Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 334 The Imperial Household Department

A few clear bird calls rang out, and the birds flapped their wings and took flight in the woods ahead.

Gu Jingnian looked around and saw a vast and majestic city at the foot of the distant mountains on the other side of the woods.

The city's design was somewhat similar to that of the capital city of Zhuojing, but it possessed a more ethereal quality.

Even just a glimpse of the eaves gives one a sense of profound mystery.

"Don't let go!"

Xun Yan called out, then said to Gu Jingnian, "Come here in your true form."

"it is good."

Gu Jingnian closed his eyes and took a step forward.

This time, there was no sound of a mirror breaking, but he could feel that the mirror in the pharmacy had gone dark, and the figures in the pharmacy had also disappeared.

The feeling of my feet being in the woods became more reassuring.

"came back!"

Xun Yan said something quite easily and finally let go of Gu Jingnian's hand.

He spread his arms wide, breathing in the air greedily, his face beaming with excitement.

Seeing this, Wei Chan and Shen Lingshu also tried to let go of each other's hands and carefully jumped on the ground.

Ah Wan was terrified and clung to Gu Jingnian's leg, not daring to let go. Only when she peeked out and saw that her young lady had already walked around Gu Jingnian once did she let go and stand up.

"Wow, where is this? Is there such a big place in Beijing? I've never been here before."

Of course, Zhuojing is not such a large place; this is a region completely independent of Zhuojing.

Wei Chan was well aware of this, so she excitedly clenched her fist in the air.

At this point, Gu Jingnian fully understood.

Shen Jichi's special abilities lie in controlling light and projecting shadows. Therefore, he controls the Ancient Wood Token and enters this realm through the pharmacy. In other words, this realm is the place he guards. After being captured, Shen Jichi deliberately let Gu Jingnian retrieve the Ancient Wood Token because he knew that Gu Jingnian could also project shadows.

As for Xun Yan, he probably only knows how to get here, but he neither knows how to transmit his image nor has the Ancient Wood Token. Therefore, as long as Gu Jingnian looks for him, he will definitely be willing to bring Gu Jingnian here.

The Ancient Tree Token is probably just some kind of tree in this world. The walls inside the pharmacy are built with soil from this world. The black fruits that grow there may not have any special effects, but they have a strong aura that allows the Shadow Transmitter to find this place.

However, only a few people can transmit their images, and Shen Jichi will not be the only one who can come to this realm.

"Are there any other passages here?" Gu Jingnian asked.

“Of course there is,” Xun said, “but that’s not the path we can take.”

"Would it be very dangerous?"

"This old man has been retired for a long time, and I don't know where others might come from," Xun Yan said with a smile. "But, you're not afraid of danger, are you?"

Gu Jingnian asked, "Where is my elder sister?"

"there."

Xun Yan raised his hand and pointed to the distant city and palace, saying, "Only there is the most suitable place to imprison important figures."

"Is there only one of these realms?" Gu Jingnian asked.

“Of course there’s only one,” Xun Yan said. “After all, this is Zhuojing, the very center of Zhongzhou.”

"Let's go."

Without hesitation, Gu Jingnian strode toward the city.

After taking two steps, he turned around and saw Xun Yan standing there motionless, so he showed a questioning expression.

“The place I’m going to is different from yours,” Xun Yan said. “Let’s part ways here.”

Wei Chan asked first, "Where are you going?"

"I used to work here, and I left some old things behind. I've come back this time to retrieve them."

"Is it related to alchemy?" Wei Chan pressed. "You're so old, you must be trying to achieve immortality, right?"

Xun Yan shook his head and chuckled, "This old man doesn't have that kind of luck."

"I do not believe."

Wei Chan's gaze was sharp as she looked Xun Yan up and down, sticking to her judgment, and then she made a decision.

"I want to go with you."

Xun Yan did not refuse, saying, "In that case, Princess, please come with this old man."

"A-Shu, come quick." Wei Chan waved to Shen Lingshu, "Don't follow Gu Jingnian, it's too dangerous."

"I……"

While Shen Lingshu was still hesitating, Gu Jingnian, without waiting for her to make a decision, had already walked alone towards the city.

"Wait for me."

Shen Lingshu gritted her teeth, finally made up her mind, and said to Gu Jingnian, "Since I accidentally hurt you, I should help you..."

"No need." Gu Jingnian said without turning his head, "Don't cause me any trouble. Let's part ways here."

When Ah Wan heard her daughter speak, she was about to follow, but upon hearing this, she had no choice but to stop. She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that she finally didn't have to take any risks.

But for some reason, she seemed a little disappointed.

Looking up again, she suddenly cried out, "Wow! Girl, look at him! He's burning...burning!"

But then Gu Jingnian raised his fiery wings on his back, flapped them twice, and flew high into the air, heading towards the city.

