Chapter 577: Pillow City

Frightened away Zhang Zhang Gunli and Master Master Kongfang, Li Li Banfeng quickly hid the key—these two might suddenly come back.

Back in the Leaving Leaving Suishenju, Li Li Banfeng still held the rattle.

If he hadn't had the rattle with him just now, Li Li Banfeng didn't know how he could've escaped—Zhang Zhang Gunli was so formidable, and Master Master Kongfang was clearly stronger still; with his current cultivation base, dealing with Master Master Kongfang was simply too difficult.

But judging by how fast Master Master Kongfang fled, he didn't seem like a subordinate of the Peddler—more like someone with a grudge against him.

What exactly was going on behind the scenes? Li Li Banfeng didn't know yet.

The Singing Machine was pasting flesh onto the clay figures with glue; seeing Li Li Banfeng drenched in sweat, she asked with concern: "Master, you look flustered and agitated—what happened?"

Li Li Banfeng shook the rattle in his hand: "There's a rumor that the Peddler fought someone from the heavens and was killed by them."

The Leaving Leaving Suishenju fell silent; except for the few magic treasures already beside Li Li Banfeng who had heard the news, everyone else was stunned.

"That can't be right—I don't think this could be—" The Singing Machine spoke weakly; she knew what consequences the Peddler's death would bring to Like Puluozhou.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Neizhou sent Zhang Zhang Gunli to challenge Master Kongfang, the Second Master of Snowflake Bay—they're testing the Peddler."

"If Master Kongfang is killed and the Peddler still doesn't respond, that proves the Peddler is truly gone."

The Singing Machine asked: "I've never heard of Master Master Kongfang's name—I don't know what kind of strength the Second Master of Snowflake Bay has. Have you met him?"

"I just met him. Master Master Kongfang is a ruthless fighter who can defeat Zhang Zhang Gunli. Snowflake Bay isn't just a name—it's clear the Second Master's strength is formidable."

"Master, if the Second Master of Snowflake Bay dares show his face in Like Puluozhou, doesn't that mean the Peddler hasn't been harmed?"

"Hard to say." Li Li Banfeng turned the rattle in his hand—he couldn't yet determine the true relationship between Master Master Kongfang and the Peddler.

The Singing Machine still found it suspicious: "If the Peddler was going to fight someone from the heavens, that would be a earth-shattering event in Like Puluozhou—so why was there not a single whisper before it began?"

The Old Lao Chahu said: "Both the Peddler and the heavenly beings know the consequences of this battle—no matter who wins or loses, it will harm Like Puluozhou greatly. I suspect they wanted to keep it secret, so they hid themselves deeply before the fight."

The Singing Machine still disagreed: "If they hid deeply before the fight, how did the news leak out afterward?"

The Glove said: "The news came from someone in Pillow City named Ye Haolong."

The Singing Machine checked the calendar: "Pillow City? That's even more absurd! The people of Pillow City sleep through three seasons a year—it's exactly their sleeping time now. How could he have witnessed the Peddler's battle with the heavens?"

This whole matter was indeed strange.

Li Li Banfeng was just thinking of going to Pillow City when Did Honglian suddenly shouted from Room Nine: "No smoke without fire—I suspect the Peddler and the heavens are about to fight, but they haven't yet. Can you deliver a message to the Peddler for me?"

Li Li Banfeng entered Room Nine, carried Did Honglian to the main room, and asked: "Were you just speaking to me?"

Did Honglian said: "Who else in this house can speak to the Peddler? The Peddler calls you brother—you must be friends."

"I'm his friend. What message do you want me to deliver?"

Did Honglian spoke slowly, word by word: "Tell the Peddler not to fight the heavens. This battle—"

"Neither of you can afford to lose."

The Singing Machine said: "Did Honglian, what's wrong? Are you worried about your heavenly one?"

"Yes, I am worried!" Did Honglian admitted openly. "But you all know what will happen to Like Puluozhou without the Peddler. I have ties with him—my advice might reach him."

The Singing Machine sighed: "If it were that easy to persuade, their feud wouldn't have lasted so many years."

