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

Li Bai walked out of the alley where the He family residence was located and rejoined the crowds on the streets of Chang'an. The autumn sun shone on him, yet he felt no warmth. He touched the paper in his arms, still smelling of ink; the names on the list burned into his chest like a branding iron. Three days, only three days. He looked up towards the direction of the palace; the eaves of Xingqing Palace were faintly visible in the distance. There, his and Yang Yuhuan's fates would intersect again—or perhaps, end. He didn't linger, quickening his pace towards the first address on the list. Time, every breath was incredibly precious.

***

The first name was a former subordinate of Zhang Jiuling, surnamed Wang, who held the official position of Grand Counselor and lived in Chongrenfang.

It was already afternoon when Li Bai arrived. Chongrenfang was mostly filled with the residences of officials, and its streets were wider and the gates more imposing than those in Anrenfang. In front of the Wang residence, two ancient locust trees with lush branches and leaves cast large shadows. The gatekeeper was a lean middle-aged man with sharp eyes who sized Li Bai up and down.

"May I ask who you are—"

"My name is Li Bai. I have come to pay my respects to Doctor Wang on the recommendation of Supervisor He Zhizhang." Li Bai cupped his hands, took out the paper written by He Zhizhang from his bosom, carefully unfolded it, revealing He Zhizhang's signature and seal.

The gatekeeper leaned closer for a look, his expression softening slightly: "So it was Supervisor He who recommended you. Please wait a moment."

He turned and went inside, his footsteps echoing in the empty courtyard. Li Bai stood outside, able to smell the faint scent of sandalwood wafting from inside the house, mixed with the decaying aroma of autumn leaves. In the distance came the sound of children reading aloud, their tender voices reciting "Guan Guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river," their pronunciation clear and accurate.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the gatekeeper returned.

"Doctor Wang invites Young Master Li to his study for a chat."

Li Bai followed the gatekeeper through the front yard. The courtyard was quite elegantly decorated, with artificial hills and flowing water, swaying bamboo shadows, and several chrysanthemums in full bloom, their golden, snow-white, and purplish-red blossoms shimmering in the autumn sun. But Li Bai had no time to appreciate it; his attention was entirely focused on the upcoming conversation.

The study was in the east wing of the second courtyard. The gatekeeper stopped outside the door and gestured for them to enter.

Li Bai pushed open the door and entered.

The study was small, but extremely tidy. Bookshelves lined the four walls, filled with classics and historical texts, and the air was thick with the scent of ink and the musty smell of old books. Behind the desk sat an official in his fifties, with a lean face, a long beard, and dressed in a casual dark blue round-necked robe, looking down at a book.

He looked up when he heard footsteps.

"Li Bai?" The voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

"It is indeed I," Li Bai bowed respectfully. "I apologize for disturbing you, Doctor Wang."

Doctor Wang put down his book and pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit down. I've read Supervisor He's letter."

Li Bai sat down in a hardwood chair, which was a bit uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and got straight to the point: "I've come here for a woman residing in the Yichun Courtyard—"

"Yang Yuhuan," Doctor Wang interrupted him.

Li Bai was taken aback.

Doctor Wang looked at him with a complicated expression: "He Jian mentioned it in his letter. He said you are troubled by love and wanted me to speak to His Majesty at the banquet in Xingqing Palace, advising him not to force a commoner to take a woman as a concubine."

"Indeed." Li Bai nodded. "Doctor Wang, that young lady surnamed Yang is only fifteen years old. She is from a respectable family in Shu, and was selected to enter the palace as a tutor because of her outstanding appearance. If His Majesty were to forcibly take her in, it would likely damage His Majesty's virtue, and it is not what the young lady desires either. I humbly request that you, Doctor—"

"Li Bai," Doctor Wang interrupted him again, lowering his voice, "are you aware that this matter is no longer an ordinary palace affair?"

Li Bai's heart tightened.

Doctor Wang stood up, walked to the window, and said with his back to Li Bai, "Yesterday, someone from Prime Minister Li's residence came to deliver a message."

"Prime Minister Li?" Li Bai's pupils contracted slightly. "Li Linfu?"

"Indeed." Doctor Wang turned around, a hint of helplessness on his face. "Though the words are tactful, the meaning is very clear—this matter involves His Majesty's private morality, and it is inappropriate for officials outside the court to inquire about it. If anyone is tactless and makes unwarranted comments, it would be disrespectful to His Majesty and disloyal to the court."

