FRGNM -Chapter 234 The Second Task

Nangong Mo clenched his fists tightly and said in a low voice, “Imperial Grandfather, please do not be so sorrowful. I believe that the late Consort Li also understood your intentions. You, Imperial Grandfather, rule with benevolence and care for the people. Duanyun Kingdom needs you. Since Consort Li is gone, you should—”

“Impossible. I plan to retreat into seclusion.” Murong Hua lifted his head indifferently, grasped the jade seal on the desk beside him, and walked slowly to Nangong Mo. “Even the finest kingdom is useless to a walking corpse. My heart was born because of her, it will die because of her. Now that she is gone, I think I will follow her. She waits for me in that other world, yet I cannot even die. I have no choice but to retreat into seclusion, to face the ancient mountains and forests, and live out the rest of my life alone.”

“Imperial Grandfather, don’t speak nonsense. If the Ancestor knew, he would surely be furious. Please…” Nangong Mo’s words trailed off as he felt the jade seal press into his hands.

Murong Hua laughed three times, patted Nangong Mo on the shoulder, lips slightly parted, a deeper smile on his face. Dressed in yellow robes, he strode out through the door.

“The one my father chose… is you.”

Just this simple sentence made Nangong Mo shiver all over. His dark eyes narrowed, and the jade seal in his hands felt like it weighed thousands of pounds. Could it be that the person the Ancestor chose was him?

He finally understood what it meant—why both the kingdom and the beauty had left Imperial Grandfather. The Ancestor had already decided to pass the throne to him, and that was why…

“Imperial Grandfather!” He chased after him, but outside, Murong Hua was nowhere to be seen. Not even the guards on both sides could find him.

A step approached, and the elderly eunuch holding the imperial edict slowly unfolded it. His high-pitched voice echoed: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: A written abdication is hereby issued, passing the throne to Murong Mo. He shall ascend immediately. So it is! Your Highness—no, Your Majesty—please rise, wear the dragon robe, and follow this servant.”

A gentle breeze stirred, bamboo leaves drifting across the sky-blue lake, swaying with the wind.

Rustling sounds continued as a figure stood on the lake, hands clasped before him. With a leap, he dove into the lake. Suddenly, purple Dou Qi flared, enveloping him completely, sending him into a stone cave beneath the water. There, he would remain sealed for thousands of years, letting time pass as it may.

“A monarch of this era, ending himself in such a manner.” Luo Mingyu sighed helplessly. He turned to look at the seated figure, expression calm, sipping tea from the water before lifting his head.

A dark figure strode forward, reaching him in a blink. Luo Mingyu smiled faintly, “Here you are, Ruoxi. Come, sit down.”

“Mm. Next time we go out, tell me about it. By the way, Nangong Mo has ascended—what happened?” On the way here, the edict had already been issued. Everyone in Duanyun Kingdom was talking about it, claiming the emperor had passed away. She didn’t believe it—the antidote had been developed, and Murong Hua had recovered. How could he have died?

Seeing she couldn’t be fooled, Luo Mingyu smiled faintly. “He departed. To give the outside world an explanation, they claim the emperor passed away.”

“Departed… he?” Ruoxi paused, thinking of the late Consort Li. The light in her eyes flickered—such a tragic love would surely wound a Dou Qi master too.

Having been suppressed for so long, lingering in the palace would only amplify her memories. Leaving… was the best choice.

Watching her expression, Murong Ming smiled, patting her head. “What are you thinking, little girl? I should also thank you all for helping Mo ascend the throne.”

“Actually, it’s yours. If you hadn’t opposed Murong Hua, how could he have issued the edict?” Luo Mingyu said with a faint smile, lifting his tea cup.

Her eyes glimmered as she whispered, “So… what is the second task? Once it’s completed, you can tell me about my father. Tell me, what is it?”

“Little girl, why so impatient?” Murong Ming chuckled, returning to his room. A moment later, he returned with a package and handed it to Ling Ruoxi.

“What’s this?” she frowned, touching the package. It felt hard inside, but she didn’t know what it was. With Murong Ming’s permission, she quickly opened it.

