Chapter 819: Ink Fragrance Remains

Li Banfeng brought Xiao Genzi to the Lu Family Bookshop.

Master Lu set up a copper pot, bought fresh-sliced lamb, cabbage, and tofu from the restaurant, and the three of them hot-pottered together.

Xiao Genzi wasn’t hungry; he drank two bowls of baijiu first, his face flushed as he said to Li Banfeng: “Seventh Master, I’ll be honest—before the fight, I had zero confidence. That was a Patriarch, same level as my master. One look from him, and I’d be dead.”

But when I grabbed my gear and charged forward, I don’t know why, I stopped being afraid. Fight, then.

I’ve fought alongside Seventh Master so many times—I’ve never backed down!

Once I dumped that ladle of boiling sewage on the demonic Patriarch’s head, I wasn’t afraid at all. I realized these Patriarchs are just people too.

They feel pain when hit, and they suffer when scalded.”

“Good lad!” Li Banfeng praised, picking up a slice of lamb and staring into his bowl of sesame paste, lost in thought.

This kid really doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut—why bring up sewage now?

Master Lu chuckled: “After this battle, I’ve gained some confidence. The elders are still as formidable as ever. Holding onto Ink Fragrance Shop shouldn’t be too hard.”

But I still say it: Seventh Master, guarding day and night isn’t the way. Ink Fragrance Shop needs a local deity.”

Li Banfeng stayed silent. Master Lu’s advice was right.

Ink Fragrance Shop truly needed a local deity. Leaving it to a scholar made of brush and ink was absurd.

The real local deity of Ink Fragrance Shop was inside Suishenju, but Li Banfeng didn’t want to put his family in a bind.

Hearing this, Xiao Genzi picked up his bucket, puffed out his chest, and said to Master Lu: “Elder, though my cultivation is still at Ground Level, I have a master guiding me, and I train relentlessly. Ascending to Cloud Level is inevitable. Entrusting Ink Fragrance Shop to me would be putting talent to proper use and resources to full effect!”

Master Lu frowned slightly but said nothing.

Xiao Genzi turned to Li Banfeng: “Seventh Master, no one knows my nature like you do. As long as I have this bucket and ladle, no outsider will lay a finger on Ink Fragrance Shop!”

He’d prepared this speech for a long time—some phrases he’d learned from the schoolmaster just to suit Ink Fragrance Shop’s customs!

Li Banfeng understood Genzi’s feelings.

This needed patient persuasion—he couldn’t let Genzi’s heart grow cold.

“Genzi, put down the bucket!” Li Banfeng said solemnly. “I’ve already secured a territory for you. After we finish this matter, I’ll give you the deed.”

“Seventh Master, I’m talking about Ink Fragrance Shop!”

Li Banfeng shook his head: “This place isn’t suitable for you.”

Genzi was disappointed: “Why isn’t it suitable, Seventh Master?”

Li Banfeng explained: “Because this place is called Ink Fragrance—Shop.”

Genzi frowned defiantly: “Seventh Master, with me in charge, Ink Fragrance Shop will still scent the world.”

Li Banfeng frowned deeply; Master Lu sighed silently.

After eating, Genzi left to cultivate. Li Banfeng asked Master Lu: “Master Lu, if I temporarily leave Ink Fragrance Shop, can you really hold it down?”

Master Lu nodded: “If the Inner Province doesn’t send elite troops, I only need to deal with these elders—it’s not too difficult.”

Li Banfeng sipped tea: “I’m not worried about others, but one—I can’t gauge her strength.”

“You mean the Blood Tooth Fiend?” Master Lu went inside and brought out a stack of newspapers—he’d noticed this person was unusual. “The earliest records of the Blood Tooth Fiend appear in newspapers thirty-two years ago.”

Back then, in Medicine King Gully, there was a hero named Huang Yehan. She had three daughters and two sons, all of whom entered the Dao before age ten. Her youngest daughter, the least cultivated, reached Ground Level Two by adulthood.”

