Chapter 572: Enemies Meet

Chapter 568: Enemies Meet

How boring would a peaceful auction be without the occasional eruption from influential figures?

He Lingchuan, who had already taken a seat beside Fu Shanyue, whispered a reminder: "Zhongsun Ce is about to give up."

Zhongsun Ce’s gaze darted around, and his bidding began to waver, unlike his earlier resolve.

He had considered letting Fu Shanyue be stuck with the Blood Infusion Vine, thinking anyone who paid fifteen thousand for it would be a fool.

Fu Shanyue grinned at Zhongsun Ce, holding up a stack of banknotes. "This is the money your brother paid my special envoy the day he disappeared—a full fifty thousand taels. I’ll use it to buy the Blood Infusion Vine."

Seeing the banknotes, Zhongsun Ce’s eyes reddened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Sixteen thousand taels!"

That’s more like it, Fu Shanyue smiled.

Not a single banknote He Lingchuan had earned himself could be given to him. Fortunately, Zhongsun Ce was too agitated to discern the truth.

The bidding round continued until nineteen thousand taels, and the entire hall fell silent.

The auctioneer on stage called out twice. Zhongsun Ce glared fiercely at Fu Shanyue, wishing he could tear him to pieces.

Fu Shanyue sighed, "Give it to him."

The small wooden gavel tapped a few times, and it was sold!

When Zhongsun Ce took the Blood Infusion Vine, his eyes were blood-red.

When it was time to pay, he sobered up, realizing that the price of his hotheadedness was nineteen thousand taels.

But by then, he could say nothing. Facing Fu Shanyue, he merely threw out, "From now on, make sure you never fall into our hands," and then strode out of the venue.

Fu Shanyue paid no mind to such a typical villain’s exit line. He stretched, stood up, and started walking out, saying to He Lingchuan, "That was satisfying, truly satisfying!"

He Lingchuan said, "I imagine the Zhongsun family is in a bad mood; they’ll probably seek revenge."

"Let them come," Fu Shanyue said dismissively. "The old man of the Zhongsun family still has some tricks up his sleeve, but at a time like this, he’s preoccupied with his own troubles. How would he dare come looking for mine?"

Cen Boqing firmly insisted that Zhongsun Chi had privately used the elixir of immortality, which was a ticking time bomb. The Zhongsun family was currently scowling angrily at the Cen Mansion and the Grand Minister of Agriculture, merely trying to assert their innocence.

To offend Fu Shanyue again at such a time would be truly unwise.

Chiyan was the victim in the elixir of immortality case, and the Crown Prince of Chiyan himself had rendered meritorious service during the investigation. No wise person would choose this moment to offend him.

Just as they exited, someone came up to them, clapping lightly:

"Splendid! I never expected a few herbs could incite such a fierce contest."

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Fu Shanyue didn't react much, but when He Lingchuan saw the man, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his scalp tingled.

A tall man with resolute features and an imposing bearing.

Another old acquaintance.

He Lingchuan had never imagined he would run into him here.

This damned unexpected encounter!

Fu Shanyue also recognized the man and asked in surprise, "General Hong, when did you return to Lingxu City?"

"Last month." The man’s burning gaze remained fixed on He Lingchuan, as if trying to burn a hole through him. He had thought he was mistaken when he first entered the hall and had rubbed his eyes repeatedly to confirm.

Seeing this, Fu Shanyue immediately asked, "You two know each other?"

He Lingchuan remained silent, his fists clenched in his sleeves, his back stiff from the sudden, unexpected crisis. The man, however, said, "No, I don't. Won't you introduce us?"

"He Xiao, this is General Hong Chenglüe, a renowned general of my Beijia."

"General Hong, this is He Xiao, my special envoy for investigations."

In that instant, He Lingchuan's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through it.

Hong Chenglüe knew his true identity!

And Hong Chenglüe had a blood feud with him!

What now? Turn and flee, or draw his blade and strike him down?

Should he remain inactive?

Hong Chenglüe would never be as undiscerning as Nian Zanli. How would he treat him?

"Investigating a case?" Hong Chenglüe seemed to be steadying his breath. "What case?"

"The elixir of immortality case, have you heard of it?"

Hong Chenglüe nodded slowly. "So He Xiao handled it! Accomplished at such a young age! Where did Your Highness find such a talent?"

He emphasized the name "He Xiao."

"He is from Fu Country."

Hong Chenglüe let out a long "Oh," saying, "Fu Country."

It was late autumn, and He Lingchuan felt only cold air fill his lungs, yet he forced a smile at Hong Chenglüe. "General Hong, what brings you to Dunyuan?"

Hong Chenglüe, who had spotted him first, had calmed down from his initial excitement. "I heard there was Boundless Gold being auctioned at Dunyuan this time. Even if I can’t buy it, I wanted to witness the spectacle."

Fu Shanyue also recalled such a treasure. "Ah yes, the auction of Boundless Gold is certainly worth seeing. Has it started yet?"

"It’s about to begin, in Hanxiang Hall." Hong Chenglüe even managed a smile. "Shall we go together and have a look?"

No one else had any objections, so they descended the steps and headed towards Hanxiang Hall.

Along the way, Hong Chenglüe inquired about the elixir of immortality case.

This was Fu Shanyue’s proud achievement, and he answered every question.

Having faced life-and-death situations multiple times in both reality and the Spirit Realm, He Lingchuan quickly freed himself from the unexpected tension and even interjected a few words while Fu Shanyue was speaking.

Since Hong Chenglüe did not immediately expose his identity or draw a weapon against him, there was still room for the situation to turn around.

For now, he could only take it one step at a time.

The conversation between the three was strangely harmonious.

