Calamity Messenger

Chapter 220 - 174: Winter Hunting Zhenren

"Shang Le, you’ve grown older again," said Helan Shou indifferently.

"Mortals inevitably age, how can they stay young forever like Grandfather?" Helan Shang Le said with a bitter smile, "I still remember the first time I saw Grandfather when I was young, I asked my father why Grandfather looked younger than he did."

Helan Shou’s face showed a faint smile, "Is that so? The Golden Saber... how long has the Golden Saber been dead?"

"Sixteen years," Helan Shang Le replied. "Father has been gone for sixteen years now."

"Is that so..."

Seeing he had successfully evoked Helan Shou’s memories, Helan Shang Le naturally didn’t interrupt him. Although they were grandfather and grandson, Helan Shang Le wasn’t very close to Helan Shou, or perhaps after Helan Shou’s Foundation Establishment, it was hard for anyone to get close to him, only his wife and children before his establishment could slightly catch his attention, which was why Helan Shang Le brought up his father.

After a while, Helan Shou asked, "What brings you to me?"

Helan Shang Le handed over a letter, which Helan Shou received and unfolded, ripples appearing on his otherwise calm face.

"Someone has managed to crack Si Wuxie’s inheritance?" He laughed, "I couldn’t solve that Skull Tower in the past, no matter what."

Helan Shang Le immediately said, "They are Third-Turn Messengers, so naturally the difficulty is lesser than what Grandfather encountered. Moreover, they have two Heavy Rain Messengers."

"If the front hall could still be sneaked through, then even the Central Courtyard is a bit troublesome even for me; it seems Si Wuxie left a formation inside. I remember his token had that effect... was it the Mixed Yuan Qi Magic Sword? They managed to break through it in a day, but... both battles needed Buddhist Sect’s tokens to solve?"

Helan Shou furrowed his white eyebrows, "Must use Buddhist Sect’s tokens... could it be..."

He pondered for a moment and read the letter again, "Rabbit Heroine? Wolf Demon?"

"Wolf Demon is Pharmacist’s Wish, the daughter of Duke Jin. Duke Jin was defeated due to treason—" Helan Shang Le abruptly realized Helan Shou’s impatience and quickly summarized, "Pharmacist’s Wish fled towards Shu Dao Mountain, from weapons to strength and follower configuration, it can be confirmed it was her."

"As for the Rabbit Heroine, the Helan Family still can’t uncover her background. We only know she suddenly appeared to rescue Pharmacist’s Wish, and together they killed Helan Que and seized his token."

"Helan Que... I remember him, he was quite good with a spear," Helan Shou said indifferently. "The letter mentions the Rabbit Heroine has the Return Order, but I recall the Return Order belongs to Liang Kingdom’s Jiang Shi?"

Hearing Winter Hunting Zhenren had only a single sentence on Helan Que’s death, Helan Shang Le sighed inwardly and replied, "Indeed, which is why he couldn’t confirm the Return Order’s authenticity. But judging by common sense, the Rabbit Heroine, being merely a Second-Turn Messenger, dared to ascend Shu Dao Mountain and confront the Three Guardians with arrogance; only the Return Order could explain her unrestricted boldness."

"A Return Order that can withstand a Foundation Establishment Messenger... also Si Wuxie’s legacy... It indeed warrants my action," Helan Shou stood up from the mat. "Do other families know of this news?"

Helan Shang Le quickly stood up in response, "Unlikely, exploring the Corpse Bone Forest is a top secret of Shu Dao Mountain, known only to those five involved, and Pharmacist’s Wish and the Rabbit Heroine lack anyone to send messages out. The other two Great Guardians are dedicated to Foundation Establishment as Demon Dao zealots, and only one is from our Helan Family."

"Moreover, he harbors enmity with Pharmacist’s Wish, surely he would find a way to retain Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine. As long as you, Grandfather, descend upon Shu Dao Mountain, Si Wuxie’s legacy and the Return Order will certainly belong to you!"

Helan Shou nodded in satisfaction, "Time is of the essence, let’s set out then."

"Ah?"

Helan Shang Le watched Helan Shou walk out just like that, even without shoes, merely in white socks, leaving the temple.

The maids noticed Winter Hunting Zhenren was leaving but hadn’t received any instructions, momentarily unsure of what to do, they stared blankly at Winter Hunting Zhenren’s departing figure. The village outside was similar, with adults observing the white-haired youth walking out, taking several seconds before kneeling to pay respects, while the little ones were occupied with snacks, watching the elder Patriarch follow the white-haired youth out, stirring a desire to escape this haunted place.

Outside the Secret Realm, servants and stewards had been waiting for some time. As soon as Helan Shou stepped out, the steward immediately knelt and shouted loudly, "Welcome Winter Hunting Zhenren to the world!"

Though minds had yet to react, the bodies of servants and the crossbow-bearing households quickly followed the steward’s lead, "Welcome Winter Hunting Zhenren to the world!"

"Welcome Winter Hunting Zhenren to the world!"

The sounds of cheers spread from the entrance of the Secret Realm all the way through the fortress. As Helan Shou reached the fortress’s entrance, the carriage and servants were already prepared; many had come purposely to pay homage, visibly excited, each kneeling, as if witnessing the descent of an immortal.

Helan Shang Le continuously watched Helan Shou’s expressions, prepared to shout and disperse the crowd at the slightest hint of irritation. Yet Helan Shou remained without any ripple, proceeding directly into the carriage, followed closely by Helan Shang Le.

No impatience was a good sign, indicating the elder still accepted the respect and adoration of the crowd. Helan Shang Le eyed Helan Shou, who had closed his eyes, gathering courage to speak, "Grandfather, recently the Emperor killed off Duke Jin’s line, while Duke Wei Chu Luoyan—"

"That’s your business," Helan Shou opened his eyes. "Affairs of the descendants should be dealt by the descendants."

"Yes." Helan Shang Le felt his back dampening.

Almost all Foundation Establishment Zhenren are like this; they only care about results. The court’s myriad entanglements to them are like children playing house, the interests among the Emperor, Pillar of Country, and nobles are but children’s attempts to snatch toys, not worthy of attention, only Qi Kingdom’s Ying Le, the madwoman, would be willing to be an Emperor.

Helan Shou lifted the curtain of the carriage, looking out at the sprawling gardenias, suddenly said, "You mentioned earlier, Pharmacist’s Wish killed Iron Head’s son?"

Helan Shang Le was momentarily confused, remembering that Helan Que’s father had the nickname Iron Head.

"Yes."

"If she’s still at Shu Dao Mountain, let’s resolve it in passing," Helan Shou said calmly. "The gardenias are doing well, reward them."

Helan Shang Le promptly called out to the flower farmers kneeling outside, "Winter Hunting Zhenren sees your merits in cultivating the flowers, all flower farmers are rewarded with thirty Spiritual Jade!"

The flower farmers were momentarily stunned before feverishly bowing repeatedly, patting their chests assuring to cultivate even more splendid flowers. Although the annual salary of the Helan Family is high, thirty Spiritual Jade is equivalent to several years of their income!

Each thirty, totaling close to thirty thousand; distributing it among the poor, yet Helan Shang Le doesn’t think it’s expensive; to the century-old Helan Family, this amount of Spiritual Jade means nothing, but to have the elder casually assist, that’s invaluable courage!

The flowers should continue to be planted, children need to be raised continuously, and maids should be replaced regularly, perhaps the elder might meet one he likes?