Song of a Hundred Flowers

In the circular dance hall, Li Banfeng sat in a chair, enjoying Mengde's song and dance. Her performance today was brilliant, drawing wave after wave of applause from the audience below the stage, yet Li Banfeng couldn't shake the feeling that something was lacking. Was it technique, or was it emotion? Li Banfeng couldn't say for sure. If his lady were by his side, she would certainly be able to point out the issue—just like before bed on ordinary nights, when Li Banfeng had Mengde stand by the bedside to sing and his lady would hold her rhythm clapper, offering a pointer or two. The thought of his lady had just crossed his mind— *BOOM!* With a thunderous crash, Li Banfeng jolted awake from his sleep. He realized he had dreamed a dream he shouldn't have. He crawled out from under the bed, looked around at his surroundings, and pulled the Judge's Brush from beneath a pile of newspapers. "Brother, which room did you come from?" "Hmph!" The Judge's Brush couldn't even be bothered to get angry, let alone answer. Li Banfeng hurried to the main room. Hong Ying had just helped his lady upright and pulled Mengde out from under a table. "What did I tell you? Don't let Qilang dream about the house! Can't you do even this simple thing right?" Mengde looked utterly aggrieved. The gramophone spoke up to soothe her: "Forget it. Dreams shift in an instant; it's inevitable that Mengde slips up now and then. Darling, tidy up and go back to sleep." How could Li Banfeng have the nerve to keep sleeping at home? Ever since he learned Connected Bridal Chambers, whenever he dreamed of home while sleeping at home, things inevitably went haywire, and the dozen or so rooms would sometimes be turned upside down by him. Having just learned the art, it was only natural that his control was lacking. Li Banfeng moved over to Xiaoyaowu to sleep for the night. At daybreak the next morning, he headed to the newland; today was the day Qin Tianjiu took possession of his plot and became a territorial spirit. Although they had a ready-made covenant deed, Little Fatty didn't know the procedure for becoming a territorial spirit. Ma the Fifth had invited Feng Daiku to guide him, but unexpectedly, Pan Dehai had traveled all the way from Haichiling to congratulate Little Fatty. The moment Feng Daiku saw Pan Dehai, she turned on her heel and left. Fortunately, Pan Dehai knew the ropes; he helped Little Fatty take over the territory and taught him the essentials of guarding it. Watching Fatty Qin, Gao Shuxia's eyes practically popped out with envy. She wanted to be a territorial spirit too. Hundred-Eyed Fish nudged her in the ribs. "Don't just stare. Do what we came here for." The two searched through the crowd for quite a while, but couldn't find Li Qi, only spotting Ma the Fifth. Hundred-Eyed Fish stepped forward, bowing cautiously. "May I ask if you are Young Master the Fifth?" Ma the Fifth looked her up and down, then nodded slightly. "Indeed, it is I." Hundred-Eyed Fish looked up at him, then seemed to realize it was impolite and flusteredly lowered her head again. "I have long admired you, Young Master. To meet you today is truly the blessing of three lifetimes." As she spoke, Hundred-Eyed Fish stole a couple of glances at him, her cheeks already flushed crimson. Gao Shuxia watched from the side, sneering internally. *She actually knows how to blush?* Hundred-Eyed Fish had roamed the newland for years, a wandering spirit of renowned fame. What kind of man had she not seen? Besides, she was Hundred-Eyed Fish—did she really need to steal glances at him? She could look however she pleased; every inch of Ma the Fifth, top to bottom, had already been taken in by her eyes. Putting on such an act was nothing more than an attempt to coax information out of him. Still, word had it that Ma the Fifth was a dashing gallant, so perhaps he really would fall for this trick of hers. "For you to speak so highly of me leaves me thoroughly flattered! Please, this way, Miss!" Ma the Fifth hurried to find a wooden shack and invited Hundred-Eyed Fish inside to sit. The cabin had been left behind by hunters during land reclamation and was extremely crude. Ma the Fifth took a tablecloth from one of his men and spread it over the table, setting out a teapot and dried fruits. He drew the curtains across the window and lit a candle. Spreading a red rug on the floor, he then brought over