Immortalis

Tong Xue II

"Longevity Palace is..."

"A heretical sect that fifteen years ago roamed the martial world kidnapping people everywhere, using them as medicinal ingredients for alchemical pills. They have old grudges with several factions of the Old Four Seas Alliance."

"So the Four Seas Alliance was reorganized to deal with Longevity Palace?"

"It's just like those civil officials in the court forming cliques - they always need to find some pretext. When these martial sects operated independently, it was manageable. But now they're forming alliances again, even recruiting talents... You must understand, this world belongs to only one person. Therefore, even if people in the martial world form factions, it's not good news for the palace."

Half a month ago, when Shen Qingshi met Cao Zhao in the Zhaoming Division's secret chamber, he had just learned he was about to be sent as a spy to the Four Seas Alliance.

The secret chamber was originally meant as a place for the Four Envoys of Zhaoming to rest during investigations. There were four rooms in total, all built completely airtight. Any Zhaoming Guard who could enter the secret chamber was either guilty of major crimes or highly trusted.

Under the candlelight, Shen Qingshi's expression remained as indifferent as ever: "Why send me?"

Cao Zhao smiled bitterly and turned around.

It was said among the Four Envoys of Zhaoming that Chaofeng was treacherous, Chiwen was merciless, and Ya Zi was violent - only Bi An Envoy Cao Zhao had the gentlest disposition. Yet even so, simply standing under the lamp with his saber, Cao Zhao still exuded an aura of formidable severity that made people dare not look directly at him.

"Do you know who Ya Zi Envoy's sister is?"

"Consort Shun?"

"Do you remember Consort Hui's miscarriage last month?"

"I remember. They said she was frightened at night and had me investigate. The investigation led to Consort..."

Before Shen Qingshi could finish, he already realized: "Consort Shun complained to Ya Zi Envoy? Said I caused her to fall out of favor?"

"Knowing you can't drink hot tea, here."

Cao Zhao sighed helplessly and poured him a cup of wine: "Qingshi, your special constitution allows you to move freely in the inner palace, so you're the only one who can investigate there... If someone intends to use this matter against you, you can't avoid it."

With things put so plainly, Shen Qingshi didn't hesitate. He took the wine and drank it, then said: "Going to the Four Seas Alliance as a spy means I won't have a chance at promotion to centurion this year, right?"

Cao Zhao smiled bitterly without speaking, simply pouring him another cup of wine: "But it's not entirely bad news. You know, this position is dangerous. Going to the martial world might actually give you more freedom."

Shen Qingshi drained the cup in one gulp.

Having worked by Cao Zhao's side for years, he knew perfectly well how many spies the Four Divisions of Zhao Ming had sent to the martial world over the years. In places like Boundless Sword Manor alone, you could find at least seven or eight Zhaoming Guards from top to bottom.

He was puzzled: "The previous spies aren't useful? Since it's a reorganization, wouldn't members of the Old Four Seas Alliance fare better in the martial examination?"

Cao Zhao smiled: "Qingshi, you still don't understand. If those could be useful, the Four Seas Alliance shouldn't have formed at all... They currently have Longevity Palace as their common enemy, but have you considered - once Longevity Palace is gone, can the Four Seas Alliance still exist?"

As long as Longevity Palace was eliminated and the common interest disappeared, the Four Seas Alliance would collapse.

Shen Qingshi quietly pulled himself out of his memories. He had already realized Cao Zhao's purpose in sending him as a spy.

"How to find them?"

He immediately asked: "Seeking Longevity refers to Longevity Palace, right? Have Longevity Palace members appeared recently?"Before Green Rain Sword could speak, a girl's cheerful voice came from behind him: "Or perhaps Boundless Sword Manor wants to conveniently assign us to investigate that case?"

Her words stirred up a storm. The crowd began murmuring among themselves. Shen Qingshi turned to look at Yang Wujian in her red dress behind him: "What case?"

Yang Wujian smiled again: "The feud between Boundless Sword Manor and Longevity Palace must be related to that incident in the back mountains, right? I've only heard bits and pieces—the specifics should be explained by the seniors here."

"What... what incident? And how do you know so much about these matters? Longevity Palace vanished years ago—how could we find them?"

It was only then that Zhou Huai finally sensed something amiss.