The study fell silent.

The autumn wind outside the window swept through the courtyard, rustling the bamboo leaves. In the distance, the sound of children reading continued, having already reached the line, "A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections." Their innocent and carefree voices contrasted sharply with the oppressive atmosphere in the study.

"So," Li Bai's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Doctor Wang means—"

"I am powerless to help." Doctor Wang walked back to his desk and sat down again. "I must give He Jian face. But I cannot ignore Prime Minister Li's words. Li Bai, you are a talented young man, and I advise you—this matter ends here. Do not run around anymore, and do not involve others. Otherwise, you will not only fail to save that woman, but also harm yourself and everyone who helps you."

Li Bai looked into Doctor Wang's eyes.

There was no indifference in those eyes, only deep helplessness and a hint of barely perceptible fear.

"Is Li Xiang's power really this great?" Li Bai asked softly.

Dr. Wang did not answer.

He simply picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. The tea had gone cold, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"Show them out," he said to the door.

The doorman responded and pushed the door open to enter.

Li Bai stood up and bowed deeply to Doctor Wang: "Thank you for your frank advice, Doctor Wang."

Doctor Wang waved his hand, picked up his book again, and stopped looking at him.

***

The second name was that of a Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, surnamed Zheng, who lived in Yongxingfang.

When Li Bai arrived, it was already early afternoon. Yongxingfang was closer to the imperial city, so the residences were more densely packed and the streets were narrower. The Zheng residence was not large, and there were no stone lions in front of it, only two faded lanterns swaying in the wind.

This time, the gatekeeper didn't even bother to report it.

"Lord Zheng is unwell today and will not see any guests." The gatekeeper was a young servant, whose eyes darted around as he spoke, avoiding direct eye contact with Li Bai.

"I have an introduction from Supervisor He—"

"The master said he won't see anyone," the servant interrupted him curtly. "Young Master Li, please leave."

Before Li Bai could say anything more, the servant slammed the door shut.

The dust kicked up by the door splattered onto Li Bai's face, carrying the musty smell of old wood. He stood outside the door, listening to the footsteps fading away inside, a chill running through him.

The third name was Cui, a censor in the Secretariat, who lived in Guangde Ward.

This time, the gatekeeper politely invited Li Bai in.

But it wasn't Cui Jishizhong himself who met him, but his eldest son, a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a brocade robe, with a handsome face, but with obvious perfunctory eyes.

"My father is on duty at the palace today and is not at home." Young Master Cui sat in the main seat of the flower hall, playing with a jade pendant in his hand. "Young Master Li, if there is anything you need, please speak to me. I will pass on my message when my father returns."

Li Bai explained his purpose.

Young Master Cui smiled after hearing this.

The smile was polite, but the joy didn't reach the eyes.

"Young Master Li," he placed the jade pendant on the table, making a crisp clinking sound, "this matter involves the inner palace, and it is truly inappropriate for an outsider to interfere. Moreover, His Majesty's summoning of the talented woman from Shu is a fine story, so how can it be considered 'forced marriage'? Young Master Li is probably overthinking it."

The woman was fifteen years old—

"At fifteen, she has reached marriageable age," Young Master Cui interrupted him. "To be favored by His Majesty is a blessing she has accumulated over many lifetimes. If Young Master Li truly cares for her, he should advise her to attend the banquet without any ulterior motives."

The flower hall was filled with the finest ambergris, its strong, almost suffocating scent almost unbearable. Outside the window, servants were sweeping the courtyard, the sound of bamboo brooms scraping against the bluestone slabs monotonous and grating.

Looking at Cui Gongzi's young yet worldly face, Li Bai suddenly found himself speechless.

"I understand." He stood up. "I apologize for disturbing you."

"Take care, and don't bother seeing me off." Young Master Cui also stood up, his smile still polite.

***

When we came out of Guangdefang, it was almost dusk.

As the sun set, it bathed the rooftops of Chang'an in a golden-red glow. The streets thinned out, and wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, filling the air with the aroma of cooking food and the acrid smell of burning firewood. A few children chased and played at the alleyway entrance, their cheerful laughter a stark contrast to Li Bai's somber mood.

He stood on the street corner, looking at the piece of paper in his hand.

Three names, three addresses, three visits.

Three times, the result was the same.

They either politely decline or refuse to see you.

He Zhizhang was right—the hope was slim.