several bouquets of fresh flowers to decorate the windowsill and corners of the room. The atmosphere transformed at once. Seeing Ma the Fifth go to such lengths, Gao Shuxia gave a faint smile. The silly boy had taken the bait. Hundred-Eyed Fish's line of thought was right: only by coaxing Li Qi's thoughts out of Ma the Fifth would they have any hope of securing a territory. After waiting outside the wooden cabin for more than an hour, Hundred-Eyed Fish walked out and gave Gao Shuxia a slight nod. Gao Shuxia rushed forward to meet her. "Did it work?" Hundred-Eyed Fish nodded. "It's done. I told him we came with Pan Dehai, mainly to find Li Qi. We want a piece of newland too—not much, just one plot for the two of us to share. Even though we're with Pan Dehai right now, we haven't done much for him, and we don't share much history. From now on, we'll follow Li Qi and Ma the Fifth faithfully, with absolute loyalty and devotion, without a second thought." Gao Shuxia stared at Hundred-Eyed Fish for a long time before asking, "Didn't you go in there to coax information out of Ma the Fifth?" "Yes." Hundred-Eyed Fish nodded. "Where is Li Qi, then?" Hundred-Eyed Fish pondered for a long time, then shook her head. "Ma the Fifth didn't seem to say." *** Pan Dehai had bustled about, helping Qin Tianjiu settle everything, and was now resting under a tree. Li Banfeng walked over and handed him a cup of tea. "Thank you for your hard work, Old Pan." Pan Dehai shook his head. "Qin Tianjiu and I share a bond of master and disciple, and Qin Tianjiu shares a brotherly bond with you. Among the younger generation, you are a person of Virtue. Helping a person of Virtue and performing an act of Virtue is our bounden duty—how could one call it hard work?" "Well said, Old Pan." Li Banfeng set down the tea. "Then let's talk price directly." "Brother Li Qi, your misunderstanding of me runs too deep." Pan Dehai let out a long sigh. "In all the time we have known each other, through every transaction and gain, when have I ever haggled with you? To open your mouth and speak of price right away—doesn't that turn a man's heart thoroughly cold?" With that, Pan Dehai took out a small idol and handed it to Li Banfeng. It was an idol of Lord Seventh. Li Banfeng had seen one before; he already had another in his possession, which had also been given to him by Pan Dehai. "Old Pan, is this your magical treasure for gathering human qi?" Pan Dehai chuckled and shook his head. "It is an art for gathering human qi, but it cannot be counted as a magical treasure." That single sentence struck straight to the heart of the matter. Pan Dehai could help Li Banfeng gather the human qi of Haichiling, and it was his own exclusive method. Li Banfeng stroked the idol; the surging human qi within was practically spilling over. Pan Dehai sipped his tea and spoke slowly: "Haichiling has enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests this year. Much of that came from my painstaking effort, yet the merit ultimately fell upon Lord Seventh. I can hardly help feeling a touch of envy in my heart." His words were crystal clear. Pan Dehai had brought prosperity to Haichiling, which was the duty of a territorial spirit, but Li Banfeng had reaped the greater reward from it. Li Banfeng rightfully owed him payment. Yet before paying, Li Banfeng needed to clarify his motives. Pan Dehai's assistance was naturally aimed at the newland. "You want newland—what do you plan to use it for?" If Pan Dehai claimed he wanted it to stockpile human qi for himself, that would be sheer nonsense. Haichiling was a major city in Puluo Province, and its capacity to accumulate human qi far exceeded that of a piece of newland. "I want to secure a territory for Gao Shuxia and Hundred-Eyed Fish. The two of them have done a great deal for me and will do more in the future. If one speaks only of sentiment without offering tangible benefits, that sentiment lacks Virtue." Pan Dehai was telling the truth, but Li Banfeng remained silent. Pan Dehai sighed. "I know you have had grievances with these two women." Grievances indeed existed, especially with Gao Shuxia, who had joined forces with Xiao Feng to scheme against Nectarine back then. Hundred-Eyed Fish had once sought to team up with Mountain Uplifting Master against Meng Yuchun, and she had also conspired with Gao Shuxia to fish in troubled waters and seize Bei Wushuang's territory. Li