Chapter 821: Immortal Descendant

Chapter 813: Descendants of Immortals

Madam Ying was not wrong; although the He family had moved, He Chunhua still instructed people to maintain the place well and conduct memorial services twice a year.

However, only Lu Xiaoyun's name was on the tombstone, with no engraver or other information.

He Lingchuan sighed softly and offered the fresh flowers and fruits he had brought.

What were He Chunhua's true feelings for Lu Xiaoyun? Even though Lu Xiaoyun had passed away many years ago, he insisted on visiting her grave annually while he was in Blackwater City, despite Madam Ying's objections. Yet, he was willing to offer the son Lu Xiaoyun sacrificed her life to bear as a tribute to the gods.

As he was lost in thought, someone suddenly called out from behind him:

"Lord He?"

He Lingchuan turned around and saw an old man standing under a tree about ten yards away. His temples were white, but his skin was dark, and he was thin and wiry, leaning on a hoe.

The old man looked at him carefully for a moment. "Oh, I made a mistake. It's not Lord He; it's Young Master He."

"You know me?" He Lingchuan walked over. "Elder, are you the tomb keeper?"

"Ah, yes," the old man said slowly. "Young Master He was so well-known throughout Blackwater City, it's natural for us to know you. How could you possibly know an old man like me?"

He Lingchuan touched his nose. Blackwater City used to be He Chunhua's territory, and the original owner of his body had indeed been arrogant and was a well-known young master there.

"Excuse me, Elder, what do you know about the deceased Lu Xiaoyun?" He Lingchuan asked him. "Aside from Lord He coming to sweep her tomb every year?"

The old man looked at him, then at the tombstone, and grunted, as if deep in thought.

He Lingchuan secretly mused that the old man only appeared honest. He then took half a piece of silver from his pocket and flashed it in front of him. "Please, think carefully."

Instantly, the old man seemed to recall everything. "Lu Xiaoyun and her uncle moved to Blackwater City over twenty years ago. At that time, this place was still under the jurisdiction of the Andong people. And the folks under the Andong people, well, they weren't good people."

"Her uncle opened a grain store here, but business wasn't good. The rented warehouse either flooded or suffered from rat infestations, causing grain losses all the time," the old man recalled with effort. "I remember, after just a few years, her uncle fell ill and died."

He Lingchuan interjected, "It's said she was from Bailie?"

"Yes, I heard her say it herself. Her hometown was far away, in the east. She and her uncle traveled by boat to a seaport, then journeyed overland to get here."

He Lingchuan's expression shifted slightly. "She didn't say why they traveled so far?"

"No, she just said her hometown wasn't good and they couldn't stay there," the old man continued. "Over ten years ago, I did odd jobs at her uncle's grain store. When he drank, he'd boast that the kingdom of Bailie was descended from immortals."

"Immortals?" He Lingchuan grew interested. "How so?"

"It seems their place originally had immortal families, or was it immortal sects..."

"Immortal Sect?"

"Yes, yes! Immortal Sects," the old man nodded repeatedly. "Later, when the immortals were gone, they built a nation, but in the end, they couldn't hold onto that land and had to migrate."

A nation founded by descendants of immortals? He Lingchuan's heart stirred. "Where did they migrate to?"

"It was very far, I think, past Beijia and further east," the old man said. "He mentioned the name of the place and said it was very accessible and especially prosperous, but I can't recall it."

"Once, when he was drunk, he also said that Lu Xiaoyun was the sole heir of their direct, legitimate line."

He Lingchuan's heart skipped a beat. "Was she the daughter of a tribal chief or a monarch?"

"Ah, how would I know?" the old man scratched his nose. "His words sometimes didn't make sense."

He Lingchuan asked a few more questions, but seeing that the old man couldn't provide any further clues, he handed him the silver and turned to leave White Pagoda Temple.

Another day passed, and He Chunhua arrived.

Compared to He Lingchuan's small entourage, He Chunhua this time brought nearly a hundred cavalry directly from the south. The thundering hooves in the wild sounded quite imposing.

He Lingchuan was startled when he saw him. "Father, you've lost so much weight!"

He Chunhua had only been south for just over a month suppressing the rebellion, yet he had thinned considerably. His skin was dark, but his eyes sparkled with even greater vigor.

Military life was the most demanding. He Chunhua had exhausted himself in these several major battles, and now his aura was outwardly strong, appearing completely different from before.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" He Chunhua smiled broadly upon seeing his eldest son. "Have you properly settled and kindly entertained the members of Rongshan Sect?"

The He family no longer owned property in Blackwater City, so he would have to stay at an inn or guesthouse.

"Of course. Everything has been arranged," He Lingchuan also smiled brightly. "The Red Cliff Road has been thoroughly inspected, and the audit of tax revenues from the past few years has been completed. Haha, I recall that the entries for some years were handled by my second brother."

He Yue had helped his father with work from an early age, and He Chunhua was accustomed to entrusting important matters to him.

He Chunhua nodded repeatedly, looking very pleased. "Good, excellent."

He Lingchuan then added, "I'll be heading back in two days."

"Good..." He Chunhua paused. "What?"

His eldest son was leaving?

"Based on the assessment, Rongshan Sect will be very satisfied with Red Cliff Road as collateral. Assistant Manager Hu Qin has already set off and returned to Rongshan. With everything settled here, I was just waiting to meet you, Father, before returning to Rongshan myself. Eight million *liang*! I already signed off on it before leaving Yuandu, and now even Red Cliff has been inspected and approved," He Lingchuan said deliberately. "Father, you actually didn't need to come all this way; I had everything handled."

He Chunhua was astonished. "The Magistrate of Qiansong Commandery also allowed you to audit their accounts?"

"Of course I did," He Lingchuan chuckled. "I presented an official letter and introduced myself, and they were very cooperative."

The current local officials naturally knew the He family's reputation and wouldn't cross Young Master He—especially since He Lingchuan was on official business, carrying accreditation from King Yuan. Those large red seals were quite intimidating.

He Chunhua silently grumbled a few words to himself, while maintaining a calm expression. "What happens in two days, we'll discuss in two days. The Magistrate is hosting a dinner at Hongyan Tower tonight and has invited us all. It's been a long time since I've been here; let's see if the chef's skills at Hongyan Tower have declined."

Everyone naturally had no objections.

He Lingchuan secretly smiled. Just as he suggested leaving, He Chunhua indeed grew anxious.

Now, it was He Chunhua's turn to find a way to make him stay.

That evening at the restaurant, hosts and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

The Magistrate who took over Qiansong Commandery from He Chunhua was named Hu. He had a broad face and large ears and was exceedingly enthusiastic towards the He father and son.

Being an official in this frontier region was like being exiled; what great merits would he need to leave this barren land and advance? If he could connect with Lord He, things would be much more convenient for him in the future.

He opportunely inquired about the war in the south, perfectly hitting on He Chunhua's proudest achievements. Even with He Chunhua's deep reserve, once the alcohol took effect, he described several major victories from beginning to end, his words filled with satisfaction.

This great victory was indeed his stepping stone.

He Lingchuan listened from the side, also feeling that his father's battles had been incredibly challenging.