Chapter 473: Obsession

The main hall of the Jiangxiang Gang was wiped out clean; He He Yuxiu suggested: "Burn this damn place to ashes, and leave the Jiangxiang Gang with nothing but smoke and dust."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Such a fine garden—burning it would be a waste. Sister Xiu, aren't you renovating an outer residence these days? I'll just give you this garden."

"No!" He He Yuxiu waved her hand. "I find this place unlucky—not just unlucky."

She left the rest unsaid; saying it would undermine her dignity.

Chu Er spoke for her: "Seventh Brother, the Jiangxiang Gang is second-rate, but it has many disciples spread far and wide. A hundred-legged worm dies but doesn't rot—its branches and outposts may still rise from the ashes."

"If the Jiangxiang Gang seeks revenge, this very ground will be their primary target."

This was serious business; Li Qi had already planned ahead: "Lao Luo, you know the Jiangxiang Gang best. Starting today, clean them out entirely from Pulu Province."

Eradicate the roots—this was the proper way to handle things. Luo Zhengnan agreed with Li Qi's decision, but he had to speak plainly: "Seventh Master, this won't be easy."

Li Qi nodded: "It's not easy, but I'll handle manpower and funds—you just focus on the job."

With those words, Luo Zhengnan relaxed. He He Yuxiu added: "Seventh, you can't shoulder this alone. The He family must share in it—I want this reputation too."

Her words were candid; she truly wanted this reputation.

Was reputation important to the He family?

Previously, no—but things had changed. After enduring countless upheavals, all the great families' prestige in Pulu Province had fallen far short of their former glory. Crushing the Jiangxiang Gang would help them rebuild their authority.

Lu Lu Chunying said: "Count the Lu family in too."

Chu Er smiled: "I'm naturally following Seventh Brother."

Everyone contributed money and people to fully assist Luo Zhengnan in handling the Jiangxiang Gang's remnants.

With matters settled, He He Yuxiu said: "Seventh, go home for dinner tonight—we'll gather again another day."

Everyone was hungry; apart from Cui Ti, none of them had eaten much that night.

After the others left, Luo Zhengnan took Li Li Banfeng on a tour of the main hall, turning over every storeroom and secret chamber—found nothing valuable except land deeds and property titles.

Li Li Banfeng handed the deeds to Luo Zhengnan: "This place is yours now. If you really don't want it, sell it for whatever you can get."

Luo Zhengnan gave a bitter laugh: "No one will dare buy this place. The Jiangxiang Gang committed too many heinous acts. I plan to turn it into a charity hall—to help atone for some of their sins."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Do it. I'll cover the costs. Also, notify our newspaper—publish the news of the Jiangxiang Gang's destruction as soon as possible."

Leaving Jiangxiang Garden, Gloves said to Li Li Banfeng: "This doesn't make sense. Such a large gang's main hall has nothing valuable? Even if no magic treasures, there should've been some real gold and silver!"

Li Qi wasn't surprised: "Xiao Xiao Zhenggong wanted to scrap the Jiangxiang Gang's reputation—he didn't want this main hall either. The good stuff was moved long ago."

Back at Leaving Suishenju, his wife had devoured Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's soul completely: "Honey, judging by the quality of this soul, he must've reached the ninth level—his cultivation base was invisible. Might be slightly off."

Xiao Xiao Zhenggong was young, yet his cultivation was so high—it was extremely rare among Pulu Province's wealthy families.

Was this advantage from the Inner Province, or granted by the Outer Province?

After the machine finished eating, everyone else picked up their chopsticks. Though their cultivation was high, they weren't Cloud-Ascended. The family ate calmly, without fighting or snatching—just a simple home meal.

Gloves didn't rush to eat. He spent a long time searching through Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What are you looking for?"

Gloves rubbed his thumb along his index finger, lost in thought: "Master, if the main hall had nothing valuable, that's understandable."

"But Xiao Xiao Zhenggong himself must've carried something good. Wouldn't he keep a personal magic treasure on him?"

That made sense. Given Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's status, he surely had several magic treasures.

Li Li Banfeng searched through Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes. Gloves shook his index finger: "Master, don't bother—I've searched twice already. Not even a wallet. Even a beggar chief would carry a couple of bills. Something's off."

While pondering, a roar suddenly echoed from Leaving Suishenju: "A-Tao! How long are you going to keep that thing?"

He'd almost forgotten—the good stuff hadn't been handed over to Leaving Suishenju yet.

Li Li Banfeng and Gloves went to the third chamber. Leaving Suishenju trembled, seemingly impatient.

