"Uncle Zhou and I are heading to the Dingnan King Mansion anyway. Brother Han, you should come with us," Li Qingxian said.
Li Qingxian and Zhou Chunfeng boarded the carriage, while Han Anbo got a horse from a Guard and followed behind Zhou Henn and the other Guards.
Inside the carriage, Li Qingxian spoke of Ye Han.
"That Ye Han’s fortune is indeed extraordinary. Don’t antagonize him further, but you must still be on guard against him," Zhou Chunfeng said.
Li Qingxian nodded. ’Our relationship couldn’t possibly get any worse.’
Just then, his Communication Talisman Disc vibrated softly. Shen Xiaoyi’s voice came through.
"Qingxian, you know Ye Han?"
"I do."
"Do you have a grudge against him?"
"I thought it was settled. What happened?"
Shen Xiaoyi sighed. "Yesterday, Ye Han was dining with some children of the Nobility and happened to run into the three of us. When the conversation turned to Martial Cultivators, Ye Han’s insights were so unique that he deeply impressed Marquis Nanxiang and Lin Zhenyuan. At the time, I also thought he was quite remarkable, but I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t until today, when I met with Qiu Ye and we talked about Ye Han, that he told me about Ye Han conspiring with the Heir of Prince Yuann to harm you. Only then did it hit me—I had been influenced by his Qi Fortune. This man is no ordinary person."
"That must have been Songg Baige and his big mouth," Li Qingxian said.
"Even if it happened within your Night Guard, something like that can’t be kept secret for long. I even found out about the Deceit Village incident just by asking. This man... I can’t pass a final judgment on him. However, my family has known the Dingnan King Mansion for many years, so I’ve already informed Marquis Nanxiang and Lin Zhenyuan. How they choose to act is none of my business," Shen Xiaoyi said.
"I didn’t realize you had such a strong sense of justice."
"I may not be a practitioner of Literature Cultivation, but I admire Mr. Gangfeng. Back then, you were all alone, yet Ye Han still tried to harm you. It’s just... I’ll refrain from cursing. But I also didn’t expect that you’re no pushover yourself, managing to take his Qiankun Bracelet." Shen Xiaoyi’s last words were punctuated by a lively, crisp laugh.
"It’s impolite not to reciprocate. For now, though, we’ll mind our own business," Li Qingxian said.
"I’m just curious, do Jiangg Youfei and Songg Yanxue both hate Ye Han?"
"Songg Baige and his big mouth... I really... I really can’t tell him anything from now on."
Shen Xiaoyi laughed. "Don’t be like that. Qiu Ye only told me because he knows we’re close. He’d be tight-lipped with anyone else. Besides, Qiu Ye was also warning me to prevent me from being deceived by Ye Han. Marquis Nanxiang invited you yesterday, but he also invited Ye Han. You two aren’t going to run into each other, are you?"
"Uncle Zhou and I are on our way to the Dingnan King Mansion now."
"What a coincidence."
"Is Ye Han going to the Dingnan King Mansion for the Cyan Cloud Examination too?"
"He is. But yesterday, Ye Han mentioned he was interested in antiques from the Old Dynasty, and Marquis Nanxiang said his family was about to sell off a batch of miscellaneous items and invited Ye Han to take a look."
"Then we’re bound to run into each other. Uncle Zhou and I are going to trade for the Holy Decree’s calligraphy," Li Qingxian said.
"In any case, Ye Han’s Qi Fortune is peculiar. You should be extra careful," Shen Xiaoyi said.
Li Qingxian thanked Shen Xiaoyi and thought for a moment. ’Ye Han showing up just when the Royal Mansion is selling things... it’s probably just like that time on the road with the person selling Destiny Stars. He’s very likely going to find some kind of Treasure.’
Li Qingxian said, "Uncle Zhou, could we find a secluded spot to stop? I need to refine a little something. It’ll be useful in a bit."
"Alright."
The carriage found a place to stop. Zhou Chunfeng got out, and inside the carriage, Li Qingxian took out the supplies from Ye Han he’d obtained in Deceit Village. Using a strand of Ye Han’s hair and a drop of his blood, along with a fine piece of jade worth over one thousand taels of silver, he crafted a "Luck-Sensing Jade."
The group continued on, arriving at the side gate of the Dingnan King Mansion in the Divine Capital.
The Dingnan King Mansion, with its red walls and black tiles, stretched out as far as the eye could see, spanning an unknown number of streets.
