Chapter 1139: Lu Wuhu Owing a Favor

Ye Mo calmed down and quickly waved his hand. “Qian bei, don’t try to scam me. I can’t even sleep because I already owe you, and now you want me to owe you more?”

“Okay,” Lu Wuhu smiled, suddenly appearing before Ye Mo. “If you’re worried about that debt, how about I ask you something? If you answer, you don’t owe me anymore. How about that?”

“That simple?” Ye Mo looked at Lu Wuhu in disbelief. Lu Wuhu was a qian bei master, but from Jing Yingli, he knew this man didn't make losing deals. How could someone like him simply ask one question?

Lu Wuhu said casually, “Yeah, it’s that simple.”

“Okay, then ask. I’ll listen carefully. As long as I know, I’ll answer.” He’d rather owe a few favors than repay Lu Wuhu this easily.

Lu Wuhu sighed, “It’s hard to think of a simple question. Should I ask your age? Or…”

Ye Mo glared, unconvinced. It couldn't be that simple. He quickly said, “Then ask how old I am. I’ll tell you, I…”

Lu Wuhu stopped Ye Mo. “I’ve thought of a question. You’re a Pill King, so you must know a lot. I saw a herb at a friend’s place; it looks like bamboo, but my friend says it isn’t. I’ll draw it for you. Do you know it?”

Lu Wuhu produced a blank piece of white paper and drew a green bamboo plant. Unlike ordinary bamboo, the leaves were enormous, many times larger than normal, crescent-shaped, and sprouting from the root area.

Ye Mo instantly recognized the Bitter Bamboo. This meant Lu Wuhu knew he possessed it.

But Ye Mo thought, this is impossible. If Lu Wuhu knew, he wouldn't act like this. Clearly, he pretended not to know, which is why he drew it. Besides, his Bitter Bamboo was in his Golden Page World. No matter how powerful Lu Wuhu, he couldn't reach his spiritual sense inside.

Why then, did Lu Wuhu ask this question?

Seeing Ye Mo stare silently, Lu Wuhu asked worriedly, “Do you know this bamboo? Or have you seen it?”

Ye Mo realized Lu Wuhu was certain he'd seen the Bitter Bamboo, perhaps sensing its energy on him. He wanted the Bitter Bamboo's location.

The Bitter Bamboo wasn't just an extreme-grade spirit item, but also a top-tier forgery material. No wonder Lu Wuhu sensed its energy.

Ye Mo studied the drawing, then shook his head. “I haven’t seen this bamboo. It’s very strange. It looks like bamboo, but it isn’t.”

“That’s impossible! You must have seen it!” Lu Wuhu exclaimed.

Ye Mo shook his head again. “Lu qian bei, I haven’t seen this bamboo, but I have seen a leaf from it.”

“Really?” Lu Wuhu rejoiced, gazing at Ye Mo intently. “Tell me, where is it?”

Ye Mo realized Lu Wuhu knew he’d seen the Bitter Bamboo from its energy. The Bitter Bamboo was too important; even if Lu Wuhu tried to take it, he wouldn't give it up. But Lu Wuhu was shrewd, only asking now.

Ye Mo produced the Bitter Bamboo leaf he used for his divine damnation. “It’s on me. Have a look.”

Lu Wuhu grabbed it, exclaiming excitedly, “It’s really a Bitter Bamboo leaf! It really is…” He'd only sensed the energy faintly, unsure. He hadn't expected it to be real. He examined the leaf repeatedly, his hands trembling.

“Wait,” Lu Wuhu said suddenly. “You can’t remove a Bitter Bamboo leaf unless it has a master. But how is that possible?”

Lu Wuhu scrutinized Ye Mo again. Ye Mo felt a jolt; he mustn’t let the old man see anything. He wondered if he’d obtained the Bitter Bamboo because it had chosen him as its master.

Ye Mo said, “I picked up this leaf in the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds. There was a large black mountain, covered in black lightning. Ordinary people couldn't climb it. I only passed the base of the mountain—far from the peak—and picked up the leaf. I liked it, so I kept it. I’ve cultivated with it ever since; it feels good. So, this is a Bitter Bamboo leaf?”

Lu Wuhu murmured, “It’s really in the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds… there's World Mountain there… that means the Bitter Bamboo is also there…”

Lu Wuhu looked at Ye Mo. “It’s natural you don’t know this. It’s ancient. While it helps cultivation, the benefits are limited. Its main use is for forgery. But your luck is incredible! You even found a Bitter Bamboo leaf. I’ve been to the Truth Fall Palace several times; how come I never found the Bitter Bamboo? Thirty years from now…”

Ye Mo was speechless. The old man dared to say the Bitter Bamboo was useless for cultivation! Clearly, he would send someone to look for it in thirty years. Unfortunately, the Bitter Bamboo was already safe in his Golden Page World. Even if he found it, could he afford to cultivate it?

“Um, can we make a deal? This Bitter Bamboo leaf is a great forgery item, and I’m a grand master forger, but…”

Ye Mo looked shocked. “Qian bei, you aren’t trying to rob me of this cultivation artifact, are you? I’ve already repaid you.”

Lu Wuhu felt awkward. He couldn't stoop to robbery, but he didn't want to give up the leaf.

“How about I get you a spot in the Black Ice Sect tournament? No, you don't even need to compete. I’ll speak to the Infinity Sect leader and arrange for you to marry that girl,” Lu Wuhu said, slapping his chest.

Ye Mo wanted to laugh but feigned heartache. “Since it’s a forgery treasure, then I’ll give it to you…”

“Thank you! Thank you, Pill King Ye—no, Brother Ye! We’re brothers now!” Lu Wuhu said happily, producing a jade box to carefully store the leaf.

“Wait…” Ye Mo stopped Lu Wuhu. Seeing Lu Wuhu’s concern, Ye Mo said, “Although the Bitter Bamboo leaf is my most prized treasure, I’m willing to give it to Lu qian bei…”

“Just call me Brother Lu. Don’t be so formal,” Lu Wuhu quickly smiled.

Ye Mo thought, I didn’t see you being so friendly at the start, but he laughed. “In that case—Brother Lu.”

Lu Wuhu stored the Bitter Bamboo leaf and waved his hand. “Then let's not be so formal.”

“Brother Lu, I need your help with three things,” Ye Mo said without hesitation.

“Say it. If I can help, I will,” Lu Wuhu waved his hand.

“First, I want you to forge a magic artifact for me,” Ye Mo said.

“No problem.”

“Second, if I have an unbeatable opponent, Brother Lu can help me twenty—uh, ten times is fine.”

“That’s fine…” Lu Wuhu began to answer, then looked at Ye Mo. “Wait, I can’t be your henchman.”

“Oh…” Ye Mo said nothing.

“Okay, I’ll help you three times. And here are some cultivation artifacts; you can choose one.” He produced a stack of artifacts.

Ye Mo rejoiced, finding a longsword, the only top-grade artifact.

“Okay, what’s the last thing?” Lu Wuhu asked, putting the artifacts away.

Ye Mo smiled. “I want to bring ten people here from North Far State.”

Lu Wuhu quickly waved his hand. “Impossible! Even I can’t do that. Maybe one, but ten is definitely impossible. The cost of the teleportation formation from North Far State is too high. Don’t even think about it. Change it to something else.”

Ye Mo knew it was impossible. “Then I’ll copy you, Brother Lu. You owe me one. I’ll call it in later.”