Headstrong Course

Boom! A roaring blast shattered a large swath of the surrounding cabbage people into mush. Bao Yingchen had stomped at Li Banfeng twice in rapid succession. The first stomp was merely a feint, but the second came in earnest. If Li Banfeng had dodged the way he did before, he might have survived, but he would have suffered grievous injuries. Yet he didn't dodge. He stood rooted to the spot. Behind him, Bao Yingchen's foot had cratered out a massive pit. Amidst the flying grit and gravel, Li Banfeng's suit was torn completely to shreds, but not a single new wound appeared on his flesh. Bao Yingchen froze. *Does this man have some exceptional armor on him?* Li Banfeng hadn't used armor. He had used the Dwelling Cultivator art Benevolent Dwelling Heart, enduring Bao Yingchen's blow head-on. Bao Yingchen would never suspect such a technique. Common sense dictated that a journey cultivator could never know the arts of a Dwelling Cultivator. Li Banfeng suddenly spun around, leveled his revolver at Bao Yingchen's forehead, and pulled the trigger in rapid fire. *Click-bang-bang-bang...* He pulled six times in total, and five shots rang out. Li Banfeng's luck was decent, but not a single bullet hit Bao Yingchen. Bao Yingchen had dodged them all. This was Ling Miaoying's revolver, whose bullets pursued their targets. Logically speaking, it should have been impossible to evade. However, Bao Yingchen had spent his entire life weathering storms in the jianghu. He had seen far too many firearms, including quite a few whose rounds could chase their prey. He knew such guns had blind spots—angles where the tracking failed. Dodging with fluid ease, Bao Yingchen marveled inward: *Who knows what stroke of providence this Li the Seventh stumbled upon? His face is covered in a beard, but he clearly isn't that old, yet he possesses so many numinous items, treasures, and such profound cultivation.* *And yet, having this level of cultivation at his age—it is hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse.* *High cultivation should be a blessing, but at his young age, he simply cannot master it.* *Young people have unsteady temperaments. Thinking his cultivation high, he dares to act brazen before a senior. That is where calamity strikes.* *Using a revolver against me was a blunder—a blunder that surrendered the initiative.* *Committing such a blunder at a critical juncture proves Li the Seventh lacks experience. He doesn't even know which technique to use at what time.* *And now, because of his arrogance and naivety, his life will end right here.* Having cleanly avoided all five bullets, Bao Yingchen closed in on Li Banfeng with a single Half-Step, preparing to unleash Treading Ten Thousand Rivers once again. This time, he had no intention of leaving Li Banfeng any opening. *Boom!* Just as Bao Yingchen lifted his leg, Li Banfeng stomped down a fraction of a second earlier. A deafening roar erupted, showering Bao Yingchen in jagged stone fragments. Bao Yingchen went rigid. Fresh blood flowed from his body, splattering across Li Banfeng as well. In terms of pure technical mastery, Li Banfeng was inferior to Bao Yingchen. If both initiated the same technique at the exact same moment, Li Banfeng would inevitably be slower. However, if Li Banfeng had prepared beforehand, that was an entirely different story. Firing at Bao Yingchen had been a calculated gamble; hitting him would have been good fortune. Yet Li Banfeng had never staked everything on luck. In Puluo Province, placing all one's hopes on firearms was sheer foolishness to begin with. Moreover, Bao Yingchen was a journey cultivator. Dodging bullets with his speed and experience was only to be expected. Li Banfeng had used those five shots merely to buy himself preparation time. If the bullets failed to hit, Bao Yingchen would inevitably lunge forward, so Li Banfeng had cast Treading Ten Thousand Rivers in advance to present him with a generous gift. Grandpa Train had personally guided Li Banfeng's footwork, so the power behind his Treading Ten Thousand Rivers was by no means inferior to Bao Yingchen's. Bao Yingchen wiped the blood away, and Li Banfeng stomped down once more. Bao Yingchen vanished into thin air, and Li Banfeng shifted his steps immediately, vanishing as well. He could not afford to be slow. Bao Yingchen was about to use Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse, and any delay would be fatal. Unable to immediately lock onto Li Banfeng, Bao Yingchen's physical stamina began to deplete at a rapid pace. Li Banfeng was executing Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse using the Train Steps taught to him by Grandpa Train, which did not consume much stamina. Bao Yingchen, on the other hand, was using the Rickshaw Steps common among journey cultivators. Rickshaw Steps were