He Lingchuan began half-bluffing. “Do you know the ruins of Qianxing City?”

“I do. The old royal capital of the State of Yuān.” It had become famous because of the war of destruction more than a century ago.

“In the ruins of Qianxing City, illusions sometimes appear after violent sandstorms and torrential rain, replaying the battle that destroyed Yuān.” He Lingchuan shrugged. “What I saw was about the same, except it happened somewhere else.”

Fang Canran knew perfectly well the other man was baiting him, yet he still could not help asking, “Where?”

“Not within Beijia.” He Lingchuan smiled. “Farther west, farther west still.”

“What did you see?”

“I saw Shao Jian traveling through an ancient city. Oh, that place was very prosperous over a hundred years ago. It could not compare with Lingxu City, but it was more orderly and wealthier than most cities.”

If he wanted to pry open Fang Canran’s mouth, he first had to make the man believe both of them had some connection to Shao Jian.

Anyone who understood Shao Jian’s life could probably guess what “the ancient city west of Beijia” referred to.

“I also saw Shao Jian speaking with a friend in a secret chamber. He said he had a seven-year-old daughter. Her nickname was Little Swallow, and her formal name was Yingying.” He Lingchuan...