Chapter 1047: Manipulating Expectations

When we were in Panlong City, there were rarely any flower sellers on the streets; even if there were, the variety was limited and the prices were high. Panlong City was a serious place where people seldom engaged in superfluous activities. Even women who loved flowers mostly went outside the city to pick them. Ultimately, resources were scarce, and people didn't waste money.

“Over the past year or so, you've secured the Longchuan trade route, and goods have flowed ceaselessly between north and south. Flower shops have opened from Yuheng City to Panlong City. Even the number of jewelry stores and tailor shops has more than tripled. If you walk down the street, you'll see many small shops selling strange and wonderful things never seen before.” Only when people are well-fed and clothed do they have the leisure and inclination for such pursuits.

At this point, she casually asked He Lingchuan, “By the way, did you know that Miss Willow commissioned a custom set of armor like General Hong's?”

He Lingchuan paused, “When was this?”

“She just received it a few days ago. Apparently, she commissioned the best blacksmith in the city, spending several months' worth of salary and time, and going through seven or eight revisions. She also had several of her favorite weapons replicated. The blacksmith almost didn't want her business anymore,” Sun Fuling said, covering her mouth with a laugh. “She even tried it on for us, and indeed, every detail, right down to the mask on her face, was identical to General Hong herself.”

These young women really know how to have fun.

Thinking of the replica Yinglong spear that appeared on Platinum Island, He Lingchuan probably understood the mentality behind it. However, imitating armor like this was something unprecedented in Panlong City, and he was now choosing to turn a blind eye, not bothering to intervene.

“Ah, I've strayed off topic,” Sun Fuling chuckled. “My point is, when you're troubled, look back at your achievements. You've already done very well.”

“Not enough, far from enough,” He Lingchuan took a deep breath, his lungs filled with a creamy floral scent.

It seemed Teacher Sun was very fond of gardenias.

“People are always carried along by external forces,” Sun Fuling chuckled. “Ordinary people are swept along by fate, and those in high positions, like you, are swept along by circumstances. I believe that even with great power and influence, no one can truly do as they please.”

He Lingchuan's heart stirred. “Are you talking about me, or Fu Shanlie?”

Fu Shanlie and Yu Zecheng were both constrained by their official positions and 'performance,' while He Lingchuan was gradually constrained by public sentiment and opinion. As long as they remained in their respective ecological niches, an invisible rope bound everyone.

Teacher Sun stated matter-of-factly, “All of you are.”

“And you?” He Lingchuan took her hand. “What sweeps you along?”

“Well, well, turning the question back on me,” Sun Fuling raised her delicate eyebrows. “I'm just an ordinary person; I'm only swept along by fate. How could I have your worries?”

“Teacher Sun, you're being too modest. How could you be an ordinary person?” He Lingchuan said with a smile. “I think fate won't be able to hold you back for long!”

“Then I'll take Commander He's auspicious words to heart.”

He Lingchuan said, half-casually, “If one day, and I mean if, you could break free from the shackles of fate, what would you want to do?”

“Are you saying I could leave the Panlong Wilderness and this place?”

He Lingchuan hadn't quite meant that, but he replied, “Exactly!”

“Hmm—” Sun Fuling thought for a moment, her face full of yearning. “I want to go to Beijia!”

This answer greatly surprised He Lingchuan. “Oh? Why?”

“I want to see why this country claims to be the strongest in the world, and why it can suffocate Panlong City,” Sun Fuling said seriously. “Being thousands of miles apart like this, hearing foreign merchants describe Lingxu City as a divine kingdom on earth, it's like the echo of a falling stone in a deep ravine—loud but distant, and somewhat distorted.”

“Those merchants are just repeating hearsay; how many of them have truly been there and seen it?” He Lingchuan chuckled. “If Teacher Sun were to go herself, the people of Beijia would surely lose sleep.”

Not to mention over 160 years ago, even present-day Beijia resembles a glorious epic. But He Lingchuan harbored a mischievous thought, hoping this would be the final chapter.

Sun Fuling spat playfully at him. “Am I that frightening?”

“That's called being breathtakingly beautiful.” Actually, He Lingchuan had thought her wish would be something like, “The world is so big, I want to wander around,” never expecting her to set her sights directly on Beijia. True to her nature, her thoughts were indeed unlike those of an ordinary young woman.

Sun Fuling suddenly pointed to the sky. “You've got trouble again.”

He Lingchuan looked up at the sky and indeed saw a dark silhouette streaking across the expanse, followed by the flapping of wings. The Peregrine Falcon had arrived.

He Lingchuan grumbled, “Now what?”

This creature seemed to lack discernment, constantly disrupting his conversations with Teacher Sun recently.

The Peregrine Falcon stood tall and proud. “A message from Commander Zhong of Panlong City: The Emperor's Nectar will descend again within five days. Yuheng City is asked to prepare.”

“Within five days?” It seems the conflicts among the gods are quite intense lately, bringing spiritual energy back to the human world.

He Lingchuan suddenly snapped his fingers. “So that's it! Fu Shanlie truly wants to force my hand!” He had found it strange; why would a timid turtle suddenly emerge from its shell to bite? It seemed Fu Shanlie already knew about the Emperor's Nectar and wanted to set a trap for him in advance.

The Peregrine Falcon asked curiously, “Are you saying Fu Shanlie wants you to sweep through Longchuan? Why would he be so reckless?”

Sigh, he used to call this fellow 'you,' but now he had to use a respectful address.

