Chapter 92

At the foot of the West Emerald Peak in the Green Wilderness Mountains lies the Bai Lu Miao Village.

As the ancestral village of the Bai Lu tribe, Bai Lu Miao Village is undoubtedly the largest Miao settlement within hundreds of miles, with a population of tens of thousands and countless houses built along the mountain slopes.

From a distance, most of the mountain peak is covered with bamboo houses and stone cottages, arranged in a neat, tiered pattern, rising layer by layer. Near the peak, there is a palace dedicated to the worship of the ancestor goddess Nüwa, forming a complete mountain city layout.

To the south of Bai Lu Miao Village lies a vast, flat grassland, providing the Bai Lu Miao people with a foundation for grazing and plain farming. They do not need to laboriously build terraces on the mountain slopes, making the village undoubtedly more prosperous and fertile than Shuiyun Village, and also more bustling and thriving.

The long village wall is entirely built of stone, and a small river flows in front of the village, forming a natural moat. A wide suspension bridge spans the river, with a large number of Miao people coming and going.

Accompanied by Shuishan and Yunli, Wei Changfeng stepped into this renowned Miao village for the first time!

The houses built around the foot of West Emerald Peak are the most numerous, with the majority being stilt houses characteristic of the Miao people. However, the planning is much more orderly, without the intricate and interconnected corridors, forming streets and alleys similar to those in ordinary cities.

On both sides of the main street, there are many shops, taverns, and inns, as well as workshops, which greatly subverted Wei Changfeng's previous impression of Miao villages.

Clearly, things are different from a thousand years ago. The Miao people are not as rigidly adhering to tradition and have learned from the Qin people in many aspects, thus creating this Bai Lu Miao Village with a Qin style.

However, some things cannot be changed, such as the handsome Miao youths, beautiful Miao maidens, agile warriors, and mysterious poison masters.

"Bai Lu Village is different from Shuiyun Village..."

Shuishan, acting as a competent guide, introduced to Wei Changfeng: "This is where our tribal sacred deer once lived, a holy place for all the Miao people. Many of our people come from far away to pay homage."

"In two months, there will be even more people here!"

Wei Changfeng nodded.

Shuishan said, "Your people from the Martial Academy should be at the inn. I'll take you there first, then I'll go to Bai Lu Pavilion to meet Chief Bai Qi. What do you think?"

Wei Changfeng smiled and said, "I will naturally follow your lead, Senior!"

Shuishan laughed and took large steps forward, clearly very excited.

Last night, Wei Changfeng, as agreed, refined five Lingzhi Detoxification Pills, one of which was given to another poison master in Shuiyun Village, with equally excellent results.

Overjoyed, Shuishan prepared the herbs for exchange overnight and brought Wei Changfeng to Bai Lu Village early in the morning.

He could hardly wait to pass this astonishing news to the tribal leaders!

The inn was on the main street, a long row of three-story bamboo houses that were very noticeable. After Shuishan brought Wei Changfeng there, he left two warriors responsible for transporting goods and hurriedly left with Yunli.

Without needing to ask, Wei Changfeng entered the inn's hall and immediately saw the leading elder of Jingyun Martial Academy, Dugu Shen, along with several upper academy disciples and martial masters and warriors.

In a corner of the hall, there were many bundles of herbs, clearly purchased from other Miao villages, almost forming a small mountain!

Seeing Wei Changfeng appear, Dugu Shen was clearly taken aback and then stepped forward, saying, "Wei Changfeng, I was just about to send someone to Shuiyun Village to find you!"

Wei Changfeng bowed to him and said solemnly, "Disciple is incompetent and could not save Senior Brother Fang from the barbarians. Please forgive me, Elder!"

Regardless of whether Dugu Shen was involved in the matter, the rules of hierarchy and respect could not be forgotten. His attitude was humble and cautious, so the elder could not openly and deliberately make things difficult for him.

Dugu Shen shook his head and said, "I know about this. It's already difficult that you managed to survive. I also bear some responsibility for not expecting the barbarians to ambush us on the mountain path!"

A hint of guilt appeared on his face, but Wei Changfeng couldn't tell if it was genuine or not.

The expressions of the upper academy disciples varied; some were indifferent, some sneered silently, and some seemed to be enjoying the show, but none showed sympathy or indignation!

On the contrary, the martial masters and warriors mostly had a look of sorrow and sympathy.

Wei Changfeng said, "Disciple has brought back Senior Brother Fang's ashes and his belongings, as well as the herbs purchased in Shuiyun Village."

According to the rules of the Martial Academy, if disciples on a mission encounter misfortune, the survivors must bring back the ashes and belongings to comfort the deceased's family and friends.

Large sects and major schools are the same; ashes are brought back instead of bodies because the latter are difficult to preserve and transport.

Dugu Shen sighed and said, "You did well. The Martial Academy will provide generous compensation to Fang Chi's family."

Wei Changfeng knew that Dugu Shen was actually speaking to the other warriors present.