As the young master of White Rainbow Tower, with access to the wealthiest intelligence network and connections in the martial world, he actually knew fewer martial secrets than some girl of unknown origin. He couldn't help but look suspiciously at Yang Wujian: "They say you're a descendant of Crescent Moon Blade, but I heard Crescent Moon Blade committed suicide at Hero's Tomb. How are you also connected to Longevity Palace?"

"Connected? It's more than that!"

Yang Wujian let out a cold laugh: "Why do you think Crescent Moon Blade went to Hero's Tomb to kill herself? My cousin—just ten years old—was kidnapped by Longevity Palace to be used as a Flesh Conduit! She was burned until not even ashes remained! Do you know how much our family adored her? How close we were as playmates?"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry, that's not what I meant..."

Zhou Huai flustered, hurriedly pulling out an embroidered handkerchief from his robe. But before he could offer it, the girl threw herself into his arms, weeping uncontrollably.

"After my cousin died, her parents followed soon after. And my mother... she blamed herself for failing to save my cousin. The grief consumed her until she was completely exhausted. In the end, she abandoned me and this Crescent Moon Blade, going alone to Hero's Tomb... Do you know why I joined Four Seas Alliance? Why I'm investigating this? It's all to avenge my cousin! She was used as human medicinal ingredient, burned like that! She appears in my dreams every night—when I try to grab her, all I catch is a wisp of green smoke..."

Yang Wujian's sobs were heart-wrenching. When the words "Flesh Conduit" came from her mouth, the expressions of everyone present shifted.

Just as Green Rain Sword had said, fifteen years ago, while Prince Qi raised his army and the world fell into chaos, Longevity Palace took the opportunity to practice human alchemy on a large scale, kidnapping countless people—many of whom were martial artists.

Rumors said the inner energy cultivation method practiced by Longevity Palace, the Longevity Heart Sutra, was an extremely sinister martial art. Those who mastered its highest levels could achieve immortality, but to advance further, they needed to refine living humans into pills to replenish their energy. Thus, hundreds upon thousands of Flesh Conduits had died in Longevity Palace's alchemy furnaces.

"I will definitely find those who harmed her and make them pay in blood."

When Yang Wujian finally managed to stop crying, Zhou Huai quickly offered his handkerchief and comforted her: "We'll find them, of course we will. Isn't that why Four Seas Alliance is being reestablished? But... Longevity Palace has been acting mysteriously these past years and hasn't shown itself for some time. If we want to find them, we probably need to hear more about that case you mentioned earlier."

"Everyone, please follow me to Sword Nurturing Pavilion for detailed discussion."

Finally, Dong Zhu interjected: "Miss Yang is correct. Before going into seclusion, the Manor Master instructed us to provide you all with clues. This isn't the place to talk—please follow me."The martial examination had concluded. The Immeasurable Seven Swords led the crowd into the manor. Though the others had already moved far ahead, Shen Qingshi remained motionless in his spot until Yang Wujian gave him a push.

"What are you dazing off for?"

The young woman who had been wailing moments ago seemed to have switched faces in an instant.

Noticing Zhou Huai glancing back at her every few steps from the corner of his eye, Yang Wujian knew his act had been convincing enough. He sighed, "Looking so lost and desolate—do you also have a blood feud with Longevity Palace?"

"......"

Shen Qingshi was unusually dazed.

He instinctively touched the back of his neck, where a burning sensation flared a few inches below his shoulder blades.

The term "Flesh Conduit" was not unfamiliar to him.

Shen Qingshi squeezed his eyes shut tightly. In his blurred memories, the heart-wrenching screams still echoed in his ears. From what he could recall, all Flesh Conduits bore marks on their backs from branding irons.

And in the beginning, they would never know that compared to the searing pain of the branding iron, what they would ultimately face was something a thousand times more agonizing.

"Let's go."

After a long pause, Shen Qingshi shook his head lightly and strode forward to catch up.

As the world's foremost sword manor, Boundless Manor was adorned with nothing but swords and minerals. Every few dozen steps, one would come across a sword repository guarded at the front by Sword-Wielding Disciples.

Along the way, the trio had already seen dozens of legendary weapons that had previously existed only in the tales of Bai Xiaosheng. Even Zhou Huai, who had seen his share of the world, couldn't help but marvel, "The old manor master truly loves his swords. Is he in seclusion now because he acquired another treasure at the recent Famous Sword Gathering?"

