Number One Sect Under Heaven

The two hurried through the thick fog.

Hunter Sun Tiecheng walked quite fast, covering more than seventy li in half a day, but compared to the speed of a third-level Travel Cultivator, it was really far behind.

"Are you really Travel Cultivator?" Li Banfeng asked impatiently.

Sun Tiecheng answered honestly, "Sir, we can't go too fast, or we'll lose our Old Land."

"What's the reason for this?"

"I can't explain why, I only know that we have to walk this road slowly in order to find the gate to the Old Land."

Does the Old Land still have a gate?

Li Banfeng became more and more curious as he listened.

After walking for another half a day, the thick fog gradually dissipated, and a city could be vaguely seen ahead.

Unlike Green Water City, this is not a city, but an ancient city with city walls, battlements, and city gate towers.

Sun Tiecheng said, "Sir, this is Fisherman's City. If you go through Fisherman's City and keep going south, you will reach Iron Sheep Mountain."

"Fisherman's City? Lots of fishermen?"

"It's not that kind of fisherman, it's that kind of fisherman. I can't read, so I don't know how to say it."

A city suddenly appeared in the boundless wilderness. Li Banfeng was a little worried. He didn't have a good feeling about this city. It seemed that there was danger waiting for him.

Auspiciousness and Avoiding Calamity is the fundamental principle of Travel Cultivator for a peaceful and secure life.

Li Banfeng said to Sun Tiecheng, "Let's not go into the city, let's go around."

"You can't go around it, you'll get lost."

Li Banfeng looked at Sun Tiecheng with surprise. "You've been to Iron Sheep Mountain before?"

"I've been there."

"You're Travel Cultivator, you've been here before, how could you get lost?"

"You can get lost in this city. It's really strange. You can only get through it by going through the city walls. There's no way around it."

Li Banfeng was increasingly puzzled. "Even if we walk right along the city wall, we can't get around it?"

Sun Tiecheng looked troubled and said, "Sir, you gave me the money, so I certainly wouldn't dare to lie to you. There's no way around this city. If you don't believe me, I'll give the money back to you."

"No need for that," Li Banfeng waved his hand, "Let's go into town."

After entering the city gate, Li Banfeng looked around.

To be honest, this city is quite large, with wide streets paved with stone slabs and rows of houses on both sides. However, it has not been maintained for many years and looks a bit dilapidated.

Although the buildings were dilapidated, there were still quite a few people around. Some were strolling on the street, some were setting up stalls on the roadside, and shops of all sizes were open, with people coming and going from time to time.

The Old Land became Old Land because the Proper Land lost its human presence. As the Wife said, there wasn't even a hundred people in Hundred Li Land.

But why are there so many people in this city?

Others would definitely not understand, but Li Banfeng didn't find it strange because these people were special; their faces glowed with a green light.

To be precise, they are not human, they are ghosts.

The city was filled with wandering ghosts, just as Ma Wu said, they treated themselves as human beings, completely lacking the caution and taboos that ghosts should have.

These spirits were different from those Li Banfeng usually saw; their flesh and blood were very real and complete, almost comparable to that of the Local Earth God.

Are they all Local Earth God?

That's impossible!

They lacked that imposing presence.

But where did all this flesh and blood come from?

Could this be due to living in the Old Land for so long?

The two hadn't walked far down the street when they heard someone shouting from the roadside ahead:

"Pain is pain, injury is injury. Blood vessels are like the Yangtze River; minor pain caused by cold can become illness, and minor injury caused by heat in the blood can become a sore!"

What is this for?

Upon closer inspection, a man carrying a box was seen selling medicine to the onlookers.

"This is a secret family recipe passed down through generations, specifically for treating lower back and leg pain."

This prescription contains twenty-one medicinal herbs, but it doesn't contain pearls or ginseng, nor does it contain bezoar or dog gallstones; it's all just some inexpensive herbs.

Folk remedies can cure serious illnesses, and herbal medicine can outdo famous doctors. Our medicine is inexpensive, only two yuan a dose. Two doses will cure serious illnesses, and one dose will be enough for minor illnesses.

Li Banfeng laughed, "This guy is quite interesting."

That's really interesting, selling medicine to ghosts.

Do ghosts need plasters? And if they do, will they even work?

It might actually work on these ghosts whose flesh and blood are intact.

Sun Tiecheng clicked his tongue and said, "Sir, this guy is a scoundrel, a charlatan, he's all a fraud, there's nothing to see here."

"Picking skin" is slang for selling medicine in the underworld.

"Lu Ken Han" refers to a person who sells plasters, because in the old days, plasters had to be heated over a fire before they could be applied.

