Yinshan Record

Chapter 252 Unkind Invitation
"Your Highness, please forgive me for being injured and unable to perform the proper greeting."

Su Che was somewhat surprised to see the Prince of Wuling, but his tone remained very calm.

According to the system of the Great Liang Dynasty, princes and dukes were above all officials. Even the prime minister of the court, unless he was a potential usurper like Yuwen Rui, had to pay his respects to princes and dukes.

However, Su Che didn't care about this kind of relationship between ruler and subject, father and son. In addition, he was now completely indifferent to the Great Liang, and he was not even willing to do this little bit of pretense for this Prince of Wuling.

"Su Qing is injured?"

The Prince of Wuling looked to be no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, and a hint of concern flashed in his eyes as he looked at Su Che.

"I don't know what this is..."

"Ashamed."

Su Che gestured for them to enter.

"This is not the place to talk, Your Highness. Please move to another location."

"it is good."

The Prince of Wuling waved his hand skillfully.

"Is this the headquarters of the Imperial Guards in Tian'an County?"

He looked around the silk shop and said, "You all have really worked hard."

Su Che had no idea how the display of this silk shop could be connected with the hardships of the imperial guards, but since the Prince of Wuling had said so, Su Lixing would naturally agree.

"It's not hard work at all. Serving the court is our duty."

The Prince of Wuling naturally took the seat at the head of the table.

"I have come here today for two matters. The first is a private matter. A few days ago, your brother sent a letter from the sea. I was about to take up my post in Cizhou, so I was forced to serve as a messenger."

The young prince smiled demurely and said, "So I took the liberty of coming to your door."

He then placed a letter on the table.

Su Che glanced at it but didn't say anything.

There are a million ways to get the letter to Su Che.

Even the Langya Wang clan was dragged into this huge commotion, and a dignified prince like Bai Longyu came all this way just for this one thing?

This is absolutely absurd.

Of course, Su Che could understand the implied meaning behind this.

The letter that the Prince of Wuling presented was merely intended to tell Su Che that the Su family of Duling had reached some consensus with this high-profile prince.

But what can a letter really prove?
Su Che would never believe that the Su family of Duling had switched from the Crown Prince's faction to the Prince of Wuling because of such a letter, nor would he believe that this meant that the Su family of Duling had begun a double life of sitting on both sides.

This is just a letter; let the Prince of Wuling express it however he wishes.

Su Che wore a joyful smile.

"I heard that my elder brother has been granted the imperial favor and has been sent to the East China Sea to appease the various countries."

The East Sea is a sacred place for cultivators, and it is also home to various kingdoms. However, compared to the immortals who walk among humans, the kingdoms of the East Sea have a very limited presence.

However, these seemingly trivial effects held special significance for the Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties. In an era of fragmentation and division, gaining the respect and recognition of more countries meant they could claim to be the legitimate successors.

Therefore, regardless of whether it was the North or the South, the court was quite lenient towards the countries of the East China Sea in order to win their recognition. The envoys sent to offer condolences were all young talents who could represent the dignity of the court.

“Your brother and I are old friends,” the Prince of Wuling said with a smile. “His Majesty once ordered me to study how to handle state affairs in the Secretariat, so your brother and I are old friends.”

Su Che politely expressed his shock at the words of the Prince of Wuling.

Everyone knows that this Prince of Wuling's comeback is only a matter of the last few months. To say that they are old friends is really going too far.

"A mere letter from home is hardly enough to trouble Your Highness. I am truly humbled and deeply grateful..."

"Su Qing said she was injured."

The Prince of Wuling looked quite surprised: "I wonder who this person is..."

"To be frank with Your Highness, it's not just me; there's probably no one in the Cizhou Criminal Investigation Bureau who isn't injured."

Su Che paused for a moment, just as Lu Bai and Zhu Yi brought the tea over.

"Doesn't Su Qing have any maids here?"

The Prince of Wuling suddenly interjected.

"Oh, is that necessary? If Your Highness finds this too bland, I'll have someone arrange a few right away."

Su Che acted as if he were pure and innocent.

"fine."

The Prince of Wuling lowered his head and took a sip of hot tea: "Just now, Minister Su said that everyone is injured."

"Indeed. Your Highness is aware of the case of the seditious book in Jiankang City a few days ago, isn't he?"

"Of course, when the Three Yang Calamity arrives, Heaven will destroy the broken beams. I remember that Minister Su once used similar words in a memorial to the throne..."

This kid definitely came prepared.

