Once the soundproofing barrier was in place, Zhong Shengguang asked He Lingchuan, "You were ambushed?"
The young man's cultivation was quite impressive now. He had fought the river bandits back and forth without any word of serious injury.
"I ran into Fu Shanlie."
Lu Xun gave a thumbs-up as well. "Having just been through a fierce battle, I've finally witnessed the prowess of the Gale Army. It truly lives up to its reputation."
"His men belong to the Yuheng Army, not the Gale Army," Zhong Shengguang corrected offhandedly before asking He Lingchuan, "What happened?"
He Lingchuan then recounted how they had been ambushed on the road by Fu Shanlie, and reported the casualties on both sides.
Zhong Shengguang gave no comment after listening, but Lu Xun remarked, "Commander He is a young talent. In time, he will surely hold sway over a domain of his own."
"That depends on whether he has the skill to pacify the bandit menace," Zhong Shengguang said in the tone of a stern family patriarch, before turning to He Lingchuan. "Within seven days, Emperor's Flowing Dew will descend—three showers in succession. I depart the day after tomorrow. When the time comes, you must ensure the security of Yuheng City and the surrounding villages and towns. No turmoil can be allowed at such a crucial juncture. Can you manage it, or do you need someone sent to help you?"
Three showers? That many? He Lingchuan answered immediately, "No need. This is just a minor wound."
He was the commander of Yuheng City, bearing inescapable responsibility for the city's public order and defense against unrest.
The descent of Emperor's Flowing Dew was an immense temptation to all living beings, and riots easily broke out wherever crowds gathered. Now that Yuheng City had received forewarning, preparations had to be made in advance to minimize losses and disputes as much as possible.
Moreover, He Lingchuan knew full well that these showers were occurring in such close succession likely because the Dragon-Torture Pillars Shao Jian had scattered were taking effect, driving the celestial gods to slaughter one another.
Gods fell, and the mortal world was blessed.
Lu Xun felt fortunate. "Thank goodness I was not at sea, or else when the Emperor's Flowing Dew arrived, all manner of deep-sea behemoths would have been drawn to the surface."
Once these showers of spiritual rain fell, who knew how many vessels on the boundless ocean would meet with disaster?
Yet he was also very curious. "To consistently and accurately forecast the Emperor's Flowing Dew... for the past several centuries, only Beijia has been able to accomplish that."
Zhong Shengguang instantly caught the implication behind his words. "In the end, only gods can divine such things. Beijia has the gods of Lingxu; here, we have the deity Mitian."
Mitian knew when gods perished. With a little calculation, she knew when the Emperor's Flowing Dew would descend upon the mortal realm.
The same was true for the gods of Lingxu.
As expected, Lu Xun showed no surprise, merely asking, "Brother Zhong, when did you begin deity blood sacrifices?"
This topic was always rather somber. Zhong Shengguang's face remained impassive. "Nearly six years ago."
He had defended Panlong City alone for twelve years, and only when he could no longer hold out did he turn to Mitian for aid.
This was already late in the seventeenth year of the Panlong City calendar; more than five years had passed since Mitian's first divine descent.
Hearing this, He Lingchuan suddenly realized that less than fifteen years remained before Panlong City's downfall.
Lu Xun asked again, "Mitian has never deceived or tricked Panlong City?"
"So far, never."
"What about exploitation?" Lu Xun pressed on. "A divine descent from Mitian must have a purpose, right? No celestial god helps others out of the goodness of their heart."
He Lingchuan's gaze sharpened slightly.
Did Lu Xun understand celestial gods as well?
To the common folk of the world, celestial gods were lofty and aloof, listening to the prayers of all living beings.
"She hates the gods of Lingxu and wishes to establish her own power in the mortal realm," Zhong Shengguang answered. "In that regard, I believe Mitian and I share a foundation for cooperation."
"Which regard?"
"Gods meddling in the mortal world—how much havoc has that wrought? It has severed our path to the heavens as well." Zhong Shengguang's voice was firm and resolute. "I intend to sever this insidious hand!"
