Chapter 463: Holding the Counting Rods, Calculating the Plan

Ma Wu bought over twenty cartloads of coal from the coal merchants of Huangtu Bridge and sold them quickly.

The coal from Huangtu Bridge was cheap, but after adding transportation costs, the profit was nearly gone; however, Li Qi and Ma Wu had an agreement with the Border Control Office, cutting transportation fees in half and earning a decent sum.

Ma Wu did the math and made a suggestion: "Old Qi, why don't we just become middlemen? It's less trouble than mining coal ourselves."

Li Li Banfeng said: "We still need to mine the coal ourselves—we didn't come here for this little business."

Ma Wu was just speaking offhand; the real focus was still on boosting Huangtu Bridge's popularity.

The train was repaired, buyers were lined up, and enough coal had been mined—Ma Wu immediately arranged loading and shipment.

By nightfall, twenty railcars were fully loaded; Ma Wu sat in the cab, while the cart-puller walked beside the train, keeping company.

Li Qi didn't come; the cart-puller asked: "Brother Ma Wu, has something happened to Old Qi?"

Ma Wu replied: "Old Qi said he'd come, but he drank a couple extra cups tonight and fell asleep. I saw he was truly exhausted, so I didn't wake him."

The cart-puller nodded: "Let him rest. We two can handle this one coal run."

Ma Wu looked at the cart-puller: "Big Brother, why do you insist on walking beside the cart? Why not ride on the train?"

The cart-puller laughed: "I feel more secure pulling it. Don't worry—I walk faster than you!"

The small steam train puffed steam, crossed Xiqiao, and moved smoothly enough—until it reached town, when it suddenly slowed.

Ma Wu asked the driver what was wrong.

The driver was drenched in sweat, couldn't find the cause, and the coal-shoveling iron spade was nearly sparking—but the train's speed wouldn't increase.

The cart-puller, who had been jogging beside the train, now walked; sensing danger, he said: "Old Wu, tell your men to fix this fast—we need to leave this place quickly."

Soon, the train stopped. Ma Wu called for technicians to repair it, while the cart-puller pulled his rickshaw, using his technique of avoiding misfortune and seeking fortune to sense the direction of danger.

Xiao Chuanzi quickly found the fault: a bearing had lost its ball in the locomotive's axle, preventing rotation—it was like driving with the brakes on, so of course it couldn't go fast.

"Good thing we caught it early—the main axle is fine!" Xiao Chuanzi retrieved a spare part from the carriage, replaced the bearing, and the train resumed.

Not long after, the steam boiler leaked; pressure dropped instantly, and the train stopped again.

The cart-puller pulled his rickshaw and said: "Brother Ma Wu, didn't I tell you? I walk faster than you—your train's useless."

Ma Wu was used to it; delivering coal from Huangtu Bridge had never gone smoothly.

The one advantage of steam locomotives was that they could be fixed immediately when broken.

Xiao Chuanzi climbed onto the boiler, located the leak, and using his cultivation, withstood the high heat and pressure to seal the crack with adhesive.

Coal was added, water refilled, and the train moved on.

After less than three hundred meters, the carriages detached from the locomotive.

The cart-puller lowered his pole and laughed: "I've never liked this train—it's slow and full of problems.

Don't rush. Let the boys check it thoroughly. If it really won't move, I'll pull it myself."

The cart-puller wasn't boasting—he truly could pull the train.

And he actually wanted to try; having so many carriages behind him would be far more satisfying than pulling a rickshaw.

Everyone checked their own faults when a cold wind blew, carrying a melody and singing to their ears.

The tune was pleasant, the singing even more so; after listening a while, everyone fell into a trance and collapsed into sleep.

Ma Wu forced himself to stay alert, using his Da Huan Xiu technique to urge those around him not to sleep.

With four layers of cultivation, he was already a mid-level cultivator; under the technique's influence, a few others around him resisted the drowsiness.

While they struggled to stay awake, the cart-puller, pulling his rickshaw, had already found the source of the singing.

The voice came from a long-abandoned teahouse by the roadside.

In Like Puluozhou, teahouses usually had female singers, mostly playing the pipa, sometimes the sanxian; rarely the huqin, because it was too hard to learn.

