Nothing More

Ancient archdemons like Zhu Erniang were fiercely independent and maintained a deep-seated wariness toward humans and local powers alike; bringing them this far had been no easy feat. He Lingchuan knew his genuine devotion had finally moved them. Sincerity exchanged for sincerity. From this day forward, the spider demon sisters truly stood by his side. The thought filled him with comfort and satisfaction. Gaining the friendship of two ancient archdemons was undoubtedly one of tonight's greatest rewards! *** Upon arriving at Bailang Villa, He Lingchuan first changed out of his soaked clothes, dried his hair, and tidied his robes and cap. Once neatly groomed, he went to see Fang Canran. When receiving distinguished guests, proper grooming was essential courtesy. Fang Canran had long been waiting for him. The moment He Lingchuan appeared, he handed him a cup of hot tea. "All settled?" "All settled." He Lingchuan slumped into a chair. "Pardon the display—we had a sudden crisis." "No matter." Fang Canran merely looked curious. "You hid all the way out on an island at sea, so who could still be trying to take your life?" "It has nothing to do with Beijia," He Lingchuan replied truthfully. "Bailie is behind it." He gulped down two mouthfuls of hot tea. After braving the driving wind and rain, an icy chill truly clung to his bones. Fang Canran was somewhat surprised, but he refrained from probing further and simply said, "Martial Uncle Wang has been waiting for you for quite a while." The commotion on Suoding Island tonight had been considerable—first an explosion at the docks, then fighting along the main road—stirring unease among the guests. Most visiting merchants had already been reassured, but Wang Xingyi's guards remained on high alert, taking no chances. He Lingchuan's earlier actions had taken considerable time, and Wang Xingyi had long since finished soaking in the hot spring. His personal attendants had not only helped him into fresh robes, but had also replaced his belt, pendants, and cap pin. Only then did He Lingchuan realize that although the man was past seventy, he appeared under forty. He had a head of black hair, broad shoulders, and a robust, muscular frame, bearing not the slightest trace of aging. After resting, Wang Xingyi looked even more refreshed and high-spirited. Just as He Lingchuan was about to call for a meal, Wang Xingyi waved his hand. "No hurry. Are you two finished catching up?" He Lingchuan and Fang Canran exchanged a glance and smiled. Wang Xingyi had gone to soak in the hot spring precisely to give them a chance to talk privately. The old man saw everything with crystalline clarity. "We caught up for quite a while, and Brother He had to tidy up some household affairs. Martial Uncle Wang, have you grown impatient waiting?" "In this hurricane weather, what urgent business could I possibly have?" Wang Xingyi took a sip of hot tea. "Come, tell me, why was the island so lively today?" He Lingchuan briefly summarized the mutiny launched by the Bailong people in a few words, then said, "To disturb an honored guest was due to my inability to control my subordinates. I am deeply ashamed!" "Coveting the Yangshan Archipelago?" Wang Xingyi remarked upon hearing it. "Their taste isn't bad, but unfortunately their reach exceeded their grasp. Still, those hundreds of Bailong people arrived only recently, yet as the hurricane approached, they came and went as they pleased on your island. Hmm, either your defenses have holes, or they had an insider here." "National Preceptor Wang is brilliant." He Lingchuan gave a rueful smile. "I'm afraid it was both." "Acting in the shadows is easy, but parrying blows in the open is difficult, isn't it?" Wang Xingyi's words held a deeper meaning, which both He Lingchuan and Fang Canran—having orchestrated the Heavenly Palace and Lingxu incidents—understood completely. They did not utter a single word about Bailie pulling strings from behind the scenes. He Lingchuan did not even mention Yu Zecheng and Beijia, let alone the soul-stirring, perilous battle in the eastern part of Suoding Island. Wang Xingyi remained silent, sweeping his gaze to the side. He Lingchuan caught the hint and dismissed all the attendants from the bathhouse lounge. Only the three of them remained in the parlor. "Songyuan has already told me about your deeds," Wang Xingyi said bluntly. "Lingshan