The four looked up for a while, then turned around and walked in another direction.

"We can only take it slow."

Xun Yan did not shy away from saying where he was going, and talked at length as he walked.

“Miss Shen, the place we’re going to was personally built by your father…”

--------

The palace, the night remains deep.

Pei Nian looked up at the three large characters "Imperial Hospital" and felt a little puzzled.

In her memory, Gu Caiwei was not imprisoned here; she should have gone further ahead.

The next moment, Min Yuanxiu glanced at the luminous pearl in Wang Qinghe's hand and saw that it was still crystal clear and had no trace of blood. He then stepped forward and continued walking.

"Commander-in-Chief," Wang Qinghe asked, "didn't Xun Yan bring Gu Jingnian to the Imperial Hospital?"

“We’re here,” Min Yuanxiu said, “but we can’t take this road.”

"Can't leave?"

Wang Qinghe didn't understand what this meant, but the current situation didn't allow him to ask any more questions.

On the contrary, Pei Nian seemed to have an epiphany. The path that Gu Jingnian could walk but they couldn't was probably due to some kind of special ability that Gu Jingnian possessed but they didn't.

She remembered that when she last visited Gu Caiwei, she did not encounter any instances of her using supernatural abilities.

Following Min Yuanxiu forward, they soon arrived at another government office.

Looking up, one sees the three large characters "Nei Shi Sheng" (内侍省, Inner Attendants' Office) on the plaque hanging above the government office.

This time, Min Yuanxiu did not linger and went straight up to knock on the door.

With three knocks, the door opened, and a young eunuch stood there, respectfully bowing and saying, "Min Zhenfu Envoy."

"I want to go in."

"Reporting to Governor Min, this is the Inner Palace. Without Lord Xu's written authorization, even a prince or nobleman is not allowed to enter."

"The wanted criminal Gu Jingnian I'm hunting has already gone inside. If they don't let me in soon, there will be big trouble."

These words did not frighten the young eunuch. Although he was young, he had his own set of rules for dealing with people. He said, "Let Governor Min know that the Inner Palace Attendants Department is the emperor's close attendant and is not under the jurisdiction of the Kaiping Division."

Min Yuanxiu frowned.

Actually, Gu Caiwei wasn't initially imprisoned here. It was after Gu Jingnian gradually lost control that Ji Xianliang, citing the orders of Commander Song Jian, transferred Gu Caiwei here. The Inner Palace Secretariat was not under the jurisdiction of the Kaiping Division; the reason she was able to be transferred here was due to Ji Xianliang's personal connections.

In other words, Gu Caiwei had already broken free from the control of the Kaiping Sinan Yamen at that time, and even Min Yuanxiu could not see her whenever he wanted.

Seeing this, Pei Nian stepped forward and asked the young eunuch, "Do you remember me? I was here just two days ago."

“I remember, last time it was Lord Ji who personally brought you here.”

This minor eunuch referred to himself as "Lord Ji" rather than "Commander Ji," which shows that in his eyes, the status of the virtuous eunuch Ji was more important.

Pei Nian then said, "Please allow me to see Gu Caiwei, Ji Gongyun."

Letting them pass was not so easy, and the young eunuch could only shake his head.

Min Yuanxiu was furious and said, "If the government offices act so rigidly, even with a tight net, it will be difficult to catch Gu Jingnian. If something happens to the capital again, can you bear the responsibility?!"

Having said that, he was about to force his way in.

Before they could even make a move, a hoarse yet effeminate voice rang out, saying, "We'll take care of it."

Min Yuanxiu looked over and saw an old eunuch dressed in bright clothes standing in the Inner Palace.

His expression changed, and he quickly lowered his voice, bowing and saying, "Master Xu."

"come in."

Eunuch Xu beckoned, signaling Min Yuanxiu to lead his men inside.

As he drew nearer, he said leisurely, "Don't think we servants are neglecting you. The Inner Palace is keeping an eye on that important person for you. If it weren't for such strict security, he would have been kidnapped by Gu Jingnian long ago. Do you believe me?"

Min Yuanxiu dared not disbelieve.

In his early years, Eunuch Xu personally cared for the emperor as he grew up. In terms of seniority, none of the three men could compare to Eunuch Xu.

Therefore, Min Yuanxiu immediately calmed down and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your help, Master Xu."

Just then, Ji Xianliang, the garrison commander of the Northern Garrison, also rushed over and greeted them in a soft, feminine voice as soon as he entered the door.

"Godfather."

The dignified Northern Garrison Commander spoke with a childlike, coquettish tone.

Xu Gonggong feigned anger and cursed, "Gu Jingnian arrived long ago, and you only just arrived. You are far behind Governor Min."

Ji Xianliang hurriedly replied, "Your son is incompetent."

"Let's go." Eunuch Xu turned around. "I'll take you to find him..."

(End of this chapter)