This daughter led a group to clear new land at Sanpan River, but after arriving, she vanished. All fifty people with her disappeared. Huang Yehan searched everywhere and found traces of her daughter near a desolate mountain—later known as Blood Tooth Mountain.”

Li Banfeng carefully read the newspaper.

Huang Yehan was a Medicine Cultivator at Ground Level Seven—such cultivation in Medicine King Gully was enough to dominate for a time.

She found one of her daughter’s garments on Blood Tooth Mountain. Her daughter was a Text Cultivator at Level Two; inside the lining, she’d left a line of text using Text Cultivation methods: “This is Blood Tooth Mountain. There is a Blood Tooth Fiend on it.”

This was the only clue Huang Yehan found. She was certain her daughter had met her end on Blood Tooth Mountain.

According to later news reports, Huang Yehan climbed Blood Tooth Mountain sixteen times. She never found her daughter, and her family’s wealth was exhausted. Li Banfeng asked: “How was her wealth exhausted? Did she encounter the Blood Tooth Fiend and get badly wounded?”

Master Lu shook his head: “According to the newspapers, Huang Yehan never saw the Blood Tooth Fiend. Her subordinates did. Only two people ever survived encounters with the Blood Tooth Fiend.”

Huang Yehan climbed the mountain sixteen times, resulting in over a hundred deaths—some killed by the Blood Tooth Fiend, others crushed by exploding rocks. Paying compensation for these deaths bankrupted Huang Yehan. The matter ended there.”

Master Lu brought more newspapers, all reporting on Blood Tooth Mountain, each based on survivor testimonies.

He manipulated the text on the papers, arranging them chronologically into a single thread: “These reports all share a trait: high-level cultivators who climb Blood Tooth Mountain rarely encounter the Blood Tooth Fiend. This proves the Fiend’s own level isn’t high—she’s always avoiding powerful opponents.”

In recent years, reports about Blood Tooth Mountain have vanished. The general consensus in Pu Luo Province is that Blood Tooth Mountain is a deadly place, and the Blood Tooth Fiend is a native monster of the mountain.”

Li Banfeng finished reading most reports. From their content, anyone above Ground Level Five who climbed Blood Tooth Mountain and didn’t break its rules would likely survive.

“Master Lu, do you think the Blood Tooth Fiend’s cultivation is around Level Five?”

“Level Five is definitely too low, but how high she truly is remains unknown. Shall we go test her?”

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly: “We don’t know her level or her sect. Testing her recklessly could cost us dearly.”

Master Lu was surprised—Li Qi could be cautious too.

Li Banfeng returned the Blood Tooth Fiend’s newspapers to Master Lu: “Have you heard of the Curse and Witchery Ruins?”

Master Lu thought a moment, took down a book box from the shelf, and pulled out six old volumes. Scanning their indexes, he found passages on the Curse and Witchery Ruins in each.

The Curse and Witchery Ruins is an unnamed place in Pu Luo Province. Ordinary people cannot reach it, and once they do, they find it nearly impossible to leave.”

“How can an extraordinary person reach the Curse and Witchery Ruins?” Li Banfeng had asked the Two Wu Cai sisters—they didn’t remember the way. He’d asked Fifth Daughter too; upon hearing the name, she vanished instantly.

“There are three ways,” Master Lu pointed to a line in the book. “Through dreams, through illusions, through the Realm of Life and Death.”

Li Banfeng understood dreams and illusions: “What does ‘Realm of Life and Death’ mean?”

Master Lu explained: “The Realm of Life and Death is a special state one enters after experiencing death. How long one lingers there depends on the nature of one’s soul.”

Most people linger for only an instant, but some remain for three to five years. In the Realm of Life and Death, one can find the Unnameable Path and reach the Unnameable Place.”

