Chapter 858: Stubborn and Self-Willed

“I don’t care—I’m going with you! If I can’t stand to look at it, I’ll cover my eyes; if I can’t bear to hear it, I’ll plug my ears!” Zhao Xiao wan clung to Li Banfeng without letting go.

Xiang Hongying urged from the side: “Xiaowan, if you cover your eyes and plug your ears, how are you going to fight?”

“I don’t care! I won’t let my husband go face the Great Totem alone!” Zhao Xiao wan’s eyes turned red.

Xiang Hongying didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t even hold her ground before the Small Totem—how could she possibly help Li Banfeng before the Great Totem?

The Sky Maiden remained calm and stepped closer to Zhao Xiao wan: “Stop making a scene. First, think of a strategy.”

Zhao Xiao wan heard nothing else—she only held Li Banfeng tighter.

She had considered a strategy: have A Yi lead Hulucun to Zhen, then detonate the Great Totem.

It seemed the most reasonable tactic now, but after several battles, Hulucun had suffered heavy losses; another surprise attack on the Great Totem might wipe them out entirely.

A Yi could never watch Hulucun vanish like this.

Even if A Yi agreed, Li Banfeng would never let Hulucun fight again.

Xiang Hongying offered a suggestion: “We can’t keep bleeding Hulucun dry. Let’s gather the heroes again, like before, and make one final push against the Great Totem—end this bloody war once and for all.”

“No time!” Li Banfeng shook his head. “Rallying all the heroes takes time, and I can’t trust that any of them are reliable.”

“From past battles, we’ve seen there are traitors among the heroes—possibly many. If word leaks, our strike on Zhen is just suicide.”

The Sky Maiden thought a moment: “Then use the peddler’s method. He destroyed the Great Totem before with only three men—choosing only the most trustworthy. You can do the same.”

A Yu’s eyes widened: “What? Are you going to drag Old Sun into this again? And our daughter too?”

When the peddler attacked the Great Totem, he’d taken only Sun Tiecheng, Gui Jianchou, and A Yi.

But A Yu refused now: “Old Qi, can’t you ever do anything without dragging our family into it? Yuyuan City is just starting to recover—and now you want to sacrifice Hulucun again? The only one left alive in our family is A Yi!”

Li Banfeng shook his head: “I never planned to bring anyone. I intend to go alone.”

The Sky Maiden frowned: “Going alone is too dangerous.”

Li Banfeng had already decided: “Going alone into Zhen makes it easier to hide. This is the least risky path.”

The Sky Maiden narrowed her eyes: “Not even one extra person?”

Li Banfeng had listened to the peddler’s debrief on destroying the Great Totem—he knew the critical points: “Last time, the peddler faced Yu Zhuo. That man had never fought on a battlefield and was completely unprepared. Bringing extra help was fine.”

“But now the enemy is the Prince of Anshun County. He just crawled out of battle. The Inner State isn’t stupid—they have plenty of clever men.”

“After one failure, they won’t leave the Great Totem unguarded. More people only increase the risk.”

The room fell silent. The Fifth Girl spoke timidly: “I’ve led troops before. I know some things shouldn’t be said before battle.”

“Old Qi, have you ever thought—what if you don’t come back? What happens to Pulu State?”

Li Banfeng nodded: “I’ve thought of it. Pulu State can manage without anyone.”

The Sky Maiden stared, stunned: “What kind of talk is that?”

“It’s the truth,” Li Banfeng said, looking at her. “Without me, there’s you. If you feel you can’t do it, someone better than me will emerge.”

The Sky Maiden couldn’t comprehend: “Do you know what Pulu State’s situation is now? Do you know how many urgent tasks remain?”

“The old Great Totem is destroyed. The new one has no link to Pulu State. Cloud-dwellers can no longer ascend. Have you thought of that?”

“The Inner State has turned completely hostile. No new land, no contracts, no land-seal stamps. The path for land to rise to the clouds is nearly severed. Have you thought of that?”

“Without you, who will handle these things?”

“They’re already being handled,” Li Banfeng said calmly. “I’ve ordered Face Not Large to cultivate sunflowers in bulk. Xu Han will assist—sunflowers will gather human energy far more efficiently.”

“As for the Small Totem, I originally planned to give it to my wife to study, but she can’t withstand it. I’ll give it to A Yi. After extracting the technique from Duan Tielu, A Yi will surely create a substitute for the Great Totem—cloud-dwellers can still gather human energy through the land realm.”

