After the Immortal Disappeared

Hee Chunhua cleared his throat. It wouldn’t do to admit he didn’t know, would it?

Hee Lingchuan looked wistful for a moment, then said, "Immortals really have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. I wonder what Ancient Times were like. I’d love to see it for myself."

"According to historical records, in those days, Immortal Demons came and went, and Giant Demons roamed the land. Ordinary people could only prostrate themselves on the ground, no better than ants," Hee Chunhua said lightly. "Upper Immortals and Giant Demons both had the power to move mountains and fill seas, and they would devour the people of an entire city on a whim. Compared to then, I much prefer the present."

He added, "News from the front lines says that Nian Zanli’s offensive on the northern front is ferocious. After tonight’s incident, I expect the Royal Court will still order me to head north as soon as possible. We’ll have to depart within two days at the latest. Although we faced danger on this trip to Shihuan, after returning Zhu Xiu’er, many parties have shown goodwill. This has also allowed me to get a better grasp of the Royal Court’s movements."

Hee Lingchuan adopted a carefree attitude. "Dad, our new territory is in the north. We have little to do with the Royal Court. We recruit our own troops and don’t have to answer to anyone. Why are we trying to suck up to the corrupt nobles in the Capital City and Shihuan City?"

The words were harsh, but it was his style, and Hee Chunhua was used to it. "This is the way of an official, and it’s also about preparing for a rainy day. In a future crisis, even if I can’t count on anyone in the court to speak up for me, at least they won’t hold me back or stab me in the back."

He sighed. "Throughout history, how many loyal ministers and great generals were not buried on the battlefield, but died unjustly at the hands of treacherous villains?" After speaking, he looked at Hee Lingchuan and said, "You were quick-witted and your performance was brilliant today. Even General Ke couldn’t stop praising you. Very good, very good."

The two Demon Puppets sent by Dong Rui were extremely difficult to deal with, yet looking back at the entire battle, his eldest son had somehow played a crucial role in both delaying the Werewolf and subduing the Ghost Ape.

’Was it just luck?’ Hee Chunhua was beginning to think not.

No one knows a son better than his father.

His father gave him a look full of emotion, but Hee Lingchuan’s heart skipped a beat. The phrase "quick-witted"—Hee Chunhua had always used it to praise Hee Yue, but this time he had used it for his eldest son.

Most people wanted to be acknowledged, but only Hee Lingchuan often used the Old Turtle Demon’s gatha, "Hide your edge, feign incompetence," to remind himself to act a little dumber.

Tonight, when his family was in peril, he hadn’t managed to hold back and had instead aroused suspicion.

’This is not good.’

Hee Lingchuan raised his head and said deliberately, "General Ke thinks I’m a heaven-sent talent. He can’t be wrong about that. When we go to the Northern Realm, I want to lead troops into battle and achieve unparalleled merits!"

"You think you’re invincible just because you fought off two Demons?" Hee Chunhua scolded with a laugh. "Fine, I’ll give you a chance when the time comes. Don’t be useless!"

Hee Lingchuan seized the opportunity. "Then can you make me a Captain?"

"Military merit must be earned by yourself." Hee Chunhua stood up. "Let’s go find the Wolf Demons. Have them choose their companions as soon as possible. The longer the night, the more things can go wrong."

Hee Yue was taken aback. "Tonight?" It was still the middle of the night, with two double-hours until dawn.

"General Ke’s trip to the Capital City won’t be smooth sailing." Hee Chunhua also glanced at the sky. "We’d best get our affairs in order before something happens."

The Rock Wolves’ "Pact of Alliance" required two freshly slaughtered lambs, the steaming hot kind. The leftover lamb from the inn last night certainly wouldn’t do.

In the middle of the night, the butcher shops wouldn’t be open. Fuzzy Peach used silver to knock open the gate of the nearest slaughterhouse in Shihuan City and picked out two lively little lambs from the back pen, finally fulfilling the promise to the Wolf Pack.