Gloves wasn't in a hurry. He first handed a pair of stone cones to Li Li Banfeng—even if the old master himself demanded it, the items went to the master first.

Li Li Banfeng placed the stone cones on the floor. Slowly, flakes peeled off, revealing their true form.

Not stone—iron. Very similar to the iron ruler he'd bought from Feng Feng Chongli.

As the treasures slowly melted and vanished, Leaving Suishenju could no longer contain himself—he let out a deafening laugh.

"Hohohoho! Eight bars!"

His laugh startled Xiang Hongying: "What eight bars? There's nine dots too!"

In the third chamber, Li Qi asked Leaving Suishenju: "Old Master, with eight iron rails, can you ascend another level?"

Leaving Suishenju didn't answer immediately. He told Gloves: "A-Tao, go eat."

Gloves didn't react.

"A-Tao? A-Tao! What are you thinking?"

Gloves looked up: "Old Master, you called me?"

"I told you to go eat!"

"Yes!" Gloves replied and returned to the main chamber.

Leaving Suishenju asked Li Li Banfeng: "What's wrong with that boy?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "The Jiangxiang Gang's main hall had nothing valuable, and neither did the boss. He's taking it hard."

Leaving Suishenju snorted: "I despise thieves. Missing a meal doesn't bother them—but losing one item, they act like they can't live."

Li Qi smiled: "Let's talk about the iron rails first."

Leaving Suishenju isolated everyone inside Leaving Suishenju and told Li Li Banfeng: "With eight iron rails, I should be able to break through a boundary."

"What boundary?"

"The boundary to the Inner Province."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned, then delighted: "Can we go to the Inner Province? Does that mean we can rescue Old Train?"

Leaving Suishenju fell silent for a long while, then asked: "You want to rescue Old Train?"

"Yes," Li Li Banfeng didn't hide it. "He saved my life. I must get him out."

Leaving Suishenju sighed deeply: "I want to rescue him too—but now isn't the time."

"But we can go to the Inner Province now—why isn't it the right time?"

"You're not ready. Neither am I. Your cultivation isn't Cloud-Ascended—I won't let you go to the Inner Province."

"I only have eight iron rails. The number isn't enough."

"Eight isn't enough? How many do you need?"

Leaving Suishenju calculated: "Twelve iron rails total. Best to collect them all. Otherwise, once you enter the Inner Province, you won't be able to leave easily."

"My wife's cultivation has reached Cloud-Ascended—and not ordinary Cloud-Ascended. With her help, we'd have a better chance."

Leaving Suishenju laughed: "A-Qi, don't talk to me about sincerity or marital harmony—I don't believe in any of that."

"Even if you two truly are husband and wife, even if your feelings are real—I still don't believe them."

"It's too hard to trust anyone. As long as she remains a household spirit here, I won't let her leave."

"It's for the rules—and for you."

"When I got these two iron rails, I remembered something. After remembering it, I trust even less in feelings."

"Also, tell A-Ji not to keep provoking the person in the fifth chamber."

This was the first time Leaving Suishenju had mentioned the fifth chamber on his own.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Who exactly is the person in the fifth chamber?"

"I have a vague memory—she was some passenger. I can't recall her identity, only that she stayed on the train a long time. I don't know what she's become now."

"Some things you needn't worry about—as long as she's still on the train, she can't run wild."

"But A-Ji had better not provoke her. His cultivation isn't enough—he can't gauge the right boundaries."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Am I a passenger too?"

"Hmph," Leaving Suishenju laughed. "You're not a passenger. You never were."

Li Qi left the third chamber and saw the family eating. Only Gloves sat staring blankly at Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes—he was truly shaken, couldn't even eat.

In the fifth chamber, the projector was casting images onto the wall: a beautiful woman in a white veil played piano by the sea.

The film was silent, yet Li Li Banfeng seemed to hear beautiful music—and even the ebb and flow of waves on the shore.

Neatly stacked beside the projector were dozens of wax-paper sheets—used to wrap candles.

In one corner, wall-to-wall were film canisters. The projector had used nearly every film in the house.

"Brother, come eat," Li Li Banfeng sat beside the projector.

The projector replied: "Seventh Director, I'm not hungry. I want to polish the script with you."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "This room is messy. Let's move to another room to discuss the script."

"Then let's go to the eighth chamber," the projector said to the woman on screen. "That's enough for today."

The woman turned her face toward the lens, smiled, and closed the piano lid.

The projector shut the lens cover. The screen went black. It floated midair and followed Li Qi to the eighth chamber.

Once the door closed, the projector trembled: "Seventh Director, I'm terrified. This might not be art—I may have touched a demon."

