Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1144 576: The One and Only Puluo State (Part 4)

Has Puluo State ever been at war with the Dark God?

It seems what Goncharova refers to as the Dark God, is actually the Inner State.

Did Puluo State win against the Inner State?

"When did the war between Puluo State and the Dark God happen?"

Goncharova said, "I don't know. Puluo State doesn't have any history. What the President heard was only rumors, but the time probably isn't too distant — perhaps thirty or forty years ago, or maybe even further back."

Shen Jingye reminded Li Qi beside him, "Don't forget the main task, ask about Du Wenming."

To understand about Du Wenming, they'll have to start with probing the higher-ups.

According to Goncharova's statement, Li Banfeng obtained a list of six elders of the Birch Tree Hermit Society and also learned the identities of the three chiefs of Snowflake Beach.

The Head of the family is the peddler, this fact is universally acknowledged.

The second in command is Mr. Kong Fang, the peddler's direct disciple. As for what Taoist Sect, what cultivation level, or what capabilities — Goncharova knows nothing about it.

The third in command is Du Wenming, nicknamed Silver Coin Walker at Snowflake Beach, he is also the peddler's direct disciple.

Is Du Wenming a Dance Cultivator? Is the peddler also a Dance Cultivator?

He holds a rattle, shaking it while jumping...

Well, it's not impossible.

Li Banfeng asked Goncharova, "Have you ever seen the peddler?"

"Never," Goncharova shook her head and said, "I've been to Puluo State a few times and always intended to find the peddler, but I've never encountered him."

"Have you ever met Mr. Kong Fang?"

"No, the highest-ranking person I know from Snowflake Beach is Du Wenming."

"You collaborated with Snowflake Beach just because you lacked money?"

"Yes, our research requires a substantial amount of funds. Snowflake Beach is willing to provide the funds, but the condition is that we must share the technology with them."

"What kind of technology?"

Goncharova shook her head and said, "I don't know. In the Hermit Society, except for the President, no one knows what this secret technology actually is. We only know it's the key to conquering Puluo State."

The key to conquering Puluo State!

Miglov had a set of photos showing the process of deriving the nature of the Boundary.

From this, it's judged that the Hermit Society wants to research methods to control the Boundary so they can dominate Puluo State.

Of course, it's not just limited to theoretical research. In the photos, Li Banfeng also saw a rough design schematic — it's intended for the construction of a device or building to break the Boundary.

This series of research requires significant funding, exhausting both Snowflake Beach and the Birch Tree Secret Cult.

Du Wenming seems to have lost patience with the Hermit Society, since he kidnapped Yu Yaoming, likely coveting his research results.

Of course, Yu Yaoming also faced hefty expenses, needing pricey Sky Heart Stones and purchasing vast amounts of costly equipment.

Fortunately, the Sky Heart Stones and equipment haven't gone to waste; Li Banfeng has kept them safe for him.

Among Yu Yaoming and the Birch Tree Gang, which one found the correct answer?

No matter who it was, Li Banfeng could sense that he was getting closer to the correct answer.

It would be great to conduct an experiment.

...

Boss Lu brought Yu Yaoming to the edge of Greenwater Bay: "Not far from here is Hemp Bamboo Village, which belongs to Medicine King Valley."

Yu Yaoming thought he might still see something fresh in Hemp Bamboo Village, so without hesitation, he walked forward.

Boss Lu stopped him, pointing ahead: "There's a Boundary there; walking onward like this is courting death."

Yu Yaoming took a careful look; indeed, there was a line devoid of vegetation on the desolate mountain.

Boss Lu picked up a pebble and tossed it over.

The moment the pebble crossed the Boundary, it turned into dust.

"This is the Boundary," Boss Lu patted the dust off his hands, "Do you see its power?"

Yu Yaoming wasn't too surprised: "I've had that feeling before — the sensation of turning to ashes."

Boss Lu shook his head: "I don't want you to turn to ashes, I want you to find a way to cross the Boundary."

Yu Yaoming contemplated for a moment and said, "You already have methods; your bookstore is already capable of crossing the Boundary."

"It's not relying on my bookstore but a real passage, as you called a wormhole," Boss Lu took out a blueprint, "Here's the laboratory I've chosen for you, see if you're satisfied.

Tell me all the experimental equipment you need, I can deliver it quickly, and I will give you enough assistance. I'm definitely more reliable than Du Wenming."

Yu Yaoming thought for a while: "I've known Du Wenming for quite some time; he's provided me much help, allowing me to achieve today's research results."

Boss Lu smiled: "We've not known each other long, but Du Wenming's finished — using the Outside Provinces' words, he's completely out of luck. Now, it's just me who can provide you help."

...

Du Wenming caught two fish in a pond and roasted them over a fire.

He is now penniless and has nowhere to go; aside from these fish, he has nothing else.

With his cultivation level, getting some money isn't difficult, but many people are after him right now. Once he shows up, he'll have to be prepared to be caught.

What to do when the pond's fish are all gone?

The fish have all been eaten...

Du Wenming laughed as he suddenly felt his thoughts were ridiculous, everything before him so absurd. In just a few days, he's sunk to this predicament.

Whose fault is all this? Which step did he take wrongly? Du Wenming rubbed his forehead, trying to organize his experiences lately as he heard a crisp and pleasant clinking sound in his ears.

Clinking~

It's Copper Coin!

Du Wenming immediately rose and bowed deeply: "Brother!"

A handful of Copper Coins landed in Du Wenming's hand, and a male voice emerged from the darkness: "Silver Coin Walker, without a single Silver Yuan on you, quite pathetic."

Du Wenming lowered his head and said: "Little brother is incompetent, embarrassed for the gang."

The voice came from Snowflake Beach's second in command, Mr. Kong Fang.

"Outside, don't speak of the gang. I'm here for our brotherhood, Feng Chongli will come to Yuezhou in a couple of days for business, accompanied by a few attendants. You blend in among them and return to Puluo State, let's accomplish great things together."

Du Wenming forced a smile: "Things in Yuezhou have reached this point; what can be done upon returning? What matters more than the Boundary?"

Mr. Kong Fang said: "The gang has discovered the whereabouts of Mysterious Red Life Lotus. This matter is as important as the Boundary."

"Isn't Mysterious Red Life Lotus in Li Qi's hands? Is there a need to investigate this further?"

"We might have misunderstood some things previously; the Red Lotus likely isn't with Li Qi. Do you remember Sun Tiecheng?"

Du Wenming thought for a moment: "I've seen him mentioned in some documents."

"Sun Tiecheng was once the City Lord of Fool's City, terrifying all of Puluo State. Rumor has it, he not only took the Red Lotus but also the Iron Bamboo, which is the primary ingredient for refining entry-level medicine powder."

Du Wenming raised his head and said: "Is this an attempt to usurp the Head of the family's position?"

"Indeed!" Mr. Kong Fang sneered, "No matter how ruthless Sun Tiecheng is, for our Head of the family, we cannot let him slide!"