Chapter 1043: Bitter Bamboo's Whereabouts
Hearing Ye Mo's words, the woman's calm facade crumbled, her face paling. After a long moment, she composed herself. "That's right, I am an evil woman. My greatest regret is tricking Brother Wu for Fu Rong, that beast, killing him and his friend so cruelly. I was foolish to trust Fu Rong—that bastard! Besides Fu Rong and myself, no one else knows. You likely learned this from Fu Rong."
She stared intently at Ye Mo. "If you're his friend, pretend I said nothing."
Ye Mo smiled. "I know him, but I'm not his friend. When he spoke of this, I wasn't alone."
The female cultivator continued, "When he stole the Cao Huan pill, he tried to kill me, but I survived by chance. I lost my face in the process, however, and have been pursuing him ever since, seeking revenge. Despite my efforts at stealth, I never found an opportunity until one day…"
Her eyes flashed with hatred. "That day, he went with another woman to the deep sea in the Heartless Sea. I knew I couldn't kill him then, but I followed, hoping for a chance. Unexpectedly, that animal provoked the woman, who cursed him before he attacked, severely wounding her. She fled into the Heartless Sea, and I saved her."
Ye Mo nodded. "Is that woman Yu Niangyan?"
"How do you know?" she exclaimed, astonishment etched on her face. Fu Rong wouldn't have told anyone this. How could he know? She quickly nodded. "Yes, it was Yu Niangyan. I tried to save her, but her injuries were too severe. Before she died, she gave me her father's legacy…"
Ye Mo's eyes brightened. Yu Baisheng undoubtedly left behind the bitter bamboo. Could this female cultivator be offering a deal involving it? That seemed impossible; it was too precious.
Seeing Ye Mo's reaction, the cultivator sighed. The person she'd found might not be trustworthy; his face lit up at the mention of a legacy. Still, she had no other choice.
"You likely know her father, Yu Baisheng qianbei," she said. "If you kill Fu Rong, I'll give you everything he owns: tens of millions of top-grade spirit stones, several cultivation artifacts—including a top-grade one—and most preciously, a Hollow Meridian Pill."
Ye Mo's disappointment was immediate. The Hollow Meridian Pill was valuable, but he could acquire the herbs and concoct it himself. He cared most about the bitter bamboo. Why hadn't she mentioned it?
The female cultivator stared, shocked. "Isn't it precious? I said the most precious thing is the Hollow Meridian Pill."
"Is there anything else?" Ye Mo pressed, unsatisfied.
The cultivator looked at him strangely. A Nascent Soul cultivator unconcerned about a Hollow Meridian Pill? It was bizarre. Nevertheless, she said, "She mentioned a family treasure. She didn't name it, only saying that if I found someone capable of avenging her, I should tell them where it was hidden. She said it was at least as valuable as the Hollow Meridian Pill."
"Agreed. I'll kill Fu Rong. Once I have his head, you'll tell me where it is."
Ye Mo was certain it was the bitter bamboo. The Hollow Meridian Pill paled in comparison; ten thousand Hollow Meridian Pills wouldn't equal the ancient spirit item that was the bitter bamboo. Besides, he intended to pursue Fu Rong anyway.
The cultivator was clearly surprised by his directness.
Ye Mo smiled. "I only want the location of that last item. I don't need Yu Baisheng qianbei's legacy, including the Hollow Meridian Pill."
"You don't want the Hollow Meridian Pill?" she asked incredulously, unable to comprehend his lack of interest.
Ye Mo nodded. "That's right. Wait for me. After I kill Fu Rong at the Truth Fall Palace, I'll come find you."
The cultivator fell silent, verifying his sincerity. Finally, she sighed. "I misjudged you. You are a truly honest person."
She produced a map. "The item is in the Truth Fall Palace. Niangyan said that while the Yu family ancestor obtained it, they couldn't keep it alive, so Yu Baisheng qianbei stored it in the Truth Fall Palace. I was only supposed to show you this after you killed Fu Rong, which would mean a thirty-year wait after you did so."
Ye Mo was startled. Without the map, he wouldn't obtain the bitter bamboo. The Truth Fall Palace only opened every thirty years. What if someone else found and took it? The map would be useless then.
Seeing Ye Mo take the map, she said, "I have no right to enter the Truth Fall Palace. I came seeking someone to kill that beast. Since qianbei, you have the map, I hope you'll keep your word. If you emerge, I'll be waiting in Truth Fall City Square."
Ye Mo smiled. "Do you think I break my word? Don't worry, even without this deal, I was going to kill Fu Rong. But I have a question. Fu Rong has no right to enter the Truth Fall Palace, does he? Explain that."
Under his gaze, she gritted her teeth. "He shares his father's name. They used every means to obtain the legacy. After Fu Rong's father died, he inherited everything, including his name. Niangyan only discovered this too late…"
Ye Mo shuddered. Yu Baisheng was tricked by Fu Rong 150 years ago, and now his daughter was duped by the son.
The cultivator rose and saluted before departing.
"Wait," Ye Mo called, handing her a jade bottle. "This is what you need most."
The cultivator opened it, gasping. "A Cao Huan Pill? A special-grade Cao Huan Pill?"
She'd endured hardship, betrayal, and even harmed those she loved for a mid-grade Cao Huan Pill, yet now, a special-grade one was hers for a few words. Life was truly unpredictable. No wonder he didn't care about the Hollow Meridian Pill; he was incredibly wealthy. She'd never seen someone so casually give away Cao Huan Pills. Being a good person seemed worthwhile; a small kindness earned the greatest repayment of her life.
Little did she know the bitter bamboo’s allure for Ye Mo eclipsed all else. It could alter his life profoundly. Ye Mo, too, felt the woman's transformation. She had once harmed friends for a Cao Huan Pill, but now, she didn't even conceal the Hollow Meridian Pill.