Ninety Nine Medicine Valley

Ten years later.

"A Yuen, wait for me!"

The sweet voice of a beautiful girl with long hair in a pretty pink-white dress waved lightly in the wind. She walked faster and reached for the young man's hand, the same age as her age, walking in front of a bamboo basket of leaves on his back.

"You are too slow, if the sky darkens it will be difficult to find the plant", a sweet young man, handsome, clean white skin like clouds, a perfect face shape with a sharp nose and large light brown eyes that sparkle to reddish when exposed to sunlight. No wonder the young girl called Mei was holding on to him so tight. From the face to the broad smile of the tall and thin young man were very pleasing to the eyes of anyone who saw him.

"You don't need to worry too much, I always carry a lantern with me, so even if it's dark we can always find the plant. Let's take it easy, just enjoy the view" said the girl, holding on to Yuen's hand while dragging him along.

The young man was A Yuen, sixteen years old. Beside him is Mei Lan, his younger fellow student of Lotus Valley who was the same age as him. Because A Yuen entered the Lotus Valley before Mei Lan, even some students who were older than him were obliged to call him senior.

"A Yuen!" Mei touched her forehead, Yuen just flicked it in annoyance. The young man then pulled Mei's grip off and preceded her walking in front.

"Come on, walk faster. Teacher will scold us if we take too long."

Mei nodded, and she ran to follow in a hurry.

"Yes, Brother!" The girl cheerfully took Er Yuen's hand again.

"Oh, don't walk too close, we could fall."

The two walked on the road near the edge of the cliff that was overgrown with any kind of medicinal plants.

"I'm holding you, so we won't fall."

"It's too tight, how can we walk like this?" Er Yuen protested.

"No it's not too tight, I'm just holding you lightly."

...…

The tall gate with blackish-red dominance stood firmly, flags and banners bearing the Kylin emblem with glowing eyes fluttering against the wind. The cold wind from the vast mountains and surroundings sneaks as much as they please, into the large room behind the high series of rocky walls where the huge beautiful place lies neatly, as if it were another palace of heaven. 

The sound of musical instruments rang out from the corner of the large and luxurious hall at the front of the big cave, the Golden Cloud Clan, known as the Golden Cloud Cave Palace. The clan stands at the top leadership of the martial world warriors, because their supreme leader, the Dark Lord Tai Yang, defeated the other warriors at ease.

The king was still quite young, even too young when seen from his face, which resembled a youth in his brilliant twenties with a handsome, sweet face and a mischievous smile. No one knows for sure how old his real age is. What is certain is that Tai Yang has a high level of martial arts, and extraordinary inner strength that can kill enemies from a distance with just a slight flick of his fingers. Even a glance in his eyes can make his enemy's knees and body freeze. He sat casually leaning back on his gold-plated chair with one leg bent up, trying to enjoy his time.

He sat on his throne surrounded by several beautiful and sexy women who claimed to be in his Harem collection. Tai Yang only got pleasure from the caress of beautiful faces and smooth bodies that often sought attention from him, but he could never disperse the boringness of his routines, day by day.

The sound of music that enlivened his regular meetings made him almost fall asleep because he was bored. He had been unemployed without anything to do since all the territories had fallen into his hands. Well, who would dare offend the young king? If you still want to live well, better not offend him.

Tai Yang glanced at his men who appeared in front of him.

"Report my King! The White Wood City has already sent its tribute, the mayor reminds the King not to forget the bandits that attacked the town a few days ago!" Pai exclaimed. He is Tai Yang's right-hand man in public relations matters. After all, Tai Yang is not a real king if no one relies on him.

Dai Yang raised his teacup.

"Hasn't Old Man Yo taken care of the bandits? What else does the old man want?"

Pai nodded.

"The bandit king has been dealt with, but many merchants complain that they still receive threats on the street, so many are reluctant to enter the city. The mayor is worried that if this continues the city's trade rate will be disrupted, and he's afraid that next time he will send even less tribute". Pai lowered his voice, afraid the young king would yell at him.

Dai Yang lowered his legs, he glanced at his subordinates who were too busy sitting enjoying food and music every day and too lazy to work.

"Where's that old man Yo? Why does he work half-time, that old mayor, he is such a demanding person"

Dai Yang waved his hand for music and the women dispersed, his mood turned bad, thought Pai, swallowing his saliva.

"Em, the mayor also said, sometimes there are intruders at the border of Lotus Valley and Golden Cloud Valley, so it's feared that newcomers will be reluctant to come to enjoy the view. This also reduces the city's income."

Dai Yang smacked his desk in annoyance.

"Why do we also have to take care of intruders, if there are no regional officers who can work? The old man is very cunning in taking advantage of the situation."

"Eh th-that, the Mayor said he had sent his officers but did not find the intruder until now, so he asked us to help investigate," continued Pai.

Dai Yang chose the food that was spread out in front of him. Starting from fruits to cakes sent by residents as gratitude because the Valley of the Golden Clouds has protected residents from bandits or wild creatures.

"Well, send Kang and his men to investigate."

Pai lowered his head, he stuttered, afraid to answer because the King would surely scream again.

"Th-that, em"

Tai Yang looked with furrowed brows.

"What else?"

Pai bowed his head respectfully.

"Pardon me, my King, but Kang and his men went to the Black Valley and haven't returned yet. While all the groups are also busy, uh, all but me."

Tai Yang held his breath, he was annoyed and wanted to scream. Since becoming masters of the martial world, why have they become busier too? Almost all of his men have non-stop outside work. Should he be the one to do the job? They're look more like the servants than the ruler.

"Heh that's very annoying, where is it? Let's go and have a look"

Pai lowered his head again in salute.

"Sincerely, the location is at the border, I will prepare the horse"

Tai Yang glanced at the man, who had been sitting quietly beside him taking notes. That old lazy geezer. He was his aide who took notes even though his writing was not very good, Huang Bai. An old man with almost white hair who looked very unpretentious didn't talk much and was very calm, but make no mistake, his appearance can be deceiving.

"Old man Huang, you take care of the palace for a while, the King will take a walk outside," said Dai Yang.

Old man Huang nodded,

"Yes, my King."

...

Little birds flew around the big tree in the courtyard of the hut in the depths of the Lotus Valley, old man Oei's residence.

"Yuen'er don't forget the medicine. Today, we must get it no matter what. You remember it's already the thirtieth day!" Exclaimed the old man Oei, Er Yuen, who came out of the hut carrying a basket tethered to his shoulder, answered.

"Yes, teacher! Yuen'er has heard that, after all, the leaf is very difficult to collect. Could we replace it with others?" Er Yuen grumbled, the old man Oei who came out of the hut, knocked Er Yuen's head.

"Aww it hurts teacher", Er Yuen moaned as he touched his head, and his teacher often smacked him where he could get dumber if he continued to smack him like that.

"Don't complain too much. Until now, only the leaves have been effective. Take more. Young people always love to complain."

Er Yuen pursed his lips.

"Teacher, why do you always hit me on the head?"

Er Yuen continued his steps out of the cottage area, where Mei Lan was seen running over from the path.

"A Yuen! Luckily I'm not too late hehe"

The two of them walked along the path leading to the valley.

"Don't you have training this morning? You ran away, did you?"

Mei Lan scratched her head.

"Hehe, training is boring. Better come with a Yuen to find the medicine. Let's go."

Er Yuen tugged at Mei Lan's ear excitedly.

"This brat, you're always running away, don't drag me along if Chief scolds you, okay?"

Mei Lan touches her ear.

"A Yuen, it hurts"

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