After the Immortal Disappeared

Hee Lingchuan’s meal cost nearly three taels of silver. He even tipped the waiter with the change, telling him to keep it.

’So expensive, and I can’t even put it on a tab! I really need to find a way to make some more money.’

Xiangyun Garden was the largest theater in Dunyu City. Xiazhou’s most famous performers took turns holding court here. Guests could also listen to storytellers, play chess, paint, play pitch-pot, conduct business... or even if they were just troubled and wanted a quiet place for a while, they could request a private room—a VIP suite located in the back, where it was less crowded and peaceful.

The moment Hee Lingchuan entered Xiangyun Garden, he demanded a private room upstairs, but the Tea Master looked troubled.

"Young Master, the rooms upstairs are all full. How about I arrange a fine seat for you downstairs?"

"Absolutely not." Hee Lingchuan had encountered this situation many times. He lifted his chin. "Are those people worthy of sitting up there?"

Fuzzy Peach, ever the sycophant, chimed in from the side, "This is the Eldest Son of our province’s Chief Steward, Mr. Hee. For Eldest Young Master Hee to grace your establishment is an honor that makes your humble walls shine!"

The Tea Master was startled. ’Is this the big shot who entered the city yesterday?’

"B-But..."

Before he could finish, someone from the side spoke up. "Eldest Young Master Hee, my young master is willing to give up his private room upstairs. Please, this way!"

Hee Lingchuan scoffed and ignored the Tea Master. "Lead the way."

The attendant led Hee Lingchuan to the second floor, to a room diagonally above the stage—the single best viewing box.

The room was, of course, empty now. Hee Lingchuan sat down brazenly, dismissed the attendant, and didn’t even bother asking who his master was.

The Tea Master followed them up and quickly laid out tea, snacks, and a fruit platter.

The Medicinal Ape, Lingguang, hopped onto the table, picked up a tangerine, and began to slowly peel it.

It had been with Hee Lingchuan for about ten days now and had gotten visibly fatter.

The Rock Wolf was always the most eye-catching one by Hee Lingchuan’s side. Having just eaten its fill and with nothing else to do, it lay down under the table and began to sleep.

Hee Lingchuan stayed for two double-hours, watching a few plays and tipping several performers. When the sun began to set in the west, two layers of black cloth were draped over the windows on all four sides, and charcoal braziers were moved behind the curtains in the corners. The hall was suddenly plunged into darkness.

While it wasn’t so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, you couldn’t make out anything more than ten feet away.

A faint sound came from the stage up front. At first, it was a rustling, but it soon blended into the chirping of insects on a summer night.

The Rock Wolf, which had been fast asleep, twitched its ears.

When the insects’ chirping was at its liveliest, frogs joined in.

The people sitting in the hall closed their eyes. It was as if they were truly by a pond on a summer night, listening to such a vibrant chorus of life.

This was followed by the FLAP-FLAP-FLAP of beating wings, a few hoarse cries, and the SPLASH of water. The egrets had arrived.

The moment they arrived, the insects and frogs fell silent.

Then, human voices appeared by the pond—a man and a woman. First, they whispered to each other, their words both crude and teasing, before breaking into a fit of giggles.

The sounds that followed were not suitable for children; writing them out would get this text taken down.

After a long while, all was silent on stage.

Hee Lingchuan’s hearing had improved greatly, and he could now hear the footsteps of someone quietly leaving the stage.

Soon, the black cloths on all sides were taken down, and the setting sun once again filled the hall with its fading light.

The stage was, of course, empty.

Just now, what they had witnessed was a vocal mimicry performance. And from the sound of the footsteps, Hee Lingchuan knew that this grand symphony had been performed by only one person.

’That fellow’s vocal skills are truly impressive.’

Eldest Young Master Hee, of course, led the applause, flamboyantly tossing a silver ingot onto the stage. "Excellent! A reward!"

Amidst the thunderous applause, the same attendant from before came over and whispered:

"Young Master Hee, my young master invites you!"

