Chapter 973: Disappeared History

He Lingchuan was speechless.

Of course, I would! I’d swap for as many as I could, and even if I didn’t have the money, I’d find a way to get it! Money is easy to come by, but getting a great demon to act as your enforcer and obey your every command is incredibly difficult!

To win over the Spider Demon sisters, He Lingchuan would also have to risk offending Beijia and exposing himself.

Fang Canran’s eyes lit up. "That would be an incredibly good deal. Is Brother Dong willing to sell his demon puppets? They’d surely be a rare commodity on Platinum Island."

He Lingchuan immediately looked at Dong Rui, raising an eyebrow.

Indeed, demon puppets are expensive. Why doesn't this guy sell a couple of the useless ones for cash?

Dong Rui flinched instantly. "No selling. They're not commodities."

Then he looked eagerly at He Lingchuan. "Those three materials—?"

He Lingchuan retorted crossly, "You didn't say before that refining demon puppets burns through money like this."

"Otherwise, why would I be so poor? And you won't even let me go out and rob people." Dong Rui said with a distressed expression. "Without money, without materials, I can't continue my research."

If he could just easily get materials anywhere, why would he always follow He Lingchuan?

He Lingchuan pressed his hand to his forehead, hesitating for a long time.

Oh, money, I'm truly letting you down.

Finally, he sighed and said to Fang Canran, "Alright, it's settled then."

Dong Rui was overjoyed, patting his chest enthusiastically. "Don't worry, this money will definitely be worth every penny! Once my little darling comes into being, you'll see it's a bargain at first glance!"

He Lingchuan couldn't be bothered to look at him again. Of the four hundred thousand taels he had just received, a hundred and eighty thousand were already gone before the money even had a chance to settle!

Eight hundred and ten thousand minus one hundred and eighty thousand, he was left with only six hundred and thirty thousand taels.

Ugh, scientific research just devours money, and even then, there's no guarantee of results.

Fang Canran put away the materials list. "Alright, I'll take care of this."

As night fell, the dim Cape Tower lit up with two points of light, looking like distant stars at first glance.

The Ghost Market was open, and an auction was scheduled for tonight.

The streets, deserted during the day, were now lit as bright as day by enthusiastic torches. Almost all shops were open, from inns and restaurants to theaters and pleasure houses. Temporary stalls set up on the streets steamed with activity, and vendors endlessly hawked their wares.

Food, drink, and entertainment were all readily available.

There were also many people, though no one knew where they hid during the day.

He Lingchuan and Dong Rui walked along, eating as they went.

Of course, the most bustling places were the various material shops. He Lingchuan browsed a few; the items were bizarre, but he wasn't particularly interested. Dong Rui, however, dove headfirst into a shop specializing in miscellaneous materials and refused to come out.

After another half hour, He Lingchuan found Fang Canran, and the auction had already begun.

The Platinum Island auction was held in a large mansion, spanning three floors to allow more guests to view the item display stand in the center of the first floor.

Environmentally, it wasn't as grand or upscale as Dunyuan in Lingxu City, nor did anyone provide comprehensive service. But when the auctioneer presented an item, he still had to describe it thoroughly for everyone.

For example, this lot: "Three hundred and seventy refined iron straight swords, three feet three inches long. Seventy-seven of them have minor flaws but can be polished. Not sold individually. Flat price of one thousand one hundred taels. Goods are on the ship; immediate purchase and unloading."

Their origin was completely unmentioned, and twenty percent had flaws. He Lingchuan knew immediately that these were "used" weapons, likely salvaged from some battlefield.

But the price of one thousand one hundred taels was quite reasonable. Judging from the samples displayed, the quality was acceptable, and the craftsmanship was fine; using them in combat would pose no issue.

Seeing He Lingchuan somewhat tempted, Fang Canran immediately said, "Are you interested in this batch?"

"With so many islands, I can't have no one guarding them." Timber, farm tools, and seeds were easy to buy, but weapons couldn't be obtained through legitimate channels; neither Bailie nor Qingguo sold them. If He Lingchuan sought them out everywhere, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

His luck wasn't good. Min Tianxi and Huang Zhao originally had smuggling channels for Mou Kingdom's military equipment, but they hadn't been able to get any goods lately.

"Another batch of blades and spears will arrive the day after tomorrow, and the quality might be better," Fang Canran whispered. "Shall I reserve them for you?"

He Lingchuan was delighted. "I'll leave it to you then."

The items brought onto the stage were diverse, some clearly stolen goods. He Lingchuan had originally only intended to watch the excitement, but ended up bidding on several items himself.

The main thing was that the prices were genuinely good.

No wonder the Ghost Market on Platinum Island was so crowded; value for money was king.

As items came and went on the stage, the two chatted for a while longer, then another weapon was presented at the display stand.

The auction hall was illuminated by fluorescent spores, one placed at each of the front, back, left, and right, clearly highlighting every angle and detail of the items on display.

He Lingchuan had been casual, but as his gaze swept across the stage, it suddenly fixed.

The newly presented item was a black spear.

The spearhead had a blood groove, and from a distance, it resembled the nib of a fountain pen, with cloud-like patterns.

Below the spearhead, there was originally a hanging ring for a tassel, but it had broken off, leaving only half.

A red jade bead was embedded in the spear's handle.

Why did the style of this spear look so familiar?

He Lingchuan suddenly sat upright, blood rushing to his head.

It was identical to General Hong's beloved spear!

