TL;DR
- The Backstreet Cellar Crank is a key item in Pangzhen’s Slums area.
- Start from the Black Hill Pavilion Bell and work your way across the rooftops.
- The crank is inside a purple chest on a small wooden platform — defeat the enemies first.
- Drop the ladder nearby and pick up the Memory Flower to start the A Mother’s Heart quest.
- Use the crank south of the Old Man Gen’s House Bell to unlock the cellar door.
- Inside the cellar you will find the second Memory Flower and loot — finishing the quest rewards you with the Bashpole Phantom Edge.
What Is the Backstreet Cellar Crank in Phantom Blade Zero?
The Backstreet Cellar Crank is a story item found in the Pangzhen region. It works like a mechanical key — you pick it up in one location and carry it to a locked cellar door somewhere else. Without it, the door simply stays shut.
It is also tied to a side quest called A Mother’s Heart. You will trigger the quest when you pick up the first Memory Flower near the chest where you find the crank. The quest then sends you to find a second Memory Flower inside the cellar the crank unlocks.
This is one of several crank-based puzzles in the game. If you played through the Crimson Forest, you already know how they work. The idea is simple — find the tool, bring it to the mechanism, and see what opens up.
Where to Find the Backstreet Cellar Crank
The crank is located in the Pangzhen Slums, and the easiest way to find it is to start from the Black Hill Pavilion Bell.
Step-by-Step Path to the Crank
From the Black Hill Pavilion Bell, head forward along the ridge path. You will cross over toward the slums area. As you move ahead, you will need to use a chain to swing across to the other side. Do that and continue forward.
You will reach a section of rooftops with enemies. Deal with the enemy on the rooftop, then drop down to the lower roof. Clear the enemies on that roof as well. Keep moving across the rooftops.
Eventually you will reach an area with a purple chest, a raised ladder, and a group of enemies. Take out the enemies first — do not rush for the chest while they are still standing. Once they are down, open the purple chest to get the Backstreet Cellar Crank.
After that, drop the ladder that is nearby. Then pick up the Memory Flower close to that spot. Picking up the Memory Flower automatically starts the A Mother’s Heart quest.
Where to Use the Backstreet Cellar Crank in Phantom Blade Zero
Now that you have the crank, you need to find the cellar it opens. The location is in the same general area of the Pangzhen Slums.
Head northeast from where you found the crank, toward the Pangzhen Slums. Keep going until you reach the Old Man Gen’s House Bell. This bell is up a ladder on the right side as you follow the path up the hill.
Once you have the bell, go slightly south of it. You will find the cellar entrance with the crank mechanism. Walk up to it and insert the Backstreet Cellar Crank. This opens the cellar door.
Head inside the cellar. Loot the chest inside for resources. Then find and collect the second Memory Flower. Getting both Memory Flowers completes the A Mother’s Heart quest. Your reward for finishing it is the Bashpole Phantom Edge.
What Else Is Near This Area?
While you are in this part of Pangzhen, there are a few other things worth picking up.
From the Old Man Gen’s House Bell, go through the door on the left and you will find a locked room. Inside, interact with the body to get the Dusty Old Wooden Comb. This item can be given to Old Man Gen, who you previously met in the Village of Lu. Returning it to him there unlocks a quest called Together Till the End.
The Black Hill Pavilion Bell area also has the Formless Divine Mirror, an accessory you can collect nearby. So explore the area fully before moving on.
If you are working on the western side quests or Preservation Talisman Fragments, this part of Pangzhen is worth clearing completely in one visit.
How the Backstreet Cellar Crank Fits Into A Mother’s Heart Quest
The A Mother’s Heart quest in Phantom Blade Zero is a short but rewarding tale. It starts the moment you pick up the first Memory Flower near the purple chest. The quest asks you to find a second Memory Flower, which is inside the cellar that the crank unlocks.
You do not need to go far out of your way for either item. Both the crank and the cellar entrance are in the same Pangzhen Slums area. As long as you follow the path naturally and explore the rooftops on your way through, you will not miss either one.
Completing the quest gives you the Bashpole Phantom Edge, which is a useful addition to your arsenal in the later parts of Pangzhen.
Tips for Getting the Crank Without Missing It
- Clear enemies before opening the chest. The purple chest is in the middle of an enemy area. If you try to grab it while fighting, you can easily get knocked around and lose track of what you are doing.
- Drop the ladder right away. After you get the crank, drop the ladder nearby. It creates a shortcut back through this area so you do not have to jump down the hard way again.
- Pick up the Memory Flower immediately. It is right there next to the ladder area. Do not move on and forget it. Picking it up takes one second and starts the quest.
- Use the Old Man Gen Bell as your landmark. Once you reach that bell, finding the cellar is easy. It is just a short walk south from the bell, so you will not spend long searching for it.
Other Crank Puzzles and Locked Areas in Phantom Blade Zero
The Backstreet Cellar Crank is one of several crank mechanics spread across the game. Earlier, in the Crimson Forest, you used a similar system with the Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank to unlock hidden paths and reach new areas. The same idea carries into Pangzhen.
If you enjoy exploring every corner of the map, here are some more guides that cover locked doors and hidden areas in the game:
- Tianxiang Pavilion Key Location
- Huang Manor Key Location
- Village of Lu Cellar Key
- Mandate Encampment Outer Gate Key
- Thieves Camp Dungeon Key
- Forest Outpost Courtyard Key
- Rusted Loong Key
- Red Thread Barrier Guide
- How to Enter Crimson Manor
- Cell Key Location
More Phantom Blade Zero Guides
Pangzhen is a large region with a lot going on. If you are trying to complete everything before moving forward, these additional guides should help:
- Whence the Weeping Quest Walkthrough
- Gold Masked One Boss Guide
- Primal Stone Severed Mindseal
- What to Do With Prayer Beads
- Feather Bow Phantom Edge Guide
- Tiger Cannon Phantom Edge Guide
- Hunter’s Chain Sickle Guide
- Gentle Thief Honor Among Thieves Answers
- All Outfits and How to Unlock Them
- All Chapters List
Phantom Blade Zero is available on Steam, PlayStation Store, and Epic Games Store. For more on the game from the developer, visit the official Phantom Blade Zero website.
