Chapter 732: Sister-in-Law, I

Lan Qiao Yi boarded a merchant vessel bound for Xiao Du; more than thirty li from the city, the sea surface swarmed with warships, their decks lined with slaves armed with weapons, standing at the ready on the gunwales.

When the vessels drew near, a warship approached to interrogate them; Nian Nian Shangyou deflected their questions with a few words.

Inside the cabin, Lan Qiao Yi watched the warship's armament and the slaves' weapons, his expression growing graver: "Xiao Du has raised private troops, and their arms are this refined—what place does this leave me in, with Li Qi doing this?"

Nian Nian Shangyou urged: "My lord, Li Qi's men aren't private troops—he submitted formal petitions. These are merely guards assigned to protect passing merchant vessels."

Lan Qiao Yi frowned: "Have you ever seen guards like these? Their warships and arms rival the navy."

Nian Nian Shangyou replied: "The Tie family's craftsmanship is superb, and after absorbing the Yu and Ao clans' assets, it's no surprise they've built vessels of this caliber."

"But compared to the navy, they're still far inferior. In battle, it's not just weapons that matter—soldierly discipline is key. These slaves are nowhere near adequate."

Nian Nian Shangyou was a martial man by origin; his judgment of combat strength was naturally expert.

A few li farther, a cargo ship surged toward Xiao Du, pursued by two warships.

The markings on those two warships indicated they came from Bozhou; no one knew why they were chasing a cargo vessel.

Xiao Du's warships immediately mobilized, intercepting the Bozhou vessels. Negotiations failed, and fighting broke out on the spot.

The two Bozhou warships were old; though their soldiers were well-trained, their weaponry paled beside Xiao Du's.

After several exchanges, both Bozhou ships suffered heavy damage, began leaking, and were forced to retreat. Lan Qiao Yi asked Nian Nian Shangyou:

"How do you interpret this battle?"

Nian Nian Shangyou explained: "It's simply because their arms are vastly inferior, my lord. Don't worry—Chaoge's warships are far superior to Bozhou's."

The cargo ship escaped destruction but was badly damaged; warships moved in to rescue, taking all aboard off the vessel.

These people were all slaves; this cargo ship wasn't carrying goods—it was helping slaves escape.

Lan Qiao Yi grew increasingly uneasy; along his journey, he had already spotted three such slave-carrying cargo ships.

"Who is helping these slaves reach Xiao Du?" Lan Qiao Yi knew slaves alone could never acquire these vessels.

Nian Nian Shangyou had already deduced: "Likely the Bai Sun Alliance. Over the years, they've smuggled out many slaves, reportedly housing most themselves and sending some to outer provinces. Now they're funneling them all to Xiao Du—it's saved them considerable trouble."

Lan Qiao Yi frowned: "You speak too lightly!"

Nian Nian Shangyou quickly adjusted his tone: "My lord, forgive me—I speak only of facts. Li Qi must have ties with the Bai Sun Alliance, but these slaves arriving in Xiao Du are trivial. How large is Xiao Du? How many slaves can it possibly hold? My lord need not trouble himself over this—"

Lan Qiao Yi's anger swelled further, but Nian Nian Shangyou suddenly fell silent.

He stared out the porthole, as if frozen in place.

Lan Qiao Yi asked: "What's happened?"

Nian Nian Shangyou whispered: "Those are my slaves—my fief's slaves. I recognize them—"

Lan Qiao Yi pressed his lips together, sniffed slightly.

Nian Nian Shangyou nearly lunged from the cabin, but Lan Qiao Yi's guards restrained him.

"My lord, those are my slaves! How dare Li Qi seize my private property? Li Qi colludes with the Bai Sun Alliance, violating the Great Shang's ancestral laws! If this goes unpunished, where is the peace of Great Shang? The very foundation of the state will tremble!"

Lan Qiao Yi stirred the charcoal, then brewed tea: "Nian Shangyou, calm down. Your words just now lacked restraint."

