Chapter 522: Pure and Fragile Feng Daiku

Feng Daiku wanted to become the local god of the Soda Kiln.

This wasn't unusual; in Like Puluozhou, whether in old or new lands, local gods frequently changed hands—it all came down to who had the means.

Li Li Banfeng held Ye Ye Songqiao's territory, held the new land taken from Bai Shan's master, and could claim the territory of Bei Wu at any moment—all three territories had been seized by Li Li Banfeng.

Now Feng Daiku wanted to seize the Soda Kiln's territory, yet she came to ask Li Li Banfeng first, leaving him deeply puzzled—this didn't seem to require anyone's approval.

Feng Daiku explained: "The Soda Kiln's territory is different from ordinary ones. Its local god is Shi Shi Gongxing, a Cloud-Top Wu Xiu who governs a hundred li and guards the entrance to Neizhou—the very pool we just saw. No ordinary person may touch this land, or they'll anger the big figures of Like Puluozhou."

"Who is this 'big figure' you speak of?"

Feng Daiku said: "The Peddler is one. Shi Shi Gongxing's master is another."

Li Li Banfeng had heard from Yao Lao that the Soda Kiln originally belonged to Huoche Eunuch; after Huoche Eunuch ascended beyond the Clouds, he divided his territory among his disciples—thus Shi Shi Gongxing was clearly one of them.

Feng Daiku continued: "I'm not someone who doesn't know when to yield. If Shi Shi Gongxing could hold the Neizhou entrance,

I would never seize this land. But as you've seen, Li Young Master, Neizhou and Waizhou are about to clash here, yet the local god has vanished.

Allowing this incompetent fool to occupy the position will bring great disaster to the Soda Kiln—and drag all of Like Puluozhou down with it."

This made sense. War was imminent, yet the local god had not appeared—it was indeed indefensible.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Then, Miss Feng, if you became the local god, how would you handle the Neizhou entrance?"

Feng Daiku replied: "To Like Puluozhou, I would guard secrets tightly, preventing any ill-intentioned intruders. To Neizhou, I would hold the line absolutely—no one would set foot in Like Puluozhou."

Feng Daiku's stance deeply impressed Li Li Banfeng; he made his own position clear: "Miss Feng, if you have the means, use them. If anyone asks, I'll faithfully convey your intentions."

Feng Daiku understood Li Li Banfeng's meaning, smiled in thanks, and vanished—she needed to prepare for seizing the Soda Kiln.

Li Li Banfeng and Ma Wu wandered through the factory. Though it was his first time here, Li Li Banfeng knew the layout well—where the workshops, warehouses, and coal depots were.

As they walked, Ma Wu said: "Old Seven, I doubt Luo Su Lijun will succeed. Waizhou stripped Neizhou people down to skeletons; Neizhou dragged over fifty Waizhou people to their deaths. At this point, war seems unavoidable."

Li Li Banfeng stopped, glanced around, and lowered his voice: "Old Five, do you really think Neizhou and Waizhou are going to war over this carp?"

Ma Wu scoffed: "Neizhou people are dead here— isn't that enough?"

As a native of Like Puluozhou, Ma Wu held deep-rooted views about Neizhou people.

Li Li Banfeng didn't think it mattered at all: "Can't Neizhou people die? Is this really as big as it seems? Didn't you tame Luo Su Lijun yourself? Do you really think Neizhou people are so special?"

Ma Wu recalled the whole affair—taming Neizhou people had indeed been unusual: "Honestly, I didn't want to touch her at first. I was scared."

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "Scared of what? Her looks, or her size?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "Her size isn't scary—barely bigger than a swallow. I actually like her looks."

Li Li Banfeng thought of Luo Su Lijun's appearance and shuddered involuntarily.

Ma Wu continued: "I was really afraid of her identity—she was Neizhou. But Miss Feng kept encouraging me, saying the more afraid I was, the less I should spare her.

