Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Audience with the Qinghai Province Lord
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Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province.
Surrounded by mountains with the Huangshui River flowing east and west, it was famous as a comfortable place to live, free from harsh winters and cool in summer.
Not only that.
As a key transportation hub connecting Urumqi to the west and Lhasa to the south, it was always overflowing with people coming and going, bustling everywhere.
There was one exceptional quiet spot.
The great hall in the very center of Xining!
It was the residence of the current Qinghai Province Lord, who oversaw and managed the entire Qinghai Province.
The guards at the gate frowned as they looked at the young man before them.
"...Who did you say you came to see?"
"Lady Sohee."
The guards' expressions hardened.
At the same time, they quickly scanned the young man from head to toe.
His visible appearance was quite striking.
Broad shoulders and a sharp yet handsome face that naturally drew compliments.
Any young woman would turn her head to look at least once.
But that was it.
His clothes were ordinary, with nothing particularly special in sight.
The only other noticeable thing besides his face was the two swords at his waist.
But that only gave the guards a bad impression.
"Do you even know who Lady Sohee is?"
"She's the lady, isn't she?"
The guards exchanged glances at the young man's nonchalant reply before one spoke up.
"We'll relay the message inside, at least."
No matter how they looked at him, he didn't seem like someone who knew Lady Sohee, but just in case.
Even looking like that, he might really have a connection.
Though the chances seemed slim.
"But keep this in mind."
The middle-aged guard glared sharply and issued a stern warning toward Cheonhwi.
"We've informed Lady Sohee of your name, but if she says she doesn't know you, it won't end easily."
Pretending to know imperial blood kin without basis was a grave crime even under imperial law.
It was something that demanded one's life.
That was why he gave the final warning.
Yet.
"Got it, so hurry up already?"
The other was utterly indifferent.
The guard's forehead vein bulged for a moment, but he swallowed his anger and turned away.
He then whispered to the remaining guard.
"Make sure he doesn't run."
"Understood."
After entrusting the matter emphatically, he entered.
Seeing the guard go in, Cheonhwi scanned the surroundings with a bored expression.
"Lots of people around."
Unlike other central plains cities, Xining was on a high plateau, yet more vibrant than any he'd seen.
'Is this why Demon Brain said we had to strike Xining to conquer the central plains?'
He recalled Demon Brain passionately arguing in the past, veins bulging on his neck.
—Xining is the vital trade hub linking the central plains and the western regions. Controlling it first allows quick recovery of funds used for advancing into the central plains.
If there were this many merchants coming and going as he ranted, it seemed more than enough to replenish funds.
And that wasn't all.
Isolating Qinghai from the central plains would swiftly subdue the Sichuan Tang Clan, Emei Sect, and Kunlun Sect.
But that plan fell through.
The leader himself had no interest.
'Why bother going all the way there?'
That was his mindset back then.
But thinking about it now.
'Tch, maybe I should have done it.'
He felt a bit regretful.
'If we'd fought the central plains then, I'd have seen even more martial arts than now.'
As Cheonhwi smacked his lips in regret.
'...This guy's claiming to know Lady Sohee?'
The guard watching Cheonhwi gawk around like a country bumpkin snorted.
'If he runs, I'll crush him...!'
As he tensed his eyes.
Thud— thud—
Footsteps approached from behind right on cue.
"You've arrived...! Gasp!"
Thinking it was the guard who'd gone in earlier, he turned, only to freeze in place.
It wasn't the guard, but a beautiful woman in ornate traditional robes.
It was Lady Sohee.
"L-Lady Sohee?"
Lady Sohee passed the surprised guard and approached Cheonhwi closely.
"I've been waiting for you."
As Lady Sohee greeted the young man with a soft smile, the guard's jaw dropped.
'He really knows Lady Sohee...'
Cold sweat suddenly dripped down his back.
He belatedly recalled his behavior toward the young man.
But contrary to his worry, Cheonhwi didn't even glance at him.
He said with a bored expression.
"They're all inside?"
Lady Sohee nodded.
"But you're quite late."
"Well, there were a few things along the way."
Lady Sohee wanted to ask what happened but held it back.
This wasn't the place.
"Follow me."
She turned and entered.
