Yuan Shoulu

Portable Abode, Li Banfeng inspected each of the magical artifacts and weapons one by one.

The record player asked, "My lord, who are you going to target this time?"

"My Wife, Thin Donkey Yuan has blocked my way. I'm going to kill him."

"Thin Donkey Yuan?" Hong Ying exclaimed in surprise. "Where is he?"

The record player spewed out a cloud of steam, making Hong Ying shiver. "You wretch, my man calls me 'Wife,' what did you say?"

Hong Ying dared not speak. She turned the record player towards Li Banfeng, her voice immediately softening. "My dear husband, how did you know that man was Thin Donkey Yuan?"

Li Banfeng said, "That person is a beggar cultivator, whose cultivation level is in the Cloud Realm."

"Did you fight him, my husband?"

Li Banfeng recounted the exchange. "His technique was very unique, and he was very experienced. I almost suffered a great loss."

Hong Ying said, "Husband, if it really Thin Donkey Yuan, you must stay away from him in the future. With your current cultivation level, you are no match for him."

The record player roared, "You wretch, is that what you call 'husband'?"

"My dear husband, after Thin Donkey Yuan left the army, he became a beggar. He was originally a martial arts practitioner, and his skills are quite good. Are you sure you haven't mistaken him for someone else?"

"I can't mistake him. He's really skilled. I didn't gain any advantage in close combat."

"Begging for food?" Hong Ying was stunned for a moment. "He really went begging?"

The record player scoffed, "Blind old woman, you once told me that Thin Donkey Yuan said he'd rather beg than fight, and he really got his wish."

Hong Ying turned to Li Banfeng and said, "Seventh Son, since it really is him, you really have to avoid him."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "There's no way around it; he's blocking the only road to Decency Village."

Hong Ying said, "Then we can just walk back and forth along our house, since the station is all built now."

Li Banfeng glanced at Hong Ying.

When the station was being repaired, she and Cantaloupe Hong Ying carried soil together, working very hard. Cantaloupe Hong Ying was exhausted, and after several attempts to repair it failed, Hong Ying ate it herself.

For some reason, Hong Ying's sense of belonging to this family has become stronger. She is now so actively helping Li Banfeng come up with ideas, which was very rare for her before.

Something must have happened between her and her Wife.

Li Banfeng first looked at the record player, then at Hong Ying, and made a rough deduction in his mind.

Those two must have been polishing the mirror while I was away!

Walking back and forth near the station is fine for one person, but it becomes quite troublesome if you want to bring another person.

Moreover, the stay at the Portable Abode is only for one hour, which is not enough time to finish many things.

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "I can't let Thin Donkey Yuan block this road. I have to find a way to get him out of here."

Hong Ying said, "Seventh Son, it's too much for you to do alone. I'll go with you. Thin Donkey Yuan is still afraid of me."

"No!" Portable Abode refused.

Hong Ying pointed at the record player and said, "Why can this Wicked Woman go out, but you won't let me out?"

Portable Abode said, "Neither of you are going to be allowed to leave from now on. There's no room for discussion about this."

Huff~

The record player sang. "Don't worry, my lord. Qi Xiu is not easy to deal with, but it's not impossible. As long as we choose the right time and send him into our house, you still have a chance of winning."

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "I'm not in a hurry. We do need to find a good opportunity. How about tonight?"

"My husband's temper is something else," the record player sighed softly. "My husband, let's learn the techniques of the Beggar Cultivator first, because this path is rather filthy, and Little Slave don't know much about it. I can only give you a basic explanation."

From the very beginning, those who practice begging must learn the art of Begging for Pity. Even up to the third level, they only have this one technique, which shows how difficult it is.

By pleading, one can move the other party to pity and receive alms. By obtaining these alms, one can steal a portion of the enemy's fighting power. The higher the pleader's cultivation level, the more valuable the alms received, and the more fighting power can be stolen.

My husband's opponent is from the Cloud Realm, who definitely has the advantage in cultivation. However, as long as he doesn't take anything too valuable from my husband, he won't be able to steal too much of his combat power.

Once a cultivator reaches the fourth or fifth level of cultivation, they will learn the skill of begging for Playing the Chi for Food. The result of this skill is similar to Begging for Pity; both involve taking away some of the opponent's combat power.

But Begging for Pity is asking for alms, Playing the Chi for Food is forcing alms. The gentleman also heard the beggar's tune on the fourth floor. If one listened to the entire piece, one would be compelled to give alms. The better the beggar played, the more alms the gentleman gave, and the more fighting power he lost.