"Your slaves fled—why should the state tremble? Rethink your phrasing."

Nian Nian Shangyou was right: some slaves had indeed been smuggled in by the Bai Sun Alliance. Zuo Anna was in Xiao Du,

sipping tea with Li Li Banfeng.

"Our leader expresses admiration for your feats in Xiao City. Who knew you could shake the slave system of Shang? He hopes you'll reconsider joining the Bai Sun Alliance, and is willing to offer you every possible aid."

Li Li Banfeng raised his cup in thanks: "Bring me more escaped slaves—that's the greatest help you can give."

He did not mention joining the Bai Sun Alliance.

Zuo Anna said: "I may speak bluntly—forgive me. I'm curious: do you truly care about these slaves?

Your actions don't seem meant to save them. You're using your own method to destabilize Shang, forcing it to neglect probing into Pulu Province. So I believe your true aim is to protect Pulu Province."

Li Li Banfeng replaced the tea, boiled fresh water: "Do you see a contradiction between saving slaves and protecting Pulu Province?"

Zuo Anna shook her head: "No contradiction. Frankly, we're doing the same. A friend of mine just accomplished something similar—he's now lying in Sui'an Town. You know him. Want to visit?"

Li Li Banfeng declined: "I have too much to do now. I'll visit Sui'an Town another day."

A spider crept silently onto Zuo Anna's leg. She rose: "I must go. My friend's condition is poor—I need to procure medicine."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "The medicines in Xiao Du may not suit your friend. If you need help, come to the Imperial City. Also, give my regards to Da Da Binzi."

Zuo Anna's heart tightened—such a tiny spider had escaped Li Qi's notice.

She had barely left when Nian Nian Shangyou arrived at the Imperial City. After formalities, he requested Li Qi find a private place to speak.

Li Li Banfeng took Nian Nian Shangyou to Shuangye Hall, accompanied by a guard.

Though disguised, Li Li Banfeng recognized him at once: the guard was Lan Qiao Yi.

"Lord Lan Qiao, what brings you to Xiao Du today?"

"Leisure?" Lan Qiao Yi sneered. "Since the Prince of Prince Pingyuan arrived, when have I had leisure?"

"Look at you—old man, why so irritable? If you're not idle, why come to me?"

Lan Qiao Yi cut straight to the point: "Autumn approaches. The Tufang will raid. I've issued orders to mobilize troops to defend the border and protect the people."

Li Li Banfeng understood Lan Qiao Yi's intent: "You mean to go to war? Good. Tufang is vile—they've long deserved punishment. But what's this to me?"

Lan Qiao Yi frowned: "How is it not your concern? His Highness is our Great Shang's Prince of Prince Pingyuan. For this campaign, I wish to recommend him as commander-in-chief."

Li Li Banfeng waved his hand: "Old Lan Qiao, you overestimate me. I know nothing of military strategy. I won't gamble soldiers' lives. Find someone else."

Lan Qiao Yi didn't press: "If His Highness refuses command, that's fine. Tufang is fierce. For years, Great Shang has lost more than won. This battle must erase past humiliations. I have the will, but lack the strength. I need His Highness to secure support for Great Shang."

"What kind of support?"

"Support from Pulu Province. Can His Highness secure a reinforcement force from Pulu to fight alongside Great Shang?"

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "I go to Pulu Province and raise an army to fight beside you? Old Lan Qiao, how much did you drink before coming?"

Lan Qiao Yi sighed: "My lord, don't jest. Let me explain the stakes. As heir to Pulu—"

Li Li Banfeng waved: "I'm not the heir!"

"Your standing in Pulu is clear. You know the Demon Lord's cruelty. For years, Tufang has repeatedly invaded Pulu, inflicting great suffering—no need for me to detail it."

