Chapter 288

Monkey Qiu packed his luggage; his wife and child had already boarded the carriage ahead of him.

The task Duan Shaoxia gave him was one he could never possibly complete.

She wanted to give Zhang Huaiyi an identity, to make him a member of the Lu family, and she had tasked Monkey Qiu with arranging it; after much deliberation, Monkey Qiu concluded that leaving the Lu family was the wisest choice.

As Monkey Qiu was carrying his suitcase down the stairs, Duan Shaoxia rushed out and knelt directly before him.

Monkey Qiu tried to pull her up, but she refused to rise.

"Zhiheng, you cannot leave."

Qiu Zhiheng simply knelt down before Duan Shaoxia: "Madam, I must leave."

"Zhiheng, if you insist on leaving, I'll stay kneeling here forever."

"Madam, if you won't let me go, I'll kneel my way out."

Neither could convince the other.

Qiu Zhiheng was a man of dignity and did not wish to make things this way.

But Duan Shaoxia wanted to reclaim her nephew as her son—something Qiu Zhiheng could not handle.

Monkey Qiu's wife stepped forward to offer some words of comfort, and Duan Shaoxia burst into tears, embracing her.

That tearful display softened the wife's heart.

"Zhiheng, Master and Madam have both been kind to us—you cannot just walk away."

Monkey Qiu stood frozen, unsure what to do.

Just then, Ma Wu arrived with men to deliver the bonus money; Monkey Qiu first sent his wife to take Duan Shaoxia back to the main house, then received Ma Wu in the small pavilion.

Ma Wu paid the bonus money and left immediately without lingering.

Monkey Qiu suddenly called out to Ma Wu: "Junyang, have you heard anything about this?"

Ma Wu turned back and nodded slightly: "It's all over Green Water City."

"If I told you these rumors are true, would you still pay the bonus?"

Ma Wu said: "Regardless of sentiment or duty, I owe this money."

Monkey Qiu gave a bitter laugh: "Junyang, you must plan ahead—the Lu family may no longer be able to protect you."

"Thank you, Uncle Qiu," Ma Wu nodded slightly, then left the pavilion.

As he walked through the courtyard, someone called out behind him: "Old Five!"

Ma Wu turned and saw Zhang Huaiyi approaching.

Ma Wu recognized him, but they weren't close; the way he called "Old Five" felt unnatural.

"Huaiyi, long time no see," Ma Wu greeted.

"It's been a while," Zhang Huaiyi pointed to the main house. "Come inside for a while?"

Ma Wu waved him off: "I've got business to attend to—I must hurry off. Let's meet another day."

They parted ways; Ma Wu watched Zhang Huaiyi's back and muttered to himself: How does this kid treat the Lu estate like his own home?

…

On the way back, Ma Wu pondered the Lu family's situation.

News of Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai had spread throughout Green Water City; previously uncertain, now from Monkey Qiu's demeanor, Ma Wu could confirm one thing—the brothers were in trouble, and the Lu family's main pillar had collapsed.

If they couldn't elevate another of Lu Dongliang's children, Monkey Qiu would be powerless against Lu Maoxian.

If Lu Maoxian took control of the Lu family, his and Li Banfeng's days would grow very difficult.

Should he help Monkey Qiu?

He knew the whereabouts of one of Lu Dongliang's daughters, and her identity had been officially recognized by Lu Dongliang.

He must not act rashly.

He must consult Old Seven.

…

Li Banfeng was still at Black Rock Slope; recently, he had become obsessed with photography.

Train Eunuch had said that once a Traveling Cultivator reaches a certain level, they no longer walk upon the earth.

Li Banfeng still walked upon the earth, but certain experiences had left him with insights.

While watching "Blood Spear Detective III," since the filming location was Zhengjing Village, he recalled many of his own experiences there.

While watching the film, he felt immersed—as if he were wandering near Zhengjing Village in the New Lands.

This state was no mere illusion; Li Banfeng clearly sensed his Traveling Cultivation was improving, albeit by a minuscule amount—but it was indeed improving.

From this, Li Banfeng developed an idea.

If he collected more visual records in the future, could he cultivate even while at home?

He bought a camera and a motion picture camera; in Pulu Province, these devices were heavy—a full set weighed dozens of kilograms, not counting film reels and rolls.