Li Bai folded the paper neatly and put it back into his robes. The paper was already a little wrinkled, the edges were damp with sweat, and the ink had slightly smudged. He raised his head and looked in the direction of the Yichun Academy.

There, lights have begun to come on one after another.

The windows let in a dim, yellowish light, like eyes in the twilight, coldly watching over the city.

Li Bai took a deep breath.

The path for court officials is blocked.

Then let's try a different approach.

***

Pingkangfang, Duan Qiniang's small courtyard.

When Li Bai arrived, Duan Qiniang was hanging clothes out to dry in the courtyard. The autumn evening breeze ruffled the stray hairs at her temples, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast a soft golden hue on her profile. Hearing footsteps, she turned around, saw Li Bai, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Coming so late?" She put down the clothes in her hands; it was a light red silk dress that looked like a pool of congealed blood in the twilight.

"I have something to ask of you." Li Bai walked into the courtyard and casually closed the gate.

The sound of the courtyard gate closing was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard. Duan Qiniang looked at him, her brows slightly furrowed: "You don't look well."

"I visited three officials." Li Bai sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard. The bench was cold, and the cold seeped into his skin through his thin clothes. "I was rebuffed by all of them."

Duan Qiniang remained silent for a moment, then walked over and sat down next to him.

"I told you long ago, this path is a dead end." Her voice was soft. "Those officials, outwardly upright and honest, which one of them isn't afraid of Li Linfu behind closed doors? Besides, this matter involves His Majesty, who dares to say a word?"

"I know," Li Bai rubbed his temples. "That's why I came to find you."

"Looking for me?" Duan Qiniang raised an eyebrow. "What can I do for you?"

"You've been in Chang'an for so many years, you have a wide network of connections and are well-informed." Li Bai looked at her. "I need to know the detailed arrangements for the Xingqing Palace banquet—the process, the seating, which route Yang Yuhuan will take to enter the palace, where she will stay, how the guards will be arranged... every detail."

Duan Qiniang's eyes changed.

"What are you planning to do?" she whispered. "Li Bai, that's a royal banquet! You wouldn't be thinking of—"

"I won't force my way in," Li Bai interrupted her. "But I need to know all the details. Only by knowing enough can I find a way to break this deadlock."

Duan Qiniang stared at him for a long time.

As dusk deepened, the light in the courtyard grew dimmer. In the distance came the sound of a watchman striking his clapper three times—it was already the hour of Xu (7-9 PM). In the neighboring courtyard, someone was playing the pipa, the melody mournful and plaintive.

"You'll have to pay for this intelligence," Duan Qiniang finally said, "and it'll be a hefty price."

"I have money." Li Bai took out a money bag from his bosom and placed it on the stone table. The money bag was heavy; inside were all the savings he had accumulated from writing and selling his poems these past few days, as well as several pieces of jade of good quality that he had brought from Mount Shu.

Duan Qiniang did not go to get the money bag.

"Money alone isn't enough," she said. "You also need the right people."

"Do you have connections?"

Duan Qiniang stood up and paced a few steps in the courtyard. Her embroidered shoes made a soft sound on the bluestone slabs. The osmanthus flowers in the corner of the courtyard were in bloom, their fragrance growing stronger in the night, almost cloyingly sweet.

"In the Yichun Palace, there's a eunuch in charge of purchasing, surnamed Liu, everyone calls him Eunuch Liu." Duan Qiniang stopped in her tracks. "This man is greedy, but timid, he only dares to do some minor, peripheral things. He goes out of the palace every day to buy groceries and other supplies, and I know the owner of the silk shop he frequents."

Li Bai's eyes lit up.

"Can you contact him?"

"Yes, we can," Duan Qiniang nodded, "but it will take time and a lot of money. This kind of deal requires a one-time buyout and is extremely risky. If discovered, it's a capital offense."

"Money is not a problem." Li Bai pushed the money pouch forward. "And time? How long will it take?"

"It won't be until tomorrow at the earliest," Duan Qiniang said. "I'll go to the silk shop tonight and ask the proprietress to pass on the message. If all goes well, you'll have what you want by tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright." Li Bai stood up. "Then I'll leave it to you."

Duan Qiniang looked at him and suddenly asked, "Li Bai, is it worth it?"

Li Bai did not answer.

He looked up at the night sky. There was no moon tonight, only a few sparse stars twinkling faintly against the deep blue backdrop. In the distance, the direction of the palace was brightly lit, turning half the sky orange-red.

That was the radiance of power.

Cold, dazzling, and inviolable.

