After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 170: Chapter 171: Songyang Prefecture

This time in the dream, there were no new encounters. Hu Min and Aluo weren’t there either. He just wandered around Panlong City for a bit before returning to his little hut to practice Archery and his Sword Technique.

Meditating and regulating his breath in the dream didn’t help his real-world Cultivation. However, the proficiency gained from honing his Martial Arts was synchronized with reality and wouldn’t be lost upon waking. Hee Lingchuan was overjoyed when he confirmed this, as it meant he had at least twice the time of a normal person to practice his skills—in reality and in the Dream Realm.

He had also heard the tale of A Dream of Millet Porridge, in which a man took a nap while his meal was cooking and dreamt through the rest of his life. He, too, hoped that a day in the Panlong Dream Realm could one day be infinitely extended, allowing him to practice until his techniques were second nature.

However, that was just wishful thinking. No matter how much he wished for it, he only seemed to stay in the dream for a little over ten double-hours.

Hee Lingchuan also noticed that his ability to regularly enter the Panlong Dream Realm seemed to have started after he broke into the Immortal Cave Mansion. In the months prior to that, he had only entered the dream a total of two times.

Of course, it all started with the Broken Blade.

But what exactly had the Divine Bone Necklace done to the Immortal Cave Mansion? The latter had closed immediately, while the Panlong Dream Realm began opening to Hee Lingchuan on a regular basis.

’Oh right, there was also the Black Talisman from Lui Yao. I fed that to the Divine Bone Necklace, too.’

’Is this some kind of reward?’

’So from now on, does this mean I have to let the Divine Bone have first taste of any strange things I find?’

...

The next morning, a palm’s width of snow covered the ground, and it was exceptionally cold.

The Zhu Family sent someone with an invitation, inviting the Hee Family to Zhu Xiu’er’s welcome banquet that evening.

"This is all rather sudden, but Lord Zhu knows that Chief Steward Hee will not be staying in Shihuan City for long, so time is of the essence," the messenger said. He had stayed behind after delivering the invitation.

The man’s surname was Liu, and he was an assistant. After Zhu Xiyan had taken away his long-lost granddaughter, he had immediately sent an assistant to the inn for the Hee Family to command.

The so-called "assistant" was someone who helped people get things done. They didn’t work exclusively for the Zhu Mansion; they were the local experts of Shihuan City, with contacts ranging from high officials and nobles down to the dregs of society. Wealthy families often hired them to handle matters they couldn’t deal with personally.

When outsiders came to Shihuan City, their needs typically fell into a few categories: food and drink, entertainment, business, or paying social calls. A seasoned assistant could guarantee that all these matters would be handled flawlessly.

There were similar people in Black Water City, where they were simply called runners.

The Zhu family knew Hee Chunhua was unfamiliar with the city, so sending over such a jack-of-all-trades was a very considerate gesture.

Hee Chunhua had intended to go for a walk, but before he could even take a step, the steward, Old Mo, brought him several visiting cards.

Madam Ying asked in surprise, "Zhu Xiu’er only returned home last night. How does anyone already know that my husband is in Shihuan City?"

Hee Chunhua waved his hand. "It’s not surprising. I had someone register our arrival with the Government Office yesterday."

He was now a high-ranking regional official. He was forbidden from entering the National Capital without an imperial edict, and even a visit to Shihuan City required him to report his presence immediately. Failure to do so would have serious consequences.

Assistant Liu smiled. "This is right under the Emperor’s nose; news couldn’t possibly travel any faster. The First-class Noble Clans knew by last night that the new Governor of Xiazhou had found Lord Zhu’s granddaughter. The Second-class Noble Clans likely found out this morning. Anyone who only receives the news after dusk today is from a Third-class Noble Clan or lower."

’It seems these rules are the same everywhere,’ Hee Lingchuan thought.

With Hee Chunhua and his wife tied up, Hee Lingchuan tossed a silver ingot to Assistant Liu. "I’ve just arrived in Shihuan. Show me around."

