I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The night was as dark as ink, and the stars gradually thickened. Li Bai's inner energy surged, propelling him at a speed far exceeding that of a steed as he darted through the mountains and forests. In the distance, on the horizon, a vast, hazy shadow, distinct from the mountain silhouettes, faintly emerged under the sparse starlight. It was the outline of a city wall, the possible convergence point of countless lights—Chengdu, the City of Brocade, lay ahead. The wind carried the faint sounds of urban life and the scent of smoke, mingling with the cool autumn night air. A sharp glint flashed in Li Bai's eyes, and he increased his speed by another third. His robes billowed like sails in the night wind as he soared through the air towards that city, both alluring and fraught with peril.

As the first hint of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon, Li Bai was already standing on a high slope three miles west of Chengdu.

A misty morning veil shrouded the distant city. The grey city walls, outlined in the soft morning light, revealed their imposing silhouette, the eaves of the gate towers faintly visible. The moat, like a silver ribbon, encircled the city, its surface shrouded in mist. The city gates were not yet open, but early travelers, farmers carrying loads, and porters pushing wheelbarrows awaited on the official road outside the city. The sounds of people, vehicles, and livestock mingled and drifted intermittently on the morning breeze. The air was filled with the complex scents of earth, hay, cooking smoke, and the distinctive aromas of human habitation.

Li Bai took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling his lungs, carrying the moisture of dew and the lively atmosphere of the distant city. He looked down at himself—his blue robe was stained with dust and grass clippings from his night's journey, the hem was torn in several places by tree branches, and his long hair was somewhat disheveled. Entering the city looking like this would be far too conspicuous.

With a slight thought, the Azure Lotus True Essence flowed within his body, and an invisible energy emanated from every pore of his body, gently brushing against his clothes. Dust and bits of grass fell away, the wrinkles on his robes were smoothed out, and although the tears could not be repaired, the overall appearance was much neater. He then raised his hand to tidy his hair, casually tying it up with an ordinary cloth strip. He took out a slightly worn scholar's cap, which he had casually bought in the small town of Shu Mountain, and put it on, partially covering his eyebrows and eyes.

Having done all this, he concealed his aura, hiding all the qualities of a Foundation Establishment cultivator—a subtle resonance with heaven and earth, and an inner spiritual light. At this moment, he looked like a travel-worn, slightly down-on-his-luck but still spirited young scholar.

As the sun rises, its golden rays pierce through the clouds.

The heavy city gate of Chengdu's west gate creaked open slowly, and the guards, yawning, began checking those entering the city. Li Bai mingled in the crowd, paid the five-coin entry tax, received a small bamboo token, and followed the flow of people through the city gate.

A cool, slightly damp smell of brick and stone wafted over, mixed with the complex odors of dust, carriages, and sweat accumulated over the years. Passing through a doorway several meters deep, the view suddenly opened up before us.

Chengdu, bathed in the morning light, has awakened.

Shops along the street gradually lowered their doors, and shopkeepers swept the area in front of them and hung up their signs. Breakfast stalls steamed, steam rising from the lids, the aroma of noodles and savory meat filling filling the air; vendors selling porridge called out, stirring the rice in earthenware pots with wooden spoons, the fragrance of rice filling the air. Farmers carrying fresh vegetables lined the street, dew still clinging to the vibrant green leaves. Carriages and horses moved about, pedestrians hurried by, the sounds of conversation, haggling, children's laughter, and the faint morning bells of a distant temple blending together to create a vibrant symphony of street life.

Familiar street scenes, familiar atmosphere.

Standing at the street corner, Li Bai was momentarily lost in thought. Months ago, he was still the weak and fearful scholar, filled with resentment and trepidation, drinking and conversing with Wu Zhinan here, captivated by the every smile and gesture of Yang Guifei. Now he returned, his physical body unchanged, his appearance the same, but within him he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his dantian nurturing a celestial sword, wielding the power to change his destiny.

But what about Yang Guifei?

His heart tightened; that beautiful figure and the possible fate pierced his mind like needles. He steadied himself, determined his direction, and headed towards the "Yuelai Inn" where he remembered staying with Wu Zhinan.

His pace was unhurried, blending seamlessly into the crowd. But his five senses were fully engaged, capturing fragments of information from the street gossip.

"...I've heard that the young lady from the Yang family is truly a celestial being..."

"...The angels from the palace all praised it highly and took it away immediately..."

"...That's right, she's risen to prominence and become a phoenix..."

"...The Yang family is really living up to their reputation now..."

