Li Banfeng had been thinking about investigating the grudge between Pan Dehai and Bei Wushuang, yet he had never expected Pan Dehai to show up of his own accord.
Pan Dehai pushed himself up from beneath the tree. Leaning on his walking stick, he said with a beaming smile, "I came here today to discuss some matters with Meng Yuchun. I didn't expect you to be here as well. It seems some of the rumors I heard earlier were true after all."
"What rumors did you hear?"
"People say you're Meng Yuchun's paramour. Is there any truth to that?"
How was Li Banfeng supposed to answer? Yes, or no?
Pan Dehai was a Virtue Cultivator; lying in front of him was very easy to see through.
Li Banfeng answered, "People indeed have said so."
The honest truth.
Pan Dehai furrowed his brows. "Yet I've heard Meng Yuchun doesn't care for the long kind—she prefers the flat sort. Could it be her tastes changed with you?"
Li Banfeng smiled faintly. "Peeping into other people's bedchambers again, you shameless old bastard?"
"I didn't peep! I only heard about it!"
"Prying into other people's bedroom affairs is just as shameless."
Pan Dehai didn't take offense. Shaking his head, he said, "Enough. I came to Meng Yuchun to join forces against a villain. Since you're here too, you might as well lend a hand."
"'Might as well'? You really think highly of me," Li Banfeng said, staring at Pan Dehai. This old fossil's temper hadn't changed in the slightest. "First give me a reason. Why should I help you?"
"As I just said, the one we are dealing with is a villain. Punishing evil and promoting good is the greatest of virtues. As a person of virtue yourself, surely you can't just sit idly by?"
Li Banfeng laughed. "Just because you say he's evil means he's evil? Why don't you first explain what evil deeds this person has actually committed?"
"Have you heard of Bei Wushuang?"
"Heard of him, and even met him."
Pan Dehai nodded. "Then there is no need for me to elaborate on his wicked ways. Since you've met him, you're bound to help."
"Because I've met him, I'm bound to help? What kind of rule is that?" Li Banfeng wasn't buying it. "You really do need to elaborate. I know nothing about Bei Wushuang's evil deeds."
Pan Dehai sighed. "Do you still remember the insect plague from last year?"
"Of course I remember. I risked my life to help you resolve that plague. Surely you haven't forgotten that favor, have you?"
Pan Dehai nodded. "That is why I say you are a person of virtue, bestowing kindness without ever seeking repayment. But do you know what caused that insect plague?"
"I do. It was orchestrated by an insect chief." Li Banfeng laid out the truth directly, sparing himself Pan Dehai's roundabout ramblings.
Pan Dehai shook his head. "You only know half the story, not the rest. There is another secret involved, and you know nothing of the inside details. If I reveal this secret to you, how will you repay me?"
Li Banfeng pointed into the distance. "I have a brother over there. How about I borrow a bucket of gold from him to give you as repayment? What do you say?"
While the two were speaking, Meng Yuchun materialized in midair, barking down at Pan Dehai, "Who are you?"
Pan Dehai looked up. "Could this be Miss Meng?"
Meng Yuchun snapped furiously, "Did you cast some sorcery to harm my sworn sisters?"
Pan Dehai looked completely bewildered. "When has this old man ever done anything to harm others?"
"My sisters aren't affectionate with me anymore! Was that not your doing?"
Pan Dehai turned to Li Banfeng and chuckled. "See? I didn't peep, nor did I pry. She told me herself."
There was one thing Li Banfeng had never quite understood: why had Pan Dehai caused such a massive disturbance upon arriving in Meng Yuchun's territory? Wasn't he worried Bei Wushuang would find out he had come here?
Thinking carefully about Pan Dehai's style of doing things, Li Banfeng understood.
Pan Dehai wanted Bei Wushuang to know he had come to see Meng Yuchun.
He wanted Bei Wushuang to know he and Meng Yuchun were in contact!
