Even corners hidden from plain sight seemed unable to escape his observation.
The corner of the wall behind the cabinet had grown moldy, with a patch of moss sprouting.
Beneath the bed, a spider busied itself reinforcing its web, which already held two victims.
In merely a dozen or so breaths, he had gained an intimate sense of his entire guest room. It was clearly one of Shihuan City's premier guest rooms in one of its finest inns, yet in the dark corners hidden from view, it was so... unclean.
Mhm, two copper coins had also fallen into a crack between the floorboards.
As a beginner, he still felt he had plenty of strength to spare, so he tried expanding his divine sense outward once more, intending to explore the world outside the room.
The wall on the doorway side was very thick, preventing his divine sense from probing through, so he rerouted toward the window.
His mind cleared abruptly, as if leaping free of some restraint, and the sights in the room unfolded vivid and distinct, even clearer than before.
He Lingchuan was overjoyed. With a single thought, he had actually reached the stage of "Spirit Wandering"—the phase where divine sense breaks free from bodily bounds and expands broadly outward.
He "saw" the medicine ape squatting beside the enlarged cauldron, pinching incantation hand-seals to refine pills; Maotao was tidying up the courtyard when he suddenly spotted a faint metallic gleam among tree roots and hastily dug it out with a dagger. It turned out to be a small bit of broken silver. Beaming from ear to ear, Maotao popped it into his mouth and bit it to test.
Just then, He Yue walked in, looking left and right. "Where's my brother?"
Maotao answered on his behalf, "The eldest young master is cultivating and said not to disturb him."
"Hurry him along for me. We need to leave shortly." Having said that, He Yue turned and walked outside, bathed in sunshine.
He Lingchuan still wanted to follow, but the moment his divine sense expanded onto the ground flooded with sunlight, a sharp, needle-like pain stabbed his head, and he could not help crying out, "Ah!"
The shout echoed in the guest room, and he automatically fell out of his meditative trance.
He Lingchuan clutched his head, the lingering pain refusing to fade.
Such was the price of rushing ahead for quick success.
A beginner's soul was still fragile. Even though only an hour remained before sunset, the True Fire contained within the sun's rays was not something he could endure. If a lonely ghost were touched by direct sunlight, it would be reduced to ash instantly; his living soul was slightly better off, but he still had to be careful not to turn joy into sorrow.
He Lingchuan shook his head. Hadn't the Ziwu Formula stated that the failure rate for opening the Heavenly Eye the first time was as high as eighty percent? He had managed it effortlessly, and had even attempted Spirit Wandering and succeeded.
Did this mean his soul was far sturdier than others'?
It seemed only natural. After all, his soul had lived two lifetimes—it made sense.
He Lingchuan happily pushed the door open and stepped outside. Maotao hurried over to greet him. "Eldest Young Master, you've finally finished your practice! The sun is about to set!"
"Tell the innkeeper to bring hot water. I want to bathe."
Maotao acknowledged the order and was about to head out when He Lingchuan glanced at the tree roots on the ground and remarked casually, "Crevices between roots like that are where cats and dogs love to mark their scent with piss."
Maotao's face instantly turned green, and he bent over, spitting frantically for a long while.
Before he could straighten up, He Lingchuan kicked him in the calf. "Hurry up and fetch my hot water!"
"Yes, yes." Maotao was both disgusted and bewildered. Why had the eldest young master said that out of the blue? Had he been peeking through a crack in the door earlier?
At that thought, goosebumps broke out across his back.
Just then, Madam Ying sent a servant with a set of brocade robes, bidding her eldest son get ready without delay. He Lingchuan used the hot water to wash away the sour sweat, then tied up his hair and donned the new attire, looking once more like a sharp, spirited young man.
The welcoming banquet held specifically for Zhu Xiu'er by the Zhu family was to take place after dark.
...
"Is this Luming Garden really up in the mountains?" Madam Ying lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside. Night had fallen, and the scenery was obscured; Mount Bijia was reduced to a dark silhouette.
