Obsession

After the Jiang Xiang Gang's headquarters were completely wiped out, He Yuxiu suggested, "Let's burn this damn place down and leave the Jiang Xiang Gang with nothing but ashes."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "It would be such a waste to burn down such a beautiful garden. Sister Xiu, aren't you currently renovating your outer residence? Why don't we just give you this garden?"

"No!" He Yuxiu waved her hand and said, "I think this place is unlucky, and not just unlucky."

He Yuxiu didn't say the rest of the sentence, as it would be beneath her dignity.

Chu Er spoke for her, "Seventh Brother, the Jiang Xiang Gang is only a second-rate gang, but it has many members who are widely distributed. Even a centipede that has been killed will not die easily. Their branches and territories in various places may still rise from the ashes. If the Jiang Xiang Gang wants to take revenge, the territory of the main hall will definitely be their main target."

This is a serious matter, Li Qi had already made plans. "Lao Luo, you are most familiar with the Jiang Xiang Gang. Let's start today and completely wipe the Jiang Xiang Gang out of Pro State."

Cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots is the proper way to do things. Luo ZhengNan agreed with Li Qi's decision, but there were some things he had to say beforehand, "Seventh Master, this is not an easy matter."

Li Qi nodded and said, "It really isn't easy. I'll take care of all the manpower and money. You can just focus on your work."

With these words, Luo ZhengNan felt relieved. He Yuxiu said from the side, "Seventh Brother, this matter cannot be borne by you alone. The He Family should also share the responsibility. I also want this reputation."

He Yuxiu spoke very frankly, and truly desired this reputation.

Is reputation important to the He Family?

It didn't matter before, but the situation is different now. The various Lineage have gone through all sorts of upheavals, and their prestige in Pro State is far less than before. The major event of eliminating Jiang Xiang Gang will help the various Lineage rebuild their prestige.

Lu Chunying said, "It's also part of the Lu Family."

Chu Er laughed and said, "Of course I'll follow Seventh Brother."

Everyone contributed money and manpower to help Luo ZhengNan deal with the remnants of Jiang Xiang Gang.

With the matter settled, He Yuxiu said, "Seventh Brother, let's all go home for dinner tonight, and we'll get together another day."

Everyone was hungry; apart from Cui Tike, no one had eaten much tonight.

After everyone left, Luo ZhengNan led Li Banfeng on a tour of the main hall, searching through the storerooms and secret rooms, but they found nothing of value except for land deeds and house deeds.

Li Banfeng handed the land deed and house deed to Luo ZhengNan, saying, "This place will belong to you from now on. If you really don't want it, you can sell it for a price."

Luo ZhengNan gave a wry smile, "I'm afraid no one would dare to buy this place. Jiang Xiang Gang has done too many heinous things. I think I should open a charity here to atone for some of their sins."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Let's do it this way. I'll pay for it. Also, inform our newspaper that the Jiang Xiang Gang has been wiped out, and make sure it's published as soon as possible."

After leaving Jiang Xiang Garden, Gloves said to Li Banfeng, "That shouldn't be the case. Such a large sect, what good stuff does its main hall have? Even if there aren't any magic treasures, there should at least be some real gold and silver!"

Li Qi wasn't surprised. "Xiao Zhengong wants to destroy the Jiang Xiang Gang's reputation, and he doesn't want this main hall anymore. He's already given away all the good stuff."

Back at Portable Abode, the Wife had already devoured Xiao Zhengong's soul completely. "Hey, husband, judging from the quality of this soul, this person should have reached the Ninth Layer. His cultivation level is not visible, so there might be some discrepancies."

Xiao Zhengong is not old, yet his cultivation level is so high, which is very rare even among the wealthy families in Pro State.

Did this bonus come from within the Inner State or from Outer State?

After the phonograph finished eating, everyone else started eating with their chopsticks. Although their cultivation levels were not low, they were not high-level cultivators after all. The family did not fight or grab, and treated it as a simple home-cooked meal.

