Chapter 813: Everyone Is Happy

Chapter 805: A Joyful Outcome for Everyone

The interruption of the Sandstorm Season had already struck locals as highly unusual. Daring individuals who ventured to the desert's edge found that the previously aggressive local creatures no longer attacked people much, and ordinary people could now enter the desert without being eaten.

At night, a distorted red glow appeared in the desert's clear sky. It resembled an aurora, yet also looked like the world's firmament had been shattered, with cracks appearing. It was unclear whether the red light was emanating from the ground or filtering in from above.

After some time, the red light formed vague, beautiful, yet abstract shadows.

Later, it gradually became clearer, revealing what looked like mountains, buildings, and rivers—like a mirage.

Nobody knew what was happening. Even in nearby Blackwater City, people could enjoy this spectacular sight from the city gate tower or even from small, nearby hills.

Therefore, the second part of Liu Baobao's letter concerned the new guests in Blackwater City.

Blackwater City was the closest settlement to the Coiled Dragon Desert, making it the first stop for everyone curious about the desert's changes.

Following the Coiled Dragon Desert's unusual behavior, Blackwater City gradually began to receive unfamiliar visitors.

These newcomers, when traveling alone, claimed to be traveling merchants, while groups of a dozen or more called themselves trade caravans.

Liu Baobao believed they were all talking nonsense.

They simply didn't look the part. Liu Baobao ran his own trade caravan, so he could instantly recognize the demeanor of a legitimate merchant group.

The identities of these new guests in Blackwater City were questionable.

Liu Baobao occasionally saw several groups exchanging insults, and judging by their accents, at least one side seemed to be from Baling.

As the number of outsiders in Blackwater City increased, so did the number of unusual incidents.

The number of explorers entering the Coiled Dragon Desert grew daily. They resupplied food and water in Blackwater City, purchased mounts, and then headed north.

Some returned quickly, while others never did.

As a native of Blackwater City, Liu Baobao had naturally heard the legends of the ancient Coiled Dragon City and knew that most people coming here were likely heading for the Coiled Dragon Ruins.

However, very few explorers actually found the Coiled Dragon Ruins.

Most got lost in the desert. The lucky ones returned dejectedly, while the unlucky ones lost their lives.

One adventuring party set out with ten people and only five returned. These five survivors got drunk in a Blackwater City tavern, claiming they had indeed found the ancient Coiled Dragon City. They described it as ruins by day, but transforming into a bustling, sleepless city at night, with merchants hawking goods and children playing, making it very lively.

Two of the adventurers, both curious and bold, even went into an inn in Coiled Dragon City and ordered food.

To their surprise, the seemingly steaming, fragrant, and colorful food tasted incredibly bland, even inexplicably bitter, once it entered their mouths.

Unable to eat it, they turned to leave, but a waiter immediately came to collect payment.

Four dishes and one soup, yet the price was exorbitant.

Why would these people pay?

The waiter roared, "Someone here is trying to skip out on the bill!"

Hearing the commotion, over a dozen constables rushed in from outside and aggressively moved to apprehend them. The adventurers resisted, and a physical altercation ensued between both sides.

Of course, "physical altercation" was their version of events; the reality was likely that they were ganged up on, beaten to the ground, and rendered unconscious.

During this time, no matter whether they offered copper coins or silver taels, the payment was refused.

Later, these individuals awoke under the intense midday sun, finding themselves lying in ruins, their lips cracked and themselves nearly dehydrated.

However, their companions—the five who had eaten the inn's food—were long dead.

Upon hearing this, Liu Baobao consulted with the Great Shaman.

According to Great Shaman Mandu, there is a clear distinction between life and death. The mistake of those people was that the living consumed what should not have been eaten.

Nevertheless, most were relatively lucky, at least returning alive.

Another team was even more unlucky; they were completely wiped out.

Others had seen them in the desert's interior, all in high spirits, claiming they had seen the lights of Coiled Dragon City from afar at night. But ten-odd days later, their bodies appeared at the desert's edge, having died from beatings, stab wounds, violent trampling, and similar injuries.

From the center of the desert to its edge was at least two hundred *li*, so it was unknown how they had perished.

Yet these misfortunes did not deter subsequent arrivals; instead, the number of outsiders in Blackwater City increased daily.

After reading Liu Baobao's letter, He Lingchuan had a clear understanding of the situation.

After resting for a night and collecting the Demoiselle Crane, which had been paid with silver fish, He Lingchuan set off at noon the next day, flying west on his return journey.

Two days later, another batch of mortgaged assets in Yuan State was fully appraised.

Perhaps having experienced the strictness and demanding nature of Hu Qin and his associates, the accounts for this batch of assets were very clear, with no major issues. He Lingchuan readily signed off on the second and final loan installment, which comprised provisions and supplies totaling 3.74 million silver taels.

News of General Changning's great victory in the south had already spread, and with Yuan State receiving over three million in loans, the monarch ordered a day of grand celebration in Yuandu. The city was as lively as during a festival.

Carriages and horses filled the street outside the He Residence, all belonging to parties bringing gifts.

Everyone could see that this long-awaited great victory would lead to immense prosperity and a boundless future for the He family!

The He family had undoubtedly become the most influential new nobility in Yuan State.

Despite this, the He Residence kept its gates tightly shut, refusing all gifts.

This was He Chunhua's instruction before his departure.

Even Madam Ying stayed at home, avoiding social engagements with other noblewomen.

"As soon as they see me, they try to push their daughters onto you before even three sentences are exchanged," she said, looking at her eldest son. "Chuan'er, would you like to..."

"No," He Lingchuan flatly refused. "I'm not interested in common women."

Beautiful appearances were all alike.

In no time, affairs in Yuandu were concluded. He Lingchuan left five Rongshan disciples to continue monitoring the accounts and prepared to travel west with Qiu Hu and others.

Shan Youjun volunteered to accompany He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan sat in the courtyard, watching him, then let out a long sigh. "Did you ever repay the fifty taels of silver you borrowed from Sun Hongye?"

Shan Youjun's expression changed instantly. He had never expected Young Master He to bring that up.

"You're truly not cut out to be a spy," He Lingchuan said, his eyes filled with understanding. "Father sent you to watch me; you're supposed to report my every move to him, aren't you?"

Shan Youjun opened his mouth to protest but found that the sharp glint in He Lingchuan's eyes seemed to pierce straight into his heart.

In that instant, he understood that further explanations would be futile.

He Lingchuan had already seen through him and made up his mind.

Qiu Hu slowly approached from the side, his gaze fixed on Shan Youjun.

His stare made Shan Youjun feel a prickling sensation on his back.

He Lingchuan calmly said, "Only a wise person adapts to changing circumstances. I don't blame you."

During the Battle of Han River, He Lingchuan was swept away by the floodwaters and disappeared for over a year. Shan Youjun, originally his personal guard, had no choice but to start working for He Chunhua then.

If you take someone's money, you must serve them with your life.

With He Lingchuan's sudden return, Shan Youjun faced an awkward choice:

Should he now serve He Lingchuan, or continue obeying He Chunhua?

(End of Chapter)