Imperial Commissioner

"If I don't know any Travel Cultivator techniques, why did you have me advance as a Travel Cultivator?" Li Banfeng looked coldly at A'yu. A'yu looked completely innocent. "Old Seven, you can't blame me for this. Advancement is about waiting until the melon is ripe for it to drop from the vine. Your Travel cultivation was clearly ahead of your Dwelling cultivation. If I had forced you to advance as a Dwelling Cultivator, think of how much risk I would have had to shoulder!" Li Banfeng frowned. "Why would my Travel Cultivator pathway be ahead of my Dwelling Cultivator pathway? I absorbed so much human vitality—does it make any difference whether it went toward Travel or Dwelling?" A'yu shook her head repeatedly. "Little Brother, advancing doesn't just depend on vitality; it also depends on the time you've accumulated. No matter what tier you reach, this fundamental principle never changes. You must have traveled to many places recently. Most importantly, you must have braved plenty of danger. In perilous lands, Travel Cultivation advances at extreme speeds, easily outstripping Dwelling Cultivation. That's entirely natural." Li Banfeng didn't trust A'yu, but Zhao Xiaowan felt there was some merit to her words. A savage duel against Shan Chengjun, then battles with Shu Wanjuan, Smiling Thousand Hands, and Mu Yuejuan, followed by the theft of the Primordial Wonder Screen, and then an agonizingly brutal clash against A'yu and the Heavenly Maiden—the mortal dangers Li Banfeng had faced lately were indeed numerous. It was only reasonable for his Travel Cultivation to have surpassed his Dwelling Cultivation. Yet Li Banfeng had plenty of vitality on hand, so why did A'yu insist on choosing Travel Cultivator? If she had done it merely to ensure Li Banfeng's safety, Zhao Xiaowan wouldn't believe that either. Li Banfeng wasn't that fragile, and A'yu wasn't that considerate. What was her true motive? A'yu consoled Li Banfeng, "With a major battle looming, a Travel Cultivator can come and go as they please on the battlefield. Advancing is a good thing!" "That's precisely what I'm talking about!" Li Banfeng grew even angrier. "I planned to use Mystic Light Evil-Slayer to wipe out vast swathes of the Bandit-Subduing Army. Now that the technique is gone, how am I supposed to fight the Bandit-Subduing Battalion?" A'yu looked at Li Banfeng in utter astonishment. "Little Brother, you only just learned the technique, and you already expect to slaughter enemies by the score? What do you take Mystic Light Evil-Slayer for? Do you have any idea how much energy it drains? Did you mistake this technique for one of those laser cannons from the Outer States? How much blood and sweat do you think it takes to reach Universal Mystic Radiance?" A'yi piped up enthusiastically, "Big Brother, when it comes to fighting the Bandit-Subduing Army, you have to count on me! I made brand-new explosives—one blast will clear out a massive area!" A'yu shook her head. "No." A'yi's face darkened. "You say no and that's it? My big brother hasn't even spoken yet. Who are you to boss me around?" A'yu kicked A'yi. "Because I'm your mother." A'yi retorted stubbornly, "What's so great about being a mother? Without my big brother, how could there be a mother?" From a certain perspective, there was truth in that. Without Li Banfeng, A'yu could never have come to Hulu Village. A'yu couldn't be bothered to argue with A'yi and called down toward the floor below, "Little Sister, lend me some building blocks." The little girl sounded very reluctant. "I can lend them to you, but you have to return them. The blocks always go missing the more people play with them." A box of building blocks rose up from the floorboards. A'yu laid out the rough arrangement of Dingye City on the floor. It closely resembled the blueprints drawn by Zuo Anna. Dingye City was densely packed with grid cells of varying sizes and shapes—some rectangular, some square, some diamond-shaped. Their only common feature was that every cell was enclosed by four walls. Looking at the blocks, A'yi gave a slight shake of her head. "This doesn't look like the Dingye City I saw." "Of course it doesn't," A'yu said. "There are only so many blocks. It's impossible to lay out the entire city." A'yi remained insistent. "Nowhere in Dingye City looks like this." Her words were unmistakable, and her purpose clear: she was telling A'yu that she had been to Dingye City. She had previously opened a path leading there, and this time she was restoring that original route. Since a fierce battle was at stake, no one should be playing mind games. A'yu poked