Gloves weren't in a hurry to be eaten; instead, they searched through Xiao Zhengong's clothes for a long time.

Li Banfeng asked, "What are you looking for?"

He rested his thumb on his index finger, deep in thought, "Master, it's understandable that you said the main branch doesn't want it anymore, that there's nothing good left."

But Xiao Zhengong must be carrying some good stuff with him, right? He doesn't need to transfer his personal magical artifacts, does he?

That's true. Given Xiao Zhengong's status, he must possess a lot of magical treasures.

Li Banfeng searched through Xiao Zhengong's clothes, then shook his index finger and said, "Boss, no need to look anymore. I've already searched twice. There's not even a wallet. Even if he's the Gang Leader, he should carry some cash with him. Something's fishy!"

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard his Portable Abode roar, "A'Tao! How long do you plan to keep that thing?!"

I almost forgot, we haven't given the good stuff to Portable Abode yet.

Li Banfeng and the gloves went to the third room together. His Portable Abode trembled slightly, as if he were impatient.

He wasn't in a hurry to give the gloves; he first handed a pair of stone awls to Li Banfeng. Even if the old man himself had asked, the things had to be given to the head of the household first.

Li Banfeng placed the stone awl on the ground, and the stone pieces gradually fell off the awl, revealing the original appearance of the two treasures.

It wasn't made of stone, but of iron, and it was very similar to the Iron Ruler I had bought from Feng Chongli before.

As the two treasures slowly melted and disappeared, Portable Abode could no longer contain himself and let out a deafening laugh.

"Hahaha, eight now!"

His laugh startled Hong Ying, who shuddered. "What eight strips? Nine coins, please!"

In the third room, Li Qi asked his Portable Abode, "Old Master, with eight railway tracks, your strength must have reached a new level, right?"

Portable Abode didn't rush to answer, but said to his partner, "A'Tao, let's go eat."

The gloves are not working.

"A'Tao? A'Tao! What are you thinking about?"

The man in the gloves looked up and said, "Old man, were you calling me?"

"I'll let you go eat!"

"Okay!" the glove replied and returned to the main room.

Portable Abode asked Li Banfeng, "What's wrong with this kid?"

Li Banfeng said, "We didn't find anything good in the Jiang Xiang Gang's headquarters, and the Gang Leader doesn't have anything good either. He's a bit depressed."

Portable Abode snorted coldly, "I despise these thieves. They don't care about missing a meal, but they act like they can't survive if they take one less thing."

Li Qi laughed and said, "Let's talk about the railway tracks first."

Portable Abode shielded everyone Portable Abode and said to Li Banfeng, "With eight railway tracks, I should be able to break through a boundary."

"What boundary?"

"The boundary leading to the Inner State."

Li Banfeng was startled, then exclaimed with delight, "If we can go to Inner State, can we rescue the Old Train?"

Portable Abode Shenju asked, "You want to save the Old Train?"

"I want to save him," Li Banfeng without hiding anything. "He saved my life, and I must save him."

Portable Abode Shenju sighed, "I also want to rescue him, but now is not the time."

"Didn't we get to go to Inner State? Why are you saying it's not the right time?"

"It's not your time, and it's not my time either. Your cultivation is insufficient; without reaching the Cloud Realm, I dare not let you go to the Inner State."

I only have eight railway tracks, which isn't enough.

"Eight isn't enough? How many are needed?"

Portable Abode calculated. "There are twelve railway tracks in total. It would be best to find them all, otherwise it will be difficult to get out once we enter the Inner State."

"My Wife's cultivation has reached the Cloud Realm, and not just any ordinary Cloud Realm cultivator. With her help, we should have a better chance of success."

Portable Abode laughed, "Seventh Brother, don't talk to me about sincerity, and don't talk to me about husband and wife being of one mind. I don't believe in any of that."

