Chapter 981: Meeting and Mediation

Chapter 971: The Meeting and Mediation

He Lingchuan continued, "Later, it was bestowed upon the Crown Prince of Chiyan by the Emperor, because Crown Prince Lingxu accidentally burned down..."

Before he could finish, Yu Zecheng interrupted, "Panshan Residence!"

He remembered! In last year's sensational Elixir of Immortality case in Lingxu City, Crown Prince Lingxu actually broke into the private residence of the Chiyan Crown Prince, committing murder and arson, all just to vent his anger on behalf of Lady Cen!

The words "accidentally" were simply too ironic.

The King of Chiyan was furious and petitioned the Emperor for an explanation.

The Inn in the South of the City, Panshan Residence, and Pianxiang Villa—these places were all connected to the Chiyan Crown Prince and the Elixir of Immortality case!

Yu Zecheng looked at the young man before him with a strange gaze: "Wait a minute, you're not involved in the Elixir of Immortality case, are you?"

He Lingchuan sighed dramatically, "I truly wish I weren't. Unfortunately, I was commissioned by the Chiyan Crown Prince to investigate the case, starting with the missing courier. At the time, I had no idea it was so far-reaching; otherwise, I definitely wouldn't have accepted the commission."

Yu Zecheng was finally shocked and blurted out, "You were the Chiyan Special Envoy back then? You're He..."

That's right, this young man's surname is He!

He Lingchuan scratched his head: "My name was He Xiao then."

The Beijia people behind Yu Zecheng also exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief. They had actually encountered a prominent figure from Lingxu City in a remote corner of the sea, in an obscure archipelago?

Before last year's upheaval at the Heavenly Palace, the most widely known names in Lingxu City, aside from Chiyan Crown Prince Fushanyue, were Chiyan Special Envoy He Xiao.

When the Elixir of Immortality case occurred, even the Chiyan Crown Prince faced setbacks everywhere in Lingxu City. However, as a key figure in the initial investigation, He Xiao was in the center of the most dangerous vortex and indeed frequently encountered peril, but ultimately seemed to emerge unharmed.

This outcome was, in fact, beyond many people's expectations.

He Lingchuan continued, "I stayed in Lingxu City for several months, but I never met Mr. Yu."

"A month before the Elixir of Immortality case, I was transferred to the Eastern Front, so I had no opportunity to meet you," Yu Zecheng said, somewhat curious. "Many people thought you'd returned to Chiyan to become an official. How did you end up drifting to such a remote place, thousands of miles away?"

"The Chiyan Crown Prince sincerely invited me, but I'm a wanderer by nature, making homes wherever I go; I'm not suited for officialdom," He Lingchuan said. He noticed that as soon as he revealed his former identity, Yu Zecheng and the others immediately looked at him differently. Their attitudes became more subdued, no longer arrogant.

Someone who could navigate the great vortex of the imperial capital and safely survive the multi-party power struggles involving Grand Tutor Qingyang, Grand Tutor Shuangye, the Emperor, and the Gods, certainly couldn't be an ordinary person!

Respect is earned, and He Xiao was worthy of Yu Zecheng's different treatment.

"Moreover, after experiencing the Elixir of Immortality case, I narrowly escaped death several times, and I grew to dislike officialdom even more," He Lingchuan sighed. "It's better to stay far from worldly affairs and live a carefree life."

Yu Zecheng remained silent for a moment before saying, "He Xiao has a clear understanding."

As an official himself, how could he not be aware of the petty politicking and corruption in official circles? He deeply resonated with He Lingchuan's words. It was a pity, however, that very few people could truly escape it, and he was not one of them.

At this moment, a maidservant brought sweet soup, placing a bowl in front of each of them.

He Lingchuan raised his small bowl and said, "I'll use this soup as wine and offer a toast to Mr. Yu."

Yu Zecheng smiled, raised his bowl in return, then took a spoonful and tasted it:

"Quite good, it's pleasantly sweet."

