Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Even if you're not aspiring to advance, you still need to carry a bucket on your back for at least two hours each day. The Golden Soup in the bucket should be changed at least once every two days. I've already shown you the way. How you walk it is up to you."

Xiao Genzi sat on the ground wailing, while the Peddler continued to hawk his wares.

Ma Wu approached the Peddler and asked, "I'd like to buy some restorative medicine."

"Medicine from the Lust Cultivation?" The Peddler smiled. "Do you want soup, Medicine Powder, or an Elixir? Soups work slowly, Medicine Powders are not long-lasting, and Elixirs are highly toxic—you choose."

Ma Wu bought the soup. The Peddler didn't provide a prescription, only medicine packets—one dose per day. He also warned Ma Wu that they would lose their efficacy if opened.

After purchasing over a hundred packets to ensure he could last until the Peddler's next appearance, Ma Wu was satisfied and began to plan his next phase of cultivation.

Li Banfeng also inquired about medicine.

"Do you have anything that can cure Pill's Poison?"

The Peddler shook his head. "I don't have that."

"Really none?"

"If I had such a treasure, would I still need to push a cart around? Different Elixirs have different toxicities, and there isn't a very good way to neutralize them. Either rely on your physique to endure it or let time wear it down. There are no shortcuts here."

Unable to find a way to cure Pill's Poison, Li Banfeng then asked about something else. "Where is Huo Lang Road?"

The Peddler looked at Li Banfeng, not sure what to make of him. "Do you have no sense of depth? I am the Peddler, and you're asking me where Huo Lang Road is? That's my trade secret. Can I tell you that?"

Li Banfeng said sincerely, "I'll pay."

The Peddler became furious. "Is this about money? This is where I establish myself and build my life. Can I just casually tell others? By asking so crudely, do you respect me at all?"

Li Banfeng pouted. "Is there really no way you can tell?"

The Peddler shook his head. "That's not exactly the case. If you join my Taoist Sect and cultivate to a certain level, I might then tell you some things about Huo Lang Road."

The Peddler has a Taoist Sect? This is the first I've heard of it. Should I join his Taoist Sect and try? I've already joined two Taoist Sects.

After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What would happen if I joined another Taoist Sect now?"

"You'll die." The Peddler's answer was very straightforward.

"Then forget it."

With no hope for learning about Huo Lang Road for now, Li Banfeng bluntly asked another question, "Do you sell Guide Tokens?"

The Peddler was speechless. "Do you think I would sell such vulgar items? No!"

Li Banfeng snorted. "You have nothing, and you still have the face to do business!"

The Peddler wanted to beat up Li Banfeng, but with so many people around, he feared it would ruin his reputation, so he had to bear it.

Ma Wu and Xiao Chuan had both obtained what they wanted.

As for Xiao Genzi, he at least had been taken in by a Sect.

The Peddler's visits were rare. Li Banfeng, the only one to come away empty-handed, was unwilling to accept this outcome.

"I'll buy that iron bucket. Give me two jars of Snow Cream, two pieces of soap, that rice spoon, and that pot. I want the Rouge and Face Powder too. And bring me a few of those Beaded Flowers."

"What does a man need with so much Rouge and Beaded Flowers?" The Peddler was puzzled.

"That's my business, as long as I'm paying," said Li Banfeng, glancing at the red lantern hanging on the Peddler's cart. "I'll take that too."

The Peddler waved his hand. "I can't give you this lantern. I told you last time it was a gift from a friend, and it's not for sale, no matter the price."

The lantern's not for sale.

"What about that feather duster?"

"I use that feather duster to sweep dust!"

"A hundred bucks, will you sell it?"

"No!"

"A thousand!"

"No!"

"Ten thousand!"

The Peddler furrowed his brow. "Why do you so desperately want this feather duster?"

Li Banfeng didn't speak.

He felt as if the feather duster was trying to communicate. He couldn't quite hear what it was saying.

He used his Silk-pulling Earrings to listen, and it seemed to be saying, "Pity me, give me something to eat."

The Peddler looked at Li Banfeng and then at the Earrings he kept clutching in his palm. His brow slightly furrowed.