Chapter 648: The Harmony of Qin and Se

Tan Tan Jinxiao led everyone to Chen Yongnian's restaurant, where he was still staying.

"My old friend here serves good food and keeps a clean house—we can eat and sleep here in peace."

After settling their lodging, Li Li Banfeng wanted to help Tan Tan Jinxiao remove the mark, but Tan Tan Jinxiao waved him off: "Don't worry about me—I've got my own way. First, take care of Juanzi's matter. When the fighting starts, her cultivation base will at least let her defend herself."

Li Li Banfeng agreed to help Juanzi enter the Dao, and Juanzi had prepared herself.

That night, Li Li Banfeng went to Juanzi's room, and the others followed to lend support.

Liang Liang Wucai and Xiao Yeci were curious: what method would Li Qi use to help Juanzi enter the Dao?

The most legitimate source of entry powder was the peddler; Liang Liang Wucai heard Li Qi had a good relationship with the peddler, so she guessed the peddler had given Li Qi some powder.

Xiao Yeci didn't think it was the peddler's gift—the peddler guarded his powder tightly; no matter how good the relationship, he wouldn't easily hand it over.

But Xiao Yeci knew the Lu family had some powder; it wasn't unusual for wealthy households in Pulu Province to stockpile it, and since Li Qi was now the top power in Pulu Province, having some powder was only natural.

Only Tan Tan Jinxiao knew Li Qi wasn't using powder—peddler's powder had no effect on three-headed people.

When Li Qi saved the young man who was about to become a three-headed person in the alley, Tan Tan Jinxiao had already suspected Li Qi was using an external guide agent.

Tan Tan Jinxiao was certain guide agents worked on three-headed people.

"Seventh Master, go ahead—I'm ready." Juanzi looked at Mengzi, then at Xiaoshan.

Mengzi gritted his teeth and shut his eyes.

Xiaoshan burst into tears and closed his eyes too.

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "What are you doing? Entering the Dao isn't climbing a mountain of knives. My medicine isn't as painful as the peddler's powder—don't worry. First, tell me which Dao you want to enter?"

Juanzi said: "I want to enter Wu Xiu."

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly—he had the guide agent for fighters.

Seeing Li Li Banfeng agree, Juanzi turned to Mengzi: "Brother, Seventh Master agreed to let us enter Wu Xiu. Wu Xiu suits you better—you stay."

Mengzi turned to Juanzi: "Sister, what do you mean? Didn't we already agree you'd stay and we two brothers would leave?"

Juanzi shook her head: "If Seventh Master let us enter Lv Xiu, I'd stay. If he let us enter Two Two Shi Xiu, Xiaoshan would stay. Now he's settled on Wu Xiu—that's your turn to stay."

"Sister, no!" Mengzi wept. "I don't want to live alone without you. How about this—we leave Xiaoshan behind, he's the youngest…"

Xiaoshan cried harder: "Sister, Brother, if you're gone, I don't want to live either!"

Mengzi looked at Xiaoshan: "Even if we retreat, we'll still be beside you—we'll still talk to you, just like when we were alive."

Xiaoshan sobbed: "Can't we just not enter the Dao? Can't we just live a good life?"

Juanzi clenched her teeth: "We owe Seventh Master a debt—we can't let him care for us our whole lives. We need real skills—we must repay him!"

Li Li Banfeng was annoyed: "I go out of my way to get you into the Dao, and now it's about repaying me? Fine—enter if you want, don't if you don't. Do you think I'm begging you?"

Juanzi quickly wiped her tears: "Seventh Master, we spoke wrongly—please don't hold it against us. We'll enter the Dao, and let Xiaoshan enter Wu Xiu."

Li Qi said: "And then?"

"And then…" Juanzi couldn't hold back—her eyes turned red again. "Seventh Master, we only ask you to look after Xiaoshan. As long as he lives well, we ask for nothing else!"

Li Li Banfeng was completely baffled.

Tan Tan Jinxiao understood: "You three—do you think only one of you can enter the Dao?"

All three heads nodded.

