Chapter 1590: He Xia Is Indeed a Talent

Qingyang also raised her eyebrows. No wonder it's Bai Ziqing—after serving as Chief Du Yun Envoy for so long, her habit of speaking bluntly hasn't changed. If it were the Chief Du Yun Chief here today, she wouldn't have asked like this. As a result, Bai Ziqing continued pressing: "When did this happen? Which immortal?"

"More than sixty years ago, I'd say?" Yaowang laughed. "The late king dreamed of an immortal, but there's no record in the palace—back then I wasn't even born yet."

Bai Ziqing didn't ask further, just praised the ice banana in her hand: "This is delicious."

Yaowang laughed: "Since Chief Du Yun Envoy Bai likes it, I'll have someone copy the recipe for you. But making this ice banana requires the freshest vanilla seeds; if transported long-distance, it'll inevitably lose some flavor."

At that moment, the elderly palace attendant Qiu Long entered Qingyin Pavilion, standing beside Yaowang and speaking softly:

"Inspector You has come to report on the project's progress and is waiting in the Imperial Study."

Every fifty-seven days, the progress of the Tian Shui East Expansion Project must be summarized and reported. This is Tian Shui City's top priority right now, overseen by Yaowang, so of course he personally follows up.

But upon hearing You Rongzhi had arrived, he frowned: "Why isn't it He Xia?"

The one who should have come to report work at the palace today was He Xia.

"The new government office's outer walls were already up, but this morning the ground suddenly collapsed, and the entire building sank into a pit. He Xia chaired the emergency meeting, demanding damage assessment and cause investigation, so it's Inspector You reporting to the palace." Qiu Long continued, "Inspector You said the rainy season has passed, the ground is no longer damp—this collapse shouldn't happen, so we must strictly investigate material issues."

Such a massive project, rushed at breakneck speed—of course problems pop up every few days. Yaowang was initially annoyed, but now he's used to it: when problems arise, solve them. Big or small, they never cease: "Let Inspector You wait; I'll see him later."

Bai Ziqing and Qingyang have sharp hearing, and Qiu Long didn't set up a barrier, so both heard his report.

Thus Bai Ziqing smiled: "The ruler's discerning eye spots talent—He Xia truly is a capable person."

Yaowang clapped his hands: "My view aligns somewhat with Chief Du Yun Envoy Bai's."

He defeated Qingyang using He Xia's methods; Shuangye also struck Qingyang with He Xia's tactics; even Bai Ziqing took over He Xia's case and carried it out, only then sending Qingyang to Heavenly Palace's great prison.

He Xia really is Qingyang's nemesis! Thinking this, Yaowang grinned until he couldn't close his mouth.

Qingyang, however, drawled: "He Xia harbors ill intent—seems to consider you in everything, but in truth, whoever uses him suffers backlash. Shuangye National Preceptor should know this best."

Yaowang chuckled: "Whoever uses him meets misfortune? Not necessarily—I see the Crown Prince of Chi Yan, Fu Shanyue, doing quite well."

The trigger of the Immortality Pill case was the Lingxu Courier disappearance case, which Fu Shanyue personally handed to He Xia, seemingly backing him all the way. So why is he still fine and unharmed to this day?

That remark truly hit a blind spot—Qingyang couldn't immediately refute it.

Fortunately, Bai Ziqing spoke up: "According to Envoy Liang, the goddess's new temple is about to break ground—I'd like to go see."

As a divine envoy, this request is reasonable; Yaowang agreed outright: "I'll have Inspector You accompany Chief Du Yun Envoy Bai."

After the meal, he first went to hear Inspector You's briefing; Bai Ziqing then walked with Qingyang through Yuchuan Palace, catching up.

Here it's bitterly cold, silver and white wrapped—normally no palace attendant dares linger, leaving the two a quiet place to talk.

Qingyang spoke first: "Your habit of speaking bluntly hasn't changed—no wonder the Chief Envoy exiled you to Jinshin Plains."

Bai Ziqing gave a wry smile: "Still seen through by Qingyang after all these years. 'Decades have passed—I still can't fix it.'"

He casually pointed at the wall: "Has the cause of death been found for that old pear tree?"

"Yaowang has thundered repeatedly; the tree doctors' opinion is rapid decline, not unnatural. Look at Yuchuan Palace's environment—even a tree spirit would struggle to survive. It endured sixty years, which is no small feat." Qingyang shook her head: "I've always wondered why Yaowang insists on living beside Yuchuan Palace—clearly he's old and frail, no longer tolerant of cold."

Back when the old pear tree still stood, Yaowang could at least find an excuse, saying he loved trees to obsession.

Now the old pear tree is gone—why does Yaowang still linger by Yuchuan Palace?

"Did the old pear blossoms wither precisely on Yaowang's birthday?" Bai Ziqing stroked his chin, habitually pondering: "Lately, why does Tian Guo keep having things die mysteriously?"

Qingyang knew the other "mysterious death" Bai Ziqing referred to was Xue Zongwu.

"You can volunteer to investigate the cause—Yaowang would surely welcome your free help." Qingyang drawled: "Anyway, you've got nothing to do these days."

"How do you know I have nothing to do?" Bai Ziqing, sharp as ever, reacted instantly: "Oh, you're involved in the goddess's plans too?"

Qingyang noncommittal: "What plans?"

Having been away from Lingxu too long, she's a bit forgetful—speaking with Bai Ziqing requires extra caution.

Hmm, facing He Xia is the same.

