After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 17: Chapter 20: Ignorant of the Immensity of Heaven and Earth

”The spy you sent out was killed on the spot?” He paused to think. ”That Hawk Demon had been with Ahao for many years. It was always perched on his shoulder. I even fed it myself.”

”It was tortured to death.” Hearing his father call the Hawk Demon a ”spy” greatly reassured Hee Lingchuan. ’That means they won’t just treat this as the death of a Little Demon.’ ”Nian Songyu and National Preceptor Sunx must have learned from it that I was the one who sent it out.”

’He couldn’t fight this battle alone; he had to remember that his old man was his rock.’

’If his father, a man of power and position, couldn’t handle this, what chance did he have?’

Hee Chunhua, however, said coolly, ”It’s just a hawk. It’s dead. What’s the big deal?” He picked up his brush and resumed writing.

Hee Lingchuan was stunned. ”Father!”

He hadn’t expected this reaction from Hee Chunhua and hurriedly tried to reason with him.

”They’re the ones who need a favor from the Hee Mansion! They knew full well Xiaohui was sent by me, and they knew full well this was just a small misunderstanding, yet they still crushed it to death!”

He gently slammed his fist on the table, making the writing implements jump. ”Father, those two have no respect for our family! They think they can mold us and shape us however they please! They expect us to bow our heads, do their bidding, and not even whimper about it!”

”Sunx Fuping is the Grand State Preceptor, basking in Celestial Grace. I am but a Prefect in the Barbaric Wilderness. The difference between us is as vast as heaven and earth. In normal times, he could mold me and shape me as he pleased, then crush you with his little finger. Why else would we call it a rigid hierarchy?” Hee Chunhua chuckled instead of showing anger. ”You’ve had it too easy in Black Water City for too long. You don’t understand your superiors and inferiors, and you don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth!”

His tone turned chilling as he spoke the last few words.

’It would be a lie to say he wasn’t resentful. The other party looked down on them from the depths of their souls.’

’I’ve crushed your spy, and you still have to work for me, go to your deaths for me!’

’Yes, that’s just how superior they felt.’

’But a higher rank can crush you to death. Besides, National Preceptor Sunx came bearing a royal decree. What could he, the Hee Prefect, possibly do?’

Hee Lingchuan was not convinced. ”But Uncle Hao...”

”As a subordinate, one must accept one’s fate!” Hee Chunhua frowned. ”He can’t get over it?” ’The man is several decades old.’

Hee Lingchuan decisively changed the subject. ”You said it yourself—that’s for *normal* times!”

”Less complaining, less showing off your cleverness, and more thinking of solutions.” Hee Chunhua tossed his brush aside, stood up, and rapped his eldest son on the forehead. ”But we can’t remain entirely passive. This is still the Hee Family’s turf, after all. So, tell me, how do you propose we make our ’whimper’ heard?”

”It would be better to let my younger brother come up with the plan; he’s the one with all the crafty ideas. But in my opinion—” Hee Lingchuan sneered. ”—even if we ultimately have to do their dirty work, we should at least drag our feet a little to deflate their arrogance. Besides us, who else knows the exact location of the Sand Leopard’s remains? And another thing, they killed our man... well, our Demon. Shouldn’t they have to pay a price?”

”A price?” A smile stretched across Hee Chunhua’s face. He felt those words had struck a chord deep within him. ”Makes sense.”

’His eldest son had matured.’ He felt a small sense of gratification.

”By the way, what about those two Guards from Donglai Prefecture?” Hee Lingchuan knew that Hee Chunhua had originally intended to release them.

”Just leave them,” Hee Chunhua said, his tone equally nonchalant. ”We’ll see in a few days. It’s not like their masters care about them.”

Nian and Sunx cared about the item’s whereabouts, Donglai Prefecture cared about the Grand Square Pot. The Guards themselves were insignificant.

At the banquet that evening, both parties were all smiles and laughter. It was a delightful time for guest and host alike.

