Chapter 447: Just Want to Do a Big Job

"How?" Fushanyue, of course, remembered."You said you saw it in your father's study," He Lingchuan stated. "My final condition is that you find those materials for me. And naturally, if there's related content in other books, I want all of that too!"

After that night, the secret represented by the black dragon pattern stayed on his mind; he constantly sought to uncover its truth. But the risk of infiltrating the Akam Monarch's imperial study was too great; it would be better to let the Akam Crown Prince attempt it. Besides, the collection of books there was immense, and who knew what obscure corner his desired book might be hidden in.

"Hey? What do you want that book for...?" Fushanyue's gaze fell on the hilt of the saber at He Lingchuan's waist, and he suddenly understood. "Is the forbidden imperial study so easy to enter?""For you, now, it's a piece of cake, isn't it?"

Fushanyue was somewhat reluctant but, after a moment's thought, could only agree. It was just a matter of spending some time, and he had plenty of that.

So, the three profound crystals served as a deposit, with the remainder to be collected once He Lingchuan completed the task. After the mission was accomplished, Fushanyue would also pay He Lingchuan three precious materials and writings on the black dragon pattern. Even with Fushanyue's noble status, he felt a sting of pain at this point. But this was the first task his father had assigned him since he killed Fushan Ji, and he absolutely had to complete it, or his capabilities would surely be questioned. He Lingchuan was right; if it were an easy job, his furious father wouldn't have assigned it to him.

He Lingchuan grabbed the profound crystals, put them away, and then smiled. "Why didn't you find anyone else? Don't tell me a dignified Crown Prince has no one at his command." From the Demon Nest Swamp until now, he had only spent money with almost no income, truly scraping by. Of course, what he lacked even more were profound crystals, treasures that couldn't be bought with money. Their uses were varied; to name the most basic: his Golden Armored Copper Man could finally be put into operation. While he could borrow money from Li Qingge, seeing the way she smiled at him, he had no doubt that when push came to shove, she could skin him, strip his bones, and swallow him whole. So, he just liked Fushanyue—such a blunt, wealthy employer!

Fushanyue hesitated before saying, "My own people are all out. And I don't trust those who've recently pledged their loyalty."

"Actually, the disappearance of this messenger directly caused the missed opportunity on the eastern front, and the dire consequences haven't been eliminated even now. I heard the Monarch has been furiously angry twice. Therefore, this matter must be investigated thoroughly; there's no way to gloss over it.""And where did this messenger disappear?""Unclear."

"This white-shouldered eagle also has a tuft of white feathers on its chest." Fushanyue also found it tricky. "The last time anyone saw it was in Tai'an City to the north. You'll pass through there anyway on your way north.""You might also encounter some obstacles," he sighed. "Please make sure to... get to the bottom of it! Those four words are also my father's exact words."

"Obstacles?" He Lingchuan picked up on the hint. "Like what?"

"The white-shouldered eagle's flight path is top secret; very few people know it... I didn't even know it at the time." Since He Lingchuan had already agreed, and Fushanyue knew he was trustworthy, he stopped holding back. "I hope it was an accidental injury, but if not, the mole is very likely from Lingxu City. In that case, if I use Akam officials to investigate, they'll inevitably be restrained." All the vassal demon nations were suppressed by Lingxu City. Who didn't know that Lingxu City's powerful figures shouldn't be provoked? Inferiors should not offend superiors; that was a truth."But you're different! You can investigate boldly and fearlessly. I'll bear all the consequences."

He Lingchuan gave him a sidelong glance. No wonder this guy insisted on him being the special envoy; he had chosen He Lingchuan, an outsider with no vested interests in Bega."What if you can't bear the consequences either?"

Fushanyue laughed heartily. "If I can't bear it, then Akam can't bear it, and then Lingxu City will have to think carefully too."

He Lingchuan slowly said, "I'm just afraid that when you can't hold up, you'll cut off your tail to survive, and I'll be that 'tail'.""Rest assured." Fushanyue stopped smiling and said earnestly, "If I'm fine, you're fine. No matter who obstructs you, just invoke the Akam Monarch's name. As for the other pressures—" He patted his chest. "I'll bear them!"

He Lingchuan forced a smile. "You actually just want to make a big deal out of this, don't you?"Fushanyue clapped him on the shoulder. "Brother, you get me!"

He Lingchuan sighed. "I really shouldn't be getting involved in this mess." Could he still not see it now? It seemed there were some conflicts between Akam and Lingxu City. As a vassal demon nation, Akam wanted to find a pretext to irritate Lingxu City and express its dissatisfaction. Between superiors and inferiors, between ruler and subject, there was always a delicate balance.

"To investigate, I'll need authority." He Lingchuan reached out, asking for power after getting money. Fushanyue was prepared, handing him a blood-red token. "This is a special envoy token made from my blood; it reacts to elemental power. Along the way, you can present it to any official, big or small, as if I were there myself. If necessary, you can even mobilize a few troops, though the number is limited. To mobilize a large army, you'd need a commander's talisman." He Lingchuan wasn't from Akam and held no official position there, so he couldn't wear their official insignia. Thus, Fushanyue chose a compromise.

