Chapter 299: The Sixth-Level Technique of Yu Zhaixiu (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Li Banfeng stood at the door, gazing at Ling Miaoying's image, marveling at the craftsmanship.

This image looks just like the real thing—I mistook it for real the first time I saw it at the door, and even now, examining it closely inside the Portable Dwelling, I still can't tell the difference.

Her appearance, expression, clothing, movements, even her voice—Li Banfeng saw not a single flaw.

From the glove's feedback, the image's texture was also extremely lifelike.

"Master, save me! He's squeezing too hard—I'm about to die!"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I want to save you, but this image is impervious to blades and spears."

Tang Dao slashed at it once at Xiaoyao Wharf, even cut off its head—and still it moved.

"Master, think of another way."

Li Banfeng smiled and said, "How about I set it on fire?"

The glove cried out, "Don't set it on fire—you'll burn me too! Master, just turn off that image device!"

Li Banfeng grinned. "What image device? When I returned, I inventoried every magic treasure and spiritual item seized—didn't see any image device."

The glove explained, "I saw you were exhausted, so I took it on behalf of you."

Li Banfeng sidestepped Ling Miaoying's image and picked up the projector in the corner of the room.

The projector's structure was complex, but Li Banfeng had spent this time studying filming and photography—he knew exactly where the critical parts were.

He blew out the candle inside the projector. The machine still ran, but without light, it could no longer project the image.

The image vanished. The glove broke free, staring helplessly as Li Banfeng took the projector, then sincerely said, "Thank you, Master, for saving me."

Though Li Banfeng hadn't fully woken, his strength had recovered seven or eight tenths—he decided not to sleep again, ate something, and took out all of Ling Miaoying's spiritual items and magic treasures for inspection.

He carefully studied the projector, spotted the film slot, and was about to pull out the film when the projector shouted, "Wait! Flip the switch first, or you'll damage the axle!"

The voice was deep, resonant, and powerful—like a tenor singer.

From its logical speech, this was clearly a magic treasure.

Li Banfeng looked at the projector. "Will you follow me from now on?"

The projector adjusted its angle, pointing its lens directly at Li Banfeng. "That depends on whether you truly understand art."

Li Banfeng asked, "What if I do?"

"Then we are kindred spirits."

Li Banfeng asked again, "What if I don't?"

The projector lifted its base stand, making itself slightly taller. "If I never meet a kindred spirit, I'd rather follow Miaoying away."

The pendulum snorted. "So dramatic!"

The teapot scoffed. "Can't stand this stubborn mouth."

The projector asked Li Banfeng, "Are you someone who understands art?"

Li Banfeng placed the projector on the table and turned to pull a roll of film from the box.

This was filmed at Heishi Slope—by his standards, it was his finest work.

He loaded the film into the projector.

The film was over three minutes long, over three hundred feet—logically, such a small projector couldn't possibly hold such a large roll.

But its film chamber's capacity couldn't be judged by sight—the roll slipped in easily, with plenty of spare space left.

The projector ran the film once, then summed it up with one word: "Vulgar!"

Li Banfeng said nothing, waiting for the projector's next comment.

The projector watched again, then judged: "Vulgar, yet with great elegance!"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly. "Now that's someone who knows quality."

The projector said, "Mind lending me a light?"

Li Banfeng struck a match, lit the candle, and the projector, now with light, projected the image.

A young woman, back turned to Li Banfeng, smiled faintly.

Her pale blue qipao slipped down.

Tang Dao straightened up, silently watching the woman.

The glove climbed onto Tang Dao's body, watching with him.

Hufu!

The tea in the old teapot boiled for a moment, steam puffing from its spout.

The wine gourd scoffed. "Old thing, your teapot spout's just as stiff."

The old teapot grunted. "Someone suddenly appeared—I was startled. What age am I? Do you think I still have such thoughts?"

The woman bent slightly, one hand resting on her knee, the other brushing back her hair, glancing back at them all.

The glove shuddered. "This… is real…"

Tang Dao shuddered too, then scolded the glove: "Why are you trembling? Don't move!"

The woman's chest dipped slightly, her peach slightly higher.

"Hmph!" The judge's pen suddenly spoke.

Huchii~

The old teapot spat out a stream of tea, slightly reddened.

The pendulum laughed. "You're bleeding?"

The old teapot coughed. "No, no—I'm just… what age am I…?"

Li Banfeng handed the old teapot a cloth. "If anything else comes out later, use this."

The teapot panted. "Can't anymore—I'll just wipe the tea."

The wine gourd laughed. "I didn't tell you to wipe tea—I told you to cover your face, you old shameless thing!"

During the film's screening, the room split into two factions.

Tang Dao, the glove, the judge's pen, and the old teapot all watched intently.

The pendulum, the wine gourd, the earrings, and the calendar all critiqued loudly.

"Look, her chest isn't small—but they're uneven."

"And the crease between her legs and her peach? Looks terrible!"

Hong Ying was frantic—she couldn't see, didn't know what was happening.