Banfeng remembered all of it. "The score between them and me can be settled later. I can give you this piece of newland, and I won't pry into whom you entrust it to, but you must abide by my rules." Li Banfeng drafted a covenant on the spot. Pan Dehai read the covenant and nodded. "Since this is to guard the soil of Puluo Province, whether it be I or those two women, none of us shall ever ally with the Inner States or work on their behalf in the future. This is the root of Virtue, as well as an act of Virtue. Should there be any breach, I am willing to accept punishment!" Li Banfeng smiled. "Agreeing so readily doesn't seem like your usual nature." Pan Dehai signed the covenant deed, pressed his blood print onto it, and handed it to Li Banfeng. "What happened at Desong Cliff remains vivid in my mind. That was the very foundation of my Daoist sect, yet today not a blade of grass grows there. To say my heart doesn't ache would be a lie. But what those people did ran entirely contrary to the fundamental principles of Virtue. To reap such bitter fruit was nothing less than what they deserved!" Li Banfeng nodded. "Frightened you, did it?" Pan Dehai raised an eyebrow. "When facing major matters of right and wrong, this old man has always distinguished clearly." Li Banfeng reminded him, "There isn't so much grand right and wrong; this matter was simple enough to discern from the start. Seeing it clearly now is well and good, but don't go muddling it up later. The covenant deed states it plainly: I will collect human qi from you every two months. Don't renege when the time comes." Li Banfeng handed a copy of the covenant deed to Pan Dehai and placed the small idol atop his own head. He was in no rush to drain the human qi dry. He needed control—extremely precise control—to let the human qi course slowly through his flesh and bones. Cultivation was a grueling, grinding process. He hadn't noticed it before, but now he had gained a few insights; he could clearly sense the sluggish friction in his joints and the swelling pressure in his flesh. As the human qi poured in gently, it smoothed away the friction bit by bit and released the swelling pressure increment by increment. The cycle repeated itself, allowing Li Banfeng to slowly savor the profound comfort spreading through his body. "So smooth!" Li Banfeng looked at Pan Dehai, blurting out in involuntary admiration. "What's smooth?" Pan Dehai's old face flushed red. Li Banfeng spoke with lingering relish, "It feels so wonderful. Having lived to such an age, you must surely know the sensation." "I don't really know much about that either..." Pan Dehai looked all around, then shouted toward Little Fatty, "Xiao Qin, I have something to tell you!" Pan Dehai discussed a few territorial matters with Little Fatty, then called for Gao Shuxia and Hundred-Eyed Fish, leaving the newland together. Gao Shuxia was still anxious. "We searched everywhere and didn't see Li Qi! We haven't even talked business with him yet!" Pan Dehai shook his head. "No need to speak with him. I already did." Gao Shuxia asked in pleasant surprise, "It's all settled?" "All settled," Pan Dehai replied thoughtfully. "What did he mean by 'smooth'?" Hundred-Eyed Fish looked somewhat dazed. "He probably meant savory and smooth. Things that are savory and smooth are the most delightful." *** "Do you two know where this savor and smoothness comes from?" Lian Buda picked up a piece of roast duck with his chopsticks, looking at Zhong'er and Lightbulb. Zhong'er studied the duck and thought it over carefully. "The key lies in the fat. The more oil and fat, the more savory and smooth the duck meat." Lian Buda shook his head. "You're half right. More fat certainly makes it smoother, but whether it's fragrant and savory depends on the heat. If the heat is too high, the fat scorches, leaving it tasteless. If the heat is too low, the fat turns fishy—not only unappetizing, but cloying." Lightbulb shook his head. "Duck is inherently gamy anyway." Lian Buda replied, "That depends on the condiments. When eating roast duck, you must have scallions. Scallion greens won't do; their texture is too coarse, chewing like kindling in your mouth and ruining the tenderness of the meat. You must eat the white stems. "The knife work on the scallion whites is also particular. They can't be shredded too fine, or they won't cut through the grease; nor can they be cut too