Fueled by wine, Hee Chunhua practically pounded his chest as he swore he would find the pass to the Panlong Desert.

Then, ten double-hours passed.

For Nian Songyu, of course, the time crawled by like a year, and he pressed the matter once. Hee Chunhua confessed he had found nothing, but once again swore he would do his utmost.

Only then did he dispatch men into Black Water City, making a show of posting notices and searching the streets.

The attitude was perfect; the efficiency, abysmal.

Of course, a search like that was bound to turn up nothing.

The Hee Family had time on their side; they were in no hurry.

The great Grand State Preceptor finally grew impatient and paid a visit with Nian Songyu. Unfortunately, the Hee Prefect was out, leaving his second son, Hee Yue, to receive them.

Both men’s eyes lit up upon seeing Hee Yue, and they lavished him with praise. Nian Songyu, in particular, after exchanging just a few words with Hee Yue, acted as though they were long-lost friends, even blurting out, ”We’re about the same age. We should really get together more often.”

Hee Lingchuan sullenly took a sip of tea. ’Speaking of age, aren’t I closer to Nian Songyu’s age? How can that guy say such a thing with a straight face? My younger brother is good-looking and has always been more likable than me, but isn’t their performance a bit over the top?’

Hee Yue, following his father’s instructions, gave them the official runaround. ”Everyone in Black Water City has been mobilized. However, with the imminent closure of the Red Cliff Trade Road, the traffic in and out of the city has swelled, bringing in all sorts of people. This has made our search effort much more difficult.”

Hee Lingchuan, worried his younger brother might be at a disadvantage, sat in on the meeting. He watched as the boy, looking utterly sincere on the surface while remaining completely impervious to pressure, acted as the spitting image of their father, Hee Chunhua.

Nian Songyu grew impatient and dropped the pleasantries. ”Then close the city gates and search! This matter concerns the fate of the nation. What’s the harm in closing the city for a few days?”

”We can’t do that.” Hee Yue gave a wry smile. ”The envoy from the Baling Kingdom is due to arrive in Black Water City any day now to begin their journey west back home. This is their last chance to return this year. If they’re delayed, it could cause a major diplomatic incident between our two nations!”

He paused. ”The Baling Kingdom has always coveted the territory of Da Yuan. There have been numerous border skirmishes. They’re just looking for a pretext.”

Nian Songyu laughed in exasperation. ”So, you’re telling me Black Water City cannot be locked down, because doing so would provoke a border war?”

”It’s a strong possibility!” Hee Yue stated unequivocally. ”And Qiansong County cannot afford that!”

Sunx Fuping, tired of the time-wasting squabble, decided to cut to the chase. ”I heard that Mr. Hee was injured and has been recuperating at home for the past forty or fifty days?”

”That’s right. It nearly killed me.” Hee Lingchuan had been sipping tea on the sidelines for some time, and the conversation had finally come around to him. He pulled open the collar of his robe to reveal the scar on his neck. ”See for yourself.”

The Sand Leopard had sunk its teeth into his neck with all its might. Though the wound had since healed, it left a gruesome, jagged scar, a clear testament to how perilous the situation had been.

Nian Songyu stared at the scar. ”How did you get that?”

”It happened when I went to Gourd Mountain...” Hee Lingchuan began, then feigned a look of surprise. ”Hold on. Captain Nian, where did you hear I was seriously injured? Very few people know about that.”

Nian Songyu answered without a second thought. ”My subordinates found out. As you said, Black Water City is full of loose lips. Information is hard to contain.”

”Those bastards dare spread rumors about me?” Hee Lingchuan slammed his cup down indignantly. ”Who was it? Tell me, Captain Nian, and I swear I won’t let them get away with it!”

Nian Songyu fell silent, his gaze growing sharper.

That feeling of sharp needles pricking his face returned. Not to be outdone, Hee Lingchuan glared right back.

’A staring contest? He never backed down from one of those.’