Miss Feng was right—I shouldn't have spared her. When it came time to fight, the more afraid I was, the fiercer my will became; the stronger she was, the harder I struck. Subduing someone I feared made me feel reborn."

Li Li Banfeng thought over the whole affair and shuddered again: "So you ascended because of this?"

Ma Wu nodded: "This battle meant everything to me. I need two days to rest and reflect on it.

But Neizhou people truly care about their kin's lives. Waizhou killed this carp and kept it alive like a skeleton—they're that picky. Neizhou won't tolerate it."

"So what if they're picky? If Neizhou couldn't stand it, they'd have revived the carp already."

"Revived?" Ma Wu blinked. "Does Neizhou even have that power?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "If they recover the soul, Neizhou can bring the dead back to life. The carp's soul is still inside its bones. Neizhou didn't revive it—they kept it undead. Do you think they really care about this fish?"

Ma Wu finally understood: "So the war between Neizhou and Waizhou has nothing to do with this carp?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Not entirely unrelated. Like a fuse and gunpowder—the fuse sparks loudly, but it isn't the gunpowder.

Neizhou and Waizhou already had gunpowder. Neizhou has long sought an opportunity to fight Waizhou. Now, with this carp as a fuse, they'll use it to ignite the explosion."

Ma Wu pondered: "If war is inevitable, we should plan ahead. If they fight, who should we support?"

Li Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu, silent for a long while.

This was Like Puluozhou's habit: when trouble came, first think about which side to join.

"Old Five, if we side with Neizhou, they'll immediately declare war on Waizhou and make us the vanguard.

If we side with Waizhou, they'll try to confine the war to Like Puluozhou to minimize their own losses.

In Like Puluozhou, I'm the famous Li Qi. In Waizhou, I'm a disposable balancing pawn—either a suicide squad or a shield. That's our value in their eyes."

Ma Wu finally understood Li Li Banfeng's meaning: "So your idea is… we just watch?"

"Yes. Just watch. If we do nothing, they won't fight soon—they don't know when Like Puluozhou will enter the war, or which side it will join.

It's like Feng Daiku wanting to become local god: I won't help her succeed, but she fears I'll sabotage her, so she must come to me."

Ma Wu, clever enough to break free of Like Puluozhou's mindset, quickly grasped the key—but now he worried for Li Li Banfeng's safety: "Old Seven, last night you vanished. What happened?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I was sold by Waizhou. I met the Green Flower Child."

Ma Wu gasped: "We're done being a balancing pawn. You're alone in Waizhou—you'll keep getting betrayed."

Return to Like Puluozhou? Stop being a balancing pawn?

"We still need to be one. Some habits must change," Li Li Banfeng said, handing Ma Wu five Jin Jin Yuandan. "Go back to Lüshuicheng and rest. Ascension is urgent. Once you're healed, take the pills slowly—don't rush."

Five Jin Jin Yuandan!

Ma Wu's eyes widened: "Such rare pills! Old Seven, keep some for yourself—I can't take this many."

"No need to be polite. These were meant for you." Feng Daiku, smiling gently, placed four spiritual objects before Shi Shi Gongxing: a chisel, an axe, a saw—all woodworking tools.

Shi Shi Gongxing lowered his head, neither reaching out nor refusing.

Feng Daiku bit her lip, looking nervous, and asked softly: "If these aren't enough, I can give you more—but tell me exactly how many magic treasures you want."

Shi Shi Gongxing looked up at Feng Daiku: "The territory was given to me by my master. I won't give it away."

Feng Daiku extended her right hand, her slender fingers lightly tracing the four objects: "If you can hold the territory, of course you shouldn't give it up. But now this land will become a battlefield between Neizhou and Waizhou—you can't even protect your life. Why cling to the territory?"

Shi Shi Gongxing knew Feng Daiku had dealt with Luo Su Lijun: "Didn't you agree not to fight in Like Puluozhou?"

Feng Daiku tapped the axe, smiling faintly: "If the Soda Kiln were mine, I'd never let Neizhou and Waizhou fight here. But if it has nothing to do with me, why should I care?"

