Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 521 - 365: Blood Capital

The Sickle and the Phonograph both came from Feng’s Grocery Store; to say they originated from the same place was indeed accurate.

PANT. PANT.

The Phonograph spoke slowly, "When I was in the grocery store, I didn’t notice you. At that time, you probably didn’t have a Spirit Attribute."

The Sickle responded, "I don’t know what you mean by Spirit Attribute, but I remember you, and I remember the songs you used to play."

Li Banfeng was startled and asked the Phonograph, "Does that mean she had a Spirit Attribute while she was in the grocery store?"

The Phonograph was silent for a moment before speaking. "Well, my lord, I wouldn’t claim to be widely knowledgeable, but my eyesight was fairly good. Back in Feng’s Grocery Store, I saw many extraordinary things. If this Sickle truly had a Spirit Attribute, I couldn’t possibly have missed it. This Sickle might truly have remembered some things, but that could only mean it had a bit of Spiritual Energy. There are too many things in this world with Spiritual Energy. Exquisitely crafted objects possess Spiritual Energy, as do naturally skillful creations. Any painting by a high-level Painting Cultivator carries Spiritual Energy. Our family’s Projector and the films it records also carry Spiritual Energy. Objects with Spiritual Energy have memories, but Spiritual Energy is far from a Spirit Attribute. This Sickle only recently obtained its Spirit Attribute. How it came to be, I can’t quite comprehend."

"Phonograph, you just said she is a Self-Born Spirit; what exactly is a Self-Born Spirit?"

"A Self-Born Spirit is an object infused with Spiritual Energy that gained its own Spirit Attribute through nourishment from external spirit sources. Under normal circumstances, Self-Born Spirits are extremely rare. It’s a matter of fate for objects with Spiritual Energy to encounter external Spirit Attributes. Even if they do encounter it by chance, a mismatch between the Spirit Attribute and the Spiritual Energy’s nature means it won’t become a Self-Born Spirit. Instead, it might transform into a demon due to the conflicting spiritual natures."

Li Banfeng listened very intently. When the Phonograph was imparting knowledge, her tone and posture always made Li Banfeng’s heart tremble.

The Phonograph continued, "However, in the residences of Home Cultivation, Self-Born Spirits aren’t so rare. Many House Spirits of Home Cultivators are born from the earth’s Spirit Attribute. Yet, our home has no foundation, so it shouldn’t be able to foster House Spirits. Therefore, my lord, please pull out the brush and allow me to catch my breath."

Li Banfeng closed the rear panel of the Phonograph and sat down seriously next to it.

The Phonograph, in a slow, measured rhythm, sang: "Since it wasn’t born from the house, where did this Spirit Attribute come from then?"

The Sickle hovered around Li Banfeng, seeming somewhat uneasy. "Li Lang, can you stop talking to her about these things? These things related to me—I don’t want to hear them."

She felt uneasy but didn’t know why. She could speak some words, yet couldn’t articulate clearly. This fit the characteristics of a Self-Born Spirit.

But the Phonograph was still not reassured. If the origin of this Spirit Attribute is unclear, it might pose a threat to Li Banfeng’s life. Should I take this Sickle and examine it slowly?

The Phonograph reconsidered, feeling that doing so would be inappropriate. This Sickle is the weapon my lord is accustomed to wielding. If it has indeed become a Self-Born Spirit, it would be a rare treasure. If I question her too harshly, it might corrupt her nature, and she could turn against my lord later. I should test her further. "Little sister Sickle, since we are all one family and share the same meals, the flesh and blood of that person shall be gifted to you," said the Phonograph.

The Sickle looked at the showman.

In the main room of the Portable Residence, upon seeing flesh and blood, every Magical Treasure had a desire to consume; the Sickle was no exception.

The Phonograph encouraged, "Eat, little sister. This is good stuff. Everyone in this room knows it’s good."

The Sickle flew to the corpse, slicing a cut into the flesh.

The showman shivered intensely. The Sickle made several cuts, wanting to eat but not knowing how to begin.

The Phonograph watched very carefully. This is a characteristic of a Self-Born Spirit; there are some methods she hasn’t yet learned. But could it be possible that she’s cunning by nature and deliberately putting on an act?

After much deliberation, the Phonograph said to Li Banfeng, "My lord, bring the Sickle with you. Teach her the rules more often. When not to strike, do not act rashly. During battle, teach her more Techniques."

Keeping a Self-Born Spirit by its master’s side is the best way to cultivate its nature.

In terms of combat ability, Li Banfeng was not worried. Judging from today’s display, the Sickle’s combat experience was quite commendable.

The Phonograph gently tapped the Gourd with its stylus. "Little sister, you have more experience, so put more thought into it. Teach this Sickle, guiding her personally."

The Gourd understood. There’s no need to teach fighting; this Sickle is naturally gifted. The Phonograph wants me to be more vigilant and, if necessary, take action against this Sickle.

Li Banfeng glanced at the peeled skin and spoke to the Clock Pendulum, "We need to make something good, and I’ll need your help in quite a few places."

The Clock Pendulum was intelligent and grasped what Li Banfeng meant. It gathered some scraps of cloth and waste paper to stuff into the skin.

