Chapter 260: Chapter 185 Local Horn_2
"My dear, what’s that whirring noise?" The Phonograph couldn’t quite understand.
How could he describe this?
"THRRRUMMM~ THRRRUMMM~" Li Banfeng tried to imitate the sound a few times.
"Is it the wind?"
"It’s not the wind. It’s very loud; it makes your chest hurt."
"How long did it last?"
"About two minutes."
PANT, PANT. The Phonograph pondered for a moment, its needle trembling; then, from the Big Horn in the middle, a low hum sounded: "THRRRUMMM~ HUMMM~"
"My dear, is it this sound?"
"Exactly, my love, that’s the sound."
THRRRUMMM! THRRRUMMM!
"My dear, that’s the Local Horn! How did you hear that sound? Have you been clearing land in the New Land?"
His wife had guessed it, and naturally, Li Banfeng didn’t deny it. "I did indeed clear a piece of wasteland in the New Land."
"Ordinary creatures can’t hear the Local Horn; only the subordinates of the Local Deity can. The Local Deity is calling for war! This is very rare; it might not happen even once in decades. My dear, do you want to join the war?"
Join the war? Fight for the Local Deity?
"Can I choose not to join?"
"Why couldn’t you? You’re not like the other creatures of the New Land; you weren’t born and raised there. If it comes to it, you can just give up the land."
"What if I still want this piece of land?"
"Ah, my dear, it’s truly difficult for you to give up anything you’ve worked hard to earn. If you’re reluctant to part with the land, then you’ll need to join the war. However, you can choose to only defend your territory and not go on expeditions. Just send people to guard your own plot. According to the contract, as long as the Local Deity wins, the land is still yours."
"What if the Local Deity loses?"
"If the Local Deity loses, you better run for your life. All contracts will become void, and the land won’t be yours anymore."
Could the Local Deity lose? I spilled blood earlier, and the Local Deity didn’t respond. Could he be in a bad situation?
"My dear, if the Local Deity asks you to go on an expedition, you must not agree. He might promise you many benefits, but they are not so easy to claim. Once you’re on the battlefield, your life is no longer your own. You must listen to me, my dear; you absolutely cannot go."
Indeed, on this matter, he should listen to his wife’s advice. For this one-li plot of land, it certainly wasn’t worth gambling his life. Going on an expedition was out of the question. Guarding the territory, however, could be considered. Ma Wu had three Bagworm Moths at his disposal; guarding a one-li plot should not be difficult. He also had quite a few Magical Treasures on hand; by calling over Chief Custodian Zuo Wugang to help guard the land, it shouldn’t be difficult either. If the Local Deity lost, then it was time to move. With Li Banfeng’s and Ma Wu’s abilities, moving and starting anew elsewhere would not be hard.
Having made up his mind, he heard the Phonograph saying, "My dear, that bitch Red Lotus seems to be up to something these past few days. The Insect Leader is too strong for her, and she appears to be struggling. I’m afraid she won’t be able to complete the Elixir. When you have a moment, go and check on that bitch. I’m extremely tired, so I’ll go to sleep first."
PANT, PANT. His wife fell asleep.
After such a long time, the insect’s head still hadn’t been digested. Li Banfeng was also worried. When he went into the outer room, he saw Red Lotus’s leaves trembling.
She has something to say to me. And it’s something not suitable for others to hear.
Li Banfeng went to the Fifth Room, took out the Wine Gourd, Clock Pendulum, Tang Sword, Earrings, and Teapot, and placed them all on the table before returning to the outer room.
Everything was cleared away, and the Lotus Flower bloomed quietly.
Was this just refined? Did it get refined just as I arrived? Could it be that coincidental? Probably not. It seemed Red Lotus had already refined the Elixir earlier but hadn’t taken it out. Why was that? Was she afraid I’d impulsively eat them all? You worry too much, Ah Lian. I’m not that kind of person. How many Elixirs could the insect’s head yield? Conservatively, at least a hundred Gold Yuan Pills? Wouldn’t that skyrocket me to the Tenth Layer? And wouldn’t that mean I’d have three times the lifespan?
