Chapter 193: Ten-Li Territory

"Husband, just one more bite!"

Li Banfeng reluctantly opened his mouth.

A needle tipped with a piece of beef was fed into Li Banfeng's mouth.

After lying in the Personal Dwelling for two days, Li Banfeng could barely walk.

This was the advantage of a Dweller: once back in their own dwelling, their recovery far surpassed that of other Dao sects.

The phonograph's condition was even better than Li Banfeng's; after two days, she was nearly restored to full health.

"Husband, don't move—I'll wipe your body for you."

"Husband, bear the pain—I'll clean your wounds."

"Husband, don't rush—I'll wash your little husband soon, warmly and thoroughly, scrubbing hard."

"Husband, just one more bite, just one—I'll sing you a song."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I don't want to hear songs—I want to oil the machine."

"Husband, your body isn't healed yet—how will you oil the machine?"

"The oil brush."

"What's the point of the oil brush? Wait till you're fully recovered—you can use anything you want, I'll obey you. Come on, one more bite."

Li Banfeng glanced at the red lotus on the ground and frowned: "I want to send her to the Fifth Branch."

"Why send her to the Fifth Branch?"

"Seeing her makes me feel uneasy."

Clang clang clang~

The phonograph clanged drums and cymbals, giggling: "Husband, why bother with her? I think it's fine having her here—let this lowly creature stay and watch. Husband, come on, one more bite."

The copper lotus wanted to spit at them.

But remembering the phonograph's condition, she held back.

The phonograph's condition was excellent—ever since entering the Personal Dwelling, she had never felt better than this!

After another half-day's rest, Li Banfeng prepared to leave.

The phonograph objected: "Husband, you're not healed yet—why go out?"

"I want to get some fresh air."

The phonograph pouted: "Husband, really? A proper Dweller can stay indoors for a year or more—how can you not endure two days?"

Li Banfeng scratched frantically at the machine's casing: "I'm not a proper Dweller—I follow my wife everywhere, how can I be proper?"

His wife laughed so hard she shook; Li Banfeng slipped out the door.

Watching Li Banfeng's back, Honglian spat.

Hssss~

A wave of steam surged over, scorching the copper lotus until it glowed red.

Honglian glared at the phonograph: "Wicked woman, don't repay kindness with betrayal!"

The phonograph laughed: "Lowly creature, our grudges have grown even deeper. Now that the husband's gone, let's have a proper chat."

Li Banfeng took a deep breath in the wilderness.

……

He was a Traveler—he had enough accumulated time, but his traveler's nature couldn't be changed.

Of course, there was something even more important.

He had lost two magic treasures in the valley: the Judge's Pen and the Calendar.

The chance of retrieving them was slim, but he had to go see—both had proven vital in his battle against Qiuluoye. As long as no one else had picked them up, the Thread-Earring offered hope of recovery.

Before that, he had to go to the land plot.

There was another matter, more urgent than the magic treasures.

Ma Wu was still searching for Li Banfeng—he was nearly driven mad.

From the gorge to the land plot, he searched seven or eight times a day. Shuoyongquan had told Ma Wu repeatedly that Li Banfeng wasn't there, but Ma Wu refused to believe it.

That night, Shuoyongquan visited Ma Wu's cabin and discussed the Ten-Li Territory.

"Originally, I made a contract with Li Qi: if we won the battle, you'd receive a ten-li radius of land. Now that Li Qi is missing, you may take possession of it on his behalf."

Ma Wu shook his head: "This isn't urgent—wait till Laoqi returns."

"I'm the one in a hurry. The contract is binding—it's the most important thing to me. Choose your plot now."

"I can't decide this. I must wait for Laoqi to return."

"Ma Wu, I remind you: when I made the contract with Li Qi, I clearly stated that if he didn't choose a plot within two days, I'd choose for him. I'm coming to you now—I've given you every courtesy."

Ma Wu grew impatient: "Ask me all you want—I can't decide. Laoqi's land is his to choose. Chuanzi, show him out!"

Shuoyongquan smiled and vanished.

Ma Wu sat in his wooden cabin, drinking gloomy wine.

He didn't care about the land—he only wanted to find Li Qi.

After finishing one cup, Li Banfeng poured him another.

Ma Wu sipped, set the cup down, and stared at Li Banfeng for a long time.

Li Banfeng still wore his black suit and top hat, the brim pulled low—his face was wrapped in bandages.

Ma Wu's eyes filled with tears: "Where the hell have you been? I've been searching everywhere for you!"

Li Banfeng pointed to his bandages: "I went to recover from my injuries."

"Didn't I bring you back to recover? Why did you run off?"

Li Banfeng smiled: "I didn't run—some high master rescued me mid-journey. If not for his skill, I wouldn't have healed so fast."

"Which high master?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "He refused to reveal his name—I can't speak of him lightly."

Since Li Qi said so, Ma Wu wouldn't press further—it was their unspoken understanding.

