After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 442: Chapter 441: Stories of Old Friends

”Exactly,” Lil Qingge had already figured it out. ”If Nian Zanli also reports a victory to Beiga, his justification would be the annihilation of thirty thousand of the Yuan Kingdom’s Elites. You’re well aware of the situation in our kingdom; we don’t have many battle-hardened armies. General Zhao’s thirty thousand men... they were truly one of our country’s few elite forces.” She let out a sigh as she finished.

The Yuan Kingdom’s Elites were either on the Western Front, fighting the former Grand Commandant Dongg Haoming, or on the northern front, resisting Xunzhou Governor Nian Zanli. The only others left were a handful guarding the Capital City.

Beyond that, there were almost none left.

Hee Lingchuan was keenly aware of how pathetic the fighting strength of the remaining armies was.

Even the Xiazhou Army, which Hee Chunhua had hastily assembled in just a few months, was a far cry from Zhao Pan’s forces.

What Nian Zanli wiped out was, without a doubt, a vital part of the Yuan Kingdom’s strength.

”Each side reports its own victory and claims its own merits.” Hee Lingchuan gave a helpless laugh. ”How can a single major battle result in a win-win?”

”Victory or defeat depends on your perspective.” Lil Qingge swirled the cup in her hand. ”From their respective standpoints, each can claim a victory. I’ve seen that the people of Xiazhou are quite joyous, too. Everyone is praising your esteemed father for his martial prowess and sagacity.”

”So, life for my father in Dunyu must be much easier now, right?”

”Of course it is.” Lil Qingge chuckled. ”Governor Hee’s decrees are carried out without obstruction. His reputation is at its zenith, and no county or prefecture dares to disobey him.”

Hee Lingchuan leaned back slowly. ’It seems I’ve been worrying for nothing all this time.’

”How did you survive?” Lil Qingge was bursting with curiosity. ”We didn’t have time yesterday. You have to tell me everything right now!”

She and Hee Lingchuan weren’t what you would call close friends, yet their conversation flowed with a surprising familiarity and ease, even carrying a hint of flirtatiousness.

Even more remarkably, far from being off-putting, it was actually quite flattering.

So, Hee Lingchuan recounted his story, starting from the great battle at the Hanhe River. He spoke of his meeting with Second Madam Zhu in the Demon Nest Swamp, his experiences in the Treasure Tree Kingdom, the incident on the Gale Plateau... all the way to the present day.

Of course, there were some things he couldn’t mention.

His tale took at least two double-hours to tell, and their wine was refilled three times.

Lil Qingge clapped. ”How fascinating! I wish I could have adventures like that.”

”You travel all over, my Lord. Your experiences are surely far richer than mine.”

”I have too many trivial matters to deal with. It’s not as pure an existence as yours,” Lil Qingge said, propping her chin on her hand. ”What are your plans after you visit Ruins Mountain in Lingxu City? Will you go back to Dunyu in Xiazhou?”

Hee Lingchuan hesitated for a moment. ”I’ll decide then. I have a feeling this trip won’t be peaceful.”

He didn’t mention the details of Second Madam Zhu’s commission, which would definitely have an impact on Ruins Mountain.

He was a man who kept his promises, and he would guard the secrets he was entrusted with.

Hearing this, Lil Qingge’s eyes shifted slightly.

Hee Lingchuan had something else on his mind. ”By the way, how are my subordinates?”

At the mention of this, Lil Qingge’s smile vanished. ”Oh, I heard the Wolf Demon vanished after the battle at the Hanhe River. Afterward... he was difficult to find.”

Hee Lingchuan waved his hand. ”He’s not dead.”

He could feel that the Immortal Pet Contract he signed with Luu Xin was still in effect, so he had been more worried about Lingguang before.

”By the way, your Medicinal Ape has returned to Dunyu, and I’ve invited him to Songyang Prefecture.”

Hee Lingchuan was overjoyed and solemnly raised his cup to her. ”Thank you for taking him in.”

Lil Qingge then told him that during the battle at Hanhe River, Lingguang had been hiding in a tree. When the floodwaters surged south, he had no choice but to retreat west, and couldn’t find Hee Lingchuan anywhere. It wasn’t until the flood receded and the battle ended that he heard Hee Lingchuan had been swept away by the water.

