Chapter 698: The Debt Knife Man

"Arrived!" The driver pulled back the curtain, and Li Li Banfeng stepped down from the cart.

"This is Huangtu Town?"

The old man nodded: "See that gate? Pay three silver pieces to enter."

Li Li Banfeng gazed for a moment—this was a town, yet it had walls, though not very tall.

They looked like piles of earth and stone; he couldn't tell if they were sturdy.

The driver was about to leave, but Li Li Banfeng said: "Can you take me around the town?"

The old man turned back: "I've already brought you here. What's left to see?"

"I'll pay!" Li Li Banfeng pulled out a banknote.

"This money—" The old man glanced at the note; he truly wanted it, but after a pause, he shook his head. "Better hire someone inside the town."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "You don't want to earn this money?"

"What nonsense—you think I don't want money? But if I go with you, it's not worth it. My cart and horses each pay entry fees, plus me—that's fifteen silver pieces total. Round trip? Thirty. Why bother?"

"Hire someone in town—you save thirty silver pieces. Spend it on food, drink, whatever."

"Do you think I'm short of thirty silver pieces? I'm not changing drivers. Come with me." Li Li Banfeng shoved the note onto the cart.

The old man picked up the note and waved it away: "First, figure out how much this is—I don't have change."

"No change needed. Keep it all."

At the town gate, several strongmen stood guard. The driver told Li Li Banfeng: "Get back on the cart—it'll save you three silver pieces."

Li Li Banfeng waved him off: "Three silver pieces don't matter. Let's go."

"You're not carrying any weapons, are you? No blades allowed in Huangtu Town—not even a screwdriver."

Li Li Banfeng said nothing and kept walking.

As they passed the gate, the guards searched him—he walked right through, and none of them noticed.

The driver stood stunned, too speechless to speak. Only after the search ended, the cart was inspected, and fifteen silver pieces were paid, did he catch up to Li Li Banfeng.

"How did you slip through?"

Li Li Banfeng turned back: "Slip through? I walked in plain sight. If they didn't see me, that's their problem, not mine."

The old man nodded: "Mm. They acted like you weren't even there."

Li Li Banfeng walked down the street, observing the town's layout. The road was wide, lined on both sides with identical two-story houses—neat, yet uniquely refined.

This wasn't some frontier town. Just this street outshone Yaowang Gou by far, even cleaner than parts of Lüshui City.

Li Li Banfeng asked the driver: "What's your name?"

"I'm Liu. Call me Cart-Liu."

"Liu, do you live on this street?"

Liu laughed: "You flatter me too much—I couldn't afford to live here. I'm a horse handler. Where there's water and grass, that's my home."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Those horses I saw on the grassland earlier—yours?"

"Mm. All mine."

"You've got quite a fortune."

"What good is fortune? Never married, no kids. Spent my whole life a bachelor."

"With so many horses, you don't need to haul goods."

Liu shook his head: "What nonsense—how else do I eat? Live on horse meat? Those few horses won't last a week."

"Sell them. Isn't horse trading profitable?"

"I don't have the skill. Don't know how to run a business. If someone needs a cart, I've got both. That's enough to get by."

Li Li Banfeng still couldn't grasp Liu's lifestyle: "You leave your horses out on the grassland. Don't you fear theft?"

"No fear. I've got a lead horse—clever as they come. Every night, he herds them all back into the pen."

As they walked, they passed an inn. Liu said: "In Huangtu Town, this inn's the best—food and lodging both top-notch.

If you're hungry, go in and eat. I'll wait outside. Once you're done and settled, we'll keep exploring."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "If I eat inside, what do you eat outside?"

Liu rummaged through his cart's bags: "I've got buns."

"Buns? Come in and eat with me. My treat."

Liu waved him off: "Not proper. I've already taken so much from you—how could I eat your food? Besides,

my cart's hard to leave unattended. What if something happens?"

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "You're not afraid of leaving your horses on the grassland, but you're scared of leaving them outside an inn?"

Liu sighed: "Too many hands around here."

"Aren't there stable hands?"

"There are—but they charge."

"That's no problem. I'll pay."

Hearing this, Liu straightened up and shouted: "Hey, stable hand! You still breathing?

An old man, about the same age as Chen Laoliu, stepped out of the inn and stared at Chen Laoliu for a moment: "You're real tough, ain't ya? Why you yellin' at me?"

