Chapter 547: Safety, Danger, and the Banquet

"Old Master, are the bloodlines of people from Neizhou just machines?" Hong Ying couldn't understand.

"Yes," Leaving Suishenju sighed, "all these years, I've never uncovered the nature of their bloodlines. If not for this fan, I truly wouldn't have seen the mystery within."

Hong Ying still didn't understand: "I've eaten Neizhou blood many times—I've always consumed flesh and blood, never machines."

Leaving Suishenju smiled but said nothing.

Changji gently tapped Hong Ying with a ruler: "Silly girl, this is called the Unnameable. If you actually ate machines, would no one have discovered the truth about Neizhou bloodlines all these years? But then again, the Waizhou seem to know a little something about this—"

Changji flipped through Song Song Laoshi's lecture notes with her needle. Hong Ying leaned in: "What does Waizhou say?"

"Waizhou calls it differing observational perspectives leading to inconsistent observations."

Hong Ying stared for a long while, then shook her head: "I don't understand."

Changji smiled: "There's plenty you don't understand. That's why this Song woman is quite formidable."

"Hmph, what's so great?" Hong Ying retorted. "Do you think I know nothing? I come from a wealthy family—I've read plenty of books."

After speaking, Hong Ying turned to the mirror and continued applying lipstick.

Li Li Banfeng returned home. Hong Ying rushed to greet him: "Seventh Lang, you're finally back—I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too," Li Li Banfeng said, stepping past Hong Ying to address his wife. "Wife, something major has happened."

Hong Ying stepped closer: "Seventh Lang, do you think I've changed?"

"You haven't changed, Xue Yingying is still as lovely as ever. Wife, I told you before that Zhang Zhang Gunli is dead—do you remember that?"

Before Changji could answer, Hong Ying moved even closer to Li Li Banfeng: "Do you really think I haven't changed?"

Li Li Banfeng studied her carefully and noticed something odd: "Aren't you wearing a new hair tie?"

"Look again!" Hong Ying growled, then sucked half his face into her mouth and kissed him hard.

Li Li Banfeng rubbed his cheek for a long time, then turned to his wife: "She kisses me like that—and you don't stop her?"

Changji snorted coldly: "She's our own maid. Let her kiss him—it's better than some outside harlot doing it."

Li Li Banfeng froze: "Wife, which harlot are you referring to?"

Changji gritted her teeth: "How many harlots do you have?"

"Wife, let's not talk about harlots first—let's talk about the fan. Where's the man I brought back?"

"Swallowed!" the wife patted her belly. "You want to ask? I'll send you in."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Not urgent now. Have you asked all the necessary questions, wife?"

Speaking of serious matters, the wife seemed to calm down: "His name is Qiu Qiu Daoyu. He's a pure-blooded Neizhou person, re-engineered in Neizhou and disguised as He He Jiaqing—"

The wife recounted Qiu Qiu Daoyu's background. Li Li Banfeng compared him to Huang Huang Zenan.

The two were truly very different—in terms of immersion, they were worlds apart.

Huang Huang Zenan played Zhang Zhang Gunli with almost no flaws. Qiu Qiu Daoyu, as He He Jiaqing, had countless inconsistencies.

The wife analyzed Li Li Banfeng's account: "Their memories come from different sources. Qiu Qiu Daoyu's knowledge of He He Jiaqing comes entirely from He He Haiqin—but how much does He He Haiqin really know about his own son? That's uncertain."

Especially regarding his son's life after university—He He Haiqin didn't know many things. As for Huang Huang Zenan, Gui Gui Jianchou and Mu Yuejuan were his old acquaintances; he never slipped up in front of them, proving his memories came directly from Zhang Zhang Gunli himself. Thus, Zhang Zhang Gunli likely defected to Neizhou."

Li Li Banfeng was deeply concerned: "If Neizhou people have this method, how can we tell friend from foe? We'll be vulnerable to their schemes, and suspicion will poison even our closest relationships."

"Husband, don't worry," the wife said, her mood lifting at the mention of Neizhou people. "Look at this folding fan—Old Master has already seen through its mystery."

The wife pulled open the fan's ribs and demonstrated its function.

