Chapter 420 Your Highness, Mr. He has arrived

When the Prince of Nangong held a funeral, all the prominent figures in the Qingyang Imperial Palace came. In the early morning, even the Emperor and Queen of Qingyang personally arrived, and everyone in the palace came out to greet them.

The two did not stay long, but their presence demonstrated the importance the royal family placed on this matter.

The Queen also took the opportunity to visit the injured Lady Su, holding her slender hand and saying, "Yesterday I was just telling Sui Sui when I would come to the palace to see you, I never expected such an accident to happen so soon."

She gently comforted Madam Su, saying, "The capital is not peaceful right now, so you must recover quickly and help the Prince more."

Lady Su responded softly, got out of bed, and respectfully saw the Queen off.

After everyone left, she whispered to the mute woman, "Now that Sui Sui is back, you'd better seize the opportunity."

The mute woman nodded.

Madam Su's feelings were complex, but she was much more relaxed than when Yu Sui had just returned. She only hoped that everything would go smoothly from now on; if she could successfully retrieve the other half of the Breath Soil, then everything would be alright.

“Go and look after Sui Sui,” said Madam Su.

The mute woman then withdrew and went to find Yu Sui.

Yu Sui and her brothers stood guard in the mourning hall, receiving guests who came and went. Previously, as a princess of the royal family, when Nangong Ming was absent, the princess was nominally the most powerful, and Yu Sui had to attend many events personally. Even when Nangong Ming was present, Yu Sui's status was still the second most undeniable presence among those there.

But now that she is no longer the princess of the Nangong Prince's Mansion, she is too lazy to deal with those formalities and continue to maintain the dignity and face of the Nangong Prince's Mansion.

Some people couldn't change their way of addressing her immediately. When they saw Yu Sui, they would call her "Princess," and then, under the gazes of others who were intentionally or unintentionally looking over, they would quickly change their address to "Second Miss."

There were many onlookers, but they couldn't see any anger on Yu Sui's face. She always faced everyone with a smile.

Everyone knew that Nangong's grandmother had passed away and the prince was in a bad mood, so no one dared to cause trouble at the prince's mansion at this time and invite trouble upon themselves.

Rather than mocking Yu Sui for going from a princess to the second young lady, more people wanted to see what this girl, who had transformed from a commoner into a disciple of two saints, looked like now.

Later, when the priests were writing the names for the sacrifices, they encountered a problem with Yu Sui. After the Nangong surname was taken back, Yu Sui did not go to the ancestral hall to choose a new name, so the priests did not know what to write on the official document.

The priest went directly to ask Yu Sui what he was writing.

Yu Sui didn't want her name to still be recorded in the Nangong family's ancestral hall, so she casually said, "Just write the character 'Sui'."

The priest hesitated, just then Su Feng called out to her, "Sui Sui! Come here."

Yu Sui then turned and left.

When the priest saw that all the young masters in the clan addressed the second young lady in this way, he finally picked up his pen and wrote only the character "岁" (sui, meaning "year") and presented it to Nangong Ming for review. The priest was uneasy and began to regret that even if he hadn't written "南宫" (Nangong) before it, he should have written it with the mother's surname. However, Nangong Ming just glanced at the character "岁" indifferently and said nothing.

Although Yu Sui used her Heavenly Eye to quickly repair her injuries and dressed herself so that no one could see anything amiss, it was still not advisable for her to stand or kneel for long. She looked at Madam Hui, who looked haggard and sad in the mourning hall, Madam Han and Madam Sheng, who were busy, and Madam Su, who remained silent, and lowered her eyes to secretly yawn.

After completing the necessary sacrificial rites, Han Bing and Su Feng led their men out to search for Gongsun Qi throughout the city, leaving Yu Sui and Sheng Fei alone in the palace, mutually disliking each other. Chu Jin, still recovering from her injuries, ultimately stayed in the palace, choosing to send the rest of Xuan Kui's men to search for Gongsun Qi.

Ever since Yu Sui told Sheng Fei to be careful when he went out, Sheng Fei hasn't said a word to her. However, the atmosphere now is completely different from the sulking and cold war they had when they were kids.

Yu Sui stood quietly in the room guarding the mourning hall, and no one could tell that he was secretly taking back the Listening Wind Ruler to deliver the message.

She asked the mountain spirit to guide Han Ziyang and Gongsun Qi to Tongtang, but there was still no movement from Elder Yan's side, and he did not even reply to her message.

