Chapter 441: Body Assembly Technique (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Sun Tiecheng taught Li Banfeng the essential principles of the Iron Evidence Mountain technique.

"Iron Evidence Mountain has two rules: first, the evidence must be truly ironclad; second, the judgment must be decisive.

Some people can't produce ironclad evidence, yet they swear on the spot or claim every word is true—nonsense.

True ironclad evidence must be visible, tangible, and solidly placed before the other party.

Once you present the ironclad evidence, the judgment must be swift—never say 'it should be this way' or 'it's nine out of ten certain.'

If you're nine-tenths certain, the remaining tenth invites suspicion; even a hint of doubt breaks the technique.

Before ironclad evidence, there is no ambiguity, no defense, no room for retreat or negotiation—only then does the evidence become a mountain. Whoever refuses must be crushed until they cannot move!"

Li Banfeng had been pinned down by Yan Cui'er because he was truly crushed by a mountain.

Excellent technique!

Li Banfeng gained deep insight—he was certain this method would help Qiū Luòyè pass the first trial.

After thanking him, Li Banfeng wished to return to Qīqiū City, but Sun Tiecheng was displeased.

"You come when you want, leave when you've learned—what do you think this place is?"

"Aren't you going to celebrate the New Year? Eat the New Year's Eve dinner first!"

Li Banfeng said: "I'll eat the New Year's Eve dinner later. I won't forget my thanks—let me finish my urgent matter first."

Sun Tiecheng refused: "Nonsense. 'Later' isn't New Year's Eve! Yan Hong, order the kitchen to prepare a full feast. Yan Qing'er, have the girls sing songs. Yan Cui'er, pin him down!"

Sun Tiecheng resorted to force. Li Banfeng tried to flee, but his legs refused to cooperate; he barely reached the door before Yan Cui dragged him back.

Li Banfeng was frantic, pacing and shouting, when suddenly a cry rang out from the street:

"Foreign soap, snow cream, matches, candles, foreign iron shovels—come see, come look! A cart full of fine goods, pick your fill!"

A peddler!

Li Banfeng rejoiced, thinking he had a way out—he started to rush out, but Sun Tiecheng blocked him inside.

"Close the door!" Sun Tiecheng ordered.

Yan Hong quickly shut the main door; Yan Cui cracked open a window slit and peered outside.

Sun Tiecheng told Li Banfeng: "Don't make a sound. Don't let him know I'm here."

Li Banfeng asked in surprise: "You're afraid of the peddler?"

Sun Tiecheng shook his head: "I'm not afraid of him—he's afraid of me. He looks shabby, and he doesn't want me to see him like that."

"Shabby?" Li Banfeng was startled. In Pulu Province, few dared call a peddler shabby.

Li Banfeng peered through the window slit—the peddler did look shabby.

"Miss, how about these hair ties? You want the whole bundle? Just one yuan?"

An old woman bought a bundle of hair ties and gave the peddler one yuan. He endured it.

"Old sir, interested in this leather bucket?"

An old man picked out a leather bucket, tossed down one yuan, and ran off.

The peddler endured it.

A young woman came with a bottle to scoop snow cream—she took two big spoonfuls and paid one yuan.

Though the peddler sold snow cream loose, it was genuinely high-quality; Hong Ying adored it—smooth and fine on the skin, making the ladies envious.

Even this fine product cost only one yuan.

When did the peddler open a one-yuan store?

Will the entrance-grade powder today also cost just one yuan?

An old man rummaged through the peddler's cart for ages, turning everything upside down, bought nothing—yet the peddler didn't get angry.

A child came over, grabbed a handful of sugar, stuffed it in his mouth, and ran off—the peddler didn't get angry.

Some even came to openly rob him—but the peddler never got angry.

What was the reason?

When the entire cart was looted, the peddler pushed it away.

He slipped away silently, because even his rattle had been stolen.

Watching the peddler's retreating figure, Li Banfeng couldn't fathom the reason.

The peddler had once warned Li Banfeng to stay away from Fool Cultivators—yet here he was, running straight into Fool City and suffering such a loss.

Li Banfeng looked at Sun Tiecheng: "Big Brother Sun, did the peddler lose a bet with you?"

Sun Tiecheng shook his head: "I never made a bet with him."

Li Banfeng asked again: "Then did he lose a fight with you?"

Sun Tiecheng smiled: "In Pulu Province, I fear no one in battle—but I cannot defeat this peddler."

Li Banfeng couldn't understand: "If not a bet, not a fight—why does he come here to suffer?"

Sun Tiecheng's smile carried a trace of bitterness: "Because he owes me."

What did the peddler owe him?

Sun Tiecheng didn't wish to elaborate further.

Li Banfeng never asked about things others didn't wish to say.

Sun Tiecheng turned to Qiū Luòyè: "You came here to learn techniques to strip Qiū Luòyè of his Cloud Cultivation and then help him regain it."

Li Banfeng was stunned: "How do you know that?"

