Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Ma Wu accepted the invitation but did not agree to attend the banquet.

Yang Yanzheng glanced at the staircase and said with a slight smile, "Master Wu, I heard that you've had a friend over, a rather capable individual. Could I be introduced to this person?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "My friend is not here today; you should come back another day."

Yang Yanzheng nodded and smiled. "It seems that your friend truly possesses considerable skills. Young Master Wu, on the young lady's birthday, I'll be waiting for you."

Upon leaving Blue Poplar Village, Yang Yanzheng hastened all the way. He reached Greenwater City in less than fifteen minutes, demonstrating the strength of a Fourth Layer Traveling Cultivator.

When he reached Miss Chu Er Chu Huaiyuan's mansion, Yang Yanzheng recounted the entire event.

Miss Chu Er pricked her fingertip with a silver needle, slowly pulled it out, sucked on the bloodied tip, then pricked another finger.

"He didn't agree on the spot and even said he would consider it?"

Yang Yanzheng nodded. "That was his response."

Miss Chu Er scoffed. "Does he think that killing those ruffians settles the matter? He considers himself a clever man; does he really need me to teach him something so simple? On my birthday, if he doesn't come, tell Song Jiason that Ma Wu was hunting in Blue Poplar Village's New Land and hasn't delivered his goods. I have evidence."

Yang Yanzheng bowed slightly, saying respectfully, "Song Jiason is someone who treasures wealth as much as his own life. If he learns about this, Young Master Wu may find it hard to escape calamity."

Chu Huaiyuan laughed coldly. "That old dog Song Jiason wouldn't dare kill Ma Wu, but he will take half of Ma Wu's life. I gave Ma Wu a chance, and he refused it, so he only has himself to blame for losing this half of his life. People need to suffer more to appreciate what sweetness is."

「...」

Li Banfeng sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes.

The more he rubbed, the more excited he became, rubbing his eyes until they were bright red, yet he didn't want to stop.

His body was regaining sensation. His eyes could feel, and so could his hands.

HISS.

The record spun gently on the turntable, and the Phonograph softly sang, "Husband, why did you eat so many elixirs yesterday?"

This question required a careful answer.

Li Banfeng replied solemnly, "Elixirs are greatly nourishing. I thought consuming them couldn't possibly be harmful."

HISS.

DA-DA-DA-DA! HALT!

A flurry of drums sounded, and the Phonograph continued to inquire, "Husband, why do you need to nourish yourself?"

"Because I've been overworked lately."

"Husband, you're inquiring about what has overworked me?" the Phonograph persisted.

"It's all for the sake of supporting my family."

"Husband, with your current wealth, is making a living still difficult?"

HISS.

The Copper Lotus Flower, busy with alchemy in the outer room, broke out in a cold sweat for Li Banfeng.

He must not let slip the matter of his Traveling Cultivation! If he did, it would mean Li Banfeng's doom, and no one would ever be able to leave this place!

Li Banfeng replied calmly, "Wife, do you really think I acquired Lu Dongliang, a Ninth Layer Traveling Cultivator, by sheer luck?"

DA-DA-DA-DA! HALT!

The Phonograph's tone grew warmer. "Such a precious ingredient cannot be simply found by chance; surely, husband, you fought hard to claim it. It was thoughtless of this little servant to ask. Please don't be upset. However, for my husband to haphazardly consume so many Gold Yuan Pills truly puzzles this little servant."

Li Banfeng's tone remained even. "Last night, I encountered a formidable enemy. I was unable to defeat or shake him off. In desperation, I swallowed thirty-eight Gold Yuan Pills, intending to enhance my cultivation level by one layer to fight him again. Yet, after consuming the pills, I was stricken with the Pill's Poison. I was no more capable of fighting than before; instead, I couldn't even move. Thankfully, with the Arrow Homing Skill, I managed to return home."

As he recounted this, Steam swirled constantly around Li Banfeng, revealing no anomalies.

It was testing whether Li Banfeng was lying.

In fact, Li Banfeng was telling the truth.

The formidable enemy was the backlash from his cultivation level.

The Phonograph caressed Li Banfeng's cheek. "Kind sir, this little servant has told you many times before: elixirs are of no use to your Home Cultivation. Why do you not believe me?"

