Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

The wild boar had been digging for an hour, creating a five-meter-deep pit without finding any trace of the Pioneer.

Undeterred, he climbed out of the deep pit, planning to rest on the wilderness floor, when he noticed a slender woman halfway out of the ground, using her dozen arms to apply makeup.

She was a Centipede Woman, an old acquaintance of the wild boar.

The wild boar barked angrily, "I haven't left yet, how dare you barge in?"

The Centipede Woman laughed, "Old Pig, look carefully. I still have one foot outside the boundary line, which doesn't count as entering the plot. But come to think of it, you've been searching here all night; it's time to make way for others."

The old boar snorted coldly, "What's the rush? There's still more than half a day left!"

According to the Local Deity's rules, within a plot with a radius of one li, only one mythical creature was allowed to enter and test the Pioneer at a time, with a maximum stay of one day and one night.

Before that, if anyone wanted the wild boar to leave early, only two situations would permit it: one was if the Pioneer couldn't beat the wild boar, resulting in total defeat with the boar emerging victorious.

The second was if the wild boar couldn't overcome the Pioneer and decided to give up the testing and leave the field.

Neither of these scenarios seemed likely at the moment.

Because no one was fighting the wild boar.

So they just had to wait patiently.

The wild boar resumed his digging until evening arrived. When time was up, he left reluctantly.

"If you ask me, there is no Pioneer here. The Local Deity is just deceiving us," the wild boar complained.

The Centipede Woman sneered, "Go complain to the Local Deity then. Tell him there's no Pioneer here, and perhaps the Local Deity will reward you handsomely."

The wild boar had no interest in bickering with the Centipede Woman. He glanced back at the barren land, his eyes filled with discontent.

"If you're not capable, then get lost quickly," the Centipede Woman couldn't help but urge him. "This type of tricky Pioneer, who knows how to use magic—you definitely won't be able to catch them. Wait until next time when you find one without any tricks; then you can try your luck again."

The wild boar didn't wander far; he sat near the boundary line, silently watching. He wanted to know exactly where the Pioneer was.

Once the Centipede Woman entered the plot, she did not thrash around wildly like the wild boar. After carefully observing the terrain, she shook her body and released dozens of small centipedes.

Seeing this, the wild boar roared, "Only one person at a time is allowed in! You brought so many children; that's breaking the rules!"

The Centipede Woman sneered coldly, "Take a good look with those big eyes of yours! Are these my children? These are my legs!"

The Centipede Woman was missing more than half of her legs, as they had transformed into those small centipedes.

With even the slightest movement within the land, nothing could escape the Centipede Woman's gaze.

...

Inside the Portable Residence, Li Banfeng was bored to death.

The practice of a Traveling Cultivator could be sustained temporarily by Elixirs, but their innate restlessness couldn't be suppressed.

He wanted to go out and walk around.

The Phonograph also urged him to go out, "My lord, after resting for so long, it's about time to go out and buy groceries."

Li Banfeng stepped out the door, only to be met with a wave of intense malice.

The Centipede Woman, who had been lying in the middle of the plot resting her eyes, sensed the presence of a stranger. She immediately opened her eyes and crawled toward the direction of the Portable Residence.

If only she hadn't lost too many legs, which slowed her down significantly.

Li Banfeng's reaction was swift; he immediately shut the Portable Residence's door.

The Centipede Woman came up empty, unable to find any trace of the Pioneer.

The Phonograph sniffed the air and said to Li Banfeng, "It seemed like there was a worm trying to crawl in just now, my dear. Let her come if she wants; Little Servant isn't picky."

"What's so good about worms? They have hard shells, too many spines, and barely any meat."

The wife chuckled lightly, "It's that whore Red Lotus who eats meat. Little Servant feasts on Souls; I don't mind the spines."

Li Banfeng wasn't worried about the worm. He was worried about the Local Deity catching him and accusing him of cheating.

Better not to wander outside rashly. It's rare to have a few days of peace at home.

Li Banfeng sat at the table, picked up a cup of tea, and slowly browsed the newspaper.

...

One more day until the grand opening of Hundred Joy Gate, but Yang Yanzheng still had not managed to bring Ma Wu over.

"Miss, I've been to Blue Poplar Village three times. Young Master Wu is definitely not in the village. He's gone to New Land."

"What's he doing in New Land? Hunting? He's already the Leader of Blue Poplar Village, what's he hunting for?" Chu Er expressed deep skepticism.

