Chapter 771: Yuan Yuan Miaoping

"It's rare to have some TV to pass the time, but my husband wants to get rid of it—I won't allow it." Zhao Zhao Xiaowan stepped into Room Five and reached out to touch the television.

Meng De whispered, "Aren't you supposed to be revived? Then why are you inside this puppet again?"

Watching Zhao Zhao Xiaowan's back, Hong Ying shook her head slightly: "This isn't a puppet."

The pendulum was astonished: "Not a puppet? Could this really be the mistress?"

The projector lit up its lens: "This is the most exquisite art!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan wore a long, trailing gown, her hair loosely coiffed, no rouge or powder on her face, looking tired and languid, yet as if just awakened, she fiddled with the TV's switches and dials.

"I've seen TVs before—Prozhou's TVs are all blurry. My dear husband, this one's fantastic! Let's keep it at home!"

"My dear wife, this TV can't stay at home—it has important uses outside." Li Li Banfeng was deeply worried about his wife's condition; the old master had said she'd endure great suffering during the revival process.

"I know what use it has outside—fighting the Bandit Suppression Camp, right? But we don't necessarily have to send the TV out." Zhao Zhao Xiaowan twisted the channel dial—click-click—the screen flickered wildly, shifting from beach to snow-capped mountain to an open-air music festival stage, yet the rock girl's figure remained fixed at the center.

"Stop turning it!" The rock girl snapped, "Can you even get other channels in this dump? Just being able to see me is a miracle!"

"Besides, who even are you? Who gave you permission to touch me like that?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan smiled: "Oh? You're not allowed to be touched?"

The rock girl shouted loudly: "Do you even know who I am?"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan turned the volume knob, lowering the rock girl's voice: "We've never met, but let me take a guess."

"All the sects of Prozhou were founded by Prozhou natives—except one. The Electric Cult's founder was from another region, yet the Peddler still recognized this sect, and for that, he was heavily criticized! The Electric Cult was once besieged by all other sects."

"To this day, Electric Cultists in Prozhou hide deep, never daring to reveal their identities."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned—this rock girl was the founder of the Electric Cult?

The rock girl averted her gaze, stopped chewing her gum—clearly, this was a painful subject: "Some people in Prozhou are too ignorant. Electricity is a product of advanced civilization, the key vehicle to lead Prozhou into modernity. I came here to spread civilization, and I've made tremendous contributions to Prozhou. They shouldn't treat me like this—nor should they treat my sect this way!"

Hong Ying whispered to Li Li Banfeng: "What's she saying? I don't understand any of it."

Li Li Banfeng gave Hong Ying a brief explanation.

The wife smiled at the TV: "So you really are Yuan Yuan Miaoping, the founder of the Electric Cult. You've indeed made great contributions to Prozhou."

"Almost all electrical devices in Prozhou came from your disciples' workshops; you even established Prozhou's radio network. Unfortunately, electricity cannot be transmitted over long distances here, which has crippled your sect's influence."

Hearing this, Yuan Yuan Miaoping grew resentful: "There's actually a way to fix it—just let our sect take on more disciples. Prozhou's intense electromagnetic interference blocks long-distance transmission, but Electric Cultists can compensate through their own cultivation."

The wife shook her head: "That would require turning hundreds of thousands of Electric Cultists into living transmission conduits—not just a few hundred or thousand. Do you really think the Peddler would ever agree to that?"

"Even if you sacrificed a million lives, it might still fail. You're using so many lives as bargaining chips to negotiate with the Peddler—you simply don't understand his nature at all."

Yuan Yuan Miaoping was indignant: "He's always talking about business! How can you do business without investing capital?"

The wife smiled: "We can't explain capital to you—wait for the Peddler to explain it himself. Let's talk about the Hand and Foot Alliance instead. How did you join? And how did you end up in the Dark Star Bureau? Let's go over this properly."

The TV turned up its own volume: "Why should I tell you? Who are you?"

"Oh? You've got quite the voice. Do you think being loud makes you impressive?" Suddenly, a giant loudspeaker grew from the wife's right palm, aimed at the TV, and blared: "YU!"

The TV shuddered violently, smoke pouring from its casing.

