Chapter 372: The Most Precious Intelligence

Wu Jinsong said, "I originally thought the second young master's soul was lost during this battle, so I searched for a long time based on that lead. It turns out that a merchant named Gan from Wuze County had the audacity to do it."

Sha Xinghai was attacked while traveling, but only sustained minor injuries and then continued his mission to Wuze County.

Surprisingly, he didn't die at the hands of an enemy, but instead fell victim to an ordinary human.

Sha Xinghai sighed softly, "In Wuze County, I concealed my true identity, claiming to be a wealthy merchant from Lingxu City who wanted to purchase large quantities of trauma medicine, as well as unmarked light armor and weapons."

Wu Jinsong realized, "No wonder the Gan family acted. If they had known the second young master's true identity, they wouldn't have dared, even with ten times the courage, would they?"

Grand Tutor Sha asked with his hands behind his back, "You said the Gan family merchant is dead?"

"Yes, he was killed by mountain bandits. Once he died, the Gan family fell into disarray. By the time we left Wuze County, his family was already preparing to sell assets to repay debts."

"The Gan family merchant is dead, but it's only right for a brother to repay his elder brother's debts!" Grand Tutor Sha said calmly, "Go and handle it."

"Understood."

"The Gan family is gone, but the mission must still be carried out. He Xiao has shown you kindness, so this order will be given to his merchant guild. And remember to instruct them that no markings are to be printed on the weapons and equipment."

Wu Jinsong acknowledged this, and Grand Tutor Sha pondered for a moment before adding, "Did that mirror voluntarily accept He Xiao as its master?"

"He subdued the mirror."

"Did you witness it yourself?"

Wu Jinsong shook his head, "I'm ashamed to say that I was disoriented by the illusion of Old Gan San that the mirror projected. By the time I rushed back to Mochou Lake, he had already broken through the mirror. However, he did perform exceptionally well in the mirror's inner world."

Sha Xinghai also said, "He returned my soul. I thought Father would reward him generously with some valuables, but I didn't expect him to be offered an official position. We still haven't fully investigated this person's background."

Wu Jinsong interjected, "I asked people in his merchant guild. They all said He Xiao is a distant relative of the two guild masters, and they had just met him for the first time themselves. They don't know anything else."

Grand Tutor Sha, however, said, "This person's appearance in Wuze County might have been specifically for the mirror."

"The mirror?" The other two were puzzled.

"Father, are you saying that the Gan family merchant used the mirror to harm me, and this person, in turn, harmed the Gan family to seize the mirror?"

Like a mantis stalks a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it?

"That mirror is an ancient artifact. The copper border's patterns look very familiar to me; I just can't recall where I've seen them. It must be very old. Oh, what was the name of the general Jinsong encountered in the mirror's illusion?"

"General Yoshan Ming of the Puguang Kingdom." He had also overheard He Lingchuan and Hong Luan's conversation.

"Puguang Kingdom..." Grand Tutor Sha stroked his beard, pondering for a long time. "I seem to recall something about it. It was an ancient kingdom that disappeared long ago, at least two thousand five or six hundred years ago. Yes, I'll need to look into it again later."

Sha Xinghai was moved, "Then, wouldn't that be just a few hundred years after the Great Calamity that ended the world? The early medieval era?"

"Indeed. That was when human kingdoms rose, competing with great demons. Immortal sects had not yet declined and often sent their disciples down the mountains to aid the human kingdoms," Grand Tutor Sha stroked his beard. "It was truly an era of great upheaval."

Wu Jinsong also said, "The spellcasters in the illusion could fly using artifacts, and Hong Luan's demonic power was astonishing, almost capable of destroying a city single-handedly." He had only just reported the full story to Grand Tutor Sha, who was eager to retrieve Sha Xinghai's soul, so Wu Jinsong hadn't had time to elaborate on many details. "Even among existing great demons, most likely don't possess such abilities anymore."

"Then this mirror must have existed for at least two thousand five hundred years, otherwise it wouldn't contain such illusions. It is, without a doubt, a genuine medieval relic."

Sha Xinghai looked at Grand Tutor Sha and asked, "Father, are you thinking...?"

Grand Tutor Sha waved his hand, "More than a year ago, several medieval relics were stolen from the White Elephant King's Treasure Pavilion. I heard he killed over a hundred people in a fit of rage, but the thief and the stolen goods are still missing. A decade or so before that, the Azure Palace also lost a collection of treasures. Among these two batches of stolen items, there were mirror artifacts."

"Are you suggesting that this person named He is involved in the theft cases?" Sha Xinghai was even more confused. "If so, why would you let him become an official?"

"According to Wu Jinsong's description, this person is both intelligent and courageous—a talent we can use. If we merely gave him wealth, he would simply leave. By granting him an official position, we can observe him slowly. Besides, he might not truly be the thief. And I couldn't care less about what the White Elephant King or the Azure Palace lost." Grand Tutor Sha sighed, "Furthermore, he did return your soul, which is a great favor. Otherwise, I would already be exhausted from my king's birthday celebrations and other duties."

Sha Xinghai lowered his head.

Grand Tutor Sha thought for a moment, "The official position I promised him, he can only receive after returning from Lingxu City. Wu Jinsong, deliver him some valuable intelligence on my behalf, so he doesn't think I'm making empty promises."

Wu Jinsong listened carefully, first showing surprise, then agreeing and exiting.

No one noticed a small spider with eight legs scurrying out from a beam, dropping on a silk thread onto Wu Jinsong, hitching a free ride.