Did Honglian said: "Whether or not I can persuade him, just deliver the message. I won't ask you to do this for free—I'll pay you."

The Singing Machine smiled: "What could you possibly pay me with?"

D

Did Honglian turned to the Singing Machine and unfurled her petals: "I'll make you a body."

The Singing Machine blinked: "What kind of body?"

"Your body—Zhao Xiao's body—the body of the most beautiful woman in the world. Don't you want it?"

The Singing Machine laughed: "I thought it was something precious—just a puppet?"

Did Honglian said: "This puppet can be made exactly like you were in your prime. Don't you want it?"

"No," the Singing Machine sniffed. "A fake is still a fake. If I wanted a fake, I'd rather have Master grow me one."

Li Li Banfeng really could grow one for her.

He had obtained a sword from Bei Bei Wushuang—the blade bore Zhao Xiao's bloodstains. If he restored the stains to fresh blood, he could grow a "Zhao Xiao" from it.

Did Honglian understood the Singing Machine's meaning: "You really want to grow a cabbage person? How long would that last?"

"Who said it has to be a cabbage person?"

"You could have him grow you a melon person—but how long would that last? When the melon rots and molds, isn't that blood wasted? How much blood is even on that sword?"

"I've seen you use the Body-Building Technique to make yourself a body—you're not a Mi Jiao cultivator, you lack the skill. What you make looks unnatural. Why bother?"

"Don't you want a real body? Don't you want to be a real wife to him? Just deliver the message. Once it's delivered, whether or not the Peddler agrees, I'll do it for you!"

The Singing Machine fell silent.

To say she didn't want it—that would be a lie.

Sometimes she envied Xiang Hongying—even if her appearance was lacking, at least her form was real.

Seeing the Singing Machine silent, Did Honglian asked Li Li Banfeng: "Will you agree?"

"Agree to what?" Li Li Banfeng had been thinking about his next move—he hadn't really listened to what Did Honglian and the Singing Machine were saying.

Did Honglian repeated: "If you deliver the message to the Peddler, I'll take care of everything!"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "I don't even know where the Peddler is—how can I deliver a message?"

"Find a way. You'll find him. When you do, tell him not to fight the heavens!"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Fine. If I meet him, I'll deliver it. First, I'll go to Lüshuicheng to stabilize the situation, then to Pillow City to see what's going on with this Ye Haolong."

Neizhou, Wu Bian City, Luo Family Estate.

In a hall carved entirely from a single crystal, Luo Su Lijun crawled down from the top of a ten-meter-tall, thick, transparent pillar, arriving before Zhang Zhang Gunli.

Zhang Zhang Gunli kept his head lowered; the ground beneath his feet was transparent, the walls around him were transparent,

even the palace ceiling was transparent—and beyond the transparency lay endless darkness.

Luo Su Lijun had already read the documents Zhang Zhang Gunli submitted; now she only wanted to confirm a few things: "Did you see the Peddler?"

Zhang Zhang Gunli nodded vigorously.

He couldn't say he'd only heard the Peddler's rattle—that answer would bring severe punishment.

Luo Su Lijun asked: "According to you, when you fought Master Master Kongfang, you were evenly matched—he had a slight edge. Under those conditions, the Peddler shouldn't have needed to intervene."

Zhang Zhang Gunli had already prepared his explanation: "I believe Snowflake Bay has suffered repeated blows—the Peddler may be using this opportunity to uncover the truth behind the events."

Luo Su Lijun's antennae trembled: "Are you suggesting the Peddler suspects us?"

"I believe that possibility exists." Zhang Zhang Gunli spoke nervously—if the person across from him were cruel, he might blame Zhang Zhang Gunli.

But he knew Luo Su Lijun was reasonable; if he spoke with logic and evidence, she would listen.

And he had to speak with absolute sincerity—this was Neizhou, this was Luo Su Lijun's residence. Any flicker of emotion in Zhang Zhang Gunli's heart might be detected by her.

Luo Su Lijun remained silent for a long time. Zhang Zhang Gunli kept his head lowered; sweat dripped one drop at a time down his cheeks, pooling on the floor, turning the once-transparent ground into a blur.

