Chapter 1583: Mutual Testing

When the Heavenly Palace Envoy arrived in person, the Goddess Temple naturally had to send escorts; it was a matter of basic etiquette.

Bai Ziqi dismounted and, without putting on airs, remarked, "As expected of He Xiao, you're no unknown wherever you go."

He Lingchuan responded, "This morning, even before the sun was up, magpies were chirping incessantly, impossible to shoo away. Aha, so it turns out a distinguished guest has arrived!"

With this small piece of flattery, the two exchanged a smile, and other officials then stepped forward to pay their respects.

Bai Ziqi nodded casually and then asked He Lingchuan, "What official post do you hold here?"

"Just a minor Advisory Councilor," he replied, "It's nothing worth mentioning."

The title of "Councilor" was inherently honorary, and adding "Advisory" did not change its fundamental nature. Bai Ziqi said, "Oh. Do you not receive a salary?"

"No, not at all, I'm purely working for free," He Lingchuan joked. "Envoy Bai, could you perhaps speak to the King on my behalf and get me some salary, please?"

Including You Rongzhi, the officials present felt a little awkward. In the massive expansion project in the eastern suburbs, He Xiao was indeed a unique presence, holding no official post or title and receiving no pay, yet having the final say in everything.

But the fact that he received no pay, in front of the Heavenly Palace envoy, made Yao State appear rather petty.

This was especially true when Bai Ziqi smiled heartily and said, "No problem, I'll certainly get your wages back for you."

No matter how straightforward his nature, having spent a long time in the Heavenly Palace, he also knew how to read a situation. It was He Xiao who had just led the officials out to greet them, and he had stood in front of everyone, initiating the conversation with Bai Ziqi.

Leading a group, taking precedence — such terms are generally only applied to leaders. If He Xiao merely held an honorary title, how could other officials regard him as their leader?

Even though Qingyang had mentioned it earlier in the palace, now seeing it with his own eyes, he still found it very interesting.

He Lingchuan faced west and, along with You Rongzhi, made an inviting gesture. "Welcome, Envoy Bai, to visit and inspect."

Bai Ziqi indeed followed him inside. His dozens of guards remained outside the courtyard, with only You Rongzhi, the Heavenly Palace attendant, and Bai Qi accompanying him. Naturally, the project officials clustered around them.

Wang Fubao observed carefully. He didn't see any guards dispersing to block the back door, and his mind was slightly put at ease.

Was he truly here just to inspect the site? He glanced at the great river.

Now, his lord was less than ten *zhang* from the river. If anything were to happen, they could immediately force a path and then escape by jumping into the river.

A large creature was also lurking in the river, waiting to provide assistance.

This was the significance of He Lingchuan choosing to receive Bai Ziqi by the river.

Not that they couldn't win a fight, but there was no need to.

Upon entering the project office, You Rongzhi promptly brought out a sand table and explained the new city's construction to Bai Ziqi.

He also knew what Bai Ziqi wanted to hear, so after briefly outlining the overall plan, he focused on introducing the new temple of Miaozhantian, describing everything in detail, from site selection and design to the materials used.

As a divine envoy from the Heavenly Palace, wouldn't the construction of the temple be his foremost concern?

Bai Ziqi indeed listened attentively, occasionally asking questions, which You Rongzhi and the other officials answered in detail. As for the collapse incident that occurred that morning, no one asked about it, and no one mentioned it.

For these public-facing duties, He Lingchuan did not vie for attention. Instead, he stayed in the background and quietly listened.

To others, it seemed he was not competing for credit or showing off. However, He Lingchuan's true reason for staying on the periphery was to guard against a sudden attack from the palace guards.

Of course, on the surface, he held a cup of warm water, leaned against a wooden stand, and watched the proceedings. He appeared completely relaxed and at ease.

The wooden stand was right by a window.

Outside the window was a pine forest, and behind the pine forest flowed the rushing river.

Bai Ziqi looked over twice, and he raised his cup and smiled back.