Shi Shi Gongxing stayed silent. He knew if Neizhou and Waizhou fought at the Soda Kiln, he'd be finished.

Yet giving up the territory felt unjust—it was a proper land.

Feng Daiku set down the axe and picked up the chisel: "I'm giving you fine things. Examine them carefully. Beyond these, I'll also give you a new territory.

I have a new land, rich with strange creatures, and nearly twenty percent of it has been reclaimed by settlers. You can hold your position there, and your annual spiritual energy intake won't drop much.

What has the Soda Kiln become? Workers can't find factories. Farmers have almost no fields. If this continues, it'll become old soil.

This isn't your fault. The Soda Kiln's foundation is weak. You spend every day studying machines, trying to revive it—but the people here are useless. No one wants to build factories or do business.

What's left to cling to here? Better to go to the new land and enjoy peace than burn yourself out here."

"Doesn't that make sense?"

Shi Shi Gongxing looked up: "If you think this place is worthless, why do you want it?"

Feng Daiku picked up the chisel and tested it on a stone—it pierced the rock effortlessly without her force: "You may not believe me, but I want to change my reputation. I don't want people to think of me as 'belt' the moment they hear my name. Even thinking of orange soda would be better than 'belt.'"

Shi Shi Gongxing sneered: "You care about that?"

"You don't believe me?" Feng Daiku smiled, suddenly raised the saw, and placed it against Shi Shi Gongxing's neck.

Shi Shi Gongxing flinched—chainmail emerged from his collar, protecting his neck.

Feng Daiku sawed twice against the chainmail: "All the sweet talk is done. You don't believe me. Now for the harsh truth:

The Neizhou entrance at the Soda Kiln was once hidden. Now Like Puluozhou people know. Waizhou people know. Even the Light-Chasing Guild of Lafusha knows. How do you explain that?"

"I didn't leak it!" Shi Shi Gongxing moved to attack—but the chainmail was already severed by the saw.

Feng Daiku had indeed given him fine things: "Are you sure you didn't leak it? Even I've heard rumors: give him a spiritual object, and he'll let you see the Neizhou entrance. Some don't even need to offer anything—

Just a little favor, and he lets them pass. Isn't that true?"

"Lies!" Shi Shi Gongxing grew furious—two more layers of iron armor grew on his neck, both cut through by the saw.

"You know whether it's lies!" Feng Daiku withdrew the saw and lightly tapped its teeth. "The Peddler recently inquired about this. Shall we ask him face-to-face and see if I've wronged you?"

Shi Shi Gongxing's anger faded. He turned his gaze to the spiritual objects on the table.

After a long silence, he spoke: "Four aren't enough. I want ten—all of this quality."

Feng Daiku shook her head: "Ten is too many. These are rare beyond measure. I can give you two more at most."

"Two are too few—this is non-negotiable—"

An hour later, Feng Daiku walked out of the abandoned factory holding two land deeds. Shi Shi Gongxing held his own deed and departed alone for the new land.

The matter was settled. Li Li Banfeng marveled at Feng Daiku's skill—and at Shi Shi Gongxing's cowardice.

"He didn't even fight—he gave up a proper land?"

Feng Daiku smiled shyly: "To be honest, Li Young Master, don't mock me—I've coveted the Soda Kiln for years. I wouldn't have moved against it unless I understood Shi Shi Gongxing's nature."

"What will you do with the Soda Kiln now?" Li Li Banfeng still didn't grasp her motive.

"Gather spiritual energy. Build my cultivation!" Feng Daiku answered bluntly.

"Will you abandon Belt Canyon?"

Feng Daiku shook her head: "I won't give up Belt Canyon. But it's too small, and Da Huan Xiu struggle to bear children—spiritual energy has always been low. To raise my cultivation, I need another territory—manage both together."

"The spiritual energy here isn't strong," Li Li Banfeng said after walking through the Soda Kiln, estimating the population.

