Chapter 695: Connected Chambers

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan sat on the bed, her face dark as she glared at Hong Ying: "You damned fool—every time it's you causing trouble, dragging me down with you. You deserve to be beaten to death with a paddle!"

Hong Ying lowered her head in silence; the Ninth Lady sighed repeatedly.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan passed through Hulucun and arrived in Yuezhou from Qiqiu City—this step went smoothly.

At the Dark Star Bureau, she infiltrated Li Li Banfeng's office, found the key to the Personal Dwelling, and this step proceeded fairly well, though she failed to evade some surveillance.

Failing to evade surveillance wasn't a problem—Li Li Banfeng was the head of the Dark Star Bureau; he could handle this easily.

At the time, Li Li Banfeng was still in Neizhou for promotion, and Zhao Zhao Xiaowan couldn't reach him, so she decided to return home to find out what had happened.

That's where things went wrong.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan opened the door and had just stepped into the hallway when Hong Ying shouted at her: "Seventh Master is in trouble!"

At the same time, the Ninth Lady shouted at Zhao Zhao Xiaowan: "Don't come in!"

Hong Ying, desperate to explain, rushed forward and dragged Zhao Zhao Xiaowan into the room.

As the door slammed shut with a bang, the Ninth Lady froze: "It's over—we're trapped."

At first, Zhao Zhao Xiaowan didn't take it seriously; she planned to reason with Old Master and get him to make an exception—they'd surely find a way out.

But Old Master had fallen into a deep sleep and couldn't be reasoned with.

"You knew we couldn't leave, yet you dragged me in anyway—I should beat you to death!" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan snatched up the paddle.

She beat Hong Ying mercilessly.

Hong Ying gritted her teeth and protested: "I was truly panicked!"

"What good is your panic now? Look—we're all stuck here!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan grew even more frantic, burning with anxiety—she knew the consequences of qi backlash; if he didn't ascend, her husband had no chance of survival.

But now Li Li Banfeng couldn't even return home—how could he possibly ascend?

They were utterly trapped. Zhao Zhao Xiaowan's eyes turned red with desperation; she couldn't think of any way for Li Li Banfeng to survive.

Zhong Bai had seen things in Wu Bian City; she was once a sharp woman. Piecing together the cause and effect, she formed some conclusions and, seeing Zhao Zhao Xiaowan's distress, wanted to warn her: "Actually, our master is outside—"

Before she could finish, the Fifth Lady called out: "Madam, come quickly and see!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan thought Li Li Banfeng had returned and sprinted to the Fifth Room—only to find the scene outside displayed within.

Several people had entered Li Li Banfeng's office and were inspecting it carefully.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan hadn't evaded the surveillance; Chen Chen Zhangrui had learned of the intrusion and organized a search.

Hong Ying asked: "Zhao Xiaowan, did you hide the key?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan replied: "I didn't hide it. I left it out in the open."

Hong Ying panicked: "How could you be so careless?"

The Ninth Lady remained calm; she thought Zhao Zhao Xiaowan had done nothing wrong: "If it were a knife, leaving it exposed would be trouble—but a key? Leaving it out is actually better."

Indeed, Chen Chen Zhangrui saw the key beneath the monitor—but paid it no attention.

After a cursory inspection, Chen Chen Zhangrui and his men left; Zhao Zhao Xiaowan exhaled in relief, yet her heart still hung in suspense.

Zhong Bai was about to speak again when Lao Lao Chahu suddenly called out: "Miss Luo, I've been learning Western painting these past two days—I don't understand composition. Can you teach me?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan frowned: "Do you still have the heart to paint?"

Lao Lao Chahu chuckled dryly: "Just looking for something to pass the time."

Zhong Bai followed Lao Lao Chahu to the Tenth Room.

Lao Lao Chahu spread out the paper and lowered his voice: "Some things are better left unsaid—explain them clearly, and you gain nothing; leave them unclear, and the harm grows. So best not to speak."