The next moment, Ling Ruoxi couldn’t believe her eyes. Her lips twitched as she stared at the circular object in her hands. Shocked, she looked at Murong Ming. “You… how could it be this thing?!”

“Oh? You recognize this treasure?” Murong Ming seemed slightly surprised. Not many people in the world knew about this.

Forget it! What treasure? Ling Ruoxi was half-laughing, half-crying. The circular object was nothing other than a modern compass—primarily used in feng shui to determine directions, combining position with one’s birth data to locate optimal burial sites. Was Murong Ming really sending her to find a feng shui treasure tomb?

But reality proved otherwise.

“This isn’t mine,” Murong Ming said softly.

“Then why give it to me?” Ling Ruoxi glared. She watched the red needle point forward, lips twitching, quickly putting the compass down.

Smiling faintly, Murong Ming continued, “However, it’s related to your second task. But before that, let me tell you a story.” He waved his sleeve, and a scene appeared: green bamboo growing, seemingly ordinary. Then the scene shifted, revealing purple young bamboo, faintly radiating spiritual energy.

Ling Ruoxi, sharp-eyed, noticed it first and inhaled sharply. A golden light appeared in her mind, with words appearing: ‘Purple Bamboo Divine Needle.’

“This is called the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle. Born from the world’s spiritual energy, it has intelligence. Only five exist in the world, each capable of resurrection. The purple bamboo grows in bamboo forests and is extremely rare—only one in a million stalks.”

Murong Ming tapped lightly, and the purple light exploded from his hand. The forest shimmered as a tiny purple bamboo appeared in his palm.

“This is the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle?” Ling Ruoxi blinked. Compared to the legendary version, it seemed ordinary—just a bamboo stalk.

Shaking his head, Murong Ming continued, “This isn’t the Divine Needle, just bamboo absorbing spiritual energy. But the Divine Needle can be made from it. Your second task is…”

A faint smile on his lips, Murong Ming looked at the nervous girl ahead. “Find all five scattered purple bamboos, gather them, and forge the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle.”

“Isn’t that two tasks?” Ling Ruoxi frowned. Finding the bamboo is one thing; forging the needle is another—they’re completely separate.

Murong Ming nodded. “Fine, just think of it as one task: help me find the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle. But remember, only purple bamboo can make it—you’ll need a craftsman to forge it into the Divine Needle.”

“You’re cruel! That’s clearly two tasks! I… I… I—” Ling Ruoxi glared, ready to smash everything in sight.

Helpless, Murong Ming spread his hands. “This is the second task. If you refuse, that’s fine. But I can tell you the third task in advance. Do you want to hear it?”

“Tell me.” Ling Ruoxi frowned, picking up the compass—she still didn’t know its use.

Murong Ming smiled faintly. “The third task is simple: once you find all the purple bamboo and forge the Divine Needle, no matter what you see, remain calm. Don’t get angry lightly.”

“Really? Seeing the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle would make me angry?” Ling Ruoxi rolled her eyes. “That’s it?”

Murong Ming nodded. “Yes, just that simple.”

“Forgot to tell you—this compass in your hand is for locating the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle. Wherever purple bamboo is within ten miles, it can detect it. I have nothing else to give you—only this map.” A parchment rolled out on the table, marking countries and locations, with red arrows pointing to five places—the five directions for the Divine Needle.

Murong Ming tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know how to use a compass myself—it wasn’t mine, and I never studied it. But with your intelligence, you’ll figure it out.”

“…Just wait here. When I complete the second task, I’ll settle accounts with you!” Ling Ruoxi glared at him, picked up the compass, and left.

Luo Mingyu just smiled faintly, following her.

Murong Ming’s smile faded, replaced by a cold expression. Standing at the doorway, he watched them leave, eyes glinting. He sighed, “To find the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle, one must know how to use the compass. Alas, I’ve studied it for years and still don’t know how. The needles are rare. Even if you find the bamboo, you may not find the craftsman to forge them. Ruoxi… I didn’t deceive you. I don’t know where your father is, but at least there is hope. If you truly find him…”