Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

According to Lu Dongjun, Lu Dongliang was injured by He Yuxiu.

As far as Qiu Zhiheng knew, Lu Dongliang's cultivation level was above He Yuxiu's. The battle had taken place at the Lu Family Mansion, so there was no reason for Lu Dongliang to lose to He Yuxiu.

Even if Lu Dongliang had been careless and accidentally lost to He Yuxiu, he surely would have found a way to retreat safely. At the very least, he should have been able to find a place to hide temporarily and not have disappeared without a trace as he had now.

Could the Master have really met with an accident?

Qiu Zhiheng sent men to investigate the He Family, but for the time being, there was no response.

Truthfully, what Monkey Qiu was most concerned about right now was not the He Family, but Lu Dongjun.

Why did Lu Dongjun appear at the residence last night? Who allowed him to come?

Qiu Zhiheng asked Zuo Wugang, who shook his head and sighed, "Head Qiu, this is the Master's family affair; how dare I inquire into it?"

Qiu Zhiheng didn't blame Zuo Wugang. He blamed himself for being careless.

Though blaming himself, he kept his composure and clearly assessed the current situation.

The disappearances of Xiao Yeci and Lu Chunying aren't a big deal. Zhuo Yuling and Lu Xiaolan have also gone missing; that's somewhat more urgent, but still not a pressing emergency. The most critical matter is Lu Dongjun. If he finds Lu Dongliang first, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Lu Dongjun had his men search all over Greenwater City but found no trace of Lu Dongliang.

However, some of his intentions had already been noticed by those around him.

Lu Dongjun's strategist, Wan Jinxian, reminded him, "Second Master, the search for the Eldest Master can be left to us. Right now, the most important thing is to guard against an attack from the He Family. A family cannot be without a leader for even a single day. Someone must step up and take charge now."

This suggestion aligned perfectly with Lu Dongjun's own thoughts.

Take charge of the family, seize the position of Family Head!

Lu Dongjun instructed, "Go and inform the elders and our peers to gather at the Lu Family Mansion for a meeting."

Wan Jinxian reminded him again, "Is it appropriate to go to the Lu Family Mansion?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Important Lu Family members always held their meetings at the mansion. The rules hadn't changed for many years, and Lu Dongjun didn't understand Wan Jinxian's meaning.

Wan Jinxian spoke more bluntly, "The Eldest Mistress is still in the Lu Family Mansion, and don't forget Monkey Qiu."

Lu Dongjun suddenly realized.

The Lu Family Mansion is Lu Dongliang's home. If we discuss matters there, my influence might not surpass my sister-in-law's, let alone the head butler's.

"Have them come to my residence for the meeting. Tell them the situation is urgent; anyone in Greenwater City must arrive before noon."

Lu Dongjun returned to his residence and prepared for the noon meeting.

I've waited for this day for a long time. Although not finding Lu Dongliang makes me uneasy, my first move will still be successful as long as the family members obey my orders, stop searching for him, and focus on dealing with the He Family. My second move will be to personally find Lu Dongliang, eliminate him, and then frame the He Family. For the third move, the Lu Family will unite against our common enemy and defeat the He Family. With such great merit, I will take the seat of Family Head. I've planned these three moves countless times; I'm confident of success.

But by noon, there was a problem with his first move.

None of the Lu Family's elders or peers showed up.

No one showed Lu Dongjun any respect; no one came to his residence for the meeting.

Instead, two elders went to the Lu Family Mansion and visited several of Lu Dongliang's sons.

Lu Dongjun's cheeks twitched.

Even though Boss Lu is in trouble, the family's attitude towards me hasn't changed. No one respects me. Even if Lu Dongliang's corpse is found tomorrow, it probably won't be my turn to become Family Head.

Li Banfeng had been operating the road roller for several days and was in high spirits. He planned to catch up on sleep this afternoon and then go to the New Land again tonight to retrieve the Glue Mud he hadn't collected before.

Upon entering his Portable Residence, Li Banfeng found that the Copper Lotus Flower had bloomed. Atop the Lotus Heart were two Lotus Seeds; one was ripe and ready to be peeled off, while the other was still refining.

After Li Banfeng peeled off the Lotus Seed, the petals quickly closed. After an anxious wait of half an hour, the Lotus Seed finally burst open.

This time, it wasn't just one or two Elixirs that burst out, but a handful—thirty-eight in total!

The golden beads glistened brilliantly. Each one was full and plump, too many to be held in a single palm.

"What Elixir is this?"

WHIRR... The Phonograph replied, "My dear husband, these are Gold Yuan Pills. One pill is equivalent to a hundred days of cultivation. This handful of Elixirs is enough for you to establish a considerable fortune."

One Elixir for a hundred days of cultivation? Such precious Elixirs can't be sold. I'll keep them for myself! But I have to take them without my wife knowing. Normally, Home Cultivation practitioners aren't supposed to enhance their cultivation level with Elixirs. If the Phonograph finds out I'm consuming Elixirs, it might expose that I practice Dual Cultivation, combining Traveling Cultivation and Home Cultivation methods.

Li Banfeng was quite excited. "How did these Elixirs come about? Were they refined from Lu Dongliang?"

WHIRR... "It's too soon for Lu Dongliang. These were refined from that insect."

That insect? The Straw Moth Lady!

Li Banfeng gathered the Elixirs and handed them to the Phonograph.

My wife deserves the greatest credit for killing the Straw Moth Lady, so it's only right for her to distribute the Elixirs.

WHIRR... His wife chuckled, "My kind husband, although Elixirs of such quality are indeed rare, your little servant still doesn't care for them."

Li Banfeng was somewhat puzzled.

Thirty-eight Gold Yuan Pills! Each pill is equivalent to a hundred days of cultivation. If I consumed them all, I could advance my cultivation by an entire layer. And the Phonograph doesn't even want them?

A cloud of Steam swirled around Li Banfeng. The Phonograph's voice emerged from it, "Husband, you cherish your little servant so dearly, yet I always feel somewhat indebted."