Zhong Bai saw that Lao Lao Chahu had also deduced the truth, so she spoke plainly: "I can't bear to see Madam so distressed."

Lao Lao Chahu poured tea and mixed his pigments: "If you speak up, will she stop worrying? If you're wrong, won't you wrongly accuse Seventh Master?"

"Even if you're right, if Seventh Master doesn't want it said, won't you ruin everything? What good comes from speaking of this?"

Zhong Bai grew fearful: "When Madam finds out, will she blame me for withholding information?"

Lao Lao Chahu sighed: "Even if she blames you for withholding, what then? Seventh Master returned whole and unharmed—will his wife still hold a grudge?"

Zhong Bai nodded slightly: "You're right. I just hope Seventh Master is safe—wherever he is."

Li Li Banfeng was in Qiqiu City, opening the laboratory door with Gloves.

They had waited at the lab entrance for two days; Gloves had tried opening the door for two days.

Cultivators of Theft could open the Dark Dimension, and He He Jiaqing excelled at it—but Gloves was not skilled in this,

Moreover, the Dark Dimension had multiple locks added.

By the second night, Gloves still hadn't succeeded. Luo Zhengnan called, reminding Li Li Banfeng: "Could your wife have returned home already?"

By the second night, the gloves still hadn't succeeded, and Luo Zhengnan called to remind Li Li Banfeng: "Could your wife have already gone home?"

If his wife had truly returned home, wouldn't she have informed Luo Zhengnan first?

Not necessarily—she might not trust Luo Zhengnan.

It's not certain, because the wife may not trust Luo Zhengnan.

The lock clicked!

Everyone turned toward the door.

Hong Ying hoped it was Seventh Master.

The Ninth Lady braced for the worst—she feared the Little Train had changed hands.

Did Honglian watched silently, certain Li Li Banfeng couldn't possibly return.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan rushed straight for the door.

She recognized the sound of the lock opening—she herself had opened the Personal Dwelling with the same key; she remembered her husband's unique rhythm and force perfectly.

Li Li Banfeng pushed open the door. Zhao Zhao Xiaowan gently touched his cheek; they gazed at each other for a long while, and finally, their anxious hearts settled.

"You madman, running off like that—you scared me half to death!" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan scolded softly, then buried herself in Li Li Banfeng's arms.

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "What's there to fear? I'm always running around."

"Can this be compared to before? They said you absorbed too much qi—you were about to die, and no one knew where you'd gone!"

At that moment, everyone turned to look at Li Li Banfeng.

All hearts held one question: How had Li Li Banfeng returned?

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan asked: "Husband, how did you disperse the qi?"

Hong Ying, the Ninth Lady, and Did Honglian all watched carefully; the spirits in each room listened intently.

Zhong Bai felt dizzy and retreated to the Third Room; Mengde also felt ill and followed.

Lao Lao Chahu sighed: "Too old for this sort of thing."

Li Li Banfeng spoke calmly: "I have another house outside—it's located—"

"Husband," Zhao Zhao Xiaowan gently interrupted, "you say you have a house outside—that just means you have a place to stay, right?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes—it's just a place to stay."

Hong Ying asked: "Seventh Master, you found a place to stay—and that's how you dispersed the qi?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "No—that's not how. I dispersed the qi because I ascended."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan smiled: "Ascension is good news. Husband, you've opened so many businesses—if you've dispersed the qi, it's all good."

Hong Ying asked: "Seventh Master, what business did you ascend in?"

The Ninth Lady shot Hong Ying a sharp look; Hong Ying, either foolish or insatiably curious, insisted on getting to the bottom of it.

Did Honglian merely watched, saying nothing.

Li Li Banfeng spoke calmly: "It was Yu Zhaixiu."

The Personal Dwelling fell silent; the Ninth Lady sensed waves of killing intent.

Li Li Banfeng continued: "I have a house outside—and I've taken on a House Spirit."