"I'll also give you a guard." Fushanyue pushed open the window and snapped his fingers. A tiger's head emerged from outside the window, its eyes like brass bells staring at He Lingchuan."This isn't Uncle Da, is it?" He Lingchuan remembered Uncle Da being injured by him. Besides, this tiger had darker fur, was larger, and its cheeks were puffed out with white fur."No, this is Uncle Da's son, Jiao Yu." Fushanyue snapped his fingers at the tiger demon. "This is He Xiao. Your old man was defeated by him!""..." Wasn't that just adding fuel to the fire?As a result, the fierce tiger Jiao Yu stared intently at He Lingchuan for a few moments, then leaped through the window and stood still, showing neither resentment nor anger."The Hundred Mountains clan respects strength, so your worries are unnecessary. With it by your side, you can move freely within my country's borders," Fushanyue continued. "I can also show you the information Fushan Ji collected. Any other requests?"

He Lingchuan thought for a moment. "Are there any bird demons?" He had wanted a bird demon for a long time.

After Fushanyue left, He Lingchuan instructed the shop assistant to buy twenty catties of fresh beef. "No bones, and preferably beef belly." This was dinner for his new subordinate, Jiao Yu. Of course, Jiao Yu had a stipend and would pay for it himself.

The fresh meat, still bloody, was devoured by the fierce tiger. As He Lingchuan watched the tiger eat, the adjacent room's door opened, and Li Qingge emerged.

"Young Master Fushan has gone back?" She leaned against the doorframe, also watching the tiger eat. "You haven't gotten into any trouble, have you?""Why do you ask?""He's already the Crown Prince. Anything he discussed with you privately is likely confidential."

This woman was truly astute. He Lingchuan looked at her, seeing her charming smile, and then chuckled. "A white-shouldered eagle messenger sent by Lingxu City disappeared within Akam. Fushanyue wants my help to investigate."Li Qingge's smile faded. "Involving Lingxu City? Should you really consider this carefully?"

"I've already accepted the mission." He Lingchuan spread his hands. "He offered too much, and I need money, so I had no choice.""If you needed money, why didn't you ask me?" Li Qingge glanced at him, her gaze like flowing water, stirring ripples in one's heart. But she knew He Lingchuan was just joking casually.

"White-shouldered eagles only transport confidential information; this is no small matter," Li Qingge said seriously. "Anything concerning Lingxu City requires extreme caution. You're an outsider; why bother getting involved in this murky business?"

If he were merely a wandering, rootless outsider, he would naturally avoid such a whirlpool. He Lingchuan couldn't tell her that when he heard Fushanyue's request, he recalled General Hong's words: If a powerful enemy is unavoidable, then observe it, study it, while it hasn't yet set its sights on you. The more you understand it, the stronger you will become. His thoughts went a step further: Join it!

He Lingchuan didn't believe that an empire that had existed for six hundred years would be without deep-seated problems. But as a passing observer, one could only see the surface. Fushanyue's commission was an opportunity. He Lingchuan needed to delve deeper, using the privileges granted by Akam's royal authority as a safeguard to test the tumultuous undercurrents.

What's more, despite his rapid progress in cultivation day and night, he had already faintly felt the presence of a barrier. This was a problem every martial artist faced. He practiced "Wave Slicer," and only by directly confronting raging waves could he break through barriers and make valiant progress. This referred not only to physical opponents but, more importantly, to the tempering of his state of mind. He always had to strike at the heart of the current, halting flying boats with the waves.

"Precisely because I'm an outsider, I must seize this opportunity." He Lingchuan scratched his head, with the characteristic nonchalance of youth. "Fortune favors the bold. If I want to achieve great things, isn't Bega the best choice?" Working for the royal family, getting closer to those at the top—how many young talents dreamed of such an opportunity?

Li Qingge gave him a deep look. For his age, this answer seemed impeccable. Young and spirited, who wouldn't yearn for rapid ascent? Furthermore, Young Master He had always been impulsive and unrestrained. But would Akam's Crown Prince entrust such an important case to someone with this kind of personality? There were too many contradictions about this young man.

"Alright then, I wish you good luck." Li Qingge's gaze shifted slightly, as if casually bringing up, "By the way, are you going back to Yuan State?"

"Ah, it seems I won't be able to go back anytime soon.""Do you want me to send a message to your family?"

"Well..." He Lingchuan thought for a moment. "Alright, that would be troubling for you, Your Lordship." How could he say "no" or "don't"? This woman was truly something; she had just met a soft rebuff from him, and immediately turned around with a probing counterattack.

Li Qingge smiled. "It's no trouble at all."

He Lingchuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "By the way, Your Lordship, why did you go to Lingxu City this time? I drank too much last time, and I actually don't remember."

"Looking for someone.""Your Lordship truly has acquaintances all over the world.""This person, you might even have met."He Lingchuan was greatly surprised. "Who?"