"Sister, did you get out?" Li Banfeng gripped the gold bar tighter, waiting for A'yu's response.
"Little brother, if I really did get out, would you be happy or unhappy?"
That question really was hard to answer.
"Do you think I should be happy?"
"Little brother, I think you should be happy. Some say you're from the Outer States, and others say you're from Puluo Province. In truth, that doesn't matter; your heart has always been with Puluo Province. I, your sister, am from Puluo Province, and my heart is entirely for Puluo Province's good. Could you bear to let your sister be locked up by outsiders for life?"
Li Banfeng sat alone in his office, shaking his head. "I couldn't."
"Since you know how to care for your sister, what are you worried about? Worried I'll harm the people of the Dark Star Bureau? How could I do such a thing? The two of us still can't leave yet, and we'll have to rely on the Dark Star Bureau to get by in the future. It's just that I love cleanliness, so I had them learn to love cleanliness too. Things went a bit too far today, and since you're unhappy, little brother, your sister will change her ways. Come tomorrow, everything will be back to normal. Are you satisfied now, little brother?"
Li Banfeng was about to speak again when he heard the companion dwelling whisper in his ear, "Ah Qi, don't argue with her."
"Oh my, Little Train is here too, heheheh!" A'yu chuckled again.
"Whether I'm here or not, don't you already know? Heheheh!" Little Train laughed along.
"Are your old bones still sturdy?" A'yu seemed very familiar with Little Train.
"Definitely sturdier than yours! Ah Qi, let's go home. You've had a busy day, you must be tired."
Li Banfeng left the Dark Star Bureau. Reaching the intersection, he saw Chen Changrui sweeping the street with a broom.
"Old Chen, what are you doing now?"
Chen Changrui wiped away his sweat. "The Dark Star Bureau is our home. The area in front of our own door ought to be swept clean."
"You call this your front door?" Li Banfeng glanced back. "This spot is a li away from the Dark Star Bureau!"
"Superiors are coming for an inspection tomorrow. Sweeping it cleaner makes us look good." Chen Changrui went back to sweeping the road, completely oblivious to how abnormal his behavior was.
Was something wrong with him, or was something wrong with this territory?
A pedestrian walked past, tossing a milk tea cup into a trash can. A few leftover drops of milk tea spilled out and splashed onto the road. The pedestrian crouched down, pulled tissues from their pocket, and wiped at the spot for quite a while.
It wasn't just people from the Dark Star Bureau who were affected; even passing pedestrians in the vicinity were affected.
Just how much of his body had Old Train taken from the Dark Star Bureau?
How far did A'yu and the Heavenly Maiden's influence reach?
"Ah Qi, let's go home."
Heeding the companion dwelling's advice, Li Banfeng walked back to his apartment. The moment he pushed open the door, he didn't smell the slightest whiff of dust.
Could this apartment have been affected as well?
Li Banfeng lingered at the doorway, hesitating to enter. The ghost servants emerged from the rooms. "Seventh Master, as you instructed, we gave the place a thorough cleaning."
The companion dwelling whispered in his ear, "Ah Qi, don't be paranoid. Go in and rest."
Li Banfeng entered the bedroom, preparing to return to the companion dwelling to ask his lady wife how to stop A'yi and the Heavenly Maiden. The moment he pulled out the key, the companion dwelling cautioned, "Once we're home, there are things that can't be spoken aloud. I've depleted a lot of energy; I need to rest for a while."
Little Train didn't explain much further. Li Banfeng could faintly hear heavy breathing.
The old master had fallen asleep.
Back inside the companion dwelling, Li Banfeng embraced the gramophone, collapsed onto the bed, and fell asleep.
The gramophone asked with concern, "Husband, were you exhausted today?"
"Lady wife, quite a lot happened outside today. Did you see it?"
Before his wife could answer, Hong Ying chimed in, "We don't know what went wrong with the fifth room. Nothing can be seen today."
Little Train had depleted a lot of energy—could it be because of this?
Did the fifth room possess such power?
Was even resisting her an uphill battle for the companion dwelling?
Ever since he obtained the companion dwelling, Li Banfeng had never felt any danger at home, but today he felt deeply uneasy.
The gramophone brought its horn close to Li Banfeng's ear and said in a gentle, soft voice, "Husband, the matters outside have been hard on you. You don't need to worry about matters at home. Fifth Sister is just tired; she probably needs to rest for a couple of days."
With those words from his wife, Li Banfeng felt somewhat relieved.
After sleeping for a night in the companion dwelling, Li Banfeng went to the Dark Star Bureau in the morning. Throughout the entire morning, conditions at the bureau were fairly normal. The silt accumulator they had been investigating—the Mud Cultivator—had been captured.
