At the Chu Family residence, Miss Chu set a nail against her knee and tapped it in bit by bit with a hammer.

Steward Yang Yanzheng knocked before entering the room. He lowered his voice and reported, “Miss, the matter has been confirmed. Ma Wu has driven out the Song Family and taken control of Blue Poplar Village.”

Miss Chu pulled the nail out from her kneecap and let out a sigh. "You are not to blame for this. The fault lies entirely with that useless fool Song Jiasen from the Song Family."

A flicker of irritation passed through Yang Yanzheng’s chest.

Not to blame? This was never my fault. You had been the one who came up with the idea!

Of course, he could not argue about such things.

Miss Chu let out another long, weary sigh. “The Song Family proved utterly useless, and now the Liu Family hasn’t reacted at all. Are they truly planning to swallow such a loss without a word?”

Yang Yanzheng shook his head. “We still don’t know what the Liu Family intends to do."

"Forget it, I won’t rely on this bunch of trash," Miss Chu said. She placed another nail against the arch of her foot, as calm as if she were adjusting a slipper, and picked up the hammer beside her. “Go and prepare a few things. Choose a suitable day. I will visit Ma Wu myself.”

***

Li Banfeng left the village early that morning to deliver another batch of goods.

To be perfectly honest, Ma Wu had absolutely no idea what method Li Banfeng used to make the deliveries. All he knew was that he handed the goods over to Li Banfeng’s room the night before… and by the next morning, they had vanished without a trace.

And somehow, Li Banfeng would walk out of Blue Poplar Village at dawn, only to return the following day with money in hand.

Whatever method he used, Ma Wu knew better than to ask. Some things were not meant to be questioned. His job was simply to keep Blue Poplar Village’s economy running smoothly.

The village itself had changed beyond recognition. Those without family wealth headed into the wilds to hunt, while those with a bit of capital threw themselves into business with admirable determination. These days, no one even had the time or energy to brawl.

Ma Wu flipped through an increasingly heavy ledger, working out the next round of purchase prices. Just as he was busy scribbling numbers, a strange scent drifted into the room.

When Ma Wu was young, a spider had bitten him, and ever since then, he had become extraordinarily sensitive to their scent.

He moved to the window and stared outside for a moment. Then he turned to Little Chuan. “Go and bring in that fake foreigner standing outside.”

As soon as Little Chuan stepped outside, he spotted a middle-aged man standing by the doorway. He wore a black tailcoat as crisp as midnight, a tall top hat balanced neatly on his head, and held a polished gentleman’s cane. The man offered Little Chuan a polite, perfectly practiced smile.

By the time Little Chuan brought the man inside, Ma Wu had already brewed a pot of tea. He cast the visitor a wry look. “Detective, what brings you to a rundown place like this?”

He knew Daboinsky, of course. Back in Greenwater City, the detective had taken on several tasks for the Ma Family.

Daboinsky remained as gentlemanly as ever. "I heard Young Master Wu has struck it rich in Blue Poplar Village, so I came to take a look."

"Rich what? I’m drowning in debt. Detective, let me be clear, I don’t plan to hire you, and I don’t have the money to hire you."

“Young Master Wu, you make it sound as though we’re strangers,” Daboinsky said. “I came today to ask you about someone.” He slipped a photograph across the table. “This man. Have you seen him before?”

Ma Wu studied the photograph and froze when he realized it was Li Banfeng. “What on earth is this fellow wearing? Is he from the Outer Provinces?”

“Sharp eyes, Young Master Wu.”

Ma Wu examined the picture for a long moment before shaking his head. “Doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t think I’ve seen this person recently. I met someone from the Outer Provinces about three years ago, but I can’t remember his face anymore.”

Daboinsky added, "Young Master Wu, you know I never expect anyone to work for free. If you have any information about this person, I would never shortchange you."

"Really?" Ma Wu’s eyes lit up. "Then tell me, if I do find this person, how much can you pay?"

“One hundred thousand silver dollars,” Daboinsky replied. “Would that be acceptable?”

"Sure!" Ma Wu nodded. "I’ll keep the photo. I’ll watch out for this person, and I’ll let you know the moment I hear anything."

That, quite clearly, was not the answer Daboinsky had been hoping for. He cleared his throat delicately. “Young Master Wu, if you don’t mind… may I inquire with a few other people as well?”