These lambs were no more than a year old, their meat perfectly tender. They truly lived up to what Hee Lingchuan had called their "tender age." The two giant wolves ate with great satisfaction.

Next, it was time to form a one-on-one pact with the Wolf Demons.

It was a process of mutual selection. Both human and wolf had to find each other agreeable to reach a consensus.

Without a second thought, Luu Xin walked straight to Hee Lingchuan’s side. "I choose him!"

Hee Lingchuan’s performance tonight was the best of them all, and the Rock Wolves had noticed long ago.

Hee Lingchuan was overjoyed. "Good taste!" ’Aside from Luu Ze, this one has the highest status in the Wolf Pack, the most formidable appearance, and the fiercest eyes. If I took him for a walk down the street, he’d turn every head, wouldn’t he?’

The remaining giant wolf, Luu Jin, amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, circled Hee Chunhua, Zeng Feixiong, and Wu Shaoyi, sniffing here and there. In the end, it actually stopped beside Hee Yue. "I choose him!"

Hee Yue was stunned by the favor. "...Thank you?"

’This magnificent black giant wolf didn’t choose his father, didn’t choose Zeng Feixiong, but chose him of all people. Is this fate?’

Luu Jin puffed out its chest, held its head high, and gave Hee Yue a roguishly charming grin. "Young Master, I’ll watch your back from now on!"

The others who were passed over were inevitably disappointed. Hee Lingchuan clicked his tongue in wonder and secretly asked Luu Xin, "Is my little brother really that popular?"

Luu Xin’s long wolf face showed no expression. "He looks weaker. He needs the strongest protector."

’That seems reasonable enough.’

The one-on-one Binding Pacts between human and wolf proceeded smoothly and need no further elaboration.

With the pacts settled, Hee Chunhua ordered everyone to return and rest.

...

Before the sky had brightened, Hee Chunhua was shaken awake.

Ying Hongchan gently patted his shoulder. "My lord, Zhao Qinghe has something to report."

’What could be so urgent that it couldn’t wait until daytime?’ Hee Chunhua’s heart tightened. He quickly got up and dressed. Zhao Qinghe was already waiting for him in a corner of the small courtyard.

"What is it?" The air was freezing, and Hee Chunhua wrapped his robes tighter around himself.

Zhao Qinghe, now promoted to Zeng Feixiong’s adjutant, said, "Sir, do you remember Rui Manzi from the Supporting Army?"

"I personally selected him for the squad. How could I not remember?" Hee Chunhua had a bad feeling. "What happened to him?"

"Last night, he and another squad leader got blind drunk. When they left the tavern, a streetwalker accosted them, and he went to her place for the night. During that time, he spoke carelessly and even bragged about the battle at Immortal Spirit Lake. His companion sobered up after vomiting, realized the conversation was inappropriate and violated your gag order, and came to report to me."

After the battle at Xianling Village, Hee Chunhua had issued a gag order to the entire army, strictly forbidding them from discussing or spreading information about the incident, with severe punishment for violators.

It was a military order.

"Did they mention it in the tavern?"

"No."

"Only at the woman’s house?"

"Yes," Zhao Qinghe said. "And it was the woman who took the initiative to ask when the Chief Steward’s wife’s newly adopted daughter had joined the squad."

"She asked proactively?" Hee Chunhua narrowed his eyes. "When did Rui Manzi return to his lodgings?"

"Half an hour ago. The two of them were also questioned by the Patrol on the way, who let them pass only after checking their waist tablets."

"The sky isn’t light yet; the curfew isn’t over." Hee Chunhua glanced at the sky. "Civilians can’t be out and about, so that woman will have to wait until dawn to report and claim her reward. You still have time."

"Your orders, Sir."

"Do what must be done, but don’t cause any trouble for the city’s Patrol Guards." A look of pity crossed Hee Chunhua’s face. "Zhu Xiu’er has had a hard enough time escaping the mire. She still has to live her life in Shihuan; her reputation cannot be tarnished."