Wowotou brought him directly back to the bureau. Although mud covered the floor of the cell, Wowotou wasn't nearly as guilt-ridden as yesterday, merely notifying the cleaning staff to clean it up promptly.
Attempting to clean up the silt around a silt accumulator was an impossible task. Silt accumulators possessed far less control than proper Mud Cultivators; wherever they went, they carried silt with them.
This silt accumulator was being malicious on purpose. Every time the cleaner got the floor seventy to eighty percent clean, puddles of muddy water welled up from beneath his feet.
Today's cleaner was exceptionally persistent. No matter how much mud there was, she didn't utter a single complaint, circling the cell and cleaning it over and over.
While the situation was still somewhat abnormal, it fell within an understandable range. Li Banfeng talked the cleaner into stopping. Before long, the silt accumulator seemed to feel ashamed and stopped releasing mud.
This was what A'yu had meant by everything being back to normal.
The people at the Dark Star Bureau seemed much more normal than yesterday, yet Li Banfeng felt there were other changes he hadn't yet detected.
Last night, Chen Changrui had mentioned that a superior would come for an inspection. Come afternoon, Gao Yina indeed arrived.
Li Banfeng didn't want to see her, but Gao Yina brazenly walked in anyway.
If she brought up shutting down the Dark Star Bureau again, Li Banfeng might actually give it serious consideration. But she didn't dare bring it up. This time she changed her approach: "Director Li, we plan to provide the Dark Star Bureau with a batch of artificial intelligence equipment. It's just a normal equipment replenishment."
"Does a minor matter like this require consulting me?"
Gao Yina answered seriously, "Director Li calls the shots on all matters regarding the Dark Star Bureau. Old Chen, don't you agree?"
Chen Changrui didn't answer. He took a cigarette out of his pack and lit it.
This action disgusted Gao Yina; in her presence, Chen Changrui had never dared to smoke before.
Taking two puffs, Chen Changrui spoke up: "Director Gao, the Dark Star Bureau doesn't seem to lack the artificial intelligence equipment you mentioned, does it?"
With a dark expression, Gao Yina said, "Equipment always needs to be upgraded."
Chen Changrui looked at Gao Yina. "Can't we speak more sincerely? The Dark Star Bureau's equipment is constantly being updated. The new devices you want to add are actually all surveillance equipment, aren't they? How much surveillance gear have you added to the Dark Star Bureau lately, and how long has it been since the bureau received any replenishment for combat equipment? Do you distrust the Dark Star Bureau that much? Can't you offer any other form of support for our work?"
Chen Changrui was acting very abnormally.
Gao Yina was acting even more abnormally.
In the past, Gao Yina would certainly have berated Chen Changrui. Even if Chen Changrui had the guts to argue with her, he would never have won—the gap in their eloquence was far too vast. Yet Gao Yina lowered her head without a word, her cheeks burning red as if she had done something wrong.
Chen Changrui continued, "Over the years, everyone has witnessed the Dark Star Bureau's sacrifices, yet we've received so little recognition. I admit the Dark Star Bureau has made some missteps at work, but how much criticism have we endured? How many grievances have we swallowed? In all fairness, did the primary blame for those mistakes truly lie with the Dark Star Bureau?"
Gao Yina sobbed twice and began weeping.
Over just a few words from Chen Changrui, Gao Yina actually broke into tears!
Gao Yina wasn't faking it; she genuinely felt guilty. "Director Li, Director Chen, I've constantly been reflecting on what happened in the past. The Dark Star Bureau truly has borne too much. For this equipment upgrade, I will take the initiative to remove unnecessary surveillance gear. There isn't much I can do, but within the scope of my ability, I will give the Dark Star Bureau more support."
Gao Yina left. Li Banfeng made a rare exception and saw her down to the lobby.
After seeing Gao Yina off, Li Banfeng took a walk around the park. Gao Yina's behavior had undeniably been influenced by A'yu and the Heavenly Maiden.
But given the current state of affairs, was this influence good or bad?
Li Banfeng sat on a park bench, pondering the relationship between the Heavenly Maiden and A'yu.
A'yu loved cleanliness so much; she clearly possessed the traits of a dwelling spirit.
The Heavenly Maiden could manipulate boundaries. If those boundaries stemmed from the technique Close the Doors and Bar the Gates, then the Heavenly Maiden was very likely a Dwelling Cultivator.
So many abnormal occurrences at the Dark Star Bureau proved that, to some extent, the bureau had already become the Heavenly Maiden's residence.
The surrounding territory of the Dark Star Bureau being affected probably originated from the Dwelling Cultivation technique Expand the Soil and Open the Frontier.
Logically, it held together.
