Chapter 84: Blood Qi Breakthrough

Under the gentle caress of the steam, Li Banfeng slowly opened his eyes.

"Oh, husband, you're finally awake!"

The steam supported Li Banfeng as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Li Banfeng rubbed the back of his aching head and asked the Phonograph, "What did I just hear?"

"An unspeakable sound."

"Should I try listening again?"

"Oh, husband, if you listen again, your little servant will become a widow."

"Why can't I listen again? Is it because this house is on such a high level?"

"Yes, husband, so high it's unfathomable."

"But I just heard some sounds."

"Well, well..." the Phonograph couldn't explain either. "It might be because this house isn't so shy, deliberately letting you hear some clues. Husband, every magic treasure in this world comes with a cost when used. This earring doesn't cost much, but if used too often, you'll hear strange sounds. Some sounds you hear and that's that, but others can bring disaster. Husband, you must be extremely cautious."

Hear strange sounds?

This small cost is akin to wearing heavy makeup and is nothing to worry about.

Li Banfeng was still wondering what other sentient items were in the house.

All sentient items had been refined by the copper lotus.

The Phonograph prompted him from the side: "Husband, whether intentionally or not, that hussy Honglian just refined a magic treasure for you. Why don't you try it? Do you dislike magic treasures? Or do you dislike that hussy Honglian?"

Not dislike, I forgot.

Li Banfeng took out the earring, held it to his ear for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "There's no sound."

"Husband, listen more carefully."

He listened for a moment longer, but still heard nothing.

"Husband, focus your thoughts on your ear, and listen carefully again."

This time, Li Banfeng pressed the earring tightly to his ear. He finally heard some sounds, like someone speaking.

Li Banfeng pressed the earring even tighter, and finally managed to hear clearly.

It was a woman, whispering in Li Banfeng's ear: "Master, what would you like to hear? Just say the word."

"I want to hear what my wife has to say."

"Certainly, Master."

Hee hee~

The Phonograph chuckled twice.

A series of blasts erupted in Li Banfeng's ear, causing incessant ringing. He nearly went deaf on the spot.

He was too close to the Phonograph, which was like adding a super-powered amplifier to it.

Li Banfeng quickly removed the earring. The Phonograph sang with a laugh, "Oh, husband, your little servant is right here beside you. Why use this magic treasure to listen? Wait until you need to hear things that are beyond your reach, then use this earring; it won't be too late. This earring can connect and hook things, so let's call it the Thread-Pulling Earring."

Thread-Pulling Earring, a good name.

Li Banfeng picked up the scissors and asked, "Does this thing not have a name?"

"My lord, why would such a stupid thing need a name? You might as well let Honglian refine it into a pill."

No, that won't do. Li Banfeng still found the scissors quite useful.

He held the scissors to his ear for a moment. He only heard one word: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Indeed, in terms of intelligence, the scissors were a level below the earring.

Li Banfeng put away the earring and scissors, tidied his clothes, and went out to gather information about the Jiangxiang Gang.

As he left, Li Banfeng heard the Phonograph singing a tune.

Roses, roses, the most tender and beautiful,Roses, roses, the most vibrant and splendid,Blooming on branches throughout the long summer,Roses, roses, I love you.

Inside the Portable Residence, the Phonograph meticulously moved the clutter from the room into the newly opened space, and then steamed and washed Li Banfeng's discarded clothes one by one.

Li Banfeng suddenly felt very happy.

***

Walking on the streets of Ligou, Li Banfeng looked for a place to eat.

It was eight o'clock, and restaurants were hard to find.

No matter how big Yaowanggou was, it was still just a town. Without electricity, most small eateries were closed.

Large restaurants were crowded and had too many watchful eyes. Li Banfeng had just blown up the Jiangxiang Gang's dance hall, and it wasn't worth risking exposure for a meal. After walking for a long time, he still chose Fuwang Steamed Bun Shop.