An old man, roughly Liu's age, stepped out of the inn, staring at him: "You damn fool, yelling at me? What's your problem?"

Liu snapped: "You old bastard, still putting on airs? I brought you work—get my horses tended to!"

The old man took the reins: "You hit the jackpot, huh?"

Liu grinned: "Got a rich patron. Hired me outright."

The old man froze: "You sold what?"

Liu frowned: "What could I sell? Get to work—I'll get you extra tips."

Inside the inn, Li Li Banfeng sat at a table and ordered. The menu was plentiful, prices low.

He ordered four cold and four hot dishes, plus two jugs of wine.

Liu said: "Why order so much? You can't eat it all."

"Take the leftovers. These dishes keep well. Eat them on the road. Is that stable hand your friend?"

Liu chuckled: "Mm. Old friends, years now."

"Bring him over to eat with us."

Liu waved him off: "He can't join. Rules here—staff can't eat at the table. Even me being inside feels awkward."

The food and wine arrived. As they ate and drank, Liu told Li Li Banfeng about the terrain of Suihuang.

It was simple: Huangtu Town was the only town in Suihuang. Outside it lay only wasteland.

When Li Li Banfeng asked about Neizhou, Liu lowered his voice: "You're looking for the Neizhou gate?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Can you still enter Neizhou through that gate?"

Liu quickly waved his hands, whispering: "Just wanting to see the gate? Fine. But don't talk about entering Neizhou—it's too dangerous.

That gate's been sealed for decades. It's just a cave. Nothing to see. I say, don't go."

As he spoke, Li Li Banfeng shivered.

Liu said: "You've been shivering since we arrived. Fever? Illness?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "No illness. Just a bit chilled."

The innkeeper had the wine warmed: "Chill's no problem. Two cups of hot wine'll fix it. This place is cold—

Pulu Province's coldest spot."

"This is still Pulu Province?"

"Of course it is. Proper Pulu Province. Where'd you come from?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Lüshui City."

"Big place. Everyone in Pulu Province knows Lüshui City—"

A clatter of hooves came from outside the inn; a group of riders armed with weapons passed by in front of the inn.

Outside, hooves thundered. A mounted squad passed the inn, weapons visible.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Who are they? Isn't carrying weapons forbidden in Huangtu Town?"

Someone in the inn glanced at Li Li Banfeng. Liu whispered: "That's the Suihuang Iron Cavalry. Pulu Province's greatest heroes. They never leave their horses, blades, or armor. Don't you dare gossip."

Li Li Banfeng lowered his voice: "Who are the Suihuang Iron Cavalry?"

Liu said: "Also called the Xiaoqi Troops. They fought alongside General Huang and the Dragon Princess, driving Neizhou into retreat. Their deeds are legendary."

General Huang was Huang Yu—his own wife. Li Li Banfeng knew this.

"Who's the Dragon Princess?"

Liu looked disdainful: "You know nothing? She's the daughter of the Heavenly Dragon King, General Huang's sworn sister."

Li Li Banfeng stared blankly: "Who's the Heavenly Dragon King?"

Liu smiled: "I don't even know where to start. Tomorrow, I'll find you a storyteller. Listen to their tales—you'll need years just for those two sisters. If you start with the Heavenly Dragon King,

you'll have to marry someone here and live while you listen."

*Clatter~ Clatter~*

Hooves sounded again. This time, Li Li Banfeng watched closely: a dozen riders, all in their twenties or thirties, armed mostly with blades, clad in armor.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What's going on? Why keep passing by?"

Liu said: "Nothing. Patrol."

Li Li Banfeng checked his pocket watch: "Didn't they just pass?"

The old man drank a cup of wine: "That was the Bao family. Now it's the Fan family. Next will be the Lü family. All Suihuang Iron Cavalry."

How many families are in the Suihuang Iron Cavalry?

There are only these three major families, and below them sixteen smaller ones—all nineteen are Suihuang Iron Cavalry. They all earned battlefield merits in the past, and when we fight the Neizhou again, they'll be the ones on the front lines.

Not long after, the Lü family's cavalry passed by too. Li Li Banfeng asked: "When was the last time the Suihuang Iron Cavalry fought?"

Chen Laoliu thought hard: "More than forty years ago? Maybe even longer—"

Li Li Banfeng said: "How old are these people? How did they become Suihuang Iron Cavalry?"

