Chapter 323 - 315: Purple Qi Comes from the East

Chapter 323: Chapter 315: Purple Qi Comes from the East

「Five days later.」

Qiu Yang of the Cao Bang quietly arrived in Huanglong Prefecture.

The first thing he did upon arriving in Huanglong Prefecture was to find Bai Yuan for a drink.

Bai Yuan, of course, had to play the part of a gracious host. Besides providing good food and wine, he also had his men find several beautiful women to perform a dance.

Qiu Yang lounged on a soft couch, his eyes filled with contentment.

As an Incense Master of the Cao Bang, he loved nothing more than a life of debauchery and excess.

"Younger Brother Bai, no wonder you aren’t interested in those young ladies from Jiangnan. The women of the Northern Lands really do have a better build."

"..."

Bai Yuan was speechless.

Qiu Yang was a veteran of the pleasure quarters and knew all the tricks of the trade.

"Brother Qiu, how many days do you plan to stay in Huanglong Prefecture? Ling Province also has many interesting places."

Previously, when he and Li Huan were in Jiangnan with a third companion, Qiu Yang had pulled out all the stops with food and drink. Now that Qiu Yang was on Bai Yuan’s turf, he naturally couldn’t be too stingy.

Qiu Yang grinned and chuckled. "I don’t plan on leaving."

Bai Yuan was surprised. Qiu Yang hadn’t come to Huanglong Prefecture for sightseeing; he was heading south to escort transport ships. Logically, Huanglong Prefecture should have just been a stop along the way.

Seeing Bai Yuan’s puzzled expression, Qiu Yang laughed heartily again. "Younger Brother Bai, my Cao Bang has controlled the canals for so many years without a single incident. If something really happened, I could be there within a day. If I, the Incense Master, had to personally handle every little thing, wouldn’t I work myself to death?"

"..."

Bai Yuan was at a loss for words.

But since Qiu Yang didn’t seem to care, there was no need for him to press the issue.

’Compared to Qiu Yang, I’m practically a model worker.’

As the two men drank and toasted, they both started to feel the effects of the alcohol.

’This Rice Fragrance Wine really is strong.’

With his vision blurry from drink, Qiu Yang was helped into a private room by a few women. As for what happened next, that was none of Bai Yuan’s business.

’Knowing Qiu Yang’s personality, though, he most likely wouldn’t refuse.’

Bai Yuan rubbed his temples and walked downstairs, his steps a little unsteady.

...

After settling down in Huanglong Prefecture, Qiu Yang truly had no intention of leaving.

Although Bai Yuan had lived in Huanglong Prefecture for many years, he was no expert when it came to wining and dining, so he specifically called for Yang Fangyu.

For ten days, they toured all the sights of Huanglong Prefecture.

「On this day.」

Bai Yuan’s group had just returned to Huanglong City.

A Cao Bang disciple anxiously sought out Qiu Yang.

Seeing the disciple’s expression, Qiu Yang’s brow furrowed sharply.

’Could something have really happened to the transport ships?’

’If something went wrong with the ships, not even he could bear the consequences.’

The Cao Bang disciple ran up to Qiu Yang. "Incense Master, there’s a situation with the transport ships."

Hearing that it really was a problem with the ships, Qiu Yang grew agitated. "Speak! What happened?"

His words were laced with anxiety and aggression.

The disciple first glanced hesitantly at Bai Yuan.

Qiu Yang snorted coldly. "Younger Brother Bai is one of our own. Speak freely."

The disciple, intimidated by Qiu Yang’s presence, nearly fell to his knees. His voice trembled as he said, "In... Incense Master, nothing happened to the ships, but... but when we reached the territory of Yan Province, we saw a flash of Zixia."

The moment the words left his mouth, Qiu Yang’s expression changed in an instant, a broad smile blooming on his face.

"Zixia?!"

Qiu Yang stroked his chin.

The Xuan Yang’s Ten Thousand Miles Canal passed through countless remote and uninhabited mountains.

The Cao Bang had previously encountered strange phenomena while sailing and ended up finding supreme treasures.

’Don’t tell me this time it’s going to fall right into my lap?!’

