Chapter 696

Li Li Banfeng sat in the Third Chamber, carefully imagining the layout of every room in the Portable Dwelling.

From the Main Chamber to the Thirteenth Chamber, every detail was memorized, as if he had walked through them all himself.

The Train Eunuch once said the Third Chamber was the most unique in the little train, capable of free movement; Li Li Banfeng believed practicing the Linked Chambers Technique there offered the best chance of success.

In his mind, Li Li Banfeng understood the layouts of two rooms best.

One was the Main Chamber—he always spent time there with his wife, and he knew every table, chair, cabinet, and even every ornament on the shelves.

The second familiar room was the Thirteenth Chamber.

The Thirteenth Chamber only appeared after ascending to the third level of Cloud Above.

It contained no furniture—empty and bare.

Li Li Banfeng wanted to swap the positions of these two rooms.

The key to swapping them lay in the sequence and process within his mind.

He had to clearly define the distance and details of both rooms before the swap, and meticulously visualize every step of the exchange.

This process was highly illogical, but Li Li Banfeng had to make it feel rational within his cognition.

Fortunately, the core of the Portable Dwelling was a train—swapping two carriages was logically easier to imagine.

After ten or so attempts without success, Li Li Banfeng stubbornly refused to leave the Third Chamber, holding his breath and focusing for nearly two hours on the technique.

The more he practiced, the more immersed he became—he felt success was imminent—when suddenly he shivered.

What was this?

Was this a sign to avoid misfortune?

What danger could possibly exist in his home?

Or had he already mastered the technique?

Li Li Banfeng opened the door—and found nothing outside.

The Main Chamber had become the Thirteenth Chamber!

Overjoyed, Li Li Banfeng hurried to check the Thirteenth Chamber.

Passing the Ninth Chamber, he noticed a new box on the floor—the same box that had once been in the Main Chamber, where the Glove often slept inside.

How did this box end up in the Ninth Chamber?

Had the Linked Chambers Technique failed to swap the box, leaving it stranded halfway?

That didn't make sense—according to Li Li Banfeng's mental plan, the two rooms should have fully exchanged places; the box shouldn't have been left behind. He circled the box, staring at its underside, and asked, "Brother, what are you doing?"

The Glove crawled out from beneath the box, dragging his index finger. "Too many things to move—ran out of time."

"Who told you to move them?"

"Madam ordered it. She saw you practicing all day and felt sorry for you—she had us move everything to the Thirteenth Chamber."

Li Li Banfeng felt ashamed and helped his family move everything back to the Main Chamber.

The Singing Machine comforted him: "Dear husband, the Linked Chambers Technique isn't easy to learn—all Cloud Above techniques require slow refinement; don't rush."

Xiang Hongying added beside him: "A little haste isn't bad—Seventh Brother always acts quickly."

The Ninth Lady shook her head: "He's fast not because he's rushed."

Hearing their reassurances, Li Li Banfeng's expression grew somber.

After a moment's thought, the Singing Machine found a reason: "Husband, to master the Linked Chambers Technique, you must resonate with the dwelling. Our old master is injured and cannot connect with you—no wonder the technique won't work."

Hearing this, Li Li Banfeng felt slightly better—but worried for the Portable Dwelling: "I wonder when the old master will recover."

The wife examined the Portable Dwelling's damage: "The injury is severe. To recover quickly, we'll need materials for repair."

His wife understood craftsmanship—he trusted her completely. She wrote a list; Li Li Banfeng took it to Waizhou and had Tang Chang procure the materials. He then went to the Dark Star Bureau to have Chen Chen Zhangrui process the official travel paperwork for Zhong Er.

Li Li Banfeng planned to take Zhong Er to Puluo Province. Chen Chen Zhangrui wondered what reason to list.

Li Li Banfeng snapped: "What reason do you need? Just submit the form—I'll sign it. Done."

"Li Ju, things aren't like before. The higher-ups are cracking down. Every trip to Puluo Province requires individual approval. We still haven't clarified the Lamp and Tang Yuan matter."

