Chapter 227

Li Banfeng sat in a chair, the shadow of his hat obscuring his face.

The man before him, Luo Zhengnan, had spoken partly truth and partly lies.

The lies were easy to spot—he claimed he brought only two subordinates, but there were more than two.

Sun Xiaoan, the Second Division Chief of Yaowang Hall, sold sundries inside the fort, yet Luo Zhengnan never mentioned him.

The truth was harder to discern, but a few of his statements were indeed accurate.

If he could sneak into Tiemenbao, others could too.

Zhao Xiaowan, this estate spirit, was clearly a magnet for trouble—once word spread, Tiemenbao was bound to become a Blood Gate Fort.

But what should be done about it?

Getting rid of Luo Zhengnan wasn't hard, nor was getting rid of Jiang Xiang's gang—but Zhao Xiaowan was formidable; even Madam might not be her match, and Li Banfeng couldn't handle her at will.

After sitting in silence for a while, Li Banfeng said to Luo Zhengnan: "Please come back in three days—I'll give you my answer then."

"I await your reply," Luo Zhengnan rose and took his leave.

Li Banfeng added: "Take all your people with you—not just those two vegetable sellers. If you don't go now, I'll see to it they leave."

Luo Zhengnan froze, surprised Li Banfeng had noticed others—he bowed again and exited the room first.

He walked a circuit along the street; the three men following him understood his meaning and each departed Tiemenbao.

This was how clever men dealt with each other—the matter was out in the open; no one needed to pretend.

…

Late at night, the fort's main gate was shut. Li Banfeng asked Wu Yongchao: "Do you know who Zhao Xiaowan is?"

"Of course! General Zhao Xiaowan, whose long spear secured the realm!" Speaking of Zhao Xiaowan, Wu Yongchao grew excited.

"When was she from?"

"Ancient times. If you ask which dynasty, there's no record to confirm."

"How did you come to know this general? Not from history books?"

"This…"

It was hard to explain.

Wu Yongchao had attended school, but his school didn't teach history.

There was no systematic place to study history across Puluozhou—most historical texts were kept by noble families; the few that appeared on the market were exceedingly rare and hard to verify.

How did Wu Yongchao know Zhao Xiaowan?

The origin was even more complex.

Legend said Zhao Xiaowan was a famed general of a certain dynasty in Puluozhou, leading tens of thousands to defeat the Motsu invaders. Many stories about her survived.

Storytellers recounted Zhao Xiaowan; operas on every stage featured her.

Famous dancers performed her deeds; village girls sang ballads about her; serialized novels in newspapers, street-corner chapbooks—anywhere there was a tale, Zhao Xiaowan appeared.

"General Zhao Xiaowan was unmatched in martial skill and breathtakingly beautiful—whenever she appeared on the battlefield, the fight was won before it began."

Li Banfeng blinked: "Won without fighting? How?"

Wu Yongchao slammed the table—like a storyteller striking his wooden clapper—and declared with intense focus: "Half were seduced to death by Miss Zhao, half were terrified to death by General Zhao!"

Li Banfeng didn't know how to respond.

Seeing Li Banfeng disbelieve, Wu Yongchao grew displeased.

To Wu Yongchao, Zhao Xiaowan was an inviolable figure.

"Master, I'm not making this up—I have proof."

Li Banfeng's eyes lit up: "What proof?"

"Wait."

Wu Yongchao returned to his room and soon rushed back, carrying a willow basket.

"Master, take a look."

He carefully opened it—inside, neatly arranged, were sixteen novels and over fifty portraits.

Li Banfeng unfolded one portrait: "This is Zhao Xiaowan?"

Wu Yongchao nodded solemnly.

Li Banfeng flipped through the fifty-plus portraits—fifty different "Zhao Xiaowans," each with distinct faces, makeup, clothing, and posture.

"Are these all the same person?"

Wu Yongchao said nothing—his expression was odd.

Li Banfeng didn't press further—he realized he'd said something wrong.

For a house cultivator like Wu Yongchao, some things were beyond question.

Li Banfeng studied them carefully and finally found a common thread.