This girl was a pipa player and singer, currently performing "The Crow and the Phoenix." The cart-puller stood at the teahouse door, waiting silently until the song ended, then called out: "Miss, your singing is excellent, skilled and refined.

Today we're on a business run and have no time to listen. When our job's done, I'll come back to support you—let you sing a hundred songs straight, one silver dollar per song. Deal?"

The pipa music stopped abruptly. The cart-puller sneered: "Miss, I see you're reasonable. I'll spare your life today—don't bother me again."

The cart-puller returned to the tracks. The train was fixed; those still awake were no longer drowsy, and those asleep had woken up.

Ma Wu asked the cart-puller: "Did you find the singer?"

The cart-puller nodded: "Found her. Gave her a warning. She won't dare show up again."

"Won't dare show up again…" Ma Wu stared into the distance. "But what about now?"

Behind the locomotive, nothing remained.

The twenty cartloads of coal—and all the carriages—were gone.

…

Li Li Banfeng sat inside his Personal Chamber, opening his pocket watch, calculating the time.

The old man coughed: "No need to calculate—it's already arrived."

This was rare; when Li Li Banfeng was inside his Personal Chamber, the old man rarely reminded him of events outside.

This situation warranted a reminder—otherwise, the key might be hard to find.

Before the coal train departed, Li Li Banfeng claimed he was drunk and pretended to sleep.

In truth, he hadn't slept—he'd hidden the key among the coal, riding along with the train to the station.

Li Li Banfeng suspected the twenty cartloads of coal would be stolen, so he followed them to see who stole them and where they'd take them.

Now the old man said they'd arrived; Li Li Banfeng immediately stepped out of his Personal Chamber—and plunged into water with a splash.

"That old bastard, tricked me again!"

Li Li Banfeng surfaced from the river. At first he thought his Personal Chamber was playing a trick—until he spotted the key underwater and realized the old man was right: he had indeed arrived.

This was Coal Sand River.

Li Li Banfeng had stayed inside his Personal Chamber and didn't witness the details, but one thing was certain: someone had stolen the coal—twenty carriages, twenty cartloads—all stolen and dumped into Coal Sand River.

This river, thick with silt and coal residue, had become the thief's dumping ground.

He retrieved the key, wiped his face, and swam to shore from the icy, biting water.

He removed his hat, squeezed out the mud and water, replaced it on his head, patted Tang Dao, and smiled: "Brother, I understand your hardship now."

Tang Dao responded deeply: "Lord, they dare not attack directly—they can't beat us. But we still don't know who to fight."

Li Li Banfeng was confident: "We'll find them soon. Once we do, we must act fast—their schemes are too meticulous. We can't give them time to prepare."

Back inside his Personal Chamber, he changed clothes and asked the old man: "Who stole the coal?"

"Ah Qi, I have my rules. Inside the train is inside; outside is outside. Have you ever seen a train tell passengers what's happening beyond its windows?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Isn't this still your fault?"

"Why blame me?"

"If you had windows, I wouldn't need to ask you—I could see for myself."

"If you can find windows, then you're the one with talent!"

Did windows actually exist?

"Where would I even get them?"

The old man snorted: "Wherever you go, I go. You find it, then I see it."

"But you need to give me a clue—I need to know where to look."

"Clue?" The old man chuckled bitterly. "If I remembered clues, I'd have told you. I've forgotten what a window even looks like."

Li Li Banfeng lay down for a brief rest when the projector approached: "Director Qi, I have something for you to see."

"What is it?"

The projector mysteriously went to Room Eight. Li Li Banfeng followed.

"Aren't you used to Room Five? Why Room Eight?"

The projector replied: "This footage shouldn't be viewed in Room Five."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "What forbidden thing did you film this time?"

Lights flickered behind the lens, projecting onto the wall.

It was a pile of coal.

The coal pile moved forward on the small train; from the coal's perspective, the scenery along the railway slowly receded.

When the train reached town, it slowed, stopping and starting repeatedly—as if malfunctioning.

During one stop, a figure appeared beside the track: average height, long hemmed clothing, circling the carriages.

He looked familiar.

Li Li Banfeng studied the image for a moment—then the screen plunged into darkness.

