Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Cui Tiq stopped laughing.

In the entire Puluo State, very few people knew of his Taoist Sect. How could this beggar possess such insight?

Cui Tiq decided to kill him.

The beggar looked at Cui Tiq and asked, "You've eaten my pus. What will you use to repay me?"

Cui Tiq, ready to strike, retorted, "I cured your illness. Aren't you happy?"

The beggar shook his head. "You consumed such green pus. Is the water of Greenwater Bay still green?"

Cui Tiq shivered and instantly lowered his head. He then realized that he couldn't possibly kill the person before him; he shouldn't even meet his gaze.

"You, you are..."

The beggar smiled. "Do you know who I am now?"

"You... you are the master of Greenwater Bay."

"And?"

The green pus churned within Cui Tiq's body as he sensed the man's other identity.

"You... you are... the Foremost Ancestor of my Taoist Sect..." Cui Tiq stumbled backward, then fell to his knees with a thud, pressing his forehead to the ground, begging for the beggar's forgiveness.

"Great Foremost Ancestor, I harbored no disrespectful thoughts! Though my actions were disrespectful, that was only because I was ignorant of your identity! I implore your forgiveness, I implore..." Cui Tiq trembled violently. Blisters of various colors erupted all over his skin, continuously bursting and covering him in green fluid.

Passersby were nearby, but at this moment, they couldn't see Cui Tiq or the beggar. Though still in Blue Poplar Village, the beggar's influence had placed them beyond the range of normal human perception.

"I thought the Cultivators of the Taoist Sect had died out. I didn't expect you to still be around," the beggar sneered. "I should have left you to be buried with them. But seeing you have some talent, I'll spare your life. Hurry up and leave. The farther, the better."

Cui Tiq staggered to his feet and fled.

Pus constantly flowed from his body, and he kept sucking at his skin, desperate to prevent a single drop from hitting the ground. To let it fall would be desecration—a blasphemy against the Foremost Ancestor of the Taoist Sect.

The beggar continued towards the southern end of the village, this time choosing a less crowded path. If he reached the village limits without anyone offering him alms, Blue Poplar Village would be struck by a terrible plague, one that would then spread throughout all of Greenwater Bay. His calculations were proving correct; under normal circumstances, no one in Blue Poplar Village would give alms to a beggar. He walked all the way to the edge of the New Land, and still, no one offered him so much as a grain of rice or a single copper coin.

The beggar watched the village silently, a faint smile playing on his lips. Pustules erupted on his skin one after another, each tipped with a speck of green pus. Seeing a group of young people heading to the New Land to hunt, he decided they would be his first targets. His figure once again vanished from sight, unnoticed. Even if someone had wanted to offer him alms now, he wouldn't give them the chance.

His pustules burst one by one, green fluid on the verge of seeping into the air. Suddenly, a cold wind swept through, dispersing the noxious substance entirely. Who could do this? the beggar wondered, startled. This is Greenwater Bay! Who here could possibly dispel my Technique? He scanned his surroundings fiercely, but the sharp glint in his eyes had noticeably dulled. He couldn't see anyone, but he heard a voice.

CLANG! CLANG!

The sound made the beggar tremble. How is he still nearby? Didn't he leave? Even if he's here, I'm not afraid. I'm acting according to the rules.

"A cart full of good merchandise, an old, reliable name! Once I break even, the rest is practically a giveaway—pick whatever you like! Do you want to buy something?" The Peddler's voice sounded right beside the beggar's ear.

Though prepared, the beggar still shuddered and responded, "I don't want to buy anything today."

"If you don't want to buy anything, then go home. What are you doing wandering around outside?"

The beggar replied, "According to the rules, I can come out once a year."

"I didn't say you couldn't come out. But according to the rules, after three people have given you alms, you should leave."

The beggar argued, "Only two people have given me alms. Two eggs, a few steamed buns—they're all here."

"Three people. I saw them all. One of them cured your illness."

The beggar was still trying to argue. "That doesn't count as alms."

"It does. Isn't treating your illness considered alms?"

"He didn't give me anything. I didn't receive anything from him. That can't count."

"I think it can."

"It can't."

"I think it can."

"It can't..."

"Don't fucking push your luck when I'm being nice." The Peddler's tone changed.

