Chapter 813: The Madman

Zhao Xiaowan tumbled from the clouds, singing opera high above with the rhythm of Xipi Erliu:

“Nine layers of tribulation crack my spine, twenty years of breath and feast on dawn’s glow, three hundred years of bone-quenching ice and frost—who knew wings would sprout from my back, tearing through flesh? Grow faster!”

Zhao Xiaowan was frantic—she needed wings, and was now forcing them to grow using the technique of sonic form-manifestation.

But she couldn’t recall any opera verse mentioning wings, so she improvised, composing lines poorly sung,

yet no wings grew.

Her fall accelerated; she knew aerial techniques, but at this height, they were useless.

She continued singing: “These wingtips sweep down the Big Dipper’s northern stars, those tailfeathers churn the waves of the Milky Way—watch as ninety thousand li of wind and frost condense into wings,”

even Thunder and Lightning can’t catch up—this, this—what do I do now!”

The wings still didn’t appear; in panic, Hong Ying rushed forward, caught Zhao Xiaowan midair, slowed their descent gently, and landed safely.

After landing, Zhao Xiaowan smiled at Hong Ying: “Yingying, you’ve worked hard.”

Hong Ying laughed: “No trouble—I sensed something wrong when I used ‘Ten Thousand Li Apart,’ so I immediately held back; we didn’t fly far.

After falling from the clouds, I quickly found direction and used ‘Seeking Auspiciousness, Avoiding Misfortune’ to search everywhere—I actually found you! Isn’t my luck good?”

Zhao Xiaowan smiled: “That’s not luck—Yingying has exceptional talent; your skills leave me in awe. Yingying, your hairpin’s come loose—I’ll re-braid it for you.”

Hong Ying froze. Xiaowan was surprisingly calm—they’d fallen from the clouds, didn’t know what lay above or where they were now, yet she still wanted to fix her hair?

But since Xiaowan brought it up, let her braid it—better to hide the spear tip before someone sees it.

Hong Ying stepped close to Zhao Xiaowan, turned around, and waited.

Zhao Xiaowan pulled out her clapper and beat Hong Ying hard: “I told you to use ‘Ten Thousand Li Apart’—one step shattering ten thousand rivers would’ve killed that old bastard—why did you use ‘Ten Thousand Li Apart’?”

Hong Ying struggled: “Xiaowan, I didn’t mean to use ‘Ten Thousand Li Apart’—that dirty water stuck to me, my mind went blank—I wanted to use ‘Shatter Ten Thousand Rivers,’ but somehow ‘Ten Thousand Li Apart’ came out!”

Zhao Xiaowan snatched the clapper and kept beating: “He splashed filth on you, and you just took it? With your skill, couldn’t you dodge?”

Hong Ying gritted her teeth: “You’re wrong! I’ve fought battles—I wanted his life, could I have avoided it? In a life-or-death struggle, whoever flinches loses!”

It was true—Hong Ying had always fought this way; in dire stalemates, she never chose defense—if she could land the first kick on Shu Wanjuan, he’d have no time to use any technique.

But Zhao Xiaowan was still furious and beat Hong Ying again.

Hong Ying cried: “Stop beating me—let’s figure out how to get back up to the clouds!”

“Back? How? Do you know Cloud Gate technique?”

Neither knew Cloud Gate technique.

“Let’s find the Master!” Zhao Xiaowan called Li Banfeng—no answer.

Hong Ying thought a moment: “Qi Lang isn’t answering—he’s not in urgent trouble, doesn’t need our help.”

“Nonsense!” Zhao Xiaowan was anxious: “The Master must be fighting someone right now.”

Hong Ying asked: “Who is Qi Lang fighting?”

Li Banfeng had left hastily, no details given—but from earlier info from Boluo, Zhao Xiaowan guessed he’d gone to the Earth God’s residence to confront Shan Chengjun.

The Earth God of Ink Fragrance Shop lived in Willow Garden—Li Banfeng had told his wife—but Zhao Xiaowan didn’t know where they were now.

Hong Ying carried Zhao Xiaowan, sprinting through wasteland, soon reaching a village.

