Chapter 829: 拉壮丁

"Alright," Zhang Lianhai said, his smile reserved, his lips barely curving. "With artillery roaring outside, Supervisor He, a busy man, how do you find the time to visit me?"

"The Andong people want to break in, but it won't be that easy," He Chunhua said, his words brimming with confidence. "I've finished all the necessary arrangements. It just occurred to me that I haven't returned to Blackwater City in too long, and I've grown unfamiliar with everyone here. So, I had to visit you one by one, didn't I?"

Zhang Lianhai murmured, "Oh."

He Chunhua's gaze swept over Zhang Lianhai and the others. "I observe that Mr. Zhang and everyone present possess extraordinary bearing, unlike an ordinary merchant guild. May I ask—"

Zhang Lianhai remained silent. A young attendant behind him stepped forward and announced loudly:

"My master is a Lamp Guardian of the Heavenly Palace!"

The guards in the back might not have understood the meaning of those words, but He Chunhua and the others' expressions became serious. He cautiously asked:

"Mount Xu?"

The young man raised his head. "Indeed."

This person named Zhang is actually a Lamp Guardian of the Heavenly Palace from Mount Xu?

He Chunhua displayed an expression of inexpressible surprise.

Luo Tian was right after all!

Although Beijia borders Yuan Country, the Heavenly Palace has historically had no dealings with Yuan Country, let alone a remote western outpost like Blackwater City. A Heavenly Palace envoy suddenly appearing here could only be for the Great Square Vase.

He Lingchuan seized the opportunity to express a reasonable doubt: "Really? What would a Heavenly Palace Lamp Guardian be doing in our Blackwater City?"

He had observed them a few days prior and confirmed that Zhang Lianhai and his subordinates had never seen him in Lingxu City. Only then did he dare to accompany He Chunhua.

Heavenly Palace Lamp Guardians are also divided into several ranks, with Bai Ziqi holding the highest. He Lingchuan had entered and exited Mount Xu several times, seeing many divine attendants and Lamp Guardians, but Zhang Lianhai was not among them.

Zhang Lianhai had probably already been dispatched to Yuanxi by then.

Zhang Lianhai said indifferently, "On official business."

His mission did not require explanation to these bumpkins.

He Lingchuan folded his arms and looked at him. "You say you're Lamp Guardians, but what proof do you have?"

Zhang Lianhai frowned slightly, and the young attendant retorted, "Why should we prove it to you?"

"Because—" He Lingchuan thumbed towards the wall outside, "if you can't provide proof, you'll have to go out and defend the city and fight in the war. You can't just hole up here. Understand?"

The battle for Blackwater City was intense, and what was most needed were able-bodied men who could fight. These dozens of men were strong and fit; sending them to the battlefield would be ideal.

In other words, they were conscripting men.

The He family father and son were playing two roles: what Supervisor He found inconvenient to say, his eldest son would articulate.

The attendant said angrily, "You..."

Just then, the doorman whispered a few words to Zhang Lianhai. The latter cut off the attendant and snapped his fingers.

With a soft 'snap', the platinum candle on the table lit itself.

This candle was pure white with a dusting of faint gold. At first glance, it didn't seem special, and it didn't look out of place in the hall. But He Lingchuan knew immediately it was standard Heavenly Palace equipment; Bai Ziqi also had one.

Zhang Lianhai waved his hand, and the candlelight transformed into a red glow, flying to his fingertip.

"This is my lamp spirit."

He then pointed at He Lingchuan. "Who is this child? Speaking so wildly."

The lamp spirit transformed into a fierce tiger and lunged forward with a roar. He Lingchuan seemed startled and sharply leaped backward.

He Chunhua quickly said, "My unruly son is mischievous; I hope Mr. Zhang will not take offense!"

Only then did the lamp spirit return, floating by Zhang Lianhai's side like a bodyguard.

Everyone abandoned their dismissive attitude. So they really were Heavenly Palace envoys; no wonder they acted so arrogant!