The beggar didn't argue any further. His figure silently vanished as if he had never been to Blue Poplar Village. Aside from the part absorbed by Cui Tiq, not even a drop of pus remained.

The Peddler stood in the wilderness, his back against his cart, lost in thought.

Why did the Greenwater Beggar come to Blue Poplar Village to beg? He knew no one in Blue Poplar Village would give him alms. Did he deliberately want to bring disaster upon Greenwater Bay? Greenwater Bay is his territory. Why would he do such a thing? Was he trying to destroy his own foundation?

「Inner State.」

It was probably a promise from the Inner State. The price they offered must have been substantial for the Greenwater Beggar to willingly give up his own turf. Of course, I shouldn't jump to conclusions; it could also be the Outside Provinces. The Greenwater Beggar might not be the only one who received a promise. Who else could there be?

The Peddler pushed his small cart and walked deeper into the wilderness.

...

Li Banfeng returned from Greenwater City and went directly to the original site of the Song Family Mansion.

The original mansion had been leveled by Li Banfeng with a road roller. Rebuilding it was out of the question now. Thankfully, Blue Poplar Village had plenty of able-bodied men. As long as he paid, workers were easy to find. While a mansion couldn't be built quickly, they managed to erect several rows of wooden huts.

At the very front, in the middle of the first row, stood the most spacious wooden hut: a dance hall. Flanking the dance hall were taverns, and next to the taverns were restaurants. Beside the restaurants was the Granary where Ma Wu stored his goods.

The spending pattern of a Hunter returning from the New Land in this area was as follows:

First, he would go to Ma Wu's place to sell his goods, undoubtedly lining his pockets with a good sum of money.

With money, a hearty meal was a must, and the restaurant was right next door.

While eating, everyone would gather to chat, sharing tales of their life-and-death experiences in the New Land. One meal would inevitably not be enough, so they would surely head to the tavern for a few drinks.

After a few drinks, as the alcohol took effect, merely boasting with friends wouldn't be thrilling enough. One could always switch venues and blow off some steam in other ways.

The dance hall was just beside the tavern.

If one wasn't into these Western novelties and preferred something traditional, that option was also available. Ma Wu had moved the Ji Qing Group to a building behind the dance hall.

The Troupe Master of the Ji Qing Group had initially refused. However, after Li Banfeng visited the Ji Qing Group daily for five days, lecturing and teaching the girls to sing, the Troupe Master finally relented and accepted Ma Wu's kind offer, moving the troupe over.

The Hunters indulged in every kind of entertainment here. After they had their fill of dancing and music, they could retire to the several rows of wooden huts at the back, all of which were inns, offering plenty of space for activities.

Ma Wu named this place Mengchun Garden.

Any Hunter venturing into the New Land, as long as he brought money into Mengchun Garden, was guaranteed to spend every last bit of it.

Even if he only had a single Huan Country Banknote left in his pocket, a girl would offer a parting kiss, making him willingly hand over that last piece of money!

A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it through righteous means. In Mengchun Garden, every penny spent was spent willingly!

The dance hall was all set up, but one thing was still missing.

Li Banfeng had gone to Greenwater City specifically for this item.

He had purchased a Windmill Phonograph from the Beautiful Voice Record Player Shop.

Xiao Chuanzi and the others set up the Phonograph. The back window of the dance hall faced directly into an air current, perfect for the windmill. As the windmill began to turn, so did the Phonograph. Li Banfeng placed a record on it.

This record was special. It was a song specially commissioned by Ling Miaosheng and recorded by the Singing Empress, Jiang Mengting, to celebrate the grand opening of Ma Wu's business.

Jiang Mengting's voice was incomparably sweet, the melody playful and lively, the rhythm upbeat. After listening for a short while, everyone couldn't help but start dancing to the tune.

"Mengchun Garden, Mengchun Garden, you are a city that never sleeps! Lanterns lit, music playing, a time of peace and prosperity!"

The dance hall echoed with laughter and cheerful voices. Liu's Paper Horse Shop was the first to send a congratulatory gift.

A paper figure silently walked into Blue Poplar Village.

PS: Greenwater Bay wasn't originally called Greenwater Bay.

Dear readers, have a great weekend! For such an exciting story, please give your monthly tickets to Shala.