Chapter Sixty-Six: The Message

This group halted to rest in a small town ahead.

That very night, the caravan leader dispatched men in all directions to gather information, while others rode swiftly toward Luoyue Commandery, probing for news along the way.

By the following day, it was certain that something unusual had occurred in Luoyue Commandery.

Left with no other choice, the caravan altered its route.

Qingyuan, however, remained behind in the small town.

“Ten thousand troops, sealing off Luoyue Commandery?”

In his room, Qingyuan pondered for a long time.

According to the information gathered, a great army under Deng Yin was stationed in Luoyue Commandery, numbering over ten thousand men.

And leading this force was one of the trusted confidants upon whom the Grand General of Southern Liang, Deng Yin, most relied.

It was said that this upheaval had taken place two months prior, when the entirety of Luoyue Commandery was, in a single night, encircled by Deng Yin’s forces. No one inside could leave, and no one outside could enter.

“What could have happened?” Qingyuan mused to himself. “Is this some secret concerning the Southern Liang court? Or does it involve cultivators and immortals—matters that cannot be revealed to common folk?”

Gu Cang, aware that Master had important business in Luoyue Commandery, scratched his head and asked, “Master, what should we do next?”

Qingyuan replied, “If these matters are indeed secrets, then it is unlikely we’ll discover anything by merely asking around. In the past, that would have been troublesome, but now, things have become far simpler...”

Gu Cang asked, “How has it become simpler?”

Qingyuan smiled. “Isn’t Bai Jiye of the Bai family famed for his knowledge of all winds and rains under heaven, for his ability to sense the faintest stirrings? His birds and insects should be arriving soon... When they do, I’ll write a message and have one of the little creatures deliver it to the Bai family, to inquire of Bai Jiye. I imagine it won’t be difficult...”

Gu Cang asked doubtfully, “But Master, don’t you dislike dealing with this man?”

Lifting his kettle and pouring a cup of water, Qingyuan laughed, “I dislike dealing with Bai Jiye himself, but I have no problem making use of his resources.”

Gu Cang asked, “So does that mean we’ll have to wait several days?”

Qingyuan nodded. “Indeed, we’ll have to wait quite some time.”

At this, a trace of unease flickered in his heart.

If the upheaval in Luoyue Commandery is truly connected to Fuzhong Mountain, or even stems from that treasure...

If the events in Luoyue Commandery have to do with cultivators, then even if, for now, there is no connection with the treasure of Fuzhong Mountain, what if, in the end, things escalate and the treasure is exposed before the world...

“The consequences would be unimaginable...”

Qingyuan took a deep breath.

...

Less than two days passed.

Sure enough, news from Bai Jiye arrived.

This time, it was delivered by an eagle.

Perhaps because of the great distance, doves and other such birds might have lost their way, but only a fierce raptor like the eagle could brave the journey without fear of predators.

If the message had come from somewhere closer to Yuanjing City, it would have been delivered by a white crane or an insect; for greater distances, eagles and hawks were used.

This convinced Qingyuan all the more that Bai Jiye’s messages were not sent to him alone, but likely broadcast widely.

Qingyuan took the message and read it carefully. It concerned news of an impending battle between Deng Yin of Southern Liang and Jiang Baijian of Shu.

In the past, Qingyuan might have pondered over it, but this time, as the matter touched upon the Fuzhong Mountain of Luoyue Commandery, the treasure, and his own life, he ignored the news of war. He simply took the eagle, tied the prepared message to its leg, and released it.

“With Bai Jiye’s abilities, he surely cannot remain ignorant of what is happening in Luoyue Commandery.”

Qingyuan frowned slightly, thinking, “But if the matter is too sensitive, or relates to some great secret, he may well not report the truth. That, at least, must be guarded against...”

...

Yuanjing City.

The Bai Family.

Bai Jiye, dressed in pale robes and wearing a ceremonial cap, lay reclined on a rattan chair, a folding fan in hand, his eyes half-closed in repose.

He had just trimmed the flowers and plants in his courtyard and had ordered his servants to arrange various items according to his calculations, aligning them with the changes of the season and the principles of geomancy.

He took a deep breath, speaking languidly, “Have all the little ones been fed?”

A maidservant at his side replied softly, “Master, all the birds and insects have been fed. Of those sent out previously, over half have returned, though some are still far away and have not yet come back. However...”

Bai Jiye asked indifferently, “However what?”

The maid whispered, “There were three white doves that should have returned by now, but there’s been no message. This morning, we sent out hawks and white eagles to search for them, but... we suspect something befell the three doves en route.”

“Three, is it...” Bai Jiye chuckled lightly. “Raising three white doves is far more troublesome than raising three people—such a pity.”

The maid turned pale at once, fell to her knees, and pleaded, “Master, forgive me...”

“Never mind, it’s not your fault.” Bai Jiye opened his eyes, unfolded his fan, and said slowly, “By the way, how is Little Bai?”

The maid, still kneeling, answered softly, “Young Master Bai Xiao forged an identity for himself and, by clever chance, managed to catch the eye of one of Chen Zhiyun’s deputy generals. He has now joined Chen Zhiyun’s White-Clad Army as a new recruit and is still in training.”

Bai Jiye grunted in acknowledgement. “And Bai Yue?”

“Bai Yue has joined Deng Yin’s forces,” the maid replied. “But Deng Yin is currently in Nan’an, pacifying the region in preparation for his later campaign against Dongtiao Pass, so Bai Yue has not yet met him. At present, he is stationed near Luoyue Commandery...”

Bai Jiye’s eyebrows arched. “Luoyue Commandery?”

“Yes,” the maid whispered. “We received the news this morning. According to the dates, after joining the army, Bai Yue was transferred to Luoyue Commandery and has been there for two days now.”

“Luoyue Commandery...” Bai Jiye mused. “I heard before that a great fortune had appeared there, enough to stir even the orthodox Daoist sects and the distant Huanhua Pavilion in the far south. But... I have investigated—the opportunity concerns the inheritance of thunder magic, which is unrelated to my own plans. I only fear Bai Yue, being rash as ever, might, as before, try to test that young man Qingyuan on a whim, without thinking.”

The sunlight above seemed dazzling. Bai Jiye placed his fan over his face and drawled, “Send word to him—tell him to behave.”

“Yes, Master,” the maid replied softly.

“The sun is rather harsh today.” Bai Jiye removed his fan; his face was pale and bloodless, gleaming so white in the sunlight it was almost blinding. “No matter how much this sickly body of mine is exposed, I’ll never tan. Better to go inside and rest...”

He had just risen when, suddenly, a beam of light fell from the clouds above.

Drawing near, it revealed an eagle.

At its feet was a slip of paper.

Bai Jiye extended his arm.

The eagle landed steadily on his forearm.

He took the note, glanced over it, and his brows lifted, his gaze sharpening.

“So, this matter of Luoyue Commandery...”

He twirled the slip between his fingers; it crumbled into ash, drifting away on the breeze. With a languid smile, he mused, “Shall I tell you, or not...”