Bai Ziqing grabbed a handful of snow from the railing: "Envoy Liang said the goddess has an important plan. Since even the goddess calls it 'important,' it needs a powerful executor and coordinator—and Envoy Liang—"

He shook his head: "—Envoy Liang isn't skilled at this."

Actually, it's not just Envoy Liang—the entire Heavenly Palace isn't skilled at this.

So Heavenly Palace needs Lingxu City, needs Beijia, needs a strong, perfected administrative system.

"Yang Qing supervising the state is a ready-made good choice—plus, your relationship with the goddess has always been relatively harmonious. For such an important duty, it'll likely fall to you."

The number of Lingxu deities is not small; each heavenly god is an independent entity, each with their own temper and tendencies. Bai Ziqing understands clearly: although Qingyang is the demon emperor's confidant, she actually gets along well with Miao Zhantian—otherwise the demon emperor wouldn't have sent her to oversee Yaoguo.

Yaowang's son died in the Immortality Pill case, so he naturally bears a grudge against Qingyang. If Qingyang's relations with Miao Zhantian deteriorate further, the demon emperor sending her here would be tantamount to sending her to death.

Besides, Qingyang herself has two hundred years of experience in military and governance—isn't that exactly the best person for planning and organizing? Qingyang shrugged: "Heaven's great burden falls upon this person. What exactly did you come to Yaoguo for? Surely not to investigate the Nine Abysses Great Emperor?"

"The Nine Abysses Great Emperor is to be investigated, but on the road I received a more important clue." Bai Ziqing slightly raised his chin: "The Illusory True Person!"

Qingyang expressionless: "I've heard over seven versions of the Illusory True Person's various legendary tales in Yaoguo."

"This time it's reliable—I found the Illusory True Person's Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation!"

Qingyang's tone finally rose: "Where?"

"Bai Mao Mountain."

"... That's not in the western Jinshin?"

"The Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation is there, but the Illusory True Person himself may not be—or rather, ninety-nine percent likely not." Bai Ziqing solemnly said: "I came to Yaoguo to seek the goddess's help."

"Right, the goddess Miao Zhantian governs the divine attribute of 'Truth,' which perfectly counters the Illusory True Person." Qingyang hummed: "Did the goddess tell you to wait a while?"

"Not bad." Bai Ziqing said: "I plan to make a trip to Mangzhou, to check the crime scene at Xiaotao Mountain Villa."

Mangzhou is very close to the capital.

He thought again: "Regarding the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, I'd like to hear your deduction."

Qingyang calmly: "I'm not investigating this case."

As for the Nine Abysses Great Emperor's actions, she has always held an attitude of detached observation.

"In your mind, is there no suspect candidate?" Qingyang, after all, is Qingyang—Bai Ziqing believes her old-janghu intuition has basis, and her gut feeling is often accurate.

Qingyang's mind suddenly flashed a name.

But she did not say it, because Bai Ziqing would ask why, and she had no reason to give.

"And you?" Qingyang countered, "After investigating this long, whose suspicion do you think is greatest?"

"I've only been on the Flash Gold Plains for a little over two months—how many people could I possibly know?" Bai Ziqing laughed, "All along this journey, I've felt the Flash Gold Plains are nothing like before; even Jilukou Port shows a hint of prosperity—though once chaos erupts, it's just as chaotic as ever."

"The methods of this Nine Abysses Great Emperor differ from those of the ancients. It's laughable that the Yao Wang still doesn't take him seriously—so shallow!" Qingyang also said, "If we could discern his motives, perhaps we could unveil his true face."

Bai Ziqing confirmed again: "Truly no leads?"

Qingyang shook his head: "I said, I don't pay attention."

……

Eastern suburbs of Shuishui, expansion project.

He Lingchuan had just dismissed the meeting here when Wang Baobao rushed in, breathlessly reporting: "My lord, Lord You has returned, but he's accompanied by dozens! The man leading them is around forty, with an unpleasant expression, and Lord You has constantly lagged half a horse length behind him!"

Wang Baobao, having followed He Lingchuan through south and north, was no longer the naive youth from Ying Mountain who'd just left his thatched hut. His eyes had grown sharper, and he knew how to grasp the essentials when scouting enemy movements.

Simply put, You Rongzhi accompanying guests to the project team, falling half a horse length behind, is a sign of respect.

Upon hearing these elements, He Lingchuan's heart gave a slight jolt—he knew it was Bai Ziqing who had arrived.

"How many soldiers did he bring?"

"There appear to be about forty guards, but their uniforms differ. The rest are attendants."

"Stay calm." He noticed Wang Baobao was a bit tense, "Lead them to Gangxi."

The Eastern Expansion Project's personnel kept growing, the existing buildings could no longer accommodate them, so temporary requisition was made of four or five under-construction new city offices. Wang Baobao received the order and sprinted off.

You Rongzhi, hearing this, said nothing more and immediately led Bai Ziqing and the others over:

Gangxi lies beside the Chun River, with beautiful scenery. He Hao hoped the heavenly palace envoys would see the new city's finest aspect—both emotionally and logically appropriate.

As Bai Ziqing approached Gangxi, he immediately saw the great river flowing endlessly, the water unfrozen, the offices beside the river, and to the rear-right, tall pines standing in rows, like an ink painting.

He Lingchuan came forward to greet them, smiling broadly:

"Envoy Bai, long time no see!"

A single glance, and he took in the opposing party at a glance. The visitor was indeed Bai Ziqing, You Rongzhi accompanying him on the side, followed by fifty or sixty attendants, nearly twenty of whom wore the robes of the Divine Temple's palace guards.