“A Yi has already built a simple altar—it can bring new land to Pulu State.”

“As for the techniques of contracts and land-seal stamps, I’ve collected vast quantities of both. I plan to give them all to A Yi and Old Train.”

“Add Duan Tielu, Tang Shi Jiang, Bai Qiao Niang, and many skilled Gongxiu. Add over a hundred Dao sects and tens of thousands of cultivators in Pulu State—they’ll find alternatives.”

“Pulu State has a way. Without me, Pulu State still has a way!”

“Pulu State needs capital and time. I’ll earn the capital. I’ll fight for the time. Pulu State will surely profit greatly!”

The Sky Maiden stared at Li Banfeng for a long time.

Yuan Miaoping bit her lip: “Master, can’t you even take one helper? Take Old Train—he’s close to you, and he’s a fierce fighter. Just take him!”

Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly: “No. Old Train’s soul was split. Even now, his soul remains unstable—he couldn’t withstand the Great Totem.”

Jiu’er thought a moment: “Then take Face Not Large.”

“No. I’ve considered Face Not Large. His body is incomplete—another Face Not Large hasn’t returned.”

“He won’t return anytime soon. An incomplete body can’t withstand the Great Totem. If Face Not Large falls into the Inner State’s hands, the consequences are unthinkable.”

Jiu’er said: “Then take my father. He’s been there once—he has experience—”

A Yu kicked Jiu’er: “Why are you always thinking of your father?”

Jiu’er pouted: “I’m thinking of my husband.”

A Yu snapped: “Is my husband not a husband too?”

“Sun Brother can’t go,” Li Banfeng shook his head. “This Great Totem is different from last time—it contains material from the Great Furnace, with seventy-five percent of its power. Sun Brother hasn’t fully revived—he can’t withstand it!”

The Sky Maiden looked at Li Banfeng: “You’re not even taking your Residence?”

Li Banfeng said nothing.

The Old Man grew frantic: “Old Qi, no matter what you say, I’m going with you today!”

The Sky Maiden said: “Without your Residence nearby, you won’t easily infiltrate Zhen. The Zhaixiu ’s advantages will be weakened.”

The Old Man said: “Without me, you won’t even find your way to Zhen. You won’t understand the path Duan Tielu drew.”

Zhao Xiao wan clung tightly to Li Banfeng: “I’ll stay right here. Wherever you go, I go. I won’t step outside—I won’t be a burden. I’ll just stay home, giving advice, helping out!”

Xiang Hongying nodded: “If the Residence goes, the Residence Spirit goes too. You can borrow techniques from me.”

The Fifth Girl nodded: “Master, all techniques can be borrowed. I can lend you mine too—make the Old Man flexible!”

Yuan Miaoping said: “Master, if our Old Man agrees, I can help you in countless ways. Take us with you!”

Li Banfeng looked at Yuan Miaoping, then at the Fifth Girl: “Are you both sincere?”

“Master, when have I ever been insincere with you?”

“Master, I—I follow your every word—”

Li Banfeng thought a moment, then nodded: “This is a viable plan.”

His wife nodded eagerly: “Let’s call everyone who can fight. Bring Jiang Linger back. Recall Ba Suan. With A Yu here, Boluo stays outside.”

The Residence said: “There’s a room full of magic treasures, a room full of passengers—all techniques can be borrowed, as long as Hongying can hold them down and endure the strain.”

Xiang Hongying didn’t understand: “What do you mean ‘hold them down’ and ‘endure the strain’?”

The Sky Maiden explained to Xiang Hongying: “You’re Li Qi’s Residence Spirit. When he activates the Deep Residence Technique, he can only borrow techniques from you.”

“But if you can overpower the other spirits inside the Residence, you can borrow from them too—but each borrowing drains your strength.”

Now Xiang Hongying understood: “You mean ‘hold them down’ means beating them into submission. No problem—I’ll take them one by one if they resist!”

“As for ‘endure the strain’—it’s just brute force. I’ve got plenty of strength!”

“When Hongying first came home, I could tell she had a strong frame!”

Zhao Xiao wan said: “When Hongying first came, she was a long spear. How could you tell her frame?”

“I could! Hongying’s frame was written all over her face!”

Li Banfeng praised Xiang Hongying, then unfolded a map—drawn by Nian Shangyou.

The Grand Secretary’s draftsmanship was superb—everyone understood at a glance.