"Don't rush, brother. Take your time," Li Li Banfeng lit a cigarette and slipped it into the projector's film canister.

A wisp of smoke rose; the projector calmed: "Seventh Director, during the last battle, I seized a hairpin from the enemy. It wasn't just my doing—most credit goes to Tang Dao."

"I kept the hairpin. It's a high-grade magic treasure with strong self-awareness. I gave it as a gift to the girl in the fifth chamber."

"I shouldn't have done that. It was valuable loot—should've been handed to Seventh Director. But I did it because…"

The projector grew agitated again. Li Li Banfeng soothed him: "It's fine. We don't lack magic treasures. Don't worry about it."

The projector continued: "The girl in the fifth chamber loved the gift. She told me much about herself—her name, her past."

"She said her name is Su Su Lijun. She was once a wealthy woman, murdered by a faithless lover. Her vengeful soul wandered the wilds and abandoned mansions."

Hearing this, Li Li Banfeng frowned slightly—he'd heard this story before.

She says her name is Luo Luo Yuni, and that would be trouble.

The projector continued: "Later, due to a series of accidents, she arrived at this mansion and has been trapped here ever since, never able to leave."

"Before meeting me, she said she never spoke to anyone in the mansion. She said our deep connection stemmed from our shared devotion to art."

Li Li Banfeng said: "You don't believe her?"

"I believe her. I think every word she says is true—but every single thing she says matches exactly what I expected. " Here, the projector began to tremble again. "She says her name is Su Su Lijun. I feel she must be called that—even if she hadn't told me, I could have guessed it."

"You can guess her name?"

"Yes! Truly! Even her backstory matches my guesses perfectly. Even without her telling me, I could picture the exact scene of her murder."

The projector showed a scene: the Fifth Chamber girl sat before a mirror, combing her hair, when a man strangled her from behind with a tie.

Thank goodness it wasn't eye-gouging and strangulation.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Brother, this is your script for the Fifth Chamber girl, isn't it? She's just strictly following your script—and you've lost track of where script ends and reality begins."

"These scenes never appeared in the script. The scripts are all here—take a close look, there's nothing like this!" The projector opened its film chamber; a flood of papers flew out, many bearing Li Li Banfeng's handwriting—these scripts were co-written by Li Li Banfeng and the projector.

"These scenes came to me in my mind. I never wrote them down, never mentioned them to the Fifth Chamber girl."

"I'm certain she isn't a figment of my imagination—she's real. Yet my thoughts have been implanted into her consciousness."

"I know where my thoughts came from. I asked the Blood-Stained Pendulum about her past; she shared fragments of memory with me."

"I intended to use the Pendulum's memories as script material—but who could've guessed the script hadn't even been written, yet the film had already formed!"

Li Li Banfeng thought the projector was still not fully sane: "Maybe you told her one of these scenes. Maybe she simply performed it according to your suggestion."

"Seventh Director, she doesn't obey that easily!" The projector played another clip.

The Fifth Chamber girl ran through a flower bed, plucked a bouquet, inhaled its fragrance, and smiled sweetly.

The screen suddenly went black. The projector explained: "I closed the lens cap that day—I was exhausted and fell asleep."

Before he finished speaking, the screen lit up again.

The Fifth Chamber girl, holding the flowers, lowered her head and walked toward the lens.

When she reached the front of the lens, she slowly raised her head—her face expressionless.

She tilted her head left, then right again.

She stared straight into the lens for a long time, then the corners of her mouth curled slightly, revealing a faint smile.

The image turned black again. The projector said: "I was truly asleep then. This footage wasn't filmed by me—it was left for me by her."

"I don't know why she left this footage. I asked her. She said it was a performance done at my request."

"She's lying. That wasn't my request, Seventh Director. You might think I've lost my mind—but I'm certain I'm sane."

Li Li Banfeng patted the projector: "Even if your mind is broken, you're still sane."

"But something's wrong," the projector pulled out a pearl hairpin from its film chamber. "This magic treasure once had strong self-awareness—but now her consciousness has vanished entirely."

"She's become a pure spiritual object, incapable of even basic expression."

"This leads me to a bold hypothesis: the Pearl Hairpin's fate may be the exact opposite of the Fifth Chamber girl's."

"When I first met the Fifth Chamber girl, her consciousness was nearly blank."

"In the Fifth Chamber, there's a mysterious force—capable of creating consciousness, and also of erasing it."

Li Li Banfeng roughly understood the projector's meaning, then asked: "Are you certain this force comes from the Fifth Chamber—and not from you?"

The footage froze. The projector's thoughts froze too.

