Chapter 741

Mu Yuejuan stepped lazily out of the villa wearing a red-silk blue-flower half-sleeve qipao, her waist swaying.

She pinched a cigarette between tweezers, took a slow drag, and strolled around the garden in front of the villa.

The flowers were blooming beautifully today, but one patch of peony looked odd.

Mu Yuejuan walked up to the peony, bent down, and saw scattered petals fallen into damp soil.

Painting cultivators excel at observation—petals blown off by wind differ greatly from those knocked off by hands.

Mu Yuejuan picked up a petal, studied it for a moment, and realized it had fallen to the ground yesterday.

She hadn't left the villa yesterday, nor had Ai Ai Yeqing.

Except for occasional trips to the balcony for air, the two barely left their bedroom.

"Who left these petals?" Mu Yuejuan jammed the remaining half-cigarette into Ai Ai Yeqing's mouth—whether out of revenge or not, she pressed hard enough to nearly burn his lips.

Ai Ai Yeqing smoked the cigarette, glanced at the petals, and said: "These were left by Li Qi. I knew he came yesterday."

Mu Yuejuan hooked her fingertip under Ai Ai Yeqing's nose: "When did you become so close? He comes to your house and doesn't even greet you?"

Ai Ai Yeqing gave a bitter laugh: "This isn't a social call—it's reconnaissance."

Mu Yuejuan pinched his nose: "So you just let him walk around? You're letting him go like this? If you're this careless, I'm moving out."

She wasn't joking. Mu Yuejuan had lived this long by being cautious—she wouldn't stay a moment longer in a place without safety.

Ai Ai Yeqing didn't care much about this: "I didn't let him go—it was his shadow that came. Catching his shadow serves me no purpose. Better to wait for him to come to me and see what he wants."

Mu Yuejuan searched the grounds for footprints but found none. She didn't understand how Li Qi's shadow had climbed onto the clouds. Ai Ai Yeqing smiled: "Could it be he used your painting to come through?"

Mu Yuejuan quickly changed the subject: "Do you know when he'll come in person?"

Ai Ai Yeqing thought a moment: "I think he'll come soon—he's an impatient man."

Ai Ai Yeqing was right. Before noon, Li Li Banfeng arrived at Ai Ai Yeqing's door, carrying an iron bucket.

Ai Ai Yeqing and Mu Yuejuan stepped outside together to look at Li Li Banfeng.

Li Li Banfeng lifted the iron bucket.

Ai Ai Yeqing stared for a moment, then asked: "What's this?"

"A gift for meeting you."

The gift was sincere. Last time Li Li Banfeng visited Master Master Kongfang's home, he took many copper coins—all forged from Master Kongfang's blood. Not returning a gift made him feel guilty.

Ai Ai Yeqing took the bucket and sensed it for a long time, detecting no spiritual quality.

The bucket wasn't a magic treasure or a spiritual object—it wasn't even a decent weapon for an ordinary person.

Master Master Kongfang wasn't ordinary; even this bucket could be used as a weapon in his hands—but what made it special?

Why had Li Qi come all the way to deliver this bucket?

"What's this thing for?"

"It has a use!" Li Li Banfeng explained seriously. "I saw you two never left the house, so you must've had trouble relieving yourselves. I wanted to buy you a chamber pot, but thought Madam Mu wouldn't use one, so I bought you a bucket instead."

Ai Ai Yeqing asked: "You think this bucket is suitable?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes. I asked the general store owner—he said this bucket is high quality, has a lid, and can hold waste for two or three days without issue."

Ai Ai Yeqing opened his mouth, then closed it, repeating this several times. He felt he had to say something, but didn't know where to start.

Mu Yuejuan couldn't help laughing: "He didn't come empty-handed—why not invite him in for tea?"

Master Master Kongfang invited Li Li Banfeng into the parlor. Li Li Banfeng immediately asked the most urgent question: "Did you know Du Du Wenming sold the Outer State Guiding Agent formula to Tufang?"

