Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 712 - 473: The Wail in the Basement

Xiao Zhenggong’s thoughts were still fixated on why it was necessary to completely eliminate potential hidden dangers. He had even conceived a set of explanations to make Li Qi realize the gravity of the situation. He intended to tell Li Qi that his friend from the Outside Provinces was in a dire predicament, and if Li Qi wanted to save this friend, what price he would need to pay. Xiao Zhenggong planned to use these explanations to project a relatively friendly demeanor in front of Li Qi, in order to get through tonight’s banquet smoothly.

His train of thought, following the path Li Qi had laid out, continued downward until five bullets pierced his head, bringing his thoughts to an abrupt halt.

It was Ling Miaoying’s pistol, extremely powerful.

After being hit five times, Xiao Zhenggong’s thoughts had almost completely stopped. He quickly stood up and bolted.

The physique of a high-level Martial Cultivator was tough, but how could he possibly outrun Li Qi?

Li Qi caught up to Xiao Zhenggong from behind in just two steps and then, with a flicker, vanished from Xiao Zhenggong’s line of sight.

He had used the Passing Glance technique, but Xiao Zhenggong’s body did not explode.

The reason it didn’t explode was simple: Xiao Zhenggong’s brain was severely damaged. He was unaware of Li Qi’s existence, so the prerequisite for Passing Glance was not met.

At the moment, Xiao Zhenggong had only one thought: he needed to flee for his life, to the safest place he could think of. The safest place was an underground room beneath the lake. He couldn’t think about whether going to the bottom of the lake would expose Zhao Xiaowan or uncover his entire plan. Compared to his life, these things mattered little to him.

It mattered little that Passing Glance hadn’t worked.

Li Banfeng appeared behind Xiao Zhenggong and stomped down hard.

Stone chips and dust flew up. Xiao Zhenggong’s back became a bloody mess, yet he continued to sprint wildly.

Li Qi stomped again, and Xiao Zhenggong’s spine was exposed.

By the time Li Qi delivered the third stomp, the back of Xiao Zhenggong’s head cracked open, brain matter oozed out, and he collapsed, unable to get up.

Li Banfeng touched Xiao Zhenggong’s nostrils. He was still breathing.

Still breathing. Good!

Li Banfeng picked up Xiao Zhenggong, ducked behind the rockery, opened the Portable Residence, and threw Xiao Zhenggong inside.

When dealing with Gu Rusong, Sun Tiecheng had used the Ironclad Evidence as Firm as a Mountain technique, completely destroying Gu Rusong’s Soul.

At the time, Sun Tiecheng had said he feared the Inner State might have a contingency plan.

Xiao Zhenggong also had close connections with the Inner State. If Xiao Zhenggong were already dead, Li Qi would genuinely worry about leaving behind a hidden danger.

Once he’s in my "wife’s" stomach, any potential hidden danger will be completely eliminated.

"Wife, eat while it’s hot!"

Upon seeing Xiao Zhenggong, the Phonograph asked no questions and immediately began to devour him.

Li Qi closed the door of the Portable Residence, put away the key, and lowered the brim of his hat.

Xiao Zhenggong had hoped to destroy the Jiang Xiang Gang himself. He planned to use the method of faking death and then "resurrecting" to transform the Jiang Xiang Gang into the Flying General Camp, thereby whitewashing the notorious Gang.

Li Qi had deduced Xiao Zhenggong’s intentions but wasn’t too satisfied with the "faking death" part.

Don’t fake your death. It’d be so much better if you were really dead! No need to wait for any Flying General Camp. I’ll grant you your wish tonight!

He Yuxiu had already made her move. Li Qi was about to go and provide support when suddenly the Gloves remarked, "Master, there’s something good!"

"What good thing?"

"A treasure of inestimable value, Master! Help me out, and I’ll bring this treasure back for you," the Gloves said.

"Now’s not the time," Li Qi replied, eager to return to the battlefield.

"Master, it will only take a moment; it won’t delay you much. This seems to be something our Old Man really liked. These things have a Spirit Attribute; I’m afraid they might run off on their own," explained the Gloves.

Iron tracks? Now that Xiao Zhenggong was dealt with, the few remaining dregs of the Jiang Xiang Gang wouldn’t be difficult to handle. Sparing some time wouldn’t be a big issue.

Li Qi walked to the front of the rockery and saw two gatekeepers standing in place. He swung his Sickle and slit their throats.

The Gloves entered the cave and saw the Stone Cones on the wall. "These are indeed good things, but they’re not easy to get out," they told Li Banfeng. "Master, use your Path-breaking Technique to open a path for me."

Li Banfeng looked at the Stone Gate beside the Stone Cones. The gate was open. The doorway was pitch black, with stone steps leading down.

What place was this underground?

The basement was soundproofed using a special Craftsmanship Method. Even with the Silk-pulling Earrings, Li Banfeng couldn’t hear anything, yet he still worried someone might be down there.

The Gloves also saw the Stone Gate and whispered, "Master, use even force and don’t make a sound. We don’t want to scare these precious treasures or disturb anyone who might be inside."

Li Banfeng asked, "You also think there’s someone inside?"

After listening for a moment, the Gloves said, "I don’t think there’s anyone, but just to be safe, I’ll close this door first. After we’ve finished our main task, we can deal with whatever’s in there."

Li Banfeng carefully applied his Technique, creating a path beside the Stone Cones.

...

In the basement, He Jiaqing was still maneuvering around Lu Xiaolan.

"Xiao Lan, be good and hand over Zhao Xiaowan to me," he said.

"Zhao Xiaowan?" Lu Xiaolan gritted her teeth. "I *am* Zhao Xiaowan! Come and get me if you have the guts!"

"You are Zhao Xiaowan?" He Jiaqing laughed aloud.

With a calm expression, Lu Xiaolan said, "What, you don’t believe me? I’ve been to the Inner State. Zhao Xiaowan’s Soul has always been trapped there. Her Soul has taken residence in my body, and I’ve also received some of her power. Now, I am Zhao Xiaowan."

He Jiaqing sighed. "Is this the story Xiao Zhenggong concocted for you? He had you impersonate Zhao Xiaowan to help him eliminate the Jiang Xiang Gang, and afterward turn the Jiang Xiang Gang into the Flying General Camp. Then, he would become the leader, and you his famous subordinate general. Is that the plan?"

Lu Xiaolan was shocked. He Jiaqing was correct. He had found her weak spot again.