Chapter 84

Under the gentle caress of the steam, Li Li Banfeng slowly opened his eyes.

"Oh my~ Husband, you're finally awake!"

The steam helped Li Li Banfeng sit on the edge of the bed.

Li Li Banfeng rubbed the back of his head, which was throbbing with pain, and asked the phonograph: "What sound did I hear just now?"

"An indescribable sound."

"Can I try listening one more time?"

"Oh my husband, if you listen again, the little slave will have to live as a widow."

"Why can't I listen again? Is it because this house's level is high?"

"Yes, husband, so high it's unfathomable."

"But I heard some sounds just now."

"This, this..." The phonograph couldn't explain it either, "Maybe it's because this house isn't that shy and deliberately let husband hear some clues.

Husband, magic treasures in this world all have a cost to use. This earring doesn't have much cost, but if you use it too much, you'll hear some strange sounds. Some sounds are fine to hear, but some sounds will bring disaster if heard. Husband, you must be cautious."

Hear some strange sounds?

This cost was about the same as wearing a face full of heavy makeup; it was nothing major.

Li Li Banfeng was still thinking about what other spiritual things were in the house.

All the spiritual things had been refined by the copper lotus.

The phonograph prompted from the side: "Husband, I don't know if you did it intentionally or unintentionally, but that bitch Did Honglian just refined a magic treasure for you. Why don't you try it? Are you disgusted with magic treasures? Or are you disgusted with that bitch Did Honglian?"

He wasn't disgusted; he had just forgotten.

Li Li Banfeng took out the earring, held it to his ear, and listened for a moment, then shook his head: "There's no sound."

"Husband, listen more carefully."

He listened for a moment again, but there was still nothing.

"Husband, concentrate your mind on your ear and listen more carefully."

This time Li Li Banfeng pressed the earring tightly against his ear and finally heard some sounds, as if someone was talking.

Li Li Banfeng pressed the earring tighter, and finally managed to hear it clearly.

It was a woman, whispering in Li Li Banfeng's ear: "Master, what would you like to hear? Just give the order."

"I want to hear what my lady has to say."

"Very well, Master."

Chi chi~

The phonograph laughed twice.

A series of explosions rang out in Li Li Banfeng's ear, and his ears rang incessantly; he almost went deaf on the spot.

He was too close to the phonograph, which was equivalent to adding a super-power amplifier to the phonograph's body.

Li Li Banfeng quickly took off the earring, and the phonograph sang with a laugh: "Oh my husband, the little slave is right beside you; why would you need this magic treasure to listen? Just wait until there's something you want to hear but can't hear, then it won't be too late to use this earring.

This earring hooks and pulls; let's call it the 'Hooking Earring'."

Hooking Earring, that's a good name.

Li Li Banfeng picked up the scissors and asked: "Does this thing not have a name?"

"My lord, what name does such a foolish thing need? It's better to give it to Did Honglian to refine into a pill."

That wouldn't do; in Li Li Banfeng's view, these scissors were still very useful.

He held the scissors to his ear and listened for a moment, only hearing one word: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Sure enough, in terms of intelligence, the scissors were a level below the earring.

Li Li Banfeng put away the earring and scissors, tidied his clothes, and went out to scout for news about the Jiang Xiang Gang.

As he went out, Li Li Banfeng heard the phonograph singing a tune.

"Rose, rose, most beautiful,

Rose, rose, most gorgeous,

Blooming on the branch in the long summer,

Rose, rose, I love you."

In the Leaving Suishenju, the phonograph sent the sundries in the room into the newly opened room one by one, and then ironed and washed Li Li Banfeng's replaced clothes clean one by one with steam.

Li Li Banfeng suddenly felt very happy.

Walking on the streets of Ligou, Li Li Banfeng looked for a place to eat.

It was eight o'clock, and restaurants weren't easy to find.

No matter how big Medicine King Ditch was, it was ultimately just a town, and without electricity, most small restaurants were closed.

Big restaurants were crowded and noisy, and Li Li Banfeng had just blown up the Jiang Xiang Gang's dance hall, so it wasn't worth taking the risk for a meal. After walking for a long time, he still chose the Fuwang Steamed Bun Shop.