The village had a stream; by its bank, they met a woman washing clothes. Zhao Xiaowan approached: “Sister, could you tell me—how far is Ink Fragrance Shop from here?”

The woman looked up, astonished: “Cold river water washes away dust—can it wash away memory too?”

Zhao Xiaowan blinked, then smiled: “Sister, I don’t understand your meaning.”

The woman grew more astonished: “Cold river water stings my flesh—your words, are they meant to sting my heart?”

Zhao Xiaowan was even more confused—she didn’t know this woman, yet the words suggested deep familiarity.

Hong Ying didn’t overthink—she simply thought Zhao Xiaowan asked poorly.

She uprooted a willow tree, thick as a bowl, dragged it to the woman: “I see you wash clothes without proper tools—use this tree as a mallet.

One—

The woman paused, then stood: “We’re still within Ink Fragrance Shop’s territory—walk twenty li east, you’ll reach the city.”

Zhao Xiaowan finally understood—the woman wasn’t familiar with her; she’d simply forgotten Ink Fragrance Shop’s customs.

Hong Ying carried Zhao Xiaowan eastward, sprinting until they reached the city. Zhao Xiaowan asked again: “Sir, how do I get to Willow Garden?”

The man looked at Zhao Xiaowan: “Miss, you like willows—do you know what willows symbolize?”

Hong Ying snapped off a willow branch and threw it before him: “Tell me—what does this mean?”

The man pointed to the road’s end: “Willow Garden is just ahead.”

They went to Willow Garden, searched—but saw no Li Banfeng.

“Has the Master left?” Xiaowan was frantic—no signs of battle in the grove—had something changed?

Called again—still no answer. Seeing someone enter the garden, Zhao Xiaowan asked: “How many Willow Gardens does Ink Fragrance Shop have?”

An old woman answered: “The willows of Ink Fragrance Shop are as countless as the ripples in my heart.”

Zhao Xiaowan’s veins bulged, glaring at the woman.

The old woman had seen much—knew this woman wasn’t gentle—she hurriedly replied: “From east to west city, thirteen Willow Gardens total. What’s the name of the one you seek?”

Zhao Xiaowan looked to Hong Ying, who stared blankly: “Don’t look at me—he never told me!”

Yan Sha Zhai was one of Puluozhou’s most famous bookshops; near it stood a Willow Garden, where Shan Chengjun and a middle-aged man were calculating willow placements.

Li Banfeng held his sickle, intending to greet them from behind—but Shan Chengjun turned first.

“Old Seven, you’re here,” Shan Chengjun said—he’d been burned before, certain things now etched into his flesh; he was wary of Li Qi.

Li Banfeng sheathed his sickle and smiled: “Big Brother Shan, long time no see.”

Shan Chengjun smiled too: “You’ve been well? Did you bring the deed I lent you?”

“Didn’t bring it,” Li Banfeng shook his head. “The peddler returned—he thought the deed was good, so I sold it to him.”

“Sold it?” Shan Chengjun looked disappointed. “How much did he pay?”

Li Banfeng: “One hundred silver dollars—no cash, he’s still on credit.”

Shan Chengjun frowned: “That peddler—hundreds on credit? I’ve cash on hand—sell me any future deeds, I’ll pay one fifty!”

Li Banfeng looked delighted: “Big Brother Shan, you’re serious? The deed’s already gone—don’t dig here anymore. I’ll sell it to you.”

Shan Chengjun was even more delighted: “Good! Let me inspect the goods first!”

Li Banfeng patted his pocket: “Damn—I left the deed at the inn. Big Brother Shan, could you run there for me?”

Shan Chengjun shook his head: “I’m busy now—can’t leave. Go fetch it yourself. If it’s real, I pay immediately.”

Li Banfeng glanced at the man beside Shan Chengjun: “Is this brother here with you?”

Shan Chengjun hurriedly introduced: “This is the Grand Master of Calculation, Ji Xuanwei—the top cultivation among living calculators.”

Ji Xuanwei bowed to Li Banfeng. Honestly, he couldn’t grasp their logic or relationship—this scene left him unsure if they were allies or enemies.

Li Banfeng bowed back: “Master Ji, did you come here to find the deed too?”

