Chapter 188: Swirling Tenderbloom

After the pill's poison had been completely neutralized, Li Banfeng made several rounds around the new land. Not a single aberrant creature lingered nearby. They had likely all gone to the land deity to prepare for battle.

After he had more or less earned enough cultivation for the day, Li Banfeng returned to the Pocket Dwelling.

Huff... crackle... pop... huff... crackle... pop...

The gramophone's breathing sounded very strange.

"Wifey, are you awake?"

Huff... huff...

"Wifey, what's wrong?"

Skrraaaatch~

A harsh, grating shriek ripped through the room. The needle dragged violently across the spinning record, carving a long, jagged scratch into its surface.

"Wifey!" Li Banfeng rushed forward and pressed his hand against the gramophone. The front of the cabinet burned against his palm, but when he moved his hand to the back, it felt like touching ice.

Skrraaaatch~

The gramophone tried to speak, but no sound came out.

What is going on?

Li Banfeng swept his gaze around the room. The Tang saber, pendulum, earrings, liquor gourd, and teapot had all been moved to the Fifth Room. Only the Judge's Brush remained in the main hall, so Li Banfeng picked up the Judge's Brush and questioned it for a long while.

In the end, it only muttered a word.

"Dunno."

This fellow clearly hasn't woken up yet

, Li Banfeng thought.

In the middle of his panic, the Songstress Flower by the wall suddenly spoke. "Sir, just now the First Madam and the Second Madam quarreled. I do not know what method the Second Madam used, but the First Madam suddenly became unable to speak."

"Quarreled?"

Li Banfeng stepped into the outer room, his gaze locking onto the Crimson Lotus.

The Crimson Lotus did not answer. She simply stared back at him while thinking, What is this madman trying to do? Do you really think I hurt that vile wretch?

Li Banfeng carried the Crimson Lotus into the main room and set her down so that she faced the gramophone directly.

From the side, the Songstress Flower added softly, "I do not know what happened either. The First Madam and the Second Madam have been arguing these past few days. This is not the first time..."

The lotus leaves of the Crimson Lotus quivered, trembling with suppressed fury.

That little gossip really can't keep quiet

, she cursed inwardly.

I should have refined her into an enchanted artifact long ago. If it weren't for the chaos caused by the Profound Essence Pill, she wouldn't have lived this long.

Her leaves tightened slightly, the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

The Crimson Lotus desperately wanted to swallow the Songstress Flower whole and refine her on the spot.

However, she could not move. If she acted now, she would be admitting that she had harmed the gramophone.

The incident with the Profound Essence Pill had already made Li Banfeng suspicious of her. If she took the blame again over the gramophone, he would likely never allow her to leave.

Li Banfeng glanced at the Songstress Flower, then turned his gaze back to the Crimson Lotus. The room fell into a heavy silence. After a long pause, he spoke. "Crimson Lotus, refine that flower."

The Songstress Flower let out a sharp wail. "Sir, everything I said is the truth!"

The Crimson Lotus slowly unfurled her petals. A dark whirlpool formed within her lotus core, wind spiraling inward with a low hum. In the next instant, the Songstress Flower was torn from the wall and dragged toward the heart of the bloom. Her cries echoed as she was pulled inside, the petals closing around her layer by layer until nothing remained.

Throughout it all, Li Banfeng stood still, his expression calm and unmoved, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

After spending so many days together, Li Banfeng had come to understand the Crimson Lotus's temperament and cunning methods quite well.

If she had truly hurt the gramophone, she would never have left the Songstress Flower alive as a witness. The lotus was ruthless, but she was not careless.

The Songstress Flower's accusation had only one purpose: to save herself. She knew the Crimson Lotus might refine her into an enchanted artifact at any moment, so she struck first, hoping to shift the blame and buy a chance to survive.

After dealing with the Songstress Flower, Li Banfeng went to the fifth room and brought back the liquor gourd.