Upon reaching the fifth level, the skill of Playing the Chi for Food has changed. One no longer needs to listen to a complete piece; just a short segment is enough to catch the opponent. The length of this short segment depends on the difference in their cultivation levels.

Li Banfeng frowned. "This is too troublesome. If I see someone playing music by the roadside one day, I might get tricked by Qixiu."

"What you say is true, sir. Beggars are extremely difficult to guard against. Some beggars don't even play music; they can earn alms by singing folk songs or playing bamboo clappers."

Upon reaching the sixth level, Qi Xiu learns the skill of forcibly seizing alms, transforming from coercing others to directly robbing them. The more alms stolen, the more combat power is lost.

Upon reaching the seventh level, Qi Xiu will learn the art of Thick Face Thick Skin. Just now, I heard my husband say that he also encountered this Thick Face Thick Skin during their fight.

Among defensive techniques, Thick Face Thick Skin is a superior skill; it provides solid defense with minimal energy expenditure, but the execution is slow.

Li Banfeng recalled the battle and shook his head, saying, "He managed to get ahead of the Ride a Horse and Admire Flowers' (a term used to describe someone who is quick and skillful) because his technique isn't slow."

"Hey, my husband, you're just Ride a Horse and Admire Flowers!"

Li Banfeng said calmly, "I borrowed this from Hong Ying."

Hong Ying stood next to Li Banfeng, took his arm, and said, "Yes, Seventh Son borrowed it from me."

Snap!

The record player swung a wooden board and smacked Hong Ying's peach hard, then said, "The reason that Qi Xiu was able to prevent the Ride a Horse and Admire Flowers was because he was experienced and took precautions in advance; otherwise, he shouldn't have been able to get there before his husband."

Upon reaching the eighth level, Qi Xiu can learn the technique of lifting a bowl weighing a thousand catties. This technique..."

Hong Ying said, "Don't worry about this technique. It's just about using his bowl to trap people. Qi Xiu only has one bowl. Before the bowl is put away, the technique can't be used anymore. We, the Travel Cultivator, are not afraid of this. We can get out of there Unimpeded Travel."

Smack! Smack!

The record player swung a wooden board and brutally beat Hong Ying's peaches, yelling, "What kind of Travel Cultivator are you? Who said you're Travel Cultivator? Travel Cultivator should all be killed!"

Hong Ying rubbed the peach, looking aggrieved, and said, "I meant, Seventh Son, could you borrow the 'Unimpeded Travel from me..."

The record player said, "My lord, don't listen to this vile woman's nonsense. Although the 'One Bowl a Thousand Pounds' technique is countered by the Travel Cultivator's Skill, it's hard to say what might happen. It's best to be careful."

Upon reaching the Ninth Layer, Qi Xiu will learn the technique of "taking an inch and wanting a mile," which is Qi Xiu's most deadly skill. Husband, you must be fully prepared to defend against it.

Begging for Pity, Playing the Chi for Food, or even robbing or stealing, whichever technique the gentleman falls for, once he gives alms, he risks triggering a further attempt to take advantage.

Unlike the previous two techniques, this "pushing an inch and wanting a mile" doesn't require combat strength. As long as the difference in cultivation level is significant enough, he can have whatever he wants.

Once they reached the Cloud Above First Layer, Qi Xiu possessed an even more ruthless technique, one that was even more deadly. He would only ask for one thing at a time, and this ruthless approach escalated further, relentlessly demanding more from the other party.

Pushing their luck, they took the other person's left eye, and then, going even further, they tried to take the right eye.

Taking the right eye was already a favor, but they still dared to push their luck and take the other person's left hand.

After taking an inch, they went even further, demanding the right hand as well.

Li Banfeng was stunned.

Is this still considered a technique?

Is it an infinite loop?

What kind of unreasonable technique is this?

"Once you win, you're doomed to never have a chance to fight back?"

"My lord, there will be plenty of opportunities to retaliate. Although Qi Xiu's technique is ruthless, it has many limitations."

First, one must receive charity. Without charity, one can't use any other skills except for Thick Face Thick Skin and a huge sum of money.

Secondly, alms must be received. The saying goes, "Don't let alms fall to the ground." Regardless of the means by which alms are obtained, alms received through begging must be received and not allowed to fall to the ground. If they do fall, they must be picked up immediately, otherwise they will become worthless in the blink of an eye.

