After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 82: Chapter 83: Better to Drink Than Worry for Nothing

So many days had passed. With Hee Chunhua completely focused on his career, how could he possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to submit a report and claim credit?

”If Father’s memorial had arrived first, it might have been read and then suppressed. But once the rumors start swirling, submitting the memorial then will confirm them. The Royal Court’s denials will be useless.”

”Why would it be suppressed?” A thought flashed through Hee Lingchuan’s mind, and he suddenly understood. ”So you’re saying the Royal Court is wary of the situation and wants to keep it under wraps? That’s not good. Wouldn’t they just swallow our merits whole?”

The Royal Court was currently dispatching troops to attack the Grand Commandant, and the battle at Woling Pass had only just ended. The vast Empire was leaking from all sides, and the Royal Court was exhausted from plugging the holes. At a time like this, they probably didn’t want to push the Xunzhou Governor into rebellion as well, creating another powerful enemy for themselves.

So, it was highly likely they would suppress what happened in the Panlong Desert and keep it secret. That way, both the National Capital and the Xunzhou Governor could breathe a sigh of relief.

But if that happened, the military merits Hee Chunhua was so fixated on would likely vanish into thin air.

After taking such a huge risk and paying such a heavy price, how could he be content with that?

So, Hee Chunhua’s counter-strategy was to send people into the Capital City to stir things up first. As long as the rumors spread, the Xunzhou Governor would be forced to rebel, even if he didn’t want to!

The mutual suspicion between him and the Royal Court was already separated by nothing more than a paper-thin window. It seemed Hee Chunhua had decided to be the one to poke a hole through it.

Having figured this all out, Hee Lingchuan couldn’t help but clap his hands. ”Dad’s amazing! Still sharp as ever!”

Hee Yue lowered his head. ”Once the rumors spread, our achievements will be solidified. But the flames of war will be reignited in the Yuanbei Region, and who knows how many lives will be devoured. Or Nian Zanli might just defect to the Northern Demon Kingdom, and Da Yuan would instantly lose a province. None of this is good for Da Yuan.”

”So it would be a good thing for the Royal Court to suppress our achievements?”

”Perhaps the Royal Court plans to deal with the Grand Commandant first, and only then consider the Xunzhou issue. Divide and conquer.”

Hee Lingchuan found it amusing. ”Nian Zanli isn’t some scarecrow, just standing there stupidly waiting to be attacked. Since he already has rebellious intentions, he’s like a powder keg. It’s better for it to explode sooner rather than later; it might even cause less harm.” As he spoke, he patted the back of his younger brother’s head. ”Sometimes, good intentions lead to bad outcomes.”

Hee Yue sighed. ”I have something else to tell you. Don’t spread it around.”

Hee Lingchuan made a zipping motion across his lips. ”Don’t worry. I don’t have anyone to whisper pillow talk to right now.”

’He found it a bit strange, too. This brother of mine is usually so reserved and independent, and we don’t really get along. Why has he been trying to get closer to me since we got back from the Panlong Desert trip?’

’Could it be because I helped him deal with Nian Songyu?’

Hee Yue subconsciously glanced left and right. ”A few days ago at dinner, Father asked me what I thought about the Grand Commandant’s rebellion. I said it was high treason.”

Hee Lingchuan slurped up a large mouthful of almond tofu. ”What’s wrong with that?”

”That was just to placate Dad,” Hee Yue said in a low voice. ”Actually, if I put myself in his shoes, I feel the Grand Commandant’s actions are understandable. His Majesty the King is truly somewhat flippant when it comes to matters of state. Regarding the Northern Demon Kingdom, for example, I agree more with the Grand Commandant.”

”Oh?” Hee Lingchuan was a little surprised. ”You don’t approve of defending our territory?”

”Who doesn’t approve? But national policy must be based on reality, not just brute courage. Take Panlong City, for example. It was remarkable, holding out for thirty-two years after becoming an exclave. But its mother country was weak. No matter how fiercely Zhong Shengguang fought, the Xiluo Kingdom just ended up losing the Panlong Wasteland all over again. A few years later, the kingdom itself was gone.”

