Where Immortals Once Walked

Clearly, the Ke Family knew there was a lake behind Fleeting Thoughts Manor that was perfectly suited for boating.

Another guard came in from outside and smiled at He Lingchuan. “My lord, someone is carrying a boat up the mountain. They say it’s a gift for you. Everyone outside is watching.”

“Oh?” He Lingchuan perked up, slapped the gift list on the table, and said, “Come on. Let’s go see!”

He and Jiao Yu headed toward the rear mountain, just in time to meet the party carrying the boat uphill.

No matter how straight, even, and broad the road through Fleeting Thoughts Manor was, it was still a mountain path. The specially made flatbed cart carrying the boat had been hauled up by four giant bull monsters, each one nearly the size of an ordinary elephant.

Although Fleeting Thoughts Manor was packed with wealthy and noble guests today, a gift this large and eye-catching was one of a kind, so many people had gathered to watch.

Fushan Yue was there too, of course. Beside him stood another man, around thirty, dressed in brocade with a jade crown.

When He Lingchuan arrived, Fushan Yue pointed at him. “The rightful owner has appeared.” Then he said to He Lingchuan, “This is the Ke Family’s Fifth Young Master, Ke Yanjing.”

Ke Yanjing’s eyes brightened slightly when he saw He Lingchuan. “So this is He Xiao? A man as fine as his name, handsome and spirited!”

At first glance, his clothes did not seem particularly flashy, but anyone with an eye for such things knew every item he wore was frighteningly expensive. Take the tile-gray robe bearing red crowned crane designs on him, there was a faint sheen of pale gold within the gray, and under different light, the contrast of its color shifted subtly. People of the time called it “pond-gold.” A standard robe in that fabric cost fifty taels of silver. Who knew how much his custom-made piece was worth?

He Lingchuan smiled and returned the greeting.

Ke Yanjing turned and pointed toward the pleasure boat by the lake. “The saying ‘a fine horse for a hero’ is a bit trite. Our family thought a fine boat would do just as well.”

He Lingchuan looked at the boat. It was intricately carved and finely made, with a tiled roof, railings along the sides, and windows on all four faces. Simply put, it was as though an entire waterside pavilion had been fitted onto a boat. This pleasure boat emphasized refinement. If one squeezed in, it could hold six people at most, but despite its small size, everything was complete. Not only were the tables and chairs fixed in place, but there were also two rows of cabinets separately storing a chessboard, dining ware, a charcoal stove, wine pots, lifesaving equipment, and more. There was even a dedicated space in the cabin for storing fresh water and long-burning charcoal.

Everyone clicked their tongues in wonder. Ke Yanjing saw their expressions and was quite satisfied, so he asked He Lingchuan, “Shall we launch it now?”

“Then I’ll trouble Young Master Ke.”

A precious boat needed a ceremony for its first launch. Since everyone was here today, they might as well do it together.

Half an hour later, beneath layer upon layer of watching guests, the pleasure boat slid smoothly into the lake behind Mount Qilin.

Everyone applauded.

Fushan Yue laughed and said, “It looks like we’ll have to build a pier on the rear mountain. That’ll make mooring the boat easier.”

He Lingchuan thanked Ke Yanjing again, then said, “I have done nothing to deserve such a reward. Why has Young Master Ke given me such a generous gift?”

The onlookers gradually drifted away. After all, those present today were either wealthy or noble, not ignorant commoners without manners. After offering a few compliments and showing support, they automatically withdrew, allowing the host and guest to exchange private words.

Not being unpleasant was also considered etiquette.

Only after watching the crowd disperse did Ke Yanjing say to He Lingchuan, “In Baishajue, you, He Xiao, handled public business impartially and did not fear the powerful. My family greatly admires that. In a couple of days, why not come to my home as a guest with Crown Prince Yue? My father very much wishes to meet you.”

He Lingchuan looked faintly moved. “That would be wonderful. It would be rude to decline.”

Ke Yanjing exchanged a few more courtesies with Fushan Yue before heading to the main hall.

