Chapter 135: Go Find It Yourself

Shen Tong was startled by the words and immediately recalled the National Preceptor's admonition before leaving: "This journey is only to balance the fortune on your body; do not cause any trouble."

Shen Tong fixed their gaze on Tuan Tuan, wondering how their own fortune could be known by this little girl.

The Jade Seal is still in her hand!

Jiang Xin supported him, leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Your Highness, it's better to leave this place first; now that the Jade Seal has appeared, you can figure out how to retrieve it later."

Shen Tong wiped the blood at the corner of his lips; at this time and place there truly is no profit to be had, he gritted his teeth and ordered, "Let's go!" and turned away with Jiang Xin.

Tuan Tuan looked at his back and hummed, "Hmph! If you dare steal others' things again, what's stolen must be returned!"

Not far away, a man in blue robes was quietly reporting to the young man beside him.

The man was about twenty years old, handsome, holding a completely translucent, spotless jade flute that he twirled casually, occasionally tracing elegant arcs in the air.

He smiled faintly after listening, "This year's Secret Box guessing gathering is really lively! Two princes actually showed up."

Xiao Er packed away all the "spoils" one by one, and together with Xiao Ze, led the satisfied Tuan Tuan back to the inn.

Early the next morning, with the dawn light faint, Tuan Tuan stretched lazily, groggily walked out of the guest room and entered the inn's lobby.

"Good disciple! The teacher is back!"

Mo Zhanggeng was eating breakfast, waiting for them.

Tuan Tuan rubbed her eyes, "Divine Doctor Grandfather! You just arrived! So slow!"

Mo Zhanggeng shoved buns into his mouth haphazardly, clearly starving, "Isn't it just so that my good disciple can have a smooth trip!"

"Teacher…" Seeing his mouth empty, Tuan Tuan grabbed a bun from the table and shoved it into his mouth, "Got it, Divine Doctor Grandfather, let's eat quickly; we still have to go to Sacred Medicine Valley today!"

Mo Zhanggeng savored the bun, kept nodding, flatteringly pulled out the stool beside him, and helped Tuan Tuan sit steadily on it.

He seemed only now to notice Xiao Ze and Xiao Er: "You two are also here!"

Xiao Ze nodded helplessly, Xiao Er rolled his eyes.

Mo Zhanggeng glanced at Xiao Ze, "We're going to request medicine; too many people aren't appropriate, so leave your two Guards here."

Xiao Ze nodded, "Makes sense."

After finishing breakfast, everyone set off immediately, arriving at Sacred Medicine Valley without delay.

Sacred Medicine Valley lies among mist‑wrapped green mountain ridges, its atmosphere deep and secluded.

The party had just reached the valley entrance when two arrogant white‑clad men blocked them.

The leading youth said coldly, "The Valley Master has ordered the valley to be closed recently; no outsiders are allowed. Please turn back."

Xiao Er knit his brows, about to step forward to argue, when several people emerged from the valley entrance.

The foremost man, about thirty, in a plain white robe, expressionless, was the current Valley Master of Sacred Medicine Valley, Xue Jin.

The two white‑clad men saw him and immediately stepped forward to salute, "Valley Master!"

"The Valley Master has come out?" Tuan Tuan happily tilted her little head and looked over.

But Xue Jin shifted his body aside, respectfully yielding the space behind him.

Tuan Tuan was instantly stunned.

"Tou Shen? How is he also here?"

Xiao Er's brows were nearly knotted together; Xiao Ze's first thought was the Jade Seal from last night—this Da Xia prince, could he have come along?

When they met last night it was all candlelight; now under the sun it looks like this:

Shen Tong was dressed in a splendid purple robe, his features delicate, a tiny red mole between his brows faintly glimmered, his complexion as white and supple as jade, truly bearing a hint of a deity's reincarnation.

He instantly spotted Tuan Tuan, old grudges flooding his heart: "You again! What? Having seen this Highness, you still don't bow promptly?"

Xiao Er snorted coldly, "Bow to you? Who do you think you are?"

Jiang Xin shouted loudly, "How dare you! This is our Da Xia prince Gong Sun Zhi, officially named by the National Preceptor, a world‑renowned, deity‑reincarnated Shen Tong!"

"He lets you bow to give you face, to let you accumulate blessings!"

Tuan Tuan laughed in exasperation, "A god who steals everywhere? His luck is long gone!"

