Chapter 697

"If this matter can truly be pinned on Shan Chengjun, then in the end, Lan Qiao Yi still comes out ahead." Li Li Banfeng imagined the outcome: if blame were laid on Shan Chengjun, the entire Pulu Province would develop intense hostility toward the Sage and the Demon Lord—still advantageous to Lan Qiao Yi.

Face Not Big nodded slightly: "That's the brilliance of taking a silent loss—no matter what, Lan Qiao Yi can't lose this deal. The key is we can't lose either, so this must be pinned on Shan Chengjun."

Li Li Banfeng fully agreed, but the crucial question remained: what if Shan Chengjun refused to take the blame?

After all, all current clues pointed to He He Jiaqing and the Old Nun. Though Shan Chengjun, as the Patriarch of Wu Xiu, was under the Sage's command, he still wielded considerable influence in Pulu Province. Without evidence, forcing the blame onto him wouldn't be easy.

Face Not Big was also troubled by this: "I once had an old friend, the best at fabricating evidence—he could forge both witness testimony and physical proof. I just don't know if he'd be willing to help."

"I'll go ask this old friend if he has a way. Meanwhile, leak some rumors in the newspaper—say Shan Chengjun came to Pulu Province and did something wicked. Once the rumors spread, we can slowly solidify them. We'll definitely pin this on that bastard."

Face Not Big's plan was thorough, but Li Li Banfeng was uncertain about one thing: "Should we tell the Peddler?"

After a moment's hesitation, Face Not Big shook his head: "The Peddler isn't easy to find. Many wonder why he hasn't shown up now that I'm in trouble—but few know he's juggling far too many matters."

"Besides, telling him would only complicate things. Even if Shan Chengjun is a scoundrel, he's still an old comrade. To frame him like this—I fear the Peddler couldn't bring himself to do it. Let's keep it hidden for now."

They reached an agreement, and Face Not Big went to find his friend.

Could his friend possibly be surnamed Sun?

Li Li Banfeng didn't rush to the newspaper office; instead, he returned to Leaving Suishenju.

Shan Chengjun had indeed come to Pulu Province and clashed with his wife. Some details still needed confirmation from her.

His wife recounted the details. Once the story was made public, Master Master Kongfang and his Snowflake River followers could serve as corroborating witnesses—and if their testimony could be subtly steered elsewhere, it might still become ironclad evidence. The entire plan seemed flawless.

Yet Li Li Banfeng still felt uneasy. He believed this matter should be discussed with the Peddler.

The Singing Machine pondered long, then said to Li Li Banfeng: "Husband, this decision is difficult. Even I can't decide. But I recall an old story I'd like to tell you—would you care to hear it?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Whatever my wife says, I will listen."

"Then I'll speak. Don't scold me for being tedious."

Hū wèi! Hū wèi!

Warm steam spewed from the speaker's mouth; faintly, the sound of a Hu Qin could be heard.

"When I still performed in the opera troupe, there was a girl with an extraordinary voice—clearly blessed by heaven."

She debuted at seven and sang until twelve, already gaining considerable fame—but all her glory was on stage. Offstage, before the troupe master, she was still just a serving maid."

One day, while cleaning the master's room, she accidentally tore his favorite robe. She was terrified—she truly feared he'd kill her."

This wasn't idle talk. Our master had killed many people—I saw it with my own eyes."

In the troupe, there was an older sister with a good figure but an ordinary voice. She was beautiful, but her stage presence was lifeless—always a wooden face. The master disliked her and often threatened to sell her to a brothel."

This wasn't idle talk either. Many of our fellow girls had been sold to brothels by him."

Fortunately, this sister was skilled with needlework. She mended clothes and did countless chores for the troupe, so the master reluctantly kept her on as a general helper."

When the girl tore the master's robe, the sister witnessed it—but said nothing."

She repaired the robe so perfectly, not a trace remained. The girl thanked her endlessly, and from then on, they became friends."

The two girls grew very close. When they ate, they shared; when they wore clothes, they exchanged."

One day, the master took the girl out to perform at a wealthy merchant's home. When they returned,"

the master gave her new clothes and bought her plenty of delicious food."

