Chapter 618: End of the Matter

Chapter 613: Finally Accomplished

This was the significant progress he had made by repeatedly putting himself in danger. He alone knew the difficulties involved.

After completing the third heavenly circulation, He Lingchuan slowly ceased his practice. He opened his eyes, about to stand up and get some water, when the Soul-Snatching Mirror suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, hey, look at the sky!"

The sky?

The window had been open. He Lingchuan jumped out and looked up, "What is it?"

"The Heavenly Net Star is bright!" The Soul-Snatching Mirror's voice became shrill and thin. "Yay ha ha ha ha, the tenth star of the Big Dipper, it's bright, it's bright!"

He Lingchuan first located the Big Dipper's nine stars, then counted them, and indeed, ten stars were twinkling. Northwest of the Dubhe star, an extra bright star appeared.

Before He Lingchuan could examine it closely, it flickered out. "Huh?" He held his breath and waited. Surely the people Li Qingge sent wouldn't be so unreliable? They'd already gone over twenty days, which was past the deadline, and it only flashed once? What if the Heavenly Palace didn't notice? Wouldn't his efforts be wasted on a blind audience?

Fortunately, after more than a quarter of an hour, the star lit up again.

"The people sent by Governor Songyang have finally reached the Myriad Gorges Marsh!" the Soul-Snatching Mirror joyfully howled. "You're safe!" It was safe too, hurray! For days, it had been terrified alongside its master.

He Lingchuan let out a long breath, watching the twinkling star, a huge weight lifted from his heart. As soon as he arrived in Lingxu City, he had entrusted Li Qingge to send people with the latest version of the Dragon-Punishing Pillar to the small country northwest of Beijia, to test it in the Myriad Gorges Marsh. This was the latest product from the Grand Square Pot, "very likely" imbued with its aura. He Lingchuan hoped it would divert the attention of the gods, as he had felt suffocated by their scrutiny at the time.

Now that he had passed the True Sight test, the gods and the Demon Emperor should have lost interest in him. Now that the Heavenly Net Star was flickering unusually again, and the divine object's indicated location was in the Myriad Gorges Marsh, he and Fu Shanyue should be completely cleared of suspicion.

Alas, even belated help is still help. He Lingchuan murmured, "I hope it's useful." His next actions were crucial; he absolutely could not afford to be targeted by the gods again.

That night, bells echoed across Tian Shu Peak.

When Bai Ziqi arrived at Star-Picking Tower, Chief Emissary Du Yun was already standing bowed before the Book of Heaven.

"What's happened?"

Chief Emissary Du Yun pointed to the stars in the sky. "Look."

Bai Ziqi looked up, his expression solemn. "The Heavenly Net Star is bright... Where does the divine object indicate it is located?"

Chief Emissary Du Yun extended the tip of his staff and lightly tapped the sand table. "Here."

"This is Juguang?" Bai Ziqi's voice was full of surprise. "How could it be outside Beijia?" He had thought...

"It seems your original investigation direction was wrong," Chief Emissary Du Yun said gravely. "This is Juguang. From the range shown by the divine object, the Grand Square Pot appeared in the vicinity of Myriad Gorges Forest and Myriad Gorges Marsh. Have you been there?"

Bai Ziqi nodded. "I traveled there in my youth, but that was twenty years ago. Myriad Gorges Marsh is rarely visited, but there are several towns around Myriad Gorges Forest that primarily deal in forest products. At the same time, several of those towns connect north and south, making them important transport routes." He paused. "Should I go to investigate?"

Chief Emissary Du Yun shook his head. "According to the gods' will, you are to remain in Lingxu and continue investigating the elixir of immortality case. We will send others to Myriad Gorges Marsh."

"Yes," Bai Ziqi said, looking at the sand table with some reluctance. "When did the Heavenly Net Star light up?"

"It first lit up around 7 PM, flickering on and off," Chief Emissary Du Yun, understanding Bai Ziqi, asked upon seeing his expression. "Have you made any further progress in your investigation of the Chiyan Crown Prince and special envoy?"

Bai Ziqi shook his head. "No."

"Divine Lord Miaozhan also tested the young man named He with the touchstone, and found no abnormalities."

Bai Ziqi immediately responded, "This subordinate misjudged, and is willing to accept punishment." Divine Lord Miaozhan's magic power was boundless, and the touchstone never erred. The immense divine power wasted on a single youth was entirely due to Bai Ziqi's persistence. There was even a slight error at the end, making it impossible to test even Fu Shanyue.

Chief Emissary Du Yun's intention was to remind Bai Ziqi that He Lingchuan had passed the touchstone test and been proven innocent. Now that the Heavenly Net Star had lit up for the third time, and the Grand Square Pot had appeared a thousand miles away, there was even less need for the Heavenly Palace to waste manpower and energy on Fu Shanyue and He Lingchuan.

"There's no need to investigate these two anymore," Chief Emissary Du Yun said. "Also, inform Fan Long."

"Yes," Bai Ziqi sighed inwardly. Even a good horse can stumble; his spiritual perception wasn't always correct. So be it.

Also that night, Hong Chenglue hurried to Autumn Palace.

Autumn Palace was by Frost Lake. Hong Chenglue took a small path surrounded by green trees. Even someone passing by the lake for the first time might not notice this hidden path. After walking a dozen more yards, light appeared. It was a small, two-story building constructed by a winding bay. An old osmanthus tree perfumed the air by the entrance, and three or five late-blooming lotus flowers swayed in the wind in a nearby pond.