The spiritual energy here was far weaker than Belt Canyon's.

Feng Daiku was confident: "When you and Wu Lang started, didn't you choose Lan Yang Village—a terrible place?"

Li Li Banfeng disagreed: "Lan Yang Village was good—rich resources, honest people!"

Feng Daiku smiled: "Nature's good places aren't left for me. But I can turn this into a good place. If I find capable people to manage it, the Soda Kiln needn't lose to Heishipō."

Li Li Banfeng blinked: "The capable person you mean… isn't Ma Wu?"

"One man won't be enough, Li Young Master. You and Ma Junyang are as brothers. The Soda Kiln is strategically vital—you'll surely lend me your aid."

Looking at Feng Daiku's pure, sweet smile, it was nearly impossible to link her with the phrase "deeply calculating."

From the moment she came to seek Ma Wu, every step had been calculated with precision.

Ma Wu's affairs couldn't be ignored, nor could the matter of the Inner State entrance; Feng Daiku was certain Li Qi would help her run the soda kiln.

Li Qi and Ma Wu had experience managing Qiuqiucheng, Huangtu Bridge, and Ye Ye Songqiao; adding one more soda kiln was no challenge.

But Feng Daiku's calculations were understandable: initially, because Ma Wu had saved Feng Daiku's life, Feng Daiku granted Ma Wu the Qi-Cultivation talent—this debt had already been settled.

Afterwards, when Ma Wu sought Feng Daiku's aid several times, Feng Daiku always offered support—this had more than sufficiently honored their bond.

But one cannot always rely on sentiment; Feng Daiku helped Ma Wu this time for profit, yet that profit was truly Feng Daiku's due.

Li Li Banfeng immediately agreed: "Once Wu's advancement is complete and he's rested a while, I'll come inspect the soda kiln's business."

Feng Daiku nodded: "That's exactly what I thought. I'll have people tear down all the abandoned factories in town to clear space, making it easier for both of you to operate."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Miss Feng, leave these factories standing for now—I still have use for them. In the next few days, familiarize yourself with the area; I have a favor to ask."

"Young Master Li, please speak!"

"I want to know when these factories were built."

It seemed a minor matter, but it stumped Feng Daiku.

Pulu Province had no habit of recording history; anything involving dates was impossible to verify.

"I'll try to look into it—if I can't find anything, don't blame me, Young Master Li."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Miss Feng, don't worry. Whether you find it or not, I'll have a gift ready for you."

After Feng Daiku left, Li Li Banfeng took the projector and recorded footage of the surrounding factories.

On the night Li Li Banfeng fought Chu Chu Zikai, the projector captured the image of the Wuch workshop and the invisible space it occupied.

Back home, Li Li Banfeng compared the invisible space image of Ruirong Textile Factory with these factories and found them astonishingly similar.

His wife, skilled in craftsmanship, examined it more closely: "Husband, these two factories were made from the exact same mold—I won't be mistaken."

Li Li Banfeng naturally trusted his wife's judgment. After a moment, she added: "Husband, don't discard the soda kiln's machines—some of their craftsmanship is exceptionally refined."

"No matter how refined, aren't these machines outdated?"

"Not outdated at all, husband—this craftsmanship is still rare in Pulu Province!"

His wife was right: some machines had been improved by Shi Shi Gongxing; their craftsmanship far surpassed most factory equipment in use.

Li Li Banfeng inquired roughly about the machines' functions and began planning his next steps.

His wife picked up Song Song Laoshi's lecture notes and continued studying dark matter and dark energy.

After studying all day, flames rose inside the phonograph's casing, and steam suddenly burst from the speaker.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Wife, what happened?"

"Nothing," she replied irritably.

The knowledge of dark matter was indeed fascinating, and she loved it—but the fragrance of the notes made her furious.

Li Li Banfeng said: "My dear wife, what are you angry about?"

She retorted: "Who wrote this?"

Li Li Banfeng replied seriously: "My master from the Outer Province."

