Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 1010 542: Puluo State's Assets

"You can't tell you!" Luo Yanjun wiped her tears and turned her body away.

Luo Lijun said beside her: "This is just a minor trick of the Blinding Technique."

Luo Yanjun was somewhat defiant: "This is a minor trick for me, but my sister truly has some real skills."

Li Banfeng looked at Luo Lijun and asked: "Can you transform as well?"

Luo Lijun swayed her antennae and came close to Li Banfeng: "Let's not talk about these trivial matters first. Young Master Li, you've saved me with all your strength; Luo is immensely grateful. This sentiment, I hope Young Master Li will accept."

Luo Lijun took out two sets of Contract Books, along with the Land Seal and a map, and handed them all to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng took the map and the Contract Books, asking calmly: "Miss Luo, it seems you've been reinstated in your position."

Luo Lijun sighed: "Whether the position is high or low is not the important thing. On the court, there is a group of petty people, constantly slandering, insisting on a deadly battle with the Outside Provinces,

Ultimately, they just want to use this war to gain fame and fortune without considering the strength and weakness of the forces, nor the safety of the nation."

Li Banfeng listened beside them, his thoughts seemingly not very focused.

Luo Lijun hurried to the point: "The army's defeat temporarily calmed that group of petty people. I hope Young Master Li can mediate, persuading the Outside Provinces to prioritize the bigger picture and stop the war at this point."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly: "Alright."

Luo Lijun had specially prepared a Contract Book: "Young Master Li previously said that discussing matters separately is the clearest, When I was in prison, I repeatedly pondered the words of the young master and found them very reasonable,

I'll imitate the young master's approach and leave behind a Contract Book. Let us discuss the matter separately, and let this war be concluded."

The Contract Book was handed to Li Banfeng, and both Luo Lijun and Luo Yanjun departed.

Li Banfeng, holding the Contract Book, walked out of the factory with a wooden expression.

Arriving at Feng Daiku's residence, Feng Daiku prepared a table of food and drink, and the three of them had a few cups.

Ma Wu laughed: "Now that we're not fighting anymore, we've even gained two territories, everyone is pleased!"

Feng Daiku congratulated the two, while Li Banfeng still showed no expression.

"Old Qi, do you have something on your mind?" Ma Wu asked, "I noticed at the factory earlier; you were quite distracted."

Li Banfeng asked: "Why did Luo Yanjun suddenly transform into a woman earlier?"

Ma Wu explained: "I was playing around with her and her sister; Luo Yanjun transformed into a beautiful girl, saying it was to please me. I know her feelings for me are genuine, but after she transformed, I really don't like it."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Yes, she truly cares for you; I don't doubt this. But Luo Yanjun never speaks directly; I feel there's a deeper meaning in her words."

"Deeper meaning," Ma Wu pondered for a moment, "I really don't like it; no matter how deep, I can't quite say."

"She can transform into a person, and I didn't detect any flaw." Li Banfeng looked seriously at Ma Wu. This matter was crucial for Li Banfeng because he had used the Golden Gaze Autumn Hair on Luo Yanjun earlier but still couldn't detect a flaw.

"Pure-blooded Inner State People cannot step into Puluo State; this was the rule set by the Peddler." Li Banfeng looked at Ma Junyang and Feng Daiku, asking, "If Luo Yanjun entered Puluo State in this way, would we be able to tell?"

Ma Wu remained silent; he could distinguish but his method was too special.

Feng Daiku shook his head slightly: "If I hadn't carefully examined her hair, I wouldn't find those two antennae. If Luo Yanjun changed her attire and brushed past me, I truly might not be able to tell she's an Inner State Person."

Among the pure-blooded Inner State People Li Banfeng had encountered, one took the form of a toad, another the form of a factory, and a pair of sisters were snails; from appearances, they were easily recognizable.

Now that the snail has transformed into a human, Li Banfeng still can't distinguish.

This means Inner State can infiltrate into Puluo State, and it wasn't just Luo Yanjun's unique skill. Luo Yanjun made it very clear that her sister could transform as well.

Out of gratitude towards Li Qi and Ma Wu, this was Luo Yanjun's hint to them; Inner State was mastering a technique.