Ji Xuanwei glanced at Shan Chengjun, unsure how to answer.

Shan Chengjun said to Ji Xuanwei: “Don’t hide it—Old Seven isn’t a stranger—we’ve shared life and death. Speak plainly.”

Ji Xuanwei told Li Banfeng: “I came to find the entrance to the Earth God’s residence.”

Li Banfeng was surprised: “Hard to find?”

“Very,” Ji Xuanwei answered sincerely. “The Earth God of Ink Fragrance Shop hides his residence with a unique algorithm—ordinary people can’t crack it.”

Shan Chengjun nodded: “Old Seven, you know—I’m no good at calculation, so I brought in an expert.”

“So you’re just helping,” Li Banfeng looked at Ji Xuanwei. “Master Ji, leave—this place isn’t safe to linger.”

Shan Chengjun frowned: “I invited him—why should he leave?”

Li Banfeng looked at Shan Chengjun: “Then shall I ask you to leave first?”

Shan Chengjun asked seriously: “What if I won’t leave?”

It looked like they’d fight.

Ji Xuanwei glanced at Shan Chengjun—he’d chosen to follow him; now was no time to hesitate.

But Shan Chengjun didn’t need him: “Little Ji, focus on your task. If you’re tired, watch the show. When you’ve seen enough, go back to calculating—don’t interfere.”

As he spoke, Li Banfeng vanished.

Shan Chengjun smiled: “Little Ji, see? That’s ‘Horse-Gazing-Flower’—one of the deadliest travel techniques. Li Qi’s version is especially brutal—it can detonate twice, so you must prepare.”

He kicked the ground hard—snowflakes exploded into a curtain, veiling his form.

That was Shan Chengjun’s power—a single kick made Li Banfeng lose sight of him.

“He can’t see me—how can he use ‘Horse-Gazing-Flower’? Little Ji, isn’t that right?”

Boom!

Ji Xuanwei exploded.

Shan Chengjun gasped: “Li Qi, why did you blow him up?”

He kicked snow again, covering Ji Xuanwei in a snow curtain—but it did nothing.

First strike focused vision; second strike focused intent. Even if Li Banfeng couldn’t see him, Ji Xuanwei still exploded.

“Little Ji, say something—look at me!”

Shan Chengjun cradled Ji Xuanwei, calling out. Ji Xuanwei waved weakly—he wasn’t dead. He swiftly pulled out several vials of powder, calculated the ratio, mixed a healing potion, and swallowed it.

The medicine acted instantly—his injuries stabilized quickly.

Li Banfeng crouched on a willow tree: “Master Ji, do you also cultivate Medicine Cultivation?”

Ji Xuanwei nodded: “My Medicine and Calculation cultivation are nearly equal.”

Shan Chengjun roared: “Li Qi! Grudges have a source, debts have a debtor—take it out on me! Why attack my friend?”

Li Banfeng looked at Ji Xuanwei: “Master Ji, after all these years, don’t listen to outsiders—I just hit you because I care.”

This grove of pine trees hides countless riddles, hard to solve. If I kill you, you won’t need to solve them anymore, and you won’t suffer again. Don’t believe me? Ask Shan Chengjun—do you think I’m wrong?

Ji Xuanwei glanced at Shan Chengjun, wanting to explain that he had no connection with Li Qi.

Shan Chengjun snapped: “Why are you looking at me? Do you think I’d harm you? Get on with your business!”

Ji Xuanwei continued calculating the entrance’s location. Li Banfeng tried to strike again, but Shan Chengjun gave him no chance. Though slower than Li Qi, his methods were just as formidable. He felled a willow tree, thick as two men could embrace, tore off its branches, dead leaves, and bark, then advanced to surround Li Banfeng.

A piece of bark became a short knife; a single dead leaf, a throwing dart. The willow branches were deadliest—sturdy ones turned into spears, slender ones into whips. A single tree, in Shan Chengjun’s hands, became an entire army. No wonder he had such a fearsome reputation on the battlefield.

Li Banfeng had many ways to fight him, but he couldn’t afford to get entangled now.

Through calculation, Ji Xuanwei was drawing closer to the entrance of the Earth God’s abode. With his skills, it seemed he’d soon find a way to open it.

