Chapter 679: Chapter 2: One Plum (Part 2)
Wei Qun, Wang Yanli...
Those people were old acquaintances of his at the Cyan Dragon Bureau, all working under Cai.
After the rebellion in Wu’an County, Cai died. Both Tan Wujiu’s reaction and the Cyan Dragon Bureau’s handling of the situation left these people very disappointed. Disheartened, they chose to leave the Cyan Dragon Bureau and disappeared without a trace.
If there’s truly help from the Cyan Dragon Guard, perhaps only these individuals might be involved.
"What happened next?"
Chen Tang asked.
Old Sun said, "Later, One Plum escaped the Court’s encirclement. Although they suffered some losses, their reputation grew, attracting many to join."
"To be honest, if I weren’t so old, with failing arms and legs unable to run, I would have considered becoming a bandit myself, alas."
Chen Tang had noticed when he arrived.
In Old Sun’s blacksmith shop, there were no finished weapons, looking even more rundown than a few years ago.
It seems that life hasn’t been easy these past couple of years.
Old Sun steadied himself and said, "Later, One Plum crossed the Three Thousand Snow Ridges and went over to Black Water Country, where they looted and pillaged, reportedly causing quite an impact there."
"Miss Mei is a good person, loyal and righteous. When the government was robbed, soldiers came to plunder the people. Knowing this, Miss Mei realized that continuing to oppose the Daqian Court was futile and would only make life harder for us."
"So, Miss Mei led One Plum to trouble those in Black Water Country instead. Besides, she has a blood feud with that side."
"It’s said that by robbing Black Water Country, those with One Plum are living quite well, fed and clothed warmly. Sometimes, One Plum’s heroes come secretly to Changze County, claiming to be sent by the Eldest Master to support the villagers."
"Though no one dares speak it aloud, everyone truly appreciates Miss Mei’s kindness in their hearts."
Chen Tang listened with mixed emotions, sighing with admiration.
In his memory, Mei Yingxue was just the daughter of a wealthy martial arts family at Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall.
Though she had a chivalrous spirit and a warm heart, her character was rather weak.
Unexpectedly, after not seeing her for a few years, Miss Mei had transformed so greatly and grown to this extent.
Not only did she become the Eldest Master of a powerful faction, able to call the shots, but she also dared to command a rebel army to raid Black Water Country.
Chen Tang pondered in silence.
Wei Qun and Wang Yanli, those Cyan Dragon Guards, were only of the Sixth or Seventh Grade in cultivation.
Even if their cultivation improved over the years, they’d probably be at most Fifth or Fourth Grade.
Even with their help, One Plum could hardly gain momentum.
If Black Water Country targeted them, they probably couldn’t last long.
"Hasn’t Black Water Country gone to eradicate One Plum in these two years?"
Chen Tang asked.
Old Sun replied, "Black Water Country was affected severely by One Plum; they couldn’t bear it, so they dispatched troops multiple times to besiege them. Miss Mei is clever; if she got wind of it early, she’d escape over to Daqian’s side."
"Black Water Country suffered great loss in Pingzhou previously and learned their lesson, so they were reluctant to cross the border to chase One Plum."
"I heard that once, Black Water Country mobilized its entire force, laying a trap at the Three Thousand Snow Ridges to intercept ’One Plum’ and trap them in a snow valley!"
At this point, Old Sun gulped, his eyes glinting with excitement, and said, "Guess what? The Mountain God suddenly descended and shattered the Black Water Country’s army!"
"Mountain God?"
Chen Tang was taken aback.
Old Sun shook his head, saying, "I don’t know, that’s what people say. If anyone asks One Plum’s heroes about it, they all say it’s the Mountain God."
"Anyway, the Black Water Country’s army suffered heavy losses and fled in defeat. Wouldn’t you say this is heaven’s blessing?"
"Mountain God?"
Chen Tang was lost in thought.
With such a big commotion in the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, could it have alarmed the Emperor Wu?
But soon, Chen Tang dismissed that thought.
With so many people present, it was unlikely for Emperor Wu to appear.
Old Sun laughed, "After that, whenever One Plum raided Black Water Country again, they just had to hide in the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, and the people from Black Water Country wouldn’t dare to pursue, haha!"
Thinking about Emperor Wu, Chen Tang couldn’t wait any longer, preparing to leave immediately for the Three Thousand Snow Ridges.