thick, or their juice will overpower the flavor of the duck meat. "The reason I love eating at this restaurant is precisely because they are meticulous. The scallion whites are cut to the right thickness, and the duck pancakes are rolled to the proper consistency. "We must also be particular about how we eat: how much meat goes into one pancake, how many scallions are added, how much sauce is dipped—there is learning in all of it." Zhong'er followed Lian Buda's lead, carefully and conscientiously rolling his pancake. Lightbulb held the roast duck with both hands, tearing and gnawing away, focused entirely on gorging himself on meat. Displeased, Lian Buda looked at Lightbulb. "Didn't I tell you? You must eat with refinement." Lightbulb grinned. "I want to eat fast and hurry back to cultivate." Watching the way he ate ruined Lian Buda's appetite. "With your level of comprehension, no amount of hard work will do any good." As the three were eating, a young woman walked into the restaurant, stood in the main dining hall, and sang a tune: "Spring comes round and a hundred blossoms blow, Through the blooming garden all alone I go; A gust of wild wind drops the golden fan, Ever since, deep longing weighs upon my soul." *Song of a Hundred Flowers*—the most popular tune in the streets and alleys of Green Water City. Carrying a basket of flowers, the girl walked and sang. She was pretty, with an exquisite figure, and her singing was soft, sweet, and delicate, brushing against the heart like a feather, making it impossible to bear missing a single word. The patrons looked up one after another, wanting to steal a few more glances, yet when they looked at the flower basket in her hands, they tried their best to avoid her gaze. Zhong'er didn't look away. He stared directly at her, and she looked back at him. Lightbulb said from the side, "What are you doing? Are you listening to the song?" Zhong'er nodded. "Yes. Isn't she singing?" Lightbulb chuckled. "She's selling flowers! She's not letting you look for free—keep staring and you'll have to pay!" While they were speaking, Lian Buda took out a silver dollar, placed it into the girl's basket, and casually took a single flower. The girl looked at the silver dollar. It was enough to buy several baskets of her flowers. She reached to give change, but Lian Buda gestured that it wasn't necessary. She wanted to leave the entire basket with him, but Lian Buda waved his hand. "One is enough." Having eaten and drunk their fill, the master and disciples left the roast duck restaurant and walked toward their residence. Before they had gone far, Zhong'er turned his head and found the flower girl still trailing behind them. "Do you need something else?" Zhong'er asked. The flower girl kept her head lowered, silent. "You were already paid earlier. Consider all these flowers bought." Zhong'er walked up to her, took the flower basket, and turned to leave. Lightbulb asked Zhong'er, "What are you doing?" Zhong'er said, "She sells flowers. Now that all her flowers are sold, she has no reason to keep following us." Lightbulb laughed. "You think this looks like tailing someone? Walking right behind us in broad daylight counts as following?" Zhong'er didn't find it funny. "Then what do you think her intention is?" Lightbulb was helpless against Zhong'er's stubbornness. Lian Buda always claimed Zhong'er had talent, but Lightbulb couldn't see where that talent lay. "The girl just wanted to express her gratitude. Puluo Province has its own etiquettes. Master gave her an entire silver dollar at once. She felt grateful and ran after us to say thank you. What's wrong with that?" Zhong'er turned back to look at the girl. She stood in the wind with her head down, not uttering a word. "She didn't say thank you either." "Nonsense!" Lightbulb frowned. "You just embarrassed her, and she feels terrible! Can't you tell?" "We gave her money, and she gave us flowers—a mutually willing transaction. I don't see anything to feel terrible about." Zhong'er carried the flower basket and kept walking. Lightbulb looked back at the girl and let out a helpless sigh. After crossing a street, Zhong'er set the flower basket down by the roadside. Lightbulb said, "What are you doing now?" "These flowers shouldn't be brought back home. It's clearly unsafe." "What's unsafe about them?" Zhong'er said earnestly, "When I first joined the Bureau, I handled a similar case where