Li Li Banfeng stared in shock: "This is a steam engine?"

"Yes, husband. Even I was startled. Neizhou truly has remarkable skill—they've built such an intricate machine. More importantly, it carries Neizhou bloodline."

"Pure-blooded Neizhou people are formed from steam engines. They have flesh and blood, and except for their larger size, they seem little different from other living beings."

"In truth, Neizhou people use the Unnameable Art to fuse steam engines with flesh and blood. As that harlot says, it's called material transformation under dark energy radiation."

"Because steam engines are inherently large, Neizhou people are large in stature—even after transformation, they're easy to spot."

"Now, Neizhou has developed a new technique: shrinking the steam engine down to the size of this fan. But the fan isn't the whole Neizhou person—it's merely their heart. Other vital components remain inside their body."

"Neizhou people have moved their boiler, steam chamber, and other core parts outside their bodies, allowing them to control their shape and appear nearly ordinary."

Li Li Banfeng's expression turned grim. This was exactly what he feared most.

The wife wasn't worried at all: "Husband, don't rush—it's good news!"

"Good news? How can this be good?" Li Li Banfeng didn't understand.

"Husband, listen carefully. The core components of the steam engine have been removed from the Neizhou person's body—but these components cannot be transformed into flesh and blood. They can only become objects like fans or abacuses."

"A transformed Neizhou person must carry such an object. If it's taken too far away, they lose strength—like a machine shutting down."

"Once the machine shuts down, their identity is exposed. When the external steam engine is returned to them, the spell on their body activates, exploding their soul and flesh into ruin."

"Those nearby will be caught in the blast."

"If we grasp this, we can expose them."

Through small personal items.

Li Li Banfeng said: "This is difficult. Some people always carry small objects—can we just assume they're Neizhou people?"

Like Yu Nan, who always chewed on a lady's cigarette holder.

Like Xiao Yeci, who always held a book in hand.

Could these be signs of Neizhou people?

Changji laughed: "That's precisely why this is good news, Xue Yingying. Kiss your husband again."

Hong Ying was reluctant: "I just kissed him, and Seventh Lang rejected me."

"I'm giving you a rare chance—kiss him now!"

"I won't." Hong Ying pouted.

Changji snapped: "Didn't we already agree? You ungrateful thing—do you want a beating?"

Hong Ying pouted: "Don't hit me—I'll do as you say."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I haven't agreed yet!"

Hong Ying ignored Li Li Banfeng's protest and swallowed half his head into her mouth.

"No! My eyeballs are being sucked out!" Li Li Banfeng's mouth was still exposed, but his nose and above were inside her mouth—how could she have such a huge mouth? Her head wasn't that big!

Hong Ying patted his back, signaling him to stay still—this was serious business.

Changji wrapped Li Li Banfeng and Hong Ying in a cloud of steam. The hot, moist vapor circulated for half an hour before Hong Ying released him.

Li Li Banfeng rubbed his eyes for a long time before opening them.

Changji said: "Husband, try the Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao technique."

The moment he activated it, Li Li Banfeng covered his eyes again.

A bright flash of light passed over the wife. Li Li Banfeng said: "Wife, it's blinding—what is this?"

The wife scolded: "It's my steam. What else could it be?"

Steam?

Li Li Banfeng deactivated Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao—and indeed, he saw steam pouring from the wife's trumpet mouth.

The wife said: "Husband, Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao doesn't just reveal invisibility or detect ghosts—it can also sense temperature changes. But your technique is still crude; you're not sensitive to thermal shifts."

"I thought sensing temperature was useless—you have your own methods to avoid danger. You'd naturally avoid high-heat hazards, so I never bothered to train you. But now, I must help you solidify this skill."

Li Li Banfeng was displeased: "If you say I'm bad at other techniques, fine—but I've used Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao for over two years."

Changji laughed: "I spent fifteen full years mastering this technique. Two years for you? That's nothing."

"Just now, Hong Ying helped unblock your meridians. Whether you grasp the essence depends on how solid your foundation is."

Li Li Banfeng activated Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao again—and faint glimmers of light appeared around the wife's trumpet mouth.

But they were unclear.

"Husband, can you grasp the essence?"

