Chapter 568: Getting Away with It

The moment He Lingchuan took out the treasure scepter, he was both surprised and a little disappointed. Were this young man's unusual actions truly unrelated to the Grand Square Pot's anomalies?

The six counties of Yanbei, as designated by the Stargazing Tower, cover a considerable area. Could it be that the Grand Square Pot was causing trouble in other counties? After all, Mai Xuewen, as another key suspect at the time, was not far away and should have still been within the six counties.

"If that dark deity could be repelled by this treasure, then how did Cheng Yu manage to kill the monarch of Mangguo in the past?"

Fu Shanyue shrugged. "Cheng Yu is a spellcaster who has been famous for a long time. His methods are varied. He might not have used that dark deity to kill the monarch of Mangguo, right?"

Bai Ziqi nodded slowly. However, he still seemed relieved and sighed heavily. "If you had shown it earlier, I wouldn't have been so presumptuous today."

He Lingchuan thought, this fellow is truly full of cunning. Even after he revealed a quasi-divine artifact, his suspicions weren't entirely dispelled.

"You also said this is a quasi-divine artifact. Secret treasures should not be easily shown to others, let alone a quasi-divine artifact?" He gave a wry smile. "In the past, powerful figures would gaze at the scepter, appear unfazed, but then attempt to seize it later. I am truly... afraid."

Who was this young man implicitly provoking? It was almost as if he was pointing at Bai Ziqi's nose and saying, "You are powerful and influential, I'm afraid you'll try to seize it." Fu Shanyue coughed. "Even I was tempted by it. There are many who covet such treasures, so it's always wise to be cautious."

You can never truly know another person's heart. At that time, He Lingchuan and Bai Ziqi had only just met, so his vigilance was understandable.

"What's more, as soon as Administrator Bai arrived in Baishaque, he displayed boundless divine powers. I am far inferior, so I have no choice but to be more cautious."

On the very first day Bai Ziqi arrived in Baishaque, while pursuing Cen Boqing and Cheng Yu, he manipulated a lamp spirit to transform into a giant python, asserting his dominance over He Lingchuan. His apprehension towards this Administrator Duyu was therefore not unreasonable.

Hearing this, Bai Ziqi waved his hand and laughed. "Rest assured, quasi-divine artifacts are rare in the current world, but Xushan at least has a few that we wouldn't stoop to covet from you." He Lingchuan looked embarrassed. "Yes, yes, Administrator Bai is right."

He didn't think Bai Ziqi was exaggerating. If even Beggia had only a few divine artifacts or quasi-divine artifacts to maintain its standing, then other smaller places would be even less likely to possess any.

Bai Ziqi didn't press further about the scepter's origins. Which divine artifact doesn't have a history of bloodshed behind it? Their origins are rarely clean.

He changed the topic. "I heard His Highness mention that you are from Fuguo?" Fu Shanyue thought for a moment, wondering if he had said that.

He Lingchuan nodded.

"What kind of place produces such a young hero?"

"Yun County." This time, He Lingchuan blurted it out, as if he had no hesitation after coming clean with Bai Ziqi. When Second Boss Shi helped him get an identity in Wuze County, he said He Lingchuan had come from his hometown in Yun County.

Bai Ziqi made a sound of understanding and finally stopped asking questions. He then chatted with Fu Shanyue about the recent situation in Lingxu City.

He Lingchuan happily munched on some crab pastries and sipped his wine.

Since Bai Ziqi asked, he would likely send people to Yun County to investigate He Xiao's background later. After all, He Xiao's outsider status was usually not an issue, but it seemed very conspicuous in the Grand Square Pot case that he was investigating.

But He Lingchuan wasn't afraid. Even within Fuguo, Yun County was a remote and secluded place. He Lingchuan had heard Second Boss Shi say that the terrain there was uneven, making travel by cart or horse very inconvenient. Beggia was also too vast; even if Bai Ziqi sent a swift message to dispatch nearby personnel for investigation, it would take at least dozens of days for the information to go back and forth. After dozens of days, He Lingchuan wouldn't even know where he would be. Lingxu City could forget about capturing him!

Bai Ziqi looked at He Lingchuan and smiled. "In the past few days, He Xiao's reputation in the Upper City has been growing." "Huh?" He Lingchuan, still munching on a crab pastry, looked bewildered. "I'm famous? How is that possible?"

Lingxu City was a vast ocean, home to countless powerful figures and monstrous entities. How could a small fry like him possibly make a name for himself? "Word got around, from who knows where, that the special envoy appointed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince caused Zhongsun Mou and Cen Boqing to suffer heavy losses in Baishaque, leading to the case being solved. Also, even Deputy Commander Fan was defeated by you. That's quite something!"

Fu Shanyue chimed in. "The Fan brothers have always been arrogant, but Fan Sheng was defeated by you. For the people of Lingxu City, this matter is much more exciting than you solving the case for His Royal Highness or forcing Cen Boqing's return."

He Lingchuan had almost completely forgotten about Fan Sheng. After the truth of the Cen Boqing case came to light, this Deputy Commander Fan had returned to Lingxu City early with his berserker bears and subordinates.

"Oh no," He Lingchuan pressed a hand to his forehead. "I had completely forgotten about my conflict with Commander Fan." Upon returning to Lingxu City, Fan Sheng would have troops, power, and an even more formidable elder brother. Would he pay more attention to the minor conflict between himself and He Lingchuan? Bai Ziqi and Fu Shanyue exchanged glances and both smiled.

