Chapter 1024: Discovered Background (Part 1)

## Chapter 1014: The Uncovered Background (Part 1)

“Good, good, very good. Young people should have the spirit to reach for the sky.” Since He Lingchuan evaded the critical point, Wang Xingyi did not press further.

The three changed the subject, discussing the war between Beijia and Mou Nation. Wang Xingyi then said, “Your female subordinate is looking for you; you should go attend to your duties.”

With the hurricane approaching, He Lingchuan, as the island master, had too many urgent matters to attend to. It was impossible for him to stay there with them indefinitely.

He Lingchuan also heard Rainey’s footsteps outside the pavilion. Just as he stood up, Wang Xingyi suddenly remembered something: “By the way, the Emperor’s Dew might be descending soon. You can prepare for it.”

He Lingchuan’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Thank you for the information, Imperial Advisor!”

He excused himself from the two for the time being, then instructed a servant to bring food to the esteemed guests, and calmly departed.

It turned out that Rainey had come to report a sudden landslide at the western end of the island, requiring people to be evacuated.

As the wind and rain intensified, the hurricane began to display its immense destructive power.

On his way from the hot spring pavilion to the pier, He Lingchuan issued seven or eight commands.

Only after all urgent matters had been arranged and settled did the Soul-Sucking Mirror ask him:

“Hey, since the Imperial Advisor personally came to invite you, why didn’t you just seize the opportunity to join Mou Nation? Then, if you move against Bailie, they could still protect you.”

He Lingchuan sighed. “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?” They extended an invitation, He Lingchuan agreed, and that would be it, wouldn’t it? The mirror couldn’t see what was so complicated. “You oppose Lingxu, and they are hostile towards Beijia.”

The wind howled around them, and He Lingchuan whispered three words:

“The Great Square Vase.”

“Huh?” The Soul-Sucking Mirror understood. “Oh, that’s right!”

“In any case, I can’t join at this stage, but I can build good relations.” He Lingchuan offered no further explanation.

Who wouldn’t want a backer, avoiding the need to fight alone? However, systems have their rules, and free agents have their advantages. Once he joined Lingshan, many matters would be out of his control.

Most importantly, would a mysterious and elusive organization like Lingshan admit new members without background checks or scrutinizing their past?

They would surely investigate his ancestors eight generations back, and even question him about the color of his socks.

However, his past was entangled with the Great Square Vase, and he couldn’t possibly provide a clear account.

He wouldn’t even pass the first stage of Lingshan’s membership review!

Even if he somehow managed to get through the initial hurdle, what if Lingshan later discovered the secret of the Great Square Vase and questioned him or intervened?

They would be his superiors, and he would be a subordinate. Could he simply refuse?

The secret of the Great Square Vase, as he gradually moved from behind the scenes into the public eye, would eventually be impossible to hide.

He was still unsure about Lingshan’s attitude towards the Great Square Vase, but would Lingshan truly not desire something so coveted by the Heavenly Gods?

Due to the existence of the Great Square Vase, he was destined not to be able to join an organization like Lu Qinglin, and then earn merits and rise through the ranks.

The road ahead was long, and he would have to face all storms and thunder alone.

Not to mention, the moment Wang Xingyi extended the invitation, He Lingchuan recalled the imitation Thunder-Responding Spear auctioned at Platinum Island’s ghost market.

Panlong City had also actively sought to align with Lingshan. What was the outcome?

The result was that General Hong’s beloved spear surprisingly became the personal weapon of Mou Nation’s founding emperor!

Chronologically, the fall of Panlong City and the rise of Mou Nation happened one after another. Was there truly a connection between them?

This incident filled him not only with curiosity and longing for Lingshan but also with deep vigilance and suspicion.

He couldn't join Lingshan, yet he wanted to understand what kind of organization it truly was.

How should he maintain his relationship with Lingshan in the future?

Shortly after He Lingchuan left, dinner was delivered to Wang Xingyi and the other person at the hot spring pavilion.

The esteemed guests were served individual portions. A red lacquer food box was presented, containing for each person a bowl of clear, fresh, and thick congee with scallops and crab meat, cooked until the rice grains burst open; a serving of shrimp siu mai; a portion of crispy fried seaweed and meat rolls; two pieces of steamed pumpkin cake; a whole golden-roasted tender pigeon; and four seasonal side dishes.

Enjoying such a dinner during a hurricane was a luxury, especially since the chefs preparing the meal for the esteemed guests were three master chefs He Lingchuan had recruited from a large restaurant in Blade Port.

Wang Xingyi said while eating, “You don’t know this new friend very well, do you?”

Fang Canran sipped some congee. The congee, made with freshly picked crab meat and fish slices, offered that burst of fresh flavor.

“Brother He is very wary of people; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish such a feat.” Plotting against the Heavenly Palace in Lingxu City—a single misstep would have cost him his life. “A person like He Xiao must be very good at keeping secrets.”

Wang Xingyi let out a breath: “Word came two months ago that He Jing, the Heavenly Palace’s Capital Envoy, died in the line of duty.”

Fang Canran was greatly surprised: “He Jing is dead? What happened?”

He Jing was the Heavenly Palace’s most senior Capital Envoy, holding a powerful position. Lingshan had clashed with him many times and knew he was no easy opponent.

Fang Canran had even heard a bit of inside information: He was vying for the position of Chief Envoy.

How could such a figure simply vanish?

“Panlong Desert,” Wang Xingyi slowly stated. “When the Heavenly Palace incident occurred, He Jing was not in Lingxu City. I heard that while he was rushing back to the Heavenly Palace, he was directly dispatched to Panlong Desert by the Heavenly Gods.”

He then asked Fang Canran, “After the great chaos in Lingxu, unusual phenomena appeared in Panlong Desert. Are you aware of this?”

Fang Canran shook his head blankly.

After he wreaked havoc in Lingxu City, he immediately fled east without daring to stop. He arrived at Platinum Island shortly after resting upon his return to his sect. All the subsequent clues he gathered were also about Beijia.

As for Iris Nation and Panlong Desert further to the west… What did they have to do with him? Why would he pay attention to them?

“Over a hundred years ago, when Panlong City was destroyed, the entire wasteland turned into a barren desert, where not a blade of grass grew. Every autumn and winter, there were fierce sandstorms, making it impossible for humans to traverse.” Lingshan, of course, had also received such news. “This situation continued until seven or eight months ago, when it suddenly rained in Panlong Desert, and lakes and vegetation appeared on the ground.”

“A supreme treasure, the Great Square Vase, is hidden within the ancient city of Panlong. Panlong City perished because of it back then. Beijia knows this, and so does Lingshan.”

Fang Canran frowned. Since both sides knew there was a treasure in the ancient city of Panlong, why was the Great Square Vase still there?

But he didn't ask; there must be a reason.

Indeed, Wang Xingyi continued: “After Beijia annihilated Panlong City, they still couldn't take the Great Square Vase. For over a hundred years, people have periodically tried, unwilling to give up, but no one has ever succeeded.”

Fang Canran nodded, understanding. “Did He Jing try again?”

Wang Xingyi waved his hand. “On the night of the Heavenly Palace incident, the Star-Picking Tower might have also lost a treasure.”

Turning back to the Heavenly Palace, Fang Canran’s interest piqued even further: “What treasure?”

“The treasures that had always been enshrined in the Star-Picking Tower’s reliquary were all stolen by Zuju that night. Later, this Great Fire Spirit made peace with the Heavenly Palace, but the Star-Picking Tower’s reliquary was not restored, meaning no treasures were enshrined there anymore.”

(End of Chapter)