Hong Ying smirked triumphantly: "Kill that bitch!"

Li Li Banfeng was overjoyed—the loudspeaker still worked!

"You wanna compete on volume? Think I'm scared of you?" Yuan Yuan Miaoping cranked the volume to maximum, making the casing tremble violently.

HUUUWEE~

"Who's competing on volume? Do you think you're a three-year-old who gets candy just for crying?" The wife exhaled a puff of steam, pulled a coin-sized vinyl record from her pocket, placed it on her tongue, and held it in her mouth.

Li Li Banfeng was even happier—the record player was still there!

KUANG-JI-JI-JI~*!

The drums and gongs began to play. The wife's expression turned stern as she sang in a male lead opera tone: "The bright mirror hangs high, discerning every detail; the law is stern, crushing all evil! Bold criminal, on this court's stage, how dare you speak with cunning tongue? Think on the pain of flesh and bone! Confess your crime, and avoid the lash! Do you confess?"

Each word dripped with lethal frost!

The TV trembled: "U-um, let me switch channels—this one doesn't match your frequency!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan's eyebrows shot up as she sang: "Evidence is ironclad, no room for argument! Unless you're whipped, you won't speak! Bring out the paddle!"

Hong Ying seized the paddle and marched toward the TV.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan commanded: "First, thirty lashes!"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping retreated frantically: "Don't be impulsive! This is a civilized society! We should resolve issues peacefully! Setting up a private court is illegal—unthinkable in any civilized system! Put that paddle down first! Let's talk this through—don't damage the screen!"

Hong Ying swung the paddle wildly. The TV fought back, but couldn't withstand the twin assault from Zhao Zhao Xiaowan and Hong Ying.

Seeing his wife so spirited, Li Li Banfeng relaxed, yawned, and went to rest in Room Thirteen.

Jiu'er had no interest in the spectacle. She'd planned to follow Li Li Banfeng back to his room, but glanced at Did Honglian and the girl from Room Five.

Did Honglian sat reading at the table; the girl from Room Five trembled, hiding among the flowers.

Aren't these two too quiet?

Jiu'er pulled over a chair and sat in the corner of the main room, reading, occasionally glancing at the two.

Did Honglian sensed Jiu'er's intent. Watching the TV steadily losing ground, she remained silent.

Li Li Banfeng slept over two hours before Jiu'er woke him: "A-Qi, wake up—Zhao Xiaowan has subdued the TV."

Back in the main room, Li Li Banfeng saw the TV standing obediently before his wife.

Its casing and screen were undamaged; the rock girl inside, bruised and swollen, still chewed her gum.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan said: "My husband, you know what needs to be said."

"I'm new here—I really don't understand all the customs—" Yuan Yuan Miaoping mumbled vaguely.

Hong Ying snapped: "Spit out that gum! Speak properly!"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping spat out the gum, fixed her hair, and said: "I fully respect Elder Zhao and Elder Hong. From now on, whether serving tea, fetching water, or charging into battle—I'll obey your every order without hesitation!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan nodded: "This girl is quite sensible."

Li Li Banfeng pulled up a chair: "Let's continue from before—how did you join the Hand and Foot Alliance? And why did you enter the Dark Star Bureau?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping looked at Zhao Zhao Xiaowan: "Elder, didn't you already hear this?"

Li Li Banfeng pulled up a chair and sat down: "To continue from earlier, how did you join the Hand and Foot Alliance, and why did you go to the Dark Star Bureau?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping turned, her screen facing Li Li Banfeng: "To talk about the Hand and Foot Alliance, we must start with the radio. I founded the radio to open a window to the civilized world for Prozhou—I wanted to educate people about electricity. But my disciples were all Prozhou natives, constantly broadcasting violent, bloody tales."

"At first I opposed it, but they told me this was Prozhou's culture. Eventually, I gave up. One of our announcers, a woman named Ah Hui, had a sweet voice, worked diligently, and thought things through thoroughly. We became friends."

At the mention of Ah Hui, the wife's eyes turned icy: "Explain what you mean by 'thought things through'."