Ai Ai Yeqing spun the copper coin in his hand: "Ask Du Du Wenming about Du Du Wenming's affairs."

"But I can't find him."

"Don't joke. You're the Seventh Master of Pulu State, Director of the Outer State Bureau, and Prince of Prince Pingyuan in the Inner State—who could you not find? Unless that person is dead."

Li Li Banfeng smiled but said nothing.

Ai Ai Yeqing spun the coin faster.

Mu Yuejuan sensed the tension and patted Ai Ai Yeqing's back: "If you're going to fight, fight. If not, talk properly."

The coin slipped back into his palm. Ai Ai Yeqing said to Li Li Banfeng: "When Du Du Wenming first got his post in the Outer State, he sold many things—some to civilians, some to the Inner State. He had shops in the Outer State black market. You were in the Dark Star Bureau—you know some of this."

Li Li Banfeng recalled something: at the Cultural Palace supermarket, some drug powder merchants, even when caught, always escaped unharmed.

Ai Ai Yeqing continued: "He sold the most to the Hundred Demon Guild, the Birchwood Hermitage, and the Light Chasers—because these groups didn't just pay money, they gave him status. And everything he sold to them eventually ended up in Tufang."

"You say he sold the Guiding Agent formula to Tufang—I didn't know, but now that you mention it, I'm not surprised. Du Du Wenming is practical. If the price is right, he'll sell anything."

This was exactly what Li Li Banfeng feared. Yu and Tian Nü were imprisoned in the Dark Star Bureau—Du Du Wenming must know about them. Had he sold their secrets to Tufang too?

Ai Ai Yeqing added: "Du Du Wenming once tried to do business with Shang State. I caught him, and nearly killed him. The deal never went through."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What business did he do that made you so angry?"

"He wanted to help Shang State rebuild the Dangkou Camp."

"What's the Dangkou Camp's origin?"

"The Dangkou Camp was Shang State's imperial army—their strongest force. They nearly shattered our army back then. Ask your red-haired companion—she knows more than I do."

The red-haired companion Ai Ai Yeqing meant was Zhao Xiao. He had fought Zhao Xiao and knew her connection to Li Qi.

The imperial army he referred to was the Three-Headed Army.

If Du Du Wenming's deal succeeded, Shang State's strength would surge dramatically—just like the Innocent Army at San Tou Cha.

The deal failed back then, but whether it succeeded now was uncertain.

Given Lan Qiao Yi's nature, he'd likely target the Guiding Agent formula.

Tufang lost the war, yet negotiated peace so quickly—what leverage did they use with Lan Qiao Yi?

Probably Lan Qiao Yi already has the formula.

Ai Ai Yeqing reached the same conclusion: "Go to Shang State and investigate. If the Dangkou Camp has been rebuilt, they likely have the formula. When that happens, Pulu State will face a brutal war."

Seeing Li Li Banfeng lost in thought, Ai Ai Yeqing brought up their past: "Li Qi, you're capable. I accept you took the Undercity. Let's bury the past."

"All I want now is peace with Yuejuan. I don't want to get involved in anything else. We're still hiding from enemies and won't show our faces in Pulu State anytime soon."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "May I ask—who are you hiding from?"

Ai Ai Yeqing replied: "The Foolish City Lord, Sun Sun Tiecheng."

"Did you two participate in the Foolish City affair?"

Mu Yuejuan answered frankly: "We did."

Ai Ai Yeqing nodded: "I participated too—but didn't enter the city. Not out of conscience—I wanted to escape Dan Chengjun."

Mu Yuejuan said: "Neither he nor Zhou Zhou Wencheng went willingly. They were forced by Dan Chengjun and Shu Shu Fangjuan. None of us went willingly. The Peddler was fighting the Inner State then—who dared defy Dan Chengjun?"

