Chapter 175

"The southern breeze kisses my face gently, carrying thick floral fragrance; the southern breeze kisses my face gently, stars are sparse, the moon hazy; we cling close, whispering endless affection; we cling close, every word sincere..."

The singer Jiang Mengting was performing on the grand dance floor of the Bolemen, wearing a purple sleeveless qipao with an extremely slender waist and a hem trailing far behind, resembling a Western evening gown.

This was the unique style of Puluozhou, perfectly blending Eastern elegance with Western luxury.

Just like this song "Tonight, Cherish It Well," it was popular beyond the borders, but elsewhere the melodies were mostly melancholic and sentimental; in Puluozhou, its distinctive jazz style felt cheerful and playful.

It suited not only the dancers' steps but also the very atmosphere of the Bolemen.

Coming to the Bolemen was meant for pleasure.

The pianist swayed gently to the rhythm, the violinist and flutist exchanged mischievous glances and teased each other.

The dancing girls playfully twisted their slender waists and firm hips; even He Haiqin, seated at the edge of the dance floor, felt an urge to slap one.

"Such a fine place, how did it end up in the Lu family's hands?" He Haiqin muttered, cigarette dangling, a hint of regret in his expression.

Yang Yanzheng knocked and entered Chu Er's room: "Miss, Master He has arrived. Would you like to step out and offer him a drink?"

There is grand elegance and grand vulgarity; the Bolemen is the flagship of Lüshuicheng, yet it cannot escape the vulgar customs of Puluozhou.

With Master He's grand arrival, Chu Er should have gone out to greet him.

But Chu Er did not want to go out today.

The grand dance floor, the waltz hall, the private rooms of famous performers—all were packed—but Chu Er felt no joy.

Seeing Chu Er didn't respond, Yang Yanzheng asked again: "The reporters have arrived. They want to do an exclusive interview."

Chu Er nodded: "Let them in."

Yang Yanzheng led the reporters into the room; the photographer adjusted the lights, the shutter clicked rapidly, and the reporter asked: "Under your management, the Bolemen has regained its former glory. What would you like to say about it?"

"What I want to say?" Chu Er lowered her head, looked up with her eyes, and stared at the reporter.

The photographer stopped taking pictures—Chu Er's expression was frightening.

"Does what I want to say even matter? No matter what I say, won't you still write whatever you please?"

The photographer glanced awkwardly at the reporter; the reporter glanced awkwardly at Chu Er: "Our reporting must be based on facts..."

"Based on facts?" Chu Er laughed. "What are the facts? Does this prosperity of the Bolemen have anything to do with me?"

The reporter had no reply; even Yang Yanzheng didn't understand what Chu Er meant.

The Bolemen made money every day—how could it have nothing to do with her?

"This has nothing to do with me!" Ma Wu returned to Lanyang Village, raised his cup, took a large sip, and said to Li Banfeng, "I didn't come up with any plan—I just organized a singing event."

Back when I was at Xiaoyao Wai, I hosted many singing events, each requiring huge sums to invite celebrities to lend prestige.

This time, no prestige was needed, no celebrities invited—they came on their own.

What does this have to do with me? What does it have to do with Chu Er? It's all thanks to Monkey Qiu's reputation!

Monkey Qiu has spent half his life following Lu Dongliang; those who don't know the truth think he's just a lackey, but only the truly perceptive know how powerful Monkey Qiu really is!"

Li Banfeng said: "So you don't plan to serve Chu Er anymore?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "I never intended to serve her. The Bolemen affair is over—it has nothing to do with me. These days, I plan to focus on cultivation. Without real skill, mere scheming will never make you great."

"Take the Bolemen, for example—when Monkey Qiu decides to take it back, can I stop him? Can Chu Er stop him?"

Li Banfeng strongly agreed: "But if you're going to cultivate, you should go to the Bolemen—there are plenty of girls there."

"Girls alone won't help!" Ma Wu raised his cup and shook his head repeatedly.

Li Banfeng stepped back half a pace: "Then what do you plan to rely on?"