The girl hurried to share the food and clothes with her sister—but the sister sensed something was wrong. She went out to inquire and learned that the merchant loved opera performers and had taken many as concubines—but none lasted more than a year; all vanished."

Some said his lawful wife was cruel and murdered them. Others claimed the old man was utterly depraved, possessing special methods to torture women—every opera girl he married was ruined and killed."

Whether true or false, the girl didn't want to die. She didn't want to marry this merchant. She wanted to live. She sought a chance to escape."

At the time, the girl wondered whether to tell her sister. But after private thought, she feared telling her might drag her sister into danger."

Would telling her sister make things harder for her?"

If her sister, terrified, betrayed her to the master, would the girl's life be over?"

The more she thought, the more frightened she became. After much deliberation, she said nothing. One night, while going to the latrine, she climbed over the wall and fled."

She had no money, no food. She rarely left the troupe and barely knew the roads. After two days, she was caught."

When she returned, both she and her sister were locked in the firewood shed and beaten brutally. The girl didn't understand—why was her sister locked up too?"

Later, she learned the master believed the sister, being close to the girl, must know the truth."

The girl begged the master: "My sister knows nothing! Please spare her!"

But the master was a demon—utterly without humanity. The more she begged, the angrier he grew. He beat them both to death."

They say the sister never blamed the girl before she died—but the girl was filled with regret. Even in the underworld, she had no face to meet that sister."

Afterwards, we wondered: should the girl have consulted her sister before fleeing? If she truly trusted her sister, she shouldn't have feared she'd ruin things."

If the two had fled together, they might have supported each other—and perhaps escaped. Husband, what do you think?"

The record slowly spun on the turntable, playing "Joyful Reunion." His wife recounted the old tale,"

singing along with the Hu Qin.

"The forest's flowers faded, spring's red—too swift. Helpless: morning's cold rain, evening's wind, evening's wind."

"Crimson tears, clinging in drunkenness—when will we meet again? Life's endless sorrow flows eastward like water."

Xiang Xiang Hongying listened, tears streaming down her cheeks in the second room.

The Ninth Girl beside her said: "You've killed countless men on the battlefield—how can you still cry?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying pressed her chest: "Some things I truly don't understand—but this song pierces my heart."

The Ninth Girl sighed: "Yes, as a lady of a noble family, there are things you simply wouldn't know."

"Actually, I do understand—" Xiang Xiang Hongying sniffled. "If only she'd said one more word back then…"

The Ninth Girl sighed: "There's no remedy for regret. But where did this story even come from? Is it about Zhao Zhao Lanmeng's origins?"

"I've heard her story—it's very different from what I've heard."

Xiang Xiang Hongying wiped her tears: "That day, Zhao Zhao Lanmeng suddenly asked me her name. I found it strange too."

The Ninth Girl fell into thought: "How much of what we know is fabricated?"

Li Li Banfeng stood up, embraced the Singing Machine, and asked softly: "Wife, is the troupe master still alive?"

The Singing Machine smiled: "He's long dead—cut to death, slice by slice. He feared pain and begged endlessly the day he died. The one who killed him was ruthless: each plea earned him another slice. Altogether, he was cut over three thousand times."

"Good! Good wife!" Li Li Banfeng held the Singing Machine tightly for a long time, kissed her for a long time, then left Leaving Suishenju. Standing on the rooftop of Outside Xiaoyao Wu, Li Li Banfeng gazed at the clouds on the horizon.

This matter must be told to the Peddler.

Locking onto the cloud where the Peddler resided, Li Li Banfeng leapt forward and flew toward it.

Previously, his Yunmen technique had been unconscious—causing the Peddler to misunderstand, believing Li Li Banfeng deliberately flew onto clouds to burn his house."

This time, Li Li Banfeng consciously flew onto the cloud, carefully observing the scenery above.

The cloud was vast—much larger than Master Kongfang's. Above it weren't just flowers and grass, but entire forests.

In the center of the forest, Li Li Banfeng found a clearing, and in the clearing stood a three-story Western-style house.

The courtyard walls were white; the house walls were white. The house was exquisitely built and immaculately kept.

Only the ivy on the walls spoiled the view—patchy, uneven, missing sections, clearly neglected.