Su Che said calmly, "Since receiving the imperial order, Shi Chibao, the chief of the Cizhou Imperial Guard, has been working day and night, leading the entire bureau to collect and record intelligence from all over the place. We have finally discovered that the City God of Tian'an County may be related to the case of the demonic book."

"The City God of this place?"

The Prince of Wuling looked quite surprised. Su Che couldn't help but laugh. What was the situation in Tian'an County? Even if the imperial court didn't know, the Langya Wang clan was right there. Did they think they wouldn't tell this Prince of Wuling?
They're still young, and their acting comes across as overly exaggerated and forced. Perhaps it's because they're young and inexperienced; they haven't yet developed the skill and control to truly shine.

"The City God of Tian'an County has been corrupted by demons, and the demonic forces that made the move are nowhere to be found."

Su Che expertly raised his cup of hot tea and took a sip: "Your Highness's arrival in Cizhou at this time is indeed ill-timed."

"Oh?"

"Troubled times."

Su Che set his teacup aside: "Has Your Highness heard of the events surrounding the Xuan Mountain Incident?"

"All I know is that it involves the former imperial advisor..."

"The Tathagata with the Lion and the Lotus in Full Bloom".

Su Che looked into the eyes of the Prince of Wuling: "Does Your Highness know that this person is not dead?"

"Wasn't it said that he had already perished at the time of the previous dynasty's demise?"

"It's just a substitution, a fake death. In reality, he has already fallen into demonic possession." Su Che pointed to the sky: "Before the previous dynasty was destroyed, he had already made contact with the Lord of the End of Dharma above."

"Is there such a thing?"

"After years of lying low, I was just waiting to ascend to the heavens and become a demon, staining the land with blood."

Su Che exclaimed alarmingly, "Although this person did not succeed and was killed by the immortal, the subtle clues still allowed us to find some leads."

"Oh?"

"Cizhou has now become a den of demons."

"Isn't Su Qing's conclusion a bit too extreme?"

Su Che said very solemnly, "I'm afraid I've underestimated the situation. Your Highness, I dare to assert that the City God of Tian'an County is not the only one corrupted by demons."

"Your Highness, please consider this: throughout history, who has been Buddhism's greatest adversary?"

"Naturally, it's the Demonic Sect."

The Prince of Wuling didn't even think about it.

Although there is a folk saying: "The righteous path is one foot high, but the evil path is ten feet high."

The only sects that can truly be described as being at odds with each other are the Buddhist sect and the demonic sect; these two are irreconcilable.

"I believe that the Demonic Sect's arrangement in Cizhou is probably a response to the Buddhist Sect's attempt to establish itself in the Central Plains."

Su Che looked at the Prince of Wuling.

How Buddhism can establish itself in China? There are some things that can be kept secret from the world, but they can never be kept from the person in front of us.

Su Che believed that this Prince of Wuling was the contact person put forward by the current emperor to collude with the Buddhist sect.

"That is indeed a concern."

The Prince of Wuling frowned deeply: "Does Minister Su have any relevant case files that I can provide..."

"Your Highness."

Madam Xie cleared her throat.

"Oh, Madam Wang."

The Prince of Wuling said solemnly, "Minister Su, this is Lady Wang, the wife of my Chief Secretary..."

"I have known Su Lixing for a long time."

Madam Xie smiled gently.

"Your Highness came to see Su Lixing this time because you have another matter to ask of you."

The Prince of Wuling smiled slightly as he said this.

"Look at me, I was so focused on the important matter of delivering the letter that I forgot about the little favor I needed to ask Su Lixing for."

Su Che really wanted to reply to him directly: since it was a small matter, they could talk about it another day.

Anyone could see that delivering the letter was a trivial matter, while the Prince of Wuling was now bringing up the important matter.

However, it's hard to refuse someone who's all smiles, and since the Prince of Wuling had such a kind and approachable demeanor, Su Che couldn't very well refuse him outright.

"To my shame, I was born in the inner palace and raised by women."

"You're too kind. You were born in the cold palace and raised by eunuchs." Su Che couldn't help but smile at this thought. He was from a family of eunuchs, a family of eunuchs; it was best not to laugh at others.

"It can be said that I am ignorant. I heard that there is a debate between good and evil swords nearby these days, and I wanted to go and see it. But Su Lixing also knows that I, a prince, am just a paper tiger. So I wanted to go, but I didn't know who to ask to protect me, so I thought of Su Lixing."

Su Che looked at the lady on the other side.

"I will accompany Your Highness."

"Although I am injured, it is my duty to do this."

Su Che raised his hands and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will select a few capable subordinates to protect Your Highness."

"With Su Lixing's words, I am relieved."

(End of this chapter)