Where Immortals Once Walked

Chapter 621: Enemies Always Meet

The exquisite manors scattered across the little mountains below might look grand and imposing from the ground. Still, when viewed from Tiantong Island, they became small and charming, almost like delicate miniatures.

This feeling of looking down on all living beings could truly become addictive.

Tiantong Island also had many shops, teahouses, music halls, and places whose wares He Lingchuan could not even guess. All of them were single-building establishments hidden behind green trees and blue-gray walls. From their gates and signboards, each strained to emphasize one word: elegance.

But in He Lingchuan’s eyes, they actually showed only one thing.

Expensive!

They’ve got to be unspeakably expensive.

After walking for about half an hour through the floating island filled with the breath of spring, they reached the Ke Residence.

He Lingchuan was a little surprised. The residences on Tiantong Island were not especially large. Compared with the estates in the lower city, which often occupied half a mountain, these places might be only a tenth of the size.

Even the Ke Residence occupied only about a hectare.

An island was still an island. Land was limited, and it could not be squandered as freely as in the lower city. Over six hundred years, Lingxu City had cultivated far too many nobles and dignitaries. You wanted to live in the sky, and so did everyone else, so people had no choice but to squeeze together as neighbors. If one wanted an estate stretching as far as the eye could see, one could only go to the lower city.

Even so, the Ke Residence’s entrance was both imposing and extravagantly bold. Even a first-time visitor would never mistake it.

Leaving aside everything else, outside the black gates of golden sandalwood stood two exquisite violet-gold horses. They were taller than real horses, their bearing powerful and majestic.

Though their bodies bore no ornamentation at all, these two statues could be called the weightiest treasures on Tiantong Island.

Because before the Heavenly Palace on Mount Xu had been rebuilt, they had stood outside the gates of Star-Plucking Tower!

These were violet-gold horses bestowed by the gods! This was the supreme honor enjoyed by the Ke Family alone.

When the Crown Prince of Chiyan arrived, the gatekeeper hurried inside to report.

Before long, Fifth Young Master Ke Yanjing, who had appeared at Fleeting Thoughts Manor a few days earlier, came out to receive them.

Fushan Yue’s face was smiling, but inwardly, he found it strange.

Today’s return visit had been arranged in advance, and the Ke Residence had sent a reply. According to etiquette and proper rank, since the Crown Prince of Chiyan had come calling, the head of the Ke Family, Ke Shouyi, ought to have come out to welcome him.

Why is Fifth Ke the one here?

Fortunately, Fifth Ke was also well versed in these social niceties. As soon as they met, he cupped his hands and said, “A guest arrived unexpectedly at home, and Father is receiving them. Brother Fushan, please don’t take offense! Shall we first have tea in the Plum Garden?”

“Sure.” Someone came without notice, yet they could make Ke Shouyi personally receive them? I wonder who it is.

Inside the Ke Residence, the main buildings occupied only a quarter of the grounds. Everything else was gardens, beast pens, and spring pools.

Red flowers and green trees could be seen everywhere on Tiantong Island. How could the Ke Residence fill its scenery with common stock?

Everything allowed into the garden was in the form of a bonsai with distinctive artistry, or a spirit tree at least several hundred years old. Every vessel used for the flowers was exceptionally elaborate. Pearls, agate, gold, jade—these were all frequent guests on the pots.

Seeing these bonsai, He Lingchuan finally understood where the miniature that Fifth Ke had given him had come from.

Most likely, he had casually picked one from here.

As He Lingchuan passed a rockery, he saw a two-meter-tall fire-red sweet viburnum planted atop it. Its shape resembled a peacock spreading its tail, every fine branch flawless.

Such a treasure would have been worthy of entering the state treasury in Yuan. In the Ke Residence, however, it was merely an outdoor ornament hung upon a rockery.

He Lingchuan sighed inwardly. Suddenly, he remembered the fishing town behind the gibbon Old Ge’s house. The old man who had guided him the first time had walked with a limp. It was said that years of diving for treasure had given him decompression sickness, leading to bone necrosis.