Fu Shanyue then asked, "With the war on the eastern front being tense, General Hong, what are your recent plans?"

"Not yet," Hong Chenglüe replied, his smile a bit stiff. "I’ve only just returned. Such a desirable assignment as going to war might not fall to me just yet."

Just as Fu Shanyue had mentioned, Beijia had many renowned generals but had also enjoyed a long period of peace. Opportunities to gain military merits were scarce; who wouldn’t want to go east and lead troops into battle?

He Lingchuan listened, his thoughts racing.

Hanxiang Hall was crowded with prominent figures.

He Lingchuan looked up. The previous batch of auction items had been removed, and new ones were being placed on the stage. A few people seemed to be speaking with the auctioneer, who nodded repeatedly.

Before everyone had settled into their seats, the auctioneer announced loudly:

"Auction item number 1111, an unknown exotic item shaped like an ox horn, is now open for bidding!"

He Lingchuan was startled.

Wasn’t this the item the divine bone necklace had taken a fancy to earlier? Didn’t the attendant by the display cabinet say it would be auctioned in Tianyu Tower? Why had it been moved to Hanxiang Hall?

However, it was perfectly normal for auction items to be temporarily switched between exhibition halls and for their order to change, so he didn’t dwell on it.

At that moment, two old friends approached Fu Shanyue and chatted intimately with him.

Without Fu Shanyue as an intermediary, Hong Chenglüe’s gaze immediately shifted to He Lingchuan. "Shall we talk?" he said, then glanced towards a corner.

The main hall of Hanxiang Hall was vast. As the auction had already begun, most people were gathered in the central area, leaving only attendants and guards standing in the corners.

He Lingchuan took a deep breath and walked over with him.

The exhibition area was bustling, and he had no mind to listen further.

With no one else around, Hong Chenglüe immediately said, "You spy, you're truly bold."

"Foreigners touring Beijia come from all corners of the world. Are they all spies?" By this time, He Lingchuan had calmed down. A bottle of fine wine was placed nearby, but he didn't want to make any move that would provoke Hong Chenglüe.

"After the Hanhe battle, I always regretted not finishing off He Chunhua with a few more stabs." Hong Chenglüe had believed he had personally killed his enemy, but he hadn't. "It was only when I returned to Beijia that I heard He Chunhua was still alive. Heaven be praised, for sending you right before me!"

"I’ll kill you and send your head to He Chunhua; then, in a few days, I’ll send him to join you!" The venom in his eyes was about to burst forth, and his internal energy surged around him, threatening a thunderous strike the very next second.

He Lingchuan immediately mustered his true energy, and the Fusheng Blade was ready to be drawn. He had fought Hong Chenglüe before and knew how terrifying a full-power strike from him could be.

Even though this was not amidst a battlefield.

In that brief moment, endless thoughts flashed through He Lingchuan’s mind. If Hong Chenglüe truly disregarded everything and attacked forcefully within Dunyuan, how would he parry it?

The difficulty of this battle would surpass that of fighting Fan Sheng in Baisha Jue.

Even if he could defeat Hong Chenglüe, how would he deal with the endless troubles that would follow?

The surrounding attendants sensed the intense tension and pervasive killing intent between the two men. They subconsciously stepped back two paces, surprisingly not thinking to come forward and mediate.

But at that moment, a small object suddenly flew between them, speaking in human words:

"Greetings, esteemed guests! Would you like tea or wine?"

This was clearly a small figure, half an arm's length tall, with wings on its back fluttering like a hummingbird's, holding a tray with a teacup and wine glass.

If his full attention hadn't been on guarding against Hong Chenglüe, He Lingchuan would probably have been very surprised, thinking he had walked onto the wrong set, with even a small sprite appearing here.

He had, however, heard that there was a type of tree spirit in the giant forest to the west, born in human form with four wings on their backs, capable of speaking human language after training.

But in reality, this small figure had an expressionless face, lifeless eyes, and somewhat stiff movements, clearly not a living creature.

In fact, it wasn’t just this one; seven or eight other small figures were also flitting about, serving tea and wine to guests, some even offering chewing tobacco and snacks.

However, the unexpected appearance of this small being suddenly interrupted the intertwined energy between Hong Chenglüe and He Lingchuan.

The sense of imminent crisis suddenly faded away.

The two men stared at each other blankly, not uttering a word.

Both had calmed down.

What was funny was that the little tree spirit also stopped between them, unmoving.

After a long while, He Lingchuan reached out and took a cup of wine.

This gesture signified his intention to call a truce.

He said earnestly, "Ah Jin’s death had nothing to do with me."

Hong Chenglüe sneered, "Zhao Pan and Nian Zanli’s conflict had nothing to do with my wife, Ah Jin! Why did He Chunhua want to kill her?"

He Lingchuan sighed deeply. "The deadly poison she swallowed was not given by us."

No one could have predicted Ah Jin would swallow poison.

The killing intent in Hong Chenglüe’s eyes did not recede. "I know, which is why Wu Qing is already dead."

Wu Qing was Beijia’s contact person assigned to him, and also the one who had given Ah Jin the Cold Dove Powder. Hong Chenglüe had restrained himself in Yuan Country, only killing Wu Qing after returning to Beijia and being reinstated to his official position.

With his official position and power restored, killing that person was as easy as slaughtering a dog.

"If it weren't for that person’s deliberate actions," He Lingchuan whispered, "Ah Jin would never have obtained the true deadly poison. Therefore, the one who killed Ah Jin was Beijia, the power behind you."

When he was with He Chunhua, he was still naive and hadn't realized this.

After gaining more experience and looking back at the past, it wasn’t difficult to uncover the truth.