Chapter 81: Eating Tofu

The blacksmith, a man not to be easily offended in Blackwater City, quickly said, “No, no, this magical artifact has developed sentience and possesses a self-preservation instinct. Furthermore, it has been tempered countless times, making it inherently resistant to high temperatures. I’m afraid my furnace won’t reach the necessary heat.”

A sentient treasure — would it allow him to melt it down?

“Then who can do it?”

“No one in Blackwater City can do it, and it would be difficult even in Jinzhou.” The blacksmith hesitated slightly. “Your best bet is to go to one of the large eastern cities or the national capital. I’ve heard that the Spirit Artifact Sect has outposts in those places. They might possess secret techniques or specialized furnaces capable of removing the tungsten alloy from the staff’s head.”

Simply put, only a magical artifact could defeat another magical artifact. His were just ordinary furnaces; the staff would merely get a warm bath there. Only sects specializing in forging magical artifacts would have the appropriate equipment.

He Lingchuan knew it was useless to press him. He tossed a small silver ingot to the blacksmith, then stood up and left.

Zeng Feixiong quickly followed. “Let me treat you to a drink, Young Master.”

On the third day after returning from the desert, he received a generous reward. Moreover, Governor He kept his promise, assigning dedicated personnel to look after Old Man Zeng, providing care twenty-four hours a day.

The pressure on Zeng Feixiong significantly decreased. He felt the sky was bluer, his breathing easier, and his purse fatter.

He Lingchuan was indispensable for his safe return. Furthermore, this desert journey drastically changed his perception of Young Master He.

He Lingchuan, however, shook his head. “Another time.”

The thrill of surviving the ordeal had passed. Returning to his usual routine of eating, drinking, and entertainment, he suddenly found it dull.

He decided to just go home and sleep.

But after a few steps, an idea struck him. He suddenly turned back and said, “Let’s make it tonight instead. I’ll have Liu Baobao treat us.”

***

Upon returning to his residence, He Lingchuan didn't immediately lie down to sleep. Instead, he first went to the small training ground to practice his swordsmanship.

This trip to Panlong Desert truly made him realize the gap between himself and Nian Songyu. After falling into the illusion and losing the support of his father and the Blackwater City army, his primary thought when facing Nian Songyu's malice was how to survive; he couldn't even afford to feel angry.

He only learned afterward that Nian Songyu's true nature was even more malicious. In the Panlong illusion, his taunts towards him and Maotao were merely verbal. This was only because he and Sun Fuping intended to sacrifice them later and thus couldn't be bothered to argue with those who were destined to die.

The family's inherited 'Traction Technique' merely laid a foundation for He Lingchuan. While self-motivated, he still needed more advanced and profound techniques.

For the first two months in this world, he had only wanted to live a quiet life and enjoy his wealth. However, the appearance of Sun Fuping and others taught him that in this world, trouble often sought you out.

In the past two days, he had also spoken with He Chunhua, hoping his father could find him more powerful and suitable cultivation methods. He Chunhua readily agreed.

His blade flashed. In the blink of an eye, an hour passed.

What used to be an intensity that left him drenched in sweat now only caused his back to feel slightly damp. Perhaps the life-or-death experiences had increased his physical strength and resilience.

Finally, He Lingchuan stopped. He wiped his face, which had become rough from the desert's scorching sun recently, and decided to go to the kitchen to find something to eat.

He seemed to get hungry faster than before.

He's residence was quiet today. He Chunhua was at the government office, and Ying Hongchan was out. He didn't have to deal with anyone.

He Lingchuan, knowing his way around, found the cabinet where the cook kept food. He opened it and was pleasantly surprised. Aside from red date cakes piled like a small mountain, the cool cabinet also held smooth, white osmanthus almond tofu, quivering delicately when touched with a spoon.

This type of almond tofu required summer ice stored in a cellar for both its preparation and preservation. September in Blackwater City had just entered the rainy season; the weather was muggy and hot. At such a time, a few spoonfuls of cool, sweet almond tofu could completely dissipate the heat from one's brow.

He Lingchuan grabbed a large bowl and poured out nearly half a pot.

He had just eaten a few pieces, when someone nearby urgently called out, “Hey, save some for me!”

He turned his head and saw He Yue.

“Why are you back?” the little bookworm shouldn't be home today.

“I came home to get some account books.” He Yue also started scooping the dessert for himself, his movements refined, but his bowl was as large as He Lingchuan's. “I wanted something to cool down.”

Watching his elder brother devour the food, He Yue hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

He Lingchuan, always perceptive while eating secret snacks, said, “Go on, don't hold back.”

“Recently, my father and I have been incredibly busy. The Panlong expedition resulted in one hundred and five deaths and thirty-seven injuries. Compensation and rewards represent a huge expenditure, along with promotions... All these items were only finalized today.”

“Oh.” What did that have to do with him? Young Master He was always carefree and unconcerned.

He Yue hesitated.

“What else?” The boy's forehead was wrinkled into a furrow. “You look constipated; eat more almond tofu, it's a laxative!”

He Yue instinctively moved his bowl away.

“These tasks were mainly handed to me, because Father has been busy meeting numerous merchant guilds and diplomatic envoys these past few days, going to restaurants four times alone.”

“I know. He even asked me to arrange a meeting with the Liu family's merchant guild for him, Liu Baobao's family.” He Lingchuan dismissed it. “What's the problem? Isn't that his job?”

He Chunhua was always busy at the beginning and end of every Sandstorm Season, because there was a large volume of trade activity within Blackwater City at those times.

This year, the Sandstorm Season had just begun. Merchant caravans and diplomatic envoys catching the last route from Red Cliff Road into Dayuan all had to clear customs here. Only then could they disperse into the eastern and central regions. The workload for He Chunhua and his entire staff was naturally immense.

“All other major and minor meetings were delegated to the officials in the office. Do you know what was special about the guests Father met personally these past few days?”

He Lingchuan shook his head.

“They all went to the capital.” He Yue's expression was grave. “The earliest group set off three days ago. The road east to Woling Pass is now open. If they travel there by boat and then switch to the waterway, they'll reach the capital in just a few days, as it's downstream!”

“So?”

“My office isn't far from the meeting hall, and I often hear laughter and cheerful voices from inside.”

“What's wrong with that?” He Lingchuan thought nothing of it up to this point.

“Big Brother, Father is usually quite stern when meeting merchants. This isn't his usual style.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?” He Lingchuan looked for water, feeling a bit choked from eating too many red date cakes. “Stop beating around the bush like a woman.”

“Let's just keep this between us; don't spread it around.” He Yue hesitated again before saying, “I suspect Father wants them to build momentum in the capital, to spread the rumor first.”

“What rumor?”

“The news that we defeated Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu.” He Yue showed a slight smile. “Haven't you all been exaggerating it wildly in Blackwater City these past few days?”

He Lingchuan retorted, “Isn't it the truth? How can it be called a rumor or exaggeration?”

“If Father hasn't yet submitted his report, then spreading the news beforehand is called a rumor.”

He Lingchuan froze. “Father hasn't submitted his report yet? How is that possible?”