Luo Zhengnan sorted through his thoughts and roughly connected the dots before seeking out Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng was drinking with Ma Wu. Luo Zhengnan felt sowhat embarrassed seeing Ma Wu, but Ma Wu wasn’t embarrassed at all.
This man was worldly by nature and was not averse to people of the Jianghu. Most importantly, Luo Zhengnan was brought by Li Banfeng, so even though he ca from the Jiang Xiang Gang, he was absolutely trustworthy.
"Brother Luo, have a drink. You earned the credit for last night’s affair," Ma Wu said.
Luo Zhengnan was stunned. "What affair from last night?"
Li Banfeng whispered, "The matter from his bed last night."
Luo Zhengnan had heard of Ma Junyang’s reputation.
How could his bed affairs be credited to ?
Luo Zhengnan was a bit nervous. Keeping a certain distance from Ma Wu, he said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, I’ve figured out so things..."
Mid-sentence, Luo Zhengnan glanced toward the door of the private room.
Through the door, everyone could hear the sound of sweeping.
Ma Wu pointed upstairs, signaling to Li Banfeng and Luo Zhengnan that they should leave through the room’s concealed door to discuss matters elsewhere.
He opened the main door to the private room and called in the sweeper to clean the room thoroughly.
"Make sure it’s spotless," Ma Wu handed the sweeper a Huan Country Banknote, watching him closely. "We will have important guests soon, so put so effort into it."
The sweeper was anxious. He had seen Li Qi bring a stranger back to the Xiaoyao Lodge, but he didn’t recognize this person, nor did he know whether he should inform Wan Jinxian.
Now that he couldn’t find Li Qi and Ma Wu was watching, all he could do was grab the broom and clean dutifully.
...
Once upstairs, Luo Zhengnan shared the complete thread of clues with Li Banfeng. "Seventh Master, do you know about the Saint from Cheap Person Ridge?"
"I’ve heard of him," Li Banfeng said, not ntioning that he had been to Cheap Person Ridge before.
"Do you know the identity of this Saint?"
Li Banfeng shook his head.
"Just now, I heard He Jiaqing talking to that woman. It seems that the Saint is an Emperor."
Li Banfeng was astonished. "An Emperor from which dynasty?"
Luo Zhengnan shook his head. "I cannot be clear on that. To be honest, I’ve been investigating this Saint for a long ti, and he’s been closely involved with the Jiang Xiang Gang."
"Are you referring to the human trafficking?" Li Banfeng was aware of it too. "Those who can sell people to Cheap Person Ridge must have special connections."
"No need for connections!" Luo Zhengnan waved his hand. "All Hall Entrances of the Jiang Xiang Gang do this; it’s their livelihood. Many Hall Entrances’ territories are not doing well; they depend on this to survive.
Cheap Person Ridge offers a lot of money, and if you’re lucky, you could even beg so Elixirs from the Saint. Because I have rules, dicine King Hall forbids the Human Trafficker business, which has caused quite so grievances among my subordinates.
If you had been to Cheap Person Ridge, you’d know what it’s like there. If it were , I’d rather stay at Bitter Vegetable Manor than go to Cheap Person Ridge.
The conditions there are too miserable. The people struggle year-round for a living and don’t have the ti to think about marriage or having children. The population of Cheap Person Ridge is dwindling year by year and relies entirely on the Jiang Xiang Gang for support."
Li Banfeng thought of Xiao Zhenggong. "It seems that the Gang Leader of the Jiang Xiang Gang also has contact with this Saint."
"There must be contact. According to the clues I’ve investigated, it’s precisely through the Saint’s connections that Xiao Zhenggong beca the Balancer," Luo Zhengnan said.
Li Banfeng was surprised. "What’s a Balancer?"
"Between the Outside Provinces and Puluo State, they are people with special statuses. As for what’s special about them, I haven’t figured it out yet."
The Saint is an Emperor.
Xiao Zhenggong is a Balancer.
And now the Saint wants to recruit He Jiaqing. Would Jia Qing join forces with the Saint?
He was afraid this wasn’t up to him anymore.
...
Back in his Portable Residence, Li Banfeng’s expression was grim as he made his way to Hong Ying’s side.
"Co with !" Li Banfeng commanded, and Hong Ying obediently followed.