”The strong can make impassioned declarations like, ’Though they may be far, anyone who offends us will be eliminated.’ But the weak must know how to weigh the pros and cons.” Hee Yue said seriously, ”Our mother country is no longer the rich and powerful Da Yuan of the past. The Grand Commandant is trying to appease the Northern Kingdom so that Da Yuan has the free hands to quell the internal turmoil.”

Hee Lingchuan smiled. ”You’re trying to say, ’pacify the interior before dealing with external threats’?”

Hee Yue nodded.

”Then what if the internal chaos can’t be resolved? Separatism, floods, famines, rebels, border skirmishes... in the past ten years, it seems the only thing we’ve managed to solve is disaster relief, and even that’s not always successful. Qiansong County is peaceful along Red Cliff Road because Dad is here. It wasn’t like this seven or eight years ago.”

Hee Lingchuan continued, ”The Grand Commandant didn’t just come into power today. He’s been assisting the Monarch with these troubles for a long time, and I haven’t seen them properly resolved either.”

Hee Yue looked like he wanted to say something but held back, finally letting out a sigh.

Hee Lingchuan patted his shoulder. ”It’s fine to worry needlessly, but you can’t speak needlessly. Don’t you dare repeat a single word of what you said today, or you’ll implicate Dad and me!”

Hee Yue retorted irritably, ”Of course. I’m not an idiot.”

”Liu Baobao is treating us to drinks at Xiangsi Building tonight. You going?”

”I’m not allowed to drink.”

’Right. Madam Ying is very strict with her youngest son. Fourteen years old, old enough for marriage discussions but not for a drop of alcohol. Tch!’

Hee Lingchuan wanted to say more, but his eyes darted around. He grabbed a piece of red date cake and said, ”I’m going to take a bath. We can talk later.”

Before Hee Yue could reply, he jumped out the window and left.

”Hey—” He had slipped away too quickly. Hee Yue had a bad feeling.

Just a few breaths later, several figures walked in through the door, led by none other than Madam Ying.

She froze the moment she saw the table. ”These are the pastries for the tea party guests! They need to be sent out right now! Yue’Er, if you were hungry, why didn’t you say so? I would have had someone prepare food and send it over.”

’Barely a few pieces were left of a spread that was enough for ten people. When did my son develop such a huge appetite?’

Hee Yue: ”...”

...

Having slipped back to his own courtyard, Hee Lingchuan patted his belly. ’Sixty percent full. Nice!’

He had someone draw fresh water, took a comfortable bath, and drank a cup of hot milk. Just as he was about to lie down for a short nap, his gaze suddenly swept over the Broken Blade on the table.

Usually, he kept the blade in the study. Today, he had brought it with him subconsciously.

He casually drew the Broken Blade and caressed it gently. Ever since leaving the Illusion Realm, the blade didn’t seem to give off such a piercingly cold glint. It was as if its edge, so sharp it could cut a person’s eyes, had no effect on him.

Of course, that was only for him. Hee Yue had merely touched the body of the blade, not even the edge, and had gotten his finger cut.

Hee Lingchuan raised a finger, touched the edge, and immediately pulled back.

’He was quite fond of his own skin.’

His finger was fine, completely intact.

Hee Lingchuan grew bolder and gently pressed his fingertip against it.

Still no blood.

He pressed down hard, enough to leave an indentation on the pad of his finger, yet his skin remained unbroken.

It was so sharp, yet it felt as if it had no edge.

Hee Lingchuan was suddenly ecstatic. He raised the blade and swung it around several times.

CRACK! The sandalwood table a few feet away split in two.

’This blade... it treats only him differently!’

Hee Lingchuan couldn’t bear to part with it.

He, a lone soul, had come to this Otherworld. Though he lived a life of luxury, constantly surrounded by attendants, everything he had was inherited from the body’s original owner. It all felt unreal, illusory.

Only this blade truly and completely belonged to him. Others couldn’t even touch it.

’What a shame I don’t know its name. A Treasure Saber should have a name. Why didn’t Zhong Shengguang engrave its true name on the scabbard?’