"I don't know if it's worth it," Li Bai said softly. "I only know that I have to do it."

***

The next day, in the afternoon.

Li Bai waited in Duan Qiniang's courtyard.

He waited from dawn until noon, and then from noon until afternoon. The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves and the occasional sound of a zither coming from next door. He sat on the stone bench, closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and slowly released his spiritual sense.

A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator's divine sense can cover an area of ​​hundreds of feet in radius.

He carefully controlled the area, avoiding the palace and those grand mansions—where there were often protective formations or guards with powerful cultivators. His divine sense, like an invisible net, slowly swept across the streets, houses, and crowds of Pingkang Ward.

He could "see" the old man selling flatbread at the alley entrance kneading dough, his hands covered in flour; he could "hear" the singer practicing in the neighboring courtyard, her voice clear but her breath unsteady; he could "smell" the aroma of wine wafting from the distant tavern, mixed with the smoky fragrance of roasted mutton.

But none of these are what he wants.

He withdrew his divine sense, condensed it into a line, and extended it towards the Yichun Academy building.

The distance was very far, more than two miles.

However, the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator can barely reach it.

He "saw" the outline of the building—a large courtyard with three sections, high walls, and tightly closed vermilion gates. Four imperial guards stood before the gates, holding long halberds, their eyes fixed straight ahead. Inside the courtyard, he could "hear" the faint sounds of string and wind instruments, and the rhythmic footsteps of women practicing dance.

Li Bai's divine sense slowly swept across the wall.

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.

Near the corner gate on the west side of the building, he "sensed" several special auras.

The aura was very subtle, almost indistinguishable from that of an ordinary person, but upon closer inspection, one could detect the differences—the breathing was long and even, the heartbeat steady and powerful, and the blood and qi were as vigorous as a furnace. More importantly, the positions of these auras were very special: two were inside the side gate, and three were in the alley outside the courtyard wall, forming a triangular formation that firmly protected the building.

These are not ordinary imperial guards.

Although the Imperial Guards were elite, their aura was outwardly displayed, carrying the menacing air of soldiers. In contrast, these few auras were restrained and profound, clearly those of masters who had cultivated internal martial arts.

Li Bai withdrew his consciousness and opened his eyes.

My palms are slightly sweaty.

The security at the building was more stringent than he had imagined.

Moreover, the existence of these experts indicates that someone was extremely concerned about Yang Yuhuan's safety—or rather, extremely vigilant about any possible "accidents".

Who is it?

Li Linfu? Yang Guozhong? Or... the emperor himself?

Li Bai didn't know.

But he knew the situation was worse than he had anticipated.

***

At three quarters past Shen time, Duan Qiniang returned.

When she pushed open the door, her face was pale, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. The autumn afternoon wasn't hot, but she looked as if she had just run a long way.

"Did you get it?" Li Bai stood up.

Duan Qiniang nodded, took out an oil paper package from her bosom, and placed it on the stone table.

The oil paper package wasn't large, and it was folded neatly into a square. She opened the package, and inside were several sheets of paper stacked together. The paper was ordinary Xuan paper, but the handwriting on it was neat and clear, written stroke by stroke in small regular script.

"This was copied by Eunuch Liu," Duan Qiniang said in a low voice. "He didn't dare bring the original out, so he could only transcribe it from memory. But it shouldn't be wrong—he received fifty taels of gold."

Li Bai picked up the few sheets of paper.

The first image shows the banquet schedule.

"At the beginning of the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the guests took their seats."

"At the third quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), His Majesty arrived."

"At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), Yang, a talented woman from Sichuan, performed a dance."

"At the second quarter of Hai hour, wine was bestowed upon him."

"The banquet ended at three quarters past 9 PM."

Simple, direct, and without any unnecessary steps.

The second picture shows the seating arrangement.

A simple map depicts the seating arrangement within the main hall of Xingqing Palace. The emperor, facing south, sits on his throne. On either side are princes of the imperial family and high-ranking civil and military officials. Yang Yuhuan is seated to the lower right of the throne, with a separate seat, isolated from the other officials. Guests like Li Bai, invited as "rising stars of the poetry world," are seated at the very end, near the palace entrance, a full thirty zhang (approximately 15 meters) from the throne.

Thirty zhang (approximately 33 meters).

To the average person, it's just a short distance.

But inside the palace hall, under the watchful eyes of countless people, it was nothing short of an insurmountable chasm.

The third image is a route map.