The Phonograph, taken aback, asked the others, "What did Hong Ying do wrong? Why is Husband so angry?"
ng De comnted from the wall, "Miss Hong has always had a bad temper. The Master has probably been tolerating her for too long; he might resort to family discipline today."
The Phonograph laughed. "A good spanking might serve her right; it’s ti to curb her arrogance!"
However, on second thought, the Phonograph grew skeptical. "Can Husband actually win against her?"
ng De said, "With the Lady here, Miss Hong dares not fight back."
...
The two arrived at the Seventh Room. Li Banfeng, with a serious expression, moved Red Lotus outside and asked, "How have I treated you?"
Hong Ying, with her head down, answered, "Qi Lang has been... quite good to ."
"There’s still a piece of Lin Dexing’s flesh left. Gloves hid it for you. I already know about it. Go ahead and eat it."
Hong Ying shook her head. "That’s not for eating. Qi Lang promised you wouldn’t force to eat it."
"My wife has eaten it; is it right for you not to eat?"
"I’m not eating it anyway!" Hong Ying defiantly replied.
Li Banfeng sighed and said, "Let’s put that aside for the mont. I’ve encountered a formidable Traveling Cultivator adversary with a Ninth Layer cultivation level. Before I battle him, I must at least know his Technique. I’m familiar with the First through Sixth Layers, so you don’t have to talk about those. Tell all about the techniques of the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Layers."
It would be too cumberso to ask layer by layer.
Particularly the higher-level techniques are known by very few people, and they are not willing to share them.
Now was the chance to get all the Techniques out.
Li Banfeng knew he was being sowhat greedy, but he believed he could control himself. He would definitely not learn techniques across levels.
Most likely he would not learn across levels.
At most, he would study the techniques of the higher levels and occasionally practice them. That should, probably, not count as learning across levels.
"Qi Lang, are you asking about the Traveling Cultivation Technique?" Hong Ying was sowhat troubled.
"Let’s go find my wife, and in front of her, you’ll eat Lin Dexing’s flesh."
"No, I’ll talk! The Seventh Layer Technique of a Traveling Cultivator is called ’Stubbornly Going One’s Own Way’."
"How is this technique used?"
"It has to be combined with the First Layer Technique, which is fundantal for Traveling Cultivators. All techniques are inseparable from the First Layer Technique.
’Passing Glance’ corresponds to ’Wind Rises on Flat Ground’, mainly focusing on speed, while ’Stubbornly Going One’s Own Way’ corresponds to ’Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster’, which ans going against the grain."
Li Banfeng was confused. "What does going against the grain an? Does it an heading towards danger?"
Hong Ying tapped her spear tip and said, "It ans heading toward danger. As long as ’Stubbornly Going One’s Own Way’ is activated, the more dangerous the place, the greater the increase in battle power."
Li Banfeng pondered for a mont and said, "There’s a Ninth Layer Cultivator ahead. If I just rush in blindly, wouldn’t that be suicidal?"
Hong Ying was taken aback for a mont and asked Li Banfeng, "What do you an by ’rushing in’? You’re not a Traveling Cultivator."
"Yeah, I’m not a Traveling Cultivator," Li Banfeng said calmly. "I’m just putting myself in the shoes of one, thinking from their perspective!"
Hong Ying replied, "That’s indeed the case. If you were a Seventh Layer Traveling Cultivator facing a Ninth Layer Cultivator, if you utilized the ’Stubbornly Going One’s Own Way Technique’, you should charge forward.
Of course, the odds of victory are slim, but if there’s no way to escape, ’Stubbornly Going One’s Own Way’ is an option. After charging in, your battle power will approach the Eighth Layer, and if the situation is extrely dangerous, your battle power might even surpass the Eighth Layer, giving you the power to fight against a Ninth Layer Cultivator."
This was a life-risking technique.
Li Banfeng said, "Based on what you said, a Traveling Cultivator at the Seventh Layer could be ready to risk their lives at a mont’s notice in a desperate situation."
Hong Ying shook her spear tip and said, "That’s not necessarily the case, there’s more to it..."
When it ca to the crux of the technique, Hong Ying didn’t want to continue.
All cultivators wanted to protect their techniques, especially high-level ones.
Li Banfeng sighed softly and said, "Never mind, let’s just go eat at."