Soon, people clustered around him like stars circling the moon.

Wherever generous rich men went, they were welcome.

Fushan Yue watched with his arms crossed and asked He Lingchuan, “Do you know why his family is giving you gifts?”

He Lingchuan shook his head. “I truly don’t.”

Why would the Ke Family need to make friends with him?

“You fought Fan Sheng twice without falling into disadvantage,” Fushan Yue explained. “The second time, you even pressed Fan Sheng into the water and tormented him until his dignity was practically ground away.”

“So...” He Lingchuan thought it over and quickly understood. “The Ke Family doesn’t get along with the Fan brothers?”

“Fan Bao killed a member of the Ke Family.”

He Lingchuan drew out a long “ohhh” and said, “So that’s how it is!”

Fan Bao’s a giant bear!

A bear monster that can slap a person dead with one swipe of its paw.

“Sixth Ke went hunting and happened to run into Fan Bao... What good ending do you think that could have had? Though it was later judged a misunderstanding, the feud between the two families began there and has never been resolved,” Fushan Yue said with a smile. “You defeated Fan Sheng, and the Ke Family felt vindicated. Once the Ke Family gives you gifts, other nobles will follow suit. Mm, the Tongxin Guard will also receive this news soon.”

He Lingchuan let out a long sigh.

Just then, he spotted a familiar figure among the guests. He split up from Fushan Yue, then slowly strolled over.

He had only just reached the man when the other sensed him and immediately turned.

Senses and reactions trained on the battlefield were indeed different from those of ordinary people.

He Lingchuan cupped his fists and smiled. “General Nian, we meet again.”

The man stood tall and straight, but his eyebrows carried a gloomy cast. It was none other than Nian Zanli.

He had not come uninvited.

Following Lingxu City tradition, Fushan Yue had sent out invitations widely for his move into a new residence. At He Lingchuan’s suggestion, Nian Zanli had also been invited.

The Provincial Governor of Xun Province smiled too. “Young Master He, have you been well?”

“Thanks to your blessing, I’ve managed to stay alive. That alone hasn’t been easy.” He Lingchuan gave a bitter smile. “Ever since we came to Lingxu City, not a single day has been peaceful.”

The Chiyan Crown Prince’s experiences in Lingxu City had spread through every street and alley these past few days, making them the hottest topic around. How could Nian Zanli not have heard?

He had been in Lingxu City for quite some time, painstakingly managing relationships and greasing palms everywhere, yet he had failed to stir even a ripple in this vast ocean. All he could do was sigh over how deep Lingxu City’s waters ran.

But the moment Fushan Yue and his people arrived, waves rose across the boundless sea, and everyone’s eyes focused on them.

Nian Zanli truly envied that level of attention. But if he had to offend so many current powers in Lingxu City as solidly as the Crown Prince of Chiyan had, he was unwilling and incapable.

So Nian Zanli also wore a sympathetic expression. “One who wears the crown must bear its weight. I hope the elixir of youth case reaches the truth soon.”

Once the major case was solved and the dust settled, those who should be arrested would be arrested, and those who should be killed would be killed. Naturally, the Chiyan people would then be safe.

He Lingchuan smiled and said, “Then I’ll borrow your auspicious words, General Nian.”

The two exchanged smiles, as though appreciating each other.

Only then did He Lingchuan clear his throat. “General Nian, may we speak privately?”

“Oh?” Seeing his hesitant look, Nian Zanli guessed that the topic might be rather secretive. “Very well.”

He Lingchuan looked around and happened to see the pleasure boat moored by the bank. He immediately pointed at it and said, “Come, please board the boat.” As he spoke, he had a maid bring over a small jar of fine wine and a plate of pastries.

Although there was no pier by the shore, both men had cultivation. A light leap was enough to board the boat.

He Lingchuan placed the pastries on the low table, grabbed the long oar, and lightly pushed against the bank. The pleasure boat slowly drifted in the opposite direction.

