Chapter 1578: Slip away or not?

Bai Ziqin knew that Envoy Liang would never dare to fabricate divine will within the temple. What he conveyed was the direct opinion of the Goddess Miaozhantian herself.

The search for the True Immortal Qianhuan alone was enough to alarm the gods of Lingxu, and Miaozhantian would not contradict the Lingxu Holy Venerable on such a major issue.

However, the fact that she wanted Bai Ziqin to wait for half a month indicated that she also highly valued her own "plans."

It seemed a major event was about to unfold in Yaoguo.

So Bai Ziqin nodded and gently said, "I respectfully obey the Goddess's decree."

The order of the two major tasks was thus settled.

Bai Ziqin felt greatly relieved after receiving the Goddess's promise. He had originally come to investigate clues regarding Emperor Jiuyou but unexpectedly stumbled upon the major prize of True Immortal Qianhuan. Faced with an ancient true immortal like Qianhuan, one of the few renowned figures of their time, the personnel Bai Ziqin brought to Shining Gold Plains seemed somewhat insufficient.

With Miaozhantian willing to take action personally, Bai Ziqin felt completely assured.

After the main points were discussed, Envoy Liang immediately invited Bai Ziqin to stay in the Zijin Hall of the temple.

This guest building epitomized the ultimate luxury of Yaoguo. Setting aside other details, the sheer use of purple-gold stone alone was unparalleled in the entire country.

Yaoguo produced various types of gold-veined stone, the rarest of which was purple-gold stone. Under sunlight, it displayed a solemn deep purple hue with a subtle golden shimmer; at night, having absorbed enough sunlight, the purple-gold stone would emanate tiny points of starlight.

The main hall's inner dome in Yaoguo was constructed from three gigantic pieces of purple-gold stone, left uncovered. This dome, fully exposed to sunlight during the day, would transform into a dazzling starry river at night.

The Zijin Hall was reserved exclusively for the most distinguished guests, perhaps opening only once a year. While it lacked the spectacular starry dome of the main hall, every piece of purple-gold stone embedded in its walls was a masterpiece crafted by skilled artisans, displaying unique, exquisite, and ingenious beauty in harmony with the surrounding environment, decor, and atmosphere.

Apart from the Yaowang Palace and Miaozhantian's main temple, no other place in Yaoguo dared to use purple-gold stone for architectural decoration.

Not even the royal family was permitted.

In Tianshui City, countless devout priests diligently served the Goddess every day, yet throughout their lives, they never had the chance to even glimpse inside the Zijin Hall.

When an envoy from the Heavenly Palace arrived in Tianshui City, Envoy Liang was obliged to invite him to stay in the Zijin Hall.

This was a matter of protocol and etiquette.

Before his arrival, there was a flurry of activity, with maids bustling in and out like diligent worker ants, even polishing every floor tile in the Zijin Hall until it gleamed.

This time, the distinguished guest was from the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, a figure second only to the Chief Envoy.

As Bai Ziqin entered the Zijin Hall, a subtle fragrance permeated the air. Priests and attendants knelt in orderly rows spanning a hundred zhang along both sides of the gilded path, each person filled with trepidation and respect.

The etiquette and elaborate display were meticulously executed.

Although Bai Ziqin disliked grand displays, he saw no need to offend Envoy Liang and accepted the courtesies with pleasure.

Among the several envoys of the Heavenly Palace, he was the most capable in his duties but the least skilled at social interactions. Nevertheless, he understood that his presence in Yaoguo represented Lingxu City and the Holy Venerable, making essential official courtesies unavoidable.

News of the Heavenly Palace envoy's arrival quickly reached the palace.

That evening, the King of Yao cordially met with Bai Ziqin, expressing a warm welcome.

Facing the King of Yao, Bai Ziqin merely stated that he had come specifically to investigate clues concerning Emperor Jiuyou and hoped Yaoguo would provide cooperation.

Could a mere Emperor Jiuyou truly alarm the Heavenly Palace enough to dispatch an envoy? Although surprised, the King of Yao assured him that his entire court would fully cooperate.

Who didn't know the Heavenly Palace held a transcendent status in Lingxu City?

Beijia was, moreover, the suzerain state of Yaoguo.

By extension, Bai Ziqin enjoyed an equally exalted status in Yaoguo.

Unlike Qingyang, Bai Ziqin was an incumbent envoy and a specially appointed investigator by the Lingxu Holy Venerable. Therefore, even though he had not followed official procedures to notify the Yao court before entering the country, the King of Yao dared not show any displeasure; instead, he arranged a grand welcoming banquet for him.

Qingyang also attended this banquet.

The Tianshui Eastward Expansion project had a meeting scheduled for the evening, but six ministers sent representatives to request temporary leave, citing a sudden banquet hosted by the Yao court that they absolutely had to attend.

Who was the guest of honor at the King of Yao's banquet?

When He Lingchuan received the first leave request, it merely stated "Lingxu Distinguished Guest."

Just these four words made his heart sink.

Just as the people of Yao looked down on those from other parts of Shining Gold Plains, the Beijia people also looked down on the people of Yao. Powerful figures and nobles from Lingxu City wouldn't frequently visit Shining Gold Plains without good reason. The only "Lingxu Distinguished Guest" He Lingchuan knew of who had recently appeared on Shining Gold Plains was...

When the fifth leave request was handed to He Lingchuan, it finally specified the guest's identity: Envoy from the Heavenly Palace!

Bai Ziqin had arrived! He Lingchuan's expression changed, and he unconsciously crumpled the paper.

He had tried every possible way to get this person out of Yaoguo, yet barely half a month later, why had Bai Ziqin suddenly returned?