Ma Wu drained his cup, set it down, and said: "I'm going to Xin Di."

Xin Di?

Li Banfeng did plan to go to Xin Di to cultivate—but what could Ma Wu possibly do there?

Ma Wu explained: "Miss Feng taught me some cultivation techniques that can only be fully unleashed in Xin Di."

Techniques?

Do you even need techniques?

Li Banfeng didn't press further—he assumed Feng Daiku's secret arts weren't meant to be revealed: "Going to Xin Di is fine. I've already succeeded in reclaiming land there; we'll have a place to stay. You claim a plot too—should danger arise, the Earth Spirit will protect you."

This aligned perfectly with Ma Wu's thoughts. He immediately prepared his supplies and brought along an assistant.

He had originally planned to take Xiao Chuanzi, a Gong Xiu who could immediately plan the next phase of development after reclaiming land.

But Xiao Chuanzi still had to manage Lanyang Village's business. After careful consideration, Ma Wu decided to take Xiao Genzi instead.

At first, Xiao Genzi refused.

"Master Wu, if you give an order, I shouldn't refuse—but if I go with you, how will I cultivate?"

Other things were manageable, but finding Golden Fluid was hard—there were too few people in Xin Di.

Ma Wu scolded: "Foolish! Must you get Golden Fluid from people? Xin Di is full of strange beings—excellent materials are everywhere. Do you think you'll lack any?"

Xiao Genzi thought it over—it made sense.

Cultivation materials shouldn't be too uniform; Golden Fluid from strange beings might be even more effective.

The three set out that same day. The journey was now familiar; Ma Wu had gotten a better pair of shoes from Chu Er and gave his old pair to Xiao Genzi.

The earlier path was easy, but the Ironwire River remained the hardest. Ma Wu still had no flying magic treasure. At night, as they set up camp, he warned Xiao Genzi: "Tomorrow, follow Young Master Qi's orders exactly. If you fall into that river, not even bone fragments will remain."

Xiao Genzi glanced at Li Qi's tent and whispered: "Where's Young Master Qi? I feel he's not in his tent."

"Young Master Qi prefers solitude—don't you dare disturb him. Rest early; we've got a long day tomorrow."

"You rest. I can't. You said excellent materials are everywhere—but after walking all day, I've only found two."

Ma Wu knew cultivation was hard and warned: "Don't go too far, don't stay up too late. Search nearby. If you can't find any, forget it—I'll give you pills to make up for it."

At noon the next day, the three arrived at the Ironwire Riverbank and stood stunned, silent.

The Ironwire River was gone.

Only a barren riverbed remained—not a single Ironwire Worm in sight.

Xiao Genzi poked the riverbed with his spoon: "Master Wu, you said those worms were underground?"

The riverbed soil was soft. Li Banfeng dared not approach. Ma Wu didn't know what had happened—until a giant white heron slowly strode across the riverbed, left a steaming pile, then flapped its wings gracefully away.

"Good stuff!" Xiao Genzi recognized the shape at once—high quality. He rushed forward with his spoon.

Ma Wu couldn't stop him: "Don't be reckless! Watch your step!"

Xiao Genzi expertly scooped the pile into his bucket, stepped firmly on the riverbed, leaving footprints—still no worms in sight.

No worms in the Ironwire River?

Were these worms afraid of Xiao Genzi?

Impossible. These Ironwire Worms were so fierce—how could they fear a Level One Jin Xiu?

Li Banfeng cautiously stepped onto the riverbed—no sense of danger.

He crossed the riverbed safely; Ma Wu followed right behind.

Xiao Genzi grinned, spoon in hand: "They said this path was hard—but once you cross, it's nothing!"

Li Banfeng sighed inwardly—this brother had incredible luck.

At Xiao Huangquan, Ma Wu grew even more cautious; Li Banfeng never let go of his feather duster.

Xiao Genzi remained calm, spoon raised, walking ahead.

A group of spirits had been protecting Li Banfeng—but when they saw Xiao Genzi approach, they scattered.