Li Banfeng’s judgment was correct: Ji Xuanwei had narrowed the entrance to within thirty trees.

To narrow it further, he needed more precise calculations. According to Ji Xuanwei’s algorithm, the next step was to eliminate ten trees.

After several minutes of calculation, ten trees were eliminated. Ji Xuanwei counted: fifty-eight remained.

Thirty trees minus ten should leave twenty—why fifty-eight?

The arrangement of the trees had changed. The area Ji Xuanwei had originally confirmed now had denser foliage.

Why had this happened? Had a Illusion Cultivator used a mirage technique? Or had a Grass Cultivator altered the trees?

Sweat drenched Ji Xuanwei’s face. He pondered again and again but found no answer.

Shan Chengjun plucked a willow branch, wrapped it around Li Banfeng’s knee, and grinned: “Li Qi, you brought help too?”

Li Banfeng slipped free with the Skill of Unfettered Ease and enveloped the entire forest with an invisible boundary: “I can’t come without help. This forest is too complex—I can’t solve its mechanisms alone.”

Shan Chengjun blinked: “Why are you solving mechanisms? Are you here to dig up the covenant scrolls too?”

Li Banfeng paused: “What kind of question is that? If not for the scrolls, why would I be here?”

Shan Chengjun hurled a piece of willow root at Li Banfeng’s cheek: “Then why dig up the scrolls?”

Li Banfeng slashed a chunk of flesh from Shan Chengjun with his sickle: “Didn’t I just say? I dig them up to sell—hundred taels per piece.”

What did that even mean?

According to Shan Chengjun’s understanding, Li Banfeng had come to protect Moxiang Shop—to stop him from digging up the scrolls. How had it turned into both of them digging together?

Thud!

Ji Xuanwei was kicked hard and collapsed. Shan Chengjun turned to protect him—and took another slash from Li Banfeng.

Though the cut ran deep, Shan Chengjun wasn’t worried: “Li Qi, I know who your helper is—Sun Tiecheng’s daughter, Yu Buzhuo.”

I thought she was dead. I killed her myself. How did you bring her back? Did you dig her bones up from the graveyard?”

At these words, Jiu’er’s veins bulged. She lunged to kill Shan Chengjun—but was blocked by the Wine Gourd.

Jiu’er understood the Wine Gourd’s meaning: she couldn’t move now. Going would only burden Li Qi.

Shan Chengjun and Li Qi seemed careless, but their battle was brutal—both were bleeding.

Moreover, Li Qi was using a special technique on Shan Chengjun. Jiu’er sensed traces of Foolish Cultivation arts—but it wasn’t quite the same.

Foolish Cultivation arts weren’t this absurd. Li Qi’s technique was far more bizarre: his words were chaotic, yet seemed to follow an invisible logic.

Could Sun Brother have taught him this new technique?

Regardless of its origin, since it resembled Foolish Cultivation, Jiu’er could lend aid within its framework.

After a brief struggle, they closed in, grappling. Li Banfeng slashed Shan Chengjun first, then whispered low: “Big Brother Shan, stop. You can still retreat without shame. I’m truly speaking for your good.”

Shan Chengjun pierced Li Banfeng’s shoulder with a branch: “Old Seven, I know you’re a good brother. Tell me—why should I stop?”

Li Banfeng pulled out the branch and drove it into Shan Chengjun’s belly: “Big Brother Shan, you know how powerful Yu Buzhuo is. Both her Traveler and Foolish Cultivation bases are top-tier. In ten or fifteen minutes, she’ll crack the array and find the scrolls. You can’t stop her.”

Shan Chengjun gripped a piece of bark, aiming to slit Li Qi’s belly: “Old Seven, don’t move. Let me see if you’ve taken bad medicine.”

Li Banfeng dodged the bark and opened a gash in Shan Chengjun’s belly with a pendulum strike: “Big Brother Shan, look at your own guts. Even if you’ve lost your intestines, you still have a stomach. Don’t forget—Ji Xuanwei is an Elixir Cultivator. After taking his pills, your mind will unravel. Yu Buzhuo can’t save you!”