"Do you think once you enter the Dao, your three heads become one?"

The three heads looked at each other. Juanzi asked: "Didn't Seventh Master save that boy, and his two heads disappeared?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao waved his hand: "That boy wasn't fully formed—his case doesn't count. You're three-headed people—you should understand the truth here."

Juanzi wasn't quite sure: "You said those two heads were pushed back."

"I just said it as a joke—how could you take it seriously? Have you heard of the Wu Zui Army?"

"We've heard of them!"

"The Wu Zui Army are three-headed people too—they enter the Dao safely. What are you afraid of?"

Mengzi shook his head: "We can't compare to them. We've seen the Wu Zui Army in the Prisoner City. They got in because they endured countless trials and selections—they're all gifted. We're far too inferior."

Tan Tan Jinxiao snorted: "Gifted? Why doesn't he just play a Two?"

These are lies the Border Control Office told you. They're ordinary three-headed people too—just loyal to the Border Control Office, so they entered the Dao.

Are you loyal to Seventh Master?"

Juanzi slapped her chest: "Absolutely!"

"Then there you go—loyalty gets you in. Mengzi, you want Wu Xiu, right? What does Juanzi want?"

Juanzi froze: "I can choose too?"

"What kind of talk is that? The Wu Zui Army fights well precisely because all three heads have Dao gates!"

Juanzi had thought today meant a final farewell, but now she'd stumbled upon incredible fortune—she hurriedly said: "I choose Lv Xiu!"

Xiaoshan shouted: "I choose Two Two Shi Xiu!"

Li Li Banfeng fell silent—he felt something was wrong with their choices, but couldn't say what.

Tan Tan Jinxiao shook his head repeatedly: "Wu Xiu fights, Lv Xiu runs, Two Two Shi Xiu eats—in the end, all rely on the body to fight. That's the Dao gate on the body.

You three heads share one body—who controls it when the fighting starts?"

Mengzi thought a moment: "Whichever has the higher cultivation base controls it!"

Tan Tan Jinxiao sneered: "Are you joking? Why train three Dao gates just to fight yourself? You'd be better off focusing on one!"

Mengzi protested: "Three people, three Dao gates—techniques can shift, giving us more ways to respond."

Tan Tan Jinxiao found this ridiculous: "Why should it be you who switches? When it's life or death, you won't even get the body switched before you're dead!

You can't choose like this. Look at the Wu Zui Army—they use one Wu, one Wen, one Nian: one fights, one restrains, one confuses. That's how they defeat ordinary opponents."

Juanzi looked at Li Li Banfeng, who gave a slight nod.

Tan Tan Jinxiao was right—Wen, Wu, Nian were the Wu Zui Army's standard setup: Wu Xiu fights, Five Wen Xiu restrains, Nian Xiu disrupts. This tactic worked well—Li Li Banfeng and Lu Lu Qianjiao had both suffered from it.

The decision was made: Mengzi would learn Wu Xiu, Juanzi would learn Nian Xiu, Xiaoshan would learn Five Wen Xiu.

Xiaoshan lifted his head, his clear eyes fixed on everyone: "I don't read well—can I still learn Wen?"

The child's question was simple, direct.

Tan Tan Jinxiao blinked: "Then Wen won't work. Can Mengzi read?"

Mengzi raised his head, smiling calmly: "Sister Xiao taught us yesterday—I can write my own name."

He felt a bit proud—Juanzi and Xiaoshan still couldn't write their names.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Under these circumstances, Wen won't work. Think of another Dao gate for Xiaoshan."

It wasn't easy—three heads sharing one body, avoiding control conflicts, ensuring cooperation.

Tan Tan Jinxiao said: "Wu Xiu, Gang Xiu, Nian Xiu—that's another valid set. Common in the Wu Zui Army. Learn this!"

Xiaoshan agreed, but Li Li Banfeng hesitated: "I don't have Gang Xiu medicine."

The bully's agent hadn't been made yet.

Liang Liang Wucai said: "Let Xiaoshan train Poison Xiu—I think it fits."

