Chapter 612: Opposite Stranger

**Chapter 607: Strangers Meeting**

The Ke family evidently knew about the lake behind Pianxiang Mountain Villa, which was suitable for boating.

Another guard entered, smiling as he addressed He Lingchuan: “Sir, someone is carrying a boat up the mountain, claiming it’s a gift for you. Everyone outside is gathering to watch.”

“Oh?” He Lingchuan’s spirits lifted. He slapped the gift list. “Come on, let’s go take a look!”

He and Jiao Yu headed to the back mountain, where they encountered the group transporting the boat up the incline. No matter how straight, flat, or wide the road to Pianxiang Mountain Villa was, it still led uphill. Therefore, the custom-made flatbed cart carrying the boat was pulled by four gigantic ox-monsters, each nearly the size of a common elephant.

While Pianxiang Mountain Villa was teeming with dignitaries today, such a large and attention-grabbing gift was truly unique, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Fu Shanyue was also present, accompanied by a man in splendid brocade robes and a jade crown, appearing to be in his thirties.

As He Lingchuan arrived, Fu Shanyue pointed him out, declaring, “The guest of honor has appeared.” Then he turned to He Lingchuan and said, “This is Ke Yanjing, the fifth son of the Ke family.”

Upon seeing He Lingchuan, Ke Yanjing’s eyes brightened slightly. “Is this He Xiao? He truly lives up to his name—handsome and spirited!” At first glance, the man’s attire wasn’t particularly striking, but connoisseurs knew every piece was exorbitantly expensive. Take, for instance, his crane-patterned, tile-grey robe, which subtly shimmered with a hint of gold, its hue shifting under different light. Contemporaries called this color “pond gold”; a standard version cost fifty taels of silver, so the price of his custom-made one was unfathomable.

He Lingchuan returned the greeting with a smile.

Ke Yanjing turned and gestured towards the ornate boat by the lake. “Presenting a treasure horse to a hero is a bit cliché,” he remarked, “so my family thought a magnificent boat would be an excellent alternative.”

He Lingchuan observed the boat: exquisitely carved, with a tiled roof, railed gunwales, and windows on all four sides—essentially, an entire waterside pavilion seamlessly integrated into a vessel. This ornate boat, designed for refinement, could accommodate a maximum of six people if necessary. Despite its compact size, it was fully appointed, with fixed tables and chairs, and two rows of cabinets for storing items like chessboards, dining ware, charcoal stoves, wine pots, and safety equipment. There was even dedicated space within the cabin for fresh water and long-burning charcoal.

Everyone marveled at the boat. Ke Yanjing, pleased by their reactions, then asked He Lingchuan, “Would you like to launch it now?”

“That would be a great help, Young Master Ke.”

The launching of such a valuable vessel typically involved a ceremony, and today presented a perfect opportunity to hold it.

Fifteen minutes later, under the watchful eyes of the assembled guests, the ornate boat glided smoothly and steadily into the lake behind Qilin Mountain.

Everyone applauded enthusiastically.

Fu Shanyue chuckled. “It seems we’ll need to construct a proper dock on the back mountain to conveniently moor the boat.”

He Lingchuan thanked Ke Yanjing once more, then added, “I’m not accustomed to receiving such lavish gifts without having earned them. Why would Young Master Ke present me with something so grand?”

The onlookers gradually dispersed. After all, those present today were either wealthy or noble, not uncultured commoners. After offering a few compliments and acknowledging the occasion, they instinctively withdrew, allowing the main parties to converse in private. Such discretion was a matter of etiquette.

Once the others had moved away, Ke Yanjing addressed He Lingchuan: “My family greatly admires He Xiao for handling matters impartially in Baishajue and not being intimidated by power. How would you and Crown Prince Yue like to visit my home as guests in a couple of days? My father is eager to meet you.”

He Lingchuan was visibly moved. “That sounds wonderful! It would be an honor to accept!”

