"If you’re really going to Jiangnan, you should start making preparations here in the Divine Capital soon," Han Anbo said.
Li Qingxian nodded. "Brother Han, please keep a close eye on the Art Troupe. It’s more important than you think."
"I’ve discovered recently that the Art Troupe really is something special. The storytellers and singers... hearing them once doesn’t seem to do much, but hearing them over and over is actually very effective," Han Anbo said with a serious expression.
Li Qingxian nodded. "Before I leave, I’ll give you another sum of silver, enough to keep things running for three to five years. We can still communicate after I get to Jiangnan. If something urgent comes up, contact me through my Communication Talisman Disc."
As he spoke, Li Qingxian handed over a thin wooden slip—a Magical Name Card.
"Alright!" Han Anbo accepted it.
Li Qingxian said, "In a few days, I’ll also make you all a Life Substitution Wood Child and some Spirit Talismans."
Zheng Gaojue couldn’t help but chime in, "Li Ke, you’re going to Jiangnan, not the Underworld. Why does this feel like a final farewell?"
Li Qingxian gave a wry laugh. "Perhaps I’m just reluctant to leave the Divine Capital. I have lived here for many years, after all."
"What’s there to be reluctant about? Going to Jiangnan is a great opportunity! If you were leaving tomorrow, I could be packed by tonight." Yur Ping’s mind was already filled with thoughts of Jiangnan’s delicacies.
Li Qingxian said, "Let’s go for some lamb soup tomorrow morning. The four of us have never gone together, have we?"
"The lamb soup?" Yur Ping’s eyes widened.
"Old Zhang’s lamb offal soup is his specialty," Li Qingxian said with a smile.
Han Anbo looked at Li Qingxian, a slight smile on his face.
Yur Ping pouted and muttered under his breath, "The same old routine."
Zheng Gaojue nodded. "My father always said that Old Zhang’s lamb offal soup is his specialty."
The next morning, the four men, dressed neatly, arrived at Zhangg’s Lamb Soup on Xile Street.
"Lord Li, you’re here! Please, have a seat," Old Zhang said, coming over to greet them.
Li Qingxian ordered, "Four bowls of lamb offal soup, four chopped white buns, and four salted duck eggs."
"Right away!"
Zheng Gaojue hurriedly added, "Li Ke, my father says you’re supposed to break the white buns by hand."
Li Qingxian chuckled. "Alright, then make it three chopped and one whole one. Yur Ping, go pick out four salted duck eggs—get the ones that are oozing oil."
"You got it!" Yur Ping replied in a theatrical voice, then went to carefully select the salted duck eggs.
After finishing their soup, the four men also had some side dishes like fried dough rings and sweet pancakes. They chatted contentedly before slowly making their way back to Room A9.
As they entered the courtyard, they saw a Night Guard in a Tenth-Grade Official’s Uniform standing by the door.
It was Zhong Baishan, a captain from Class A who had been transferred from the Military Department.
When Zhong Baishan saw Li Qingxian, he blushed and cupped his hands in a fist. "This subordinate, Zhong Baishan, greets Lord Li."
"Let’s talk inside." Li Qingxian and his three companions went into the room, with Zhong Baishan following behind.
The four sat down, while Zhong Baishan remained standing by the door. He cleared his throat and said, "I wonder if Your Lordship recalls my nephew, Lou Yushan? He was your classmate at the Academy. You had drinks with him at the Drunken Country Inn a short while ago."
"You’re family?" Li Qingxian immediately recalled that Lou Yushan’s family held positions in the Ministry of Works, and Zhong Baishan had also mentioned his brother-in-law was in the Ministry of Works.
Zhong Baishan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added, "My sister is married to my brother-in-law."
The others laughed.
"Lou Yushan was my classmate at the Academy." Li Qingxian recalled an earlier dinner invitation from Du Qizhen, which was very likely connected to Lou Yushan.
"Ahem, my nephew mentioned that you old classmates from the Academy haven’t seen each other in years and wanted to arrange a reunion. He was hoping to ask when you might be free. You can also choose the location, and my nephew will cover all the expenses."
"About that... As you know, the Night Guard and the Ministry of Justice have been at each other’s throats lately. I’ve even had to postpone a dinner with Lord Hex. How about this: let’s wait. I’ll give you an answer around the time of the Cyan Cloud Examination."