"I think I can—" Li Li Banfeng practiced several times, but the technique flickered inconsistently, unstable.

Changji sighed: "Still lacking refinement. Xue Yingying, kiss your husband again!"

"Wait!" Li Li Banfeng didn't dodge in time—Hong Ying swallowed half his head again.

Changji said: "Husband, don't struggle. Let Xue Yingying kiss you twice—you won't lose anything. Don't you remember how beautiful she was in her prime? We sisters truly care for you. Don't you know how fortunate you are?"

Couldn't Changji have helped Li Li Banfeng solidify his technique another way?

Yes.

But she thought this method was best.

She flipped through Song Song Laoshi's lecture notes again and sighed: "We sisters love you wholeheartedly—"

"We won't let outsiders steal you away!"

Two hours later, Li Li Banfeng had been kissed by Hong Ying three times—and finally gained some insight:

"Neizhou people pretending to be ordinary must carry a steam engine. Since it's a steam engine, its temperature must be higher than ordinary objects. With Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao, I can detect it."

Changji smiled: "Husband is correct. Once you master the technique, spotting Neizhou people won't be difficult."

Hong Ying held the folding fan to Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Lang, look—do you see any difference?"

The fan was slightly warmer than normal, but honestly, Li Li Banfeng still couldn't detect anything with Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao.

But seeing Hong Ying's pouting lips waiting beside him, he dared not say much: "The technique still needs more practice. But I must discuss something with you—what if a Neizhou person hides the steam engine in a private place? If I can't see it, what then?"

Changji said: "Husband, it's hard to hide. If it could be hidden, Qiu Qiu Daoyu wouldn't keep the fan in his hand all the time."

"But you can't keep the technique active forever—you might miss something. I've already planned ahead. Hand me Xiao Qian Si's earloop."

Li Li Banfeng gave Changji Xiao Qian Si's earloop. She began instructing it: "No matter how finely crafted a steam engine is, its pressure fluctuates. All steam engines have valves—when pressure rises, steam must be released."

"Whenever the valve opens, it makes a sound. Memorize that sound. If you hear steam leaking—"

"You've almost certainly encountered a Neizhou person. Listen closely to this sound."

The phonograph took its fan, pulled out the fan ribs, released steam, and began training the thread-linked earrings.

Li Li Banfeng still found it curious: "Such a tiny steam engine—what does it burn? Coal?"

The phonograph said: "That I don't know yet."

The Sui Shen Ju spoke up: "According to my estimation, coal can certainly be burned, and so can other things—oil, wine, wood, even daily meals—likely all usable as fuel."

Li Li Banfeng asked again: "Under what circumstances does steam pressure become unstable?"

The old man had studied it carefully: "Placing such a large steam engine inside such a small object makes unstable pressure common. Based on my calculations, steam pressure should correlate with the Inner State people's mental state."

"Anger, resentment, joy, worry, fear—all will cause steam pressure to spike rapidly. At such times, you must open the valve to release pressure."

Those who become spies must have stable minds, Li Li Banfeng said: "What if the other party remains as calm as still water, and the steam pressure doesn't budge?"

The glove interjected: "What if you tickle him?"

"Tickle him?" Li Li Banfeng didn't quite understand.

The glove pulled out He He Haiqin's itch-scratcher: "This thing might still be useful."

The itch-scratcher cowered behind the glove, trembling, not daring to move.

The phonograph glanced at the itch-scratcher and nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, it has a use. Husband, go practice your technique again. Xue Yingying, bring that bitch Did Honglian here—I'll have a proper chat with her."

Li Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Wu and looked in the mirror: both eyeballs were blood-red, as if about to pop out of their sockets.

He washed his eyes several times with cold water and dripped eye medicine, but no improvement came. Footsteps approached, and a knock sounded at the door.

Li Li Banfeng put on a pair of dark glasses and opened the door.

It was Jiang Jiang Mengting. She had taken medicine and felt much better; she came specifically to thank Li Li Banfeng.

After some casual chat, Jiang Jiang Mengting spoke of her plans: "Seventh Master, I want to enter the Dao path, become a cultivator. This isn't a whim, nor am I chasing immortality or climbing to the clouds."