Even if you two are truly husband and wife, even if your feelings for each other are genuine, I still don't believe it.

It's so hard for me to believe in someone. As long as she's still here as Home Spirit, I can't easily let her go.

This is for the sake of the rules, and also for your sake.

Holding these two rails reminded me of some things, and after remembering them, I became even less inclined to believe in sentimentality.

Also, tell A'Ji not to keep provoking that person from the Fifth Chamber.

This is the first time Portable Abode has proactively mentioned the Fifth Chamber.

Li Banfeng asked, "Who exactly is that person from the Fifth Chamber?"

"I have a vague recollection; she seemed to be a passenger, but I can't remember her exact identity. I only know she stayed on the train for a long time, and I don't know what she looks like now."

There are some things you don't need to worry about. As long as she's still on the train, she can't run wild.

But it's best if A'Ji doesn't provoke her; his cultivation isn't high enough, and there are some things he's unsure about.

Li Banfeng asked, "Am I considered a passenger too?"

"Hmph," Portable Abode laughed, "You are not a passenger, never have been."

Li Qi left the third room and saw the family cooking. Only the gloves were staring blankly at Xiao Zhengong's clothes. He was so shocked that he couldn't even eat.

Upon arriving at the Fifth Chamber, a projector was projecting an image onto the wall. On the image, a beautiful woman in a white dress was playing the piano by the sea.

Although the film is silent, Li Banfeng seems to be able to hear beautiful music and even the waves crashing back and forth on the beach.

Dozens of sheets of oil paper were neatly stacked next to the projector; these sheets were used to hold candles.

In one corner of the room, film reels were piled up against the wall; the projector had used up almost all the film in the house.

"Brother, dinner's ready." Li Banfeng sat down next to the projector.

The projector replied, "Seventh Director, I'm not hungry. I'd like to work on the script with you."

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "This room is a bit messy. I'd like to move to another room to discuss the script."

"Let's go to Eighth House then," the projector said to the woman on the screen. "That's all for today."

The woman turned her face towards the camera, smiled and nodded, then closed the piano lid.

The projector put the lens cap on, and the screen went completely black. He floated in mid-air and followed Li Qi to the Eighth House.

After closing the door, the projector suddenly started trembling. "Seventh Director, I'm terrified. This might not be art. I might have touched the devil."

"Don't rush, brother, take your time." Li Banfeng lit a cigarette and put it into the film canister of the projector.

A puff of smoke rose, and the projector quieted down a bit. "Seventh Director, in the last battle, I snatched a beaded flower from the enemy. This wasn't solely my achievement; it should primarily be attributed to Tang Blade."

I kept the beaded hairpin; it was a powerful artifact with a strong sense of self. I presented it as a gift to the Fifth Chamber daughter.

"What I did was wrong. That was a precious trophy, and it should have been handed over to the Seventh Director for disposal. But I did it really for—."

The projector started acting up again, but Li Banfeng reassured it, "Don't worry, we have plenty of magic weapons at home."

Don't worry about it.

The projector continued, "The Fifth Chamber daughter really liked the gift. She told me a lot about herself, including her name and her background."

She said her name was Su Lijun, and that she was originally a wealthy woman, but was murdered by a heartless man. Her resentful spirit wandered the desolate old house.

Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng frowned slightly; the story seemed familiar to him.

If she says her name is Luo Yuni, then things will get complicated.

The projector continued, "Later, due to various accidents, she came to this mansion, and from then on, she was trapped here and never able to get out."

Before meeting me, she said she never interacted with anyone in her house. She said we clicked so well because we shared a common passion for art.

Li Banfeng said, "You don't believe what she said is true?"

"I believe her. I think everything she said is true. Every word she said was exactly what I expected." At this point, the projector started to shake again. "She said her name was Su Lijun. I think that's the name she should have. Even if she didn't tell me, I could have guessed it."

"You can even guess from the name?"