These quacks selling medicine in the streets can't possibly be real. I just never expected that this man, even after becoming a ghost, would still be using these quack tricks to deceive people.

However, all the people buying medicine in this circle were ghosts, Li Banfeng wanted to see what tricks the ghosts used to deceive each other.

The man glanced at Sun Tiecheng, then shouted, "Someone just said I'm a fraud. We're complete strangers, so I don't know where you got that idea from."

I'm an honest man. I'm filial to my parents at home and make many friends outside. I value my reputation. Hearing what you said makes me feel aggrieved.

I'll take this face, I'll fight for this pride! Today, to make a name for myself, I'm going all out! This medicine is free, I'll give it to you for free!

Free?

Li Banfeng pinched his chin, watching intently.

How can you scam money if it's given away for free?

Sun Tiecheng advised from the side, "Sir, stop watching. He's just putting on an act to impress people; it's a trick of the trade."

Li Banfeng still refused to leave.

The man continued, "Although my medicinal herbs are cheap, there's still a cost involved. If I were to give one dose to each person here, I truly couldn't afford to do it for free."

I have ten tickets here. I'll just toss them around, and you can pick them up however you like. Whoever finds one will receive a free medicine. Whoever catches the ticket will receive one, and whoever doesn't will not.

The man started throwing out paper tickets, and Li Banfeng actually caught one.

You're lucky!

Let's see how he tries to smooth things over.

The man continued, "Yesterday someone took a dose of my medicine. When he got home, he thought it was free and didn't care about the cost, so he just threw it away."

"A virtuous person is easy to govern, but a petty person is hard to guard against. Now, for the medicine, could you please give me some capital? Just one yuan will suffice."

Li Banfeng shouted, "Wasn't it supposed to be a free gift? Why are you asking for money now?"

The man said, "This brother is right. We have to keep our word. A promise is a promise. If I say I'll give it to you, I mean it."

"For one yuan, you give me the cost of one dose of medicine, and I'll give you another one for free. If it doesn't work, you can ask me for a refund. If it does work, please spread the word for me."

Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly. Who would believe such a trick to swindle money?

Five minutes later, Li Banfeng, carrying two plasters, followed Sun Tiecheng forward.

"Sir, I already told you he's a scammer, why did you still fall for it?"

"It's okay, it's not much, just a dollar. I'll just have some fun. My legs have been hurting a bit these past few days."

Li Banfeng's legs did indeed hurt, but the reason for the leg pain was not due to injury, but because the level of House Cultivator suppressed that of Travel Cultivator.

What use is this plaster to him?

I've already bought it.

Not far along, I heard an old man calling out, "Not many people are coming to have their fortunes told today, but there are plenty of things to discuss. Your fate, whether good or bad, is written all over your face."

The transformations of Yin and Yang are infinitely wondrous; the world is contained within the palm of one's hand. With a single glance, I've already discerned a clue.

Someone's family has suffered a tragedy, someone has been the target of gossip, and someone has gone out seeking revenge, their face etched with the stench of bloodshed!

Li Banfeng stopped.

What does this person mean?

Are you talking about me?

Sun Tiecheng whispered from the side, "This guy is a Gold Picking Gate, and also a swindler. Don't fall for his tricks."

Li Banfeng didn't stop and kept walking forward. After a short while, the old man caught up with him.

"Young man, I'm not doing business with you, but I chased you half a block just to give you a heads-up."

"You've encountered bad luck today, so put aside your revenge for now. Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor; the cycle of karma is predetermined, there's no need to rush!"

Li Banfeng stared at the old man for a long time, then took out one hundred Huan Country Notes from his pocket and stuffed them into the old man's hand.

The old man sighed, "Young man, I'll take the money. Judging from your face, you're Benevolent Heart. I'll teach you another way to break this."

"Stay in the city for one night, and whatever you do, don't leave. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have your face read. Then I'll teach you how to deal with it."

After saying that, the old man left.

Sun Tiecheng stamped his feet in frustration. "Sir, how could you fall for this again?"

After pondering for a long time, Li Banfeng said, "What he said is indeed quite accurate."

"Let's not waste any more time here, I'll get you up to Iron Sheep Mountain right away."

Li Banfeng waved his hand and said, "I'm not going up the mountain tonight. I'll stay in the city for the night and we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"You actually believe him? I don't live here!" Sun Tiecheng shook his head and said, "Sir, I've already told you everything. Tomorrow, if you go south out of the city, you'll see Iron Sheep Mountain."

Li Banfeng gave Sun Tiecheng another twenty silver dollars, making a total of fifty silver dollars, as a reward.

