Over the past few years, the Mou Kingdom had been at war with Beijia, while the Ya Kingdom had been like a thorn in its backside—a constant nuisance, irritating, and at times genuinely painful.
So when the Yangshan Archipelago helped vent some of that frustration, the Mou Kingdom was naturally delighted.
"I intercepted the Bailong tribe right out from under them. The Mou Emperor won't be angry, will he?" He Lingchuan already knew the answer, but asked casually anyway.
"What are you thinking? His Majesty could hardly be happier. Resettling tens of thousands of Bailong people is quite a headache in itself, you know. So you solved two problems for the sovereign in one stroke," Fang Canran laughed. "His Majesty will bestow a bounty of rewards upon Lu Qingbang and the Bailong tribe, which will arrive in a few days. As for you, the Mou Kingdom will open exports to the Yangshan Archipelago for six types of rare ores, including zikun, while also increasing purchases of palm oil and grain. From now on, your artifact smiths will have plenty of work."
He Lingchuan was overjoyed.
The Mou Kingdom was vast and abundant in resources, producing plentiful ores, but enforced strict export controls. Previously, the Yangshan Archipelago had to rely on smuggling—costly and unreliable.
Now, with a single imperial decree from the Mou Emperor, the Yangshan Archipelago gained a steady supply line.
Though the Yangshan Archipelago had alienated the Ya Kingdom, it had won the Mou Kingdom's favor. What was lost at sunrise was recouped at sunset.
As for Lu Qingbang sharing in the commendations, it was well deserved. He had performed brilliantly in Storm Bay; had it not been for his valor, steadfast defense, and ability to rally the people, the Bailong tribe would never have held out until reinforcements arrived.
He Lingchuan could already picture how ecstatic Sixth Lu would be.
His son had also made something of himself now; it wasn't just Lu Zhensheng's sons who took the spotlight.
Sixth Lu might even think that the Lu family's child of fortune for this generation had actually fallen upon Lu Qingbang.
If he really thought that, things would become quite amusing.
He Lingchuan made a mental note to send congratulations and a gift to Sixth Lu later. Turning back to Fang Canran, he asked, "Right, didn't you mention earlier that you had a new task for me?"
Over the past few months, Lingshan had assigned him several minor tasks through Fang Canran, all located in the surrounding areas.
He Lingchuan had completed them with minimal effort, and Lingshan had paid the rewards promptly and generously.
He knew well that introductory tasks were usually simple, intended to bridge the distance between both sides.
"Indeed. This time, it's a long list of commissions, and their locations are all relatively close to one another. I figured I'd assign them all to you together." Fang Canran produced seven envelopes and laid them on the table.
Each envelope bulged thick with mission dossiers.
He Lingchuan picked up two envelopes at random and slit them open, checking the locations first.
"Oh? They're all on the Shanjin Plain east of Bailie?"
"That's right. As I see it, Lingshan intends to intervene in the Shanjin Plain now and will be paying closer attention to it."
"Now?" He Lingchuan asked offhandedly. "What about before?"
Fang Canran cleared his throat. "I've heard—only heard, mind you—that Lingshan attempted to step in several times in the past, but failed every time. In a place like that, any outside force that wades in only ends up tainted with filth and gets nothing good out of it."
Now that he and He Lingchuan were well acquainted, his lips weren't as tight as before.
From these few words, He Lingchuan learned two things: first, Lingshan had tried to intervene in the Shanjin Plain before, but had never succeeded; second, despite past failures, it wanted to try again now.
Why? What was different about the timing now compared to the past?
As if mentioning it casually, Fang Canran added, "Over the past year or two, the Mou Kingdom has recruited quite a few great demons from the Shanjin Plain and invited them back to its own realm."
He Lingchuan let out a long "Oh."
"Back to business. These commissions are clustered close together. If you have time, you can handle them all in one trip," Fang Canran explained. "Going from the Yangshan Archipelago, the best route is by sea into the Yiling Strait, then down the Yiling Canal. That bypasses the Ya Kingdom entirely and lets you make landfall at the westernmost end of the Qian River basin. It's fast and hassle-free."
Island Master He was currently on bad terms with the Ya Kingdom, so traveling by sea would spare him unnecessary trouble.
"Of course, if you don't have time, I won't force you," Fang Canran smiled. "I can find someone else. But one of the commissions—the one investigating the 'Bright Lantern Cup'—is very time-sensitive. If you won't take it, let me know as soon as possible."
"Mm..." With a time limit attached, once He Lingchuan accepted it, he would have to depart for the Shanjin Plain without delay. But that conflicted with his upcoming plans.
To accept, or not to accept? He Lingchuan pondered it carefully. "Give me a day to consider?"
His first impulse was to decline, but the words withdrew right at his lips.
"Fair enough." Fang Canran took a booklet from his robes and handed it over. "My ancestor traveled east through the Shanjin Plain for seven years, noting down his experiences and insights along the way. Everything from strange anecdotes and local customs to bizarre tales and legends is recorded here. Though more than a century has passed, some of these records may still be of help to you."
He Lingchuan received it with both hands and saw the title on the cover: *Dongyou Bolan*.
Flipping to the back, the author was listed as Master Weishan.
The pages were aged, but the handwriting remained clear. Nearly every sheet had been remounted, preserving even the original crossings-out and marginal annotations.
"Master Weishan?" Moved, He Lingchuan murmured, "This is..."
"Yes." It was Fang Canran's ancestor, Shao Jian. "My ancestor used many pseudonyms; this 'Master Weishan' is virtually unknown."
"So Mister Shao went to the Shanjin Plain as well?"