ill-suited to Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse, draining immense physical energy, which rendered this technique rather impractical for ordinary journey cultivators. However, Bao Yingchen was experienced enough to know how to combine other arts to make Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse work. As Li Banfeng wove through the crowd, three cabbage people and two Sanying Gate disciples suddenly converged on him, boxing him in. This was no tactic on the disciples' part; it was Bao Yingchen's technique, Severing Paths to Open Roads. Li Banfeng was accustomed to using Severing Paths to Open Roads to carve out paths for himself, whereas Bao Yingchen was skilled not only at finding ways through, but also at cutting off his opponent's escape. These five people had been forcibly herded together by Bao Yingchen. Once Li Banfeng's route was severed, it became effortless for Bao Yingchen to lock onto him. Facing these five, Li Banfeng had plenty of ways to break free, but he couldn't act faster than Bao Yingchen. In the blink of an eye, Bao Yingchen had him pinned in his sights, and under the cover of the crowd, the old man was about to vanish from Li Banfeng's field of view. Just as he was about to be blown apart by Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse, Li Banfeng roared, "*Huyayaya—!*" The art of Sprawling Compound! In his desperation, the shout tore out with piercing ferocity, forcing Bao Yingchen to blink twice in spite of himself. Seizing that sliver of an opening, Li Banfeng used Unimpeded Passage to slip right between two cabbage people. Bao Yingchen's gaze lost its lock on Li Banfeng, but Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse had already been unleashed. The three cabbage people and two Sanying Gate disciples were all blown to bits. Witnessing the carnage, the remaining Sanying Gate disciples scrambled far away from the battleground. They had no wish to throw away their lives, nor did they want to get in their chief's way. The cabbage people possessed no such awareness; they still awaited Li Banfeng's commands. Li Banfeng had no time to direct them. Bao Yingchen pressed so hard that he barely had room to breathe. He wanted to use Sprawling Compound to borrow a technique from Hong Ying, but he couldn't establish a mental resonance with her. Though nominally two dwelling spirits, the tacit rapport between Li Banfeng and Hong Ying fell far short. Whether it was because they weren't close enough or for some other reason, unless they coordinated beforehand, Sprawling Compound rarely succeeded with Hong Ying. Fortunately, Bao Yingchen could not immediately employ Viewing Flowers on a Galloping Horse again; that last strike had drained too much out of him. However, with the Sanying Gate disciples having pulled back, he no longer had to hold back his Treading Ten Thousand Rivers. *Boom! Boom!* Bao Yingchen unleashed consecutive strikes of Treading Ten Thousand Rivers amidst the crowd. A few minutes later, the cabbage people were reduced to a floor full of vegetable scraps, yet he still could not locate Li Banfeng. "Eldest Brother!" The third chief, Yang Xingbo, rushed over. "Where did that kid go?" "Where did he go?" Bao Yingchen panted, glaring at Yang Xingbo. "You stood by this whole time without lifting a finger to help?" Yang Xingbo hurriedly explained, "Eldest Brother, you two were trading blows so fast that I truly couldn't find an opening to step in!" When high-tier journey cultivators clashed, it was indeed difficult for outsiders to intervene. Yang Xingbo was a tier-seven Joy Cultivator whose path was not known for speed; using the wrong technique could easily sabotage Bao Yingchen instead. Yet Bao Yingchen didn't see it that way. He trusted no one, and Yang Xingbo's behavior just now reeked of suspicion to him. "Take the brothers upstairs at once and search for Li the Seventh. Once you locate him, surround him and await my orders." Yang Xingbo pointed toward Xiaoyaowu. "He hasn't fled yet? He's still here?" Bao Yingchen narrowed his eyes at Xiaoyaowu. "He made all these preparations just to fight a battle to the death. He knew we were coming yet chose not to leave. That proves he can't leave." Yang Xingbo glanced down at the shredded cabbage remains. "These were the preparations he made?" Bao Yingchen nodded. "This is likely a puppet treasure from some Craft Cultivator. On top of that, this Li the Seventh possesses Sound Cultivator methods. Whether he dual-cultivates a pathway or relies on a treasure, you and the brothers must remain cautious." Yang Xingbo felt a twinge of dread. "Eldest Brother, how about we set fire to Xiaoyaowu and smoke him out?" "No!" Bao Yingchen snapped, his face darkening. "A large fire will spread to the surrounding area and create chaos. The messier things become, the