Chapter 221: The Fort Lord’s Name Is Fort Lord

Li Banfeng stepped out of his Pocket Dwelling and walked to the front of the courtyard.

A row of Homebound Cultivators stood there in neat formation, waiting for his orders.

"What are you all doing here? Did you finish what I told you?"

Wu Yongchao hurried forward. "It's all done. Zhou Juan and Ma Dingfu's men have been dealt with. We also sent someone up to the cliff."

"How many did you send?"

"One."

Li Banfeng frowned. "I told you to send people, and you sent one? Add two more. Three per team. Rotate every three hours. One watches, one reports, one backs the others up. Got it?"

Wu Yongchao nodded. "I will handle it right away."

"How many people are at the boiler room?"

"Five," Wu Yongchao said. "All from the fort. They are taking turns tending the boiler."

"Add two more guards at the gate," Li Banfeng said. "Tell them to stay sharp. If anything happens, shut the gates immediately. Everyone else returns to their houses and stays on guard."

"From now on, the Fort Lord's residence is restricted. No one is allowed within one hundred meters of the courtyard."

Wu Yongchao acknowledged the order at once and called over two others. They pulled out a measuring tape and carefully marked out the distance step by step, drawing a clear boundary line on the ground. One by one, everyone withdrew beyond it without hesitation.

They had measured it with a tape. They had even drawn a line. It was a little rigid, perhaps, but not a bad thing. At the very least, this group of Homebound Cultivators knew how to follow orders.

Li Banfeng walked into the courtyard alone, then stepped into his Pocket Dwelling and pushed out the windmill-powered gramophone.

A newly recorded disc from his wifey was placed on the gramophone.

As the evening breeze drifted through the courtyard, the windmill began to turn, slow and steady. The mechanism clicked to life, and soon, music spilled out.

「 I raise a bitter cup high,

You know in your heart that I am not drunk,

Only for you, my love,

Do I drink... do I drink...~~ ♪」

The song was called "A Man's Tears."

This dwelling spirit had just killed its Homebound Cultivator not long ago. It should feel something upon hearing a song like this. At the very least, it should react.

A masterless dwelling spirit could turn vengeful at any moment. Although his wifey's plan was thorough, Li Banfeng was still very tense.

The music played on for half an hour. The auxiliary building remained completely still.

Li Banfeng went back into his Pocket Dwelling and said to his Gramophone Wifey, "Wifey, your record isn't working. She won't come out."

"That shouldn't be!" his wifey said, somewhat surprised. "I poured my heart and soul into that song. Any spirit should feel something. Even if it can't leave the house, it should at least react a little. Husband dear, why don't you go a bit closer to the house?"

"Closer? If she really came out, I would lose my life. Are you trying to become a widow?"

The Gramophone spoke with complete confidence. "Husband, don't worry. Once you reach the entrance of the auxiliary building, open the door at once and let this little wifey test her."

Li Banfeng carefully approached the door. The moment he drew close, a chilling, eerie aura rushed straight at him.

He immediately opened the door, and his wifey's singing flowed out to the entrance.

This was no longer the windmill-powered gramophone playing. His wifey was singing personally. In the past, whenever his wifey sang to deal with such ghosts, she had never failed. Yet there was no movement at all in the auxiliary building, as if the spirit inside hadn't heard her voice.

Li Banfeng kept the door to the Pocket Dwelling open and waited for a moment at the entrance of the auxiliary building.

The singing stopped abruptly.

His wifey felt a powerful suppression and shouted from inside the Pocket Dwelling, "Husband, step back! I know who this is. It's that deaf and blind bitch!"

Deaf and blind?

Li Banfeng thought.

A cold wind swept through again, and a woman's voice drifted out from the auxiliary building.

"Wretched woman, is that you? I can smell that cheap rouge of yours. The cheapest kind sold at street stalls, two coins for a big box. It suits you perfectly!