He intended to eat quickly and leave, but just as he pulled out a chair to sit down, he heard someone greet him: "Seventh Brother!"

Qin Xiaopang Qin waved his hand repeatedly, inviting Li Li Banfeng to sit with him.

This was the reason Li Li Banfeng didn't want to choose the Fuwang Steamed Bun Shop; Qin Xiaopang almost ate there every meal.

Today, Brother Zhang Liu had something to do, so Qin Xiaopang came alone. He was bored and let the waiter add two dishes and bring a jar of wine.

Since he had already been recognized, Li Li Banfeng didn't stand on ceremony, opened his mouth, and ate two baskets of buns to fill his stomach first.

After eating and drinking his fill, Qin Xiaopang Qin grabbed Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Brother, come see where I live; I have a home in Ligou now."

Going to see it was fine.

Li Li Banfeng followed Qin Xiaopang to his residence, a small courtyard in Xianchuanzi Alley with only one room. The house was rented, but Qin Xiaopang was very satisfied.

He was satisfied, but Li Li Banfeng didn't like this place.

Xianchuanzi Alley; the old He family residence was on this street, and Lu Lu Xiaolan was still in that residence.

Entering the room, Qin Xiaopang made a pot of tea for Li Li Banfeng, and while drinking tea, Qin Xiaopang took a cloth bag from his bosom and poured out twenty pills.

Snake Spot Pill!

Qin Xiaopang handed the pills to Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Brother, this is my tribute to you."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned: "Where did these pills come from?"

"Passing by the Geng family mansion this afternoon, the old man of the Geng family compensated me—that's Geng Geng Zhiwei's father!"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Did the old man of the Geng family admit defeat?"

Qin Xiaopang gnashed his teeth and said: "Before, he didn't admit it, and when he saw me, he was still blowing his beard and staring. Relying on the Jiang Xiang Gang's protection, he thought I wouldn't dare touch him.

Today he chickened out, invited me to the teahouse, apologized, and gave me so many pills, telling me not to hold it against him.

Later, I heard from brothers in the Sanying Sect that the Jiang Xiang Gang isn't protecting the Geng family anymore. That old man was scared shitless and came to apologize to me that very day!"

Li Li Banfeng frowned slightly: "You're just an ordinary disciple in the Sanying Sect, and the Geng family is considered a local power; are they really that afraid of you?"

"If it were another gang, that would be hard to say. The Sanying Sect's status in Puluo Prefecture is different. Not to mention the Geng family, even big families like the He and Lu families have to give Sanying Sect members enough face.

Manager Yu also sent someone to inquire about news today; I expect the cloth shop will open soon.

Seventh Brother, how that she-devil repays kindness is her business, but you must accept these pills."

Li Li Banfeng didn't lack pills: "Keep them for yourself; save up more time."

Qin Xiaopang shook his head: "They're useless for me; I can't reach the next level, so eating them is just a waste."

"Why can't you reach the next level?"

Qin Xiaopang sighed: "My stomach is a bit small; it's just not big enough. Our Tie Yin, Brother Zhang Liu, said he'd get me some Stomach-Clearing Powder; that stuff works."

Li Li Banfeng had heard of this medicine name; it wasn't rare in Medicine King Ditch: "Isn't Stomach-Clearing Powder all over the streets?"

"It's not ordinary Stomach-Clearing Powder. Brother Zhang Liu said this Stomach-Clearing Powder can increase the size of the stomach and intestines. I'll eat it for a while and see if I can reach the next level. If I still can't, I'll accept my fate."

After chatting for a while, Li Li Banfeng got up to leave. Qin Xiaopang held the pills and said: "Seventh Brother, you must accept these."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "If you don't want to eat them, go exchange them for money. Also, look into this Stomach-Clearing Powder thing carefully; don't get scammed."

Li Li Banfeng put on his top hat, walked to the door, and suddenly heard Qin Xiaopang ask: "Seventh Brother, have you heard? The Jiang Xiang Gang's dance hall was blown up."

