A Ten-Li Domain

"Husband, just one more bite!" Li Banfeng pried his mouth open with great difficulty. Impaling a cube of beef on her stylus, the gramophone fed it into his mouth. After lying in the Portable Abode for two days, Li Banfeng was barely able to get out of bed and walk around. Such was the advantage of a Dwelling Cultivator: as long as they returned to their own home, their recovery was far superior to that of any other pathway. The gramophone was doing even better than Li Banfeng. After two days, she was practically restored to full health. "Husband, don't move. Your little servant will wipe your body down." "Husband, bear through the pain. Your little servant will clean your wounds." "Husband, don't fret. Your little servant will wash Little Husband in just a moment—serve him warmly and scrub him with all her might." "Husband, take another bite. Just one more bite, and your little servant will sing a song for you." Li Banfeng shook his head. "I don't want to hear songs. I want to apply machine oil." "Husband, your body hasn't healed yet. What would you even use to apply machine oil?" "An oil brush." "What fun is an oil brush? Once Husband's body is better, you can use whatever you please. Your little servant will yield to your every whim. Come now, another bite." Li Banfeng glanced at the Red Lotus lying on the floor, his brow slightly furrowing. "I want to send her to Room Five." "Send her to Room Five for what?" "Looking at her puts me in a foul mood." *Clang-clatter-clang—* The gramophone beat out a flurry of gongs and drums, giggling merrily. "Why lower yourself to bicker with her, Husband? I think having her here is wonderful. Let the wench stay right here and watch! Come, Husband, take another bite." The bronze lotus longed to spit at the pair of them. Yet, considering the gramophone's current condition, she swallowed her anger. The gramophone was in prime condition. Ever since entering the Portable Abode, she had been in better shape than at any time before! After resting for another half day, Li Banfeng prepared to step outside. The gramophone pouted in displeasure. "Husband, your wounds aren't healed yet. What are you going out for?" "I want to get some fresh air." "Oh, Husband, really!" the gramophone teased coquettishly. "A proper Dwelling Cultivator can stay cooped up at home for half a year or more. You've only lasted two days and you already can't sit still?" Li Banfeng gave her wooden casing a playful scratch. "I'm an improper Dwelling Cultivator. How could I ever stay proper when I'm around my wife every day?" His wife trembled with laughter, and Li Banfeng seized the chance to slip out through the door. Watching his departing figure, the Red Lotus spat venomously. *Whoosh—* A cloud of steam swept over her, scorching the bronze petals bright crimson. The Red Lotus glared at the gramophone and snapped furiously, "Vicious woman, don't return kindness with enmity!" The gramophone chuckled. "Wench, we have plenty of old scores between us, and now there are quite a few new ones. Now that Husband is gone, the two of us can have a nice long chat." *** Out in the wilderness, Li Banfeng drew in a deep breath. He was a journey cultivator. Though he had stockpiled enough time, a traveler's nature could not be curbed. Naturally, there was an even more important matter. He had left two magical treasures behind in the valley: the Judge's Brush and the calendar poster. The odds of finding them were slim, but he still had to go look. Both treasures had performed distinguished service during the battle against Qiu Luoye. As long as no one else had picked them up, he still had a chance of retrieving them with the Thread-Hook Earring. Before that, he needed to visit his land plot. And there was one thing even more important than the treasures. Ma the Fifth was still searching for Li Banfeng, nearly frantic with worry. Along that single stretch of road from the canyon to the plot, Ma the Fifth searched back and forth seven or eight times a day. Shui Yongquan had repeatedly told him that Li Banfeng was not there, but Ma the Fifth refused to believe him. That evening, Shui Yongquan arrived at Ma the Fifth's quarters to discuss the matter of the ten-li domain. "When I drew up the covenant deed with Li the Seventh, it was agreed that upon winning the battle, you would receive a ten-li domain. Now that Li the Seventh's whereabouts are unknown, you should accept the land in his stead for the time being." Ma the Fifth shook his head. "No rush. We'll wait until Old Seven returns." "You might not be in a rush, but I am! What is written in the covenant deed is of paramount importance to me. Hurry up and pick the plot." "I cannot