[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-immortals-disappeared":3,"chapter-after-the-immortals-disappeared-after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-988":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Immortals Disappeared",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2284872,4468,"Chapter 988: Each with Their Own Calculations","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-988",988,"\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng also bloomed with a hint of a smile: \"He Xiao, go about your business; there is no need to mind me.\" That bit of tension vanished into thin air immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan led a large group of men to escort Yu Zecheng and the others back to their lodgings, fulfilling all the courtesies and giving them plenty of face, before returning to his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng returned to his room, downed a full bowl of tea in one gulp, and raised his hand, wanting to smash the tea bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he held back and did not throw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he tossed the tea bowl back onto the tabletop and let out a long breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard behind him said, \"My lord, is that man surnamed He putting on a double act with the spider demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng said coldly, \"What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard dared not make another sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiao was quite polite to them, but that politeness lacked awe. Yu Zecheng muttered to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This brat, why is he so fearless?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claiming the spider demon did him a favor—even if true, in the face of one's own life and safety, how could one not betray such a favor? The guard said, \"Perhaps he is relying on his good friendship with Crown Prince Yue of Chi Yan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He should be very clear that Crown Prince Yue cannot control us.\" Yu Zecheng's tone was flat but did not hide his arrogance. \"The Black Tiger Army has no need to sell face to Chi Yan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the mission to track down Zhu Erniang could not just be dropped, otherwise, State Preceptor Shuangye would surely blame him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Xiao refuses to hand over Zhu Erniang, so the conflict is concentrated on him; this is what they call 'not shedding tears until one sees the coffin'.\" Yu Zecheng casually set up a barrier. \"Only by taking him down and helping him recognize reality can we deal with Zhu Erniang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As things stood, he only said \"take down,\" not kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Yu Zecheng also had his concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elixir of Immortality case involved many high-level figures in Spirit Void City, and He Xiao was once a special envoy of Chi Yan. Being able to maneuver through Spirit Void City and escape unscathed—did he have connections and roots in Beijia as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the situation in Spirit Void City at the time, if He Xiao did not have a powerful backer—at least more powerful than the Chi Yan Crown Prince—State Preceptor Qingyang could have crushed him with a single pinky finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to kill He Xiao now, would he offend some big shot in Spirit Void City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed his forehead, sighed, and pulled his attention back to the archipelago at hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The environment of the Yangshan Archipelago was extremely favorable for burrowing spiders, and based on his understanding of Zhu Erniang, this great demon began setting up camp as soon as she arrived on the island, building her cave into an impenetrable fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had also sent scouts to look; the island was riddled with holes, as if tailor-made for burrowing spiders. The most complex terrain was likely underground and underwater; one could not discern the truth just by looking at the exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was both a labyrinth and a fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't even know which cave Zhu Erniang lived in, so how could they launch a surprise attack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't impossible to force a move; they were quite prepared against burrowing spiders and Zhu Erniang, but the final outcome was hard to predict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, once the island master leaned toward them, the advantage would immediately be theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Home-field advantage was just that effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the key to dealing with Zhu Erniang lay in He Xiao's attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To change this person's attitude, relying solely on persuasion was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard whispered a reminder: \"My lord, this He Xiao is likely not a simple character, and he has the advantage of the terrain here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think He Xiao is easier to deal with, or is Zhu Erniang easier to deal with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard immediately said, \"He Xiao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the number of burrowing spiders, if Zhu Erniang were pushed to the brink, she could recover the power of an ancient demon immortal. And the burrowing spider nest... it was absolutely a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why Yu Zecheng adopted a wolf-pack tactic rather than a head-on collision with this prehistoric great demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of pure martial power and combat experience, He Xiao was undoubtedly easier to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between two evils, choose the lesser; even if He Xiao was not simple, Yu Zecheng would still choose him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, was He Xiao really that formidable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard added, \"But, but our manpower is configured for dealing with the spider demon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been chasing Zhu Erniang for half a year, and the personnel and supplies mobilized from the front lines were aimed at a specific target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng smiled enigmatically: \"The configuration for dealing with Zhu Erniang cannot deal with He Xiao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard lowered his head and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I returned to Spirit Void City once early this year. When I paid respects to the State Preceptor, he spoke of the Elixir of Immortality case and held this man surnamed He in high regard.\" Yu Zecheng said slowly, \"But when the Elixir of Immortality case was taken into Spirit Void City by Chief Inspector Bai for investigation, He Xiao was no longer a key figure. The focus of the various factions' struggle was not on him, and he had the protection of the Chi Yan Crown Prince. That he could escape unscathed is not actually difficult; it was mostly due to caution and the mutual checks and balances of the various factions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was analyzing, and also comforting himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His brilliance perhaps only lay in maneuvering against Cen Boqing within Chi Yan?\" Yu Zecheng left one sentence unsaid: Beijia never lacked brilliant and talented figures, but State Preceptor Shuangye rarely praised anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now He Xiao was obstructing Beijia from capturing a fugitive, which showed he did not truly understand how to judge the situation. With State Preceptor Shuangye's vision, the high regard for He Xiao was truly an overestimation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mused: \"He Xiao should be very wary of us, and he has a few elites by his side; it is not easy for us to make a move on the island.