Elder Yan knew Yu Sui and the Listening Wind Ruler's secret, so he also knew how to get rid of her surveillance. Coincidentally, Yu Sui was unable to use the Five Elements Light Core at this moment, and therefore was unaware of Elder Yan's current actions.

Han Ziyang and Gongsun Qi were still on their way to Tongtang. Both of them had to find a way to get rid of the surveillance and the people tracking them, so it took them a lot of time. They had to give way to those they needed to and wait for those they needed to wait for.

Yu Sui was taking a break from her busy schedule to reply to Mei Liangyu's message. Although she had said that as long as the mountains covered the area, the mountain spirits could detect his whereabouts and she would know whether he was safe and sound, Mei Liangyu still insisted on sending the message manually to let her know that he was safe.

He also took a break from his busy schedule to reply to people in the distant capital of Qingyang about what he had seen and experienced on his journey.

"The mountain spirit already knows how to mimic sounds?" Mei Liangyu asked her. "It just used your voice to read the proclamation."

“Yes, after absorbing the techniques of famous masters and nine schools of thought, it evolves very quickly,” Yuexia Yusui replied. “As long as the rule of taking form from qi is followed, the five elements qi absorbed from the mountains can be refined by the mountain spirit and then taken form in another way.”

In the past, when discussing topics related to cultivation and the Five Elements, Mei Liangyu would talk while Yu Sui listened attentively. Now, however, it was Yu Sui who was explaining, and Mei Liangyu suddenly understood.

"Within the range of the mountain communication, the sound is transmitted by the Wind Listening Ruler and the sound is also recorded in the mountain. Therefore, it can quickly grasp the sound and tone based on the characters and incantations that have been stored in the mountain."

After Mei Liangyu understood, he began to praise Yu Sui, saying that in the future, the Hundred Schools and Nine Schools of Arts would have one more, the Nine Schools of Number Mountains, and that Yu Sui was the founder of the Nine Schools of Number Mountains.

Yu Sui said, "Okay, I'll be the founder of the Nine Schools of Counting Mountains and Nine Schools, and you'll be my number one disciple."

Mei Liangyu laughed and scolded her for trying to reverse the order of the Heavenly Gang and mess up the generational hierarchy.

Yu Sui didn't tell her senior brother about Gongsun Qi killing Grandmother Nangong, nor did she mention what happened at the Star Gazing Hall. She only chatted with Mei Liangyu about light and pleasant topics.

Mei Liangyu did not tell her any of his troubles or difficulties.

Their occasional conversations were like brief breaks for each other; afterward, they would have to deal with their own problems and troubles.

...

The northernmost border area of ​​Qingyang Imperial Capital comprises thirty-six streets and eighty-seven wards. While lacking tall buildings, the terrain is hilly and varied, with densely packed houses and a diverse population. Because of the stark contrast between its inhabitants and those of other areas, it was later known as the North-South Thirty-Six Streets.

Initially, these thirty-six streets, north and south, were inhabited by prisoners released from the military prisons, including impoverished nobles and Rakshasa sorcerers who had committed many murders.

Later, a large number of foreign Rakshasa sorcerers poured in, making this place a gathering place for them to exchange information. Many years ago, the Criminal Investigation Department sent people to besiege them many times, but most of the Rakshasa sorcerers who dared to come here lived a life of danger and were not afraid at all. On the contrary, relying on the large number of people in Thirty-Six Streets, they caused the Criminal Investigation Department to suffer many losses and return empty-handed every time.

Gradually, this place became a gathering place for outlaws. As long as they didn't wreak havoc on other neighborhoods, the Criminal Investigation Department turned a blind eye to the chaos here.

However, the chaos in the North and South Thirty-Six Streets was also fueled by many powerful clans. The low-ranking sorcerers who served the powerful families often retired to the North and South Thirty-Six Streets, the only difference being that they no longer had to travel far to fight and kill; they could simply stay there to retire and gather information.

The Criminal Investigation Department wanted to restore order and re-establish rules in the North and South Thirty-Sixth Streets, but many people didn't want rules and wanted a place where they could run wild. So the two sides often interacted, but nothing came of it.

The Criminal Investigation Department deduced that Gongsun Qi's hiding place was likely within the Thirty-Sixth Street. Therefore, starting last night, they increased manpower and surrounded the Thirty-Sixth Street in both the north and south, layer upon layer.