After a long pause, the projector answered: "I'm not certain. I can only say I shouldn't have such power."

"I know many of our family members had extraordinary pasts—Tang Dao, the Judge's Pen, the Gloves—all were once great figures."

"But I'm different. I'm a self-born spirit, like the Scythe. I call myself a Shadow Cultivator, but I don't even know my own Dao path—I can't explain where my techniques came from."

Magic treasures rarely speak of their pasts—bound by oaths and by nature.

The projector confessed his past because he truly felt fear.

Li Li Banfeng said: "From now on, don't go to the Fifth Chamber again."

The projector said: "I know the Fifth Chamber is dangerous. I constantly remind myself not to return."

"But I can't control myself. I'm shaping a soul. I sense the fear—but I can't resist the temptation."

Li Li Banfeng pulled out his pistol and placed it before the projector: "Do you recognize this gun?"

The projector recognized it immediately: "It's Ling Ling Miaoying's gun."

"It's a spiritual object—pure and clean. I've communicated with it many times. It never responds."

"If you're so eager to shape a soul, shape its soul. Don't go back to the Fifth Chamber."

"Seventh Director, this is your trusted weapon. I don't want to harm it..."

"No problem. I'm giving it to you." Li Li Banfeng opened the projector's film chamber and removed all film reels related to the Fifth Chamber girl.

The old man was right—some boundaries, the projector truly couldn't hold.

"Tomorrow, come with me. I'll buy you more film."

Back in the main house, the whole family had finished eating. The projector consumed flesh and blood, and finally calmed down.

Leftovers were handed to Did Honglian to clean. On his way to the Ninth Chamber, Li Li Banfeng passed the Fifth Chamber again.

A salty sea breeze brushed Li Li Banfeng's cheek. Light shimmered faintly on the wall—as if a film were about to begin.

Li Li Banfeng stared at the wall, lifted his hat brim, smiled, eyes gleaming.

"Feel like chatting?" Li Li Banfeng asked.

The cold wind vanished. The light on the wall vanished.

Li Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and took Did Honglian to the main house.

"A Tao, if you don't eat now, when Did Honglian sets the table, there'll be nothing left."

The Gloves were still inspecting Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes: "Master, I really don't want to eat. I'm not hungry. Don't worry about me."

…

The next day, Li Li Banfeng woke up and prepared to go out. The phonograph said: "Dear husband, take out the trash."

The trash referred to Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes. Li Li Banfeng was about to pack them up when the Gloves pleaded: "Master, wait a moment. Let me check one more day. You can throw them out tomorrow."

Li Li Banfeng sighed: "What's wrong with you? He probably doesn't have any magic treasure—maybe he moved it away already."

The Gloves shook his index finger: "Impossible. Last night, when you fought him, I still smelled the scent of treasure. If I'm wrong about this, how can I keep eating this bowl of rice?"

Li Li Banfeng stopped urging him. The Gloves had his own nature, his own stubbornness.

Taking the projector to the street, Li Li Banfeng bought a newspaper—his own newspaper. The events at Jiangxiang Gang's main hall from last night had already been reported.

The headline was blunt: "Jiangxiang Gang Vanished, Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's Remains Gone."

The content made no effort to hide it: it directly stated that Li Qi, He He Yuxiu, and others had massacred Jiangxiang Gang's main hall, eliminating a major scourge of Pulu Province.

This was Li Li Banfeng's instruction. He knew the truth couldn't be hidden—so he spread it openly.

Today's paper sold out instantly. Who could've imagined the infamous Jiangxiang Gang was wiped out overnight?

The article also mentioned the Flying General Camp, quoting part of Yao Song Zhiyi's testimony. Li Qi intended to fully expose this conspiracy.

The morning edition was reprinted twice—and still sold out. Li Li Banfeng bought a newspaper from Shen Shen Rongqing's staff, but found no mention of Jiangxiang Gang on the front page.

"You can't even seize such a golden opportunity—how can you eat this bowl of rice?" Li Li Banfeng tossed the paper into the trash.

Shen Shen Rongqing had also received news of Jiangxiang Gang's destruction—but she hesitated whether to publish it, especially regarding the Flying General Camp, which contradicted her earlier reports.

She wanted to consult He He Jiaqing—but spent the entire morning without reaching him.

Where did he go?

Shen Shen Rongqing was anxious. She was unsure how to handle the evening edition.

…

Li Li Banfeng arrived at Ling Miaosheng Phonograph Shop and bought all the film reels in stock.

Ling Ling Miaosheng poured Li Li Banfeng a cup of tea: "Master Li, could you stay a moment longer? I have a favor to ask."