Chen Laoliu whispered: "You don't understand. The Suihuang Iron Cavalry is passed down through generations—father to son, son to grandson, grandson back to son. They've fought Neizhou for generations. They patrol the town every day. If Neizhou launches a surprise attack, they grab their weapons and charge straight into battle."

Let's not discuss this further. In Huangtu Town, matters concerning the Suihuang Iron Cavalry are top secret—no one's allowed to speak freely about them."

Watching the cavalry ride past the inn's entrance one by one, Li Li Banfeng felt deep respect—he seemed to see those brave warriors of Baishun County.

As the two ate and chatted, several armored cavalrymen tied their horses outside and entered the inn.

The shopkeeper hurried forward: "Master Lü Four, what would you like to eat?"

This man called Lü Four shoved the shopkeeper aside and walked straight to Li Li Banfeng's table: "Where are you from?"

Chen Laoliu quickly said: "I'm a driver, a local from Suihuang Plain."

Lü Four shoved Chen Laoliu aside and turned to Li Li Banfeng: "I didn't ask him."

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Then who did you ask?"

"Who else? I'm asking you—where are you from?"

In the first floor of the inn, everyone paid their bills and rushed out, none daring to glance twice.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Does it matter to you where I'm from?"

Lü Four looked down at Li Li Banfeng: "I'm Suihuang Iron Cavalry—Lü family. I suspect you've been in contact with Neizhou. This is a routine interrogation."

You were just freely discussing the Suihuang Iron Cavalry—many people heard you. Are you too cowardly to own up to it?"

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "What's there to deny? I just asked what the Suihuang Iron Cavalry does. Is that forbidden?"

Master Lü Four shook his head: "No. You have no right. We bleed and fight on the battlefield—you're not allowed to point fingers."

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "Forget what 'pointing fingers' means—tell me when you last bled or fought. Have you ever been in battle?"

Lü Four lifted his head: "That's none of your business. My ancestors fought for me—they've already done the fighting. To disrespect the Suihuang Iron Cavalry is to disrespect my ancestors. Now, kneel down and bow a hundred times, pay a hundred silver coins. Do you accept?"

Li Li Banfeng stared at Master Lü Four for a long while.

He was extorting Li Li Banfeng.

Logically, this man should already be dead—but Li Li Banfeng still wanted to observe a little longer.

He wanted to see why this kind of man had misled him into thinking he was one of Baishun County's warriors.

Lü Four lost patience, drew his long saber: "I ask you again—do you submit?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "What if I don't?"

"Then today I'll cut you down to honor my ancestors' spirits." As he spoke, Lü Four raised his blade.

"Fine, cut." Li Li Banfeng kept drinking and eating, completely ignoring Lü Four.

Chen Laoliu, standing nearby, couldn't help muttering: "A true man doesn't suffer unnecessary harm—"

Lü Four glanced at Chen Laoliu: "Don't rush—your turn comes next!"

He truly wanted to kill Li Li Banfeng. He himself was a Level-Two Wu Xiu—cutting down a white lamb was child's play.

He had a ruthless man under him named Pei Pei Rufeng—this man was a Level-Five Wen Xiu.

What kind of person was a Level-Five Wen Xiu? In this remote border town, having such a man by his side gave Lü Four no fear.

But Pei Pei Rufeng had some caution—he'd traveled the world and sensed Li Li Banfeng was different. He warned Lü Four: "Master Lü, better to spare when you can. Let this go."

"No! Today I won't spare him!" As Lü Four raised his blade to strike, someone spoke at the door.

"Shopkeeper, prepare a table of wine and dishes."

A man around fifty entered the inn. He had a full beard, wore a gray cotton short jacket, and a wide-brimmed straw hat. He carried a shoulder pole, its cloth covering concealing its contents—like a peddler selling miscellaneous goods.

He sat beside the table and picked dishes from the menu.

The inn's waiter didn't know where this ignorant man came from and hurried to warn him: "We're not serving customers anymore. Go elsewhere."

The peddler paid no mind: "Why go elsewhere? Don't you have wine and food?"

Lü Four glanced at Pei Pei Rufeng: "Remove the Wuguanrendeng."

Pei Pei Rufeng ordered two cavalrymen to escort him out. The cavalrymen stepped forward and shoved the peddler: "Suihuang Iron Cavalry on official business— Wuguanrendeng, leave!"