Skepticism was of no use; Yang Yanzheng truly couldn't find Ma Wu.

"We shouldn't have let him have it easy in the first place. We should have had him begging on the streets; then he wouldn't have so much attitude!" In a fit of anger, Chu Er stabbed her own face with a dagger, creating a hole.

After stewing in silence, Chu Er directed her anger at Yang Yanzheng, "You found those useless people, not one good for anything. Ma Wu was originally without influence, and those wastes of space couldn't even handle him!"

Having said this, Yang Yanzheng felt the need to defend himself, "Miss, if it were just dealing with Ma Wu, those few would have been enough. Who knew that Li Qi would appear halfway through? That's where they met their downfall."

Li Qi... Chu Er always reminded herself to pay attention to this person but always ended up overlooking him inadvertently.

After a moment of silence, Chu Er suddenly smiled, "He is indeed an interesting character. Let's invite him over on the opening day as well."

"I already did. I sent out the invitations at once. Li Qi isn't in the village either; he went to New Land with Young Master Wu."

Chu Er dabbed some powder on her wound. "Both of them went together? Didn't leave anyone to watch the house? Is there some treasure in New Land?"

While she pondered this, someone announced that the second son of the Lu Family, Lu Yuanhai, had come to visit.

Chu Er frowned slightly, somewhat guessing the other party's intention. She ordered the maid to make tea and had Yang Yanzheng invite the guest in.

Lu Yuanhai was twenty-five, two years older than Chu Er, who always called him Brother Hai.

"Brother Hai, have you come to bring me a congratulatory gift today? Don't say I'm greedy. When you started your business, I gave you a red envelope with a thousand Ocean Dollars. Now that I'm starting mine, shouldn't you give me two thousand?"

Lu Yuanhai smiled, "Never mind two thousand, Sister. At your word, I wouldn't mind giving twenty thousand."

Chu Er responded with a tender smile and feigned annoyance, "Brother Hai, you're not just teasing me to make me happy, are you? I tend to take things to heart very easily."

Lu Yuanhai nodded and brought up the main topic. "Sister, I truly am here to give you money.

"Hundred Joy Gate is the Lu Family's business. In the end, the business of the Lu Family should return to the Lu Family. You should understand what this means."

"I don't understand," Chu Er lowered her head, her eyes gazing up at Lu Yuanhai. "I have the housing and Land Deeds of Hundred Joy Gate in my hand, so why must it be said that this is your Lu Family's business?"

Lu Yuanhai sighed. "Sister, I'm aware of what Second Uncle did. That's why I've brought you money.

"You gave him eight hundred thousand Ocean Dollars. I'll give you that sum, the same eight hundred thousand Ocean Dollars, to buy back Hundred Joy Gate."

"Eight hundred thousand?" Chu Er sneered. "You say you'll buy it back and it's done? I invested so much of myself, sold so much of my property. How can this account be settled?"

"One million!" Lu Yuanhai was generous. "That's the most I can offer on my own accord. If you're still unsatisfied, I can go back and discuss it with Uncle Qiu. Huai Yuan, I'm sincere enough, aren't I?"

"Your sincerity is enough," Chu Er smiled faintly, lit a cigarette, and took a drag. "But I have no interest in selling. Even if you offered two million, I wouldn't sell. Hundred Joy Gate is mine. It bears the Chu name now; it belongs to me, Chu Huaiyuan.

"Tomorrow's grand opening, Brother Hai, if you think highly of me, come and support the event. If not, let's pretend we don't know each other."

Lu Yuanhai sat silently for a moment, put on his coat, and left.

He was gone, but the matter wasn't over. In the evening, Chu Huaiyuan's older brother, Chu Huaijun, arrived.

"Huai Yuan, Hundred Joy Gate belongs to the Lu Family; it's best if we don't get involved. Lu Yuanhai came to me today, saying they are willing to pay a premium to take back Hundred Joy Gate. Just do a good deed and return it to them."

Chu Er was not convinced. "Big Brother, when we divided the family assets, it was clear that if the family had to deal with a big issue, I would follow your lead. For minor things, we would each decide on our own. What, has the rule changed today?"

"The matter of Hundred Joy Gate is a big issue!"

"Business matters are my own affairs; Big Brother doesn't need to worry!"

Chu Huaijun's brows furrowed. He was a bit angry now. "Fine, Sister Er is capable. Big Brother shouldn't worry about this. But one thing we have to make clear: Hundred Joy Gate, you took it over. It has nothing to do with the Chu Family."

