Chapter 489: Unexpected Clue Obtained

The owner of the house opened the gate and personally welcomed him inside, humbly deferring to him.

The owner Helingchuan was visiting, Xiang Yan, had served as Junior Minister of Works in the Chiyan Kingdom and had only retired last winter. Though retired, the old man appeared remarkably young, with less than half his hair gray, few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and a ruddy complexion. Xiang Yan chuckled, stating that he had already retired and suggesting the Special Envoy simply call him "Old Xiang."

Helingchuan smiled and retrieved a brocade box from his sleeve, handing it to Xiang Yan.

Xiang Yan was surprised, questioning why the Special Envoy himself would deliver a gift to him.

Helingchuan clarified that the gift was not from him, but that General Ling had entrusted him to present it. He lifted the lid, revealing a perfectly cut pink gemstone resting on a silk cushion inside.

Xiang Yan was slightly surprised, wondering how General Ling had become involved with the Special Envoy. Jiao Yu, standing nearby, explained that General Ling's kinsmen had been murdered. He was initially assisting the Special Envoy with the investigation but was later ordered to the front lines. Before his departure, he had asked them to bring the gemstone to Xiang Yan.

"I see," Xiang Yan said, taking the box. Despite the Special Envoy's presence, he was visibly delighted by the stone. He couldn't resist taking out the pink stone and holding it up to the light. "What a fine piece," he murmured, "it even has a natural red thread inside, shaped like a dragon." He chuckled, "I have a fondness for unusual stones; Old Ram certainly knows my taste. Please forgive my excitement, both of you."

Helingchuan asked him if General Ling had mentioned that he had been a close friend of his for decades.

"He has lived far longer than I have; I merely served alongside him in the imperial court for sixty years," Xiang Yan said, stroking his long beard. "General Ling has a fiery temper and doesn't get along with many colleagues, but he always had more to say to me."

This was the fundamental difference between demons and humans. When General Ling spoke of Xiang Yan, he simply stated, "This person is my friend and can assist with the investigation." Yet, when Xiang Yan referred to General Ling, he downplayed their friendship, seemingly waiting to see Helingchuan's next move.

A maid served tea. Helingchuan took a light sip from his cup, simultaneously glancing at Jiao Yu. Jiao Yu, understanding his silent cue, immediately stated that General Ling said Xiang Yan could help with the investigation.

As a demon, General Ling preferred to speak plainly, without beating around the bush.

Xiang Yan was greatly surprised, noting that he had heard the true culprit in the Lingxu City messenger case had already been apprehended, a piece of news that was quickly spreading throughout Baishaque.

Helingchuan explained that Fu Songhua, the suspect apprehended by Zhongshen Mou, had recanted his confession today, claiming he was coerced into taking the blame.

Xiang Yan frowned, repeating the words "taking the blame?" He then questioned why Fu Songhua had suddenly changed his statement.

Helingchuan explained that Fu Songhua was the killer who attacked the Governor of Hezhou. However, this messenger case was connected to the elixir of immortality, and Fu Songhua was likely not involved in that aspect.

Xiang Yan's brows furrowed deeply as he repeated, "The elixir of immortality?"

"My preliminary investigation revealed that someone is secretly hunting demons to extract their beads. These blood beads, also known as plasma beads, which are congealed from demonic essence, are a primary ingredient for refining the elixir of immortality. All clues point to the northwestern district of Baishaque City."

"The city's northwest is where the wealthy and influential reside," Xiang Yan remarked.

Helingchuan asked him why he did not live in the city's northwest. He was currently in the city's eastern district.

"I don't bother with that crowd," Xiang Yan said, waving a hand dismissively. "Besides, houses there are far too expensive. A single residence in the city's northwest costs as much as two here."

"As I'm new to Baishaque and not yet familiar with it, Old Xiang, could you tell me about the prominent figures residing in the city's northwestern district?"

Xiang Yan now largely understood the purpose of Helingchuan's visit.