In the phonograph's mind, an image of an old white-haired man appeared.

She sniffed the notes again—this was clearly not the old man's scent.

The phonograph grew angry, took a record, placed it on the turntable, and played a song.

"False tough guy, false tough guy, why pretend to be so tough?"

The song mocked Li Li Banfeng—but he loved it.

He grabbed a feather duster and danced along to her song. She gritted her teeth: "Fool, you're driving me mad!"

Huh!

A burst of steam scalded him; his cheeks turned red, and he stepped outside to continue investigating the factories.

The phonograph kept reading the notes, reached the math section, and sighed: "Outer Province mathematics is too hard."

Leaving Suishenju mused softly: "Sixth wing? No—not sixth wing. Eighth wing? It must be eighth wing."

The phonograph asked: "Old Master, what about the eighth wing?"

"Someone in the eighth wing is a Calculation cultivator—his level isn't low."

Hearing this, the phonograph levitated and floated toward the eighth wing.

Xiang Xiang Hongying put down her rouge: "Zhao Zhao Lanmeng, wait—I'll go with you. I feel that place is dangerous."

Both arrived at the eighth wing. The phonograph asked: "Friend, I have a math problem I'd like to ask you about."

After a long silence, a middle-aged man's voice responded from the empty wing: "What problem? Can you show it to me?"

The phonograph selected a problem from the notes, wrote it on paper, and placed it on the floor.

The white paper rose into the air, hovered in the room—someone inside was reading it.

Two minutes later, the voice replied: "I can solve this. What's in it for me?"

The phonograph asked: "What do you want?"

The room fell silent, then: "I'll give you a problem in return. If you can't solve it, you must choose one of you two to die. Is that acceptable?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying drew her sword, pointing at the room: "Come out and try!"

A wave of killing intent surged from the room.

Xiang Xiang Hongying's hair whipped wildly as her aura exploded, scattering the killing intent entirely.

A sigh came from within: "Fine, I give up. I won't help you solve anything."

The phonograph agreed: "I accept your wager. Solve your problem first, then give us yours. If we can't solve it, do as you say."

Feng Daiku uncovered some information: "These factories weren't built at the same time—some earlier, some later, decades apart."

The exact completion dates of each factory are lost; the earliest was likely at the Inner State entrance."

It was built over a hundred years ago—but precisely how many years more, it's impossible to determine."

Over a hundred years ago.

According to the bulb's gathered information, Ruirong Textile Factory was completed in the early 20th century—also over a hundred years ago.

Most of the soda kiln's factories share the same layout as Ruirong Textile Factory—is there a connection?

Seeing Li Li Banfeng lost in thought, Feng Daiku felt guilty: "Young Master Li, I failed to handle this properly. If I uncover more information later, I'll inform you immediately."

Li Li Banfeng waved his hand: "This is enough. I've already contacted my people to start the first factory as soon as possible."

Feng Daiku was delighted but knew the difficulties: "Building the factory and acquiring machines will take a long time, won't it?"

Li Li Banfeng unfolded a map: "First, find an old factory to renovate. This area won't work—it's too close to the Inner State entrance. Choose somewhere farther away."

"There are many good machines nearby—I've marked them all. We'll need to figure out how to move them out."

Feng Daiku's eyes lit up: "These machines are still usable?"

"Yes. With repairs, they're excellent. Using existing equipment is far faster than buying new ones."

Li Li Banfeng selected an old factory in town. Though Feng Daiku appeared frail, her strength was immense—she moved over a dozen machines weighing several tons each, eager as a land god desperate to open a factory.

Li Li Banfeng had never seen such a thing before.

After moving the equipment, the two sat at a roadside stall drinking soda. Feng Daiku kept glancing at the factory, eager for it to open tomorrow.

Li Li Banfeng reminded her: "Even if the factory opens, making the soda kiln prosperous won't happen overnight—let alone reaching the level of Heishipō."

Feng Daiku nodded: "I know it's hard, but I built Kuaidai Kan bit by bit myself."

