Chapter 00017: Ignorant of the Heights of Heaven and the Depths of Earth
# Ignorant of the Heights of Heaven and the Depths of Earth
Chapter 17
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 17: Ignorant of the Heights of Heaven and the Depths of Earth
"The scout you sent out was killed on the spot?" He pondered for a moment.
"That hawk demon has been with Ah Hao for many years, always perched on his shoulder. I even fed it by hand once."
"It was tortured to death," He Lingchuan said, feeling reassured when his father referred to the hawk demon as a "scout."
This meant it wouldn't be treated as just a minor demon.
"Nian Songyu and State Preceptor Sun must have learned from its mouth that I was the one who sent it out."
He couldn't fight alone.
He had to remember that his father was his solid backing.
If his father, an official with power, couldn't handle it, then he certainly couldn't.
He Chunhua, however, said indifferently, "It's just a hawk. Dead is dead. What's the big deal?" He picked up his brush and continued writing.
He Lingchuan was stunned.
"Father!"
He hadn't expected this reaction from He Chunhua and quickly tried to persuade him.
"They clearly have a request from the He family. They knew Little Gray was sent by me, and they knew it was just a small misunderstanding. Yet they still crushed it to death!"
He lightly pounded the table, causing the writing tools to jump.
"Father, these two don't take our family seriously at all. They think they can shape us as they please, make us bow and work for them without a word of complaint!"
"Sun Fuping is a grand state preceptor favored by the heavens. I'm just a prefect in a remote area. That's the difference between heaven and earth. Normally, he could shape me as he pleases, crush me with a single finger. Otherwise, how could it be called a strict hierarchy?" He Chunhua laughed instead of getting angry.
"You've been too comfortable in Blackwater City for too long. You don't understand the hierarchy, ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of earth!"
His tone turned cold as he spoke the last few words.
It wasn't false to say he wasn't resentful.
The other party looked down on them from the bottom of their hearts.
They crushed your scout, and you still have to work for me, die for me!
Yes, that's how superior they are.
But with a higher official rank, State Preceptor Sun, who came with the king's orders, what could Prefect He do?
He Lingchuan was unconvinced.
"But Uncle Hao..."
"Those in lower positions must accept their fate!" He Chunhua frowned.
"Can't he understand that?" He's already in his forties.
He Lingchuan decisively changed the topic.
"You also said it's usually like that!"
"Less complaining, less showing off, more thinking of solutions."
He Chunhua put down his brush and stood up, giving his eldest son a knock on the head.
"But we can't just be passive. This is still the He family's territory. Tell me, how do you plan to make noise?"
"Let the second brother come up with ideas. He has more tricks. But in my opinion—" He Lingchuan sneered, "Even if we end up having to work for them, we can still drag it out first, to take down their arrogance. Besides us, who knows the exact whereabouts of the Sand Leopard's relic? Besides, they killed our... well, demon. Shouldn't there be a price?"
"Price?" He Chunhua smiled, feeling these words hit the mark.
"Makes sense."
His eldest son had grown, and he felt a bit of relief.
"By the way, what about the two guards from Donglai Mansion?" He Lingchuan knew that He Chunhua had originally planned to let them go.
"Keep them," He Chunhua said lightly.
"We'll deal with them in a few days. They don't care anyway."
Nian and Sun cared about the whereabouts of the token, Donglai Mansion cared about the Grand Pot, but the guards themselves were insignificant.
￥￥￥￥￥
At the evening banquet, both sides chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves.
Under the influence of alcohol, He Chunhua almost pounded his chest, promising to find the pass to the Coiling Dragon Desert.
Then ten hours passed.
Nian Songyu naturally felt like time was dragging and urged once.
He Chunhua admitted he had found nothing but promised again to do his best.
This time, he sent people to Blackwater City, pretending to post notices and search the city.
His attitude was excellent, but his efficiency was terrible.
Of course, such a search would yield no results.
The He family's advantage was time.
They weren't in a hurry.
The grand state preceptor finally couldn't sit still and visited with Nian Songyu.
Unfortunately, Prefect He was out, so his second son, He Yue, received them.
Both were impressed by He Yue, showering him with praise.
Especially Nian Songyu, who after a few words with He Yue, seemed to regret not meeting him sooner, even saying, "We're about the same age. Let's communicate more in the future."
He Lingchuan sipped his tea sullenly.
Speaking of age, he and Nian Songyu were closer in age, right? How could this guy say such things with a straight face? His second brother had a good face and was always more likable, but weren't these two exaggerating a bit?
He Yue was following his father's instructions, giving an official response.
"The entire Blackwater City has been mobilized. But with the Red Cliff trade route closing soon, the flow of people in and out of the city has increased, making our search much more difficult."
He Lingchuan, afraid his younger brother would be taken advantage of, sat by his side.
Watching this kid appear sincere but actually unyielding, he looked just like their father, He Chunhua.
Nian Songyu grew impatient and stopped being polite.
"Then close the city gates and search! This matter concerns the nation's fate. What's the big deal about closing the city for a few days?"
"That won't do," He Yue said with a bitter smile.
"The Balin Kingdom's envoy will arrive in Blackwater City in a couple of days and then head west. This is their last chance to return home this year. Any delay could cause a major misunderstanding between our two nations!"
He paused.
"The Balin Kingdom has been eyeing Dayuan covetously, and there have been several border clashes. They're just looking for an excuse."
Nian Songyu laughed in anger.
"So you're saying closing Blackwater City could trigger a border war?"
"Very likely!" He Yue said firmly.
"Qiansong Prefecture can't afford that!"
Sun Fuping, tired of their bickering and wasting time, cut to the chase.
"I heard the eldest son of the He family was injured and stayed indoors for forty to fifty days?"
"Yes, it nearly cost me my life," He Lingchuan said, finally having the topic shift to him after drinking tea for so long.
He opened his collar, revealing the scar on his neck.
"See."
The sand leopard had bitten his neck fiercely.
Though the wound had healed, it left a jagged, terrifying scar, showing how critical it had been.
Nian Songyu stared at the scar.
"How did you get this injury?"
"I was at Gourd Mountain..."
He Lingchuan seemed to pause.
"Huh, Commander Nian, where did you hear I was seriously injured? Not many people know about this."
Nian Songyu answered without thinking.
"My men found out. As you said, Blackwater City is full of people and gossip. Information can't be hidden."
"Those bastards dared to spread news about me?" He Lingchuan slammed his cup down angrily.
"Who exactly? Commander Nian, tell me, and I won't let them off!"
Nian Songyu fell silent, his gaze sharpening.
That feeling of needles pricking his face returned.
He Lingchuan glared back, unyielding.
Who could out-stare whom? He was never one to back down.
(End of Chapter)