Qiu Yang licked his lips.

As the saying goes, "purple qi comes from the east." Purple represents nobility and auspiciousness; it most likely meant a treasure was revealing itself to the world.

’There hasn’t been any news from Yan Province, so the Cao Bang is probably the first power to discover this treasure.’

The disciple continued, "A few of our brothers already went to investigate. The problem is, a powerful monster has sealed off the mountain, so we can’t see what’s inside."

Qiu Yang chuckled sinisterly. "Excellent."

The two hadn’t lowered their voices around Bai Yuan, so he heard everything clearly.

’The Cao Bang’s influence likely extends further than any other power in Xuan Yang. With ships sailing daily, their intelligence-gathering capabilities are probably stronger than even the major sects.’

Qiu Yang turned to Bai Yuan. "Younger Brother Bai, how about we join forces and split the treasure?"

Bai Yuan mulled it over.

’After all, the treasure is in Yan Province. It’s not exactly appropriate for me, the Lingzhou General, to go there. But with the Cao Bang providing cover, it seems feasible.’

"Since you’ve invited me, brother, how could I refuse?"

’With an auspicious phenomenon like purple qi coming from the east, the treasure is bound to be extraordinary.’

’Besides, my Blood Radiance Iron was sent to Yan Province some time ago. This is a good chance to check on its progress.’

"Good brother!"

Qiu Yang’s laughter grew louder.

He had been kicking himself for not being more discreet around Bai Yuan, but when he heard a powerful monster was guarding the treasure, he immediately changed his mind.

’He’d already witnessed Bai Yuan’s strength back in Dingzhou.’

’Now that Bai Yuan had broken through the Perception Gate, his combat prowess would only be more terrifying.’

’Treasures accompanied by strange phenomena are precious, but they are also extremely dangerous, especially when guarded by a monster.’

’With Bai Yuan’s help, the chances of getting the treasure would increase dramatically.’

’If it was a situation that even Bai Yuan couldn’t handle, then likely only a Mingxin Grandmaster could intervene.’

Qiu Yang and Bai Yuan wasted no time.

They didn’t even enter Huanglong City, turning around and heading straight for Yan Province.

As the Lingzhou General, Bai Yuan naturally couldn’t bring his men, or he would surely incur the displeasure of Yan Province’s Chief Official. Therefore, he went alone, leaving Yang Fangyu and the rest of his retinue in Huanglong City.

Qiu Yang, however, had no such concerns and had already mobilized the Cao Bang’s experts to provide support.

...

Two days later, Bai Yuan and Qiu Yang finally reached Yan Province.

When they arrived at the site of the celestial phenomenon, the Cao Bang’s masters were already waiting by the shore.

This was the advantage of the Cao Bang.

No other power could have possibly mobilized so many experts across provinces in such a short amount of time.

"Incense Master Qiu."

A burly man with the most powerful aura walked up to Qiu Yang.

Qiu Yang nodded at the burly man.

This man was the Squad Leader of the Cao Bang in Yan Province.

"Ran Hui, what’s the situation now?"

Qiu Yang scanned the forests near the canal but could no longer see the Zixia.

The Cao Bang Squad Leader named Ran Hui bowed and said, "I’ve had my men keep watch, but..."

"What is it?"

Qiu Yang’s tone turned severe.

Ran Hui sighed softly. "Several powers in Yan Province, as well as the Government Office, have also noticed the situation here and have sent people over."

Qiu Yang’s brow furrowed.

’This just got complicated.’

’As a major province in the Northern Territory, Yan Province’s local powers are bound to be strong. Even the Cao Bang has to be careful when dealing with them.’

’Not to mention the involvement of the Government Office this time. What a headache.’

Qiu Yang’s gaze grew sharp again, now tinged with a hint of ruthlessness.

Having risen to dominance in the criminal underworld of the Cao Bang, he, Qiu Yang, was not one to be afraid of trouble.

’Climbing the Martial Dao is impossible without conflict. Not to fight is to lose, to be devoured until not even your bones are left.’

’Mere Yan Province is not enough to make me hesitate.’

’Besides, I brought Bai Yuan with me this time, didn’t I?’