Seeing Chen Tang rise, Old Sun became a bit flustered, looking a bit awkward and embarrassed. He rubbed his hands and said, "Sorry, sorry, you see I’m getting old, just love to chat mindlessly, couldn’t stop, forgot the main business."
"Kid, what kind of knife do you want? I’ll forge it for you right now, no charge."
"No worries."
Chen Tang smiled and said, "I have some other things to do. I was going to leave anyway. Why don’t you have any finished knives here?"
Regarding this, Old Sun forced a bitter smile and said, "The finished swords and knives were all seized by the White Servants, they said it was to replace the grain levy I owed. So, I stopped displaying finished weapons. If customers come, I can make them on the spot."
Chen Tang paused in silence, took out ten silver taels from his pocket, and pressed it into Old Sun’s hand, saying, "Just forge one like my father’s knife."
"Ah, this, this, this is too much!"
Old Sun felt something unusual in his palm. He looked down and was startled, hurriedly trying to give it back.
But his vision blurred.
Chen Tang had already vanished!
Old Sun stood there with his mouth agape, stunned.
The person was here just now, how did he suddenly disappear?
Old Sun was startled.
In broad daylight, could it be a ghost?
Old Sun felt a chill down his spine, but he pinched the silver in his hand. It was indeed real, unmistakable.
Truly strange.
After a while, Old Sun gradually calmed down.
No matter what, he had to forge that knife first.
Even if Chen Tang was a ghost, he didn’t seem to mean any harm.
When the time comes, if Chen Tang doesn’t come to pick up the knife, then it will be clear if he’s human or ghost.
Chen Tang left the blacksmith shop, moved his body, and soon soared to the sky.
Little Golden Roc circled above Changze County.
The man and the bird were in perfect harmony, steadily catching him.
Chen Tang pointed in a direction, and Little Golden Roc turned into a streak of golden light, speeding towards the Three Thousand Snow Ridges.
Chen Tang didn’t plan to retrieve the knife, it was just an excuse to leave some silver for Old Sun.
Of course, he didn’t leave too much.
Leaving too much money might attract attention and cause trouble.
When Chen Tang reached mid-air, in an abandoned house in Changze County, a person sat quietly, as still as a stone, with no trace of life. Suddenly, he sensed something and opened his eyes!
This person was the Death Demon, who had come all the way from Xiling to Beiqian, guarding Changze County!
His master had instructed him to keep an eye on Chen Tang.
Failing to fulfill his master’s instructions, he must make up for this error.
Since Chen Tang intended to return to Beiqian, after much thought, the most likely place to encounter Chen Tang was Changze County.
He was alone, not fond of speaking, and had no news channels.
He could only use this method to wait for Chen Tang.
This strategy seemed foolish but very effective.
Finally, the wait was over!
The Death Demon dashed out of the house and looked up.
But as soon as he caught sight of Chen Tang’s silhouette, in the next moment, Chen Tang vanished with a streak of golden light into the northern mist.
What on earth?
The Death Demon stood there, dumbfounded, unable to react.
Where’s the junior brother?
How did he just disappear all of a sudden?
Here, in this remote place, although Chen Tang had caused a massive ruckus in Wusun Country and Liangzhou, news hadn’t reached this side.
He had been waiting in Changze County for two months, unaware of what transpired in Wusun Country and Liangzhou.
Chen Tang vanished like a flash of golden light, leaving him bewildered.
What kind of skill is this?
Mythical Vertical Earth Golden Light?
Even his master didn’t possess such an incredible body technique, right?
How bizarre.
The Death Demon pondered, perplexed by this riddle.
Fortunately, he had finally encountered his junior brother, and he caught a glimpse of the direction in which Chen Tang departed.
North?
Why did the junior brother head north?
The Death Demon furrowed his brows, growing more puzzled.
He took a deep breath, and with his Innate True Qi operating at maximum, he sprinted vehemently in the direction Chen Tang had left.
After waiting so long for the junior brother, he couldn’t allow him to slip away again!
He must bring his junior brother back to Xiling.
Chen Tang’s Divine Soul was damaged, reducing his perception significantly.
Moreover, the Death Demon’s aura was hard to detect, with no fluctuations.
Though Chen Tang left with Little Golden Roc, he didn’t notice the Death Demon lurking in Changze County.
Before long, Little Golden Roc approached the area near the Great Snow Mountain.
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