The Two Wu Cai sisters must have had extraordinary souls, lingering long in the Realm of Life and Death after death, and unintentionally entering the Curse and Witchery Ruins.

Li Banfeng asked: “Is Hen Wuyou connected to the Curse and Witchery Ruins?”

Master Lu took out another old book, flipped through it, and said: “The Curse and Witchery Ruins is the origin of curse and witchcraft. Hen Wuyou is the Ancestor of Curse Cultivators. Legend says she is the lord of the Curse and Witchery Ruins.”

Li Banfeng looked at the text Master Lu pointed to—the earlier passage said “Curse and Witchery Ruins,” the later one said “Curse and Witchery Void.”

“Master Lu, are these the same place?”

Master Lu nodded: “Same place.”

“Then which character is correct?”

“Both have interpretations,” Master Lu opened another volume. “One says ‘Ruins’ is correct, because the place has turned to waste, so ‘ruins’ implies desolation.”

“The other says ‘Void’ is correct, because it is a Void-Origin place.”

Seeing Li Banfeng’s clear gaze, Master Lu continued: “The Void-Origin place is the earliest land formed in Pu Luo Province. The Void-Origin Silkworms that lived there were the first life in Pu Luo Province.”

“What do Void-Origin Silkworms look like?” Li Banfeng remembered the worms he’d plucked from the Two Wu Cai sisters.

Master Lu hesitated, unsure how to describe it. He went upstairs, brought down a clay jar, and used tweezers to extract a wriggling worm.

The black worm was identical to the one Li Banfeng had taken.

“Master Lu, did you get this worm from the Void-Origin place?”

Master Lu paused, then spoke honestly: “Seventh Master, you may know this—Wai Zhou’s insect-dungeon scientist Yu Yao has lived here with me. We’ve been researching boundaries.”

To protect our findings, I offended Qin Dajin of the Three Heroes Sect. I should have explained this.”

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly: “No need to explain. This isn’t your fault.”

Master Lu placed the worm back in the jar: “Seventh Master, you’re so righteous—I shouldn’t hide anything. This Void-Origin Silkworm was taken by me from a wormhole that crossed the boundary.”

I didn’t take just one—I’ve collected many, and with Yu Yao, we’ve studied them extensively.”

“You entered the wormhole—and came back alive?” Li Banfeng exclaimed. “You’ve found a way to cross the boundary?”

Master Lu didn’t know how to answer. He’d never revealed this to anyone.

Li Banfeng said: “Don’t worry. This is good. I won’t ruin your work.”

“Let’s return to the worm—can Void-Origin Silkworms enhance cultivation?”

Master Lu said: “I haven’t tried. I lack the courage. But Yu Yao tested them with machines. The machines changed drastically.”

Some came alive. Some understood intent and helped Yu Yao with tasks. Some were violent—a sewing machine sewed Yu Yao’s two hands together.”

Others were mischievous—a printing press printed a newspaper directly onto Yu Yao’s skin.”

“Living machines? Aren’t those Inner Province people? Can Void-Origin Silkworms create life?” Li Banfeng organized his thoughts. “If Hen Wuyou is the Blood Tooth Fiend, and she’s the leader of the Curse and Witchery Ruins, and if the Curse and Witchery Ruins truly is the Void-Origin place, and if it holds countless Void-Origin Silkworms—this becomes dangerous.”

Master Lu’s mind lagged: “Seventh Master, why do you think the Blood Tooth Fiend is Hen Wuyou?”

Li Banfeng couldn’t explain: “There are too many threads. Do you have a way to reach the Curse and Witchery Ruins?”

Master Lu shook his head. He’d collected data on the Curse and Witchery Ruins but never studied it in depth.

Li Banfeng poured a dead worm from his old teapot into Master Lu’s hand: “Have Yu Yao study it. See if it’s a Void-Origin Silkworm.”

Back at Suishenju, Li Banfeng faced a dilemma.

