Chapter 582: Snow Cream (Chapter High Energy)

The man standing behind the peddler was actually Face Not Big!

This man was none other than the Ancestor of Oil Cultivators, trapped in an unspeakable place—Face Not Big, whose face was larger than a city!

Li Li Banfeng never expected to meet him today at Huangtu Bridge!

"You—

Face Not Big nodded and said: "The peddler rescued me!"

"I—

Face Not Big's face was full of gratitude: "Thanks to you sending word to the peddler, he found me."

"Wait a minute—" Li Li Banfeng was in a hurry to chase after the coachman.

The peddler waved his hand: "No need to chase—he's already been sent for. He'll be here soon."

Talking to these two was truly effortless; Li Li Banfeng barely opened his mouth and they understood.

"Who went after him?"

"The coachman—the disciple of Old Train," the peddler meant the real coachman.

Li Li Banfeng looked from Face Not Big to the peddler: "This is Little Face Not Big, right?"

Face Not Big nodded: "Big Face Not Big has partially emerged, but not fully."

Li Li Banfeng asked the peddler: "How did you find that place?"

The peddler sighed: "It took a lot of effort. When you mentioned Face Not Big last time, I went to ask friends for clues."

A while back, while passing through Tiemenbao, I received word from my friend. I immediately dropped my business and went to find Face Not Big."

I found the trail, but the place was hard to enter—I used many methods to carve a path, but it was too narrow; I could get in, but Face Not Big couldn't get out."

I had prepared for this—I planned to open another path elsewhere, one wide enough."

But it was extremely perilous; he couldn't walk it alone—he needed a Travel Cultivator to guide him."

Back at the Ink Fragrance Shop, I already discussed this with you—I said we'd need your help when rescuing Face Not Big."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "I remember. But you never came to me."

The peddler said: "I did go to find you—but you were out selling, and I didn't want to disrupt your business."

Li Li Banfeng snapped: "What do you mean disrupt my business? I went out selling for you!"

"That's true," the peddler nodded vigorously. "With you out there as cover, the Neizhou people dared not act rashly, letting me work in peace."

Besides, that path I carved—you probably couldn't walk it. I know your Travel Cultivation base is deep, but that path isn't just dangerous—it's also extremely long. To have you carry Face Not Big out, you'd lack the stamina."

Li Li Banfeng was curious—he had excellent stamina, regularly shuttling between Waizhou and Like Puluozhou. Who had better stamina than him?

"Brother Lang, tell me—who has that kind of stamina?"

"The coachman! I went to Yaowang Gou and found him, struck a deal, and handed this task to him." The peddler poured Li Li Banfeng a bowl of fruit nectar to rest.

As Li Li Banfeng drank, he realized why he hadn't found the coachman at Yaowang Gou—he'd gone with the peddler to rescue Face Not Big.

Li Li Banfeng had learned his basic footwork from the coachman; the coachman's stamina was indeed impressive, but Li Li Banfeng still didn't fully grasp the peddler's description.

He could enter the path, but Face Not Big couldn't exit it.

The path he carved required the coachman to carry Face Not Big out.

What kind of process was this?

While pondering, the coachman returned—he had dealt with the last "fake coachman."

Tang Shi also arrived; the two brothers met, still a bit awkward.

Ma Wu, Xiao Xiao Genzi, and Xiao Xiao Chuanzi arrived too. The peddler glanced at the group, then pulled Li Li Banfeng aside: "I have something to discuss with everyone—but I don't want you to know."

Li Li Banfeng: "Only I can't know?"

The peddler nodded: "Exactly. So many Neizhou people died here—if I didn't consult them, how would you collect the bodies?"

Talking with the peddler was always effortless; many things passed between them unspoken.

Li Li Banfeng cheerfully went to collect the corpses. Of the eighty-plus fake coachmen, only one had been taken by the real coachman—the rest all went to Li Li Banfeng. His Body Residence couldn't even hold them all, people and carts included.

