Chapter 384: Stand Together Against a Common Foe

Li Banfeng was still planning to investigate the feud between Pan De and Bei Wushuang, when Pan De came to him voluntarily.

Pan De rose from beneath the tree, leaning on his cane, smiling warmly: "I came here today to discuss matters with Meng Yuchun, but I didn't expect you to be here too—so the rumors I heard must be true."

"What rumors did you hear?"

"Some say you're Meng Yuchun's lover—is that true?"

How should Li Banfeng answer? Yes or no?

Pan De was a De Xiu; lying to him would be easily exposed.

Li Banfeng replied: "Someone did say that."

The truth.

Pan De frowned: "But I heard Meng Yuchun doesn't like long things—she prefers flat ones. Has her taste changed where you're concerned?"

Li Banfeng smiled coolly: "You've been spying on her bedroom affairs again—you old shameless fellow."

"I didn't spy—I heard it from others."

"You still pry into her bedroom affairs—you're truly shameless."

Pan De didn't anger; he shook his head: "Enough. I came to Meng Yuchun to form an alliance against a wicked man. Since you're here too, lend a hand."

"Lend a hand? You really think highly of me," Li Banfeng said, studying Pan De—this old rascal hadn't changed a bit. "First tell me why I should help you."

"I just said—we're targeting a wicked man. Punishing evil and promoting virtue is the highest virtue. You're a virtuous man; you can't just stand by."

Li Banfeng laughed: "You say he's wicked, so he is? First tell me what evil he actually committed."

"Have you heard of Bei Wushuang?"

"I've heard of him. I've met him."

Pan De nodded: "His crimes need no elaboration—you've seen him yourself. You're bound to help."

"Met him and I'm bound to help? What kind of rule is that?" Li Banfeng rejected the logic. "You'll have to say more. I know nothing of Bei Wushuang's crimes."

Pan De sighed: "Do you remember last year's locust plague?"

"Of course. I risked my life helping you end it—surely you haven't forgotten that debt?"

Pan De nodded: "That's why I say you're a virtuous man—bestowing kindness without expecting return. Do you know what caused the plague?"

"I know—it was Huang Xiliang's doing." Li Banfeng stated the truth outright, sparing Pan De his roundaboutness.

Pan De shook his head: "You know only half. There's a secret here you're unaware of. If I tell you, how will you repay me?"

Li Banfeng pointed afar: "There's a brother of mine. I'll borrow a bucket of gold from him for you—will that suffice?"

As they spoke, Meng Yuchun appeared midair, glaring at Pan De: "Who are you?"

Pan De looked up: "You must be Miss Meng?"

Meng Yuchun snapped: "Did you use magic to harm my sisters?"

Pan De looked bewildered: "When have I ever done harm to anyone?"

"My sisters have grown distant from me—surely you had a hand in this?"

Pan De smiled at Li Banfeng: "See? I didn't spy or inquire—this came from you yourself."

One thing Li Banfeng had never understood: why did Pan De make such a spectacle arriving in Meng Yuchun's territory? Didn't he fear Bei Wushuang would learn he'd come?

After careful thought, Li Banfeng understood.

Pan De wanted Bei Wushuang to know he had visited Meng Yuchun.

He wanted Bei Wushuang to know he had ties with Meng Yuchun!

Now, even if Meng Yuchun refused to help, she'd have to—because once Pan De left, Bei Wushuang would strike at her.

It was the same tactic Pan De once used to lure mosquitoes into the belt ditch.

Li Banfeng looked up at Meng Yuchun: "This is Master Pan of Haichiling, a paragon of virtue. Let's find a place to speak seriously."

Meng Yuchun sized up Pan De: "So this is the local deity of Haichiling?"

Before Li Banfeng could answer, Pan De bowed: "This humble old man is none other."

Meng Yuchun remained angry, but she knew Pan De's name and the power of a true local deity. She followed Li Banfeng's advice and led them to a hidden cave.

Li Banfeng worried the cave wasn't safe—the safest place would be Meng Yuchun's residence.

But Li Banfeng knew well: Meng Yuchun and Pan De were strangers; she'd never reveal the location of her home to him.

Before entering the cave, the thread-earring whispered in his ear: "Master, there's movement."