Assistant Liu pocketed the silver and slapped his chest. "With me around, Eldest Young Master can treat Shihuan like his own backyard!"

The two had just stepped out of the inn when Fuzzy Peach popped out from nowhere, eager to tag along. "Eldest Young Master, where are we going to have fun?"

The hustle and bustle of Shihuan City had him rubbing his hands in eager anticipation.

"Business first," Hee Lingchuan said to Assistant Liu. "I hear Shihuan is famous for its craftsmanship. My favorite saber is broken, and I need to find a master craftsman to repair it. It will be a very difficult job."

Finding a Craftsman Shop in Shihuan City was easy enough, but for an outsider like him, finding the most skilled artisan was another matter entirely.

This was where an assistant proved his worth. Assistant Liu grinned at once. "No problem. Eldest Young Master, right this way!"

A carriage was already waiting at the inn’s entrance.

The carriage was made of mahogany panels. It lacked any extravagant, openwork carvings on the outside, but the interior upholstery was very comfortable. Three grown men could sit facing each other with enough room to stretch their legs without feeling cramped.

As the carriage began to move, Assistant Liu started his explanation. "Shihuan is one of the Vice Capitals. It’s teeming with famous craftsmen and Artifact Sects, but the cream of the crop is Songyang Prefecture."

Songyang Prefecture? The other two had never heard of it.

"Songyang Prefecture is also a Daoist Sect, founded over fifty years ago. Its first Mansion Master was a Prince enfeoffed by our Da Yuan’s founding High Ancestor. He established the sect while holding an Official Position, and its members are particularly skilled in Artifact Refining. Their wares are bestsellers among military officers and the children of the elite."

’So Songyang Prefecture caters to the upper crust and has semi-official backing. No wonder it can hold its own in the fiercely competitive environment of Shihuan City.’

It was a revelation for Hee Lingchuan. He smiled and said, "I always thought Daoist Sects were hidden deep in the mountains, shrouded in mystery. I never expected them to set up shop right in the middle of the city."

"You’re thinking of Immortal Sects! The kind that exist only in legends," Assistant Liu said casually. "These days, we only have Daoist Sects. And apart from a few with long, storied histories, the rest can’t afford to put on airs. Although both Immortal Sects and Daoist Sects possess Divine Techniques, do you know what the difference is?"

"Tell me," Hee Lingchuan said. ’These assistants really are smooth talkers; they can hold a conversation about anything.’

"The Immortals of old could perform Sword-Riding Flight, soaring high and far. They were Vajra Indestructible and could take a man’s head from a thousand miles away. Who wouldn’t bow down and worship them?" Assistant Liu pointed to the sky. "Now, look at the Martial Artists and Mages of today. The best of them have some Divine Techniques, sure, but they still bleed when cut and die if they’re beheaded. They still rely on four-legged beasts to get around, and they haven’t achieved immortality. They can’t defeat the Royal Court Army and even squabble over receiving titles from the Royal Court... To put it bluntly, the gap between them and us commoners isn’t as vast as the one between the clouds and the mud."

Fuzzy Peach nodded repeatedly. "That makes sense."

If you’re not strong enough, you fall from the Divine Altar.

Hee Lingchuan’s heart stirred. He thought of the skeleton in the Immortal Cave Mansion at Immortal Spirit Lake and once again found himself wondering about the cause of its death.

Looking out the carriage window, they saw that the streets of Shihuan City were much wider, cleaner, and more orderly than those of Black Water City. The main thoroughfares were even paved with Cyan Square Stone and were wide enough for at least ten carriages to ride abreast.

Shihuan was a major hub for both land and water transport; half of the National Capital’s goods had to pass through here, leading to a thriving commercial sector. As Hee Lingchuan looked on, he saw row upon row of buildings, including many magnificent mansions. Besides the usual establishments found in every city, such as restaurants, theaters, and casinos, Shihuan City also boasted many amusement parlors. Hee Lingchuan’s eyes were drawn to one shop with a wooden sign. On it, two large, red-outlined words were written: "Bewitching Array."

"What’s that?"