A'yi with a finger. "What do you mean by that? Would your own mother deceive you? Go take another look at Dingye City right now and see if its layout is anything like what you saw before." A'yi said, "Sister, I know the land in the Inner States can shift, but an entire city wouldn't change beyond recognition." A'yu shook her head. "Dingye City is different. It holds nine cauldrons. When those nine cauldrons remain still, the city doesn't change much. But if they shift positions, Dingye City alters drastically. Even if you were there yesterday, you might not recognize it today." A'yi fell silent. She still needed to verify this, but scouting Dingye City required extreme caution; the slightest slip could expose her tracks. Holding a block, A'yu pointed to a diamond-shaped cell. "If different materials are boiled within the Nine Cauldrons, the layout inside the city can change in the blink of an eye. Even if A'yi already located the Bandit-Subduing Battalion, by the time you charge into that cell, it might no longer be their camp." A'yi shook her head. "Mother, isn't what you're saying a bit too bizarre?" "That's just your lack of worldly experience!" A'yu glared at A'yi. "I suffered losses in Dingye City back when my only goal was cutting off the Inner States' grain supplies. Now the Bandit-Subduing Battalion is stationed right there. Just think how much effort the Inner States must have poured into it!" A'yi remained defiant. "The path will be restored tomorrow. When the time comes, we'll see just how much has changed." Zhao Xiaowan intervened, "Let's hear Elder Sister finish first. Since Dingye City is ever-shifting, how do you think we should fight this battle?" A'yu replied, "First, we must strike with precision; second, we must be able to afford mistakes." Zhao Xiaowan said, "Please elaborate, Elder Sister." Everyone present was sharp, so A'yu didn't need to waste words. Especially with Zhao Xiaowan, a brief explanation was enough. "Striking with precision means we must pinpoint the camp's exact location. If we spot where the Bandit-Subduing Battalion is, we have to lock onto that bearing. When we charge into Dingye City, wherever we land, we must head straight for that camp." Li Banfeng asked, "How can we lock down the location?" A'yu marked the diamond-shaped block. "There are two ways. First, a set-plate chart can directly lock onto the camp's position. No matter how Dingye City shifts, the chart will point the way. However, a set-plate chart is an exceedingly rare treasure. There are barely a few across the entire Inner States, so don't count on having one." *Whoosh—* Little Train vented half a puff of steam and swallowed the rest. He wanted to laugh, but he couldn't. Although A'yu's hearing was damaged, she would still hear him if he laughed too loudly. Little Train had a set-plate chart—traded from Chu Shaoqiang using Chu Shaoqiang's Heavenly Heart Stone. Zhao Xiaowan asked, "Sister, what if we don't have a set-plate chart? What do we do then?" A'yu took on a grave expression and sighed. "Then there's no other way. I'll have to act personally, relying on everything I've learned in my life to lock onto the Bandit-Subduing Battalion's position and lead you all in a charge." Zhao Xiaowan stared at A'yu for a long moment. A'yu frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that? I genuinely want to help you fight! I'm from Puluo Province; when it comes to risking my life against the Inner States, I never waver." From upstairs, the old woman snorted. "Whose accountant is clicking an abacus so hard the beads are flying out?" A'yu didn't bicker with the old woman and continued, "Striking with precision isn't enough; we also have to be able to afford mistakes. Because Dingye City shifts endlessly, stumbling into the wrong place is inevitable. Add to that whatever deceptive illusions the Inner States might use, and errors are only to be expected. "That's why A'yi isn't suited for the battlefield. The methods she uses leave no margin for error. Once explosives detonate inside a cell, our position is exposed. If what blows up isn't the enemy camp, they'll be on full alert. Not only would our efforts be in vain, we might not even get a chance to escape." Zhao Xiaowan asked, "Then who do you think is suitable, Elder Sister?" A'yi looked over at the Heavenly Maiden, feeling she had guessed A'yu's intent. Yet to her surprise, A'yu didn't mention the Heavenly Maiden. "Back when I was at the Dark Star Bureau, I heard of a rising star among the Disease Cultivators. He would be exceptionally suitable." Li Banfeng said, "You mean Critic?" A'yu nodded. "That