“He wants to turn things around,” He Lingchuan's mind raced. “If he continues to wear me down, he'll only slink away. It's better for him to make an all-out effort now!”

The Peregrine Falcon dismissed it, “In this situation, what more can he hope to gain?”

“That depends on his ambition,” He Lingchuan's gaze was deep. “I happen to be somewhat familiar with his temperament and character. Such a person, ha, even if I corner him with nowhere to stand, he would never make a quiet exit.”

An old minister in the Kingdom of Chiyan once mentioned to Fu Shanyue that one reason his father disliked him was how much Fu Shanyue resembled his father in his youth. Their tempers were similar, their dispositions were similar. Seeing him was like seeing his younger self—he wouldn't shed a tear until he saw the coffin.

A wounded tiger's death throes are the most ferocious. So what about Fu Shanlie?

“This person cannot be left alone, otherwise, I won't be able to account for it to the people of Yuheng City,” He Lingchuan mused. “He's been clashing with me for over half a year, and he believes my approach isn't aggressive, that I'd choose the right moment for an encirclement, which would be—”

His strategy against the Longchuan river bandits was to press forward step by step, gradually eroding their strength. To maximize results with minimal casualties for his side, there was always a cost: time. Regarding Longchuan, He Lingchuan had adopted a relatively conservative approach, even allocating Yuheng City's finances to subsidize the 'road wardens'—that is, the surrendered river bandits. The common people of Yuheng City had quite a few complaints about this.

Fu Shanlie would have noticed all of this and formed a basic judgment of He Lingchuan.

Sun Fuling nodded, finishing his thought, “When the Emperor's Nectar descends.”

The Emperor's Nectar stimulates emotions and primal instincts, which could destabilize the morale of the Xiji forces. He Lingchuan launching a surprise attack at that time would likely have a considerable chance of success. Most importantly, Fu Shanlie had also received assistance from many monsters. If He Lingchuan chose to attack during normal times, they would report and warn; but on the night the Emperor's Nectar arrived, they would be preoccupied, perhaps allowing He Lingchuan to catch the Xiji forces off guard.

Not to mention, the moon had been particularly full and bright over the past few nights, illuminating the world as if it were daytime. Even petty thieves understood the principle of 'stealing in the wind, not under the moon.' Armies conducting night raids naturally preferred not to act under a bright moon, as it was too easy for the enemy to detect them in advance.

He Lingchuan already had two advantages: geographical benefit and human cooperation, only lacking 'heaven's timing.' And the arrival of the Emperor's Nectar was the best 'heaven's timing.' Putting herself in his shoes, if Sun Fuling were He Lingchuan, she would likely choose such a opportune moment, striving to strike down Fu Shanlie in one decisive blow!

“If,” she emphasized, “I mean if, Fu Shanlie truly intends for you to clear out Longchuan on the night of the Emperor's Nectar—what will you do?”

“He's probably prepared a grand spectacle for me that day,” He Lingchuan sneered. “It's simple: I need to teach him a saying, 'In life, seven or eight out of ten things don't go as planned.'”

Fu Shanlie's move was an open strategy, calculating that He Lingchuan would eventually act, but hoping he would move at a specified time. This was expectation manipulation. He had played this game with Yu Zecheng on Suoding Island. The result was that Yu Zecheng couldn't outmaneuver the cunning Island Master He, because plans can never keep up with changes, and the more rigid they are, the easier it is to make mistakes. Fu Shanlie wanted him to act on the night of the Emperor's Nectar? He Lingchuan only needed to break that expectation to be a step ahead.

With that, he kissed Teacher Sun on the forehead.

Sun Fuling showed no surprise. “Leaving again?”

“Yes, I need to return to the City Guard Department now for an urgent meeting,” He Lingchuan paused. “See you in a few days?”

Sun Fuling tilted her head slightly, seeing a light in his eyes and a resolute expression on his face. In just a few years, the naive youth who first arrived in Panlong City had grown to such an extent. She smiled, “Good, I wish you a triumphant return.” She knew very well what he was going to do.

He Lingchuan walked out of the quiet courtyard, his expression growing solemn. He closed the door behind him with a backhand and strode away.

For the next two days, life for the residents of Yuheng City continued as usual, with few sensing the turbulent undercurrents beneath the surface.

Daylight was fading, and the afterglow illuminated the evening.

He Lingchuan was getting dressed when he suddenly heard the flapping of wings outside the window. It was a grey heron alighting on the large tree outside the City Guard Department.

“Re-report!”

He tightened his belt. “Speak.”

“Mr. Zhang sends word that patrols at the Xiji military camp are normal tonight, with no irregularities. He also saw Fu Shanlie by the water this afternoon.”

“Anything else?” Mr. Zhang was the large octopus in Panlong City's Lotus Lake. His usual job was testing the physical talents of new recruits, but He Lingchuan had temporarily enlisted him to gather intelligence on the Longchuan water stronghold. This massive creature could expand and contract its body at will; its tentacles could extend over twenty feet when stretched, and it could shrink to fit entirely into a small fish tank. It could also change color, making it excellent at ambushes and concealment.

“Also…” The grey heron was new to the job and not very proficient.

He Lingchuan prompted it, “The number of river bandits?”

“Oh, right, Mr. Zhang said the numbers have decreased, but not significantly. However, he counted over twenty boats that left in the past few days and haven't returned.”

“Over the past few days?” He Lingchuan frowned. “Why weren't you here sooner to report?”