Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 786 - 488: The Heat is Just Right_4

Xia Shumin fell silent and went to write the report.

Liao Zihui opened the second drawer of his desk and pulled out a document.

Pursuit of Light Society, setting your sights on Puluo State... I was just wondering how to deal with you, and you go and deliver yourselves to death’s door. Of all people, you had to pick a fight with Li Qi. That really saves me some trouble.

...

Mosonov’s face was worn down to the bone. He agreed to reveal Lu Chunying’s whereabouts, but on the condition that he must personally lead the way and only Li Qi could follow him.

There’s trickery here, He Yuxiu concluded. She shook her head repeatedly, signaling Li Qi not to go. Xiao Yeci wanted to go herself but was stopped by Duan Shaoxia.

Duan Shaoxia approached Mosonov and gently touched his bone-only cheek, "You promised to help me find my child back then."

In their eye contact, a streak of blood appeared in Mosonov’s eyes.

He grasped Duan Shaoxia’s hand and said, "Beautiful lady, as long as I’m alive, I will fulfill my promise. Can you let me live?"

"I definitely want you to live. I will protect you with my life. Tell me where Lu Chunying is, and I will use her to exchange for your life."

Mosonov hesitated. If he were in normal condition, perhaps he could resist Duan Shaoxia’s technique. But now he was not; he was down to his last breath.

The two looked at each other for a full two minutes. Duan Shaoxia bent down, listening to Mosonov’s whisper.

Duan Shaoxia stood up and said, "Lu Chunying is in a mansion on Anxuan Road."

Li Banfeng couldn’t quite figure out Duan Shaoxia’s stance, and Duan Shaoxia did not explain.

Tan Fucheng and Lu Yuanxin took people, followed the address given by Duan Shaoxia, and retrieved Lu Chunying.

Lu Chunying was not afraid but rather felt self-reproach, "Brother Seven, it was my negligence. I let those Foreign Devils capture me."

This time, it indeed was Lu Chunying’s negligence. Learning that Xiao Yeci was threatened by Xiao Manli, Lu Chunying had intended to eliminate Xiao Manli. Unexpectedly, a Support under Duan Shaoxia suddenly paid a visit and caught Lu Chunying off guard.

Eager to settle the matter, Lu Chunying took two of her men and went with a Support to meet Duan Shaoxia, not expecting that these two Supports were members of the Chase the Light Group. They led Lu Chunying into an ambush and captured both her and her men.

Lu Chunying didn’t return, which sent Xiao Yeci into a frenzy. She ran to the Lu Family Mansion to look for Duan Shaoxia, unaware that Duan Shaoxia was already under the surveillance of the Chase the Light Group and in peril herself.

Luckily, Lady Duan was insightful and subtly informed Xiao Yeci, asking her to agree to Xiao Manli’s terms and to set up a meeting with Li Qi.

Xiao Yeci was unwilling; she didn’t want to harm Li Qi.

Duan Shaoxia, however, was very confident; she believed that Li Qi had a way to deal with it.

Xiao Yeci felt that even if Li Qi needed to be contacted, the situation had to be clarified first. But by the time she arrived at Xiaoyao Lodge, Xiao Yeci knew she was hooked and couldn’t speak openly. She could only hint, letting Li Qi roughly understand the situation.

Duan Shaoxia’s judgment was correct. Li Qi indeed had a way to cope, and he wiped out more than fifty members of the Pursuit of Light Society.

But where did Xiao Manli go?

While everyone was cleaning up the scene, Li Banfeng and He Yuxiu found a quiet place and asked Xiao Yeci, "What is your relationship with Xiao Manli?"

Xiao Yeci replied, "She is my sister."

Having said this, Xiao Yeci didn’t want to continue talking.

He Yuxiu said, "Sister, go ahead. There are no outsiders here."

Xiao Yeci looked down and said, "I don’t really care; I’m just afraid that some people won’t recognize Nannan’s identity."

He Yuxiu chuckled and replied, "Sister, one’s identity isn’t recognized by others; it’s earned by oneself. If anyone dares to gossip about Chunying, we’ll tear their mouth apart so no one else dares to bare their teeth."

This was an undeniable truth, and Xiao Yeci understood it very well. Her words now carried more confidence. "I’m from Bridge Yesong. In Bridge Yesong, our Xiao Family’s circumstances were quite good.

"Xiao Manli is the eldest in our generation, betrothed to the Yang Family from an early age. She was just waiting for the appointed day to marry into their family.

"That year, she fell seriously ill and stayed in bed for nearly a year without leaving the house. After she recovered from her illness, there was suddenly an extra child in the family."

He Yuxiu laughed, "You scholars really beat around the bush. It’s clear she had a child, but you say she was sick. The child must be Chunying, right?"

Xiao Yeci nodded, "That child is indeed Chunying. At that time, there were already some rumors, saying that the eldest son of the Lu Family, Lu Dongliang, had slept with my sister. My mother was afraid that the Yang Family would call off the marriage and wanted to get rid of the child."

He Yuxiu shook her head, "She wouldn’t dare. That’s Lu Dongliang’s offspring. If Lu Dongliang doesn’t make a fuss, the matter will pass. But if he does, your Xiao Family will be finished. He’s ruthless and malicious. Would you dare to bet on this?"

Xiao Yeci shook her head, "We didn’t dare bet. My father thought it over for two days and decided to put the child in my room for care. I was only eleven years old then, not born of the principal wife, and my mother died early. Whatever my father asked of me, I agreed. Who would have thought... they..."

He Yuxiu could guess the outcome, "They blamed the child on you."

Xiao Yeci sighed, "At the beginning, they tried to hide it, but after two more years, they forced me to acknowledge the child. Another two years passed, and my father accused me of damaging the family reputation and kicked me and the child out together."

He Yuxiu sighed, "Your father saw the way out. He reckoned that Lu Dongliang wouldn’t pursue the matter any further and so decided to just toss this trouble away."

Xiao Yeci said, "Fortunately, I can read. By copying and writing for others, I managed to raise Chunying. But I really am not..."

Lu Chunying interjected from the side, "You are my real mother. Sister Xiu is right; whoever dares to gossip, we’ll tear their mouth apart. Tear it a few times, and they will shut up."

Xiao Yeci lowered her head and wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, continuing, "But Manli... she..."

Li Banfeng sighed, "Don’t worry about this matter too much. I see that Ms. Xiao Manli is a reasonable person. I’ll find an opportunity to talk with her and persuade her a bit. She should listen."

He Yuxiu asked, "Where is she now?"

Zuo Wugang entered and said, "Seventh Master, all those Foreign Devils are locked up in the kitchen. How do you want to deal with them?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and replied, "You all go back to Xiaoyao Lodge and wait for me; I’ll have a little chat with them."

Everyone left the Conqueror’s Restaurant, and Li Banfeng sent the group of foreigners to the Portable Residence.

"I have a few matters to discuss with you. Let’s start with the Chase the Light Group."

The group of foreigners kept their heads down, silent. Mosonov, mustering all his strength, said, "We are Lavsha People. Before you harm me, you must consider the consequences carefully.

"Release us immediately and go to the Greenwater City Defense Office to confess your crimes. There might still be a chance to make amends."

Hong Ying stood up and said, "What nonsense is this Bird Person talking?"

The Phonograph spoke, "This must be because they think we’re not being hospitable enough. Old Teapot, is the tea ready?"

Teapot laughed, "The water just boiled, perfect for warming up our guests."