This was the first time He Lingchuan had heard Panlong City's supreme ruler voice his deepest ambitions so candidly.
Zhong Shengguang truly harbored such ambition—worthy indeed of the heir entrusted with the King of Yuan's relics.
Yet with Zhong Shengguang's shrewdness, why would he reveal such a closely guarded aspiration to Lu Xun, whom he had met for the very first time?
Lu Xun's expression turned solemn, and he nodded slowly.
Zhong Shengguang then asked, "Master Lu, how did 'Lingshan' respond to my proposal?"
He Lingchuan's heart skipped a beat.
Lingshan?
He had actually heard those two words from Zhong Shengguang's mouth.
In reality, he had already crossed paths with Lingshan. Whether it was Fang Canran, who had thrown Lingxu City into turmoil, or Mount Rong, which had assisted his diplomatic mission to the Yuan Kingdom and sent him reinforcements, both were part of Lingshan.
Through Sect Leader Xue of Mount Rong's vague explanations, He Lingchuan had learned that "Lingshan" was not merely a Daoist order, but an organization uniting many like-minded cultivators, among whom were even immortals.
Judging by the attitudes of Lingxu City and the Heavenly Palace, they too held deep wariness toward Lingshan.
Yet Panlong City stood isolated in a far-off corner—how could it also be connected to Lingshan?
What proposal had Zhong Shengguang made to Lingshan?
What surprised He Lingchuan most was the relationship between the Lu family and Lingshan.
From the implication of their words, Lu Xun had traveled thousands of li on this journey to meet Zhong Shengguang on behalf of Lingshan.
This gave much food for thought.
He Lingchuan had never imagined that the original self's ancestor from over a century ago was actually part of Lingshan as well.
Yet thinking back carefully, Bailie had originally been an immortal sect that later became a kingdom, before being driven out by Beijia. There had to be deep-seated hatred between it and Beijia. The Bailie people had migrated east of the Mou Kingdom, where Daoist orders abounded, likely serving as the vanguard against Beijia as well.
Looking at the whole picture, it seemed entirely reasonable that the leader of the Bailie people had ties to Lingshan.
Lu Xun exhaled softly. "Brother Zhong, your will to resist is unwavering, and Panlong City has repelled enemies for over a decade. Your actions truly match your words, remaining true to your founding aspiration. I admire that greatly.
"Lingshan has observed Panlong City for many years and noted all of this. However, there is one misgiving—"
He paused here, and Zhong Shengguang already understood. "Mitian?"
"Correct. The Heavenly Fiends are enemies of Lingshan, yet Panlong City is intimately tied to Mitian. These forecasts of the Emperor's Flowing Dew are proof of that." Lu Xun continued, "Heavenly Fiends are neither trustworthy nor reliable. That is a lesson bought with blood by the ancient immortals and today's Lingshan.
"Therefore, if Panlong City cannot sever its ties with Mitian, if it cannot draw a clear line with her from now on, Lingshan will likely be unable to accept Brother Zhong and Panlong City."
The unspoken implication in Lu Xun's words went unsaid, because it was harsh:
Deity blood sacrifice was a taboo. Beijia performed deity blood sacrifices, and Panlong City performed deity blood sacrifices. Both bowed before gods, both borrowed the power of gods—so in essence, what made the two of you any different?
Your original intentions? Intentions can change.
The human heart? The human heart can waver.
Lingshan did not want to, nor could it afford to, take the risk of accepting a faction that engaged in deity blood sacrifices.
Zhong Shengguang remained silent for a moment before saying, "Given Panlong City's current plight, if we do not ally with Mitian, danger will still lurk on every side."
He Lingchuan knew his deeper consideration: the Dafang Pot was inextricably tied to Panlong City and Mitian. Such a connection could not simply be severed at will.
"Where does the danger come from?"
This time, Zhong Shengguang finally spoke plainly: "Beijia."
He had a clear understanding of the root cause of Panlong City's woes.
At this time, both the Baling Kingdom and Xianyou Kingdom were formidable adversaries, but the one driving those two states from behind the scenes to attack the Panlong Wasteland was Beijia!
Chapter 880