He should go to the Curse and Witchery Ruins. If Hen Wuyou had submitted to the Inner Province, the Curse and Witchery Ruins likely had too.

If the Curse and Witchery Ruins truly was the Void-Origin place, it could supply the Inner Province with countless Void-Origin Silkworms.

If that were true, Li Banfeng must eradicate the Curse and Witchery Ruins.

But if he went, he wouldn’t return quickly—would Ink Fragrance Shop suffer in his absence?

If the Blood Tooth Fiend truly was Hen Wuyou, could Master Lu alone hold her off?

Master Lu gave the worm to Yu Yao. Yu Yao had high expertise in biology and quickly gave results.

The worm Li Banfeng plucked from the Two Wu Cai sisters was nearly identical to the Void-Origin Silkworm—more accurately, it was a mutated Void-Origin Silkworm.

This proved one thing: the correct name for the Curse and Witchery Ruins is Curse and Witchery Void—it is the Void-Origin place.

Li Banfeng must go to the Curse and Witchery Void. But who could help Master Lu guard Ink Fragrance Shop?

He knew many experts, but after long thought, he found no suitable candidate.

Not every expert would come to help Ink Fragrance Shop. Some might even threaten it.

Not every expert is willing to help at Moxiang Shop; some experts even pose a threat to Moxiang Shop.

In the midst of deep thought, Murong Gui stepped out from the second wing.

“Seven, I’ll go.”

Li Banfeng sat on the chair, looking up at Murong Gui.

In Li Qi’s memory, Murong Gui spent most of his time lying down; now this slender scholar stood perfectly straight, appearing much taller.

“Are you truly willing to go?”

“Not willing,” Murong Gui shook his head, “but I should go.”

Late at night, Li Banfeng took Murong Gui to the Willow Garden.

Murong Gui wrote the character “Wisdom” beneath the willow tree, and a lake emerged within the Willow Garden—his original dwelling.

Li Banfeng felt reluctant.

Murong Gui spoke slowly, word by word: “Seven, when this matter is done, come back for me!”

He lifted the hem of his robe, clasped his hands behind his back, held the judge’s pen, and stepped one by one toward the pavilion.

He dared not look back, afraid he would not want to leave.

He did not want to look ahead, afraid he could not endure the bitter life ahead.

“Seven, go!”

He urged Li Banfeng to leave quickly, lest he change his mind at any moment.

Inside the pavilion, Murong Gui gritted his teeth: no matter how hard the road ahead, he must bear it alone—he was the land god of Ink Fragrance Shop, and this was his duty!

He sat beside the writing desk, his expression resolute, and closed his eyes.

Another scholar sat at the desk, writing—this scholar had been created by Murong Gui using the peddler’s brush.

The brush scholar saw Murong Gui and felt the scene was solemn; he longed to weep.

He wept not only for Murong Gui, but for himself—he was finally free.

“The blind must feel shame,” “The literate must strive,” “All people must study writing”—he had written these three lines countless times; now it was the last.

The brush scholar neatly filled one page with writing, then placed his brush upon the bookshelf.

He had fulfilled his purpose; now he would begin a new life.

Though once betrayed by Murong Gui, the brush scholar still bowed deeply to him.

Murong Gui opened his eyes, forcing a faint smile: “Where to?”

The brush scholar pointed outside—he wished to leave this place.

Murong Gui blinked, and paper and brush reappeared before the brush scholar; he looked up and said one word: “Write!”

The brush scholar froze.

When you weren’t here, I wrote; now that you’re here, why am I still writing?

Seeing the brush scholar standing still, Murong Gui asked: “Disobedient?”

The brush scholar straightened his back, showing defiance!

Murong Gui slowly rose, looked at the brush scholar, and said slowly: “Then fight.”

Ten minutes later, the brush scholar, tears in his eyes, lay slumped over the desk, continuing to write the three lines.