After drinking a cup, Ma Wu calmed slightly. Li Banfeng said: "I lost two magic treasures in the valley—the Judge's Pen and the Calendar. Send some brothers with me to find them."

"No need," Ma Wu pulled out the Judge's Pen and the Calendar. "Shuoyongquan retrieved them for you. He even moved the Waterfall Gate here—I'll have someone deliver them to your land plot."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Though treacherous, Shuoyongquan is a man of his word."

Ma Wu agreed: "He just came to me about the ten-li land plot—I told him to wait until you returned."

Hearing this, Li Banfeng remembered: "You can't wait! Why didn't you pick it?"

Ma Wu raised his eyebrows: "It's your land—I shouldn't choose for you."

"Why care about that? Won't it cause trouble? I agreed with him: two days to pick the plot. If I don't choose, he'll pick for me."

Li Banfeng hurriedly ordered Chuanzi to set up an altar. When incense and offerings were arranged, Shuoyongquan reappeared.

"Brother Li Qi, you've returned."

Li Banfeng nodded: "I've returned—specifically to choose my land plot."

Shuoyongquan smiled: "No need to choose—I've picked it for you."

Li Banfeng glared at Ma Wu, took a deep breath, and forced a laugh: "You didn't give me swamp land, did you?"

Shuoyongquan frowned: "Do you think I'd do that? I've chosen excellent land—follow me."

Li Banfeng turned to Ma Wu: "This land is half yours—come with me."

Ma Wu shook his head vigorously: "That wouldn't be right."

"Stop being ridiculous—come on!"

The two followed Shuoyongquan to the gorge. Li Banfeng said: "You didn't give me the entire ten-li gorge, did you? That's not a ten-li radius."

"Don't rush—it's not here yet."

After passing through the gorge, Li Banfeng said: "We've reached Qiuluoye's territory."

Shuoyongquan smiled: "It was Qiuluoye's territory—but now it's mine."

Beyond the gorge, they walked twenty more li. Shuoyongquan stopped and said to Li Banfeng: "Stand here. Ten li east, ten li south—those are your lands."

Li Banfeng walked the perimeter—it was excellent land.

Flat ground, forest, a modest hill, and a lake three li across.

"The lake water is poisonous—don't drink it—but the fish and shrimp are edible," Shuoyongquan said, watching Li Banfeng. "Brother Li Qi, did I pick well for you?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "It's good—but is all this your land?"

Shuoyongquan sneered: "Of course it's mine—would I lie to you? Look at the fish in this lake—one net hauls over ten catties. Eat your fill."

Ma Wu thought a moment: "Didn't you say earlier you'd make Qiuluoye compensate you with thirty li of land? Is this it?"

"Yes, this," Shuoyongquan pointed to the lake. "Not just fish—shrimp too. These shrimp are delicious—I've eaten them several times. The taste… unforgettable."

Ma Wu asked: "Where's your border with Qiuluoye?"

"Over there. I'll tell you—this isn't just shrimp. There are crabs too. The lake water is salty—the crabs here are even tastier than sea crabs!"

Li Banfeng said: "Master Shui, you didn't put our land plot right on the border between your territory and Qiuluoye's, did you?"

This question could no longer be avoided.

Twenty li beyond the gorge was Li Banfeng's ten-li territory.

Another ten li beyond that was thirty li—right at the border between Shuoyongquan and Qiuluoye!

Shuoyongquan had no choice but to admit: "It's on the border—but it's all my land. I haven't broken the contract."

Li Banfeng said: "If our land's on the border, aren't we just your gatekeepers? If you fight Qiuluoye again, won't we be the first to face battle?"

Shuoyongquan lowered his hand: "Brother Li Qi, calm down. I've already settled this with Qiudaxiang—we won't fight anymore."

Li Banfeng said, "You're not fighting anymore—why are you making us guard the gate?"

Shui Yongquan gazed at the calm lake surface and said, "This land is mine, and it's a good place. I've broken no contract, nor betrayed our friendship. Brother Li Qi, you have no right to complain further."

He had a point.

Li Banfeng walked along the lake's edge for a while, then realized the issue: "You're afraid someone else will come to reclaim land along the border, aren't you?"

Shui Yongquan said nothing.

Ma Wu understood Li Qi's meaning: "Master Shui, you and Autumn Manager once reached an agreement—not to clash again."

"But you know Autumn Manager's temper. If someone provokes him along the border, he'll stir up trouble again. So you deliberately placed Old Qi's plot right on the boundary."

Li Banfeng sneered, "So in the end, you're still making us guard the gate."

Shui Yongquan offered no further defense. He looked at Li Banfeng and said, "So it seems you don't want this land?"

Don't want it?

Can Shui Yongquan give you a new one?

Of course not.

If Li Banfeng said he didn't want it, he'd be giving up the land entirely.

I'll take the land, reluctantly. But if you're making us guard the gate, shouldn't you pay us something?

Shui Yongquan rubbed his chin—he knew Li Banfeng wasn't easy to deal with. "Fine. What do you want?"

