FRGNM -Chapter 284 Stealing Something?

Ordinary Qin music, no matter who plays it, isn’t the same as music produced by one’s own soul. Even if it could subdue other Purple Bamboo, it couldn’t subdue the final piece. The Purple Bamboo with human consciousness was hundreds of times stronger than ordinary ones—even he couldn’t match it.

“So, it’s up to you. The Purple Bamboo energy still lingers on me. If it notices me, it might get suspicious.”

“And you’re not going?” Blue-clad asked instinctively.

Yuwen Zhiyuan chuckled, “Of course I’m going! But I drink while you work, eat while you work, play while you do your tasks. If I encounter Purple Bamboo, I’ll let you know ahead of time.”

“Get lost!” The laughter from the carriage rang out, and they set off toward Rong City in the central region.

Yunwu Peak stretched across the entire Rong City, practically slicing the city in two. Rather than Rong City containing Yunwu Peak, it was more accurate to say Yunwu Peak concealed Rong City within it. The majestic city perched atop the mountains, dazzling to behold.

Even more spectacular were the scenes within the mountains—so surreal they seemed like a mirage.

Countless people, moving like ants across the slopes. On nearly every patch of ground, figures bent over with sickles, searching carefully. Occasionally, they’d find good herbs or spiritual medicines, which they’d place in baskets before continuing the search.

“Uncle, what are you looking for?” Someone asked, astonished at the massive procession before them. The carriage stopped at the mountain foot; the path ahead was overgrown with grass, twisted and almost unrecognizable.

Those searching on the ground looked up and laughed, “Outsiders, here to look for Purple Bamboo?”

“Uh… Uncle, you’re really sharp. How do you know we came for Purple Bamboo?” Silver Wolf swallowed hard. Though prepared, the scene still startled him. Could it be that all these people were searching for Purple Bamboo?

Even if so, was the Purple Bamboo energy enough for everyone?

Clapping his hands, the man laughed heartily. “Sharp? Outsiders like you come all the time, all looking for Purple Bamboo. A few years ago, you might have had a chance to find it. Now most are gone. What we’re searching for are the roots that fell from the bamboo—they have medicinal properties, and the effects are good. If you want to find Purple Bamboo, you’re too late. Enough talk, I’m continuing my search!”

Watching the busy people collecting roots, Silver Wolf swallowed hard, patting Yuwen Zhiyuan’s shoulder. “Seems we’re too late. All the Purple Bamboo energy has been harvested, only the roots remain. Roots are like the bamboo’s bathwater… soon even that will be scarce. This is insane.”

“Indeed, but we need the main body. Roots are useless to us,” Yuwen Zhiyuan said, shrugging helplessly. He hadn’t expected the situation to turn out this way.

Ling Ruoxi raised a hand, puzzled. “Isn’t Purple Bamboo a naturally grown plant? Where do the roots come from?”

“I told you, the roots are like its bathwater—useless. But maybe good for them,” Blue-clad said, glancing toward the trail ahead.

On that path, a shadow in black emerged. Wearing a black Dou cap, a flowing black veil hiding his face, and a short dagger tied to a black waist sash, his clothes and hair swayed with the wind. A cold, aloof aura brushed past them.

Unlike others, he didn’t bend to search. A glint flashed in his eyes, accompanied by a teasing smile, as he headed toward the distant mountains.

For a moment, Ling Ruoxi was startled, quickly turning to call out, “Stop, you there in front!”

“You called me?” A cold voice spread out. The man adjusted his veil, tilting his head slightly toward the group behind. “Outsiders, be careful. Don’t flaunt your wealth.”

“Have we met before?” Ling Ruoxi stepped forward. She felt a familiar aura from him but couldn’t place it. Her eyes narrowed.

The man’s gaze flickered, slowly turning to her. “No.” Deep, cold, detached. He seemed unaffected by everything around him and turned away, continuing on.

“Are you not searching for Purple Bamboo? You live in Rong City too, don’t you?” Ling Ruoxi asked.

The man had already gone too far to hear her.

Silver Wolf frowned, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Why are you talking to an ice block? Let’s go. Rong City is next. If there’s no Purple Bamboo energy here, your compass will be useful.”

“Oh, right!” Ling Ruoxi’s eyes lit up. She extended her right hand, the compass appearing. The needle abruptly pointed toward where the man had left. In that instant, the needle swerved violently, and people nearby screamed:

“My heavens! I found Purple Bamboo! There’s still Purple Bamboo!”
“I found it too! Here, dig quickly!”
“Purple Bamboo! Wait, grab it!”

Everyone rushed to dig, grasping small pieces of bamboo. The compass swayed wildly—it couldn’t locate the true Purple Bamboo. Clearly, all the bamboo they held was fake, just the energy.

Curiously, the moment she pulled out the compass, Purple Bamboo energy appeared around them. Perhaps they had already been detected? Clever little thing!

Ling Ruoxi retracted her compass, eyes flashing with determination. Fine, she’d play along and see whose strength was superior—the bamboo’s or theirs.

“Let’s go, we’ll stay in Rong City for now!” she said, waving. The group avoided those searching the ground and headed to the mountainside town.

A cold glint passed—a black figure behind a tree watched them. His pale face was colorless, one hand pressed to a tree, the other clutching his chest, coughing weakly. Blood trickled from his mouth, turning into purple light as it hit the ground.

“Ah, Purple Bamboo! Look!” People around gasped, rushing toward the tree. So many purple shoots were growing beneath a single tree—rare indeed.

The crowd pushed forward; the black figure was forced out, his pale face vanishing in an instant. The people focused only on the bamboo.

In Rong City, merchants shouted, and buyers had already raised prices. Yet Purple Bamboo wasn’t easily obtained. Even if found, it wasn’t authentic, though it still commanded a price.

“Five-room upper house,” Ling Ruoxi said, placing silver down and patting Luo Mingyu’s shoulder. One room each, no problem.

Luo Mingyu nodded, pressing her head lightly, smiling. “Fine. Be careful tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll set up a barrier to prevent thieves!” She snapped her fingers, laughing. Better to guard against Luo Mingyu than anyone else.

“Hit him! That brat dares to run—kill him!”
“Quick, catch the thief stealing Purple Bamboo!”
“Grabbed the bamboo and tried to run? Break his legs!”

On the street, a small figure dashed off, holding a thumb-sized Purple Bamboo, glancing back nervously while sprinting forward.

A dozen men chased, one yanking the child’s hair and swinging a stick at his stomach.

“Pfft!” The child’s frail body shook. Curling protectively around the bamboo, he yelled, “It’s mine! They stole my Purple Bamboo! It’s for Uncle’s medicine, I’ll never give it to you!”

“The hell! I spent five thousand taels to buy this! You won’t take it!” A man raised his stick to strike.

The heavy swing… couldn’t land.

“Really? Just five thousand taels? Chasing a kid with a stick?” Silver Wolf rolled his eyes, snatching the stick away.

The child glared at him. “I don’t need your help! It’s mine! Go away!”

“Eh? First time doing a good deed and rejected by a kid?” Silver Wolf scratched his nose. Strange kid.

The man beside them scowled, lowering his voice. “I’m Zhao Yi from the bank, buying Purple Bamboo. A boy sold this to me—I paid five thousand taels. The boy then rushed out and stole it back, claiming it’s his! We do business by the rules—once sold, it’s sold. The boy causing trouble should be chased, not stealing from me. Hand over the Purple Bamboo!”