Chapter 538: Map of Penglai Immortal Mountain
"Hmph," the lead soldier snorted, waving to the men behind him. "After them."
In an instant, the large group was gone, leaving behind a choking cloud of dust that stung the eyes.
The youth waved the dust from his face and opened his eyes, staring after the soldiers.
’Who on earth is that child, to have provoked the soldiers? And how could those useless government oafs possibly be a match for them?’
"What could a child so young have possibly done to get so many soldiers after them?" the guard muttered, staring after the retreating figures.
"Enough chatter. Find the silver needles."
"Yes, I’m almost done." The guard counted the eight needles in his hand. He was still three short.
About twenty minutes passed.
"Master, I only found ten. I’ve searched everywhere for the last one, but..." The guard’s voice trailed off as he walked closer, the words catching in his throat.
It was because his master was holding a silver needle, observing it with fascination. With the one in his master’s hand, didn’t that make exactly eleven?
"...Master."
The youth held out a hand.
The guard placed the ten silver needles in his palm.
The youth added the needle he was holding to the others. He then took out a red handkerchief, carefully placed the needles on it, wrapped them up, and tucked the bundle into his sleeve.
"Once we’re in the Capital City, find out who that child was."
"Yes."
The guard was puzzled. ’Doesn’t the master despise children?’
HYAH!
In the distance, another group of riders appeared.
WHOA!
Qian Fanji reined in his horse and called out to the youth, "Young man, have you by any chance seen a horse carrying a child?"
"I have," the youth replied unexpectedly.
"Which way did she go?"
"Down the main road. A short while ago, a troop of soldiers also passed by, seemingly in pursuit of her."
’Soldiers?’
Qian Fanji recalled the gossip he’d heard from the townsfolk just outside the city. ’The little girl must have been in such a rush that she’d forced her way through the city gates, which would explain why she had soldiers after her.’
Just then, Gu Shuo and Zhan Chi rode up as well.
"Qian Fanji, where’s the little girl?" Gu Shuo demanded.
"Ahead."
"HYAH!"
The three of them spurred their horses and galloped away.
The red-robed youth stared after them. He could tell with a single glance that they were no ordinary men, and their anxiety over the child only piqued his curiosity further.
"Master, I recognize one of the men who just rode up," the guard said. "He’s Boss Gu, the one in charge of the imperial merchants."
The red-robed youth remained silent for a long moment. Then, he vaulted onto his horse, turned, and with a single palm strike, severed the ropes hitching it to the carriage.
"Master, where are you going?"
The youth gripped the reins, and the horse shot forward as if on wings.
"Master!"
The guard watched his master gallop away, his heart pounding with anxiety. ’He must be chasing after that group.’
’The child, the soldiers, and those men chasing after her... none of them are simple folk. If the master gets tangled up in their affairs, it’s going to be a huge problem!’
——
「Beili Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.」
The Beili Emperor still hadn’t fully processed what he’d just been told. A wild joy glinted in his eyes, mixed with disbelief. ’Sang Zhi’s eyes... do they truly hold the map to Penglai?’
"Is what you say true? Has it been confirmed?" It took a long moment for the Beili Emperor to collect himself before he asked the question with great urgency.
"A year ago, the Empress Dowager of East Shu sent for medicinal pills from the Medicine King Sect," Yuan Yintang explained. "As the sect owed East Shu a favor from many years past, my master dispatched an elder to their court. His duty was twofold: to escort the pills and to treat the Empress Dowager. Six months ago, this elder—Elder Feng—overheard a conversation between the Empress Dowager and the Seventh Princess of East Shu, Chu Yue. He heard every word clearly. There can be no mistake."
"If this was heard six months ago, why is the news only just reaching Beili now?" the Beili Emperor demanded.