The courtyard was quite simple: square bricks, a fish tank, and an old maple tree swaying gracefully, its gnarled branches twisting like claws, its blood-red leaves adding color. National Master Shuangye sat in a bamboo chair in the courtyard, gazing up at the sky. Hearing Hong Chenglue arrive, he didn't turn around, simply pointing to a chair nearby. "Sit."

Hong Chenglue immediately sat down. From a military background, his posture was as solid as a bell, always upright, a stark contrast to National Master Shuangye's casual demeanor.

"National Master, did you summon me?"

National Master Shuangye didn't answer. Instead, he placed his hands behind his head and said leisurely, "When I was a child, there was also a red maple tree like this beside my home. I had no playmates, and my mother couldn't accompany me. Year after year, I would often sit under that maple tree, looking up at the night sky."

Was the National Master explaining why he used 'Shuangye' (Frost Leaf) as his title? Hong Chenglue didn't respond.

National Master Shuangye asked him, "What about you when you were a child?"

"I was an orphan," Hong Chenglue said expressionlessly. "Only A-Jin grew up with me."

"Right, you were an orphan, how could I forget again?" National Master Shuangye sighed, pointing at the sky. "Do you see anything different?"

Hong Chenglue looked up, seeing only the vast night sky, filled with twinkling stars. He wasn't familiar with astrology. After a while, he couldn't spot anything special apart from a few recognizable stars. "My apologies."

National Master Shuangye pointed towards the sky. "Do you recognize the Big Dipper constellation?"

"Yes, I do."

"Count them, how many are there?"

Hong Chenglue counted, his face showing surprise. "Nine... no, ten stars? Huh, how is the Heavenly Net Star bright?" He knew that the Heavenly Net Star was continuously bright every autumn and winter, but not flickering like this.

"Actually, the Heavenly Net Star has unexpectedly lit up twice already this year, and the Heavenly Palace is very nervous," National Master Shuangye said slowly. "I heard that around the time of my birth, the Heavenly Net Star often flickered without warning. Do you know what major event happened back then?"

National Master Shuangye was born about one hundred fifty or sixty years ago? Hong Chenglue thought carefully. "The Whitefish Port Rebellion?"

"Precisely. At that time, Beijia did not immediately suppress it, causing the situation to spiral out of control. And in the west, Panlong City, under Zhong Shengguang's rule, almost became too powerful to manage," National Master Shuangye chuckled. "Therefore, the unusual flickering of the Heavenly Net Star is often considered an omen of impending great chaos."

Hong Chenglue gazed at the Heavenly Net Star. "Are there also signs of great chaos now?"

"Why wouldn't there be?" National Master Shuangye glanced at him. "A time of great chaos is also when a talented general like you can truly prove yourself. I previously applied for your deployment to the east, and the Emperor has finally agreed. Your transfer orders and military tally will arrive soon. In fifteen days, you can depart."

Hong Chenglue was overjoyed. He stood up and bowed deeply to him. "Thank you, National Master!" Newly returned to Beijia, his past achievements no longer counted. He urgently needed a few major victories to establish his position. However, Beijia had few wars, making military merits hard to earn. How many people had their eyes turn red with envy when Fan Er, due to his transgression, was ironically transferred to the front lines? Finally, it was his turn. National Master Shuangye had put in no small effort.

"Perform well," National Master Shuangye advised him. "The battles in the east will not be easy."

Everything was finally returning to a familiar track, and Hong Chenglue felt a mix of emotions. The chance for a comeback had arrived, but A-Jin was no longer there.

"My Lord, I wish to borrow something from you."

The next day, a visitor arrived at Pianxiang Villa. The person wore a blue robe, and a perpetual smile seemed to linger in his eyes. He Lingchuan was greatly surprised to see him: "Mr. Fang?"

Wasn't this Fang Canran, the chief steward of the Golden Horn family? Although He Lingchuan had asked Old Ge to investigate him, nothing useful had come out. Being busy lately, He Lingchuan had put the matter out of his mind. Unexpectedly, the man had come to him.

Fang Canran put down his teacup, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting. "Young Master He, it's only been half a month, and you and the Chiyan Crown Prince are already the talk of Lingxu City."

Recently, the Chiyan people had hogged the limelight in Lingxu City: first by aggressively pursuing the elixir of immortality case, then experiencing two sensational attacks, followed by the Emperor personally gifting them a residence as an apology, and even assigning the Loyal Guard to protect the Chiyan Crown Prince's lodging. Such an honor had not been enjoyed by others for a long time.

"What are you talking about, Mr. Fang?" He Lingchuan said with a wry smile. "We've just finished over half a month of fear and anxiety."

"I see Young Master He has excellent complexion and good fortune. As for the elixir of immortality case, the truth will come out eventually, so there's no need to worry about it excessively." After a few pleasantries, Fang Canran moved to the main topic. "My visit today is to deliver something to Young Master He."

With that, he took a box from within his robe. He Lingchuan's gaze followed his movements, then settled on the signet ring on his finger.

He opened the box, revealing a leather drum lying inside, larger than the flatbreads He Lingchuan usually ate. The leather drum seemed quite old, its leather yellowed, but the drumhead was painted with landscapes, forests, and a moon. Landscape paintings were common; adding a moon wasn't unusual. However, He Lingchuan had never before seen such dense, lifelike forests added among the mountains, as if the leaves would rustle in the wind and mushrooms would sprout from the ground. Beside the mountain and within the forest, a small, two-courtyard house was also painted, with a fence, a roller, and tables and chairs in front, and a well behind. A long string hung under the eaves, unclear whether they were chilies or firecrackers.

This no longer resembled a landscape painting; it was like a Gongbi painting.

"What is this?" He Lingchuan had never seen anything like it, yet he had a vague inkling.

"Dreamland."

(End of Chapter)