If you won't let me watch, I'll disrupt you all!

"Wicked woman, wake up! Your husband brought home another woman!"

The phonograph slept soundly, unawakened.

Li Banfeng's filmed sequence ended quickly, but the projector's projection hadn't finished.

The woman bowed to Li Banfeng and spoke: "Young master, would you care to spar?"

The projector could control the figures in the film and make them act beyond the film's original content.

Facing the woman's invitation, Li Banfeng shook his head. "Lady, I'm a married man…"

Tang Dao leapt forward, blocking Li Banfeng. "Lord, you needn't be troubled—I'll take this challenge!"

"Good!" Li Banfeng agreed—but Tang Dao moved too slowly; the glove moved first.

The judge's pen lazily called out, "Wait—I too…"

The old teapot coughed twice and sighed. "Look at your faces—don't you feel ashamed? I'm this old, and none of you offer me a moment's courtesy?"

Before he finished speaking, the glove and the woman exchanged over a dozen strikes—no victor emerged.

Though the glove disliked fighting, his skill was excellent—his movements swift and unpredictable.

He'd been caught off guard the first time by Ling Miaoying's image; now prepared, he fought with far greater composure.

Yet composure aside, defeating the woman wasn't easy.

The woman quickly adapted to the glove's style—her strikes grew faster, her movements more elusive, occasionally using her chest and peach to distract the glove.

After several more rounds, the glove suddenly escaped the image's range.

The projector panicked.

It desperately adjusted its projection angle, but the woman in the image could never catch up to the glove.

This was the projector's greatest weakness: once an opponent left its projection angle, it was as if they'd stepped off the screen.

Figures created by the projector could not leave the screen's bounds; until the projection angle was properly adjusted, the projector had no combat capability.

The sparring ended here—the projector had no intention of forcing a win against the glove.

"Director Qi, this film is complete. You may now use this woman for combat. Please pay the production fee."

"Is this the cost?"

"Yes."

Li Banfeng blinked. "You charge by production, not by number of battles?"

The projector replied, "Director Qi, combat is free—but production requires payment."

"Director Qi? What kind of title is that?"

"Others call you Seventh Master—I call you Director Qi. On set, everyone addresses the director that way."

Li Banfeng thought it fine. "What kind of payment do you want?"

"Footage and film. I need excellent shooting material and excellent film stock. The footage must be at least three minutes long and approved by me. The quantity of film depends on the footage."

In other words, to make one film, Li Banfeng had to shoot a high-quality segment—and whether it was approved depended entirely on the projector's judgment.

Li Banfeng had shot plenty of footage already—over ten hours in total.

He handed the film to the projector, which examined each roll, then sighed. "All the same—barely enough for three minutes. This footage isn't high quality. Director Qi, give me a thousand feet of film."

One thousand feet of film can record eleven minutes; Li Banfeng had spare film, gave one reel to the projector, which accepted it, and the film compartment still had room left.

To be honest, judging by the projector's combat power, the capital he needed was not high—this was a fine magic treasure.

Li Banfeng cast an approving glance at the projector, and behind him came a sigh of admiration: "Oh, my lord, this thing is splendid—keep it well, for my lady will find use for it someday."

Li Banfeng was filled with delight: "My lady is awake!"

The projector looked at the phonograph and sighed: "The craftsmanship of Amikan is truly unique…"

Before he finished speaking, a burst of steam nearly scorched the projector.

Tang Dao rebuked sharply: "In the presence of the Mistress, you must know proper etiquette. Come with me to the Second Wing—I'll teach you slowly."

The projector slunk away; the phonograph said to the wine gourd: "Sister, please take them all to the outer chamber and wait—I have matters to discuss with my lord."

Everyone followed the wine gourd out; the phonograph said to Li Banfeng: "My lord, your lady has regained strength—today I shall take you to the sixth level. Are you ready?"

Li Banfeng removed his top hat, adjusted his hair, and stepped into the phonograph's horn.

"Summer comes, willow threads grow long,

Embracing my lord, my noble Seventh,

A heart of benevolence can withstand,

I'll add another chamber for my lord."

This was the Train Eunuch's train.

If my lady says to add a chamber, then a chamber shall be added.

Clearly, my lady understands this train better than I do.

But my lady is unwilling to speak for now.

Since she won't speak, I won't press her—yet my residence has changed; I wonder if she has noticed.

Twenty minutes later, Li Banfeng pulled out from the horn and asked his lady: "'A heart of benevolence'—does that mean I am a loyal, upright man?"

"Oh, my lord, it need not mean only the center is thick—it could mean both sides are thick. In short, it will make you a substantial man."

"A substantial man…" Li Banfeng could not understand.

"It means it can shield you from a fatal blow."

Li Banfeng laughed: "My lady, teach me this technique quickly—I need to go buy groceries."

PS: Tang Dao and the others have gone to the Second Wing to watch the shadow play—they're thrilled!

Sha La is also thrilled—The Lord of Pro has surpassed ten thousand average subscriptions; thank you, dear readers!

(End of Chapter)