Chapter 1039: Your Old Friend Has News

Chapter 1029: News of Your Old Friend

Ye Qing and others, subordinates of Yu Zecheng, had presented Wu Tiju's letter of recommendation when they approached Baile.

Wu Tiju's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained bewildered. "What? Black Tiger Army? This, this! Oh, I had no idea, absolutely no idea! Otherwise, how would I dare recommend them to the Lu family! My heavens, they're actually soldiers from Lingxu City?" He looked utterly remorseful. "This is, this is truly terrible..."

Registrar Yang concealed his disdain. With no way to verify, Wu Tiju naturally denied everything.

"In short, State Preceptor Wang expressed his displeasure." Baile had always sought protection under Mou Nation's wing, yet they secretly colluded with the Beijia people. This easily agitated Mou Nation. With Mou Nation displeased, Baile had to be cautious.

Fortunately, State Preceptor Wang had only 'reprimanded' them. The Lu family father and son deliberated over the letter for two days before concluding that the State Preceptor had no intention of further investigation, which greatly relieved them.

"State Preceptor Wang also advised that Baile should cooperate with Yangshan for mutual benefit, and the Lu family should maintain neighborly relations with Island Master He, engaging more sincerely and having fewer disagreements." Registrar Yang gave a wry smile. "That's why Yangshan's shop has opened here, and Old Master Lu is here to show his support today."

Wu Tiju stroked his chin. "So, with State Preceptor Wang's letter, Yangshan Archipelago can open businesses in Baile, and He Lingchuan himself can come and go freely from now on?"

"Roughly so," Registrar Yang said, maintaining respect for his master. "It's the same for the Lu family visiting Yangshan Archipelago—it's very safe and they'll receive preferential treatment."

Wu Tiju chuckled, "I must say, State Preceptor Wang's influence truly extends far."

Registrar Yang shrugged.

Neither of them was aware of Baile's origins with Mount Ling. As a decision-maker of Mount Ling, Wang Xingyi had the authority to issue directives to Baile, even without invoking his title as Mou Nation's State Preceptor.

Just then, an acquaintance came over to greet them, and Registrar Yang waved goodbye to Wu Tiju before leaving.

After eating and drinking their fill, and with their public appearance complete, Wu Tiju also bade farewell to He Lingchuan. The latter immediately handed him a gift list:"These small local specialties are a token of our regard and have already been sent to your residence."

"Oh, Island Master He, you're too kind!" Wu Tiju's face broke into a wide smile. Though speaking modestly, he smoothly accepted the gift list. "Going forward, if Yangshan Archipelago faces any difficulties in Blade Harbor, just let us know. We'll work together to find solutions."

Yangshan Archipelago's future opportunities were now completely open.

"With your words, Wu Tiju, I'm greatly reassured!" He Lingchuan bade him farewell.

The two exchanged satisfied smiles. Any previous animosity had long since been swept away by the sea breeze.

It wasn't until late evening that the restaurant finally closed.

He Ming Tower had secured several major orders today, with key clients alone committing to over 113,000 barrels of palm oil. Including other scattered specialty sales, He Lingchuan had truly achieved a successful opening.

While some orders had been pre-arranged, with Ding Zuodong and Guan Ke having exerted themselves fully in recent days, most of the large orders were sudden arrivals.

Merchants were generally pleased with the archipelago's products. With the opening of Dragon's Ridge Restaurant today, everyone enjoyed the food, drinks, and a few kickbacks, making it a joyous occasion for all.

In the afternoon, batches of goods were successively loaded onto ships and began their journey.

The distribution of the Hurricane Emperor's Dew had caused Yangshan Archipelago no small amount of trouble, but now He Lingchuan was benefiting from it.

Blade Harbor had been ineffective in its response to the recent natural disaster, suffering significant losses to warehouses, ships, and personnel. Large quantities of goods awaiting transfer were either waterlogged or destroyed by fire, leaving palm oil buyers with immediate open orders. Yangshan Archipelago's new store, however, had suffered minimal damage to its goods, allowing Ding Zuodong and Guan Ke to secure numerous orders. This was precisely why He Lingchuan had spared no expense to establish wind-protective barriers throughout Yangshan Archipelago: to let all merchants know that goods were available there and would be reliably delivered.

Others' losses became his opportunities. Crisis often contains opportunity, but only those who endure can reap the substantial rewards.

The moonlight was like water. The cool October breeze gently ruffled clothes. It was as if the violent storms of a few days ago had never happened.

He Lingchuan stood on the second floor of Dragon's Ridge Restaurant, gazing up at the bright moon.

When he first arrived at Blade Harbor, he had only a dozen or so companions. In less than two lunar cycles, he had established a firm foothold in Yangshan Archipelago, directly opposite Baile. Having endured numerous trials, he and Yangshan Archipelago could finally advance with confidence.

Lingxu City, Autumn Palace.

Snow had fallen in the imperial capital the day before, covering the black eaves of the palace corridors with thick, pristine white. Yet, the Maple Garden in Autumn Palace was still ablaze with golden-red, more vibrant than the evening clouds—the maple trees here seemed to be perpetually frozen in the most beautiful and resplendent late autumn.

Inside a small pavilion in the forest, the windows were open, and State Preceptor Shuangye was holding a brush, painting. Though the autumn scenery outside the window was a spectacle in Lingxu City, he was painting white mountains and black waters, gloomy jungles, bubbling swamps, and a small deer grazing by the water. Not far off, a tiny figure seemed to be hidden in the tall grass, watching the deer.

Xi Yunhe was silently brewing tea nearby. State Preceptor Shuangye liked to paint when deep in thought and preferred not to be disturbed. His artworks were priceless in Lingxu City, and high-ranking officials and nobles took pride in owning even a small scroll or half-piece.

With a soft flutter, a black-capped, white-throated tern landed on the five-fingered maple tree outside the window, shaking its wings a few times. The messenger had arrived. These small birds could fly tens of thousands of miles, making them excellent couriers.

Xi Yunhe quickly walked over and extended his hand. The tern then regurgitated two letters for him. The envelopes were nearly as large as the bird itself. Birds that could naturally create storage spaces typically used their crop, or sometimes wore a storage ring on their leg.

Xi Yunhe, in passing, fed the tern a small spiritual pill to replenish its energy, letting it rest for a moment. He then returned to the pavilion and gently placed the letters on State Preceptor Shuangye's desk.

State Preceptor Shuangye did not raise his head, continuing to paint.

The iron kettle on the small stove boiled, bubbling with hot water. Xi Yunhe carefully brewed a cup of hot tea and placed it on the desk as well.

It wasn't until three-quarters of the painting was complete that State Preceptor Shuangye temporarily set aside his brush. He picked up the two letters on his desk, opened one, and drew out several sheets of neatly written paper. He glanced at them, his eyebrows subtly twitching. Although the expression was slight, Xi Yunhe knew the letter likely contained significant information.

Indeed, State Preceptor Shuangye read for a longer time, appearing to ponder its contents slightly, before handing the letter to Xi Yunhe. "There's news of your old friend."

"Old friend?" Xi Yunhe wondered. He had changed his name and even his face; who could be an old friend? He took the letter with both hands, quickly scanned it, and exclaimed in surprise, "He Xiao?"

"The letter came from Yu Zecheng. He tracked the Subterranean Spider Queen to Yangshan Archipelago and discovered that the island master is He Xiao." State Preceptor Shuangye smiled. "The He Xiao who disappeared without a trace after leaving Lingxu City."