Zhong Baishan lowered his voice. "Xiaoshan was thinking that before the big reunion, a few of you who are closer could have a smaller get-together first. He felt last time ended too soon."
Li Qingxian smiled faintly. ’So that’s the real reason he’s here,’ he thought. "Well, I’ll see if I have time. If I do, we can have a meal together. If not, we’ll just wait for the big reunion."
Zhong Baishan said quickly, "I’ll pass that on to my nephew right away."
Li Qingxian added, "You can go to Zhangg’s Lamb Soup in the future, but you’re only allowed to order the lamb offal soup, not the lamb meat soup."
Zhong Baishan’s face flushed. "This subordinate understands. This subordinate will take his leave."
After Zhong Baishan left, the four of them discussed Li Qingxian’s preparations.
To prepare for his departure from the capital, Li Qingxian made a special trip home to see his aunt and uncle and explain the situation to them.
His aunt and uncle had always been understanding. They said that since Li Qingxian was their only relative in the Divine Capital, it made no difference to them whether they were in Jiangnan or the Divine Capital, and they told him not to worry.
With the Ministry of Justice backing off, Li Qingxian’s days grew quiet again. He started preparing to leave the capital, while also continuing to have Han Anbo handle the life-buying operations.
Room Leader Hex Lei invited him every other day, insisting on hosting a banquet to thank him for the rescue. Through sheer persistence, and the fact that they saw each other constantly at work, Li Qingxian found it impossible to refuse and finally agreed.
Hex Lei chose an auspicious date. As soon as work ended that evening, the group changed into casual clothes, boarded a carriage Hex Lei had arranged in advance, and arrived at the Drunken Country Inn on the banks of the Grand Canal. He had even booked the same Mingxuan Room as before.
The room was furnished with a round mahogany table and sandalwood chairs. Outside, the river water flowed endlessly.
Just like last time, Hex Lei insisted on pushing Li Qingxian into the seat of honor, taking the seat to Li Qingxian’s left for himself.
This time, in addition to the four from Li Qingxian’s Room A9 and Hex Lei himself, Palace Garrison Commander Jingg Guan and two of Hex Lei’s trusted men were also present.
As soon as they were seated, Hex Lei said, "Qingxian, we’re all friends here, so don’t give me a hard time for choosing the Drunken Country Inn. At the end of the day, we’re only Lower Grade officials. The Drunken Country Inn is already a top-notch place for us. As for places like the Huahai Building... having a drink downstairs is one thing, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to go to the private rooms upstairs."
Li Qingxian nodded and smiled. "You have to book the private rooms at those places at least a month in advance. And if your Grade Level isn’t high enough, you just get put on a waiting list."
Hex Lei raised his cup and looked around at everyone. "I won’t waste words. This first cup is to thank Qingxian for saving my life. None of you move, I’m drinking this one alone!"
Hex Lei drained the cup in one gulp, turned it upside down to show it was empty, then set it down and refilled it.
Li Qingxian said, "Since we’re all friends, let’s just eat and drink as we please. There’s no need for formal toasts."
"Alright, you’re the boss! But you can’t stop me. I’m just happy today. This second cup, I drink to myself." With that, Hex Lei drained another cup, once again turning it upside down to show it was empty.
Li Qingxian chuckled. "Old Hex, I know you can hold your liquor, but you don’t have to go so hard."
Hex Lei shook his head. "Just let me cut loose for today. I’ll sleep it off tomorrow and be fine." He refilled his cup again and downed a third.
The others exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
Hex Lei filled his cup again. Noticing the awkward atmosphere, he smiled. "Everyone, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not upset, just... moved. I’d never been in the Celestial Prison before, so I didn’t think much of it. But being locked up for just a few days this time... it truly terrified me."
"Did they torture you?" Li Qingxian asked, his brow furrowed.
Hex Lei waved his hand dismissively. "It didn’t come to that. After all, I still have the hide of a Senior Seventh Grade official. But what I saw and heard inside the Celestial Prison... that’s what scared me. That’s why I’ve been so insistent on thanking you."
Jingg Guan nodded. "Our Night Guard’s Imperial Prison is a place where reason still holds some sway. The Celestial Prison... it’s a place without any."