"Why bother explaining to them? They're bored and meddling. Just write 'Investigate infiltration by Shang nationals.' I'll sign it, then take Zhong Er. You handle the rest."

"That's acting first and reporting later—" Seeing Li Li Banfeng's anger, Chen Chen Zhangrui stammered, "Go ahead and depart with Zhong Er—I'll arrange the train. I'll handle everything else."

Li Li Banfeng stammered—not from anger, but from a sudden chill. The train was arranged. Li Li Banfeng brought Zhong Er to Lüshui City and lodged him at Xiao Yao Wu.

He told Zhang Zhang Guanshi to keep watch for the Peddler—when the Peddler arrived at Lüshui Bay, bring Zhong Er immediately for treatment.

After giving his instructions, Li Li Banfeng shivered again.

What's happening?

Is there danger?

Where is it coming from?

Is Zhong Er in danger?

What danger could arise in Xiao Yao Wu?

Zhong Er knew some things about Puluo Province, but not enough: "Li Ju, even Doctor Kang couldn't fix me—can the Peddler really heal me?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Don't worry—even severed limbs can be mended."

After settling Zhong Er, Zhang Zhang Guanshi said to Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Master, a friend has come every night at eight for the past few days. He'll arrive in two hours—will you see him?"

"What kind of friend?"

"He won't say his name, and he has no distinguishing features—just a very large face."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Prepare a quiet room with wine and dishes. Tell me the moment he arrives." Zhang Zhang Guanshi went to arrange the room. Li Li Banfeng called Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Brother Qiu, tell Lamp to return to Lüshui City. The friend I mentioned to him before has arrived."

That night, the Large-Faced Man arrived at Xiao Yao Wu. Li Li Banfeng welcomed him warmly.

"You're impossible to find," the Large-Faced Man shook his head. "If I hadn't found you today, I was ready to leave. I heard my Daoist disciple came to Santou Chà—can I meet him?"

Li Li Banfeng was surprised: "How do you know about that?"

"I have old friends in Santou Chà. They said someone used your Daoist technique—and that it was one of Li Qi's men. I guessed it was my disciple from Waizhou. I couldn't go to Santou Chà myself, heard you'd been to Lüshui City recently, so I came here. I came several times but never found you. Then the manager told me you might come only once every few months—I was about to give up."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I've already sent for that brother. Do you wish to teach him your skills?"

The Large-Faced Man nodded: "I heard from friends that my disciple's cultivation might only be Ground Level Three—if that.

With such low cultivation, how can he sustain our lineage? I plan to stay in Lüshui City for a while and teach him real skills. If I die, at least our Daoist foundation won't vanish."

Hearing his somber tone, Li Li Banfeng asked: "Have you heard rumors? Is someone coming after you?"

The Large-Faced Man nodded: "Lately, Neizhou has sent many to hunt me. Others I ignore—but a man named Shan Chengjun—I truly cannot defeat him. Have you heard of him?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes. He's the Wu Xiu Patriarch."

The Large-Faced Man sighed: "He's not just strong—he's ruthless. Recently, when you stirred up trouble in Chaoge, Shan Chengjun took the Holy Man to Tufang Nation and went crawling to the Demon Lord."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "The Holy Man defected to Tufang? Isn't Shang the enemy of Tufang?"

The Large-Faced Man laughed: "Do you think the Holy Man cares? If it saves his life, he'll call the Demon Lord 'father' without hesitation.

Lately, he's been sending people frequently to Puluo Province—to find you, to find me, and to find He He Jiaqing. He's already caused many deaths."

Li Li Banfeng knew Shan Chengjun was hunting him—his wife had already told him. Xuehua Pu had lost a top expert because of it.

It made sense he'd seek the Large-Faced Man too—the Large-Faced Man held key techniques. If the Holy Man obtained them, he might still regain power in Shang Nation—or at least build capital with the Demon Lord.

"Why is he after He He Jiaqing?" Li Li Banfeng couldn't understand this.

The Large-Faced Man said: "You should ask him! Didn't you go to Neizhou with He He Jiaqing?"

Li Li Banfeng replied: "I went with him, but I don't know what he did to offend the Holy Man."