Li Banfeng scoffed. "Every other Taoist Sect consumes elixirs; why can't I? I have always felt that you were deceiving me."

Steam coiled around Li Banfeng's body, tenderly spiraling. "Silly husband, who else in the world truly cares for you as this little servant does? Although the Gold Yuan Pill does not benefit your cultivation, at the very least, it can strengthen your body. The elixirs refined by Red Lotus are far purer than ordinary ones, with less toxicity. Since they have been consumed, so be it. But my dear, never consume elixirs from elsewhere again. Some Pill's Poison is not so easily resolved. My dear, you should heed my words; they are all for your own good. With all my heart and devotion, I care for you..."

Between the tender whispers, lethal intent was hidden; the Phonograph was continuously probing whether Li Banfeng had spoken the truth.

But suddenly, the Steam halted below his waist.

"My dear, are you feeling... gratified again?"

Li Banfeng sighed lightly. "With my wife caressing me like this... it's beyond my control."

"These pants, weren't they just washed the day before yesterday?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I've worn them for two days; it's indeed time to change."

"You make light of it! It's not you who does the washing!" the Phonograph flared up in anger, Steam enveloping the room. "All day you speak of consummating our marriage! With such scant prowess, what could you possibly achieve if we truly did!"

Li Banfeng quickly changed his clothes and left the Portable Residence.

"Oh, ends of the earth~ and horizon far, I search and search for a kindred soul~"

The Phonograph sang a tune, starting to launder Li Banfeng's clothes.

In the outer room, the dew on the Copper Lotus Flower gradually disappeared.

The Tang Sword uttered a cold scoff, muttering to itself, It seems there are things even the Lady is unaware of.

He often accompanied Li Banfeng in battles outside and suspected that Li Banfeng might be practicing Dual Cultivation.

WHOOSH.

The petals of the Copper Lotus Flower slowly bloomed, a whirlwind rising from within the Lotus Heart.

The Tang Sword trembled and recoiled to a corner. I don't know anything, absolutely nothing.

「...」

Back inside the wooden cabin, Li Banfeng glanced at the sky and realized he had slept through the night in the Portable Residence.

Descending downstairs, he saw Ma Wu sitting silently in the living room with a furrowed brow.

Glancing at the newspaper on the table, Li Banfeng feigned surprise. "Turns out the Lu Family has run into trouble!"

More than trouble; Lu Dongliang is dead, though no one but Li Banfeng knows for now.

Ma Wu spread out the newspapers one by one, telling Li Banfeng, "Trouble for the Lu Family means big trouble for the whole of Puluo State. This is the He Family's news. Judging by He Haiqin's attitude, the He Family is ready to fight the Lu Family to the bitter end. It's said even his brother He Haisheng has returned from the Outside Provinces."

He Haisheng? Isn't that He Jiaqing's Third Uncle? If he could return, it meant He Jiaqing wasn't in serious trouble.

Ma Wu brought over another pile of newspapers. "This is news from the Ma Family, all about clearing new land and purchasing territory. The Ma Family now just wants to pull out all their business and money, to avoid entanglements with the Lu Family as much as possible. This is news from the Chu Family. Contrary to the Ma Family, the Chu Family now intends to expand its business. Miss Chu Er has extended her reach to the Hundred Joy Gate; she's looking to fish in troubled waters."

After perusing the newspapers, Li Banfeng nodded. "The situation is chaotic, but it seems to have nothing to do with us."

"It does, and it's a big deal!" Ma Wu pulled out an invitation. "Miss Chu Er's birthday is the day after tomorrow, and she's invited me to her home for the banquet. Tell me, should I go or not?"

Li Banfeng was astonished. "She's still pestering you? She must have real feelings for you!"

"What kind of feelings could she have for me? She wants to use me to involve the Ma Family. Brother Li, can't you see that?"

Li Banfeng really couldn't. "Weren't you kicked out of the Ma Family?"

"But my last name is still Ma!"

"Then just bite the bullet and take the Li surname with me!" Li Banfeng's surname came from the gatekeeper at the orphanage; he wasn't too concerned about such things.