Whether in boudoir or battlefield, in armor or finery, every "Zhao Xiaowan" was accompanied by a red-tasselled long spear.

"This is General Zhao's weapon," Wu Yongchao explained carefully. "Twelve feet long, seven inches and seven cun for the blade, red tassels dancing with the wind—who can match the Flying General? Where the Flying General is, the red tassel is; where the red tassel is, enemies flee in terror. Zhao Xiaowan and her red tassel spear never part."

"Excellent recitation!" Li Banfeng praised—rare to see Wu Yongchao display such eloquence.

Zhao Xiaowan and her red tassel spear never part.

Was this why she became the spear after death?

To be fair, among the fifty-plus portraits, only the spear was rendered nearly identical.

The portraits served no more than this—judging Zhao Xiaowan's true face from them was too difficult.

Li Banfeng looked at the dozen novels: "Could I borrow these for two days?"

Wu Yongchao hesitated: "If the Master wishes to borrow, I shouldn't refuse—but I fear you might mishandle them…"

"Don't worry—I'll replace any torn page or bent corner with a brand-new copy."

Wu Yongchao lowered his head: "These books are hard to come by. Please be careful."

The books stayed; Wu Yongchao left.

Li Banfeng opened the dozen novels one by one.

He had to admit—the authors' prose was excellent. He sat reading for hours without growing weary.

But the key information he sought was nowhere mentioned.

Li Banfeng couldn't determine Zhao Xiaowan's dynasty—only that she fought for Puluozhou.

There was still an emperor then, but in these novels, he was mentioned only in passing.

Her enemy was called the Motsu—this was what Li Banfeng cared about most.

If Zhao Xiaowan had been Madam's mortal enemy in life, then Madam was likely a Motsu.

But reading the novels' descriptions of the Motsu, Li Banfeng couldn't link Madam to them.

"Ten feet tall, waist ten spans wide, thick beard and hair, indistinguishable gender…"

He was ten feet tall, with a waist ten spans around, thick beard and hair, indistinguishable in gender…

Li Banfeng shook off the shadow in his mind and continued searching for Zhao Xiaowan's fate.

Among the sixteen novels, Zhao Xiaowan had three endings.

The most common ending: after repelling the Motsu, she was adopted as an imperial daughter, became a princess, married a prince, and lived happily ever after.

Nine novels ended this way—more than half.

The second ending: the Motsu retreated temporarily; Zhao Xiaowan remained on the frontier, waging war against them for her entire life.

Six novels used this ending. By Li Banfeng's guess, this was Wu Yongchao's favorite—evidenced by the fact these six books were worn to shreds. Wu Yongchao likely favored it because no prince appeared.

The third ending was tragic—the pages bore water stains, likely from Wu Yongchao's tears.

Only one novel used this ending: after defeating the Motsu, Zhao Xiaowan, due to her overwhelming merit, was suspected by the emperor, framed by court intrigue, imprisoned, and subjected to humiliation and torture.

Then the Motsu attacked again; the emperor, shamelessly, begged Zhao Xiaowan to return to battle. She put country before self, took up arms once more, and died on the battlefield.

This ending was no happy one. Li Banfeng believed it most closely matched Zhao Xiaowan's true fate.

He put away the novels and returned to his quarters.

Ultimately, the one who knew Zhao Xiaowan's identity best was Madam.

There were things Madam refused to say—but one thing must be confirmed with her.

Li Banfeng entered his quarters, paused, then asked: "Madam, have you ever heard the name Zhao Xiaowan?"

Li Banfeng entered the portable dwelling, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Wife, have you ever heard the name Zhao Xiaowan?"

The phonograph fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Husband, why ask about her now?"

Li Banfeng answered honestly: "I suspect the fierce estate spirit in the annex is Zhao Xiaowan."

Li Banfeng spoke plainly: "I suspect the fierce household spirit in the vice building is Zhao Xiaowan."

Madam sang a slow rhythm: "Oh husband, what do you intend to do with that estate spirit?"

Li Banfeng said: "I want to subdue her."

"Subdue her? How will you subdue her?"