Thirdly, the techniques are interconnected. To escalate the attack, one must first push the boundaries; to push the boundaries further, one must first resort to Begging for Pity, Playing the Chi for Food, or even forcibly seizing it.

Especially when pushing one's luck, the key is to strike with precise timing. When executing a technique, one must strike before receiving the favor, and the effect only comes after receiving it. This timing is extremely difficult to grasp.

Li Banfeng recalled his encounter with Qi Xiu.

He gave the beggar a piece of dry food, and before the food fell into the bowl, the beggar shouted, "I've given it all."

This is taking an inch and wanting a mile; you must act before you can give.

"My Wife, is it really necessary to say 'I've given it'?"

The record player said, "Yes, sir, this is the key to his taking advantage. As soon as he utters that phrase, you must be on high alert and not let him receive the charity."

If he can't push his luck, he can't escalate his attacks. Occasionally, he might take away a little of your fighting strength, but that's not a big deal.

Besides, beggars often have to evade beatings and attacks from people and dogs in their quest for food. Given the nature of this sect, they are all quite fast-moving; sir, you must be careful.

Li Banfeng nodded, having indeed witnessed the beggar's quick pace. Although he couldn't catch up with Li Banfeng, he could still keep him occupied for a while.

The record player continued, "My lord, knowing only the opponent's techniques is still too difficult to deal with a Cloud Above Cultivator. We need to carefully consider our tactics."

Li Banfeng thought for a long time, "I've come up with a tactic, and I'd appreciate your guidance, my Wife."

Hong Ying smiled and said, "We're all family, there's no need to be so polite."

Smack! Smack!

Hong Ying trembled from the beating. The record player scolded, "Your husband is calling me. If you dare to answer randomly again, I'll tear your mouth apart."

Li Banfeng explained the tactics, Wife pondered for a long time before exclaiming, "This tactic is excellent, truly excellent! How did you come up with it, husband?"

Hong Ying also exclaimed in admiration, "Our husband is indeed very shrewd!"

The Wife was a skilled strategist. She refined Li Banfeng's tactics, and with Hong Ying's advice, they were revised repeatedly. After three hours, the final version was completed.

It was late at night. Li Banfeng ate something, packed his magic weapons, and prepared to set off.

She must bring the gourd; she has experience fighting against Qixiu.

You should definitely bring the Tang Blade; his experience is even richer than that of the gourd.

Hong Ying murmured, "Seventh Son, don't go yet, I think I've forgotten something."

The record player sneered, "You forgot about the beating? We'll teach you a lesson after your husband leaves!"

Hong Ying waved her hand and said, "You Wicked Woman, don't interrupt. The matter is right in front of us, I'll remember it soon."

Li Banfeng didn't want to wait any longer. "Tactics are bound to have some oversights, don't worry about them."

"This isn't just a minor oversight; it's a major issue," Hong Ying exclaimed after a long period of deep thought. "Husband, wait a minute, I've remembered!"

Snap!

"Who told you to call me 'husband'? You just haven't hit me enough!"

The blow was crisp and hard. Hong Ying covered the peach and rubbed it for a long time before saying to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Son, Thin Donkey Yuan's knife skills are excellent. You must be very careful."

Li Banfeng was taken aback, and after a moment of thought, said, "I've never seen him use a knife."

Hong Ying cautioned, "Then we must be even more careful. He's still hiding a deadly move. If you don't believe me, ask Xiao Wan. Thin Donkey Yuan's swordsmanship is truly formidable!"

Sizzle~

The record player, puffing out steam, said, "Is that so? I don't remember."

"How could I not remember!" Hong Ying said hastily, "Isn't there a saying in the army that specifically refers to Thin Donkey Yuan?"

"What's his name? Three strikes on the battlefield, Every Strike Takes a Head! Thin Donkey Yuan's first three strikes are especially fierce, Seventh Son, be very careful."

The Portable Abode became quiet.

Apart from the Judge's Brush, all the magical artifacts turned their attention to the Tang Blade.

Tang Blade stood silently in the corner.

Li Banfeng hung the Tang Blade on his waist and left Portable Abode.

Hong Ying asked in surprise, "Xiao Wan, what's wrong with Seventh Son?"

The record player slowly said, "It's alright, you'll be fine with the Tang Blade."

PS: In the Portable Abode, Tang Blade only said once that Every Strike Takes a Head. He thought the record player couldn't hear him, but the record player did hear him. See Chapter 189 for details.

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