Now, even if Meng Yuchun didn't want to help him, she had no choice. Otherwise, once Pan Dehai left, Bei Wushuang would definitely strike at her.
This was remarkably similar to when Pan Dehai had tried to divert the mosquitoes to Kudaikan.
Li Banfeng looked up at Meng Yuchun. "This is Old Mister Pan, a paragon of virtue from Haichiling. Let's find a place to discuss proper business."
Meng Yuchun looked Pan Dehai up and down. "This is the local spirit of Haichiling?"
Before Li Banfeng could answer, Pan Dehai bowed first. "This humble old man is indeed he."
Meng Yuchun was still angry, but she had heard Pan Dehai's name and knew the formidable strength of a local spirit from a proper land. Taking Li Banfeng's advice, she led the two of them to a concealed cave.
Li Banfeng worried this cave might not be safe either; the safest place would naturally be Meng Yuchun's residence.
Yet Li Banfeng knew very well that Meng Yuchun was not acquainted with Pan Dehai, so there was no way she would reveal the location of her home to him.
Before stepping into the cave, the Thread-Hook Earring whispered by his ear, *Master, there seems to be movement.*
Movement was only natural. The moment Li Banfeng had set foot in Bei Wushuang's territory, Bei Wushuang had sensed it. With Pan Dehai kicking up such a fuss, Bei Wushuang's spies had very likely trailed them.
How could they cover this up?
Li Banfeng looked back over his shoulder. Several black eagles were circling outside the cave. Such eagles were very common in the newlands and possessed virtually no spirituality. Apart from them, Li Banfeng saw no other living creatures.
Once Li Banfeng entered the cave, a crow slipped in among the black eagles.
Pan Dehai sat down on a boulder and let out a sigh. "I came all this way, and you two didn't even prepare a cup of tea."
Meng Yuchun seemed slightly affected by his words, genuinely feeling a pang of guilt in her heart.
Li Banfeng noticed a puddle with a bit of accumulated water inside the cave. "Old Pan, we can substitute water for tea; the thought is what counts. How about you lie down over there and take a sip first?"
Pan Dehai gave a helpless smile. Some of his tricks truly didn't work on Li Banfeng at all.
He moved straight to the matter of the insect plague. "After the catastrophe passed, I investigated its origins far and wide. The chief culprit behind the disaster was indeed Huang Xiliang."
Li Banfeng asked, "Who is Huang Xiliang?"
"One of the leaders among the Bug Cultivators—the insect chief you just mentioned. But relying solely on himself, he could never have created such ferocious mosquitoes."
"What makes you say that?"
Pan Dehai shook his head. "The habits of those Extinction Mosquitoes went far beyond the natural disposition of mosquitoes. This was evident not only in how they devoured grain;
"their reproductive speed, their resistance to poisons, and their sensitivity to crops far exceeded any normal mosquito.
"Apart from looking like mosquitoes, they had practically nothing in common with ordinary insects. This old man also consulted numerous ancient texts, and among all historical records of insect plagues, no such creatures have ever appeared.
"In other words, these insects were not born of heaven and earth—someone manufactured them through unnatural means."
Li Banfeng asked, "Can't an insect chief create a new species of insect?"
Pan Dehai shook his head. "Bug Cultivators excel at commanding insects. Huang Xiliang created the Wireworm River, and even from thousands of li away, the wireworms remain under his control, which shows just how formidable his magic is.
"Beyond that, Bug Cultivators are also skilled at breeding, selecting the best of the best from a single species to cultivate the strongest insects for battle.
"However, breeding and creating a species are two entirely different matters. This old man has never heard of any Bug Cultivator capable of creating a brand-new species."
Meng Yuchun chimed in, "It isn't just Bug Cultivators, is it? It seems no pathway can create a new species of living creature."
Pan Dehai nodded. "Miss Meng, the fact that you can say this shows you are truly a person of virtue. This is not something a single pathway could achieve, nor could one person's strength accomplish it alone.