The peddler looked up at the two cavalrymen: "You handle your case, I eat my meal—what's it to you?"

The two cavalrymen grew angry—they'd already lost face with Li Li Banfeng, and now another ignorant fool.

One cavalryman stepped forward and kicked at the peddler—he missed. The peddler dodged smoothly—his skill was impressive.

The other cavalryman stepped forward, aiming to overturn the peddler's pole.

This cavalryman was a professional—he clearly had vast experience. Overturning a stall wasn't just to humiliate—it was to force the opponent to bend down and retrieve the fallen goods.

Once the opponent bent, a downward kick could crush his hand, an upward kick could smash his face. A few kicks would break him.

But the pole was too heavy. The cavalryman kicked several times but couldn't topple it—only the cloth covering fell off.

The cavalryman peered inside: the pole held various blades—cleavers, sickles, hatchets, bone-cutting knives.

The cavalryman shouted: "So you brought weapons into Huangtu Town? That's a serious offense!"

The peddler smiled: "How do you plan to punish me?"

Pei Pei Rufeng stepped forward, examined the blades, and realized this peddler was no ordinary man. He asked: "How much for these knives?"

The peddler grinned: "Not for sale. I'll give them to you free. If you use them well, I'll come back later to collect payment."

Pei Pei Rufeng frowned: "You're a credit knife peddler?"

The peddler nodded: "Only good knives are worth offering on credit. Don't believe me? Try one."

Pei Pei Rufeng asked: "How do you want me to try?"

The peddler picked up a cleaver, ran his thumb along the edge: "I heard Suihuang Iron Cavalry armor is tough. Let's test it on armor."

Lü Four's five cavalrymen all drew their weapons. Pei Pei Rufeng pulled a brush from his sleeve and prepared himself.

The peddler smiled: "Don't just posture—anyone here actually want to fight?"

Lü Four gritted his teeth: "Hold this man down first—I'll deal with this one—"

The peddler wasn't pleased: "No need to hold me. Just kill me. Do any of you know how to cut?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I doubt any of you do. He's held that blade up for ages and still hasn't swung."

Lü Four roared: "Fine, none of you rush—I'll send you both on your way right now."

The peddler said: "Then hurry up. Why delay?"

The inn erupted in chaos. Pei Pei Rufeng sensed things turning dire and barked: "I don't ask—you don't speak!"

He activated the Technique of Shared Tongue and Rule, stabilizing the situation.

Lü Four couldn't speak. His cavalrymen couldn't speak either.

The peddler smiled at Pei Pei Rufeng: "You say 'don't speak' and they obey? You really think you're someone?"

Li Li Banfeng looked at Lü Four: "Are you going to cut or not? How long are you going to wait?"

Pei Pei Rufeng's spine turned cold—his technique had no effect on these two.

Lü Four's limbs went numb. He didn't know whether to raise his blade or lower it.

Pei Pei Rufeng spun his brush, preparing to use the Technique of Ink-Seeking Lines.

Normally, he dared not use this technique lightly—it might injure Lü Four.

But now he didn't care about Lü Four—he had to save his own life.

A line of ink shot out, hundreds of characters launching indiscriminate attacks.

The peddler swung his cleaver—every character shattered into fragments.

Li Li Banfeng casually splashed wine. Within five meters, not a drop missed—all wine drenched the characters, turning them into pools of ink.

Pei Pei Rufeng tried to flee through the door—his left leg severed at the hip, he collapsed on the threshold.

The other cavalrymen lay on the ground—some with severed arms, others with broken legs.

But Lü Four, Chen Laoliu, the shopkeeper, and the waiter remained unharmed—they stood close to Li Li Banfeng, and the peddler had yet to engage him.

Li Li Banfeng turned and glanced—the inn's wall had cracked open, revealing a path to the outside.

"Go!" Li Li Banfeng called out. Chen Laoliu, the shopkeeper, the waiter, and Lü Four all scrambled out.

Li Li Banfeng grabbed Lü Four by the collar and pulled him back: "Wait a moment."

Lü Four trembled violently, speech slurred: "Y-you want what?"

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Why did you pick on me just now?"

"I—I'm Suihuang Iron Cavalry. This is what I'm supposed to—"

Lü Four was too terrified to speak clearly.

Pei Pei Rufeng added: "He was beaten by Master Fan Two and came back to vent his rage—and grab some cash. I'm just here to eat. Please spare my life."