HO HAHA HAHA!
Li Banfeng revealed a ferocious smile, quietly waiting for the Lotus Seed to explode.
CRACK! An Elixir popped out of the Lotus Seed.
One. Just one?
Li Banfeng’s smile froze.
"Ah Lian, did you secretly keep the good stuff for yourself? Such a big insect head, calling itself an Insect Leader, even claiming to be more formidable than the Local Deity, and this is all you refined for me?"
Red Lotus was drenched in dewdrops. They were not drool, but tears of grievance.
It was an extraordinary Elixir. The rich fragrance of the medicine quickly spread, filling the entire outer room with a refreshing aroma.
Li Banfeng realized this Elixir was out of the ordinary. Red Lotus whipped up a whirlwind and swiftly drew the fragrant air into its Lotus Heart. The Lotus Leaf kept trembling, reminding Li Banfeng to quickly stow the Elixir away.
Li Banfeng found a cloth bag to store the Elixir, but the fragrance still escaped. He then found a wooden box for it, but it still couldn’t contain the aroma. The Lotus Heart blew over a few sheets of paper, and Li Banfeng wrapped the box with several layers. This time, he finally managed to envelop the fragrance.
Red Lotus’s leaves curled back and forth, signaling Li Banfeng to leave the Portable Residence quickly.
What’s the rush?
The Lotus Leaf swung back and forth. After a long while, Li Banfeng understood Red Lotus’s intention.
Red Lotus had refined the Elixir a while ago but didn’t present it until she saw an opportunity—waiting for the moment when my wife fell asleep. Once my wife was asleep, she would give me this potent Elixir, and I could secretly take it out. If my wife doesn’t see the Elixir, she naturally won’t ask where it went. If I take the Elixir, my wife won’t get suspicious.
"But what if my wife asks about the whereabouts of the Insect Leader’s head? How would that be explained?"
From within Red Lotus, another Lotus Seed emerged. It exploded directly in the Lotus Heart, turning to nothingness.
What does this mean? Alchemy failed? Isn’t this explanation a bit far-fetched? Not far-fetched at all, not in the slightest. Earlier, Red Lotus created a ruse, making my wife think something was off with her, specifically asking me to check. If her condition wasn’t right, then failing Alchemy would also make sense.
Li Banfeng patted Red Lotus, and Red Lotus shyly curled her leaves.
Considerate Ah Lian, truly captivating. Doing things behind my wife’s back is thrilling! After taking this Elixir, I might be able to advance a cultivation level. My Traveling Cultivator level will then be on par with my Home Cultivation level, and I won’t have to worry about backlash from my cultivation. The Pill’s Poison from one Elixir is easy to bear. Even without the Blue Leaf Pill, I can endure it on my own.
Li Banfeng grew more excited as he thought about it. He took the Elixir, left the outer room, and entered the main house.
Passing by the Phonograph, its breathing became rapid, as if it were about to wake up.
Li Banfeng quickened his steps to the door. Just as he was about to open it, he heard a CLANG! The Judge’s Pen fell from his waist to the ground.
Didn’t I put all the Magical Treasures in the Fifth Room? How did I forget this one? How on earth did it fall out?
The Judge’s Pen didn’t know how it had suddenly fallen out either and, in fright, exclaimed, "AH!"
The two noises woke his wife.
CLATTER! CLATTER! CLATTER!
"My dear, where are you going? Oh, my~ What is this delightful scent?"
「...」
「Bitter Vegetable Manor.」
Bitter Granny was picking bitter vegetables when suddenly a leaf fell to the ground.
Bitter Granny picked up the leaf and glanced at it. "Has that lad used up his first streak of luck so quickly? What has he encountered?"
Bitter Granny continued to pick vegetables.
It’s gone, so be it. He has to pay it back eventually, anyway.