Hee Lingchuan acted as if he hadn’t heard. Fuzzy Peach crossed his arms and snorted, "Which one?"

The attendant cursed inwardly. ’My master gave up his private room, even paid the bill, and this bastard didn’t even bother to ask who he was. The nerve on this guy!’ But on the surface, he remained respectful. "My young master’s surname is Li. His given name is Shuang, and he is the tenth-ranked of his generation."

Hee Lingchuan chuckled. ’The man in charge is only showing himself now. He’s patient, I’ll give him that.’

"Lead the way."

The servant boy led Hee Lingchuan through two doors to a private room in the rear hall.

After passing through several covered walkways, the music and clamor of the front hall could no longer be heard.

The servant boy pushed open a door. "Please!"

The noble young master inside also stood up and bowed to Hee Lingchuan first. "Greetings, Eldest Young Master Hee. I am Li Shuang!"

"Oh—hello." Hee Lingchuan feigned surprise. "So it’s Young Master Li."

His response was vague, but he knew perfectly well that this was Li Rong’s sixth son, ranked tenth among his generation. When the incident with the Zhan Family happened yesterday, this Li Shuang was nowhere to be seen, likely because he wasn’t in Dunyu.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a fair complexion, long eyes, and handsome features. His smile was bright and sunny. Hee Lingchuan remembered that this was the descendant Old Man Li Zhao had favored most while he was alive, and had even wanted him to be his successor.

He took a seat at Li Shuang’s enthusiastic invitation. A maidservant immediately came forward to pour tea. A platter with four types of fruit was also on the table.

"Young Master Li, what did you want to see me about?"

"To be honest, I have come specifically because of the Li Family’s incident." Li Shuang’s expression turned serious, and he got straight to the point. "This was a grave mistake made by the Li Family. My father and my uncle were too impulsive. I was away in Sanxiangyuan at the time and couldn’t stop them. I rushed back to Dunyu today to immediately seek help from Eldest Young Master Hee."

"Seek help?" Hee Lingchuan feigned astonishment. "Has the Li Family already decided who will arrange the funeral and who will go to prison?"

Li Shuang glanced at the Guards behind Hee Lingchuan, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Hee Lingchuan jerked his chin, and Fuzzy Peach led his men out, closing the door behind them.

But the Medicinal Ape and the Rock Wolf remained.

The Rock Wolf lay stretched out by the tea table, its massive head pointed toward Li Shuang.

Li Shuang shifted back subtly before saying, "Yes. After several clan meetings, it was demanded that my uncle handle the funeral affairs for my grandfather."

That meant Li Shuang’s father, Li Rong, was the one who would have to turn himself in and be taken into custody.

Of course, he couldn’t have volunteered.

Over the past two days, the two brothers, Li Zhi and Li Rong, must have exhausted every trick in the book, trying to rally the clansmen to push the other into the fire pit. It was like the old joke about being chased by a bear: you don’t have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your own brother.

It seemed Li Zhi had run a step faster, for now.

Hee Lingchuan raised an eyebrow. "Who was it that personally suggested deploying the private militia back then?"

Li Shuang fell silent, only offering a bitter smile.

Seeing his reaction, Hee Lingchuan guessed that the one who had called for deploying the private militia and attacking the Zhan Family was, nine times out of ten, Li Rong. In that case, the Li Family hadn’t been wrong to push him to turn himself in. Li Zhi must have leveraged this very point to win over the clansmen and throw Li Rong under the bus.

Hee Lingchuan took a sip of tea and personally shelled a walnut for the Medicinal Ape.

"The witnesses and material evidence are irrefutable. Even if we wanted to absolve him, it would be unjustifiable under the law." Hee Lingchuan said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Young Master Li, are you trying to put my father and me in a difficult position?"

"But it was my uncle’s men who beat the pregnant woman to death. My father actually restrained the others, telling them to be gentler." Li Shuang shook his head. "For my father to bear all the blame is clearly unfair. Since Mr. Hee wishes to enforce the law impartially, then the rights and wrongs of the matter should be clearly distinguished."