“Go ahead. Anyone capable deserves a chance to earn the money. Why would I stop them?” Ma Wu let out a small chuckle, then leaned back slightly. “But one thing. I only just managed to secure a foothold here. When you ask around, keep it quiet. Don’t go frightening people. You know my situation. Holding on to a bit of property isn’t easy.”

“Of course, of course.” Daboinsky nodded at once, bobbing his head so vigorously it bordered on enthusiastic agreement.

Ma Wu suddenly brought up another matter. "The Lu Family ran into trouble. Have you heard? Lu Dongliang is still missing."

Daboinsky felt a sudden thump in his chest. Still, he remained smiling as he responded, "I have heard and I also heard that Lu Dongliang resurfaced a few days ago. He confronted He Yuxiu face-to-face at Qianyue Restaurant and claimed she was the one who injured him.”

Ma Wu froze. “That happened? So Lu Dongliang’s actually alive? Then what are you worried about?”

Daboinsky blinked, genuinely taken aback. “Young Master Wu, what do you mean by that? Why would I need to worry?”

Ma Wu burst out laughing. “Do I really need to spell it out? It’s obvious!”

Daboinsky’s heartbeat had been pounding for a while now, a hard, relentless drumming he could feel in his throat. Even so, his expression remained composed. “Young Master Wu, I still don’t understand. What exactly is so obvious?”

Ma Wu pretended to be surprised. "Haven’t you been talking nonstop about the Lu Family opening new land? If something happened to Lu Dongliang, wouldn’t your business be cut off?"

“So that’s what you meant.” Daboinsky let out a small breath, the tension easing from his shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. All the accounts that needed settling have already been settled.”

He rose to his feet and said, “I doubt Li Banfeng will come to Blue Poplar Village anyway. I won’t trouble you further, Young Master Wu. I’ll take my leave.”

Ma Wu walked Daboinsky to the door himself, then gestured for Little Chuan to follow along behind them.

He knew Little Chuan would never be able to keep an eye on Daboinsky, but it was a matter of attitude. He wanted to make it clear that he didn’t welcome Daboinsky causing trouble on his turf.

Once Daboinsky’s figure had disappeared down the road, Ma Wu stood at the doorway, lost in thought.

The Lu Family had already stopped searching for Li Banfeng. So why is he still caught up in this? Is Lu Dongliang really still alive?

Instead of investigating directly in Blue Poplar Village, he came to see me first. This means that he doesn't want to offend the Ma Family. However, it doesn't mean that he won't come again.

Brother Li, don’t rush back to the village. You must not rush.

***

Daboinsky did not stay in Blue Poplar Village. After leaving the village, he went straight to Taiming Town and found Zhuo Yuling in a private residence.

Zhuo Yuling hurriedly asked, "Is there any news about Li Banfeng?"

"No." Daboinsky shook his head.

Zhuo Yuling frowned. "Didn't you suspect earlier that Li Banfeng was in Blue Poplar Village?"

Daboinsky shook his head and said, "I still think Li Banfeng is in Blue Poplar Village."

"Then why don’t you investigate?"

"Because that is Ma Junyang’s territory. I have already offended the Lu Family. I can’t afford to offend the Ma Family as well, or I won’t have a place to live in Puluo Province."

Zhuo Yuling stepped forward and grabbed Daboinsky’s hand. "No matter what, we must find Li Banfeng. Only he can prove Xiaolan’s innocence."

Daboinsky pushed her hand away. “Your daughter’s innocence stopped mattering a long time ago. You attacked Lu Dongliang, and now that he is alive, do you really think he will let you or your daughter live?

“You want to find Li Banfeng because of the Crimson Lotus. I will be honest. I want that treasure too, but I value my life more.

“Take your daughter and leave. Leave Puluo Province immediately. You should still have a travel permit. Go as soon as you can. As fast as possible. That is my advice to you.”

Zhuo Yuling grabbed Daboinsky again. “Help me. I can pay you. Just name your price.”

Daboinsky shook his head with a quiet laugh. “Do you still think you are the Lu Family’s lady? You are nothing now. You should save whatever money you have left for your old age.”

