Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1442: Smoke Land (Part 2)

After a moment, the fire on the phonograph calmed down again, and the puppet placed beside it shifted, while the phonograph moved to Zhao Xiaowan’s body.

Using this body requires extreme caution. Although it’s been a long while adapting, the puppet is less agile than the phonograph most of the time, and any minor mistake can cause a commotion.

Fortunately, there is no gleam of fire on the puppet, and when using technique, it won’t be discovered by others.

Zhao Xiaowan stood in place, silently activated Insightful Spirit Sound, quickly hearing voices from the second son.

Tick-tock!

The sound of dripping water.

To be precise, it is the sound of dripping blood.

There was indeed a lot of blood stored inside the clock pendulum, but she didn’t want it for herself. It was her accumulation of reward for Red Lotus. The phonograph had already discovered the little schemes of the clock pendulum.

The clock pendulum is now feeding Red Lotus blood, and Red Lotus is a special existence in this family, everyone in the household is on guard against her.

If it were someone else caught in such a matter, the clock pendulum must be pulled out and severely punished, she might even be obliterated.

But the phonograph didn’t do this; she understood the clock pendulum’s intentions.

The clock pendulum’s involvement with Red Lotus is not about vying for position in the household, nor is it to harm Li Banfeng; she merely wants a body.

In this respect, the phonograph empathizes deeply, seeing Hong Ying with a body, she feels jealousy; having obtained a puppet herself, the phonograph is pleased.

When the clock pendulum was alive, she was a renowned lady, and seeing someone else’s body, she can’t resist wanting it herself. As long as it’s not too outrageous, the phonograph won’t dispute with her; otherwise, with so many people in the house, demanding everyone to be free of private thoughts would make daily life untenable.

What truly concerns the phonograph is another segment of sound.

There are two persons speaking in the second son:

“Had it not been for him arriving first, with all my talents, could I possibly remain beneath others?”

“Your natural talent is indeed remarkable, but the time is not yet ripe; speaking of replacing him now, it’s still too soon.”

“If I could join hands with my elder brother, why fear that great matters wouldn’t succeed?”

“Dear brother, don’t be anxious, I trust in you, but still, the timing to act needs careful consideration.”

Gradually, there was no more sound from the second son, and Lady retracted Insightful Spirit Sound Technique, her soul extricating from the puppet, silently returning to the phonograph’s body.

The flame remained calm and steady, the phonograph seemingly asleep, but her thoughts kept swirling:

The second son, this bird person, connected with the traitor in the household.

The voice of the traitor was indistinct to determine identity for now.

Their speaking was extremely quiet just now, the clock pendulum surely couldn’t hear it, and even if she did, she wouldn’t dare not inform me.

Did Red Lotus hear it?

This contemptible woman should be able to hear, but who knows which side she stands on now.

The phonograph glanced at Li Banfeng, who lay on the bed sleeping soundly, occasionally touching her body.

With such a big matter arising in the house, the husband is unaware; sleeping is one thing, but unexpectedly, the Old Man also slept soundly; does he not know, or does he not wish to intervene?

The phonograph didn’t panic; having been through many battles, she’s seen all sorts of scenes. Even if she needs to act, she’s not in haste at this moment.

She first needs to find out about the second son’s Taoist Sect, the cultivation level and figure out how to root out the traitor!

…

The next morning, when daybreak came, Li Banfeng exited the Portable Residence, woke up Juanzi and Xiao Yeci, and continued on the journey.

After leaving the cave, they traveled over twenty miles, and the smoke became thicker, causing Xiao Yeci to cough repeatedly.

“Is this Smoke Land?”

Juanzi nodded: “Seventh Madam, let’s move quickly, use a damp handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose.”

This smoke carried yellow, and the loose soil on the ground was also yellow; the most prominent were the smoke trees, from branches to leaves, all were a uniform scorched yellow, with black stones all over the place, everywhere black and yellow, which could be how Black Yellow Beach got its name.

After walking for another hour, Xiao Yeci stepped forward, only to realize she couldn’t see her toe; the smoke had reached this density.

She wore goggles, covered her mouth with a damp handkerchief, staggered forward, barely having the strength to cough.

After a few steps forward, Xiao Yeci’s body swayed, and she fell to the ground, Li Banfeng picked up Xiao Yeci and returned to the cave.

By the afternoon, Xiao Yeci woke up.

Li Banfeng had prepared medicine, water, and food for her: “Yecai, you better return to Luobo Mountain and wait there. After I return, I’ll tell you everything I encountered on this journey.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeci felt distressed: “Benefactor, are you abandoning me?”

This statement was somewhat inappropriate; Xiao Yeci was anxious, but didn’t overthink.

Li Banfeng didn’t beat around the bush: “We’ve reached Smoke Land, I need to continue; you can’t traverse it, I have no other way.”

“Benefactor, please let me try again; if I take medicine in advance, I’m sure I can endure.”

Li Banfeng nodded: “I trust you can endure it; if it were a life-and-death battle, we surely would persist to the end, but now we’re just exploring; risking life for this is unworthy.”

No use in speaking further, Li Banfeng made up his mind to have Xiao Yeci return. That night, Xiao Yeci reorganized her notes, fearing any omissions.

Li Banfeng gave Xiao Yeci two Gold Yuan Pills, but Xiao Yeci could only assist Li Qi in this matter. Having yet to fulfill her task made Xiao Yeci feel guilt-ridden.

Li Banfeng received a phone call; Liang Wucui relayed it through Luo Zhengnan.

“Seventh Master, where are you?”

“We’re at Black Yellow Beach, soon arriving at Smoke Land, currently in a cave.” Li Banfeng chose not to elaborate, as Liang Wucui isn’t familiar with this area; discussing too much is fruitless.

Liang Wucui, after slightly confirming with those beside her, told Li Banfeng: “Seventh Master, I know where you are; wait in that cave for a day, I’ll bring you a guide over; he suggests you shouldn’t traverse Smoke Land.”