Shan Chengjun’s scalp throbbed. Everyone said Li Qi was mad—but he hadn’t imagined he’d gone this far!

What nonsense was he spouting? Why would Yu Buzhuo save me?

Yu Buzhuo is my enemy!

I killed her myself!

Memories of Foolish City were crystal clear in Shan Chengjun’s mind. Holding onto this memory, his thoughts grew clearer.

I killed her. Now I must kill her again. Killing her must be right.

He glanced behind him and saw Ji Xuanwei and Yu Buzhuo locked in fierce combat.

In cultivation base, both were dual-path cultivators. But Yu Buzhuo’s physique was clearly weak; many techniques were sluggish. Ji Xuanwei’s base was slightly higher than Jiu’er’s.

Yet Ji Xuanwei’s two paths weren’t suited for direct combat—he was being driven back by Yu Buzhuo.

Shan Chengjun snapped another willow tree. This time, he didn’t dismantle it—he hurled the whole tree at Li Qi.

How could such a heavy willow strike Li Banfeng? Li Banfeng assumed he’d dodge easily—but under Shan Chengjun’s control, the dry branches spread in all directions, trapping him.

Li Banfeng burst free with the Skill of Unimpeded Passage—only to see Shan Chengjun charging toward Jiu’er.

With their distance, Shan Chengjun could kill Jiu’er at any moment. Li Banfeng sprinted after him—but Jiu’er shouted: “Big Brother Shan, watch out!”

Shan Chengjun blinked: “Watch out for what?”

Thud!

Shan Chengjun was slammed twenty meters by the Personal Dwelling, crashing into the snow.

Last time they clashed, the Personal Dwelling was damaged—but today it was in good condition. This impact was devastating.

Shan Chengjun staggered to his feet and saw Yu Buzhuo still chasing Ji Xuanwei.

Li Qi drew near. Yu Buzhuo called out: “Big Brother Shan, watch your back!”

Shan Chengjun hurled a handful of snow to repel Li Qi, then seized a stone and smashed it into the Personal Dwelling’s locomotive.

Having repelled Li Qi and the little train, Shan Chengjun turned to Yu Buzhuo.

His expression remained blank. Just moments ago, Yu Buzhuo had warned him twice to be careful.

Whether useful or not, she had genuinely warned him.

She was truly trying to save me.

Was she really my ally?

The situation was chaotic—but Ji Xuanwei remained utterly clear-headed. A top-tier Calculator could stay calm even at death’s door.

He parried Yu Buzhuo’s attacks while warning Shan Chengjun: “Don’t distract yourself. Give me ten minutes—I’ll find the entrance.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Though constantly struck, he never paused his calculations.

He had seen through Jiu’er’s array and located the entrance. Now he only needed to compute the method to open it.

With his computational power, finding the opening method within ten minutes was no challenge.

Seeing the dire situation, Jiu’er gave everything to kill Ji Xuanwei.

Ji Xuanwei kept swallowing pills, battling Jiu’er with sheer physical resilience.

Shan Chengjun strode forward toward the two.

Li Banfeng flashed forward to protect Jiu’er.

Shan Chengjun moved first—his fist punched clean through Ji Xuanwei’s chest.

Ji Xuanwei looked down at Shan Chengjun’s arm, then up at his face.

Even in death, he couldn’t understand what had happened to Shan Chengjun.

Blood splattered Shan Chengjun’s face. He blinked—slightly clearer.

Li Banfeng screamed as he rushed forward: “Master Ji, I’ll avenge you!”

As he cried, Ji Xuanwei disintegrated—dust rained down.

Amid dust and snow, Shan Chengjun fought Li Qi in a daze.

He didn’t know why he’d killed Ji Xuanwei—or whether he’d killed the wrong man.

Just now, he’d felt Ji Xuanwei was the greatest threat—he could find the entrance.

In Shan Chengjun’s mind, all threats must be eliminated swiftly.

Had he been right?

Or had he been wrong?

As Shan Chengjun wrestled with this, Li Banfeng kicked him into the air.

Mid-flight, Shan Chengjun’s face still wore confusion—the Personal Dwelling caught up and slammed into him again.

Shan Chengjun hit the ground, his body torn apart.

