Chapter 54: Another Spatial Time Panlong City

At this time, the Chipa Plateau had an exceptionally abundant water supply. Thanks to the natural elevation differences, a few waterwheels could ensure automatic, round-the-clock water delivery.

This was understandable, as the Panlong Wasteland had always been a vital transportation artery connecting Xiluo to other regions. The strategic importance of Panlong City far surpassed that of later generations' Heishui City.

Furthermore, if the local resources weren't abundant, how could Panlong City have withstood powerful enemies for over thirty years?

Of course, walking through such a historic city, He Lingchuan felt not only a sense of awe but also caution.

These two had searched the temple and the Red General Temple. Why didn't they search Zhong Shengguang's former residence at the same time, instead waiting for him to accompany them?

He figured there was probably something wrong with that place.

He Lingchuan felt anxious inwardly, but outwardly, he consulted Sun Fuping: "Grand Master, do those vengeful spirits really live here year after year, only venturing out in September?"

"Most likely," he replied.

"If they can live peacefully and prosper here, why do they go outside?"

"We'll only know once we acquire the Great Square Pot."

He Lingchuan thought to himself, "As expected of the Grand Master, he can express 'I don't know' so artfully."

Earlier, when tasks were assigned, Nian Songyu had already searched Zhong's residence, so he was now familiar with the place.

However, upon reaching the location, Nian Songyu stopped.

Before them stood a gray brick house with a black roof and high eaves. Its entrance was neat and tidy, and a few clumps of green bamboo peeked over the high walls, indeed exuding the air of a wealthy household. Two large characters were emblazoned on the gate:

Runyuan.

"This is it?"

Nian Songyu hesitated visibly before saying: "The location is correct, the house is correct, but I went inside and searched, and the family living here is named Chen!"

He Lingchuan was greatly surprised: "What?"

Entering Runyuan, they found it was a grand four-courtyard residence. The materials used for its construction and furnishings were exquisitely selected. He Lingchuan even noticed that the screen wall featured brick carvings from Tongzhou. Over three hundred bricks combined to depict figures, landscapes, and even a narrative plot, forming a beautiful, comic-strip-like story. Such brick carvings were still highly sought after even in the present day; transporting them from Tongzhou to Heishui City took over four months.

He Lingchuan knew this so well because the He family's residence in Heishui City also used these same carvings to adorn its facade.

Naturally, such an exquisite Runyuan also boasted a garden. Rockeries and flowing water were standard features, and the garden was planted with tall red maples. Hidden in the corners beneath the maple trees were exotic flowers and rare herbs.

He could barely make out the shapes of the first dozen or so plants but couldn't identify their species. The ones further back were half-hidden in the dark tree shadows, and He Lingchuan couldn't see them clearly at all.

Nian Songyu pointed to the garden and said: "In the He family's residence in the Deserted City, this place was a wooden shed for storage, filled with cabinets and completely cluttered. Also, in the side hall, I saw several visiting cards, indicating that the owner of this place was named Chen, courtesy name Huisheng."

He Lingchuan was astonished: "What period of Panlong City is this? The land was fertile, people lived in peace, and the city was prosperous, without any shadow of war. And a renowned figure like Zhong Shengguang wasn't living where he should have been."

He suspected he had stumbled into Panlong City in a different timeline.

Sun Fuping chimed in: "If Zhong Shengguang doesn't live here, he must have another residence. Young Master He, can you think of anywhere?"

"Me?" He Lingchuan pointed to his nose. "How would I know?"

Nian Songyu said: "Think. Think carefully!"

Sun Fuping prompted: "Legends of the Panlong Desert have been circulating in Qiansong County for decades, and you grew up hearing them. You should know many anecdotes beyond official history, even trivial ones. For instance, Zhong Shengguang, this Commander, surely rose through the ranks step by step. Where did he live before his promotion?"

He Lingchuan suddenly realized: "Grand Master, do you suspect we've arrived in Panlong City from a time before Zhong Shengguang became Commander?"

"Quite possibly," Sun Fuping nodded. "Searching for clues in a city this vast is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The easiest variable to track right now is Zhong Shengguang himself."

Although he had done his research beforehand, his knowledge was ultimately limited. He couldn't grasp every single detail, so he needed to ask He Lingchuan, who was from the area.

He Lingchuan fell into thought again for a while, then shook his head: "No, I have no recollection."

His knowledge of Panlong City was no greater than that of an average Heishui City resident. Trivial matters like how many times Zhong Shengguang moved house, fell ill, or had relationships before becoming famous were clearly beyond his scope.

"You've been in Heishui City for over a decade, just living like a good-for-nothing?" Nian Songyu said coldly. "It would be better to summon He Chunhua instead."

"You..." He Lingchuan flushed with anger.

Nian Songyu clenched his fists, ready to teach this fellow a lesson when he inevitably spouted obscenities. To his surprise, He Lingchuan changed the subject: "You're right, we should go back and find someone." He then turned to Sun Fuping: "Grand Master, how do we get back?"

Was this young man timid or clever for knowing when to adapt? Before Sun Fuping could answer, Maotao, the desert bandit, rushed over from the corridor, exclaiming excitedly: "I found something! Something's here!"

Only then did the three remember that the young man had wandered off at some point. "What did you find?"

"Dead people! There are skeletons in the cellar."

Nian Songyu retorted irritably: "What's so special about dead people..." The Deserted City was full of bones; they had seen them everywhere they walked. They were also bloody evidence of the Xianba Allied Army's massacre.

However, he immediately realized his mistake and swallowed the rest of his sentence: "Let's go see."

This wasn't the outside world. This was Panlong City, where time had stopped. Anything out of place would be a valuable clue.

They hurried to the cellar, lit candles, and descended. Sure enough, they found some skeletal remains.

Panlong City experienced hot summers and cold winters. Wealthy families like the Chens would dig more than one cellar to store meat, fruits, vegetables, pickled foods, and ice separately.

Indeed, they stored ice in winter to enjoy cold drinks in summer. The stored ice could also be used to make chilled fruits and iced wine, as well as to cool beds during the hottest days of summer. These were exclusive luxuries for wealthy households.

The cellar Maotao found was an ice cellar. Panlong City was likely in early summer at this time, and the cellar was chillingly cold. As they descended, they saw scattered bones in a corner. Counting the skulls revealed there were three deceased individuals.

Sun Fuping picked up a skull and examined it closely, saying gravely: "They're real."

This was highly unusual. Why would real human remains appear in an illusory world?

A realization dawned on all four of them simultaneously. Nian Songyu exclaimed: "The exploration team from Baling! They've entered the illusion too."

That's right. The Baling exploration team had been the first to discover the illusion's entrance, so of course they had the chance to enter this Panlong City.

Now, the crucial question was: How did these people die?

"Judging by their posture, they were moved after death." Maotao crouched down for a closer look, then suddenly gasped. "No, the bones are all jumbled up. If they weren't disturbed later, then... then..."

"They were dismembered after death." Nian Songyu picked up a radius bone, then a shoulder blade. He held both up to the light for a closer inspection. "There are sharp tool marks on the bones, on every piece. These shouldn't be injuries sustained during life."