Chapter 488 - 487: An Unexpected Clue

Chapter 488: Chapter 487: An Unexpected Clue

The master of this house opened the main gate and personally welcomed him inside.

"Lord Xiang, you’re too kind."

Hee Lingchuan was paying a visit to the master of this house, a man named Xiang Yan, who had served as the Junior Minister of Works for the Chiyan Kingdom before retiring last winter.

The man was retired, but he looked surprisingly young. Less than half his hair was white, he had few wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and his complexion was ruddy.

"What ’Lord’? I’m already retired," Xiang Yan said with a chuckle. "Lord Special Envoy, you can just call me Elder Xiang."

Hee Lingchuan smiled, took a brocade box from his robes, and handed it over.

Xiang Yan was taken aback. "The Special Envoy is giving *me* a gift? How can I possibly accept?"

"It’s not from me. General Antelope asked me to give it to you." Hee Lingchuan opened the box lid. Inside, a perfectly cut, pink gemstone rested on a silk cushion.

Xiang Yan was slightly surprised, wondering how General Antelope had gotten involved with the Special Envoy. Jiao Yu, at his side, explained, "A kinsman of General Antelope was murdered. He was assisting the Special Envoy with the investigation, but then he was called to the front lines by military order. Before leaving, he asked us to bring you the gemstone."

"I see." Xiang Yan took the box. Though he was in the presence of the Special Envoy, his heart leaped at the sight of the stone. He couldn’t resist taking out the Powder Stone to examine it against the light. "What a fine piece! There’s even a red thread inside, naturally shaped like a dragon."

"I have a fondness for peculiar stones. That old goat just knows what I like. Please excuse my excitement, gentlemen."

Hee Lingchuan asked him, "General Antelope claims to have been your close friend for decades?"

"He’s lived far longer than I have. We only served as officials in the same court for sixty years." Xiang Yan stroked his long beard. "General Antelope has a short and fiery temper and doesn’t get along with many of our colleagues, but he would talk a bit more with me."

This was the difference between demons and humans.

When General Antelope spoke of Xiang Yan, he simply said, "This man is my friend; he can help with the investigation."

But when Xiang Yan mentioned General Antelope, he downplayed their friendship, waiting to see what card Hee Lingchuan would play next.

A maidservant served tea. Hee Lingchuan lifted his cup for a light sip, glancing at Jiao Yu. The latter, understanding the unspoken cue, immediately said, "General Antelope said we could ask for your help with the investigation."

He was a demon, so he liked to speak directly, without beating around the bush.

Xiang Yan was greatly surprised. "The investigation? But I heard the true culprit in the Lingxu City messenger case has already been caught. That news is about to spread all over Baisha Jue."

"The suspect Zhongsun Mou arrested, Fu Songhua, recanted his confession today. He said he was coerced into taking the fall."

"’Take the fall?’" Xiang Yan frowned. "Why did Fu Songhua suddenly change his story?"

"Because Fu Songhua was the one who assassinated the governor of Hezhou. But the messenger case is related to the Fountain of Youth, and he probably doesn’t have the connections for that."

Xiang Yan’s brow furrowed deeply. "Fountain of Youth?"

"My initial investigation revealed that someone has been secretly engaged in Demon-Hunting and Pearl Collection. These Blood Pearls, or Pulp Pearls as they’re also called, are condensed from a demon’s Essence Blood and are one of the main ingredients for refining the Fountain of Youth. All clues point to the northwest part of Baisha Jue City."

"The northwest of the city is where the rich and powerful congregate."

Hee Lingchuan asked him, "Why don’t you live in the northwest, Elder Xiang?"

This was East City.

"I’m not one for that sort of crowd." Xiang Yan waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, the mansions there are too expensive. One mansion in the northwest costs as much as two over here."

"I’ve only just arrived and am unfamiliar with Baisha Jue. Elder Xiang, could you tell me about the prominent figures who reside in the northwest of the city?"