After over a minute, the screen reappeared: shimmering light surged toward it, and the viewpoint plunged into the river.

The screen froze—ending there.

Li Li Banfeng looked at the projector: "This is outside the chamber?"

"Probably."

"How could you possibly record scenes outside the chamber?"

After careful thought, the projector replied: "Director Qi, you've always said that girl isn't my imagination. I think you're right."

Li Li Banfeng's cheek twitched: "That girl showed you scenes outside the chamber?"

"I can't explain exactly what happened. I was filming a beautiful love story with her, capturing a close-up of her face—when I noticed this footage reflected in her pupils.

I always believed she was a figment of my imagination, thinking this was artistic inspiration blossoming in my mind, refracted into her eyes.

But this footage was too clear, too real, and unrelated to my thoughts. I realized it might be an actual scene.

I secretly recorded it. No one knows—neither the girl nor the possible real-life girl from Room Five."

Room Five girl…

Who exactly is she?

How can she project her gaze beyond the Personal Dwelling?

If this footage is real, the key clue lies in the man standing beside the carriage—the one with the long hem of his robe.

He used some magic treasure or spiritual artifact to send the carriage and its coal into the Coal Sand River.

Li Li Banfeng left the Personal Dwelling and followed the railway to the scene of the incident.

After searching extensively near the tracks, he found nothing unusual.

Just as he was about to leave, a scratch on the railway caught his attention.

Is this a scratch left by the train's malfunction?

No.

This scratch is clean and straight—it couldn't have been made by the wheels.

Someone left a mark here.

This was the location he preselected for his strike; he had prepared a magic treasure nearby in advance.

A steam train, due to inertia, requires time to stop.

What sect does this man belong to? How could he calculate the strike location so precisely?

…

Li Li Banfeng returned to the mine and saw Ma Wu sitting in the work shed, drinking gloomily.

Seeing Li Li Banfeng arrive, Ma Wu recounted the events:

"We clearly saw the singing woman, and this driver went up to reason with her.

She already attacked us, yet this brother still had the nerve to reason with her—I don't even know what to say about this.

If Qiū Brother were here, we'd have broken every bone in that woman's body!"

Some of the driver's actions also annoyed Li Li Banfeng.

When mentioning the singing woman, Li Li Banfeng asked: "Did you find out who she is?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "Only the driver went to negotiate at the teahouse entrance—he never entered, just relied on his street smarts outside.

But I suspect this woman is the little Qin girl the coal mine bosses mentioned—she's their mastermind.

Her goal is clear: first, to control the foot traffic at Huangtu Bridge and destabilize the driver's position as Earth God;

second, to control Huangtu Bridge's economy—all coal trade must pass through these coal mine bosses, or goods can't be shipped smoothly."

After drinking a few cups with Ma Wu, Li Li Banfeng found an opportunity to return to the Personal Dwelling.

Based on Ma Wu's description, Li Li Banfeng largely reconstructed the scene.

He took the projector to Room Eight and wrote down Ma Wu's account on paper.

The lens swept over the paper, which entered the projector's body, and the entire scene appeared on the wall.

The train stopped; Xiao Qin began singing. Most people fell asleep; some struggled to stay awake—clearly, Xiao Qin is a Sleep Cultivator or Dream Cultivator.

The driver went to the teahouse and negotiated with Xiao Qin.

This both distracted the driver and drew everyone's attention.

A man with a long hem of his robe seized the chance to use a technique and moved all the train carriages into the Coal Sand River.

The train's stop had to be extremely precise: first, because the mysterious man was lying in wait nearby; second, because the stopping point needed to be at the right distance from the teahouse.

It couldn't be too far from the teahouse, or he wouldn't hear Xiao Qin's singing.

It couldn't be too close, or the driver wouldn't move far enough to give the mysterious man room to strike.

He calculated it perfectly.

This mysterious man is likely a Calculation Cultivator.

Is he Xiao Qin's subordinate?

Or is he the true mastermind?

Li Li Banfeng said to the projector: "Replay the entire sequence again—we need to devise a tactic."

The projector replayed the entire sequence; this opponent was highly unusual—no detail could be missed.

Long hem of the robe.

Wait.