The elder continued, "Wei Changfeng, you've returned just in time. Come with me to Bai Lu Pavilion!"

Wei Changfeng was taken aback, "Bai Lu Pavilion?"

Shuishan and Yunli had both gone to Bai Lu Pavilion earlier, originally telling him to wait at the inn for news. He didn't expect Dugu Shen to also want to take him there.

What was going on?

Dugu Shen didn't explain, urging, "It's important. We'll talk more at Bai Lu Pavilion!"

Although Wei Changfeng was confused, he couldn't disobey the elder's order and could only nod in agreement.

Dugu Shen was very decisive. He left two warriors from Shuiyun Village behind and then took two upper academy disciples and Wei Changfeng to leave the inn and head for Bai Lu Pavilion.

Bai Lu Pavilion is located on West Emerald Peak, one of the tallest buildings in Bai Lu Village, where the tribal leaders hold meetings and receive distinguished guests. The pavilion is tall and majestic, visible from a great distance!

The group climbed the steep mountain path, passing over a thousand stone steps, before finally reaching the pavilion.

Looking back, the entire Miao village was in full view, with the scenery around both near and far being exceptionally beautiful!

After being informed by the guards, Dugu Shen quickly led Wei Changfeng and the others into the pavilion.

On the third floor of Bai Lu Pavilion, they met Chief Bai Qi of the Bai Lu tribe.

This respected chief, though with gray temples, did not look old. He was tall and robust, with a ruddy complexion and bright, piercing eyes, but there was a clear look of worry on his brow.

In addition to Bai Qi, there were five or six other tribal elders, as well as Shuishan and Yunli!

Both were surprised to see Wei Changfeng at Bai Lu Pavilion, but since he had come with Dugu Shen and the others, they remained silent.

"Senior Dugu, what brings you here?"

Chief Bai Qi was also a bit surprised, asking, "Is there something important?"

"Chief Bai..."

Dugu Shen first bowed to him, then pointed to Wei Changfeng and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Wei Changfeng, an upper academy disciple of Jingyun Martial Academy!"

Bai Qi, though clearly a bit displeased, still nodded and said, "A fine young man."

Dugu Shen, seemingly oblivious to the elder's dissatisfaction, smiled and said, "More than just fine! Wei Changfeng is not only an upper academy disciple but also an extremely skilled alchemist who even cured Elder Ouyang Feng, the former head of our Martial Academy's library, of his Yang Sha poison!"

Bai Qi was taken aback, asking in disbelief, "Really?"

As the person involved, Wei Changfeng felt not only bewildered but also a bit uneasy.

Dugu Shen knew that curing Ouyang Feng was not surprising, as it was no longer a secret among the upper echelons of the Martial Academy. However, he didn't understand why Dugu Shen had specifically brought him to mention this to Bai Qi!

Unless...

"I heard that the chief's daughter is seriously ill. Why not let him try?"

Wei Changfeng's eyes suddenly turned to Dugu Shen, "Senior Dugu, you mean..."

Before he could finish, one of the upper academy disciples loudly said, "That's right! Our Junior Brother Wei is extremely skilled in medicine and can surely cure the chief's daughter!"

Another disciple smiled at Wei Changfeng, "Junior Brother Wei, don't be modest!"

This was like putting him on the spot!

Wei Changfeng, his words cut off, finally understood, feeling a surge of anger!

This mission was indeed not simple. There was the attack by the barbarians, and now this. To say that Dugu Shen wasn't deliberately targeting him would be too naive!

Dugu Shen said meaningfully, "Wei Changfeng, the Bai Lu tribe is an ally of Jingyun Martial Academy, so you must do your best to treat the chief's daughter. When you return, the Martial Academy will not treat you unfairly."

"I can decide this. If you can cure Miss Bai, I will reward you with three hundred merit points and a two-year exemption from missions."

Wei Changfeng couldn't help but ask, "What if I can't cure her?"

Dugu Shen smiled, "Just do your best. I don't think Chief Bai will blame you, but you can't be perfunctory. Stay in Bai Lu Village for ten to fifteen days, and you'll surely find a way!"

Wei Changfeng was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Disciple will do my utmost!"

Dugu Shen's eyes flashed, a look of surprise passing through them.

He hadn't expected Wei Changfeng to agree so readily, making all his prepared words unnecessary.

However, this was exactly what Dugu Shen wanted. He smiled, "That's great. Jingyun Martial Academy urgently needs this batch of herbs. I'll take the disciples and martial masters back first. Remember to follow Chief Bai's instructions while you're here."

He bowed slightly to Bai Qi, who was deep in thought, "Chief Bai, we'll take our leave now."

Bai Qi nodded, "Senior Dugu, please go well. I won't see you off..."

"Chief Bai, no need to be so formal..."

Dugu Shen smiled, "I'll leave Wei Changfeng in your hands!"

With that, he left the room, taking the two upper academy disciples with him and leaving Bai Lu Pavilion.

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Thank you to zlgcan, Dong Bang, roseqiao, and the friends who supported with donations! (To be continued)

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