"Mazes," Assistant Liu explained to the two country bumpkins. "They’re Arrays set up by Mages and Demons for customers to play in. Some even have Illusion Arrays that create scenes of flowers, birds, insects, and fish. They’re very popular with the ladies."

He chuckled slyly. "There are also specially-made Arrays called ’Soul-Devouring Arrays.’ Inside, it’s a world of song and dance, made especially for us gentlemen to enjoy ourselves. They’re in high demand, mind you; you have to make a reservation. I’ve seen patrons stay inside for two whole days, refusing to leave."

Fuzzy Peach asked, puzzled, "Everything in an Illusion Array is fake. How could that possibly compare to the Red Hall, where everything is real and touchable?"

"You don’t get it. Sometimes, not being able to touch is what makes it best." Assistant Liu winked. "In an Illusion Array, the women can be as beautiful, noble, innocent, or enchanting as you’re willing to pay for. The Red Hall can’t offer that, can it?"

Fuzzy Peach listened, completely captivated. He looked as if he wanted to jump out of the carriage that very second and go experience it for himself.

Just then, the carriage turned off the main thoroughfare and onto a secondary street.

Although it was a secondary street, it was as wide as the main road in Black Water City. The storefronts on both sides had doors at least four panels wide, their signs polished to a blinding shine.

"This entire street is lined with storefronts opened by the Artifact Sects." Assistant Liu opened the carriage door. "We’ve arrived at the old Songyang Prefecture shop. It’s been here the longest."

Hee Lingchuan got out and took a look. It was indeed an impressive establishment. "How many shops does Songyang Prefecture have in Shihuan City?"

"Two," Assistant Liu added. "And three more in the National Capital." He then led Hee Lingchuan and Fuzzy Peach inside.

The shop’s interior was elegantly appointed, with weapons decorating all four walls, which gave it a distinctive character.

In the center of the hall stood a large bronze ding cauldron that came up to Fuzzy Peach’s shoulders. Customers coming and going often stopped to look at it. He craned his neck to peek inside and saw a miniature landscape at the bottom, complete with mountains, rivers, fields, and a small bridge.

Strangely, white mist drifted near the cauldron’s rim, appearing as clouds over the landscape within.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Whoa! There are fish in the river, and they’re actually moving!"

It was a testament to his sharp eyesight that he could see something moving in the river at the bottom of the cauldron. He focused his gaze and saw that they were indeed swimming fish.

Assistant Liu explained, "This is the signature treasure of Songyang Prefecture’s old shop: ’Mountains and Rivers in a Cauldron.’ It became a completed Artifact forty years ago."

Hee Lingchuan also praised it, "It’s so lifelike."

"It’s a living landscape," Assistant Liu said with a smile. "We can go inside it. I’ve toured it myself—the scenery is absolutely magical."

Other customers who overheard this also marveled at it.

The old Songyang Prefecture shop was divided into three sections: the front was for displays, the middle was for storage and business discussions, and the rear was a large space used for artifact forging.

Assistant Liu confidently strode inside and quickly found a Steward Zhao. He introduced Hee Lingchuan, saying, "This is the Eldest Prince of the new Governor of Xiazhou, Mr. Hee. He has come specifically to your esteemed shop to repair a Treasure Saber. Young Master Hee has already approached many craftsmen, but none of them could manage it."

"It must be an extraordinary piece. Please, have a seat." Steward Zhao immediately led them to their seats, served them tea, and then turned to fetch someone.

The man he returned with was in his early fifties, with sharp, gleaming eyes and swarthy skin.

"This is Li Fubo, the Chief Master of the Central Furnace of Songyang Prefecture."

Li Fubo dispensed with pleasantries. He took the Broken Blade and slowly unsheathed it, the cold glint from its edge illuminating his brow. His apprentice placed a wooden plank on the floor, and Li Fubo swung the blade in a swift, phantom chop.

Nothing happened. The plank was perfectly fine.

Fuzzy Peach couldn’t help but scratch his nose in confusion. Li Fubo, however, handed the Broken Blade back to its owner and said, "You do it."