"The south wind softly kisses my cheek, wafting a fragrance of flowers so rich;
The south wind softly kisses my cheek, the stars grow sparse and the moon turns hazy;
We nestle close and kiss, our deep affection never-ending;
We nestle close and kiss, every word straight from the heart..."
The song queen, Jiang Mengting, was singing on the grand dance floor of the Paramount. She wore a sleeveless purple qipao cinched impossibly tight at her slender waist, its hem trailing long behind her in a cut that closely resembled a Western evening gown.
This was Puluo Province's unique style, capable of seamlessly marrying Eastern elegance with Western opulence.
Take this rendition of "Take Care Tonight." It was popular in the Outer States as well, but usually sung as a mournful lyric. In Puluo Province, however, its jazz arrangement made it sound breezy and playful.
It suited not only the dancers' steps, but also the Paramount's mood.
One came to the Paramount for pleasure, after all.
The pianist swayed gently to the rhythm, while the violinist and the flutist traded winks and playful glances.
The backup dancers playfully swung their slender waists and tight, shapely behinds, so tempting that even He Haiqin, seated by the edge of the dance floor, felt an itch to step up and give one a slap.
"Such a fine place... How did it end up in the Lu family's hands?" He Haiqin mumbled, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his expression tinged with regret.
Yang Yanzheng knocked and entered Chu the Second's private room. "Miss, the Eldest Master of the He family is here. Would you like to go out and offer him a toast?"
Highbrow had its heights, lowbrow had its bounds. While the Paramount was Lüshui City's crown jewel, it could not escape Puluo Province's worldly conventions.
With an esteemed guest like He Haiqin gracing the premises, etiquette dictated that Chu the Second step out to receive him.
Yet Chu the Second had no desire to leave her room today.
The grand dance floor, the circular ballroom, the songstresses' private boxes—every corner was packed, yet Chu the Second could not find a trace of joy.
Seeing her silence, Yang Yanzheng spoke again: "The reporters are here. They said they'd like an exclusive interview."
Chu the Second nodded. "Send them in."
Yang Yanzheng ushered the reporters into the room. The photographer adjusted the lighting, the shutter clicking away rapidly. The reporter asked, "Under your management, the Paramount has recaptured its former glory. Is there anything you would like to say about this?"
"What I'd like to say?" Chu the Second kept her head lowered, turning her eyes upward to stare at the reporter.
The photographer stopped taking pictures. Her expression was downright chilling.
"Does it matter what I want to say? Whatever I say, won't you all just write whatever you please anyway?"
The photographer looked awkwardly at the reporter, who looked awkwardly back at Chu the Second. "Our reporting will, of course, be based on facts..."
"Based on facts?" Chu the Second gave a laugh. "And what are the facts? Does this prosperity at the Paramount have anything to do with me?"
The reporter was left speechless, and even Yang Yanzheng had no idea what Chu the Second meant.
The Paramount was raking in cash every day. How could it have nothing to do with her?
***
"This whole thing had nothing to do with me!" Back in Lanyang Village, Ma the Fifth raised his glass, took a big gulp of liquor, and said to Li Banfeng, "I didn't come up with any clever ideas at all. All I did was throw a concert!
"Back when I was in Xiaoyaowu, I threw plenty of them. Every single one cost a fortune just to hire some high-society names to hold up appearances.
"This time? No need to hold up appearances, no need to hire big names—they fought among themselves to get in!
"What did that have to do with me? What did that have to do with Chu the Second? It was all out of respect for Monkey Qiu!
"Monkey Qiu ran with Lu Dongliang for half his life. Outsiders who don't know any better take him for a mere lackey, but those with sharp eyes know how much clout he actually wields!"
"So you're not planning to cater to Chu the Second anymore?" Li Banfeng asked.
Ma the Fifth shook his head. "I never intended to cater to her in the first place. The Paramount affair is over and done with, and it's no business of mine now. These days, I plan to focus on my cultivation. Without real ability, relying purely on scheming won't amount to anything in the end.
"Just look at the Paramount. If Monkey Qiu decides to take it back tomorrow, could I stop him? Could Chu the Second stop him?"
Li Banfeng agreed with him completely. "Still, if you want to cultivate, shouldn't you go to the Paramount? There are plenty of girls there."
"Girls alone won't cut it!" Ma the Fifth clutched his glass and shook his head repeatedly.
Li Banfeng took half a step back. "Then what are you planning to rely on?"
Ma the Fifth downed his liquor and set the cup down. "I want to go to the newland."