In a monster state, even if you worked yourself into serious illness, you still could not compare with a fish monster working easily in the water.

It was a deeply unfair competition, but how else could ordinary people make a living?

“The Plum Garden is just ahead,” Fifth Ke said with a smile. “Our garden has a five-hundred-year-old plum king. During the imperial nectar eruption a hundred years ago, it became a monster. Its blossoms are exceptionally large and fragrant.”

As soon as he finished speaking, two people turned in through the round moon gate, a man and a woman.

The man was unfamiliar, of medium build, and appeared to be around fifty. The woman was a beautiful matron with an oval face. Though she wore plain clothes and had only a white jade hairpin in her hair, none of her stately grace was diminished.

Most importantly, He Lingchuan recognized that face.

State Preceptor Qing Yang!

He had never expected that here, in the Ke Residence’s courtyard of blooming plum blossoms, he would come face to face with State Preceptor Qing Yang.

Xi Yunhe’s painting skills truly were superb. With only a few strokes, he had captured State Preceptor Qing Yang’s bearing. Now that He Lingchuan saw the real person, he recognized her at once.

Fushan Yue also froze, stopping in his tracks.

State Preceptor Qing Yang had been speaking pleasantly with Ke Shouyi. Seeing Fushan Yue walking toward her, she was also mildly surprised, but she immediately smiled and said, “Fushan boy, long time no see.”

“State Preceptor Qing Yang, may you be well!” Fushan Yue had always presented himself as fearless before heaven and earth, but upon seeing her, he bent at the waist in the courtesy of a junior. “Ten years have passed, yet the State Preceptor’s grace remains unchanged.”

So Ke Shouyi’s guest is State Preceptor Qing Yang. No wonder he had to personally receive her.

Ke Shouyi and Fushan Yue exchanged greetings as well. State Preceptor Qing Yang’s gaze swept past Fushan Yue’s side. She ignored Jiao Yu, but looked at He Lingchuan. “And this is?”

“This is my special envoy, He Xiao.”

State Preceptor Qing Yang’s gaze deepened. She gave a long “ohhh,” and said, “So you are He Xiao!”

The words carried meaning, and even Ke Shouyi caught something within them.

He Lingchuan cupped his fists to her. “Greetings, Lord State Preceptor!”

On the surface, he still had to observe every courtesy.

Her voice was full of emotion as she said, “I hear you met that wicked disciple of mine in Baishajue?”

He Lingchuan’s eyes flickered. “You mean Mai Xuewen?”

“His true name is Xi Yunhe. You should already know that, yes?”

He Lingchuan’s answer left no gaps. “Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai informed the Crown Prince a few days ago, and mentioned this as well.”

“He is not an easy person to deal with.” State Preceptor Qing Yang sighed softly. “Even the Zhongsun Family’s child was made to disappear by him. For you to survive, your luck is truly good.”

There was meaning within her words, but He Lingchuan pretended not to hear it. With a solemn expression, he said, “He is indeed an extremely troublesome and difficult fugitive!” Shouldn’t he thank you for teaching him so well back then?

State Preceptor Qing Yang asked Fushan Yue, “How is that case proceeding?”

Fushan Yue answered, “Ah, I’ll report to the State Preceptor. From the day Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai arrived in Baishajue, he took full charge of the case. I came to Lingxu City under my royal father’s order mainly to ask about the follow-up. At present... sigh!” He shook his head.

To put it plainly, he did not know the current situation of the case either.

Fushan Yue had been the first investigating party, while the Spring Palace was faintly the endpoint of the case. For both sides to suddenly meet like this was truly awkward. Fushan Yue’s meaning was that this matter was no longer under their control, so he was not the one she should be troubling now.

He Lingchuan listened from the side and found it secretly amusing. Fushan Yue had already grasped the routines of officialdom and the workplace quite deeply. His future prospects were bright.

State Preceptor Qing Yang smiled faintly. “Since Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai is investigating the case, we will naturally cooperate fully.” She turned to Ke Shouyi and said, “Then I’ll trouble Lord Ke with that matter. I’ll take my leave first. You may continue your conversation.”