He had drawn the terrain around the Great Totem, detailing Qiao Yi’s defensive placements.

Li Banfeng pointed to the defenses: “The Totem Troops are stationed around the Great Totem, but the First-Rank Weapons are placed far away. Why?”

Everyone present was battle-hardened—they immediately understood the reason.

His wife spoke first: “First-Rank Weapons are souls bound to objects—no flesh bodies. Staying near the Great Totem too long would break them.”

Jiu’er recalled Duan Tielu’s words: “Duan Tielu said First-Rank Weapons can withstand the Great Totem—their shells are tough enough.”

The Fifth Girl said: “That old thief lied. Those tongs aren’t First-Rank Weapons. I’ll handle this.”

“Master, give me one hour alone with him—I’ll make him tell the truth.”

Li Banfeng worried: “After an hour, will there be anything left of Duan Tielu?”

The Fifth Girl placed her hand on her heart: “I’m sure there’ll be a little left!”

Zhao Xiao wan drew a circle on the map: “This battle must be swift. We must rush through the Totem Troops undetected, destroy the Great Totem, then retreat immediately.”

Li Banfeng nodded: “Exactly. If we destroy the Great Totem before the First-Rank Weapons arrive, we win. If they arrive—”

Zhao Xiao wan slammed her fist on the map, staring at Li Banfeng: “We retreat immediately!”

Xiang Hongying nodded: “Xiaowan is right.”

The Old Man said: “I agree with your wife.”

The Fifth Girl chimed in: “That’s how you fight, Master. You must listen to General Zhao!”

The Sky Maiden said nothing. She silently studied the map, then looked at Li Banfeng.

Nian Shangyou had waited in Chaoge all day, sensing no danger, before sneaking home.

He didn’t enter through the front gate—he slipped in through the back, leaping over walls with his skill, and reached his bedroom.

His wife was asleep in bed. He whispered to wake her.

Seeing Nian Shangyou, his wife trembled: “Y-you came back?”

Nian Shangyou said: “Don’t ask. Pack quickly. Take the child and leave now.”

His wife stared blankly: “Where to?”

“Don’t ask. I’ve arranged everything else. Just follow me.”

His wife dressed, her face pale with fear, packed her bags, called the child, and was about to leave—when she clutched her stomach: “I need to relieve myself.”

Nian Shangyou frowned: “Can’t you even hold on for a moment?”

The Lady, drenched in sweat, said: “How can I possibly hold on?”

Nian Shangyou frowned: “Hurry and go.”

The Lady went to the outhouse and did not reappear for ten minutes.

Nian Shangyou could wait no longer and was about to go drag her out when footsteps sounded outside—a group of men burst into the courtyard.

The leader was someone Nian Shangyou recognized: Vice Minister of Justice Yueyang Song.

“Grand Secretary Nian, the Commandery Prince has been waiting for you for days. Come with me.”

Nian Shangyou froze for a moment, then walked to the outhouse and yanked open the door.

The Lady sat inside, tears streaming down her face: “Shangyou, I’m sorry to you, but we still have to live.”

In her hand was a handkerchief—the very one she’d used to send word to the Ministry of Justice.

Nian Shangyou said nothing, turned, embraced his two children, then followed Yueyang Song out of the mansion.

He expected to be taken to the Ministry of Justice, but Yueyang Song brought him straight to the Commandery Prince’s mansion.

Nian Shangyou gritted his teeth and looked at Yueyang Song: “You’re ignoring all protocol now? You won’t even bring me to court before acting against me?”

Yueyang Song shook his head: “Grand Secretary Nian, I’m merely carrying out orders. Let’s not make things harder for each other.”

Nian Shangyou entered the Commandery Prince’s mansion. Anshun Commandery Prince sat behind his desk, smiling: “Grand Secretary Nian, all the soldiers sent to Duoque Mountain were annihilated. I never expected anyone to survive.”

“This humble servant deserves death!” Nian Shangyou knelt and begged for punishment.

“You do deserve death!” Anshun Commandery Prince roared. “Tens of thousands of troops, including General Qiao Yi, perished—yet you alone survived. How great is your crime?”

Nian Shangyou offered no defense. In his mind echoed Li Qi’s words: “To live is good. It is the best thing in this world.”

“Grand Secretary Nian, if I convict you of treason, your entire family’s heads won’t be enough to satisfy the axe!” Anshun Commandery Prince sneered. “You’re already a dead man—but I’m offering you a chance to live. Do you want to live?”

