4 Gate Realm, Gate to Enter the Path Leading to Life and Death (2/2)
A thought struck his mind then, and Happy grabbed a person to ask him some questions. He found out that there were quite a number of instrument shops in Gusu City that gave one particular mission. Anyone who took it up had to retrieve a purple bamboo from Purple Bamboo Forest, and all those who successfully did it could not only receive half a tael of silver crumbs [2], but the master of Purple Bamboo Forest might even take a fancy to them and bring them into their sect.
”Master of Purple Bamboo Forest?”
Happy was stunned, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.
He had played World of Martial Arts for years, but he hadn't heard of such a sect in the game. Could it be a small, insignificant sect?
But that was not right!
If the Murong Clan Lady asked him to retrieve bamboos from this place, and this task could be included into the list of quests from the Murong Clan, then the master of Purple Bamboo Forest was definitely not an ordinary powerful fighter.
”Are the bamboos in Purple Bamboo Forest something you can take as you wish now?”
As he thought about it, a disdainful rebuke came from within the forest. A player who had wanted to sneakily approach the forest and cut a section of bamboo was pushed back by a gust of wind before he could do anything. He landed on his butt, then tumbled back until his face was flat on the ground! He cupped his nose and ran into the distance while looking crestfallen.
The players in the area were silent.
Only Happy was not surprised. He was actually quite happy. He had known it—there was something to this place.
The woman was merely a person with a sword servant, but she had a deep understanding of a technique named Throw Spirit Sphere, which was a high-tier martial art. It would seem that the quest the Murong Clan Lady had given Happy was a difficult one.
Whether or not he could enter the Murong Clan's sights would depend on whether he could successfully complete it!
But Happy would naturally not be like the other players in the area. He did not intend to use some improper tricks to get the purple bamboos. Their tricks were useless in the eyes of powerful martial artists who were on alert at all times, especially those who knew Throw Spirit Sphere. If such a person stood guard, it was impossible to get the purple bamboo through goofing around.
If Happy wanted to settle matters with martial arts, he had to do so with the rules wandering martial artists adhered to!
Happy smoothed out his clothes and walked out from the crowd. His footsteps were calm and slow. He went straight to the pavilion in the forest with his back straight.
”My master is here. If an outsider steps in, do not blame me for my rudeness!”
Before Happy could get close to Purple Bamboo Forest, a powerful gust of wind went straight to his face and prevented him from moving forward.
But Happy was not alarmed. He placed his fist in his palm, and everyone could instantly recognize the mannerisms of a martial artist. ”This humble servant is Happy. I have come to visit Purple Bamboo Forest on orders from the lady of my clan. My Lady, on behalf of the Murong Clan, please give me three purple bamboo sections. I will be eternally grateful.”
His composed attitude, clear words, and the mystery shrouding the Murong Clan because of its superiority in World of Martial Arts made the players in the area begin talking among themselves.
”Murong Clan?”
The interest of the master of Purple Bamboo Forest seemed to have been stirred. ”It would seem like the Murong Clan does indeed live up to its name. You are but a mere house servant, but you already possess such courage and demeanor. However, if you want to gain my purple bamboos, you must do so according to our rules. If you can withstand three strikes from my sword servant…”
Happy was happy. 'Three strikes? Alright, I'm not afraid of you mentioning the rules. I was afraid that you wouldn't play according to the rules!”
”Please grant me your instruction!”
While Happy still did not have any skills, he had gained a vague understanding of the goal of his mission. He flung his sleeves back and revealed a composed expression that spoke of calmness that would not falter even if heaven fell on him.
Translator's Note:
[1] Xiao: Chinese woodwind instrument. Unlike the Chinese flute, you blow this vertically.
[2] The currency system in this game: They don't seem to use Ban Liangs or bronze coins, so silver crumbs is the smallest currency.
10 taels of silver crumbs -> 1 tael of gold crumbs
Silver notes and gold notes, which you will see later, are like statements saying, ”Hey, I have here a paper that says I have XX taels of silver/gold.”