The Large-Faced Man widened his eyes: "He stole so many contracts—doesn't that count as offending the Holy Man?"

Li Li Banfeng thought, then shook his head: "He stole contracts—that offended the imperial court. But the Holy Man left the court. Why would he care?"

The Large-Faced Man shook his head: "I don't know the reason. But the Holy Man must see He He Jiaqing as your accomplice—and ordered Shan Chengjun to punish him.

Shan Chengjun went hard after He He Jiaqing—he killed over a dozen Earth Gods and nearly killed He He Jiaqing himself. Brother, you must be careful."

Shan Chengjun killed over a dozen Earth Gods?

Made such a huge commotion?

When did this happen?

Li Li Banfeng asked for details, but the Large-Faced Man didn't know.

Two days later, Lamp arrived in Lüshui City. Meeting his Patriarch for the first time, Lamp was frightened and stayed silent.

The Large-Faced Man laughed: "What's to fear? You're lucky. Your grandfather had such talent—he never received my guidance."

Lamp blinked: "You knew my grandfather?"

The Large-Faced Man nodded: "I met him twice. I even gave him pills. But back then I was trapped—I could've taught him real skills.

Your talent is average, but your fortune is real. I went to Yaowang Gou and learned your senior brother had died.

Now you're the only disciple left in our Daoist line. I'll teach you as much as I can."

Li Li Banfeng rented a house and settled the Large-Faced Man and Lamp inside.

With matters settled here, Li Li Banfeng immediately went to Xindi to find Chu Er—he wanted to know what had happened in Xindi.

Chu Er dismissed everyone, locked the door, added three locks, checked the hooks twice with a magic treasure, then shoved Li Li Banfeng onto the bed, covered him with a quilt, and finally spoke:

"Seventh Brother, I've wanted to come find you about this—but I feared Old Lady Ku."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "What does Old Lady Ku have to do with this?"

Chu Er whispered: "He He Jiaqing is a bastard. He gathered a group of Earth Gods to meet, planning to seize all their territories.

My father now works for you—he can't let He He Jiaqing succeed. So my father planned to disrupt the meeting, and I went along.

He He Jiaqing sent Shen Shen Rongqing to stall me. Duan Duan Shuqun and Zou Seeing Datou came too. I didn't want to deal with them, but they kept pestering me—I was about to fight them—when suddenly He He Jiaqing killed all those dozen Earth Gods, leaving only Chu Chu Yaoxian alive."

Li Li Banfeng stared: "You're saying He He Jiaqing killed those people?"

Li Li Banfeng stared in shock and said, "You're saying those people were killed by He He Jiaqing?"

When He He Jiaqing gathers all the land plots, he will very likely kill these land gods and monopolize all territories—Li Li Banfeng had anticipated this.

But to kill them now—isn't this too soon?

Moreover, he shouldn't strike during the Alliance meeting; if he does, who will ever want to join the Brotherhood Alliance again?

This doesn't seem like something He He Jiaqing would do.

Chu Er was certain: "It was him! He did it to seize the land deeds of those land gods—he kept Chu Chu Yaoxian alive because he couldn't kill land gods on their own territory, or it would violate the peddler's rules."

Isn't this guy disgusting? Is there anything he can't pull off? I wanted to tell you, but Old Ku wouldn't let me—she said if I spoke, she'd break my legs!

I truly don't understand why Old Ku keeps protecting He He Jiaqing. I'm scared of her beatings, but since you came to me today, I have to tell you: the land gods of nearby territories are all terrified of He He Jiaqing—they all want to pledge allegiance to you.

Li Li Banfeng covered Chu Er's lips and held her tightly in the quilt.

The Silk-Thread Earrings had just told him there was movement nearby—not ordinary human movement.

Chu Er struggled to breathe and let out two muffled cries.

After Li Li Banfeng released her, Chu Er gasped for a long time.

Hearing the cries and gasps, the person left; the Silk-Thread Earrings could only detect the faintest traces of motion.

This person's level is extremely high; in the past, the Silk-Thread Earrings could never have sensed such a presence. After gaining one of Xiao Xiao Laoqian's hands, the Silk-Thread Earrings underwent a qualitative transformation.