Now Hong Ying dared not ask further; the instinct for avoiding misfortune sent a chill through her—she knew better than to speak.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan controlled her tone and asked: "Is this House Spirit your good brother?"

"Brother? Impossible," Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "The House Spirit is a woman."

Did Honglian turned and walked to the Second Room: "Too old for this sort of thing."

Hong Ying didn't know what to say.

Gloves offered: "Madam, your husband had no other path—this isn't his fault."

Tang Dao testified: "Gloves is right—the situation was dire, and the House Spirit Master found outside was exceptionally beautiful!"

The Projector added: "I still have the photos—"

Gloves punched Tang Dao, then turned and pinned the Projector down.

The Ninth Lady whispered: "General Zhao, Seventh Master's return is good news—nothing could be better. A husband and wife can speak of anything—don't let outsiders laugh at us."

As she spoke, the Ninth Lady glanced toward the Second Room—she knew Did Honglian was listening behind the door.

"It's good news!" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan laughed. "Husband, from now on, don't mention that outside place while we're home."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Fine. I won't mention it."

They sat quietly on the bed for a moment. Then his wife sniffled: "Tell me—what's so special about her?"

Li Li Banfeng replied: "Didn't you say not to mention her?"

His wife sniffled again: "Just tell me—what's so special about her?"

"If you must know—" Li Li Banfeng thought long and hard—"She's good with needlework."

His wife brought out needle and thread and began sewing his robe: "Needlework? What's so great about that? Can't I do better? It's just that my body is weak—if I used her body, my needlework would be far superior!"

Li Li Banfeng looked around the room: "Wife, where's the phonograph's body?"

Li Li Banfeng looked around the room: "Wife, where's the phonograph?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan snapped, "Who asked you to interfere? If you can't even hold onto such a lovely body, what's the point of asking about a phonograph body?"

"Wife, it's not what you think—she's————"

"Don't you dare say it!" his wife snarled. "Didn't I tell you not to mention her at home?"

Li Li Banfeng said nothing, silently watching his wife sew.

His wife couldn't help asking again: "Besides sewing, what else is she good at?"

Li Li Banfeng said, "She's very strong in combat."

His wife looked up. "Stronger than me?"

"Hard to say. She's a Class One weapon—among all in Neizhou, she's among the strongest!"

"Class One weapon?" His wife glanced at Li Li Banfeng. "Can a weapon even become a household spirit?"

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment, took his wife's hand, and said, "My precious wife, I always ask you these things. I don't know about other weapons, but this one truly can become a household spirit."

"What's this weapon called?"

"Her name is Jiang Linger."

"Jiang Linger, Class One weapon, Jiang Linger—" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan repeated it several times, then suddenly laughed. "Husband, you're lying to me on purpose, aren't you? You're afraid I'll get angry."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not lying. Her real name is Jiang Linger."

"Dadadada!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan suddenly imitated the sound of gongs and drums.

Everyone in the room, including Li Li Banfeng, grew tense.

His wife loved the sound of gongs and drums—but only when she was in her phonograph form. She had never acted this strangely while in her puppet body.

"Husband, how did you come across this Class One weapon?"

Li Li Banfeng answered honestly: "In Wubian City, a man named Bao Luo Yingjun tried to trick me with this Class One weapon. I struck first and killed him—and accidentally claimed it as my household spirit."

Li Li Banfeng recounted the entire incident.

Hoo! Hoo!

His wife exhaled steam and said, "So it's not that unusual. Acquiring a household spirit in Neizhou is actually a good thing!"

Li Li Banfeng hugged his wife. "Exactly."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan suddenly turned around, exhaled a puff of steam at Li Li Banfeng, and asked, "Did you sleep with her?"

Li Li Banfeng thought. "I slept in that house, but not with her."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan gently stroked Li Li Banfeng's cheek and said approvingly, "I trust my husband—"

"Husband—my husband's—"

Why was her voice so stilted?