"From what this old man knows, several cultivators took part in this matter. Huang Xiliang was the mastermind, and Bei Wushuang was one of his accomplices.
"Based solely on the crimes they committed in Haichiling, that cur Bei Wushuang deserves death! Furthermore, the full cause and effect of this affair have yet to be uncovered. There must have been a motive for their strike against Haichiling, and by seizing this opportunity, we might uncover an even greater conspiracy.
"Of course, this old man isn't doing this solely for Haichiling. Having such a despicable person as your neighbor must surely leave you tossing and turning at night, Miss Meng. Why don't we strike early and eliminate the future threat once and for all?"
Meng Yuchun glanced at Li Banfeng. She agreed with Pan Dehai's reasoning; getting rid of Bei Wushuang would be beneficial for both her and Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng said to Pan Dehai, "Old Pan, if you want to kill Bei Wushuang, you ought to strike secretly in the shadows and catch him completely unprepared. Why did you spread the word in advance?
"Now Bei Wushuang has been frightened by you and acts with extreme caution. Killing him won't be nearly so easy."
Pan Dehai let out a long sigh. "This old man also considered striking in secret, but on second thought, I felt it unwise.
"Bei Wushuang was able to join hands with Huang Xiliang, which shows he has considerable skill. If this old man acted rashly, not only might I fail to kill him, but I might also fall victim to his underhanded schemes.
"I released the news beforehand so that people of virtue like yourselves would learn of Bei Wushuang's evil deeds, share this old man's hatred, and unite our strength to slay the foe!"
It truly was this trick.
This old bastard was in the habit of dragging others into the water, and he still managed to make it sound so grand and righteous.
Li Banfeng said, "If we didn't agree to help, I imagine you'd spread word that Meng Yuchun intended to strike at Bei Wushuang, forging the enmity on our behalf."
Pan Dehai shook his head. "This old man hasn't planned on doing that yet."
Li Banfeng scoffed. "Old Pan, you're being too modest. What do you mean 'haven't planned on doing that yet'? You've already done it!"
Pan Dehai's methods were nauseating, but he wasn't wrong on the core matter.
Living next door to someone like Bei Wushuang truly kept one from sleeping soundly.
Bei Wushuang had seized Lord Mountain-Uprooter's territory, and since Li Banfeng didn't know the full story behind that, he couldn't pass judgment.
Yet simply because Li Banfeng had stepped into Bei Wushuang's lands, Bei Wushuang had nearly killed him. For that grudge alone, Li Banfeng would never forget.
"Old Pan, Bei Wushuang indeed deserves death, but I wonder if you have any good ideas?"
Pan Dehai nodded. "I do have a method, but I don't know whether I should share it with you."
Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Since you came to discuss revenge, what could there be that you can't say?"
Pan Dehai turned his gaze to Meng Yuchun. "I came to discuss revenge with Miss Meng."
Li Banfeng frowned.
What was this?
Looking down on me?
Meng Yuchun naturally had to give Li Banfeng face at a moment like this. She sat down beside Li Banfeng and linked her arm through his. "He's my paramour. Anything I can hear, he can hear. And only if he agrees can I agree."
Pan Dehai sighed softly. "My withholding it was also for his own good. Li Seven, you might not be able to lend a hand in this battle. Might I ask, what tier is your cultivation at right now?"
So he had wanted to ask about my cultivation all along, using reverse psychology earlier.
Like I'd tell you?
Li Banfeng smiled. "My cultivation certainly cannot compare to yours, Old Pan. If you're worried I'll be a burden, I simply won't fight this battle."
Meng Yuchun held Li Banfeng's arm tight. "If he doesn't fight, I won't fight either."
Pan Dehai nodded. "Two people of virtue, determined to punish villainy and eradicate evil—this old man admires you greatly. In that case, I will lay out the battle plan for you both.