"I've walked this world once—if I just drift through it aimlessly, I truly feel it would be a waste. I don't know if there's a next life; even if there is, I won't remember anything, and I don't know if that'll still be me. I just want to learn real skills and live properly this one time."

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment, then said: "If you become a cultivator, when you die you might be sent to the Inner State, thrown into a kiln to bake bricks. Will you regret it then?"

Jiang Jiang Mengting fell silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No regret."

"Good," Li Li Banfeng wrote a check. "Take this money. When the peddler comes, buy the powder from him."

Jiang Jiang Mengting shook her head: "I have money. I don't need to wait for the peddler—Fifth Master already has ready-made powder."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Which Dao sect do you want to join?"

Ma Wu indeed had powder; wealthy families all kept some, but the varieties were few.

Jiang Jiang Mengting lowered her head slightly: "I want to join the Wu Xiu."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Why join the Wu Xiu?"

"Seventh Master probably thinks I should join the Sheng Xiu, but I've sung my whole life—I truly don't want to cultivate by singing anymore."

"I envy He He Yuxiu. She doesn't need to please anyone. Every time I see her full of boldness, I think a person should live like her—not standing on a stage as a puppet for others to manipulate."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "That has nothing to do with Dao sects."

"Then what does it have to do with?"

"With time. You're not young. He He Yuxiu trained since childhood. If you start from scratch now, you'll likely never reach her level."

"I don't aspire to her level."

"Then stop envying her boldness. Her boldness doesn't come from Wu Xiu—it comes from her strength." Li Li Banfeng shoved the check into Jiang Jiang Mengting's hands. "The path is yours to choose. You've trained in singing since childhood—don't waste your time or talent."

Jiang Jiang Mengting fell silent.

Li Li Banfeng pulled out two Jin Jin Yuandan and handed them to Jiang Jiang Mengting: "Eat these when you've reached a level."

Jiang Jiang Mengting waved her hands frantically: "Seventh Master, these pills are precious—I can't accept them—"

Li Li Banfeng placed the pills before her: "Not a gift. I'm lending them to you. When you're strong enough, pay me back—principal and interest."

That night at ten, the phonograph finished modifying the thread-linked earrings. Xiang Hongying took the fan to the fourth wing and gently pulled open the third fan rib.

The earrings were in the main chamber; she couldn't see Xiang Hongying, but she heard the sound: "Madam, the valve is open."

Xiang Hongying tried twice more—the earrings judged correctly each time.

The phonograph praised the earrings: "You've come far! I was right to trust you! Husband, from now on, whenever you meet an Inner State person, no matter how deeply they hide their steam engine, if they open the valve, the thread-linked earrings will hear it."

"What if they don't open the valve?"

"There's still a way." The phonograph picked up an itch-scratcher and waved it at Li Li Banfeng.

Li Li Banfeng suddenly felt an unbearable itch and shuddered.

The phonograph said: "This itch-scratcher was originally a special weapon called Bi Yan Zhua. Its body is damaged, but its spirit remains intact—perfect for use as a hidden weapon."

"It can grasp someone from afar, causing unbearable itchiness. It can be used only once per hour. After use, it demands repayment from the husband—making him itch for a little while."

"If you suspect someone but can't expose them, try the itch-scratcher. When they feel the itch, their mental state will ripple, steam pressure will destabilize—and if they open the valve, you'll hear it."

Li Li Banfeng took the itch-scratcher and studied it for a moment.

The itch-scratcher said: "Can't test it now—the woman just used it. Must wait an hour—"

Before it finished, the glove slapped it: "What do you mean 'that woman'? Speak properly! That's our mistress!"

The itch-scratcher fell silent. Li Li Banfeng handed it over to the glove for safekeeping.

The phonograph said: "Husband, with Jin Qing's keen senses and these two magic treasures, we needn't fear Inner State intruders."

"Catch one, bring one back. Let's see who can escape your grasp. Husband, isn't this a good thing?"

Li Li Banfeng took a silk handkerchief and wiped the dew from the phonograph's speaker: "Wife is right—it's a good thing. The ones we bring back are fine dishes."

