The Most Exhausted Local Earth God

Back at Yan Sha Study, Tan Fucheng was squatting at the door eating noodles with a group of people. Tan Fucheng spilled some soup on himself and casually wiped it off with a copy of the "Hundred Family Surnames".

Li Banfeng: "You used a book to wipe your hands?"

Tan Fucheng said nonchalantly, "I didn't bring a handkerchief, so I'll just have to make do."

Why the sudden change in attitude? Didn't you threaten to chop off my finger last night just because I sneezed?

"You've made the book all greasy; how will we read it later?"

"I'm not reading anymore!" Tan Fucheng shook his head. "Reading this stuff is too tiring. I haven't read many books in my life, and I'm still doing just fine, aren't I?"

Sizzle~

A man next to him tore off a page from a book and used it to wipe his mouth.

Li Banfeng wanted to go back to his room, but he saw Xiao Yeci in the corridor. She had dressed up simply and was about to take Lu Chunying out.

"Not reading today?"

Xiao Yeci shook her head and said, "I'm not reading anymore. So many books are giving me a headache. It's not easy to come out here."

I'd like to take Tun Tun out for a walk, my Benefactor, would you like to come along?

"You guys go ahead, I want to sleep for a while."

Lu Yuanxin came out of the room. He was going to escort Xiao Yeci and her daughter out, but seeing that they were still some distance away,

Lu Yuanxin lowered his voice and said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, I feel something is wrong. This morning I really wanted to read, but after reading a few pages I suddenly couldn't concentrate anymore."

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "Perhaps it's because you haven't read books in a long time."

Lu Yuanxin shook his head and said, "I think it's more like someone used a technique."

Lu Chunying urged Lu Yuanxin to hurry up, and Li Banfeng reminded him, "Be careful on the road."

He Yuxiu once said that when Lu Yuanxin got ruthless, he was very similar to Lu Dongjun, but there were some differences. He was smarter than Lu Dongjun.

From their behavior, Li Banfeng understood the meaning of the three sentences in the book.

The blind should feel ashamed, referring to illiterate people like Tan Fucheng, who would feel guilty for their lack of cultural knowledge. The learned should strive, referring to cultured people like Xiao Yeci, who would become diligent and motivated in the Ink Fragrance Shop.

The phrase "people should study literature" refers to ordinary people who are not illiterate, who will have the desire to study literature and literature in the Ink Fragrance Shop.

These three sentences define the order of the Ink Fragrance Shop.

The Local Earth God of the Ink Fragrance Shop was in control of order, and Murong Gui's repeated writing of these three sentences was a process of reinforcing that order.

Because he was exhausted from fighting Ge Jun, Murong Gui could only temporarily ignore the phrase "people should study literature" and devote more energy to the battle, so Lu Yuanxin was not affected at first.

Last night, Ge Jun was injured and no longer poses a threat to Murong Gui. Murong Gui has re-established the order that "everyone should study literature," which has affected Lu Yuanxin. This morning, he wanted to read.

Li Banfeng was unaffected because he was at a higher level. If he had been exposed to this for a longer period of time, he would probably have ended up like Lu Yuanxin.

The fierce battle we just experienced forced Murong Gui to abandon all order and fight with all his might, which also allowed everyone to return to normal.

Such a fragile order.

Murong Gui actually used this method to maintain order in the territory; this was the most exhausted Local Earth God Li Banfeng had ever seen.

Could he have died from overwork?

"A'Bi, why do you think there are such overworked Local Earth God?"

The Judge's Brush slowly replied, "Reading is tiring; there's no other way."

Back at his Portable Abode, Li Banfeng lay down on the bed and closed his eyes to rest.

The glove came to his ear and shook his index finger, saying, "Master, we're not related by blood, and that Local Earth God is still quite ignorant. We've done more than enough."

Hulu also advised, "Little brother, let's go. I don't want to stay here any longer."

Teapot sighed, "Even Bitter Vegetable Manor is better than this place."

The projector said, "There is no art in this place."

Even the usually taciturn Sickle spoke up, "The people here are so annoying."

That's right, Ink Fragrance Shop is indeed an annoying place. The people are annoying, the atmosphere is annoying, and even the Local Earth God are annoying.