That doesn't look like a hem.

It's an apron!

Where have I seen this apron before?

…

The next morning, Ma Wu wore a white suit, a black shirt, and a white tie, neatly dressed, ready to depart.

Just by his attire, you could guess what he was going to do.

"You're going to see Xiao Qin."

Ma Wu nodded: "This woman stole my things—she must return them."

"You can't go alone."

"I know she's powerful, but I have my own methods—I must settle this." Ma Wu was worked up.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Even if she doesn't want to kill you, she won't submit to your demands. You may not get your revenge—and you might lose your life.

She has many underlings, including some ruthless ones. If we're going to strike, we must wipe them all out."

Ma Wu was indeed not calm, but no matter how impulsive he became, he still listened to Li Qi.

"Fine, let's go together—I'll bring all the brothers."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Not yet. Keep the brothers at the mine—don't let them get ambushed while we're away. I'll get the driver to join us."

Ma Wu sighed: "I truly don't trust that driver."

Li Li Banfeng said: "He has Cloud Ascension cultivation—his presence ensures we won't be outmatched."

…

After finalizing the tactic, the driver pulled his carriage with Li Li Banfeng and Ma Wu aboard.

Sitting in the carriage, Ma Wu looked helpless: "Brother, today's a critical mission—can't we just leave the carriage behind?"

The driver smiled: "The more critical the moment, the more essential the carriage."

"Is this carriage a magic treasure or a weapon?"

"More important than either. As long as it's beside me, I have confidence."

Ma Wu glanced around: "Carriages like this are rare on Huangtu Bridge. Pulling it around will draw too much attention."

The driver shook his head: "No one will notice. You two sit inside and enjoy the view—others won't see you or my carriage."

The driver had real skill—he concealed Li Li Banfeng and Ma Wu completely. Ordinary people couldn't see his carriage, nor even clearly make out his figure.

As they neared Beiqiao, the driver turned back: "Brothers, we've prepared for a fight, but once we meet, first explain the situation—avoid combat if possible."

Ma Wu rubbed his forehead, silent.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Brother, this matter can't be explained away. Since we're here, we must get a result."

The driver sighed: "We can't kill everyone at Beiqiao—otherwise, the territory won't hold."

Ma Wu said: "I read in a book that as long as there are a hundred people on a proper land, it won't become old earth. Brother, we have over two hundred miners—what are you afraid of?"

The driver whispered: "They're newcomers—this number probably isn't enough."

Newcomers?

Are there distinctions between newcomers and old-timers?

The driver didn't elaborate. Near the town, the two got off the carriage.

Li Li Banfeng led the way, bringing the driver and Ma Wu to the pancake stall. The driver ordered a jianbing guozi and casually asked about Xiao Qin's residence.

The pancake vendor wiped his hands with his apron and pointed to a small courtyard by the street: "Gentlemen, Xiao Qin lives in that courtyard. When you enter, don't mention listening to songs—say you're here to buy wine.

The girl will heat a pot of good wine and prepare two side dishes. You eat and drink, and she'll sing for you.

If you like her singing, give her a few extra coins; if not, just pay for the wine and leave—it won't cost much."

As he spoke, the driver finished his first jianbing and said: "One more."

The vendor thanked him repeatedly, brushed oil on the griddle, cracked an egg, sprinkled scallions, and asked: "Crunchy or fried dough stick?"

"Fried dough stick."

The pancake was rolled up. The vendor added: "Xiao Qin relies on her voice for business—she's not a courtesan. Be careful with your words, gentlemen."

The driver nodded repeatedly, wolfed down the second pancake, and said: "One more."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Didn't you eat breakfast already?"

The driver ate while mumbling: "Delicious. His is just too good."

Yes, this jianbing was delicious.

The last time Li Li Banfeng came to Beiqiao, he thought it was delicious too.

The ingredients weren't special—it was the seasoning and heat control that were perfect. A little too much or too little, and the flavor changed completely.

How could he get the seasoning so precise?

How does he calculate so accurately?

After eating three jianbing guozi, the driver still wanted more. Li Li Banfeng said: "We'll go order from Xiao Qin first—you stay here and finish eating."

The driver nodded: "Go ahead!"

