Chapter 292: A Whiff and a Search Begins
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
The Hundred Flowers Valley and Tai Bai Academy were neighboring sects, with Southern Wind City nestled at their shared border.
Upon arriving in Southern Wind City, Yu Zhao and her two companions wasted no time and headed straight for the Tu family’s ancestral home. When the Tu family learned that disciples of the Hundred Flowers Valley had come to visit, they hurriedly welcomed them in and sent someone to summon the head of the household and the young master, Tu Yun Tian.
The Tu family patriarch, Tu Hua Zhang, was a refined man, exuding warmth without veering into flattery, instantly earning others’ goodwill.
“I wonder what brings you three young friends to my humble abode?” Tu Hua Zhang asked, smiling. “If there’s anything the Tu family can assist with, just say the word. We won’t hesitate to help.”
Mo Ci instinctively glanced at Yu Zhao. Seeing no response, she took the initiative. “Patriarch Tu, to be frank, we’re here looking for our junior sister, Han Xin Lan. Is she currently in your residence?”
Tu Hua Zhang looked surprised. “I’m afraid there must be a misunderstanding. We haven’t had any visitors by that name recently.”
“Are you certain?” Jing Nan frowned. “Could you be mistaken?”
Tu Hua Zhang chuckled. “This is the Tu family’s ancestral home. Even a stray insect wouldn’t escape my notice, let alone a guest. Perhaps you three have made an error?”
“Our junior sister specifically mentioned the Tu family in Southern Wind City,” Jing Nan insisted. “Unless there’s another Tu family here, I couldn’t have been mistaken.”
“But the Tu family has no prior connections with Hundred Flowers Valley,” Tu Hua Zhang reasoned. “Why would a disciple of your sect come here?”
“Because she has ties with your younger son, Tu Yun Tian…”
Before Jing Nan could finish, a poised young man strode confidently into the hall. He scanned Yu Zhao and her companions with a disdainful smirk.
“Where’s Han Xin Lan? Didn’t she come? Is she avoiding me, or has she decided to sever ties altogether? Speak. Whatever the case, I’ll accept it.”
Yu Zhao’s group exchanged puzzled glances. From Tu Yun Tian’s tone, it seemed he hadn’t met Han Xin Lan. Then where could she be?
“Why the strange faces? Say something!” Tu Yun Tian demanded irritably.
“Yun Tian, show some manners!” Tu Hua Zhang reprimanded before turning to the visitors. “As you heard, Yun Tian has never met this Han Xin Lan. There must be some other misunderstanding.”
“Xin Lan? What happened to her? Is she in trouble? Speak up!” Tu Yun Tian’s earlier arrogance dissolved as he heard of possible danger, his concern clearly visible.
Mo Ci explained, “A month ago, she left Hundred Flowers Valley, saying she was heading to Southern Wind City to see you. We’ve had no news since.”
Tu Yun Tian turned pale. In the cultivation world, disappearing during a journey often meant death.
“She… she came to find me… Why would she come to find me…” he muttered, lost in thought. Then, abruptly, he glared at Mo Ci. “If she was coming to see me, why didn’t you stop her? Aren’t you supposed to be her companions? How could you not care where she went? Why are you only searching now?”
Jing Nan’s fiery temper flared. “Tu Yun Tian, get this straight! Han Xin Lan went missing on her way to see you! If you hadn’t selfishly returned to Southern Wind City without a word, she wouldn’t have felt compelled to seek you out alone. And now you dare shift the blame? That’s shameless!”
“How was I to know she’d come looking for me?” Tu Yun Tian retorted. “Besides, you lived with her. Couldn’t you have stopped her? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking…”
“Jing Nan!”
“Yun Tian!”
As the two hotheads seemed ready to clash, Mo Ci and Tu Hua Zhang simultaneously intervened, restoring calm.
Yu Zhao, who had been silent, finally spoke. “What were the last words you said to Han Xin Lan?”
Tu Yun Tian stiffened at the memory and looked away uncomfortably. Under the group’s scrutiny, he reluctantly admitted, “I told her she didn’t love me, that she should spend her life with her sisters, and not to come looking for me.”
After a pause, he added hastily, “I was angry. I didn’t think she’d take it seriously.”
Jing Nan rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “With your plain looks and petty jealousy, it’s a mystery what Xin Lan saw in you.”
“Did you two contact each other after that?” Yu Zhao asked.
“Never.”
Yu Zhao’s expression turned serious. If Tu Yun Tian was truthful and the two hadn’t been in touch since parting, then Han Xin Lan’s disappearance could only mean one thing: she encountered danger en route to Southern Wind City. Her current fate was uncertain.
From Hundred Flowers Valley to Southern Wind City, two main roads and several smaller paths connected the regions. Searching for the exact time and place where Han Xin Lan encountered trouble would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
After a long, tense silence, Tu Yun Tian declared resolutely, “This is my fault. I’ll take responsibility and search for her, no matter how long it takes. I’ll start preparing immediately!”
“Yun Tian, stop this nonsense!” Tu Hua Zhang’s gentle demeanor hardened. “You don’t even know where she disappeared. Running around aimlessly will only waste time!”
“Then what do you suggest, Father?”
“The Tu family has hundreds of people at our disposal. Isn’t that enough for you to organize a search?”
Tu Yun Tian’s eyes lit up. “Father, you’re willing to lend me help?”
“She’s your beloved. How could I, as your father, not offer assistance?” Tu Hua Zhang replied. In truth, he was also concerned about the Hundred Flowers Valley. If the Tu family didn’t take action, they risked the sect’s ire.
Yu Zhao’s group expressed their gratitude and pledged full cooperation. Since mobilizing such resources would take time, they decided to rest and set out the next morning.
…
The following day, Jing Nan, Mo Ci, and Tu Yun Tian each led a large team along three different routes.
Initially, Yu Zhao stayed with Mo Ci’s group but later diverged after leaving the city. She ventured into a dense forest, following a method taught by Bai Mei to summon a massive brown bear, nearly six or seven meters tall.
Rumors of Yu Zhao rescuing a beast cub in the Dragon Pool Mountain Range, earning her respect among beasts, had spread across the cultivation world. Though the brown bear was disgruntled at being summoned, it quickly grew docile upon recognizing Yu Zhao.
From her sleeve, Yu Zhao retrieved a yellowed bamboo slip and tossed it to the bear. “Sniff this. Now help me find someone.”