"This is osmanthus taro shoot soup," He Lingchuan introduced. "It's made with osmanthus from Yangshan Archipelago, fresh taro shoots dug up on Suoding Island, and a bit of lotus root starch." The delicate sweetness of the osmanthus, combined with the smooth richness of the lotus root starch, made the soft taro shoots especially satisfying.

The two chatted and laughed for a few more moments, the atmosphere becoming harmonious, completely different from the earlier maneuvering and suspicion.

Finally, Yu Zecheng said, "Then, if you please, He Xiao, arrange a meeting for me with Madam Zhu."

He Lingchuan readily agreed, "I will do my best to help you both resolve this misunderstanding."

Yu Zecheng then asked, "The scenery on your island is enchanting; may I stay here?"

"Of course," He Lingchuan replied with great generosity. "Suoding Island welcomes travelers from all directions. Mr. Yu, please feel free to rest here for as long as you wish."

With the formal matters concluded, He Lingchuan stood up to take his leave. Wang Fubao followed closely behind him, departing as well.

Watching their figures disappear beyond the courtyard gate, the Beijia guards behind Yu Zecheng finally spoke, "My Lord..."

"Hush!" Yu Zecheng cut him off and immediately cast a barrier. "On someone else's territory, speak carefully."

"Yes," the guard replied. "Island Master He is actually He Xiao. My Lord, our mission...?"

"The mission proceeds as normal," Yu Zecheng said, his face hardening. "His identity changes nothing."

Everyone assented, and the guard added, "Then, could his sheltering of the spider demon mean he's an accomplice?"

Yu Zecheng's eyes flickered, and he remained silent.

The situation here was somewhat complex, and the existing clues were insufficient for a judgment.

He Lingchuan returned to his office on Suoding Island and found a white egret to send a message to the Silk Web Cave.

The mirror asked him, "Since that man Yu is a subordinate of Grand Tutor Shuangye, why didn't you mention your past acquaintance with Grand Tutor Shuangye?"

"I can't say it; it would backfire," He Lingchuan shook his head. "Grand Tutor Shuangye is cautious and meticulous in his dealings. Although Yu Zecheng is his subordinate, he might not know about my relationship with Grand Tutor Shuangye. If I brought it up rashly, it would only displease Grand Tutor Shuangye in the future."

Grand Tutor Shuangye acted as the guarantor for the transaction between Songyang Prefect Li Qingge and Nian Zanli. However, it was He Lingchuan who facilitated this guarantee, meaning even fewer people were aware of it.

Based on his understanding of Grand Tutor Shuangye, he would never reveal unrelated secrets to his subordinates.

"But Yu Zecheng will definitely report this to Grand Tutor Shuangye," He Lingchuan took a shallow breath. "Once we're past this immediate hurdle, Grand Tutor Shuangye will be the key!"

Madam Zhu was quite straightforward, and He Lingchuan was highly efficient. The meeting between Yu Zecheng and the spider demon was held the following morning on the western beach of Suoding Island.

He Lingchuan had originally wanted to arrange their meeting at Fishbone Reef, but Yu Zecheng disagreed, preferring Suoding Island due to its higher foot traffic.

The supply station wasn't located here, but the southwestern end of Suoding Island was beautiful, always attracting tourists who enjoyed strolling and sightseeing.

Naturally, He Lingchuan did not inform him of the exact location beforehand but instead led him directly there.

To show sincerity, Yu Zecheng brought only two guards.

Madam Zhu, on the other hand, came alone.

This stretch of beach was very open; even a duck waddling on the sand would be conspicuous, let alone someone approaching.

Both sides had their advantages.

Madam Zhu's advantage was obvious; Suoding Island was He Lingchuan's territory, which was effectively her own.

Since Yu Zecheng had already revealed his identity as a Beijia captain, he wasn't afraid of He Lingchuan conspiring with Madam Zhu to ambush him. If he were to perish there, Beijia would surely not spare the Yangshan Archipelago.