Chu Er smiled, "Don't worry, even if the sky falls, it won't involve Big Brother!"

Chu Huaijun stood up and said, "Huai Yuan, I want to remind you once more: even though the Lu Family has had its troubles, it hasn't fallen yet."

…

Next evening, the Singing Empress competition at Hundred Joy Gate was about to commence.

Chu Er selected twelve popular singers to perform in turns.

She chose sixty distinguished guests from various major families and prepared six bouquets of roses for each. Guests could give flowers to the singer they liked, and the one with the most flowers would be the Singing Empress of the night.

Besides these sixty distinguished guests, three hundred seats were reserved for other prominent figures of Greenwater City.

For the rest of the guests, whose status was somewhat lesser, Chu Er also reserved scattered seats.

The band arrived early, the singers walked the stage several times, and reporters and photographers were also in place.

The second-floor dance floor was all set, and the first-floor banquet hall was ready with a feast for the end of the competition.

Chu Er prepared not just a feast but also cleaned rooms on the third floor. The Singing Empress could sing on stage and in the rooms as well. On the grand opening day, Chu Er had made significant investments, aiming to start off with a big success.

According to Chu Er's plan, the competition would start at seven in the evening.

At six-forty, not a single guest had arrived.

Chu Er became so anxious her scalp tingled, instructing Yang Yanzheng to quickly send people to invite the guests.

Yang Yanzheng sent out the people, but by seven-twenty, still, no one came!

The Singing Empress competition just flopped.

The band and singers were all waiting on stage.

Chu Er sat under the empty stage, looking somewhat dazed.

At seven-thirty, finally, a guest arrived.

Monkey Qiu entered the dance floor and took a seat.

Just him alone.

In a dance floor that could accommodate a thousand people, only one person came.

Chu Er looked at Qiu Zhiheng and asked, "Uncle Qiu, what do you mean by this?"

Monkey Qiu looked surprised. "I'm here to support the event. You're having a grand opening today; I accepted the invitation and even brought you a gift."

Chu Er gritted her teeth and said, "Uncle Qiu, Hundred Joy Gate was taken over by me. It's mine."

Monkey Qiu looked even more astonished. "I never said it wasn't yours. When is the competition starting? I haven't even given out my roses yet."

…

In Blue Poplar Village's New Land, the nearly frozen Centipede Woman retreated from the plot and, shivering, sat down next to the wild boar.

The wild boar hadn't been waiting here the whole time. He'd gone hunting, feasted, and was now ready to come back and enjoy the show.

The Centipede Woman wiped her nose. "If you ask me, there's simply no Pioneer here."

The wild boar snorted with laughter. "Go on then, go and complain to the Local Deity."

The Centipede Woman had failed. A golden eagle entered the plot, flapping and walking intermittently, seemingly able to find some traces.

…

The next day, at seven in the evening, Hundred Joy Gate didn't have a single customer.

Chu Er didn't know what method Monkey Qiu had used to make everyone afraid to come to Hundred Joy Gate.

Hundred Joy Gate had just opened but was nearly as good as closed.

To say there was no difference at all wouldn't be quite right.

Singers, bands, waiters, odd-jobs workers—all of these cost money.

Chu Er silently watched Yang Yanzheng.

Yang Yanzheng bowed his head in silence.

Wen Hongyan sipped from her glass, held with her elbow.

She now understood why Chu Er had insisted on getting Ma Wu to manage Hundred Joy Gate.

But now it seemed that even if Ma Wu had been there, it wouldn't have changed anything.

Maybe that's why he had been avoiding Chu Er all this time.

…

The dejected golden eagle left the plot, and the Light Halo around the plot's Boundary disappeared.

The wilderness challenge had ended!

Two hours later, Li Banfeng emerged from the Portable Residence.

The reason he waited two more hours was because Li Banfeng wasn't sure if he had indeed succeeded in pioneering.

Looking up at the sky, it seemed as if a Light Halo was being projected down, but it wasn't very noticeable.

Li Banfeng wanted to change his perspective, perhaps to see it more clearly. He took a couple of steps, slipped, and nearly fell into a pit.

Who dug such a huge pit here? And so deep too?

This pit was dug by the wild boar.

Li Banfeng thought he saw some Light Halo in this pit, which was over five meters deep, as well.

It wasn't Light Halo; it was the shimmer of water.

There was water in the pit!

PS: Li Banfeng held the readers tightly, asking with deep emotion, "Whose grand opening is the most spectacular?"