make this decision. We must wait for Old Seven to return." "Brother Ma, let me remind you. When I drew up the deed with Li the Seventh, it was clearly stated: if he did not select a plot within two days, I would select it for him. Coming to consult you is already showing you ample respect." Ma the Fifth lost his patience. "Asking me is useless. Old Seven's land must be decided by Old Seven himself. Chuanzi, see our guest out!" Shui Yongquan smiled faintly, and his figure dissolved into thin air. Ma the Fifth sat inside the wooden cabin, brooding over his liquor. He did not care about some domain; all he wanted was to find Li the Seventh. After draining his cup, Li Banfeng poured him another. Ma the Fifth took a sip, set down the cup, and stared at Li Banfeng for a long while. Li Banfeng still wore his black suit and fedora. The brim was not pulled down low, revealing a face wrapped entirely in bandages. Tears welled up in Ma the Fifth's eyes. "Where the hell have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" Li Banfeng pointed at his bandages. "I went to nurse my injuries." "Didn't I bring you back to nurse them? Why the hell did you run off?" Li Banfeng smiled. "I didn't run off. A senior expert rescued me midway. If not for his extraordinary medical arts, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly." "Which expert?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "The expert was unwilling to disclose his name, so I cannot speak of it lightly." Since Li the Seventh said so, Ma the Fifth pressed no further. Such was the tacit understanding between them. Downing another cup of liquor, Ma the Fifth regained his composure. Li Banfeng said, "I dropped two magical treasures in the valley. Gather a few brothers to come help me search for them." "No need to search," Ma the Fifth said, producing both the Judge's Brush and the calendar poster. "Shui Yongquan retrieved them for you. He also moved the Waterfall Gate over; I'll have someone deliver it to your plot in a bit." Li Banfeng nodded. "Though deceitful by nature, Shui Yongquan does keep his word." Ma the Fifth agreed on that point. "He came by just now to discuss the ten-li plot. I told him we'd wait until you returned." Only upon hearing Ma the Fifth mention it did Li Banfeng remember. "We can't wait! Why didn't you choose?" Ma the Fifth arched his brows. "It's your land. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to choose." "Why split hairs over that? You're going to botch things! I agreed with him on a two-day deadline to pick the plot. If I didn't pick, he would pick for me." Li Banfeng hurried Chuanzi to prepare an altar table. Once the incense, candles, and offerings were set out, Shui Yongquan's figure manifested once again. "Brother Li, you've returned." Li Banfeng nodded. "I have. I came back specifically to choose my plot." Shui Yongquan smiled. "No need to choose. I've already chosen for you." Li Banfeng shot Ma the Fifth a glare, took a deep breath, and let out a dry chuckle. "You didn't pick some swamp, did you?" Shui Yongquan frowned. "Am I that sort of person? I've selected a prime piece of land for you. Follow me." Li Banfeng turned to Ma the Fifth. "Half of this land is yours. Come with me." Ma the Fifth shook his head repeatedly. "That wouldn't be right." "Cut the nonsense. Let's go." The two followed Shui Yongquan all the way to the canyon. Li Banfeng remarked, "You didn't give me this ten-li canyon, did you? This hardly counts as a ten-li domain." "Don't be in a rush. We're not there yet." Emerging on the other side of the canyon, Li Banfeng said, "This is already Qiu Luoye's territory." Shui Yongquan smiled. "It used to be Qiu Luoye's territory, but now it belongs to me." Leaving the canyon, they walked twenty li forward before Shui Yongquan came to a halt. Turning to Li Banfeng, he said, "Standing right here, ten li to the east and ten li to the south shall be your domain from this day forward." Li Banfeng walked a circuit. The land was truly magnificent. There were flat plains, lush woods, a low rolling hill, and a lake spanning three li. "The lake water isn't drinkable—it's toxic—but the fish and shrimp in it are completely safe to eat," Shui Yongquan said, looking at Li Banfeng. "Brother Li, did I pick a fine place for you or what?" Li Banfeng nodded. "It's fine, alright. But is all of this truly your territory?" Shui Yongquan curled his lip. "Of course it's my territory. Would I deceive you over something like this? Look at the fish in this lake. One cast of a net yields over a dozen jin. Eat to your heart's content." Ma the Fifth pondered for a moment before asking, "I recall you saying back then that you demanded a thirty-li