Not just the ground beneath Zhang Zhang Gunli's feet—the entire crystal hall grew hazy, and the darkness beyond the palace flickered with fleeting specks of light.

"Withdraw." Luo Su Lijun flicked her antennae. Zhang Zhang Gunli retreated step by step, leaving the crystal hall.

Luo Su Lijun crawled slowly back and forth alone in the hall. Outside, in the darkness, countless light points converged into a line, twisted into a rope like a silver serpent, coiled briefly around the hall, then scattered into shimmering specks.

From the top of the ten-meter pillar, another giant snail crawled down: "Sister,

what has you so troubled?"

Luo Su Lijun sighed: "The Peddler is still alive. We cannot fight this war against the Demon Land. I'll send word to the Cabinet immediately."

Luo Su Lijun's thoughts shifted; several shrimp-worms outside the crystal hall sensed it and slithered off in all directions.

Luo Luo Yanjun said: "Sister, others might listen, but Old Fan and his group won't—

they've been waiting for war. If you tell them not to fight now, I bet they'll argue with you until the end."

"So what if they argue?" Luo Su Lijun grew angry; the once-transparent crystal hall faintly reddened. "War was never under Old Fan's jurisdiction.

Last time we fought the Waizhou, it was Old Fan's idea. We lost. He shrugged it off, claiming he had nothing to do with military affairs.

Then it was his idea to send spies into the Demon Land—hundreds turned into one spy. Five sent out, three vanished. Now he says it's not his concern!

Now, when we're ready to strike the Demon Land, they want to interfere again. At their age, don't they have any shame?"

As she spoke, a flame spread from the east wall to the west wall outside the crystal hall.

Luo Su Lijun was furious.

Luo Luo Yanjun sighed: "Sister, calm down. Old Fan's bloodline is higher than ours. If they insist on interfering, you can't stop them."

Tick-tock~

A mist of water enveloped the outside of the crystal hall, slowly extinguishing the flame.

The mist came from Luo Luo Yanjun—and from Luo Su Lijun herself.

Luo Su Lijun knew well: if Old Fan truly used his bloodline to overpower her, she had no countermeasure.

Soon, a worm slithered along the wall—a signal that Old Fan and his group had arrived.

Luo Su Lijun smoothed her features against the crystal wall and met them at the Heavenly Hall's entrance: "Master Fan, Master Lü, Master Bi—your presence is an honor. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."

One man entered the hall. Luo Su Lijun called him "Master" three times.

Because he had three heads.

"Madam Luo, I heard the war is called off. Can you explain why?" The middle head—Master Fan—spoke first.

Luo Su Lijun said: "I've already explained to you all—the Peddler is still alive. Launching an attack on the Demon Land now would be unwise."

The left head—Master Lü—disagreed strongly: "So what if the Peddler lives? Our army fights under Heaven's mandate to punish rebels—why fear a mere peddler?"

Luo Luo Yanjun interjected: "Master Lü, that's not wise. Yes, he's a peddler—but calling him ordinary? That's off by ten thousand miles."

Luo Su Lijun said: "Gentlemen, we've suffered many defeats at the Peddler's hands. You haven't forgotten past battles.

It was only because we received word of the Peddler's death that the court planned to invade the Demon Land. Now that he's alive, we must reconsider."

The rightmost head—Master Bi—spoke: "Though the peddler still lives, Snowflake Bay has been repeatedly devastated, and he does nothing—"

And this time, when Zhang Zhang Gunli clashed with the Snow River bandit chieftain, the Peddler appeared—yet Zhang Zhang Gunli still escaped unscathed, proving the Peddler is severely wounded and unable to fight. This is the perfect moment to crush the rebellion.

Zhang Zhang Gunli encountered the Peddler and still returned alive—this is indeed suspicious.

Luo Su Lijun was about to explain, but Grand Secretary Fan gave her no chance to speak: "Madam Luo, I've heard you've had extensive dealings with the Demon Lands. Could there be secret collusion?"

Luo Su Lijun stiffened, angered.