Li Banfeng surged forward with his shadows, ready to tear Shan Chengjun apart with Five Horses. Shan Chengjun flung off his own bloodied flesh.

It struck Li Banfeng and his shadows.

Banfeng Yi, coated in flesh, collapsed on the ground, motionless.

Banfeng Zi narrowly avoided the flesh and fled far away.

This wasn’t fear of death—he knew how deadly this flesh was.

In their last battle, Shan Chengjun’s flesh nearly breached the Personal Dwelling. Banfeng Zi had found a safe spot, preparing for Li Banfeng’s escape.

His choice was wise. Besides Banfeng Zi and Banfeng Yin, every other shadow—including Li Banfeng himself—was coated in flesh.

Li Banfeng instantly swapped places with Banfeng Zi. Banfeng Zi, grievously wounded, shrank beneath Li Banfeng’s feet—but Li Banfeng escaped unharmed.

Shan Chengjun rose from the ground, wiping blood from his face.

He looked at Yu Buzhuo, then at Li Banfeng: “Yu Buzhuo is a Foolish Cultivator—I knew that. But I didn’t know you were one too. You two conspired against me!”

“Li Qi, the moment you spoke to me, you were trying to trap me with Foolish Cultivation arts, weren’t you?”

Li Banfeng shook his head: “What I just used isn’t Foolish Cultivation. I call it Madman’s Nonsense. It’s not from the same path.”

“I spoke to you because I’ve only ever fought you—I never really talked to you. But honestly? Talking to you is kind of interesting.”

Dan Chengjun gritted his teeth, truly enraged: “Back then, I fought you alongside Shu Wanjuan—fair and square.”

“And now is this how you treat me?”

Li Banfeng was no happier: “Do you think fighting two-on-one counts as fair?”

“Fine! If you won’t reason, then we won’t reason—I’ll give you something unreasonable.” Without any defense, Dan Chengjun charged straight at Li Banfeng.

“Qi, watch out!” Suishenju spotted the danger and lunged forward, colliding head-on with Dan Chengjun.

BOOM!

CLANG!

Suishenju overturned; its front end dented deeply—he couldn’t withstand Dan Chengjun’s impact!

Dan Chengjun leapt onto the locomotive’s cab and rained down punches, deforming the entire engine.

Li Banfeng rushed forward to fight Dan Chengjun, who tore off a train wheel and hurled it at him.

It missed—but hurt worse than if it had hit. Seeing Suishenju’s state, Li Banfeng’s eyes turned red. He snatched the wheel and slammed it onto Dan Chengjun’s head.

Dan Chengjun’s skull cracked, yet he swung a fist straight into Li Banfeng’s body.

Li Banfeng blocked it with Xingzhe Wujiang, seized the train wheel, and battled Dan Chengjun while activating Wu Ma Fen Hu.

Dan Chengjun’s body twisted but never split—he’d endured Wu Ma Fen Hu before; his flesh and blood remembered, each muscle resisting Li Qi.

After a stalemate, Xingzhe Wujiang’s duration expired. Dan Chengjun punched Li Banfeng in the chest. Li Banfeng blocked it with Zhai Xin Ren Hou—but his ribs still shattered.

Jiu stepped forward to fight Dan Chengjun, barely parried a few strikes, then was knocked to the ground, unable to rise.

Wu Ma Fen Hu gradually took effect; Dan Chengjun’s skin split open—but he felt no pain, still fighting Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng felt the pain, yet he never retreated, keeping his distance strictly within Wu Ma Fen Hu’s range.

Dan Chengjun’s torn flesh kept reassembling; Li Banfeng could not pull his body apart.

How could he tear him open?

How could he stop his flesh from reuniting?

No way.

No way had ever defeated him.

Li Banfeng glanced at Dan Chengjun—his body suddenly lost balance, left arm flung left, right arm flung right, both arms spreading involuntarily.

He’d been struck by Dong Ben Xi Zou.

The flesh that had been pulling inward now surged violently outward.

In that instant, Wu Ma Fen Hu activated—Dan Chengjun’s body split open.

PS: Do not touch Zhaixiu’s house or family—that is Zhaixiu’s bottom line.