Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 845 - 504: New Land in the Outside Provinces (Part 3)

Li Banfeng asked, "Old Man, can this matter be made flexible?"

Portable Residence immediately refused: "No discussion!"

No matter how many good things Li Banfeng offered, Portable Residence did not agree to let the Phonograph take the battle capability out.

The Phonograph said, "Husband, don’t trouble the Old Man. Even if he releases the Little Servant, it’s inconvenient for her to meet that woman."

Li Banfeng nodded, "I’m worried about that too. I wanted the Projector to create a Blinding Technique so she wouldn’t see the wife."

"Instead of going through all these troubles, it’s better to set some rules with her. While the Cold Cultivator may be indifferent and unkind, she is reasonable."

Li Banfeng set three rules and went outside the Portable Residence to convey them to Feng Yuqiu.

The first rule is to obey Li Banfeng’s orders when he is present.

The second rule is not to leave this residence when Li Banfeng is absent.

The third rule is to follow the instructions of the Blood-Thirsty Pendulum in case of emergencies when Li Banfeng is not around.

These three rules, if violated, would cause the Blood-Thirsty Pendulum to destroy Feng Yuqiu’s Contract Book, resulting in Feng Yuqiu’s soul scattering.

Honestly, these rules aren’t easy to follow, especially the third one. Feng Yuqiu is a Seventh Layer Cultivator, and having her obey a Magical Treasure seems somewhat unfair to her.

But Feng Yuqiu agreed, which is the benefit of a Cold Cultivator; she doesn’t easily get emotional or angry. She trusts Li Banfeng, whatever he arranges is acceptable.

That night, Feng Yuqiu stayed in the guestroom, while Li Banfeng slept in the Portable Residence.

The next morning, Li Banfeng went to the Dark Star Bureau to have Dumpling bring over the black market files.

The Dark Star Bureau had conducted numerous crackdowns on the black market, and as for the Cultural Palace’s black market, it had been raided over a dozen times. Each time, they struck hard and were fruitful, yet not long after, it would resurrect.

Dumpling suggested to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, I recommend we initiate a special operation to completely eradicate this persistent problem!"

"Eradicate?" Li Banfeng shook his head, "If this were a sore, it could be eradicated, but this is clearly a painting — paint and erase, erase and paint, how can you eradicate?"

Dumpling lowered her voice, "I know there’s collusion between the black market members and our internal personnel, and I have gathered some clues."

Li Banfeng shook his head again, "This isn’t collusion, this is tacit approval. Doesn’t Captain Chen teach you these things normally?"

Dumpling lowered her head, her cheeks began flushing: "The captain mentioned it, but I just feel... Never mind, Seventh Master will tease me again."

Li Banfeng didn’t laugh. He seriously browsed through the files, asking Dumpling many questions along the way.

After reviewing the black market files, Li Banfeng asked Dumpling to help him retrieve some documentation on Cold Cultivators.

Dumpling pondered for a moment and quickly brought back a file.

Li Banfeng looked at the title of the file: Ice Sealer.

This file introduced the combat characteristics of an Ice Sealer and some Dark Energy Techniques, also referred to as techniques in Puluo State.

The first technique Li Banfeng saw was Cooling Technique, which resolves high-temperature weapon attacks by lowering temperature, enhancing survival odds in high-temperature environments...

Li Banfeng perused the Ice Sealer documentation and shook his head, "This isn’t Cold Cultivation, this is Cold Cultivation."

Dumpling seemed bewildered, "Regarding cold-related professions, I only know this one."

Li Banfeng said, "Bring me the documents on other professions, I will compare them one by one."

Dumpling brought a pile of documents, and Li Banfeng reviewed them one by one.

Inside the documents she provided, there were introductions to twenty-eight professions. Li Banfeng could match these professions to their respective Taoist Sects based on the descriptions.

However, there indeed were no professions matching the characteristics of Cold Cultivation. Not only was Cold Cultivation absent, but also Feng Cultivation, Mud Cultivation, Gang Cultivation, Grieving Cultivation, Electric Cultivation... many of the less common Taoist Sects weren’t included, not even the Oil Cultivation of Light Bulb, let alone the Foolish Cultivation, a Taoist Sect that vanished years ago.

Li Banfeng said, "Your documents aren’t complete!"

Dumpling replied, "With my current permissions, I can only access this layer of files; higher-level files require higher permissions to view."

Li Banfeng’s expression turned serious, "What level am I now? I’m the Deputy Bureau Chief, and I’m still not allowed to see them?"

"Currently, you don’t have the permissions for classified documents yet; gaining access needs the Bureau Chief’s approval..." Dumpling couldn’t find a more tactful way to say it, so she had to speak plainly.

"He actually didn’t give me permissions?" Li Banfeng picked up the phone and dialed Shen Jingye’s number, "Little Shen, come to my office!"

What’s happening?

He’s summoning Director Shen to his office?

Dumpling’s face turned pale, and she dared not stay any longer. Rising, she said, "Seventh Master, I’ll leave first."

Li Banfeng asked, "What’s the matter, in such a hurry?"

"I have an urgent need to visit the bathroom..."

"Can’t you wait a bit? Until Little Shen comes, finish the matter, then go."

Dumpling vigorously shook her head: "I won’t say anything. Seventh Master, I can’t hold it, really can’t..."

After speaking, Dumpling swiftly left the office. Ten minutes later, Shen Jingye entered with a sullen face, "Director Li, what’s the matter?"

"Little Shen, let’s discuss the issue of classified permissions. Your work attitude needs correction, and your efficiency needs improvement..."

After ten minutes, Shen Jingye granted Li Banfeng the authority to view classified files, but distributing the files would still take time.

Did he grant permission to access all classified files?

Li Banfeng expressed deep skepticism about this.

The power of Foolish Cultivation Technique is unquestionable, but some deeper secrets, Li Banfeng felt he still hadn’t reached.

...

Li Banfeng spent two days checking various documents. In those two days, Feng Yuqiu’s condition was very stable, according to the Blood-Thirsty Pendulum’s account, she sat expressionlessly in her room all day.