"I believe this place will one day be no worse than Heishipō."

The soda vendor approached and said: "I heard you mention Heishipō. You might not know—we were even more prosperous back then. Do you know why we're called the Soda Kiln?"

Li Li Banfeng feigned ignorance and asked: "Isn't it because the soda tastes good?"

The vendor shook his head: "No—it's because the first steam engines in Pulu Province were built right here."

In the Soda Kiln, nearly every soda stall owner loved recounting this history.

Xiao Xiao Chuanzi and the others would arrive soon; the rest would be handled by them.

Li Li Banfeng planned to return to Lüshuicheng first to investigate Envoy Xu Shouming's whereabouts; the Inner State entrance would be left to Feng Daiku: "If Luo Su Lijun sends word, please inform me immediately."

Feng Daiku nodded: "Young Master Li, I heard from Wu Lang that you've had conflicts with Lüshuigong. When you reach Lüshuicheng, avoid Longmen Road opposite Pinghe Building."

Li Li Banfeng paused: "What's special about that road?"

Feng Daiku said: "That's Green Flower's doorstep. He often wanders around there—many have suffered at his hands. Be extremely careful, Young Master Li."

You're telling me this now?

Li Li Banfeng looked at the factories, grateful he acted quickly—and grateful he had a good wife who could identify superior machines.

At night, Li Li Banfeng returned to Leaving Suishenju and found his wife studying Green Flower's bowl.

"My dear wife, what have you learned?"

"I've learned the three methods of Lüshuigong."

Li Li Banfeng beamed and embraced the phonograph: "How did you learn it?"

The phonograph laughed: "Your master's notes are excellent—and our Western abacus is quite useful."

Western abacus?

Li Li Banfeng was puzzled: "Where did that come from?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying said: "In the eighth wing. Go talk to him."

Li Li Banfeng went to the eighth wing and found the room empty.

He activated the Insight-Sound Technique and faintly heard someone sobbing.

"Who's there?" Li Li Banfeng asked.

The man replied: "Don't say another word—I won't do anything else for you!"

"I'm asking you who you are?"

"I am a scholar! I am the finest mathematical researcher in Pulu Province! You have no right to insult me—I deserve the respect and courtesy befitting a scholar!"

Li Li Banfeng asked curiously, "What happened?"

The scholar's tone was filled with bitterness: "Today, the mistress of this house and her friend asked me to solve a mathematical problem. I set a condition: if I solved it, I would then pose a problem for them to solve; if I failed, one of them would have to pay with her life!"

Hearing this, Li Li Banfeng's ears twitched.

He was using sound to pinpoint the scholar's location—he realized the scholar was extremely dangerous, and dangerous things must not be left inside the house.

"And then?" Li Li Banfeng urged him to continue.

The scholar said: "The problem I posed was: what is three plus six?"

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Why did you pose such a simple problem?"

The scholar replied: "That was already the limit. The mistress's friend—the woman who looks like a spear—volunteered to solve my problem, but she said she wasn't very good at addition above ten!"

Li Li Banfeng exclaimed: "Because she wasn't good with numbers above ten, you gave her a problem within ten?"

After two sniffles, the scholar burst into tears: "I didn't want to give such a simple problem! But if I didn't, she'd beat me—she beat me until I thought I'd die! Why does she get to beat me?"

"I'm telling you, I won't do anything else for you. This is an insult to me—an insult to scholarship—"

Xiang Xiang Hongying pushed open the door to Room Eight; the scholar's crying stopped instantly.

"Work out these problems. I'll come back in half an hour to collect them." Xiang Xiang Hongying placed a stack of white paper on the table.

"Fine." The scholar agreed without hesitation.

Back in the main chamber, Li Li Banfeng glanced at the bowl, his eyes gleaming with unusual light.

Changji beside him said: "Dear husband, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Li Li Banfeng wiped the bowl and smiled. "Tomorrow I'm visiting a friend's house."

PS: This friend's house has something good!