Li Li Banfeng took a silk handkerchief and wiped the dew from the speaker's mouth: "Wife is right, it's indeed a good thing—the dishes we brought back are all fine."

The wife was displeased.

"Husband, do you think I care only for food? I, like you, care about the safety of Pulu Province."

Xiang Hongying wiped her lips: "Pulu Province's safety must be considered—but grilled mackerel is delicious too!"

Tang Dao wiped his blade: "The Marshal is right—we all care for Pulu Province's safety."

The projector cleaned its film chamber: "For Pulu Province's future, we need an artistic feast."

The magic treasures in the room all voiced agreement. Li Li Banfeng stood: "For safety and feasts, I should go out and take a look."

The next day, Li Li Banfeng went to the Border Control Office and handed the Inner State ceasefire treaty to Liao Liao Zihui, instructing him to deliver it to Du Du Wenming and immediately implement the ten thousand three hundred souls.

Liao Liao Zihui didn't dare delay—he immediately submitted the treaty. Li Li Banfeng ate lunch at the Border Control Office and took a casual walk around.

No Inner State people appeared at the office. Li Li Banfeng sighed: "Liao Zihui, you're doing a fine job."

Liao Liao Zihui was baffled—he had no idea what job he was being praised for.

Li Li Banfeng left, slightly disappointed.

Two days later, Chu Er arrived at Xindi with her team. Li Li Banfeng went to assist; Ma Wu brought Feng Dailu as well.

Li Li Banfeng asked Ma Wu: "Chu Er's already moved—when are you going to bury the treaty?"

Ma Wu said: "I'm waiting for her to act first. See what trouble she runs into—I'll be better prepared."

As he spoke, Ma Wu gazed into the distance, his eyes distant.

Feng Dailu pinched Ma Wu: "Who are you staring at now?"

"N-no—" Ma Wu smiled at Feng Dailu, but his gaze remained unfocused.

He really had taken a fancy to someone.

Chu Er was deep in the woods, speaking with Chu Shaoqiang.

Chu Shaoqiang sighed: "You're better at judging people than I am. Following Li Qi has never let you down."

Chu Chu Huaiyuan sighed: "Father, you abandoned us back then—we siblings suffered plenty."

"What I did before was wrong. From now on, let's live well together."

Chu Er looked at Chu Shaoqiang: "Can you live well? Will the Inner State let you?"

"There will be hard times," Chu Shaoqiang admitted frankly. "But what can compare to one's own blood? Don't worry—I know the difference."

As they spoke, Xiang Xiang Fenglan rushed over: "Chu Huaiyuan, Grandmother's here."

Chu Er glanced at Chu Shaoqiang.

Chu Shaoqiang nodded slightly. Chu Er hurried after Xiang Xiang Fenglan to the riverbank.

The Old Woman of Bitterness stood by the river, smiling at Chu Er: "Good. After taking so many beatings in Bitter Cabbage Village, you've finally grown. Now you're becoming a local deity."

Chu Er lowered her head: "Disciple's cultivation is insufficient—I don't know if I can hold the territory."

The Old Woman of Bitterness frowned: "That's fine to say to me—but never say it to Li Qi. He's put food right in your mouth, and you say you can't eat? That's laughable. You're shaming the Dao sect."

Mid-sentence, the Old Woman of Bitterness glanced toward the distance.

Before Chu Er could react, the Old Woman flashed forward, appearing before Ma Wu, and kicked him into the river.

"Who are you, some wild boy, staring at me?" The Old Woman's expression was icy as she looked down at Ma Wu in the water.

"You misunderstand, Madam—I only meant to—" Ma Wu had just climbed out when Feng Dailu grabbed him.

Feng Dailu held Ma Wu down, bowed to the Old Woman, then ran off, whispering: "Are you mad? You dared to attack her!"

Ma Wu looked embarrassed: "I just thought this Madam had a certain charm—I wanted to meet her."

Feng Dailu snarled: "Keep being reckless—you'll eventually lose your life to it!"

Li Li Banfeng moved among the guests. So many had come today—officially to celebrate Chu Er, but really all drawn by Li Qi.

Sha Sha Dingzhong, Rong Rong Sijiao, Xie Hu Laizi—all the local deities nearby had arrived.

