Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 1039 550: Sleepless Town (Part 4)

Li Qi shook his head and said, "I've already reclaimed the territory, and now I plan to bring people back. Currently, Shui Yongquan is in the hands of Wang Zimian. I'm not sure if Miss Feng is acquainted with him?"

Upon hearing that Li Banfeng had taken back the territory, Ma Wu was taken aback. This meant that Li Qi had defeated a local deity.

The two entered the Taoist Sect on the same day, and when they were in Blue Poplar Village, the gap wasn't that significant. Within less than three years, could Li Qi really defeat a local deity?

Of course, it's possible that Li Qi found a helper. It's said he's familiar with the peddler, perhaps the peddler helped him.

Feng Daiku wasn't particularly surprised; she already knew Li Qi wasn't ordinary: "Young Master Li, the Wang Zimian you're talking about, is he the local deity of Sleepless Town?"

Li Banfeng nodded.

Feng Daiku said, "He is highly revered among the local deities, but I haven't interacted with him much, possibly because he looks down on Pants Belt Pit. He's always been somewhat dismissive towards me."

Li Banfeng said, "Then let's not trouble Miss Feng. I'll think of another way."

Feng Daiku shook her head and said, "It's not really troublesome, I'm not that particular. He saved Shui Yongquan in times of crisis, which shows his integrity and righteousness. With such a good reputation, it's well-deserved,

I've met him and know where he lives, so I can introduce you two. It might save you a lot of trouble."

Feng Daiku led the two onto New Land, heading to Sleepless Town.

On the road, Li Banfeng asked Ma Wu, "In Sleepless Town, do people not need to sleep?"

The first third of the land, the territory is unique, like Hai Chi Ridge and Pants Belt Pit, it affects people somewhat.

Ma Wu said, "It's not that they don't sleep at all, it's just that people there sleep less, only two or three hours a day."

"Then the place must be lively at night. If someone opened a dance hall, it would probably make a fortune."

Ma Wu shook his head, "That place wouldn't accommodate a dance hall, people there aren't into that, and I don't want to do business there; the place makes me uncomfortable."

"What kind of discomfort?"

"Can't quite say, but you'll understand when you get there. I feel business shouldn't be done this way, nor should life be lived this way."

Feng Daiku was familiar with the route and also carried a Traveling Cultivation Treasure. The three reached Sleepless Town in less than a day.

The town is comparable in size to Medicine King Valley, with factories everywhere, making Li Banfeng mistakenly feel like he was at Black Stone Slope.

No, it's not quite the same as Black Stone Slope.

Li Banfeng looked at his pocket watch; it was two-thirty in the morning. The factories were ablaze with light, smoke was billowing, people were bustling, and the roar of machinery was uninterrupted.

The place is indeed lively, but not the kind of lively Li Banfeng imagined.

A gray-haired man was sleeping by the street, sleeping deeply and contentedly despite the noisy environment.

He was holding blueprints, wearing work clothes. As the night wind blew, he curled up by the roadside, shivering repeatedly but never waking.

A woman, wearing the same style of work clothes and heavy glasses, came to the man's side and shook him awake.

"Xiao Liu, why are you sleeping here?"

The gray-haired man rubbed his eyes and looked at the woman, "I was a bit tired, wanted to sit by the roadside for a while, didn't expect to fall asleep like this."

The woman was somewhat disappointed, shaking her head and said, "Xiao Liu, you can't do this. The factory has hundreds of people watching you,

When I recommended you for the factory, it was because I admired your ability to endure hardships and refusing to give up. Our factory has just received several big orders, many people haven't slept in half a month. Have you heard anyone complaining?

Now you're telling me you're tired. If others hear this, what would they say about you? And what would they say about me? What kind of person did I recommend? Three Ocean Dollars a month, go ask where else could offer such high wages?"

The man bowed his head and said, "Sis, I've embarrassed you, I've let you down."

The woman shook her head and said, "It's not me you're letting down, it's yourself! If you don't give it your all while you're young, when you grow old accomplishing nothing, it'll be too late to regret,

Quickly deliver the blueprints, listen to any modification opinions, and immediately implement changes that can be done on-site. If not, come back and discuss slowly. We need to show people our decisiveness in our work!"

The man nodded repeatedly and ran off to deliver the blueprints.

Li Banfeng watched by the street, the two who were talking didn't notice Li Banfeng, nor could they see Feng Daiku. Feng Daiku used special means to conceal Ma Wu.

"Young Master Li, we're here to find a local deity, don't get distracted by this commotion." Feng Daiku urged.

Li Banfeng was somewhat curious, "That man just now, judging by his appearance, he's at least fifty, but the woman called him Xiao Liu, proving she's even older. For someone that age to look so young, their cultivation level must be high."