Ke Shouyi’s face was full of smiles, and he insisted on seeing her to the main gate.

State Preceptor Qing Yang could not refuse. Accompanied by the four of them, she walked outward, chatting with them along the way.

He Lingchuan observed that she was gentle and peaceful, her speech measured and proper, treating others like the spring breeze and soft rain. The first person responsible for dragging her into the center of the elixir of youth whirlpool was Xi Yunhe. The second ought to be He Lingchuan. Yet from the glances and smiles she cast his way, He Lingchuan could not sense even the slightest hostility. Instead, she seemed warm and affectionate, as though looking at a junior.

Such composure, such bearing.

If he had not been involved in the elixir of youth case, if he had not spoken deeply with Xi Yunhe, then he probably would have believed that the woman before him was someone worthy of respect and admiration.

After walking only these few steps, he could somewhat understand how Xi Yunhe must have felt back then. No wonder a man as clever as Xi Yunhe had failed for years to see through his teacher’s true face.

Fushan Yue had also said that many people in Lingxu City were still fiercely criticizing the investigation’s progress, beating themselves to death rather than believing State Preceptor Qing Yang had any connection to the elixir of youth case.

Even if you laid out all the evidence before them, they would still stiffen their necks and say they did not believe it.

Besides, He Lingchuan knew better than anyone what sort of opponent Bai Ziqi was. What He Lingchuan thought watertight had still shown flaws before him.

Yet Bai Ziqi had been exchanging moves with State Preceptor Qing Yang up to now without gaining any advantage. Each time he found a clue, State Preceptor Qing Yang could turn around and block it. The calamity simply could not be led into the Spring Palace.

In terms of public opinion, the Spring Palace had fallen behind.

But in terms of the case’s progress, it was Bai Ziqi who was trapped between advance and retreat.

Moreover, Xi Yunhe and Fang Canran were both right. How could someone like State Preceptor Qing Yang only defend and never attack? Her counterattacks were likely all hidden in the dark. It was simply that He Lingchuan was no longer investigating the case, so he could not feel them.

Several times, he wanted to probe about the matter of the heavenly centipede bone flute, but he held himself back.

Now was absolutely not the right time. He could not create unnecessary complications.

Only after State Preceptor Qing Yang boarded her carriage and left did Ke Shouyi turn to Fushan Yue with a smile. “State Preceptor Qing Yang came unexpectedly, so I had to receive her. I hope Your Highness won’t take offense.”

“A small matter.” Fushan Yue seemed completely unconcerned and casually asked, “What did State Preceptor Qing Yang come for?”

“We are doing work for the Spring Palace, so she came to adjust a few requirements. Nothing important.”

Fushan Yue tactfully did not press further. The relationships among Lingxu City’s upper nobility were intertwined in countless ways. Sometimes, even he found them difficult to untangle. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Ke Yanjing played his role properly and coughed softly from the side. “Your Highness, will the elixir of youth case really be traced to the Spring Palace?”

“The clue trail broke at Qingfu Temple. I don’t know whether Deputy Cloud Envoy Bai has found anything new. If not, then it won’t reach the Spring Palace.” State Preceptor Qing Yang had just left, yet these fellows were already gossiping behind her back. Fushan Yue looked at him with a smile. “Fifth Ke, have you heard of Qingfu Temple selling the elixir of youth?”

Ke Yanjing was startled and waved both hands repeatedly. “Your Highness must be joking. How could I have heard of that?”

“The elixir of youth is very difficult to make. Not only does it require a large number of jiang beads, but the medicinal catalyst is also the rarest part. In all of vast Lingxu City, there are only a handful who can obtain such a catalyst.” Fushan Yue drew out his tone. “Besides, it is a prohibited item. Its price must be sky-high. How could ordinary families afford to buy or use it?”

On the matter of the elixir of youth case, he had more right to speak than these Lingxu nobles.

The lives of the rich were valuable, so naturally, the elixir of youth was expensive too.