Where Immortals Once Walked

Chapter 466: Fate Brings Enemies Together Yet Again

General Ling was in no mood to waste even a moment. As soon as they arrived, it sprang straight over the wall and into the courtyard.

A general of its stature apparently felt zero moral burden about hopping someone else’s wall or smashing someone else’s window.

Pedestrians on the street could not help but stare.

Two drillwind beast guards saw their commander do it and immediately did the same, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He Lingchuan heard the rapid clopping of hooves striking stone and wooden planks. They had clearly activated their charging talent without even thinking; in just a few breaths, they had already done a full circuit of the residence.

By then, He Lingchuan and Jiao Yu had also jumped into the courtyard, and General Ling strode up to them at once. “There’s no one here!”

Jiao Yu said immediately, “I’ll check for a hidden passage.”

He Lingchuan did not even pause to consider alternatives. He headed straight for the study.

This was a private residence, not an inn. The furniture and layout looked lived-in, ordinary, and habitual. If the man called Mr. Mai came here regularly, there had to be traces of him.

The study was sparse. There was a single bookcase, a display shelf for antiques, and one set of desk and chairs. A vase stood beside the shelf.

He Lingchuan began going through everything.

The bookcase and desk drawers were full of ledgers and reports. From the itemized entries, Mr. Mai appeared to be a merchant in the medicinal trade.

Of course, based on Wan Xianneng’s account, this was likely just a front.

Then He Lingchuan felt warmth around his neck.

The divine bone necklace had begun to glow faintly red.

So there is something else in this study.

He Lingchuan straightened at once and paced the room, letting the amulet feel out the space. The study was small enough that it limited his ability to judge the heat precisely, but it soon became clear that whenever he neared the antique display shelf, the divine bone would quiet down again.

This meant that the important thing was on or inside that shelf.

He looked it over.

On the display shelf sat an ivory-and-jade sphere, a gold-inlaid jade pixiu[1] figurine, and a set of celadon teaware. On the floor, in the darkest corner, stood a large, narrow-necked, round-bellied vase, with several rolled scrolls tucked inside.

The vase had been placed where the light barely reached. The owner probably rarely approached it, and the servant who cleaned the study had obviously gotten lazy, as there was still dust on the vase’s body.

He Lingchuan was just about to test each item one by one when a sudden commotion burst from outside.

He even heard General Ling’s furious shout.

It looks like someone’s coming.

There’s no time.

Without hesitation, He Lingchuan yanked every scroll from the vase and slipped them into his storage ring.

He had barely finished when several people charged into the room with a barked command, “Stop! Put down what you’re holding and turn around!”

Jiao Yu came rushing in as well. It threw back its head and let out a roar as it confronted the intruders. “The Crown Prince’s special envoy is investigating a case! You dare barge in and obstruct us? Such gall!”

But even so, it did not swipe first.

He Lingchuan turned and saw that the uninvited guests were mostly human. In the courtyard beyond, however, stood an enormous monster, squared off against the drillwind beasts.

Their leader wore a cloak. His features looked human, but his skin was a pale, icy blue.

He Lingchuan recognized that face instantly.

And the blue-skinned man, upon seeing him, also paused, his eyes narrowing.

One of the attendants at his side shouted, loud and official, “Lingxu City Touring Commissioner Lord Zhongsun is conducting an imperial inspection by command! Do not be insolent!”

Touring Commissioner?

Ah, so it’s Zhongsun Mou.

It really is as the saying goes, enemies are bound to meet again and again.

Zhongsun Mou’s main target was Fushan Yue, sure, but He Lingchuan had not forgotten what this man had said to him last time at the Twilight Plains checkpoint.

Was it something along the lines of... cutting out my tongue?

Now the public errand Fushan Yue had handed him came with a side of personal grudge. It seemed that his life really just had a tendency to be filled with interesting events.

The moment Zhongsun Mou focused fully on He Lingchuan, his expression darkened. Clearly, he recognized him. He said with disgust apparent in his eyes, “How did this case end up in Fushan Yue’s hands?”

He Lingchuan touched his own cheek in faint disbelief. I’m obviously quite handsome. What’s there to hate?