rarely pays attention to individuals, but you accomplished what others failed to achieve after decades of planning. The elders hold you in very high regard." He Lingchuan maintained his smile. What others failed to achieve after decades of planning? Didn't "others" simply refer to Lingshan itself? "I came to the Yangshan Archipelago today because I wish to ask—" Wang Xingyi turned solemn. "Are you willing to take up an official post in the Mou Kingdom?" Otherwise, why would a dignified decision-maker of Lingshan and National Preceptor of the Mou Kingdom travel all the way to this barren, birdless island overseas? He Lingchuan glanced at Fang Canran, who wore a smug expression. *Was I wrong? A divine prediction, wasn't it?* "Serve in the imperial court? Without needing to join another Daoist order or organization?" "Whichever Daoist order you wish to join, I can arrange it," Wang Xingyi said placidly. "So long as that order is not established within Beijia territory." This single sentence was enough to show Wang Xingyi's immense power and prestige in the Mou Kingdom. To ensure his second son Lu Qinglin's steady rise through the ranks, Lu Zhensheng had spared no expense paving the way with gold, spending well over a million taels. Yet all of that paled in comparison to a single word from Wang Xingyi. Fang Canran chimed in from the side. "Martial Uncle, you need to offer a specific post. A county magistrate is an official, but so is a prime minister." Wang Xingyi asked He Lingchuan, "Do you wish to pursue a civil path, or a military one?" He Lingchuan smiled. "National Preceptor Wang honors me with his favor. However, I know very little about the Mou Kingdom and Lingshan. In fact, I only heard about them for the first time from Songyuan in Lingxu City." Knowing too little naturally bred hesitation. This was only human nature. Neither of them saw He Lingchuan's hands, drawn back inside his sleeves, clench into tight fists. Wang Xingyi glanced at Fang Canran, who nodded. "I probed Brother He back then, and he looked entirely lost." Wang Xingyi then said to He Lingchuan, "Lingshan was founded by immortals, and to this day immortals reside there. If the Heavenly Palace ever discovers what you have done, under all the heavens only Lingshan and the Mou Kingdom can guarantee your safety." Both sentences were absolute truth. "Lingshan keeping this matter confidential is already the greatest protection for me," He Lingchuan said solemnly. "As for joining, pray allow me to think it over. Naturally, I wish to draw close to Lingshan and the Mou Kingdom. If you have any tasks there, I am willing to render my service." His words were polite, yet the lad neither knew nor trusted them, clearly intending to observe and deliberate further. Even so, Wang Xingyi took no offense at all. After all, He Lingchuan had wrought havoc in the Heavenly Palace, which pushed him squarely into opposition against Beijia with virtually no room for reconciliation. To accomplish such a monumental feat proved, on one hand, that he was brilliant and brimming with extraordinary luck; on the other hand, was it not also the rash audacity of youth? Once he truly comprehended the terrifying might of Beijia and the gods, and once he realized he had no path of retreat, he would naturally seek Lingshan as his backer. Over thousands of years, countless rare talents and prodigies had walked this very path. Even Panlong City, heralded as an iron-blooded city more than a hundred and sixty years ago, had trodden the same road. The mountain did not come to the man; only the man came to the mountain. Lingshan had always stood there, so what reason did it have to be in a rush? Wang Xingyi lightly stroked his beard. "Island Master He, why did you strike against the Heavenly Palace in the first place?" This was by no means something an ordinary person would dare attempt. Such a thought should not have even crossed one's mind. Even Fang Canran wanted to know the answer. "It was nothing more than a tiny misunderstanding." He Lingchuan smiled, glancing at Fang Canran. "And wasn't it cleared up in the end?" Wang Xingyi froze for an instant. Only after turning it over in his mind did he realize what had been meant, and he could not help letting out a chuckle. "You young people!" Arrogant—utterly arrogant. A world-shattering catastrophe, and in his mouth, it was "nothing more"!