"Grand Secretary Fan, the imperial edict clearly states: first stabilize the Demon Lands, then gradually expand into the Outer Provinces. Every word is written plainly. Now you accuse me of colluding with the Demon Lands—was it the court that ordered me to do so?"

Grand Secretary Fan said nothing. Grand Secretary Lü added from the side: "Grand Secretary Fan was merely using a metaphor."

Luo Su Lijun's temper flared, and she spoke without regard for rank: "Earlier, Grand Secretary Fan proposed sending spies into the Outer Provinces—and yet you asked me how many of my people died for it, and how much intelligence we actually gathered?"

This matter hasn't even been clarified yet, and now you're falsely accusing me of colluding with the Demon Lands, Grand Secretary Fan—

are you being too tyrannical?"

Grand Secretary Bi added from the side: "We are only offering advice. The final decision rests with those in charge of military affairs."

"If you don't manage military affairs, why are you meddling in the campaign against the Demon Lands now?"

Grand Secretary Fan grew angry. His bulky body suddenly rose three feet taller.

The crystal palace creaked and groaned, rising along with Grand Secretary Fan's towering form.

Grand Secretary Fan looked down upon Luo Su Lijun and said gravely: "I am of imperial blood. It is my duty to ease the court's burdens and offer counsel for the realm. This is my obligation—I must exhaust every thought, without excuse."

"Madam Luo, why are you clinging to past events? What are you after? Are you trying to find my weakness, to silence me?"

Aaaggggaaa~

The crystal hall continued to expand.

Luo Luo Yanjun sighed softly. Bloodline remained an insurmountable barrier.

Luo Su Lijun controlled her emotions and tone: "According to Grand Secretary Fan, how should this matter be handled?"

"How to handle it is your military's concern. We merely offer advice."

"Spread word in the Demon Lands that the Peddler is dead. See if he dares to show himself."

"If he doesn't appear, it proves his strength is broken. Seize this opportunity to annihilate the Demon Lands."

Luo Su Lijun fell silent for a long while, then sighed: "Very well. We'll follow your advice." In Xiaoyao Wu, Li Ban held his wine cup as Xiao Er whispered beside him: "Old Seven, is the Peddler really in trouble?"

Li Ban said nothing.

Zhang Zhang Xiuling added: "Young Master, if he's truly in danger, just give us a straight answer. I'll have the brothers of Bangmen prepare. We'll stake our lives against the Inner State!"

Li Ban still said nothing.

Han Han Yaomen, Grand Chief of Qingyun Society, grew frantic: "Young Master, say something! I can't speak for others, but Qingyun's brothers will never bow to the Inner State!"

Everyone spoke at once, asking endlessly.

Ma Wu, fearing they'd provoke Li Qi, kept urging them: "Gentlemen, let's discuss this calmly. Some things even our Old Seven doesn't know."

"How could Old Seven not know?" said Shen Shen Jinzhong, Grand Seal of San Ying Gate, shaking his head. "I think the Peddler is likely dead. We should prepare early."

"Nonsense! What do you mean 'likely dead'?" Li Qi set down his cup. "I saw the Peddler in Xindi just two days ago. He's been busy lately, no time to trade. Why are you spreading so many rumors? Where did you hear this?"

He He Yuxiu said: "It's all over the newspapers. Not just in Lüshui City—everyone in Pulu Province is talking about it."

"Which newspaper? I'll smash their printing house!" Li Qi stood up. "All of you, tend to your own businesses and territories. Carry on as usual."

"The Inner State may be stirring trouble, spreading rumors on purpose. Gather your people, increase vigilance."

Li Qi left Xiaoyao Wu. But his words couldn't calm them. They stayed in the private room, shouting and arguing.

By seven p. m., Xiaoyao Wu still had no customers. Lüshui City was in panic—no one even wanted to go to the dance halls.

The whole of Pulu Province was much the same. If the Peddler didn't appear soon, who knew what would happen next.

But how could the Peddler appear?

Ding Da Huan dang, ding Da Huan dang—

"Soap, face cream, silk scarves, handkerchiefs, needles and thread!"

"Leather buckets, what's that, iron buckets, and iron shovels!"