more it plays to Li the Seventh's advantage!" Yang Xingbo sighed helplessly. "Eldest Brother, should I tell a few brothers to block the back door?" Bao Yingchen shook his head. "They won't be able to hold it." Before his voice had even faded, Bao Yingchen circled Xiaoyaowu's perimeter, using Severing Paths to Open Roads to seal off both the back and side entrances. When Yang Xingbo led his men toward the main entrance, Bao Yingchen sealed that off as well. Yang Xingbo looked back. "Eldest Brother, you've sealed the front door too. How are we supposed to get inside?" "Fool!" Bao Yingchen barked. "Go through the front door and walk right into an ambush? Enter from here!" Stepping forward, he kicked the wall, carving out a neat rectangular opening. He had truly mastered Severing Paths to Open Roads. And he was correct: before their arrival, Li Banfeng had laid traps at both the front and back entrances. But by opening a doorway directly through the corridor wall, Bao Yingchen had rendered Li Banfeng's traps completely useless. While the cabbage people were skirmishing with the Sanying Gate disciples, Li Banfeng had intended to stall Bao Yingchen a little longer. However, once the cabbage people could no longer hold the line, Li Banfeng knew he couldn't keep tangling with Bao Yingchen. Otherwise, he would end up facing not only Bao Yingchen, but also the third chief Yang Xingbo and the remaining thirty-odd hardened fighters. Li Banfeng retreated to the main ballroom and ordered everyone to take cover immediately. Seeing Li Banfeng covered in wounds, Cao Zhida panicked. "Seventh Master, where else can we hide? Let's just fight them to the death!" *Fight them to the death?* *With what?* Among the dozen or so guards, Cao Zhida was the highest in cultivation as a tier-three Martial Cultivator, while the rest were only tier one or two. Against the seasoned fighters of Sanying Gate, they were practically throwing their lives away for nothing. As for the uncultivated staff, they didn't even qualify as cannon fodder; a single stomp from Chief Bao Yingchen would wipe them out entirely. At the critical moment, Jiang Mengting, having finally dried her trousers, proved to be far calmer. She called out, "Listen to me, everyone—head backstage! The backstage area of Xiaoyaowu is huge and hard to navigate!" The backstage entrance of Xiaoyaowu wasn't on the stage itself, but through a side door off the main ballroom. Everyone hurriedly rushed backstage. Jiang Mengting turned and asked, "Seventh Master, you won't abandon us, will you?" Li Banfeng shook his head. Jiang Mengting said, "As long as you're here, we aren't afraid." Once everyone was hidden, Li Banfeng pulled out the projector and hid it beneath the seating, using an illusion to conceal the side door on the wall. He patted the key in his pocket. If he wanted to hide, he could enter the Portable Abode at any moment. Yet Li Banfeng did not retreat into the Portable Abode. Instead, he took out the steel wire. This was a numinous item gifted to him by Ling Miaoying, originally used for wirework in shadow-plays—what people in the Outer States called flying rigs. The steel wire was exceedingly durable and required no fixed anchor; pressing it against a surface was enough to make it cling tight, and hitting the switch on the casing would retract it instantly. Li Banfeng anchored one end to the wall beside the doorway and the other to the floor, crossing the line back and forth until it formed a dense crisscrossing mesh. The top of the mesh hugged the wall, while the bottom met the floor, with the furthest edge extending over three meters into the room. If Bao Yingchen tried using Unimpeded Passage to phase through the wall, he would inevitably be shredded by the steel wire. Just how badly he would be hurt depended entirely on the defensive measures he employed. The wounds across Li Banfeng's body continued to bleed, beads of crimson mingling with sweat to drip steadily onto the floor. They weren't severe, but they stung sharply. Li Banfeng wiped the blood from his face and watched the ballroom's walls and doors in silence. *Stall. Stall for as long as possible. The only hope now is for Ma the Fifth and the others to arrive soon.