The liquor gourd hovered beside the gramophone for quite some time before finally asking, "Big Sis, where do you feel unwell?"

Zzz...

The gramophone could not answer. Steam continued to spill out in tight coils, drifting restlessly around Li Banfeng as if seeking help but unable to form words.

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Unable to make sense of the situation, the liquor gourd fell silent. Li Banfeng then went to fetch the teapot as well.

The teapot had traveled widely and seen much of the world. If anyone here understood strange matters, it would be this one.

After circling the gramophone and observing it for a long while, the teapot finally spoke. "I have never seen such a condition. Perhaps something has malfunctioned within this foreign-made thing."

By "foreign-made thing," the teapot was referring to the steam-powered gramophone itself.

Could it be a mechanical failure?

Li Banfeng wondered.

Li Banfeng examined the gramophone from top to bottom, then did it again. He oiled the joints, tightened every screw, and checked the small parts he had replaced over the past few days. He knew its structure inside out. Yet no matter how carefully he inspected it, he could not find a single mechanical fault.

Huff... huff...

The gramophone's breathing grew lower and heavier. Steam curled around Li Banfeng in slow, stubborn spirals, clinging to him as if unwilling to disperse.

What exactly went wrong?

Li Banfeng felt at a loss.

Huff... huff...

The steam seemed to turn cold.

"What on earth is going on? Is it because there isn't enough fuel?"

Li Banfeng hurried to refuel it. The moment he leaned closer, the needle suddenly slipped free and pressed against his palm. It did not stab. Instead, it traced along the lines of his hand, moving slowly and carefully.

The gramophone wifey wanted to leave some mark upon his palm. She was afraid Li Banfeng would forget her. Yet she was also afraid of hurting him. The tip trembled. It could not bring itself to pierce his skin.

The needle slid along his palm, then gradually slowed... and stopped.

Wifey...

Li Banfeng turned to the Crimson Lotus. "Is it because of that pill? Is it?"

The Crimson Lotus looked back at him with her gaze fixed on his eyes.

He Jiaqing of the He Family once said that Li Banfeng would never cry. If he was ever in tears, it would be an act. In that case, why is his eyes turning red? Is this another act?

Crackle~

The gramophone suddenly let out a faint sound. It was barely more than a breath, but it made the Crimson Lotus tense at once.

She was not afraid of Li Banfeng. No matter how suspicious he grew, he could not truly do anything to her.

What she feared was something else.

She feared that the gramophone would gather the last shred of its strength and drag her down with it, choosing mutual destruction over silence. And this time, the Crimson Lotus had guessed correctly.

That was indeed the gramophone's intention. She could not allow the Crimson Lotus to harm Li Banfeng.

The lotus suddenly bloomed. A sheet of white paper shot forward and vanished into its lotus core. In the blink of an eye, the paper condensed into a single lotus seed.

Li Banfeng split the seed open. It cracked apart with a soft snap, and two slips of paper burst out.

On the first slip were the words: A weakened body cannot withstand heavy supplementation.

On the second slip were written: One stalk of Swirling Tenderbloom.

Swirling Tenderbloom? What kind of thing is a Swirling Tenderbloom?

Li Banfeng turned to the liquor gourd and asked, but even she had never heard of such a name.

The old teapot, however, seemed to recall something. "The Swirling Tenderbloom is a medicinal herb. In all my years, I have only seen it once. I no longer recall its precise effects, but I remember that it was extraordinarily precious. It is difficult to find and even more difficult to harvest. Moreover, it cannot be preserved. Once plucked, it withers in less than a day. And once it withers, it loses all medicinal value."

Less than a day? Where can I find this herb? I am sure it won't be for sale in a medicinal trading house! I know! I gotta ask Ma Wu!

Without another word, Li Banfeng first carried the bronze lotus into the fifth room. Under the current circumstances, he would not allow anyone to approach the gramophone.

Li Banfeng rushed straight to Ma Wu's plot of land.