"How many years have I been waiting for you? Come in! Hurry! Let's settle this once and for all!"

"Husband, run!" the Gramophone shouted.

Li Banfeng quickly put away the key, left the courtyard, and returned to the Pocket Dwelling.

"Wifey, do you recognize this dwelling spirit?"

"I do!" she cried, her voice rising like a painted aria upon the stage. "That vile wretch deserves a thousand deaths!"

At once, her killing intent surged forth. It was as if gongs clashed and drums thundered in unison, each note sharp and relentless, echoing with the fury of a blood feud.

"Wifey," Li Banfeng asked, "what kind of grudge do you have with her?"

"A big one," she replied. "I stabbed her eyes blind."

So that's how she went blind, Li Banfeng thought.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Then how did she become deaf?"

"She did it herself," Wifey said. "To not hear my singing."

That woman really had it rough.

"Looks like you won that battle decisively, Wifey."

"I didn't win," Wifey replied calmly. "I was careless and died at her hands."

So Wifey died at her hands...

Li Banfeng thought.

Died at her hands!

The realization struck him like a sudden drumbeat. Li Banfeng froze in shock. This was a life-and-death enemy, yet Wifey spoke of it as if it were nothing at all.

This dwelling spirit killed Wifey back then? Just how powerful is she?

Li Banfeng asked, "Wifey, do you want revenge?"

"I must get my revenge," Wifey said, her tone steady. "But now isn't the time. We can only win if we manage to lure her into the house. If I enter her house, I can't defeat her in my current state."

Wifey wouldn't be able to beat her in her house? Such a monster exist in Iron Gate Fort?

"Seems like we can't stay in Iron Gate Fort anymore."

"Husband dear~ Worry not! Her Homebound Cultivator is dead. She's deaf and blind, so she doesn't know the way. Even if the house allows her to extend her powers outside of the house, she won't be able to come out.

"Tell the Homebound Cultivators of Iron Gate Fort to stay as far away from this place as possible. If they must enter the courtyard, they are not to step into this auxiliary building."

"Any Homebound Cultivator is able to form a contract with a dwelling spirit. If any of those Homebound Cultivators accidentally called the dwelling spirit's name, they would then become that bitch's new master. If that happened, things would be troublesome."

Screech, screech.

Crimson Lotus made some sounds. She seemed to recognize this dwelling spirit as well.

The Gramophone slowly turned its horn toward Crimson Lotus, as if fixing its gaze on her.

"Sister Crimson Lotus," she asked, "are you saying you have a way to deal with that bitch?"

Screech~~

Crimson Lotus gave an affirmative response. Then everything went quiet. The Pocket Dwelling fell into a long, heavy silence.

Li Banfeng spoke first. "Wifey doesn't eat the dead."

The Gramophone did not miss a beat. "Crimson Lotus doesn't eat the living."

A dwelling spirit, of course, counted as "living."

Li Banfeng and Wifey looked at each other, then burst out laughing. The sound was low and eerie, like something creeping in the dark.

Screech. Screech~~

Crimson Lotus made another noise.

Wifey listened, then translated, "She says she has another way."

Li Banfeng went quiet for a moment. Then he nodded. Without another word, he picked up Crimson Lotus and carried her to the fifth room.

"Stay here and reflect on your actions for a few days," he said. "No food for you!"

Another way?

Li Banfeng's thought.

Heh. Trying to trick me into letting you out?

As he walked away, the Crimson Lotus gave a small shiver. A string of dewdrops sprayed out, as if she were quietly sobbing behind him.

***

Li Banfeng stepped out of the Pocket Dwelling and entered the building.

As for Wifey, he didn't press her. If she wanted to talk, she would. If not, asking more would only make things worse.

There were still plenty of valuable items hidden in this residence. Ma Dingfu had already told him where to find them.

Li Banfeng headed straight to a secret room on the third floor and took out two spirit-bound items.