He played the role of boatman quite convincingly. With a few easy movements, he rowed the boat out into the lake.

Behind him, Nian Zanli had already poured wine for him. The two sat and drank together.

In late autumn, the maples hidden along the bank had already changed into red garments, while tall parasol trees shed brilliant golden leaves.

“Boating on the lake gives a view of water, light, mountains, and scenery quite different from the shore,” Nian Zanli praised. “Fifth Young Master Ke is a tasteful man.”

“Indeed.” He Lingchuan smiled faintly. Tasteful my ass! Fifth Ke had chosen to send a pleasure boat up the mountain while Fleeting Thoughts Manor was crowded with nobles simply because it’s large enough and eye-catching enough. Perhaps the Ke Family had already grown used to becoming the focus wherever they went. Otherwise, the mustard-seed boats made by Songyang Mansion were even larger than this pleasure barge, yet could usually be tucked into one’s clothes.

That was a true treasure.

He Lingchuan had already moved through enough social occasions to see this with unusual clarity. Whether Fifth Young Master Ke gave him a large gift or a small one, given the Ke Family’s status and standing, it did not count as especially precious.

Clearly, the Ke Family’s positioning of He Lingchuan was also very clear. To them, he was merely the Chiyan special envoy who had humiliated the Fan Sheng brothers. Though he had stirred up some storms in Lingxu City, he had offended so many powers that no one knew how things would end for him.

For now, they would make friends.

If not for the fact that he had defeated Fan Sheng, the Ke Family, the wealthiest in Lingxu, would never even have spared him a glance.

The two drank and chatted about amusing things in Lingxu City. Among them were bits of gossip and clues that He Lingchuan had asked Old Ge for through the squirrel, all of which were harmless little secrets of the upper circles that looked slightly unsightly if exposed.

The more they chatted, the happier they became. The boat filled with cheerful, hypocritical laughter.

If Nian Zanli knew that the man before him is the killer of his son, he’d probably draw his blade and strike me, eh?

At that thought, He Lingchuan laughed even more freely.

He also spoke about the process of solving the case in Baishajue. This was first-hand information from someone directly involved, full of solid substance and details, so it was far more complete than anything Nian Zanli had heard secondhand.

Even the widely experienced General Nian was repeatedly moved as he listened.

He had been in Beijia for two months and had felt Lingxu City’s aloof coldness most deeply. For the Chiyan people to handle a case while withstanding the pressure of the words “Lingxu City,” the difficulty and danger were hard for ordinary people to imagine.

Even he sincerely sighed. “It truly has been difficult for you.”

He Lingchuan smiled bitterly. “What else could be done? For Crown Prince Yue to become the Crown Prince he is today, the process was harsh and far from easy. In truth, the heir most favored by the ruler of Chiyan was Fushan Ji.”

Nian Zanli nodded. Fushan Yue’s reputation had been roaring through Lingxu City lately, and so stories of his past—how the eldest son, originally unfavored by his royal father, had overturned the wind and risen into power—had naturally spread through the city, each version more embellished than the last.

Even if Nian Zanli had not paid attention at first, some of it had inevitably entered his ears. After all, gossip was also an important topic in the arena of fame and profit.

Of course, he was not stupid enough to ask how Fushan Ji had died.

Everyone understood tacitly.

The pleasure boat then fell into a brief silence.

Both men knew it was time to speak of serious matters.

He Lingchuan looked toward the distant long grass. “General Nian, the reason I invited you onto the boat today is actually to apologize.”

Nian Zanli’s face dimmed slightly. He had already guessed what He Lingchuan was about to say.

“Even the monster kings cannot borrow elite troops to attack a foreign state without the Lord Emperor’s approval.” He Lingchuan poured him another cup. “After parting at Dun Garden, His Highness returned and thought it over for many days... alas!” He shook his head. “Thus, he asked me to apologize on his behalf.”

After two months of working his way around Lingxu City, Nian Zanli had already grown used to being refused. At this moment, he did not feel especially disappointed.