Chapter 978: The Vanished History

Nonsense, of course I’ll do it! I’d trade for as many as I can get; even if I didn't have the money, I’d find a way to scrape it together to make the trade!

Silver is easy to earn, but getting a Great Demon to serve as his hired muscle, and to have them obey his every command, that is far too difficult! To win over the spider demon sisters, He Lingchuan must risk offending Beijia and exposing himself.

Fang Canran’s eyes lit up: "That couldn't be more cost-effective. Is Brother Dong willing to sell his demon puppets? On Platinum Island, these would certainly be rare commodities."

He Lingchuan immediately looked at Dong Rui and raised an eyebrow.

That’s right, demon puppets are also very expensive; why doesn't this guy sell two useless ones for money? Dong Rui recoiled in a second: "Not for sale. They aren't commodities."

Afterward, he looked at He Lingchuan with eager eyes: "And those three materials—?"

He Lingchuan said irritably: "You didn't mention before that refining demon puppets was such a money pit."

"Why else would I be so poor? And you won't even let me go out and rob people." Dong Rui looked miserable, "If I can't get money or materials, I can't continue my research."

If he could get materials so easily, why would he always be following He Lingchuan? He Lingchuan pressed his hand to his brow, hesitating for a long time.

Money, oh money, I truly have failed you.

Finally, he sighed and said to Fang Canran: "Fine, let's settle it."

Dong Rui was overjoyed and slapped his chest with a thud: "Don't you worry, this money will definitely be worth more than its value! Once the little treasure is born, you'll feel it was worth it after just one look!"

He Lingchuan couldn't be bothered to look at him again. The four hundred thousand taels he had just received hadn't even warmed up in his hands before eighteen thousand were gone! Eighty-one minus eighteen, he was left with only sixty-three thousand again.

Sigh, doing research requires burning money, and even after burning it, there's no guarantee of results.

Fang Canran put away the material list: "Alright, leave this matter to me."

At nightfall, two lights flickered on the gloomy Cape Tower, looking like stars on the horizon at first glance.

The Ghost Market is open, and there’s an auction tonight, too.

The streets, cold and desolate during the day, were lit as bright as day by enthusiastic torches. Almost all the shops were open; whether they were taverns, restaurants, theaters, or brothels, the stalls temporarily set up on the streets were steaming, and itinerant vendors hawked their wares incessantly.

Everything one could want for food, drink, and entertainment was available.

There were many people, too; one wondered where they all hid during the day.

He Lingchuan and Dong Rui strolled and ate their way through the whole street.

Of course, the liveliest spots were still the various material shops. He Lingchuan checked out a few, but the items were strange and bizarre, and he had little interest. Dong Rui, however, dove headfirst into a shop specializing in miscellaneous materials and refused to come out.

Another half an hour passed, and He Lingchuan found Fang Canran; the auction had begun.

The Platinum Island auction was held in a large mansion with three floors in total, making it convenient for more guests to see the auction display stand in the center of the first floor.

In terms of environment, it wasn't as high-end as Dun Garden in Spirit Void City, nor did anyone provide comprehensive service. But when the auctioneer brought out the lots, they still had to give everyone a good explanation.

For example, this set: "Three hundred and seventy fine iron straight blades, three feet three inches long. Seventy-seven of them have minor flaws, which can be polished out. No individual sales; the price is one thousand one hundred taels for the lot. The goods are on the ship, ready to be unloaded upon purchase."

The origin wasn't mentioned at all, and twenty percent had flaws. He Lingchuan knew as soon as he heard that these were "used," and he didn't know which battlefield these weapons had been scavenged from.

But the price of one thousand one hundred taels was very reasonable. Judging from the samples displayed on-site, the quality was acceptable and the craftsmanship was up to par; there would be no problem using them to hack people.

Fang Canran saw that He Lingchuan was somewhat tempted and said: "Are you interested in this batch?"

"I have so many islands, I can't have no one to guard them." Timber, farm tools, and seeds were easy to buy, but weapons were the only things that couldn't be purchased through regular channels; neither Bailie nor the Qing Kingdom would sell them. If He Lingchuan went around asking to buy them, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

He was unlucky; Min Tianxi and Huang Zhao originally had smuggling channels for military equipment from the Mou Kingdom, but they hadn't been able to get any goods recently.

"Another batch of swords and spears is coming the day after tomorrow, perhaps of better quality." Fang Canran whispered, "Shall I set them aside for you?"

He Lingchuan was overjoyed: "Then I’ll leave it to you."

The lots brought onto the stage were a mixed bag, and some were clearly stolen goods. He Lingchuan had originally only wanted to watch the fun, but he ended up bidding on a few items.

The key was that the prices were truly a bargain.

No wonder the Ghost Market on Platinum Island had so many people; cost-effectiveness is the ultimate truth.

Watching the lots go up and down, the two chatted for a while longer, and then another weapon was brought onto the display stand.

The auction venue was already using fluorescent spores, one in front, behind, to the left, and to the right, illuminating every angle and detail of the lot on stage clearly.

He Lingchuan had been indifferent, but as his gaze swept across the stage, it suddenly froze:

The new exhibit on stage was a black spear.

There was a blood groove on the spear tip; from a distance, it looked a bit like the nib of a fountain pen, and it had cloud-like patterns.

There had originally been a hanging ring for a tassel below the spearhead, but it had fallen off, leaving only half.

A red jade bead was embedded in the spear handle.

Why did the style of this spear look so familiar? He Lingchuan sat up straight with a start, his blood rushing to his head.