Zhang Lianhai simply laid his cards on the table: "We do not like disturbances. Supervisor He, you might as well state your intentions."

He Chunhua chuckled. "Blackwater City is about to counterattack, and we still lack a few key assets. I was just about to ask the esteemed Heavenly Palace envoys to lend us a hand."

The Heavenly Palace visitors exchanged glances, and again, it was the attendant who spoke: "We are guests from afar; why should guests be made to participate in battle?"

They had no historical ties with Yuan Country; they were simply here on official duty and had no interest in either side of the conflict.

Seeing that these Heavenly Palace visitors didn't even bother with pleasantries, He Chunhua didn't get angry and still smiled. "You all came for the Panlong Desert, didn't you?"

When he suddenly said this, several people opposite him showed a slight change in expression. Zhang Lianhai, however, remained expressionless. "What do you mean by that?"

He Chunhua knew that further pleasantries would be useless, so he simply laid it bare: "I know you all came for the anomaly in the Panlong Desert. Three days ago, a red light shot up from the desert's center, which I presume indicates a change in the ruins of Panlong City. If the Andong people hadn't come to besiege the city, you would probably already be in the desert."

Zhang Lianhai remained silent, taking it as implicit agreement.

"I just received intelligence," He Chunhua said with a smile, "that the Andong people are besieging the city while also sending people to the Panlong ruins. I presume their objective is the same as yours. What will you do if you are trapped in Blackwater City and the Andong people seize the initiative?"

Although Zhang Lianhai and his group were Heavenly Palace envoys, they were few in number. With over a thousand soldiers inside Blackwater City and over three thousand Andong people outside, they held no advantage against either side.

While Blackwater City was besieged, it was indeed difficult for them to leave.

Just as He Chunhua had said, after the red light flashed that night, they should have set out to investigate the anomaly at the Panlong ruins. Zhang Lianhai had indeed intended to depart early the next morning; this was the mission entrusted to them by the Heavenly Palace.

It had already been delayed for two days. If the battle between the Andong people and Blackwater City continued, when would they be able to leave the city?

If other forces seized the initiative, the Heavenly Palace would surely impose blame!

Zhang Lianhai lifted his eyelids and looked at He Chunhua. "Supervisor He isn't leading troops to suppress the rebellion in Yazhou but has come to Blackwater City. Could it be that you, too, are here for the Panlong Desert?"

He Chunhua waved his hand. "The southern rebellion has been quelled. I was dispatched by the Royal Court to Hongya Road on official business. Unexpectedly, I encountered an attack by the Andong people. I wonder if my luck is too good, or too bad?"

Zhang Lianhai chuckled, naturally not believing that He Chunhua had no designs on the Panlong Desert.

But leaving the city was their top priority right now. From this perspective, cooperating with Blackwater City was not a problem.

Everyone was using each other, or rather, they mutually needed each other.

Just at this moment, the lamp spirit beside him suddenly flickered with a small flare.

Zhang Lianhai glanced at it, paused for a few breaths, then said, "Alright, we'll join. The thirteen people here all have some combat ability; dealing with forty or fifty Andong people will be no problem."

"Thirteen people?" He Lingchuan's eyes flickered when he heard this number. Hadn't Situ Han said that over thirty people entered and exited this residence?

He Chunhua was overjoyed. "Mr. Zhang is truly far-sighted!"

After all, he had only just arrived and was no longer the county governor who knew Blackwater City like the back of his hand. Otherwise, it would not have been difficult to notice the discrepancy in the number of residents in the old house.

He stood up. "Then, in an hour and a half, please come to the Wild Goose Inn next to the official residence for a group discussion. I shall take my leave now."

Zhang Lianhai nodded, and the doorman escorted the He father and son out the main gate.

After walking over a hundred zhang, He Lingchuan looked back at the old residence's gate and snorted. "Eyes on top of their heads—are all Heavenly Palace people this arrogant?"