The family rode in carriages along the winding mountain road, which was no treacherous goat track, but a broad thoroughfare wide enough for three carriages to drive abreast. The snow had stopped after midday, and the accumulation on the ground had already been swept clear, revealing the pavement of black stone slabs beneath.
The ride was exceptionally smooth, no worse than moving through the city.
As dusk deepened into night, large braziers were set up on both sides of the road to serve as illumination and waymarkers.
Madam Ying poked her head out the carriage window and looked ahead. Aside from the roaring braziers, countless points of light moved along the contours of the mountain, strung out in a single long serpent—the various families and clans invited to Luming Garden each had a lantern hung from the front of their carriage.
Every point of light likely represented nobility, an illustrious clan, or a prominent family residing in Shihuan City. Madam Ying tightened the rabbit-fur cloak around her shoulders and exhaled a plume of white vapor. "Just how many families are going up the mountain tonight?"
Fixer Liu was riding with the He family this evening to explain local affairs to them. He poked his head out for a look, then ducked back in with a smile. "Many imperial kinsmen, royal relatives, and prominent families from the capital have properties here in Shihuan City. This is the auxiliary capital, so there are fewer restrictions than in the main capital, and living near the river makes for a comfortable life. On top of that, Minister Zhu specifically chose Luming Garden to host the banquet. I'd wager half the nobility and gentry in Shihuan City will be there."
"Luming Garden?" Madam Ying asked curiously. "Is that place so special?"
"Special indeed." Fixer Liu pointed a thumb toward the mountain peak. "It is one of the imperial villas, after all."
The members of the He family were all somewhat astonished, and He Yue could not help asking, "Minister Zhu can actually host a banquet at an imperial villa?" And making such a grand display to celebrate a joyous family occasion—would the emperor not punish him?
"Back when the founding Grand Ancestor enclosed Mount Bijia, he stocked it with deer, rabbits, boar, and sheep, along with a few packs of wolves, turning it into a hunting ground. The cluster of buildings atop the mountain came to be known as Luming Garden."
Fixer Liu spoke on and on, clearly having recounted this story countless times before. "By the late emperor's reign, there were already three imperial hunting grounds near the capital, and the other two were closer to the royal palace and much larger. His Majesty declared that having too many hunting grounds was wasteful since they couldn't all be used, so he simply opened Luming Garden in Shihuan City to the public. As long as an official held a recognized rank and grade, they could rent Luming Garden for banquets. Though, naturally, the price is more than a cut above the grand taverns in town."
He added, "However, Luming Garden is staffed by imperial chefs, and everything from the tableware to the etiquette standards is top-tier. That makes the venue extremely popular—you have to book it at least half a month in advance."
Expensive meant prestige; even emperors had eaten, slept, and hunted here, making Luming Garden an undeniable symbol of opulence and high status. No wonder the powerful and wealthy flocked to it like ducks to water.
Madam Ying remarked with feeling, "The late emperor was so down-to-earth?"
He Chunhua remained silent, but He Lingchuan snorted with laughter.
Madam Ying glared at him. "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. I just noticed the lantern on that carriage ahead went out, and the driver can't seem to get it relit no matter how hard he tries." He Lingchuan pointed forward casually, only noticing after speaking that the carriage in question was somewhat shabby and small, resembling a rented civilian carriage, looking completely out of place among the others traveling the mountain road.
Which down-and-out noble family was this?
Madam Ying knew her eldest son was talking nonsense, but He Lingchuan grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the table, cracked them between his teeth, and smiled without answering further.
Only her younger son thoughtfully offered an explanation. "Mother, this shows the late emperor was practical. Ever since the Hongchuan River flood sixteen years ago, the national treasury has frequently run deficits. I've heard that in recent years, expenditures have constantly outstripped revenues, and the deficit keeps growing."
The moment money entered the conversation, Madam Ying blinked, understanding at once.
Turns out the state had gone broke, so the late emperor had no choice but to put the imperial villa up for rent.