The first spirit-bound item was a small black button that could alter a person's voice.

It had been refined from a pure hollow spirit. Because its spirit essence was limited, it couldn't be turned into an enchanted artifact, nor could it be upgraded any further. Still, its function was extremely powerful.

The button had four holes. Once sewn onto clothing, it could be used.

It was somewhat tricky to use. Turning the button would change the sound of the voice. A slight turn brought a slight change. Turning it further altered the voice again.

There was no fixed setting. The exact result depended on how it was adjusted, so it would take some trial and error to get it right.

The second spirit-bound item was a belt. According to Ma Dingfu, this one was even more valuable. It had been refined from a great yao, essentially a fusion of multiple hollow spirits.

The belt only had one function. It created an overwhelming aura.

Zhou Juan had no cultivation to speak of, yet by wearing this belt, he had made Li Banfeng feel fear.

Li Banfeng was a cultivator with two cultivation paths, both at level four. And yet, he had still felt fear toward a mere Bleater.

That alone showed how unusual the belt was. Its effect resembled the abilities of Folly Cultivators, not restricted by the gap between cultivation levels.

Aside from those two spirit-bound items, Li Banfeng also found one hundred and fifty thousand silver dollars and a large number of gold bars in Zhou Juan's residence.

He called over several Homebound Cultivators to carry the gold and silver out of the courtyard.

Wu Yongchao moved quickly, calling out in all directions and gathering everyone together.

Li Banfeng stood before the chests of money and said, "This is yours. It's what Zhou Juan took from you. Those who lost more will get more. Yongchao, check the roster, work out the amounts, and divide it fairly."

Wu Yongchao led a group to finish counting the gold and silver, while the rest of the Homebound Cultivators stood in silence, watching Li Banfeng.

They could not see his face. The brim of his hat was pulled low, and all that showed was a thick beard.

They had met plenty of men who came to take their money. But someone who returned it? That had never happened before.

After a long silence, an old man stepped forward. "Peddler sir, I thank you..."

"Don't call me Peddler," Li Banfeng said, shaking his head. "That title belongs to my junior brother."

"Then... this..." The old man hesitated, unsure of how to address him.

Wu Yongchao finished his calculations and stepped forward. "Fort Lord, the total has been counted. Each person's share has been worked out."

He called Li Banfeng Fort Lord

, the old man thought.

Wu Yongchao was an honest man, but not a fool. He knew who treated him well.

"Fort Lord, thank you." The old man bowed to Li Banfeng.

"Fort Lord!"

"Fort Lord!"

"Thank you, Fort Lord!"

One after another, the Homebound Cultivators began calling him Fort Lord.

Li Banfeng let out a cold laugh. "I killed your last two Fort Lords, and now you want me to be your Fort Lord. Is this really appropriate?"

No one knew how to respond. It really didn't make sense. Even they could see that. And yet, standing there, they found themselves torn, unsure of what to think or say.

Li Banfeng burst out laughing. "I think it's very much appropriate!"

However, was it really appropriate?

Li Banfeng raised his voice. "From now on, I am your Fort Lord. Anyone who disagrees can step forward!"

The crowd still didn't know what to say. If anything, they felt even more torn than before.

A female Homebound Cultivator named Li Zhijuan whispered, "What if someone kills this Fort Lord again?"

Her voice was really soft, but Li Banfeng still heard it. He immediately raised his voice. "Even if someone kills me, he still won't be your Fort Lord. Because from now on, you will only have one Fort Lord, and that is me! Any other questions?"

A male Homebound Cultivator named Hu Fangyuan spoke up in a low voice. "If you die, then what?"

This question was crucial. These Homebound Cultivators spoke as if their mouths were smeared with honey!

"As long as I'm alive, I am your Fort Lord. If I die, I'm still your Fort Lord. Even as a ghost, I won't let any of you off! Any more questions?"

A female Homebound Cultivator named Tang Yanning gathered her courage and stepped forward. "Fort Lord, what is your name?"