Yuan Yuan Miaoping explained: "She constantly reminded listeners to dispose of corpses after killing, to choose the right moment for revenge, what activities suited daytime, what suited nighttime—she covered everything meticulously, always thinking of the listeners' needs."

"Such an announcer was rare. She brought a positive atmosphere to the station; after she joined, listenership soared."

The wife smiled: "So she was that capable? Did she pull you into the Hand and Foot Alliance?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping nodded: "She said the Hand and Foot Alliance would bring transformation to Prozhou—in both technology and culture. Prozhou's culture had some depth, but its technology was abysmal. I wanted Prozhou to enter the electrical age, so I followed Ah Hui's advice and joined the Alliance."

As she spoke, Yuan Yuan Miaoping's jaw twitched unnaturally.

Hong Ying growled: "Did you not spit out all the gum?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping stuck out her tongue and spat out the last piece.

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan turned to face Li Li Banfeng: "My husband, this Ah Hui clearly isn't good."

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly, then asked Yuan Yuan Miaoping: "Why did you enter the Dark Star Bureau?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping said: "Old Ku had me go to another region..."

Hong Ying interrupted: "What do you mean 'old'? Be specific!"

"A few years ago—I can't remember exactly."

Hong Ying didn't believe her: "How could you forget?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping replied: "I was locked in the Dark Star Bureau—no signal, no one to talk to. Just staying conscious was a miracle—I had no sense of time at all!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Your radio broadcasts news—there must be dates. What was the last news report before you entered the Dark Star Bureau?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping shook her head: "I really don't remember. I'm not lying—the Dark Star Bureau was arranged by Old Ku. She told me to go in and contact the Alliance's leader, but once inside, I couldn't get out."

"There was a locomotive in that room—extremely strong. He understood a lot of mechanical principles, and my electromagnetic techniques barely affected him. I got injured fighting him—he's clearly someone important."

Hong Ying laughed: "Someone important? You don't recognize Old Locomotive? He was a legendary figure in Prozhou! How could you become a sect founder with such limited knowledge?"

"How can I not be a founder? Knowledge isn't measured by how many people you know, but by how much you've learned—I've studied—"

Hong Ying raised the paddle.

Yuan Yuan Miaoping lowered her head: "Elder Hong is right—I'm too ignorant. In the end, I failed to rescue that leader."

"I got trapped in that room and couldn't escape."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "In all these years, have you never once left?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping glanced at Did Honglian, whispering: "Not entirely..."

Hong Ying barked: "Speak up!"

Zhao Zhao Xiaowan listened intently—this was new information.

Yuan Yuan Miaoping's gaze flickered between Did Honglian and Zhao Zhao Xiaowan, then settled on Li Li Banfeng: "There was a man—he once took me out of that room."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What did he look like?"

"Forty-something, unremarkable features—but his radio knowledge was exceptional. When he ran, his steps were peculiar—like dancing."

Du Du Wenming?

Li Li Banfeng immediately thought of him.

"Why did he take you out?"

Du Du Wenming?

The first person Li Li Banfeng thought of was him.

"Why did he take you out?"

"He was building a device that required a lot of electromagnetic knowledge—I gave him two pointers, and he let me go right away."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "He just shows up whenever he wants and leaves whenever he pleases?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping recalled the events: "That big iron door couldn't stop him. As for the locomotive, something strange happened that day—he just sat there motionless, like he'd taken sleeping pills. Only after Du Du Wenming left did he slowly wake up."

It's confirmed—it was Du Du Wenming.

His status is high; his understanding of the Dark Star Bureau far exceeds Li Li Banfeng's. He definitely had the opportunity to take out the television.

Seeing Yuan Yuan Miaoping still avoiding eye contact, Zhao Xiao asked gently: "Sister, is there something you haven't told us?"

"That's all," Yuan Yuan Miaoping's cheeks flushed repeatedly.

Zhao Xiao stepped forward and touched Yuan Yuan Miaoping's antenna: "Really nothing else? When Du Du Wenming took you out, didn't you ever think of doing a little side job?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping lowered her voice: "I did do a little side job."

Did Honglian rotated slightly toward Yuan Yuan Miaoping, her lotus leaves unfolding a little.

