Chapter 160: The End of Glory

Li Banfeng crushed a pebble underfoot.

Shatter ten thousand rivers?

The hardest technique for a traveling cultivator?

Learned it?

How did you just do that?

Li Banfeng had no time to review what had just happened; the enraged Ma Lu crawled along the ground and slammed straight into him.

You're on the ground? Easy—I don't even need to jump to hit you!

Li Banfeng summoned Tang Dao, holding it before him, ready for a direct clash.

The wine gourd struck first, spraying a mist of alcohol onto Ma Lu's head.

Just as Ma Lu's head was about to strike the blade's tip, it suddenly stopped.

Perhaps spurred by the alcohol, Ma Lu's body began to tremble violently.

Perfect opportunity!

Li Banfeng raised Tang Dao, preparing to slash down on Ma Lu's skull.

The wine gourd blocked him: "Young brother, don't be reckless—your blade can't cut through its shell."

I've never seen this insect before, but it's incredibly tough—we combined still might not be its match."

Li Banfeng's initial assessment was correct: Ma Lu's combat power was no less than that of Suo E Lady.

But if we don't cut it, what other option do we have?

The wine gourd observed Ma Lu's drunken state and said to Li Banfeng: "A man's character shows in his drinking—this insect has good liquor manners; surely it's not evil."

You can tell that from this?

The wine gourd hadn't misjudged it.

Ma Lu waved its antennae, trying to rise, then wobbled and collapsed back onto the ground.

Is this centipede drunk?

It didn't seem drunk—it twirled its antennae, looking utterly delighted, as if utterly charmed by the wine's flavor.

The wine gourd said: "Brother, step aside, make a path for it to pass."

Li Banfeng cleared the path, but the centipede refused to move; one antenna approached Li Banfeng and swayed back and forth before him.

Why has it suddenly become so docile?

In truth, this Ma Lu was always docile—just nervous around strangers, and provoked by Li Banfeng's earlier actions.

Does this thing have sentience?

Li Banfeng listened for a long while using the Technique of Spirit Sound, barely catching a muffled voice.

"Tasty, want more, want more…"

Wants more? Then give it another sip.

Wait!

Why does this Ma Lu move so smoothly through this cave?

Li Banfeng remembered something—he unfolded the map Yao Lao had given him.

After studying the map, Li Banfeng smiled.

This cave has no branches.

"Want more to drink? Ride me, and I'll give you another sip of fine wine."

Li Banfeng struck a deal with Ma Lu.

Whether Ma Lu truly understood was unclear—it lay still on the ground.

Li Banfeng carefully sat atop Ma Lu.

Ma Lu's antennae twitched, clearly uncomfortable, flinging Li Banfeng to the ground and swiftly retreating.

"Won't carry me? Then no more wine for you!" Li Banfeng was furious.

This Ma Lu was long—its head was far away, but its tail still lay outside the cave.

Li Banfeng had the wine gourd spray another jet of alcohol; the fragrant liquor drenched Ma Lu's body.

Ma Lu shuddered again, paused, then all its legs began moving backward.

It came back.

"Tasty, want more…"

"You agree to carry me?"

Its antennae bobbed up and down—Ma Lu seemed to be nodding.

Li Banfeng mounted Ma Lu for the second time.

This time Ma Lu didn't resist, carrying Li Banfeng forward.

Li Banfeng had the wine gourd spray another sip; Ma Lu reveled in it.

"Drink this first—it's a deposit. When we arrive, there'll be more wine."

Ma Lu carried Li Banfeng for over five li, then stopped.

I asked it to carry me, and it only went this far?

Is this trip too short?

Before Li Banfeng could ask, he faintly heard Ma Lu say: "Rest a bit."

Traveling through this cave was difficult even for Ma Lu—it relied solely on its robust physique to outlast Li Banfeng.

Resting a while is fine—it's still faster than walking myself.

…

Inside the portable dwelling, his wife had sobered up and was washing Li Banfeng's clothes.

In the outer chamber, Honglian suddenly spoke: "Don't you find this woman odd?"

She meant the wine gourd.

Chichi~

The phonograph replied: "She is odd—she shows no fear; she's clearly seen much."

"You noticed too? When that madman brought her here, she just looked around, never asked a single question."

"Later, when she met me, she still asked nothing; now that she's met you, she still asks nothing."

"Someone like that must be hiding something."

"No need to worry—just stay cautious around her from now on." The phonograph washed a pair of pants, dried them with steam, folded them neatly, and placed them in the wardrobe.

…

Haichiling, First Ridge, Lu Dongjun's residence.

Ma Wu's father, Ma Chunting, was negotiating business with Lu Dongjun.

"Dongjun, we're old friends—I've brought up the tannery twice already. You've got to give me an answer."

Lu Dongjun sipped tea, blowing absentmindedly at the steam, and said to Ma Chunting: "Brother Ma, didn't I already tell you? Business matters—deal with Old Wan. I'm busy with disaster relief, can't bother with trivialities."

Ma Chunting said: "I've spoken to Manager Wan several times—he hasn't moved at all. That's why I came to you."

"Really? That can't be." Lu Dongjun feigned surprise. "Is the price not right?"