Zhuo Yuling tightened her grip on his hand. “I still have other savings, an amount you would never imagine. Are you sure you do not want it? Spider Bin, I know you better than anyone. If you do not get the Crimson Lotus, you will never let this go.”

Daboinsky paused for a moment. “I will take another look at Blue Poplar Village.”

***

Somewhere two alleys away from the residence, Cedric crouched down, picked up a strand of spider silk from the ground, and rubbed it between his fingers.

“Such tough spider silk is rare. Looks like I have found the right place.”

Daboinsky did return to Blue Poplar Village the next day. This time, he did not greet Ma Wu and slipped quietly into the village. However, Li Banfeng had not come back.

In Greenwater City, Li Banfeng ran into a small accident, although the reason behind it was actually a good thing.

After delivering the goods, he stored the money to his Pocket Dwelling. He was going to stroll around the city when he realized in surprise that the bronze lotus flower had bloomed.

He couldn't help but wonder,

It takes the bronze lotus flower that long to refine someone like Lu Dongliang into pills?

The truth was that the pills had been made long ago. However, the bronze lotus flower never released it because it had been afraid that Li Banfeng would be reckless again.

Seeing that Li Banfeng had been relatively stable these past few days, the bronze lotus flower finally allowed him to pluck the lotus seed.

However, the moment the lotus seed burst open, Li Banfeng’s emotions immediately turned unstable again.

From that single lotus seed burst eighty-one Golden Essence Pills. And eighty-one Golden Essence Pills meant eight thousand one hundred days of cultivation.

Eight thousand one hundred days amounted to twenty-two years. If Li Banfeng consumed all of them, he could leap forward four levels in one stroke.

Of course, if he swallowed all eighty-one Golden Essence Pills at once, there was every chance he would keel over and die immediately.

If I do that, should I head back to the Pocket Dwelling and ask my little wifey to detoxify?

Li Banfeng thought.

He had managed to explain why he ate the pills last time, but what was he supposed to say now? One careless word and his identity as a Wanderlust Cultivator would be exposed, and then how would he survive wifey’s scrutiny?

Forget it. If he had no way to explain it, he might as well not even try. Swallowing all eighty-one was out of the question, but taking them one at a time should be perfectly safe.

After swallowing a Golden Essence Pill, Li Banfeng headed to a nearby restaurant for a proper meal.

Halfway through the meal, Li Banfeng sensed that something was wrong.

First, the food seemed to lose all flavor and even the chili powder in the dipping sauce turned strangely bland.

Then came the numbness. No matter how much strength the girl used while massaging his shoulders and back, Li Banfeng couldn’t feel the slightest ache or itch.

The feeling was familiar. He was probably about to lose all sensation in his body again.

Li Banfeng quickly paid the bill and found a nearby inn to stay in.

He lay there from midday until dawn the next day before he barely recovered. The power of pill poison was truly terrifying.

Had he truly detoxified the pill, or merely recovered on the surface? Could there still be toxins hiding inside him? Li Banfeng simply couldn’t be certain.

He made his way back to the Pocket Dwelling at once. If any trace of poison remained, being in the house itself should be able to purge them.

However, the instant he stepped inside, the gramophone burst into outrage.

"Madman! Where did you disappear to last night? A whole day and night without coming home. Is this how you expect to cultivate? Do my reminders mean nothing to you?"

He had indeed failed to meet the daily requirement for Homebound Cultivation yesterday. Still, he had at least satisfied the basic Wanderlust Cultivation practice during his journey from Blue Poplar Village to Greenwater City.

Li Banfeng was just about to explain to his wifey, “I had something urgent yesterday…”

A cloud of steam drifted over him, brushing up and down, and even the clatter of the percussion softened.

Clang-lang-lang~ hey~

“Weyah~ Husband dear~ What is this smell on you?”

Oh no! Did wifey smell the pill poison?

Cold sweat broke out across Li Banfeng’s face. “Wh-where… what smell?”

“Hek, hek, hek.”

Wifey let out three sharp laughs, and all three large horns billowed smoke. “You still dare lie to me? You stink of powder and perfume. Which floozy were you fooling around with?”

Li Banfeng’s entire body flushed red from the heat. In the outer room, the bronze lotus flower was drenched in cold sweat.

Author's Note:

PS: This little wifey has quite a bad temper. I feel she is even crazier than Banfeng.