"Qi Lang~ spare ~"
Hong Ying was not like his wife, who could act coquettishly; even when she spoke softly, Li Banfeng still found it awkward.
Going soft was out of the question. If she didn’t make it clear, he definitely wouldn’t spare her.
Left with no choice, Hong Ying spilled the beans. "When gravely injured, you cannot execute the Seventh Layer Technique, as the Seventh Layer Technique has extrely strict requirents for one’s physique. When one’s physique is damaged, the technique cannot be executed."
You can’t wait to use it until you’re critically injured, which ans you have to be determined to risk your life as soon as the fight starts.
This technique was a test for the individual.
"What’s the key to the technique?"
"Bravery, the courage to walk into perilous situations. Qi Lang, if your formidable enemy casts caution to the wind and charges at you, heedless of life or death, pay attention.
He may already be using the Seventh Layer Technique. If he has a Ninth Layer cultivation level, he might already have boosted his battle power to the Tenth Layer and above. You must avoid his sharp edge at all costs and not engage him in a direct confrontation."
Hong Ying’s attitude was good.
Li Banfeng asked, "What about the Eighth Layer Technique?"
Hong Ying rubbed her hands together, about to respond, when suddenly the Phonograph called out from outside, "Hey, Husband, what’s that sll? Why is there still a piece of at in the Third Room?"
Silence fell in the Portable Residence in an instant.
Hong Ying’s hand clutched Li Banfeng’s, sweaty with anxiety.
The Magical Treasures couldn’t resist pressing the issue, and the Tang Sword spoke up first, "The at was hidden by Gloves. The Third Room stinks so bad I can’t even sleep there."
Phonograph then asked Gloves, "Did you refuse to eat the at and hide it instead?"
"I ate it, I really did! That piece of at isn’t mine!" Gloves defended. "That piece of at belongs to Miss Hong; she asked to hide it!"
In fact, this was instructed by Li Banfeng, but in such a situation, Gloves would absolutely not sell out the master of the house.
Hong Ying was terrified, and the Phonograph bellowed, "Scoundrel, co out!"
Hong Ying, shivering, erged. No matter how big the feud with the Phonograph, she was genuinely scared when it ca to the crunch.
Li Banfeng offered comfort, "My dear, this piece of at has been here for quite so ti, and the sll is a bit strong. Hong Ying really cannot stomach it; let’s give it to Red Lotus instead."
Red Lotus ford dew all over her body, wanting to spit at Li Banfeng but held back.
The Phonograph actually didn’t take the issue further with Hong Ying. "Since Husband has pleaded on your behalf, I’ll spare you this ti. Husband, I’ve been over-supplented these past few days and need to recuperate for a while. After I’ve recovered, I should take you up to the Seventh Layer.
Have you been asking anyone about Ho Cultivation’s Seventh Layer Technique these days, Husband?"
Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Why bother asking? I’ll just wait for your guidance!"
"Hey, Husband, I knew you trusted the most. Please don’t go around carelessly inquiring. It’s a big taboo to learn techniques beyond your level. It could cost you your life if mishandled."
Li Banfeng waved his hand and said, "I wouldn’t do such a thing."
"Hey, Husband, you’re a bit too impatient. I’m really worried about you. Please rember, we’ll stick to learning the abilities of the Seventh Layer and not covet other things."
"Hmm," Li Banfeng responded and left the Portable Residence.
Hong Ying stood by the side of the Phonograph.
The Phonograph asked, "What were you doing with Husband just now?"
Hong Ying hurriedly replied, "I didn’t do anything, we’re completely innocent!"
"Innocent my ass!" the Phonograph gritted her teeth. "If it weren’t for Husband, I would have killed you, scum, long ago!"
Hong Ying snorted coldly, still standing respectfully by Phonograph’s side.
The Phonograph then turned to Red Lotus. "And you, scoundrel, did you refine the Elixirs for too long this ti?"
...
Two days later, Luo Zhengnan received another ssage: "The Saint’s Disciple nad Zhong Huairen has scheduled a eting with He Jiaqing. He Jiaqing has agreed to send that woman to the eting, tomorrow at seven in the evening, at the Lotus Pond Tea House."
Li Banfeng laughed and said, "They really plan to work together. Let’s join in the fun."
PS: Dear readers, your monthly tickets all go to Shala!
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