"Oh, and Rui Manzi violated a military order. He is sentenced to twenty strokes of the staff. Record it, and the punishment will be carried out once we’re in Xiazhou." A man needs to recover after a beating, and they had a long journey ahead. "Also, issue another order from me: The Supporting Army is forbidden from drinking alcohol for the duration of their stay in Shihuan City!"

With that said, he clasped his hands and returned to his room to rest.

* * *

"BANG, BANG, BANG," someone pounded on the door.

Hee Lingchuan was shooting an arrow in his dream. Startled by the pounding, his arrow went wide, and he woke up.

Before he could curse out loud, the anxious voice of the steward, Old Mo, came through the door. "Eldest Young Master, get up quickly! Someone from the palace is here!"

’The palace?’

Hee Lingchuan scrambled out of bed and opened the door. Two Guards entered and helped him quickly dress and put on his shoes.

He hurried to the inn’s front courtyard, where the rest of the Hee Family had already gathered. A short, plump, beardless eunuch had come to deliver a decree:

His Majesty the King summons the Governor of Xiazhou, Hee Chunhua, to the palace for an audience!

’An audience at the palace before dawn?’

After conveying the imperial will, the fat eunuch said to Hee Chunhua with a beaming smile, "Chief Steward Hee, if you please?"

Hee Chunhua adjusted his robes and cap. Hee Lingchuan watched his father stride out, face ruddy and full of vigor. Where was the slightest trace of exhaustion after a fierce battle and a sleepless night?

A crowd of people swarmed in and then out. Madam Ying smiled and said, "A summons to the palace in the middle of the night. It seems His Majesty the King holds him in high regard."

Hee Lingchuan let out a long yawn. "Is that all? I’m going back to bed."

It had nothing to do with him, anyway. He was just there as part of the reception.

...

When he fell back asleep, he didn’t re-enter Panlong City. Instead, he dreamed of the Immortal Cave Mansion.

To be precise, he "saw" the Divine Bone Necklace sink three zhang below the surface. The surrounding rock and soil, as if guided, poured into the hole in the center of the Divine Bone, flowing in but never out.

Soon, a pale red crystal, as small and inconspicuous as a grain of rice, was also sucked in.

It seemed very reluctant. The crystal shattered midway, turning into an extremely faint wisp of red mist that tried to flee in the opposite direction.

But the Divine Bone’s power was stronger. It yanked and pulled, finally sucking it into the ring.

The commotion underground ceased, and the Divine Bone Necklace quickly rose back to the surface.

Then, Hee Lingchuan was woken by bursts of short, sharp whistles.

He also heard hurried footsteps, shouts, and curses passing by outside the inn, growing more distant.

’Can’t a man get any sleep around here?!’

Hee Yue happened to be passing by outside. Hee Lingchuan rubbed his eyes and called out to him, "What’s going on out there?"

But in his heart, he was thinking about the dream he just had.

’So that’s what happened below the surface last time I entered the Immortal Cave?’

’The Divine Bone Necklace absorbed that wisp of red mist, and after that, the Panlong Dream Realm started letting me enter and exit freely?’

"Soldiers are arresting people. They’ve also strictly ordered all inns and bathhouses not to take in any new guests and to hand over lists of their current ones," Hee Yue said. "Just now, dozens of people across the street were tied together and led away, like a string of candied haws."

Shihuan City had an entire street of bathhouses, which, in addition to bathing, also offered overnight lodging, so they were being monitored as well.

Hee Lingchuan understood. "The Royal Court works pretty fast."

"Rebels have infiltrated Shihuan City and assassinated a Royal Court official. This happened right under the Emperor’s nose; how could it not be taken seriously?" Hee Yue asked him, "How’s your injury?"

Hee Lingchuan had barely raised his left shoulder halfway before crying out in pain. Just then, the Medicine Ape Ling Guang came over, holding a Pill. "Don’t move your shoulder. Master, you shouldn’t exert yourself. I’ll switch you to two other types of medicine, and it’ll be better in four days at most. Your other injuries will be mostly healed in a couple of days."