Hong Ying glared at Did Honglian: "Wretch, what are you up to? Don't want her to speak?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping looked at Hong Ying, then at Did Honglian, hesitated repeatedly, then finally spoke the truth: "While out, I contacted Ah Hui. Through me, Ah Hui reached the leader of the Blood-Bound Alliance. The leader instructed Ah Hui to take something from the Dark Star Bureau—I don't know how she did it."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Then you must know what she took."

Yuan Yuan Miaoping nodded: "I know—it was the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian."

Did Honglian!

Did Honglian was originally beside the Heavenly Maiden—was it Song Song Laoshi who brought it out of the Dark Star Bureau?

But the Heavenly Maiden herself couldn't escape—how did Did Honglian get out?

Li Li Banfeng was still pondering, but everyone's gaze had already fixed on Did Honglian.

Did Honglian unfolded her lotus leaves and laughed: "Since it's out now, there's no point hiding it. I was imprisoned with the Heavenly Maiden in the Dark Star Bureau. She found a way to free me, just so I could find allies to rescue her."

"It's that simple. Now you know—so what?"

Zhao Xiao praised: "Did Honglian, you're so honest! If you'd been this open from the start, things would've gone smoother. Hiding things from each other, suspecting each other—none of it leads anywhere. If you'd told us sooner, your husband and I could've helped you."

Did Honglian smiled: "You can help me? Do you even believe that yourself?"

Zhao Xiao tugged at Did Honglian's lotus leaf.

"We've lived under the same roof for years—our bond is deep. What's there not to help with?"

Then Zhao Xiao turned to the others: "And you, girl from the Fifth Wing—stop hiding things. We speak plainly here."

The girl from the Fifth Wing stayed hidden among the flowers. Seeing this, Yuan Yuan Miaoping dimmed her screen: "Lords, I'm just a battery. I haven't been charged in years—my power's almost gone. I need to rest."

Hong Ying frowned: "Didn't you just say you could always get electricity?"

Yuan Yuan Miaoping smiled sheepishly: "Hong Laoda, I was just bluffing. How could you take that seriously? I'm truly running out—my screen's gone black. Look for yourself."

She dimmed her screen to its lowest setting.

Zhao Xiao told Hong Ying: "Take our sister to the Eighth Wing to rest. The Eighth Wing's away on assignment—the room's empty. Jiu'er, bring her two extra batteries. Your rooms are next to each other—look out for each other."

Hearing this, Yuan Yuan Miaoping flipped the switch and powered down.

Hong Ying and Jiu'er settled the television. Zhao Xiao led everyone back to the main house, leaving Did Honglian in the Fifth Wing.

This spared the Old Master trouble—if he wanted to shut his eyes and ears, he'd have to block both theirs too.

Back in the main house, Hong Ying mocked Yuan Yuan Miaoping: "A rookie like this becomes an Ancestor? Beat her, and she'll confess everything."

Jiu'er shook her head: "Xiang Hongying, you're wrong. She's not a rookie—she's a seasoned one."

Hong Ying blinked: "What nonsense! Someone like her is seasoned?"

Zhao Xiao nodded: "Jiu'er's right. This woman acts with restraint. At first, she acted tough to test our strength. Once she understood the situation, she immediately aligned with the right side."

"She knows who in this house she can trust. She acts timid, but she's already plotted everything. Standing with us, she gains. The more she tells us, the better off she is."

Jiu'er looked pleased. Hong Ying sat before the dressing table and snorted: "I saw through her too."

Zhao Xiao stood behind Hong Ying, braiding her hair: "Good. Now treat her well. See her as family."

Hong Ying protested: "What is she? Why treat her like family?"

Zhao Xiao smiled: "Du Du Wenming took her out of the Dark Star Bureau—he wanted to build a device to cross the boundary. If she could help him, she can help us too."

Li Li Banfeng suddenly remembered: "Song Song Laoshi left me some materials at school. Wife, do you want them?"

"Of course! Song Song Laoshi's kindness—how could I refuse?" The wife smiled warmly, her face showing not a trace of jealousy.

