FRGNM -Chapter 253 The Moving Purple Bamboo

Danhuai City was surrounded by water, giving it the feel of a water town, yet it carried an air of mystery. Towering mountains encircled it, and the scenery was picturesque. Even before entering the city, they could see the tall white tower in the distance.

“That white tower over there is the Danhuai Tower. It’s surrounded by green bamboo, and even the murals are painted on the pillars. Finding the Purple Bamboo inside would be very difficult,” Ling Ruoxi said. Back when he had been searching for Bai He, he had tried countless times and failed. Now, it would be even harder.

Shen Qing, standing nearby, frowned in puzzlement. “I don’t know why there would be Purple Bamboo here. When I left back then, Huang Ming gave me a fake death potion and took me away. Then he disguised me, avoiding all the soldiers, and we went to Jinqin Country. I lived in Danhuai Tower for over ten years, and there really wasn’t any Purple Bamboo there.” Every familiar corner of the place was etched in her memory—how could she forget?

“That’s strange. But if we get close enough, we can use the compass to pinpoint where the Purple Bamboo is,” Ling Ruoxi nodded.

As they approached the white tower, they finally saw clearly. It wasn’t really a single tower—it was an extremely luxurious multi-storied building, with at least a dozen floors tightly connected. At its base, three large characters read Danhuai Tower.

Dongyang Ze had purchased the place, and it was maintained daily, so the environment was pristine, spotless.

“Please, come in,” Shen Qing said calmly, pressing her hand to the door and preparing to push it open.

But a strange singing voice echoed near the entrance.

The melodious voice carried a hint of sadness, and the singing echoed inside—it sounded exactly like Shen Qing’s voice. Yet Shen Qing was standing right there, unmoving. How could it be possible?

“Is this… the singing?” Ling Ruoxi entered, looking around, but found nothing out of place. The stage ahead was spinning—used for the singing and dancing of performers. The tables and chairs around were untouched, just as they had been. The floors connected like a modern high-rise.

It was as if, the moment someone sang, all eyes were fixed on them. That feeling was indescribable.

The singing stopped abruptly, and silence fell.

Ling Ruoxi opened his hand, letting the compass drop into his palm. Raising an eyebrow, he studied it, scanning the surroundings.

Buzz! The compass needle wavered, unable to pinpoint the location of the Purple Bamboo. Again… Ling Ruoxi tapped the compass. Could it be that the object was too old and had deteriorated?

The green-robed companion laughed wryly. “Stop tapping it, you’ll break it. Now that Bai He is here, how could you detect the Purple Bamboo?”

Realizing this, Ling Ruoxi apologized. “Bai He, could you wait outside for a while?” With Bai He present, her Purple Bamboo aura interfered with the one in the tower, causing the compass to be chaotic and unable to locate the true Bamboo.

Dongyang Ze, holding Bai He close, said calmly, “Alright. You all search here. Bai He and I will wait at the Fenglai Inn ahead. One day isn’t enough to locate the Purple Bamboo; we’ll wait a few more days if necessary.”

“Go then, don’t disturb your private time. Enjoy yourselves,” Silver Wolf chuckled, showing white teeth tinged with a faint chill.

Dongyang Ze smiled awkwardly and left with Bai He.

Ling Ruoxi raised the compass. The needle froze, pointing steadily ahead. He walked toward the stage. Suddenly, the compass trembled, and the needle swung sharply in another direction.

Silver Wolf’s eyes nearly popped out. “Quick! Look! The needle moved! Didn’t you say the needle points to the Purple Bamboo? Does it… have legs? Is it running around? It points here, then there!”

“Quiet. Let Ruoxi observe properly,” the green-robed figure said, pulling Silver Wolf aside to prevent him from disturbing the process. Besides, such a complex compass couldn’t rely on a single pointer—any error would prevent proper location detection.

Ling Ruoxi couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Just as Little Bai said—the Purple Bamboo has legs and can move. Whenever I get close, it shifts quickly. It’s already moved three times.”

