Chapter 481.1: Cant Tell Whats Left or Right (1)

Chapter 481.1: Can't Tell What's Left or Right (1)

Inside the Border Control Office, Liao Zihui stared at the report with a deep frown.

The Border Control Office had only recently established contact with Sage's Peak, and there had been plenty of room for their relationship to develop. Yet before they could make any real progress, disaster had struck.

The Sage's Peak was gone. No one knew whether the Sage was dead or alive, and Vilefolk Hillock was now crawling with Toilblade Ghosts. No matter how Liao Zihui thought about it, he could not understand how so many things had gone wrong in just a few short days.

All their previous work had come to nothing. Liao Zihui was still wondering how he was going to explain the situation to his superiors when Deputy Commissioner Xia Shumin walked in. "Commissioner, there's still no word from Lightbulb."

Liao Zihui sighed and stared at Xia Shumin for a long moment.

He knew Xia Shumin's background was anything but ordinary. He also knew that once he retired, Xia Shumin would most likely succeed him as Commissioner. Because of that, Liao Zihui had always been careful to restrain himself when speaking to the man. This time, however, he could not hold back.

"Xia, why did you insist on sending Lightbulb to spy on Li Qi? It was his first time in Puluo Province. Why would you send him after Li Qi? Were you worried he might live too long?"

Xia Shumin lowered his head. "I didn't think it through. But now that something has happened to Lightbulb, shouldn't we at least demand an explanation from Li Qi?"

Liao Zihui snapped, "Who says something happened to him? Have you seen his body? If there's no body, then he's still alive. Get out there and find him. Dig up every last inch of ground if you have to, but bring him back!"

Xia Shumin left Liao Zihui's office looking dejected, though a faint smile lurked beneath the expression.

Liao Zihui was getting anxious, which was good. The more anxious he became, the sooner he would fall into line.

Lightbulb was almost definitely dead anyway. It didn't really matter if his body couldn't be found. The only question was how much longer Liao Zihui could hold out.

***

Lightbulb took a small knife and clumsily skinned a fish-faced mantis. He carefully hung the skin outside the tent entrance, then called out cheerfully, "Uncle Shen, I have finished preparing the hide!"

Every year, the Dark Star Bureau sent a group of its members to Puluo Province for training. Chuunibyou had eagerly signed up but hadn't been selected, while Lightbulb, who had no desire to go, had been forced to make the trip.

Once Lightbulb arrived, he received orders from the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner, Xia Shumin, to head to Freewind Wharf and keep an eye on Li Qi. Unfortunately, Li Qi ended up sending him into the New Land, where he encountered a vicious aberrant creature. After a fierce battle, Lightbulb was rescued by an old hunter named Shen Xueyong.

Over the past few days, Lightbulb had been staying with Shen Xueyong in the New Land, learning how to survive there while helping the old hunter with his work. Skinning animals was just one of his daily chores.

Shen Xueyong emerged from the tent and picked up the hide to inspect it. Finding several knife cuts in the skin, he frowned. "This should have been a first-grade hide, but you have turned it into a third-grade one. You are really not cut out for this kind of work."

Lightbulb looked thoroughly ashamed. "There are still two mantises left. I will keep practicing."

Shen Xueyong waved him off. "Don't bother. At this rate, you will cost me everything I earn on this trip. Blue Poplar Village is ten kilometers east of here. Once you get there, find yourself a ride and head straight to Greenwater City."

Lightbulb rubbed his hands together pleadingly. "Come on, Uncle Shen. Can't you take me there? Ten kilometers is a long way. What if something happens to me along the way..."

Shen Xueyong spat on the ground. "You need me to escort you for ten kilometers? What next? You want me to feed you too?"

Lightbulb looked miserable. "But this is the New Land! If I run into another aberrant creature, I really won't be able to handle it."

"We are close to the Proper Land here. There aren't any particularly powerful aberrant creatures around."

"That red dragon we ran into was quite powerful! It nearly killed me."

"What red dragon?" Shen Xueyong looked at him with disdain. "That was just an earthworm! I wouldn't even need a knife to deal with it!"

"Uncle Shen, you must have seen it wrong! How could that thing possibly be an earthworm? Every time it moved, the mountains shook and the ground cracked!"

Shen Xueyong was practically at a loss for words. "I am a Physique Cultivator! My original form is an earthworm! You think I can't recognize one when I see it? You are a grown man, and you had the nerve to come adventuring in the New Land. Shouldn't you at least have some real skills? And even if you don't, couldn't you show a little courage? There's only one road to Blue Poplar Village. If you are any kind of man, walk there yourself! If you are really too scared, go bow, kowtow, and beg someone else to take you. I am done serving you!"

