Path of Alchemy Mastery
Chapter 97 This Year’s Winter Hunt

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 This Year’s Winter Hunt

"Just now I saw you hurrying along, is there some task at hand?" Mu Can recalled Nie Bufan’s previous marching and asked.

"The northern barbarians are attacking the Nanyuan Empire." Nie Bufan thought for a moment and said, although this news belonged to military secrets, it was nothing major.

Mu Can’s expression grew serious. In the northern part of the Nanyuan Empire was a vast grassland inhabited by a group of nomadic tribes, known as barbarians.

The barbarians were strong and good at fighting. Every adult barbarian possessed strength enough to contend with a Great Martial Master, and the priests among the barbarians were even more mysterious.

Every winter, the barbarians would launch a large-scale invasion into the Nanyuan Empire to seize resources for overwintering. This annual conflict was called ’winter hunt’ by the barbarians and ’winter resistance’ by the Nanyuan Empire.

"So early this year?" As a native of the Nanyuan Empire, Mu Can, of course, knew about this annual battle. The Empire would not only mobilize a vast army to resist the barbarian invasion, which served as the best opportunity for military training, but also many experts from within the Empire would volunteer to defend against the invasion on the front lines.

Nie Bufan nodded, "This year, there appeared a powerful leader among the barbarians who unified all the barbarian forces on the grassland, so even this year’s ’winter resistance’ has started early."

"Oh? No wonder the strongest Giant Statue Heavy Cavalry of the Empire needs to go there." Mu Can was now curious about that leader, who could unite the entire barbarians.

You see, the main reason why the Nanyuan Empire could prevent the barbarians from gaining the upper hand in the ’winter resistance’ each year was due to the disunity among the grassland barbarians. Now there appeared a leader who could unify the entire grassland, and it was uncertain how much loss the Nanyuan Empire would suffer in this year’s ’winter resistance’.

"Hmm, the front lines are already struggling to hold on, otherwise, the Nanyuan Empire wouldn’t have deployed its last resort." Speaking of the northern battle, Nie Bufan also appeared worried. If the war failed and allowed the barbarians to drive deep down, countless civilians in the Nanyuan Empire would be displaced.

Mu Can thought for a moment and said, "If I finish my tasks here, I might make a trip to the border."

After all, he was also a citizen of the Nanyuan Empire. At such a time, Mu Can felt that he should contribute his strength to the Nanyuan Empire.

"That would be great." Nie Bufan’s heart lifted when he heard Mu Can’s words. With Brother Can’s help, he felt more reassured.

"I want to go too." Long Yunyun, always restless, also spoke up.

"Then I’ll go have a look too." Zhang Baobao also spoke up. Although he wasn’t a person from the Nanyuan Empire, he was very curious about the widely famous ’winter resistance’ in the whole Mortal World. Moreover, since Long Yunyun was going, he was even more determined to go.

Mu Can gave Long Yunyun a disdainful look. "Why are you going, to deliver food?"

"Brother Can, Yunyun is definitely worried about me and that’s why she’s going," Zhang Baobao looked displeased and said to Mu Can.

Mu Can looked helplessly at Zhang Baobao. The kid was good in every aspect, but when it came to Long Yunyun, his remaining bit of intelligence just didn’t know where it went.

Nie Bufan sized up Long Yunyun, suddenly realizing he was a bit unclear about the relationship among the three, but he smartly chose not to ask.

He took out a Sound Transmission Jade from his pocket and handed it to Mu Can.

"Brother Can, the day you deal with Donghuang, just let me know. No matter where I am, I will definitely be there. If it weren’t for leaving the chance of revenge to you, I would have challenged him long ago." Nie Bufan mentioned Donghuang with a cold smirk.

Mu Can did not say much, took the Sound Transmission Jade and kept it well, gently patting Nie Bufan on the shoulder.

Brothers are like this; even if we haven’t seen each other for years, as long as you speak, no matter if I am thousands of miles away, I will surely come to you.

"Brother Can, I still have military duties to attend to, so I can’t stay longer with you. I only regret not being able to drink three hundred cups today," Nie Bufan stood up and cupped his fists towards Mu Can.

"Alright, Xiaofan, you go ahead, and I’ll wrap up my things as soon as I can," Mu Can also stood up and said.

"Brother Can, this Nie Bufan is really extraordinary," Zhang Baobao said after seeing Nie Bufan mount the Giant Statue and gallop away into the distance; to earn the approval of the arrogant young master Zhang indicates something exceptional about Nie Bufan.

"Oh? Xiaofan was also a member of the top academy when he was at school. It was me who once helped him when he was bullied. Xiaofan’s character is particularly persistent, and since then, he has been with us," Mu Can said, watching the gradually departing Nie Bufan, noting how his younger brother has truly grown up.

"There is a tremendous energy hidden within his body, yet it lies dormant. If it wasn’t for my special method of Investigation, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it," Zhang Baobao said with a complex expression watching the far-gone Nie Bufan.

The Empire’s top young general truly lives up to his reputation, it remains unknown what kind of serendipity allowed him to achieve such great successes at such a young age.

"Maybe it’s a matter of personal opportunity," Mu Can genuinely felt happy for his younger brother, no wonder Xiaofan dared to challenge Donghuang; he must have had a rare opportunity.

"Long Yunyun, do you have a place where you can arrange for Lanlan and the others?" Mu Can suddenly remembered, needing to find a place for Lanlan and the others since he had to go to Jue Ming Valley, and there was no need to take them along.

Now that the Cultivation Techniques have been given to Lanlan and the others, as long as they have a place to stay, relying on the wealth in the Treasure Room of Grand Elder Han should be enough for them to live on. As long as they get through the initial hard stage, their future is definitely bright.

"Ah? I hadn’t thought about this yet, how about you all come with me to Long Family," Long Yunyun scratched her head embarrassingly upon hearing Mu Can’s question; she really hadn’t thought about how to arrange for Lanlan and the others.

"That wouldn’t be good. A few children might be okay, but your village doesn’t have many people, and bringing so many women like Lanlan’s group to Long Family feels a bit inappropriate," Mu Can did not want Lanlan and the others to go to Long Family.

The Cultivation Techniques prepared by Purple Cloud for Phoenix Tower are not common goods; even to protect Lanlan and the others, he should find them a better place to settle.

"I do know a place," Zhang Baobao thought for a moment then said.

"Don’t beat about the bush now, just say it," Long Yunyun glared at Zhang Baobao impatiently.

Zhang Baobao gave Long Yunyun a flattering smile, "There’s a cave on the mountain in the southwest direction, which should be able to accommodate these thirty or so people."

"You’re not just bragging, right? Have you been here before?" Long Yunyun asked disbelievingly; she had seen the mountains in the southwest direction long ago, but she wouldn’t believe there would be any caves there.

"Yunyun, when have I ever lied to you? As a member of the Zhang Family, having a good memory is crucial; I have seen the geography records of Nanyuan Empire," Zhang Baobao said with an air of arrogance, yet his words carried deep emotion.

Mu Can nodded, "Let’s go there, arrange for Lanlan and the others; we need to hurry to Long Family."