Li Li Banfeng entered the courtyard with a lighter, walked to the wall, and was about to set fire—then hesitated, realizing a crucial question.

Why am I setting fire?

There was no clear reason—just a sense of familiarity, as if this was a routine he'd followed before.

Then he wondered: why had the ivy become like this?

"Did I really burn the Peddler's house before?" Li Li Banfeng murmured, feeling this wasn't right.

But if he didn't burn the house, how could he find the Peddler?

Maybe he was inside. Or perhaps someone he was involved with knew his whereabouts.

He put away the lighter and entered the mansion's front door.

The first floor was a spacious two-story-high living room, its floor and walls translucent, reflecting shadows.

But furnishings were sparse: only a circle of sofas and a crystal chandelier. Li Li Banfeng saw no other prominent furniture.

The chandelier was enormous, hanging from the second floor. Standing slightly elevated on the first floor, one could almost touch its pendants—but Li Li Banfeng saw no candles.

This was atop a cloud—electricity and gas couldn't reach here. Without candles, how was this lamp lit?

A spiral staircase led to the second floor. Li Li Banfeng was about to ascend when a sudden sense of danger struck.

Don't go upstairs—there might be traps.

At the end of the living room was a hallway. Entering it, Li Li Banfeng saw the kitchen, the dining room, the study, and a closed door.

From the layout, this room faced the sun and was sizable—likely the master bedroom.

Li Li Banfeng knocked twice. No response. He waited outside. Inside, faint sounds—someone yawning.

He didn't rush in. He maximized his ability to avoid misfortune and waited for a reply.

Sweat beads formed one by one. Li Li Banfeng didn't know who was inside. There was danger—but how severe, he couldn't gauge.

This was rare. One moment, he trembled violently, like a fever; the next, he felt no chill at all—the person inside seemed harmless.

"Who is it?" A woman's voice came from inside.

"Li Qi. Here to find the Peddler."

"You're Li Qi! You ruined my house and stole my man!"

Li Li Banfeng froze, eyes wide: "I didn't steal your man!"

"What are you here for?"

Li Li Banfeng replied calmly: "I'm here to find your husband."

How inconvenient—this question was so hard to answer.

A chill swept over him—he sensed danger.

The woman inside said: "Come in."

Li Li Banfeng waited a moment; after the chill vanished, he opened the door and stepped inside.

Unlike the snow-white halls and corridors, the room was pitch black, shrouded in swirling mist.

"Come further in!" the woman urged.

Li Li Banfeng sensed no danger, but that didn't mean danger wasn't there—perhaps the opponent's realm was too high, hiding malice beneath the surface.

He took a few steps forward; the room remained utterly dark, save for the faint mist—nothing else was visible.

Yet even these mists were peculiar: they drifted steadily in one fixed direction, as if guiding Li Li Banfeng.

"Hurry up! What are you afraid of?"

Li Li Banfeng quickened his pace slightly; ahead, he glimpsed a faint glow.

Walking toward the light, Li Li Banfeng saw a door—and heard the woman's voice again: "Come in quickly."

Earlier, it hadn't been the bedroom—it was the corridor inside the bedroom. This second door must lead to the bedroom itself.

Li Li Banfeng pushed open the door; ahead lay thick, dense fog. After weaving through it for a while, he finally made out the scene ahead.

He saw bright lights, and a gleaming marble floor.

He saw a beautiful woman waving at him.

He saw a middle-aged man striding toward him.

"Minister Li, you're back! The paperwork for Zhong Er's business trip is all settled!"

Li Li Banfeng nodded, praising: "Done this fast? Old Chen, your efficiency is impressive. Come to my office later—I want to beat you."

"Minister Li, you're joking," Chen Chen Zhangrui said, seizing the chance to leave quickly—he sensed Li Li Banfeng was in terrible spirits.

This was the elevator entrance of the Dark Star Bureau.

Li Li Banfeng returned to the stairwell, wandered for a long while, but couldn't find the exit he'd come through.

What technique was this? Just moments ago he'd been on a cloud—now he was in the Dark Star Bureau? How was that possible?

Li Li Banfeng returned to his office, chuckled, and muttered to himself: "So this is the Linked Chamber Technique, right?"

