Chapter 2302 - 2303: The Jiang Family

Chapter 2302: Chapter 2303: The Jiang Family

Tang Ming couldn’t help but sigh with regret. It didn’t matter if he died; what he couldn’t accept was getting the woman beside him involved.

"It was just a coincidence, really. I couldn’t stand their way of doing things."

Lin Chen gently shook his head, just as Pan Yan had told him before, and now Tang Ming’s temperament suited him well.

"But I’m curious, what is this treasure you speak of that’s worth all this effort?"

Lin Chen continued to ask, his words filled with curiosity. Although his time in the Green Ripple Sect was short, if the treasure they mentioned was hidden in the mountains, the Green Ripple Sect would surely be aware of it.

Hearing this, Tang Ming shook his head slightly and said, "In truth, I don’t know much, just heard people talking about it in a teahouse a few days ago and came here out of curiosity. As for what the treasure looks like, I really don’t know."

Lin Chen slightly nodded at his words. With Tang Ming’s level of strength, it wasn’t very high, so what they knew was limited, and Lin Chen didn’t pursue the question further.

Moreover, his urgent task was to find the Return Soul Grass and return to the Green Ripple Sect as soon as possible.

...

After walking for about half a day, Lin Chen indeed saw many people heading deeper into the woods.

That area was in a relatively remote part of the Green Ripple Sect, nearly ten thousand miles away, and moving forward would be the territory of the Crimson Flame Sect.

However, these people, upon seeing Lin Chen and the others, had no intention of causing trouble, so Lin Chen and his group traveled quite peacefully, with little delay, and managed to find a lot of Return Soul Grass.

Looking at these Return Soul Grass, Lin Chen felt a surge of happiness. Although there was still a lot missing, judging by the situation, it was only a matter of time before he found them all.

By noon, the scorching sun rose high in the sky, releasing intense heat, and even under the cover of foliage, it felt exceptionally hot.

Lin Chen and a few others rested under a tree. After more than half a day of traveling, all the places Tang Ming knew where to find Return Soul Grass had been cleared by Lin Chen.

At this time, they ate dry rations with clean water, watching the figures hastily passing by them with indifferent gazes.

"Aren’t you planning to go take a look?" Lin Chen asked in surprise, since Tang Ming and the others came for this purpose, it seemed strange for them to sit here with Lin Chen.

"No, just encountering that one person left me powerless, not to mention inside where treasure seekers are numerous. It’s unlikely the treasure would fall into my hands, instead, it would be dangerous for my life."

Tang Ming spoke, glancing softly toward Ningyan, his gaze filled with concern for her.

Ningyan lowered her head, occasionally fiddling with the corner of her clothing, her lips pressed lightly, with a flash of unwillingness in her beautiful eyes.

Lin Chen couldn’t see Ningyan’s expression, but he gleaned some understanding from Tang Ming’s look, so he didn’t say much.

"Aren’t you going to take a look at my place?" Tang Ming asked instead.

"Not interested." Lin Chen shook his head. At most, he was curious, but he had no interest in going to take a look.

"That’s really a pity."

Tang Ming looked up, somewhat enviously, at the figures swiftly passing by. Even with his eyesight, they appeared only as black shadows passing by, leaving their faces unclear.

Those figures did not stop in front of them, not even sparing them a glance, driven by haste as if afraid of being a step too late and having the said treasure snatched away by others.

However, there was an exception among them.

Amidst a light "Hmm," a figure, approximately in his forties, paused among the branches of the forest. Upon his stop, several elder figures following him also halted.

"What’s the matter, Clan Leader?"

An elder behind him stroked his beard while asking.

"It’s Ningyan."

The forty-something man responded calmly, then leaped down from a branch to the side.

This middle-aged man had a handsome face, although slightly lined with wrinkles, and together with his frowning eyebrows, exuded an air of authority without anger.

As he approached, their feet crunched on the scattered dry branches, making a creaking sound.

Hearing this, Lin Chen stood up, and Ningyan, who had been bowing her head, also stood up. Upon seeing the incoming figures, her face change, losing color, and turning pale.

Tang Ming was equally affected, but he handled it better than Ningyan. After a moment’s daze, he stepped forward and saluted the middle-aged man, saying, "Uncle Jiang..."

"Enough, I do not deserve such a title from you."

The middle-aged man, Jiang Wei, waved dismissively with some disdain, then looked at Ningyan with a frown, saying, "How long are you going to keep being so foolish?"

"I am not being foolish; it’s you all who forced me to this point."

Though Ningyan was pale, she remained stubborn, tilting her head slightly upwards, with a touch of resolve.

"This is for your good, the Jiang family and the Jin family are well-matched, unlike this kid with such a minor spirit refining strength..."

An elder with white hair and a beard sighed behind Jiang Wei, clearly disappointed, and looked at Tang Ming with disdain.

"Sweetie, Ningyan, let’s talk about this later, come home with dad first." Jiang Wei sighed softly, beckoning to Jiang Ningyan.

"No. Even if you take me back now, I will escape again, once, twice, three times if need be, I will get out eventually."

Jiang Ningyan’s stance was rock-solid, with a determination that was bone-deep.

This made Jiang Wei’s face show displeasure, anger adding a touch of sternness to his inherently serious expression.

Seeing this, Lin Chen shook his head silently. Such family matters were beyond his control. Even though Lin Chen disapproved of the whole affair, he knew it was not his place to intervene.

And, perhaps because of this, Jiang Ningyan and Tang Ming didn’t intend to ask for help from him.

"Xiao Bai, let’s go."

After finishing his water, Lin Chen stood up, patted Xiao Bai’s head, and turned to leave.

He still needed to find the Return Soul Grass, and he had no time to waste here.

"Who said you could leave!" Suddenly, an elder appeared before Lin Chen, glaring at him fiercely.