Tan Tan Jinxiao disagreed: "Poison Xiu requires ingesting toxins during cultivation—it damages the body, terrible for Wu Xiu. Not suitable for you."

Juanzi thought: "Xiaoshan loves singing—he sings well, just never dares to. Could he be a Sheng Xiu?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao still shook his head: "Sheng Xiu won't work—early on, it's hard to control techniques, interferes with Nian Xiu. In battle, it might just get you killed.

I say, Xiaoshan learns from me—Tan Xiu doesn't need the body. No matter how badly you're hurt, you can still spit!"

Xiaoshan lowered his head, squeezing out two words: "Disgusting."

"How dare you speak like that!" Tan Tan Jinxiao was angry. "Fine—I won't help you anymore!"

Xiaoshan had his own dream: "Seventh Master, I actually want to learn Da Huan Xiu!"

Juanzi slapped Xiaoshan—he abandoned his dream.

After much discussion, Li Li Banfeng decided Xiaoshan's Dao gate.

He had Xiaoshan learn Yan Xiu.

Tan Tan Jinxiao thought it good: "Yan Xiu is an external Dao gate—its techniques rely on ghost servants, nothing else interferes."

With the decision made, Li Li Banfeng returned to Leaving Suishenju for the agents.

"Madam, where's the Tongling Zhe agent?"

Changji handed Li Li Banfeng the Tongling Zhe agent: "Dear husband, your accent's been strange lately."

Li Li Banfeng realized it too: "I met a new friend—he speaks with a heavy accent, and it's rubbed off on me!"

"What kind of friend?"

"His name is Tan Tan Jinxiao—he opened three gates on the Cloud: Jin Xiu, Tan Xiu, and Xiao Xiu!"

Hong Ying put down her powder puff—suddenly the incense in the box didn't smell sweet: "Is there really such a disgusting person in this world?"

Changji said: "That's not fair—each Dao has its own merits, each house its own heroes. His three Dao gates are rare—staying with you, he'll be a good helper."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "He's truly a good helper—I admire him."

Leaving Leaving Suishenju, Li Li Banfeng gave the agents to Juanzi.

Tan Tan Jinxiao warned: "Don't swallow—hold it. If the medicine reaches your stomach, it won't belong to any one of you. Mix three agents together, and someone might die."

The three followed Tan Tan Jinxiao's advice, holding the medicine for over two hours until it fully dissolved, then fell into unconsciousness one after another.

This was normal. Xiao Yeci covered Juanzi with a blanket and took turns watching with Liang Liang Wucai.

That night, Xiaoshan woke first—he opened his eyes and burst into sobs: "Sister, there's a ghost in this room!"

Liang Liang Wucai laughed: "Seeing a ghost means Yan Xiu has succeeded."

…

Li Li Banfeng and Tan Tan Jinxiao discussed strategy inside the room; according to Tan Tan Jinxiao's estimate, the Proprietor would send someone to the market within two days.

"You just said you have a way to remove the mark—what's the method?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao waved his hand. "I never said that. I can't remove this mark, but I know how to deal with it."

"How do you deal with it?"

"Wait here a moment—I'll bring you something." Tan Tan Jinxiao stepped outside and returned shortly, carrying a stone slab.

Two lines of characters were carved into the slab.

The first line: Tan Tan Jinxiao.

The second line: This man never backed down.

Li Li Banfeng studied the slab's shape. "This is a tombstone, isn't it?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao nodded. "Good material, right?"

"Why make this thing? So unlucky!" Li Li Banfeng wanted to smash the tombstone.

Tan Tan Jinxiao placed the tombstone behind him. "Don't be like that, Seventh Master. Didn't we already agree? I've had this ready for a long time. Earlier, I wanted Xiao Shan to learn Phlegm Cultivation so I could take on a disciple and finally settle my mind—but the kid won't even look at me!"

Fine, if he won't accept me, that's his loss. But Seventh Master, you must promise me one thing: you must help me erect this stone. My tombstone must bear these words—I never backed down.

I went to the restaurant to cause trouble for Zuo Zuo Wugang, but that Tang brother shut me down. I lost that fight, but you don't think I actually surrendered, do you?"