It was exactly the same as General Red’s beloved spear! The auctioneer also announced loudly: "This piece needs no further introduction, the Thunder-Responding Spear!"

Even the name was the same? No, that’s not right!

He couldn't feel the iron-blooded killing intent that could traverse thousands of armies from this spear at all.

When fighting True Person Sanshui in the Panlong Secret Realm, He Lingchuan had worn General Red’s armor and held the Thunder-Responding Spear in his hand!

That sense of telepathy, of flesh and blood connection—the spear on the stage simply didn't have it.

He couldn't be wrong about this.

"Thunder-Responding Spear?" He turned his head and asked Fang Canran, "Where did this spear come from?"

It was the first time Fang Canran had seen his eyes open so wide.

He Xiao could be this emotional? "This isn't real..."

Before he could finish, guests in the front row were already shouting: "Fake is fake, make it clear, don't mislead people!"

"Everyone knows this can't be real." The auctioneer laughed, "Alright, the original owner called it the 'Little Thunder-Responding Spear.' The shaft is eight feet long, weighs eight catties, and the details are consistent with the original Thunder-Responding Spear, plus it comes with the divine ability 'Thunder-Shrinking Technique.' Although it's not the original, it's still a good item. Those interested can come up and weigh it."

Sure enough, a fake is a fake. Otherwise, the Floating Life Blade would have reacted long ago.

"Everyone knows?" He Lingchuan turned to ask Fang Canran, "Is the original version of this spear very famous?"

Fang Canran was puzzled: "You don't even know the story, why are you so excited?"

"I feel like this spear and I are destined." He Lingchuan subconsciously clenched his fists, "I mean the original."

If something falls under "I feel," then it’s unreasonable.

Fang Canran was helpless when he heard this: "The Thunder-Responding Spear is a famous spear of this age; there are too many imitations of it out there. Things like the Little Thunder-Responding Spear, the Green-Patterned Thunder-Responding Spear, the Hundred-Refined Thunder-Responding Spear... and so on."

"Why?" With so many divine weapons, why do these people only imitate the Thunder-Responding Spear! "Where is the original?"

"The Mou Kingdom palace." Fang Canran’s voice pierced through the noise of the auction and reached He Lingchuan’s ears, "The true Thunder-Responding Spear is the personal divine weapon of the founding emperor of the Mou Kingdom."

As the Mou Kingdom rose, this spear became famous along with it.

"The founding emperor of the Mou Kingdom?" He Lingchuan heard himself say in a hoarse voice, "Where did he get it from?"

Fang Canran silently mouthed two words.

He Lingchuan recognized the shape of his lips and gasped:

"Spirit...?"

Spirit Mountain!

Fang Canran held a finger to his lips and gave a soft "shh": "Keep it down."

Fortunately, the surroundings were noisy.

He continued: "It was... bestowed upon the founding ancestor of the Mou Kingdom."

The Thunder-Responding Spear of the Mou Kingdom’s founding emperor was bestowed by Spirit Mountain? Then where did Spirit Mountain get this divine spear? Fang Canran’s answer switched back to "I don't know." Spirit Mountain had countless secret treasures and divine objects; why would they introduce the origin of each one to everyone?

He Lingchuan’s heart was in chaos, and his fists clenched tighter and tighter.

The Thunder-Responding Spear was General Red’s personal spear; there could be no mistake about that.

But more than a hundred years ago, the Thunder-Responding Spear was bestowed by Spirit Mountain to the first Mou Emperor!

He Lingchuan knew the final fate of Panlong City and General Red very well. This spear should have accompanied General Red on the battlefield until she reached the end of her life.

And then? And then! Who took this spear? Whether it fell into the hands of Baling, Xianyou, or Beijia as a trophy, He Lingchuan wouldn't find it strange.

After all, it truly was a divine object.

After all, its former owner was truly a peerless, brave, and invincible general.

This was an artifact with maximum collection value and utility.

But how could it be Spirit Mountain?! From any angle, it was impossible! Unless, unless Spirit Mountain people were also present at the great battle where General Red fell.

Why were they there?

What did they do? Why were they able to take this significant trophy from the final victor a step ahead of everyone else?

He Lingchuan sat stiffly in place, chills creeping down his back, his mind replaying the meeting and conversation between Zhong Shengguang and Lu Xun over and over again.

At that time, the isolated Panlong City had desperately hoped to gain the support of Spirit Mountain.

At that time, Zhong Shengguang had eloquently expressed his ideals to Lu Xun.

Yet, Panlong City was ultimately destroyed.

He Lingchuan carefully recalled all the history of Panlong City he had seen and heard; there wasn't a single word about Spirit Mountain, not one! It was as if someone had wiped away the relevant records, leaving no trace, never to be seen again.

So, before Panlong City perished, what role had Spirit Mountain played? He Lingchuan took a long breath, barely suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

Over a hundred years. After more than a hundred years, Spirit Mountain stood before him again, just as it had stood before Zhong Shengguang more than one hundred and sixty years ago.

At that time, Zhong Shengguang was just like He Lingchuan now, feeling very close to Spirit Mountain and full of hope.

Hoping for a united front, hoping to join forces against the enemy, hoping to overthrow Beijia together.

But what was Zhong Shengguang’s final fate? How could he repeat the mistakes of Zhong Shengguang and General Red? He should restrain his urgency, adjust his strategy, be careful, and be even more careful! "Brother He?" Fang Canran’s voice seemed to come from far away, and it took the third time to wake him, "Brother He!"

(End of chapter)