Outside the side gate, carriages were lined up quietly against the wall, all waiting.
Li Qingxian glanced through the carriage window. There were at least thirty carriages, a rather spectacular sight. He asked, "Are they all here on business with the Dingnan King Mansion?"
Zhou Chunfeng nodded.
The two of them disembarked from the carriage. Zhou Chunfeng announced his name and mentioned he was invited by Marquis Nanxiang.
Upon hearing it was Zhou Chunfeng, the Guard bypassed the wait, leading the two directly into a side hall before going to report to a Steward.
A short while later, a tall Steward strode in, cupped his fist in greeting, and said with a smile, "The Marquis mentioned this just this morning and told us to keep it in mind. His Lordship is currently in the pawnshop warehouse with a guest, sorting through miscellaneous items. I’ll take you two gentlemen to see the Marquis now."
The two followed the Steward out of the side hall and through the side gate. They boarded one of the Royal Mansion’s carriages, and a quarter hour later, the carriage came to a stop.
Li Qingxian got out and looked around. In that entire quarter hour, they hadn’t left the grounds of the Dingnan King Mansion. On the current street, one side was the outer wall of the mansion, and the other was lined with street-front shops.
The Steward led the way, and the group entered the warehouse of a pawnshop.
The courtyard in front of the warehouse was immense, like a small training ground, roughly a hundred feet across.
The courtyard was filled with a dazzling array of items.
As far as the eye could see, statues of gold, silver, and bronze stood in rows. Large quantities of exquisite wooden tables and chairs were stacked up like scrap. Piles of antiques, calligraphy, and paintings were heaped together, along with numerous used porcelain items and other daily necessities.
As they walked, the Steward explained, "Every so often, the Royal Mansion clears out unneeded items and sells them off. The cheaper things are sold directly, while the more expensive ones go to large shops. We also invite people to appraise them to avoid overlooking any valuable items. Usually, the Chief Steward is in charge, but the Marquis came today because a friend is visiting. They’re just ahead."
Li Qingxian looked up and saw Marquis Nanxiang, Meng Huaichuan, standing ahead. He was wearing an even larger Purple Gold Crown than the day before and was dressed in a crimson Bullfighting Suit with yellow accents. The dou niu creature embroidered on it had claws like a dragon and horns like a bull.
The dou niu gave off an extremely faint glow.
To wear the Qi Fortune Bullfighting Suit was to hold the status of a Third Grade official.
Compared to this Qi Fortune Bullfighting Suit, everyone else’s clothing seemed dull and colorless.
Meng Huaichuan was like a small sun among the crowd, weaving his way through the mountain-like piles of miscellaneous goods.
Over ten people followed at Meng Huaichuan’s side.
Li Qingxian recognized only one of them: Ye Han.
As they approached, a servant prompted Meng Huaichuan, who turned his head. His face lit up with pleasure as he strode forward to greet them, announcing loudly, "I, Meng Huaichuan, greet Mr. Chunfeng."
Zhou Chunfeng smiled and inclined his head. "It has been some time, Huaichuan. You seem more outstanding than ever."
"Mr. Chunfeng, you’re too kind. Please, this way. I have already prepared a tea table for you. Qingxian, General Zhou, please join us," Meng Huaichuan said with great enthusiasm.
Zhou Henn cupped his fist. "Greetings, Marquis Nanxiang."
"We’re all friends here, no need for such formality. Everyone, make way for Mr. Chunfeng," Meng Huaichuan said warmly.
The attendants, Stewards, Retained Guests, and friends behind Meng Huaichuan all parted to make way, bowing and greeting Zhou Chunfeng in unison.
A few of them knew Zhou Chunfeng and exchanged a few words.
Though dressed in simple green silk, Zhou Chunfeng was no less impressive than Meng Huaichuan in his Bullfighting Suit; it was like the Sun and Moon Competing Brilliance.
The two of them walked in front, with Li Qingxian behind them and the rest of the group further back, as they all headed for a room in a side courtyard.
Ye Han watched Li Qingxian’s back up ahead, his brow furrowing slightly. ’Even though I’ve already given up on being his enemy, seeing him again for some reason just makes my stomach churn. I hope he just trades for his thing and leaves. He’d better not disturb my time with Marquis Nanxiang.’
Once inside the room, everyone took their seats. Meng Huaichuan and Zhou Chunfeng chatted for a while, discussing the sights of the Divine Capital and the state of Qii Country, before Zhou Chunfeng explained the reason for his visit.