"The city's northwestern district has several categories of residents. The first tier consists of high-ranking officials and nobles from Lingxu City. The second tier includes retired elders from Lingxu City and active officials from our Chiyan Kingdom. The third tier comprises those who retired from the Chiyan royal court, such as myself. Finally, the fourth tier is made up of various wealthy merchants and gentry."

"A clear hierarchy indeed."

Helingchuan nodded. Fu Songhua had provided him with a list of all the prominent families in the city's northwest, but he hadn't managed to explain them as clearly and concisely as Xiang Yan had just done. Someone who had navigated decades in officialdom and retired peacefully was indeed different.

"I heard, Old Xiang, that you are also very familiar with Lingxu City officials?"

"I know a little," Xiang Yan replied, taking a sip of tea. "Several temples I supervised were praised by the gods, so when Lingxu City undertook the reconstruction of Mount Xu, I was seconded there. I worked on that project for seventeen years."

"Reconstruction of Mount Xu?" Helingchuan's surprise was genuine. Wasn't this his very destination in Lingxu City? He hadn't expected such crucial information to emerge so unexpectedly. "That must have been a massive undertaking, correct?"

"Indeed. The former Heavenly Palace was built upon the ruins of an ancient immortal sect. Although it had undergone continuous renovations, it was ultimately no longer optimal. The late emperor initiated the reconstruction of Mount Xu in his later years as an offering to the gods, and simultaneously, to rebuild the Grand Spirit Gathering Array. Mount Xu is the source of Lingxu City's terrestrial essence; it is only by being continuously nourished by an unending flow of spiritual energy that Lingxu City can remain prosperous and thriving."

Helingchuan asked, surprised, "With the spiritual energy of heaven and earth weakening nowadays, is such a feat still possible?" The rich spiritual energy of Lingxu City, of course, greatly benefits powerful demons and cultivators alike.

"The original array could no longer gather significant spiritual energy and gradually became obsolete; subsequent extensive research and repairs proved largely ineffective. Fortunately, the gods and the emperor consulted diligently and devised a new Grand Spirit Gathering Array. This new array utilizes an ancient wondrous treasure as its core, allowing the earthly formation to resonate with the stars in the heavens, thus achieving a harmonious unity of heaven and man, and also possessing defensive capabilities."

Helingchuan's interest was immediately piqued, and he eagerly inquired about the nature of such an extraordinary treasure.

Xiang Yan stroked his beard and admitted that he did not know.

Helingchuan was left speechless, feeling that Old Xiang was being unhelpful.

Xiang Yan explained that the supervision of the array had been handled by others, and the process of placing the treasure was highly classified, making it impossible for low-ranking officials like him to be privy to such an event. He added that he had discreetly inquired among many colleagues, but no one seemed to know what that particular treasure truly was.

"The Heavenly Palace had been under construction for nine years before I arrived; by the time I left, this colossal project was finally nearing completion. In the future, when the Special Envoy visits Lingxu City, I encourage you to see Mount Xu yourself—it is truly magnificent."

Helingchuan's interest was piqued. "I've heard Mount Xu contains countless hidden treasures," he said. "Have you ever seen any of them, Old Xiang?"

He asked what kind of treasures Xiang Yan was referring to.

"Ancient magical artifacts and spiritual treasures?"

Xiang Yan burst into laughter, asking who had told him such a thing and dismissing it as mere rumor. He explained that Mount Xu was where the Emperor offered sacrifices to the gods and also the earthly abode of the Celestial God, questioning why treasures would be hidden there.

This answer greatly surprised Helingchuan, who then asked where the ancient relics were actually hidden.

Helingchuan paused, recalling Second Lady Zhu's explicit claim that her remains were in Mount Xu. He pressed, asking if they were truly not hidden there. He then suggested that since the location was the former site of the Great Revival Sect, perhaps a hidden treasure vault had been secretly constructed.

"If it's an undiscovered secret vault of an immortal sect, then it's possible," Xiang Yan conceded, not wanting to be absolute. "Aside from that, however, there shouldn't be any. I've personally seen the blueprints."