The two left. The pancake vendor wiped his hands with his apron and asked the driver: "You're full now?"

The driver wiped his mouth, looked at the vendor, and smiled: "Your apron's awfully long—it's dragging on the ground."

The pancake vendor lifted his apron: "Clean. Didn't touch the ground."

The driver said: "Make me another one."

The uncle quickly scooped batter as the driver lowered his voice: "Friend, this patch of land is mine. After you finish this pancake, it's time for you to leave."

The uncle blinked: "I've been setting up here for years."

The driver pulled out a hand-rolled cigarette, tapped it twice, and stuck it between his lips: "No matter how long you've been here, this land has an owner. I hold the deed. Don't you understand the rules?"

"The rules you're talking about—I really don't get them."

While the driver and the pancake vendor were still talking, Ma Wu had already entered Xiao Qin's courtyard.

"Miss Qin, bring me wine."

Xiao Qin stepped out of the house, wearing a purple floral cotton jacket and two braids. She wasn't a stunning beauty, but a pretty neighbor girl.

"Sir, how much wine?"

Ma Wu said: "Half a pound to start. Then two small dishes."

The girl met Ma Wu's gaze for a moment, smiled sweetly, and went back to the kitchen to cook.

Li Li Banfeng didn't go to Xiao Qin's courtyard. He went to Hu Hu Manchun's small building. Hu Hu Manchun greeted him with a wide smile: "Master Li, you're here for coal again?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "I'll buy coal. Also want two carts of yellow earth."

Yellow earth meant the special yellow clay from Huangtu Bridge.

"Yellow earth's no problem—we've got plenty. But quality varies. Wait, I'll get you a sample."

Hu Hu Manchun went to fetch the sample. Li Li Banfeng prepared himself to act.

The strategy had been arranged in advance: three fronts.

First front: Ma Wu delays Xiao Qin as long as possible.

Second front: The driver takes care of the pancake vendor.

Third front: Li Qi eliminates the coal mine bosses.

Don't kill many—only the leaders. If the underlings surrender, the rest are pardoned.

After dealing with the coal mine bosses, Li Li Banfeng immediately went to support Ma Wu.

Ma Wu can hold his own for a while. Xiao Qin's singing didn't knock him down—proof their cultivation bases are close.

Whether the driver can take the pancake vendor depends on his own skill. If he can't even do this, he's useless. Li Li Banfeng and Ma Wu retreat immediately—this deal is over.

…

In Xiao Qin's courtyard, the wine and dishes were ready. Ma Wu didn't touch his chopsticks. His eyes never left the girl.

Xiao Qin blushed: "I'll get my pipa. I'll sing for you, sir."

Ma Wu shook his head: "No rush. First, talk with me."

The girl bit her lip: "Sir, I'm not a courtesan."

Ma Wu smiled: "I can tell you're a proper girl. I just need someone to talk to."

The girl looked up at Ma Wu. A thin red vein appeared in her eye.

Ma Wu poured a cup of wine and held it to her lips: "Have a drink with me?"

…

Ma Wu's wine and food were ready. Hu Hu Manchun still hadn't brought the soil sample.

Li Li Banfeng stopped waiting. He walked around the screen into the back room—no one there.

He climbed the stairs. Second floor: empty. Third floor: empty.

The brat ran off!

Li Li Banfeng ignored Hu Hu Manchun's whereabouts and went straight to Song Song Shilong's house, barging in.

Strange.

Song Song Shilong's house was empty too.

…

The driver was still negotiating with the pancake vendor. The vendor no longer hid his words: "Sir, with your skills and that cart, where couldn't you earn cultivation? Why fight over this patch of dirt?"

The driver frowned: "How's this fighting? This land was always mine. My deed is buried right here."

The pancake vendor smiled: "Dig up your deed. Keep one piece on your cart. Your rank won't drop. You can cultivate anywhere."

The driver paused, then laughed: "You know me well. My rank won't drop—but why should I dig it up?"

The pancake vendor neatly placed his spatula on the rack, extinguished the fire, stored the batter, and meticulously cleaned the stove, as if obsessed. Then he smiled at the driver:

"Sir, if you won't leave, I will."