Xiang Yan now had a general idea of the reason for his visit. "There are several classes of residents in the northwest. The first tier are the high-ranking dignitaries from Lingxu City. The second are the retired old officials from Lingxu City, as well as currently serving officials from our Chiyan Kingdom. The third are those who have retired from the Chiyan Royal Court, like myself. The fourth tier, finally, are the various wealthy merchants and gentry."

’Such a clear hierarchy.’

Hee Lingchuan nodded. Fu Songhua had listed out all the noble families in the northwest for him, but he hadn’t been able to explain it as clearly and concisely as Xiang Yan.

’A man who could navigate the sea of bureaucracy for decades and still retire safely was truly in a class of his own.’

"I hear, Elder Xiang, that you’re also very familiar with the officials of Lingxu City?"

"I know a thing or two." Xiang Yan also took a sip of tea. "Several Divine Temples I supervised the construction of earned the praise of a Celestial God. So when Lingxu City was rebuilding Ruins Mountain, I was temporarily transferred over. I worked there for seventeen years."

"Rebuilding Ruins Mountain?" Hee Lingchuan’s surprise was genuine.

’Isn’t that his destination in Lingxu City? He hadn’t expected intelligence to fall from the sky like this.’ "That must have been a massive project, right?"

"Indeed. The former Heavenly Palace was built on the ruins of an Immortal Sect. Despite constant renovations and repairs, it eventually became inadequate. In his later years, the previous Emperor began the reconstruction of Ruins Mountain as a tribute to the Celestial Gods and, at the same time, to rebuild the Spirit Gathering Array. Ruins Mountain is the source of the entire region’s spiritual ley lines. Only with a continuous supply of Spiritual Qi can Lingxu City flourish and prosper."

Hee Lingchuan asked in surprise, "With the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi so weak these days, is that still possible?"

’The dense Spiritual Qi in Lingxu City would certainly benefit Great Demons and cultivators.’

"The original array could no longer gather much Spiritual Qi and had gradually fallen into disuse. Later attempts by various parties to research and repair it were of little use. Fortunately, the Celestial God and the Emperor worked together to create a new Spirit Gathering Array. It uses an Exotic Treasure from Ancient Times as its Array Hub, allowing the earthly array to resonate with the celestial stars. This creates a unity of heaven and man, and it also has defensive capabilities."

Hee Lingchuan’s ears immediately perked up. "What kind of Exotic Treasure is that powerful?"

Xiang Yan stroked his beard and said, "I don’t know either."

’...Elder Xiang, you’re holding out on me.’

"The array’s construction was supervised by someone else, and the process of installing the treasure was a top secret. How would low-tier officials like us be qualified to witness it?" Xiang Yan shook his head. "I’ve privately asked many colleagues, and none of them know what that treasure is."

"Before I arrived, the Heavenly Palace had already been under construction for nine years. By the time I left, the massive project was finally nearing completion. When the Special Envoy goes to Lingxu City in the future, you should visit Ruins Mountain. It is truly a magnificent sight."

Hee Lingchuan’s heart skipped a beat. "I’ve heard that Ruins Mountain holds countless hidden treasures. Have you ever seen any, Elder Xiang?"

"Hidden treasures?"

"Ancient Magical Artifacts? Spiritual Treasures?"

"Who told you that?" Xiang Yan laughed heartily. "Those are all rumors. Ruins Mountain is where the Emperor makes Sacrificial Offerings to the Deities, and it’s also the earthly residence of the Celestial God. Why would it be used to hide treasures?"

This answer was completely unexpected for Hee Lingchuan. "Then where are the Ancient Relics kept?"

"Lingxu City is so vast, do you think they can’t find a place to store things?" Xiang Yan shook his head. "The Cyan Palace enjoys collecting Ancient Secret Treasures, and Lingxu City’s own Treasure Vault is boundless. There are plenty of good places to hide treasures, so why insist on Ruins Mountain?"

’Nothing’s really hidden in Ruins Mountain?’ ’But Second Madam Zhu clearly said her Relic Shell was there.’ "That place is the old site of the Great Returning Sect. Perhaps a secret Treasure Vault was built there."