Sun Tiecheng pursed his lips. "Sir, you're a good person. If you insist on staying in the city, I'll take you to Friends Inn. That inn doesn't cheat people."

Li Banfeng followed Sun Tiecheng to the inn. The innkeeper had a green glow on his face and was not a mortal, but the price was fair, eighty-one yuan a night, and there were private rooms available.

That night, Li Banfeng stayed at the inn.

Li Banfeng had only been settled in a short time when the innkeeper glanced at the waiter beside him and ordered, "Go to the backyard, call the men, grab the food, and let's start the feast!"

The waiter whispered, "Shall we start the meal now? Or should we wait until he falls asleep?"

The shopkeeper retorted angrily, "Bah! You made me wait, and then you went ahead and ate it while it was hot. Do you think I can't see through your little scheme?"

"Shopkeeper, what are you saying? I'm doing this for your own good. Let's wait until he's asleep before we make a move, so we can both have some peace of mind."

"Stop talking nonsense and call for help!"

The waiter reluctantly went to the backyard, intending to call over the servants, farmhands, and cook.

Unexpectedly, these people had already sharpened their knives and were preparing to climb through the window.

The waiter roared, "You heartless bastards! You planned to steal food without the manager's permission! You have no manners whatsoever!"

The cook covered the waiter's mouth. "What are you yelling about? We're worried that the boy is trying to cheat, so we're just checking things out for the manager first."

The waiter pushed the cook aside, waved his hand, and said, "Come with me to the main hall. The manager is waiting. Let's get started."

Upon arriving at the main hall, everyone looked around but did not see the manager.

The servant asked, "Where is the manager?"

The waiter shook his head and said, "I don't know, he sent me."

The day laborer stomped his feet in anger. "That old bastard! He sent you away and went to eat all by himself!"

The group rushed up to the second floor and arrived at Li Banfeng's door, only to find it closed.

The shopkeeper didn't come?

The cook smiled and said, "It's good that they haven't arrived yet; let's start."

The day laborer kicked the door open and pinned the man down.

The servant took a large quilt and covered the person with it.

The waiter gave the order, "Chop!"

The cook stepped forward and chopped a piece of meat.

The shopkeeper cried out in anguish, "Why the hell did you chop me up?"

The servant opened the large quilt and found the shopkeeper inside.

The waiter looked surprised. "Manager, why did you come up first? Didn't we agree to come up together?"

The shopkeeper remained unfazed. "I came up here first to scout things out for you. Which bastard just chopped me up?"

The laborer pointed at the cook and said, "It's her! The knife is still in her hand!"

The cook argued, "This knife of mine can only chop up living people, not the dead. And even if it could chop up the dead, it wouldn't hurt."

"It doesn't hurt? You're kidding me! Am I not made of flesh and blood?" The shopkeeper rubbed his back for a long time. "I'll show you it doesn't hurt! I'll chop you up and see what happens!"

The innkeeper was about to chop the cook up when the waiter called out, "Innkeeper, where are the customers?"

The shopkeeper, holding his knife, pondered for a long time.

He hasn't seen anyone since he came in. Where did this person go?

Li Banfeng didn't go anywhere. He left the key on the roof beam and stayed in his Portable Abode.

He sat in front of the record player, holding two plasters in his hand, lost in thought.

"Hey, my love, what are you holding? It's sticky and disgusting."

Li Banfeng said, "I bought it from a street vendor; it's for treating leg pain."

"Does your leg hurt, my husband?"

"A little bit."

"Use this to cure it?" Even the record player couldn't believe it. "Husband, you can be a bit crazy sometimes, but you're still a smart man. How could you fall for a trick?"

"I not only fell for the trick of the skin-picking guy, but I also fell for the Gold Picking Gate. It didn't cost me much money, though, and I'm not short of money." Li Banfeng threw the plaster aside.

He certainly doesn't lack money, but he lacks intelligence.

Li Banfeng looked at the record player and slowly said, "Wife, I don't know what's wrong with me. Ever since I came to the city, my mind has been malfunctioning. I believe whatever people tell me."

"Which city did you enter?"

Fisherman's City.

"From the Old Land?"

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "It's from the Old Land. I thought there were many fishermen here, but who knew there were many swindlers."

"Hey, my lord, this isn't the 'fishing' of 'fisherman,' it's the 'foolish' of 'foolishness.' You've entered the Fool's City and encountered a foolish cultivator!"

"Foolish cultivator? There's such a Daoist sect? And this Daoist sect is so powerful?"

"My lord, I once led the Number One Sect Under Heaven. At the same level, no one could rival us."

P. S.: Is the Number One Sect Under Heaven the Yu Xiu sect?

Do other Daoist sects wear the same robes?