Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 917 - 521: Ancestral Master, Just Give In! (Part 2)

The phonograph raised its needle, aiming to pierce the gloves, who dodged repeatedly and said, "Boss, I wasn’t hurt, I’m just thinking this battle was too perilous, shouldn’t we discuss some things properly?"

"We should indeed discuss it properly," the Portable Residence spoke, "In this battle, Ah Tao’s contribution was significant. On the battlefield, adapting to situations, also providing strategies to Ah Qi. With contributions, there should be rewards. Ah Tao, come to the Third Room, I’ve prepared a few good items for you. You can choose what you like."

The gloves shook its index finger and said, "Old Man, we must be fair in our actions. I’m not one to covet merits; I strive to adhere to my duties. In the battle against the Green Flower, the Tang Sword should be credited first, the Old Man second, and the third credit should go to Sister Gourd and the Projector. I’m just a handyman and don’t qualify for a reward."

The Portable Residence said, "Matters of merit and reward can also be handed over to Ah Qi; we should mainly discuss the battle strategy."

The Tang Sword was seriously injured, and Red Lotus had refined an elixir, which the Wine Gourd blended with wine, applying it to the Tang Sword’s wounds. Talking about reviewing the battle strategy, the Tang Sword got a bit excited: "Today’s battle was indeed worth discussing. It was a hard fight, and victory was perilous. Especially that Green Flower’s Begging Bowl, leading the master and us into The Unnameable Place, it terrified us at the time!"

The Portable Residence agreed: "Ah Lu is right; but where did that Begging Bowl go?"

The gloves were very curious: "Yes, where exactly did it go?"

Wine Gourd reminisced: "During the fierce battle, I remember Green Flower clung to that bowl without letting go. How did it suddenly disappear?"

The Portable Residence said, "I’m worried about this too. If this thing is not properly safeguarded, if touched or encountered, it might lead straight into The Unnameable Place, making it difficult to come out. Wouldn’t you agree, Ah Tao?"

The gloves nodded its index finger: "Yeah, this matter needs additional caution. Who took the Begging Bowl away?"

The room quieted down.

The atmosphere was a bit tense, Li Banfeng instinctively touched his wife.

His wife was focused on treating Li Banfeng’s wounds and had no time to attend to the others.

The clock pendulum quietly whispered a few words to the earrings, who shook repeatedly and said, "Sis, it was so chaotic at the time, I really didn’t hear anything."

The Old Man’s voice suddenly lowered: "Ah Ji, what do you say?"

The projector first looked at the gloves, then at the surroundings, his voice slightly trembling: "I used up all the film at the time."

The Old Man continued: "Sickle, you never lie. Where do you say the bowl went?"

The sickle said: "I wanted to fight that beggar to the death at the time, but I’ve seen too few battles, had no chance to strike, and I didn’t see the Begging Bowl either."

The room trembled slightly; the Old Man got displeased.

"Rascals, won’t you admit it?" The Portable Residence’s voice turned hoarse and sinister.

"Old Man, you need to catch a thief in the act!" The gloves maintained a steady breath and spoke calmly.

The Portable Residence angrily said: "Catch him in the act? If I hadn’t knocked him over, how would you have had the chance to act? Aren’t you speaking without conscience?"

The gloves were very dissatisfied: "When you knocked him over, I was still far away. How do you know it was me?"

The two began to argue; a group of people watched silently.

The Tang Sword stepped forward to mediate: "This matter must be made clear; no one can back down!"

The Judge’s Pen yawned and flew to the Ninth Room, lying on the table, covered itself with a newspaper.

After the argument, the gloves admitted: "I took it, but let me clarify: I didn’t want to keep it for myself, taking it is useless; having it with me just brings worry and fear."

The bowl really was taken by the gloves, and what he said was true. The reason he was restless earlier, pacing around, was precisely due to the fear that the bowl might be uncontrollable.

If the gloves were sent to The Unnameable Place by the bowl, he truly didn’t know how to escape.

The Portable Residence asked: "Then why didn’t you want to hand over the bowl?"

The gloves explained: "I took the bowl intending to give it to the boss. If used well, it can defeat enemies and save lives; it’s indeed a rare treasure!"

Simply put, the gloves were afraid the Portable Residence might forcibly take it.

Li Banfeng quite understood: "Old Man, the gloves deserve credit, and I trust him.

As for that bowl, if it indeed serves a purpose, giving it to you is fine!"

The Portable Residence pondered for a moment and said: "Let’s take it out and have a look."

The gloves, facing everyone, spat out the Begging Bowl, which everyone stared at for a long time but couldn’t discern anything special.

After a lengthy wait, the Portable Residence finally said: "This is a key."

Li Banfeng asked: "Is it the key to Green Flower’s residence?"

The Portable Residence said: "Not only that, it’s the key to The Unnameable Place."

Li Banfeng didn’t understand: "Isn’t Green Flower’s residence The Unnameable Place?"

The Portable Residence said: "The place you entered earlier is not his residence; it’s a piece of The Unnameable Place in the Outside Provinces."

The phonograph asked: "Old Man, you say this bowl can open which Unnameable Place?"

The Portable Residence said: "If used properly, regardless of location, it can open any Unnameable Place."

The room fell silent; many still didn’t quite understand, but all felt this thing was indeed extraordinary.

The phonograph sensed the importance of this statement: "Old Man, Green Flower probably doesn’t have this ability, right?"

The Portable Residence said: "He’s learned about thirty percent; there’s seventy percent he hasn’t mastered yet."

Li Banfeng let gloves take the bowl to the Third Room: "Then let’s let Old Man study it slowly."

The projector asked Li Banfeng: "Seventh Guide, I’ve collected quite a bit of Green Flower’s ashes; how should these be dealt with?"

Though burned to ashes, it’s hard to say these things are truly clean.

His wife thought for a moment and said: "Give it to that wench Red Lotus; she might have a way."