Chapter 189: Xuan Qing Flower

The poison was fully purged; Li Banfeng walked several circles in the new land.

No traces of strange creatures could be seen; they must have all gone to prepare for battle at the Land God's domain.

Having nearly made up for that day's cultivation gains, Li Banfeng returned to his personal quarters.

Huh~ hiss, huh~ hiss,

The phonograph's breathing sounded strange.

"Wife, are you awake?"

Huh~ huh~

"Wife, what's wrong?"

Zii~ la-la~

A shrill noise came forth, leaving a long scratch on the record.

"Wife!" Li Banfeng touched the phonograph; the front cabinet was scorching hot, the back one icy cold.

Zii~ la-la~

The phonograph wanted to speak, but could not.

What had happened?

Li Banfeng looked around; Tang Dao, the pendulum, the earrings, the wine gourd, and the teapot had all been placed in the fifth room—only the Judge's Pen remained.

Li Banfeng picked up the Judge's Pen and questioned it at length; all he got back were two words: "Don't know."

This fellow hadn't woken up yet.

In his panic, he suddenly heard the singing girl Hua speak from beside the wall: "Master, just now the First Madam and Second Madam quarreled; I don't know what method the Second Madam used, but the First Madam suddenly lost her voice."

"Quarreled?" Li Banfeng entered the outer chamber, his eyes fixed on Honglian.

Honglian gave no response; she too was staring at Li Banfeng.

What is this madman trying to do?

Does he truly think I harmed that wicked woman?

Li Banfeng moved Honglian to the main chamber, positioning her directly facing the phonograph.

The singing girl Hua added: "I don't know what happened either; the First Madam has been quarreling with the Second Madam lately—this isn't the first time…"

Honglian's lotus petals trembled, her heart filled with anger.

That vile woman, so skilled at gossip.

I should have refined her into a magic treasure long ago, but because of the Xuan Yun Pill, there was trouble, and this vile woman has lived this long.

Honglian truly wanted to absorb the singing girl Hua, but she could not do so now.

If she absorbed her, Honglian would be admitting she damaged the phonograph.

The Xuan Yun Pill incident had already made Li Banfeng suspicious; if she were blamed again for the phonograph's condition, Li Banfeng would never let her leave.

Li Banfeng glanced at the singing girl Hua, then turned his gaze back to Honglian.

After a long silence, Li Banfeng spoke one sentence:

"A Lian, absorb that girl."

The singing girl Hua screamed: "Master, I'm telling the truth!"

The lotus slowly bloomed; a whirlwind formed in its heart, pulling the singing girl Hua into the lotus core.

The singing girl Hua wailed all the way, but Li Banfeng showed not the slightest mercy.

Having lived together so long, Li Banfeng understood Honglian's schemes and tactics well.

If Honglian had damaged the phonograph, she would not have left the singing girl Hua alive as a witness.

The singing girl Hua accused Honglian to save her own life—she knew Honglian could refine her into a magic treasure at any moment.

After dealing with the singing girl Hua, Li Banfeng went to the fifth room and fetched the wine gourd.

The wine gourd stared at the phonograph for a long while, then asked: "Sister, where are you hurting?"

Zii-zii~

The phonograph could not speak; clouds of steam continued swirling around Li Banfeng.

The wine gourd could not tell, so Li Banfeng brought over the teapot.

The teapot had seen much; perhaps it knew something.

After observing for a while, the teapot replied: "I've never seen anything like this. Perhaps this foreign-made device has malfunctioned."

"Foreign-made device" referred to the steam phonograph itself.

Could it be a mechanical failure?

Li Banfeng carefully inspected it again—oiling the mechanism, tightening screws, occasionally replacing small parts—he knew the phonograph's structure well, yet found no mechanical fault.

Huh~ huh~

The phonograph's breathing grew deeper, yet the steam still clung tightly around Li Banfeng.

What exactly is wrong?

Li Banfeng felt utterly at a loss.

