Chapter 119: Valley of the Medicine Masters
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“The Tang family chief said… the imperial court of Yunyang country could have an adept who has already reached the Connate stage!” Ren Jiapei told Zhou Donghuang seriously. “He even said, the court also rears a Petty Consummate demon Cloud Condor. That condor is as fast as the golden-crowned eagle. If the imperial court sends a Great Consummate adept together with the Cloud Condor, then your two golden-crowned eagles will no longer have any advantage.”
Ren Jiapei tried her best to persuade Zhou Donghuang to leave, just short of personally sending him out of Chu royal city.
“Jiapei, thank you for telling me of all this.” However, after hearing Ren Jiapei’s words, Zhou Donghuang merely smiled and said, “However, if the imperial court is really just as powerful as you say… I don’t think that’s enough to make me leave the city to hide.”
…
Yunfeng prefecture capital.
“You’re finally back!” The man in a loose green robe looked extremely tired as he rode through the prefecture capital walls on a ferghana horse. His entrance was recognized by many people.
“It’s the chief of the preeminent Hong family, Hong Wei.”
“Greetings, Chief Hong.”
…
Many people along the street greeted the man. Clearly, he was none other than Hong Wei, chief of the preeminent Hong family of Yunfeng prefecture capital.
“I heard that his son, the first young master of the Hong family, Hong Yunfei, managed to enter the Valley of the Medicine Masters… is it true?”
“The Valley of the Medicine Masters? The sect that rules over Yunyang country and has adepts of the Connate stage?”
“Indeed. Accordingly, all sixteen countries in the western valley, including Yunyang country, have to prepare offerings to the Valley of the Medicine Masters every year to seek protection.”
“I’ve heard of that too. Apparently, it was only because of their protection that other Connate stage adepts did not come and cause trouble in Yunyang country.”
“The Valley of the Medicine Masters is truly the guardian angel of Yunyang country.”
“But, where did you hear that Hong Yunfei entered the Valley?
“From a drunk disciple of the Hong family.”
…
Hearing the commotion, Hong Wei frowned slightly and asked, “Who spoke so loosely?” However, almost immediately, his frown disappeared. “Forget it, even if they don’t know about it now, they will find out eventually when Yunfei and Dandan return home. Now, maybe it’s for the better that the news has spread… at least the governing Zhao family will not treat us so poorly anymore.”
Soon, Hong Wei returned to the Hong family household.
“Second Brother, has anything happened in Yunfeng prefecture recently?” After washing up, Hong Wei asked his second younger brother, Hong Kun. In the time that he had been away, he had left all matters regarding the family to his brother to handle.
“Big Brother, nothing much has happened in Yunfeng prefecture… however, that Zhou Donghuang has really grown too quickly.” As he spoke, his expression turned serious.
“How so?” asked Hong Wei.
“A few months ago, someone came to Yunfeng prefecture to find out about Zhou Donghuang… at that time, I thought nothing of it, just thinking that he had made some enemies outside, who were now seeking revenge against his family. But just a month ago, someone from the Chu royal household came straight to the Zhao governor’s household. I heard some people from the Zhao family say that the man was the commander of the Chu royal guard, Xue Meng, a Petty Consummate adept!” Hong Kun’s face darkened as he spoke.
“If it was someone else finding out about Zhou Donghuang’s background, they may just be seeking revenge. But why would the Chu royal household do something like that? Even if they did want to do that, they would not create such a huge fuss just to find out about his background. Although I have no idea why… but if Zhou Donghuang was able to get the attention of the Chu royal household in just a year after leaving Yunfeng prefecture, and even have the royal household send a Petty Consummate adept personally to check on him, he must be doing well out there.” Hong Kun shared his thoughts.
“Hmph!” Hearing Hong Kun’s words, Hong Wei just snorted, as if he was unimpressed. “So what if he is doing well out there? Could he possibly be on the level of the Chu royal household? At most, he is highly regarded by the Chu royal household. Taking a step back, even if he has the power to compete with the Chu royal household, not just the Chu royal household, even the Yunyang imperial court is nothing compared to the second elder of the Valley of the Medicine Masters! And my daughter-in-law, Chen Dandan, is the biological daughter of the second elder from the Valley of the Medicine Masters!”
