NOVEL NEXT Chapter 179: Convergence
Not long after, Mu Xiaoqing also spotted a trace and quickly followed it. About half an hour later, an elder who was observing his surroundings appeared before her.
"Sect Leader!"
Mu Xiaoqing hurried forward, bowing and cupping his fists.
The man known as the sect leader nodded, then frowned. "What happened? Why are you injured?"
The woman had faint bloodstains on her body, clearly having fought recently and suffered a slight disadvantage.
"I just encountered a Green-faced White Tiger…" Mu Xiaoqing explained the recent event.
"You mean, even after you revealed you were from the Bamboo Forest Sect, they were still disrespectful, and they even stole 100 Destiny Plates?" The sect leader's expression darkened.
"Yes!" Mu Xiaoqing clenched her teeth.
"No one in Zouyi City is more skilled with blades than Mo Baiye. He paid a huge price to have us come here to kill for him, it makes no sense to behave like this! Moreover, with his strength and status, there's no need for him to attack a junior. It could have been his disciple. When we meet him, I'll help you get the Destiny Plates back!"
The sect leader said.
"Thank you, Sect Leader!"
Mu Xiaoqing bowed her fists. "Just returning the 100 Destiny Plates certainly isn't enough. I want him to apologize to me!"
"He's already contacted me. He's waiting ahead, let's go together!" The sect leader gestured with his hand and strode forward.
Mu Xiaoqing followed closely behind.
After walking for about two hours, a small valley appeared before them. Over a dozen people were already there, each exuding a powerful aura and possessing considerable cultivation.
Mu Xiaoqing glanced over and immediately showed a look of surprise.
These dozen people were all Galaxy 6-dan or even higher, no weaker than the sect leader, if not stronger.
"Mo Baiye called us here. How come he hasn't shown up yet? Surely he hasn't been killed as soon as he arrived! I've heard that the Heaven Mandate Hall of the Zhou Yi Dynasty issued a killing order!"
A middle-aged man with a scar on his face broke the silence.
"Good people perish while plagues linger, but rest assured, that guy is tough. He won't die that easily!"
An elder holding a long saber nearby spoke indifferently.
"True, just a few days ago, he captured a girl and asked me to bring her here. I've brought her now and am still waiting for my payment," a tall middle-aged man snorted coldly.
Mu Xiaoqing looked over and indeed saw a young girl lying next to this middle-aged man. She seemed to be about sixteen or seventeen, with her eyes tightly closed, already in a coma.
"Capturing someone? What is this guy up to?" The scar-faced middle-aged man frowned, a trace of displeasure on his face.
"I'm not quite sure myself. Apparently, she's the child of his enemy. It's said he was framed and unable to defend himself. By capturing the enemy's disciple, he aims to prove his innocence…"
The tall middle-aged man shook his head. "Of course, that's just his side of the story. We'll know the reason when he arrives!"
"No matter what the reason, capturing someone else's child is wrong. If he's capable, he should fight fairly, not take a child hostage. What kind of skill is that? Ling Yusheng, just let her go!"
The scar-faced man gestured grandly and stepped towards the lying girl, reaching out as if wanting to release her control and wake her up.
Before his hand could touch her, Ling Yusheng stopped him with an arm. "He Buming, if you want to play the hero, do it yourself, but don't disrupt my business! I brought this person here with great difficulty, I haven't even received my payment yet!"
"Payment? What did Mo Baiye promise you?" He Buming frowned.
"Simple. I bring the person into Zhilan Valley, and he pays me one Galaxy 6-dan Heavenly Destiny Luo Book!" Ling Yusheng chuckled lightly. "I know you hate evil, but even if you want to save her, wait until I get my payment, or we're not settled!"
"A Heavenly Destiny Luo Book? That's quite a reward! No wonder you agreed. Such compensation would be hard for many to refuse!"
"Indeed, I wouldn't refuse either. A Galaxy 6-dan Heavenly Destiny Luo Book is as valuable as one's own life!"
Voices immediately rose around, filled with envy.
"Although the Heavenly Destiny Luo Book is precious, it's not enough to make me betray my inner principles. Okay, I'll give you some face. When Mo Baiye arrives, if he doesn't have a good reason, and only captured the disciple to threaten others, I will definitely intervene!"
He Buming gestured grandly.
"Sect Leader..."
Hearing the conversation, Mu Xiaoqing curiously looked towards this He Buming, her eyes filled with confusion.
This man, with a scar on his face and ferocious looks, seemed to have a good character.
"He's He Buming, the clan head of the He Family of Qingyuan Dynasty. He is straightforward and generous. Whenever anyone asks for help, he goes all out, even having been deceived several times because of it. That scar on his face was from taking a blade for someone... Sadly, that person ultimately betrayed him! His helping others also led to the decline of his family, and now he's more or less a commander without troops."
The Bamboo Forest Sect leader seemed quite familiar with these individuals, casually introducing them.
"That Ling Yusheng is a wandering cultivator who has set up an underground network specializing in assassinations, captures, and robberies. He's very capable and charges high rates, but he's well-known and respected across the neighboring kingdoms…"
"That shorter one is Lu Ping, the sect leader of the 7-star Sect. It is rare to see him, the last time I went to 7-star Mountain, I didn't see him; surprisingly, Mo Baiye managed to invite him as well!"
"The one on the left holding a long saber should be from the Ten Thousand Sabers Alliance, the strongest among them. I'm not clear on his exact level, but I know we must be careful—never offend him..."
...
The Bamboo Forest Sect leader discreetly gave this brief to Mu Xiaoqing, then stepped toward the crowd.
"So, it's Bamboo Forest Sect's Mu Hongtao— you've come as well!"
As he appeared, Ling Yusheng smiled slightly and then his eyes fell on Mu Xiaoqing: "Is this your daughter? It's only been a few years, yet she has grown so much, and not to mention how beautiful she is…"
"She is Mu Xiaoqing, not my daughter but the Holy Daughter of the Bamboo Forest Sect. I brought her along to experience this and to let her learn!"
Mu Hongtao gestured with his hand.
"It's good she's not your daughter…"
Ling Yusheng nodded. "In that case, chatting with her doesn't make me feel guilty… Little lady, Zhilan Valley isn't as simple as you think. Come with me, and I guarantee your safety!"
"Ling Yusheng, what are you implying? You dare to eye my person?"
Mu Hongtao narrowed his eyes. "Are you itching for a fight, wanting to take me on?"
"Sure, I indeed haven't fought you in a while. It would be good to see what level your strength has reached!"
Ling Yusheng did not back down, also looking over.