Li Li Banfeng doubted this: "Didn't you want to learn Foolish Cultivation?"

Ai Ai Yeqing shook his head: "I didn't want to. What good would it do? Sun Sun Tiecheng would never accept me into his sect. I'd never become a Foolish Cultivator—I'd remain a Wu Xiu."

Mu Yuejuan shook her head: "I didn't want to either. Painting cultivators deceive through paintings. Joy cultivators deceive through bed. I already have enough deceitful skills—why need Foolish Cultivation?"

Ai Ai Yeqing understood: explaining this to Li Qi was pointless. "Regardless of why we were there, Sun Sun Tiecheng won't easily let us go. Getting a few more peaceful days is already a win."

Whether their story was true or false, Li Li Banfeng couldn't verify it yet. Though he hadn't gotten the Peddler's confirmation, Ai Ai Yeqing was essentially the patriarch of Deception Cultivation.

Li Li Banfeng said: "I have another matter to discuss with Madam Mu. I have a brother who's about to ascend to Cloud Above. He needs six months of quiet cultivation, but can't stop practicing. Can you help him overcome this hurdle?"

Mu Yuejuan smiled: "Don't call me 'Madam.' You're making me sound old. The brother you mean is Ma Ma Junyang, right?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I have another matter to discuss with Elder Mu. I have a brother who is about to ascend to Yunshang, and he needs to rest quietly for half a year, yet he cannot resist cultivating—could Elder please suggest a way to help him through this difficulty?"

Mu Yuejuan pulled a scroll from her sleeve and handed it to Li Li Banfeng: "Enter this painting and you'll find me. When Ma Ma Junyang reaches the ninth level, he'll naturally know how to use it. Then I'll guide him to ascend to Cloud Above."

Li Li Banfeng took the scroll and looked at Mu Yuejuan.

Mu Yuejuan smiled: "What? Afraid I'll eat your brother? Six months of quiet cultivation? That's for ordinary people. Ma Ma Junyang is gifted—he's not ordinary. I can show him another path."

"But if he doesn't trust me—or lacks the courage—then forget it. I won't waste time on a coward. Let him find a quiet place to cultivate."

Her words made sense. Li Li Banfeng took the scroll, thanked her, and rose to leave.

Before departing, Li Li Banfeng warned Ai Ai Yeqing: "Pulu State is in grave danger now. Let's settle old grudges later. Don't stab us in the back now."

Ai Ai Yeqing sighed: "I just said—past matters are buried. Whether before or after, I won't bring them up again."

Li Li Banfeng left the clouds. Mu Yuejuan went to pack.

Ai Ai Yeqing asked: "Where are you going?"

"Moving. Don't just sit there—help me pack."

"Why move?"

Mu Yuejuan blinked: "Li Qi is watching you. Are you staying here?"

"So what if he's watching? Didn't you just give him a painting? Aren't you afraid he'll find you inside it?"

Mu Yuejuan wasn't worried: "In the painting, I'm not afraid of him."

"Then I'm even less afraid," Ai Ai Yeqing said, standing by the window, calmly watching the view. "I said it before—past is past. I don't want to get involved in Pulu State's affairs. I just want peace."

"What can he do to me?"

Mu Yuejuan stared at Ai Ai Yeqing in surprise. Ai Ai Yeqing removed his hat and sat on the recliner.

"If you're scared, go hide somewhere else. I'm not going anywhere. Whoever comes, it's the same."

Inside the Sui Shen Ju, Li Li Banfeng asked about the Dangkou Camp. The phonograph hummed, and after much thought, it finally retrieved the memory.

"The Dangkou Camp was the Imperial Camp. When you mentioned the Innocent Army at San Tou Cha, I had a vague recollection, but couldn't recall it until now."

"Today, hearing the name, I remember—those men could fight. They were the ones who forced the Peddler off the front lines."