"The surname isn't the key," Ma Wu struggled to express his current predicament. "I just don't want to..."

Li Banfeng said, "You don't want to get the Ma Family involved?"

Ma Wu shook his head. "I'm not thinking about the Ma Family; I'm not worthy. I'm thinking about myself. In the struggle between two powerful families, I'd be like a puppet caught in the middle. Brother Li, you know the consequences. A little pressure from both sides, and I'd be crushed to pieces."

Li Banfeng could imagine Ma Wu's situation, so he simply took the invitation from the table and burned it over the candle flame. "If you've thought it through, then don't go."

Ma Wu looked at the burning invitation. "The Chu Family's manager, Yang Yanzheng, came. He said if I don't go, I'll have to endure all the suffering I've been through before, all over again."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "They're coming for money again? Is this Miss Chu Er that troublesome?"

Ma Wu sighed. "I thought about it all night and couldn't come up with a way to deal with her."

"Then stop thinking. Pack up, and let's go hunting in the New Land. We managed to handle the Straw Moth Lady; surely we can handle her?"

「...」

At the Chu Family Mansion, it was Miss Chu Er's birthday, and guests were waiting in the hall.

But Ma Wu didn't come.

Chu Huaiyuan sat in her bedroom, looking into the mirror, first applying a patch of rouge.

Then, aligning it with the rouge, she plunged a dagger into her own face.

Manager Yang Yanzheng reminded her from the side, "Miss, you have to meet the guests in a bit."

"It won't matter." Chu Huaiyuan pulled out the dagger, wiped the blood from her face, and used a special fragrance powder to stop the bleeding and conceal the wound.

She turned and glanced at Yang Yanzheng. "What are you still standing around for? Get to Blue Poplar Village!"

「...」

Lu Dongjun sat in his residence, silently, for the entire night.

He Yuxiu had sent him an invitation, asking him to come to the Qian Yue Restaurant tomorrow for a banquet to determine, face to face, who was behind Lu Dongliang's death.

Lu Dongjun had called a family meeting because of this. He waited until dawn, but not a single person responded.

Some rumors were true: Lu Dongjun's status within the family couldn't even compare to Monkey Qiu's!

Strategist Wan Jinxian reminded him, "Master, if you are absolutely certain of your safety, a trip to Qian Yue Tower wouldn't hurt. But if not, you absolutely must not go."

Lu Dongjun wasn't sure, but was not going an option?

How would he establish himself in the Lu Family from now on?

He turned to Wan Jinxian with a smile. "Old Wan, I'm tired and want to rest a bit. You stand guard for me. Let nobody enter my room, not even to bring food."

Wan Jinxian was startled. "Master, are you planning to..."

"Just do as I say." Lu Dongjun returned to his bedroom, took out a stone lion over a foot tall from the closet, and placed it by the door.

He removed a false tooth from his mouth and put it into the lion's mouth. The lion's two eyes lit up.

As long as the false tooth wasn't removed, the lion's eyes would stay lit. Apart from Lu Dongjun, others couldn't easily enter or leave the room.

With preparations made, Lu Dongjun took out a necklace.

「...」

At noon, He Yuxiu had booked the entire Qian Yue Restaurant, waiting for Lu Dongjun to attend the banquet. Many dignitaries from both families had also arrived.

He Yuxiu sat at the main seat, donned in a thick leather overcoat, and instructed her servant to play a tune.

The servant took a record, put it on the phonograph, and played "Full Moon and Blooming Flowers."

She wanted to soothe the rage in her heart, but even after several songs played, the anger wouldn't subside.

If Lu Dongjun confessed truthfully today, things might be mitigated. If he dared to slander He Yuxiu again, she was prepared to take his life.

After waiting for more than a quarter of an hour, He Yuxiu looked at the Lu Family's members and said, "Is Lu Dongjun a man or not? If he doesn't dare to come today, then he's guilty! Lu Dongliang must have died by his hand!"

Before she finished speaking, a servant came up to deliver a message, "Aunt, Master Lu has arrived."

"Good, let him come up quickly, let him..." He Yuxiu paused. "Who did you say has come?"

"Master Lu, Lu Dongliang!"