Li Li Banfeng added: "I promised to give this TV to Ai Yi. I signed a contract with Ai Yi and Ai Yu. If I renege, it won't look good."

Zhao Xiao leaned into Li Li Banfeng's arms: "Don't worry, husband. We can work this out. Ai Yi is my sister, and her mother is also my sister—so we're all sisters. What's there to argue about among sisters?"

Li Li Banfeng hugged Zhao Xiao tightly: "My wife is truly virtuous!"

Zhao Xiao whispered softly: "I've been reborn—I can't be your household spirit anymore. I should help you more with outside matters. From now on, let Xiang Hongying handle household affairs. You have only one household spirit now—she'll be your true wife."

Hong Ying stood up, tears in her eyes: "Xuanwan, are you serious? I knew you cared for me!"

Li Li Banfeng didn't even glance at Hong Ying—he held Zhao Xiao tightly: "Don't say that. You're the only one for me!"

"Husband!" Zhao Xiao pouted, then spat out a loudspeaker that sucked Li Li Banfeng's head inside.

Hong Ying realized something was wrong. She turned back to the mirror and dabbed rouge on her cheeks.

After kissing Li Li Banfeng, Zhao Xiao pulled out a wooden board and turned to Hong Ying: "Wretch, you dare climb over my head to become the true wife? You expect me to bow and call you Madam? I see straight through your heart and lungs!"

After kissing Li Li Banfeng, Zhao Xiao withdrew the paddle and turned to Xiang Hongying: "You bitch, you think you can climb on top of me and become the principal wife? You expect me to beg on my knees and call you Madam? I see straight through your heart, liver, and lungs!"

Zhao Xiao swung the board. Hong Ying ran while shouting: "Xuanwan, I was just joking! You're the only true wife—I never even thought otherwise!"

Jiu'er sighed inwardly: "Who's seasoned, who's a rookie—everyone knows."

Li Li Banfeng arrived at Yuezhou University, entered the campus supermarket, and prepared to retrieve Song Song Laoshi's notes.

The storage lockers were six rows by six columns—thirty-six in total. Li Li Banfeng scanned his face before the camera. Locker #36 opened.

Inside were three notebooks. The number alone revealed Song Song Laoshi's attitude.

Though their philosophies differed, Song Song Laoshi always gave Li Li Banfeng her full support.

Li Li Banfeng took all three notebooks—but the locker still held something else.

It looked like a rope.

Why put a rope here?

Li Li Banfeng reached for it—the "rope" suddenly lunged from the locker and bit his hand.

The campus supermarket was crowded; others were retrieving items from lockers nearby.

Li Li Banfeng seized the "rope," concealed it silently in his sleeve. No one noticed anything amiss.

He closed the locker and left the supermarket with the notebooks. At the path beside the Second Teaching Building, he pulled the rope from his sleeve.

It wasn't a rope—it was a jet-black snake.

Though its neck was broken, its body still writhed.

Li Li Banfeng recognized this snake—it was drawn by Mu Yuejuan. He'd seen it in her "Teng Song Die Ying Map." It could be used to defeat enemies or heal wounds.

Why was this snake in the campus supermarket's locker? And why in Song Song Laoshi's locker?

Does Song Song Laoshi want to harm me?

Impossible.

Li Li Banfeng trusted Song Song Laoshi's character. Even if she wanted to harm him, she wouldn't use such childish methods. The chance of the snake biting him was extremely low—and even if it did, it couldn't kill him.

Li Li Banfeng trusted Song Song Laoshi's character; even if Song Song Laoshi wanted to harm him, she wouldn't use such a childish method. The chance of this snake biting Li Li Banfeng was extremely low, and even if it did, it couldn't kill him.

Did someone place it in the locker after Song Song Laoshi put the notes there?

That possibility was also low.

Song Song Laoshi had said the campus supermarket's lockers were hard to break into by force.

Song Song Laoshi had once said that the storage lockers in the school supermarket were hard to break by force.

Li Li Banfeng gripped the snake's head and tail, crushing it into ink. His glove absorbed the ink, preventing contamination. As he pondered, he suddenly looked up—something struck him.

How many floors does the Dark Star Bureau building have?

How many floors does the Dark Star Bureau building have?