Chapter 1585: Li Yuanhao Has Arrived

Last time, Bai Ziqin became suspicious and dragged him to the Celestial Palace for examination by the Eye of Truth; this time…

This fellow has astonishing spiritual perception; he’s truly difficult to handle.

What He Lingchuan worried about most was that Bai Ziqin had already met Qingyang, and whether they had communicated or compared notes.

Qingyang and Bai Ziqin was the combination he least wanted to face.

The following day, Bai Ziqin set off for Mang Province to investigate the case at Xiaotao Villa.

The news He Lingchuan received was that Bai Ziqin had set out with dozens of imperial guards.

Mang Province wasn't far. If Bai Ziqin went to investigate the case and there were no delays, the round trip would take at most seven or eight days.

Even Dong Rui couldn't help but ask him, "Hey, should we...?"

Before he finished speaking, He Lingchuan shook his head: "No."

"You haven't heard me out yet."

"I understand." He Lingchuan interrupted him again, "No."

No matter how anxious he was, the work that needed to be done still had to be done, without any delay.

He Lingchuan pulled another all-nighter at the expansion site, only returning to the villa at cockcrow the next day.

He took a bath and changed his clothes. Lingguang also brought out a plate of pickled plum pear slices, intending to alleviate the autumn dryness.

Just then, Wan Qifeng came in to report:

"Someone is visiting from outside the villa, claiming to be your old friend, Li Yuanhao."

Li Yuanhao! He Lingchuan's half-yawn was instantly stifled.

"Quickly invite them in!"

Who was Li Yuanhao?

No one.

This was just the code name he and Lingshan had agreed upon. Originally, Lingshan was going to introduce him to Tu Yuanhong, the general informant of Tianshui City, using "Li Yuanhao" as the secret contact phrase. But Tu Yuanhong was killed by Xue Zongwu.

He Lingchuan had also stayed in Tianshui City for several months. Lingshan occasionally sent him some urgent messages, but no one had ever come forward to contact him.

Now it finally came, and at a very opportune moment.

Guided by Wan Qifeng, the Lingshan envoys grandly entered Yongquan Villa.

There were actually only two people. The leader was a tall, thin man with a goatee, long eyebrows, narrow eyes, and a graceful demeanor, appearing to be in his mid-thirties. Following him was a burly man whose eyes were bright and sharp. Upon arriving at the new place, he immediately scanned the surroundings, appearing capable and cautious.

The visitors had already entered He Lingchuan's study. There were no outsiders present, and a sound-insulating barrier had been set up, allowing the few of them to speak freely.

The man with the goatee introduced himself as Peng Yukui, the Grand Scholar of Heyuan from Mu State. The man behind him was named Maogong.

He Lingchuan suddenly understood.

The position of Grand Scholar of Heyuan was the deputy to the National Preceptor. The entire retinue of Mu State's National Preceptor had intricate ties with Lingshan. Yangshan had close business dealings with Mu State and was also familiar with the court's affairs. He Lingchuan had indeed heard of Peng Yukui; this individual served under National Preceptor Xiao Liangyu of Mu State.

"Over the past six months, Island Master He has been thriving in the Shanjin Plains, even becoming an unparalleled figure in Tianshui City. Whenever the National Preceptor mentions you in court, he speaks of Island Master He with nothing but praise."

For many years, Mu State's efforts to infiltrate the Shanjin Plains had ended in failure. It was only this year that they successfully overthrew Bo State and established a new political stronghold in the Shanjin Plains, which was Peng State.

He Lingchuan, a complete outsider, as foreign as could be, personally came to the Shanjin Plains to develop. Although Lingshan knew this, they generally weren't optimistic, as countless heroes had fallen here in the past, and He Lingchuan's beginning was quite ordinary. Who knew that in just over six months, this young man would achieve such great success? Now, wherever he went, everyone knew the great name of Yangshan!

In this chaotic land, He Lingchuan had done far more than just establish a firm foothold.

As for his achievements, Lingshan was naturally curious, but had always maintained a reserved attitude.

He Lingchuan casually demurred, "Circumstances create heroes; I merely caught a good wave."

Previously, He Lingchuan had maintained a relatively close relationship with National Preceptor Wang Xingyi, and had less contact with National Preceptor Xiao. Now that Xiao Liangyu's deputy had suddenly come to him, He Lingchuan showed even greater enthusiasm:

"Breakfast is being served at the villa. Would you two care for a bite first? The journey from Mu State to Shanjin is long, so this afternoon, I'll host a welcoming feast for Mr. Peng!"

Peng Yukui said sternly, "No need to rush. I hurried to Tianshui City to find you because of an urgent matter."

He Lingchuan listened attentively, "Please speak."

This Doctor Peng was truly a straightforward person. He directly stated that his purpose for coming to Tianshui City was to find He Lingchuan. If it were He Lingchuan himself, he usually wouldn't be so candid.

"Bai Ziqin, the Celestial Palace Envoy, has entered Tianshui City."

He Lingchuan let out a long "oh," then frankly stated, "Yes, I met him yesterday."

Bai Ziqin and Peng Yukui had arrived in Tianshui City one after another. He Lingchuan had just received the report, and he speculated whether there was a connection between the two.

Peng Yukui then asked, "You've met him? For what reason?"

The mirror grumbled, "This old fellow, he really doesn't mince words."

He Lingchuan answered politely, "He came to inspect Tianshui City's eastward expansion project. A new temple is to be built as part of that project."

He immediately followed up, "What is this urgent matter you mentioned, Mr. Peng?"

"Actually—" Peng Yukui paused, "Bai Ziqin was driven here by us."

He Lingchuan was speechless.

He had originally found it strange. Wasn't Bai Ziqin supposed to be looking for clues about True Lord Qianhuan? He should have gone north then. Why had he suddenly headed south?

"What is... happening? Can you explain in detail, Mr. Peng?"

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" The Soul-Snatching Mirror in He Lingchuan's embrace cursed loudly. "You worked so hard to lure Bai Ziqin north, and these fellows chased him back to Tianshui City?"

It was truly a case of man's plans being no match for heaven's.

"Initially, we discovered Bai Ziqin had come to the Shanjin Plains. Not long ago, he even trespassed into White Hair Mountain of the Xiaoyao Sect."

"Huh?" He Lingchuan's surprise was evident. "Bai Ziqin broke into the Xiaoyao Sect?"

Peng Yukui asked, "Island Master He, it seems you've dealt with him before?"

"That's right. I encountered Bai Ziqin while investigating the Elixir of Immortality case in Beijia back then. This Envoy Bai then continued to investigate the case, and as a result, he exposed National Preceptor Qingyang as the mastermind. This person is terrifyingly meticulous and difficult to deal with." He Lingchuan paused, "What exactly is he doing in the Shanjin Plains?"

"Are you aware of the incident at White Hair Mountain?"

He Lingchuan looked bewildered: "What incident?"

"True Lord Qianhuan, an ancient immortal, established a hidden formation on White Hair Mountain, which had been operating smoothly for many years. Furthermore, this matter was a top secret within Lingshan itself, known to very few. However, just over six months ago, the divine artifact at the core of the formation vanished, causing the formation to cease operation and reveal its traces."

He Lingchuan's expression changed: "Such a thing happened? I've never heard of it."

"Calculating the time, it was precisely around the time Bo State was destroyed and Peng State was established."

He Lingchuan asked curiously, "What exactly was the divine artifact placed in the formation's core?"

"We don't know."

He Lingchuan was dumbfounded and found it both amusing and frustrating. "Mr. Peng, it's already gone missing."