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan stretched her neck and shoulders, her features twitching. "Husband, give your little servant some oil."

"Alright!" Li Li Banfeng fetched the oil flask, studying Zhao Zhao Xiaowan, wondering where her access panel was.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan herself felt something was off. "Forget it. No need for oil. Let's sleep."

"Alright!" Li Li Banfeng was already sleepy.

The couple lay down on the bed, but Zhao Zhao Xiaowan suddenly sat up. "What are you all doing here? My husband and I are going to sleep. Don't you understand?"

Seeing the couple affectionate as ever, everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms.

Xiang Xiang Hongying, who lived in the second room, pressed her ear to the door to listen to the sounds from the main room—she thought they'd already finished.

Deep in the night, Xiang Hongying slept soundly when suddenly a chill swept over her. She opened her eyes and saw Zhao Zhao Xiaowan sitting beside her bed, staring fixedly at her.

Xiang Hongying startled upright. "What are you doing?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan signaled her to be silent. "Xiang Hongying, I have something to ask you."

"What?"

"That woman's name is Jiang Ling, right?"

Xiang Hongying nodded. "Qi Lang said so."

"Your name is Xiang Hongying, right?"

Xiang Hongying nodded again. "My mother called me that."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan asked seriously, "What is my name?"

"You're Zhao Zhao Xiaowan!"

"I know that. I'm not just Zhao Zhao Xiaowan—I'm also Huang Huang Yuxian. But before I was called Zhao Zhao Xiaowan, what was my name?"

Xiang Hongying was confused. "Weren't you born as Zhao Zhao Xiaowan? Do you even have another name?"

"Yes!" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan nodded seriously. "I wasn't born as Zhao Zhao Xiaowan. I've forgotten what my real name was."

Li Li Banfeng crouched beside Zhao Zhao Xiaowan. "Kong Fang said your surname was Long. Was that your birth surname?"

"No!" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan shook her head vigorously. "Long was a later name. The name before Zhao Zhao Xiaowan—it goes back very, very far."

Xiang Hongying urged, "Qi Lang, get her phonograph body back. She rushed back to find you and left it in the lab. The longer she's away from it, the stranger her behavior becomes."

Hong Ying urged: "Seventh, help her retrieve her body—she's desperate to come back to you and left it in the lab; the longer she's away from it, the more her temperament changes."

His wife exhaled steam at Xiang Hongying. "I used to be an opera singer—you know that. What was my stage name? Do you remember?"

The wife spat steam at Hong Ying: "I used to be an opera singer—you know that. What was my stage name? Do you know?"

His wife shook her head. "No. That name—I've forgotten it. I don't even know if anyone remembers it anymore."

Li Li Banfeng crouched beside Zhao Zhao Xiaowan. "Does Jiang Linger know?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan turned to Li Li Banfeng. "Why bring up that slut? Do you even have room for me in your eyes?"

Xiang Hongying stared at Li Li Banfeng for a long time.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan asked Xiang Hongying: "Xiang Hongying, do you remember someone named Jiang Linger? Xiang Hongying, I'm asking you!"

"You slut, what are you thinking about?"

Xiang Hongying looked at Li Li Banfeng. "Qi Lang, when did you come in?"

"Did he come in?" Zhao Zhao Xiaowan pulled back the covers to check.

Xiang Hongying poked Zhao Zhao Xiaowan with a finger. "Can you be serious? Who were you talking to about that? I meant—how did he get into the room?"

This wasn't playful banter—Xiang Hongying was serious.

Xiang Hongying had strong perception—yet she hadn't sensed Li Li Banfeng entering her room.

His wife realized something was wrong too. "Husband, you just reached Yunshang Shang? Your skills have improved a lot—looks like you've learned plenty from that slut!"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "I just ascended, then went straight to Qiuqiu City to find you. I still need to learn from you."

"So now you've finished with her? Heartless man." His wife sniffed, but secretly felt pleased.

Xiang Hongying called out toward the third room's entrance: "Come in. Stop lurking outside the door."

