A Conversation

A communication depot was a business. Inscribing communication crystals and renting them out to outsiders was a trade found in some of the larger commandery seats, though the price was exorbitant. The astronomical fee of two thousand taels for a single quarter-hour was enough to extinguish any thought of using one for the vast majority of people. Typically, only wealthy merchant moguls transmitting crucial commercial intelligence, or prominent clans and sects sending vital information, ever made use of them. The shopkeeper of the Wanxiang City communication depot was an expert—a fourth-rank Body Integration expert. Seeing two low-tier sixth-rank cultivators enter, the shopkeeper showed not the slightest hint of condescension. Simply stepping into this communication depot meant that their family had their own communication crystal set up at home. Once the banknotes were handed over, the shopkeeper led the two into a secret chamber, offered a bow, and quietly departed. After a quick check of the soundproofing array around the room, Xu Xinyao walked straight over to the massive round crystal in the center of the chamber and began carefully inspecting its array patterns. Most messages sent through communication depots were confidential, and great profits could be reaped from them. Because of this, more than once in the past, depots had taken advantage of the fact that most people knew nothing about array patterns to tamper with the formations on the communication crystals, eavesdropping on confidential information to resell it. Even though that old auntie Lou Ji had been the pioneer of such underhanded tactics, Xu Yuan and Xu Xinyao still had to be on guard. Watching Xu Xinyao conduct her inspection, Xu Yuan asked with mild curiosity, "Xinyao, how much silver does it usually cost to activate one of these communication crystals?" "If it isn't used continuously, it costs nothing." "Huh?" Using her Source Qi to examine the crystal closely, Xu Xinyao replied softly, "This type of Source Crystal usually comes with a built-in spirit-gathering array. When not in use, it gradually absorbs and accumulates the Source Qi of heaven and earth into a spirit-storage pool... Mm, probably located about twenty meters underground." Xu Yuan smiled. "A one-time investment with endless returns, then." Xu Xinyao shook her head. "The materials for such an array are very expensive. Even excluding the array master's fee, it still costs nearly two hundred thousand taels of silver." Xu Yuan clicked his tongue. "The imperial court really is wealthy. One for every commandery and county." Converted into the currency of his previous life, that was three hundred million to set up a landline. Though the paths of development were completely different, the productivity of the Great Yan Dynasty was remarkably high. Xu Xinyao gave a soft smile. "Third Brother, it was all built up bit by bit over time. Besides, many county towns don't have communication crystals at all. Apart from border towns that need them to report military affairs, smaller counties rely on the official roads to send dispatches to the commandery seats." With that, Xu Xinyao slowly straightened up and murmured, "There's no problem with this communication crystal. I've already connected to Father's Heavenly Communication Crystal." Perhaps because he was attending to official affairs, Xu Yinhe did not accept the transmission immediately. Xu Yuan leaned against the wall and casually chatted with Xu Xinyao. "Xinyao, if you were to charge for setting up a grand array like the one for the Wanxiang Sect, how much would you normally be paid?" Sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall, Xu Xinyao glanced up at her third brother, pondered for a moment, and said, "Roughly between two hundred and three hundred thousand taels." "..." The corner of Xu Yuan's eye twitched. Her gaze dropped slightly as she added, "Third Brother, you don't need to look so shocked. The high price is mainly because large-scale array diagrams are so valuable." Understood. A high-tech product, and a city-scale one at that. Thinking of this, Xu Yuan looked at Xu Xinyao with a twinge of heartache. Three hundred thousand taels... Four and a half small goals, given away just like that. Wasn't his fourth sister even more of a spendthrift than he was? Once they reached the Wanxiang Sect, he would have to demand that debt back in full and pocket it. Having made up his mind, Xu Yuan sighed. "Did you give them the array diagrams?" Xu Xinyao shook her head. "Of course not. Those diagrams are priceless. I was the sole person responsible for the core formations." Xu Yuan fell silent for a moment before asking in a low voice, "By the way, how long until the Gewu Academy finishes developing that Heavenly Communication Crystal?" He truly wanted to get his hands on one. With that around, he could summon reinforcements whenever he pleased. Xu Xinyao replied quietly, "That sort of thing is very difficult. It can't be powered or activated easily; only high-tier cultivators of the second rank or above can use it." Xu Yuan glanced at the Sumeru ring on her finger. "Can't you use your Sumeru ring to power it?" Xu Xinyao shook her head. "Why?" Xu Yuan asked. Her mood turned somewhat somber at the mention of Shengshan County, but she still drew her legs to her chest and murmured an explanation: "Once Source Qi flows between the Levitating Stone of a Sumeru ring and the luminous white crystal of a Heavenly Communication Crystal, a qi clash occurs. The thermal lines undergo radiance fusion, and the spatial capacity crystals attached to the Levitating Stone detonate with a shriek..." "..." Xu Yuan was speechless. *** In the Imperial Capital, outside the gates of Marquis Wucheng's Manor, the black carriage bearing the coiled-dragon emblem of the incumbent Prime Minister rolled once more through the heavy vermilion gates. Compared to last time, an additional green-robed man sat inside the spacious carriage. Two men, one old and one young, with resembling features, sat opposite each other. The carriage interior was filled with the faint, elegant scent of smokeless incense. Looking at his eldest son before him, Xu Yinhe shook his head and said, "Father already told you: even if you went in person to propose the marriage, Marquis Wucheng would never allow you to enter into the alliance. Heh... by tomorrow, the news of your failed marriage proposal will surely spread throughout the Imperial Capital." Xu Changge's expression was stern, and his narrow eyes revealed no emotion as he simply said, "If Changtian goes into the marriage alliance, his life will most likely not be easy." Xu Yinhe said, "It is merely a temporary expedient. Besides, even if Changtian goes, he might not necessarily be suppressed." Xu Changge raised a brow at that. There was no displeasure in his eyes, only curiosity. "Father, could you elaborate?" Xu Yinhe said bluntly, "I sent him to handle the Wanxiang Sect's affairs, with Xinyao by his side." "The Wanxiang Sect... is it regarding the incident in Shengshan County?" Xu Changge frowned slightly. "With only forty thousand men of the Black Scale Army, won't Changtian and Xinyao be in danger?" After Xu Chang'an died, Xu Changge had been forced to step up and take over various affairs. Whenever reports were transmitted to Xu Yinhe, a copy was sent to him as well. Xu Yinhe's gaze grew complicated for a moment before turning into a faint smile. "You, as their eldest brother, protect them too much. Xinyao has been sheltered too well, and Changtian was far too reckless in the past. They must grow up eventually." Xu Changge fell silent for a moment, let out a breath, and curled his lips into a slight smile. "Is Changtian already capable of holding his own?" Xu Yinhe did not answer directly, saying with layered meaning, "I had Lou Ji instruct Yi Tian to deliver two human-skin masks to Changtian and Xinyao." Xu Changge's eyes flickered. "Concealing their identities is indeed a sound move." "Mm." Xu Yinhe nodded, glancing out the window at the quiet crowd lining the street, before continuing, "I have also arranged for someone in Anxi Commandery to pose as Changtian and make public appearances." Hearing this, Xu Changge remained quiet for a long while. Then his pupils contracted sharply, and his composed demeanor gave way to a surge of emotion. "Father, you mean..." Xu Yinhe turned his gaze back to him. "Yes. I intend to groom Changtian."