Hearing this, Dong Zhu could only smile wryly. "Our master is obsessed with swords. He's currently in seclusion in the back mountains and has sealed off half the area. If you plan to venture there later, be careful not to take the wrong path."

The group arrived at the Sword Nurturing Pavilion and took their seats. The pavilion was surrounded by seven sword chambers belonging to the Seven Swords and served as the manor's venue for hosting distinguished guests.

After a brief explanation, the Immeasurable Seven Swords left only Dong Zhu behind; the others soon departed the pavilion with hurried expressions.

Yang Wujian had fully recovered by now. Sipping tea, she nibbled on snacks and teased, "Senior Dong Zhu, you're truly busy. Not only is Boundless Sword Manor solely leading the Four Seas Alliance's recruitment efforts while the other factions stand by, but now even among the Seven Swords, you're the only one left here without any assistance?"

"Manor affairs are complex. Since our master entered seclusion, everything has fallen to my senior and junior brothers to manage. My duties are already relatively light."

Faced with the younger generation's banter, Dong Zhu showed no trace of anger. Just as the rumors below the mountain claimed, among the Immeasurable Seven Swords, Green Rain Sword had the widest social connections and lived up to being the old manor master's most valued disciple.

Shen Qingshi disliked beating around the bush and cut straight to the point. "What about the case mentioned earlier?"

"Ah, that one."

Dong Zhu sighed. "The master is aware that searching for Longevity Palace is exceedingly difficult, given how rarely they've appeared in recent years. So, he wants you to start by investigating old matters within the manor."

As he spoke, Dong Zhu's expression darkened for some reason. Yang Wujian observed this and said softly, "It seems, then, that the incident years ago when four sword attendants went missing in the back mountains of Boundless Sword Manor..."

"That incident is true."After a long silence, Dong Zhu spoke again, his voice hoarse: "Fifteen years ago, during the period when Longevity Palace was abducting people everywhere, Boundless Sword Manor killed many of their followers. Even several of the Ten Elders of Longevity died by our master's hand. Not long after, four sword apprentices went missing in the back mountains and haven't been found to this day—not even their bones."

"Four people vanished in broad daylight?"

Zhou Huai shuddered, abruptly tightening his grip on his prayer beads.

He was famously known in the martial world for having an exceptionally weak fate, still plagued by the Evil Sickness. Under normal circumstances, he would have found an excuse to leave the hall at the first mention of such matters.

Dong Zhu said: "The northern part of the manor's back mountains was originally a mining area, also called Myriad Sword Cave. During the Northern Xiang era, they dug too deep and caused a collapse, burying the mine. But many tunnels remained. At the time, people said it must have been Longevity Palace members who kidnapped the apprentices through those tunnels... Otherwise, with the manor's tight security, those four children couldn't have just disappeared into thin air."

Yang Wujian thought for a moment: "If that's the case, why couldn't they have simply fallen into the mining tunnels themselves? Perhaps their bodies were never found."

To this, Dong Zhu only shook his head, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"Impossible. We borrowed Medicine King Mountain's trained Corpse Seeking Sable to search the back mountains, but it only found the bones of a miner who had died in the shafts long ago... Later we discovered that some tunnels would collapse due to external force. We suspect that after they were taken away, someone collapsed the rock fissures leading outside. That's why we couldn't even track the traces they left behind."

"So the old manor master wants us to investigate Longevity Palace's whereabouts through this case, but... this happened fifteen years ago..."

Zhou Huai instinctively recoiled from matters involving possible deaths, but before he could protest, Yang Wujian immediately shot him a glare: "What do you know? This must be investigated thoroughly."

Zhou Huai was taken aback: "Why?"

"Those taken to become Flesh Conduits never return alive. So we can't count on anyone who's been there to tell us where Longevity Palace is. We can only figure out how they transport people inside..."

Yang Wujian tapped her fingers on the table: "Young Master Zhou, you've never done a day of hard work in your life. Have you considered—if someone kidnaps four people at once, even if they're children, how would they transport them? If they used carriages, ate meals, stayed at inns along the way—wouldn't people have seen them? Wouldn't that give us many more clues?"

Finally, she paused, then suddenly raised her piercing dark eyes to stare directly at Dong Zhu.

"Besides, this matter must be investigated. After all, I've heard that among the four missing children back then... was Elder Dong's own son."