Now he could confirm two things: first, the peddler truly had clouds in the sky—but that cloud wasn't occupied by him alone; at least one woman lived there too, likely his lover.

Second, this lover was a master of residential cultivation; the house on the cloud was hers, and so was the stairwell of the Dark Star Bureau—she could use the Linked Chamber Technique to shift the location of her dwelling at will.

The Linked Chamber Technique could be this powerful? Clearly, this art still needed refinement.

But now wasn't the time to ponder that—he had to inform the peddler immediately.

Leaving the Dark Star Bureau, Li Li Banfeng headed straight for Huahu Park, running all the way from Xindi back to Xiaoyao Wu.

He climbed onto the peddler's cloud again—this time he must be extremely cautious; he couldn't let himself be sent back to the Dark Star Bureau so easily.

Visiting someone's home without a gift was rude. Li Li Banfeng had bought a bouquet of flowers, a washbasin, and a feather duster as presents.

At the foot of the villa, Li Li Banfeng shouted upward: "Sister-in-law, I'm back!"

The woman's voice came from inside: "Why are you back?"

"I've come to find my senior brother, sister-in-law!"

"He's not here. Come back another day!"

"If my senior brother isn't here, I won't leave."

"So what if you don't leave? What will you do?"

"I'll burn down your house!" Li Li Banfeng set the feather duster aside, planted the flowers in the courtyard garden, picked up the washbasin, and prepared to pour the oil onto the wall.

The woman roared in fury: "Li Qi, you dare! If you light a fire, I'll kill you right now!"

Li Qi shouted back: "I'm standing right here—come out and kill me if you can!"

"If you've got the guts, come inside and face me!"

"I won't go in—what can you do to me?"

Li Li Banfeng kept his eyes fixed on the ground. He was a residential cultivator—he knew their tricks well. If the woman now unleashed her boundary, he'd be in trouble; if her boundary was large enough, it might even force him off the cloud entirely.

After waiting a moment, the woman unexpectedly relented: "Come inside and talk."

"I don't want to go in."

"If you won't come in, how can I take you to see the peddler? Tell me honestly—if I truly meant to harm you, 【144】 wouldn't I have struck the moment you first entered my home?"

Since the first time you stepped into my home, shouldn't I have struck then?

Li Li Banfeng paused to think—her words carried sincerity.

He pushed open the door and entered the parlor. A cup of hot tea sat on the coffee table—no telling when it had been prepared.

Li Li Banfeng picked up the teacup, sat on the sofa, and glanced around—but saw no sign of the mistress.

"You said you'd take me to see the peddler."

"I can take you to where he is—but whether he wants to see you, that's beyond my control."

Li Li Banfeng chuckled: "You say that? I've come all this way—he wouldn't refuse to see me."

The woman laughed too: "His temperament is impossible to fathom. Even I can't see him if he doesn't want to."

Li Li Banfeng sighed: "You can't compare to me."

A surge of danger struck; Li Li Banfeng shivered.

"I mean—we're not the same." He shivered again.

"I mean—"

"Enough!" the woman snapped. "Go upstairs. Second room on the right. Hurry!"

Li Li Banfeng climbed the stairs, turned right, reached the second room, and used "Avert Misfortune, Invite Fortune" to probe the door for a moment.

Danger was present—but within tolerable limits.

The woman sneered: "If you're scared, don't go. All traveling cultivators are like this—either mad or cowardly. None are worthy."

Li Li Banfeng didn't care for her provocation—her words were true. If he was afraid, he shouldn't go. If he couldn't face even manageable risk, why waste time here?

He reached for the doorknob—when suddenly the woman shouted: "Wait!"

"What now?"

"You're really going in?"

"What else am I supposed to do?"

The woman said: "Don't open the door yet. Wait for my signal."

Wait for her signal?

Did this require prior approval?

Li Li Banfeng waited a moment—then suddenly heard laughter: "Hehehe~"

The laughter came from another woman—but her voice differed from the previous one.

How many people lived in this house?

The woman's voice came again: "Open the door."

Li Li Banfeng used "Avert Misfortune, Invite Fortune" once more—and suddenly felt the danger intensify.

"You're trying to kill me?"

The woman laughed: "Same as before—if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't go through all this trouble. If you're too scared, just leave."