“Yes!” Nian Shangyou nodded frantically.

Anshun Commandery Prince nodded: “You once went to Zhen and helped General Qiao train troops. Qiao told me about it.”

“I’m now heading to Zhen’e. The Great Totem has recruited many new soldiers, but the Thousand-Man Power Formation still won’t form. Some people simply don’t understand troop training. You’re the only one suited for this. Will you redeem yourself?”

Nian Shangyou nodded: “I will.”

“When can you have the troops trained?”

“One month.”

Anshun Commandery Prince frowned: “You don’t want to live, do you?”

Nian Shangyou quickly shook his head: “Ten days is enough. Just ten days.”

Anshun Commandery Prince pondered a moment: “Very well. Ten days. Let’s depart now.”

Several guards came and shackled Nian Shangyou. He followed Anshun Commandery Prince by boat to Zhen’e.

Qiao Yi once said only he knew Zhen’s location—but clearly, Qiao Yi underestimated Anshun Commandery Prince.

Anshun Commandery Prince not only knew where Zhen’s shadow lay, he also knew a shortcut.

In just two hours, the steamship reached Zhen’e. Nian Shangyou boarded a train and arrived before the Great Totem. Some Totem soldiers were dancing around it; each movement reminded Nian Shangyou of his first days in Zhen.

Others were forming ranks, clearly unfamiliar with the Thousand-Man Power Formation. Officers corrected their positions, but the moment they memorized one spot, they forgot it when moved elsewhere.

This was what angered Anshun Commandery Prince most: “I recall General Qiao telling me Totem soldiers have exceptional intellect—they quickly adapt strategies on the battlefield after a few engagements.”

“But these Totem soldiers have pitiful intellect. They can’t even remember formations. How can we expect them to respond on the battlefield?”

Nian Shangyou watched the formation for a long while, then finally saw the problem.

These Totem soldiers had never undergone Li Jun.

Li Jun is pre-battle morale-boosting—through rituals, sacrifices, rewards, or simply shouting words.

For regular troops, Li Jun is optional. But for Totem soldiers, it is vital.

Li Jun is a ritual process that transforms Totem soldiers from idle to combat-ready, performed through a sequence of dances. Without performing the Li Jun dance, they have no concept of battle.

This was easy to fix—Nian Shangyou remembered the Li Jun dances.

But if he fixed it now, he’d lose his value. He still wore shackles; once the task was done, he’d be expendable.

He watched for a long time without speaking. Anshun Commandery Prince grew impatient: “What are you waiting for? Do you see the issue?”

Nian Shangyou replied: “I’ve noticed something, but I dare not speak plainly.”

“Did I gag you?” Anshun Commandery Prince glared. “I’m not like Qiao Yi. Say what you mean!”

Nian Shangyou said: “Totem soldiers’ combat power is extraordinary, and their minds differ from regular troops. Officers commanding from above feels like humiliation to them.”

“Let me try a different method.”

“How is normal drill ‘commanding from above’? Are Totem soldiers that delicate?” Anshun Commandery Prince waved impatiently. “Go ahead. Let me see what tricks you have.”

Nian Shangyou, still shackled, entered the ranks. He studied the soldiers’ blank expressions, thinking of a way forward.

He needed to show some progress—but not too much.

He chatted with the soldiers, cracked a few jokes. To his surprise, they responded, even laughed.

When they laughed heartily, some danced wildly. Nian Shangyou joined in, slipping in one or two Li Jun dance moves.

The soldiers’ demeanor improved slightly; the formation grew neater.

Anshun Commandery Prince was pleased: “See? Grand Secretary Nian is useful. No wonder General Qiao admired him!”

A nearby officer asked curiously: “What trick did he use? Just joking around and they obey?”

Anshun Commandery Prince was clever—he didn’t believe it: “There’s method here. Don’t rush. Watch. He’ll reveal his hand eventually.”

Nian Shangyou held back—only performed one or two moves, then stopped.

Some soldiers reverted to laziness; others held the state longer. One soldier kept pushing forward.

Why was he pushing forward?

Forget it.

Some showed improvement—that was all he needed.

Anshun Commandery Prince called Nian Shangyou back: “Grand Secretary Nian, you’ve done well. There’ll be meat tonight.”

Nian Shangyou thanked him profusely, bowing as he casually shook his wrists.

The shackles clinked loudly. Anshun Commandery Prince frowned.