He Lingchuan returned to his room with a flushed face and ears, seemingly overcome by alcohol. In reality, he had taken a hangover pill and washed his face with cold water, which had mostly sobered him up.

The hangover pill was refined by the medicine ape Lingguang, and its effectiveness was excellent.

At that moment, He Lingchuan thought of Lingguang and the rock wolf Lu Xin again, wondering how those two were doing.

Half an hour later, there was a knock at the door.

Wu Jinsong arrived, delivering another token of gratitude from Grand Tutor Sha.

Of course, before speaking, he looked around to confirm there were no idle people nearby, then entered the room and whispered to He Lingchuan:

"The Grand Tutor wants me to tell you that the Emperor's Dew will appear again in three or four days, with an error margin of no more than five days."

He Lingchuan had already overheard this news through his eyeball spider, but he still had to feign shock, exclaiming, "What? Is that true?!"

"The Grand Tutor is always serious and doesn't make such jokes," Wu Jinsong said with a serious expression. "Last time the Emperor's Dew arrived, the prediction was also very accurate, with an error margin of no more than two days."

"This can actually be predicted?" He Lingchuan asked in disbelief. "Brother Wu, may I ask where the Grand Tutor got this information?"

"It came from Lingxu City. I don't know the specifics."

It wasn't predicted by King Baoshu or Grand Tutor Sha himself? He Lingchuan noted this information and then asked him, "I remember the last time the Emperor's Dew appeared, it was after a gap of fifty or sixty years. Now only half a year has passed, so why is it appearing again?"

Wu Jinsong spread his hands, "If you ask me, who should I ask? If you don't believe it, I won't force you."

"I believe it, I believe it!" He Lingchuan grabbed him. "The Grand Tutor is busy with countless affairs; why would he make such a trivial joke? Besides, what Grand Tutor Sha is predicting isn't the end of the world; it's news that can be verified in three or four days, so there's no need for him to fabricate it."

"Also, Fufeng City will implement a curfew in three days to prevent unrest caused by the Emperor's Dew. Civilians and merchants will be required to stay indoors and not go out; otherwise, they will be responsible for the consequences."

He Lingchuan understood completely. He had witnessed how vulnerable human nature was in the face of the Emperor's Dew, and Panlong City had also taken similar precautions.

He pondered for a moment, "So, I'll have to leave the city to receive the Emperor's Dew." There were too many people in the city, and each person only had a palm-sized patch of sky above their residence. How much Emperor's Dew could one possibly collect there?

The last time the Emperor's Dew appeared, he was with the army, so he couldn't prepare beforehand and only managed to collect a small amount.

This time, he had received advance notice; shouldn't he prepare thoroughly?

"Smart people do that," Wu Jinsong winked. "If I were you, I'd go even further away. Last time, the near suburbs were already parceled out. Moreover, my king's birthday is approaching, and envoys and merchants from various countries are rushing here, so the competition in the countryside will likely be even fiercer. Also, be careful of avian demons in the sky."

He Lingchuan let out a prolonged "Oh," and cupped his hands, "Thank you for the advice!"

Right, this was Fufeng City, the gathering place for the nobles and powerful figures of Baoshu Kingdom. They would also receive advance notice and would likewise leave the city to collect the Emperor's Dew. The simplest way would be to cordon off a large area for private collection.

As an outsider, He Lingchuan wouldn't be able to interfere.

These were all summaries of others' experiences, which could help him avoid a lot of trouble.

Wu Jinsong then asked, "How did you consume the Emperor's Dew you collected last time?"

"I swallowed it," He Lingchuan replied with a confused expression. "Is there another way to take it?"

Only then did Wu Jinsong hand him a slip of paper:

"This is a method for refining the Emperor's Dew. Prepare it in advance so you don't get flustered and waste this rare natural treasure when the time comes."

He paused, then added, "You can rest assured about this formula; we used it ourselves last time."

He Lingchuan treasured it like a priceless gem. "Gaining this head start means gaining cultivation and opportunity! Please convey my thanks to the Grand Tutor, Brother Wu!"

Wu Jinsong smiled, "The Grand Tutor values talent and holds you in high regard. After you go to Lingxu City, you should return to your post as soon as possible, so as not to disappoint his intentions."

He Lingchuan nodded repeatedly, "Absolutely, absolutely!"

He tried to persuade Wu Jinsong to stay for a drink, but the latter had other matters to attend to and took his leave.

The eyeball spider quietly hopped back onto He Lingchuan.

Only after hearing his footsteps disappear downstairs did He Lingchuan open the slip of paper and carefully examine the so-called "Emperor's Dew formula."

For the past six months or so, whenever he had free time, he would read books in the Literary Promotion Pavilion in Panlong City. He read widely on various subjects, including some pharmacology books. He wouldn't claim to be an expert, but he had at least gained some practical knowledge, no longer finding medicinal formulas as inscrutable as celestial scriptures, unlike last year.

At a quick glance, several ingredients in the formula matched the Emperor's Dew paste recipe Alo had given him.

However, he wouldn't use such a common formula; the one Alo tailored for him was the best.

The most valuable gift Grand Tutor Sha sent was actually the news of the Emperor's Dew's return, which allowed him to prepare in advance and make good use of this heaven-sent opportunity.

The question arose: how did Lingxu City know the Emperor's Dew was about to appear?

It wasn't just Lingxu City; Panlong City also seemed to know.

The outbreak of spiritual energy from heaven and earth could actually be predicted? He felt it was far from simple.

Regardless, for such a generous gift from heaven, he truly should prepare well.

The Soul-Capturing Mirror suddenly said, "Hey, why are you spacing out? Are you communicating with the City of the Dead?"