"Yes! It really is possible! And her background is exactly as I suspected. Even if she doesn't say it..."

I can even picture the scene of her murder.

The projector showed a scene where the Fifth Chamber daughter was putting on her makeup in front of a mirror when a man strangled her to death from behind with a tie.

Thankfully, it wasn't an eye-gouging or strangulation attack.

Li Banfeng said, "Brother, is this the script you wrote for the Fifth Chamber daughter? She's just acting strictly according to your script, while you seem to have trouble distinguishing between the script and reality."

"These things aren't in the script. The script is right here. You can take a close look. These plots aren't there!" The projector opened the film room, and a large number of papers flew out of it. Many of the papers bore Li Banfeng's handwriting. These scripts were written by Li Banfeng and the projector together.

"These scenes appeared in my mind, but I didn't write them down, and I never told the Fifth Chamber daughter about them."

I'm certain she's not a figment of my imagination; she truly exists, yet my ideas have been implanted within her consciousness.

I know where my thoughts came from; I asked the woman with the Blood-Containing Pendulum about her past, and she told me some of her remaining memories.

I originally intended to use the pendulum's memory as material for the script, but who would have thought that the movie would already be completed before the script even appeared!

Li Banfeng felt that the projector was still not quite clear-headed. "Maybe you told the Fifth Chamber daughter a certain plot, and maybe she followed your idea and completed a performance."

"Seventh Director, she's not that obedient!" The projector played another video.

The Fifth Chamber daughter ran among the flowers, picked a bunch of fresh flowers, smelled their fragrance, and revealed a sweet smile.

The screen suddenly went black, and the projector explained, "I closed the lens cap. I was very tired that day, and I fell asleep."

Before he could finish speaking, the screen lit up by itself.

The Fifth Chamber daughter, holding flowers, walked towards the camera with her head down.

She walked in front of the camera, slowly raised her head, and remained expressionless.

She tilted her head to the left, then to the right once more.

She stared at the camera for a long time, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The screen went black again, and the projector said, "I was really asleep at the time. This footage wasn't filmed by me; it was left to me by her."

I don't know why she left this footage. I asked her, and she said it was a performance she did at my request.

She's lying. This wasn't my request, Seventh Director. You might think I'm mentally unstable, but I'm sure I'm normal.

Li Banfeng patted the projector and said, "Even if you have mental problems, you're still normal."

"But something's not right," the projector said, taking the beaded flower from the film room. "This magical artifact originally had a very strong sense of self, but its consciousness has completely disappeared."

She has now become a pure Spiritual Object, lacking even the most basic ability to express herself.

This led me to a bold guess: the fate of this beaded hairpin might be the exact opposite of that of the Fifth Chamber daughter.

When I first met the Fifth Chamber daughter, her mind was almost completely blank.

Within the Fifth Chamber, there exists a mysterious power capable of creating consciousness, and also capable of destroying it.

Li Banfeng roughly understood what the projector meant, and then asked, "Are you sure this power comes from the Fifth Chamber and not from you?"

The image froze, and so did the projector's thought process.

After a long pause, the projector replied, "I'm not sure. I can only say I shouldn't have this ability."

I know that many of our family members have unusual pasts: Tang Blade, Judge's Brush, gloves...

They used to be big shots.

But I am different from them. I am a Self-Born Spirit, just like the scythe. I call myself a shadow cultivator, but in reality, I have no idea what my sect is, nor can I explain where my techniques come from.

Magical artifacts are generally unwilling to recount their past, partly due to contractual constraints and partly due to their inherent nature.

The projector candidly revealed his past because he was genuinely terrified.

Li Banfeng said, "From now on, do not go to the Fifth Chamber again."

The projector said, "I know the Fifth Chamber is dangerous, and I keep reminding myself not to go there again."

But I couldn't control myself. I was shaping a soul; I could sense fear, yet I couldn't resist temptation.