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment: "That doesn't make sense. During the First Pulu War, Shang State couldn't have had Guiding Agents. The Imperial Camp were ordinary Three-Headed People—how could they be so strong?"

"Not ordinary!" Niangzi slipped into Zhao Xiao's puppet. "I remember—they had cultivation. But where did they get it?"

Niangzi was trying to recover her memories when Jiu suddenly spoke: "Someone stole the Peddler's drug powder."

His wife was trying to recover her memory when Hua Jiuer suddenly said, "Someone stole the peddler's medicine powder!"

"Yes!" his wife nodded vigorously, "someone definitely stole the powder—back then, the peddler's troops were in complete disarray."

"Who stole the powder?"

Jiu'er froze, unable to recall.

They'd all died once before; Jiu'er's memories were incomplete.

Hong Ying combed her hair, frowning: "I don't recognize the name 'Crusader Camp,' but I remember the powder theft— it was Laughing Xiao Qianshou! He stole the powder from the peddler."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Which side was Laughing Xiao Qianshou on? Did he defect to the imperial court?"

Hong Ying shook her head: "He was on no side. He stole from both, sold what he got, and sold it to the highest bidder!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan also remembered: "That's him—he profited handsomely by playing both sides, hated by both, yet neither could kill him."

"And precisely because of the powder theft, the peddler beat him every time he saw him."

The three women discussed Laughing Xiao Qianshou, but Li Li Banfeng cut them off: "Forget that old thief for now— the peddler's powder can't be used on people from Neizhou. Even the Three-Heads of Like Puluozhou can't use it. What use is it to them?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan thought long and hard: "They altered it."

"Altered it—so it works now?"

"It worked at first, but after a while, it stopped. I forget exactly how long—only that all the imperial nobles who took it died. After that, no one from Neizhou dared use the powder again. But back then, the Crusader Camp was truly formidable."

"Yes, formidable," Jiu'er murmured, "they drove the enemy to abandon weapons and armor, shattered their formations. We should've watched them get surrounded and annihilated!"

As she spoke, Jiu'er's cheeks trembled.

She suddenly rose and ran to the Ninth Chamber.

Hong Ying chased after her: "What's wrong with this girl now?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan sighed softly, turning to Li Li Banfeng: "Husband, if Neizhou acquires the guide agent and rebuilds the Crusader Camp, you mustn't be careless. If mishandled, they'll become a grave threat."

Li Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead. If the Crusader Camp truly was rebuilt, where would they strike from?

Don't underestimate the wisdom of the Shang people—they always strike at one spot for a reason.

Li Li Banfeng picked up the scroll and the guide agent his wife had recently prepared, then went to Xindi.

Lan Qiao Yi traced his fingers over the document, each character appearing in his mind along his fingertips.

Though his kuixiu skill compensated for his blindness, Lan Qiao Yi had only just begun—he read far slower than before.

After tracing the document several times, Lan Qiao Yi's brow relaxed slightly: "The Ministry of Works is progressing acceptably. Allocate more silver, hire more laborers, and shorten the timeline."

Nian Nian Shangyou recorded the directive and presented another document.

After feeling it over, Lan Qiao Yi nodded: "The Ministry of War has done well. Draft an edict ordering the Crusader Camp to intensify drills—they'll be deploying soon."

"Where is the Lord planning to deploy?" Nian Nian Shangyou assumed they'd attack Tufang.

"Like Puluozhou," Lan Qiao Yi traced the map, circling a region.

Nian Nian Shangyou frowned: "My Lord, this place has been fought over too many times. Like Puluozhou must be on guard."

"So what? Like Puluozhou is still a disunited mess. Even if the peddler collapsed before them, they wouldn't spare him a glance."

"The population there is dwindling. This time, wipe them out entirely. The only ones who could reinforce them are the peddler and Li Qi—and that place's advantage is its remoteness. Even they can't just show up whenever they want."