However, as the host, He Lingchuan dispatched over a hundred Yangshan guards to the site, surrounding the meeting place. This served both as a display of grandeur and a security measure.

This was his territory; he could deploy as many people as he wished.

It was also an unspoken warning to Yu Zecheng: Don't cause trouble; I have the numbers.

Yu Zecheng naturally understood the message, but upon seeing the formation He Lingchuan had arranged, he secretly scoffed.

*These* were the guards of the Yangshan Archipelago?

Having fought in Beijia's elite military, having grappled on the brink of life and death, he could tell at a glance that these guards' postures were lax, their gazes unfocused, and their expressions relaxed—they lacked any military bearing.

Even the backyard guards of wealthy families weren't this sluggish.

Right, He Xiao seemed to have just subjugated the archipelago's pirates. Ha, pirates are still pirates; they don't truly change just because they've put on different clothes.

Around He Xiao, it seemed only a few guards could truly be considered elite.

When Yu Zecheng and He Lingchuan arrived, Madam Zhu was already there. Her massive body shifted two steps forward, and she said coldly, "You've got some nerve, daring to stand before me!"

The Beijia people had killed many of her offspring, and Madam Zhu was holding a grudge.

Before Yu Zecheng could speak, He Lingchuan stood between the man and the spider, waving his hands repeatedly: "Don't be so fiery; give me some face, alright? Can we just talk today and not fight?"

Madam Zhu snorted, her twelve eyes fixed on Yu Zecheng: "I was merely reclaiming my own shed skin, and you pursued me to the ends of the earth! What kind of demon nation is this, stealing people's treasures and then falsely accusing them of being thieves? How utterly unreasonable!"

He Lingchuan asked, surprised, "So the lost treasure of the Heavenly Palace was the shed spider skin?"

Yu Zecheng's face was cold: "Of course not! Madam Zhu, don't try to confuse the issue. Where is the accomplice who burned down the Heavenly Palace, and where is the secret treasure he stole?"

Madam Zhu replied curtly, "Isn't it still right under the Heavenly Palace's nose?"

The Beijia people paused, then realized she was referring to Jujue.

This answer was perfectly valid. The one who destroyed half of the Star-Plucking Tower was the great fire spirit Jujue, and it was indeed Jujue who snatched the Qiling Treasure Canopy in front of everyone.

But whose orders did Jujue follow, and with whom did he cooperate?

"Don't try to change the subject. Who broke open the Xushan Grand Array and released your remains?" Yu Zecheng said sternly. "Just hand over that person—even if you only tell us their name and origin—and your past offenses can be wiped clean. Beijia might even appoint you as a regional lord!"

He Lingchuan nodded repeatedly from the side: "These terms are indeed generous."

But Madam Zhu's answer was just three words:

"I don't know."

He Lingchuan was anxious on the side: "Madam Zhu, I'm trying to help you. You need to show some sincerity."

"I really want to, but I can't. I've never seen his true face," Madam Zhu said, extending a foreleg to scratch her abdomen. "I don't know how he found out that my shed skin was suppressed inside the Xushan Grand Array, serving as a formation eye artifact. So he came to discuss it with me, saying he could help me retrieve it. As long as I took control of the shed skin and left the formation eye, the array would naturally break."

Yu Zecheng frowned deeply: "You agreed, even though you hadn't seen his true face?"

He didn't believe a single word!

"As soon as I heard there was such a good thing, why wouldn't I agree?" Madam Zhu said sarcastically. "What, someone's willing to help me reclaim my treasure from a thief, and I'm supposed to refuse?"

"Besides," Madam Zhu chuckled, "I just agreed casually. If he failed, I wouldn't lose anything anyway, so how was I to know he could actually pull it off? There are plenty of people who want to smash the Heavenly Palace; has anyone succeeded in the past six hundred years? Why would I think he'd be an exception?"