Once the person was far away, Li Li Banfeng warned Chu Er: "Don't tell anyone about this. Have your father stay close to you during this time. If anything feels off, call me immediately."

Seeing Li Li Banfeng care so deeply for her, Chu Er felt sweetness flooding her heart; she clung to him in the quilt for a long while before letting him leave.

Walking down the road, Li Li Banfeng kept pondering: who had killed these land gods? Chu Er and Hong Lian Budab's accounts were completely different.

Ask someone relatively nearby.

Li Li Banfeng found Gu Gu Wuyan; since the incident occurred near his territory, his information would be more reliable.

Gu Gu Wuyan immediately bowed upon seeing Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Master, you've finally come."

Li Li Banfeng said: "You're waiting for me?"

Gu Gu Wuyan nodded: "Seventh Master, I'm not the only one waiting—you're wanted by all the old brothers nearby. They're willing to pledge allegiance to you."

"I, Gu Gu Wuyan, was once foolish—I was blind! I doubted you, even nearly joined the Brotherhood Alliance. Now I finally see clearly: He He Jiaqing is a piece of shit—he claimed to hold a meeting, and twelve land gods died at his hands!"

Gu Gu Wuyan's account matched Chu Er's, yet Li Li Banfeng still felt something odd: "Twelve land gods—"

"Couldn't they fight off just one He He Jiaqing?"

"Seventh Master, He He Jiaqing's cultivation base is extremely high—he's likely reached Cloud's Above. And these twelve land gods were unprepared; they all accepted Chu Chu Yaoxian's invitation to attend the meeting on He He Jiaqing's territory. Who could've guessed he'd strike so brutally?"

"Worse, Old Ku intervened. With her help, how could these land gods stand a chance? They were just offering their necks for slaughter!"

Li Li Banfeng was deeply startled.

"Old Ku helped He He Jiaqing kill the land gods? Old Gu, you can't say such things lightly!"

Gu Gu Wuyan clasped his fists: "Seventh Master, if I'm lying, you can punish me however you wish! When He He Jiaqing was digging up the deeds on Zhuang Jiahao's territory, Old Ku stood right beside him—people saw it with their own eyes!"

Gu Gu Wuyan was straightforward; on this matter, he wouldn't lie.

But why would Old Ku do this?

Gu Gu Wuyan said: "We're all waiting for an explanation—waiting to see how the Peddler handles this!"

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment: "This doesn't seem to violate the Peddler's rules—Chu Chu Yaoxian is still alive, isn't she?"

Gu Gu Wuyan grew angry, gritting his teeth: "Yes, you're right, Seventh Master—these land gods didn't die on their own territory, so it doesn't break the Peddler's rules."

"But if they don't die on their own territory, the Peddler won't intervene? Then it'll be easy from now on—I'll lure land gods to my territory and kill them one by one!"

"Even if I lack the power, surely someone at Cloud's Above does? Doesn't Old Ku? If this keeps up, land gods will never dare leave their territory—step out, and they lose their heads!"

"Twelve land gods vanished—all their territories now belong to He He Jiaqing—and no one intervenes? If the Peddler handles it this way, no one will ever respect him!"

Gu Gu Wuyan was agitated, his eyes red with fury.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Calm down first—I must investigate this thoroughly."

"Who will you investigate? Don't you trust me?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I must ask the parties involved—Chu Chu Yaoxian is still alive, isn't she?"

Gu Gu Wuyan shook his head: "Seventh Master, you mustn't go to Chu Chu Yaoxian. She's been molded by He He Jiaqing in bed—she obeys him absolutely. He's lost his humanity, and she's the same. She lured all twelve land gods here. If you go to her, you'll likely meet your end!"

Chu Chu Yaoxian was asleep when suddenly a cold wind blew into her quilt.

She opened her eyes to see Li Li Banfeng pulling back her covers.

Chu Chu Yaoxian gasped: "Seventh Master, what are you doing?"

"Where is He He Jiaqing?"