Huh~ huh~~

The steam seemed to grow cold.

"What's going on? Is it running low on fuel?"

Li Banfeng frantically added oil; suddenly, the needle slid into his palm and slowly traced along his palm lines.

She wanted to leave a mark on Li Banfeng's palm—she feared he would forget her.

But she feared hurting him; the needle's tip refused to pierce his skin.

As it moved, the needle finally stopped.

Wife…

Li Banfeng turned to Honglian: "Is it because of that pill? Isn't it?"

Honglian looked at Li Banfeng, into his eyes.

He Jiaqing had once said Li Banfeng never cried; if he cried, it was fake.

Why were his eyes red?

Fake?

Zii-la-la~

The phonograph suddenly made a sound.

Honglian suddenly felt worried.

She wasn't worried about Li Banfeng—he couldn't harm her.

She was worried the phonograph would use its last strength to destroy her along with itself.

Honglian had guessed right.

The phonograph truly intended this—she would not let Honglian harm Li Banfeng.

The lotus suddenly bloomed; a sheet of white paper flew into its core.

In an instant, the paper turned into a lotus seed.

Li Banfeng peeled open the seed; two slips of paper burst forth.

The first slip read: Weak body, cannot be supplemented.

The second slip read: One Xuan Qing Flower.

Xuan Qing Flower?

What is the Xuan Qing Flower?

Li Banfeng asked the wine gourd; the wine gourd had never heard of it.

The old teapot had a faint memory: "The Xuan Qing Flower is a medicinal herb. In all my years, I've seen it only once—I've forgotten its effects, but I remember it's extraordinarily rare, hard to find, hard to harvest, and cannot be stored long; once picked, it withers within a day, and once withered, it loses all medicinal power."

Hard to find, hard to harvest, and cannot be stored long—once picked, the Xuanqing flower wilts within a day, and once wilted, it loses all medicinal properties.

Where could he find this herb?

The medicine shops certainly wouldn't sell it.

Go find Ma Wu!

Li Banfeng first moved the copper lotus to the fifth room; under current conditions, he forbade anyone from approaching the phonograph.

He ran to Ma Wu's plot; Ma Wu was cultivating, while Yanzi was crying out.

"Little Brother, I caught you two vile wenches—please spare me! Do whatever you want to them, don't pity them—pity me instead!"

His cultivation was at a critical point, interrupted by Li Banfeng: "Old Wu, do you know the Xuan Qing Flower?"

Ma Wu nodded: "I've read about it in books, but the texts don't record its effects."

"Where can I buy it?"

"Buy?" Ma Wu shook his head. "It's a legendary herb—it won't last a day. It's a matter of chance, not purchase."

Ma Wu had no leads either.

Who else could he ask?

The peddler?

He didn't even know where the peddler was.

Old Ku?

Would he make it to Kucai Village in time?

Will it still be timely to reach Kucaizhuang?

A day's journey should be enough, but I've been banished by Old Ku, so I can't enter Kucai Village.

Find Yao Lao?

Yaowang Gou is too far, and the road is terrible.

Who else?

Shui Yongquan!

The local deity Shui Yongquan is the only one I can rely on.

Li Banfeng returned to his plot, placed offerings and incense, and soon a green flame appeared above the altar.

"You have special techniques—talking to you is easy, so I don't need to take human form. Brother Li Qi, ready to achieve glory?"

"Master, first tell me this: have you heard of Xuanqing Flowers?"

"Hehehe~" Shui Yongquan laughed. "You asked the right person—I know where to find Xuanqing Flowers."

"This is serious. Don't lie to me."

"Why would I lie? Xuanqing Flowers are divine medicine for treating physical weakness, capable of restoring the soul."

"But this medicine cannot be eaten raw. One fresh flower must remain perfectly intact, refined by secret methods for thirty years before it can be consumed."

The effects are correct.

But thirty years of refinement? My wife can't wait that long.

Honglian must have a way—otherwise she wouldn't have given this prescription.