foreigner is said to have developed his own techniques in Disease Cultivation. If he sends foci of disease into the Bandit-Subduing Battalion, even if he delivers them to the wrong place, as long as we hold back the outbreak, we'll still have room to adapt." Li Banfeng gave a slight nod. "I'll go find Critic." A'yi used Hulu Village to send Li Banfeng to Daogui Ridge. Critic was squatting inside the temple, collecting god statues from the sunflowers. "My friend, you've come at just the right time! A significant portion of the god statues I harvested belongs to you. Out of our friendship, I saved all these statues for you. As for the fruits of our joint research, I trust your perspective has evolved—" Li Banfeng glanced around, worried someone might overhear. "I'm grateful for the statues. But I came today to discuss a big business deal with you." Critic lowered his voice. "Is it very dangerous business?" Li Banfeng nodded. "Very dangerous, but the rewards are generous." Critic asked again, "Does it require leaving Daogui Ridge?" Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes." Critic stroked the god statue in his hands and gently shook his head. "Don't tell me. I'm afraid the information might leak, and I'm afraid I won't be able to resist agreeing." "Why can't you agree?" "There are two reasons. First, I recently took on a crucial mission and cannot easily leave Daogui Ridge. Second, I am under very tight surveillance. The moment I leave Daogui Ridge, the Inner States might discover my movements, and then all your plans could be exposed." Li Banfeng was startled. "Daogui Ridge is under surveillance by the Inner States? Do you know who the planted spy is? Let's go eliminate him." "It's useless," Critic said, shaking his head. "Puluo Province is practically undefended, and I am not skilled at evading surveillance or tracking. When I raided Tufang State's vanguard camp and Moye City before, I had a premonition. I destroyed a city, so the Inner States will monitor my every move from now on. "And not just the Inner States—I discovered that the Outer States are watching me as well. I have to adapt to this. Because of my unique cultivation pathway, I must survive in plain view. Actually, that's not necessarily a bad thing; being out in the open has its own rules. But there are some things I had better not know. That is critical for both you and me." Li Banfeng asked, "Can you disclose anything about your important mission?" Critic hesitated a moment, unbuttoned his shirt, and revealed the five large characters across his chest: "I love Puluo Province!" Li Banfeng said, "I've never doubted your feelings for Puluo Province." Critic wiped his hand across his chest, and three of the five characters changed: "I love Great Shang!" Li Banfeng said, "Now I seriously doubt your feelings for Puluo Province." Characters shifted and crossed across Critic's chest. Critic was trying hard to explain something, yet worried Li Banfeng wouldn't understand. Fortunately, the two had a deep tacit understanding. After watching for a while, Li Banfeng basically grasped it. Li Banfeng asked, "This mission is that complicated?" Critic nodded. "I don't know if I can return alive, but I've made thorough preparations." Li Banfeng shook his head. "Your preparations aren't thorough enough. I still need to give you a hand." Critic looked at Li Banfeng's chest. "Show me." "I won't display it right now," Li Banfeng said with a slight shake of his head. "Proceed directly according to your original plan. The person helping you will appear at the right moment." Leaving Daogui Ridge, Li Banfeng returned to Hulu Village. Once inside the dwelling, he asked A'yu, "If Critic can't go to Dingye City, what other good ideas do you have?" A'yu pursed her lips. "There is a way, but I'm afraid you won't trust me. As I said earlier, even if you learned Mystic Light Evil-Slayer, you wouldn't be able to kill many enemies. But in the hands of the Heavenly Maiden, it's an entirely different story. She has already cultivated this technique to the realm of Universal Mystic Radiance. Wherever that mystic light passes, across a radius of several li, not a blade of grass remains." As she spoke, A'yu picked up a building block and placed it into the diamond-shaped area. "With the Heavenly Maiden's assistance, as long as we locate the right camp, we can win in a single strike." She picked up another block and set it in a distant rectangular cell. "Even if we hit the wrong place, it won't matter. The Heavenly Maiden can cast her art from afar. As long as she locks onto the camp, we'll still have plenty of chances." Li