Not because they couldn't fight him—because they simply didn't want to deal with him.

The journey became smoother. Soon, the three reached the Xin Di land Li Banfeng had reclaimed.

Faint light shone from above; springs bubbled beneath.

Ma Wu smiled: "It's truly reclaimed."

He quickly set up an altar, placed offerings, and prepared to reclaim a new plot beside Li Banfeng's land.

The offering was still just one bottle of wine. Li Banfeng frowned: "Stingy. Put down more bottles—we'll claim a bigger plot!"

Ma Wu shook his head: "I'm not greedy. One li square is enough."

"Just listen to me. Let me handle the reclamation."

Seeing Li Banfeng so confident, Ma Wu was tempted. He reached for more bottles—then noticed the bottle on the altar was already empty.

The Earth Spirit had taken the wine.

Had he accepted?

But the contract hadn't been burned yet!

Ma Wu looked around—the land plot hadn't lit up.

Had the Earth Spirit not come?

Had something else stolen the wine?

Ma Wu was about to ask—Li Banfeng signaled him to stay silent.

The Earth Spirit stood right beside the altar. Li Banfeng had seen him.

Li Banfeng removed his hat and bowed slightly: "You've accepted the offering. Won't you grant the land?"

A green flame drifted slowly around Li Banfeng twice—no response.

Li Banfeng frowned: "You take offerings without giving anything—is that honorable?"

The Earth Spirit appeared above Li Banfeng's head and replied: "Pah! Shameless!"

Ma Wu, lacking the techniques to perceive spiritual voices or see the Earth Spirit's form, heard nothing and saw nothing—only a light rain falling on Li Banfeng's head.

Li Banfeng wiped his face: "Still holding a grudge? Fine. Say it—what do you want?"

The Earth Spirit delivered his decree:

The land can be given, but there are three conditions!

First condition: Li Banfeng must not claim any land, nor may he clear it.

Second condition: Ma Wu's plot must not border Li Banfeng's plot.

Third condition: During the clearing period, Li Banfeng must not appear within a hundred li.

Li Banfeng snarled, "What have I ever done to you to earn this hostility?"

Why was the Land God so wary of Li Banfeng?

Because the Land God feared Li Banfeng would help Ma Wu cheat.

The Land God didn't know what trick Li Banfeng had used last time—he only knew that for three days, he could sense absolutely nothing of Li Banfeng's presence.

Someone like him must be kept far away from the clearers, or the land might as well be given away for free.

After conveying the three divine edicts, Li Banfeng urged Ma Wu, "Let's just drop this. You alone won't be able to clear the land."

Ma Wu hesitated for a long while, then said, "Brother Li, I want to try."

Xiao Genzi, holding a spoon, strongly supported Ma Wu: "Seventh Master, I'll stick with Fifth Master—you can rest easy."

Li Banfeng looked at Xiao Genzi: "Brother, you just reached the first level, right? When real trouble comes, how much help can you really offer?"

Xiao Genzi puffed out his chest: "I've saved Fifth Master's life—I'm no ordinary man."

Ma Wu insisted just as firmly: "Brother Li, let us two give it a shot. If it fails, we'll just run away—worst case, we fail the clearing."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment: "Do you have signal rockets?"

Xiao Genzi pulled out five signal rockets: "We've got them—but I don't know if they'll even fire."

In Pulu Province, gunpowder works intermittently.

Li Banfeng warned, "If anything happens, run straight to my land. As soon as I see the signal, I'll come back immediately."

Ma Wu nodded eagerly in agreement.

Li Banfeng truly didn't understand why Ma Wu was so obsessed with the new land.

He also didn't understand how Ma Wu planned to cultivate once he reached the new land.

But it was Ma Wu's own decision—no matter how deep their bond, he couldn't interfere.

Li Banfeng left.

Ma Wu walked ten li away, set up the offering table again, and this time he didn't place any offerings—too many offerings would cause serious complications.

He burned the contract outright, and a one-li square plot glowed to life.

