Chapter 1642: So sudden?

This means that Bai Hengbo can deploy his trusted aides and subordinates to any location he desires, except within the Grand Hall. Inside the Grand Hall, by King Yao's side, security is handled by the Chamberlain of the Palace.

Bai Hengbo has been with the Court of Judicial Review for many years, but he was only recently promoted. Previously, this honor belonged to Zheng Da, another secretary in the Court of Judicial Review with more seniority. However, Zheng Da was punished not long ago for the Fourth Prince's poisoning incident, incurring King Yao's displeasure. Consequently, the responsibility for guarding the crucial palace grounds this time fell to Bai Hengbo!

This was the result of extensive maneuvering by Bai Tan and Bai Hengbo. By some miracle, every step succeeded!

Bai Tan just wanted to throw his head back and laugh heartily, but he feared alerting outsiders, so he forcefully suppressed it. However, he found it strange. "Why has the King returned to Frost Fairy Palace to conduct official business?"

"Not just for official business." Bai Hengbo usually didn't dare visit Bai Tan, so this time he decided to say everything at once. "The King is even staying at Frost Fairy Palace! Master Qiu said he misses the old pear blossom tree."

"Nonsense!" Bai Tan scoffed. "How could that old fool be sentimental over a tree, especially at a critical juncture like this? He lost three or four sons before, and I never saw him that upset!"

If he was like that towards his own flesh and blood, how truly fond could he be of an old, unconscious tree?

Bai Hengbo shook his head. "I wouldn't know. But for so many years, apart from the chill, there's indeed been no other anomaly at Jade Spring Palace."

"Never mind, let's not dwell on it." Bai Tan shook his head. "Frost Fairy Palace holds secrets. Despite our extensive investigations over the years, we've only learned a little. When the time comes, you must be careful."

"Uncle, what's the situation in the city?"

"The vagrants are restless, and gathering them makes them more prone to causing trouble. Today alone, there have already been four or five serious conflicts, with over ten soldiers injured. Before the arrival of the Emperor's Dew, I will deploy more troops to 'watch over' them!" He emphasized the words "watch over."

Then Bai Tan said gravely, "Return to the palace immediately, and do not contact me again before the operation! This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity for the Bai family; we absolutely cannot mess it up!"

Bai Hengbo nodded and left in a hurry.

Early in the morning, the Spirit-Guiding Formation at Yongquan Villa was being debugged, with He Lingchuan providing on-site guidance. Wan Qifeng and the others pretended to work, and He Lingchuan also feigned diligence; both master and subordinates were putting on a show. However, the formation they set up was real and fully functional, so even Zhao Song couldn't find any fault with it.

The freight operations of Yangshan Chamber of Commerce had already ceased six days prior, and its warehouses were empty. Taking advantage of the chaos before the Emperor's Dew arrived, the personnel of Yangshan Chamber of Commerce had successfully withdrawn from Tianshui City and headed straight for the border. After all, with nine out of ten shops empty in Tianshui City now, who would notice their absence?

Just as one section of the formation was debugged, a bluebird flew in from afar and landed on a branch next to He Lingchuan.

"A message, from the west."

He Lingchuan tossed it a few spirit herbs and received a short message in return. The letter was short, but written in code. He Lingchuan's pupils contracted as he scanned it. With others nearby, He Lingchuan merely glanced at the letter before putting it away, acting as if nothing had happened. However, his hand, hidden in his sleeve, was secretly clenched into a fist.

Just as he expected!

This secret message was sent from Zhuxian River Estuary. Peng Yukui and over ten other guests from Spirit Mountain went to intercept and kill Bai Ziqi. He Lingchuan had advised them on the ambush location: Zhuxian River Estuary. After Peng Yukui left, He Lingchuan also secretly dispatched trusted aides to stake out Zhuxian River Estuary.

The outcome of this major battle was extremely important to him. If Peng Yukui and his group could kill Bai Ziqi, He Lingchuan would eliminate a major hidden danger. However, the content of this secret message made his heart sink!

The Soul-Capturing Mirror also knew the code and translated it out of curiosity: "Bai Ziqi's three ships entered Zhuxian River Estuary. The target just disembarked. One of the ships has a huge crack."

From his quick scan earlier, He Lingchuan had gathered at least two key points: Peng Yukui and his group had indeed made their move in the river, and Bai Ziqi was still alive.

When Peng Yukui and He Lingchuan discussed this assassination attempt earlier, He Lingchuan had repeatedly warned him. However, Peng Yukui was full of confidence, stating that Spirit Mountain had prepared a trump card.

But Bai Ziqi still survived and successfully reached shore—just as He Lingchuan had expected!

He pretended to work on the formation for a little longer, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, the formation is cleared. Everyone go get breakfast."

With the boss's word, everyone dropped what they were doing and cheerfully went to get their food. He Lingchuan turned and left immediately, requesting his meal be sent to his study.

As soon as he closed the door, the Soul-Capturing Mirror in his embrace wailed, "What do we do, what do we do? Bai Ziqi's ashore and is heading straight for Tianshui City!" Master's grand plan is in danger. Master himself is also in danger.

It then added angrily, "Those unreliable useless punks from Spirit Mountain, who acted so high and mighty here, were utterly useless in front of Bai Ziqi!"

"How were they useless?" He Lingchuan took out the secret message and glanced at it again. "Bai Ziqi left with ten ships, but only three returned. That battle certainly wasn't easy. I just don't know how Peng Yukui and the others fared after the battle, or if they're still alive."

"Why bother with them?" The mirror had no such leisure. "Let's talk about how we're going to deal with this first!"

"Our people personally saw Bai Ziqi walk onto the dock, seemingly unharmed. However, his fleet actually arrived two days late. This means the Spirit Mountain people not only helped me, but also gained two precious days for Qingyang."

The mirror didn't understand. "Huh? Qingyang?"

He Lingchuan didn't answer and continued, "However, since Bai Ziqi made it ashore alive, he will almost certainly confront me when Qingyang's uprising begins, once he returns to Tianshui City."

The mirror calculated the time for him. "Bai Ziqi can reach Tianshui City in two days, and the Emperor's Dew won't arrive for at least four or five days! The timing is in his favor!"

"Regardless of how he defeated Peng Yukui and the others, as long as he wasn't completely exhausted in the river, he'll likely use those means against me." He Lingchuan also didn't want to fight Bai Ziqi in Tianshui City; it was the Heavenly God's home turf! "I still have a chance to disrupt the situation, but I must race against time!"

The mirror asked, "When do you want to begin the operation?"

"I see it's sunny and breezy today, and it's still early—" He Lingchuan glanced out the window. "Let's do it today!"

"Huh?!"

"Right now!"

"Huh???" So sudden? It wasn't mentally prepared!

Just then, someone knocked on the door: "Master!"

Wan Qifeng arrived, carrying a food container. As soon as he put down the food container, he whispered, "Last night, a palace guard asked the chef at Little Fragrance Tower if fewer people had been coming to eat recently. The foolish chef directly confirmed it, saying his work was much easier and he even had time for a chew after preparing food every day."

He Lingchuan stroked his chin. "What a coincidence? Zhao Song's subordinate, Han Zheng, quietly snuck into Old Dong's cave dwelling last night and only emerged after looking around inside."

What was Zhao Song having his subordinates investigate?