Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

After traveling over a dozen miles, the road grew increasingly muddy, and Li Banfeng spotted Ma Wu's footprints.

His distinctive shoes, with their deep treads, were unmistakable on the muddy surface.

Following the footprints, Li Banfeng still didn't sense any danger.

However, this didn't mean no danger was present. The owner of the Orange Garden had long surpassed a normal human lifespan, and the important figures he spoke of were certainly above him in both strength and status.

At such a high level, Li Banfeng's Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster Skill was essentially useless.

After another dozen miles, Li Banfeng came upon a bamboo forest. From deep within, he could vaguely hear the sound of a zither.

Li Banfeng touched his Sickle and Tang Sword, then his Clock Pendulum and Iron Ruler.

All this equipment was in place, but in reality, it wouldn't be of much use.

At this moment, only two items could prove useful.

One was the Silk-pulling Earrings, which allowed him to hear certain sounds.

The other was the key, crucial for saving his life.

Li Banfeng directed the Silk-pulling Earrings to track the zither music. First, he heard a woman's voice.

"Your friend has arrived."

Then, he heard Ma Wu's voice.

"He's a good person; he has always treated me well."

He heard the woman's voice again, "If he treats you well, he must be a good person. I will also..."

Li Banfeng had only heard half of it when the sound abruptly ceased.

It wasn't because the sound itself was cut off, but because the Pulling Strings of the Earrings had snapped.

In other words, its hook had failed.

Li Banfeng ordered the Silk-pulling Earrings to track the zither music again, but the Earrings were reluctant.

"Master, I can't listen to that woman's voice. A few more words, and this little servant fears my soul will scatter."

Li Banfeng took a deep breath. Following the footprints and the sound of the zither, he ventured deeper into the bamboo thicket, where he saw a small hut built of bamboo.

In front of the hut, a stunningly beautiful woman was playing the zither.

New Land was very dark. In fact, Li Banfeng couldn't see the woman's face clearly, yet he felt she was breathtakingly beautiful, flawless in appearance.

Why he felt this way, he couldn't quite explain.

Ma Wu was beside her, tending a fire with a pot of water boiling over it, though where the water came from was unclear.

Upon seeing Li Banfeng, Ma Wu exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Li, you've finally arrived!"

Li Banfeng nodded. "I'm here. It's time for us to leave."

Ma Wu's eyebrows twitched for a moment, then he shook his head. "I can't leave yet. Miss Feng hasn't fully recovered, and I need to stay and look after her."

"Miss Feng?" Li Banfeng glanced at the woman playing the zither.

The zither music stopped. Miss Feng caressed the strings, looked at Li Banfeng, and said, "Young Master Li, I've heard Wulang mention you. You're a good person.

"Young Master Wu saved my life, and I will definitely repay this debt of gratitude. However, I am not yet fully healed and still require Wulang's care. In a few days, Wulang will return home, so Young Master Li need not worry."

Ma Wu added, "Brother Li, Miss Feng needs someone with her, and I really can't leave. You should head back first."

Li Banfeng replied, "Since the lady requires assistance, why don't I stay as well and help Young Master Ma look after her?"

"That would be rather inconvenient," Miss Feng said, her cheeks flushing.

Ma Wu shook his head repeatedly. "Brother Li, there are many private matters involved; you won't be of help. Listen to me, just go back first."

While speaking, Ma Wu kept staring at Li Banfeng.

He was very clear-headed, signaling to Li Banfeng to leave quickly, or there would be danger.

The zither music resumed. The tune was the same as before, only the tempo was slightly faster.

Listening to the zither music, Li Banfeng suddenly felt dizzy.

Ma Wu cried out, "Miss, Brother Li is my close friend!"

Miss Feng kept her head down, playing the zither with a slight frown, seemingly a bit annoyed.

This time, Li Banfeng felt malice, a very strong malice.

It was a signal deliberately released by Miss Feng.

He was no match for this woman.

He didn't hesitate and turned to leave the bamboo forest.

Reaching the edge of the bamboo forest, Li Banfeng prepared to change his plan and find another way to rescue Ma Wu.

As he surveyed the surrounding terrain, the zither music suddenly drifted to his ears.

Li Banfeng felt dizzy, and Miss Feng's voice sounded in his ears once more:

"Young Master Li, I was seriously injured in a battle and need a man to help me heal.

"Wulang is loyal and righteous, a good lad, and I am fond of him. He truly cares for me, and I have no ill intentions toward him, so you can rest assured.