Yet Li Banfeng couldn't guess the objective of A'yu and the Heavenly Maiden, nor did he know how many variables lay ahead.
"Ah Qi, things are always changing. We just need to figure out our response," the companion dwelling said, seeing through Li Banfeng's worries.
"I'd love to respond, but I feel somewhat out of my depth." Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead. "It's not just the variables here at the Dark Star Bureau. How deep is the involvement between Red Lotus and A'yu? Are the Inner States involved in this? And what about the real Brotherhood Alliance—how much connection do they have with this matter? I truly can't make sense of it."
"You definitely can make sense of it. The people you mentioned aren't any smarter than you; they've just lived more years. I've lived quite a few years myself, and your wife isn't someone to be trifled with either. We have ways to deal with them. Old Train was right—I didn't know Dwelling Cultivation techniques before, but I know them now. Some things we have to learn from them. They're plotting big business on our turf, but we have no reason to be afraid. They'll have to pay capital!"
Li Banfeng sighed. "But my own capital doesn't seem to be enough."
"Ah Qi, you've finally hit the nail on the head! Since you know you don't have enough capital, hurry up and build it up! I'll hold down the fort at home, but you need to go collect your capital out there. If you stay in the Outer States, even if you figure everything out, you won't be able to change the situation."
Li Banfeng stood up from the bench and gazed in the direction of the Dark Star Bureau.
He wanted to go back to the bureau to arrange a few more matters, but after hesitating for a long time, he tightened his grip on the gold bar in his hand.
"Little brother, still not satisfied? Tell me then, what would you have your sister change?"
"Sister, I'm quite satisfied. Let's keep the Dark Star Bureau like this for now. Could you open the boundary for me? I want to make a trip back to Puluo Province. I have urgent business to attend to."
"That's more like it! Hurry along and tend to serious business. Don't go throwing tantrums at your sister all the time!"
A'yu helped Li Banfeng open the boundary. Via Huahu Park, Li Banfeng went to Tiemen Fort, then to Qishuiyao, entered Tianyi City, and made his way all the way to Xiaodu.
Xiaodu was bustling with prosperity. Vast numbers of bondservants who had fled here gained their freedom, and the factories belonging to Tie Baisheng and the others were continuously expanding.
Without alerting anyone, Li Banfeng went directly into the imperial city. The flower heads of all the sunflowers planted inside were weighed down heavily; nearly half of them bore over a hundred statues each.
Li Banfeng harvested the statues, absorbing their popularity one by one.
Not everything could remain fixed and unchanging. Right or wrong, Li Banfeng couldn't untangle it all for now. But if business was to continue, he had to have capital.
Having absorbed enough popularity, Li Banfeng sowed a few more sunflower seeds and left the imperial city. He located Tie Baisheng. "The security around Xiaodu still needs to be tightened, and keep a closer eye on Chaoge's movements."
Seeing Li Qi appear out of nowhere surprised Tie Baisheng greatly, but he was prepared with what needed to be done. "I've started building a new batch of warships. They can be finished within ten days. A few days ago, I made a trip to Chaoge and won over some people in the Cabinet."
Li Banfeng was very pleased with this. "Tell me if you run into difficulties. Contact Boundless City and have the Luo sisters come pick me up."
Tie Baisheng didn't know how Li Banfeng had arrived in Xiaodu, but he immediately carried out Li Banfeng's instructions.
It would take some time for Boundless City to arrive. Li Banfeng entered Tianyi City and returned to the companion dwelling. The red lotus stayed in the fifth room, quietly gazing at the wall.
Hong Ying sighed from the side. "Fifth Sister doesn't know what came over herself. She can't see anything outside."
Fifth Sister's image was projected onto the wall: she stood upon a desolate plain holding flowers, her face filled with guilt and grievance.
Li Banfeng chuckled. "It doesn't matter if you can't see. I'll tell you all about it. The Dark Star Bureau has returned to normal. I reckon Old Train pulled some strings and brought A'yu under control."
"Is that so?" Red Lotus gave a chuckle. "Old Train hasn't gone completely mad yet?"
"He's always been crazy, but even when crazy, he doesn't forget serious business."
Li Banfeng stroked the red lotus, and the radiance around it suddenly intensified.
The glove cried out, "Miss Red Lotus, what's wrong with you? Are you angry at the master? Afraid you won't find the Heavenly Maiden?"
Red Lotus smiled, its leaves suddenly unfolding. "How would I dare be angry at Seventh Master? The Tang dao has finished refining. Seventh Master, care to give it a try?"
The Tang dao leapt out from the center of the lotus, chill air radiating off its blade right into their faces.
"A single warrior fought across three thousand li, a single sword once held at bay a million men! Having weathered a thousand strikes and ten thousand forgings, this general stands ready to take the field and slay the enemy for my lord!"