Fu Shanyue said sardonically, "Everyone knows that the eldest Fan brother is protective of his own. With his two younger brothers defeated and injured by you, and your reputation skyrocketing on the back of these victories, it would be strange if he were happy."

He Lingchuan saw Bai Ziqi smile without speaking, and knew that Fu Shanyue was not exaggerating. Having just arrived, he already felt a deep malice from Lingxu City. This was not good, very not good.

"But the eldest Fan brother, being conscious of his status, might not personally act against you." Finally, Bai Ziqi, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up to comfort him. "These kinds of things, you guard against villains, not against gentlemen."

The meal concluded with both parties satisfied.

Watching Bai Ziqi's figure disappear into the bustling crowd, the two of them turned and walked back to the inn.

"Bai Ziqi originally wanted to take you aside for questioning, but I kept obstructing him, so he had to settle for a compromise." Fu Shanyue's smile faded. "This can be considered as having been explained."

He Lingchuan nodded. Perhaps not. Perhaps Bai Ziqi hadn't truly dispelled his suspicions, but only wanted to observe them privately? Still, that was a good thing. He Lingchuan only feared Bai Ziqi's direct confrontation, because his own resources were insufficient for a direct confrontation. If the Sky God and the Emperor disregarded Chiyan's dignity and forcibly took him to the Heavenly Palace for interrogation, he and Fu Shanyue would be utterly helpless. However, the current situation had given him room to maneuver. It was only the third day, and the initial, most terrifying danger he faced upon arriving in Lingxu City had temporarily abated.

But He Lingchuan knew deep down that this advantage wouldn't last, and this victory was too fragile; he had to consolidate it quickly.

Not long after, Fu Shanyue came to He Lingchuan with a red invitation. "Oh, I almost forgot, the Dunyuan Auction will be held tomorrow. Would you like to go and broaden your horizons?"

"Dunyuan?" He Lingchuan had heard this place name from Li Qingge earlier. "What kind of place is that?"

"It's a famous manor on Mount Puta in the main city area. The entire Mount Puta serves as its front and back yard. The Dunyuan Auction is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. There are countless rare treasures, and powerful figures from both the Upper and Lower Cities attend to show their support."

"Sounds good, but why is it held in the Lower City?" He Lingchuan asked curiously. "Wouldn't holding it on a floating island make it seem more impressive... I mean, wouldn't it seem more high-class?"

"General Golden Horn doesn't like that. He prefers the lively atmosphere of the Lower City." "And who is that?" He sounded like a willful person.

"Dunyuan is one of General Golden Horn Jin Jing's properties, and it's very successful," Fu Shanyue smiled. "The Golden Horn Clan has been rooted in Lingxu City for 217 years. Through four generations, their clan has prospered. I recall there are over 420 Golden Horn clansmen, with 37 of them having achieved demon form, which is far higher than ordinary monsters." Before He Lingchuan could speak, he added, "The Golden Horn clan consists entirely of large, single-horned rhinoceroses. Their size and strength are astonishing, making them a crucial fighting force in Lingxu City. Once they don heavy armor and go into battle..." He shrugged. "Even giant elephants might not be able to stop them."

He Lingchuan was surprised. "A general who's always victorious on the battlefield is also quite adept at business in peacetime!" "He has capable people under him who manage his properties, all of whom are human." Fu Shanyue burst into laughter. "Do you think a bunch of rhinoceroses would be good at doing business?"

"Fair enough." He Lingchuan casually took the invitation and opened it, startlingly discovering his own name, He Xiao. "Hmm? This invitation is for me?"

"Their information network is quite efficient. With Cen Boqing being escorted back to Lingxu City in the past couple of days, the story of Baishaque is spreading rapidly. Perhaps they heard that you've dealt with me and Administrator Bai, so Dunyuan felt it necessary to invite you to attend the event."

"Okay, I'll go." He Lingchuan tapped the invitation in his hand. "Is there an auction catalog?"

A thorough and well-organized auction would naturally send the list of auction items to the invited guests beforehand, so they could prepare funds if they were interested. The Dunyuan Auction had been held seventy to eighty times and was very experienced. Such details should not be overlooked.

Fu Shanyue handed over a flat jade tablet, about the length of a pinky finger. "See for yourself."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan was surprised. "A jade slip?"

Having been in this world for over a year, apart from Panlong City in the Soul Realm, He Lingchuan had never seen a jade slip anywhere else. The mediums for writing were always paper, silk, or even bamboo scrolls. He took the jade slip in hand and extended his spiritual sense into it. He immediately "saw" a wide variety of dazzling auction items, complete with illustrations and textual descriptions. Some even had notes on the side indicating the last transaction price for similar items. This method was indeed much more convenient than paper catalogs.

As He Lingchuan looked, he asked Fu Shanyue, "Have you found anything you're interested in?"

"Just looking for now," Fu Shanyue replied lazily. "We'll talk about it then."

The next morning, Dunyuan.

When Fu Shanyue and He Lingchuan arrived, the auction had already begun, and would continue until after sunset. Although he had been mentally prepared, He Lingchuan was still utterly stunned when he entered Dunyuan. It was huge, incredibly huge. This was the main city area of Lingxu's Lower City, where the poor barely had standing room, yet Dunyuan occupied an entire mountain.

It was early autumn. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over half the mountain, and the plane trees and five-lobed maples muffled the last whispers of cicadas. A west wind wound around the trees, scattering red leaves. The tree canopy gently swayed, revealing a corner of the eaves corridor, from which came the faint sound of bells.