The Overlord of Puluo

Chapter 466.1: Why Aren’t You Crying? (1)

The Cedric standing before Li Banfeng was actually a high-level Performing Arts Cultivator in disguise.

Facing a high-level Performing Arts Cultivator alone made Li Banfeng genuinely nervous, but he kept both his expression and tone perfectly under control. What puzzled him most, however, was why this Performing Arts Cultivator had deliberately lured him to Yuren City.

How did he even know where Yuren City was? Could he be...?

The Performing Arts Cultivator’s eyes sharpened as he prepared to attack Li Banfeng.

”Not so fast,” Li Banfeng said. ”A good show should have a proper curtain call, don’t you think? We have come this far already, so we might as well clear up a few things first. That woman who came into my room earlier. Was she one of your accomplices?”

”Are you talking about this woman?” the Performing Arts Cultivator said as he brushed a hand across his face, and in the blink of an eye, he had become the very woman who had walked into the wooden cabin earlier.

So the woman had been him in disguise, and Cedric had been him too.

Li Banfeng praised, ”Very impressive. But when I heard Cedric’s voice, you were standing right in front of me, while his voice was coming from outside the house.”

”Just a few little tricks of the theater. You would know them if you watched more plays.”

As the Performing Arts Cultivator spoke, his lips never moved, yet his voice seemed to drift in from somewhere far away.

Li Banfeng asked, ”What exactly did you come to Puluo Province for? Yellowclay Bridge? Qi Qiu City? Or will any patch of land do?”

When it came to knowledge of the performing arts, the Performing Arts Cultivator was very willing to answer. However, when it came to the other questions, he was no longer that patient.

”What good will knowing all that do you? Planning to come after me for revenge in your next life?”

Li Banfeng grinned. ”The show’s almost over. Surely you can let me have one look at the script before the curtain falls?”

The Performing Arts Cultivator shook his head. ”In this little drama, you’re nothing more than an extra. Your part is finished, so there’s no need for you to see the script. Still, if you are willing to tell me the truth, I might give you a few more lines. First, tell me who tipped you off that I was coming to Puluo Province.”

Li Banfeng shook his head. ”Did anyone need to? You have been making such a spectacle of yourself. You had your way with a child’s father right in front of the child’s mother. Who does something like that?”

The Performing Arts Cultivator saw nothing wrong with it. ”Everyone has their peculiar little tastes. Want another scene? I could make it an exciting one.”

Li Banfeng shook his head. ”That scene isn’t happening. And I am in no hurry to make my exit just yet. See you next time.”

With that, Li Banfeng turned and bolted.

The Performing Arts Cultivator threw back his head and laughed. ”You can’t escape! Once you’re inside this city, you will never find your way out. And no matter where you hide, I will find you!”

Li Banfeng ran all the way back to Changsan Literary House.

Yanhong was in the middle of practicing a song when she spotted him. Her face immediately lit up. ”Girls, come quickly! Our boss is back!”

The young women crowded around Li Banfeng and ushered him into the back hall.

Yanhong asked, ”Master Qi, what about the rouge you promised to bring me last time?”

”I came in such a hurry that I forgot it. I will make it up to you next time.”

Yanhong pouted and walked away.

Yanqing stepped forward next. ”Master Qi, what about the hair ornament you promised me last time?”

”I forgot yours too. I will make it up to you next time.”

Yanqing gave a little huff and walked off as well.

Then Yancui came over. ”Master Qi, what about the flesh you promised me?”

”That I brought!” Li Banfeng said with a cheerful grin. ”It’s right behind me. It will be here in a moment.”

Yancui froze. ”It will be here in a moment... You mean it’s still alive?”

Li Banfeng nodded. ”Of course it is!”

Yanqing perked up at once. ”Master Qi brought us something fresh?”

Yancui was mad. ”Us? It’s not for you. Master Qi brought it for me!”

Yanhong snapped, ”It’s a whole living person. You seriously think you are going to enjoy that all by yourself?”

Tang Changfa rushed out from the back room with a rolling pin in hand. ”What’s all the shouting about? Boss, you are back! Did you go see the city lord?”

Li Banfeng shot him a look. ”Don’t be stupid. We have got a live one coming through the door any moment now. You think we can tell the city lord about that?”

”A live one...” Tang Changfa glanced down at the rolling pin in his hand. ”So... are we still having noodles for lunch?”

Yanhong gave Tang Changfa a poke. ”Honestly, is that all you can think about? Forget the noodles. The boss brought us meat!”

Yancui was still sulking. ”The meat is mine!”

Li Banfeng warned everyone, ”This one’s not going to be easy to carve up, so you all have got to be careful.”

Tang Changfa strode back into the kitchen with complete confidence, swapped his rolling pin for a cleaver, and called out to everyone, ”Yanhong, greet the guests at the door and make that smile a little sweeter. Yanqing, sing in the hall and raise your voice a little higher. Yancui, take the girls and dance. Put some more sway into those hips. Boss, you sit here and have some tea. The first choice cut is yours!”

