Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 820 - 499: Soul Stabilization (Part 2)
The phonograph embraced Li Banfeng with a puff of steam, whispering softly: "Husband, don’t be upset. Rest well first.
This challenge is indeed difficult, but we had prepared earlier. Take half an elixir to strengthen your body."
"Why only half? We have plenty of elixirs, is it necessary to be so frugal? Can’t I take a whole one?"
"That won’t do. Not just a whole one, even half is too much." The phonograph took out a Xuanyun Pill, hesitated for a moment about dividing it into a third, then cut off a fifth with the needle and placed it in Li Banfeng’s mouth.
Li Banfeng swallowed the elixir, sweating even more profusely as the phonograph continuously nourished him with steam to help resist the effects of the medicine.
The medicine’s effect was not easy to withstand. His wife once took a Xuanyun Pill and nearly lost her life due to her weak state.
Now, Li Banfeng also weak, found himself almost unable to move after taking the elixir.
In the Portable Residence, his physique recovered the fastest, but after two hours, Li Banfeng’s soul began to drift again.
The Tang Sword took Li Banfeng back to Xiao Yeci’s home; upon entering the bedroom, Li Banfeng collapsed into sleep.
The Gloves expressed concern: "If a strong enemy comes, how will the master defend himself?"
The Wine Gourd replied: "We’ll stand guard, keeping watch nearby. If anyone comes, we’ll hold them off, at least giving the young lord a chance to run back into the house."
The magical treasures took their positions, and indeed, someone came.
The Tang Sword was about to act, but realized the visitor was Xiao Yeci.
"Benefactor, where did you go earlier..." Xiao Yeci had been worried about Li Banfeng, previously visiting several times and noting Li Banfeng was not in the bedroom.
Now seeing Li Banfeng sleeping soundly, Xiao Yeci didn’t dare speak loudly, but watched over him carefully instead.
She wanted to feel if Li Qi’s body was hot, but hesitated to extend her hand.
She shouldn’t touch casually!
But how to know if he was hot without touching?
Xiao Yeci bit her lip, figuring that since no one else was watching, touching once wouldn’t hurt.
As soon as the idea arose, it was quickly dismissed.
What nonsense of a thought was this!
Was this not something seen by others?
The genders must maintain propriety!
While she hesitated, Lu Chunying entered, saying to Xiao Yeci: "Sister Xiu is returning to Greenwater City, let’s go see her off."
"Nannan, you go ahead. The benefactor is ill, I need to take care of him."
Lu Chunying approached and touched Li Banfeng’s forehead: "It’s not hot, but he’s sweated a lot."
Xiao Yeci widened her eyes: "You just touch as you wish? Young lady, don’t you know the rules?"
Lu Chunying scoffed: "Aren’t you a young lady too? Being alone with a man in a room, is this within the rules?"
"I... I’m doing this for proper reasons. I’m taking care of the benefactor. I am..."
Lu Chunying left. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Xiao Yeci blushed, muttering: "I have nothing to be ashamed of."
Li Banfeng drifted between sleep and wakefulness, while Xiao Yeci brought tea and water: "Benefactor, shall we call a doctor?"
"No need for a doctor. Just fetch me more water to drink, and tell me about the customs of Bridge Yesong."
Xiao Yeci whispered in Li Banfeng’s ear, stopping whenever Li Qi fell asleep, then resuming when he woke up.
She spoke for over two hours, and Lu Chunying returned: "Mom, Sister Xiu didn’t leave."
"What happened?"
"The train station received orders — Bridge Yesong is closed for entry and exit starting today."
Xiao Yeci tensed: "What happened?"
Lu Chunying said: "It seems to be something from the General Defense Office, Fifth Brother has gone to gather information."
In the evening, Ma Wu returned to the mansion, taking advantage of Li Banfeng’s awake moments to explain: "Xia Shumin came, regarding the Red Lotus."
Red Lotus?
The Red Lotus in my hand?
Li Banfeng, not fully clear-headed, tensed momentarily, then realized Ma Wu spoke of the Red Lotus found at Bridge Yesong: "I heard from Zheng Siyi that Xia Shumin took the Red Lotus already, why is he back?"
Ma Wu responded: "The Red Lotus went missing; Xia Shumin insists it was lost at Bridge Yesong. Zheng Siyi denies it, presenting surveillance footage as proof. Xia Shumin lost his temper, demanding a thorough investigation, thus sealing off Bridge Yesong."
Li Banfeng frowned: "Again with this tactic?"
Previously, Cheng Mingke had also disrupted Black Stone Slope’s traffic, ending up cutting off his own supply route.
Ma Wu shook his head: "This time is different. Xia Shumin has blocked all new land entries to Bridge Yesong."
"Block how? I want to go to the new land; can he stop me?" Li Banfeng stood, feeling dizzy.
Ma Wu steadied Li Banfeng: "I hear Xia Shumin brought many experts, let’s wait for news. It’s not the right time for head-on conflict else it’s akin to admitting involvement with the Red Lotus."
Li Banfeng shook his head: "Even if we don’t admit it, that Bird People can trace it back to me."
Ma Wu suggested: "Perhaps we should find a way to hide first; if all else fails, force our way to the new land."
Li Banfeng had nowhere to hide.
The words were said in frustration; he couldn’t leave Bridge Yesong easily before his soul stabilized.
...
In Greenwater City, at the Chu Family Mansion, Chu Er sorted accounts, working late into the night. The butler Yang Yanzheng had prepared a late-night snack, but Chu Er swallowed back his appetite and shook his head: "I won’t eat, you guys enjoy."
Bitter Granny had advised, even outside of Bitter Vegetable Manor, not to indulge too much, and to never relax his cultivation.
Chu Er drank some cold water, discovering an outstanding debt in the business with Li Qi that hadn’t been collected.
"When will this debt be claimed? Am I to personally collect?"
Yang Yanzheng nodded: "Yes, Miss, you previously instructed that this debt could not be collected, and must await your personal retrieval."