someone concealed tracking devices inside souvenirs and ornaments." Lightbulb didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What on earth was Sister Mijian thinking? How did she ever fall for you? Who hasn't run into a flower seller while eating at a restaurant in Puluo Province? How does it turn into such a big deal with you?" Zhong'er walked up to Lian Buda. "Master, give me that flower you bought as well. It truly isn't safe." Lian Buda glared at Zhong'er, held onto the flower, and walked ahead on his own. Lightbulb looked at Zhong'er. "Clueless, aren't you? Do you know what you did wrong this time?" Zhong'er shook his head. "No." Lightbulb deliberately widened the distance between them and Lian Buda, lowering his voice: "While we were eating just now, there were people selling handkerchiefs, folding fans, and porcelain figurines. Master didn't buy any of those—why did he buy that girl's flower?" Zhong'er could see this part clearly: "Because that girl was pretty, and she sang well." Lightbulb nodded. "Simply put, Master is interested in the girl. She took the money and chased after him, which proves she's interested in Master too. Now do you understand?" Zhong'er didn't understand. "Judging by Master's attire, looks, and temperament, it's impossible that the girl has feelings for him." Lightbulb glanced into the distance. "You could say that a little louder. Make sure Master hears you." Zhong'er didn't care. "I'd say the same thing even if he heard me. I believe Master should be able to make a sound judgment himself. With that girl's appearance, figure, and singing ability, plenty of people must offer her money willingly. To her, this is likely an everyday occurrence. The fact that she chased after us out of the restaurant strikes me as abnormal instead." Lightbulb didn't know how to explain it. "Stop applying Outer States thinking to events in Puluo Province! What kind of person is our master? He certainly has far more worldly experience than us. Wouldn't he be able to see her intentions? That flower girl might have taken Master for a wealthy man and wanted to earn a bit more, or maybe she just thought Master was a decent fellow and wanted to say thanks." Zhong'er shook his head. "If I had to find an explanation for her behavior, I'd sooner believe she fell for you, because in terms of physical appearance, you hold an overwhelming advantage." Lightbulb pressed his hands down. "Don't let Master hear that! I don't want him resenting me just because I look better than him. Whatever the reason, that flower is a fond thought to Master—a very fond thought. Master said he wants us to practice Joy Cultivation on the side, because he never got to enjoy that kind of blessing in his life. It wasn't easy for him to have such a fond thought today, and you keep meddling like this—aren't you just asking to be detested? Stop bringing up the flower. Don't ruin Master's mood anymore. Let it go, and go back to cultivate properly." Lightbulb's words were sound; in terms of strength and experience, Zhong'er was indeed no match for Lian Buda. Yet back at the residence, seeing that flower remained a thorn in Zhong'er's side. He still wanted to find an opportunity to dispose of it. *** At ten-thirty that night, Lian Buda grew weary and went to his room to sleep. The flower stood in a vase beside the bed. Zhong'er entered the room, placed a teapot by the bed, and said softly, "Master, drink from this if you get thirsty tonight." Lian Buda nodded. "Leave the tea here. Don't touch the flower." Zhong'er's plan had been seen through; he had indeed intended to use the chance to take the flower away. Lian Buda sat up from the bed, looked silently at Zhong'er, and asked, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Zhong'er didn't know how to answer. He could never grasp Lian Buda's temperament; the man seemed profoundly wise at times, yet completely naive at others. Faced with such situations, Zhong'er had only one method of response: if dealing with an enemy, say nothing and fight immediately. If dealing with one of his own, speak the plain truth: "Master, I don't believe in love at first sight. Especially with that woman we met in the restaurant today—I don't believe she harbors any affection for you." Lian Buda frowned. "Are you saying I'm not good-looking?" Zhong'er tried to put it as tactfully as possible: "I feel you are slightly... mediocre." Lian