Nian Nian Shangyou remained uneasy: "But if they do come, those two are no easy foes. The Crusader Camp's first battle can't suffer heavy losses."

Lan Qiao Yi carefully traced the map: "Don't worry—I'll assign someone specifically to deal with them. Also, tell Shu Shu Fangjuan to send more men to help He He Jiaqing clear land."

"He He Jiaqing?" Nian Nian Shangyou gasped, thinking he'd misheard.

"You heard right—He He Jiaqing. We've been helping him clear land all along," Lan Qiao Yi said calmly, indifferent. "That much land—does it matter who holds it? Don't mention He He Jiaqing to Shu Wanjuan. Say it's thirteen local deities. Act as if we know nothing."

Zhang Wanlong held three bamboo rods: one with two sinews, one with three, one with five.

Together, the three rods totaled ten sinews. Zhang Zhang Fanglong placed them in an iron pot, added oil, and stir-fried.

His two wives stood by, adding herbs one by one into the pot. They stir-fried for over two hours.

The bamboo never turned to powder.

Zhang Wanlong grew anxious, shouting at his wives: "Check again—did you miss any herb?"

The elder wife had recorded every herb added; the ledger was correct. She glared at the younger wife: "Did you skimp on the weight when measuring?"

The younger wife shook her head frantically—she'd weighed the herbs twice; the weight was exact.

Zhang Zhang Fanglong was displeased, blaming his wives for carelessness.

The elder wife snatched up a stick to punish the younger.

The younger wife dodged left and right, hiding behind Xiao Genzi.

Xiao Genzi picked up a bucket and ladle: "Big brother, don't blame the sisters. I think the herbs aren't missing—what's missing is the seasoning."

At the word "seasoning," the younger wife hid behind the elder. The elder smiled sweetly: "Xiao Genzi, don't rush. Put the bucket down. Let's talk slowly."

"No time to be slow—the bamboo's burning!" Xiao Genzi dropped the ladle into the bucket.

Zhang Wanlong hesitated: "Must we really use the seasoning?"

"No seasoning, no powder—we've tried dozens of times. Besides, this powder isn't for you. What's your problem?"

Zhang Zhang Fanglong gritted his teeth: "Fine—use it!"

A ladle of golden fluid poured into the pot—CRACK! —a sharp sound, then golden smoke rose.

The two wives clapped hands over their noses and bolted outside.

The younger wife wept from the fumes; the elder screamed: "This is my kitchen! You bring your stinking seasonings here every day—when I cook, who'll eat it?!"

Xiao Genzi lifted the ladle, chest puffed: "I'll eat it. I don't mind!"

The powder was made—glowing golden.

Zhang Wanlong stroked his chin: "I wonder which sect's powder this is."

Xiao Genzi studied it a moment: "Color-wise, it looks like my Bamboo Sect's."

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "Don't jump to conclusions—Yu Yu Zhaixiu powder is also golden."

Li Li Banfeng said: "How about this—I'll go find someone to test it for you."

Zhang Wanlong chuckled: "I've always tested it this way. Brother Bi, come in, sit!"

Li Qi appeared out of nowhere—Zhang Wanlong was used to it.

The two wives set up benches in the courtyard. Li Li Banfeng sipped tea. Xiao Genzi took the powder outside to test it, then returned: "Big Brother Zhang, this isn't Jin Xiu or Yu Yu Zhaixiu. I can't tell which sect it's from."

Zhang Wanlong frowned: "Forget the sect for now—does it work?"

"I found a Bean Person, smeared the powder on him—he turned into a Cucumber Person. I don't know if it works." Zhang Wanlong analyzed the process: "This should be a Ti Xiu powder—but Ti Xiu don't use powder—"

The two brothers did such experiments daily, testing theories through practice, producing whatever luck granted them.

Li Li Banfeng stated his purpose: "I came to buy seeds—large quantities. The crops must fight for me."