Meanwhile, the guard, stiff with tension, desperately hoped Lady Sohee and Cheonhwi would just pass by without a word.
Did his earnest wish work?
Fortunately, they passed without comment, and he finally sighed in relief.
Then he belatedly tilted his head.
The way Lady Sohee greeted the young man earlier was completely different from usual.
"I've never seen Lady Sohee act like that before..."
In all his time as a guard, had Lady Sohee ever welcomed someone so warmly?
Never, not once.
Watching Lady Sohee and Cheonhwi's retreating backs, the guard muttered.
"Just who the hell is that guy..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cheonhwi followed Lady Sohee into the great hall and walked side by side.
'The inside is surprisingly modest.'
Unlike the flashy exterior, the interior wasn't that ornate.
There were occasional golden decorations, but very few, as if just for show.
'I heard the Qinghai Province Lord is imperial blood... He's quite frugal.'
As he walked with that thought.
"...Did things go well with the escort?"
Lady Sohee quietly broached the topic.
Cheonhwi let out a smirk.
He'd grasped the intent behind her sudden question.
"It went fine. That's how you made it safely to Qinghai Province too, right?"
Her eyes lit up at his response.
She itched to ask more but held back.
This was the great hall corridor.
It might reach the ears of spies infiltrating the castle.
Silence fell as their conversation paused.
After a while, with only footsteps echoing in the silence, they arrived at a door.
A woman stood before it.
As if already informed, she bowed as if waiting.
"We've been expecting you."
After the greeting, she raised her head, met Cheonhwi's eyes, and spoke.
"Guest. Please leave your swords here before entering."
Cheonhwi stared at the woman blankly.
'No different from the imperial palace.'
With a stoic expression, he handed over the two swords at his waist.
"Thank you."
The woman carefully received them with both hands and approached the door.
"My Lord. Lady Sohee and the guest have arrived."
A reply came from inside.
"Let them in."
No questions about who or why.
As if he knew everything.
"Please enter."
As the woman opened the door and stepped back nimbly, the two entered the room.
After about ten steps.
At the front of the room painted in red and gold, a high seat held a chair.
A man in golden dragon robes sat on the ornately decorated chair.
The man looked unwell, his cheeks sunken and frail.
As Cheonhwi scanned him, he shifted his gaze.
A very familiar old man standing beside him caught his eye.
"Y-You!"
The old man, Divine Physician, bulged his eyes upon seeing Cheonhwi and spat sharply.
"You brat! Why are you so late!"
The seated man looked at him in surprise at Divine Physician's shout.
He'd seen Divine Physician grumble before, but never yell.
Yet he was yelling at this young man right away.
'Someone Divine Physician treats so casually... Sohee said he wasn't ordinary, but now I'm even more curious.'
Then the young man replied.
"I had a lot to do, so I was delayed."
Divine Physician's face twisted.
"A lot to do, my ass. Do you even know how many days it's been since then...?"
"No matter how long it took, the important thing is I got here, right?"
"You little...!"
Divine Physician trembled with fists clenched.
He was furious, but had no real retort. He hadn't said anything about when to come.
Then.
"Hahaha!"
The seated man burst into loud laughter at the bickering pair.
After a moment, he stopped and asked.
"You're Cheonhwi?"
"You know me well."
"I didn't expect someone so amusing."
The Qinghai Province Lord's eyes deepened.
He'd never met him, yet felt a strange familiarity.
With Lady Sohee and Divine Physician talking his ear off about him daily.
As he examined Cheonhwi, he spoke.
"Hmm. Just as my daughter said, you have a heroic air and the bearing of a great man."
"Yeah, something like that."
"Oh ho."
The Province Lord's eyes widened.
Most Taoists were humble and self-deprecating, but not this young man.
He accepted the flattery as if it were obvious.
The Lord looked at him with even more intrigued eyes and continued.
"My daughter said she received much help from you. Without you, her life would have been in danger, and Elder Divine Physician wouldn't have come..."
As the Lord glanced at Divine Physician.
"What do you mean 'escorted'? I came on my own."
Divine Physician stuck out his lips.
'Says it like that, huh?'
Cheonhwi's lip curled.
"Really? Then just stay here forever."
Seeing it as a prime chance to ditch Divine Physician, he poured it out, making Divine Physician jump.
