
The Backstreet Cellar Crank in Phantom Blade Zero is a key item found in a purple chest in Pangzhen’s Slums. You use it on the mechanism beside the locked cellar door just south of Old Man Gen’s House Bell, which opens a hidden underground passage where the two Memory Flowers of the A Mother’s Heart Tale wait. Completing it rewards Merciful Dew, a medicine that restores 60% HP over 10 seconds β plus a permanent 5% Max HP boost most players don’t notice. Here’s the fastest route I found after clearing it on my playthrough.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Item | Backstreet Cellar Crank (key item) |
| Chest location | Purple chest in Pangzhen Slums, past Back Hill Pavilion Bell |
| Use location | Cellar mechanism south of Old Man Gen’s House Bell |
| Quest | A Mother’s Heart (2 Memory Flowers) |
| Rewards | Merciful Dew (5 charges) + 5% Max HP |
You can’t reach the Slums immediately. First, defeat Flame, the Lion Dance Grandmaster, to get the Dormant Flaming Mane, then take it to Lei Dang at Jingyang Hall Bell to repair it into the Flaming Mane Phantom Edge. This weapon burns the bramble barriers blocking southwest Pangzhen β if you can’t burn them yet, push the main story further; I hit that exact wall myself and it unlocked after the next chapter beat.
Once you reach Back Hill Pavilion Bell, follow these steps:
Before leaving, lower the ladder and grab the Memory Flower beside it β that starts A Mother’s Heart.
Head northeast through the Pangzhen Slums until you reach Old Man Gen’s House Bell. From that checkpoint, walk slightly south and you’ll spot the locked cellar door with a crank mechanism beside it. Insert the crank, turn it, and head inside. Here’s how I cleared the cellar:
Collecting the second Memory Flower completes A Mother’s Heart instantly β no NPC turn-in needed. You’ll receive Merciful Dew, a medicine that restores 60% HP over 10 seconds with five charges, which carried me through several longer fights afterward. The pair of flowers also counts as a complete Memory Flower set, adding a permanent 5% Max HP boost β and since Memory Flowers are the only way to raise your health pool in Phantom Blade Zero, never skip one. They glow a distinct bluish hue, so check dim corners carefully. Once you’ve looted everything, continue exploring Pangzhen or push toward Mandate Encampment β note you’ll need its Outer Gate Key from the main story to get in.
No. The purple chest stays put until you open it, but you need the Flaming Mane Phantom Edge from story progress to reach the Slums.
No. The quest auto-completes the moment you collect the second Memory Flower inside the cellar.
It restores 60% of your HP over 10 seconds and comes with five charges, making it ideal for extended encounters.
The mechanism only accepts the crank β if there’s no prompt, the bramble barriers are still blocking your route, so progress the main story first.