Xiao Ze said seriously, "What does the Da Xia prince matter? This is the Land of Fire! Not his Da Xia!"

Tuan Tuan looked up at Xue Jin, "Huh? Didn't you say the Valley Master doesn't see guests? Then how did this Tou Shen come out from inside?"

"I am not Tou Shen!" Prince Gong Sun Zhi roared, then curled his lip, both proud and contemptuous: "This Highness is an honored guest of Sacred Medicine Valley, far beyond your level!"

Xiao Ze, not wanting to entangle with him, stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "Valley Master, we have come uninvited, not demanding entry. We only wish to save lives, seeking the Nine Pure Spirit Leaves."

"If it's inconvenient inside the valley, please have the Valley Master bring out the spirit herb."

"The price, whatever the Valley Master deems, we will certainly pay. Once we obtain the spirit herb, we will leave immediately."

Xue Jin had not spoken when Prince Gong Sun Zhi sneered, preemptively saying, "Do not give it!"

His gaze swept over Tuan Tuan, with unabashed malice: "Valley Master Xue, this Highness dislikes them. The spirit herb—do not give it; this Sacred Medicine Valley, do not let them enter!"

Xue Jin's body stiffened slightly, he bowed to Prince Gong Sun Zhi, saying respectfully, "Yes, I will obey Your Highness's wishes."

Xiao Ze frowned, and Tuan Tuan tilted her head toward Prince Gong Sun Zhi, "Did your family open this Sacred Medicine Valley?"

Prince Gong Sun Zhi leisurely brushed his sleeve, his smugness increasing: "Sacred Medicine Valley was certainly not opened by this Highness. But Valley Master Xue will only listen to me."

Tuan Tuan was about to ask why when the previously silent Mo Zhanggeng gently placed a hand on her shoulder, shook his head slightly at her, and then leisurely pulled an object from his pocket.

It was a palm‑sized dark wood plaque, rustic, engraved with a certain white spirit herb forming the character meaning "order".

"Cough cough," Mo Zhanggeng cleared his throat, "According to jianghu rules, when the Sacred Medicine Order is issued, the Holy Medicine Grain Grain Master must obey the holder's single request."

"Valley Master Xue, you wouldn't disregard the rules of Sacred Medicine Valley, would you?"

Xue Jin saw the token in his hand, his face showing astonishment, exclaiming, "Sacred Medicine Order? How did it end up in your hand?!"

Prince Gong Sun Zhi glanced at Xue Jin, his eyes flicking, "What Sacred Medicine Order! Who knows if it's forged by you!"

Mo Zhanggeng handed the token to Xue Jin, chuckling, "Whether it's forged, Xue Jin, as Valley Master, you can tell with a single test."

Xue Jin reached out, took it, and examined it repeatedly and carefully.

Mo Zhanggeng, with a smug face, said, "My request is not excessive, merely a single spirit herb. Valley Master Xue, will you give it or not?"

Xue Jin's face changed, fine sweat beading on his forehead: "This order is genuine."

He turned to Gong Sun Zhi: "Your Highness, this is the rule of the Sacred Medicine Valley; since they come bearing the Sacred Medicine Order, I must obey."

"You!" Gong Sun Zhi seethed, glaring fiercely at Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan lifted her chin at him: "Hmph!" She grabbed Mo Zhanggeng's hand, saying, "You're so awesome!"

Mo Zhanggeng smugly rubbed her little head: "As your master, I'm certainly awesome! What do you think I've been busy with as your master these days? Look! Use it now!"

"How about it? As your master, I possess such vast powers, good disciple—hurry up and become my disciple!"

Tuan Tuan rolled her eyes at him: "No way!"

Mo Zhanggeng pursed his lips.

Xue Jin pondered for a moment: "I can agree to your request, but you must go find it yourselves."

"The Nine-Pure Spirit Leaves grow at the valley's bottom, where toxic miasma spreads, the paths are bewildering, and danger lurks everywhere. Whether you can find them depends on your abilities."

Gong Sun Zhi heard this and was overjoyed: "Little girl, did you hear? The valley master has agreed, but you must go find it yourself!"

Having said that, he provocatively glanced at Tuan Tuan's group, though the corner of his eye swept toward Jiang Xin.

Jiang Xin understood the hint, and while no one was noticing, he quietly stepped back and turned to leave.