Bamboo Chest Chapter Fourteen: Yuan Mo

A light drizzle began to fall over Qianjing City. Such fine rain was a rarity in the Wild Lands, and the common folk marveled at it with wide eyes. Even the nobles within the city found their moods stirring with excitement.

“Have you heard? Chang Qi hosted a grand red banquet in the northern part of the city, inviting all the city lords. Anyone at the same level who can best him in combat can also take a cup and join the feast!”

“But it’s been several days, and only a dozen or so city lords have attended. Could it be that the others haven’t arrived yet? The contest for king will start in less than half a month.”

“You don’t understand. Chang Qi has the prince backing him.”

“The prince? I thought he didn’t care for these things?”

“Quiet! It’s said... it’s Yuan Bai, the hostage sent ten years ago.”

“What?!”

A man gasped in shock. “How did he return?!”

“I told you to keep it down!”

Their faces grew tense as they glanced around. Nearby, a young boy wearing a bamboo hat hurried past, carrying a jug of wine.

The boy smiled faintly at the two men and asked, “Gentlemen, have you eaten?”

“Yes, yes, we have!” they hurriedly replied, waving their hands.

Watching the boy’s retreating figure, one sighed deeply. “I heard he’s also a city lord, called Daoist Yun. Unfortunately, his elders died young. In the Wild Lands, without support, is he really still a city lord?”

...

Pushing open the wooden door, Lu Yun removed his bamboo hat and called into the inner room, “Senior, I brought your favorite wine!”

“Come in.”

The voice of Dong Sange came from within. Lu Yun’s expression shifted; he gripped tightly the rope tied around the wine jar and stepped inside.

Inside, Dong Sange lay leisurely on the bed. Beside him sat a young man dressed in fine garments.

The young man met Lu Yun’s gaze and smiled before rising to bow.

“You must be City Lord Yun. It’s an honor.”

Lu Yun looked toward Dong Sange, who waved impatiently.

Frowning, Lu Yun hid the wine behind his back.

Dong Sange’s face twisted into a grimace before explaining to the bewildered youth, “This is the current crown prince of Baiyuan Kingdom. Don’t panic; the old man in the palace is injured and hasn’t noticed my abilities... If he were truly the prince, he wouldn’t have come knocking on every door like this.”

The Baiyuan Crown Prince nodded modestly. “I am fortunate.”

Lu Yun quickly bowed and asked, “Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here?”

“Don’t pretend. There are many talented and extraordinary people in the Wild Lands. He knows you are Lu Yun.”

Dong Sange took the wine jar from Lu Yun, peeled back the red cloth, and inhaled deeply at its neck.

“You Wild Lands only have decent wine that’s strong enough.”

The Baiyuan Crown Prince chuckled. “If senior likes it, I can send hundreds or thousands of jars.”

“No, I can’t handle that much.”

Dong Sange sat cross-legged on the bed, tilting his head back to drink.

“Your Highness, have you come here seeking to collaborate with senior?” Lu Yun ventured.

The crown prince nodded, then shook his head.

Under the boy’s watchful eyes, the young man pointed at Lu Yun.

“I want to cooperate with you.”

“Me?!”

Lu Yun was stunned.

“Yes, you, Lu Yun.”

The Baiyuan Crown Prince stepped forward, bowed slightly to meet the boy’s eyes.

“My name is Yuan Mo, elder brother of Yuan Bai, and the crown prince of Baiyuan Kingdom.”

“You... what do you want me to do? I can’t do anything...” Lu Yun was utterly confused by the thought processes of these people—how could they be even more unpredictable than a traveler like him?

The crown prince of a kingdom in the Wild Lands had discovered a sword immortal from the Sword Qi Great Wall and was asking to collaborate with the sword immortal’s suspected traitorous follower?

What a joke!

Yuan Mo appeared less sharp than Yuan Bai. To Lu Yun, he resembled the scholarly gentlemen of Haoran World he had imagined—gentle and refined.

“I want you to help me kill Yuan Bai,” Yuan Mo said calmly. “The payment is ten cities of Baiyuan Kingdom. Of course, you may choose something else instead.”

Ten cities in exchange for a returned hostage.

That was the stake the current crown prince was offering.

Lu Yun pondered deeply.

Setting aside whether he could kill Yuan Bai, after the contest to become king, by agreement, he was to aid An Luo and Shui Ze in ambushing the remaining city lords. However, he never intended to claim those cities. Since arriving at Qianjing City, he planned to leave Haoran World with his sister after avenging himself.

Yuan Mo seemed to perceive the young man’s thoughts and smiled. “The Wild Lands cannot tolerate a sword immortal from the Sword Qi Great Wall killing monsters and then returning to carve inscriptions, but I, Yuan Mo, can. If the sword immortal agrees, killing that one in the palace is not out of the question.”

“In the Wild Lands, strength rules. Baiyuan Kingdom lost its ascending great demon, and with this incident, how can it remain safe and secure?”

Dong Sange wiped the wine from his lips and casually asked.

Yuan Mo smiled. “The sword immortal should understand that Lord Bai has always wanted a different kind of Wild Lands.”

“Having said that, I don’t care. It’s up to him whether he agrees to you.”

Dong Sange left the choice to Lu Yun.

After a moment of silence, Lu Yun nodded. “I agree.”

“Good. Then let Lord Bai be the witness.”

Without further ado, Yuan Mo extended his hand. A sword scar slowly appeared.

Blood dripped down and instantly transformed into a swirl of red smoke.

“I will await good news. It seems you haven’t decided what you want me to do yet. Once you decide, use this to send me a message. As long as it’s within my power, I will do it.”

With that, Yuan Mo tossed Lu Yun a jade token, boldly engraved with the character “Yuan.”

Lu Yun clenched the jade token, watching Yuan Mo leave under his umbrella, his feelings tangled.

“Senior, does the jade token have no issues?” Lu Yun asked.

Dong Sange nodded. “No problem. It’s just a simple communication jade token. But I’m curious—as someone from the Wild Lands, what do you think of this crown prince?”

“I think he’s much better than his brother, not so...” After much thought, Lu Yun uttered two words, “Annoying.”

Dong Sange laughed heartily, placing the wine jar on the wooden table beside the bed. “Go to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Someone is looking for you there.”

“Hundred Flowers Pavilion?”

Lu Yun was puzzled.

Who at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion would know him?

...

Leaving the somewhat dilapidated courtyard, Yuan Mo happened upon two men sitting on a doorstep, chatting casually.

Noticing someone, the two lowered their voices but continued talking.

Yuan Mo showed no expression as he passed by.

Raindrops fell, and he caught a phrase whispered beside his ear:

“I think our crown prince is much better!”

“Nonsense! Aren’t you usually the one looking down on him? You said he should’ve been born in Haoran World!”

The man’s face flushed as he retorted, “What do you know? Tell me, in the Wild Lands, which little demon doesn’t want a peaceful life? How many great demons are there in this world? Who wants to die in confusion?!”

Yuan Mo no longer listened, taking his steps away.

No one saw the faint smile slowly curl beneath his umbrella.