"He believed it was one of the finest places to distribute the Dragon-Torture Pillars—warlords divided the land, dragons mingled with fish, and gods of all stripes planted factions and eyes there." Fang Canran shook his head. "In truth, the Shanjin Plain today remains just as chaotic as it was over a century ago."
At the words "Dragon-Torture Pillar," He Lingchuan raised his brows slightly. The secrets of Shao Jian and the Dragon-Torture Pillars were an unspoken understanding between him and Fang Canran, unknown even to Lingshan.
Over a century ago, Shao Jian had been commissioned by Zhong Shengguang to scatter Dragon-Torture Pillars across the mortal realm. These pillars could collect nightmare energy, so Shao Jian naturally took them to distant, chaotic places teeming with petty deities, far away from Beijia.
Shao Jian had wandered far and wide afterward, and He Lingchuan never knew where he had gone. Now, Shao Jian's descendant produced his written work.
Turning the pages of this book was like seeing an old friend's face and hearing his voice; He Lingchuan could not help sighing inwardly. Shao Jian and Panlong City had both drifted away with the wind. The grandeur of those days, the unyielding perseverance—how many people still remembered? Only the two men sitting here, Fang Canran and He Lingchuan, carried on their legacy.
Fang Canran watched him closely, missing not a single subtle shift in his expression. *As expected, He Xiao's ties to Panlong City are far deeper than he let on.*
...
He Lingchuan had just returned to Shuyu Pavilion and had not even had time to drink a sip of hot tea when a yellow-billed blackbird landed on the railing, squawking at him, "Verbal message! Verbal message!"
This kind of bird was common in both the Qing Kingdom and Bailie, often flying in flocks.
He Lingchuan knitted his brows slightly, as he and Tao Ran used blackbirds to convey messages.
Over a year ago, Tao Ran had been sent by him to infiltrate the household of Bailie's clan chief, Lu Zhensheng. Unexpectedly, the fellow had worked hard and risen through the ranks to become the third steward of the Lu residence—well-informed and frequently leaking intelligence to Yangshan.
Tao Ran had delivered intelligence on Bailie only yesterday; why was he sending word again today?
"Speak." Was it urgent or an unexpected development?
"Today, Lu Qinglin led two thousand elite Mou Kingdom troops across the border into Bailie to reinforce the front lines."
He Lingchuan whipped around. "What?!" Lu Qinglin had returned with troops? At this critical juncture?
"How long will he remain in Bailie?"
"Dunno! I only deliver this one sentence!"
This single piece of intelligence was exceptionally vital.
He Lingchuan's mind raced as he fed two spirit pills to the blackbird. "Tell Tao Ran to keep inquiring."
"Understood!" The blackbird flapped its wings and flew off.
He Lingchuan looked out toward Ding Lake, his expression grim, his hand gripping the railing with unconscious force.
Only when the soul-snatching mirror spoke up did he snap out of it: "Hey, you're about to snap the railing!"
When he lifted his hand, an indentation indeed marked the wood.
"Why are you so furious?" He Lingchuan was usually full of composure, and the soul-snatching mirror hadn't seen him this agitated in a long time. "Did Lu Qinglin mess up your plans?"
He Lingchuan hummed in acknowledgment. "It's a bit troublesome."
His plans to seize control of Bailie were already laid and about to be put into motion. Yet right at this moment, Lu Qinglin had returned!
How could He Lingchuan fear Lu Zhensheng's second son? Even if he was a general of the Mou Kingdom.
The problem was that Lu Qinglin had returned with troops—two thousand elite Mou soldiers. This was certainly not of his own initiative; the Mou Emperor must have granted Lu Qinglin permission to lead troops back to his homeland! In other words, Lu Qinglin's mission to reinforce Bailie enjoyed the full backing of the Mou royal court.
At this juncture, if He Lingchuan made a move to take Bailie, he would likely collide head-on with Lu Qinglin and the Mou Kingdom's army. That could easily cause the situation to escalate out of control.
Moreover, Lu Qinglin had come back to defend his homeland and secure the borders. His cause was justified and righteous. If He Lingchuan clashed with him, or worse, killed or injured him, it would be morally indefensible.
Over the past year, He Lingchuan had expended immense wealth, manpower, and effort in Bailie precisely to win the goodwill and affinity of the Bailie people. Ruining his reputation now would be disastrous.
The soul-snatching mirror was somewhat puzzled. "Has the situation on Bailie's eastern front been that terrible lately? How come I haven't heard anything about it?"
"The summer grain was just harvested, and Bailie's granaries are at their fullest right now. The Ya Kingdom picking a fight at this time is an old tradition." The Ya Kingdom was facing a grain shortage this year, so naturally it wanted to squeeze a wealthy neighbor. "The fiercest clash on Bailie's eastern front has already ended, resolved by Lu Qingbang and his sister. Things are still tense right now, but nothing like before."
The mirror grew even more perplexed. "Then why did Lu Qinglin choose to return at this exact moment?"
"Two possibilities. First, when the conflict between Bailie and the Ya Kingdom escalated, Lu Qinglin applied to lead troops back home, but the Mou Kingdom only approved it recently. After all, the Mou Kingdom is fighting Beijia itself, so Lu Qinglin wasn't idle."
He Lingchuan raised a second finger. "The second possibility is that the main Lu family branch or Lu Qinglin himself deemed it necessary to make a trip back right now."
"Right now?" The mirror was baffled. "When the battle was at a stalemate earlier, Lu Qinglin didn't return. Why would it be necessary now?"
"Allow me to measure the stature of gentlemen with the yardstick of a scoundrel," He Lingchuan said with a faint smile. "Perhaps Sixth Lu's branch has stolen too much of the limelight lately."
Chapter 1085