“Legs?!” Silver Wolf shuddered at the mental image of walking bamboo. “That’s ridiculous! We need to fix it in place so we can see it.”

“No need.” Dongyang Ze produced the Demon-Slaying Qin, nodding toward the tower.

Ling Ruoxi reluctantly put away the compass. Now that he knew the Bamboo was inside, he could use the Qin to lure it out—it would be simpler than chasing it.

Sitting in Dongyang Ze’s arms, Ling Ruoxi placed his hands on the strings, lips curling into a faint smile. He let Dongyang Ze’s hands guide his own on the strings.

Low, melodious notes burst forth. The invigorating music spread, Ling Ruoxi’s eyes fixed ahead, waiting for the Purple Bamboo to appear. His fingers moved like lightning, the notes sharp and precise.

A chill swept outwards, waves of energy rippling through the air. Tables and chairs trembled, nearly shattered. Ling Ruoxi carefully controlled the force, scanning the sides.

“Focus. The Purple Bamboo won’t come out easily. Green Robe, Silver Wolf, keep watch. See exactly where it is.” He continued, letting the music resonate through the floors, enchanting and mesmerizing.

Ling Ruoxi didn’t dare look around, lowering his gaze to his slender fingers. As the music flowed, it felt as though he stood atop mountains, then suddenly by flowing waters, the aura enveloping him completely.

A purple glow flickered, then vanished instantly.

Silver Wolf shouted, “There! I saw it, but it moved away. It really has legs! It’s moving! Didn’t they say Purple Bamboo could move, but if someone eats it while moving, it dies?”

Ling Ruoxi paused—the Purple Bamboo’s aura had disappeared, clearly hidden again.

“Looks like we’ll have to try tomorrow. Today, it won’t appear. Let’s return and think of a perfect plan.”

“Eh? Leaving just like that? Didn’t you say your music is amazing? You can’t even lure out a Purple Bamboo? How embarrassing!” Silver Wolf grumbled, reluctantly closing the tower’s gates.

A gentle breeze lifted Shen Qing’s veil, brushing her face. Her eyes were wide, tense, and her hands clenched tightly.

Dongyang Ze raised an eyebrow, teasing: “Bai He, look at me. Am I a tiger? Why so nervous—afraid I’ll eat you?”

“No… I’m just… not used to it,” she blushed, fidgeting with her fingers. “I wanted to ask… how are things with Miss Ran?”

“That woman? She’s beneath our standards—only using vile tricks to chase you away. Our marriage has been agreed upon by my father. After returning to the capital, the wedding will be arranged. Don’t worry about anything else. Bai He, this time… you’re not leaving me again.” Dongyang Ze held her cold hand, smiling. He wouldn’t let her escape his grasp again.

Bai He lowered her head, tightening her grip on his hand. She pointed ahead. “We’ve arrived at the Fenglai Inn. Let’s go in. How many rooms do we need?”

“I know. I’ll stay with you. The other four can take three rooms. Mingyu and Ruoxi are a pair—they shouldn’t be inconvenienced,” Dongyang Ze laughed, holding her as they stepped forward.

The people watching Bai He felt a vague familiarity with her but couldn’t place it. Some bolder street thugs whispered among themselves.

A trembling beggar approached Shen Qing weakly: “Kind lady, sir… could you spare some food?”

“Of course,” Shen Qing replied calmly, reaching into her pouch.

But a huge hand suddenly swiped down her veil.

“What are you doing?!” Dongyang Ze’s face darkened as he glared at the beggar.

All eyes fell on Bai He. Shock spread like wildfire, screams erupting:

“Heavens! It’s Bai He! She’s back! She’s here!”

“Ah! Help! Bai He returned! The ghost is here!”

“Move aside! Lock the doors!”

“Relax. Bai He never died. Why are you panicking?” Silver Wolf muttered, moving aside to avoid being knocked over by the chaotic crowd.