Li Banfeng pulled out his pistol and placed it in front of the projector. "Do you recognize this gun?"

The projector recognized it immediately. "This is Ling Miaoying's gun."

"This is a Spiritual Object, a very pure Spiritual Object. I have tried to communicate with it many times, but it cannot respond at all."

If you so desire to shape a soul, then shape its soul; don't go to the Fifth Chamber.

"Seventh Director, this is a very useful weapon for you, I don't want to damage it—."

"It's alright, I'll give it to you." Li Banfeng opened the film compartment of the projector and took out all the films about the Fifth Chamber daughter.

The old man was right; there are certain limits that the projector simply cannot control.

"Come out with me tomorrow, and I'll buy you some more film."

Back in the main house, the whole family had eaten their fill, and the projector, having consumed blood and flesh, finally calmed down.

The leftovers were left for Red Lotus to clean up. On his way to the Ninth Room, Li Banfeng passed by the Fifth Chamber again.

A salty sea breeze brushed against Li Banfeng's cheek, and a faint glow shone through the wall.

It felt like a movie was about to start.

Li Banfeng looked at the wall, lifted the brim of his hat, a smile appeared on his lips and his eyes shone.

"Want to come out and talk?" Li Banfeng asked.

The cold wind disappeared, and so did the halo on the wall.

Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat and led Red Lotus to the main room.

"A'Tao, if you don't eat now, there won't be anything left when Red Lotus comes to the table."

While the gloves were still checking Xiao Zhengong's clothes, he said, "Honey, I really don't want to eat. It's not like I'll miss out on this meal. Just leave me alone."

The next day, Li Banfeng woke up and was about to go out when the record player said, "My dear husband, take the trash out with you."

The trash referred to Xiao Zhengong's clothes. Just as Li Banfeng was about to pack the clothes up, Gloves pleaded, "Honey, don't rush. Let me check them for another day. You can throw them away tomorrow."

Li Banfeng sighed, "What's wrong with you? He might not have any magic weapons on him, and he might have really moved them beforehand."

The gloved man shook his index finger and said, "Impossible. Last night when you fought him, I smelled the treasure. If I'm wrong, how can I make a living?"

Li Banfeng stopped trying to persuade him; the gloves had their own temperament and their own stubbornness.

Li Banfeng took the projector to the street and bought a newspaper at random. It was a newspaper published by his own newspaper office, and the incident at Jiang Xiang Gang's headquarters last night had already been reported.

The headline news was very direct, with the title "Jiang Xiang Gang Vanished into Thin Air, Xiao Zhengong's Household Was Left Without a Trace."

The content was not taboo; it directly stated that Li Qi, He Yuxiu, and others massacred the Jiang Xiang Gang headquarters and eliminated a major scourge in Pro State.

This was at Li Banfeng's behest; he knew this couldn't be kept secret, so he simply spread the news.

Today's newspapers are selling like hotcakes. Who would have thought that the infamous Jiang Xiang Gang would be wiped out overnight?

The news also featured the Flying General Camp, recording part of Yao Zhiyi's testimony, and Li Qi was determined to expose this conspiracy completely.

The Morning News was printed twice as many times as usual, but it still sold out. Li Banfeng bought a copy of a newspaper from Shen Rongqing's company.

However, they found no news about Jiang Xiang Gang on Toutiao.

"You can't even seize such a good business opportunity? How are you going to make a living like this?" Li Banfeng casually threw the newspaper into the trash.

Shen Rongqing also received news of the destruction of Jiang Xiang Gang, but she was still hesitant to publish the news, especially since the news about the Flying General Camp was in serious conflict with the news she had previously published.

She wanted to discuss it with He Jiaqing, but after spending the entire morning, she still couldn't get in touch with He Jiaqing.

Where did he go?

Shen Rongqing was very anxious and hesitant about how to handle the Evening News.

Li Banfeng went to Wonderful Sound Phonograph Store and bought out all the film reels.