"Pickled vegetable jars, soy sauce pots, rice spoons, water gourds, cleavers!"

"A cart full of fine goods, my old brand—everything at fair prices, pick what you like!"

The Peddler pushed his cart to Changfeng Village by Lüshui Bay.

Several children played at the village entrance. A girl spotted the Peddler, walked up, and asked to buy medicine candy.

Where was the medicine candy?

The Peddler searched for a long time, finally found the candy jar on his cart.

"How many?"

The girl said: "Two orange-flavored, one pear-flavored."

Which one was orange-flavored—

The Peddler searched again, then handed her five candies: "I'll give you two extra. Don't bother picking flavors."

The other children, hearing he gave extra, crowded around:

"I want three orange!"

"I want one honeydew!"

"I want one hawthorn!"

The Peddler pursed his lips, murmured: "How much was each candy again?"

The glove reminded him: "The Peddler sells at standard price: thirteen cents per piece."

The price was awkward—hard to calculate, hard to make change.

A village woman walked to the entrance, calling her children home for dinner. Seeing the Peddler from afar, she shouted: "My god! He's here! He's alive!"

Her voice was loud—it startled half the village.

Villagers rushed to the entrance, surrounding the Peddler, asking prices.

"How much for this bucket?"

The Peddler thought: "Look for yourself—I'm selling at half price today."

"I'll take the pickled vegetable jar."

The Peddler nodded: "Good. Just pay what you think fair."

"Two clothing racks, one pack of candles, two boxes of matches, one back-scratcher, and a pair of scissors—how much total?"

The Peddler scratched his head: "You want all that?"

The man laughed: "I'm not buying. Just asking prices."

"Get out of the way! Don't crowd if you're not buying!"

A young man stepped forward, excited: "I'll buy Wu Xiu medicine powder!"

The Peddler opened his cabinet, glanced inside, and shook his head: "Wu Xiu medicine powder is sold out!"

"Then… I'll take the Wen Xiu powder."

"Can you read?"

"No."

"Then why would you want Wen Xiu powder?"

The young man thought a moment:

"Then I'll take the Huo Xiu powder."

"Such rare powder? Can't just appear on demand."

"What about Shui Xiu?"

"Shui Xiu is gone too."

The young man panicked: "What powder do you even have?"

The Peddler looked again: "Only Jin Xiu."

The young man beamed: "Jin Xiu powder? Is that the Daoist art that turns stones to gold?"

The Peddler shook his head: "It's for carrying golden buckets, collecting golden sap."

The young man didn't understand. The Peddler brought out a bucket and showed him.

The young man shook his head vigorously: "That's a manure bucket! No way—I won't take that!"

"Take it or leave it—you're picky." Taking advantage of the moment, the Peddler pushed his cart away.

The villagers didn't care whether they bought anything. Normally, seeing the Peddler meant nothing special.

But today, seeing him, they felt genuine joy. Word spread: you told me, I told you—

Neighboring villages began to hear.

From Changfeng Village to Lanyang Village, then from Lanyang to Xindi.

In Xindi, he set down his cart, sat by the roadside, wiped sweat, pulled out his old teapot,

poured himself a cup of tea, and drank.

This Peddler was Li Ban in disguise.

Only by appearing as the Peddler could Pulu Province calm down—and the Inner State fall silent.

But Li Ban couldn't keep pretending as the Peddler. He lacked the ability—he couldn't remember the goods or prices. That was minor. The real problem: he had no medicine powder. He couldn't keep faking Jin Xiu forever.

He had to go to Zhentou City and find out the truth.

Zhentou City was a proper town—it had a train station.

He got off the train. The station attendant yawned as he checked tickets. Outside the platform, the forecourt was empty—not a soul.

The small town was tiny, just one main street. Walking down it, no pedestrians. All shops along both sides were closed.

After walking for a long time, he finally encountered a rickshaw driver, who was asleep inside his cart. Li Li Banfeng tried calling out for directions, shouting for a long while, but the driver didn't wake up.

"Young brother, don't waste your effort," the teapot spoke up. "If you were back at the station, someone sleeping there might still wake up. But in the city, you won't wake anyone until next spring."

