Chapter 572: Meeting an Old Friend in a Strange Land (Second Update!)
In that small Dragon Village, Qing Ya had sent Qin Mu off, and then wrapped the True Dragon nest in her primordial energy to send it to Qin Mu a thousand miles away. She said to Elder Qinghuang, "Ancestor, why did you send Brother Qin away so quickly? Isn't he the descendant of the Kai Emperor?"
The other villagers were also curious and gathered around, asking, "We heard the Ancestor say that you and the Kai Emperor were sworn brothers in life and death. Driving Brother Qin away like this seems a bit heartless."
Elder Qinghuang glared at them. "We're not human, so what's this talk of heartlessness? Besides, back then I was indeed sworn to the Kai Emperor in life and death, but I always came out on the losing end, rarely the winning one! That Kai Emperor took his wife and children and ran off to that so-called Carefree Land to enjoy himself, leaving a mess behind without a care. And you expect me to clean up after him? Dream on!"
Qing Ya and the others exchanged glances.
The more Elder Qinghuang spoke, the angrier he got. He sneered, "Haven't you heard me curse before? I was the most famous master of foul language in the Kai Emperor's Heavenly Court back in the day. I cursed a Bull God to death! The Kai Emperor left behind a huge mess. How many of our comrades were waiting for him to rise again, to make a comeback? And what happened?"
He carried his fishing net and walked out of the village, his voice filled with anger. "He hasn't shown his face to this day. How many old brothers' hearts has he broken? That Qin Mu is his 107th-generation descendant. A plucked phoenix is worse than a chicken-dragon. The title of 107th-generation descendant is just talk. Which emperor's 107th-generation descendant is still a prince? The 107th-generation descendant of a True Dragon is worse than a little worm! If he wants me to come out of retirement, he can come and ask me himself from Carefree Land. Otherwise, not even the Crown Prince would get a response from me!"
The crowd followed him to a cold pool.
Elder Qinghuang cast his net from the shore but didn't pull it in for a long time. After a moment, he mused, "This Qin Mu does have some ability, but it's not enough, far from enough... He came to retrieve the military tally and learn the Ancestral Dragon's Supreme Profound Art. I gave him both. Our Azure Dragon lineage owes him nothing, owes the Qin family nothing..."
Qing Ya and the others were silent. A middle-aged man coughed and said, "Ancestor, if you don't pull the net soon, the fish will all escape."
Elder Qinghuang muttered to himself, "This Qin Mu is a little troublemaker. I'm an excellent judge of character, and I'm never wrong. His temperament is somewhat similar to the Kai Emperor back in the day—both are restless, both love to stir things up and tinker. I'm worried that if you follow him, you'll be in mortal danger. We've lived in the village for twenty thousand years. It's been plain, but we've been happy..."
"Ancestor, the fish really are escaping!" Qing Ya said nervously.
Elder Qinghuang continued, "Although that Kai Emperor was very annoying, and being with him always made my heart pound, wondering when I'd die, I don't know why, but I always miss those days. Whenever I think back, I feel a warmth in my heart. Whenever I think back, my eyes get hot..."
With a splash, Qing Ya dove into the cold pool. After a moment, she emerged holding a bright red fish.
Elder Qinghuang murmured, "Why do I miss those days? Am I getting old... No, I can't let you leave the village. That Qin Mu has shifty eyes; he's full of bad ideas!"
The Dragon Village villagers were roasting the fish over flames, leaving Elder Qinghuang by the pool. Qing Ya whispered, "I think that Brother Qin has delicate features and clear, big eyes. He doesn't look like a bad person..."
The middle-aged man said quietly, "Say no more. The Ancestor is in the midst of an inner struggle. Besides, the Ancestor was born a master of cursing. What good words ever come out of his mouth?"
"Uncle Yan, did the Ancestor really curse a Bull God to death?" the young people asked curiously.
The middle-aged man, Qing Yan, hesitated for a moment, then nodded and whispered, "It was a True God. He was cursed for three days and two nights. The Ancestor's foul language never repeated itself. That Bull God couldn't talk back and couldn't win. He was so angry he died. They say he vomited blood that formed a river and wailed for three days before finally breathing his last..."
The crowd shuddered and looked back. Elder Qinghuang was still standing by the cold pool, lost in thought, muttering to himself, "That bad kid also has a demonic nature, a very deep one. Even Lord Tu Bo had to suppress him. Lord Tu Bo only suppresses the most vicious and evil individuals, so it's clear he's no good... But this kid learns fast and has his own ideas. He's an unconventional genius. But with his love for stirring things up, he's also very likely to stir himself to death..."
The young people of Dragon Village ate the grilled fish. Qing Ya asked doubtfully, "Is the Ancestor praising Brother Qin or cursing him?"
Elder Qinghuang was still in his inner struggle, muttering, "I can't let the younger generation waste away here with me, an old fossil. Maybe letting them leave the village won't be a bad thing..."
The crowd finished the fish, leaving a pile of bones.
Elder Qinghuang finally emerged from his inner struggle. He shook the water off his net, preparing to pull it in, and said with a smile, "Qing Yan, let's have grilled fish today. After we eat, I'll allow you all to go out and explore the Great Ruins."
Qing Ya and the others cheered and scattered in all directions.
Elder Qinghuang was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
Jiang Miao transformed into human form, taking on the appearance of a young man somewhat similar to Qin Yu. He followed Qin Mu while cultivating the Ancestral Dragon's Supreme Profound Art, practicing various techniques and divine abilities, constantly honing himself. He was very diligent.