The name Wunanjiao, which Zhonglique divined, is located within the 36th North-South Street and is another name for Tongtang.

The people living in the 36th Street called this place Wu Nanjiao (meaning "No South Suburbs"), but they didn't tell outsiders the street's name; instead, they used its alternative name to prevent outsiders from coming in to seek revenge.

There's a job here called the street watcher, who's in charge of keeping an eye on everyone entering and leaving the 36th North and South Streets every day. They don't show themselves; they're in the shadows. The street corners seem deserted, and people can come and go as they please, but there are people hiding everywhere you can't see them.

Shanling compiled the information about the thirty-six streets in the north and south and sent it to Gongsun Qi and the others. Situ Jin and Aquan looked at it for a long time and finally concluded: It is indeed a place where people like Zhao Yuxiang live.

“This neighborhood has one name in the neighborhood, but another name to outsiders. No wonder I couldn’t find it even after looking through the whole map,” Ah Quan sighed. “Now we know the location, but I’m afraid it won’t be easy for us to get in.”

He glanced at Gongsun Qi beside him, trying to persuade the man to behave himself for a couple of days and wait for the storm to pass.

Situ Jin stared at the dark street ahead and asked, "Do you think that if we really hide in this neighborhood and don't come out, Nangong Ming will lead his men to turn the entire Thirty-Sixth District upside down?"

Ah Quan glanced at him and said, "Don't you understand? Before that, we turned upside down District 36 in order to find someone."

Situ Jin glanced at Gongsun Qi and thought that made sense.

Gongsun Qi was dressed in a black wind-blown robe, his expression obscured by the deep black. He surveyed the ranks ahead, which consisted of guards from the Xingshui Division, all clad in gold robes.

It took some time to shake off Qin Shan. When they arrived, Wang Jingshu and her men had already blocked the entrance.

It wasn't until evening that Wang Jingshu was summoned back to the palace, while Gao Cang, one of the deputy directors, remained there.

Wang Qianxia had already led her people into the neighborhood to search for people from house to house, but the people of Thirty-Sixth Street were not cooperating. They acted as if these Criminal Water Guards did not exist, and continued to do their own thing.

“I don’t think black robes will work. See that Legalist line of light on the ground? It’s specifically for guarding against these hidden weapons and artifacts. We’ll be discovered as soon as we go over it,” Situ Jin said. “How about we pretend to be the Xing Shui Division guards going in to arrest people?”

Ah Quan shook his head and said, "I've been observing for a day. Those who come into the neighborhood to look for people are all their regular teams. Even if it's someone from the Nangong family, you have to recognize their face to find them."

"Then what should we do?" Situ Jin rolled his fox-like eyes. "We can't just break in; that would be too conspicuous and would quickly attract people from all directions."

If we wait any longer, Wang Jingshu might return; if we wait longer, even more saints will arrive.

A-Quan wondered, "If Zhao Yuxiang is really in here, he's quite bold. Even if the Criminal Investigation Department can't overturn these 36 streets, they patrol them every day. Isn't he afraid of being recognized at all?"

Just as the two were worrying about how to bypass the officials from the Criminal Investigation Department, Gongsun Qi received a telepathic message from Han Ziyang, asking him, "Have you entered the district yet?"

Gongsun Qi countered, "You went in?"

Han Ziyang: "Just came in."

Gongsun Qi asked, "How did you get in?"

"We took the underground passage. It's quite fast, and we weren't discovered. We're safe for now," Han Ziyang replied casually.

Gongsun Qi was silent for a moment, then asked, "How did you find the entrance?"

Han Ziyang deliberately said, "Just ask the living map. I asked her how to bypass the Criminal Investigation Department and get in without being discovered, and she told me. What, didn't she tell you?"

Gongsun Qi did not answer.

Han Ziyang continued on his own, "Oh, I remember now. Nangong Sui said that the people in the neighborhood call this road a dog hole. She wasn't sure if you, the great general of Yan, would be willing to lower yourself to crawl through a dog hole."

"The great general of Yan is dead," Gongsun Qi asked calmly. "Where is the entrance?"

Situ Jin and A Quan looked at him in confusion, silently asking, "Who are you talking to?"

Han Ziyang told him, and Gongsun Qi added, "I don't know the route, so come back again."

"Then I have to go back again? That's too much trouble." Han Ziyang was not happy about it.