He had planned to eat quickly and leave. Just as he pulled out a chair and sat down, he heard someone call out, "Seventh Brother!"

Qin Xiaopang waved frantically, gesturing for Li Banfeng to join him.

This was precisely why Li Banfeng hadn't wanted to choose Fuwang Steamed Bun Shop. Xiaopang ate almost every meal here.

Today, Sixth Brother Zhang had something to attend to, so Xiaopang came alone. He was bored and lacked company, so he quickly told the waiter to add two dishes and bring a jar of wine.

Since he had been recognized anyway, Li Banfeng didn't stand on ceremony. He unhinged his jaw and devoured two baskets of steamed buns, prioritizing filling his stomach.

After eating and drinking his fill, Qin Xiaopang pulled Li Banfeng's arm. "Seventh Brother, come see my place. I have a home in Ligou now."

Going to see it was fine too.

Li Banfeng followed Xiaopang to his residence. It was a small courtyard in Xianchuanzi Alley, with only one room. The house was rented, but Xiaopang was very pleased.

He was satisfied, but Li Banfeng didn't like the place.

Xianchuanzi Alley. The old He family residence was on this very street, and Lu Xiaolan was still inside that house.

Inside the house, Xiaopang brewed a pot of tea for Li Banfeng. While they drank tea, Xiaopang took out a cloth bag from his bosom and poured out twenty pills.

Snake Spot Pills!

Xiaopang handed the pills to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Brother, these are for you, as a token of my respect."

Li Banfeng paused, surprised, "Where did these pills come from?"

"This afternoon, when I passed by the Geng family's manor, Old Master Geng compensated me. He's Geng Zhiwei's father!"

Li Banfeng smiled, "So his father caved in?"

Xiaopang gritted his teeth and said, "He didn't admit it before. When he saw me, he even puffed up and glared, acting like he had Jiangxiang Gang's backing. He thought I wouldn't dare touch him. Today, he caved. He invited me to a teahouse, apologized profusely and bowed, and even gave me so many pills, asking me not to bother him anymore. Later, I heard from the Sanying Gate brothers that the Jiangxiang Gang was no longer protecting the Geng family. That old man was so scared he almost peed himself, and came to apologize to me that very day!"

Li Banfeng frowned slightly, "You're just an ordinary disciple in Sanying Gate, and the Geng family is considered a local power. Why would they be so afraid of you?"

"If it were other gangs, it would be hard to say. Sanying Gate has a different standing in Pulou Prefecture. Forget the Geng family; even prominent families like the Hes and Lus have to show ample respect when they see someone from our Sanying Gate. Today, Shopkeeper Yu also sent someone to inquire about information, so the cloth shop will probably open soon. Seventh Brother, I don't care how that old man repays the favor, but you absolutely must accept these pills."

Li Banfeng, who wasn't short on pills, said, "Keep them for yourself. Accumulate more years of life."

Xiaopang shook his head and said, "They're useless to me. I can't advance in cultivation. Eating them would be a waste."

"Why can't you advance?"

Xiaopang sighed, "My stomach and intestines are a bit lacking in size—they're just not big enough. Our Iron Seal Sixth Brother Zhang said he'd get me some Stomach-Cleansing Powder. That stuff works."

Li Banfeng had heard of this medicine; it wasn't uncommon in Yaowanggou. "Isn't Stomach-Cleansing Powder available everywhere?"

"Not ordinary Stomach-Cleansing Powder. Sixth Brother Zhang said this Stomach-Cleansing Powder could increase the size of my stomach and intestines. After I take it for a while, I'll see if I can advance. If I still can't, then I'll accept my fate."

After chatting for a bit, Li Banfeng stood up to leave. Xiaopang, holding the pills, said, "Seventh Brother, you must take these, no matter what."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "If you don't want to eat them, go exchange them for money. Also, inquire more carefully about this Stomach-Cleansing Powder. Don't be fooled."

