Goods Peddlers Spread Word of Beneficial Policy, Gentry Worry Over Fields and Plot in Secret

"That thing...

"It stood over two zhang tall and stretched three zhang long, its whole body cast from black iron. Two rows of iron wheels were mounted underneath, their teeth sharp enough to leave little furrows wherever they passed.

"Copper pipes wrapped all around it. Water rushed through them, and every so often it puffed out white steam, like it was breathing mist.

"At the very front was a huge iron scoop, and a string of little chain buckets dangled beside it. Once it started moving, they went clack-clack-clack, like teeth!

"From far away, it looked like... a steel demon beast crouching on the ground.

"It roared like thunder and rain, so loud it made your ears ache!"

He described it so vividly that everyone shuddered. One child scrambled into his mother's arms, crying, "Ma, I'm scared!"

"Th-then... did that demon beast go on a killing spree in Wu'an City?"

Someone asked in a trembling voice, unconsciously clutching the hem of his clothes.

But the peddler suddenly laughed and shook his rattle drum. "Killing people? Why would it?

"Not only did it kill no one, it brought the people of Wu'an City a tremendous blessing!"

"A blessing?"

Everyone exchanged disbelieving looks.

The woman who had spoken earlier furrowed her brow. "Are you making this up?

"What blessing could a steel demon beast bring anyone?

"Maybe it eats people while pretending to do good!"

"Exactly!"

Someone chimed in. "Blood Butcher has quite a reputation. How could he possibly mean well?

"Maybe he's using those blessings to lure people close, then capture them for his demonic arts!"

Seeing that no one believed him, the peddler rolled his eyes helplessly. "You people hear a rumor and jump at shadows. With courage like that, would Lord Wuwei even need a mechanical beast to kill