readytorunbook Chapter 680 The Mysterious Treasure Appears at Cuijue Slope
Chapter 680 The Mysterious Treasure Appears at Cuijue Slope
I remember the last time I was caught by this head of the Rebirth Hall here. It was for organizing a poetry gathering with Mondstadt. Although I met some amazing "people" there and learned some amazing things, I was not only forced to work, but I also had to pay for a lot of drinks for free.
Hu Tao is staking out this place again this time. Is she up to something strange again?
As Xu Ning tried to pull his arm out of Hu Tao's arms, he made up his mind that he would never run around with this little girl again. He had to go back to report to Xiangxiang's Lord Tianquan first.
However, the moment Xu Ning turned around and saw Hu Tao's expression, he knew things were not going well.
This head of the hall now practically has the words "doing nothing" etched on his face.
However, when those plum blossom eyes glanced at him, the light that flashed was clearly, "Finally found some new fun!"
Hu Tao gripped Xu Ning's arm tightly, holding him firmly in place. "Ever since half a month ago, when our family's guest elder said you might be back in a while, I've been staying here every day. Don't think you can just leave so easily."
This guy has been idly guarding the teleportation point for half a month. How incredibly boring!
"Although this might not be very friendly to the people of Liyue, I still can't help but ask..."
Xu Ning looked at the person in charge of the funeral parlor, "...In the past two weeks, haven't any grandpas or grandmas been unable to hold on and come to support your business?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Tao's expression became even more depressed.
"It's not that it doesn't exist, but ever since we took Xin Yan to that old lady's funeral and made it lively, it's suddenly become popular in Liyue... it's... it's that kind of new funeral method that's hard to describe as either festive or sad. Although we still need to go to the Hall of Rebirth to buy supplies, the whole process is mostly taken up by singing and playing music..."
Xu Ning remained silent.
It is said that the original ceremony of the Hall of Rebirth was complicated, solemn and dignified. Now it seems that Xin Yan has actually opened up a new track in this industry in Liyue: "death rock"?
They even stole a lot of business from the Rebirth Hall?
"I'm afraid I can't help you with that, since I don't know much about funerals..."
Xu Ning was still thinking of making one more effort for his freedom, but he was immediately stopped by the hall master, who was in high spirits.
"Our guest elders are handling matters at the Hall of Rebirth, so we don't need your advice for now. You can step in when our guest elders are no longer needed."
Xu Ning silently cursed the word "no" that Hu Tao had said.
Is it not possible to wait for that person?
Forget it! By the time we're all done for, he'll definitely still be going strong!
"But why did Your Majesty suddenly mention my return to Hu Tao?"
Xu Ning suddenly remembered what Hu Tao had said at the beginning and couldn't help but ask.
"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you!"
Hu Tao said smugly, "Our guest elder said that the mountains and rivers of Liyue have been acting strangely lately, and the ley lines are unstable. Perhaps... a great treasure will appear. If I can see it when you come back, I will let you know so you can go to Cuijue Slope to find out."
Emerald Jade Slope? A rare treasure emerges?
What kind of extraordinary treasure could be there? Speaking of the strange changes in the mountains and rivers, weren't they all caused by your old buddy?
If I were to go to Mount Hulao, I might understand what it meant, but what about Cuijue Slope...?
Xu Ning knew that since the Liyue Homecoming Project began, the vast Guili Plain was no longer the desolate place it once was, overrun with monsters.
However, Cuijue Slope, which faces Guili Plain across the Bishui River, remains untouched.
Firstly, the development of Guiliyuan is only just beginning to show signs of prosperity, and there is not enough manpower and resources to expand and open up to more distant places.
Secondly, although Cuijuepo was a famous jade mining area during the time of the early people, the fine jade materials there were all mined out a long time ago.
Without the jade, and with the mountainous terrain unsuitable for planting, the area naturally became deserted and desolate.
Could there be such a treasure in a place like this?
But this is the Emperor's order!
Even if the big boss of the rock element said there was a tiny jade stone hundreds of kilometers deep beneath his feet, Xu Ning would stand on the Emperor's side without hesitation.