Fortunately, Traveling Cultivation excelled at carrying weight; the walking steps unsuitable for combat proved useful during filming, granting Li Banfeng extraordinary endurance.

In technique, Bai Qiusheng and Yuwen Qi were both skilled photographers, personally instructing him in every detail.

In just a few days, Li Banfeng had photographed nearly the entire Black Rock City; each set of photos and motion pictures demanded immense effort.

"Come, girl, smile—lower your waist a bit more, lift the peach higher!"

Li Banfeng made considerable progress; Xiao Chuanzi improved too.

He built Li Banfeng a wind-up projector; its greatest feature was its compact size.

A stand, less than a meter tall.

The body on the stand, plus the film reel drum, was about the size of an overturned pickled vegetable jar.

In Pulu Province, this size was remarkably refined.

Li Banfeng examined the projector and asked: "How much did this cost?"

Xiao Chuanzi asked: "Including labor?"

"Yes!"

"Less than twenty thousand Huan State notes."

"So expensive?"

"Seven Master, the wind-up spring, gears, bearings, and steel frame—all premium materials; just material cost was eighteen thousand, labor I estimated at two thousand."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "What if you used inferior materials?"

Xiao Chuanzi said: "If materials are poor, the machine won't last. This one will serve you for decades."

Li Banfeng laughed: "Foolish boy, why decades? Three years is enough. Simplify the craftsmanship—don't make it so refined. Aim to cut costs to under three thousand."

"Three thousand?" Xiao Chuanzi shook his head. "That won't even cover the wind-up spring—this spring runs five hours."

Li Banfeng waved his hand: "No need for five hours—half an hour is enough."

"Half an hour won't finish even one motion picture."

In Pulu Province, a motion picture typically lasted about an hour.

"Just show half—then rewind and finish the rest!"

Xiao Chuanzi scratched his head and went back to tinkering with the projector.

Li Banfeng packed his bags and returned to Green Water City.

This trip to Green Water City was primarily to find Shui Yongquan and ask about knowledge of Earth Deities.

At Mengqian Tower in Neizhou, Li Banfeng had seen many Tenth-Level cultivators; according to Train Eunuch, they were all vying for the chance to become Earth Deities—but what exactly that meant, Train Eunuch hadn't had time to explain.

Of course, Shui Yongquan might not tell Li Banfeng either; Li Banfeng was still considering what terms to offer in exchange.

Upon arriving in Green Water City, Ma Wu immediately told Li Banfeng about the Lu family's situation.

"The Lu family has no one left to shoulder its burdens; the only one who might save them is Lu Chunying."

Lu Chunying and Xiao Ye Ci were currently in Zhengjing Village.

Li Banfeng thought for a moment: "We must consult them— if they're willing, you should first arrange matters with Monkey Qiu to bring them to the Lu family."

"If they refuse, immediately arrange for them to leave Zhengjing Village—avoid drawing trouble."

Ma Wu sighed: "I hope this works—if Lu Maoxian takes over the Lu family, we'll lose our backing."

"Backings eventually fail," Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim. "But we won't let that old dog Lu Maoxian profit." He walked with Ma Wu back to Zhengjing Village.

On the way, Ma Wu mentioned Zhang Huaiyi: "He's Lu Yuanshan's cousin, but rumors say he's actually Lu Dongliang's son—and now he treats the Lu estate like his own home."

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: "Is Madam Duan really so accepting? Is there something else going on?"

Back in Zhengjing Village, when the topic of returning to the Lu family came up, Lu Chunying refused outright: "Why go to their house? Can't I find food anywhere? Isn't teaching in the village with my mother good enough?"

Lu Chunying borrowed some money from Li Banfeng and opened a school in Zhengjing Village.

Surprisingly, hunters usually had some spare cash; they wanted to learn to read, but were too old to face the shame elsewhere.

In Zhengjing Village, there was no need to care about face—Seven Master didn't care much about face, and Five Master never considered it at all.

The school did well; after expenses, mother and daughter earned one silver dollar every two days.

"I'll just teach here with my mother, wander the New Lands when I have time, and still improve my cultivation—why should I go to the Lu family and suffer their airs?"

Li Banfeng said: "If you refuse to go to the Lu family, you can't stay in the village either."

"Why?" Lu Chunying looked hurt.