…
The sixteen countries of the eastern valley, including Yunyang country, were all closely linked geographically. The Valley of the Medicine Masters was found in the south-western area of the sixteen countries of the eastern valley. It was a vast valley, highly developed, and it had major roads leading out of the valley. On each of these main roads, there was a majestic gate that stood over ten-meters tall and four-meters wide. On the side of each gate, a huge five-meter-tall stone was carved with the flowing words “Valley of the Medicine Masters.”
Now, just outside of one of these gates, there were three people, and one was sprawled on the ground.
“Chen Dandan, what is this? Are you destroying the bridge once you’ve crossed it?” The young man, with blood spewing out of his mouth and dirt all over his face, stared forlornly at the young girl not far away.
The young girl was in a light blue shirt and had a childishly beautiful face that was sure to evoke the envy of other girls her age. She was looking coldly at the teenager who lay injured on the ground, her watery eyes filled with disgust.
“Hong Yunfei, you are not fit to say anything like that,” said the girl with a cold laugh. “I used to find it strange why a young master from a preeminent family would come to a deserted place like Qingshan town and chase me so desperately as if I was the only girl left in the whole world. Actually, both you and your father had always known that my father was the second elder of the Valley of the Medicine Masters. You tried so hard to get close to me, while your father tried so many ways to please me; surely it was because you were eyeing my father’s prestige and power. But I will not be made use of so easily. Today, I am being merciful by not killing you. You had better scram back to Yunyang country and be the preeminent young master you are. Someone as worthless as you is not fit to enter the Valley of the Medicine Masters.”
Clearly, the two of them were Chen Dandan and Hong Yunfei, from the inferior Yunfeng prefecture of Yunyang country. Hong Yunfei was the first young master of the preeminent Hong family of Yunfeng prefecture. Chen Dandan was originally the adopted daughter of a guild master of Qingshan town, but after being chased by Hong Yunfei, she had gotten close to him. In order to please him and the Hong family, she had even betrayed her adopted mother who had taken such good care of her. She had thought that it was finally her chance to shine, like a phoenix rising into the skies. However, she had never imagined that she had always been a phoenix, and one that could look over the whole Yunyang country!
“Not only was that invalid, Zhou Donghuang not worthy of me… even you, Hong Yunfei, are not worthy of me either!” Chen Dandan looked at him with disdain and walked towards the gate. The disciples standing guard outside the gate all bowed and greeted her respectfully, “Lady Dandan.”
Seeing Chen Dandan disappear into the gates, Hong Yunfei struggled to stand up to chase after her.
Bang!!
The loud sound came from one of the two young men who were just about to turn to leave with Chen Dandan. He had just stepped on Hong Yunfei and pushed him to the ground. He smiled and said, “Hong Yunfei, did you not hear what Sister Dandan said? You better return to Yunyang country, otherwise, I will make you stay outside these gates forever!” The man smiled coldly, his eyes filled with a murderous glint.
“Hong Yunfei, I advise you not to yearn for something unattainable… even the princes of Yunyang country are not worthy of Sister Dandan; who do you think you are? You’re just someone from a preeminent family of Yunyang country.” The other young man shook his head and said, “Sister Dandan already asked you to scram, and Second Elder has also kicked you out of the sect… even if you do not wish to leave, you can never step foot into the Valley.”
“What?!” The color drained from Hong Yunfei’s face. “Teacher… has kicked me out? What did I do wrong? Did I do anything wrong?” His eyes were filled with indignance.
“You think Second Elder would accept you based on your pitiful talent? He had only accepted you because you had helped him to find his daughter. Now, Sister Dandan does not want to see you any longer… why would Second Elder keep you? Ridiculous!”
…
Hearing their condescending words, Hong Yunfei was filled with regret. He punched the ground furiously as blood flew from his fist. With a deep breath, he struggled to stand up. After a long look at the gate to the Valley of the Medicine Masters, he then dragged himself home.
He was filled with anguish. “The biggest mistake I made was bringing Chen Dandan out of Qingshan town… I should have let her stay there forever to be a country bumpkin! I regret it!!”