"...What a pity, with such beauty and talent, she ended up in the deep palace, alas..."

The fragmented conversations, like tiny shards of ice, seeped into Li Bai's ears, slowly sinking his heart. Although he had expected it, and although he knew from historical memory that this was inevitable, the impact of hearing the discussions of ordinary people firsthand was still sharp.

The sign for Yuelai Inn appeared in front of us.

It was still that two-story wooden building, with black tiles and white walls, and a red lantern hanging in front of the door. The inn's door was open, and a waiter was sweeping the steps with a broom. Behind the counter, the familiar, slightly plump innkeeper was using an abacus, the sound of it clicking away.

Li Bai stepped in.

The inn's lobby was filled with the smells of leftover alcohol and food scraps from the previous night, along with the unique odor of wood and bedding. Several tables were empty, except for one in the corner where two men who looked like merchants were eating breakfast—porridge with pickled vegetables—and conversing in hushed tones.

"Sir, would you like a meal or a room?" the waiter asked, looking up and greeting him warmly.

Li Bai walked to the counter, removed the scholar's cap from his head, revealing his full face.

The shopkeeper stopped using the abacus. He looked up, squinting at Li Bai, his face first showing confusion, then realization, followed by a hint of surprise: "Oh my! Isn't this... Young Master Li? It's been quite a while since you've been here!"

"Shopkeeper, you still remember me?" Li Bai smiled slightly, his voice calm.

"I remember! Of course I remember! You and that young master Wu are regular customers of our shop!" The shopkeeper put down his abacus, came out from behind the counter, and smiled broadly, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes. "Young master Li, you've... returned from your studies abroad? You look quite travel-worn. Didn't young master Wu come with you?"

"Brother Wu had other important business to attend to and left long ago." Li Bai observed the shopkeeper's expression. "I returned this time to inquire about some things. How have you been, shopkeeper? How's business?"

"Thanks to you, things are alright, alright." The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, his gaze shifting slightly before he lowered his voice, "Young Master Li, you...you've come back to see that young lady from Yang Xuan Gui's family, haven't you?"

Li Bai's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Why do you say that, shopkeeper?"

"Alas, everyone in this neighborhood knows how you treated the young lady of the Yang family back then..." The shopkeeper sighed, looked around, leaned closer, and lowered his voice to a whisper, "Young Master Li, you're too late."

Despite being prepared, those four words still struck Li Bai's chest like a heavy hammer. His breath hitched slightly, and his fingers clenched quietly in his sleeve.

"About a month ago, around the beginning of September," the shopkeeper's voice tinged with sympathy and lingering fear, "people suddenly arrived from the palace! What a grand procession! Eunuchs, female officials, guards—a dozen or so people in total—they went straight to the Yang family mansion. They said they were ordered to select virtuous women to fill positions in the palace. You know that young lady Yang, Yang Guifei, with her looks and talent… she was chosen on the spot!"

The shopkeeper swallowed hard and continued, "The eunuchs and female officials were all stunned! They said they hadn't seen someone so beautiful and talented in years. They decided on the spot, told her to pack her things, and set off for Chang'an in three days to participate in the formal selection process at the palace. When she left, all the neighbors went to see her. The young lady was wearing the clothes prepared by the palace, a veiled hat, and got into the carriage... Her demeanor was truly like that of a fairy descending to earth. But from afar, I could see that the young lady's complexion under the veil wasn't exactly pleasant."

Li Bai felt his throat go dry, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Did she... leave any message? Or was there anything unusual?"

The shopkeeper shook his head: "How would we outsiders know so much about the affairs of this grand mansion? However..." He hesitated, lowering his voice even further, "Not two days after the convoy that took the young lady away, the Yang family closed its doors to visitors, saying they wanted to quietly pray for blessings. There are rumors among the servants of the Yang family that in the days before the young lady left, she locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone, and barely touched the food sent in. It's also said... she burned a lot of poems and calligraphy."

Poems, calligraphy and paintings...

Li Bai felt a pang of pain in his heart when he recalled the poems he had given her.

"Shopkeeper, do you know if Brother Wu left any message when he left? Or where did he go?" Li Bai suppressed his emotions and changed the subject.

"Young Master Wu," the innkeeper recalled, "he left about half a month after you. Before he left, he came to our inn to settle his bill and gave us extra money as a tip. He said... he was going east to visit famous mountains and rivers, but he didn't say where exactly. Oh, right, he left a letter, saying that if Young Master Li returned, he would give it to you."

The shopkeeper turned back to the counter, bent down and rummaged through the drawer for a moment, took out a slightly crumpled envelope, and handed it to Li Bai.