Buda asked again, "Do you think that girl is pretty?" Zhong'er offered an objective evaluation: "Her appearance can be described as outstanding. Her figure is even more outstanding than her face." Lian Buda nodded. "Her figure is truly splendid. Especially that slender waist—it can be encircled with a single hand. It reminded me of someone." Zhong'er roughly understood Lian Buda's state of mind. "Master, that girl may bear a strong resemblance to someone you once secretly loved. Now that you possess extraordinary status and standing, encountering a girl who awakens those memories made you want to recreate that past affection. But I feel such a recreation is meaningless. During those youthful years, you and that girl were surely both very innocent. If she didn't end up with you back then, it probably wasn't because you lacked wealth, nor because you lacked ability. She probably just purely thought you were ugly—" Lian Buda shook his head. "Not back then. I only recently met her. In truth, it doesn't even count as knowing her; we only met once, and didn't even exchange words." Lian Buda picked up the flower from the vase. "That girl looks very much like Chu Yaoxian, the territorial spirit from the newland." Zhong'er froze. He didn't know Chu Yaoxian, but he realized Lian Buda's actual thoughts were nothing like his own guess. Holding the flower, Lian Buda asked Zhong'er, "Do you know who Chu Yaoxian is?" Zhong'er shook his head repeatedly. Lian Buda smiled. "Shu Wanjuan killed twelve territorial spirits and spared only one. He wanted to use her to turn on He Jiaqing, but she failed to take a bite out of him. That doesn't mean Chu Yaoxian is useless, though. She's still He Jiaqing's person, and she can still utilize the Brotherhood Alliance's power to get things done—for instance, having them provide her an identity as a flower seller so she can scout for information. Once she gets the intelligence, she might hand it to He Jiaqing, or she might hand it to Shu Wanjuan, because Shu Wanjuan loves planting contingency moves on people. Am I right?" "I don't know..." There was too much information to process; Zhong'er couldn't react in time. "I wasn't asking you," Lian Buda said, shaking his head. "Old Shu, do you think I'm right?" Zhong'er started, scanning the room in alarm. *Could there be someone else in here?* A chilly breeze blew in, scattering the fresh flower in Lian Buda's hand. The petals danced through the air, transforming into flecks of ink. The ink splashed against the walls, leaving behind several lines of writing: "Autumn arrives and a hundred blossoms gleam, Fair hours and lovely scenes bless the couple's dream; Iron hooves trample the wedding candles dead, Tearing apart paired ducks, a fate to dread." These were still lyrics from *Song of a Hundred Flowers*. The twenty-eight written characters turned into writing brushes, continuously scribing across the walls until dense, crowded text blanketed every corner of the room. From amid the characters walked out a man with grizzled hair and beard, wearing a long robe and holding a paper fan, looking like a teahouse storyteller. Lian Buda looked at the storyteller and chuckled. "Shu Wanjuan, you truly lack virtue. Knowing that no one has ever cherished me in my entire life, you had Chu Yaoxian use this trick against me. Did you really think I'd fall for it?" Shu Wanjuan smiled. "Didn't you? I've already found you. Do you think you can still get away?" By all logic, Lian Buda truly could not get away. The roomful of characters had sealed off every escape route, leaving him without the slightest chance to slip out. Yet Lian Buda showed not a trace of panic. "Shu Wanjuan, do you think finding me is necessarily a good thing?" Shu Wanjuan laughed. "Could it be anything else?" A layer of oil seeped out from the walls, flowing slowly across the characters. The ink dissolved into the grease, dripping down along the oil to the floor. Shu Wanjuan was taken aback. Lian Buda's grease had undergone a change, catching him completely by surprise. Now that the confinement of the text was broken, Lian Buda could flee at any moment. Shu Wanjuan drew his brush, preparing to write more characters to trap Lian Buda. Yet before the brush could sweep out, Shu Wanjuan realized something. The most pressing matter was apparently not trapping Lian Buda. He discovered that the grease was already spreading upward along his feet.