Li Li Banfeng pretended not to know: "What dance hall?"

Qin Xiaopang was silent for a moment and said: "Seventh Brother, does this have anything to do with you?"

Li Li Banfeng smiled slightly: "What do you think?"

Qin Xiaopang hurriedly lowered his head: "Seventh Brother, pretend I didn't ask. I owe you my life, and this life is yours. Whenever you feel your little brother is useful, I'll give you this life."

"You only have one life; keep it well for yourself." Li Li Banfeng didn't say much and left Qin Xiaopang's courtyard. Qin Xiaopang watched Li Li Banfeng's back disappear, feeling a burst of joy in his heart.

This must have been done by Seventh Brother.

Only Seventh Brother had such ability.

He would follow Seventh Brother for the rest of his life.

"Seventh Brother, if I want to see you in the future, where should I find you?"

Li Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and looked at the old locust tree in Qin Xiaopang's courtyard.

This tree was a bit special; whether there was wind or not, it was always rustling incessantly.

Qin Xiaopang didn't pay much attention to it usually, but Li Li Banfeng was very concerned about this tree: "If you want to see me, pick three leaves from this tree and stick them in front of the bun shop."

Qin Xiaopang blinked and said: "There are many locust trees in front of the bun shop; there's no guarantee there won't be leaves stuck to the wall. If I cause a misunderstanding for Seventh Brother..."

"Don't worry, there won't be any misunderstanding." Li Li Banfeng looked at the locust tree in the courtyard again, raised his hat slightly as a salute, then put it on properly and left Qin Xiaopang's home.

A woman in a green dress was sitting on the locust tree, covered in green flames, almost touching every leaf.

This kind of leaf stained with ghost fire wasn't common, and Li Li Banfeng wouldn't mistake it.

She looked at the departing Li Li Banfeng, feeling the bloody aura on him, which made her afraid.

She looked at Qin Xiaopang again; Qin Xiaopang had already spread out his quilt and was preparing to sleep.

He didn't expect the Jiang Xiang Gang to chicken out so quickly. Li Li Banfeng felt refreshed, walking on the streets of Ligou, feeling that the road was much wider.

"Extra! Extra! Xianle Dance Hall blown up, suspected to be the work of Jia Jia Quansheng. Young Master Jia, eyes gouged and heart dissected, corpse lying in the street. When will the grudges of the underworld end!"

The newsboy's shouting caught Li Li Banfeng's attention.

The work of Jia Jia Quansheng?

How did Jia Jia Quansheng dare to blow up the Xianle Dance Hall?

The Jiang Xiang Gang actually found this loser to be the scapegoat.

Li Li Banfeng bought a newspaper and read the news with pleasure.

Is the matter over?

Is it just over like this?

Is it really over?

Isn't it a bit too fast?

Five days later, Li Li Banfeng saw three locust leaves in front of the bun shop, locust leaves with ghost fire.

The Stomach-Clearing Powder promised by Zhang Zhang Liuze had arrived. After Qin Xiaopang ate it, he felt his stomach and intestines expand by a size.

That day, Zhang Zhang Liuze set up a banquet at the bun shop, inviting everyone to witness food cultivator Qin Qin Tianjiu reaching the next level.

That day, all the brothers under Zhang Zhang Liuze arrived, and several familiar shopkeepers from the street also came.

Qin Xiaopang didn't intend to put on such a big show; he just wanted to treat Li Li Banfeng and Zhang Zhang Liuze to a drink, then find a place to eat twenty catties of buns and be done with it.

But Zhang Zhang Liuze wouldn't have it and insisted on putting on a show for Qin Xiaopang.

Manager Feng of the grocery store came: "Boss Qin, congratulations, congratulations!"

"No, no, you're saying that too early; I haven't..." Qin Xiaopang was busy explaining when the manager of Song Qingwen Pharmacy also came to offer congratulations.

Yu Nan didn't come, but Wang Wang Xuejiao from the Yu Family Cloth Shop came: "Boss Qin, our manager went out to purchase goods and couldn't make it back today, so I brought a token of her heart on her behalf!"