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard said, \"Then wait for him to go ashore at Blade Harbor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words fell, a white bird flew in through the window and landed on the tabletop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any new news from the harbor?\" Yu Zecheng had left two men at Blade Harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Several cargo ships were sunk by Yin-Hui recently. The streets are buzzing with this, all saying those ships actually belonged privately to Superintendent Wu of the Blade Harbor Shipping Office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng raised an eyebrow: \"Is it rare for Yin-Hui to sink cargo ships?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When those ships met with accidents, they were not in Yangshan waters. Usually, Yin-Hui are active deep in the archipelago and would never leave Yangshan waters to harm people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But they came out this time, and only harmed Superintendent Wu's ships?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. For several days in a row, they only grabbed Superintendent Wu's ships; other ships passing by them were ignored.\" The white bird just relayed the message. \"This matter is spreading like wildfire in Blade Harbor, because there was talk earlier of the new master of the Yangshan Archipelago subduing the Yin-Hui. Everyone is speculating that the two sides are at odds, and the Yangshan Archipelago is giving Superintendent Wu a taste of their power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng tapped his fingers on the table: \"As the Superintendent in charge of Blade Harbor, could it be that he was extorting and taking bribes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all people in officialdom; none were saints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ye Qing also found out one more thing.\" Ye Qing was one of the guards left at Blade Harbor to scout for news. \"In the last few days, Superintendent Wu's ships have set sail as usual, and the Yin-Hui did not intercept them again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems he and He Xiao have reached an agreement.\" Otherwise, how would he dare send ships out? \"Not only that. The sailors on Superintendent Wu's ships also said that as long as they follow the fixed route in and out of Blade Harbor, they will definitely not be attacked.\" The white bird said, \"Now, ships entering and leaving Blade Harbor are following suit and changing to that route.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sea folk were superstitious; they would certainly not do anything that invited bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng understood: \"A fixed route? Does it pass through this Suoding Island?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng slapped the table: \"Good lad, turning disaster into fortune; his mind is sharp.\" No wonder this Suoding Island, despite its crude facilities, had many merchant ships docking there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Superintendent Wu suffered a muffled loss at He Xiao's hands and was forced to divert traffic for him; he must be fuming.\" Yu Zecheng said to the white bird, \"Have Ye Qing test him; it would be best if he could become our help. Then you return to Suoding Island and keep an eye on He Xiao for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" The white bird flapped its wings and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one noticed that the white bird's coming and going was seen by the spiders on the big tree outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Suoding Island, He Lingchuan's territory; who cared if there were a few bugs on the tree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over there, the mirror also asked He Lingchuan: \"Do you think the man surnamed Yu will just let it go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is that possible? Today's meeting was just a formality.\" He Lingchuan said calmly, \"Without getting the answer they want, Beijia will not stop. The man surnamed Yu must at least try, otherwise, he cannot report back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After painstakingly laying out plans for half a year to chase Zhu Erniang, to turn back without even trying—how could one be a subordinate like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When reporting back to his superior, he at least had to say that he had done his best, but it was truly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given the temperament of these Beijia people, if the civil approach fails, I fear the martial approach will follow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had accepted the spider demon sisters, he had to accept their troubles as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making excuses, lying, or playing little tricks—none of it would work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, Yu Zecheng's pursuit of Zhu Erniang would become a problem between him, He Lingchuan, and Beijia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was meant to come would come; what had to be faced could not be avoided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you plan to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep a close eye on Yu Zecheng; he must have private movements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror snorted: \"He wouldn't be stupid enough to do it himself, would he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He only has two people following him. Chasing a great demon like Zhu Erniang, how could he only bring two people? I fear the rest of the Beijia people are hidden in the shadows.\" He Lingchuan's gaze flickered. \"Zhu Erniang was once an ancient demon immortal, after all; Yu Zecheng dares to chase her here, so he must have something to rely on. Let's first figure out how many people he brought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan patted the mirror: \"I refuse to hand over Zhu Erniang, so he will definitely suspect me. You be careful later; whoever is tailing me, whether it's supernatural powers or scouts, I leave them to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pan-Silk Island waters were completely blockaded by Yin-Hui, and Yu Zecheng could still discover the burrowing spiders on the island, which meant he at least had the advantage of aerial reconnaissance. He Lingchuan did not want his every move to be watched by eyes in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it to me.\" The mirror gave a casual guarantee and asked again, \"Do you want to kill the man surnamed Yu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not, absolutely not! We cannot be enemies with Beijia right now, at least not in a way that makes Beijia lose face.\" The majesty of a great nation could not be provoked; He Lingchuan understood this very clearly. \"Fortunately, he has a superior. When he encounters difficulties, he must report them upward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"State Preceptor Shuangye?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade Harbor, Shipping Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant Commissioner Zhao had just handed Superintendent Wu a maintenance report for the shipyard when a minor official trotted over to report: \"A guest is requesting an audience, saying they are... from Spirit Void City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Superintendent Wu raised his eyes: \"Oh? Bring them in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing of a guest from Spirit Void, he was not as startled as other Qing Kingdom officials. Blade Harbor was a natural harbor with huge throughput, receiving sea guests from all directions; guests from Mou Kingdom and Beijia were never few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2144,"2026-06-20T02:23:34.395Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","9f18ccc1231301a72b577337f29257b55e0efb95a6bc97aad4c879ff06ed4b7d","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-989","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-987",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-immortals-disappeared-cover.jpg"]