Had he already solved the mystery left by True Immortal Qianhuan? Or had he uncovered the truth about Emperor Jiuyou midway through his investigation?

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in his embrace shrieked, "This is bad, terribly bad! Is Bai Ziqin chasing you to Yaoguo? Has he concluded that you are Emperor Jiuyou?"

He Lingchuan couldn't rule out that possibility.

If Bai Ziqin had pursued him all the way to Yaoguo, then Tianshui City was now akin to a dragon's lair or a tiger's den for He Lingchuan!

As long as Bai Ziqin identified him as Emperor Jiuyou, not even the King of Yao could protect He Lingchuan!

He Lingchuan instinctively looked out the window; the sky was heavily overcast.

Had Bai Ziqin, upon arriving in Tianshui City, already reached an understanding with the temple, the King of Yao, and even Qingyang? Were they planning to close the net on He Lingchuan?

This sense of crisis and oppression was sudden but exceptionally intense!

Even the mirror felt impending doom, frantically wanting to scratch its head, "What do we do, what do we do? Tell me, what should we do?!"

If it hadn't known, it would have been fine. But upon hearing that Bai Ziqin had appeared in Tianshui City, the mirror was consumed by an anxiety and fear of being apprehended at any moment.

"Can we find someone to inquire about his purpose?" It knew it was asking a foolish question, but it couldn't control itself now.

"No," He Lingchuan replied. "If Bai Ziqin intends to arrest me, why would he leak any information? Is this something one can simply inquire about?"

"Then..."

"Quiet!" He Lingchuan took a deep breath. "Let me think."

Bai Ziqin's sudden arrival completely disrupted his original plans.

However, no matter how good a plan was, safety always came first.

The mirror grumbled, "It's a pity we don't know how many clues Bai Ziqin has."

"If Bai Ziqin wants to incriminate me, he doesn't need extensive reasons," He Lingchuan said. "The Heavenly Palace Envoy is not a judge; he doesn't need irrefutable evidence to authorize an arrest. Even a slight suspicion of me would be enough for Bai Ziqin to seize me and subject me to torture!"

In an instant, He Lingchuan made his decision: "Withdraw! We're leaving tonight."

He couldn't stay until the very end, as the effectiveness of the plan might be greatly compromised.

However, "where there's life, there's hope."

The project meeting was therefore canceled, due to too many key officials being absent. This was a common occurrence, and no one thought much of it.

He Lingchuan did two things:

First, he sought information about the banquet and Bai Ziqin's movements, which would help him make his next decision. With his current connections, this step wasn't difficult; news would begin to arrive by midnight at the latest.

Second, he had to rush back to Yongquan Manor.

He Lingchuan had limited personnel in Tianshui City, with only around twenty visible guards. As for the members of the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce under Yan Bo, he had gradually transferred them out of Yongquan Manor under the pretext of preparing for the opening of a branch, leaving only five or six people, including Yan Bo, there now.

Zhao Song and others did not become suspicious because these individuals would still occasionally appear at the manor.

The guards' primary duty was to oversee He Lingchuan. As for where the chamber of commerce employees and helpers went, or what business matters they were involved in, it was none of their concern, nor did they feel it was their place to interfere.

It was important to note that the Tianshui City branch of the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce was indeed making visible progress. The storefront had been purchased long ago, and now renovation was underway, employees were being recruited, pre-job training was being conducted, and logistics for vehicles and supplies were being coordinated.

Every step seemed methodical and solid, so no one could tell that the owner was about to flee.

He Lingchuan knew perfectly well that if he wanted to secretly transfer his assets, he first had to outwardly appear busy with preparations.

To open for business, one first needed to stock goods.

To stock goods, wouldn't personnel, carriages, and supplies need to be constantly moving, coming and going?

Once these people started moving around, commuting between Yongquan Manor, Tianshui City, and various merchants, no one would know their final destinations.

This was also a result of He Lingchuan intentionally controlling the number of people — the fewer people there were when something happened, the easier it would be to escape.

The biggest problem now was how to secretly depart, undetected by the nearly one thousand royal guards assigned to him by the King of Yao.

Zhao Song and his men were both protecting him and monitoring him.

With them present, even Qingyang found it difficult to act against He Lingchuan; similarly, when He Lingchuan wanted to slip away, these hundreds of eyes would be equally hard to deceive.

Of course, He Lingchuan had long anticipated situations requiring emergency retreat and had made corresponding preparations.

The simplest method was undoubtedly the Snail Toad.

However, the rainy season had ended, and Yaoguo's winter was dry. For the past seven days, there had only been thunder without rain. With the ground not sufficiently moist, the Snail Toad's effective diving distance was only about five li.

Fortunately, Yongquan Manor was located in the suburbs, with open surroundings, not inside Tianshui City, making it difficult to be trapped. This was also part of He Lingchuan's prior planning.

Upon returning to Yongquan Manor, He Lingchuan immediately convened a private meeting with Dong Rui, Wanqifang, Wang Fubao, and Wanqiliang. When he explained the current situation, everyone broke out in a cold sweat.

Wanqiliang immediately volunteered to go monitor outside Tianshui's East Gate.

If a large contingent of people suddenly left the city that night, it would indicate that Yongquan Manor was in danger.

He Lingchuan, however, shook his head, saying, "Why would Tianshui City need to dispatch a large force? Isn't there already a ready-made Yao guard contingent right here in Yongquan Manor?"

As soon as they received news from the palace, Zhao Song's guard force could instantly transform into an arresting army. At that point, with an inside-outside coordination, He Lingchuan and his group would be captured like turtles in a jar.

The atmosphere here was somewhat tense. Dong Rui coughed and asked, "Then?"