Going out to purchase goods was a euphemism.

Yu Nan was still in the New Land and hadn't dared to return to Ligou.

Li Li Banfeng walked to Wang Wang Xuejiao's side and asked in a low voice: "Is the matter handled?"

Wang Wang Xuejiao blushed: "Is Seventh Brother talking about the marriage?"

"Who's marrying? I'm talking about Old Master Yao's matter."

"Handled. This is the yellow paper you bought." Wang Wang Xuejiao quietly stuffed the yellow paper into Li Li Banfeng's hand.

Seeing more and more people gathering, Qin Xiaopang said to Zhang Zhang Liuze with a bitter face: "Brother Six, what should we do? There are so many people here..."

Zhang Zhang Liuze ignored Qin Xiaopang, exchanged a few pleasantries with the guests, and shouted: "Serve the dishes!"

The bun shop had never set up such a big banquet before, and many dishes were ordered from other restaurants.

Before long, the shopkeeper served a table full of hearty dishes. Qin Xiaopang said in a dilemma: "Brother, I'll just eat buns; now is not the time to eat these..."

Zhang Zhang Liuze grabbed Qin Xiaopang's hand and shouted to the crowd: "Zhang has lived in Medicine King Ditch for most of his life, and I have some face in front of all you neighbors.

Tonight, I've set up this modest banquet to give my brother courage and support to pass his first-layer barrier.

I'm putting my old face on the table; if my brother can't pass this barrier today, I won't be able to show my face on the streets of Ligou anymore!"

Qin Xiaopang's face turned green: "Brother Six, why are you saying this? I..."

The guests in the hall shouted "Good!" in unison. Zhang Zhang Liuze slapped the table: "The auspicious hour has arrived, brother, start eating."

Under the gaze of everyone, Qin Xiaopang started eating.

At first, he just ate buns, not even daring to drink a sip of water, for fear of taking up space.

Seeing that he had eaten more than half of the buns, someone from the Sanying Sect who liked to meddle handed a chicken leg to Qin Xiaopang: "Brother, try this!"

Qin Xiaopang took the chicken leg and sucked on the meat; the greasy mouth made his appetite instantly fade.

Zhang Zhang Liuze stepped forward and snatched the chicken leg away, turned around, and kicked his subordinate: "Who the hell told you to be meddlesome!"

The table full of hearty dishes wasn't for eating; it was for looking at, for stimulating appetite.

Qin Xiaopang had to eat twenty catties of food within an hour; too greasy wouldn't work, too dry wouldn't work, too salty wouldn't work, and spicy or bitter wouldn't work either.

Buns were the most suitable.

Qin Xiaopang ate sixteen catties of buns in the blink of an eye.

In the past, this was his limit; if he ate one more, Qin Xiaopang would be able to spray it out.

But he had to eat today!

First, he ate the Stomach-Clearing Powder, believing his stomach and intestines had expanded and he could eat it.

Second, he couldn't admit defeat in front of so many people.

Third, Brother Zhang Liu had staked his face on this, and Li Li Banfeng was watching from the side; he had to eat these twenty catties of buns even if it cost him his life.

Eating the seventeenth catty, Qin Xiaopang's face began to turn pale. Zhang Zhang Liuze encouraged him from the side: "Brother, grit your teeth, keep going!"

The guests around also cheered:

"Ninth Master Qin, well done, a true hero!"

"Qin Xiaopang, eat for your life, our Sanying Sect doesn't produce cowards!"

Eating the eighteenth catty, Qin Xiaopang's face turned from pale to red.

Seeing this, everyone cheered repeatedly:

"Ninth Master has recovered!"

"Brother, well done, just two more catties and it's enough."

Zhang Zhang Liuze's expression was solemn, muttering in a low voice: "Not good..."

Li Li Banfeng asked from the side: "What's not good?"

"Food cultivators nourish blood with food; this kid's blood energy is too strong, he can't hold it!"

PS: Yumian Shala's blood energy is flourishing; I'm posting two chapters together, are you satisfied now? Leave a comment for Yumian Shala, vote for Yumian Shala!