"If it’s an Immortal Sect’s Secret Vault that has yet to be discovered, then it’s possible." Xiang Yan didn’t completely rule it out. "But other than that, there shouldn’t be anything. I’ve seen the blueprints."

Hee Lingchuan frowned to himself. ’Isn’t this just great? If Second Madam Zhu’s Relic Shell isn’t in Ruins Mountain, where is he supposed to find it?’

’Never mind how large a Relic Shell is. Lingxu City is a massive metropolis with a population of several million. Searching for something there without a clue would be like finding a needle in a haystack.’

’Still, the information he’d unexpectedly gotten from Xiang Yan was also very valuable. He would have to take some time to digest it later.’

Hee Lingchuan steered the conversation back to the original topic. "Elder Xiang, I would also like to ask, which influential families from Lingxu City live in Baisha Jue and are on good terms with Zhongsun Mou?"

"Influential families from Lingxu City who are on good terms with the Inspector? There are quite a few nobles from Lingxu City in town who know the Zongsun Family." Xiang Yan was a sharp man. After a moment’s thought, his eyes went wide. "Lord Special Envoy, you can’t possibly think... think that the Inspector is also involved..."

"What I think is unimportant. In the end, it all comes down to evidence."

Even though there were blocks of ice piled in the corner of the room, beads of sweat started to form on Xiang Yan’s back. "My lord, does the Inspector know what you’re thinking?"

"Well..." Hee Lingchuan stroked his chin. "He’s no fool. I imagine he has his suspicions, doesn’t he?"

Jiao Yu quickly stifled a laugh by pretending to yawn.

Xiang Yan suddenly felt that the old goat hadn’t sent a gemstone, but a pair of daggers to stab him in the back.

’What had he ever done to deserve such a terrible friend?’

"Lord Special Envoy, you must be... careful with such assumptions."

"I know." Hee Lingchuan said, amused. "Without evidence, what can I do to him? Compared to Zhongsun Mou, you should be more worried about me, Elder Xiang."

’I’m worried about myself,’ Xiang Yan thought.

"Among the powerful and wealthy of the northwest, those on good terms with the Zongsun Family include..."

Hee Lingchuan held up a hand. "Narrow it down. I only want the influential figures from Lingxu City."

Jiao Yu asked, puzzled, "Why?"

"Zhongsun Mou prides himself on his Lingxu City origins. With his nose in the air like that, why would he deign to associate with figures from Chiyan?" Hee Lingchuan said lazily. "He would only cooperate with people from Lingxu City."

Xiang Yan immediately said, "In that case, there are only five families left." He then listed them.

Hee Lingchuan listened to each one and committed them to memory.

He looked at Xiang Yan and suddenly said, "Let me ask you one more thing, Elder Xiang. Have you ever heard of the Fountain of Youth before?"

Xiang Yan smiled, a hint of smugness in his voice. "Heard of it? I’ve even taken it."

"Oh?" Hee Lingchuan was instantly intrigued. "How old are you this year, if I may ask?"

’No wonder General Antelope recommended Xiang Yan. So that’s why. Turns out the old goat isn’t as thoughtless as he appears.’

"I’ll be celebrating my eighty-fifth birthday next spring."

Hee Lingchuan was genuinely stunned. "You’re eighty-four?"

Judging by his appearance, Xiang Yan looked to be in his early fifties at most, with bright, sharp eyes. There’s a saying that a person’s legs are the first thing to age, but when he had walked in, his steps were strong and his feet were as light as if they were on springs. He looked like he could run a marathon without any trouble.

The surprised gazes of others always pleased Xiang Yan. He couldn’t help but stroke his beard and say, "Yes, that is the power of the Fountain of Youth. Thirty years ago, I was graciously granted the Fountain of Youth by my king. The spots and wrinkles on my body gradually faded, my old ailments vanished, and my body felt light and healthy. Otherwise, even if I were still alive now, I’d be a trembling, toothless, bald old man."

"Where exactly does this Fountain of Youth come from?"

Xiang Yan gave him a peculiar look. "A question like that... has the Special Envoy not sought answers from the palace?"