He could not defeat Murong Gui.

A cold wind blew through; Murong Gui lay beside the desk, silent for a long while, then spoke one word: “Blanket.”

The brush scholar wiped his tears, brought down a quilt from upstairs, and covered Murong Gui.

Wrapped in the quilt, Murong Gui gazed at Li Banfeng in the distance and murmured: “Seven, go—no matter how hard it gets, I can bear it!”

Li Banfeng left the Willow Garden and went to Lu’s Bookshop: “Master Lu, the land god of Ink Fragrance Shop has returned.”

Master Lu poured a cup of hot tea: “Young Master Qi, as long as he’s back, you needn’t worry about Ink Fragrance Shop anymore.”

Li Banfeng went to Black Stone Slope and found Tang Shi.

Tang Shi had just finished taking a set of photos, drenched in sweat: “Old Seven, what do you need?”

Li Banfeng said: “I want to go to Dream Qian Lodge.”

Tang Shi paused: “Did something upset you? Hiding in a place like that won’t last.”

“Brother Tang, I must see Meng Qian.”

Tang Shi hesitated briefly.

He did not ask why; he simply took Li Banfeng to the edge of the New Land.

Ahead lay an abandoned station. Tang Shi said: “Near the platform, there are remnants of Dream Qian Lodge. In dreams, dream cultivators are extremely hard to deal with—be extremely careful.”

If anything feels wrong, leave the platform immediately—it’s only a remnant, and you have many chances to escape.”

Tang Shi told Li Banfeng the relatively safe positions on the platform and escape routes, repeatedly warning him.

After leaving the platform, do not wander—otherwise you’ll fall back into the dream.

Li Banfeng was not unfamiliar with this platform—it was where he first entered Dream Qian Lodge.

Having said all he needed to, Tang Shi left; he despised Dream Qian Lodge.

Once Tang Shi was far away, Li Banfeng exchanged the Linked Chamber for his wife.

His wife opened her pocket watch, looked at Meng De inside, and warned: “Watch closely—if anything happens, speak at once.”

Meng De was nervous: “Madam, my cultivation is far too weak—I’m probably useless.”

Zhao Xiao narrowed her brows: “Focus on your task—don’t invite a beating!”

Meng De dared not speak further. Li Banfeng touched the music box in his pocket—if he fell into the dream, the music box could at least record what happened.

He took his wife onto the platform, standing on the third blue brick at the edge of the canopy—Tang Shi’s recommended relatively safe spot.

Even though relatively safe, Li Banfeng still felt drowsy; he immediately pushed his Fortune-Seeking and Misfortune-Avoiding to its limit.

A surge of danger struck; Li Banfeng pinched his brow to stay awake, while his wife sang a piercing chant, fully dispelling his drowsiness.

Meng De’s expression went blank—she had entered the dream first.

Li Banfeng opened the music box—it did not play music; the music box had also entered the dream.

His wife’s song grew sharper—she was attacking an invisible enemy.

Soon, a stunningly beautiful woman in white robes appeared before Li Banfeng, her expression languid.

“You sought me?”

Li Banfeng studied Meng Qian closely; to test if this was a dream, he pulled out a box of matches.

Meng Qian shook her head: “Don’t burn my clothes—you’re not asleep.”

Li Banfeng put away the matches: “I wish to go to the Curse and Gu Expanse. I hope you can guide me.”

Meng Qian shook her head again: “I don’t want to go there.”

“I never do anything for free. Name your price.”

Meng Qian thought long and hard, then said to Li Banfeng: “I want to build a Dream Qian Lodge in Xiao Capital. Can you agree?”

Li Banfeng did not want to agree.

Zhao Xiao spoke up: “Miss Meng, your deal is too greedy. We only ask you to guide us once, yet you want a permanent business in Xiao Capital—this price is unreasonable.”

Meng Qian looked at Zhao Xiao, expressionless: “I’ve named my price. You may counteroffer.”