Shen Xueyong finally sent Lightbulb packing. The old hunter was a skilled and fearless man who had earned quite a reputation among his fellow hunters. Back when Li Banfeng first ventured to the Orange Grove, it was Shen Xueyong who had given him directions. Taking Lightbulb along on his hunting trips would not only cost him money but also make him a laughingstock.

Left with no other choice, Lightbulb gathered his courage and followed the map Shen Xueyong had given him, making his way toward Blue Poplar Village.

He encountered several aberrant creatures along the way, but after spending some time learning from Shen Xueyong, he wasn't nearly as frightened of them anymore. Some were timid enough to be scared off, while others were intelligent enough to be reasoned with. As for those that couldn't be frightened or reasoned with, Lightbulb greased the soles of his feet and took off running without a second thought.

By the time Lightbulb reached Blue Poplar Village, the sight of houses and villagers was enough to lift his spirits.

Now this was a place fit for human beings! It might have been a little run-down, but it was far better than the New Land.

Lightbulb was in high spirits, and his confidence soared. If I can make it through the New Land, what else can possibly stand in my way? Puluo Province is just nothing!

During these past several days in the New Land, Lightbulb had been living on dry rations with Shen Xueyong. Li Qi had given him two cans of food, but even those had been stolen by an earthworm.

Up ahead, the delicious aroma drifting from a noodle shop caught his attention. Lightbulb followed the smell inside, pulled up a chair, and settled down at a table. "Bring me a menu," he told the waiter.

When the waiter heard that he wanted a menu, he knew immediately that this guy had never been to this noodle shop.

"Sorry, sir, we don't have a menu. Just tell us what you would like to eat. We might not have any fancy delicacies, but I promise you won't be disappointed with our home cooking."

Lightbulb nodded. "What's the best dish you've got?"

"We're a noodle shop, so our specialty is mutton noodles."

"How much?"

"Twenty! Same fair price for everyone! Would you like a large bowl or a small one?"

"I will have a large bowl, with extra mutton."

The waiter looked surprised. "You want extra mutton?"

Lightbulb chuckled. "What's the problem? I'll pay extra for it. And bring me a couple of side dishes while you're at it."

The waiter was taken aback again. "You want to order side dishes too?"

Lightbulb frowned. "Don't you know how to cook a few simple dishes?"

The waiter gave him a sheepish grin. "Just tell me what you would like, sir."

"I will leave it to you. Just make me a couple of your tastiest dishes!"

"Coming right up!" The waiter happily hurried off to the kitchen while the other customers stared at Lightbulb in surprise.

Lightbulb could tell there was something unusual about their reactions, and he had a feeling this meal wasn't going to be cheap.

Even if it is not going to be cheap, how expensive could it possibly be?As long as they don't go overboard, I will just pay up. But if they try to rip me off, I will settle things with my fists! What have I got to be afraid of? I am a Dark Ability User! In Puluo Province, I should be called someone with cultivation!

Lightbulb picked up his chopsticks, determined to eat to his heart's content today!

An hour later, Lightbulb emerged from the noodle shop wearing nothing but his boxer shorts, his face covered in cuts and bruises.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the noodles would be sold by the strand and the mutton by the sliver. Getting his money back was out of the question. At this point, Lightbulb was just hoping he could persuade them to give him another piece of clothing.

The shopkeeper stood at the entrance with a kitchen cleaver in hand. He wiped the blood from his face and grinned at Lightbulb. "Would you care for another bowl of noodles, sir?"

The two had fought a vicious battle. If they had fought to the death, Lightbulb might not have lost. However, Lightbulb thought that a meal was not worth risking his life over. Besides, he had been badly outnumbered. Who could have guessed that everyone in the shop worked for the owner?

Once he was some distance away, he looked back at the noodle shop and spat on the ground.

Just wait until I get back to the Border Control Office and tell Commissioner Liao what happened! I will make sure this rotten shop of yours gets torn down! But how am I supposed to get back to the Border Control Office?

There were horse-drawn carts waiting at the village entrance. Lightbulb approached one of the drivers and asked, "Got a ride to Greenwater City?"

The driver grinned. "Getting to Greenwater City is easy enough, but have you got any money? All that you have is a pair of boxer shorts. Why? Are you planning to pawn those too?"

"Take me to Greenwater City, and I will pay you double the fare when we get there," Lightbulb offered.