The Land God prepared to test him; Ma Wu prepared to clear the land.

Deep in the forest, a massive wild boar was devouring a water deer when suddenly the Land God's voice echoed in its ear:

"You got the short end last time. I won't let you suffer again—tomorrow, someone will clear land. Don't be late!"

The Land God gave the boar the exact time and location. The boar was thrilled—last time, during Li Banfeng's test, he'd been frozen solid for a full day and night without seeing a single soul.

Looks like the Land God is still fair—he's thinking of me first this time!

The boar finished the deer and went to sleep early—but he overslept.

When he arrived near the plot the next day, the centipede woman had already entered it.

The boar stamped his hooves in fury: "You woman, always trying to steal what's mine!"

The centipede woman sneered: "First come, first served. What are you talking about, stealing?"

This time, the centipede woman had struck gold—Ma Wu stood right in front of her, not hiding, not fleeing—this was meat handed to her on a platter.

The centipede woman smiled at Ma Wu: "Young man, you're quite handsome. Listen to me—leave now. I don't want to kill you."

Xiao Genzi, spoon in hand, bucket on his back, stepped in front of Ma Wu: "If you want to touch Fifth Master, you'll have to go through me first."

The centipede woman frowned: "What are you trying to do? Are you just trying to annoy me? Do you think I'm afraid of your petty tricks?"

Ma Wu told Xiao Genzi: "Wait for me farther away."

Xiao Genzi turned back: "Fifth Master, I can't leave you!"

To be honest, Xiao Genzi was terrified—he'd never seen a creature like this, with limbs everywhere, couldn't tell if it was insect or human.

But even if terrified, he couldn't abandon Ma Wu!

"Won't you listen to me?" Ma Wu barked. Xiao Genzi gritted his teeth and stepped back.

Ma Wu stared at the centipede woman, studying her from head to toe.

The centipede woman grew angry: "What are you looking at?"

Ma Wu met her gaze and said slowly: "You're beautiful."

The centipede woman sneered: "What's that supposed to mean? So I'm beautiful—do you want to sleep with me?"

Ma Wu nodded: "If I could sleep with you, I'd die happy."

The centipede woman said nothing. After several seconds, her body trembled sharply.

The boar blinked: "What's wrong with you?"

He suspected Ma Wu had used a technique!

Ma Wu hadn't used any technique—his Joy Cultivation technique was too low to affect the centipede woman.

He used his talent—the talent Feng Daiku had given him.

After spending so many days together, Feng Daiku had healed him with her essence; to repay him, she'd not only granted him a strong body but also a cultivation talent tied to emotion.

In that moment of mutual gaze, the centipede woman fell in love with Ma Wu.

"Look at me again, and I'll gouge out your eyes!" Her voice trembled—she wanted to avoid his gaze, but couldn't.

Ma Wu gazed at her with deep affection: "Are you afraid of me?"

The centipede woman snapped: "Afraid of you? Why would I be?"

"If you're not afraid of me, sleep with me."

"I have no reason to—"

"If you're not afraid of me, come here!" Ma Wu stepped forward.

"I—I have no reason to sleep with you…" The centipede woman stepped back.

"If you won't come, you're afraid!"

"I'm not afraid…"

"If you're not afraid, why are you backing away?"

"I—I'm not backing away. I've slept with more men than you've ever seen. Why should I fear you?" The centipede woman didn't even realize what she was saying—if she heard herself, she'd die of shame.

Xiao Genzi froze.

The boar froze.

They watched as Ma Wu walked into the centipede woman's arms.

The boar roared: "You shameless woman! I'm telling your mother!"

The centipede woman's heart jolted—my mother is still waiting for me at home.

She hesitated, then quickly hardened her resolve.

I'm old enough—why should I fear my mother?

This man is bold.

This man has incredible stamina!

How handsome is he?

How good is he?

PS: Ma Wu had boarded the express train.

Dear readers, do you know what a centipede looks like?

For cultivation, could you do this?

(End of Chapter)