Ma Wu shook his head, "You must be mistaken, Old Qi. That man is not in his fifties; if I'm guessing correctly, he's in his early twenties."

Li Banfeng was shocked, "In his early twenties and looks like that?"

Ma Wu sighed, "That's why I said, I don't want to do business here. Business shouldn't be done this way, and people shouldn't live this way."

Feng Daiku reminded, "Wulang, when you meet the Local Deity later, don't speak carelessly. Wang Zimian values etiquette, and being from Snowflake Beach, he has a bit of arrogance. Be careful not to offend him in your speech."

Ma Wu nodded, his expression somewhat displeased.

He truly disliked this place, but for Shui Yongquan, he had to make the trip no matter what.

"Old Qi, you should be more vigilant too; let's try to speak less later..." Ma Wu turned around and discovered that Li Qi had stopped walking.

Feng Daiku said, "Young Master Li, you are...?"

Li Banfeng said, "You just mentioned Wang Zimian is from Snowflake Beach?"

Feng Daiku nodded, "The status of Snowflake Beach in Puluo State needs no explanation from me."

Li Banfeng asked, "What Taoist Sect is Wang Zimian affiliated with?"

Feng Daiku said, "It is Mianxiu."

"What is Mianxiu?" Li Banfeng hadn't heard of this Taoist Sect.

Ma Wu said, "That lady just now is Mianxiu; you see how pleasant her speech was."

Feng Daiku frowned and said, "Wulang, I just reminded you to be cautious with your words here. Mianxiu is a good Taoist Sect encouraging diligence and progress. Wang Zimian's gatekeepers are all over Sleepless Town, be very cautious with your speech."

Li Qi didn't ask further, following Feng Daiku to the town's center, before a large mansion.

This mansion was quite sizable; the main house was a five-story ocean style building, flanked by three-story side wings, behind the main house lay a garden with a dozen ocean style houses. This mansion was even more luxurious than the mansion of He Lu's family.

Feng Daiku did not enter directly. Despite her status, she had to let the gatekeeper announce their arrival, "Feng Daiku of Soda Kiln, bringing two friends Li Qi and Ma Wu, seeks an audience with Elder Wang."

The gatekeeper went off to relay the message.

Technically, this time was improper for visiting, but in Sleepless Town, the concept of time was different, and midnight hours were not considered too late.

After waiting for more than half an hour, the gatekeeper returned and led the three into the hall.

Wang Zimian sat in the hall, dressed in a white suit, his long hair neatly combed back, sporting thick brows, large eyes, and a mustache. He appeared to be a cultured gentleman in his forties.

After pleasantries were exchanged, the hosts and guests took their seats, Wang Zimian said, "Miss Feng, what brings you to me?"

Feng Daiku respectfully replied, "Visiting so late at night is to introduce two friends to you."

She briefly introduced Li Qi and Ma Wu, Wang Zimian looked at Li Qi, saying, "You are Li Qi?"

Li Banfeng slightly nodded.

Wang Zimian lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, and said, "I've heard your name, a promising young talent, truly commendable, but don't be complacent over a slight achievement before you and waste your prime years."

Li Banfeng said, "I came to find you to inquire about Shui Yongquan."

Feng Daiku was stunned and looked at Li Qi.

His way of speaking was a bit too direct.

Ma Wu wasn't surprised; Old Qi always spoke like this to people like Wang Zimian.

Li Banfeng continued, "I heard from Guo Gaoge that you saved Shui Yongquan. For this, I am deeply grateful, and I will surely express my gratitude with generous gifts in the future.

Today, I wish to take Shui Yongquan back, and I hope Boss Wang can grant us this favor."

Boss Wang?

Feng Daiku felt a chill again; this address did not seem appropriate in her view.

Wang Zimian's expression wasn't pleasant either; he tapped off the cigarette ash and nodded, saying, "I did save Shui Yongquan, but he is not with me now; he has gone to the Outside Provinces."

Outside Provinces?

Feng Daiku and Ma Wu were very surprised, but Li Banfeng was unusually calm.

"Why did he go to the Outside Provinces?" Li Qi asked.

"He was disheartened by Puluo State and wanted to travel to the Outside Provinces to relieve his depression."

Li Banfeng said, "Boss Wang, is this true?"

"Whether it's true or not, you can figure it out yourself," Wang Zimian extinguished the cigarette, "Such a presumptuous young man, are you here to inquire about things or to investigate me?"

"Either is fine," Li Banfeng took out a cigarette, lighting it himself, "It depends on whether you saved Shui Yongquan or sold him."