"He's not here."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What really happened that day? Who killed the twelve land gods?"

Chu Chu Yaoxian, tears in her eyes, said: "He He Jiaqing killed them."

"How? Did he do it alone?"

Chu Chu Yaoxian nodded: "Alone. He used Thievery Arts and Suffering Arts. He didn't kill me—he said we had feelings, and if I obeyed him from now on, he'd spare my life—"

Chu Yao leaned forward: "If he relied on himself alone, he'd have theft cultivation techniques and hard cultivation techniques—he didn't kill me because he claims we have loyalty and affection, and if I obey him from now on, he'll spare my life————.."

Did he enter the Suffering Path's sect, or steal the techniques from Old Ku?

Given Old Ku's cultivation level, it would be hard for He He Jiaqing to steal such techniques.

Yet Chu Chu Yaoxian described every detail clearly and precisely—Li Li Banfeng had no choice but to believe her.

Sitting in Xiaoyao Wu, Li Li Banfeng felt a pounding headache. Four people, four stories. Aside from Hong Lian Budab's absurd account, all others blamed He He Jiaqing—two of them implicated Old Ku.

Could this spark a violent clash between Old Ku and the Peddler?

Will this incident spark a fierce battle between Old Ku and the Peddler?

Li Li Banfeng felt a deep conspiracy at play—but he couldn't find the thread to unravel it.

The next morning, Li Li Banfeng received a message from Chu Shaoqiang: "The new land gods are restless. They don't just oppose He He Jiaqing—they now oppose the Peddler too. They only obey you, Your Highness. Now is the perfect moment to bring them all under your control—they'll be utterly loyal thereafter."

The next morning, Li Li Banfeng received a message from Chu Shaoqiang: "The earth gods of the new land can't sit still anymore—they no longer obey He He Jiaqing, and now they don't obey the Peddler either; they only obey you, Your Highness. Now is the perfect moment to bring them all under your control—they'll be utterly loyal to you from now on."

Is it really that perfect?

Li Li Banfeng shivered. Danger seemed dangerously close.

Before uncovering the full truth, Li Li Banfeng refused to act.

In the afternoon, Hong Lian Budab came by.

"Old Seven, why hasn't anything appeared in the papers?"

"What's supposed to appear?"

Hong Lian Budab licked his lips: "Aren't you running a newspaper? Single Chengjun killed twelve land gods—such a huge story, why haven't you leaked it?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Brother, forgive me, but I've investigated. Among all the accounts, yours is the most baseless. Why would I spread it?"

Hong Lian Budab stamped his foot: "Why investigate? Just assume it was Single Chengjun!"

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "Assume what?"

Hong Lian Budab grew more frantic: "What else can we do? Are we going to blame He He Jiaqing and Old Ku? One or two land gods dying wouldn't matter—but twelve? The Peddler must give an explanation! This forces him to break with Old Ku!"

"Old Ku has long been at odds with the Peddler. If they fight, it'll be to the death. Then Lineizhou will strike while we're weakened—won't that hurt Pulu Province?"

Li Li Banfeng had thought of this too: "But if we don't want them to fight, we must uncover the truth."

"What truth?" Hong Lian Budab shook his head vigorously. "Just pin it on Single Chengjun. Say the Sage ordered it. Single Chengjun is a bastard, the Sage is an old bastard—tie those two bastards together, throw them in a black pot, and boil them. Isn't that perfect?"

So that's what Hong Lian Budab had in mind.

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "It's not that simple. To blame Single Chengjun, we need evidence. To find evidence, we must uncover the truth."

Hong Lian Budab waved his hand: "Don't investigate. Just force the blame. We'll think up some clues together!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "To find clues, we must first know who did it."

Hong Lian Budab sighed: "Since you insist on knowing, I'll tell you—it was Shu Wanjuan. Chao Ge ordered it."

Li Li Banfeng froze: "How do you know?"

Hong Lian Budab said: "I have an inside source in Chao Ge. I've confirmed it—Lan Qiao Yi gave the order personally."

