Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 669 - 462: Taoist Sect

The Tang Sword at Li Banfeng’s waist trembled. Li Banfeng went to a secluded spot and asked, "What happened?"

"My lord, I just felt a sudden chill," the Tang Sword replied.

Why a chill? Has Green Flower come?

It couldn’t be Green Flower. If he wanted to cause trouble, he’d simply spread an epidemic, and none of the workers would escape.

Moreover, given his status and strength, he wouldn’t need to target a mine, especially not by using such low-level tactics to create a disturbance.

The opponent’s tactics are indeed low-level, risking a confrontation with the Local Deity by playing these despicable tricks.

Ma Wu asked, "Then where did the Coachman go?"

Usually, Ma Wu respected the Local Deity, but today, after encountering a series of problems, he spoke with some irritation.

Upon seeing the Coachman, Ma Wu’s attitude wasn’t much better. "Brother," he said, "we’re doing business here to boost the human energy of your territory. Can’t you put some effort into it?"

The Coachman said, "I do put in effort, I really do! I’ve been circling the mine with the rickshaw for several rounds. But just after I set the rickshaw down, someone stole it. I immediately went looking for it and searched for over an hour. I finally found it, but when I returned, I discovered the mine was in trouble."

Ma Wu didn’t speak and went down the mountain alone.

He truly couldn’t understand why a Local Deity would pull a rickshaw, or why this particular rickshaw had to be with him at all times.

Fortunately, Ma Wu restrained himself and didn’t fall out with the Coachman.

「The next day.」

Ma Wu went to arrange for train parts and also had to contact the buyer to delay the delivery time.

At the railway depot, Ma Wu showed the station master the list of parts Xiao Chuanzi had prepared. He didn’t want to purchase them from Black Stone Slope, as that would take too much time. Instead, he gave the station master a gift, hoping to buy some parts there to use for the time being.

In Loess Bridge, it was usually hard to earn extra money, so the station master was thrilled to receive a gift from Ma Wu and hurriedly called a technician to prepare the items.

The technician searched the warehouse all morning but couldn’t find a single item Ma Wu needed.

The station master frowned. "Impossible! We just dismantled a set of old connecting rods a couple of days ago, which should be compatible with the town’s Little Train."

The technician nodded. "I’m also looking for that set of connecting rods. The warehouse keeper said it was in stock, but it’s nowhere to be found."

The station master quickly apologized, "Master Wu, my subordinates are too sloppy. I’ll go look again. Please don’t worry."

How could he not be in a hurry?

Half a day wasted here, and nothing accomplished. It would have been better to go to Black Stone Slope from the start.

Ma Wu suppressed his irritability with all his might, exchanged a few pleasantries with the station master, and then went to the Renfu Inn.

This was the only inn in Loess Bridge. A representative from the Greenwater City buyer was staying there to handle business dealings with Ma Wu.

Ma Wu went to the inn to apologize. The other party was not new to business and wouldn’t typically offend someone at Ma Wu’s level, even if upset internally.

Yet today, the representative spoke inappropriately: "Master Wu, coal isn’t hard to find. Black Stone Slope, Green Smoke City, and Soda Kiln all have plenty. We came here to buy coal as a courtesy to you, Master Wu, but you keep failing to deliver. What’s the meaning of this? If you don’t want to do business, just say so. It’s not like we’re begging you. Don’t keep jerking us around like this!"

Ma Wu’s cheeks twitched, and he glanced up at the other man.

The man’s outer eye corner split open, bleeding.

"Wh-what are you trying to do?" The man covered his face, looking at Ma Wu in horror.

Ma Wu stood up, his eyes filled with a cold light.

「...」

「Up at the mine.」

A group of workers were shouting:

"Yesterday I mined six dou of coal, I’m not lying! If you only pay for five dou, then this job is impossible!"

"You can’t cheat people like this! I skipped meals yesterday just to mine an extra dou of coal. Now you say the ledger burned? I think you’re just trying to avoid paying us!"

"We’re not working today! You have to give us an explanation!"

Li Banfeng silently left the crowd, found a Quiet Place, secured the key, and returned to his Portable Residence.

After sitting on the bed for a moment, Li Banfeng tried to gather his thoughts.

It would have been better if he hadn’t, because after trying to organize them, his thoughts seemed to spiral out of control.

Ban Feng Yi said, "A person digging five dou of coal is basically at their limit. The wages we offer are more than fair; these people are just Greedy for More! Such individuals must be severely punished."

Ban Feng Bing argued, "That’s not right. Some only dug three dou but were paid for five, while others who dug five dou also got paid for five. Of course, they’re going to be unhappy!"

Ban Feng Ding declared, "Still, they can’t be allowed to cause trouble! The ledger’s lost, so this is the only way to distribute the money. It’s the only way to handle things!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Ban Feng Wu countered, "What do you mean, ’the only way’? ’It is not scarcity that is to be feared, but inequality.’ You’re being irresponsible!"

Ban Feng Ji snapped, "Then you come up with a responsible solution! Don’t just stand there talking; it’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one suffering!"

Ban Feng Geng threatened, "Can’t speak civilly, is that it? Then perhaps we should communicate in a different way?"

Ban Feng Jia announced, "Maintain order! Maintain decorum! No fighting allowed in the meeting!"

The Phonograph beside them tried to placate them, "Maintain order, no fighting. Everyone listen to my husband, and my husband alone."

Hong Ying laughed. "Aren’t all of these your husband? But seriously, I usually only hear two or three Qi Langs arguing. How come so many have popped up today?"

The Phonograph also found it strange. "Not only are there more of them than before, but they’re also more chaotic. It’s as if they’re under the influence of a Technique, yet it’s unclear which Taoist Sect it could be from."

Li Banfeng asked his wife, "My dear, is there a Confused Cultivator involved?"

His wife hesitated for a moment. Li Banfeng seemed to have returned to normal, but his recovery felt a bit too swift.