Li Banfeng did not drink the tea. There was no time for sitting about sipping from cups. As soon as he found the chance, he slipped back into the Pocket Dwelling and told Wifey and Hong Ying to have their abilities ready for a fight. There were also a few troublesome details to sort out that he needed to work out with the Pocket Dwelling.

Tang Changfa remained in the main hall, waiting for his share of the meat. Before long, a woman around twenty years old arrived at the entrance of the Literary House and asked, ”Did a man come by here just now?”

Yanhong paused in surprise. ”You came here to look for a man?”

The woman snorted. ”What? I am not allowed to look for one here?”

Yanhong frowned. ”Do you really think that’s appropriate?”

”I saw that man go in here just now!”

Yanhong sniffed the air, then froze for a moment. There was the smell of blood on this woman.

So this is the living person the boss had brought back?

She went back into the main hall and called to Yancui, ”Stop dancing. You are about to shake your peachy butt right off. Old Tang, the boss brought back a woman. She’s not falling for any of this!”

When Tang Changfa heard that, he spat into his palms twice, slicked back his hair, tucked the cleaver into the back of his waistband, and smiled with grim determination. ”I will go!”

And off he went, though the girls were not entirely convinced.

”Can he really handle this?”

”I have heard he trains regularly. He ought to have some real skill.”

”What real skill does he have?”

Tang Changfa reached the entrance and asked the woman, ”You are here looking for a man?”

The woman nodded.

”You don’t care about the length and duration, right?”

The woman sneered. ”If you don’t have the length and you can’t last, what are you doing in this line of work?”

Tang Changfa lowered his head, looking a little embarrassed but not entirely convinced. ”If you are going to be that picky, there’s nothing I can do. I am the only man in this Literary House.”

”Nonsense.” The woman stepped closer and hooked a finger under Tang Changfa’s chin. ”There’s another man here. One who came from outside the city. He’s the one I am looking for.”

Tang Changfa froze for a moment. ”There really isn’t anyone else here. I am the only man!”

The woman’s smile vanished, and her expression darkened. ”Why are you hiding him? You just want his flesh and blood, don’t you? Fine by me. Hand him over, I will kill him, and you can have all the flesh and blood.”

Tang Changfa gave an innocent smile. ”Come now! It’s not like we are running a scam inn.”

Watching from behind the folding screen, Yanqing grew impatient. ”What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get her inside.”

Yanhong lowered her voice. ”I think there’s more to this woman than meets the eye.”

Yancui moved to go help. ”Who cares who she is? Either way, she’s a nice fat piece of meat the boss delivered right to us.”

The woman wiped a hand across her face and suddenly transformed into a man. It was the Performing Arts Cultivator who had been tracking Li Banfeng.

Yancui had barely poked her head out when she recoiled in fright.

Yanhong asked, ”What happened?”

Yancui trembled for a long moment before finally stammering, ”It’s the Eldest Young Master!”

Sun Tiecheng was the lord of Yuren City. The Eldest Young Master was Gu Rusong, Sun Tiecheng’s eldest direct disciple!

Yanqing was startled. ”Why would the Eldest Young Master come here? What are we supposed to do?”

Yanhong said, ”From the sound of it, I think he’s here for the boss.”

”Where did the boss go?” Yanqing said anxiously. ”I will go find him!”

Yancui snapped, ”Don’t you dare! If you sell out the boss, I will fight you to the death!”

Yanqing lost her temper too. ”Why are you fighting me? I am not the one who provoked the Eldest Young Master!”

Tang Changfa turned around and shouted, ”Quit all that damn yelling! He’s a male guest. Get yourselves ready and come out to entertain him.”

Gu Rusong frowned. ”Tang Changfa, stop playing dumb with me. Don’t you know who I am?”

Tang Changfa shook his head. ”It’s so dark out. I honestly can’t tell who you are.”

Gu Rusong smiled. ”I am standing this close and you still can’t see me clearly? You might as well get rid of those eyes.”

”All right. If you say I don’t need them, then I don’t need them.”

Tang Changfa dug out his own eyes and tossed them onto the table, leaving two deep, empty sockets in his face.

Tang Changfa remained perfectly calm. ”Sir, I really can’t see now. My eyes are right there on the table. Ironclad and Mountain-Solid Evidence. If you think our Literary House is worth your time, pick a girl and stay awhile. If not, then we won’t keep you.”

Gu Rusong sighed. ”Why put yourself through this? Doesn’t it hurt?”

Tang Changfa smiled. ”Of course it hurts, but what can I do? You said I didn’t need them, so out they came. I am just showing you some respect.”

Losing both eyes had cost Tang Changfa dearly. The eyes themselves were fake, but Tang Changfa believed they were real, just as firmly as he believed he had always been alive. Now that they were gone, he really couldn’t see anymore.

He had paid such a heavy price for one reason. He wanted to use his ability to force Gu Rusong to back down.

A chill crept through Gu Rusong’s heart. He knew Tang Changfa’s ability had taken hold of him. However, Gu Rusong was a level-one Cloudborne cultivator and a Performing Arts Cultivator.