Zhao Xiao reminded Li Banfeng: “A shop doesn’t have to be bought—it can be rented.”

Li Banfeng smiled—his wife’s idea was good. He said to Meng Qian: “I’ll rent you land in Xiao Capital to build your Dream Qian Lodge. In return, you must do three things for me each month.”

Meng Qian felt uneasy: “What kind of tasks? If one day you want me to seize Chao Ge City, I can’t do that.”

“You needn’t worry—I’ll only ask you to do what’s within your ability. I’ll state the task first; you may counteroffer.”

After careful thought, Meng Qian agreed: “To reach the Curse and Gu Expanse, you must first enter a dream. I won’t harm you within the dream.”

“I trust you completely. Let’s sign a contract.” Li Banfeng wrote the contract; both pressed their fingerprints—deal done.

He and Zhao Xiao ceased resisting drowsiness; they both entered the dream, following Meng Qian into the New Land.

The surroundings rapidly receded; Meng Qian flew through the air, swiftly carrying them through the dream. Halfway, she warned: “The Curse and Gu Expanse is a village. Once inside, don’t speak much to the villagers, don’t eat anything they offer, don’t stay overnight—when I tell you to leave, you must obey.”

Li Banfeng and Zhao Xiao memorized every word.

Time was hazy in the dream; they felt the journey had taken little while, but when Zhao Xiao checked her pocket watch, half the time had passed.

After another half-journey, Meng Qian, floating midair, halted beside them—the surroundings no longer moved.

“Found it—right there.” Meng Qian pointed to a cluster of high-rise buildings ahead.

“This is the Curse and Gu Expanse?” Li Banfeng deeply doubted it—the scenery clearly resembled a city from another province.

Meng Qian explained: “This is the dream of an outsider. That outsider is currently in the Curse and Gu Expanse. I can use her dream to transport you there.”

She led them into the city—cars glided silently along the roads, noiseless, smokeless, not a speck of dust stirred.

The sidewalks were clean and tidy; every few dozen meters stood a bench, surrounded by flowerbeds.

Meng Qian quickly found the dreamer—a young girl, gazing dreamily at the fountain between the towers.

Her face wore a blissful smile.

In her dream, city life was utterly beautiful.

Meng Qian said to Li Banfeng: “You may leave now.”

She extended a finger and lightly tapped the dreamer’s forehead.

The dreamer shuddered and woke up.

The towers, fountain, benches, gardens—all the beauty of the dream vanished.

The dreamer, dressed in tattered clothes, lay in a damp cave, glancing at the faint light at the entrance.

She curled up, closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep again—when Li Banfeng’s voice asked beside her: “Where is this?”

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The girl flinched in fear and sprang to her feet to run.

Zhao Xiao stepped forward and blocked her: “Don’t be afraid, we won’t hurt you. I’ll ask you—this is the Curse Wasteland, isn’t it?”

The girl nodded: “Yes.”

Zhao Xiao asked again: “Why are you sleeping here?”

The girl didn’t want to answer, but Zhao Xiao’s voice carried a special authority that made her feel she could not defy it: “I’m a Guxiu . If the curse cultivators catch me, they’ll make me their slave.”

Li Ban frowned: “Where do slaves come from in Pulu Province?”

“It’s what the Curse Ancestor says—every Guxiu is a slave to the curse cultivators.”

“She says slaves are slaves, and you just obey?”

“We can’t fight back!” the girl said, face pale with fear. “The curse cultivators have a man with them—he killed our Grand Master.”

“All of us together couldn’t beat him!”

Li Ban knew who that man was: “When the curse cultivators capture you, what do they force you to do?”

The girl trembled: “We raise insects. If we don’t raise them well, they feed us to the insects.”

PS: Dear readers, every monthly vote you cast moves me deeply. Please grant me two more days—I will surely deliver for you.