CHAPTER 598: CHAPTER 467: THE MARCH TO NEW TERRITORY

After learning about the plight of the mother and son, Ye Lingyue also found some villagers from Purple Bamboo Ridge who had also fallen on hard times in Xia Capital. Their stories were all similar.

The disaster that befell the villagers of Purple Bamboo Ridge was caused by a type of spirit wood called Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo.

This spirit wood is used as a material for refining Qiankun Bags, which can be used to store various items and are quite valuable.

In Qing Province Continent, only the disciples and elders of First-tier Sects or the Three Great Sects can possess Qiankun Bags.

Ye Lingyue remembered that Nie Fengxing also had a Qiankun Bag earlier, which was said to be a family heirloom from Marquis Guanwu’s Mansion, awarded to his ancestor by the Hunyuan Sect for his great contributions.

Nie Fengxing treasured it dearly, but Ye Lingyue was not interested.

She owned the Hong Meng Heaven, which was much more useful than any Qiankun Bag.

But that was only in regards to Ye Lingyue; for other Martial Artists and Alchemists on the mainland, the allure of a Qiankun Bag was significant.

Refining a Qiankun Bag was extremely difficult. Even with the materials, a special refining method is required for success, a closely guarded secret among the great sects. Even in the Daxia Alchemist Tower, no one could refine a Qiankun Bag.

However, compared to the refining method, Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo as the raw material was already very rare on the mainland.

When the Three Sects and Nine Schools learned that Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo appeared in Purple Bamboo Ridge, they were also eager to act.

However, styling themselves as reputable sects, they naturally did not want to raid Purple Gold Bamboo Forest like Cults would.

Instead, they issued a Bounty Order, promising a Qiankun Bag or Martial Arts of Sixth Tier or above for anyone who could find more than ten Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboos.

It was this bounty that made Purple Bamboo Ridge suddenly a target, attracting a large number of mercenaries, bandits, dark forces, and even some evil Alchemists.

What was once a peaceful place was now filled with chaos and miasma.

On the winding mountain road, Ye Lingyue and Lan Cai’er were riding horses, followed by a carriage as they traveled through the forest.

Given the awkward location of Purple Bamboo Ridge, falling in the gap between Beiqing and Daxia Capital’s jurisdictions, Ye Lingyue ultimately decided not to use Daxia’s regular army and instead ventured into Purple Bamboo Ridge covertly.

"These so-called great sects are indeed shameless, releasing such a bounty order just for their own vanity, not caring that it makes life impossible for the villagers of Purple Bamboo Ridge."

Ye Lingyue and Lan Cai’er rode side by side, with Lan Cai’er occasionally cursing at the people from the Three Sects and Nine Schools.

In the carriage behind them were Little Wuya and Gouwa, the mother and son.

After asking around, Ye Lingyue learned that the ones who initially discovered the Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo were none other than Gouwa and his father, making it very advantageous to bring Gouwa along in searching for more Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo.

"Before you complain further, you must first answer me, did you tell your adoptive parents about leaving Xia Capital this time?" Ye Lingyue interrupted Lan Cai’er.

Her trip to Purple Bamboo Ridge was not like going to the Xixia Plain or Beiqing—this time, her return was uncertain.

Ye Lingyue had not intended to bring Lan Cai’er and thus had not even greeted her, planning to sneak away alone. However, before even reaching the city gate, Lan Cai’er had caught up to her on horseback.

When asked, Lan Cai’er shrank her neck and felt very guilty.

Back in Lan Residence in Xia Capital, Lan Yingwu and Lady Lan saw the letter left in their daughter’s room.

"Mom and Dad, the mainland is so vast, your daughter wants to go out and see it."

"I’m so mad, this wretched girl, I had already promised Master Sun to take her to meet suitors!"

Lan Yingwu fumed and glared as Lady Lan heaved a long sigh.

Thus, to avoid what was the nth arranged meeting, Eldest Miss Lan, after living for more than twenty years, magnificently ran away from home for the first time.

Upon learning the full details, Ye Lingyue expressed her helplessness. Having Lan Cai’er return was now impossible. After discussing, they decided to first head to the Ancient Forest, then pass through the Xixia Plain, and make their way westward to Purple Bamboo Ridge.

Not long after Ye Lingyue and her companions left the Xia Capital, Hong Yulang, who had escaped from Heavenly Prison, along with his grandfather Zhuge Yi, went to the Three-Life Valley in search of Hong Mingyue.

After the failed rebellion in Hong Residence, including his parents, all involved were beheaded. Barely escaping with his life, Hong Yulang was floundering like a headless fly, but thanks to Zhuge Yi’s suggestion, they could seek asylum in the Three-Life Valley.

After all, Hong Mingyue was Luo Song’s betrothed and the future Young Valley Master’s Wife. As long as Hong Mingyue spoke up, they would definitely be allowed to stay in the Three-Life Valley.

With the protection of Three-Life Valley, they need not worry about being pursued by the court any longer.

With such thoughts in mind, Hong Yulang made his way to Three-Life Valley.

However, after waiting for several days, Hong Yulang had not encountered Hong Mingyue.

Losing his temper, Hong Yulang started causing a commotion outside the Three-Life Valley.

"Who dares to cause such a racket outside my Three-Life Valley!"

As the argument continued unabated, Luo Song stepped out. Seeing Luo Song, Hong Yulang was overjoyed as if he had seen his savior.

"Brother-in-law, it’s good that you are here. I came to find Ming Yue but these people said she is not here and even tried to chase me away. You must decide what’s right," said Hong Yulang, vexed and throwing a young master’s tantrum.

After hearing this, Luo Song responded unhurriedly.

"Who told you to say that Ming Yue isn’t here?"

"Young Valley Master, but Sister Ming Yue herself..." the disciple said, evidently troubled.

"You should have plainly told her that Sister Ming Yue does not want to see him. Not just him, from now on, if anyone from Hong Residence comes, directly kick them out. Both of you, one not even past the Elixir Realm, and the other a traitor from Heavenly Armor Sect, have no right to enter Three-Life Valley."

Luo Song’s words greatly changed the complexion of Hong Yulang and Zhuge Yi.

Especially Hong Yulang, whose handsome face contorted.

"Luo Song, how dare you insult us. I want to see Ming Yue, I am her brother, and I don’t believe she would refuse to see us."

Luo Song scoffed and with a wave of his hand, ordered for Hong Yulang and Zhuge Yi to be thrown out.

After being kicked out, Hong Yulang and Zhuge Yi cursed for a while.

"Grandfather, what should we do now? Even Three-Life Valley refuses to shelter us, and we can’t return to Daxia," Hong Yulang lamented tearfully, not expecting his sister to turn her back on them so cold-heartedly.

"Yulang, don’t worry, grandpa already has a plan. I’ve heard that in the Purple Bamboo Ridge area, there’s Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo which can be used to refine Qiankun Bags. Years ago, your grandpa secretly learned the method for refining Qiankun Bags. We’ll head to the vicinity of Purple Bamboo Ridge and seek refuge with a dark force. With your grandpa’s capabilities, securing a position as a Guest Elder is absolutely no issue," Zhuge Yi was cunning and quickly came up with a second plan.

The grandfather and grandson then set off towards Purple Bamboo Ridge.