The route Yang Yuhuan took from the Yichun Academy to Xingqing Palace was marked: exiting the west gate of the academy, heading east along Yongxingfang South Street, passing Anxingfang, entering the south gate of Xingqing Palace, passing the long corridor by the Dragon Pool, and waiting in the side hall of the main hall. Along the way, she would stop briefly in the long corridor by the Dragon Pool to tidy her appearance.

Long corridor along the Dragon Pool.

Li Bai stared at those five characters with sharp eyes.

That was the only place in the entire trip where there might have been a chance to meet Yang Yuhuan.

"And this too." Duan Qiniang took out a small scroll from her bosom, unfolded it, and revealed an even simpler drawing. "This is a simplified diagram of the interior of the residence drawn by Eunuch Liu from memory. It marks Yang Yuhuan's residence, her dance practice room, and the guards' shift schedule."

Li Bai took it and examined it carefully.

Yang Yuhuan lived in the east wing of the second courtyard of the residence. Her room faced south, and there was a small garden outside the window. Every night from 7 PM to 9 PM, two palace maids would stand guard outside the door. They would change shifts at midnight.

"Where are the guards?" Li Bai asked. "Besides the Imperial Guards, who else is there?"

Duan Qiniang was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"I used my divine sense to investigate today and discovered that there are experts lurking around the building." Li Bai pointed to several locations on the simplified map, "Two inside the west corner gate and three in the alley outside the courtyard wall. Their auras are subtle and they are definitely not ordinary guards."

Duan Qiniang's expression changed.

"You mean... someone secretly increased the number of people?"

"And they're not ordinary people." Li Bai collected the papers, folded them neatly, wrapped them again in oiled paper, and kept them close to his body. "I've never sensed the aura of these experts in Chang'an. They're either palace guards or assassins secretly raised by some powerful figures."

The courtyard fell silent.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two figures. The distant cawing of crows, hoarse and unpleasant, pierced the twilight. The music from next door had stopped sometime earlier, replaced by the soft, intermittent sobs of a woman, faint and delicate.

"Li Bai," Duan Qiniang suddenly spoke, her voice trembling slightly, "there's something I need to tell you."

Li Bai looked at her.

Duan Qiniang bit her lip: "Before I came back, I went to the silk shop. The proprietress said that someone from Prime Minister Li's residence went to see Eunuch Liu this morning."

Li Bai's heart sank.

"Li Linfu?"

"Hmm." Duan Qiniang nodded. "The proprietress doesn't know the specifics of what was said. But after Eunuch Liu returned from Prime Minister Li's residence, he looked very grim. He called the proprietress aside, stuffed ten taels of silver into her hand, and said, 'This is hush money. Don't say a word about what happened today, no matter who asks.'"

Li Bai closed his eyes.

Li Linfu noticed.

Or rather, he had known all along that someone was working for Yang Guifei, but had been observing from the shadows. And now, he had made his move—not directly against Li Bai, but to warn all those who might offer assistance.

This is a smarter, more ruthless approach.

Instead of direct confrontation, they cut off all possible support.

This left Li Bai isolated and helpless.

This rendered all his efforts futile.

"And another thing," Duan Qiniang's voice lowered, "the proprietress said that Eunuch Liu revealed something—Prime Minister Li already knows that someone is contacting officials in the court, wanting to speak on behalf of Yang Yuhuan. He asked Eunuch Liu to tell me, and also to tell you..."

She paused, then took a deep breath.

"Enough is enough."

Four words, light and airy.

Yet it weighs as much as a thousand pounds.

Li Bai opened his eyes.

Dusk had fallen, and the light in the courtyard was so dim that it was almost impossible to see each other's faces. But Duan Qiniang could see that the faint light in Li Bai's eyes had not been extinguished; on the contrary, it burned even more fiercely in the darkness.

"Enough is enough?" Li Bai repeated softly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

That smile held no warmth, only a cold, resolute edge.

"Unfortunately," he said, "I've never known the meaning of knowing when to stop."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the gate.

Bang bang bang.

Third tone.

It was unhurried yet carried an undeniable rhythm.

Duan Qiniang's expression changed, and she looked at Li Bai.

Li Bai stood up, walked to the courtyard gate, but did not open it immediately.

"Who?" he asked.

There was a moment of silence outside the door.

Then, a deep voice rang out:

"Young Master Li, Eunuch Gao invites you to a meeting at the side hall of Xingqing Palace tomorrow at 9:00 AM."