The Ninth Lady entered, laughing, and playfully teased Zhao Zhao Xiaowan.

Xiang Hongying grew more uneasy. No matter how talented Qi Lang was, he couldn't surpass her own abilities.

And even the Ninth Lady couldn't evade Xiang Hongying's perception—how had Li Qi slipped past her?

Li Li Banfeng hugged Zhao Zhao Xiaowan. "Precious wife, what technique will you teach me?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan pinched Li Li Banfeng's cheek. "Once you've reached Yunshang Shang, I can't teach you anymore. You must awaken it yourself."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not Yunshang Shang. I've reached Yunshang Fourth Layer."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan and Xiang Hongying both stared at Li Li Banfeng, astonished.

The Ninth Lady laughed. "I told you Yunshang Fourth Layer existed—you didn't believe me."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan shook her head. "Impossible. The spiritual energy needed to ascend to Yunshang Fourth Layer exceeds the limit even a Third Layer cultivator can bear. It defies logic."

Li Li Banfeng nodded. "Jiang Linger said the same. So we had to use Yunmen techniques to divert part of the spiritual energy. She even made me a cloud."

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan exploded: "That slut made you a cloud?! Are you trying to provoke me? Do you think I can't make clouds?

Wasn't the first cloud we made together? Do you think mine was bad? Where is this slut Jiang Linger? I'll go kill her right now!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan seethed, smoke pouring from her body, flames flickering on her chest.

The gongs and drums grew louder, making Xiang Hongying's blood surge.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan swung her arms wildly—like two phonograph needles. Though in a puppet body, her movements were unmistakably those of a phonograph.

"Zhao Xiaowan, calm down. Stop this." Xiang Hongying soothed her for a long while until Zhao Zhao Xiaowan quieted and returned to bed.

When Zhao Zhao Xiaowan fell asleep, Xiang Hongying warned Li Li Banfeng: "Qi Lang, you must retrieve the phonograph body quickly. She's never stayed away from it this long—I'm afraid she'll break."

The next morning, Li Li Banfeng stepped out of his office and saw Chen Chen Zhangrui, nodding to him.

Chen Chen Zhangrui replied, then suddenly stopped.

When did Li Ju return?

"Li Ju, I have an urgent report."

"Later. I'm in a hurry."

"This can't wait!" Chen Chen Zhangrui pulled Li Qi back into the office. "Director, someone new has joined our bureau. I've sent you the surveillance footage."

Li Li Banfeng watched the footage—he recognized it as his wife—but he didn't let Chen Chen Zhangrui off the hook. "What's this? What's become of the Dark Star Bureau? How many times has this happened?"

Chen Chen Zhangrui lowered his head. "I was about to submit a self-criticism."

"Have you reported this to your superiors?"

Chen Chen Zhangrui shook his head. "The previous scandal hasn't settled—if the higher-ups find out—"

Li Li Banfeng sighed. "Now is the critical moment to protect the Dark Star Bureau. We can't afford even a single slip. Suppress this. Warn the surveillance room—destroy the footage. No leaks!"

With Li Li Banfeng's words, Chen Chen Zhangrui felt much more at ease.

With Li Li Banfeng's words, Chen Chen Zhangrui felt much more at ease.

Li Li Banfeng went to Qiuqi City, used the bowl of Lühuazi to open the laboratory, and carried out the phonograph.

When the Lady returned to the phonograph's body, her spirit had indeed recovered considerably.

Hoo-wee! Hoo-wee!

"Just thinking of that slut makes me angry—what was her name again?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Her name is Jiang Linger."

"Jiang Linger—what a nice name," the phonograph thought for a moment. "Never mind, I'm not so angry anymore. Husband, since you've ascended to the fourth layer of Yunshang, what technique do you want to learn?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "That depends on which technique my Lady is willing to teach me."

