Chapter 99: The Fallen Young Master

How could Ma Wu possibly be scavenging for food in a trash heap?

He was a wealthy young master; back when he took that medicine, he had over a dozen attendants with him.

Though he’d only met Ma Wu once, Li Banfeng had a strong impression of him—this man had no airs, spoke frankly, and when Li Banfeng knew nothing about Puluozhou, Ma Wu gave him plenty of explanations and advice.

Back then, when Li Banfeng had just awakened to the celestial light, Ma Wu had repeatedly warned him to find a way to preserve his life.

Seeing Ma Wu sprint from the trash heap, Li Banfeng chased after him.

Ma Wu’s body was weak; even if he weren’t, he couldn’t outrun a Traveling Cultivator. When he reached an alley, he suddenly turned around and said, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else—I’m not Ma Wu!”

Li Banfeng shook his head. “I’m not talking about Ma Wu. I’m talking about one hundred and fifty.”

Ma Wu froze. “What one hundred and fifty?”

Li Banfeng said, “I want to hire someone. This is my first time in Green Water Bay—I’ve been nowhere, know nothing.”

“I need a guide. One hundred and fifty a day. Will you take the job?”

Ma Wu sized up Li Banfeng, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

After a moment’s thought, Ma Wu lowered his head and whispered, “You really pay one hundred and fifty a day?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “I’ll even feed you. If you’re willing, let’s go eat right now.”

Ma Wu agreed—he was starving.

Though he’d sunk to eating from trash, he hadn’t given up—he still wanted to live.

Li Banfeng took Ma Wu back to the noodle shop.

Ma Wu stopped Li Banfeng. “Don’t go into this place.”

“Why not?”

Ma Wu said, “This isn’t a place for outsiders. The owner isn’t a good man.”

Li Banfeng was surprised. “I’ve eaten here before—the owner’s quite nice.”

Ma Wu sighed. “I’m just a guide—I can only say so much. You decide the rest.”

Li Banfeng took Ma Wu inside. The shopkeeper was cleaning up broken tables, chairs, and bowls with other “customers.” Seeing Li Banfeng, he gasped, “Why are you back again?”

Li Banfeng frowned. “I’m here to eat! Isn’t this a restaurant? How much for lamb noodles?”

The shopkeeper lowered his head. “Five.”

Ma Wu asked, “Be clear—is it five per bowl, or five per strand?”

It seemed Ma Wu had been cheated here before.

The shopkeeper looked up. “We’re honest merchants—naturally five per bowl.”

This answer surprised Ma Wu.

But what Li Banfeng said next surprised him even more.

“Five per bowl? That’s too cheap—is that fair?”

The shopkeeper thought. “Then ten.”

Li Banfeng frowned. “Ten is fair?”

The shopkeeper sniffed. “We’re a small business.”

Li Banfeng nodded. “Ten it is. Two bowls first.”

Separately, every word of their exchange made sense to Ma Wu. Together, he understood nothing.

Were these two friends?

Were they joking with each other?

The other “customers” glanced at Li Banfeng, quickly brought over chairs and tables, and sat down pretending to eat.

Soon, two bowls of lamb noodles arrived. The shopkeeper also handed Li Banfeng twenty yuan.

Li Banfeng took the money and said to Ma Wu, “I told you—the owner’s a decent man, very straightforward.”

Ma Wu was utterly stunned.

He came to eat noodles—and the shopkeeper paid him?

But Ma Wu’s attention was quickly drawn to the noodles before him.

He was hungry.

“Eat. Have as much as you want.” Li Banfeng handed Ma Wu a pair of chopsticks.

Ma Wu’s face flushed red—he didn’t want to accept charity.

Li Banfeng smiled. “Eat up. When I hire someone, I always provide food and lodging. This is your due.”

Ma Wu picked up the chopsticks and devoured the first bowl in three or four bites.

Li Banfeng pushed the second bowl toward him. “I’ve already eaten. This one’s yours too.”

Ma Wu licked his lips, and in an instant, the second bowl was gone.

Li Banfeng turned to the shopkeeper. “Cook two more bowls.”

The shopkeeper looked miserable. “We’re a small business.”

Li Banfeng frowned. “Are you trying to raise the price?”

“N-no, we won’t raise it. Ten per bowl.”

Soon, the shopkeeper brought two more bowls and gave Li Banfeng another twenty yuan.

Ma Wu ate five bowls total, then stopped.

Were you full?

Not quite—but Ma Wu had gone a full day without food; eating more could be dangerous.

“Let’s get to work. Boss, what do you want me to do?”

Li Banfeng stood. “Didn’t we already agree? You’re my guide. First, find me a place to stay.”

“Find a place to stay…” Ma Wu hesitated. Finding lodging in Blue Willow Village wasn’t easy.