Such a colossal flood was also filled with endless driftwood. Anyone who fell in, unless they were an Immortal, would have no chance of survival.

Lingguang, along with the Xiazhou Army, searched for Hee Lingchuan by the river for half a month but couldn’t find him, so he had to dejectedly return to Dunyu with the army.

But after returning, an awkward problem arose: his employer was missing, so the employment contract was automatically voided. The General Manager’s Mansion didn’t need a Pill Master, and the monthly salary of fifteen taels was quite expensive. For a time, Lingguang had nowhere to go.

Somehow, Lil Qingge heard about this and decided to hire him, as Songyang Prefecture just happened to need an experienced Pill Master.

”That little Monkey thought he had jinxed you to death. He was depressed for days and swore he’d never bring misfortune to anyone again,” Lil Qingge said with a laugh. ”He’s staying at my residence, but he hasn’t signed a contract.”

”’Jinx me?’” Hee Lingchuan roared with laughter. ”’With his level of Daoist Practice? He gives himself way too much credit.’”

”Besides him, four or five of your men, including Shan Youjun, survived and returned to Dunyu. Since your whereabouts were unknown, they were absorbed into the forces of the General Manager’s Mansion. I believe a young man with the surname Sunx was among them as well.”

”Only four or five made it back?” Before the battle at the Hanhe River, he had led over a dozen of his personal guards onto the field.

”That’s right. And your man, Jiao Tai, didn’t make it either.”

Hee Lingchuan fell silent.

He had rescued Jiao Tai from the Dunyu prison, but in the end, the man didn’t even live for another hundred days.

Lil Qingge hadn’t stayed in Xiazhou for long, but she had apparently become an expert on all things Dunyu. ”That capable Steward of yours, Ding Zuodong, is working under Madam Ying for the time being.”

Hee Lingchuan nodded. None of this was surprising. ’The eldest son was swept away by a flood and presumed dead. What’s so strange about Hee Chunhua inheriting my estate and taking on my people?’

Lil Qingge added, ”You mentioned that the Great Demon Second Madam Zhu gave you some of her personally produced Spider Silk?”

”Yes.” A thought struck Hee Lingchuan. Remembering that this woman was Lord Songyang, a master artisan, he quickly retrieved the Cloud Brocade and Spider Fangs from his Storage Ring.

Lil Qingge took the Cloud Brocade and examined it carefully, even summoning a small wisp of True Flame to test it. Only then did she sigh in admiration. ”Eldest Young Master Hee, you are truly incredible. The treasures you produce are always of such high caliber.”

From the Broken Blade to Sunx Fuping’s Purple Gold Pestle, and now to the Cloud Brocade personally crafted by the Prehistoric Great Demon Second Madam Zhu—the treasures Hee Lingchuan presented were things that even the dignitaries of the Yuan Kingdom could likely never obtain. ’It seems my investment in him will yield even greater returns in the future,’ she thought.

Hee Lingchuan, of course, wouldn’t say something foolish like, ”If you like it, it’s yours,” just to win the beauty’s favor. He thought for a moment, detached the Hooked Rope from his Sleeve Arrow, and placed it on the table.

”The Hooked Rope that Master Li Fubo made for me is excellent, but I want it separate from the Sleeve Arrow.” When he fell into the Hanhe River last time, it was because he was short one hooked rope. ”Also, is it possible to incorporate the Spider Silk into the rope?”

”Leave it to me,” Lil Qingge agreed at once. ”Your rope is already quite sturdy. If we weave in the Great Demon’s silk, I doubt anything will be able to break it.”

”That would be ideal.” Hee Lingchuan took out another bolt of Cloud Brocade. ”Consider this payment for your work. How does that sound?”

He couldn’t just take advantage of her for free. Mutually beneficial relationships were the ones that last.

”It’s just a bit of handiwork. You’re too generous, Eldest Young Master.” Despite her words, Lil Qingge accepted the Cloud Brocade without hesitation. She then picked up the two Spider Fangs. ”These... are perfect for crafting a pair of daggers.” Naturally coated in venom, and with their own blood grooves, she noted.