Sun Tiecheng was proud: "What am I? Who am I? When you caused chaos in the city, I already guessed your intent.

You learned Iron Evidence Mountain—correct technique, but only a superficial grasp. That little bit won't save Qiū Luòyè.

Among the Earth Deities, Qiū Luòyè has some reputation—not from his long nose blowing air, but earned through real ability.

If you don't master this technique thoroughly, you won't fool him. Stay here two days; let the girls train you properly. Your Fool Cultivation skills are far inferior to theirs."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I want to master the technique, but I have no time. The Inner Province might strike today."

"No!" Sun Tiecheng was certain. "The Inner Province just seized a piece of legitimate land—they won't kill Qiū Luòyè so easily. They'll wait three or five days.

Stay here, learn the technique properly, then leave. This must succeed on the first try—once you fail, there's no second chance.

Also, before Qiū Luòyè grows flesh and blood, you must never tell him he's already become a soul—otherwise the technique breaks.

After he sheds his original flesh, you must immediately attach a temporary substitute flesh to him, holding it until his own flesh grows back—this substitute must never be removed."

To shed original flesh and grow new flesh, a transitional flesh is required.

This task is difficult.

Li Banfeng asked: "How do I attach flesh to Qiū Luòyè?"

Sun Tiecheng said: "This is the Body Assembly Technique. I'll have Yan Cui'er teach you. Don't say foolish things while learning—don't hurt Cui'er's feelings.

Remember: Iron Evidence Mountain must be ironclad. The attached flesh must resemble his own appearance to hold him steady—absolutely no room for suspicion, or all is lost."

Li Banfeng asked: "Big Brother Sun, do you admire Brother Qiū?"

Sun Tiecheng said nothing.

Li Banfeng said: "Big Brother Sun, if you think Brother Qiū is worth saving, would you go yourself? I'll find a way to pay you."

Sun Tiecheng looked at Li Banfeng and asked a crucial question: "You say you're my final disciple—then why do you call me 'Big Brother'? Where are the rules?"

Li Banfeng clasped his hands, grinning: "We're family—call each other however we feel close. Why stick to rules?"

Sun Tiecheng smiled and called out: "Yan Cui'er, pin him down! I'll go get a knife and chop him to pieces!"

Yan Cui'er immediately came forward and pinned Li Banfeng.

Tang Chang pleaded: "Master, calm down!"

Sun Tiecheng shoved Tang Chang aside: "No! I must chop him!"

…

Over three days, Li Banfeng was rigorously trained day and night by a group of girls—his technique improved greatly.

Just then, Sun Tiecheng arrived. Li Banfeng brewed him a pot of tea.

Rarely had Li Banfeng been so proper—Sun Tiecheng was pleased. He lifted the cup, sipped, savored, and asked: "Isn't this tea a bit weak?"

Li Banfeng replied: "Weak tea is good—it doesn't harm the stomach."

Sun Tiecheng sipped again, tasted, then said: "It doesn't harm the stomach—this is clearly just water. Why call it tea?"

Li Banfeng froze: "How can it be water? It's brewed from the teapot! Whatever comes from a teapot is tea—Iron Evidence Mountain!"

Sun Tiecheng said: "But there's no tea leaves in the pot—still just water."

"There are tea leaves!" Li Banfeng picked up a tea bag from the tray. "The tea leaves are right here—Iron Evidence Mountain!"

"Did you put the tea leaves into the pot?"

Li Banfeng glanced at Yan Cui'er, who nodded: "The boss himself put them in—I saw it."

Sun Tiecheng was astonished: "You saw it?"

Yan Cui'er nodded firmly.

Li Banfeng said: "Witness and evidence both present!"

Sun Tiecheng lifted the cup and took another sip—strangely, he actually tasted tea.

Fool Cultivation techniques ignore levels—Sun Tiecheng tasted tea, proving Li Banfeng had truly mastered the technique.

"Good lad, you've got skill!" Sun Tiecheng was satisfied. "How's your Body Assembly Technique coming?"

Yan Cui'er blushed: "He's learned it very well."

Sun Tiecheng was stunned: "Cui'er, when did you start blushing?"

Li Banfeng frowned: "Can you ask that? Don't you hurt Cui'er's feelings?"

Sun Tiecheng smiled—he had already seen through the technique's foundation.

Actually, this trick isn't difficult: Li Banfeng took some stored blood from the Blood-Soaked Pendulum and injected it into Yan Cuier's body using the Body-Building Technique; with blood inside, her face naturally turned red.

Not only did her face turn red, but other parts of her body also regained color—but Yan Cuier forbade others from seeing her, saying that from now on, only Li Qi was allowed to see her.

Tang Chang let out a snort: "If you won't let anyone see you, how are we supposed to run this brothel?"

Yan Cuier snorted: "Has this brothel ever actually had customers? Have I ever done business in my life? Why don't I remember?"

Tang Chang's face twisted in anger, and he fell silent.