“Grand Secretary Nian, what’s this? You want me to remove these?”

Nian Shangyou lowered his head, forced a laugh, and said nothing.

“Who are you laughing at? Have you forgotten you’re a condemned man?”

These two sentences drenched Nian Shangyou in cold sweat.

Everyone around fell silent. Anshun Commandery Prince glared at him and rose: “Don’t think a little talent makes you special. Your crimes won’t be washed away overnight. If I truly investigate—”

Hum!

The Great Totem suddenly emitted a deep rumble; the entire camp trembled.

All Totem soldiers seemed to sense something—they spontaneously formed a square formation, instantly shifting into combat readiness.

Anshun Commandery Prince glared at Nian Shangyou: “What trick did you use?”

Nian Shangyou shook his head frantically: “This isn’t my doing!”

Anshun Commandery Prince drew his sword and pressed it to Nian Shangyou’s neck: “Dog, do you know you’re dead?”

He was wrong. This wasn’t Nian Shangyou’s doing—it was the Great Totem’s.

Duan Tielu had not lied. The Great Totem had its own spirit, its own will to fight.

It sensed danger. It wanted battle.

But this Great Totem had no weapon.

No weapon? Fine—the Totem soldiers were its weapon.

Hum!

Another low hum. All soldiers raised their weapons—except one.

He stood still because every weapon was aimed at him.

“What are they doing?” Anshun Commandery Prince was stunned. “Mutiny?”

Nian Shangyou had never seen this before.

The soldier surrounded by weapons clenched his teeth—he was Li Banfeng.

He had used his innate ability, Zhaixiu, to slip undetected into enemy ranks.

Since the enemy had many Kui Xiu, he carried a Huan Xiu magic treasure and a Xi Xiu magic treasure to conceal his ability.

He transformed himself into a three-headed figure, appearing indistinguishable from a Totem soldier.

After securing his disguise, he left the two treasures in his personal quarters and infiltrated alone.

With triple safeguards, Li Banfeng believed he was flawless. Now, if he approached the Great Totem, planted Wuwang, then set off the explosive made by Aiyi, he could destroy it utterly.

But who could have foreseen that tens of thousands of soldiers were fooled—yet the Great Totem recognized him?

The Great Totem didn’t see through his disguise. It sensed danger from Li Banfeng through its innate ability to avoid misfortune and seek fortune.

Li Banfeng smiled at the crowd, raised both hands, and shouted: “Huga, huga!”

It was an old imperial custom for expressing friendliness—Dao Laogui also used it.

It worked. Some Totem soldiers lowered their weapons and responded: “Hugagga! Huga!”

Li Banfeng seized the chance, broke through the encirclement, and charged toward the Great Totem.

“Hum! Hum!”

The Great Totem rang repeatedly, like thunder from Dao Guiling, urging the Totem soldiers into battle.

A group of Totem soldiers chased after him; many Wen Xiu used Tong Wen Gong Gui, and in their perception, Huan Xiu, Nian Xiu,

Some techniques of the Meixiu and Xixiu belong to heretical arts; Li Banfeng’s illusions and disguises gradually dissipated.

Even if they dissipated, it didn’t matter—having come this far, the Great Totem was not far off; fight them head-on!

The Great Totem deployed the Nianxiu to block the front—this was the most effective tactic of the Totem Army: surrounding and bombarding with Nianxiu , a strategy that never failed. Li Banfeng had long prepared for this move.

He activated Yi Yi Gu Xing and charged straight inward.

As he broke into the enemy formation, Li Banfeng silently repeated: “I can’t hear, I can’t hear!”

Here, the Yuxiu technique Yan Zhi Zao Zao was present, but so too were the Lvxiu techniques Yi Yi Gu Xing, Xiao Yao Zi Zai, and Gao Zhen Wu You. If he relied solely on the Yuxiu technique to deceive himself, Li Banfeng would become completely deaf, hearing nothing at all.

Combined with Yi Yi Gu Xing, Li Banfeng’s combat power increased, allowing him to control the technique’s limits with greater precision.

Combined with Xiao Yao Zi Zai, Li Banfeng could accurately pinpoint the origin of the Nianxiu techniques and respond effectively.

Combined with Gao Zhen Wu You, Li Banfeng could purge harmful thoughts from his mind, rejecting them entirely.

The Kuangxiu techniques—purely for self-use!

Li Banfeng carved a path through the enemy and continued charging toward the Great Totem!