Li Li Banfeng found it strange. They'd known each other for so long, and Ling Ling Miaosheng had always kept his distance. For him to suddenly ask a favor was unexpected.

Ling Ling Miaosheng pulled out a contract: "Master Li, I wish to temporarily entrust the phonograph shop to you. Of course, this isn't a free request."

"First, all income from the shop during this period belongs to you. If mismanagement causes losses, I will bear them."

"Additionally, I have a gift for you."

He pulled out a hand-cranked phonograph: "This is a spiritual object. I've always called it the Retriever. This phonograph can trace part of the Spy Cultivation technique—basically, it can replay fragments of the Hook's content."

"My two brothers placed many Hooks in my shop. I didn't understand their purpose until I was affected—then I commissioned a Craft Cultivator to make this spiritual object."

"It's a powerful defense against Spy Cultivators. I hope it will aid you in the future."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Why entrust the phonograph shop to me?"

Ling Ling Miaosheng said: "I want to seek the art that once belonged to me—but was lost."

"It may sound absurd. During our last meeting, I mentioned my experiences in Outer Amikan. Since then, memories stolen from me keep replaying in my dreams."

"I left too many regrets there. I want to make amends before I die."

"If I fail—if my life ends in a foreign land—this phonograph shop will belong to you entirely. All this is clearly written in the contract."

Li Li Banfeng thought for a moment: "I'm just a customer. Why trust me so much? Why entrust me with your most precious possession?"

Ling Ling Miaosheng smiled: "Don't laugh—but I considered giving the shop to someone more reliable. I counted everyone around me—and no one was more trustworthy than you."

"When no one believed me, you believed me. You bought my phonographs. When entrusting these most precious artworks, I trust you too."

After a moment of silence, Li Li Banfeng nodded, took the contract: "Before you return, I guarantee your shop won't be harmed. When you return, share the art you've found with me."

"Deal." Ling Ling Miaosheng removed his hat, pressed it to his chest, and bowed to Li Li Banfeng.

…

Back at Leaving Suishenju, Li Li Banfeng began studying the phonograph called "Retriever." Ling Ling Miaosheng explained how to use it, but Li Li Banfeng only half-understood—the mechanism was slightly complex.

Moreover, this phonograph was a pure spiritual object, incapable of expression, and Li Li Banfeng could not communicate with it.

Fortunately, his wife was skilled in craftsmanship and soon deduced several usage secrets of the phonograph.

The couple studied until deep into the night, while the white glove stared at Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothing, hardly moving at all.

Seeing the glove covered in threads and wrinkles, Li Li Banfeng felt it had aged considerably.

"Aotao, you can't go on like this. Tomorrow I'll throw away Xiao Xiao Zhenggong's clothes—this matter should be over."

"Over," the glove replied listlessly, "I follow the master's word. Let it all be over. I must have misjudged it."

With that, the glove collapsed beside the Judge's Pen, motionless as a rag. Li Li Banfeng truly feared it might snap and give up entirely, joining the worthless pen in ruin.

Deep in the night, the whole family slept soundly—when suddenly, a crack opened in the main room's door.

This was impossible.

Within the Leaving Suishenju, only Li Li Banfeng and the old man himself could open the door.

Everyone was asleep, yet the glove suddenly woke, lunging toward the door.

"You dog! Where are you running? I knew something was off! You dared steal from me—I'll kill you today!"

At the sound of the struggle, the phonograph's flames erupted instantly.

Li Li Banfeng also awoke, seeing two gloves—one white, one black—locked in a fierce struggle by the door.

PS: Xiao Xiao Zhenggong owned a black glove—see Chapter 334.

Recommend the new book by Gu True Person: "The Art of Immortal Craftsmanship"

Within the volcano, the ancient immortal palace left by sages yearns for a successor.

His mother sacrificed her life to seize the Immortal Palace's treasure seal, entrusting it to Ning Zhuo on her deathbed.

The Buddha's Heart Demon Seal!

To save oneself is to become a Buddha; to save others is to become a demon.

The seal-bearer lightly carves the heart-mark, commanding mechanical constructs as lightly as feathers. Others strain and grow weary under their weight; Ning Zhuo, with one motion, commands ten thousand, dancing with effortless grace.

Thus it is said:

The immortal puppet's spirit-link holds secrets, craftsmanship aligns with ultimate truth.

Opening the cosmos to new realms, its wonders rival heaven's splendor.

The ancient bell transmits the law, dancing beneath the moon in clear radiance.

The true form embodies all phenomena—who in this world can stand against it?



(End of Chapter)