"Master, where can I find Xuanqing Flowers?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"You really know?"

"I know. Let me ask you again—why should I tell you?"

"What do you want?"

Shui Yongquan smiled: "I want my territory back. I want to defeat Qiuluoye. If you can help me hold a key passage, I'll help you harvest one flower."

A sheet of white paper flew to Li Banfeng's face. The local deity continued: "If you don't trust me, I can sign a contract—use a qi paper to bind it."

"Does qi paper work on you?"

"Hehehe, hard to say. It depends on whether you dare to gamble. If you're a coward, I can't help you. I won't help you for free. Let's be clear: if you hold one key passage for me, I give you one Xuanqing Flower."

"This battle—do you dare fight it?"

Can't fight.

Can't trust him.

This isn't a fair deal.

If Li Banfeng deceives the local deity, Li Banfeng will die for sure.

If the local deity deceives Li Banfeng, what can Li Banfeng do to him?

If the Earth God deceived Li Banfeng, what could Li Banfeng do to the Earth God?

It'll cost my life.

Think of another way!

There must be another way.

Think again…

Li Banfeng fell silent for a moment, then looked at Shui Yongquan: "Fight."

There's no better option.

"Good!" Shui Yongquan was delighted. "Choose Baiman Valley or Baizú Cave?"

Li Banfeng sneered: "I choose Baizú Cave. Will you agree?"

Valleys and caves are different. If Shui Yongquan launches a surprise attack in a valley, Qiuluoye will spot him.

"Uh…" Shui Yongquan was embarrassed. "Young brother, I advise you to pick Baiman Valley—it's less complex terrain…"

"I'm not afraid of complex terrain. I choose Baizú Cave!"

Shui Yongquan sighed. He realized Li Banfeng had likely seen through his tactic.

"Young brother, Baizú Cave is already held. Let's discuss—choose Baiman Valley, and I'll raise the stakes."

"Since we can negotiate," Li Banfeng nodded, "give me a hundred men."

Shui Yongquan chuckled bitterly: "I have barely a hundred men willing to fight for me—I can't spare any. But I'll give you a spiritual artifact."

Shui Yongquan sighed bitterly: "Only a hundred or so are willing to fight for me—I can't spare you any troops, but I'll give you a spiritual artifact."

CLANG!

Two massive doors, over three meters tall, with their frames, landed before Li Banfeng.

"What's the use of this?"

"This is Shuiluo Gate. Drive it into the ground, pour two jin of water on it, and it takes root, forming a barrier that blocks the entire valley and stops enemy troops."

"If I place this artifact in the valley, it will completely block the enemy?"

Then the matter is simple.

"Hmph!" Shui Yongquan sneered. "If this thing were that effective, would I need you to guard the valley?

Shuiluo Gate holds for only three minutes. After that, it withers and needs three days to recover.

And it's not a magic treasure—it has no sentience, can't fight on its own. You must stand with it."

Li Banfeng stared at the two massive door panels: "How do I stand with it?"

"Prop it up. As long as someone holds it, it holds. If you leave the panels, they open quickly. If either panel opens three chi, the barrier shatters."

"If you win this battle, I give you one fresh Xuanqing Flower, ten li of territory, and Shuiluo Gate as well. Let's sign the contract now—how about it?"

"Stop joking!" Li Banfeng shook his head. "I can't win this battle. You're using me as bait to hold Qiuluoye while you strike from behind."

The truth was out. The ghost flame flickered twice, its tone admiring: "Impressive. Since you see through me, I won't hide it. If you hold for one hour, you win."

"One hour is impossible. At most twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes is too short."

"That's all I've got."

The ghost flame hovered for a while, then agreed: "Fine. If you hold for twenty minutes and then flee, you die."

Li Banfeng nodded: "If I hold for twenty minutes and you break your word, you die.

Even if the contract can't kill you, I will."

Shui Yongquan burst into laughter: "Bold words! I believe you!"