As Qin Mu walked, he activated his Overlord Body Three Dantian Art. Each cycle of the Overlord Body Three Dantian Art triggered a round of the Ancestral Dragon's Eight Sounds, with continuous dragon roars, constantly tempering himself.
The two of them headed toward the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, moving at a good pace.
Qin Mu refined several furnaces of Water Element Divine Origin Pills for Jiang Miao to replenish his energy when he was tired from cultivation. Jiang Miao wasn't picky. The Water Element Divine Origin Pills didn't taste very good, but they were compatible with his primordial energy, so he ate them with relish, constantly praising Qin Mu's skill.
Qin Mu thought of the Dragon Qilin and sighed to himself. Just then, he suddenly stopped and looked around. Jiang Miao quickly halted and asked curiously, "Chief, what's wrong?"
Qin Mu looked thoughtful. "I just felt like something was approaching, but when I looked closely, I didn't see anything. Strange. Maybe I was seeing things..."
He continued walking. After they had gone far, a peony flower suddenly drifted like smoke and then transformed into the form of Banguo Cuo, though he had a deer leg growing from his body.
"That kid actually sensed me. My cultivation and strength have improved significantly, yet he still detected me. That little bastard's cultivation is improving fast too. And there's a little brat with him, looks like a dragon. That kid has incredible luck to get a True Dragon's help... More likely, he's trafficking a True Dragon! Someone's coming!"
Just as Banguo Cuo thought this, his ears twitched. He shook his body and transformed into a large tree, with two eyes sprouting from the trunk, rolling around.
Whoosh.
A group of Azure Dragons came whistling in on a gale, making him stare wide-eyed. The shortest of these dragons was at least thirty to fifty zhang long, and they were moving very fast, apparently tracking Qin Mu's trail.
Whoosh—
The gale howled as several dozen Azure Dragons stopped, landing around Banguo Cuo. The shortest of them shook its body and transformed into a girl in green clothes. She examined the area carefully and said, "He just passed by. He shouldn't be far! We'll catch up to him soon!"
Suddenly, the largest Azure Dragon coiled its body, surrounding the tree that Banguo Cuo had transformed into. It stared at the tree and said, "This tree is strange."
Banguo Cuo didn't dare to be careless. He quickly revealed his true form and said with a flattering smile, "Esteemed dragon seniors, are you tracking a young man named Qin? I just saw that fellow with a fierce look, sneaking past, and he had a dragon youth with him, probably abducted."
"You saw him?"
Qing Ya was both surprised and delighted and quickly asked, "Where did he go?"
Banguo Cuo said with great righteousness, "I can lead the way for you seniors. I'll make sure that scoundrel has no escape!"
The crowd was overjoyed and laughed, saying, "If you can lead us to him, it will save us the trouble of tracking him."
Banguo Cuo quickly exchanged pleasantries and limped ahead, leading the way, laughing, "That kid is slippery and runs fast, but he can't escape my tracking. Please follow me!"
The many Azure Dragons each transformed into young men and women. Qing Yan, a middle-aged man, followed Banguo Cuo as they tracked Qin Mu.
Qin Mu and Jiang Miao were moving quite fast. From afar, they could see the light of the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge shooting into the sky. They quickened their pace and arrived at a town. Qin Mu purchased some medicinal herbs and said, "Once we're back in Supreme Emperor Heaven, you'll have to go back to Qin Yu. I promised Junior Brother Qin Yu that I'd borrow you for a few days, and I have to return you."
Jiang Miao looked troubled and said, "Before, my intelligence wasn't awakened, so I followed him. Now that my intelligence is awakened, I can't bring myself to coil around him anymore. Chief, could you speak to him on my behalf? He has been kind to me, so it's hard for me to bring it up."
Qin Mu thought for a moment and laughed, "I borrowed a young dragon from him, and now I'm returning a grown man. I can't bring myself to say that either. You'll have to tell him yourself."
Jiang Miao looked worried.
The two arrived at the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge. Jiang Miao hesitated, unwilling to enter. Qin Mu laughed, "Once we're in Supreme Emperor Heaven, I'll take charge and have you two become sworn brothers. How about that?"
Jiang Miao finally relaxed and laughed, "Then I'll be in your care, Chief."
Just as they were about to step onto the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, Banguo Cuo suddenly limped over with a swagger, laughing heartily, "Chief Qin, life is full of unexpected encounters! How have you been?"
Qin Mu's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "So it's the Great Venerable. Do you remember the last time you stood behind me, intending to harm me, and what I said to you? 'Next time I see you, I'll take your head.' How do you want to die?"
"You're exposed! And you still want my head?"
Banguo Cuo sneered and shouted, "Look who's behind me!"
Behind him, Qing Yan, Qing Ya, and other strong experts from Dragon Village walked over. Qing Ya waved excitedly at Qin Mu and laughed, "Brother Qin, the Ancestor has allowed us to leave the village!"
Qin Mu was also surprised and delighted and quickly said, "Elder Qinghuang has allowed you to leave the village for training? To be honest, my Heavenly Saint Church is in need of people right now..."
Banguo Cuo was dumbfounded, a look of terror spreading across his face. He thought to himself, "So this guy didn't just abduct one young dragon, but a whole group of True Dragons... This is bad, this is bad... No time to lose, I need to make a run for it!"
Just as he was about to leave, a middle-aged man appeared behind him.
Qing Yan placed his hand on Banguo Cuo's shoulder and laughed, "Brother Qin, is this young friend an acquaintance of yours? Thanks to him, we were able to find you so quickly."
Qin Mu said with a half-smile, "I really do need to thank the Great Venerable properly! Brother Yan, hold him down. This guy is a master of escape!"