Where Immortals Once Walked

One meal at Xiangyun Garden cost He Lingchuan nearly three taels of silver, granted he had tipped the server with the leftover change.

Regardless, it was undeniably expensive, unreasonably so. And worse, they did not even allow credit. It looked like he really needed to find a new source of income.

Xiangyun Garden was the grandest theater garden in all of Dunyu City. The province’s most famous performers took turns hosting there. Patrons could listen to plays, read poetry, play chess, paint, pitch arrows, or negotiate business deals. And for those simply seeking a secluded, serene place, the establishment offered private suites in the back called the elegant suites.

Upon arrival, He Lingchuan requested one of these upper-floor elegance suites, but the tea master hesitated.

“Ah, Young Master, I’m afraid all the suites upstairs are occupied. Would you consider a seat on the main floor?”

“Absolutely not.” He Lingchuan had seen this act many times before. He lifted his chin. “You think those people upstairs are fit to sit above me?”

Mao Tao stepped forward obsequiously. “This is the eldest son of Provincial Governor He. You’re blessed to have Young Master He grace your establishment!”

The tea master blanched. So this young master is with that lord who had entered the city yesterday?!

“But, but—”

Before he could finish, another attendant approached hurriedly. “Young Master He, my family’s young master is willing to give up his upstairs suite for you. Please, this way.”

He Lingchuan let out a short laugh. “Good.” Without another glance at the tea master, he followed the attendant upstairs.

The suite sat at an angle above the stage, providing it with one of the best views in the entire theater garden. Naturally, the previous occupants were gone. He Lingchuan lounged comfortably on the seat and waved the attendant away without bothering to ask who the original host was.

The tea master hurried after them with trays of tea, snacks, and fruit.

The medicine ape, Ling Guang, hopped onto the table and began peeling an orange with deliberate slowness.

It had been following He Lingchuan for over ten days now, and it had visibly plumped up in that time.

The rock wolf lying beside He Lingchuan drew plenty of stares, too, though it was currently too full and lazy to move. It stretched out under the table and went straight to sleep.

He Lingchuan spent four hours there, watching a few acts, tipping a few singers, and when the sun began to sink, attendants draped black curtains over the windows in two layers. The charcoal braziers were moved behind the side screens, and darkness fell over the hall.

Although the hall had not fallen into complete darkness, it was dark enough that anything beyond three meters blurred from view.

From the stage came a faint rustling. The rustling was soft at first, but then it eventually swelled into a chorus. It was the chirping of summer insects.

The rock wolf, who was originally sleeping, found its ears twitching at the sound.

As the insects reached their full rhythm, frogs joined in, croaking in harmony.

The audience closed their eyes, and for a moment it truly felt as if they were sitting by a pond in midsummer, surrounded by the living pulse of the night.

Then came the sound of flapping wings, hoarse cries, and splashing water. The egrets had arrived.

At once, the frogs and insects fell silent.

Then came human voices by the pond. It sounded like a man and a woman whispering amongst themselves. The whispering was playful, suggestive, and punctuated by bursts of laughter.

What followed grew rather indecent—unfit for polite company, let alone transcription.

At last, the sounds faded to nothing.

He Lingchuan, whose hearing had grown keen from cultivation, caught the faint tread of someone stepping down from the stage.

Moments later, the black curtains lifted, and sunlight slanted through once more, flooding the hall in gold.

The stage was empty.

It had been a vocal performance. Judging by the footsteps, the entire “symphony” of insects, birds, and lovers had been performed by one person alone.

That performer’s mouth was a true marvel.

Young Master He naturally led the applause, his voice booming as he tossed a silver ingot onto the stage and said, “Excellent! A reward!”

Applause thundered all around.

At that moment, the attendant from earlier returned quietly and whispered, “Young Master He, my young master requests your presence.”

He Lingchuan acted as if he had not heard. Mao Tao crossed his arms and barked, “And who might your young master be?”

The attendant cursed inwardly. Your master took our suite, spent our money, and didn’t even ask whose it was! Thick-skinned bastard. But outwardly, he bowed low and said respectfully, “My young master’s surname is Li. His courtesy name is Shuang. He’s ranked tenth in his generation.”

He Lingchuan chuckled softly. So the host finally decided to show himself. He’s quite patient.

“Lead the way.”

The attendant guided him through two doors toward the inner suites. After several turns through the covered corridors, the clamor of music and chatter from the main hall faded to silence.

The attendant opened a door. “Please, this way.”

Inside, a young noble rose to greet him. “Young Master He, an honor. I am Li Shuang.”

“Oh?” He Lingchuan raised his eyebrows. “So it’s Young Master Li.”

His tone was casual, but he knew perfectly well who this was. This was the sixth son of Li Rong, ranked tenth in his generation. During the Zhan Family incident yesterday, Li Shuang had been absent. He must have just returned to Dunyu.

He was in his early twenties, pale-skinned with long eyes and refined features, the very picture of a handsome scholar. His smile was warm and bright. He Lingchuan remembered that the late Li Zhao had once greatly favored this young man and had even hoped to make him his successor.

Under Li Shuang’s courteous welcome, He Lingchuan took a seat. A maidservant stepped forward to pour tea; plates of candied fruit and pastries were already arranged neatly on the table.

“So, what business brings Young Master Li to me?”