Zhang Wanlong knew Li Li Banfeng well—it wasn't a big deal: "Big or small war?"

"Big war. To hold back a thousand armies."

Zhang Wanlong looked at Li Li Banfeng: "Brother Bi, this is hard. If so many people show up, my master will know—and he won't spare me."

"If Xu Lao finds out, I'll take the blame. If my face isn't big enough, I'll find someone else to shoulder it."

Zhang Wanlong didn't understand: "Brother Bi, where exactly are you fighting? Why so many people?"

Li Li Banfeng unfolded a map, marked a spot: "Here."

Zhang Wanlong studied the map: "Are you fighting Neici?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly.

Zhang Zhang Fanglong sat on the bench, thought long, then shook his head: "Brother Bi, I can't help. The soil here is too strange—my seeds won't grow there."

"Then pick me some people—I'll take them there."

Zhang Zhang Fanglong sighed: "Even if I pick people, it won't help. The soil there can't sustain my crops. You take them there—they'll starve in days."

"Then I'll carry some of this soil with me."

Zhang Wanlong laughed: "You're joking. How much can you carry?"

"As much as I can. If one trip isn't enough, I'll make many."

"Alright!" Zhang Wanlong nodded. "Since Brother Bi insists, stay tonight. I'll pick you a hundred men. If they survive, I'll send more."

Li Li Banfeng agreed, left Zhang Wanlong's village, and returned to Suiya to rest.

Zhang Wanlong walked through the village all night.

When Li Li Banfeng woke, he cleaned six rooms and filled them with Xindi soil.

Hong Ying saw Li Li Banfeng's exhaustion and scolded Zhang Wanlong: "This fellow grows crops on Peddler's land, and Peddler takes care of every little thing. Now Peddler asks for help—he won't even think of a better way? Carrying soil back and forth—how long will that take?"

Jiu'er sighed: "Puluoci has always been 'sweep your own doorstep.' Even if Zhang Wanlong had a better idea, he wouldn't reveal it. Giving you a hundred men is already generous."

Xiang Hongying, seeing Li Jin's hardship, scolded Zhang Wanlong: "This fellow tills the land on Jinlang's territory, and Jinlang has always seen to every matter big or small for him—yet now when Jinlang asks him for help, he won't even bother to think of a better solution, making him haul this back and forth—how long will this go on?"

Whether Cucumber People or Orange People—he took them all if they could fight.

But when he arrived, he saw no troops prepared by Zhang Wanlong.

"Big Brother Zhang, what's this mean?"

Zhang Wanlong sat by the door, looking up: "I searched all night. Couldn't find suitable men. Sending a hundred random ones would be useless."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "So you won't help me."

"Not at all," Zhang Wanlong shook his head. "A hundred is hard to pick. Two, I can find."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "So you don't want to help me."

Zhang Wanlong called into the house: "Xiao Genzi! Ready?"

Xiao Genzi stepped out, backpack on: "Big brother, all set."

"Two?"

Zhang Wanlong turned and shouted into the room: "Xiao Genzi, are you ready?"

Xiao Genzi stepped out with his pack: "Big brother, everything's set."

Zhang Wanlong said: "Uncle Bing, my brother and I are going with you."

Li Li Banfeng fell silent for a long while.

Zhang Zhang Fanglong had hidden himself in this territory precisely for secrecy—secrecy meant more to him than anything else.

Now he said he was going to Baiji County.

Li Li Banfeng reminded him: "If certain skills are seen, certain things become known—aren't they?"

"Afraid!" Zhang Wanlong did not hide it.

His two wives could not bear to let him go: "You know why you're going, don't you?"

Zhang Wanlong looked at his wives, then along the village path at his own village, staring for a long time, before shouldering his pack.

"For the sake of Pulu Province, to join the heroes of Baijun County!"

PS: Zhang Wanlong, Li Dan didn't misjudge you.