Li Banfeng put on his hat and walked to the door. Suddenly, he heard Xiaopang ask, "Seventh Brother, have you heard? The Jiangxiang Gang's dance hall was blown up."

Li Banfeng feigned ignorance, "What dance hall?"

Xiaopang was silent for a moment, then said, "Seventh Brother, did you do it?"

Li Banfeng smiled faintly, "What do you think?"

Xiaopang quickly lowered his head. "Seventh Brother, pretend I didn't ask. I owe you my life. This life is yours. Whenever you feel your little brother is useful, your little brother will hand this life over to you."

"You only have one life; keep it well for yourself." Li Banfeng said no more and left Xiaopang's courtyard. Xiaopang saw him off at the door, watching Li Banfeng's figure disappear. A wave of joy filled his heart.

This must have been Seventh Brother's doing.

Only Seventh Brother possessed such ability.

He was determined to follow Seventh Brother for the rest of his life.

"Seventh Brother, where should I look for you if I want to see you again?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and looked at the old pagoda tree in Xiaopang's courtyard.

This tree was a bit special. Whether there was wind or not, it always rustled ceaselessly.

Xiaopang usually didn't pay it much mind, but Li Banfeng was very interested in this tree. "If you want to see me, pluck three leaves from this tree and stick them on the door of the steamed bun shop."

Xiaopang blinked and said, "There are many pagoda trees in front of the steamed bun shop. There's no guarantee some leaves won't stick to the wall. What if Seventh Brother misunderstands..."

"Don't worry, there won't be any misunderstanding." Li Banfeng looked at the pagoda tree in the courtyard again, briefly tipped his hat as a form of greeting, then put on his hat properly, and left Xiaopang's home.

Sitting on the pagoda tree was a woman in a long green dress. Her body was covered in bluish-green flames, which seemed to cling to every leaf.

Such leaves, touched by ghostly flames, were rare. Li Banfeng wouldn't mistake them.

She watched Li Banfeng walk away, sensing a bloody aura about him. It made her afraid.

She then looked at Xiaopang. At that moment, Xiaopang had already made his bed and was ready to sleep.

***

It was unexpected how quickly the Jiangxiang Gang had caved. Li Banfeng felt refreshed and invigorated. As he walked the streets of Ligou in Yaowanggou, the streets seemed much wider.

"Extra! Extra! Xianle Dance Hall bombed! Suspected work of Jia Quansheng! Young Master Jia found disemboweled and eyeless, sprawled dead on the street! When will the feuds of the jianghu ever end!"

The newsboy's cries caught Li Banfeng's attention.

Jia Quansheng's doing?

How could Jia Quansheng dare to bomb Xianle Dance Hall?

The Jiangxiang Gang actually found this good-for-nothing to take the blame.

Li Banfeng bought a newspaper and happily flipped through the news.

It's over?

Just like that?

Is it really over?

Isn't it a bit too fast?

***

Five days later, Li Banfeng saw three pagoda tree leaves on the door of the steamed bun shop. They were leaves with ghostly flames.

The Stomach-Cleansing Powder promised by Zhang Liuze had arrived. After Xiaopang took it, he felt his stomach and intestines expand by a size.

That day, Zhang Liuze arranged a banquet at the steamed bun shop, inviting everyone to witness the Culinary Cultivator Qin Tianjiu's advancement to the next level.

That day, several of Zhang Liuze's brothers were all present, and several familiar shopkeepers from the street also came.

Qin Xiaopang hadn't intended to make such a big show of it. He just wanted to invite Li Banfeng and Zhang Liuze for a drink, and then find a place to eat twenty catties of steamed buns by himself.

But Zhang Liuze wouldn't have it. He insisted on putting on a show for Xiaopang.

Shopkeeper Feng of the general store arrived, "Boss Qin, congratulations, congratulations!"

"No, no, you're speaking too soon. I haven't quite..." Xiaopang was still busy explaining, when the shopkeeper of Qingwen Pharmacy also came over to congratulate him.