The driver said: "I'm hoping you leave. Go as far as you can. Take Xiao Qin with you. Don't let me see you again."

The pancake vendor smiled: "If I leave, everyone in Beiqiao leaves. They're all at the train station now. One word from me, they board the train and vanish. Huangtu Bridge becomes old earth."

When Huangtu Bridge truly becomes old earth, your rank drops.

Lose your rank, and your primordial energy is shattered. Then we fight—winner's not so clear."

The driver sneered: "You're trying to scare me?"

"Not scaring you. I calculated it," the pancake vendor said seriously, staring at the driver. "I've run the numbers for a long time. If your rank drops, I'm confident I can beat you."

The driver gritted his teeth: "There are two hundred workers at the mine. By the rules, a territory must have fewer than a hundred people to become old earth."

The pancake vendor laughed: "Don't try to fool me. Newcomers claim new land. Elders hold old earth.

A hundred native Huangtu Bridge people couldn't hold this land against two hundred outsiders, could they?

They have no roots here. I've calculated it carefully—you'd need three thousand three hundred."

Sweat broke out on the driver's face.

The pancake vendor loosened his apron: "Sir, I repeat: you have real skill—you can thrive anywhere. If you give me this land, I've got something fine to offer you."

The driver spat: "You think I'm that easy to manipulate?"

…

Li Li Banfeng visited over a dozen coal mine bosses. Every house was empty. No one remained.

Realizing something was wrong, Li Li Banfeng rushed to Xiao Qin's place to retrieve Ma Wu. At the courtyard gate, he saw the pancake vendor.

The uncle bowed: "Seventh Master."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "You know me?"

"Can't say I know you. But I've heard your name. In Like Puluozhou, you're a hero. In our hearts, you're this!" The uncle raised his thumb.

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Save the flattery. I came today—you were ready. My men have a traitor. Word leaked."

The uncle shook his head: "Seventh Master, your men are clean. None contacted me. You can trust that.

I prepared early because I calculated you'd come these days."

"Calculated?" Li Li Banfeng scoffed. "You do fortune-telling?"

"Not fortune-telling. Math," the uncle said. "I stole your coal twice. Knowing your past, you wouldn't let it slide.

Based on rumors I heard, I ran the numbers several times. You'd come to Beiqiao within three to five days. You'd spill blood. So I prepared—sent everyone in Beiqiao to the station.

Didn't expect you to arrive so fast. You found me right away, handed me to the driver, sent Fifth Master to deal with Xiao Qin, and wiped out my leaders. You nearly netted us all."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "You calculated all this?"

The pancake vendor pulled a stack of papers from under the batter: "Here's my calculation draft. You acted too fast. I calculated too slow. Today, I almost died in your hands."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "You're a true calculator—especially good with probabilities. Since we're clear, let's settle this today."

The uncle shook his head: "Seventh Master, if we fight, both sides lose. If you insist on attacking, I'll send someone to the station—tell Beiqiao to board the train.

Once they leave, your two hundred outsiders can't hold Huangtu Bridge. It becomes old earth. No one profits."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "I'll go to the station now and stop them."

"Seventh Master, the station is Waizhou territory. You dare fight there?"

Li Li Banfeng's expression was calm: "Why not?"

"Respect. I truly respect you," the uncle nodded. "But I have a better idea. Want to hear it?"

"What idea?"

"Business is business. If the driver's gone, we can pick up the trade. Let's negotiate properly. I don't want Huangtu Bridge to become old earth. I want to rise above it. I want to bring life back here."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Why tell me this? I made a deed with the driver. This business is his alone. He's the land god here!"

"Seventh Master, your deed might be useless. The driver fled. He broke the contract first."

"Fled?" Li Li Banfeng didn't believe it.

The driver's cultivation was at Yunshang. He had no reason to flee.

The pancake vendor held up an iron deed: "This is Huangtu Bridge's deed. You recognize it. If you still doubt, I have the driver's paper deed too.

If you still doubt, look at the wheel tracks on the ground—they lead straight to Nanqiao. Nanqiao connects to new land. If I calculated right, the driver's already far away on new land!"

PS: The driver is indeed a disciple of the Train Eunuch, but his temperament is different.

(End of Chapter)