The envelope was addressed to "To my dear brother Li Taibai," and the handwriting was that of Wu Zhinan.

Li Bai took it, but didn't open it immediately. He put it in his pocket and said, "Thank you, shopkeeper."

"Young Master Li, you're too kind." The shopkeeper looked at him, hesitated, and finally sighed, "Young Master Li, if I may be so bold as to say something, this matter concerning the young lady of the Yang family... was decided by the palace, it was an imperial decree. We commoners, no matter how unwilling we are, we... we can't go against it. You are a man of great learning, with a bright future ahead of you, please don't... don't get stuck in a rut."

Li Bai understood the admonition and underlying worry in the shopkeeper's words. He was afraid that Li Bai would do something irrational and bring about his own death.

"I understand, thank you for your advice, innkeeper." Li Bai nodded, took out a few pieces of silver and placed them on the counter. "This is for the room and meals. I'll settle in now. I'd like a quiet, superior room."

"Alright! Waiter, take Young Master Li to room number three in room A!" The shopkeeper called out loudly after taking the money.

I followed the waiter upstairs to the second floor and into the room. The room was simply furnished but fairly clean. The window faced the street, offering a partial view of the street below. There was a faint scent of camphor wood and the smell of sun-dried bedding in the air.

After the waiter left, Li Bai closed the door and walked to the window.

The streets were bustling with people, still noisy as ever. The sun was shining brightly, the autumn air was crisp and clear—it was a beautiful day.

But his world seemed to suddenly be shrouded in dark clouds.

Yu Huan... was sent to Chang'an a month ago.

The wheels of history, as expected, rolled ever onward, unaffected by the flapping of his tiny butterfly wings. No, perhaps they did change course—he met her earlier, exchanged poems of affection, and left a mark on her heart. But this mark seemed so insignificant before imperial power, family interests, and the torrent of history.

He should have realized this sooner. Time flies in the Western Mausoleum Divine Kingdom, and cultivating to the Foundation Establishment stage takes time; several months have already passed by in this round trip. Yang Yuhuan was chosen to enter the palace at the end of the Kaiyuan era and the beginning of the Tianbao era, when she was fifteen or sixteen years old.

But when the suspicion was confirmed, that dull pain remained crystal clear.

Li Bai took out Wu Zhinan's letter from his bosom and opened it.

The letter was only one page long, and the handwriting was messy, clearly written in a hurry.

"Brother Taibai, it is I deeply concerned that you have been gone for many days without any news. I know you are no ordinary person and must have encountered some extraordinary events. I only wish you peace. I have been waiting for you in Chengdu for a long time, and I happened to hear about the Yang family's affairs. I know that you are probably no longer free. The palace gates are as deep as the sea, this is fate, and it is beyond human control. I originally wanted to stay and wait for you to return so that we could discuss a solution, but an urgent matter at home has summoned me, and I have to return east. When you return, seeing this letter will be as if you were here in person. I have heard that to break free from the cage, one must have extraordinary strength and extraordinary strategies. If you are determined, I will strive to do what I cannot. The road ahead is long, and I look forward to the day we meet again. Your brother bows respectfully."

The letter was short, but the message was clear. Wu Zhinan learned of Yang Yuhuan's situation and believed it was "fate," advising him to give up. However, he left a veiled reminder at the end—to defy such a fate would require "extraordinary power and astonishing strategy." He hurriedly returned east due to urgent family matters, but perhaps also because of the sense of powerlessness brought about by this situation.

Li Bai ignited a wisp of true energy on the letter between his fingertips, turning it into ashes that scattered out the window.

give up?

How could that be?

He walked to the center of the room, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes. His divine sense focused inward; within his dantian, the third-grade Azure Lotus Dao Foundation slowly rotated, radiating a warm, azure light. Above the foundation, a short Azure Lotus sword hovered silently, absorbing pure true essence. Its brilliance was restrained, yet it concealed a chilling sharpness.

He has already begun to possess extraordinary power.

A world-shaking scheme? He has memories of two lifetimes, knows the course of history, knows who will rise to power, and knows what events are about to occur. Wouldn't that be considered a scheme?

But not enough.

He needed more precise information, he needed to know the details of when Yu Huan was taken away, he needed to know her exact current condition, he needed to know the progress of the selection process in Chang'an, he needed to know... what she was really thinking.

The shopkeeper said she burned her poems and paintings, secluded herself at home, and couldn't eat... That was far more than just a young girl's reluctance to leave home or her fear of the palace. There must have been longing for him, resistance to her forced fate, and a yearning for freedom.

