince of Jingshuo Commandery? It's just a title, no fiefdom!"

Shu Wanjuan thought that if merely seizing the Ink Fragrance Shop could earn him the title of a prince, it would be reasonable. However, he knew Shan Chengjun would definitely not agree, as this matter offered no benefit to Shan Chengjun.

Shan Chengjun raised his hand and burned the letter. "Second King, this won't do! We need to demand something substantial from him. Tell him to change 'Prince of Jingshuo Commandery' to 'Prince of Jingshuo,' your status cannot be lower than Li Qi's. And you must demand a fiefdom; it shouldn't be small. I am the First King, you are the Second King, you must include my share in your demands."

Shu Wanjuan thought for a moment. "Where do you think it's suitable to ask for a fiefdom? Should it be far from Zhaoge? Too large a territory probably won't work; Qiao Yi certainly wouldn't give it."

Shan Chengjun had already planned. "We don't want fiefdoms from the Shang Kingdom. We want those thirteen territories. He Jiaqing's deed was taken by Li Qi, but doesn't Zhaoge still have a copy of the deed? We'll demand that deed."

Shu Wanjuan thought it wouldn't be that easy. "I'm afraid Qiao Yi won't give us this territory."

Shan Chengjun laughed. "He won't give it? We'll get good things from the Ink Fragrance Shop and won't want to give them to him anyway. Do you think I'm really here to work for him? Who can outsmart whom, that depends on skill!"

Shu Wanjuan immediately sent a reply to Zhaoge.

Nian Shangyou handed the reply to Qiao Yi. Qiao Yi agreed, "Give him the deed to those thirteen new territories."

"Give it to him?" Nian Shangyou was dumbfounded. What would he give? "My Lord, the deeds to those thirteen territories were stolen. Have you forgotten?"

Qiao Yi rinsed his brush. "When were they stolen?"

"They were stolen a long time ago."

"That long ago?"

"It has indeed been a while—"

"Think again, was it really that long ago?"

Nian Shangyou understood Qiao Yi's meaning. Once Shu Wanjuan conquered the Ink Fragrance Shop, they would tell him the deeds were stolen. Ultimately, it was still a trick to gain something for nothing.

Nian Shangyou, resigned, wrote the reply. Just as he was about to go home to send the letter, Qiao Yi stopped him. "Shangyou, you've worked hard rushing back and forth. Leave this to me." He took the letter and, holding it over a candle on the desk, lit it directly.

Nian Shangyou was shocked! This meant it wasn't encrypted; the letter was sent directly. Such a letter could easily be intercepted.

"My Lord, you can't do this—"

"It's fine!" Qiao Yi flicked his wrist, and the paper ashes scattered, then vanished.

Nian Shangyou realized the situation was dire and quickly reminded Qiao Yi, "If the letter is intercepted by the Peddler, Shu Wanjuan is no match for him. Shouldn't we send some reinforcements to the Ink Fragrance Shop?"

Qiao Yi shook his head. "No need for reinforcements. It doesn't matter who intercepts it."

In Winged City, the radio crackled. Eight-Calculations listened to the static, noted its frequency, and with a few calculations, compiled it into a letter.

"Brother!" Eight-Room urgently called Pineapple. "Quickly deliver a letter to Master Qi! Shu Wanjuan is going to seize the Ink Fragrance Shop!"

Li Banfeng was writing a book with Zhang Xiuling. *Jade Fragrance Record* also had many characters that needed developing. In recent days, his notebook had doubled in thickness.

"Writing requires explaining complex ideas simply; you need to make it understandable," Li Banfeng had just advised when Pineapple's call came in.

Learning that Qiao Yi was having Shu Wanjuan seize the Ink Fragrance Shop, Li Banfeng couldn't figure out his purpose for doing so. Was he eyeing this territory again? Ge Jun had risked his life last time, suffering such a great loss. Had Qiao Yi forgotten so quickly?

The Judge's Brush whispered, "Does he want my body?"

Li Banfeng was startled. "Is your body that good?"

Zhang Xiuling couldn't hear the Judge's Brush's voice, but she heard Li Qi's comment. Blushing, she said, "My body is quite good—"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I wasn't talking about you, but the Hundred Flowers God."

Zhang Xiuling was surprised. "Master Qi, did you hear a divine oracle? What instructions does the Hundred Flowers God have?"

"The Hundred Flowers God instructed you to stay home and write your book well."

Leaving Hundred Flowers Garden, Li Banfeng headed directly to the Ink Fragrance Shop. On the way, he asked the Judge's Brush, "Where is your body?"

"There's a cloud at the Ink Fragrance Shop. I'll take you there."

"You just leave it on a cloud? Aren't you afraid someone will steal it?"

"Ordinary people can't steal it. That's the highest and largest cloud in Puro Province. My body is on the highest peak on that cloud. From there, you can see the entire Puro Province. But," the Judge's Brush sang for a while before adding the latter part, "what if he doesn't want my body, but he wants that land? What then?"

Li Banfeng said, "We'll check both places. If it comes to it, you can retrieve your body, return to being the local deity, and protect both the land and your body."

"Then I won't go!" the Judge's Brush snorted. "I don't want my body anymore!"