When He He Yuxiu first took her territory, these deities had sent people to disrupt her. Now they dared not.

Acquiring one intact new territory might be called luck—mere coincidence.

But holding onto it? That can't be explained by coincidence.

Now they've acquired a second territory. These deities have seen his skill and strength—it's time to change their attitude.

"Brother Li Qi, Sha here offers congratulations!" Sha Sha Dingzhong, his face caked in dust, presented his gift first.

"Brother Sha, you're too kind!" Li Li Banfeng stared intently at Sha Sha Dingzhong for a long while.

This man is not an impostor from Neizhou.

"Little Brother Li Qi, I was wrong before—please don't take it to heart," Rong Rong Sijiao said. This man had a peculiar appearance: two chair legs grew from his forehead, and two more from the back of his skull.

He is not an impostor from Neizhou either.

Like Puluozhou needs peace!

Our families need to feast!

These Neizhou people are too useless—they didn't even bother showing up for an occasion like this.

Xie Hu Laizi, his face covered in a rash of stubbornness, grinned broadly: "The Jianghu holds no grudges overnight. What happened before is past—I've come just to ask for a cup of wine. Brother, won't you grant me this favor?"

"Big Brother Xie, this way, please."

This man is not an impostor from Neizhou either.

Besides them, there are even higher-ranking figures.

"Younger brother, your elder brother has come late!"

At the sound of that voice, Li Li Banfeng maximized his Jin Qing Jinjing Qiuhao and turned, clasping his fists: "Master Pan, when did you arrive?"

Pan De said: "I heard my younger brother, with virtue as your example, has formally enfeoffed new lands—how could your elder brother not come?"

He was the first to utter the words "enfeoff."

Upon hearing those two words, many turned their gazes toward Li Li Banfeng.

Is the word "enfeoff" appropriate?

After careful thought, no one found it inappropriate.

Li Qi had indeed enfeoffed local deities—and not just one.

Li Li Banfeng had not thought about enfeoffment at all; his eyes never left Pan De.

Pan De carried no unusual small objects, nor any high-temperature items.

He had listened with his Xiao Qian Si Earring—no sound of a valve could be heard.

Try the tickle stick.

Or better yet, skip the test entirely—just take him home. Whether real or fake, taking in Pan De is a reasonable choice.

Beside Pan De stood Bai Mu Yu and Gao Gao Shuxia. As they chatted, someone suddenly said: "Little Seven, how could you forget your elder brother?"

Li Li Banfeng turned and saw Shui Shui Yongquan arrive.

"How could I ever forget you, Elder Brother?" Li Qi hurried forward. "Have you just arrived?"

Shui Shui Yongquan sighed deeply: "I didn't even want to come—it's too cold here. You've got such a fine place, yet you didn't think of your elder brother—only your little lovers."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "I actually did think of it. Let's find a quiet spot later and talk it over."

This was hard to say outright—this land was close to an actual village, and Li Li Banfeng had worried Shui Shui Yongquan might take offense.

The matter wasn't easy to explain.

When Li Li Banfeng mentioned a quiet place, he meant it literally—he truly wanted to discuss the new land with Shui Shui Yongquan. If Shui Shui Yongquan had the courage, Li Li Banfeng would surely reserve a plot for him in any future acquisitions.

But Shui Shui Yongquan sensed something off: "What's this? Little Seven, why go somewhere quiet? Are you planning to scold your elder brother? I was just joking—don't take me seriously!"

Hss~

A faint sound came through the Xiao Qian Si Earring.

Li Li Banfeng studied Shui Shui Yongquan from head to toe.

Shui Shui Yongquan held a teapot, drinking directly from its spout.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Elder Brother, is this good tea?"

Shui Shui Yongquan shook his head: "Just for quenching thirst on the road—not good tea at all."

"Could I have a sip?"

Shui Shui Yongquan held the teapot: "That wouldn't be proper—I drank straight from the spout. I fear you'd find it unclean. When you return to your village, I'll treat you to fine tea."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "No need to wait till you return to the village—I have good tea right here. Elder Brother, come sit with me first."

PS: Neizhou people are skilled at selecting targets.