A Level-Five Wen Xiu was nearly unmatched in this border town. Pei Pei Rufeng never imagined he'd meet two such people.

Now he cared nothing for loyalty or brotherhood—survival was all that mattered.

The peddler bent low, rummaged in his basket, and pulled out a human head: "Is this Fan Two?"

Lü Four trembled uncontrollably, barely able to stand.

The peddler shook his head: "These Suihuang Iron Cavalry are useless—not one can withstand a single cut."

"Not necessarily," Li Li Banfeng tossed Lü Four to the peddler. "Try him. His bones are hard, aren't they?" The peddler chopped off Lü Four's leg. Lü Four rolled, screaming in agony.

"I'm Suihuang Iron Cavalry! I'm Lü family's Fourth Young Master! If you touch me, I'll tell my father—he'll destroy you—"

The peddler chopped off Lü Four's head. Lü Four was silent now.

"This bone isn't hard either," the vendor looked at Li Li Banfeng. "Are your bones hard?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Fine."

The vendor swung his cleaver. "I've got a good knife—try it?"

Li Li Banfeng glanced at the cleaver and shook his head. "This knife falls short."

The vendor smiled, glancing at the cracks on the wall. "You're a Traveling Cultivator, right? I'll give you a sharper blade!"

He put the cleaver back in his basket, carefully selected another, and pulled out a boning knife. "How's this one?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded. "This knife's good. Name your price."

The vendor nodded. "A hundred silver coins. Do you think it's expensive?"

Li Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "I don't think it's expensive. It's a fine blade, worth the price. I'll pay you a hundred silver coins right now—give me the knife."

The vendor shook his head. "I won't take your money now. When the Wasteland Plain gets a master, I'll come back for you—then I'll charge you two hundred silver coins."

This was the Shedaoren 's custom: give away the blade, leave a prophecy, and return to collect payment—double the price—once the prophecy came true.

The vendor had now revealed his purpose.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "You came to Wasteland Town to clear the way for your master?"

The vendor stroked the boning knife, his expression solemn. "That's not just my master—that's the master of all under heaven."

Li Li Banfeng knew who he meant: "Is this master of yours the one fawning at the Demon Lord's feet in Tufang Kingdom?"

The vendor frowned. "I've told you this much because I think you're worth shaping. I've shown you a path to survival—take it or not, it's your choice. The knife's right before you. Will you take it on credit?"

Li Li Banfeng laughed. "Why not? Your master can't reach this place. This knife's a free gift—and you'll never collect your money."

"Fine," the vendor said. "You want the knife so badly? I'll give it to you—see if you can handle it!" He flicked his fingernail against the boning knife.

Ding!

An invisible blade shot toward Li Li Banfeng.

To an ordinary person, unable to see the blade, evasion would be nearly impossible—but Li Li Banfeng, with his Jin Qing' Acute Vision, saw it clearly: it was aimed at his throat.

If he leaned back to dodge, the opponent would surely strike downward next, leaving him no chance to parry.

Li Li Banfeng used the Free and Easy Skill to shift his neck aside—the blade sliced through, leaving a narrow, perfectly smooth slit in the wall behind him, proof of its razor edge.

This dodge was perilous—the opponent's speed was astonishing.

This was a Blade Cultivator. A very powerful one.

Li Li Banfeng slammed his hand on the table. "We're not enemies. Why did you strike so brutally?"

The vendor blinked. "Why did you slam the table?"

Li Li Banfeng roared: "I'm angry!"

This wasn't just anger—had he done something else?

Yet seeing Li Li Banfeng's furious expression, the vendor felt a twinge of guilt.

Had he gone too far?

Why think about that?

The vendor pinched the boning knife between two fingers and spun it once around his fingertips.

Li Li Banfeng heard a whistling sound, looked up—and saw a blade spinning above him like a fan, slicing down to strangle him.

This was a counter to the Free and Easy Skill—against a shearing blade, Li Li Banfeng had no room to evade.

And the attack was too fast—even with his Jin Qing' Acute Vision at full power, he couldn't trace the blade's path.

The vendor's fingers brushed the blade again—dozens of invisible blades struck from all directions, sealing off every possible escape route.

Li Li Banfeng charged straight through the blades toward the vendor, who smiled, raised the boning knife, and thrust it toward Li Li Banfeng's forehead.

Ding!

The boning knife pierced his forehead—Li Li Banfeng bled.