Ma Wu was seated cross-legged, immersed in cultivation. Not far from him, Swallowie was howling miserably.

"Handsome little fella, I caught two wretched hussies for you! Just spare me this once!" Swallowie wailed. "You can torment those two however you like. Don't pity them. Pity me instead!"

Ma Wu had just reached a crucial moment in his cultivation when Li Banfeng burst in and interrupted him. "Old Wu, do you know of the Swirling Tenderbloom?"

Ma Wu nodded. "I have seen it mentioned in certain texts. However, those books did not record its medicinal effects."

"Where can I buy it?"

"Buy it?" Ma Wu gave a faint shake of his head. "That is a legendary herb. It withers in less than a day. It is something one encounters by chance, not something one can deliberately seek."

Even Ma Wu has no clue... Who else can I ask?

Li Banfeng's thoughts raced.

The Peddler? But I don't even know where he is. Granny Bitter? If I head to Bitter Greens Manor now, would I still make it in time? I should be able to get there within a day... but she's forbidden me from entering. I can't just walk in.

What about Old Mister Yao? Medicine King Gully is too far. And the road there is treacherous.

Who else?

Shui Yongquan!

Among those he could rely on, the only one left seemed to be the land deity, Shui Yongquan.

Li Banfeng returned to his own plot of land and set out offerings and incense. The smoke rose in steady spirals. Before long, a cluster of green flames flickered to life above the altar table, swaying gently in the air.

"You possess certain special abilities," Shui Yongquan's voice came from within the flames. "Speaking with you requires no effort on my part, so there is no need for me to assume a human form. Brother Li Qi, are you seeking to establish some great merit?"

"Senior, let me ask you something first. Have you heard of the Swirling Tenderbloom?"

"Horohorohorohoro" Shui Yongquan's laughter crackled through the green flames. "You have come to the right person. I know where the Swirling Tenderbloom can be found."

"This concerns something extremely crucial," Li Banfeng said. "Do not deceive me."

"Why would I deceive you? The Swirling Tenderbloom is a legendary herb for treating bodily weakness. It restores and mends the soul. However, it cannot be taken directly. A single fresh blossom, without the slightest trace of withering, must be refined by secret methods for thirty years before it can be consumed."

Shui Yongquan is right about the effect, but my wifey can't wait thirty years for it to be refined? The Crimson Lotus must have a solution. If not, she wouldn't have given me this formula.

"Senior, where can the Swirling Tenderbloom be found?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"You truly know?"

"I do. And I will ask you again, why should I tell you?"

"What do you want?"

Shui Yongquan laughed. "I want my territory secured. I want Qiu Luoye defeated. If you help me guard one of the key routes, I will personally gather a stalk of Swirling Tenderbloom for you."

A sheet of white paper drifted down before Li Banfeng.

"If you do not trust me," the land deity continued, "I can draft a written pledge. We can use contract paper."

"Would contract paper even bind you?" Li Banfeng asked.

"Horohorohorohoro..." Shui Yongquan's laughter rippled through the green flames.

"Hard to say," he went on lazily. "That depends on whether you dare to gamble. If you are a coward, there is nothing I can do. Let us be clear about the stakes. Guard one key route for me, and I will give you one stalk of Swirling Tenderbloom. Simple and fair."

He paused, then asked softly, almost mockingly, "This battle... do you dare to fight it?"

I can't.. I shouldn't trust you and this is not a fair bargain,

Li Banfeng thought.

If Li Banfeng deceived the land deity, he would surely die. But if the land deity deceived him... what could he possibly do in return?

I can't join this battle. I will die. Come on! Think of another way! There must be another way! Think again...

After a long silence, Li Banfeng lifted his head and looked straight at Shui Yongquan.

"I'll fight."

The truth was, he had no better choice.

"Splendid!" Shui Yongquan exclaimed, clearly pleased. "Will you guard Hundred Vines Gorge, or Hundred-Leg Cavern?"