Anyone who came to this brothel from outside the city had their flesh and blood shaved off.

Even in Fool's City, no one dared come here for amusement.

This brothel has never made a single sale.

Can dressing up like a blooming flower and stepping out to greet guests really attract any?

Every day they practice singing, learn tea-making—yet at night, the sisters practice bedroom arts on each other; will any of this ever be useful?

And don't even mention them—how many customers do the restaurants and inns outside get in a whole year?

The sign hanging outside is just to give ourselves the illusion of a livelihood.

Creating this livelihood with no customers? It's to hold onto a hope.

Holding onto a hope? To believe we're still alive.

This must never be spoken aloud—if even this illusion is shattered, even Tang Chang's high cultivation base might not withstand it.

With color restored, Yan Cuier naturally became far more beautiful; Yan Hong and Yan Qing'er were envious beyond words—but how long the blood would last depended entirely on how Yan Cuier cared for herself.

Having received much care from Yan Cuier these days, Li Banfeng promised that next time he came, he'd bring her more blood.

Sun Tiecheng was satisfied with Li Banfeng's technique: "Go find Qiuluoye. You should be able to pass the Soul-Departure Pass—but don't rush into action."

"The Rebirth Pass and the Earth-Keeping Pass—neither can afford a single mistake. Prepare thoroughly, don't overlook any detail."

"But thorough as you are, don't delay too long. Three days have already passed; within a day or two, Neizhou will likely unveil some new trick."

Sun Tiecheng knew the procedure for passing the Three Passes inside and out.

Li Banfeng never let anyone do something for nothing: previously, Sun Tiecheng taught him techniques as payment for passing his trial; this time, the price must be separate.

He bowed deeply: "Big Brother Sun, what can I do for you? If one task isn't enough, name more."

Sun Tiecheng did have something he wanted Li Banfeng to do—he looked at the women in the brothel: "Who among you wants to go out and see the world?"

Li Banfeng immediately understood: "Anyone who wants to leave, follow me."

Tang Chang kept his head down, silent; the girls said nothing.

Sun Tiecheng glanced at Yan Cuier; she bit her lip, wanting to follow Li Qi—but after much thought, she still didn't speak.

They all wanted to go out and see, yet all feared leaving.

Sun Tiecheng sighed: "You lot are hopeless—what will become of you later?"

"Old Seven, when you fight Neizhou, stay alert at all times—never let your guard down. Take extra care."

"Thank you, Big Brother, for the warning. I'll remember this kindness—and when the time comes to repay it, I won't hesitate."

Li Banfeng ran swiftly, sprinting all the way back to Qiuqiu City from the New Land.

Ma Wu had already prepared the herbs; Li Banfeng sent them all into the Portable Dwelling for the Copper Lotus to refine into pills.

The original agreement was two days; Li Banfeng spent three learning the technique and nearly a day traveling—four full days have passed. Qiuluoye should have memorized the terrain of Wuqinxiang by now.

Qiuluoye was confident: "Anywhere I've been, I remember."

Li Banfeng took Qiuluoye for a walk; barely beyond Junyang Avenue, Qiuluoye's condition grew strange.

"There's an alley here—through the alley is a river; across the river is a soy milk vendor—his soy milk is delicious."

Li Banfeng looked at the alley Qiuluoye described: "Big Brother, you took this alley to cross the river and drink soy milk?"

Qiuluoye nodded: "Yes, this alley—no mistake."

"Big Brother, this is a dead end."

"Did I get it wrong? Was it the alley next door?" Qiuluoye scratched his head, sweat breaking out on his brow.

It wasn't that he wasn't trying—he'd wandered Wuqinxiang for days—but he simply couldn't remember the roads.

Once they left the town, Qiuluoye began turning the wrong way.

Li Banfeng recalled watching some educational programs in Waizhou, where they said elephants had exceptional memories, especially for paths.

Qiuluoye was nothing like an elephant in this regard.

Li Banfeng returned to the Portable Dwelling; Honglian had already refined the flesh-growth pill.

The first two passes were ready—but the third had become the most serious problem. Li Banfeng told the Phonograph about Qiuluoye's condition; the Phonograph gave a definitive verdict:

"Beloved husband, even if you pass the first two passes, it won't help. He doesn't know his own territory, and the territory itself is small. Even if you recover his cultivation base, he won't be able to hold it—he'll lose it again immediately, and Qiuluoye will die on the spot."

Let Qiuluoye wander two more days?

Two days won't help. A month might make a difference.

Li Banfeng remembered Sun Tiecheng's warning—he seemed to understand Neizhou well. He said not to rush, that Qiuluoye was safe; yet he also said not to delay, because Neizhou would act soon.

The knife is already at his throat—how much longer can he wait?

After much deliberation, Li Banfeng said: "No more waiting. We act tonight."

PS: What did the peddler owe Sun Tiecheng? Why did he happen to cross paths with Li Banfeng?

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(End of Chapter)