The auctioneer announced loudly:

"This item needs no lengthy introduction—the Lightning Response Spear!"

Even the name was the same?

No, that's not right!

He couldn't feel the bloody, battle-hardened killing aura of a weapon that had swept through countless armies from this spear.

When fighting True Lord Sanshui in the Coiling Dragon Secret Realm, He Lingchuan was wearing General Hong's armor, and the weapon he held was the Lightning Response Spear!

That intuitive, blood-connected bond was completely absent from the spear on the stage.

He couldn't be mistaken about this.

"The Lightning Response Spear?" He turned and immediately asked Fang Canran, "Where did this spear come from?"

It was the first time Fang Canran had seen his eyes so wide.

Could He Xiao be this emotional?

"This isn't real..."

Before he finished speaking, a guest in the front row already shouted, "Fake is fake! Be clear about it, don't mislead people!"

"Everyone knows it can't be real," the auctioneer chuckled. "Alright, its original owner called it the 'Little Lightning Response Spear.' The spear shaft is eight feet long, weighs eight catties, and its details are consistent with the original Lightning Response Spear. It also comes with the divine ability 'Lightning Shrink Technique.' While not the original, it's still a good item. Those interested can come up and feel its weight."

Sure enough, a fake was a fake. Otherwise, the Floating Life Saber would have reacted long ago.

"Everyone knows?" He Lingchuan turned and asked Fang Canran, "Is the original version of this spear very famous?"

Fang Canran was puzzled. "You don't even know the story, so why are you so excited?"

"I feel like this spear has a strong connection to me," He Lingchuan said, unconsciously clenching his fist. "I mean the original."

If a matter came down to "I feel," then reason was usually out the window.

Fang Canran immediately sighed helplessly. "The Lightning Response Spear is a famous spear of this era, and there are countless imitations of it. Things like the Little Lightning Response Spear, the Azure Pattern Lightning Response Spear, the Hundred Refined Lightning Response Spear, and so on."

"Why?" He asked. "With so many divine weapons to imitate, why do people only copy the Lightning Response Spear? And where is the original?"

"In the Mou Kingdom's palace," Fang Canran's voice cut through the auction's din to reach He Lingchuan's ears. "The true Lightning Response Spear was the personal divine weapon of the Mou Kingdom's founding emperor."

As the Mou Kingdom rose, the spear also gained renown.

"The Mou Kingdom's founding emperor?" He Lingchuan heard himself say hoarsely. "And where did he get it from?"

Fang Canran mouthed two words silently.

He Lingchuan recognized the shape of his lips and exclaimed:

"Ling...?"

Lingshan!

Fang Canran raised a finger to his lips, gently shushing him. "Lower your voice."

Fortunately, it was noisy around them.

He then added, "It was... bestowed upon the Mou Kingdom's founding ancestor."

The Mou Kingdom's founding emperor's Lightning Response Spear was bestowed by Lingshan?

Then where did Lingshan get this divine spear?

Fang Canran's answer reverted to "I don't know." Lingshan possessed countless secret treasures and divine artifacts; why would they explain the origin of each one to everyone?

He Lingchuan's mind was in turmoil, and his fists clenched tighter and tighter.

The Lightning Response Spear was General Hong's personal weapon; there was no mistake about that.

But over a hundred years ago, the Lightning Response Spear was bestowed by Lingshan upon the first Mou Emperor!

He Lingchuan knew very well the ultimate fates of Coiling Dragon City and General Hong. This spear should have remained with General Hong on the battlefield until the end of her life.

And then what? What then?!

Who took this spear?

He Lingchuan wouldn't have been surprised if it had fallen into the hands of Baling, Xianyou, or Beijia as war spoils.

After all, it truly was a divine artifact.

After all, its former owner was indeed an unparalleled and valiant general of her generation.

This was a divine artifact with both collection and practical value maximized.

But how could it be Lingshan?!

From no angle did it make sense! Unless, unless people from Lingshan were also present at the great battle where General Hong fell.

Why were they there?

What did they do? Why were they able to obtain this extraordinarily significant war trophy a step ahead of the ultimate victors?

He Lingchuan sat stiffly in place, chills creeping up his spine again and again. In his mind, the meeting and conversation between Zhong Shengguang and Lu Xun replayed repeatedly.

At that time, Coiling Dragon City, fighting alone, desperately hoped for Lingshan's support.

At that time, Zhong Shengguang eloquently expressed his ideals to Lu Xun.

However, Coiling Dragon City was ultimately destroyed.

He Lingchuan carefully recalled all the history of Coiling Dragon City he had read and heard. There was not a single word about Lingshan, none!

It was as if someone had erased all relevant records, like fleeting traces in snow and mud, never to be seen again.

So, before Coiling Dragon City's demise, what role did Lingshan play?

He Lingchuan took a deep breath, barely suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

Over a hundred years. After more than a century, Lingshan stood before him again, just as it had stood before Zhong Shengguang over a hundred and sixty years ago.

At that time, Zhong Shengguang, just like He Lingchuan now, felt a strong affinity for Lingshan and was full of hope.

He hoped for a united front, for an alliance against their enemies, for a joint effort to overthrow Beijia.

But what was Zhong Shengguang's ultimate fate?

How could he repeat the mistakes of Zhong Shengguang and General Hong?

He should curb his eagerness, adjust his strategy, and be careful, even more careful!

"Brother He?" Fang Canran's voice seemed to come from a great distance. It took a third call to rouse him. "Brother He!"