"Every day you interact with so many hunters, your whereabouts will soon leak. Lu Maoxian will find out about you—and he'll kill you to silence you."

Lu Chunying's eyes reddened: "I don't believe there's no place for us mother and daughter in Pulu Province!"

Li Banfeng said: "There are places—but not in Green Water City. I can help you find another home, but you'll have to live under false names for life, and I can't guarantee absolute safety."

Lu Chunying lowered her head in silence.

Xiao Ye Ci bit her lip and said: "Actually, since we received that letter, this fate was already sealed."

"Nannan, go to the Lu family—they won't mistreat you."

"Mom, what about you?"

Xiao Ye Ci smiled: "I'm still teaching here—it's fine, Nannan. We're destined to be of different statuses."

Lu Chunying refused. Xiao Ye Ci smiled, took her back to the wooden house, and after a night of discussion, he finally convinced her. Lu Chunying agreed to go to the Lu family—but with conditions.

Li Banfeng heard the conditions and praised Lu Chunying: "You're a clever girl."

"Seventh Brother, if he agrees to these terms, I'll go to the Lu mansion. If not, I'll carve out my own land and stay with Mom."

Li Banfeng nodded: "I'm your mother's peer. Calling me Seventh Brother isn't appropriate, is it?"

Lu Chunying grinned sheepishly: "It's not just about seniority—it's about feeling."

At dawn, Monkey Qiu sat weary in the small building when a subordinate delivered a summons.

Monkey Qiu opened it and saw it was from Ma Wu: an invitation to meet at Xiaoyao Hollow tonight.

He tossed the summons aside—how could he possibly have the heart to go to Xiaoyao Hollow now?

After a while, he picked it up again and noticed, beneath Ma Wu's signature, a second character: "Seven."

Li Qi?

Qiu Zhiheng pondered a moment, then burned the summons.

That night, Qiu Zhiheng arrived at Xiaoyao Hollow. Ma Wu had prepared fine wine in a private room. After two cups and polite exchanges, Ma Wu slipped out. Li Banfeng, his hat brim lowered, entered.

"Big Brother Qiu, long time no see," Li Banfeng sat across from Qiu Zhiheng and poured himself a cup. "I asked you here to share news—about the Lu family's daughter. The main line's daughter."

"Main line daughter" referred to Lu Dongliang's daughter.

Qiu Zhiheng frowned: "Is it Lu Xiaolan?"

To this day, Lu Xiaolan remained the Lu family's criminal—this status would not change.

Li Banfeng shook his head: "It's about Lu Chunying."

Monkey Qiu froze, the wine cup slipping from his hand.

"Where is Miss Chunying?" He stared at Li Banfeng like a drowning man grasping at straw. "Brother, I won't ask you for free—name your price!"

"No price yet. First, the conditions: the Lu family daughter agrees to return to the Lu family—but not to the mansion."

"She wants to live separately?" Qiu Zhiheng's expression turned grave. "If so, I can't guarantee her safety."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Big Brother Qiu, be honest—can you guarantee her safety if she lives inside the Lu mansion?"

Monkey Qiu said nothing.

If Lu Maoxian wanted to kill Lu Chunying, Monkey Qiu could gather men and fight.

If Duan Shaoxia wanted to kill Lu Chunying, Monkey Qiu had no power at all.

Weighing the risks, Monkey Qiu agreed: "Fine. She won't enter the mansion."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Second matter: I heard Zhang Huaiyi, Lu Yuanshan's cousin, is also in the Lu mansion. What's going on? Is Madam Duan trying to bring back a son she claims?"

Qiu Zhiheng gave a slight nod.

"How do you plan to handle this?"

How to handle it?

Qiu Zhiheng had a plan—but couldn't act directly: "The news must leak—but not from me."

Li Banfeng offered a suggestion: "The Lu brothers are in trouble—the newspaper office is neglected. We ran a paper at Heishipo—we have experience. Let us take over the business."

Qiu Zhiheng thought a moment, then smiled and nodded: "You can have the business—but the name must change."

"Don't worry. Our paper is called 'Night-blooming Jasmine.'"

"Agreed."

Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and produced the contract.

PS: Lu Maoxian spared Li Banfeng—but that doesn't mean Li Banfeng spared him.

(End of Chapter)