Chapter 51 - 51: Forty-Seven: Defection (Part a)
Besides accompanying the little boy to choose his spirit beast, Tang Luo also had to return to the Martial Hall because he couldn’t understand why Fang Han had stopped his cultivation yesterday.
For Tang Luo now, the happiest thing every day was watching his spiritual power grow. This sudden decrease of 2.1, how could he be happy about it? It was near his home to Martial Hall, so it didn’t take long for him to arrive.
Fang Han left yesterday and hasn’t returned yet,” the Steward told Tang Luo. Tang Luo looked at Fang Han’s fake note, thinking it was terrible.bender
The competition in the cultivation room was merely Fang Han’s own performance. Although the wound stretched across his entire back, it shouldn’t have hit any vital parts.
And Fang Han himself had won so many martial arts matches, he should have some assets in his hands, why couldn’t he afford the spirit drugs in the Medicine Hall? Besides, he only asked Tu Tong to move a box of gold to the Star Pavilion, could it be that the other big box of gold in the room was fake?
So, his fake note was just an excuse. His real purpose must have been to escape, but why? Was it due to greed?
“Dammit, fool,” Tang Luo cursed, frantically running towards the dormitory. He couldn’t quite understand Fang Han’s so-called purpose.
After rushing into the room, a big box of gold bars was undisturbed in the corner, which made Tang Luo lost in thought.
If it wasn’t greed, then why did Fang Han run?
Could it be the star?
Tang Luo then pushed open the door to the cultivation room, and the star was neatly placed in the center of the table.
”The star wasn’t taken either,” Tang Luo furrowed his brows while sitting on the cushion, picking up the star.
As soon as the star was in his hand, Tang Luo scoffed coldly, indeed, this little fool Fang Han must have run away for this star.
With a smirk, Tang Luo put the star into his pocket, crossed his legs, and entered into introspection.
After a while, Tang Luo opened his eyes. He stood in front of the map of Xiling in the room, pointed at Lingjiang, and murmured, “Where are you running, my first minister.”
The rage in Tang Luo’s eyes almost burst out. He thought he had been quite generous with Fang Han. Even though he noticed his thoughts, he didn’t expose them due to the love of talent. But who would have thought that he dared to this extent?
Who gave you the courage? Ningxia’s Liang Jingru, damn it.
Tang Luo immediately returned to the mansion and headed straight to the Spirit Beast Garden.
The little boy was learning to control the explosively fiery deer. Seeing Tang Luo come in with a gloomy face, he asked, “Big brother, what’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Tang Luo shook his head, then turned to the servant in the Spirit Beast Garden and said, “Bring me my Cloud Through Beast.”
The Cloud Through Beast was white like snow, looked like a horse, but had scales. It could ride the wind and air with its four hooves. Although it didn’t have any attack methods, it was fast and had strong stamina, making it a rare mount.
The servant quickly led the Cloud Through Beast from a corner, Tang Luo took the reins and climbed up at once.
“Big Brother, where are you going?”
“To catch a rat.”
Without looking back, Tang Luo rode the Cloud Through Beast out of the mansion.
The Cloud Through Beast was the first spirit beast Tang Luo chose in the Spirit Beast Garden when he was nine years old. At that time, he was brimming with youthful spirit and never thought that he would need to rely on spirit beasts for combat. So he chose the best-looking, fastest spirit beast as his mount.
This beast preferred to eat the viscera of fierce beasts, but its combat power was not strong. So most of the wild Cloud Through Beasts were weak and feeble, and only the domesticated ones had the posture of mythical beasts.
Tang Luo rode the Cloud Through Beast and galloped along the Lingjiang River. In a little while, he had traveled several miles, the cold October wind hit Tang Luo’s face, but it was not as cold as his heart.
His gaze was heavy, and the anger was suppressed deep in his chest. He wanted to ask Fang Han something really badly.
Lingjiang River was over three thousand miles long. Although Xiling was in the very center of it, if following downstream, it would still pass through several cities.