Ma Chunting spread his hands: "I paid exactly your quoted price—not a single copper coin less."

Lu Dongjun clicked his tongue: "That shouldn't be. Old Wan's just too stingy. Leave it to me—I'll go speak with him."

Ma Chunting stood: "Then I'm in your debt."

Lu Dongjun didn't rise: "I'm busy—I won't keep you."

Ma Chunting gave a dry laugh and left Lu's mansion.

The tannery he spoke of had originally been the Ma family's business.

When Haichiling suffered famine, the tannery shut down and was abandoned. Wan Jinxian came to Haichiling and bought it for a pittance.

Now that the insects are controlled and the tannery is reopened, Ma Chunting wants to buy it back—but was told he can only buy shares, and the price has tripled.

Ma Chunting refused to accept it and tried to pressure Lu Dongjun.

All the local gangs in Haichiling backed Lu Dongjun, leaving the Ma family severely weakened.

Ma Chunting backed down and tried again to buy shares—but Wan Jinxian raised the price again, from triple to quintuple.

Ma Chunting gritted his teeth and agreed—but to this day, Wan Jinxian hasn't replied.

"Damn it!" Back at his lodging, Ma Chunting gnashed his teeth. "I'm literally paying Lu Dongjun money—and still have to swallow his arrogance!"

Ma Junjiang beside him said: "Exactly. Lu Dongjun is too arrogant."

Ma Chunting packed his pipe with tobacco, lit it, and said: "Lu Dongjun's just like that—I'll tolerate his bluster. But Wan Jinxian? What's he? How dare he show his teeth at me?"

Ma Junjiang nodded: "Exactly. Wan Jinxian is merely a servant of the Lu family. How dare he act so boldly in front of us?"

Ma Chunting grew angrier: "I don't even know what Wan Jinxian's doing all day—I can't even get an audience with him. He's utterly disrespectful!"

Ma Junjiang nodded repeatedly: "Exactly…"

"What exactly?" Ma Chunting hurled his pipe to the ground. "All this time, all you say is 'exactly'—you can't offer a single idea."

"The tannery was our family's business. Now it's like this—aren't you ashamed? If Wu were here, would I suffer such a loss?"

Having lost the business, Ma Chunting missed Ma Wu.

This is a powerful clan.

But Wan Jinxian really has been busy lately—even Lu Dongjun struggles to find him.

After several attempts to summon him, Wan Jinxian finally arrived at the mansion that night.

Lu Dongjun frowned: "Where did he go? Not seen him all day!"

Wan Jinxian explained: "There's simply too much business to handle."

"I was just about to speak with you about business—the Ma family wants to buy shares in the leather factory. Are you aware of this?"

Wan Jinxian nodded: "Ma Chunting has mentioned it to me several times. I ignored him. I offered him triple the price before, but he refused—and even sent people to cause trouble. Now he's offering five times, so I plan to keep him waiting for two days."

Lu Dongjun nodded: "Waiting two days is fair, but don't push it too far—the Ma family still has roots here."

"Whatever Master says," Wan Jinxian smiled and nodded.

"Pay close attention to business matters, but don't neglect the insect problem either—the Second Ridge is ready to be dealt with."

"Master, rest assured—I've prepared everything. We'll act the day after tomorrow."

"Good!" Lu Dongjun nodded. "Get some rest early. You've worked hard these days—don't wear yourself out."

Wan Jinxian left the Lu family mansion and walked, not taking a carriage. He circled the First Ridge, confirmed no one was following, then went to the Shiwetian Restaurant and entered a Western-style house nearby.

Inside the house, Ling Miaoying—the youngest of the Ling brothers—had been waiting a long time.

"Brother Wan, I'm all set."

"Thank you, Third Master."

Ling Miaoying entered with a man.

Wan Jinxian studied the man closely, then gave a slight nod: "I can't spot any flaws. Let's get it done tonight."

……

At dawn, on Shaomai Street in the First Ridge, Yunton Alley, inside a private home.

The woman of the house rose early to light the stove and cook porridge.

Since the insect plague broke out on Haichiling, every household dared not open their rice sacks. Any remaining rice had to be locked in boxes—even with such strict precautions, the mosquitoes still got through.

Now they were no longer afraid. Master Lu's second son had already controlled the insects; they could safely open their rice sacks and rinse the grain for cooking.

The rice itself had been gifted by Master Lu's second son. No one on Haichiling didn't speak well of him.

"Floating clouds scatter, the bright moon shines upon us, united and whole, let's drink tonight~" The woman hummed a tune as she rinsed rice, when suddenly a sharp screech pierced her ear.

Zzzzzz~

Clatter! Her hand jerked, and the rice-rinsing basin fell to the floor.

That sound—the nightmare of all Haichiling. Anyone living here who heard it felt their whole body go numb.

Was it a mosquito?

No, it couldn't be…

Master Lu's second son had wiped out every mosquito in the First Ridge.

Then what was that noise?

Had she imagined it?

It must have been her imagination.

The woman looked down and saw rice grains scattered on the floor.

She hurried to pick them up.

Zzz~

A mosquito landed on one of the grains right before her eyes.

PS: Lu Dongjun is in for trouble!

(End of Chapter)