Blood flowed freely, dripping one drop at a time onto the ground.

But the blade only broke the skin—it didn't pierce the bone.

The vendor frowned. He couldn't fathom how, with his skill, he'd failed to pierce a Traveling Cultivator's skull.

Li Li Banfeng slammed his hand on the table. "You struck too hard!"

The vendor paused. "Why are you slamming the table again?"

Li Li Banfeng growled: "Because it hurts!"

It truly hurt—so much his eyes filled with tears. The blade was razor-sharp; even his Benevolent Heart barely held. Another strike in the same spot might kill him.

Seeing Li Li Banfeng cry, the vendor believed it was real pain.

"How about this?" The vendor twisted his wrist—the boning knife vanished, replaced instantly by a sickle. So fast, Li Li Banfeng didn't see the switch.

The vendor swung the sickle at Li Li Banfeng's face—Li Li Banfeng stepped back. Missed.

Missing wasn't the issue—the blade's cut through air still released an invisible blade, pursuing him.

Li Li Banfeng stepped back again—the invisible blade still missed.

The vendor flicked his wrist—ten more invisible blades slashed out, yet none struck Li Li Banfeng.

Not even from behind—none could land.

This wasn't Free and Easy Skill—the blades came from different directions.

Then why couldn't they hit?

Li Li Banfeng suddenly closed the distance, pulled a sickle from his robe, and slashed across the vendor's face.

From temple to lip—the vendor's face bled instantly.

But he didn't kill him. Li Li Banfeng had thought this blow would end him.

The vendor paused, thinking: How did he land that strike?

Was it because the Traveling Cultivator was fast?

The vendor wasn't slow—he was certain speed wasn't the reason.

Li Li Banfeng held up the sickle and gave the explanation: "I'm a Blade Cultivator too. I'm actually your sect's ancestral master. You're too young to recognize me."

"Why don't you go tell stories?" The vendor snatched up a firewood axe and swung it twice—dozens of blades flew, yet still missed Li Li Banfeng.

Li Li Banfeng swung back—his sickle cut the vendor's body.

A half-foot-long gash opened on his chest. The vendor looked down—beneath the table.

A chopstick was stuck in the floor!

"You slammed the table to plant the chopstick, didn't you?" The vendor smiled. "Right hand slams the table as a distraction—left hand plants the chopstick on the ground. Correct?"

Li Li Banfeng looked astonished. "You noticed that? Then quickly pull out the chopstick!"

The vendor frowned, slightly annoyed. "What good is pulling it out? The chopstick's just a marker—the technique is already complete and has no further effect. Besides, I suspect your technique has already expired."

Li Li Banfeng was even more astonished. "You have insight!"

The vendor laughed. "These young ones talk so boldly. Do you think I've never seen a proper Traveling Cultivator? When I fought Old Train, your grandfather hadn't even been born yet."

"Your trick's clever—you used the Foolish Cultivation Technique, didn't you?"

Li Li Banfeng was truly stunned. Only extraordinary cultivators could recognize the Foolish Cultivation Technique.

The vendor continued: "How did you learn the Foolish Cultivation Technique? Are you Sun Sun Tiecheng's disciple?"

"I never thought that old bastard would take a student—ugh!"

The vendor spat green fluid, staring at Li Li Banfeng. "What's going on?"

Li Li Banfeng lowered his voice. "Don't tell anyone—this sickle is poisoned!"

The vendor wiped his mouth and smiled. "I'm having too much fun with you, kid. If anyone saw this, they'd be embarrassed. Show me everything else you've got—"

Before he finished, he felt pain in his feet. Looked down—a faint glow slid past.

"This is a Home Cultivator's boundary—" The vendor stared at Li Li Banfeng in shock. "A Traveling Cultivator who also cultivates Home?"

"You struck too hard—I'm bleeding," Li Li Banfeng wiped the blood from his forehead, shivering.

He knew this Shedaoren was terrifyingly strong—even with the boundary passing through his body, he showed little reaction.

But as long as he was inside the boundary, there was still a chance.

"Your blood loss is too little. Not enough. A rare young one—what a pity," the Shedaoren smiled. "Do you know you've come to the wrong place? I've claimed this place. I won't let you leave alive."

"Is this place so valuable? I want it too." Li Li Banfeng pulled his hat low, hiding his forehead wound, and stepped forward, shadows trailing behind him.