The newland?
Li Banfeng indeed planned to cultivate in the newland, but what could Ma the Fifth do there?
Ma the Fifth explained, "Miss Feng taught me some cultivation methods. I can only stretch my limbs once I'm out in the newland."
Stretch your limbs?
*Do you even need limbs for your trade?*
Li Banfeng didn't press the matter. Presumably, Feng Daiku's secret arts were not something to be shared lightly. "Going to the newland isn't a bad idea either. I've already successfully staked a claim out there, so we have a place to settle. If you clear a plot of land for yourself, you'll have the local spirit's protection if danger strikes."
This aligned perfectly with Ma the Fifth's thoughts. He immediately began preparing supplies, bringing along an assistant this time.
Originally, he had intended to bring Qin Haichuan. As a Craft Cultivator, once the land was claimed, he could immediately draw up plans for the subsequent construction.
However, Xiao Chuan still had to look after the businesses in Lanyang Village. After weighing the options, Ma the Fifth decided to take Xiao Genzi along instead.
At first, Xiao Genzi had refused.
"Fifth Master, when you give an order, I shouldn't second-guess it. But if I go with you, what will happen to my cultivation?"
Anything else was easy, but golden juice was hard to come by—there were simply too few people in the newland.
Ma the Fifth scolded, "You fool! Does golden juice have to come from humans? There are so many strange beasts in the newland, good materials everywhere! Do you think you'd go without?"
Xiao Genzi thought about it and realized it made sense.
Cultivation materials shouldn't be too monotonous; strange beasts' golden juice might turn out to be even more potent.
The three set off that very day. The route was much more familiar this time. Ma the Fifth had obtained a better pair of shoes from Chu the Second and passed his old pair to Xiao Genzi.
The first stretch of the journey was smooth sailing; the hardest part was still the Wireworm River. Ma the Fifth still had no flying treasure. When they pitched camp that night, he specifically reminded Xiao Genzi, "Tomorrow, follow Seventh Master's instructions in everything. If you fall into that river, not even scraps of your bones will be left."
Xiao Genzi glanced toward Li Seven's tent and asked in a low whisper, "Where did Seventh Master go? Why do I feel like he isn't in his tent?"
"Seventh Master likes his peace and quiet. Whatever you do, don't disturb him. Get some rest early; we still have a long trek tomorrow."
"You go ahead and rest, Master. I can't. You said good materials were everywhere, but after walking a whole day, I've only found two pieces."
Knowing cultivation wasn't easy, Ma the Fifth reminded him, "Don't wander too far or stay up too late. Just search nearby. If you really can't find anything, let it go; I'll give you some pills to make up for it."
At noon the next day, the three arrived at the bank of the Wireworm River and stared blankly for a long moment, rendered speechless.
The Wireworm River was gone.
All that remained was a bare riverbed. Not a single wireworm was in sight.
Xiao Genzi poked the riverbed with his ladle. "Fifth Master, do you think all those worms are burrowed underground?"
The soil of the riverbed was somewhat loose. Li Banfeng dared not advance rashly, nor did Ma the Fifth understand what had happened. Just then, an enormous egret ambled across the riverbed, dropped a steaming pile, flapped its wings, and flew elegantly away.
"Good stuff!" A single look at its shape told Xiao Genzi the quality was superb. Carrying his ladle, he charged forward.
Ma the Fifth couldn't stop him in time and yelled, "Don't be reckless! Watch your step!"
Xiao Genzi deftly shoveled the pile into his bucket. His feet stepped across the riverbed, leaving a line of footprints, but not a single worm appeared.
The Wireworm River was cleared of worms?
Could those worms actually be afraid of Xiao Genzi?
Impossible. How could those ferocious wireworms fear a first-layer Gold Cultivator?
Li Banfeng tentatively took a step onto the riverbed, sensing no danger whatsoever.
He crossed the riverbed without incident, and Ma the Fifth followed close behind.
Xiao Genzi held up his ladle and smiled naively. "Everyone said this path was treacherous, but once you cross it, isn't it nothing much?"
Li Banfeng sighed inwardly. This fellow really had incredible luck.
As they reached the Lesser Underworld, Ma the Fifth grew even more cautious, and Li Banfeng dared not let go of the feather duster for even a second.
Xiao Genzi looked unperturbed, holding his ladle aloft as he walked at the very front.
A horde of departed souls had originally been shielding Li Banfeng, but when they saw Xiao Genzi approach, they all scattered.
