Chapter 00081: Eating Tofu
# Eating Tofu
Chapter 81
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 81: Eating Tofu
This was the person in Blackwater City who you absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.
The blacksmith quickly replied, “No, no, this magical artifact has developed its own consciousness and has a self-preservation instinct. Besides, it’s been tempered through countless trials and is naturally resistant to high temperatures. I’m afraid the heat from my forge won’t be enough.”
Would a spiritual treasure really allow itself to be melted down?
“Then who can do it?”
“No one in Blackwater City can do it, and even in Jinzhou, it’s doubtful.” The blacksmith hesitated for a moment. “Your best bet would be to go to one of the major cities in the east or the capital. I’ve heard that the Spirit Artifact Sect has branches there, and they might have the secret techniques and specialized furnaces needed to remove the mithril from the staff’s head.”
In short, only a magical artifact could defeat another magical artifact.
His forge only had ordinary furnaces, and the staff would just treat it like a warm bath.
Only a sect specialized in crafting magical artifacts would have the right tools for the job.
He Lingchuan knew there was no point in pressing the blacksmith further.
He tossed him a small ingot of silver, stood up, and left.
Zeng Feixiong quickly followed. “Let me treat you to a drink, Young Master.”
It had been three days since they returned from the desert, and Zeng had already received a generous reward.
Moreover, Prefect He had kept his promise and assigned someone to take care of Zeng’s father around the clock.
The weight on Zeng Feixiong’s shoulders had lightened considerably.
The sky seemed bluer, his breathing easier, and his pockets fuller.
He owed his survival largely to He Lingchuan, and this trip to the desert had greatly changed his opinion of the young master.
He Lingchuan, however, shook his head. “Another day.”
The joy of surviving a near-death experience had faded, and now that he was back to his usual routine of eating, drinking, and having fun, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
He decided to just go home and sleep.
But after taking a couple of steps, he changed his mind and turned back. “Actually, let’s make it tonight. I’ll have Liu Baobao treat us.”
…
After returning to the mansion, He Lingchuan didn’t go straight to bed.
Instead, he headed to the small training ground to practice his sword techniques.
This trip to the Coiling Dragon Desert had made him acutely aware of the gap between himself and Nian Songyu.
When he fell into the illusion and lost the support of his father and the Blackwater City army, his primary concern when facing Nian Songyu’s malice was simply how to survive.
He didn’t even have the luxury of holding a grudge.
Afterward, he learned that Nian Songyu’s true nature was even more despicable.
In the Coiling Dragon Illusion, he had only verbally taunted He Lingchuan and Mao Tao because he and Sun Fuping had planned to sacrifice them later.
At the time, he couldn’t be bothered to waste energy on people who were already doomed.
The family’s foundational techniques had only given He Lingchuan a basic start.
While he pushed himself to improve, he knew he needed more advanced and profound methods.
In the first two months after arriving in this world, he had only wanted to live a carefree life of luxury.
But the appearance of Sun Fuping and others had taught him that trouble had a way of finding you in this world.
Over the past couple of days, he had also approached He Chunhua, hoping his father could help him find a more powerful and suitable cultivation method.
He Chunhua had readily agreed.
The flash of his blade continued for an hour.
What used to leave him drenched in sweat now only left his back slightly damp.
Perhaps the life-and-death experiences had improved his stamina and resilience.
Finally, He Lingchuan stopped, wiped the rough skin on his face that had been scorched by the desert sun, and decided to head to the kitchen for something to eat.
He seemed to be getting hungry faster than before.
Today, the He mansion was unusually quiet.
He Chunhua was at the government office, and Ying Hongchan was out.
He didn’t have to deal with anyone.
He Lingchuan made his way to the kitchen, where he knew the cook kept her snacks.
Opening the cupboard, he was pleased to find a small mountain of red date cakes.
In the cold storage, there was also a bowl of smooth, white osmanthus almond tofu.
When he poked it with a spoon, it wobbled delicately.
This almond tofu was made and preserved using ice stored from the summer.
Blackwater City had just entered the rainy season in September, and the weather was stiflingly hot.
A few spoonfuls of this cool, sweet almond tofu would drive away the oppressive heat.
He Lingchuan grabbed a large bowl and poured out nearly half the pot.
Just as he was eating a few pieces, someone urgently called out from beside him, “Hey, save some for me!”
He turned and saw He Yue.
“Why are you back?” The little bookworm wasn’t supposed to be home today.
“I came back to get some account books.” He Yue also helped himself to the dessert, though his movements were more refined.
Still, his bowl was just as big as He Lingchuan’s. “I wanted something to cool off.”
Watching his older brother wolf down the food, He Yue seemed hesitant to speak.
When it came to sneaking food, He Lingchuan was always alert. “Just say it. Don’t hold back.”
“Lately, Father and I have been swamped. The Coiling Dragon trip resulted in 105 deaths and 37 injuries. The compensation and rewards are a huge expense, and then there are the promotions… We only just finished sorting everything out today.”
“Oh.” What did that have to do with him? The young master was only responsible for living carefree.
He Yue hesitated.
“What else?” The furrow on the kid’s forehead deepened. “You look like you’re constipated. Eat more almond tofu—it’ll help!”
He Yue instinctively moved his bowl further away.
“Most of this work has fallen on me because Father has been busy meeting with various merchants and envoys. He’s been to the tavern four times already.”
“I know. He even asked me to arrange a meeting with the Liu family merchant group, Liu Baobao’s family.” He Lingchuan didn’t see the issue. “Isn’t that just part of his job?”
Every time the sandstorm season began or ended, He Chunhua was always busy because Blackwater City saw a surge in trade activity.
This year’s sandstorm season had just started, and the caravans and envoys rushing to enter the Great Falcon Empire before the Red Cliff Road closed had to pass through here.
After clearing customs, they would disperse to the east and central regions.
The workload for He Chunhua and his team was immense.
“All other meetings are handled by the officials in the office. Do you know what all the guests Father has been meeting with these days have in common?”
He Lingchuan shook his head.
“They’re all heading to the capital.” He Yue’s expression turned serious. “The first group left three days ago. The road to Wuling Pass in the east is now open, and from there, they can take a boat downstream. With the current, they can reach the capital in just a few days!”
“So?”
“My office isn’t far from the meeting hall, and I often hear laughter coming from inside.”
“What’s wrong with that?” He Lingchuan found this completely normal.
“Brother, Father usually maintains a certain dignity when meeting with merchants. This isn’t his usual style.”
“What are you trying to say?” He Lingchuan reached for some water.
The red date cakes were a bit dry. “Stop beating around the bush. You’re acting like a woman.”
“Let’s keep this between us. Don’t spread it around.” He Yue hesitated again before continuing, “I think Father is having them go to the capital to spread rumors, to get the word out first.”
“What rumors?”
“The news that we defeated Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu.” He Yue smiled slightly. “Haven’t you been boasting about it all over Blackwater City these past few days?”
He Lingchuan was indignant. “Isn’t that the truth? How can it be called a rumor or boasting?”
“If Father hasn’t reported it to the court yet, and the news spreads first, then it’s just hearsay.”
He Lingchuan was stunned. “Father hasn’t reported it yet? How is that possible?”
(End of Chapter)