Banfeng said, "After talking all this time, this was your real goal, wasn't it? You didn't want me to learn Mystic Light Evil-Slayer because you wanted to take the Heavenly Maiden out of Hulu Village, right?" A'yu looked slightly aggrieved and indignant. "Little Brother, that hurts. Just now I urged you to bring Critic. It was only because that foreigner couldn't go that I thought of the Heavenly Maiden." Li Banfeng shook his head. "You knew Critic couldn't go. He's under surveillance by the Outer States, and the Dark Star Bureau certainly has intelligence on him. None of that escapes your notice." A woman's voice from next door snorted. "They say pretty women know how to lie, and your deceit is truly top-notch." A'yu's face darkened. "Since none of you trust me, why bother consulting me? Just go fight the battle yourselves!" Zhao Xiaowan didn't press the matter further. She cared more about preparing for the next step. Going by A'yu's description, Dingye City was indeed difficult to attack. "Do you mean to say, Elder Sister, that from dozens of li away, the Heavenly Maiden can still project her mystic light into the Bandit-Subduing Battalion?" A'yu smiled. "What is dozens of li? Anyone who has touched the Red Lotus can be tracked down and struck by the Heavenly Maiden even from a thousand li away. You ought to know that." Zhao Xiaowan glanced at the Heavenly Maiden lying on the floor. "We never doubted the Heavenly Maiden's abilities, but whether this Heavenly Maiden in front of us can manage it is another question." A'yu frowned. "There's only one Heavenly Maiden in this world. If she can't, who can?" Zhao Xiaowan said, "If she really could, why didn't we see you unleash that mystic light when we fought earlier, Elder Sister?" A'yu raised an eyebrow. "At that time, I was taking our friendship into consideration." Zhao Xiaowan smiled without speaking. The room filled with laughter. A'yi whispered into Li Banfeng's ear, "Our big sister is unreliable. Let's just stick to explosives." Li Banfeng nodded. "I think so too. If we blast the wrong place, we'll just blow through the wall and move to another spot!" A'yu picked up a building block and told Li Banfeng and A'yi, "The walls in Dingye City cannot be blown through." A'yi sneered. "I'd really like to see that." A'yu's expression turned dead serious. "The stone used to partition the zones in Dingye City is called indestructible rock. Never mind your explosives—back then, not even the Heavenly Maiden's mystic light could burn through it." A'yi looked back at the Heavenly Maiden. "Is she so remarkable? Just because she couldn't burn through it means I can't blow it apart?" "Yi Hulu Huapiao, this isn't the time to throw a tantrum!" A'yu's voice rose sharply. Whatever other motives she had, she did not want her daughter throwing her life away on the battlefield. A'yi chuckled. "If there really were stone so hard, why leave it in Dingye City just to make walls? Why not use it to forge armor? I've never seen armor that could withstand my explosives." A'yu set the building block onto the floor. "Indestructible rock grows from Dingye City itself. Just like crops, it has roots and stems. Once pulled from the earth, the stone loses its properties. A'yi, unless you pinpoint the right location on the first try, your explosives will never breach those stone walls. Not even Old Train's Sever the Path to Forge a Way could pierce them!" A'yi didn't argue further with A'yu. She leaned close to Li Banfeng's ear and said, "Big Brother, come check out the explosives with me. This recipe is much crazier than before." "Even crazier than before?" Li Banfeng stood up. "Then I definitely need to see it." Seeing Li Banfeng preparing to leave, A'yu urgently asked, "Once you clear the road, how do you plan to find the Bandit-Subduing Battalion? If you strike inside Dingye City while I stay in Hulu Village, you won't be able to borrow my techniques using Mansion of Deep Courtyards!" A'yu was raising a legitimate point. This house on the clouds was not the companion dwelling. If the battlefield was too far from the house, the Mansion of Deep Courtyards technique wouldn't work. Li Banfeng turned back and said, "Using Connecting Bridal Chambers, it should work." A'yu understood what Li Banfeng meant—he wanted to use Connecting Bridal Chambers to link this dwelling to Little Train. "But that's not a lasting solution. How long can you maintain Connecting Bridal Chambers?" Li Banfeng said no more and followed A'yi to inspect the explosives. Zhao Xiaowan stayed behind in the dwelling. "Sister, I know you've fought in battles. Tell me more about the