The contract was ready instantly. Shui Yongquan dripped two drops of dew onto it and said: "Your turn—press your fingerprint."

Li Banfeng bit his finger and pressed his print.

The ghost flame circled: "Brother Li Qi, you've signed the contract. The battle begins at five a. . in three days. Fight for your life.

Within twenty minutes, airborne enemies don't count. As long as ground troops don't break through the gorge, you've held it.

Also, I warn you: find Ma Wu. He has three Suoe wives—they might hold for a moment. Otherwise, you won't last a minute."

Also, let me remind you again: you must ask Brother Ma Wu for help—he has three Cloak Moths that might hold off the enemy for a moment; otherwise, you won't hold your position for even a minute.

Li Banfeng went to Ma Wu's plot, took two knives of white paper and two buckets of ink, then returned to his own plot and began printing.

He printed three hundred sheets, then stopped.

There was still paper and ink left, but Li Banfeng had no more blood.

Besides these prints, he needed to draw a few more.

Li Banfeng called Zhong Bai and instructed him to draw.

Li Banfeng summoned Zhongbai and instructed him in painting.

The phonograph had lost consciousness, but its breathing remained.

Li Banfeng watched the flame in the fuel tank and added half a bucket of fuel for his wife.

That night, Li Banfeng went to Ma Wu's plot to discuss battle plans.

Ma Wu didn't know yet—he had his men pack away gold, silver, and valuables, and ordered those without cultivation to evacuate immediately.

For the next two days, only Ma Wu, Zuo Wugang, Cao Zhida, Zhen Jincheng, Xiao Chuan, Xiao Gen, and the three Suoe wives would remain.

According to Li Banfeng's calculation, the three Suoe wives could hold for three minutes.

Zuo Wugang could hold for one minute.

The others combined might hold for one minute.

Shuiluo Gate could hold for three minutes.

The remaining twelve minutes fell to Li Banfeng himself.

The gorge was long—twenty minutes wasn't all about fighting; it included the enemy's walking time. The gorge stretched ten li. Even if they advanced unimpeded, it would take them at least ten minutes.

With this calculation, as long as the enemy had no Traveling Cultivators, there was still hope.

But another problem remained: how many would survive after this battle?

Ma Wu didn't know he was going to war—he was still thinking about defending his land.

"Old Qi, I'll send Yanzi to help you guard your plot. Old Zuo is there too. Don't go mad. When the battle starts, if you see Shui Yongquan losing, we retreat immediately—don't cling to the land."

"Old Seven, I'll send Yanzi over to help you guard your plot—Old Zuo is already there. Don't go mad. Once fighting starts, if you see Shui Yongquan losing, we pull back immediately—don't cling to the plot."

Ma Wu frowned: "This is a matter of life and death. Pay attention."

"I'm paying attention… I'm paying attention…"

"I care, I care..."

Ma Wu still worried: "What if we send Cao Zhida over there too? This kid's sharp…"

Li Banfeng studied Ma Wu closely.

He's given me all his best men.

Doesn't he fear death himself?

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Old Five, no one else needs to go—I'll handle it alone."

Ma Wu frowned: "Stop joking—this is war!"

"I'm not joking. I run faster than you all. More people just slow me down."

Ma Wu thought it over—it made sense. Li Banfeng was a Traveling Cultivator; he was indeed fast.

"Old Seven, I'm just afraid for you…"

"Don't worry. When it's time to run, I won't hesitate," Li Banfeng stood up and added, "The fight starts at five tomorrow morning. If I haven't shown up by five-thirty, that means I've already bolted—run yourself."

"Five o'clock?" Ma Wu frowned. "They're only fighting for half an hour?"

"Half an hour's plenty. The gorge isn't far from our plot. By the time the enemy charges in, you won't have time to escape."

Li Banfeng left Ma Wu's plot.

He didn't mention the battle.

The tactics had to change.

This is my own matter—I won't drag them into it.

PS: How can Li Banfeng hold out alone for twenty minutes?

(End of Chapter)