While lin fang and others were inspecting treasures.Man that had left a while ago .
Came back with an old man .
The old man had white hairs and his mustache's long ends were spread in whiskers .His eyes when met with lin fang and others humbled them .They knelt on ground upon seeing him.
Lin fang was sure.
This old man was expert .He also was more powerful than previous one.
"You said he is missing where "
"Senior we don't know .Young master left a letter saying he had important thing to do and disappeared."lin fang than narrated the content of letter what he remembered.
"Why haven't your group explored ruins these 2 days ."leiting
"Senior we got into a conflict with iron hand camp and many of us got injured . That's why we were unable to come & search "
'No wonder the brat requested to cause iron hand trouble .But not letting them get hands on treasure was at most prank .he should have asked for beating them or breaking their bones .Than again iron hands spent efforts to get nothing in return . wasn't it more despairing than getting a beating '
"Senior may I ask how is young master known to you .And why is senior looking for him "
"That brat .He took something precious from us .But refuses to take responsibility for it ."Thunder general said in serious & agitated tone .
Remembering they were looking for lin tian for 2 days .But didn't find him .He had even thought lin tian had returned and took key with him .Thinking about key he was angry these days .
Lin fang smiled as though he heard something that matched his thoughts.
"Senior young master is always like this .He causes trouble but never takes responsibility for it .he is always been a source of headache for elders ."
"Oh.what more do you know about him"
"Yes although I shouldn't say but He has brought shame on us numerous times .He has no good traits .He is lazy ,unmotivated and has no discipline.Most importantly he uses his status to Control us .when he is weakest "
"Ohhh there are so many bad things about him .I only knew some ."Thunder general said.
"Senior there are numerous bad things about .....,..."lin fang started ranting bad things about lin tian's.The disciples behind him nodded their head and occasionally put their input .
All the while face of Leiting and man was unmoving .so they thought they agreed with their them .
"You have truly opened my eyes .But I have one question in my mind .
First is if you have to think of Your young master as any inanimate object .what would he be ?"
"Young master as an inanimate object ?."lin fang
"Yes take your time but answer honestly."Leiting
"I thing young master would be A heap of dirt & sand .Useless heap of dirt"Lin fang replied .Others were slow to think and answer but all of them nodded.
"i was going to say Rock but I agree with lin fang "
"A wooden hut "
"I see a heap of dirt and you all agree "Thunder General
"Lin fang right .It is disheartening to see you can't overcome A heap of dirt .you can cultivate but in the end you are just average."
"Do you know when your young master met me two times before he never knelt .
"Here is advice from me .instead of Heap of dirt imagine him as Highest mountain you have ever seen .
A mountain that is hard to overcome."with that Thunder general disappeared.
"What does he mean by that "
Lin fang felt like the words were profound and with deep meaning .But yet simple .
He didn't understand what senior meant by the advice .
They didn't mull over it for long .In front of them were treasure.And most importantly qiankun bags .After lin fang took most of treasures .Rest were divided into others .In the end .The treasures were carried on qiankun bags .rest were empty handed.
They all silently agreed with each other to not tell others about their earnings .
*******
Thunder general came to the hidden chamber .
Trying to enter he was repelled by the protective barrier.
'Could it be That brat is inside '
But I cannot confirm without entering .
They had been worried for days .How to lead Lin tian to the chamber .
He didn't had any cultivation.They couldn't bring him via dangerous areas .But unexpectedly they were wasting time without coming to conclusion.They also couldn't tell him they were ghosts .Incase he got afraid .Most importantly it would just raise unnecessary concern and worries .
General returned to the hall closing his eyes . He waited for any movement from inside the chamber.
********
Lin fang returned to the camp and announced to everyone.
They would return to the Grand fortress city tomorrow.
Many raised questions why Suddenly they decided to return and where was young master .
Lin fang simply showed them letter left by lin tian .
After that he said .Lin tian had offended the iron hands camp again in ruins and disappeared.Leaving them to bear the brunt of Iron hands . That's why they should leave asap .