After knowing Tan Tan Jinxiao for so long, Li Li Banfeng understood his strength: "If you'd truly gone all out, Tang Chang wouldn't have had a chance to show up. One glance, and Zuo Zuo Wugang would've been dead."

Tan Tan Jinxiao smiled, a bitter smile. "You respect me—that means a lot. After all these years as a thug, hardly anyone's looked me in the eye."

I didn't want it this way. Back in the war, I was a man of standing. I earned many battle merits.

I fought countless battles, took wounds to the head. Decades have passed; I can't recall everything clearly. But this underground city—I've never forgotten it. It was won with the blood of my brothers.

After the war ended, I moved to enjoy peace elsewhere. I had my own territory, and my cultivation steadily rose.

But I never expected some Proprietor to seize this underground city. When I heard my old brothers were suffering here, I couldn't bear it—I came back to save them.

I gathered hundreds of brothers. First I negotiated with the Proprietor, then I fought him. We fought one battle. Half my brothers died. If they'd fallen in open battle, we'd have accepted it. But guess how my brothers died?"

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment. "Because of the mark?"

"Exactly—the mark. I never imagined that after talking with them in Qingyuanzi, we all got marked." Tan Tan Jinxiao clenched his right fist. "The Proprietor and his men just clenched their fists right before us—and my brothers dropped like flies. This mark is that brutal!"

I was knocked down too. The Proprietor had a subordinate named Guan Guan Huodong, a Cloud-Ascended Watcher, now a boss in Haishi. Another, Bai Ling Miaosheng, a Cloud-Ascended Farmer, is a boss in Tushi. They both flicked their fingers at me—I nearly died from the pain.

Death would've been peaceful. But the Proprietor didn't kill me. He forced me to stay in the underground city. He said if I left, he'd kill all my brothers.

I don't know his motive, but all these years, I've waited—for another chance to avenge my brothers.

Now the chance has come, Seventh Master. I'm counting on you!"

"I warned you not to go to Qingyuanzi because I feared you'd get marked. Now you have. We must find another way."

"I've spent years studying a secret technique to counter their marks. It's a Phlegm Cultivation method called Sticky Skin, Rooted Bone."

"When the Proprietor shows up, I'll spit three times—old phlegm—and I'll stick him down. I'll stick down Guan Guan Huodong, Bai Ling Miaosheng, and all those bastards. I've calculated it—I can hold them for over a minute."

"In that minute, they'll surely find a way to kill me. Don't worry about that. Just kill them while you can. Then my life will be worth it. I'll bow to you in the Underworld, Seventh Master—I'll bow now, as earnest money!"

Tan Tan Jinxiao moved to kneel. Li Li Banfeng grabbed him. "Stand straight. First tell me—is this Proprietor Kong Fang of Xuehua Pu?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao nodded. "I think it's him. But I don't think the underground city matter has anything to do with the Peddler."

"It truly has nothing to do with the Peddler. Remember this: the entire Xuehua Pu has nothing to do with the Peddler."

Tan Tan Jinxiao asked, "Isn't Xuehua Pu run by the Peddler?"

"No, it isn't. I'll tell you later. Do you know what the mark looks like?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao shook his head. "All these years, I've tried to remove the mark. I sought many high-level experts, paid them well—but no one could take it out."

"There's He He Jiaqing in Lüshuicheng—you know him. He's a master Thief Cultivator, expert at removing marks. I went to him recently. He saw the mark on me, yet couldn't even locate it! Isn't that bizarre?"

Even He He Jiaqing couldn't find it?

He removed Lu Lu Laoban's mark before.

But then again, Lu Lu Laoban's mark on Du Du Wenming was probably just a casual one.

The mark Kong Fang left in the underground city? That took immense effort.

Then how did I remove mine?

Li Li Banfeng carefully recalled his past experience. With the help of the High Pillow Without Worry technique, he'd merely felt something foreign expelled—though the process was agonizing and the memory sharp—he still didn't know where the coin had been hidden.