characteristics of Dingye City." A'yu packed up the blocks, preparing to return them to the little girl downstairs. "What's the use of telling you? None of you believe me anyway." "I believe you," Zhao Xiaowan said, looking earnestly at A'yu. "If you truly wish to go to the battlefield, Elder Sister, that can be discussed. If you're sincere about helping us, everything is open for discussion." *** In his study, Qiao Yi sat carefully reading an unusual document. This official missive had been brushed personally by the new monarch of Great Shang, stamped with the imperial seal carved by Chuanzi himself, and delivered in person by Luo Lijun. Its contents concerned dispatching an Imperial Commissioner to Chaoge. "The new monarch of Great Shang sending an Imperial Commissioner to inspect government affairs in Chaoge?" Qiao Yi sneered and handed the letter to Nian Shangyou. After reading it, Nian Shangyou chuckled as well. "Our new monarch doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth. He truly takes himself for an emperor." Qiao Yi shook his head repeatedly. "Shangyou, you're playing dumb with me again. This couldn't possibly be the new monarch's idea." Nian Shangyou said, "I suspect it's Li Qi up to his tricks again. I'll draft a reply and brush him off with a few casual words." Qiao Yi shook his head. "We certainly cannot just brush him off casually. This letter comes from the hand of the new monarch; turning the Imperial Commissioner away would be improper by every rule of propriety. "Furthermore, this move is undoubtedly meant to probe us. Puluo Province is currently clashing with Tufang. Though there has been no all-out war, friction is constant, and the peddler is said to have intervened in person. If we reveal hostility at this moment, Puluo Province will certainly heighten its vigilance, which would be exceedingly unfavorable for our future surprise attack." Nian Shangyou sought confirmation: "My Lord means we should receive this Imperial Commissioner?" Qiao Yi nodded. "Receive him with the etiquette befitting an imperial prince." Nian Shangyou read through the letter once more. "This letter doesn't specify the commissioner's identity." Qiao Yi offered a wry smile. "Who else could it be? It's bound to be Li Qi stirring up trouble again. Though we'll observe the etiquette of an imperial prince, keep everything simple. Emphasize in the reply that we will receive him only in Chaoge, and on no account allow him to go to Xiaocheng again." The next day, chaos erupted before Qiao Yi's residence. A throng of officials and feudal lords from various regions converged on his estate, demanding an explanation. Nian Shangyou was frantic. "My Lord, they caught wind of it from somewhere and all know Li Qi is coming to Chaoge. They insist on demanding an explanation from you!" As a Scry Cultivator, Qiao Yi could judge roughly how many people were outside the estate just by listening to the noise. "Only a few hundred have arrived. That's better than I expected." Nian Shangyou pointed toward the port. "My Lord, many more are on their way to Chaoge. When Li Qi arrives tomorrow, heaven knows what kind of mess Chaoge will turn into!" "It won't become a mess," Qiao Yi said, standing by the window and listening closely to the shouting outside. "If they want an explanation, we'll give them one. Since Li Qi dares to come, I'll make him suffer a bitter loss—one so painful he won't be able to utter a word of complaint!" Seeing Qiao Yi's calm confidence, Nian Shangyou felt somewhat reassured. Another day passed, and the day of the Imperial Commissioner's visit arrived. Chaoge was livelier than ever, and the entrance to Qiao Yi's estate was packed solid. Some came clutching serf indentures demanding justice; some brought weapons intending to butcher Li Qi with their own hands; and several high officials of exceptional literary talent had penned an "Exhortation to Suppress the Bandit," enumerating ten capital crimes of Li Qi, preparing to set up a court right in Chaoge to interrogate and sentence him. A high official took the lead, shouting, "Strip him of his noble rank! Sever his head! Restore righteousness to heaven and earth!" The crowd outside chorused in agreement, their shouts echoing like thunderous tsunamis! Nian Shangyou slipped through the back door into the residence and hurried to the study. "My Lord, bad news! The Imperial Commissioner is almost here!" Qiao Yi rose, smoothed his robes, and said with an unfazed expression, "No need to panic. The timing is perfect. I'll make Li Qi apologize publicly, and he won't be able to mutter a single grievance." Nian Shangyou