Li Li Banfeng slapped his thigh: "That makes sense! He He Jiaqing stole the deeds—that's stealing from Chao Ge's corner. The land gods pledging to He He Jiaqing is betrayal. Chao Ge sent Shu Wanjuan to kill them and frame He He Jiaqing—perfect. If we spread this story—"

Hong Lian Budao said: "I have insiders in Chaoge—I've already uncovered the truth. This order came directly from Lan Qiao Yi."

As he spoke, Li Li Banfeng shivered again.

Hong Lian Budab chuckled: "You sense the danger now? This isn't perfect—it's full of hidden traps, but none of them benefit us."

"This story must not be told! Once it's out, every accusation will point to one person."

"Who?" Li Li Banfeng still didn't understand.

Hong Lian Budab said: "You and He He Jiaqing both hold deeds. Why was He He Jiaqing framed and you untouched? Twelve land gods died. After He He Jiaqing is framed, who benefits most? You! Go ask around—how many now want to join you? How many no longer respect the Peddler, only you?"

"If the truth comes out, what will others think? You're the Prince of Prince Pingyuan of Da Shang. Won't they conclude you ordered Shu Wanjuan to kill the twelve land gods and frame He He Jiaqing?"

"Then you'll become Pulu Province's greatest villain. What will you do?"

Li Li Banfeng fell silent, cold shivers running down his spine one after another.

Hong Lian Budab sighed deeply: "You've underestimated Lan Qiao Yi. He's not easy to outwit. This move is called the 'mute loss'—whoever swallows it, they're speechless. If the truth surfaces, you swallow the mute loss—you'll have only two paths: die dishonored in Pulu Province, or take your puppet emperor and fully defect to Da Shang."

"This time, Lan Qiao Yi's plan is flawless. If he successfully frames He He Jiaqing and Old Ku, Old Ku takes the mute loss, Pulu Province fractures, and he strikes—profit. If the frame fails and the truth is found, you swallow the mute loss and are forced to defect to Lineizhou—still profit. If you stubbornly refuse to defect and die in Pulu's infighting—he still profits."

"Old Ku's move was smart. She knows the truth but stayed silent—this proves she's protecting you."

By then, you'll become the greatest villain in Pulu Province! What can you do?"

Li Li Banfeng sat silent for a long while, shivers running one after another down his body.

Lan Qiao Yi sighed deeply: "You've underestimated him. He's not an easy man to deal with. This move of his is called a silent loss—no matter who swallows it, they can't defend themselves. If the truth comes out and you swallow this silent loss, you'll have only two paths left: either die without a grave in Pulu Province, or take the emperor you've raised and devote yourself utterly to the Great Shang Kingdom."

This time, Lan Qiao Yi's plan was flawless. If he succeeds in framing He He Jiaqing and the Ku Pozi, and the Ku Pozi swallows the silent loss, Pulu Province descends into infighting—he profits greatly. If the framing fails and the truth is uncovered, and you swallow the silent loss and are forced to flee to Neizhou—he still profits greatly. If you stubbornly refuse to go to Neizhou and die in Pulu's internal strife—he still profits greatly."

The Ku Pozi handled this matter well. She knows the truth, yet she hasn't revealed it—this proves she wants to protect you.

But the peddler must be given some account, or else this drags on indefinitely—the peddler suffers in silence, the local gods rise in rebellion, and Lan Qiao Yi still walks away with a fortune!

No matter what, he profits; this situation cannot be broken.

Li Li Banfeng fell silent for a long while, then asked: "Is there truly no way to break the deadlock?"

Hong Lian Hong Lian Budai looked at Li Li Banfeng and said: "Do you know what Wu Xiu are best at?"

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment and said: "Slippery."

Hong Lian Hong Lian Budai nodded vigorously: "Brother, you've finally got it! Since this deadlock can't be broken, we just slide past it! The key is to make the peddler give an account—but pin it on Shan Chengjun. This silent loss is handed right to us—we won't swallow it. We slide it past and hand it to that bastard Saint. Problem solved."

Li Li Banfeng stretched his shoulders and neck; the creeping chills vanished from his body.

PS: But the problem now is, Shan Chengjun won't admit fault either!