"This old man entered the pathway a few years earlier than you two, and my cultivation is slightly higher. I will not make you two undertake dangerous tasks.
"You need only go to Bei Wushuang's territory and feign battle with him. This old man will venture into the dragon's pool and tiger's den, enter his residence, dig up his covenant deed, and then rejoin you two to slay this villain."
"Look at Old Pan's magnanimity," Li Banfeng said, looking at Meng Yuchun. "Old Pan said it himself—he won't let us take any risks."
Pan Dehai chuckled. "There is no need to be polite. This old man has always put virtue above all else in my conduct. Cherishing the younger generation is my wish and the duty of a person of virtue."
If Xiao Genzi were nearby, Li Banfeng would have fetched a ladle of night soil right then and there to splash it over Pan Dehai's face.
"Old Pan, why not speak plainly? You just want us to serve as bait to draw Bei Wushuang out so you can seize the chance to dig up his covenant deed.
"If we hold our ground, your great endeavor succeeds. If we can't hold out, you can still retreat unscathed. Isn't that what you mean?"
Pan Dehai shook his head repeatedly. "Li Seven, you misunderstand me! I have no such intention whatsoever!"
"Whatever your intentions are, we won't serve as bait," Li Banfeng said, staring straight at Pan Dehai. "You'd better find someone else to be the bait."
The atmosphere turned tense.
The Thread-Hook Earring whispered, *Master, there's movement outside. Real movement.*
A crow flew past the cave entrance. Pan Dehai's face darkened. "Miss Meng, I came with full sincerity to join forces with you, but this paramour of yours doesn't speak very pleasantly."
Meng Yuchun wanted to ease the tension, but just as she was thinking of how to reply, she suddenly felt a tickle on her peach.
Li Banfeng's fingertips were rubbing against her buttocks. Just as Meng Yuchun was about to lose her temper, she realized Li Banfeng seemed to be tracing characters on her peach.
Two characters in total—one on each cheek of her peach. Li Banfeng wrote them three times over.
Meng Yuchun twitched her plump peach, and she actually managed to recognize the two characters.
With a cold sneer, she said to Pan Dehai, "So what if his words aren't pleasant? I listen to him regardless."
Pan Dehai stood up. "If that's how it is, there is nothing more for us to say. Consider this trip wasted on my part. Farewell."
Meng Yuchun stood up as well. "Coming and going whenever you please—what do you take this place for?"
Pan Dehai looked at Meng Yuchun, his brow furrowing slightly.
***
Late at night, Bei Wushuang was inspecting the sentry posts across his territory. A crow flew down before Bei Wushuang and said in a hushed voice, "Master, Pan Dehai went to Meng Yuchun's territory. He knows Meng Yuchun's paramour, and the three of them were discussing matters together."
Bei Wushuang replied calmly, "I already know about this."
The crow continued, "Pan Dehai tried to play dirty, but that paramour refused. They couldn't reach an agreement, and Meng Yuchun and Pan Dehai got into an argument and came to blows! Meng Yuchun was wounded, and quite severely at that.
"Pan Dehai was injured as well, trapped inside the boundary by Meng Yuchun. He's having a hard time getting away right now."
Bei Wushuang said impassively, "Scout again."
After the crow flew off, Bei Wushuang gazed into the distance and snorted through his nose.
As he pondered for a moment, a magpie suddenly flew over and chirped by Bei Wushuang's ear, "That paramour has come again."
Bei Wushuang turned around and strode toward the northwest.
After walking for a dozen li or so, he halted his steps and spoke to the empty space ahead, "Why have you come?"
Li Banfeng stepped out from the darkness of the night and said to Bei Wushuang, "I've come to give you a great gift."
"What great gift?" Bei Wushuang flicked his tongue.
"Pan Dehai is trapped by Meng Yuchun. If you want to make a move against him, now is the perfect time."
Chapter 383