Li Banfeng let out a short, derisive laugh. "Hundred-Leg Cavern. Do you agree?"

A gorge was different from a cavern. A gorge was open terrain. If Shui Yongquan launched a sudden attack there, Qiu Luoye would notice at once.

"Uh..." Shui Yongquan felt a little awkward. "Little bro, I suggest you choose Hundred Vines Gorge instead. The terrain there is far less complicated..."

"I am not afraid of complicated terrain," Li Banfeng replied. "I choose Hundred-Leg Cavern."

Shui Yongquan let out a low sigh. He had already realized that Li Banfeng had likely seen through his little scheme.

"Little brother, Hundred-Leg Cavern is already being held by others. Let us discuss this. Choose Hundred Vines Gorge, and I will raise the stakes."

"Since it is open to negotiation," Li Banfeng said with a nod, "Give me one hundred men."

Shui Yongquan forced a bitter smile. "I have only a little over one hundred people willing to fight for me in total. I cannot spare you any manpower. I will give you a spirit-bound item instead."

"What kind of spirit-bound item?"

Clang!

Two massive doors, each over three meters tall and still attached to their heavy frame, crashed down before Li Banfeng, sending dust and gravel flying.

"What use is this?" Li Banfeng asked.

"This is the Waterfall Gate," Shui Yongquan replied. "Plant it firmly into the ground and pour one kilogram of water over it. The spirit-bound item will take root and form a barrier, sealing off the entire gorge and blocking the enemy forces."

"So long as this spirit-bound item is placed in the gorge, it can completely stop the enemy?"

If that were truly the case, then things would be far simpler than he had expected.

"Hmph!" Shui Yongquan sneered. "If it were that easy to use, would I need you to guard the gorge?"

"The Waterfall Gate can only guard for three minutes. After those three minutes, it withers and must recover for three days before it can be used again."

"Moreover, it is not an enchanted artifact. It has no sentience and cannot fight on its own. You must guard the gorge with it."

Li Banfeng looked at the two great door panels. "How am I to hold the line together with it?"

"Brace the doors," Shui Yongquan said. "As long as someone presses against them, they will hold. The moment you step away, they will begin to open. If the two panels are forced apart by three feet, the barrier will shatter.

"If you win this battle, I will give you one fresh Swirling Tenderbloom. I will also grant you five kilometers of domain. The Waterfall Gate will be yours as well. Let us sign the contract now. What do you say?"

"Cut the nonsense." Li Banfeng shook his head. "I cannot possibly win this battle. You intend to use me as bait. I hold Qiu Luoye in place while you strike from the rear."

With everything laid bare, the ghostly fire flickered twice. When Shui Yongquan spoke again, there was a hint of admiration in his tone.

"Impressive. Since you have seen through me, I will not deny it. If you can guard for one hour, you will be considered victorious."

"One hour is impossible," Li Banfeng replied calmly. "At most, twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes is too short."

"That is the limit of my ability."

The ghostly fire circled in silence for a long while before finally agreeing. "Very well. If you turn and flee for your life within twenty minutes, you will die."

Li Banfeng gave a single nod. "If I successfully guarded for twenty minutes and you break your word, you will die then. Even if the contract cannot kill you, I will."

Shui Yongquan burst into loud laughter. "What bold words! I believe you!"

The contract was drafted in an instant. Shui Yongquan let two beads of dew fall onto the paper, the droplets sinking in like ink.

"Your turn," the ghostly fire said. "Leave your handprint."

Li Banfeng bit his finger without hesitation and pressed his bloodied thumb onto the contract.

The flames swirled once more.

"Brother Li Qi, the contract is sealed. The battle will start three days from now, at five in the morning. On the battlefield, you must stake your life.

"Within those twenty minutes, I will not count anyone flying that you cannot guard. Those in the sky do not count. So long as the enemy troops advancing on the ground do not break out of the gorge, you will be deemed to have held it.