He needs to know more.

Night fell quietly as Li Bai sat in meditation, adjusting his breathing and sorting out his thoughts.

The hustle and bustle of the street outside the inn gradually subsided, replaced by the sound of the night watchman striking his clapper to announce the time, and the occasional barking of dogs in the distance. Moonlight filtered through the paper windows, casting a hazy glow on the floor of the room.

Li Bai opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.

He stood up and changed into a dark-colored outfit for nighttime activities—ordinary clothes he had bought in the town of Shushan, not a magical artifact, but the color made them easy to conceal. He once again suppressed his aura; at this moment, he was like an ordinary person who had never cultivated, even more inconspicuous than an ordinary person, as if he could blend into the shadows.

Pushing open the window, the night wind rushed in, carrying the chill of late autumn and the unique, complex smells of the city night—the burnt smell of fading cooking smoke, the faint aroma of wine wafting from somewhere, and the subtle stench of sewage from the drain.

With a slight movement, he floated out of the window like a falling leaf, his toes lightly touching the windowsill, and he silently landed in the shadow of the opposite rooftop. His Foundation Establishment stage agility and control allowed him to move without making a sound.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the continuous rooftops, giving them a cool, clear glow. The night in Chengdu wasn't entirely silent; some of the taverns and brothels were still brightly lit, with faint sounds of music and laughter carried on the breeze. But most residential areas had fallen asleep, with only a few scattered lights dotting the sky.

Li Bai, like a ghost, wandered among the rooftops and alleyways. He remembered the location of Yang Xuangui's residence very clearly—he had lingered in that area countless times, just hoping to catch a glimpse of that figure.

Before long, he arrived at a relatively quiet neighborhood in the east of the city. High walls and large courtyards stretched out, mostly the residences of officials and wealthy families. The Yang Mansion was among them, its black lacquered gate tightly closed, the stone lions in front of it silent, and the lanterns under the eaves swaying gently in the night breeze, emitting a dim yellow light.

Li Bai didn't go through the main gate, but instead went around to the back alley on the west side of the residence. This place was even more secluded; the alley was narrow, moss grew in the cracks of the bluestone slabs, and the air was filled with the damp smell of earth and the slightly acidic odor of decaying leaves piled up in the corners. The high courtyard walls cast heavy shadows, blocking out the moonlight.

He stood in the shadows outside the back wall of the Yang residence, looking up.

The wall, about two zhang high, was built of blue bricks and topped with tiles. Within the wall, the branches of trees could be faintly seen extending out, casting swaying shadows in the moonlight. The backyard, where the servants lived, as well as the kitchen and storerooms, was quiet at this moment, with only a faint light seemingly emanating from a corner.

Li Bai held his breath and carefully extended his divine sense.

A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator's divine sense can cover a range of tens of feet, allowing them to vaguely perceive life force and energy fluctuations. Within his divine sense, in the backyard area inside the walls, seven or eight faint auras gathered in several houses, presumably servants already asleep. Near the inner courtyard, the auras were even fewer, but one aura remained alone in a smaller side room, still awake, its energy fluctuating restlessly.

Is it that maid?

Li Bai remembered that the person who delivered the letter was a maid named Yun'er who served Yang Yuhuan. She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a round face and bright eyes. She was very loyal to Yuhuan and had also shown him sympathy.

He needs confirmation.

His gaze swept across the courtyard wall, choosing a spot near the large tree with its outstretched branches. The shadow on the wall was deepest there, and the branches could provide a foothold.

With a slight circulation of his inner energy, he lightly touched the ground with his feet, and his figure rose into the air like a wisp of smoke. In mid-air, he twisted and turned, his toes barely touching the brick wall, using the momentum to rise again, his right hand already resting on the roof tiles. The movements were fluid and silent, barely disturbing the dust on the wall.

He lay prone in the shadows on the wall, peering into the courtyard.

The backyard seemed quieter than I remembered. Under the moonlight, the courtyard was empty, and the stone path gleamed with a cold light. The doors and windows of several side rooms were tightly closed, except for a small room in the southeast corner, where a small, dim light shone through the paper window, flickering in the night breeze.

It was precisely where the sleepless aura was located, as perceived by divine sense.

Li Bai's gaze sharpened, and he slid down the wall like a cat, landing silently. He crept along the shadows at the base of the wall toward the small, lit room.

A night breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying the faint sound of a wooden clapper in the distance, as well as the very faint, suppressed sobs coming from inside the room.