Li Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and pulled open the door.

The room was pitch black, filled with mist. Li Li Banfeng thought he'd returned to the Dark Star Bureau's stairwell—but after pushing through the second door and stepping out, a gust of wind scattered the fog.

The mist cleared. He looked around: a vast plain stretched before him, grass reaching past his ankles.

The exit he'd come through was gone again. He had no idea where he was.

There wasn't even a soul to ask for directions—how could he find the peddler?

He wandered aimlessly across the wasteland for over half an hour, then spotted several horses grazing, and a four-wheeled carriage parked nearby.

Li Li Banfeng walked to the carriage, lifted the curtain. The cabin was spacious, with a sleeping berth and a stove inside.

An old man inside opened his eyes and asked: "Wotcha want?"

"Excuse me, where am I?"

"You don't even know where you are? Then how'd you get here?"

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment: "I just… ended up here."

"What do you mean 'just ended up'? You're a strange one," the old man laughed. "This is Sui Wasteland. Most people can't even reach this place, you know?"

Sui Wasteland?

He'd heard of this place before. After recalling for a long while, he remembered Chen Chen Zhangrui's words: "During the Second Prozhou War, Huang Yu commanded over thirty battles—nearly undefeated. 【189】 Especially at Sui Wasteland—Huang Yu led the elite cavalry and crushed the Neizhou army, securing victory for Prozhou."

Especially at the Battle of Suihuangyuan, Huang Yu led the Elite Cavalry to defeat the Inner State forces, securing victory for Pulu Province.

Huang Yu was the Lady—she'd surely know where the peddler was.

The old man asked: "You need the carriage?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Wait a moment—I'll use it soon. Don't leave!"

"Where you going? Piss?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes, just piss. Wait here for me."

The old man grunted: "Just piss right here. Why run so far? Who's gonna watch you?"

Li Li Banfeng ran farther away, entered his Personal Dwelling: "Lady, I've reached Sui Wasteland, looking for the peddler—but I don't know where he is."

The Lady blinked: "Husband, why are you looking for the peddler in Sui Wasteland?"

"I found out from his lover."

The Lady thought a moment: "I know Sui Wasteland well—but where the peddler went? I can't say for sure… I think he's most likely at Waste Road Town."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Where is Waste Road Town?"

The machine chuckled: "Where did you pick up that tone? Ask a local—they all know this place is special, very close to the entrance to Huineizhou."

"There's an entrance to Huineizhou here?"

The machine hissed steam: "There's an entrance. During past wars, this was the fiercest battleground. If a peddler came to Suihuangyuan with urgent business, he'd surely head to Huangtu Town—but if he came to sell goods, who knows? He might just push his cart around everywhere."

"Master, it wouldn't hurt to check Huangtu Town—but if war breaks out, stay far away. The Huineizhou entrance here is sealed by a powerful array, untouched for many years. If anyone dares emerge from this entrance, they're no ordinary being—you alone won't be able to handle them."

Li Li Banfeng stepped out of his personal dwelling and walked to the driver's side. "Has the peddler been here these days?"

"He came!"

"When did he come?"

The old man said: "What do you mean 'when'? He came to sell goods!"

"Do you know where he is?"

The old man shook his head: "You're unlucky—he left. Two days ago."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "He really left?"

The old man waved his hand: "Are you kidding me? Do you think I'd lie to you?"

Li Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then climbed into the cart: "Take me to Huangtu Town."

"That's a long way! You've got to pay me half upfront—I can't drive for free."

"Here, I'll pay you all of it—just get me there."

The old man drove toward Huangtu Town; every three or five li, the cart behind him shuddered.

The closer they got to Huangtu Town, the harder the cart shook—so much so that the two horses pulling it began trembling.

"Oh my god, what's going on!" the old man shouted, pulling back the curtain. "What are you doing back there? Why are you shaking so much? You're scaring the horses!"

Li Li Banfeng's face was pale: "It's nothing."

The old man grew angry: "Listen here—don't mess around in my cart! I'm running a business!"

Cold sweat dripped from Li Li Banfeng's body, one bead after another—he could barely sit still. What had happened in Huangtu Town that the urge to avoid danger had become so intense?