Movement was normal. Whenever Li Banfeng entered Bei Wushuang's territory, Bei Wushuang sensed it. With Pan De making such a commotion, Bei Wushuang's spies had likely followed.

How could they conceal this?

Li Banfeng glanced back—several black eagles circled outside the cave. These black eagles were common in Xin Di, mostly spiritless. Beyond them, Li Banfeng saw no other life.

Once Li Banfeng entered the cave, a crow slipped into the group of black eagles.

Pan De sat on a rock and sighed: "I traveled all this way, and you haven't even prepared tea."

Meng Yuchun was slightly affected—she felt a pang of guilt.

Li Banfeng noticed a puddle in the cave: "Master Pan, let's use the water as tea—the intent matters more than the form. Why not just bend down and drink?"

Pan De smiled helplessly—some tricks simply didn't work on Li Banfeng.

He got straight to the point: "After the disaster passed, I investigated its origin. The culprit was indeed Huang Xiliang."

Li Banfeng asked: "Who is Huang Xiliang?"

"One of the leaders of the Insect Cultivators—the very Insect King you mentioned. But alone, he couldn't have produced such fierce mosquitoes."

"How do you know?"

Pan De shook his head: "The habits of the extermination mosquitoes have surpassed natural insect behavior—not merely their appetite for grain,

but their reproduction speed, resistance to poison, and sensitivity to food all far exceed those of ordinary mosquitoes.

These insects resemble mosquitoes only in appearance; in every other aspect, they have nothing to do with insects. I've consulted many ancient texts, and no record of such insects appears in any plague account.

Meaning—they weren't born naturally. Someone created them."

Li Banfeng asked: "Can the Insect King not create new insect species?"

Pan De shook his head: "Insect cultivators excel at controlling insects. Huang Xiliang created the Iron Thread River—his iron-thread worms, thousands of miles away, still obey him, proving his immense magic power.

Insect cultivators also excel at selective breeding—choosing the strongest specimens from a species for battle.

But breeding and creating are different. I've never heard of any insect cultivator creating an entirely new species."

Meng Yuchun said: "Not just insect cultivators, right? No Dao sect I know can create new life forms."

Pan De nodded: "Miss Meng speaks wisely—you're truly a paragon of virtue. This isn't the work of one sect or one person.

From what I know, several cultivators were involved. Huang Xiliang is the main culprit, but Bei Wushuang is also an accomplice.

Given their crimes in Haichiling, Bei Wushuang deserves death. And since we still don't know the full backstory of why they targeted Haichiling, this may be our chance to uncover a larger conspiracy.

Of course, I'm not acting only for Haichiling. Having such a despicable man as your neighbor must make you restless. Let's act soon and eliminate the threat forever."

Meng Yuchun glanced at Li Banfeng. She agreed with Pan De—killing Bei Wushuang benefited both her and Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng said to Pan De: "Master Pan, if you mean to kill Bei Wushuang, you should strike secretly, catching him off guard. Why reveal your intent?

Now he's terrified and cautious—killing him will be far harder."

Pan De sighed deeply: "I once considered a stealthy strike. But then I thought better of it.

Bei Wushuang partnered with Huang Xiliang—he's no fool. If I act rashly, I might fail to kill him and fall victim to his ambush.

I've spread word so that virtuous people like you learn of Bei Wushuang's crimes and join me in righteous vengeance!"

So that's his trick.

This old rascal always drags others into his schemes—and frames it as noble.

Li Banfeng said: "If we refused to help, you'd have spread rumors that Meng Yuchun plans to strike Bei Wushuang—forcing us to take the blame."

Pan De shook his head: "I hadn't planned to do that."

Li Banfeng scoffed: "Master Pan, don't be modest—you've already done it!"

Pan De's methods are despicable, but he's not wrong.

Living next to a man like Bei Wushuang does make one restless.

Bei Wushuang seized the territory of Bashan Master—I don't know the reasons, so I won't judge.

But I entered Bei Wushuang's territory and nearly died because of him. That alone is a grudge I won't forget.

"Master Pan, Bei Wushuang truly deserves death—but do you have a plan?"

Pan De nodded: "I do have a plan. But I'm unsure whether I should tell you."

Li Banfeng paused: "You came to discuss revenge—what's left unsaid?"