Ke Yanjing exchanged a few more pleasantries with Fu Shanyue before heading to the main hall. He was soon surrounded by people, the center of attention like the moon among stars. Wealthy individuals who are lavish with their spending are welcomed everywhere.

Fu Shanyue watched, arms crossed, and asked He Lingchuan, “Do you know why his family sent you a gift?”

He Lingchuan shook his head. “I truly don’t know.” What reason would the Ke family have to form an alliance with him?

“You held your own against Fan Sheng twice,” Fu Shanyue explained. “The second time, you even pushed him underwater and utterly humiliated him.”

“So…” He Lingchuan mused for a moment, then caught on. “The Ke family and the Fan brothers are at odds?”

“Fan Bao once killed a member of the Ke family.” He Lingchuan let out a drawn-out “Oh.” “I see!” Fan Bao was a monstrous bear! A bear demon capable of killing a person with a single swipe. “Old Six Ke went hunting and unfortunately encountered Fan Bao... What good outcome could there be? Although it was later ruled a misunderstanding, the animosity between the two families was sealed then and has never been resolved,” Fu Shanyue explained with a smile. “Your defeat of Fan Sheng brought the Ke family a sense of satisfaction. With the Ke family sending you a gift, other influential figures will likely follow suit. And yes, the Tongxin Guard will undoubtedly hear about this very soon.”

He Lingchuan let out a long sigh.

At that moment, however, he spotted a familiar figure among the guests. He exchanged a quick word with Fu Shanyue and then slowly strolled towards them. The moment he approached, the other person instinctively sensed his presence and turned around. Such reflexes, honed on the battlefield, were distinct from those of ordinary people.

He Lingchuan cupped his fists and smiled. “General Nian, we meet again.”

The man, tall and upright yet with a somewhat somber brow, was indeed Nian Zanli! He wasn’t an uninvited guest, however. Following Lingxu City’s tradition, Fu Shanyue had widely distributed invitations for his new residence. At He Lingchuan’s suggestion, Nian Zanli had also been among those invited.

The Governor of Xunzhou smiled as well. “Young Master He, I trust you are well?”

“By your grace, simply being alive is quite a feat,” He Lingchuan replied with a wry smile. “Since our arrival in Lingxu City, peace has been elusive.”

The Crown Prince of Chi Yan’s experiences in Lingxu City had become the most talked-about topic in recent days, spreading through every street and alley. How could Nian Zanli not have heard about them? He had been in Lingxu City for a considerable time, painstakingly managing and making arrangements, yet he had failed to make any significant impact in this vast ocean, left only to lament the profound complexities of Lingxu City. However, with the arrival of Fu Shanyue and his companions, it was as if a great ocean had stirred, and all eyes turned to them. He truly envied such prominence, but he was unwilling and unable to genuinely offend so many influential powers of the present dynasty, as the Crown Prince of Chi Yan had done.

Thus, Nian Zanli’s expression was also one of sympathy. “He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight,” he said. “I hope the Elixir of Immortality case will soon be resolved.” Once the major case is solved and the dust settles, with the guilty apprehended and the culpable punished, the people of Chi Yan will naturally be safe.

He Lingchuan smiled. “I’ll certainly take your good wishes, General Nian.”

They exchanged smiles, as if recognizing a kindred spirit in each other.

He Lingchuan then cleared his throat lightly. “General Nian, might I have a word with you in private?”

“Oh?” Nian Zanli observed his hesitant manner, deducing that the topic was likely sensitive. “Certainly.”

He Lingchuan glanced around and, seeing the ornate boat moored nearby, immediately gestured towards it. “Come, please step aboard.” He then instructed a maid to bring a small jar of fine wine and a plate of pastries. While there was no dock, both men possessed cultivation, allowing them to board the boat with a light leap.

He Lingchuan placed the pastries on the low table, then took up a long oar. With a light push against the bank, the ornate boat slowly began to drift away. His impromptu role as boatman was surprisingly adept; he quickly rowed the ornate boat out into the lake. Behind him, Nian Zanli had already poured their wine, and the two men sat down to drink together.