The Phonograph said, "My lord, are you planning to employ the Golden House Hidden Beauty Skill? With his looks, no matter what you do, it won’t turn out beautiful. Nor will the creation have much combat power."

That was the challenge with the Golden House Hidden Beauty Skill: the more handsome the painting or sculpture, the stronger its combat power. Li Banfeng’s craftsmanship was poor. This rendered the Golden House Hidden Beauty Skill his least proficient Technique. Besides, this Bird Person who had been Showing Foreign Films was truly unsightly. Even with the best craftsmanship, he couldn’t be made handsome. Fortunately, Li Banfeng didn’t require it to be able to fight. Just being able to exchange a few words would be enough. After all, Li Banfeng was a Seventh Layer Home Cultivator; achieving this step shouldn’t be difficult.

After more than an hour of work, Li Banfeng exited his Portable Residence and quickly ran back to Black Stone Slope.

Luo Zhengnan was frantic, but upon seeing Li Banfeng safe and sound, his heart finally settled.

"Seventh Master, it’s all my fault! I didn’t consider everything thoroughly. You can punish me however you see fit!"

Li Banfeng waved his hand. "This isn’t your fault. The Jiang Xiang Gang was simply too well-prepared. In a while, I’ll go to their Hall Entrance and draw them all out. You help me with one thing: save all the children."

「Late at night」

A fortune-teller at the alley entrance, yet to close his stall, saw the showman approaching and asked in a low voice, "Old Mei, where’s the cart?"

The showman replied, "Business was successful. Everything has been arranged."

"What about the Hall Master?"

"He’s waiting at the Granary, in Six Warehouses and Five Depots. He has ordered all our brothers to bring the kids and join him."

"All of us join him?" The fortune-teller was quite surprised.

"Those are the Hall Master’s orders."

"What about the Guide Tokens?"

"That’s not for us to worry about."

The showman didn’t explain further, and the fortune-teller, not daring to hesitate, quickly returned to the Hall Entrance.

Before long, two people arrived at the Hall Entrance and asked the showman, "Did the Hall Master really ask all brothers to go? Does that include the brothers at each helm? Shouldn’t we leave a couple to watch the house?"

The showman shook his head. "I don’t know about that. Who am I to question it? The Hall Master left me with one instruction, and I didn’t dare ask for more."

No one dared to delay and hurried to gather their members. Thankfully, there weren’t many people at the Black Stone Hall Entrance to begin with.

The showman said, "I brought back five today. I’ll take them to the Granary first."

After speaking, the showman left. He operated by the rules, and no one doubted him.

Li Banfeng took this opportunity to bring the skin back to his Portable Residence and sprinkled some more blood on it. This was a restriction of the Golden House Hidden Beauty Skill: blood had to be sprinkled within the residence to maintain its Spirit Attribute.

A group of Jiang Xiang Gang Disciples gathered the children they had abducted, tied their hands and feet, blindfolded and gagged them, and stuffed them into a carriage, delivering them all to the Granary.

Arriving at the door of Six Warehouses and Five Depots, the showman stood at the entrance, signaling them to hurry inside.

The Jiang Xiang Gang members lifted the children from the carriage to unload them, but the showman shook his head. "Just leave them at the entrance for now. Wait for the Hall Master’s instructions."

All of them entered the Granary. The showman and Luo Zhengnan then closed, bolted, and locked the Granary doors.

The showman could no longer move. Its Spirit Attribute was exhausted, and its mission was complete.

Luo Zhengnan waited at the door for a moment and saw fresh blood flowing from under it. This blood will easily attract attention. He found some soil and laid it under the door crack to cover the blood. Then, he swiftly drove the carriage, handed the children over to friends, and ensured they were taken home one by one.

By the time Luo Zhengnan returned to the warehouse, Li Banfeng had already taken care of everything. The people from the Black Stone Hall Entrance were all gone; not even a corpse remained.

Some bloodstains were left in the warehouse. Luo Zhengnan said, "Seventh Master, you don’t need to worry about this; I’ll find someone to deal with it. Quickly gather your things. We need to leave Black Stone Slope as soon as possible. I heard that the new Border Defense Envoy is quite a hothead. I’m guessing big trouble is coming within a day or two."

Li Banfeng had long been prepared. "Go to the train station immediately. Return to Greenwater City tonight."

Luo Zhengnan said, "Seventh Master, if you’re not leaving, I absolutely won’t leave."

"You must go; there’s important work to be done." Li Banfeng pulled out a roll of film and handed it to Luo Zhengnan. "Hand this film to Ma Wu. Make sure you give it to him personally. No one else should see it. Tell him only he can watch this film. He will naturally know what to do afterward."

Luo Zhengnan took the film and hurried off to Greenwater City.

Li Banfeng boarded a Little Train, sitting by the window, watching the streetscape.

As they passed one of the Jiang Xiang Gang’s helms, it was pitch dark and seemingly deserted. However, Li Banfeng wasn’t sure if any members had managed to slip through the net.

Passing the Defense Agency, Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat.

He knew the Defense Agency would definitely make a move. He wanted to see just how great a blood sacrifice the Border Defense Envoy was willing to make for the Jiang Xiang Gang.

PS: Blood sacrifice, here, refers to cost paid in blood.