"I've signed a pact with you: Great Shang will no longer oppose Pulu. You have no rear threats. Now, united against a common foe, this alliance brings only benefits. Please consider carefully."

"Very well. I'll consider it. I'll reply in a few days."

Lan Qiao Yi picked up the teapot and refilled Li Li Banfeng's cup: "My lord, don't brush me off with empty words. This concerns the survival of Great Shang and Pulu Province."

Li Li Banfeng truly didn't understand: "Why does Shang's war with Tufang concern Pulu's survival? Let's be blunt: aren't both Shang and Tufang enemies of Pulu?"

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head: "Not all enemies are alike. If Shang wins this war, we may forge lasting peace with Pulu—turn swords into plowshares."

Li Li Banfeng didn't believe it: "Shang wants to seize Pulu. This enmity can never be resolved."

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head: "My lord, you're mistaken. What Shang seeks is not land—it's sunlight. Plainly put: we want places touched by the sun."

"The Sleeping Lands of Lafasha, Niflheim of Nuoge, the Golden Holy Lands of Outer Amikan, the war-torn Ten Thousand Lives Province, the sunlit warmth of frozen wastes—"

"There are too many such places. Their entrances once belonged to Great Shang, but now lie in Tufang's hands."

"If we reclaim these entrances, Great Shang need never fight Pulu again. Many sunlit lands exist, and their peoples are far gentler than Pulu's."

"But Tufang—though they control so many exits—still seeks to attack Pulu. If one day Great Shang submits to Tufang, Pulu will know no peace again."

Li Li Banfeng still didn't understand: "With so many exits, so many places to go—why must Tufang fixate on Pulu? Can't they go elsewhere?"

Lan Qiao Yi smiled: "Ask Tufang. Why does Dan Chengjun keep attacking Pulu? Why does he pour such vast resources into every raid? Is it truly just because the Sage holds a grudge against you?"

Indeed.

Dan Chengjun led raids on Suihuang Plain, then besieged the Peddler—each time pouring immense resources. Was it truly just to avenge the Sage?

Li Li Banfeng pondered the reason, but Lan Qiao Yi refused to elaborate further: "I speak with sincerity. My lord, weigh this carefully. This campaign is of vital consequence—choose your path with caution."

After tea, Lan Qiao Yi rose to leave, adding one final warning: "Within one or two months, Tufang will act again against Pulu. My lord must prepare."

Lan Qiao Yi handed Li Li Banfeng ten pairs of pacts. Thus, the debt of three heads became one—settled. Lan Qiao Yi boarded his ship and departed Xiao Du. Li Li Banfeng sat upon the ruins of the great hall, silent for a long while.

Fight for Shang?

Li Li Banfeng had never considered such a thing.

Even setting aside Shang and Pulu's grievances, the sheer scale of Shang's arms production made him struggle to imagine how far their war with Tufang might escalate.

If Pulu wished to join, how could it possibly participate in such a war?

Lan Qiao Yi wanted Pulu to raise an army to fight alongside Shang.

That option required no thought: Pulu's soldiers would be cannon fodder. It was never on Li Li Banfeng's list.

If Pulu refused to fight, would Shang inevitably lose?

If defeat was certain, Lan Qiao Yi would never dare gamble. His troop deployments on the border proved he still had winning strategies—at least, he still controlled the situation.

He claimed Tufang would strike Pulu within one or two months—was this true?

If they struck, where would they strike?

Li Li Banfeng knew little of war. He should ask his wife.

He returned to his quarters just as his wife was introducing a new arrival.

The newcomer was short, square-built, with a face equally square—no neck, head and body the same thickness.

His skin was golden, deeply lined with crisscrossing grooves, dividing his face into grid-like squares, each marked with black spots.

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

The newcomer replied: "Call me Old Seven."

Li Li Banfeng froze.

Xiang Xiang Hongying rose and scolded: "How dare you call him Old Seven?"