It wasn't that they couldn't beat him; they simply didn't want to get anywhere near him.
The rest of the journey went even more smoothly, and the three soon reached the newland Li Banfeng had claimed.
Faint light shone in the sky, and springs bubbled up from beneath the ground.
Ma the Fifth chuckled. "You really pulled off the reclamation."
He hastily brought out an altar table and set out the offerings, preparing to stake out another plot right beside Li Banfeng's territory.
The offering was still a single bottle of liquor. Li Banfeng frowned. "Stingy. Put out a few more bottles—let's claim a big one!"
Ma the Fifth shook his head. "I'm not greedy. A radius of one li is enough."
"Just listen to me. Leave the reclamation to me."
Seeing how confident Li Banfeng was, Ma the Fifth felt tempted. Just as he was about to produce a few more bottles, he suddenly noticed the bottle on the altar was already empty.
The local spirit had accepted the liquor.
Did that mean he agreed?
The contract hadn't even been burned yet!
Ma the Fifth looked around and found the plot hadn't lit up.
The local spirit didn't come?
Had the liquor been stolen by something else?
Just as Ma the Fifth was about to ask, Li Banfeng signaled him to stay quiet.
The local spirit was right next to the altar table; Li Banfeng could see him.
Li Banfeng tipped his fedora and bowed slightly. "Now that you've accepted the offerings, isn't it time to hand over the land?"
A ball of green flame circled faintly around Li Banfeng twice, offering no reply.
Li Banfeng frowned. "Taking someone's offerings for free—is that really an honorable way to act?"
The local spirit hovered above Li Banfeng's head and spat back, "Bah! Shameless!"
Lacking the techniques of Perceiving Spiritual Voices and Golden Eyes Discerning the Minutest Detail, Ma the Fifth could neither hear the spirit's voice nor see its form. All he saw was a shower of rain falling over Li Banfeng's head.
Li Banfeng wiped his face. "Why do you hold such a grudge? Speak up—what do you actually want?"
The local spirit delivered his divine decree:
The land can be granted, but on three conditions!
First condition: Li Banfeng is not permitted to take land or take part in the reclamation.
Second condition: Ma the Fifth's plot must not border Li Banfeng's plot.
Third condition: During the reclamation trial, Li Banfeng must not come within a hundred li.
Li Banfeng snapped, "Just how deep is your grudge against me?!"
Why was the local spirit on guard against Li Banfeng to this degree?
Because he feared Li Banfeng would help Ma the Fifth cheat.
The local spirit had no idea what trick Li Banfeng had pulled last time. He only knew that for three whole days, he hadn't sensed Li Banfeng's presence at all.
Such a person had to be kept far away from any reclaimer, or the land would practically be given away for nothing.
After relaying the three divine decrees, Li Banfeng advised Ma the Fifth, "Let's call it off for now. Relying on yourself alone, I'm afraid you won't be able to reclaim the land."
Ma the Fifth hesitated for a long while before saying, "Brother Li, I want to try."
Xiao Genzi gripped his ladle in staunch support. "Seventh Master, with me watching over Fifth Master, you have nothing to worry about."
Li Banfeng looked at Xiao Genzi. "Brother, didn't you just reach the first layer? If real trouble comes, how much help can you actually be?"
Xiao Genzi puffed out his chest. "I've saved Fifth Master's life before! I'm a man of capability, too."
Ma the Fifth was equally determined. "Brother Li, just let us two brothers give it a shot. If worst comes to worst, we'll run for it. At most, the reclamation will fail."
Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "Did you bring signal rockets?"
Xiao Genzi produced five signal rockets. "Got them right here. I just don't know if they'll go off when pulled."
In Puluo Province, gunpowder worked only when it felt like it.
Li Banfeng warned, "If trouble really hits, run straight for my plot. As soon as I see a rocket, I'll rush right back."
Ma the Fifth gave his word repeatedly.
Li Banfeng truly couldn't fathom why Ma the Fifth was so obsessed with the newland.
Nor did he understand how Ma the Fifth was supposed to cultivate once he reached it.
Yet this was Ma the Fifth's own decision. No matter how deep their friendship, he could not interfere.
Li Banfeng left.
Ma the Fifth walked ten li away and set up the altar table once more. This time he didn't lay out any offerings; an excessive offering would make things far too complicated.
He burned the contract directly, and a plot spanning a radius of one li lit up.
The local spirit prepared the trial, and Ma the Fifth prepared for the reclamation.