Fushan Yue had not been wrong. This man was just as petty and vengeful as he was.

He Lingchuan was about to speak, but Zhongsun Mou had already looked him up and down. His chin lifted, and his voice dripped with condescension as he said, “So Fushan Yue sent you?”

The contempt was absolute. The arrogance, effortless.

He Lingchuan could not help but think that he had wasted years being a so-called wastrel.

Look at this! This is real posturing.

It seems like Fushan Yue’s earlier “surprise” for Zhongsun Mou had been far too gentle.

Zhongsun Mou still held the title of Touring Commissioner of Lingxu City and looked perfectly fine, after all. At the very least, it was clear that Fushan Yue had not dared lay hands on him personally.

And if even Fushan Yue did not dare kill him, then as the Crown Prince’s special envoy, could He Lingchuan really be openly rough with him?

He Lingchuan decided not to answer at all.

Instead, he turned his back on Zhongsun Mou and went right back to the shelf, picking up the ivory sphere.

He pressed it, shook it, and then held it to his ear.

Hm, it’s solid.

Zhongsun Mou said coldly, “Put it back.”

He Lingchuan acted as if he had not heard a word. He set the sphere down and reached for the next item: the pixiu figurine.

One of Zhongsun Mou’s guards finally snapped. He lunged forward and grabbed for He Lingchuan’s shoulder. “Put it back!”

Jiao Yu could naturally not just sit there and watch. It slapped the man’s arm away with one casual swipe.

The hooked barbs on its paw were more than three centimeters long, cold light flashing along their edges. If it landed on flesh, it could easily peel off half a pound of meat.

The guard recoiled in panic. Jiao Yu did not pursue. It did not actually intend to cripple the man. The move was a warning, nothing more.

“Impudent!” The rest of Zhongsun Mou’s guards surged forward.

Jiao Yu dropped into a low crouch, ready to pounce. Its fur stood on end, bristling like needles.

The air felt one spark away from exploding.

Then—

Bang!

Two drillwind beasts smashed straight through the doorway and wall, charging into the study and planting themselves in front of He Lingchuan like living battering rams.

Ptui.

Each spat a thick gob of saliva directly at the opposing side.

The spit of drillwind beasts was sticky, rancid, and instantly coated whatever it touched. If it hit a person, no amount of fragrant soap would scrub it out. The stench would cling for at least half a month.

This was how they issued a formal challenge.

Everyone else on both sides: “......”

Truly worthy subordinates of General Ling. They’re clearly trained in the same school of shamelessness.

Only then did He Lingchuan finally, leisurely, speak, “Do you know where you are?”

The question came out of nowhere. Zhongsun Mou frowned and did not answer.

In truth, he had long since forgotten whatever he had said to this kid before. To him, he was simply Fushan Yue’s lackey.

“This is the State of Chiyan’s territory, and I am the Crown Prince’s special envoy.” He Lingchuan said, producing the envoy’s token and smacking it into his palm twice. “If you dare throw your weight around here, I’ll slap your mouth to pieces and break your legs.”

Even Jiao Yu gave him a look.

As expected of the Crown Prince’s close friend, their sky-piercing audacity is exactly the same.

Ever since becoming Touring Commissioner and traveling through the vassal monster states, Zhongsun Mou had never once been insulted so crudely. Rage surged up, and his face turned even darker than earlier.

His guards could hold back no longer and rushed in.

He Lingchuan slapped the tiger’s back. “All of you, get them!”

Their lineup was absurdly strong: the Royal Palace General from Mount Bai and the Feitian Vanguard General—both of whom were seasoned brawlers. What was there to fear?

Besides, this was Chiyan territory!

Jiao Yu lunged first, taking on two guards alone. General Ling moved even faster. Its head dipped in a blur, and with one vicious upward motion, it hooked a guard clean off his feet and sent him flying into the wall.

The situation changed in an instant.

Outside, the massive creature heard the commotion and turned to charge in.

It was only slightly smaller than Zhu Erniang—perhaps two sizes smaller at most—and it clearly did not fit through the doorway. If it forced its way in, it would not just crush people; it would collapse the entire study.