Rest of the disciples were angry . whatever questions and doubt they had disappeared.
Lin suya was in doubt .But nevertheless she still made prepration to leave .They weren't opponent of iron hands . Especially if they came again with big numbers.
Lin fang left again to collect treasures from hua bo .
Hua bo was already informed by lin tian .if Someone from his group came to collect treasures.He should give them .
Hua bo after deducting the amount of safekeeping treasures gave them back treasures .
Lin fang and others were stunned .when they heard lin tian had sold one ore without telling them anything about it .
"We never Thought he was making personal profits behind our back ."lin fang and others were surprised and angry .But Hua bo was surprised too.
When he saw goods disappearing in thin air .
But he didn't say anything.
*******
Next day .
Lin fang and his group left the territory of Great ruins .with the first day of sunlight .Their Caravan started heading to city .
Some hours later they were infront of Massive gate of grand fortress city .All Disciples marveled at the view of grand city .
The landscape was massive and the buildings were long .Every street was laid with marble tiles .For some moments they couldn't gather their thoughts .
After they recovered from grand scenery .They thought of looking for Elder qiang .They had thought looking for Elder qiang in a massive city would be hardest .But after they asked city gate guards .They were recognised by them and told them of the nearest inn .
The inn Elder qiang was staying at was just 1km inside from gates .The inn was small but of 5floors .it wasn't shabby by any means But they expected it to be grand . compared to grand and luxurious buildings inside city this looked like a place for poor people to stay .
After meeting Elder qiang the 2nd task was to convince him to leave.First was to hide their qiankun bags .so that Elder wouldn't know about their pocketed treasure.Lin fang had already done the task though.
Lin fang was most worried about it . Though in no easy way this old man would agree to leave lin tian behind .But he had already made plan beforehand.
As he expected After he showed him the letter of lin tian .He thought of looking for lin tian first .
But he had prepared for it first hand .just as Elder qiang was about to go .Disciples started crying out and complaining about young master and his irrational decisions .
They didn't wanted to get harm because of young master . Explaining how fearsome opponent iron hands was .In no way they were match for iron hands .They were afraid .
Elder qiang had no choice but to tell them to go on their way .He would catch up to them before night .
Elder qiang was conflicted whether to stay to look for young master .But he also couldn't let
Juniors return alone on dangerous journey.
In the end looking at lin tian's letter .He just convinced himself young master knew what he was doing and wouldn't take any life risks .
After They all ate food in the inn. juniors continued their journey to return home .Elder qiang left to the ruins .But his speed was slow .The 3 hour journey took him almost 5 hour .He wasn't able to climb mountains like other youngsters .Every step gave him pain .
**********
"Sir Hua bo there is an old man looking for you ."
"Oh for what matters is he looking me for "
"He says He had paid you to protect someone.But you didn't do your duty faithfully"
Hua bo squinted his eyes after hearing it .
"Tell him to wait for me .I will meet him in some time "
***
When hua bo came Elder qiang was sitting nervously tapping his foot .
"Hua bo where is young master "Elder qiang said in angry tone .
"What do you mean "Hua bo
"He is missing for 2 days and you don't know anything about it .is this how you take care of young master .Is this how you do your work"
"Are you blaming me .I have done my best to protect him.if he is gone to wander somewhere .what can I do about it .Besides he is disaster seeking machine .who knows what type of place he went to "
"Did I paid you just to hear this ."
"You paid me to protect him .Not to stalk his whereabouts . That's not what my 'Treasure search union ' is for ."
"Hua bo I want to know where is young master before tonight.otherwise give the payment back .if you can't even find his whereabouts "
"What ? How dare you ask me to return it .you don't know but I have already protected him twice .one time I even offended a high clan .That small treasure isn't enough of payment "
"Hua bo use your words on someone ignorant.That treasure is far more worthy for some favors .That too because it is something you need most right now . Don't forget what it can grow upto . Don't forget you may spend years searching but not come across a mutated treasure like this "Elder
For some time their stares were in stalemate.Hua bo was first to back off .
