Chapter 683: Chapter 5: Together on the Road (Part 2)
The Little White Ape looked puzzled and gestured to inquire.
"Brother Diao is a flying Exotic Beast, it’s not convenient for him to come inside from the sky outside."
Chen Tang briefly explained.
"Roar!"
The Mountain Lord understood what Chen Tang said earlier, suddenly roared, shook its fur, and prepared to leave.
Chen Tang saw the Mountain Lord’s intent.
It has always been the King of the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, so majestic and free.
If it weren’t for Emperor Wu’s arrangement, it would never have chosen to hide in this cave.
After being cooped up here for several months, it must have been quite frustrated.
Previously, there were two Cold Domain Divine Eagles monitoring the sky, so it wasn’t convenient for it to leave. Upon hearing that those two divine eagles were dead, it could no longer stay and was ready to leave this place, returning to the forest.
Chen Tang felt a little concerned and said, "That powerful adversary’s whereabouts are unknown, it’s better to be cautious, as Brother Diao’s relatives were killed by that person."
The Mountain Lord shook its head, seemingly unconcerned, and continued heading outside.
Chen Tang, Xue Tuan’Er, and the Little White Ape followed suit and walked out together.
Once outside, the Mountain Lord stretched, took a deep breath, shook itself, and looked revitalized.
It seemed to sense something, suddenly looked up, and saw the Little Golden Roc soaring and circling in the sky.
"Brother Diao, come down!"
Chen Tang called out.
The Little Golden Roc responded with a chirp and quickly landed beside Chen Tang.
However, it gazed at the Mountain Lord with a hint of wariness and vigilance.
"These are all my good friends, get to know each other, don’t fight."
Chen Tang introduced Xue Tuan’Er and the Little White Ape to the Little Golden Roc.
The Mountain Lord slightly lowered its head, pondered for a moment, then suddenly reached out with its tiger paw, nudging Xue Tuan’Er towards Chen Tang and raised its head.
"Do you want Xue Tuan’Er to go with me?"
Chen Tang was taken aback and tentatively asked.
The Mountain Lord nodded slightly and let out another low roar.
Chen Tang understood the Mountain Lord’s intention.
It was indifferent but couldn’t help worrying about Xue Tuan’Er.
Chen Tang said, "I have quite a few enemies outside now, following me will undoubtedly lead to many dangers, it may not be safe."
The Mountain Lord merely fixed its gaze on Chen Tang, eyes resolute.
To the Mountain Lord, letting Xue Tuan’Er go with Chen Tang wasn’t just to avoid danger but also a form of training.
Simply staying in the Three Thousand Snow Ridges would never allow one to grow into a true king!
Xue Tuan’Er was naturally reluctant to part with the Mountain Lord, circling around it, nuzzling and licking.
The Mountain Lord eventually found it annoying and swatted it away several times before Xue Tuan’Er refrained from going back.
It then went to the Little White Ape, pulling at its arm, wanting to take it along as well.
The Little White Ape scratched its head, eyes flashing with a hint of eagerness.
In truth, it also wanted to see the world beyond the mountain, like the old White Ape buried in the cave.
Moreover, it had learned many skills and was eager to showcase them.
"Roar!"
The Mountain Lord gave a low roaring sound, cast a deep gaze at Chen Tang and Xue Tuan’Er, turned around, and disappeared into the forest.
For some reason, an inexplicable emotion surged through Chen Tang’s heart, indescribable.
The Little White Ape seemed to recall something, drew a circle on the ground, indicating for Chen Tang to wait here, and then went back into the White Ape Cave.
Before long, it returned, with several wine gourds tied around its waist.
Chen Tang smiled knowingly.
With no idea when they’d return, the Little White Ape took some Monkey Wine for the journey.
"We need to go to the Black Water Country first."
Chen Tang instructed the Little Golden Roc to scout ahead for the whereabouts of ’One Plum’ in Black Water Country.
From the Black Water Country Martial Artists he’d encountered earlier, Chen Tang learned that the Martial Artists of One Plum would all wear an armband with red plum blossoms on their left arm.
The Black Water Country is quite large.
If Chen Tang searched all the way by himself, it would take too much time.
From a high vantage point, the Little Golden Roc could easily spot the whereabouts of ’One Plum.’
The Little Golden Roc understood Chen Tang’s intention, let out a long cry, flew into the clouds, and sped towards the north where Black Water Country lies, disappearing again.
Chen Tang laughed, "Xue Tuan’Er, Little White Ape, after years apart, let’s see who’s faster to Black Water Country."
Xue Tuan’Er roared in excitement.
The Little White Ape was also eager to try.
At Chen Tang’s command, three figures shot off like the wind, racing towards Black Water Country.
The Death Demon treaded on the snow, eyes scanning all directions, ears attuned to every sound, seeking Chen Tang’s whereabouts.
Finally, he detected the faint scent of blood!
Following the trail of blood, he quickly located a cave near the Snow Mountain.
The people of the Profound Celestial Sect had just died not long ago.
The Death Demon examined briefly and found no survivors.
Although he didn’t find his junior brother, at least it proved he was on the right track.
Moreover, his junior brother shouldn’t be far, he must be nearby!
The Death Demon continued his search.
Before long, he heard a long cry in the distance.
Startled, the Death Demon looked up and saw a streak of golden light flash across the sky and vanish in the blink of an eye.
"..."
The Death Demon gradually tightened his fists.
He wasn’t one for words, but at that moment, he felt like cursing.
The Death Demon took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and gritted his teeth as he continued north.
-----------------
Black Water Country, Thousand Peaks Ridge.
This place is filled with towering peaks, lush forests, complex terrain, and is sparsely populated.
Currently, One Plum’s army is hidden here.
The people have pitched camp here but dare not light any fires, surviving on cold and dry rations.
Every face bears deep fatigue.
Many individuals are wounded.
Inside several tents, screams and groans occasionally echo, the two doctors are so busy they’re sweating profusely, unable to tend to everyone.
Inside a particular tent, Mei Yingxue sat silently, her expression stern.
The surrounding tents’ noises exacerbated her irritation.
Yet, she knew she was One Plum’s Eldest Master, leading the Rebel Army, so she couldn’t show too much negativity.
If the morale fell apart, One Plum wouldn’t survive for long.
But how much longer can One Plum sustain this escape?
"Eldest Master, today’s disaster originates from us."
One person spoke, clasping his hands, "We were once part of the Cyan Dragon Guard, which brought the Cyan Dragon Bureau’s pursuit."
"Indeed."
Another woman nodded, "The trouble we caused, we must bear. We’ll soon leave here, face the Cyan Dragon Bureau, even if to our deaths."
Mei Yingxue glanced over everyone in the tent, then focused on the pair.
"Brother Wei, Sister Wang, your words belittle me, Mei Yingxue."
Mei Yingxue declared, "We’ve shared blessings and hardships together. Years ago, if not for your righteous intervention, I’d have perished, and there’d be no One Plum today."
"Besides, the Cyan Dragon Bureau and Black Water Country are working together to annihilate One Plum. Capturing alleged Cyan Dragon Bureau rebels is just their pretext."
"Moreover, if Brother Tan hadn’t arrived risking his life to save us, we might not have escaped here."
At the mention of ’Brother Tan,’ everyone’s expressions dimmed, heads shaking with a sigh.
Wang Yanli said, "Actually, over the years, we’ve lost most of our resentment towards him. Cai’s death wasn’t his doing, he didn’t want to see it happen either."
"Looking back now, with the Cyan Dragon Bureau as it is, perhaps back then he had no choice either."
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