Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Ma Wu's dance hall had its grand opening. Chu Huaiyuan made a special visit to offer her congratulations, while Li Banfeng stood in a corner of the dance floor, silently observing Miss Chu Er's appearance.

Deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, a somewhat large mouth, slightly thick red lips, and a rounded face with no sharp angles.

It was impossible to judge her skin tone because her face was caked with too much makeup. Her gaze was inscrutable, her heavy eyeshadow making her appear bewitchingly charming.

As the dance began, guests paired up with the dancing girls and started to dance to the rhythm of the waltz.

Playing this waltz was purely for atmosphere—most of the guests were from Blue Poplar Village, and few knew how to dance.

The dancing girls, also hired from the village, had been trained intensively for two days but couldn't possibly have learned the waltz. Everyone was just trying to make a living, clinging to each other as they shuffled about aimlessly. Nobody really cared, but the sight made Miss Chu Er's scalp tingle. As a lady of high birth, this was more than she could take.

"Young Master Wu, this place really isn't suitable for you."

Ma Wu smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Chu Huaiyuan extended her hand. "Dance with me."

When a lady invites, a gentleman should not refuse.

But Ma Wu didn't want to dance with Chu Huaiyuan; he didn't want any contact with her at all. He was afraid.

He had heard about what happened to Liu Changyu.

The news of Miss Chu Er beating the Mountain Bandits had already made the papers.

Liu Changyu's face, treated by Chu Er as a trophy, was pickling in a bottle.

"I'm sorry, Miss Chu Er, but I've injured my leg." Ma Wu touched his own cheek; he wanted to avoid dancing with Chu Er at all costs.

Chu Er pursed her red lips. "But you seemed to be moving quite briskly while greeting the guests just now."

Ma Wu explained, "I was just putting on a brave face. My right leg has been injured for several days. It's swollen beyond recognition; I really can't dance."

Chu Er didn't press him further and turned her attention to Li Banfeng.

As someone at the Third Layer of Home Cultivation, nearly no one at the event noticed Li Banfeng.

But after Chief Custodian Wen Hongyan gave her a hint, Chu Er felt there was something special about this man wearing a top hat. She noted that even Ma Wu was paying him great attention.

Chu Huaiyuan approached Li Banfeng with a meaningful smile. "Sir, may I have the pleasure of a dance with you?"

Li Banfeng shook his head slightly. "I can't dance."

"Dancing is very simple. I'll teach you."

Li Banfeng smiled profoundly and once again turned down Chu Er's invitation.

First she'd teach me to dance, then claim I took advantage of her, and after that, demand tip money from me. Do you think I'd fall for that? I've been duped like this before!

Chu Er's composure wavered.

In this unconventional dance hall, being turned down twice in a row was a blow to her pride—where could she put her face?

Without another word, Chu Huaiyuan pulled Li Banfeng onto the dance floor.

Why was this woman so overbearing?

If it weren't for the significance of the day, Li Banfeng would really have lost his temper—he couldn't stand extortion from others.

But the business was opening auspiciously; they needed to maintain a festive mood. Li Banfeng suppressed his anger, but he was determined not to give her any tip money.

In truth, he had learned some dance steps at Xianle Dance Hall, and coupled with the solid footing of a Traveling Cultivator, he danced fairly well.

Moving to the music's rhythm, Chu Er spun and found herself before the photographer.

Oh no, the photographer was about to take a picture!

Why did Chu Er have a photographer with her all the time?

In his current situation, being photographed was one of the things Li Banfeng dreaded most.

Li Banfeng suddenly ducked, his hand swiftly darting down to pinch Chu Er hard on the waist.

The photographer couldn't press the shutter. The scene was rather indecorous.

Chu Er exclaimed in shock, "You've got guts!"

Li Banfeng remained calm. "Since I'll be paying tip money anyway, I might as well grab hold of the 'oil' first."

Chu Er, puzzled, asked, "What tip money?"

Li Banfeng smiled profoundly, his eyes, shadowed by his hat brim, glinting with murderous intent.

Chu Er was not at all intimidated by this menace. She twirled, once again bringing Li Banfeng before the photographer.

Li Banfeng, undeterred, gave Chu Er's Peach a firm twist. The scene was too unsightly, and again, no photograph was taken.

A full-body shot was now impossible. The photographer tried for a waist-up shot, but Li Banfeng swiftly spun away, moving out of the camera's frame.

Chu Er looked surprised, seemingly finding the twist rather pleasant and wanting another. She led Li Banfeng toward the photographer again.

Li Banfeng swung Chu Er around, crashing directly into the photographer. The photographer couldn't avoid them in time. The camera fell to the ground and broke, all the film inside exposed.

Chu Er grew angry and tried to steer Li Banfeng into the phonograph.

The phonograph was expensive; it couldn't be damaged. Li Banfeng changed their direction mid-move, causing Chu Er to crash into a pillar in the hall.

The impact was significant. Chu Er staggered, nearly falling.

Yang Yanzheng frowned. Chief Custodian Wen Hongyan licked her arm, poised to strike at any moment.

Li Banfeng sensed the danger, his eyes brimming with an even more intense murderous intent.

Chu Er signaled to those around her not to act rashly, and the two continued dancing in the center of the dance floor.

Ma Wu was sweating bullets on behalf of Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng himself was also drenched in sweat.

Suddenly, Chu Er's nails lengthened, tearing through his clothes and digging into Li Banfeng's flesh.

With another wide spin, Li Banfeng slammed Chu Er into the pillar again.

Their movements were so fast that most people didn't notice, only hearing occasional THUMPING sounds from the pillar.

When the dance ended, Chu Er was covered in bruises, and Li Banfeng's back was Lin Li with fresh blood.

They exchanged bows and returned to their seats.

Wen Hongyan asked, "Miss, do you want me to dispose of that guy?"

Chu Er rubbed the bruise on her shoulder. "It was just a dance, and what a lively one it was. No need to fuss over it."

Li Banfeng drank a glass of wine, then rose and left the dance hall.