"As a token of my gratitude, I am giving you something. This is some flesh and blood I took from my opponent during our battle."

As her voice faded, a piece of flesh appeared before Li Banfeng—palm-sized, bloody, and still twitching.

He dared not touch the flesh.

A breeze brought two bamboo leaves, which wrapped the flesh like a zongzi, secured it carefully with a grass stem, and delivered it before Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng took it in his hand. Miss Feng whispered softly, "Hurry now, go..."

Li Banfeng felt a wave of dizziness, and his body moved uncontrollably away from the bamboo forest.

The water boiled. Ma Wu brought a bowl to Miss Feng. "He's my close friend. Please don't harm him."

Miss Feng smiled. "Wulang, rest assured. I am merely sending him back. With my protection on this journey, as long as he doesn't run into that Hua Zi, no one in this New Land can hurt him."

Ma Wu was stunned. "Which Hua Zi are you talking about?"

Miss Feng touched Ma Wu's cheek. "You come from wealth and know little, which isn't your fault. People in this territory are all like this nowadays.

"That Hua Zi is very formidable. Never mind that I'm injured now; even in my prime, I might not have been his match."

When she touched his cheek, Ma Wu shivered, color flooding his face from his cheekbones to the roots of his ears.

Miss Feng chuckled. "Last night, you were so valiant. Why have you become so shy now?"

Ma Wu lowered his head, smiling sheepishly. "Please don't tease me, Miss. How could I be considered valiant? You're keeping me by your side merely for amusement, that's all."

Miss Feng's brows knitted slightly, her eyes filled with an aggrieved sorrow. "Wulang, do you think I've deceived you?"

Ma Wu sighed. "When we first met, I saw you trapped by the Emerald Serpent Vine and rushed to rescue you without a second thought.

"Now that I think about it, with your cultivation level, how could you have been trapped by that level of aberration? Weren't you just toying with me?"

Miss Feng took Ma Wu's hand and placed it over her heart, speaking slowly, "Wulang, I truly didn't deceive you. I was seriously injured at the time and genuinely unable to overcome that Snake Vine. If it weren't for you, my recovery wouldn't have been so swift.

"I will always remember this kindness. Wulang is a Lust Cultivator, and the path of cultivation requires a good physique. I shall grant Wulang a good physique as a form of repayment."

Ma Wu was surprised. "What kind of good physique?"

"You will know soon," Miss Feng blushed, pulling Ma Wu's hand as they entered the cottage.

「...」

Li Banfeng quickly passed through the Little Yellow River and reached the Iron Thread River.

I don't want to move so fast, but I can't stop.

In my mind were countless strands of consciousness, each holding equal sway.

But most of my consciousnesses converged on one idea—I have to return to Blue Poplar Village.

His entire being was focused on heading towards Blue Poplar Village, even forgetting to avoid any risks.

At the Iron Thread River, he shouldn't go any further; continuing would mean falling into the river.

Yet, Li Banfeng found himself rushing toward the river.

A small fraction of my consciousnesses were desperately trying to stop me: Stop, stop, you can't go any further!

I knew I had to stop, but I couldn't suppress the urge to keep walking forward.

I couldn't do anything but move ahead.

Stop!

Stop!

I want to go home!

At the critical moment, the Arrow Homing Skill activated.

Li Banfeng struggled to take out the key.

With limbs almost beyond his control, Li Banfeng managed to unlock the door to his Portable Residence and then desperately threw the key to the opposite bank of the river.

After entering through the door, the Arrow Homing Skill deactivated.

Li Banfeng opened the door, intending to leave again.

I want to return to Blue Poplar Village.

An irresistible thought occupied my mind.

The Phonograph was awake at this moment. The water in her basin had cleared, and she was adding more water to herself.

Luckily, she was awake and noticed something was wrong with Li Banfeng.

"Hey, husband, what's gotten into you?" Steam blocked Li Banfeng's path.

Li Banfeng's face was contorted, his speech slurred as he mumbled, "Feng... that madwoman Feng..."

"Look at you, shameless madman, talking about some woman in front of me?

"Which woman is so insane as to bewitch you into this state?

"Husband, are you possessed or something?

"Who was that woman you just mentioned?

"Could it be that wench Feng Daiku?"

「...」

By the Iron Thread River, the key to the Portable Residence lay on the opposite bank, less than ten centimeters from a wriggling Iron Thread Worm.

An Iron Thread Worm stretched its slender body towards the bank.

When it retracted its body, it swept the key to the Portable Residence into the Iron Thread River, into the torrent of Iron Thread Worms.