domain from Qiu Luoye as compensation. Were you referring to this land?" "Indeed," Shui Yongquan said, pointing at the water. "Not only are there fish, but there are also shrimp. The shrimp are exceptionally sweet and fresh. I've eaten them several times, and just recalling the taste makes my mouth water." Ma the Fifth asked again, "Where is the border between you and Qiu Luoye?" "Right over there. Let me tell you, it's not just the shrimp that are delicious; there are crabs too. The lake is brackish, and the lake crabs taste even fresher than sea crabs!" Li Banfeng said, "Shopkeeper Shui, you didn't place our plot right on the border between your two territories, did you?" There was no dodging the subject now. Walking twenty li from the canyon brought them to Li Banfeng's ten-li plot. Another ten li made thirty li—which meant the plot reached straight to the border between Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye! Shui Yongquan had no choice but to speak plainly. "It is on the border between our territories, but this is entirely my domain. Doing this does not violate our covenant in the slightest." Li Banfeng retorted, "With our plot on the border, aren't we just acting as your gatekeepers? If you and Qiu Luoye clash again, wouldn't we be the first to fight?" Shui Yongquan pressed his palms downward. "Brother Li, don't get excited, don't lose your temper. Elephant Qiu and I have already talked it over; we won't fight anymore." Li Banfeng asked, "If you aren't going to fight, why make us guard the gate?" Looking out over the tranquil lake, Shui Yongquan said, "The land is mine, and it is prime land. I haven't breached the deed, nor have I breached our goodwill. Brother Li, you shouldn't be so picky." His words were undeniably true. Li Banfeng paced along the shore for a moment, realizing the crux of the matter. "You're afraid someone else will come to reclaim wasteland along the border, aren't you?" Shui Yongquan fell silent. Ma the Fifth grasped Li the Seventh's meaning. "Boss Shui, you and Shopkeeper Qiu reached an understanding to avoid further conflict. But knowing Shopkeeper Qiu's temper, you fear that provocations on the border line would prompt him to stir up trouble again. That's why you deliberately chose Old Seven's plot on the border." Li Banfeng gave a cold chuckle. "At the end of the day, you're still having us guard the front gate." Shui Yongquan offered no further excuses. Looking at Li Banfeng, he asked, "Does this mean you don't want the land?" Didn't want it? Would Shui Yongquan replace it with another? Certainly not. If Li Banfeng said he didn't want it, that would mean forfeiting the land altogether. "I'll take the land, begrudgingly. But if you want us to guard the front gate, shouldn't you offer some compensation?" Shui Yongquan stroked his chin, knowing Li Banfeng was no pushover. "Name it, then. What compensation do you want?" "Can a single plot have two masters?" Shui Yongquan glanced at Ma the Fifth, understanding Li the Seventh's intention. Having an additional master on a plot was not merely a nominal affair. It meant that whether Li Banfeng sprinkled blood or Ma the Fifth sprinkled blood, the local spirit would be obliged to step forward and provide protection. Li Banfeng said, "In truth, you aren't getting the short end of the stick. We help you watch the gate, and you help us resolve trouble. Perfectly natural." "'Perfect natural'?" Shui Yongquan snorted coldly. "If a hundred masters suddenly cropped up on your plot, wouldn't I have to come at their beck and call whenever all hundred gave the word? What do you take me for?" "There won't be a hundred," Li Banfeng said. "Just the two of us." "Fine. Draw up the deed and sprinkle the blood!" Shui Yongquan agreed. No matter the undertaking, Shui Yongquan required a formal deed for it to count. The three drew up the deed, and Li Banfeng and Ma the Fifth sprinkled their blood, settling the matter of the plot once and for all. Ma the Fifth felt deeply guilty, constantly feeling that he was taking advantage of Li Banfeng. Li Banfeng, however, did not feel Ma the Fifth was taking advantage at all. Without Ma the Fifth rushing to his aid earlier, Li Banfeng would never have lasted to the end in the valley. And without Ma the Fifth managing it in the future, the land would be of little use in Li Banfeng's hands. It truly was an excellent domain. Dense forests ensured timber, wide flatlands offered space, and a saltwater lake provided food. It was a superb foundation. Ma the Fifth could recruit hunters to hunt nearby, store goods directly in local warehouses, and transport them out in bulk. Certain unique prey could even be raised on this land. And