“To be frank, I came regarding the incident involving my family,” Li Shuang said, his tone solemn. “It was a grave mistake. My father and uncle were far too reckless. I was at Sanxiang Spring at the time and failed to stop them. I’ve just returned to Dunyu and came immediately to beg for your help.”

“Help?” He Lingchuan looked surprised. “Has your family already decided who will go to jail and who will handle the funeral?”

Li Shuang glanced at the guards standing behind him, then hesitated.

He Lingchuan tilted his head. Mao Tao took the hint, ushering the others out and closing the door behind them.

The medicine ape and rock wolf, however, remained.

The wolf lay stretched beside the tea table, its massive head resting on its paws. It directly faced Li Shuang.

The young man instinctively leaned back before continuing, “Yes. After several family meetings, it was decided that my uncle would oversee Grandfather’s funeral.”

This meant that Li Shuang’s father, Li Rong, was to surrender himself.

Hardly of his own will, of course.

For the past two days, the brothers Li Rong and Li Zhi must have exhausted every scheme they knew, each trying to push the other into the fire pit. It was practically one of those bear-chase scenarios. They did not necessarily need to outrun the bear; they just had to outrun whoever else was with them.

And it looked like Li Zhi had run a step faster.

He Lingchuan arched an eyebrow. “And whose idea was it to mobilize private guards in the first place?”

Li Shuang said nothing, only managed a bitter smile.

That said enough. Clearly, it had been Li Rong himself who had shouted for men and arms to storm the Zhan Residence. So this time, forcing him to take the fall was not even unjust. Li Zhi had probably seized on that very fact to sway the family elders against him.

He Lingchuan sipped his tea, cracked a walnut, and fed the kernel to the medicine ape.

“With witnesses and evidence so solid, even if we wished to intervene, the law leaves little room,” He Lingchuan said with a thin smile. “Young Master Li, are you trying to put my father and me in a difficult position?”

“But it was my uncle’s men who killed the pregnant woman. My father had ordered restraint.” Li Shuang shook his head. “For him to shoulder all the blame alone is not just unfair, it’s unjust. If Lord He intends to uphold the law impartially, shouldn’t he also distinguish right from wrong?”

“Indeed, right and wrong must be weighed carefully.” He Lingchuan leaned back lazily. “So, what’s your proposal?”

“My father shares the pain of losing his own father,” Li Shuang said softly. “He only wishes for a short delay to complete the mourning rites before he turns himself in. As for my uncle, he hasn’t been acquitted either. He’s merely been released on bail, and he’s to stand trial in two months alongside my father, correct?”

He Lingchuan rubbed his chin. “That sounds about right.”

He was not entirely sure how the legal process worked, but judging from his father’s behavior, that was close enough.

Li Shuang drew out a folded document from his sleeve and spread it across the table.

He Lingchuan glanced at it out of the corner of his eye. It did not look like a banknote.

“These are shares of the Li Family’s Xiangpu House, which has six stores in total. They pay dividends every half year. Lord He may dispose of them however he deems fit, publicly or privately.”

He Lingchuan cocked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He had passed a few of those Xiangpu House shops that morning. They were fine storefronts that sold clothing and cosmetics.

So this is how people bribe officials in Dunyu? They offer shares instead of silver. How modern.

“It’s just a small token of sincerity. If my father could remain at home for ten more days, we’d also offer three stalks of virtuegrass as thanks,” Li Shuang said softly. “Tell me, Young Master He, have you heard of it?”

He Lingchuan’s tone stayed even. “Speak, enlighten me.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Li Shuang smiled faintly. “Virtuegrass is the main ingredient in the life-extending pills. It’s worth a fortune—priceless, really.”

“Life-extending pill?” He Lingchuan blinked. “You mean it literally extends life?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t tell me you just happen to have the recipe too?”

“Young Master must be joking, how could my family possibly be in possession of such supreme treasures?” Li Shuang shook his head. “It’s said the gods themselves bestow them, and only royal and imperial families know fragments of the recipe. The formula changes over time, but virtuegrass has always remained its core ingredient. That’s why its price never falls. It’s always in demand, and there’s never enough in supply.”

“And how did the Li Family come by something so rare?”

Li Shuang smiled bitterly. “Only my grandfather knows.”

Li Zhao was dead, meaning the secret had gone with him to the grave. Neither He Chunhua nor his son would ever get their hands on it.

Outside, footsteps passed the door, and the rock wolf lifted its head warily. He Lingchuan patted its flank. “Sixth Young Master Li, if you truly wish to save your father, consider what Dunyu City needs most right now. Support the war effort. Good deeds can offset guilt.”

Li Shuang stiffened. What does he mean by that?

“My father expected you to come to me about other matters.” He Lingchuan said, his expression cooling, “After all, once both Li Zhi and Li Rong are in custody, who will lead your family?”

The question struck home. Li Shuang’s eyes twitched involuntarily.

Since his grandfather’s sudden death, the Li Family had been co-headed by those two brothers. If they both ended up behind bars, who else could take charge?

That thought had consumed Li Shuang for days.

He Lingchuan continued, “I’ve heard that your late grandfather admired you most. He even had plans to train you as his successor, no?”

Li Shuang exhaled slowly. “I understand what Lord He means.”

He Lingchuan rose. The medicine ape leaped lightly onto his shoulder.

Li Shuang watched him turn to leave, ignoring the paper contract on the table. “Young Master He, the share document—”

“Keep it,” He Lingchuan said sternly. “My father does not accept bribes.”