What needed to be asked was asked, what needed to be seen was seen, and Bai Ziqi also personally toured two completed sites. Only then was the inspection considered complete.

Once the formalities were complete, You Rongzhi cordially invited him to stay for a meal. Bai Ziqi politely declined and said to He Lingchuan, "Shall we take a walk by the river?"

At these words, He Lingchuan finally relaxed.

"It would be disrespectful to refuse," he replied.

If Envoy Bai wanted to stroll by the river, then there would be no idlers by the river, only his ever-present guards.

It was getting dark, and the early winter wind was already cold and biting. Bai Ziqi took a deep breath of the crisp air. "He Xiao," he said, "everywhere I've traveled, I've heard your name."

"My name?" He Lingchuan pondered these words. Was Bai Ziqi referring to him, He Xiao, or to the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities?

In fact, throughout the Golden Plains, two names were currently on everyone's lips: the Yangshan Merchant Guild and the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities.

He maintained his smile. "Envoy Bai, you flatter me."

Bai Ziqi sighed with emotion. "After the Elixir of Immortality case, I thought you would remain in the Chiyan Kingdom. I never expected you to travel thousands of miles and establish such a presence."

"It's easier to fish in troubled waters; opportunities only arise in places of great chaos," He Lingchuan replied. "If I had stayed in Beijia, I would still be living under others' roofs and would have to climb the ranks step by step like everyone else."

Beijia's system had been in use for six hundred years; to put it nicely, it was mature; to put it bluntly, it was rigid. Even for talented individuals, the path to promotion was still incredibly difficult.

"I was going to say, with your achievements, you could climb faster," Bai Ziqi said, deeply understanding the system as he was part of it. "But seeing what you've done in the Golden Plains, this is true freedom and ease. Your choice is perfectly valid."

"Thank you for the compliment," He Lingchuan said, kicking a pebble by the river. "What important matter would require Envoy Bai to personally travel all the way to the Golden Plains?"

Bai Ziqi paused, contemplating.

He Lingchuan immediately said, "Stop, stop, pretend I didn't ask. Whatever Envoy Bai is handling must be a major affair of the Heavenly Palace."

"It's fine to tell you," Bai Ziqi said instead. "I've been ordered to investigate the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities."

This instantly confirmed all of He Lingchuan's previous suspicions.

The Heavenly Gods truly were very concerned about the "Great Emperor of Nine Serenities."

After Bai Ziqi finished speaking, he subconsciously observed He Lingchuan's facial expression carefully.

But he only saw a hint of surprise on the other's face. "Such a figure could actually warrant Envoy Bai's personal visit!"

He Xiao's demeanor was that of someone uninvolved, yet eager to observe the unfolding drama.

"This person is said to be associated with various supernatural phenomena," Bai Ziqi continued. "He is also revered as a divine being by commoners. He Xiao, what are your thoughts?"

"A divine being?" He Lingchuan shook his head and chuckled. "As I've mentioned when chatting with Yao State nobles, he is a human, not a god. At most, his cultivation is profound, and his whereabouts are more elusive."

"Your Yangshan Merchant Guild is spread across the western and central Golden Plains," Bai Ziqi continued. "Have you had any dealings with the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities or the Black Armored Army?"

The Soul-Capturing Mirror couldn't help but exclaim, "Hey, hey, why is he specifically emphasizing this point?"

"Some of my managers and assistants have reported that they've seen the Black Armored Army in combat, but have never spoken with them; they've only seen them from a distance a few times," He Lingchuan answered carefully. "However, recently, many groups in the Golden Plains have been operating under the name of the Black Armored Army, so my people may not be able to effectively distinguish between them."

"Yes, indeed. As I've investigated along the way," Bai Ziqi concurred, "I've found ineffective information everywhere."

He Lingchuan appropriately expressed his curiosity. "From what the Yangshan Merchant Guild has observed, uprisings across the Golden Plains are quickly spreading like wildfire. How does Envoy Bai differentiate between the imposters taking advantage of the chaos and the genuine actions of the Black Armored Army?"