Too bad all the coachmen were dead. Their families had food to eat, but the wife could only eat one coachman's wife—she didn't even start eating, instead taking the coachman's body to the Seventh Chamber for strict interrogation. Within moments, she uncovered the whereabouts of Miss Xiao Qin Girl.

"Husband, Miss Xiao Qin Girl is still alive—locked in a mine cave on Coal Mountain. The cave entrance is sealed with a spell array—not very sophisticated. Use Duan Jing to break through."

"Miss Xiao Qin Girl hasn't eaten in days. Bring her food and drink—but don't let her eat too fast."

Leaving the Body Residence, Li Li Banfeng didn't head straight for Miss Xiao Qin Girl—he had to handle the aftermath first.

He brought some spirit money, returned to the coal yard, and solemnly wept twice: "You died horribly! You were reduced to ash! Your bones vanished!"

After ten minutes of weeping, black ash rained down from the sky—proof the coachmen had died cleanly.

Over eighty men—yet the amount of ash seemed too little.

But Li Li Banfeng could only do this much. He went to the bamboo grove and wept again; when he saw the flying ash once more, the aftermath was complete.

He found the cave the wife described, used Duan Jing to break the spell array at the entrance, had his glove unlock the chains, and rescued Miss Xiao Qin Girl.

The girl was strong-willed—two days without food or water, she tried to starve herself to death so as not to burden her father.

Luckily Li Li Banfeng arrived early; he gave her water and two biscuits, reviving her somewhat.

He carried Miss Xiao Qin Girl to Beiqiao, found Qin Bulou. Seeing his daughter returned, Qin Bulou crawled off his bed, knelt on the ground, and bowed his head to Li Li Banfeng.

Li Li Banfeng hated this. He stepped forward, pulled Qin Bulou up: "Speak standing up. First, find someone to look after your daughter."

Soon after, the peddler arrived at Beiqiao.

Qin Bulou had just lain down, but upon hearing the peddler had come, he scrambled up, stumbled out onto the street, and bowed deeply: "This old man has spent decades studying misguided cultivation and has now achieved minor success. I humbly beg Peddler Sir to permit me to establish a new Dao sect."

Li Li Banfeng and Ma Wu had never seen such a scene—Qin Bulou was petitioning the peddler to found a new Dao sect.

The peddler smiled: "I told you before—to found a school, you must stand alone. If you have that ability, the sect will naturally exist."

Qin Bulou said nothing, just stood there, head bowed.

Li Li Banfeng added: "Old Qin can stand alone."

The peddler looked at Li Li Banfeng: "Brother, are you joking?"

Li Li Banfeng wanted to speak up for Old Qin, but didn't know how.

The "fake coachmen" forcibly seized Huangtu Bridge—by this battle alone, Qin Bulou fought well.

He didn't capture a single coachman; he himself was badly wounded.

Ma Wu also bowed to the peddler: "Old Qin held his ground, refused to bow to those bastards—his character and courage are beyond reproach."

The peddler shook his head: "This has nothing to do with character or courage."

The meaning was clear: to become a sect founder, you must demonstrate real combat power.

Qin Bulou's current combat strength clearly didn't meet the standard of a founder.

Ma Wu still wanted to plead, but Qin Bulou stopped him: "Fifth Young Master, don't say more. I know shame."

"With my abilities, I dare not shamelessly found a sect. I only ask you not to speak of this—leave me a shred of dignity."

"Your kindness, I cannot repay. If you ever need me, I'll face fire and water without hesitation. Gentlemen, allow me to bow one last time."

Qin Bulou bowed again, but everyone rushed to stop him. The peddler, uninterested, pushed his cart to leave. The coachman stepped forward and spoke: "I'll vouch for him."

The peddler blinked: "You'll vouch for him?"

The coachman nodded: "I did you a great service—you promised me a reward. I ask only this favor: I know he lacks the strength to become a sect founder, but give him a chance—don't crush his dream."

Tang Shi stared at the coachman, stunned for a long moment: "What are you thinking?"