if they hired Tillage Cultivators, they could cultivate many valuable things here as well. Ma the Fifth set down markers in various spots, preparing to dive into the work with great ambition. "Old Seven, all future revenue from this plot will be split seventy-thirty: seventy for you, thirty for me." Li Banfeng shook his head. "Fifty-fifty! Cut the nonsense!" With thirty percent profit came thirty percent effort. With fifty percent profit came one hundred percent effort. This was not just brotherhood; it was human nature. No sooner said than done. Ma the Fifth was a man of action; the very next day, he had Chuanzi assemble a workforce, and within three days, the first cluster of wooden cabins was erected. The largest cabin served as a council hall, where they could receive guests and discuss important matters. Knowing Li Banfeng loved listening to music, Ma the Fifth specifically purchased a new gramophone from Ling Miaosheng's gramophone shop. It was also a windmill gramophone, nearly identical to the one back in Lanyang Village. Li Banfeng tested the sound quality with a record. The machine's build was undeniable, yet to his ears, it fell far short of his wife. Ma the Fifth brought up the matter of the Waterfall Gate. "That numinous object is still with me. Should we move it to this domain, or to your original plot?" "Keep it. Consider it a gift." Ma the Fifth waved his hands repeatedly. "No, I can't keep taking advantage of you!" "I told you, stop splitting hairs. Just take it." The Waterfall Gate was a fine treasure, but to Li Banfeng, it was too cumbersome. It could not be brought into the Portable Abode, rendering it useless to him as both a Dwelling Cultivator and a journey cultivator. For Ma the Fifth, however, it was a perfect fit. He had three Madam Bagworm Moths, who were excellent helpers when it came to bracing gates. As the two listened to music and chatted leisurely, Chuanzi walked into the hall and reported, "Someone's come to reclaim wasteland." Li Banfeng set down his cup. "Reclaiming wasteland on our territory?" "Not on our territory, but very close by." Ma the Fifth frowned. "Someone's actually here to stir up trouble? Old Seven, rest here. I'll go take a look." Both Li Banfeng and Ma the Fifth were adept at reconnaissance, but their methods differed. Li Banfeng was accustomed to using the Dwelling Cultivator's talent to draw close unnoticed and observe from the shadows. Ma the Fifth was accustomed to striking up a direct conversation, using his experience and worldly knowledge to probe openly. Walking along the lakeshore and emerging from the woods, Ma the Fifth spotted two figures setting up an altar table. They were not setting it up on the border line; the altar was situated within Qiu Luoye's territory. That spared them a good deal of friction. Breathing a slight sigh of relief, Ma the Fifth walked directly over to the altar table. Only a single bottle of liquor sat upon the table, indicating an intent to reclaim one li of land. Catching the scent of aged liquor and noting the placement of the table, he could tell the arrangement was calculated to best draw the local spirit's attention. Ma the Fifth voiced his praise. "Connoisseurs, I see." One of them looked up and smiled. "It's our first time here, actually. We asked an expert for a pointer or two beforehand, but we're not sure whether the method will work." The other kept their head bowed, never uttering a word. Ma the Fifth glanced at the person. They wore a gray short coat and a felt cap pulled low, obscuring their face, yet their figure seemed vaguely familiar. He caught their scent—a distinct, lingering fragrance clung to the person. The scent of rouge and powder. The person had washed thoroughly many times, yet the residual scent did not escape Ma the Fifth's nose. Such an aroma was exceedingly alluring to a Joy Cultivator. After exchanging a few casual remarks, Ma the Fifth returned to the wooden cabin. Li Banfeng asked, "Did you find out who they are?" Ma the Fifth shook his head. "Didn't check their background. They're opening wasteland on Qiu Luoye's land, but it really is close to us." "Being close is fine, as long as it's not on the border line." Ma the Fifth shook his head slightly. "Still, I think I caught sight of an old acquaintance." "Which old acquaintance?" "Speaking of this person, you know them too." Li Banfeng was intrigued. What kind of acquaintance could both he and Ma the Fifth possibly know? Taking a sip of liquor, he waited for Ma the Fifth to say the name. Ma the Fifth looked up at Li Banfeng and said, "That person looked like Lu Xiaolan!" *Gulp!* Li Banfeng swallowed the liquor hard and broke into a fit of violent coughing.