Li Banfeng took out a document from his chest and handed it to Ma Wu.

After Ma Wu read it, he was very excited: "Outside Provinces waived all our freight fees! Our business can grow big in the future!"

Li Banfeng suggested three conditions; Du Wenming finally agreed to only this one.

The Boundary issue, Outside Provinces absolutely wouldn't relent.

The Three-Headed People's matter, Outside Provinces also did not plan to grant passage.

"Sometimes, those who advocate peace are scarier than those who advocate for war." Li Banfeng muttered.

Ma Wu asked: "Old Qi, what do you mean when you say those who advocate peace are scarier?"

Li Banfeng looked at Ma Wu, asking: "Do you know what an arms race is?"

Ma Wu thought for a moment: "I think I've heard it somewhere; it might be a term from the Outside Provinces?"

Li Banfeng said: "Outside Provinces and Inner State are engaging in an arms race; what should Puluo State do?"

Ma Wu didn't understand Li Banfeng's meaning, Li Banfeng looked worried: "Outside Provinces and Inner State each have their methods, what does Puluo State have?"

...

"Everything that should be here is here, City Lord, please have a look!" Gui Jianchou placed the spoils one by one in front of Sun Tiecheng.

Sun Tiecheng grabbed a handful of Silver Yuan, praising: "Good work, these bird people who set down markers have accumulated so many assets, ultimately leaving them for me."

Gui Jianchou quickly reminded: "Half was taken by Mu Yuejuan. I asked Ah Xiong to handle Mu Yuejuan, but Ah Xiong wasn't skilled enough and couldn't manage her."

"No rush, let her accumulate a bit more for me before dealing with her," Sun Tiecheng was in a good mood, "Ah Gui, I'm a person of clear rewards and punishments; I won't let you busy yourself in vain for this task. Zhang Gunli's soul will belong to you."

Gui Jianchou said: "Thank you, City Lord, for the reward, but his soul has many techniques layered on top; I can't move it for now."

Sun Tiecheng nodded: "Zhang Gunli left himself a backup plan; as long as the soul remains, he definitely has a means of resurrection, just unsure if this means is related to Inner State,

it's not urgent, I'll help you handle it, and he will be your Ghost Servant afterward. You can name him Brother Gun, and besides this Ghost Servant, I have another reward for you!"

Gui Jianchou repeatedly thanked and Sun Tiecheng opened a drawer box, taking out the Red Lotus.

Approaching Zhang Gunli's corpse, the Red Lotus sensed for a moment, opened its petals, and absorbed the flesh and bones inside.

It absorbed them, but no Light Halo appeared on the petals.

Sun Tiecheng frowned and picked up the Red Lotus, asking: "What's wrong, why haven't you started Alchemy?"

The Red Lotus waved its Lotus Leaf and whispered a few words near Sun Tiecheng's ear.

Sun Tiecheng blinked: "You need ingredients? And they have to be Golden Thorn Peaches? You really want something rare,

this thing is hard to find, Ah Gui, I remember, Thorn Peaches only grow on Sage Peak, right?

Ah Gui, where are you going? Ah Gui! Stand still!"

Gui Jianchou tried to slip away quietly but was discovered by Sun Tiecheng.

"Ah Gui, why are you leaving? The Red Lotus told me that Zhang Gunli can yield three Xuanyun Pills; they're priceless treasures, and I was planning to give you one! Don't you want it?"

Gui Jianchou shook his head repeatedly: "City Lord, such precious Elixirs, I don't dare to accept them. That place on Sage Peak, I don't dare to go."

"What are you afraid of! Didn't you just go there recently?"

Gui Jianchou waved his hand: "The situation isn't the same now; Sage Peak has become Knife Labor Ghost's territory, if you send me there, it's like sending me to my death."

Sun Tiecheng crouched on the ground, hands in pockets: "What should we do? Such good Elixirs, cannot lack for Alchemy, such a good place can't remain untouched!"

Gui Jianchou said with a bitter face: "Then you should find another suitable person to go."

Sun Tiecheng picked up the egg beater stick: "There's no more suitable person."

PS: How come Red Lotus needs ingredients for Alchemy?

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