Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 847 - 505: Ferry Gang

Swish~

A "horse" without legs squirmed out of the bushes and appeared before Li Banfeng and Luo Zhengnan.

This monster has a "horse" head and long hair like a horse. Once domesticated, it can be used as a mount. But it’s not really a horse; it’s a kind of anomaly from the New Land called a Horsehead Butterfly.

Butterflies are usually formed from caterpillars turning into chrysalises, but the Horsehead Butterfly is an exception. It hatches from an egg as a butterfly, a giant butterfly with a horsehead. After a period of cultivation, usually around ten years, the Horsehead Butterfly forms a cocoon and turns into a caterpillar, which is the Horsehead Worm before them.

Horsehead Worms eat both vegetables and meat. Seeing two people by the lakeside, it wanted to improve its food intake. With a surge of power from its waist and abdomen, it was by them in the blink of an eye.

Li Banfeng signaled Luo Zhengnan to stay put, using Traceless Short Step to instantly circle behind the Horsehead Worm. With the steel rope Ling Miaoying gave him, he held the Horsehead Worm’s neck, pulling and tightening. Normally, this would subdue the Horsehead Worm.

In the New Land, Horsehead Worms are more valuable than donkey-headed maggots. Though they’re a bit fierce, Horsehead Worms are strong and fast. A fine one can be sold for 500 Ocean Dollars.

Li Banfeng intended to communicate with this worm, focusing on asking the source of this New Land.

Before Li Banfeng could speak, the Horsehead Worm shook its head with a crack, breaking the steel rope around its neck.

Ling Miaoying’s steel rope can seriously injure an Eighth Layer cultivator.

This worm broke it with just a head shake?

The angry Horsehead Worm charged directly at Luo Zhengnan. Luo Zhengnan didn’t dodge; having encountered Horsehead Worms on this New Land before, he knew his speed couldn’t match the worm.

He was about to use a technique to counter when, suddenly, there was a muffled sound. The Horsehead Worm’s body exploded, leaving only the horsehead flying far away into the lake.

Li Banfeng had used Trample Over Thousands of Rivers on the worm, with quite a bit of force in this kick.

No matter if the opponent is human or a worm, anyone who can break Ling Miaoying’s steel rope is worth Li Banfeng’s full effort.

Li Banfeng fished the horsehead out of the lake, used a sickle to cut open the horsehead’s skin, testing its hardness.

"This skin is much harder than armor. I’ve never seen such a Horsehead Worm in the New Land."

Luo Zhengnan said: "The monsters in this territory are indeed much more formidable than elsewhere. Seventh Master, do you want to go to Iron Gate Fort? I brought dry clothes; let’s change and continue our journey."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "No rush for Iron Gate Fort; it’s a good route, but I can’t open the gate without you around."

"Seventh Master, I came to the Outside Provinces to buy some equipment and will strive to make a key for Seventh Master. I’m familiar with this territory, and the key I make will ensure access in and out."

With subordinates like Luo Zhengnan, no reward feels excessive to Li Banfeng.

The two returned to the lake, swam back to Flower Lake Park, and just before going ashore, Li Banfeng heard crying again.

"Old Luo, have you ever heard a woman crying when you pass through here?"

Luo Zhengnan replied: "I’ve never heard a woman’s cries, but I sensed some changes. It’s not Lost Souls or the living; it feels more like some gate-keeping mechanism."

"Who laid down this mechanism?" Li Banfeng scanned the lakeside villas, with the crying coming from nearby.

Luo Zhengnan replied: "This matter hasn’t been investigated; besides us, others surely know about this New Land."

Back at the residence, they changed into dry clothes, and Li Banfeng took out a check, drawing 10,000 Ocean Dollars for Luo Zhengnan.

Feeling embarrassed to accept it: "Seventh Master, you’ve given me plenty of business, all profitable dealings, so no need to reward me with money."

Li Banfeng smiled and said: "Take it, it’s rare to come to the Outside Provinces, enjoy some leisure days."

Luo Zhengnan really couldn’t stay idle and wanted to buy equipment that very night.

Li Banfeng looked at his watch, "Four thirty in the morning: where are you going to buy equipment at this time?"

"Dongxian Bridge’s Ghost Market is bustling; too early is pointless, too late and they pack up. Now’s the perfect time. Seventh Master, I’ll relay Qin Tianjiu’s matter to Master Wu soon, and regarding the key, expect news from me in the next few days."

Luo Zhengnan left; Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Residence, slept the entire day, and didn’t go to the Dark Star Bureau.

In the evening, Li Banfeng left the Portable Residence and went to the projector. The projector immediately took out a mobile phone and satellite phone: "Seventh Guide, received two calls, both answered as per your request, also a message as per your request."

The calls were from Dumpling and Light Bulb, worried as Li Banfeng hadn’t come to work.

The message was from Chuuni, also concerned about the new Bureau Chief Li, but he was too shy to call.

Shen Jingye neither called nor messaged.

His work attitude has always been problematic; I didn’t come to work, yet he didn’t even ask once?

Li Banfeng left the mobile and satellite phones in the projector, ate something, tidied up, and seeing it was almost time, he went to the Cultural Palace.

The Cultural Palace was showing a gunfight film, mostly Middlemen attending the Black Market today.

When the snack vendor arrived, Li Banfeng was still buying paper, this time the venue changed to Box 202.

Li Banfeng entered the box with tissues, greeted warmly by Yin Si Niang: "Great Boss, here to support my business again?"

Li Banfeng nodded with a smile: "You indeed do good business."

"How’s that girl?"