Li Li Banfeng asked Tan Tan Jinxiao again: "Can every one of the Proprietor's subordinates use this mark to attack you?"

"Of course not. I checked carefully. Only those holding the Proprietor's token can control the mark. The bosses of Renshi, Tushi, and Haishi all carry tokens."

Li Li Banfeng stood. "Why didn't you say this sooner? I'll capture Zhu Zhu Yugui—we'll find the token on him. Then we can turn the tables."

"Impossible," Tan Tan Jinxiao waved. "The token, like the mark, is implanted by special means. What it is, where it's hidden—even Zhu Zhu Yugui himself doesn't know."

"Renshi's boss has changed hands several times. The last one, I gutted him. Spent a month searching—never found the token. Seventh Master, this path won't work!"

"Maybe I can find it. Perhaps you just didn't look closely enough."

…

Li Li Banfeng went out onto the street and seized Zhu Zhu Yugui.

For the past two days, Zhu Zhu Yugui had been posting notices offering rent exemptions. The news had spread through Renshi. He was now useless.

Li Li Banfeng brought him back to Leaving Suishenju. The Phonograph immediately complained: "Master, why bring this filthy thing here? Who can stand this stench?"

"Wife, don't rush. I need to find something on him. Once I find it, I'll throw him out."

Xiang Xiang Hongying didn't even bother with her rouge. She used Unimpeded Passage and dashed to Room Ten.

Everyone in the house fled. Meng De climbed down from the calendar, trying to slip into Room Three, but the Phonograph grabbed him and yanked him back. "Stay. Help your master."

The Phonograph knew clearly: if she didn't keep Meng De, she'd have to help Li Li Banfeng herself—and she absolutely didn't want to touch Zhu Zhu Yugui.

"Madam!" Meng De's eyes streamed tears. "I can't help! I'm not good at finding things!"

The Phonograph asked, "Then who is good at finding things?"

Meng De thought a moment. "It depends on what Master is looking for."

The Phonograph turned the trumpet toward Li Li Banfeng.

Li Li Banfeng said: "The Proprietor left a mark and a token on him. The mark is a copper coin—the same kind I removed before. As for the token, I suspect it's hidden near the coin."

The Phonograph asked: "Who in our household is best at finding coins?"

The Glove trembled in Room Three.

"Hohohoho!" Leaving Suishenju laughed. A gale surged. The door to Room Three flew open. The Glove was blown right up to Li Li Banfeng.

The Glove stood on its thumb and pinky, the other three fingers trembling uncontrollably, unable to determine which was primary.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Why are you standing like that?"

The Glove replied: "I've been in Three-Way Junction too long. I think I've become a three-headed man."

The Phonograph couldn't help laughing.

The Glove said seriously: "Master, I'm not lying. I really have become three-headed. My technique is gone. I can't find the copper coin…"

Li Li Banfeng glared at the Glove. "Look at your face. Just tell me where the coin is. I'll handle the rest."

The Glove calmed down. He circled Zhu Zhu Yugui many times, keeping his distance, searching for over two hours—then finally spoke.

"Master, there are copper coins inside his body—similar to the previous marks, but not just one."

Li Li Banfeng was startled. "How many?"

The Glove shook his index finger. "I can't say. I don't know where the coins are, but I can sense their value. He's hiding something far more valuable than a single copper coin."

Even the Glove didn't know where the mark was hidden. It truly seemed impossible to find.

The Phonograph speculated: "Master, perhaps he has an Unnameable Place inside his body."

"An Unnameable Place inside his body?" Li Li Banfeng was astonished. "Could it be a Hidden Dimension?"

Li Li Banfeng took out the bowl given to him by Lü Green Huazi and probed Zhu Zhu Yugui's body for over half an hour. Finally, he saw the yellow spoon inside the bowl turn slightly.

The spoon's handle pointed toward Zhu Zhu Yugui's heart.

Li Li Banfeng now understood: the yellow spoon indicated direction. Its movement proved a Hidden Dimension existed near Zhu Zhu Yugui's heart.

