Chapter 1323: Grand Regent

Chapter 1309: The Grand Regent

However, the Situ family's army suddenly found themselves no longer short on provisions. After the allied forces were formed, even their supplies were mostly accounted for.

The Bixia envoy reported, "The Situ family acquired a large quantity of provisions by leveraging an external force. This force is called Yangshan Archipelago, a merchant island in the southwestern sea."

"Have the Bixia people contacted them?"

"No, we haven't. Their leader is reportedly also in Jucheng, with the surname He." Jucheng is within the Situ family's territory, making it inaccessible to the Bixia people.

"Yes, his name is He Xiao, and he single-handedly established the Yangshan Archipelago." Qingyang offered a teacup, and a maid immediately went to change the tea.

The Bixia envoy felt as if the surrounding temperature had dropped several degrees after the Grand Regent spoke that name. "Your servant heard his name was He Lingchuan."

"He Xiao? He Lingchuan?" Qingyang smiled faintly, a sharp glint in her eyes. "They are the same person."

Despite knowing that the so-called Yangshan Archipelago was secretly supporting Situ Yu's allied forces, the Monarch of Yaoguo still sent people to Jucheng to conduct business with He Xiao.

How could such a cautious Yaoguo possibly please Beijia?

Qingyang shook her head.

Seeing her shake her head, the Bixia envoy couldn't help but ask, "Do you know this person?"

"We met once."

Ha, how could she forget the name 'He Xiao'? If he hadn't relentlessly pursued the Elixir of Immortality case, would Lingxu City have experienced so much turmoil afterward? She wouldn't have even been defeated by Shuangye!

Yes, whether it was He Xiao or Xi Yunhe, both were once pawns used by State Preceptor Shuangye to bring her down!

His name represented an unpleasant past.

"Throughout Situ Yu's territory, ballads are circulating about him slaying the Xuanlu Ghost King." Qingyang mused, "Whether it was Situ Yu or he himself who orchestrated it, this matter is likely true."

If slaying a Ghost King was such an inspiring feat achieved by Situ Yu himself, why would he promote someone else for it?

She smiled at the Bixia envoy, "You see, he claimed two merits from your retreat."

Slaying the Ghost King was one.

Supplying provisions was another.

The Bixia envoy pondered this; it was indeed true.

"This person named He has already caught my lord's attention."

"Situ Yu's allied forces are already showing signs of division. If their logistical provisions were to accidentally encounter problems now, then..."

There was no need to finish the sentence; the Bixia envoy understood immediately. "Thank you for your guidance, Grand Regent!"

The allied forces' provisions were supplied by the Yangshan Archipelago.

The leader of Yangshan was in Jucheng.

In other words, if the Bixia people wanted to cut off Situ Yu and the allied forces' logistical supply, they would only need to—

Was it easier to defeat the allied forces or to eliminate one person? The Bixia envoy felt this was not a difficult choice.

Qingyang said, seemingly casually, "Zhao Guangzhi seems to have been active near Jucheng recently. I recall that Bixia and Luodian have a good relationship."

Zhao Guangzhi's primary occupation wasn't cannibalism. This person had some tough skills under his command; as long as the reward was sufficient, he and his army would also take on some unsavory jobs.

The Bixia envoy hesitated, on the verge of speaking, then stopped.

"What is it?"

"Zhao Guangzhi..." the Bixia envoy finally said, "died in Liuping a few days ago."

"Oh?" Local rumors were always plentiful, and Qingyang hadn't heard this, so she was slightly surprised. "Who did it?"

"Legend has it that a black-armored cavalry unit dispersed his troops, captured him, and took him to Liuping. There, they set up a pot, boiled water, and cooked him alive in front of the entire city. The local people then divided and ate his flesh."

Such a death was horrifying, so the Bixia people quickly received the news.

Divided and ate his flesh? Qingyang wasn't interested in the details of Zhao Guangzhi's death, but she asked, "Black-armored cavalry? Where are they from?"

Which force nearby had black armor?

"That's unclear. They are said to move like the wind, and no one knows their origin," the Bixia envoy added. "These black-armored soldiers also seem to have killed Liu Shuheng, the city guard of Shizhou Toucheng. Oh, and they all wear masks."

Qingyang hummed. She was merely asking out of passing curiosity; people rose and fell around Yaoguo constantly, so why should she care?

Zhao Guangzhi was dead; tomorrow there would be Wu Guangzhi, Chen Guangzhi.

The Golden Plains never lacked scoundrels.

As afternoon approached, Qingyang covered her mouth and let out a small yawn. The Bixia envoy, with his good sense, immediately rose and said, "You need to rest; your servant would not presume to disturb you. As for the Monarch of Yao, I trouble the Grand Regent to take care of the matter."

He finally stated the Bixia people's request. Qingyang smiled, "People get sleepy easily as they age."

The Bixia envoy waited a few breaths for a follow-up but none came. He could only bow again, retreat a few steps, and then turn to leave.

Qingyang gazed at the lake before her.

A few words with the Bixia envoy had disturbed the serenity of her mind, which had previously been as calm as the lake's surface.

Why had He Xiao come to the Golden Plains? Was it at Shuangye's instruction?

Shuangye...

A nameless rage flared in her heart, and she slammed the armrest. "That inhuman, ungodly creature!"

After over a hundred years of struggle, Shuangye had ultimately emerged victorious, while she had been exiled to the poor and chaotic Golden Plains, far from the Emperor and Lingxu City.

He had won; what more did he want?!

After another fifteen minutes, a man in green robes ran from a distance and knelt on one knee before her.

This was He Yang, one of her loyal guards and a disciple of the Azure Palace, whom she had brought from Lingxu City.

"My Lady, new information has arrived from the west regarding He Xiao."

As soon as the names He Xiao and He Lingchuan began to circulate in the vicinity, Qingyang noticed and sent people to investigate.

It happened to be timely today; the Bixia envoy had just left, and the intelligence about He Xiao arrived right after.

Qingyang opened her eyes and rested her hand on her chin. "Speak."

"He Xiao once said in Lingxu City that he was from Fu State. But our people searched over a dozen townships and counties in Fu State and found no record of him."

"What about official registry records?"

"Not a trace."

"Then his records were erased." Was this Shuangye's doing, or Prince Chiyan's?

Qingyang was not surprised; it was normal for someone Shuangye intended to use to have no verifiable background. Back then, he even arranged a false identity for Xi Yunhe, right under Cen Boqing's nose!

"What else?"

"After He Xiao left Lingxu City, he purchased an archipelago in the sea southeast of Mou State, directly opposite Daofeng Port, which is the Yangshan Archipelago. He has developed it into a bustling trade port, and business is currently thriving."

"Southeast of Mou State?" Qingyang frowned slightly. "Isn't that behind Mou State?"

Too close to Mou State, too far from Beijia.

Why would Shuangye's man go to the rear of Mou State to buy an archipelago?

Did Shuangye assign him other tasks, or was there another hidden reason?

He Yang continued his report:

"Regarding the Yangshan Archipelago, according to officials at Daofeng Port, when He Xiao first acquired the archipelago, he seemed to have some disputes with both Bailie and Daofeng Port. It was State Preceptor Wang Xingyi of Mou State who stepped in to mediate."

This name greatly surprised State Preceptor Qingyang, so much so that her voice unusually rose by two tones: "Wang Xingyi?"