Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

I couldn't just linger in my Portable Residence; I needed to stay in the estate to resolve the karma.

The paper girl was one I had meticulously drawn, stroke by stroke, pouring a great deal of effort into her. As long as she didn't engage in combat, she could last for over three hours.

I had her patrol the estate and immediately raise an alarm if anything happened.

I then placed various Magical Treasures beside me and hung the Month Plate directly in front of me.

The elegantly poised Meng De bowed deeply and asked Li Banfeng, "Sir, which song would you like to hear?"

"No songs. Set up the clock face."

Listening to her sing, I could be drawn into a dream state at any moment. Meng De certainly had potent abilities.

Meng De set up the clock face in front of Li Banfeng, who then sat down to wait.

Was that fortune-teller speaking truth or falsehood? If he dares to deceive me, the next time I see him, I must have a good chat with him. What should we talk about? Should we fight directly, or discuss things reasonably? Can I pry the location of the city gates from his mouth? In Fool's City, trying to trick a Foolish Cultivator—wasn't I overestimating my own abilities? Don't think about it. I can't think about it; thinking just gives me a headache.

After waiting for nearly two hours, Li Banfeng began to feel drowsy. Suddenly, a bone-chilling coldness washed over him, making him shiver and become instantly alert.

A person had appeared beside him—it was that fortune-teller.

"What are you doing here?"

The fortune-teller smiled and said, "I've come to help you break the curse."

"Isn't it enough if I just stay here for a day and a night? What curse is there to break?"

"Just staying like this won't do. If you want to get through this day and night safely, you'll need a talisman."

"Are you here to sell talismans? Fine then, name your price."

The fortune-teller shook his head. "I've told you, I don't want your money. I only value fate. Young man, give me your hand, and I'll draw a Way of Painting talisman for you. With this talisman, the Resentful Spirit in this house won't dare to touch you."

"There's a Resentful Spirit in this house?" Li Banfeng's eyes twitched. If there really was a Resentful Spirit, he would definitely be able to see it.

"The Resentful Spirit in this house is always watching you, but you can't see her. The karma you bear originated from her, and this calamity fated in your life also stems from her. If you make it through this day and night, the karma will be repaid, and the calamity will also dissipate. Once, I was just like you, trapped in Fool's City for a lifetime because of a chain of karma. I've been helping you all along, not asking for anything, only hoping you won't follow my old path."

The fortune-teller took out a brush, dipped it in ink, and looked at Li Banfeng with a sincere expression.

Li Banfeng extended his hand. Just as the fortune-teller was about to draw the talisman on it, Li Banfeng suddenly asked, "How many years were you trapped in Fool's City?"

The fortune-teller sighed deeply. "Twenty-two years, six months, and eight days."

Li Banfeng nodded.

BANG!

He punched the old man in the nose.

The old man, clutching his nose, said, "What gives you the right to hit someone?"

I had thought my punch wouldn't connect with the old man, but I didn't expect that this tangible ghost could actually feel pain.

"Old ghost! Earlier you said twenty-eight years, seven months, and three days. In the blink of an eye, it changed to twenty-two years, six months, and eight days! You lie without even blinking, damn you!"

The two of them started fighting on the spot.

This old man wasn't much of a fighter; under normal circumstances, Li Banfeng could have knocked him down easily.

But the situation wasn't normal. Whether he punched or kicked, his movements were completely off.

It wasn't a lack of strength or speed; he had simply become clumsy. Every strike was poorly timed and badly executed.

If my moves aren't working, so be it! I'll just fight recklessly. I'm in my twenties; I can't possibly lose to an old codger like you!

Grabbing hair, gouging eyes, scratching the face... Li Banfeng, relying on his youth, fought the fortune-teller to a stalemate.

Clock Pendulum darted forward and slashed the fortune-teller twice, but the cuts weren't deep. She even accidentally scraped Li Banfeng in the process.

Knowing her Martial Arts were poor, she quickly turned back and urged the Tang Sword, "Come help!"

The Tang Sword sighed. "With my aim as it is today, it's best I don't act. I'm afraid I'd hit our lord by mistake."

This was no joke. Clock Pendulum specialized in draining and spraying blood, while the Tang Sword was purely a combat Magical Treasure. If he struck Li Banfeng with his blade, it could genuinely cost him his life.

None of the Magical Treasures dared to act rashly. Only Meng De still had some confidence. She shouted at the fortune-teller, "You're despicable!"

The fortune-teller sighed deeply. "A young man beating an old fellow like me... *that's* despicable!"

A pang of guilt struck Li Banfeng, and the fortune-teller seized the chance to land another kick.

Meng De's attempt had failed. Who else could help Li Banfeng?

At the critical moment, he had to depend on the Wine Gourd.

The Wine Gourd was a Mental Cultivator and had far more combat experience than Blood-Thirsty.

"Blood-Thirsty, find his heartstrings!"

This was the jargon of Mental Cultivators; "finding an opponent's heartstrings" meant using Technique to control their thoughts.

The Wine Gourd whispered to Blood-Thirsty, "Our Taoist Sect's Techniques primarily focus on unsettling the mind, which should have similarities to Foolish Cultivation. Even if we don't have the advantage, in terms of pure Technique, we might be able to contend with it."

Upon hearing this, Blood-Thirsty immediately prepared her Technique.

Seizing the opportunity, the Wine Gourd smacked the fortune-teller on the head with the Gourd.

Blood-Thirsty looked at the Wine Gourd. "All that talk about Techniques..."

The fortune-teller swayed, dizzy, and Li Banfeng seized the opportunity to land another kick.

Having taken that kick, the fortune-teller had no intention of fighting anymore. He tried to flee but was grabbed from behind by the paper girl.

The fortune-teller was shocked. "Miss, what are you doing, clinging to me like this? Have you no sense of propriety..."

Li Banfeng spat. "You're the one who benefited, yet you dare to scold her? You're coming with me!"

The old man broke free from the girl's embrace and noticed bits of paper falling off her body.