Pan De looked at Meng Yuchun: "I came to discuss revenge with Miss Meng."

Li Banfeng frowned.

What's going on?

Do you look down on me?

Meng Yuchun naturally gave Li Banfeng face—she sat beside him, linking arms: "He's my lover. Whatever I can hear, he can hear. Whatever he agrees to, I'll agree to."

Pan De sighed softly: "I withhold this for his sake. Li Qi—this battle may be beyond your reach. Tell me, what level is your cultivation base now?"

So he's probing my cultivation level—using reverse psychology.

Should I tell him?

Li Banfeng smiled: "My cultivation is certainly inferior to yours, Master Pan. If you fear I'll be a burden, I won't join the fight."

Meng Yuchun tightened her grip on his arm: "If he doesn't fight, I won't either."

Pan De nodded: "Two virtuous souls, determined to punish evil—your resolve moves me. Very well, I'll reveal the strategy to you both.

I entered the Dao path years before you, and my cultivation base is slightly higher—I won't ask you to take risks,

All you need to do is enter Beiwushuang's territory and feign battle with him. I'll venture into the dragon's den and tiger's lair, sneak into his residence, steal his contract, then rejoin you to kill this villain.

"Look at Master Pan's demeanor," Li Banfeng said to Meng Yuchun, "Master Pan himself said we shouldn't take risks."

Pan Dehai chuckled: "You two needn't be so polite. I always prioritize virtue in my actions. Caring for the younger generation is my wish—and the act of a virtuous man."

If the root was nearby, Li Banfeng would immediately scoop a spoonful of gold liquid and pour it over Pan Dehai's face.

"Master Pan, why not speak plainly? You simply want us to be the bait to draw out Beiwushuang, then seize the chance to steal his contract."

"If we hold out, you get all the credit. If we don't, you walk away unscathed. Is that the idea?"

Pan Dehai shook his head vigorously: "Li Qi, you misunderstand me—I have no such intention!"

"Whether you mean it or not, we won't be the bait," Li Banfeng said to Pan Dehai. "Find someone else to play that role."

The atmosphere grew tense.

The thread-earring whispered: "Master, there's movement outside. Real movement."

A crow flew past the cave entrance. Pan Dehai's face darkened: "Miss Meng, I came to you with sincerity, yet your lover's words are quite unpleasant."

Meng Yuchun wanted to ease the tension, thinking how to reply, when suddenly she felt a tingling itch on her peach.

Li Banfeng was gently stroking the peach with his fingertip. Meng Yuchun was about to rage—then realized he seemed to be writing on her peach.

Two characters total—one on each half of the peach. Li Banfeng wrote them three times over.

Meng Yuchun trembled her peach—and recognized the two characters.

She sneered at Pan Dehai: "So what if his words are unpleasant? I follow him."

Pan Dehai rose: "If that's how it is, we have nothing more to say. I'll call this trip a waste. Goodbye."

Meng Yuchun also stood: "You come and go as you please? What do you think this place is?"

Pan Dehai looked at Meng Yuchun, frowning slightly.

…

Deep night. Beiwushuang was inspecting outposts when a crow flew before him and whispered low: "Master, Pan Dehai went to Meng Yuchun's territory. He knows her lover—they're together discussing something."

Beiwushuang replied calmly: "I already know."

The crow continued: "Pan Dehai is playing dirty. Her lover refuses. They couldn't reach an agreement. Meng Yuchun and Pan Dehai quarreled, fought—Meng Yuchun was wounded, badly."

"Pan Dehai was wounded too. Trapped inside her boundary, he can't escape."

Beiwushuang's expression remained blank: "Reconnoiter again."

After the crow left, Beiwushuang gazed into the distance and snorted.

After a moment of thought, a magpie suddenly flew over and whispered in his ear: "That lover has come again."

Beiwushuang turned and walked toward the northwest.

After walking over ten miles, he stopped and called out: "Why are you here?"

Li Banfeng stepped out of the night and said to Beiwushuang: "I've come to deliver a great gift."

"What great gift?" Beiwushuang stuck out his tongue.

"Pan Dehai is trapped by Meng Yuchun. If you want to strike him, now is the perfect moment."

(End of Chapter)