"Okay, I understand. I'll settle in for the next couple of days and then head over to check on things."
Since the emperor has given the order, one must naturally obey.
However, Xu Ning still wanted to grant him a day or two more, as the saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder"...
Xu Ning readily agreed to Hu Tao's request and turned to leave.
But with a sudden tightening of his arm, he was still held in place.
"Master Hu, is there anything else you haven't instructed us to do? Could you please just say it all at once?"
Xu Ning really had no way to deal with Hu Tao, after all, she was the child personally cared for by the Emperor.
The Hall of Rebirth has worked diligently for Liyue from ancient times to the present, and has made many sacrifices. The Emperor appreciates their efforts and takes good care of this little girl.
Even if she didn't care about Hu Tao, she had to consider the Emperor's feelings. Xu Ning could only hope that Hu Tao would let her pass quickly, otherwise, if Yi Yelan's followers, who loved to watch the drama, were to report the situation to Ning Guang, she would laugh at her again.
Hu Tao chuckled and leaned closer, whispering, "I don't think finding treasure at Cui Jue Slope is that simple. You'll need a helper..."
Xu Ning pretended not to understand and nodded seriously, saying, "That's right, it's naturally easier to get things done with more people. I will ask Lord Tianquan to arrange for more Qianyan soldiers to accompany me."
"No, no, no," Hu Tao quickly interrupted, "I'm the helper I'm talking about. On this treasure hunt, I'll follow your lead and go all out without hesitation..."
"You've handed over all of Wangshengtang's business to Xin Yan?" Xu Ning reminded him helplessly.
"With the guest elder looking after you, and with me here, there's no need to trouble those soldiers. I will definitely protect you."
Well, it seems I can't shake this clingy person off.
Xu Ning knew how persistent this guy was; Qi Qi could definitely testify to that, and even the Emperor himself had said he couldn't handle her.
Xu Ning finally agreed.
Knowing Hu Tao's personality, now that she's made up her mind, it's a good time to set off.
Then Xu Ning sternly and firmly dissuaded Hu Tao from having this idea.
Using excuses such as "I need to explain the work of the ancestral hall to the guest minister in great detail," the departure date was set for the morning of two days later.
Upon seeing their loved one again, tender and affectionate moments were naturally inevitable.
However, when Xu Ning told Ning Guang about the matter at Cui Jue Slope, Ning Guang thought of the painful trials Xu Ning had endured during the last sword-finding mission arranged by the Emperor. She disregarded her busy political affairs in Liyue and decided to go with him.
Xu Ning really wanted to tell Ning Guang that the expert hidden in his Dust Concealment Gourd was powerful enough to fight even a regular demon god.
However, recently, Xu Ning and Ning Guang have been spending less and less time together, and Xu Ning can't bear to see his lover worrying about him alone in Qunyu Pavilion.
Who cares! Just consider it a break for Ningguang. She can mind her own business for a couple of days. Liyue won't fall.
So when Xu Ning appeared with Ning Guang at the teleportation point on Tianheng Mountain behind Yujingtai, Hu Tao, who had been waiting there bored, was quite surprised.
I did say you didn't need to ask Lord Tianquan for troops, but I didn't expect you to bring Lord Tianquan along to search for treasure!
Xu Ning held Ning Guang's little hand and gestured for Hu Tao to hold Ning Guang's hand as well.
"I haven't been to Cuijue Slope yet. I can only teleport to the nearest Guili Plain. Fortunately, it's very close to there, so I can also go and see the results of the homecoming plan."
Ningguang was naturally happy to turn that way.
On the Jade Pavilion, one seems to control all the information in the world, down to the smallest detail.
But it's never as good as going there in person to see it for yourself.
Of course, only Hu Tao was a little upset.
The little girl was straightforward and rarely thought about taking a roundabout approach, but after experiencing a long-distance teleportation, her interest was immediately piqued.
The novel experience of instantly traveling between two places made her keep asking if she could experience it again when she returned.
The three appeared at the very teleportation point that Xu Ning had specifically instructed the soldiers of Qianyan to deliberately conceal with a small house.
This was originally a blind spot deliberately left to prevent anyone from tampering with the teleportation point.