That would be a nightmare for searching.

Zhongsun Mou’s heart jolted. He bellowed, “Stop! All of you, stop!”

It looked chaotic, but Jiao Yu and General Ling were both old hands in officialdom. They kept a portion of their strength in reserve, not striking to kill. Zhongsun Mou still wore the halo of Lingxu City’s Touring Commissioner, after all.

Unlike He Lingchuan, the Chiyan monsters actually had some scruples.

Both sides disengaged at once. Complete chaos did not actually ensue, and even the giant monster outside halted mid-step.

Only then did He Lingchuan get a proper look at it. It turned out to be a hippo-like creature. It was barrel-bodied, had an enormous rear, and had four short, stumpy legs. With that bulk, whether it sat or lay down, it looked like a small hill.

Judging by force alone, Zhongsun Mou was not at an immediate disadvantage, but he had no desire to take losses here. He forced his anger down and produced a black token shaped like an auspicious cloud.

A faint red light shimmered over its surface.

But before he could speak, He Lingchuan beat him to it, “If we’re both envoys, why are you obstructing my investigation?”

This man actually dares to put me in the same category as him?

To Zhongsun Mou, the envoy of a mere vassal state’s crown prince was not fit to even be mentioned in the same sentence. His eyes narrowed. “You’re investigating the disappearance of the eastern imperial eagle?”

“Yes, Lingxu City ordered Chiyan to investigate thoroughly, so the Crown Prince of Chiyan ordered me to investigate thoroughly!” He Lingchuan said brightly, his dimples appearing. “It’s official business, so I have to work myself to the bone.”

Zhongsun Mou’s voice remained flat. “This case will be handed over to me. You may return.”

He extended a gilded letter stamped with a large red seal and closed with red wax. “Take this back to the ruler of Chiyan. He will understand.”

A guard received the letter with both hands and offered it to He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan clasped his hands behind his back and did not take it. “I’m not free. Send it yourself.”

Zhongsun Mou stared at him as if he were staring at Fushan Yue himself. He found the man before him so infuriating that he wanted to grind his teeth.

He Lingchuan, meanwhile, smiled as warmly as spring sunlight. “You’re a touring commissioner, why are you meddling with matters in Chiyan territory?”

“The disappearance of Lingxu City’s courier also falls within the scope of my role as a touring commissioner.”

He emphasized the words “Lingxu City” with deliberate weight.

He Lingchuan had already asked Fushan Yue about it and learned that these touring commissioners were overtly traveling inspectors tasked with touring, supervising, and auditing, but were covertly information-gatherers responsible for collecting intelligence on the vassal monster states and reporting directly upward.

Just like in human empires, an emperor never truly trusted the kings and lords he had enfeoffed. Never.

Touring commissioners were not high-ranking, but their authority was not small.

Of course, Zhongsun Mou only wore the touring commissioner halo while he was on assignment. Once he returned to the imperial capital, those special powers would be stripped away.

So if he insisted on taking this matter into his own hands, it was not necessarily overstepping.

But why is he the one here?

Less than half a month ago, he had been fighting with Fushan Yue at Twilight Plains. So why had he now slipped into Chiyan to meddle in a courier case?

Thinking rapidly, He Lingchuan asked, “Lord Zhongsun, how far have you investigated?”

Zhongsun Mou answered coolly, “That information cannot be disclosed, lest we alert the serpent and startle the grass.”

So he was putting on airs again?

He Lingchuan had not even responded when General Ling could no longer stand it. Ignoring the massive creature it had been facing in the courtyard, it stomped right over the collapsed doorway and into the study. “Wait, have you found the killer or not?”

Zhongsun Mou’s brow furrowed, his impatience flashing. “And who are you? What does this matter have to do with you?”

General Ling’s fury erupted. “I’m the victim! Seven members of my Drillwind Beast Clan were murdered. Tell me, is this matter not my business?!”

1. The pixiu is a Chinese mythical hybrid creature. Pixiu are considered powerful protectors of the souls of the dead, xian, and feng shui practitioners, and are often depicted as strong, winged lions. ☜