Qin Bulou was the enemy who seized the coachman's territory. Now the coachman wasn't seeking revenge—he was defending him? Tang Shi couldn't understand it.

The coachman squatted down, lit a pipe, and smoked two puffs: "This battle was strange."

"If it were me, I might not have won either. Maybe I wouldn't have fought at all—maybe I'd have just abandoned the territory."

"Better to let Old Qin hold it for me. If he fails, I'll charge forward. Even if I die, I'll drag him down with me. Isn't that better?"

Tang Shi turned and walked away—he didn't want to look at the coachman again.

The coachman called after Tang Shi's back: "Brother, don't hate me. Everyone lives their own way. I'm just this much."

The peddler adjusted the lanterns on his cart and sighed: "Promises must be kept. I'll honor yours. I give you this favor."

"Old Qin, this time next year, I'll come back. If you've gained some real skill, I'll still leave this Dao sect open for you."

Qin Bulou first thanked the peddler, then thanked the coachman.

He pulled out the Land Seal and offered half its spiritual essence to the coachman.

The coachman laughed: "What's this? A gift?"

Qin Bulou shook his head: "The Land Seal holds little spiritual essence—Huangtu Bridge has only this much now. From now on, whatever spiritual essence we gather, we split evenly. Huangtu Bridge's Land God—let's share it."

The coachman crushed out his cigarette: "Fine, we'll share it—but I'm clear: when fighting, you go first."

Qin Bulou nodded: "Don't worry—I'll fight until my last breath, no need for you to lift a finger."

The coachman liked that. He took the Land Seal and absorbed half the spiritual essence.

After wiping out the Firewheel Gang, Beiqiao erupted in celebration.

The peddler glanced at Li Li Banfeng—he seemed to have something to say.

Li Li Banfeng understood and followed the peddler out of Huangtu Bridge to the new land. When no one was around, Face Not Big appeared beside the peddler.

The peddler looked at Face Not Big: "I've rescued you. Your wounds are nearly healed. Shouldn't we part ways now?"

Face Not Big rubbed his face: "The air's been dry these past few days—I'd like some snow cream."

Hearing he wanted snow cream, the peddler's face darkened: "How much do you want?"

Face Not Big smiled: "Not much—just enough to cover my face."

"Nonsense! My two barrels wouldn't cover half your face!" The peddler scooped out a bottle of snow cream for Face Not Big.

His face barely smiled: "Not much—just enough to cover my face."

"Nonsense! These two buckets of face cream aren't enough for you to cover half your face!" The peddler took a spoon and dolloped a bottle of face cream onto His Face Not Big.

His face wasn't big enough to need much, so he asked the peddler for another bottle.

Thinking of Face Not Big's greasy face, Li Li Banfeng truly couldn't understand why he used snow cream.

When asked about his future plans, Face Not Big pondered long before saying: "First, I must rebuild my Dao sect. I heard the disciples of Yaowang Gou have died, and now only one oil cultivator remains, and he's outside Waizhou—could I meet him?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Meeting him isn't hard, but whether he'll stay in Like Puluozhou depends on his own will—no forcing him."

Face Not Big nodded: "Don't worry, I won't pressure him."

He left Li Li Banfeng a note: east of Ye Ye Songqiao lay new land—his old territory, where he planned to stay temporarily.

"The land god of Ye Ye Songqiao is an old friend of mine. That kid loves arguing; we haven't seen each other in years—"

"I wonder if his temper's changed?" Face Not Big wanted to catch up with the sedan bearer.

Li Li Banfeng hurried to dissuade him: "I saw him recently—his temper hasn't changed at all. You'd better not go near him; you'll only get angry and risk his ambush."

Face Not Big sighed: "I don't want to find him either, but Mr. Did Honglian is in his hands. I need it to refine elixirs."

Borrow Mr. Did Honglian from the sedan bearer?

That idea wasn't wise.

Face Not Big bowed: "I'll never forget your lifesaving grace. Gentlemen, I'll take my leave—until we meet again."