Five hundred miles away was the first city, Clear Water. Then there were Shen Ping> Qutang, and Andong cities.
Because of the special feeling of the star, Tang Luo estimated that in about a hundred miles, Fang Han would reach Clear Water. If he entered Clear Water jurisdiction, it would be difficult for him to bring Fang Han back without alarming others.
Therefore, Tang Luo manipulated the beast technique, and the Cloud Through Beast under him responded to the instruction of the beast technique. Its speed increased again, and its powerful limbs kept stomping on the ground, too fast to see clearly.
As it swung faster and faster, a cloud of white mist started to form under the Cloud Beast, growing thicker as time passed.
The mist grew denser and larger, until finally, it lifted the Cloud Beast and Tang Luo up into the sky.
The Cloud Beast trotted on the mist, and flew away through the clouds.
Fang Han, hidden within the cabin made of heavy wood, had drifted over three hundred miles, yet his target location was still far off.
Only by getting closer to the Tang Family could one realize how terrifying this clan was. Hiding merely five hundred miles away in Clear Water County would provide no refuge; if the Tang Family made a single move, they could easily crush him.
Therefore, Fang Han’s destination was Chaochang, a thousand miles away Only upon reaching there, could he truly feel the liberty of a bird soaring high in the sky, or a fish leaping within the vast ocean.
Thanks to the map in Tang Luo’s room, Fang Han – a youth who had grown up amongst local miscreants – was able to comprehend the vastness of the world outside.
Fang Han possessed ample patience, even though he hadn’t eaten in a day. As long as he continued to chew on the beast intestine in his mouth, he would keep drifting like this.
He had calculated it would take approximately five days to drift into the territory of Chaochang. By then, he would have truly made a successful escape. Although the cabin made from heavy wood was cramped, Fang Han’s heart had never felt so free.
The sun was setting slowly.
Fifteen miles outside Clear Water County, by the Lingjiang bank.
An old fisherman was hauling in his enormous fishing net. He had caught only small fish and shrimp that day, which had put him in a gloomy mood.
A young lad, mounted on a large spirit beast, dismounted and strolled over to the old fisherman, asking:
“Old man, will you sell me this fishnet?”
“No way, this is my livelihood,” he replied gruffly.
“One gold bar,” the young lad offered.
Young master, keep it safe. Do you need me to bundle it up for you?”
“No need. Old man, trouble’s brewing around here. I suggest you head home early,” the young lad suggested.
What on earth are you talking about, young master? The Jiang River in Clear Water County has always been peaceful. I’ve lived here for many years…” Another gold bar produced by the young man cut the old fisherman’s words short. The old man hastily handed over the coarse, black fishing net to Tang Luo, took the gold bar, and left abruptly without even tidying up his fishing boat.
By his agility, he didn’t at all resemble a man past his prime.
Tang Luo set the fishing net aside and sat down cross-legged to meditate, patiently awaiting his catch.
Half an hour later,
Tang Luo abruptly opened his eyes, cast the fishing net into the Lingjiang River, and tied the pulling rope to the Cloud Beast’s back. He then clenched his beast seal.
Under the control of the beast seal, the Cloud Beast galloped towards the inland. With the tremendous pulling force, the fishing net expanded into a droplet shape. Something heavy fell into it.
With a thud, a giant piece of heavy wood emerged from the net. It was dragged by the Cloud Beast and flew towards the bank.
Whizz, Whizz, Whizz!
The wooden boat caught in the fishing net began rocking violently as soon as it was pulled out of the water. In the blink of an eye, numerous silver blade auras erupted from inside the small cabin, tearing the wooden boat and fishing net apart into fragments scattering all around.
A silhouette tumbled in mid-air before landing and steadying itself.
“Impressive technique,” Tang Luo commented, his hands clasped behind his back and his eyes icy cold.
As Fang Han saw Tang Luo’s figure, he felt a sinking feeling in his heart and began examining his surroundings.
Since Tang Luo was already here, could the warriors of the Battle Hall be far behind?