Though he felt afraid, not a flicker of fear showed on his face. He simply kept that easy smile and said, ”That’s hardly enough to show me respect. If you are really that capable, why don’t you cut out your heart and liver and let me have a look?”

”Easy enough!” Tang Changfa picked up the knife and sliced straight into his belly. He pulled out his steaming heart and liver and placed them in front of Gu Rusong.

”What else do you want? Just say it!”

”You used another ability on me! First it was Ironclad and Mountain-Solid Evidence, and then The Taunter’s Gambit.” Gu Rusong took out a handkerchief and covered his nose. ”But there’s just this smell to your ability and I don’t like it.”

Tang Changfa faltered. ”W-what kind of smell?”

”The smell of a dead man. Do I really have to spell it out?” Gu Rusong fanned the air with his handkerchief. ”It’s disgusting. How do you put up with that stench every day? Doesn’t it make you sick just smelling yourself?”

Tang Changfa began to tremble. There were certain subjects among people like them that were strictly taboo.

Yanhong was shocked. ”Seizing Upon a Weakness. Old Tang’s about to fold.”

Gu Rusong kept the handkerchief pressed over his nose and continued, ”How many years have you been dead now? Does it really not disgust you at all? You are still running this Literary House, still trying to do business. When have you ever had any customers? Who would willingly come to a place like this? Just look at yourself. Doesn’t it make you want to vomit? The cold weather makes things a little better for now, but what happens when it gets hot? Aren’t you afraid you will start growing maggots?”

By the time he finished, Tang Changfa was trembling from head to toe. He could neither speak nor move.

Tang Changfa had used the Folly Cultivator ability The Taunter’s Gambit on Gu Rusong earlier. The key to the ability lay in harming oneself. The principle was simple. The cultivator invited the opponent to attack. If the opponent refused, he would inflict the injury on himself instead.

Tang Changfa had gouged out his own eyes and cut out his own heart and liver, inflicting an enormous psychological shock on his opponent.

Gu Rusong might have been at the Cloudborne Layer, but that did not make him immune to Folly Cultivator abilities. By now, both his fighting strength and his will to fight had been severely weakened.

Unfortunately for Tang Changfa, Gu Rusong knew Folly Cultivator abilities as well. He had used Seizing Upon a Weakness.

Tang Changfa had done nothing but hold back, swallow the insults, and give way whenever he could. All he wanted was to make Gu Rusong leave. He had paid a heavy price without once offending him, so technically, he had done nothing wrong.

However, Gu Rusong did not care about any of that. The key to activating the ability Seizing Upon a Weakness was to find someone’s weakness or sore spot and refuse to let go.

Gu Rusong had found the one place where Tang Changfa hurt most, and he kept picking at the sore spot, little by little, until it felt as though he were tearing the wound open all over again.

Tang Changfa instantly lost the ability to fight back. Gu Rusong seized the opportunity to push him aside and marched straight into the main hall of the Literary House.

”You walking corpses better listen to me! Get out at once and stop disgusting me. You know perfectly well who I am. If I ever see any of you again, I will tear those rotten bones apart and throw the whole lot into the latrine. Then I will destroy your souls too, until there isn’t a scrap of you left!”

Behind the folding screen, the three girls gritted their teeth and clenched their fists.

Yanhong was the first to jump out from behind the folding screen. She pointed behind the Performing Arts Cultivator. ”There! Eldest Young Master, right behind you!”

Gu Rusong paused. What’s behind me?

Yancui stepped out next. ”Don’t listen to her nonsense. There’s nobody behind you!”

Then Yanqing came out as well. ”What are you two talking about? There’s nothing back there at all!”

Gu Rusong frowned. What are these women playing at? Such horrible acting! Are they really trying to trick me into turning around? Maybe they want to attack me when I turn back? Would they even dare attack me? Have they forgotten who I am? Have they forgotten my status in this city? Or maybe someone’s really behind me?

While Gu Rusong was still wrestling with the thought, he suddenly heard something behind him. He spun around and found Li Banfeng standing right there.

With the skills of a Performing Arts Cultivator at the Cloudborne Layer, he could totally launch a sneak attack the instant he turned around. Performing Arts Cultivators were so fast and stealthy that they could rival even Wanderlust Cultivators. Such attacks were difficult to dodge and just as difficult to block. Even with Homebound Heart and Thickset Body, Li Banfeng would have trouble defending against one.

However, Gu Rusong was still torn over what to do. Behind him, the three women kept talking.

Should I go all out and kill Li Qi, or keep an eye on those walking corpses behind me?

That moment of hesitation slowed his attack, allowing Li Banfeng to dodge. In the blink of an eye, Li Banfeng vanished from sight.

Passing Flowers on Horseback!

Gu Rusong’s eyes darted around as he searched for Li Banfeng.

The women behind him kept shouting. ”Eldest Young Master, he’s on the left!”

”Eldest Young Master, he’s behind you again!”

”Eldest Young Master, above you! Quick, look!”

All three women were using the ability The Fool’s Thousand Worries!