"And let me remind you of one more thing. You must seek help from Brother Ma Wu. He has three bagworm moths under his command. They might buy you a little time. Otherwise, you will not last even a single minute."

***

Li Banfeng went to Ma Wu's plot of land, took two reams of blank paper and two buckets of ink, then returned to his own territory and began printing paintings.

He worked without pause. Sheet after sheet rolled out beneath his hands until he had printed three hundred in total. Only then did he stop.

There was still paper and ink left, but Li Banfeng did not have that much blood. Aside from those he had already printed, several more needed to be drawn by hand.

He summoned the pendulum and instructed it to assist with the painting.

Huff... huff...

The gramophone had lost consciousness, but her breathing continued, faint and uneven. Li Banfeng glanced at the small flame flickering inside the fuel tank, then quietly added half a bucket of fuel for wifey.

That very night, he went to Ma Wu's plot to discuss the coming battle.

Ma Wu had not yet grasped the full situation. He immediately ordered his subordinates to pack up all the gold, silver, and valuables on the land. Those without cultivation were told to withdraw at once.

For the next two days, only Ma Wu, Zuo Wugang, Cao Zhigang, Zhen Jincheng, Little Chuan, Little Gen, and three Madam Bagworm Moths remained on the plot.

According to Li Banfeng's estimation, the three Madam Bagworm Moths could hold for three minutes.

Zuo Wugang might last one minute. The others combined could perhaps manage another minute. The Waterfall Gate would hold for three minutes.

That left twelve minutes. Twelve minutes that would fall to Li Banfeng alone.

The gorge was long. Those twenty minutes would not be nothing but desperate clashing at the gate. The enemy would need time to advance as well.

The gorge stretched five kilometers. Even if they marched forward without resistance, it would likely take them close to ten minutes to pass through it.

By that estimate, so long as the opposing side had no Wanderlust Cultivator, the situation would not be entirely hopeless. However, there was another question. Who among them would survive after this battle ended?

Ma Wu did not yet realize they were about to fight a true battle. In his mind, he was still preparing only to defend their own plot of land.

"Old Qi, I will send Swallowie over in a moment to help you guard your land. Old Zuo will go as well. You mustn't lose your head. Once the fighting starts, if we see Shui Yongquan losing, we withdraw immediately. Don't cling stubbornly to the land."

"Yes... yes..." Li Banfeng replied distractedly.

Ma Wu frowned. "This concerns our lives. You must take it seriously."

"I will. I will..."

However, Ma Wu was still worried. "How's this? Why don't I have Cao Zhida go over there as well? That fellow is quick-witted..."

Li Banfeng studied Ma Wu carefully and thought,

He's sending all his best men to me. Is he not afraid of dying?

With that, he shook his head and replied, "Old Wu, no one needs to come with me. I will be fine by myself."

Ma Wu frowned. "How can you joke at a time like this? This is war!"

"I am not joking. I can run faster than all of you. If too many people come with me, they will only become a burden."

After a moment of thought, Ma Wu concluded that what Li Banfeng said made sense. Li Banfeng was a Wanderlust Cultivator. When it came to speed, none of them could compare.

"Old Qi, I'm only afraid that you..."

"You don't need to worry," Li Banfeng interrupted. "When it's time to run, I won't hesitate."

He rose to his feet and added, "The battle will start at five in the morning three days from now. If you don't see me by five-thirty, it means that I have escaped first and you must escape at once."

"Five o'clock?" Ma Wu furrowed his brows. "They are only fighting for half an hour?"

"Half an hour is long enough. The gorge isn't far from our land. By the time the enemy charges over, it will be too late to run."

Li Banfeng left Ma Wu's plot without saying another word about the fact that he was joining the war.

The strategy has to change. This is my own matter. I can't drag them into it

, he muttered to himself as he walked away.

Author's Note:

PS: How is Li Banfeng supposed to guard for twenty minutes alone?