In late autumn, the maple trees hidden along the shore had donned their crimson attire, and tall plane trees shed their golden leaves.

“Boating on the lake truly offers a different perspective of the landscape than from the shore,” Nian Zanli remarked admiringly. “Young Master Ke is quite the remarkable individual.”

He Lingchuan smiled faintly to himself. “Remarkable, indeed!” he thought. Young Master Ke had chosen to present such an ornate boat precisely when Pianxiang Mountain Villa was filled with dignitaries, simply to make a grand and conspicuous statement. The Ke family was likely accustomed to being the center of attention wherever they went; otherwise, a true treasure like the Mustard Seed Boat crafted by Songyang Prefecture, which was even larger than this boat but could be carried in one’s pocket, would have been presented. That would have been the true treasure.

He Lingchuan, having navigated the currents of social exchanges many times, saw the situation with exceptional clarity: regardless of whether it was a large or small item, given the Ke family’s status, the gift from Young Master Ke was by no means particularly valuable. Evidently, the Ke family’s assessment of He Lingchuan was clear: he was the special envoy from Chi Yan who had humiliated the Fan brothers. While he had indeed caused some unrest in Lingxu City, the ultimate repercussions of offending so many powerful factions remained uncertain. It was prudent to establish a connection for now. Had he not defeated Fan Sheng, the Ke family, the wealthiest in Lingxu, would not have spared him a second glance.

The two clinked cups, chatting about amusing anecdotes from Lingxu City. Among these were bits of gossip and clues He Lingchuan had obtained from Old Ge via the squirrel—minor, harmless secrets of the upper class that were nevertheless unflattering. The more they conversed, the more jovial they became, and the boat was filled with cheerful yet insincere laughter. If Nian Zanli knew that the man before him was his son’s killer, he would likely draw his sword and attack instantly, wouldn’t he? The thought made He Lingchuan’s smile even more self-satisfied.

He also recounted the details of the Baishajue case investigation. This was firsthand information from someone directly involved, replete with solid facts and intricate details, far surpassing the hearsay Nian Zanli had heard. General Nian, a man of extensive experience and knowledge, was visibly moved by the account. He had been in Beijia for two months and had gained a profound understanding of Lingxu City’s detached and ruthless nature. The immense difficulty and risk faced by the Chi Yan people in handling cases under the formidable reputation of “Lingxu City” were beyond ordinary comprehension. Even he sighed sincerely, “You certainly have a difficult task.”

He Lingchuan offered a wry smile. “What can one do? Crown Prince Yue’s journey to becoming the Crown Prince he is today was incredibly arduous. In truth, the Chi Yan monarch’s most favored heir was Fu Shanji.”

Nian Zanli nodded. Fu Shanyue had recently risen to prominence in Lingxu City, so rumors about his past—how the eldest son, once out of favor with the monarch, managed to turn his fortunes and ascend to power—were greatly embellished throughout the city. Even if Nian Zanli hadn’t initially paid attention, he had heard bits and pieces. After all, gossip was a significant topic of conversation in the realm of status and influence. Naturally, he wasn’t foolish enough to directly inquire about Fu Shanji’s death. Everyone understood implicitly.

A brief silence then fell over the ornate boat. Both knew it was time to address more serious matters.

He Lingchuan gazed at the distant long grass. “General Nian,” he began, “the truth is, I invited you onto the boat today to offer an apology.”

Nian Zanli’s expression subtly dimmed; he had already anticipated what He Lingchuan was about to say.

“Even the demon kings, without the Emperor’s express permission, cannot unilaterally deploy elite troops to attack foreign nations.” He Lingchuan refilled Nian Zanli’s cup. “After our farewell at Dunyuan, our Prince returned and deliberated for many days... Alas!” He shook his head. “Therefore, he wished for me to convey his apologies.”

Having spent two months making arrangements throughout Lingxu City, Nian Zanli was already accustomed to rejection and thus felt no particular disappointment at this moment.

(End of Chapter)