Ba Ba Suan explained: "This brother comes from the Seventh Chamber, so he calls himself Old Seven. If it's improper, he can choose another name."

The Seventh Chamber was a Seer. Li Li Banfeng had borrowed techniques from him, but never imagined he looked like this.

His wife told Li Li Banfeng: "The Seventh Chamber has rendered great service. I had Did Honglian craft him a body—this is the form she shaped from his soul."

Li Li Banfeng nodded and said, "This matter is up to you, my wife. The name 'Qi' is too easily misunderstood—you're from the Seventh House and a Kui Xiu, so from now on, I'll call you Pineapple."

The man from the Seventh House thought for a long time, then asked Li Li Banfeng, "Does the name 'Pineapple' have any connection to the Seventh House or to being a Kui Xiu?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying chimed in from the side, "As long as it connects to you, isn't that enough? Look in the mirror—don't you look just like a pineapple? It's settled."

The Seventh House man was displeased: "I think my name should at least include 'seven.' Even 'Seven Pineapple' would be fine."

Xiang Xiang Hongying refused: "Look at your face—if you carry the word 'seven,' it'll ruin the reputation of our Seventh Lord." The Seventh House did not argue further, and the name Pineapple was settled.

His wife said, "Husband, take Pineapple out and inspect the other two first-class weapons—perhaps we can discern their uses."

Li Li Banfeng stepped out of the Personal Chamber with his wife and Pineapple. He was about to bend down to pick up the key when his wife gave a light cough.

His wife had something to say.

Li Li Banfeng bent over to adjust his shoelaces, leaving the key temporarily among the ruins of the grand hall, and the three of them headed for the Imperial Garden.

In the garden, his wife took out a box containing two Xiao Xuan Yun Dan.

The box was meticulously crafted by her, capable of blocking the elixir's aroma. After verifying it was intact, she handed the pills to Pineapple: "These are gifts from my husband and me."

Pineapple pushed the box back: "Madam, I've said before: no merit, no reward. I've already accepted this body with shame—how could I accept such precious elixirs?"

His wife replied, "These elixirs aren't given freely. I need you to do something: from today on, you must monitor Hong Hong Lian and the Fifth House's every move, and report all details to me daily."

His wife turned Hong Hong Lian into a puppet for the Seventh House so he could leave the Personal Chamber and receive orders easily.

She didn't let Li Li Banfeng take the key because she feared the Personal Chamber might follow along—the Fifth Lady could see outside through it.

Hong Hong Lian might have left a hidden trick inside the puppet; his wife had taken precautions, repeatedly using the Hook-Removal technique to neutralize it.

Pineapple hesitated, then accepted the elixirs: "I'll do this. If Hong Hong Lian or the Fifth Lady ever find out, even if my soul is scattered to the winds, I will never reveal a single detail."

"But I have one request—I hope you'll agree: from now on, please stop borrowing techniques from me."

Li Li Banfeng couldn't understand: "You borrowed a technique once—how could you still hold a grudge over it?"

"It's not a grudge," Pineapple glanced around, confirmed Xiang Xiang Hongying wasn't present, then straightened his posture. "I was once someone else's Zhai Ling. That Yu Yu Zhaixiu always treated me well. Though he's gone, I refuse to serve another as a Zhai Ling. This one thing—don't press me on it."

Li Li Banfeng asked, "Is the hook I hung in the underground city's Qingyuan Building still functional?"

That hook had been placed using Pineapple's technique. Pineapple nodded: "We signed a contract for that. The hook is set—it still works."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Then it's settled. From today on, I won't borrow your techniques again."

With Pineapple's matter settled, Li Li Banfeng and his wife discussed the war.

The exit to Suihuang Plain was locked by the Peddler, but his wife remained uneasy: "That exit has no boundary—if the Tufang Kingdom opens the lock, they'll bring weapons over. Then Pulu Province's situation will be dire."