Not far along, Face Not Big kept rubbing his face: "Strange—my face is truly dry today."

After walking only a short distance, Face Not Big kept rubbing his face: "Strange, my face is really dry today."

Was it because the oil was gone?

Once Face Not Big was far away, the peddler turned to Li Li Banfeng: "Brother, you've worked hard these past days. When I saved Face Not Big, I feared word leaking—I told no one. I didn't know which bastard spread the rumor that I fought heavenly beings and lost my life."

"I was genuinely panicked—once Neizhou learned I was gone, they'd strike Like Puluozhou. But if I'd leaked word, Face Not Big would never see daylight again."

"Thanks to you holding things together outside, it wasn't just Huangtu Bridge—Neizhou might've sent far more men."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I think these sedan bearers are unusual. Aside from their leader, the rest seem evenly matched in cultivation base and combat strength—as if carved from the same mold."

The peddler thought, then shook his head slightly: "Wrong phrasing—not carved from the same mold.

They're born from one sedan bearer. Their leader has an extremely rare bloodline—he gives birth, and gives birth in droves."

"All his offspring share identical levels and combat strength, and maintain a special connection to him—so they fight in perfect unison. If he births even more, things would spiral out of control."

These sedan bearers were indeed clones—but how to explain the steam carts they carried?

"Brother Peddler, those steam carts are actually parts of steam engines—you know that, right?"

The peddler nodded: "I only just learned this—Neizhou people use external machines to shrink their bodies; those machines are inside the steam carts."

"But I never imagined these external machines could give birth too—just like this sedan bearer, they're a pair of curses. So after saving Face Not Big, I rushed straight to Huangtu Bridge."

The nature of this sedan bearer and his steam carts—what bloodline they possessed, why they reproduced so fiercely—must be studied further.

But right now, Li Li Banfeng wanted to know about Face Not Big.

"Who trapped Face Not Big in the Nameless Place?"

But right now, Li Li Banfeng very much wanted to know about Face Not Big.

"Who exactly trapped Face Not Big in the Nameless Place?"

"It's complicated—I don't even know where to begin," the peddler recalled carefully. "Like Like Puluozhou, Neizhou can't store fuel—all machines burn coal."

"So the Sage controlling coal meant controlling half of Like Puluozhou's life."

"But Face Not Big used techniques to create oil. His oil cultivation technique wasn't just for combat—it could refine and process fuel, a massive threat to the Sage."

"The Sage ordered Face Not Big's arrest, but Face Not Big didn't stop—he created an even greater threat."

"He and Old Steam Engine improved machinery, shrinking the power units."

"That meant creating portable transport—and even weapons, like tanks and armored vehicles from Waizhou."

"This enraged the Sage. He ordered a full purge of Face Not Big, Old Steam Engine, and their followers. The ministers struck hard, killing many."

"Face Not Big was finally captured, hidden somewhere unknown—though rumors say he still lives."

Li Li Banfeng thought, then asked: "If the Sage hates Face Not Big so much, why not kill him?"

"Because he wants to keep Face Not Big alive—to use his tech to control Neizhou."

"Isn't the Sage from Neizhou?"

This question was hard to answer. The peddler thought: "He's considered Neizhou, but not truly. The original Sage was pure Neizhou blood—Sage of both Like Puluozhou and Neizhou."

"But later Sages lived in Like Puluozhou. Through intermarriage, their bloodline grew impure. By later generations, their influence over Neizhou was negligible—they became Like Puluozhou's sole emperor."

"Neizhou's threat to Like Puluozhou became a threat to the Sage. He wanted Face Not Big's tech kept from Like Puluozhou's people—but usable by him in emergencies."

"But this Sage was foolish, clueless. The Face Not Big affair spread too wide—he nearly exterminated all oil cultivators, then turned on work cultivators, then merchant cultivators, then martial and literary cultivators."

"He piled corpses like mountains, until he ignited the entire Like Puluozhou. Soon after, he was overthrown. But where Face Not Big went? Few know."

