Chapter 306: Is It Theft or Robbery?

Li Banfeng asked, "How did the Green Water Beggar defeat Yuan Shoulu?"

Meng Yuchun shook her head, "I don't know. I heard this story, and even now I can't figure out how a ninth-layer could beat a Cloud-Upper second-layer Land God."

The Green Water Beggar seized the Land God's cultivation base and position.

This is a good path—it lets you avoid becoming a slave in Neizhou while keeping your body intact.

The other path is theft.

"How do you walk the path of theft?"

"Theft has two kinds: stealthy seizure and stealthy passage.

Stealthy seizure is similar to robbery—you steal the position from the Land God, but cultivation is hard to steal; you must first occupy a higher position with lower-level cultivation, then find a way to rapidly ascend.

The greatest danger in this method isn't stealing the position, but the position's backlash when low-level cultivation occupies a high-level position.

The other kind is more like deception—you steal human qi from another Land God's territory, bypassing Tribulation Crossing to directly ascend to Cloud-Upper first-layer."

Li Banfeng didn't fully understand: "You can bypass Tribulation Crossing?"

"Simply put, at ninth-layer, you steal human qi, deceive heaven and earth, and use Cloud-Upper cultivation methods to cross the tenth-layer."

"How do you steal human qi?"

"I don't know," Meng Yuchun shook her head. "Whether theft or robbery, neither is possible for ordinary people. If I truly had that ability, I wouldn't be suffering in Neizhou.

I've told you everything I can. Don't renege—you must find more people to reclaim land!"

"I'll find people, but your rules must change!"

Meng Yuchun frowned. "Now you're setting conditions? These are my rules—I won't change them. If you renege, you won't take a single step out of here!"

Li Banfeng looked at the boundary of the plot and asked, "Your borders are almost as wide as the official territory's edge."

"Does official territory even have borders?" Meng Yuchun looked confused.

"Yes—the Border Guard Commissioner sets them."

Meng Yuchun stared at Li Banfeng. "Who's the Border Guard Commissioner?"

Li Banfeng stared at Meng Yuchun. "Sister, how many years have you spent in Neizhou?"

Meng Yuchun frowned. "Didn't I tell you? I can't remember. Let's first clarify the land reclamation!"

"I'm talking about land reclamation—the size of the plot shouldn't be decided by you, but by the reclaimers themselves."

Meng Yuchun shook her head. "No, that won't work. You bring a group and reclaim just one li square? I have ten thousand plots—how long will this take?

Even three-li plots feel too slow—it'd take over a thousand reclamation attempts!"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Not everyone can reclaim a three-li plot."

Meng Yuchun smiled. "Don't worry—I've sent plenty of people here these past days, you've seen them. Anyone without ability will die here."

Li Banfeng didn't know what to say.

This sister had stayed in Neizhou too long—she'd gone soft in the head.

"You want people to reclaim land, yet set such a high barrier. They die, your human qi doesn't rise, and in the end, no one gains anything—both sides lose."

"You think this is peaches, and both sides just lose?" Meng Yuchun wasn't convinced, but she understood Li Banfeng's point. "Fine—you pick the capable ones. Then we'll discuss plot size."

That was a sensible idea.

They signed a contract. Meng Yuchun waved her hand—the plot's boundaries vanished.

Li Banfeng asked, "Is that your technique?"

Meng Yuchun glared. "You're a traveling cultivator—why ask me about techniques?"

Definitely a land cultivator's technique.

Li Banfeng walked around his plot, generally satisfied: "When I'm away, someone must manage my home. That toad brother—you'll be my steward."

The cultivation toad, slightly wounded, still held a grudge against Li Banfeng. His cheeks puffed out as he said, "Ribbit! Why should I be your steward?"

Li Banfeng pulled out two Xuan Chi Pills and shoved them into the toad's hands. "I won't make you work for free."

The toad glanced at the pills, then lifted his head proudly and shouted to the other strange creatures: "Keep your distance! This is Seventh Master's territory—don't you know?"

The strange creatures exchanged glances. A gray-furred wolf stepped forward. "Seventh Master, one steward isn't enough. Don't you need a lookout?"