Li Li Banfeng gently turned the blue spoon and opened the Hidden Dimension.

The Glove immediately sensed the coins' location. Ignoring the filth, he plunged his index and middle fingers into Zhu Zhu Yugui's body, crossed them, and pinched out the coins from the Hidden Dimension.

"Two coins—just two… no!" the Glove cried out. "I misjudged! One isn't a copper coin!"

Through the Hidden Dimension, the Glove had indeed mistaken it: two coins—one copper, one gold.

Li Li Banfeng examined the gold coin and copper coin for a long time.

The gold coin was the token. The copper coin was the mark.

A Cultivator of the Dwelling Realm had far greater perception within his own dwelling than others of the same level.

These two coins resonated with each other—but what kind of resonance? Impossible to tell yet.

Li Li Banfeng's gaze grew fixed, lost in deep thought.

The Phonograph comforted him: "Master, don't rush. Let your humble servant study for a while."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "This isn't something you can study easily. These are the mark and token the Proprietor uses to control the underground city. The methods here are surely extremely complex—impossible to crack overnight. If we delay too long, and the Proprietor comes knocking, it'll be too late."

Li Li Banfeng had already removed his mark—he might escape. But Tan Tan Jinxiao and others bearing the mark? They'd likely die.

The Phonograph had no other idea—until she saw Li Li Banfeng place both coins in his palm and gently stroke them.

The Glove exclaimed in shock: "Master, how can you love money more than I do?"

Li Li Banfeng stared intently at the copper coin. "These are our treasures. How could I not love them?"

The Phonograph paused, then understood Li Li Banfeng's intent. "Master, are you going to use a technique? This gold coin just arrived—it's not yet a family treasure."

"I am the head of this household. If I say it is, then it is."

The words were arrogant—but the Phonograph found them pleasing.

The gold coin danced wildly on Li Li Banfeng's fingertip—it was no ordinary coin. It fiercely resisted his technique!

Li Li Banfeng gritted his teeth and said, "This is my home—I'm the master. Once you step through my door, you obey me!"

He first used Family Treasures Count, then High Pillow, No Worries; the technique's drain left Li Li Banfeng drenched in sweat, yet the coins still danced atop his fingertips, unyielding.

Steam curled everywhere; the phonograph whispered beside Li Li Banfeng's ear: "Master, do you still have strength? Only when lute and zither harmonize can our marital bond shine."

"Good wife!" Li Li Banfeng's veins bulged as he summoned Deep Courtyard.

The phonograph's power merged with Li Li Banfeng's; their ebb and flow caused the Personal Dwelling to tremble slightly.

Hum!

The Personal Dwelling emitted a low moan; the trembling intensified.

The powers of the Dwelling Master, the Dwelling Spirit, and the Dwelling itself stacked together, forming a resonance.

The resonance grew stronger; power from every room within the Personal Dwelling surged toward Li Li Banfeng.

Xiang Hongying opened the door and peered through the crack.

She saw Li Li Banfeng wrapped in power, the coins gliding restlessly over his fingertips.

Xiang Hongying murmured, "Of all the hundred paths, each grows narrower with time—except Dwelling Cultivation; its road only widens. This is truly true."

Xiang Hongying objected: "Traveler Cultivation widens too."

Xiang Hongying snorted, clearly disdainful of Traveler Cultivation.

Xiang Hongying had no interest in arguing with Xiang Hongying—she could sense Li Qi and Zhao Xiao enduring immense strain.

She wanted to step in and help; she too was Li Li Banfeng's Dwelling Spirit.

Nine Maid entered the second chamber and grabbed Xiang Hongying's arm: "They're using finesse, not brute force—don't interfere."

"What's interfering? I can use finesse too."

"Just a little more!" Xiang Hongying whispered. "This coin's held out this long?"

Nine Maid stared at the coin and suddenly spoke: "The master holds you close; the whole household revolves around you—you're one of us."

As her words fell, the coin, which had barely any strength left, slowly drifted back into Li Li Banfeng's palm, clinging obediently.

Li Li Banfeng brushed the coin; the copper coins beside it stirred in response.