Li Li Banfeng recalled Yu Yu Yunqiu's description: "Aren't Tufang's weapons far inferior to those of Da Shang?"

His wife shook her head: "Even if they're less than half as good as Da Shang's, Pulu Province still couldn't withstand them."

This must be told to the Peddler.

But before leaving, they must settle matters in Xiao Du.

Li Li Banfeng first went to find Tie Tie Baisheng.

To protect Xiao Du, Tie Tie Baisheng spent heavily—he built dozens of warships and vast quantities of military equipment, including the Li Ren army, all provided by him.

Having contributed so much, he deserved a reward. Li Li Banfeng gave him half of Xiao Du's governance.

The remaining half he distributed among other ministers and nobles.

His wife asked, "Husband, don't you trust Tie Tie Baisheng?"

Li Li Banfeng flew above the Imperial City, overlooking the entire Qi Du: "Other matters are fine, but this one isn't. The Li Ren system runs too deep—if I were a minister here, I wouldn't even trust myself."

In the underground chamber beneath Jinghe Palace, his wife turned on the radio, tuned the frequency, and heard Tie Tie Baisheng and Ban Chi Ling's voices.

"Old Tie, I need two men urgently—can't you spare them?"

"Lingzi, check my factory—find one idle worker and take him now."

"Alright, Old Tie. Remember this day. Don't come crying to me when you're in trouble!"

The radio fell silent for a while—Ban Chi Ling had left.

Tie Tie Baisheng's voice returned: "Urgent task? I'd rather shut down my workers than give you an advantage!"

This radio was a first-class Kui Xiu weapon. Within Xiao Du's range, there was almost nothing he couldn't eavesdrop on.

Pineapple added, "I've already hung hooks near the Grand Clock and the Eight Immortals Table. In emergencies, they'll assist, and I can receive information through the radio. But I can't receive signals at home—whether I can pick them up outside Neizhou depends on conditions."

Li Li Banfeng praised: "Excellent technique. Doesn't this count as borrowing your skill?"

Pineapple shook his head: "You didn't use the Deep Courtyard Technique—it doesn't count as borrowing."

Li Li Banfeng prepared to depart. His wife said, "Husband, check if the sunflowers have bloomed."

"It's too soon."

"Just take a look. Let Jiu'er come out and lift the array—just one glance."

Li Li Banfeng summoned Jiu'er. He had planted thirty sunflowers in the Imperial City. Jiu'er lifted the technique and found the flowers had bloomed—but all their heads hung low to the ground.

Jiu'er gasped: "What's wrong? Is it lack of water? Or pests?"

Li Li Banfeng lifted a flower head—and saw each one was weighed down by countless divine statues.

Jiu'er exclaimed joyfully: "Ah Qi, we really came to the right place!"

His wife smiled: "This is what your own efforts earned you."

Li Li Banfeng carefully plucked each divine statue, studying each one at length.

At the dock, Li Li Banfeng saw a ship docking. Li Ren poured off, sprinting across the pier toward the city gate.

Li Li Banfeng lifted his hat brim and stood on the shore, watching for a long time.

Two days later, Li Li Banfeng used Tianyi City to return to Qishui Yao.

He immediately called Luo Zhengnan to inquire about the Peddler. According to Luo Zhengnan's calculations, the Peddler would arrive at Heishipo tomorrow.

Li Li Banfeng rushed to Heishipo and waited—three full days passed, but the Peddler never appeared.

Where did he go now?

Waiting idly wouldn't work. Li Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Wu and used the Yunmen Technique to climb onto the Peddler's cloud.

He walked to the house below and knocked on the door: "Brother, are you home?"

No answer.

"If you're not home, I'll burn it down!" Li Li Banfeng pulled out a lighter.

"You dare!" A woman's voice came from inside.

"Sister-in-law, I have urgent business with my brother. If he's here, ask him to come out and speak."

"He's in my bed. Come on in."

Li Li Banfeng weighed his options: "If my brother's still here, I'll just stay outside."