shook his head. "My Lord, the one coming might not be Li Qi." Qiao Yi froze. "Then who is it?" "We just received secret intelligence. Early this morning, Critic left Daogui Ridge and went to Qishuiyao." "What?!" Qiao Yi's eyes went wide. His body swayed, and he nearly lost his footing. "What is he coming here for? He's a foreigner! How could he be an Imperial Commissioner?!" Nian Shangyou's beard quivered in panic. "My Lord, don't worry about such details for now! What do we do if he arrives?" Qiao Yi ordered, "Quickly inform the navy to maintain strict vigilance! Under no circumstances may this man be allowed to set foot ashore!" Nian Shangyou nodded. "I'll have the navy sink his ship outright!" Qiao Yi barked furiously, "Have you lost your mind? Attack the Imperial Commissioner's vessel? Wouldn't that hand everyone ammunition against us? Just force him to turn back!" Critic had been right: Great Shang paid far too much attention to him. Chaoge dispatched more than a dozen warships twenty li out to "welcome" him. The Luo family had specially prepared a passenger ship for the Imperial Commissioner. Critic stood on the deck, preparing to visit the soldiers and officers who had come to greet him. The soldiers were utterly at a loss. This was the Imperial Commissioner's vessel, and with Qiao Yi's orders, they certainly couldn't attack it. Yet if they didn't attack, this Imperial Commissioner was going to come right over! The warships retreated all the way back, immediately sending word to Qiao Yi. Helpless, Qiao Yi ordered Nian Shangyou to go receive the commissioner. Nian Shangyou looked horrified. "My Lord, me? Go welcome—" Qiao Yi nodded. "This matter is of grave consequence. Exercise the utmost caution." "My Lord, what use is caution alone? How on earth am I supposed to fend off that monster—" Nian Shangyou didn't want to go, but Qiao Yi forced him anyway. As he made his way to the harbor, the entire city of Chaoge had grown remarkably quiet. When the various feudal lords heard that the one arriving was the Disease Cultivator Critic, not a single one demanded justice anymore. Every last one of them scrambled to the docks searching for boats, terrified of being half a step too slow in fleeing. Nian Shangyou took a boat out to receive Critic, expecting both sides to shout back and forth across the water between their vessels. To his shock, an enthusiastic Critic stepped right aboard Nian Shangyou's ship. Critic reached out to shake hands. Nian Shangyou sidestepped slightly. "In Great Shang, we do not practice such etiquette—" "I know! The people of Great Shang are all so warm and passionate!" Critic swept Nian Shangyou into a hug. Being a fish, the instant Critic embraced him, Nian Shangyou's face turned deathly pale. *** From Boundless City, Ma the Fifth saw everything with crystal clarity. There was no need to worry about Critic's side anymore. Luo Yanjun said, "Junyang, Tianyi City is pulling up." Fatty Qin said to Ma the Fifth, "Fifth Brother, we should head for Haocheng now." Xiao Yuci asked timidly, "Is that Tianyi City just like this one, made of bugs? Could it eat you in one bite?" Fang Erdao grinned. "That's right! All turned from bugs! It'll gobble you up in one gulp!" Ma the Fifth glanced back at the group. Every one of them was absolutely trustworthy, yet he couldn't help feeling they weren't cut out for warfare. He Yuxiu chuckled. "What are you scared of? Didn't Old Seven tell us? We don't have to win—we just have to make some noise!" As word spread that Critic was drawing closer to Chaoge, the nobles gathered at the harbor dissolved into frantic chaos. To snatch a boat leaving port, many came to blows. Disguised as an attendant, He Jiaqing slipped into the First Ring of the city amidst the tumult. *** A'yi opened the exit leading into Dingye City. Before them lay an expanse of farmland. Just yesterday, A'yi had scouted the path; this had originally been a camp. Now there were no tents, nor any soldiers—only granaries and laboring corvée workers. A'yu was right. In just one day, Dingye City had changed again. Zhao Xiaowan's face was grim. This battle would not be easy to fight. Hong Ying tightened her grip on her spear, awaiting Zhao Xiaowan's orders. Jiu'er helped smooth Jiang Ling'er's silk threads. Jiang Ling'er hadn't been out for a long time, and the unfamiliar surroundings made her slightly nervous. A'yi grinned. "How about we set fire to their grain?" A'yu snapped angrily, "What time do you think it is to mess around? Move the exit ninety-six li to the north!" "Ninety-six li? That precise?" A'yu nodded. "I can smell the smoke from the camp."