Li Li Banfeng pulled out the teapot: "You're familiar with this place?"

"Familiar? I was born here, raised here. I don't remember how many years I've lived here—I only remember one day, I thought people shouldn't live like this. People need a dream, a purpose. So I decided to go out and explore. But I ended up stumbling straight into Kucai Village."

Even without directions, it didn't matter—Li Li Banfeng was a traveling cultivator with an excellent sense of direction. Following Liao Liao Zihui's address, he found his way on his own.

He entered an alley, and suddenly it became lively.

A man lay sprawled at the gate of a courtyard, his hands stretched out as if trying to crawl inside.

This courtyard must be his home—why was he sleeping at the gate instead of inside?

The old teapot yawned: "He wanted to get back inside. He just didn't make it."

Ahead, a street vendor slept atop his own stall. Opposite him lay a woman, one hand clutching a box of rouge, the other holding a handful of coins.

She had bought the rouge and was about to pay, but the vendor hadn't had time to collect the money—both had fallen asleep right there.

The old teapot glanced at the rouge in the woman's hand: "This kind of rouge isn't easy to get. This girl must've feared she'd never find it again. And the vendor? Greedy—he insisted on making just one more sale. Now he can't even pack up, and here he is."

Li Li Banfeng was curious: "If you're halfway through a transaction, why not wait a little longer? Why fall asleep right here?"

As he spoke, Li Li Banfeng couldn't help yawning himself.

The old teapot chuckled: "On the day of Lixia, once midnight passes, everyone in Pillow City becomes so drowsy they can't keep their eyes open."

"If you're sensible, go home and sleep. If you're foolish and insist on finishing your work, you might end up sleeping on the street—and wake up only next Lichun."

Li Li Banfeng still didn't understand: "What about urgent needs?"

"The local deity has ways. In Pillow City, if you clean yourself before falling asleep, you won't have any urgent needs while asleep."

"What's this local deity called?"

"I don't remember his name."

"What sect does he belong to?"

"He's a Lazy Cultivator."

Li Li Banfeng touched the Judge's Pen: "This place suits you perfectly!"

The Judge's Pen didn't respond—it had already fallen asleep.

This vendor wasn't the worst. Li Li Banfeng walked deeper into the alley and saw a latrine. Outside its door lay a woman; she must have finished using it and tried to get home, but failed, and fell asleep nearby.

Even stranger, inside the latrine lay another man, half-reclining—he had fallen asleep halfway through using it.

After walking down the alley for about ten minutes, Li Li Banfeng found Ye Haolong's residence.

It was a large household—a three-court, three-hall compound. Li Li Banfeng didn't knock; he knew no one would answer. He used his Unobstructed Passage technique and walked straight through the wall.

In the front courtyard, servants and maids slept soundly in their rooms.

In the main courtyard, Li Li Banfeng entered the central hall. A man lay alone in the inner chamber, covered by a quilt, the bedding neat and orderly.

The man looked over seventy, his hair and beard snow-white—he must be Ye Haolong, as described by Liao Liao Zihui.

Li Li Banfeng called out several times beside Ye Haolong, but the man didn't wake.

"He's a cultivator of the Clouds Above Level One—and even he can't resist Pillow City's rules?"

"He can't," the old teapot replied, his voice sluggish. "No matter how high his cultivation base, in Pillow City, unless he chooses to wake himself, no one can rouse him."

What should he do? If Ye Haolong wouldn't wake, how could they communicate? Li Li Banfeng looked around: "Is there really a place like Pillow City? Aren't they afraid of thieves?"

"Afraid? They're not afraid at all," the old teapot yawned. "In Pillow City, if you take something you shouldn't, you'll never leave this land. You'll sleep for three to five years. When you finally wake, you'll have to pay double."

"If you hurt someone here while everyone's asleep, you'll never wake again. Your life ends right there."

"Young brother, think fast—I'm about to fall asleep. I fear you won't last much longer either."

PS: This Pillow City place is quite nice!

Brother, hurry and come up with an idea—I'm about to fall asleep, and I'm afraid you won't last much longer either.

PS: This Pillow City place isn't bad!