"I will send some people to look for him.But don't even think about getting the treasure back "With that Hua bo left his camp .
Elder qiang heaved a sigh of relief.
Previously he wouldn't have left searching of young master to others .But now he had no choice.His realm had dropped .And with hidden injuries .He wasn't much capable now .
He had no choice but to leave it to others.
*******
Some hours passed when Hua bo returned to his camp .
"Your young master was last spotted climbing Highest mountain near to the ruins .it's unknown where did he go after that .
But some youngsters from far saw a figure that looked like your young master . wandering between ruins entrance.But because it was far they aren't sure .
I have already asked all groups.who explored ruins today .They haven't seen anyone who matches that brat's description.No one has seen him entering or exiting ruins .So it is unlikely he entered ruins .
However if he went behind mountains.Than even if I had 10 times the manpower .
I still wouldn't be able to find him "Hua bo said and looked at Elder qiang's expression.
If he still asked for treasure back .He would have no choice but to use force to keep it .
He had sent his whole force to get news asap and treated this matter as priority.There was no way he would return treasure .
"I see if there is any news remember to send it to this address.I will repay your every effort you spent on searching young master ."Elder qiang gave him address and started walking out .
"He just went like this .was he limping ?.Anyway since he left .I can rest assured .but where did that brat go . causing elders to stress and worry about him .I have to look into it " Hua bo was concerned.
*******
In the dark of night qiang entered the ruins .
Instead of looking in every area ,room .
He directly started going down floors .
"Just after fighting some small beasts I am tired .And my figure is trembling.i don't have much strength in me "Qiang leaned against a wall .
"Oh look a human and he is on the verge of collapse ."
"Do you think we can eat his soul .after killing him .Afterall general told us he won't stop us from doing anything now "
"I want to eat souls too . According to ghost spirit I had come across once said Ghost eats malevolent and negative emotions from Humans to maintain their form .And by directly devouring souls .they can grow strong in cultivaton.i wonder what's it like "
Qiang saw two smoky figures talking in front of him .
"Take me to your general .He knows me .I have something to ask him of now "qiang
"You know our general.you are joking our general is dead and atleast several centuries years old .There is no way ..... aren't you the human that was captured 3 days ago by us .why have you come again "
"Oh right Isn't he someone related to that youngster .Old man where is he .why hasn't he come for some days ."
"You know about young master .I am looking for him .Is he in the ruins ."qiang
"Old....Elder did you mishear.we said He hadn't come for days in ruins .we want to know why he hasn't he come .Our general is restless . Because He took something important from us . We needed him to do something for us.but he hadnt come .We thought he returned to where he came from"
"He hasn't returned anywhere.He is missing and nowhere to be found .I thought he came To ruins .but it seems that wasn't case .I will be leaving now .In case He is found . Please somehow send the news to "Treasure search union" "Hua bo ".
"Wait where are you going .we haven't decided to let you go yet " one ghost said
"Are you still thinking of eating him .He is our son-in-law 's elder .we can't eat him . General will turn you into nothing .if he got to know about it "2nd ghost stoppid him and transmitted his words to him .
"No what I meant by stopping him was . isn't there great healing pills on 5th floor .we should give to him . perhaps his injuries will be somewhat healed ."
"Oh that's right . Elder please wait we will fetch you a healing pills."
After some time .Elder qiang was given healing pills .He wanted to know why the special treatment.
They only replied if young master is found they must send him back . Elder qiang was distressed over this .He had thought Young master was most likely in ruins .But that wasn't case .
After He exited the ruins .His body started feeling sluggish and heavy .Maybe it was because of Effects of pills or some other reason .He had started to fall into sleep .
Controlling his body he started to move down fast . With a long strides .He traveled a big distance.But in the end fell asleep on the road to the Great ruins .