Leaving the noodle shop, Ma Wu led Li Banfeng deeper into the village, explaining as they walked: “In Blue Willow Village, don’t stay in the north. The houses there are sturdy, but they could be torn down anytime.”

“Why?”

“You must’ve seen the road roller when you came in. The city’s extending the road here—ten meters a day. Every house along the route gets demolished.”

Li Banfeng thought. “If they keep tearing down like this, Blue Willow Village will shrink until it’s gone, won’t it?”

“It won’t disappear. The south of Blue Willow Village connects to new land. Villagers keep reclaiming it. For decades, they’ve torn down and rebuilt—the village stays the same size.”

Ma Wu stopped at the village center, where wooden huts dominated. Brick houses were nearly gone, but thatch huts were plentiful.

Ma Wu said, “Find a place around here. Don’t go too close to the south—it borders the new land, and that area isn’t safe. These houses are okay, but it depends on the landlord. If he’s too harsh, he’ll raise your rent every few days. If he’s too soft, someone might steal your home.”

Blue Willow Village. What a wonderful place.

The landlords here are so honest.

Li Banfeng looked around. “Then find a landlord who’s neither too harsh nor too soft.”

Ma Wu nodded. “I know one like that. I don’t know if he’s home.”

Li Banfeng said, “If he’s not home, I’ll stay at yours. I’ll pay you rent.”

Ma Wu smiled awkwardly. “My place isn’t convenient.”

He didn’t dare say it outright—he had no home. He’d built a shack near the new land, and yesterday, someone had stolen it.

After graduating high school, Li Banfeng had slept under a bridge during summer break because he had no dorm. A female classmate once wanted to visit his home.

Ma Wu’s expression now was familiar to him.

Ma Wu knocked on the door of a wooden hut. After a few minutes, a man in a robe stepped out.

The man’s surname was Wei. Ma Wu didn’t know his name—everyone called him Landlord Wei.

Ma Wu asked, “Any rooms available?”

Landlord Wei sized up Ma Wu. “Do you have money?”

He knew Ma Wu had none—just days ago, Ma Wu had been evicted for failing to pay rent.

Ma Wu turned to Li Banfeng. “I’m not renting. This gentleman is.”

Li Banfeng smiled at Landlord Wei. “I have money.”

Landlord Wei yawned, pulled out a keychain, and unlocked a wooden room.

Two meters long, two meters wide. Inside: only a bed.

“Two hundred a month.”

“Not renting!” Li Banfeng felt sick just looking at it.

Landlord Wei glared at Li Banfeng and opened another room.

This one was slightly larger—about ten square meters—with a bed and a table.

“Not renting!” Li Banfeng refused outright.

“Not this one either?” Landlord Wei studied Li Banfeng. “What kind of place do you want?”

Li Banfeng smiled. “Something befitting my status. You figure it out.”

Landlord Wei froze.

What status did this man have?

He couldn’t tell.

Seeing how bold he was, he’d give him something brutal.

Landlord Wei led them to a two-story wooden building. The houses here were less crowded, the environment decent.

Li Banfeng nodded and followed the landlord into the first floor.

Li Banfeng nodded and followed the landlord into the first floor.

The first floor has a living room, a bedroom, and a hand pump well; the second floor has two bedrooms.

Overall, this qualifies as a small villa; all the necessary furnishings—tables, chairs, cabinets, and beds—are present.

The most valuable thing is the hand pump well.

In Pulu Province, a house with a well is not on the same level as one without; with a well, you don’t have to queue for water.

Li Banfeng nodded: “This actually looks like a place to live. How much per month?”

“Two thousand five! Pay monthly, and if you’re three days late, you’ll have to move out,” Wei the landlord said, watching Li Banfeng’s reaction.

Li Banfeng counted out five thousand yuan: “I’ll rent it for two months.”

“Straightforward!” Wei the landlord took the money; Li Banfeng took the keys.

Ma Wu stood at the door without entering: “Boss, Old Wei’s reputation is solid. Stay here for now—I’ll find you tomorrow morning.”

Li Banfeng shook his head: “Tomorrow morning won’t do. I’m paying you a hundred and fifty a day—I hired you for the full day, day and night.”

Ma Wu frowned: “What use would I be if you leave me here at night?”

“Plenty of use. I’ll explain later—come inside and pick a room.”

Ma Wu lowered his head, his cheeks flushing red again.

He entered the wooden house, looked up, and smiled at Li Banfeng: “Thank you, Seventh Master.”

He recognized Li Banfeng at first glance.

Though he’d only seen him once at the peddler’s, and though neither had revealed their real names, he remembered this man—he remembered he was called Li Qi.

Li Banfeng gestured into the house: “After you, Fifth Young Master.”

PS: I feel Ma Wu still hasn’t let go—given his demeanor and abilities, if he just went out to work, he’d surely have enough to eat and live comfortably!

(End of Chapter)