But this is Pro State territory, and no matter how much it's disliked, it can't be handed over to the Inner State.

Lao Luo is still on his way to Sea Eat Ridge. Is there any way to notify the Peddler as soon as possible?

By the way, the Portable Abode now has six railway tracks, which can reach some obscure places.

Li Banfeng thought about the scenery of Sea Eat Ridge, and at the same time, he imagined the Peddler shaking Pellet Drum and calling out his wares on the street.

After thinking for more than a minute, Li Banfeng felt it was about time and was about to go out when he heard Portable Abode say, "No need to go out and look, I haven't moved."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Why aren't you moving?"

Portable Abode chuckled and sighed, "Seventh Brother, not everything in this world is permissible. Tracking Peddler is something I absolutely cannot do. Not only can I not do it, but you should never do it either."

Even the Portable Abode are so afraid of Peddler?

Hong Ying advised, "The intentions of that grocery seller are hard to fathom. Even if we find him, he might not be willing to help."

Tang Blade also advised, "My lord, whether the Peddler can come or not depends on the fate of the Ink Fragrance Shop. Perhaps this place is destined to suffer this calamity."

"Let this annoying place fend for itself."

"Let's hurry up and leave, or we might get implicated."

The record player didn't speak, it just enveloped Li Banfeng in a cloud of steam.

Li Banfeng looked at the Judge's Brush.

The Judge's Brush leaned against the wall, huddled in a corner, and remained silent.

The next day at noon, Luo ZhengNan brought a message: "Seventh Master, I've arrived at Sea Eat Ridge, but I haven't been able to find the Peddler."

Were we too late?

Li Banfeng said, "Go to Belt Ridge immediately."

"Seventh Master, I contacted an old friend. The Peddler didn't go to Belt Ridge."

Based on the Peddler's pattern of movement, he should be in one of these two places.

Where did he go?

"Lao Luo, keep searching. Let me know immediately if you find anything."

Li Banfeng went to the Poetry Club and was still thinking about what kind of poem he should leave for Cui Tike.

The poem must cleverly express the time and place of the meeting, ensuring that Cui Tike can understand it while preventing others from understanding it.

Unexpectedly, standing outside the door, Li Banfeng had already heard the passionate recitation:

"The path to dreams leads to Ink Fragrance Shop, the value of life lies in Ink Fragrance Shop, the meaning of struggle is in Ink Fragrance Shop, and I am willing to dedicate everything to Ink Fragrance Shop!"

Li Banfeng stood at the door and waved to Cui Tike.

Amidst the disdainful looks of the young man and woman, Cui Tike walked out the door.

"That doesn't make sense. These are lines of poetry I wrote with all my heart, and even men despise me!" Cui Tike grumbled, holding his teacup.

Li Banfeng found it hard to understand Cui Tike's mental state. "You're being pressured so much by Green Water Bow, how can you still have the mind to go on blind dates?"

Cui Tike shrugged. "What good methods do I have? There are only so many investigative channels available. Even if he's the Grandmaster, you can't expect me to find out the results so quickly."

"I've already found the results."

Cui Tike was startled. "What did you find out?"

The private room had a record player. Li Banfeng took a record from the cabinet, attached a strip to the record player, and played "Where Can I Find a Soulmate?" to cover up their conversation.

"The Local Earth God of the Ink Fragrance Shop is named Murong Gui."

"Murong Gui, Wise Scholar," Cui Tike took a sip of tea. "I've heard of him; he's a legendary figure at the Ink Fragrance Shop. I've even suspected he's the Local Earth God Ink Fragrance Shop. Is your information reliable?"

"It's very reliable. I can also tell you that He Jiaqing's information is accurate. Murong Gui's condition is indeed not very good. I think you should have noticed some abnormalities as well."

Cui Tike didn't quite understand. "What you mean by 'abnormality' is —————·"

"Yesterday morning, you would have noticed a change in the people at the Ink Fragrance Shop."

After a moment's Cui Tike nodded and said, "Yesterday morning, including me, only three people came to the Poetry Club."

The other two people didn't want to recite poetry; they felt it was meaningless and didn't want to live such a tiring life, so they left after sitting for a while.