Ling Miaosheng poured Li Banfeng a cup of tea. "Boss Li, could you please stay a little longer? I have something to ask of you. "Li Banfeng found it strange. Having known each other for so long, Ling Miaosheng had always kept his distance from Li Banfeng. His sudden request for a favor surprised Li Banfeng.

Ling Miaosheng produced a contract. "Boss Li, I'd like to temporarily entrust the record player shop to you. Of course, this isn't a request made without compensation."

First, all the profits from the record player shop during this period will be yours. If there are any losses due to poor management, I will bear them.

Besides that, I have another gift for you.

After speaking, Ling Miaosheng took out a hand-cranked record player. "This is a Spiritual Object, which I've always called the Tracer. This record player can trace back a portion of the techniques of espionage. Simply put, it can reproduce a part of the content within the hook."

My two brothers had planted many hooks in my record player shop. I wasn't aware of their motives at the time, until I was affected, and then I had this Spiritual Object repaired.

This is a powerful tool to guard against prying eyes, and I hope this Spiritual Object will be of some help to you in the future.

Li Banfeng asked, "Why did you hand over the record player shop to me?"

Ling Miaosheng, "I want to find art, the art that originally belonged to me, but which I have lost."

It may sound absurd, but when we last met, I told you about some of my experiences in Amikan Country. Since then, some stolen memories have been replaying in my dreams.

I left behind too many regrets there, and I want to make up for them in my lifetime.

If I fail, if my life ends in a foreign land, my record player will belong to you completely.

These things are all written very clearly in the contract.

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and said, "I'm just one of your customers. Why do you trust me so much? Why are you entrusting me with your most precious family business?"

Ling Miaosheng: "Don't laugh at me, but I did consider handing the record player shop over to someone more reliable, but after carefully considering everyone around me, I realized there wasn't a single person more reliable than you."

When everyone else didn't believe me, you believed me and were willing to buy my record player. And when you entrusted me with these most precious works of art, I believed you too.

After a moment of silence, Li Banfeng nodded and put away the contract. "I can guarantee that your record player shop will not be harmed until you come back. After you return, share the art you have found with me."

"It's a deal." Ling Miaosheng took off her top hat, pressed it to her chest, and bowed to Li Banfeng.

Back at Portable Abode, Li Banfeng began to study the record player called "Tracer". Ling Miaosheng explained how to use it, but Li Banfeng only vaguely understood it, as the principle of this thing was a bit complicated.

Moreover, this record player is a purely Spiritual Object; it cannot express itself, and Li Banfeng cannot communicate with it.

Fortunately, the Wife was skilled in Work Method and quickly figured out some tricks for using the record player.

The couple studied the clothes until late at night, with the White Glove staring at Xiao Zhengong's clothes without moving an inch.

Looking at the gloves covered in loose threads and wrinkles, Li Banfeng felt that the gloves looked much older.

"A'Tao, you can't do this. Tomorrow I'll throw away Xiao Zhengong's clothes, and this matter should be over."

"It's all in the past," Gloves replied listlessly. "I'll listen to the master; it's all in the past."

I guess I misjudged the situation.

After saying that, the glove lay down next to the Judge's Brush, motionless like a rag. Li Banfeng was really worried that he might do something rash and give up on the glove along with the rag.

Late at night, while the family was fast asleep, the door to the main room suddenly opened a crack.

This is impossible.

Inside Portable Abode, apart from Li Banfeng and the old man himself, no one could open the door.

Everyone was fast asleep, except for Gloves, who suddenly woke up and rushed to the door.

"You scoundrel! Where do you think you're going! I knew this was wrong! You dared to steal from me? I'll beat you to death today!"

Upon hearing the sounds of fighting, flames instantly erupted from the record player.

Li Banfeng also woke up, only to see two gloves, one white and one black, wrestling by the door.

PS: Xiao Zhengong has a Black Glove, see chapter 334 for details.