Gongsun Qi said, "Then let the people from the Criminal Justice Bureau go find you."

Han Ziyang: "..."

He cursed under his breath as he walked back to meet the general who was willing to lower his head and walk through the "dog hole".

Han Ziyang: "Let's make this clear first, I'll only take you into 36th Street. After we're in, we'll go our separate ways. It's too dangerous for me to walk with you right now."

Gongsun Qi said, "You don't need to come with me. You just need to do a good job of avoiding the occupation."

After he hung up the call, A-Quan asked, "Who was that?"

“A Legalist sorcerer,” Gongsun Qi said calmly. “You can call him Dog King, because he will lead us through the dog hole into Thirty-Six Streets later.”

A-Quan and Situ Jin looked at Gongsun Qi with admiration. "As expected of you, General," they thought, "the extraordinary people you associate with are all so eccentric." The Dog King, crawling through the dog hole, was momentarily speechless, even finding the argument plausible.

Following Han Ziyang's instructions, they arrived at a remote, desolate forest. The trees there were tall, their branches and leaves spreading out to block out the sun.

The bushes are numerous and dense; if you plunge headfirst into them, even during the day, you'll only see pitch black.

The three of them walked to the end of the bushes and just happened to see Han Ziyang carrying a lantern as he walked out of the tree hole.

The firelight illuminated the dark cave entrance and the young man's unruly face. Han Ziyang, dressed in a black outfit, looked clean and energetic. His righteous aura made him seem more like a member of the Criminal Investigation Department's guards, here to punish evil and uphold justice, than a murderous maniac who had slaughtered entire families.

Han Ziyang picked up the lantern and handed it forward, then gestured with his chin toward the three people dressed in black robes, whose hair was completely obscured.

Ah Quan was the first to take off his hat and stepped forward to greet him warmly: "Dog King? It's a pleasure to meet you."

His outstretched hand was ruthlessly brushed aside by Han Ziyang, who said with a forced smile, "Who the hell are you calling?"

Situ Jin had intended to go up and exchange a few polite words, but upon hearing this, she immediately pretended not to have seen anything and put her hat back on.

Ah Quan thought to himself, "This man is upright when he doesn't speak, but when he does, he's full of thuggishness. You really can't judge a book by its cover!"

He pointed decisively behind him: "Of course, that's what our General Gongsun calls him!"

Han Ziyang glared at Gongsun Qi, feeling as if a secret nickname had been exposed. Just as he was about to criticize her, Gongsun Qi walked past him and said, "Let's go, we're in a hurry."

Ah Quan and Situ Jin followed closely behind.

Han Ziyang thought to himself that he would tolerate it for the sake of their childhood.

...

As night fell, fewer guests came to the Nangong Prince's Mansion, but those who did arrive at night were still treated with great respect.

Led by the Ji family grandmother, almost the entire family came. When Nangong Ming saw the Ji family grandmother, he bowed his head to pay his respects to this elder, and then cleared the area for her so that she could pay her respects and reminisce alone in the mourning hall.

The grandmother of the Ji family had a clear look of sadness on her face. The usually dignified woman seemed to have lost most of her spirit and energy. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and overflowed when she closed them.

The three sons of the Ji family grandmother were also present. The eldest son is now in charge of the household and is the head of the imperial physicians in the palace, also known as Chief Ji.

Grandmother Ji was alone in the mourning hall, speaking words of regret to the deceased. Everyone else waited outside. Chief Ji whispered his condolences to Nangong Ming. The two had known each other for a long time, so they didn't exchange any formalities.

The remaining two Ji brothers also stepped forward and joined their elder brother in offering words of comfort.

The younger members of the Ji family were at the very back. They couldn't enter the mourning hall to pay their respects until their grandmother finished reminiscing, so they could only find their own amusement. In a corner away from the adults' sight, they all looked in the direction of Yu Sui.

The group exchanged knowing glances and silently urged each other to be the first to speak up and probe Yu Sui.

Before the group could choose a winner, Cao Yan came from the outer room and said to Nangong Ming, "Your Highness, Mr. He has arrived."

These words, spoken neither too lightly nor too heavily, caused those around to turn their heads and look at Nangong Ming.

Nangong Ming's already cold and aloof face became even more solemn after hearing these words.

[Author's Note]

Family members, I'll be changing the scheduled time to 9 PM from now on. [P.S. This doesn't mean daily updates.]