Deep within the forest, an enormous wild boar was gnawing on a water deer when the local spirit's voice suddenly rang in its ear:
"I made you suffer last time, so don't say I'm not looking out for you now. Someone is reclaiming land tomorrow—make sure you aren't late!"
The local spirit told the boar the time and place. The boar grew thrilled. During Li Banfeng's trial last time, it had frozen for a full day and night without catching sight of a single soul.
It seemed the local spirit was fair after all, thinking of it first this time!
The boar devoured the water deer and went to sleep early, yet somehow it still overslept.
By the time it dashed near the plot the following day, the House Centipede Woman had already beaten it into the boundary.
The boar scraped its hooves in fury. "You wretch of a woman, you always have to snatch my advantage!"
The House Centipede Woman sneered, "First come, first served. What's this talk of advantage?"
This time, she really had scored a massive windfall. Ma the Fifth wasn't hiding or running—he stood right in front of her, a piece of fat meat served right to her mouth.
The House Centipede Woman looked at Ma the Fifth and smiled. "Little brother, you're quite handsome. Take my advice and leave quickly. I don't wish to take your life."
Xiao Genzi, holding his ladle and carrying his bucket on his back, planted himself in front of Ma the Fifth. "If you want to lay a finger on Fifth Master, you'll have to go through me first."
The House Centipede Woman furrowed her brows in disgust. "What are you doing? Are you trying to nauseate me on purpose? Do you think I'm afraid of your petty tricks?"
Ma the Fifth said to Xiao Genzi, "Wait for me over yonder."
Xiao Genzi looked back. "Fifth Master, I can't leave you behind!"
To tell the truth, Xiao Genzi was terrified. He had never seen such a monstrosity. With limbs and arms sprouting all over her body, he couldn't even tell whether she was an insect or a human.
Yet terrified as he was, he could not abandon Ma the Fifth!
"You won't listen to me?!" Ma the Fifth barked. Xiao Genzi gritted his teeth and stepped back.
Ma the Fifth stared at the House Centipede Woman, sizing her up and down.
The House Centipede Woman grew irritated. "What are you staring at?"
Ma the Fifth looked straight into her eyes and said softly, "You are truly gorgeous."
The House Centipede Woman sneered, "What do you mean by that? So what if I'm gorgeous? Are you looking to sleep with me?"
Ma the Fifth nodded. "If I could sleep with you once, I would die a happy man."
The House Centipede Woman said nothing. After dozens of seconds passed, her body shuddered violently.
The boar froze. "What's wrong with you?"
It suspected Ma the Fifth had employed a technique!
Ma the Fifth hadn't used a technique. His Joy Cultivator techniques were at too low a layer to handle the House Centipede Woman.
He had used a talent—the talent Feng Daiku had given him.
During the time they had spent together, Feng Daiku had relied on his essence to heal her injuries. To repay him, she had not only bestowed upon Ma the Fifth a robust physique, but had also granted him an Emotion Cultivator talent.
In that lingering gaze between them, passion stirred in the House Centipede Woman. She had fallen in love with Ma the Fifth.
"Look at me again and I'll gouge your eyes out!" Her voice trembled slightly. She wanted to avert her gaze from Ma the Fifth's eyes, yet found herself unable to pull away.
With a face full of tender affection, Ma the Fifth murmured, "Are you afraid of me?"
The House Centipede Woman snapped, "Why would I be afraid of you?!"
"If you're not afraid of me, sleep with me."
"Why the hell should I—"
"If you're not afraid of me, come on!" Ma the Fifth advanced step by step.
"Why... why should I with you..." The House Centipede Woman backed away step by step.
"If you don't dare, it means you're afraid of me!"
"I'm not afraid..."
"If you're not afraid, why are you dodging?"
"I... I'm not dodging! I've slept with more men than you've ever laid eyes on! Why would I fear you?!" The House Centipede Woman had completely lost track of what she was saying. If she were forced to listen to her own words right now, she would die of sheer mortification.
Xiao Genzi was stunned.
The boar was stunned too.
They watched helplessly as Ma the Fifth stepped right into the House Centipede Woman's embrace.
The boar roared, "Shameless strumpet! I'm going to tell your mother!"
The House Centipede Woman's heart quivered. *My mother is still waiting for me at home.*
She felt a flicker of hesitation, but quickly steeled herself again.
*I'm already this old—why should I be afraid of my mother?*
*What a bold man.*
*What an impressive build this man has!*
*Why is he so handsome?*
*Why is he so wonderful?*
Chapter 174