"That's because the Local Earth God here has become very weak; he has just gone through a battle."

Cui Tike tensed up. "Who are we fighting? Has Chu Shaoqiang already arrived?"

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "It's not Chu Shaoqiang, it's Ge Jun."

"What a strange name," Cui Tike thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don't know this person."

"Your ancestor definitely knows him, or at least has heard of him. Tell him the news, and he will definitely have a way to verify it. As for the source of the news, you will need to make up a lie yourself."

Cui Tike held the teacup, twirled it a few times, and then drank the tea in one gulp.

"I trust you. This information is invaluable. In exchange, I'll tell you some things about He Jiaqing now."

Your friend has become an ally of my Dao Gate Ancestor. His cultivation is extremely high, and he is capable of breaking through the Layered Peaks Technique of the Bastard Slope.

Li Banfeng recalled his experience at Bastard Slope: "The Layered Peaks Technique you mentioned, is it a technique that prevents people from leaving Bastard Slope?"

Cui Tike nodded and said, "Yes, that's a very advanced Joy Cultivation Technique. If I'm not mistaken, your friend stole a way out from that technique and led me out of the Bastard Slope'."

Based on this, it can be inferred that he was a thief, or what is commonly referred to as a "cultivator thief" in Pro State, and that his cultivation level was not on the ground.

Cultivating at the Cloud Realm requires a special method to support one's status. His previous support point for his status was lost, and now it comes from the Dogtail Grass —you should recognize this person.

"You mean the Qi Gong I killed?"

Cui Tike nodded and said, "My ancestor took his contract as a bargaining chip and gave it to He Jiaqing."

Li Banfeng asked curiously, "What could be so valuable that it requires a contract to exchange for it?"

Cui Tike puffed out his chest and proudly replied, "Me!"

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Green Water Bow traded you for a contract? It seems he cherishes you!"

"So, I love our Grandmaster," Cui Tike poured Li Banfeng a cup of tea, "I've provided all the information I need. Do you think it's worth the investment?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Basically equal."

Seeing Li Banfeng about to leave, Cui Tike asked, "Are you still going to do this kind of opportunistic business?"

"Do it," Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat. "If you have any news, come to the teahouse to find me."

"Ge Jun, he actually went to the Ink Fragrance Shop." Green Water Bow, holding his begging bowl, sat in the corner and couldn't help but laugh.

He Jiaqing tossed a silver dollar into the bowl. "Is the news reliable?"

Green Water Bow stared at the silver dollars in the bowl for a moment, then suddenly said, "They've already been given away—"

Before he could finish speaking, the silver dollars in the bowl disappeared again.

"Impressive skills," Green Water Bow exclaimed. "Cui Tike obtained this information through the Inner State. He has been to the Inner State; he would never dare to lie to me about this."

He Jiaqing twirled the silver dollar on his finger. "To be on the safe side, it's best to wait a while longer. It won't be too late to make a move after Chu Shaoqiang shows up."

"No need to wait any longer," Green Water Bow stood up. "Ge Jun is at the Ink Fragrance Shop. Chu Shaoqiang will definitely go to rescue him. Let's go over there, take the land, the deed, and Chu Shaoqiang's head too. Such a good deal!"

Where can I find it?

He Jiaqing continued fiddling with the silver dollars, "Before the business opens, we'd better split the profits first. Do you want more people or more land? We'd better make that clear."

Green Water Bow sneered, "Didn't you want a new Pro State? You're fussing over such a small matter?"

He Jiaqing laughed and said, "I want to change Pro State, but I need at least a foothold. Just like doing business, you need a shop first."

I really want the land for the Ink Fragrance Shop. If you want it too, we can discuss it further.

Green Water Bow frowned and said, "You took the contract from me, and now you want the land? Aren't you being a bit too greedy in your business dealings?"

He Jiaqing tossed the silver dollar back into the bowl at Green Water Bow: "The contract's already been given, let me earn a little more."

You're not at a disadvantage either.

Green Water Bow shook the bowl, the silver dollars clinking inside. "If you want to earn more, put in more effort."

Chu Shaoqiang, Ge Jun, and Murong Gui —how many of their heads can you collect?

P. S.: The water is getting muddier. Let's see who can catch the fish.