Helingchuan frowned inwardly. This was troubling news. If Second Lady Zhu's remains weren't on Mount Xu, where was he supposed to find them? Even if the remains were large, Lingxu City was a colossal capital with millions of inhabitants; searching for something there without a precise location would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Nevertheless, the information Helingchuan had unexpectedly gained from Xiang Yan was incredibly valuable, and he intended to process it thoroughly later.

Helingchuan steered the conversation back to his original topic. "I'd also like to ask you, Old Xiang, which prominent families from Lingxu City reside in Baishaque and maintain good relations with Zhongshen Mou?"

"Prominent figures from Lingxu City who also have good relations with the Imperial Inspector?" Xiang Yan pondered aloud. "Indeed, many nobles from Lingxu City in this city are acquainted with the Zhongshen family." Xiang Yan was a shrewd man; after a moment's thought, his eyes widened. He then hesitantly voiced a realization: "Special Envoy, you don't by any chance suspect the Imperial Inspector is also implicated...?"

Helingchuan calmly stated that his personal thoughts were not important; ultimately, everything would depend on the evidence.

Despite the ice blocks piled in the corner of the room, sweat began to prickle on Xiang Yan's back. "Sir," he asked nervously, "does the Imperial Inspector know about your suspicions?"

"Well..." Helingchuan mused, stroking his chin. "He's not stupid; he must have some inkling, wouldn't you say?"

Jiao Yu quickly feigned a yawn to hide his amusement.

Xiang Yan suddenly felt that Old Ram hadn't sent a gemstone at all, but rather had deliberately put him in a difficult position. What had he done to deserve such a troublesome friend?

He cautiously urged the Special Envoy to be extremely careful with such an assumption.

"I understand," Helingchuan said with amusement. "If there's no evidence, what can I do to him? In fact, Old Xiang, you should be more concerned for me than for Zhongshen Mou."

Xiang Yan thought to himself that he was more concerned for his own well-being.

"Among the influential figures in the city's northwest, those with good connections to the Zhongshen family include..."

Helingchuan waved a dismissive hand. "Narrow the scope," he instructed, "only focus on influential figures from Lingxu City."

Jiao Yu inquired curiously why that specific criterion.

"Zhongshen Mou prides himself on his Lingxu City origins, so much so that he looks down on everyone else," Helingchuan explained languidly. "Why would he stoop to associating with anyone from Chiyan? He would only cooperate with people from Lingxu City."

Xiang Yan immediately replied, "In that case, only five families remain." He then proceeded to list them.

Helingchuan listened intently, committing the names to memory. He looked at Xiang Yan and suddenly asked, "I have one more question, Old Xiang. Have you ever heard of the elixir of immortality before?"

Xiang Yan smiled, a hint of self-satisfaction in his expression. He revealed that he had not only heard of it but had actually consumed it himself.

"Oh?" Helingchuan's interest was immediately piqued, and he inquired about Xiang Yan's age. No wonder General Ling had recommended Xiang Yan to him; this explained everything. It seemed Old Ram wasn't as careless as he appeared on the surface after all.

Xiang Yan stated that he would be celebrating his eighty-fifth birthday next spring.

Helingchuan was genuinely astonished. "You're already eighty-four?" he exclaimed. Solely judging by his appearance, Xiang Yan looked to be in his early fifties at most, with remarkably bright eyes. It was commonly said that one's legs were the first to show age, yet his gait was robust and spry as he walked in, as if his feet had springs attached. He appeared fit enough to run a marathon without issue.

The surprised gazes of others always brought Xiang Yan pleasure. He couldn't help but stroke his beard and elaborate: "Yes, this is the power of the elixir of immortality. Thirty years ago, my king graciously bestowed it upon me. The spots and wrinkles on my body gradually faded, old ailments vanished, and I became light and robust. Otherwise, even if I were still alive today, I would be trembling, toothless, and bald."

Helingchuan then asked about the origin of the elixir of immortality.

Xiang Yan gave him a strange look, asking if the Special Envoy hadn't already received clarification on such matters from the palace.