The glove stood on the hilt using its thumb, wagging its index finger. "Leave swords out of this for now. Can you strike four times now?"
"Certainly not!" the Tang dao answered with complete candor. "Though I'm still limited to three strikes, my combat power is vastly different from before."
The glove burst into laughter. "Keep bragging! Isn't it just taking an enemy head with every strike? How long has it been since you actually took an enemy head?"
The Tang dao shook off the glove and tilted its edge upward. "My lord, if you don't believe me, I'll take a test slash at Second Mistress first!"
Hong Ying flew into a rage. "Try slashing me and see what happens!"
The Tang dao hastily explained, "The Second Mistress I meant is Mistress Red Lotus."
Hong Ying grew even angrier. "Say that again?"
The Tang dao didn't dare say another word.
The glove gave Li Banfeng a slight nod with its index finger, signaling that the Tang dao's mind hadn't been compromised.
Using the technique Connect the Bridal Chambers, Li Banfeng swapped Pineapple and Ba Suan out, then taught the two of them how to operate Tianyi City.
"Take control of Tianyi City and gather intelligence near Chaoge. The moment Qiao Yi makes a move, inform me immediately."
Ba Suan didn't grasp Li Banfeng's meaning. "When should we come back to pick you up? Today or tomorrow?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "No need to pick me up. For the time being, Tianyi City is at your disposal."
The two were dumbfounded. Pineapple asked, "Seventh Master, you trust us?"
"I do!"
Ba Suan said, "We have a contract with the old master. Leaving the dwelling without permission incurs punishment."
Li Banfeng heard the companion dwelling's chuckle.
"Rest assured, the old master trusts you too."
Ba Suan still couldn't quite believe it, but Pineapple believed it.
He borrowed Li Banfeng's simple telephone and hooked a connection onto it: "Seventh Master, what you've entrusted to us, we will certainly handle properly. With this hook, we can stay in touch at any time."
Li Banfeng gave Pineapple and Ba Suan two Xuanyun Pills, and gave another one to the keel waterwheel. With everything in order, Li Banfeng left Tianyi City.
Standing on the shore, Li Banfeng looked out at the boundless ocean.
"Old master, my lady said no one can learn the technique All Wishes Fulfilled. Do you think I can learn it?"
"I think you can. I'll learn from them slowly first, and once I grasp the essentials, I'll bring the dwelling spirits along to study it together!"
Li Banfeng not only wanted to learn the technique All Wishes Fulfilled, but there was another technique waiting to be honed.
"Every time I go to the peddler's house, when I try to step into the master bedroom, one step lands me in the stairwell. That must be the technique Connect the Bridal Chambers, right?"
"I reckon so, but that technique isn't meant for a single dwelling."
"Can I grind Connect the Bridal Chambers to that level?"
"I think so. Talk it over with Jiang Ling'er. Her dwelling is a bit more proper than mine."
"Can I grind this technique to an even higher level?"
The companion dwelling couldn't follow. "How far do you want to grind it?"
Waves surged across the surface of the sea, several-meter-high breakers crashing against the reefs one after another, and a massive mountain slowly rose near the shore.
Li Banfeng went to Boundless City and gathered quite a few statues in the back garden of the Marquis Manor.
He entered Yucui Pavilion and saw Jiang Ling'er.
Jiang Ling'er forced a smile to her face, asking with a heart full of delight, "Did you learn opera from Xiaowan?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "No rush on learning opera. Let's learn something else first."
Qiao Yi flipped through the documents delivered by spies and said to Nian Shangyou, "Puluo Province is about to gain another proper land."
Nian Shangyou thought for a moment. "Has He Jiaqing already opened up a newland?"
Qiao Yi frowned. "How could it be He Jiaqing? He definitely has to open up all thirteen Hai lands together to ensure that the thirteen Hai lands are connected. This Hai land indeed comes from the He Family, though. He Yuxiu's parcel is about to finish reclamation. Find some reliable hands and deliver a congratulatory gift to Eldest Miss He."
Hearing this, Nian Shangyou felt it was ill-advised. "If we forcefully seize this newland, the peddler certainly won't stand for it."
Qiao Yi put down the document and looked at Nian Shangyou. "I never said we were seizing the territory. We need to give them something to keep them busy. Li Qi has come to Xiaodu again. Did you know that?"
Nian Shangyou shook his head slightly. Qiao Yi let out a long sigh. "You don't know anything. When Li Qi gets wind of news about the Bandit Suppression Camp, it will be too late for you to plead ignorance. Something big is about to happen in the Outer States. That might not necessarily be good for us, but it shouldn't be bad either. We must make sure Puluo Province can't attend to both ends at once."
Chapter 751