A golden eagle flew down. "Seventh Master, I'm good at lookout—I've sharp eyes."

The gray wolf growled. "Sharp eyes? My nose is sharper!"

The eagle snorted. "So what if your nose is sharp? Do you watch the land with your nose?"

They argued. Li Banfeng gave each two pills and hired them both.

Besides steward and lookout, Li Banfeng hired a nest of earth pigs as laborers to build two houses. Once everything was arranged, he confirmed the direction and set off for Green Water City.

Meng Yuchun's land was remote. With his cultivation, Li Banfeng ran from dawn to dusk before reaching Blue Willow Village—farther than from Black Rock Slope to Green Water Bay.

On the way, Li Banfeng calculated the time.

Three days in Oil Lake.

Three days reclaiming new land.

One day traveling.

Seven full days without returning home.

Will the Portable Dwelling get angry?

It wouldn't get angry—without it, would I have ended up in Oil Lake?

The Portable Dwelling isn't the issue—it's my wife.

My wife must be furious. I must explain properly.

Just talking won't do. Maybe I should bring some machine oil.

I have plenty of oil—but it won't last long.

Machine oil isn't a lasting solution. I should bring my wife a gift.

But what gift? Her favorite things are hard to find.

When I reach ninth-layer, how will I ascend to tenth-layer?

Theft or robbery?

Robbery is too difficult.

Theft's process is too abstract.

Maybe it's not that abstract—she just described it that way.

I need more information. I must plan ahead—layout before reaching ninth-layer.

But my immediate priority is reaching ninth-layer as soon as possible.

As he pondered, Li Banfeng entered Blue Willow Village and noticed it was unusually quiet.

An old woman sat outside her house, sewing shoes. Li Banfeng greeted her: "Auntie, where's everyone?"

The old woman smiled warmly. "Child, sit. Have a bowl of water first."

Li Banfeng was indeed thirsty. He took the bowl, then the old woman asked, "Are you from outside?"

Li Banfeng nodded.

The old woman smiled. "Tough journey. Five yuan for directions, ten yuan for information—this bowl of water is twenty-five."

Blue Willow Village's folkways were still as pure as ever.

Li Banfeng didn't take advantage of people—but this price was outrageous.

He lowered his hat brim and smiled faintly at the old woman.

The old woman felt a chill. Having survived this long in Blue Willow Village, she had some eyesight. She quickly apologized: "I was joking! This little thing doesn't cost anything.

Song's eldest son returned—he wants to reclaim the village. Old Gen and his men are fighting at Dream Spring Garden. The whole village went to watch."

No wonder the village was so quiet.

Li Banfeng slipped the old woman ten yuan and walked off smiling.

My wife's meal is settled.

At Dream Spring Garden's gate, Song Zhigang, Song's eldest son, stood with two Wu Xiu, facing off against Old Gen.

In Song Zhigang's memory, Old Gen was just a road laborer at the village entrance—he never expected him to have the guts to fight him now.

"You little brat, you dare attack me now?" Song Zhigang spat. "Get out of my way! This is my Song family's land. Whoever blocks me today dies!"

Old Gen's face bore wounds; his spoon had been broken.

Yet he held his bucket firm. "I'm standing right here. Try coming closer!"

Song Zhigang pinched his nose. "You're trying to gross me out? I don't fall for that." He turned to the two Wu Xiu. "Gentlemen, deal with this trash."

The two Wu Xiu hesitated. They were both fourth-layer—cultivation above Gen's.

But they'd fought Gen before. They knew what was in his bucket. They didn't want to get close—that's why Gen had held out this long.

But Song Zhigang didn't want to waste time. When the two Wu Xiu refused to move, he ordered his other subordinates to act.

Gen braced for a fight. Li Banfeng stepped forward from the crowd and calmed Old Gen:

"Gen, put down the bucket.

Elder Song, why are you so angry?"

Song Zhigang stared at Li Banfeng for a long time. He couldn't see his face—only the low-brimmed hat.

This was the madman who tore down his house!