"Don't underestimate the revenue from Luming Garden," Fixer Liu chuckled. "I heard that last year alone, it brought in two hundred thousand taels of silver."
Madam Ying was genuinely moved. "Then it really is a golden goose!"
"These wealthy folk in the capital are truly fat-headed... ahem, well-heeled and round-waisted!" He Lingchuan asked Fixer Liu, "Whose carriage is that up ahead?"
Fixer Liu leaned out for a look, then shook his head. "No clan insignia, no surname on the lanterns, and the carriage was hired from a livery stable. Probably some minor clerk. Tonight's banquet gathers all the prominent figures in town; it's a prime chance for lower-level officials to curry favor with the powerful."
Mount Bijia was not tall, rising less than sixty zhang in elevation, so the winding mountain road soon came to an end.
The He family stepped down from their carriages, and directly ahead stood the main building of Luming Garden. Needless to say, it was magnificent and ablaze with lights, bustling with distinguished guests moving in and out like woven threads.
When they turned around, an entirely different spectacle greeted them:
Below the mountain stretched the myriad lights of countless homes.
Luming Garden was built upon a colossal formation called Eagle-Beak Rock near the summit, offering an almost panoramic view of all Shihuan City.
Night had just fallen, and this bustling auxiliary capital was already lit with lanterns. Seen from the mountain peak, it seemed as if stars had fallen into the mortal realm and celestial pavilions had descended onto the earth.
The vibrant bustle of mortal life rolled up to meet them.
Madam Ying marveled, "I think I can even see people walking in the streets. Hey, that building over there looks like the inn we're staying at."
He Lingchuan exhaled softly, suddenly understanding why the nobility all loved hosting banquets at Luming Garden.
In the capital, no one was permitted to dwell higher than the emperor.
This sensation of looking down upon all living beings and gazing out over ten thousand leagues had always belonged exclusively to sovereigns.
Having received word of their arrival, Minister of the Imperial Stud Zhu Xiyan came out to greet them. He cupped his fists toward He Chunhua, then said to his granddaughter Zhu Xiu'er, "Why haven't you come to thank your saviors yet?"
Zhu Xiu'er gathered her skirts and bowed politely in turn to He Chunhua and his wife, and to He Lingchuan and his brother.
Only after the girl straightened did Madam Ying step forward, taking her hands warmly. "What need is there for such stiff formalities? You traveled with us for half a month and have finally come home. Are you happy now?"
Full of emotion, Zhu Xiu'er said softly, "A tired bird returning to its nest at last has a place to roost."
He Lingchuan looked at her; her hair was adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers, and the rouge concealed any sallow pallor in her face, making her look wonderfully radiant.
Zhu Xiyan then escorted the He family into Luming Garden, seating them at the middle tables on the left side of the grand hall.
They were honored guests personally welcomed inside by the host, and Madam Ying was chatting and laughing intimately with the night's guest of honor, Zhu Xiu'er; it was hard for anyone not to take notice.
Nearby, the herald's call rang out: "Chief Administrator of Xiazhou, He Chunhua, and family have arrived!"
At once, the He family became the focus of the entire hall.
Countless figures in sumptuous robes and tall caps crowded forward, chorusing words of admiration and long-standing respect.
He Lingchuan glanced left and right, met on all sides by smiling faces, and had no choice but to smile in return.
After smiling dozens of times, exchanging dozens of pleasantries, and delivering formulaic replies, his face felt completely stiff, forcing him to break through the encirclement.
Squeezing out of the crowd, He Lingchuan slinked into a corner and vigorously slapped his cheek muscles.
The people of Shihuan were certainly enthusiastic.
He Yue popped out from somewhere and stood beside him, clutching a wine jug and a cup.
He Lingchuan waited until his brother poured him a cup before asking, "You can drink wine?"
"When everyone is making merry, what's there to fear?" He Yue grinned cheekily. "Besides, does Mother have any time to watch over me right now?"
Chapter 171