"What's the point of being so formal? Brothers don't mind sharing space—come in, squeeze in!"

"Is there room?"

"If you don't come in, where else will you find your brother?"

With a creak, the door opened.

Honestly, Li Li Banfeng didn't want to enter—this house and its mistress were both difficult to handle.

He forced himself into the hall and called out: "Brother, if you can still speak, answer me."

"Come on, brother—I can't come out!"

Li Li Banfeng heard the Peddler's voice—coming from upstairs.

He climbed to the second floor, entered the corridor, which had five rooms. The second room near the stairs was open.

At the doorway, Li Li Banfeng saw the Peddler wrapped in blankets, propped against the headboard, lying still.

The blankets rose and fell slightly—someone else was there.

"Brother, come in and sit! What do you need?"

Li Li Banfeng said, "I'll say it here—I just came from Neizhou—"

The Peddler frowned: "Come inside to talk. Standing at the door like that is improper."

Li Li Banfeng checked repeatedly with Jin Jing Qi Hao—no illusion was present. He stepped in cautiously.

"Younger brother, come here!" The Peddler gestured—and vanished.

The blankets disappeared. The bed vanished. All furnishings vanished.

Li Li Banfeng looked at the staircase before him—and laughed bitterly.

He was back in the Stairwell of Anxing Bureau.

This time, unlike before, he could roughly guess why.

"Connected Courtyard Chamber? This sister-in-law is a Yu Yu Zhaixiu!"

No wonder the stairwell was always spotless—no one ever cleaned it. It was because the Zhai Ling loved cleanliness!

The house on the cloud was the sister-in-law's residence. The Anxing Bureau stairwell was also her residence. Li Li Banfeng had been transported directly there by the Connected Courtyard Chamber technique.

This was infuriating!

One day, when she leaves her residence, I'll send her straight to Dao Gui Ridge!

Li Li Banfeng gritted his teeth and pushed open the stairwell door—only to find it wasn't the elevator shaft.

Before him stood a massive iron gate.

Had the stairwell's strange phenomenon been triggered?

You enter and exit from the same place—only changing floors alters the stairwell. Why was it triggered now, without changing levels?

Before him was a large iron door.

Had the strange phenomenon in the stairwell been triggered?

You enter and exit through the same place; only when changing floors does the stairwell change. Why was it triggered directly today?

The heavy iron door was tightly shut; Li Li Banfeng pulled out his gloves: "Brother, can you open it?"

The gloves were also nervous: "Boss, opening the door isn't hard, but getting inside—that's another matter."

He had entered through this door twice before: once he saw the statue of the Heavenly Goddess, once he encountered the Train Eunuch—these encounters,

the gloves had not forgotten.

"Open the door first, then we'll play it by ear!" Li Li Banfeng now had cultivation at Cloud Level Eight; even if he met the old train again, he might still escape.

The gloves carefully opened the door; Li Li Banfeng peered inside, using the projector's light.

Beyond the iron door was another iron door.

On the iron door hung a sign with four characters: Cell Six.

Cell Six—the one Zhong Er had mentioned!

Cell Six—the one Li Li Banfeng had searched for repeatedly but never found—had finally been found.

"Ah."

Li Li Banfeng heard a sigh; from the sound, he judged a woman was locked inside.

He did not step into the cell; he stood at the doorway and asked: "Who are you?"

The woman inside remained silent for a long time. Li Li Banfeng was about to have the gloves try opening the cell's iron door, when suddenly he heard her softly singing:

In spring, green grass grows; battle robes are stitched with care.

In summer, red flowers bloom; drums and horns thunder loud.

In autumn, yellow leaves fall; heads are taken on the battlefield.

In winter, snowflakes fly; blood is spilled to honor the fallen.

As he listened to each word she sang, Li Li Banfeng broke out in goosebumps.

PS: This song first appeared in Chapter 139.