"You're Li Qi, right?" Song Zhigang clenched his fists. "I've been looking for you. I'm back. Blue Willow Village is still my Song family's land.

You and Ma Wu pack your things. In ten minutes, get out."

Li Banfeng had once given Song Zhigang ten minutes to move. Song Zhigang remembered that grudge.

Li Banfeng lowered his hands. "Elder Song, calm down. Past grievances are over. Let's talk about what's happening now."

Song Zhigang shook his head. "I've got nothing to discuss with you. Are you leaving or not? If not, you die today."

"Don't say we're bullying you—we're giving you two choices: either settle this right here and now, or go out into the wilderness tonight for a life-or-death duel. We follow the rules of Lan Yang Village."

The onlookers all had their eyes wide open; some whispered among themselves.

"Song's eldest son's back—does Lan Yang Village belong to the Songs again?"

"If they're back, we'll lose half our share. Our lives will be miserable."

"Who says they can just come back? Seventh Master and Fifth Master aren't easy to provoke."

"Song Zhigang dared to return—he must have a new patron. I bet those two behind him aren't ordinary."

Li Banfeng also noticed the two Wu Xiu behind Song Zhigang.

These past days, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu's business had grown larger and larger. Even if Song Zhigang was poorly informed, he should at least know Lan Yang Village still fell under Lu family protection.

If he dared come, it meant he was willing to challenge the Lu family head-on. As for who his patron really was—he'd find out soon enough.

Li Banfeng smiled warmly. "Elder Song, how long has it been since we last met? You come in talking like this—doesn't that hurt our harmony? Come inside with me, let's have a couple drinks first. We can talk business later."

Seeing Li Qi soften, Song Zhigang signaled his men to follow Li Banfeng into Mengchun Garden.

Li Banfeng had the private room prepared, ordered wine and dishes to be served, and dismissed all unrelated personnel.

Li Banfeng warmly urged the guests: "Don't be formal—eat and drink up."

Song Zhigang slammed his fist on the table. "Stop wasting time. Tell me plainly—when are you leaving?"

"Elder Song, don't be so impatient. Didn't I say we'd eat first?" Li Banfeng turned and locked the private room door.

Song Zhigang barked: "I'll warn you—these two behind me are senior retainers of Old Master Lu. I returned to Lan Yang Village on Old Master Lu's orders. All else you say is meaningless."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes, it's your last meal. If you won't eat properly, what's the point of all this talk?"

The two Wu Xiu frowned. One glared at Li Banfeng. "Damn it—you want us to beg you?"

Before the words finished, Li Banfeng suddenly appeared behind him, brushing his fingers across the Wu Xiu's cheek. "I invited you to eat because I respect you. You won't even eat properly? You really don't want the face I'm offering."

The Wu Xiu tried to rise, but suddenly felt his Qi blocked, his body weak.

Li Banfeng's sickle had already slashed his throat.

Blood gushed out. The Wu Xiu clutched his neck, trying to fight back—but he couldn't even see Li Banfeng's shadow.

When the Wu Xiu stopped struggling, Li Banfeng pulled out a roll of adhesive tape, tore off a strip, and sealed his neck, keeping him half-dead, half-alive.

The other Wu Xiu trembled as he rose, trying to leap out the window. Li Banfeng grabbed his hair by the window and slammed him to the ground.

Tears welled in his eyes as he pleaded: "Seventh Master, we never meant to offend you. Old Master Lu ordered us here—we truly had no intention of crossing you…"

"I don't want to offend you either," Li Banfeng smiled. "But my brother's spoon was broken. That was his treasure. How do we settle this?"

"I'll pay!"

"Good. You'll pay." Li Banfeng swung his sickle, severing the Wu Xiu's spine.

The Wu Xiu collapsed onto the floor.

Song Zhigang knelt before Li Banfeng. "Seventh Master, I'm leaving right now. I swear I'll never set foot in Lan Yang Village again."

Li Banfeng smiled. "Elder Song, that sounds so distant. Lan Yang Village is your home. You'll live here now—quietly, steadily."

PS: The first step to increasing your strength? Feed your wife until she's plump.

(End of Chapter)