Li Banfeng answered without hesitation. "My name is Fort Lord. YOU GOT IT?"

The Fort Lord's name... is Fort Lord.

The crowd fell silent, so conflicted they didn't even know how to feel anymore.

A male Homebound Cultivator named Yuan Zhenguang stepped forward and asked sincerely, "We don't know your name, and we can't see your face. What if someone impersonates you?"

Li Banfeng gave him a look. "As a Homebound Cultivator, you should recognize your wife when you get into bed, recognize your shoes when you get out of bed, know the way back after leaving the fort, and recognize your Fort Lord the moment you enter it.

"If you can't even manage that, what kind of Homebound Cultivator are you?"

Recognize the Fort Lord the moment you enter the fort?

The crowd exchanged glances.

Does Homebound Cultivators even have such an ability? And more importantly... Does this even make sense?

While the group was still trying to make sense of it all, Li Banfeng laid down three rules.

The first rule was that the Fort Lord's name is Fort Lord. The second rule was that the Iron Gate Fort has only one Fort Lord. The third rule was that everyone in the fort must obey the Fort Lord.

After hearing these three rules, the Homebound Cultivators stopped looking so conflicted. In fact, the more they thought about it, the more it seemed to make perfect sense.

"After you collect your money, go back to your duties. Every task I have assigned must be done properly. As of now, we must guard against retaliation from Flying Eagle Mountain. We will keep watch, send signals, and guard the gate. Everything must be done with full effort. Do you understand?"

The Homebound Cultivators responded loudly. They divided the money, then went back to their duties.

At dawn the next day, Li Banfeng put on a mask and changed his clothes. This time, the Homebound Cultivators really couldn't recognize him.

He made his way up the cliff. On the platform above, three Homebound Cultivators stood watch.

They worked diligently and meticulously. That was one of their strengths. The three of them did not slack off for even a moment, and all three of them stared at Li Banfeng together.

When the one in charge of being on the lookout saw Li Banfeng, he quickly alerted the other two.

Li Banfeng closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

HELLO? I AM RIGHT IN FRONT! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN NOTIFY THE OTHER TWO?

The one who was supposed to provide support asked, "Who are you?"

Nice. At least he has the right attitude... But the most frustrating one is the messenger. He's climbing down the cliff through the ropes.

Li Banfeng asked, "Where are you going?"

The messenger didn't respond at all.

I am going to tell the others about you. How can I tell outsiders something this confidential?

Li Banfeng flew into a rage. "Can't you just beat a gong or a drum? Do you really have to run down the cliff to deliver the message yourself?"

These Homebound Cultivators weren't lacking in combat ability. Their fighting spirit wasn't lacking either.

What they lacked was experience. But where were they supposed to get that experience?

Li Banfeng turned to look toward Flying Eagle Mountain in the distance.

Why aren't they here yet?

***

Whoosh, splash~~

A Jiangxiang Gang member part of the Medicine King Hall stood behind Hall Master Luo Zhengnan and dialed a number.

Immediately, the call connected.

Xiao Zhenggong lounged in a pool, half-submerged, with more than a dozen young women gathered around him. He bit down on his cigar and tried his best to remain patient as he said, "This better be something important."

Luo Zhengnan waved his subordinate away and lowered his voice. "Boss Xiao, good news. I have found that gun."

"Which gun are you talking about?" Xiao Zhenggong flicked his cigar aside.

"The one you've always wanted," Luo Zhengnan said. "Zhao Xiaowan!"

For a split second, Xiao Zhenggong froze. Then his whole body began to tremble, as if something deep inside him had just been struck.

Author's Note:

PS: Luo Zhengnan was the one who functions as a telephone. Dear readers! Do you all remember him?

Iron Gate Fort is Banfeng's first place of true, unwavering loyalty. The Overlord of Puluo starts from being a Fort Lord.