Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 920 - 522: Pure and Delicate Feng Daiku

Feng Daiku wants to be the Local Deity of the Soda Kiln.

This matter isn’t new; in Puluo State, whether it’s Proper Land or New Land, the Local Deity often changes hands depending on who’s more capable.

Li Banfeng held Pine Bridge territory, and also took Mountain-Uprooting Master’s New Land. Bei Wushuang’s territory could be obtained anytime; these three territories were all seized by Li Banfeng.

Now Feng Daiku wants to take the Soda Kiln territory but proactively asked Li Banfeng about it, which puzzled Li Banfeng, as it seemed unnecessary to seek others’ permission.

Feng Daiku explained: "The Soda Kiln territory is different from usual. The Local Deity here is named Shi Gongxing, he’s a Cloud-top Artisan. He not only controls a Hundred Miles of Land here but also guards the Inner State entrance, which is that pool we just saw. Hence, ordinary people can’t touch this land, or it will anger the big figures of Puluo State."

"Who are the big figures you mentioned?"

Feng Daiku said: "Peddler is one of them, and Shi Gongxing’s master is another."

Li Banfeng heard from Elder Yao that the Soda Kiln was originally Grandpa Train’s territory. After Grandpa Train was promoted to Above the Cloud, he divided the territory among his disciples, making Shi Gongxing one of Grandpa Train’s disciples.

Feng Daiku continued: "I’m not someone who doesn’t know restraint. If Shi Gongxing can guard the Inner State entrance, I absolutely won’t seize this territory. However, with the current situation, Young Master Li has also seen that the Inner State and Outside Provinces are about to go to war here, yet the Local Deity is nowhere to be seen,

letting incompetent people occupy their positions, the Soda Kiln is bound to face great calamity, implicating the entire Puluo State."

These words ring true; a war is about to start here, yet no Local Deity has shown up, which indeed doesn’t make sense.

Li Banfeng asked: "So Miss Feng, if you become the Local Deity, how will you handle the entrance of the Inner State?"

Feng Daiku replied: "For Puluo State, I will strictly ensure confidentiality, preventing anyone with ill intentions from causing trouble here. As for the Inner State, I will rigorously defend it, not allowing them to set foot in Puluo State."

Feng Daiku’s attitude greatly impressed Li Banfeng, who also expressed his stance: "Miss Feng, since you have the capability, feel free to demonstrate it. If anyone asks, I’ll convey your intentions accurately."

Feng Daiku understood Li Banfeng’s meaning, smiled in gratitude, then disappeared to prepare for taking over the Soda Kiln.

Li Banfeng and Ma Wu wandered around the factory. Although it was his first time here, Li Banfeng was not unfamiliar with the factory’s layout. He could distinguish between the workshop, warehouse, and coal depot.

As they walked and talked, Ma Wu said: "Old Qi, I estimate Luo Lijun might not succeed; the Outside Provinces have reduced the Inner State People to mere skeletons, while the Inner State pulled over fifty outsiders to die with them. Things have reached this point; it seems this battle is inevitable."

Li Banfeng stopped, looked around, and asked in a low voice: "Old Five, do you think the war between the Inner State and Outside Provinces is really about this perch?"

Ma Wu was taken aback: "The Inner State People died here, isn’t this a big deal?"

As a native of Puluo State, Ma Wu had deep-rooted perceptions about Inner State People.

Li Banfeng truly did not consider this a big deal: "Can’t Inner State People die? Is this situation really as significant as imagined? Isn’t Luo Lijun already tamed by you? Do you think Inner State People are really that special?"

Ma Wu recalled the whole process; indeed, managing the Inner State People was not ordinary: "Actually, at first, I didn’t want to touch her. I was honestly a bit afraid."

Li Banfeng chuckled: "Afraid of what? Her appearance, or her stature?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "Her stature isn’t something to fear, not bigger than Yanzi. I quite like her appearance too."

Li Banfeng thought about Luo Lijun’s appearance and couldn’t help but shiver.

Ma Wu continued: "I was actually afraid of her identity as an Inner State person. But Miss Feng kept encouraging me, saying the more afraid I was, the less I should spare her.

Miss Feng was right, I indeed shouldn’t have spared her. When it came to battle, the more afraid I was, the stronger my fight became. The more strong she appeared, the harder I struck; defeating those who frighten me made me feel reborn."

Li Banfeng pondered the entire process and shivered again: "So you’ve been promoted?"

Ma Wu nodded: "This battle was extremely significant for me. I need a few days to recuperate and to deeply reflect on this battle.

But Inner State People truly care about their kin’s lives. The Outside Provinces killed this perch and left it living like a skeleton; such provocation, Inner State definitely can’t tolerate."

"And what if they provoke? If Inner State couldn’t stand it, they would’ve resurrected this perch long ago."

"Resurrect?" Ma Wu was stunned, "Inner State has this ability?"

Li Banfeng nodded: "As long as they can retrieve the soul, the Inner State has methods to bring someone back to life. Right now, the soul of this perch is housed within the skeleton, Inner State hasn’t resurrected this perch, instead letting it continue its ghostly existence. Do you really think Inner State cares about this fish?"

Ma Wu began to comprehend some implications: "So, the war between Inner State and Outside Provinces has nothing to do with this perch?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Not entirely unrelated; like a fuse and explosives, the fuse creates sparks and noise, but it isn’t the dynamite,

explosives have long existed between Outside Provinces and Inner State. Inner State has always sought opportunities to wage war on Outside Provinces, and now with this perch as the fuse, naturally, they’ll use it significantly to ignite the explosion."