"What nonsense is this brat spouting!"
"Why? You said you wanted to come to Qinghai Province. Might as well stay while you're at it."
"You damn brat...!"
Divine Physician thumped his chest in frustration.
Why couldn't he win even one exchange!
A kind word would benefit them both!
Meanwhile, the Qinghai Province Lord watched Cheonhwi toy with Divine Physician in astonishment.
'Divine Physician, who ignores imperial edicts and wanders freely, is speechless.'
His interest in Cheonhwi grew, but he quickly suppressed it.
Before curiosity, there was something to ask first.
Then the Province Lord's eyes flashed.
Unlike his frail appearance, his gaze was sharply alive.
"The backing force you went to handle, where was it?"
"Guryong Clan."
"Guryong Clan...?"
The Province Lord frowned.
Guryong Clan was a sect name recently on many lips in Qinghai Province.
"The sect that killed my province's investigator?"
"That's the one."
The Province Lord suddenly ground his teeth.
"...Now I understand why the investigator died at the Guryong Clan. He uncovered they were the backing and got killed mid-investigation. Those bastards...!"
'What's that about? The investigator was probing Guryong Clan and got offed?'
Cheonhwi watched the Province Lord rage at nothing and spoke.
"The investigator was a spy."
"What...?!"
The Province Lord's eyes shook.
The investigator had followed him for decades, one of his most trusted men.
"A spy? Why... What gain was there in that...?"
"Grand Admiral Dongchang promised him a position in the imperial palace, so he fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"Gr-Grand Admiral Dongchang?!"
"Why would he target Father...?"
Unlike Divine Physician and Lady Sohee's shock at the unexpected name, the Province Lord sighed.
"Grand Admiral Dongchang... So that's it."
His eyes sank darkly.
Hearing Grand Admiral Dongchang was behind it solved all mysteries in an instant.
'If it's him, it all makes sense. But why would he...?'
Recalling Grand Admiral Dongchang's face, he licked his lips.
"Did you learn anything else?"
"No, that's it."
The Province Lord nodded at Cheonhwi's shrugging reply.
This was more than enough.
Overflowing, even.
They'd found the backing, after all.
"You've helped us greatly."
The Lord spoke sincerely.
Without this Cheonhwi, he and Sohee would both be dead.
Smooth—
He placed his emaciated arm on the armrest and slowly rose.
Looking down at Cheonhwi, he said.
"Tell me what you desire. I'll grant anything."
It was repayment for the help, but laced with ulterior motives.
'If I can bring this man under my wing...'
As his eyes filled with greed.
Anything?
Cheonhwi pondered.
Others might scoff, but who was this man?
He could grant instant riches or instant power.
Most would agonize over what to ask.
But.
'Nothing really.'
Not Cheonhwi.
Money? He had plenty.
Power? Who was he in his previous life?
The Absolute Heavenly Demon, leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He'd tasted more power than anyone, to the point of nausea.
He considered martial arts manuals, but seeing the wary escorts, he doubted it.
'Looking at him, probably nothing worthwhile anyway.'
After mulling, Cheonhwi spoke.
"Just make offerings to Mount Hua Sect."
Having picked from the scraps.
"Don't worry about offerings. I've prepared them in gratitude for Mount Hua Sect's aid."
The Province Lord smiled.
"Is there nothing else you want? Elixirs? Famous swords?"
He mentioned things that would make any martial artist flip.
"Offerings are enough."
Cheonhwi replied indifferently.
Elixirs? Famous swords?
Unnecessary.
His Plum Blossom Divine Art was on track; elixirs wouldn't yield much.
And he had two swords already.
Meanwhile, unaware of Cheonhwi's inner thoughts, the Province Lord couldn't hide his admiration.
"How can one be so free of material desires?"
Rejecting money, elixirs, and famous swords for mere offerings.
That was the epitome of a true Taoist.
'I thought the jianghu Taoists were tainted by the secular world...'
The greed in his eyes toward Cheonhwi had vanished.
'A man distant from worldly affairs.'
He shelved thoughts of recruitment.
Such a man would only distance himself from money or power plays.
What he needed to do now was simple.
Honor the connection by granting what he asked.
"I'll prepare and send offerings to Mount Hua Sect as soon as possible."