"Yes, the rights, wrongs, and complexities should indeed be parsed and calculated carefully." Hee Lingchuan leaned back. "Go on. What do you have in mind?"

"My father is also suffering from the pain of losing his own father. I hope Mr. Hee can grant an extension of a few days so he can mourn for his grandfather," Li Shuang said softly. "My uncle hasn’t been acquitted, either. He was just released on bail, and will be tried alongside my father in two months, correct?"

Hee Lingchuan rubbed his chin. "That should be the case."

He wasn’t too familiar with legal procedures himself, but based on his speculation of his old man’s intentions, that was probably how it would go.

Li Shuang took a piece of paper from his robes and spread it out on the table.

Hee Lingchuan glanced at it from the corner of his eye. It didn’t look like a silver note.

"These are the shares for six of the Li Family’s Xiangpu Records stores, which pay dividends every six months. They are now at Mr. Hee’s disposal, for public or private use."

Hee Lingchuan shot him a sidelong glance. "What’s the meaning of this?" While strolling through the city that morning, he had indeed seen the sign for Xiangpu Records on the main street. The storefront was glamorous, and it seemed to mainly sell ready-made clothing and cosmetics.

’So in Dunyu, they don’t bribe you with cash, but with shares? How fashionable.’

"It is merely a small token of our respect. If my father can delay his surrender for ten days, we are willing to offer three stalks of Kindness Grass as a gift." Li Shuang said quietly, "Does Eldest Young Master Hee know what Kindness Grass is?"

Hee Lingchuan said nonchalantly, "Go on, enlighten me."

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare," Li Shuang said with a smile. "Kindness Grass is one of the main ingredients for refining the Lifespan Extension Pill. It’s nearly impossible to find on the market."

"Lifespan Extension Pill?" Hee Lingchuan was taken aback. "You eat it and your life is extended?"

"Correct."

"Don’t tell me you happen to have the recipe, too?"

"Eldest Young Master jests. How could my family possess such a Supreme Treasure?" Li Shuang shook his head. "It is said the recipe was a gift from the Celestial Gods, and that the Royal Families of the various kingdoms might know a thing or two about it. But the recipe changes frequently; only this main ingredient remains constant. That is why the price of Kindness Grass has remained high for years, being priceless and without a market."

"For such a Supreme Treasure, how did the Li Family come to possess it?"

Li Shuang gave a bitter smile. "Only my grandfather knew that."

Li Zhao was already dead, which meant he had taken the origin of the medicinal herb to his grave. The Hee Family father and son could forget about finding out.

An Attendant passed by outside, and the Rock Wolf raised its head alertly. Hee Lingchuan reached out and stroked the wolf’s head. "Sixth Young Master Li, if you want to save your esteemed father, you might want to start with Dunyu’s current emergencies and needs. A meritorious deed, like reinforcing the borders of Anx City, is the only way to offset a demerit."

What did he mean by that? Li Shuang’s expression changed slightly.

"Mr. Hee thought you might come to me about something else," Hee Lingchuan said, a look of disappointment on his face. "After all, once Li Zhi and Li Rong are both imprisoned, the Li Family will be like a dragon without a head."

Those words struck a chord deep within Li Shuang, and the corner of his eye twitched violently.

His grandfather had passed away suddenly, and the role of Helmsman had fallen to the two brothers, Li Zhi and Li Rong. If both of them were imprisoned, who would take charge of the vast Li Family?

For the past two days, this was the very thing he had been pondering.

Hee Lingchuan added, "I heard that when Old Sir Li was alive, he admired you the most and intended to groom you to take over."

Li Shuang let out a soft breath. "I understand Mr. Hee’s meaning."

Hee Lingchuan stood up, and the Medicinal Ape leaped onto his shoulder.

Seeing him turn to leave, ignoring the deed on the table, Li Shuang couldn’t help but say, "Eldest Young Master Hee, this share deed..."

"You can keep it and collect the dividends yourself." Hee Lingchuan’s expression was solemn. "Mr. Hee does not accept private bribes!"