The Lady said: "As long as my husband is willing to learn, your humble servant will give you anything. I know two Yunshang techniques for Yu Yu Zhaixiu: one is called Ten Thousand Wishes Come True, the other is Linked Vast Lian Dongfang."

Li Li Banfeng was thrilled: "How do these two techniques work?"

The phonograph summoned the projector, explained while having the projector demonstrate: "The Ten Thousand Wishes Come True technique, also known as Wish Fulfillment, lets you sit at home and whatever you desire appears."

Li Li Banfeng's eyes lit up: "Explain in detail."

The phonograph hooked its needle lightly against Li Li Banfeng's nose: "Do you really need details? It's obvious—if you want to eat, a fine banquet appears in your home; if you want to fight, fine weapons materialize in your hand;

if you're cold, a quilt is already on the bed; if you're still cold, a beauty can come warm your bedding."

Li Li Banfeng hugged the phonograph: "My precious Lady, why didn't you teach me this wonderful technique sooner?"

The phonograph's speaker rubbed against Li Li Banfeng's face: "My dear husband, you're starving for it, aren't you? I want to teach you too—our home did tell me this technique, and I've heard of it before,

but as far as I know, not a single Yu Yu Zhaixiu in the world has ever mastered Ten Thousand Wishes Come True. Some Yunshang Yu Yu Zhaixiu have spent their entire lives and still haven't grasped even a shred of it."

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "The technique exists, yet no one can learn it?"

The phonograph released a puff of steam: "This technique is uniquely difficult—it's the hardest technique among Yu Yu Zhaixiu. Husband, are you truly determined to learn it?"

Li Li Banfeng hesitated.

The phonograph added: "Husband, listen to your humble servant—learn the Linked Vast Lian Dongfang technique instead."

"That's fine too!" Li Li Banfeng picked up the phonograph and headed for the bed.

The phonograph struggled fiercely: "Wait! Not that kind of bridal chamber! Husband, put me down! You don't need to rush—why are you showing off? You're only capable of this much!"

Li Li Banfeng straightened his clothes and listened calmly as his Lady explained.

His Lady said irritably: "The Linked Vast Lian Dongfang technique is also used within the home. Once mastered to a certain degree,

it allows you to rearrange the layout of your residence at will."

Li Li Banfeng wasn't particularly impressed: "How much can you rearrange? Just move furniture around?"

His Lady shook her large speaker: "It's not just furniture—you can move entire courtyards. I know a Yu Yu Zhaixiu at Yunshang Level Three who used Linked Vast Lian Dongfang to kill two Yunshang Above."

Li Li Banfeng was curious. A Yunshang Level Three killing two Yunshang Above wasn't impossible, but killing two at once was hard to comprehend.

His Lady explained: "That Yu Yu Zhaixiu owned a grand mansion with seven courtyards in a row, dozens of inner and outer yards.

Two Yunshang Above came seeking revenge, entered through the back courtyard intending to reach the main hall, but ended up in the front courtyard; from the front courtyard aiming for the main hall, they mysteriously entered the eastern courtyard.

These two Yunshang Above wandered through the mansion for seven days and seven nights without finding the Yu Yu Zhaixiu. They gave up on revenge—but couldn't escape. Along the way, they suffered repeated ambushes, and finally, severely wounded, they were both killed inside the mansion by the Yu Yu Zhaixiu."

Li Li Banfeng understood his Lady's meaning: "So if I master Linked Vast Lian Dongfang, I can move the Seventh Courtyard into the Second Courtyard, or the Tenth Courtyard into the Sixth Courtyard?"

His Lady nodded: "You can rearrange it however you wish—especially useful for Traveling Xiu, who gain tactical advantage through Linked Vast Lian Dongfang. Such combat power makes even your humble servant envious.

Husband? Husband! Are you listening to me?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly: "I'm listening. Very carefully."

He had just realized something.

"Lady, I think I understand what's going on in the stairwell. There's a master in the Dark Star Bureau—probably my fellow sect member."

PS: Just how high is that master?