The driver laughed. "And what if we get to Greenwater City and you haven't got a penny to your name? Who am I supposed to collect my money from? You expect me to bring you all the way back here? Look, young man, you are still young and healthy. Why don't you find yourself some work and earn a little money? Aren't you embarrassed, wandering around the village entrance in nothing but your underwear?"

The other cart drivers nearby started laughing at Lightbulb too.

Lightbulb gritted his teeth, leaped behind the driver, and seized him by the throat with one hand.

After what had happened at the noodle shop, Lightbulb had figured it out. He understood now that if he wanted to survive in Puluo Province, he couldn't act like a nice guy!

Seeing this, the other cart drivers rushed over and shouted, "What do you think you're doing? You can't afford the fare, so now you're trying to bully your way onto the cart?"

"I never said I wouldn't pay! Once we get to Greenwater City, I will pay you double the fare. I am going to ask you one last time. Are you giving me this ride or not?"

"Easy there, young man! Calm down!" the driver pleaded. "I know you are having a rough time. I was only joking with you earlier! Forget double the fare. Even if you don't pay me a penny, what's the harm in giving you a ride? I have got a fur coat in the cart. If you don't mind wearing it, you can put it on for now. I happen to be heading to Greenwater City to pick someone up anyway, so I will give you a lift while I am at it!"

Lightbulb let the driver go. In Puluo Province, it seemed like fists really did speak louder than words.

The driver set off at once, traveling from afternoon until late into the night.

"Young man, I have got an urgent job to take care of, so we will have to travel through the night. If you are tired, feel free to get some sleep in the cart."

Lightbulb acknowledged him, but there was no way he would dare to fall asleep. He kept his eyes wide open throughout the journey, never once letting the driver out of his sight.

As they passed over a hill, the driver suddenly cracked his whip. "Hold on tight, young man!"

The moment he finished speaking, both horses pulling the cart raised their front hooves at the same time.

The cart lurched violently, throwing Lightbulb to the ground. He tried to get up, but the fur coat the old driver had lent him wrapped tightly around his body like a rope, leaving him completely unable to move.

The old man drove off, leaving Lightbulb behind. Oil seeped from all over Lightbulb's body, making him slippery enough to wriggle free of the coat.

He concentrated the oil beneath his feet and was about to chase after the old man when a group of men suddenly rushed down from the roadside and surrounded him.

Their leader was a dark-faced man named Kang Qihai, who had once served as a branch master at the Jiangxiang Gang's hall in Greenwater City. On the night Li Banfeng massacred the Jiangxiang Gang, Kang Qihai had been away on business and narrowly escaped the bloodbath. He later gathered the surviving members of the gang and all of them became bandits.

Lightbulb had never imagined the old driver could be so wicked as to bring him straight into a bandits' den!

Surrounded by a group of fierce-looking bandits, Lightbulb puffed out his chest, tugged at his boxer shorts, and declared, "I haven't got a penny on me! Take a good look. What could you possibly steal from me?"

Kang Qihai looked him up and down and chuckled. "Well, aren't you a handsome young fellow?"

Lightbulb froze. What does that mean?

The bandits around him burst out laughing. Such things weren't exactly uncommon among mountain bandits.

The bandits tied Lightbulb up and dragged him back to their stronghold. Everyone assumed their chief only wanted to have a little fun with him, but Kang Qihai had far more serious intentions.

He didn't touch Lightbulb that night. The next day, however, he arranged a wedding feast at the stronghold, kidnapped a matchmaker from a nearby village, and even prepared a bridal sedan chair and a wedding chamber.

He was actually planning to marry Lightbulb, complete with a proper wedding ceremony!

Dressed in bright red wedding robes with a red bridal veil covering his head, Lightbulb was tied up and placed in a bridal sedan chair. The bandits carried him from outside the stronghold through its gates, going through every step of a traditional wedding ceremony without skipping a single one.

That evening, Kang Qihai was in high spirits, drinking and celebrating with his men. From inside the bridal chamber, Lightbulb could clearly hear them shouting and cheering as they played drinking games.

What am I going to do? He will be coming to consummate the marriage any minute now! Should I try to escape?

Lightbulb had already tried. Breaking free of the ropes was easy enough, but getting out of the stronghold was another matter. Greasing the soles of his feet would indeed make him go faster. However, if he tried to escape, the bandits would surely catch him before he made it halfway. The first reason was that he would run out of oil, and the other was that he didn't know his way around.

As the main hall gradually fell quiet, Lightbulb prepared to fight to the death.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps approached, and Luo Zhengnan entered the bridal chamber with a dozen or so men.

Lightbulb peeked through a gap in his bridal veil and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Did they switch the groom? Where is Kang Qihai? And what happened to all the bandits working for him?