* Before long, Yang Xingbo led his men to the entrance of the main ballroom. Separated by the double doors, he had no idea what was happening inside. Among his subordinates was a Scrying Cultivator who picked up movement within the room, confirming with near certainty that Li the Seventh was inside the ballroom. Yang Xingbo made no rash move, waiting instead for Bao Yingchen's instructions. Bao Yingchen approached the doors, paused for a moment, and called inside, "Brother Li the Seventh, come out. Let us settle our business right here." "Settle our business?" Li Banfeng chuckled. "If it were that easy to settle, why go to all the trouble of bringing an army after me?" Bao Yingchen answered, "The Chu family hired us for a job, so naturally we have to deliver. That's the code of the underworld. But to what extent we carry it out is up to us. Tonight, both sides have suffered casualties. We've done enough to fulfill our end, and the Chu family won't be able to pick any faults with us. Brother, you should understand what that means." Hearing it put that way, it did sound plausible. Back when Sanying Gate sent Qin Xiaopang to stir up trouble at Ma the Fifth's studio, they had also stopped after making a show of force, which aligned with Sanying Gate's typical conduct. Yet Li Banfeng didn't buy a single word. The present situation was completely different from back then. Bao Yingchen continued, "I truly wish to make a friend of you. To be frank, ever since my clash with the Lu family three years ago, I haven't encountered a worthy rival like you. I lost that battle against the Lu family, yet we ended up as friends. Tonight's fight can be counted as a draw. I want to be friends with you as well." Bao Yingchen was trying to divide Li Banfeng's attention. Li Banfeng was more than willing to humor him, as he needed to buy time. "Chief, how did you end up losing back then? Was it to Lu Dongliang? Why don't you tell me the details?" Bao Yingchen chuckled. "I truly didn't lose to Lu Dongliang. To tell you the truth, my cultivation is by no means inferior to his. I lost to Lu Dongjun. Everyone says that man has no cunning, but once on the battlefield, his schemes and methods are terrifying. I accepted that defeat wholeheartedly. Brother Li the Seventh, after crossing hands with you today, I'm just as thoroughly convinced. We are definitely going to be friends!" Li Banfeng remained silent, seemingly swayed. According to Bao Yingchen's plan, if he could talk Li Banfeng around, he would lure him out and execute him. His subordinates were all prized pillars of Sanying Gate, and Bao Yingchen was reluctant to suffer heavy losses. However, if persuasion failed, losses could no longer be spared. Bao Yingchen would order his men to charge inside to absorb the initial brunt of the attack, then seize an opportunity to slaughter Li Banfeng. Now that Li Banfeng seemed to hesitate, there was no need to let his subordinates intervene. This was the prime opportunity to end it swiftly. Seizing the moment, Bao Yingchen deployed Unimpeded Passage to pass straight into the main ballroom. In truth, Li Banfeng hadn't hesitated at all. He knew full well that Bao Yingchen would never sue for peace. With danger suddenly bearing down on him, Li Banfeng didn't reach for his key, completely abandoning any thought of returning to the Portable Abode. If he fled inside, the hundred-plus people in Xiaoyaowu would surely perish, and Li Banfeng's key might not remain hidden either. Knowing full well the peril, he would steer a headstrong course. Li Banfeng resolved to fight it out. He readied Treading Ten Thousand Rivers and, relying on the art Headstrong Course, forcibly elevated his tier to stake everything on killing Bao Yingchen with a single blow. Yet Bao Yingchen was a cunning veteran after all. The moment he breached the wall, he caught sight of the steel wire. He immediately engaged Unimpeded Passage again, phasing through the steel wire while sustaining only minor abrasions. Having cleared the trap, Bao Yingchen didn't charge straight at Li Banfeng. Knowing Li Banfeng was poised to strike, he capitalized on his superior speed to circle behind him. Li Banfeng spun around frantically, hoping to rely on Benevolent Dwelling Heart to endure another hit. Yet the Benevolent Dwelling Heart art could only be used once a day. Having already used it earlier, could it be invoked again? *Time to gamble! With my tier elevated, perhaps I truly can use it once more.* Li Banfeng pictured the image of the Portable Abode in his mind, envisioning himself as just as indestructible as his home. With that thought, Benevolent Dwelling Heart failed to take form. Instead, an agonizing pain ripped through Li Banfeng's body, and his footsteps abruptly slowed. This was catastrophic! Seeing him falter, Bao Yingchen rejoiced. Stepping forward, he passed through a halo of light, closing right in on Li Banfeng. Wait. *What is this halo?* Bao Yingchen shuddered violently. A whole layer of flesh and blood was ripped from his body, severely maiming him on the spot. He cast a shocked glance back at the halo of light, and in his astonishment, he recognized the bane of his pathway. *Is this... Closed Doors and Barred Gates?* *A tier-eight Dwelling Cultivator art?* *How could he possibly possess Dwelling Cultivator techniques...* *** **Author's Note:** Li Banfeng was in agonizing pain all over; he had no idea what had just happened either.