”I’ll have to trouble you, Mansion Master.” ’I’ll have my Clone use them,’ he thought.

”They’ll be ready in three days, at most.” The moment Lil Qingge spoke, Hee Lingchuan knew her level of craftsmanship was at least equal to Master Li Fubo’s.

”Thank you, my Lord.”

”If you’re not satisfied, be sure to give me feedback so I can make improvements.”

Hee Lingchuan sighed. ”I’m not the same Eldest Young Master Hee I once was. With your Lordship being so generous, how could I possibly repay you?”

His words were half a joke, half a test.

’In the past, Songyang Prefecture’s courtesy toward me could be explained by their respect for Hee Chunhua’s position. After all, the Governor of Xiazhou is a powerful official. If Songyang Prefecture wants to do business in his territory, they have to pay homage to the Local Bully.’

’But now I’m alone in Beiga, with no power or influence. Why is Lil Qingge still going out of her way to help me?’

’Snobbery is human nature, and merchants are especially driven by profit.’

He found himself growing wary of her goodwill.

Lil Qingge smiled. ”You put me in touch with Fushan Yue, which resulted in the Crown Prince of the Chiyan Kingdom owing me a massive favor. I haven’t even had time to thank you properly! Doing business in the Chiyan Kingdom is not as easy as in the Treasure Tree Kingdom. On the other hand, a single golden word from Fushan Yue means wealth will come pouring in for me, with far less competition. So, tell me, shouldn’t I be thanking you?”

Hee Lingchuan burst out laughing. ”So I’m not just freeloading off you, my Lord? Excellent. In that case, it would be rude of me to refuse.”

”Young Master Hee, you’re being far too distant.” With that, Lil Qingge covered her mouth and yawned. ”Well, we have to travel tomorrow, so I should get some rest.”

Hee Lingchuan stood up at once. ”Sweet dreams. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lil Qingge shot him a smiling glance, then gracefully exited the private room, her slender waist swaying.

When Hee Lingchuan returned to his room, he noticed it had started to rain at some point, the soft patter a steady rhythm against the roof.

***

「At 1:00 AM, the rain stopped.」

The air was thick with the scent of fresh grass and damp earth.

Before dawn, the Rock Sheep ambled out of the small town and wandered into the fields to graze.

The morning grass, still wet with dew, was at its most delicious, though the rampant summer growth lacked the sweetness of spring. The Rock Sheep moved to the base of a tree to pick at some fresh, tender mushrooms just poking through the soil.

Hee Lingchuan always removed its riding gear at night, allowing it to roam freely. As a result, it was currently indistinguishable from an ordinary wild Sheep Demon.

As it grazed contentedly, it failed to notice two pairs of eyes watching it from a bush a hundred paces away. Their owners were whispering to each other.

”A transient Demon?”

”Obviously.”

”Are you sure?” the first speaker whispered. ”Let’s not get into trouble again.”

”Duh! It’s a white-striped Rock Sheep, you only find those in the Treasure Tree Kingdom. For one to show up here all by itself, it must be a wandering Wild Demon.”

”It’s close to town. Maybe it came from there.” The first man was still hesitant. ”The higher-ups only gave us permission to catch New Demons created by the Emperor’s Liquid...”

”And the higher-ups also gave us a monthly quota to meet,” his companion cut in. ”This month, they added an extra thirty to it. What choice do we have?”

”It would make for a magnificent mount. It’s a shame to... dissolve it.”

”If we don’t catch it, we won’t make our quota. Now stop wasting time!”

The two men produced a bundle of dark red grass from somewhere and circled around to the hillside, sprinkling it evenly on the ground.

The grass had a faint, sweet aroma. As the Rock Sheep grazed, it drifted closer until, with a flick of its tongue, it began to eat the red blades.

This was Sweet Red Grass. It had a mild hallucinogenic effect that made the consumer feel happier and more addicted with every bite, eventually leading to a euphoric daze, as if one were becoming an Immortal. It was also known as ”Sheep and Deer’s Joy.”