Yu Nan didn't come, but Wang Xuejiao from Yu family's cloth shop arrived, "Boss Qin, our shopkeeper went out to get goods and couldn't make it back today. I've brought a small token of her regards!"

"Went out to get goods" was a polite way of saying it.

Yu Nan was still in Xindi, and hadn't dared to return to Ligou.

Li Banfeng walked over to Wang Xuejiao and asked in a low voice, "Is everything settled?"

Wang Xuejiao's face flushed, "Seventh Master, are you referring to the marriage?"

"Who's marrying you? I meant Old Master Yao's matter."

"It's settled. Here's the yellow paper you bought." Wang Xuejiao secretly slipped the yellow paper into Li Banfeng's hand.

Seeing more and more people gathering, Qin Xiaopang said to Zhang Liuze with a bitter expression, "Sixth Brother, what, what should we do? There are so many people here..."

Zhang Liuze ignored the chubby boy, exchanged a few pleasantries with the guests, and then shouted, "Serve the food!"

The steamed bun shop usually didn't host such large banquets. Many of the dishes were prepared by other restaurants.

Soon, the shop owner served a table full of hearty dishes. Xiaopang said with a troubled expression, "Brother, I'll just eat steamed buns. Now isn't the time for these..."

Zhang Liuze grabbed Qin Xiaopang's hand and shouted to the crowd, "I, Zhang, have lived most of my life in Yaowanggou. Before all you fellow villagers, I at least have a bit of face. Tonight, I've laid out this simple banquet to encourage and embolden my brother as he breaks through to the next level. I'm putting my old face on the line here! If my brother doesn't succeed tonight, I won't show my face on the streets of Ligou anymore!"

Xiaopang's face turned green. "Sixth Brother, why are you saying this? I..."

The hall full of guests cheered in unison. Zhang Liuze slammed the table, "The auspicious moment has arrived! Brother, start eating."

Under everyone's gaze, Qin Xiaopang began to eat.

At first, he only ate steamed buns. He didn't even dare to drink a sip of water, fearing it would take up space in his stomach.

Seeing that he had eaten most of the buns, a busybody from Sanying Gate handed a chicken leg to Xiaopang, "Brother, try this!"

Qin Xiaopang took a bite of the chicken leg. The greasiness instantly dampened his appetite.

Zhang Liuze stepped forward, snatched the chicken leg away, and kicked his subordinate, saying, "Who the hell told you to meddle!"

The table full of hearty dishes wasn't meant to be eaten. They were for display, to stimulate appetite.

Xiaopang had to eat twenty catties of food within an hour. Too oily was unacceptable, too dry was unacceptable, too salty was unacceptable, and spicy or bitter was even worse.

Only steamed buns were most suitable.

The chubby boy devoured sixteen catties of steamed buns in an instant.

Normally, this would be his limit. One more bite, and he would throw up.

But today, he had to eat!

Firstly, he had taken Stomach-Cleansing Powder, and believed his stomach and intestines were now larger and could handle it.

Secondly, in front of so many people, he couldn't back down.

Thirdly, Sixth Brother Zhang had staked his reputation on this, and Li Banfeng was also watching from the side. Today, he had to eat all twenty catties of steamed buns, even if it cost him his life.

By the seventeenth catty, Xiaopang's face began to turn pale. Zhang Liuze encouraged him from the side, "Brother, grit your teeth and keep going!"

The surrounding guests also cheered, "Ninth Master Qin, well done, a true hero!"

"Xiaopang, eat like your life depends on it! Our Sanying Gate doesn't produce cowards!"

By the eighteenth catty, Xiaopang's face turned from pale to red.

Seeing this, everyone cheered in unison:

"Ninth Master is recovering!"

"Brother, well done! Just two more catties to reach the target."

Zhang Liuze's expression was grim. He muttered, "Not good..."

Li Banfeng, standing nearby, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Culinary cultivators nourish blood through food. This kid's vital energy and blood are too strong. He can't handle it!"