"I plan to speak her name aloud," Li Banfeng revealed his plan. "As a house cultivator, if I say her name directly and she doesn't resist, it's equivalent to forming a pact. If the estate doesn't oppose it, she becomes my estate spirit."

"I want to call out her name to her face," Li Banfeng revealed his plan. "I'm a household cultivator; if I speak her name directly and she doesn't resist, it's equivalent to forming a pact with me. As long as the house doesn't oppose it, she becomes my household spirit."

Madam laughed: "Husband, are you tired of me? Wanting to make her your estate spirit?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "If I make her my estate spirit and bring her back here, we can work together to kill her."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I've claimed her as my household spirit, and once I bring her back into the house, you and I together can surely kill her."

Li Banfeng said: "Because she's your enemy. This grudge must be settled. While I'm still in Tiemenbao, let me help you fulfill this wish."

Li Banfeng said: "Because she is my wife's enemy, this grudge must be settled; while I'm still at Tiemenbao, I'll help my wife fulfill this wish."

Chichi~

Flames roared, steam swirled; the phonograph turned its horn, watching Li Banfeng.

She was observing whether Li Banfeng had spoken the truth.

Li Banfeng had indeed spoken the truth.

He wanted to take Zhao Xiaowan under his control: on one hand, he did not want this mansion spirit to bring disaster; on the other, he genuinely wished to avenge his wife.

No matter how resigned his wife appeared, the murder must be avenged.

His wife fell silent for a long while; the large horn swayed left and right.

The needle settled onto the record, and a tender rendition of "My Darling" began to play slowly.

As she sang, she spoke (she had two trays):

"My beloved husband, your heart moves me deeply; I willingly entrust my life to you and vow to serve you for all my days.

But now is not the time to seek revenge—this mansion spirit is blind and deaf; even if you speak her name, how could she hear you?

Moreover, a mansion spirit accepts a master only when both sides consent. This spirit is steeped in grievance; one misstep, and she will turn wrathful—you may not escape unscathed."

Li Banfeng said: "She has just lost her master; while her heart is empty, I should seize this chance to claim her—isn't this the perfect moment?"

Chichi~

The phonograph laughed: "Your words make me jealous, my husband. Even if that wretch agrees, you have not yet harmonized with the annex—you may still not be able to draw her out.

My husband, you are my heart and soul; if you suffer even a scratch, I would rather die than live alone. Let this matter rest—for now."

His wife wished to let it rest—but could Jiang Xiang help let it go?

Li Banfeng sighed and left the Sui Shen Ju.

"Hahahaha!" A loud, hearty laugh suddenly erupted from Room Six.

"Wretch, what are you laughing at?" the phonograph cursed.

Honglian shook with laughter, dew glistening all over her body.

……

Jiang Xiang help could not let it rest—but Luo Zhengnan could.

He was not as stubborn as Xiao Zhenggong.

He thought: if the castle lord was willing to sell Zhao Xiaowan, he would pay to buy her; if the castle lord refused, he would drop it entirely, as if he had come for nothing.

He was a carefree man: do your best, but never risk your life.

But He Jiaqing was not so carefree.

The fortune-teller had sent him word: Luo Zhengnan had infiltrated Tiemenbao.

"Bad! Luo Zhengnan is someone who gets things done!" He Jiaqing grew instantly tense. "We can't wait any longer. Lao Wan, go to Donggangzhai and find a man named Han Juncheng.

He is a sixth-rank mansion cultivator. Find a way to get him into Tiemenbao and bring Zhao Xiaowan out."

The fortune-teller worried: "Zhao Xiaowan is no ordinary person. A sixth-rank mansion cultivator alone may not be enough."

He Jiaqing said: "I know it's risky—that's why I've held him back until now. But the situation is urgent; we have no choice.

Han Juncheng is proud, abrasive, and inexperienced. Tolerate him.

He is a hidden asset I've kept for years—he will be vital in the future. Don't quarrel with him over small matters; watch over him closely in big ones. When it's done, take the item and leave Pulu Zhou immediately—he stays behind in Tiemenbao."

PS: What was Honglian laughing at?

(End of Chapter)