"Can one piece of land have two owners?"

Shui Yongquan glanced at Ma Wu—he understood Li Qi's meaning.

Adding another owner to a plot wasn't just nominal. It meant that whether Li Banfeng or Ma Wu spilled blood, the Land Spirit would have to appear and offer protection.

Li Banfeng said, "You won't lose out—we guard your gate, you settle disputes for us. It's only fair."

"Fair?" Shui Yongquan snorted. "If a hundred owners sprang up on this land, would I have to rush over every time one of them called? What do you think I am?"

Li Banfeng said, "Not a hundred. Just the two of us."

"Alright. Sign the contract. Spill blood!" Shui Yongquan agreed.

Whatever the matter, Shui Yongquan required a written contract to make it binding.

The three signed the contract. Li Banfeng and Ma Wu spilled blood. The land's status was settled.

Ma Wu felt he'd taken advantage of Li Banfeng and was deeply guilty.

Li Banfeng didn't think Ma Wu had taken advantage.

Without Ma Wu's aid, Li Banfeng wouldn't have held out in the valley.

Without Ma Wu's management, this land would remain useless in Li Banfeng's hands.

It was truly excellent land—dense forest ensured timber, wide open plains offered space, and a salt lake provided food.

It was an ideal foundation. Ma Wu could recruit hunters to hunt nearby, store the catch directly, and transport it in bulk.

Some rare game could even be raised on this land.

If he hired cultivation farmers, he could grow many valuable crops here.

Ma Wu marked the land in various places, preparing to make a grand start.

"Old Qi, from now on, profits from this land will be split three-seven—you get seven, I get three."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Fifty-fifty. No more nonsense."

One-third profit? One-third effort.

Half the profit? Full effort.

This wasn't just about friendship—it was human nature.

They acted immediately. Ma Wu was decisive. The next day, he sent Chuanzi to gather workers. Within three days, the first batch of wooden huts was built.

The largest hut served as the meeting hall—suitable for hosting guests and discussing important matters.

Ma Wu knew Li Banfeng loved music, so he bought a new phonograph from Ling Miaosheng's shop.

It was another wind-powered phonograph, nearly identical to the one in Lanyang Village.

Li Banfeng tested the record's sound quality—the phonograph was flawless. But to his ears, it still fell far short of his wife's.

Ma Wu brought up the Waterfall Gate: "That spirit artifact's still with me. Should I move it here, or back to your old plot?"

"Keep it. I give it to you."

Ma Wu waved his hands frantically. "No! I can't take more from you!"

"I told you—stop worrying about it. Just take it."

The Waterfall Gate was a fine artifact, but to Li Banfeng, it was too bulky—useless for his Portable Dwelling, or for any traveling cultivator.

For Ma Wu, it was perfect—he had three Suoe wives, all excellent for guarding the gate.

As they listened to the music and chatted, Chuanzi entered the hall. "Someone's come to reclaim land."

Li Banfeng set down his cup. "On our land?"

"Not our land—but close."

Ma Wu frowned. "Someone really came to provoke? Old Qi, rest. I'll go check."

Both Li Banfeng and Ma Wu were skilled at reconnaissance—but their methods differed.

Li Banfeng preferred using his Dwelling Cultivator's talent—slipping close unseen, observing in secret.

Ma Wu preferred direct confrontation—approaching openly, testing with experience and insight.

Leaving the trees along the lake, Ma Wu saw two people setting up an offering table.

They weren't placing it on the border—the table stood squarely within Autumn Leaf's territory.

That reduced potential conflict.

Ma Wu exhaled slightly and walked straight to the table.

Only a bottle of wine sat on it—this was for claiming one li of land.

The scent of aged liquor, the table's placement—this setup was designed to catch the Land Spirit's attention.

Ma Wu murmured, "Expert."

One man looked up and smiled. "It's our first time. We asked an expert a few questions. Not sure if this method works."

The other man kept his head down, silent.

Ma Wu glanced at him—he wore a gray short jacket and a felt hat, obscuring his face. But the build… he'd seen it before.

He sniffed again. The man carried a distinctive scent.

Powder.

He'd washed many times, but the residue still clung—and Ma Wu caught it.

The scent was alluring to Pleasure Cultivators.

After a few casual words, Ma Wu returned to the hut.

Li Banfeng asked, "Did you find out who they are?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "No. They're reclaiming land in Autumn Leaf's territory, but it's close to ours."

"Close is fine—as long as it's not on the border."

Ma Wu shook his head slightly. "But I think I saw someone I know."

"Who?"

"You know this person too."

Li Banfeng was curious—who could that be, someone both he and Ma Wu recognized?

He took a sip of wine, waiting for Ma Wu to name them.

Ma Wu looked up at Li Banfeng. "That person… was Lu Xiaolan."

Gulp!

Li Banfeng swallowed his wine, then coughed violently.

PS: Could Lu Xiaolan really come looking for Li Banfeng?

Didn't she want to live?

(End of Chapter)