"Old Steam Engine once found him—but before revealing his location, Old Steam Engine himself got trapped in Neizhou. If you hadn't found Face Not Big, who knows how many more years he'd have been imprisoned."

Li Li Banfeng said: "You feared word leaking because Neizhou might strike Face Not Big first?"

The peddler nodded: "Because the Sage still lives—in Neizhou. For future safety, he won't easily reveal Face Not Big's whereabouts."

"But if he learned I was rescuing Face Not Big, he'd ally with Neizhou to crush me—saving Face Not Big would be impossible, and I might die too."

"Still, I never imagined who spread the rumor—that I fought heavenly beings?"

"The rumor-monger's been found: Ye Haolong of Zhen Tou City. He suffers sleep disorders—he believes his dreams are real, and blabs them outside, spreading lies."

Li Li Banfeng recounted Ye Haolong's dream in brief.

"Ye Haolong…" the peddler recalled. "That old fool—lost every battle, bitter inside, took it out on me."

"He blusters a bit, fine—but why do so many believe him?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "There were other reasons. Snow River Pu had many incidents—many top experts were killed. Neizhou even sent Zhang Zhang Gunli to fight Kong Fang, the Second Boss of Snow River Pu."

"As its Grand Boss, you watched Snow River Pu suffer repeatedly without acting—so many believed the rumor: that heavenly beings had truly killed you."

The peddler nodded: "This snow cream—first, craftsmanship; second, ingredients. Not just anyone can run this business. If you say I'm Grand Boss, there's some truth to it!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "We were talking about Snow River Pu —why are you bringing up snow cream?"

The peddler said: "What does Snow River Pu do?"

This question choked Li Li Banfeng into coughing.

"Snow River Pu —you don't know what they do? They're a group of experts, gathered together—they mint coins! Big silver coins!"

After much effort, Li Li Banfeng remembered Snow River Pu 's function.

The peddler looked at Li Li Banfeng: "You say big silver coins are minted by Snow River Pu?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes—everyone says so."

"Have you seen it?"

"No," Li Li Banfeng shook his head. Not him—hardly anyone in Like Puluozhou had seen how big silver coins were made.

"Let me tell you—this snow cream isn't just good quality; the processing demands care."

"Too thin, it won't lock in moisture; too thick, it suffocates the face. The heat control is especially hard. And the fragrance—can't be too strong, can't be too faint—"

Li Li Banfeng grew angry: "Why are we back to snow cream? We were talking about Snow River Pu!"

The peddler said: "Why talk about Snow River Pu?"

"Because they mint big silver coins for Like Puluozhou—you're their Grand Boss!"

The peddler still didn't understand: "Why must Like Puluozhou's big silver coins be minted by Snow River Pu?"

Li Li Banfeng pulled out a big silver coin: "Look—on the back is a snowflake. That's Snow River Pu 's mark."

The peddler shook his head: "Why must that be Snow River Pu 's mark? Why not snow cream's?"

"How could it be snow cream's? Snow cream can't mint coins!"

"Why not?" The peddler scooped a spoonful of snow cream and poured it onto the cart. The white cream flowed down the carriage.

He grabbed a pinch of powder and sprinkled it over the cream.

The snow cream turned into silver coins, falling to the ground.

PS: Wherever the peddler went, his first shout was always "steam soap and snow cream."

Li Li Banfeng pulled out a silver dollar and said, "See this? The back has a snowflake—that's the symbol of Snowflake Ferry."

The peddler shook his head. "Why must this be Snowflake Ferry's symbol? Why not the symbol of snowflake cream?"

"How could this be snowflake cream's symbol? Can snowflake cream be cast into coins?"

"Why not?" The peddler scooped a spoonful of snowflake cream and sprinkled it onto his cart; the white, fluffy cream oozed down the carriage.

The peddler grabbed a handful of medicinal powder and sprinkled it over the snowflake cream.

The snowflake cream turned into silver dollars, falling to the ground.

PS: Wherever the peddler went, his first shout was always for foreign soap and snowflake cream.