Chapter 23: An Urgent Eight-Hundred-Mile Dispatch Reached the Capital

“Get out of the way! An urgent eight-hundred-mile dispatch! An urgent eight-hundred-mile dispatch! Anyone who blocks the way will die!!!”

At the city gate of the Capital, dust swirled as a single rider sped in, holding up a golden token.

The guards at the gate heard the shout from afar and quickly cleared a path for the messenger to pass through.

Seeing this, the nearby commoners began whispering. What kind of event could require an eight-hundred-mile urgent dispatch?

Was it a rebellion by barbarians, a severe disaster causing heavy casualties, or had some reckless bandits risen up again?

Despite their guesses, none of the commoners had any way of knowing the truth.

As the messenger rode through the Capital, the nobles and wealthy officials kept their distance. He held a golden token and was shouting about an eight-hundred-mile urgent dispatch. No fool would try to block his way. Anyone daring to stop him would not only risk being trampled to death but would also implicate their family.

An eight-hundred-mile urgent dispatch meant it was a critical state affair. Blocking the messenger at such a time would surely be seen as treason.

None of the nobles were stupid.

The messenger rode all the way to the palace gate before dismounting. The Imperial Guard on duty escorted him inside. After passing several rounds of inspection, the urgent dispatch was handed over to a Eunuch Official, who hurried to the Imperial Study to present it to the current Emperor Li Sheng.

“Your Majesty, an urgent eight-hundred-mile dispatch from Prefect Cai Hai of Lingqu.” As the Eunuch Official presented the dispatch, Emperor Li, who had been reviewing memorials, glanced up.

The wax seal on the dispatch was intact, showing it hadn’t been opened.

He tore open the seal, took out the dispatch, and carefully read its contents. The more he read, the deeper his frown became.

The Eunuch Official nearby trembled with fear—was something major happening?

Emperor Li set down the dispatch and rubbed his temples. “All of you, leave. I need some quiet.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the attending eunuchs replied. Though curious, none dared to ask and obediently exited the Imperial Study.

After they left, Emperor Li muttered with frustration, “What is Cai Hai doing? Immortal Fuyao? Seeking immortality and the Dao? Has he been kicked in the head by a donkey?”

Emperor Li was in his prime, unlike aged rulers obsessed with immortality.

But just after cursing, he fell silent as his eyes lingered on words like “immortality” and “Immortal Arts” in the dispatch.

Especially the part describing how Immortal Fuyao casually summoned clouds and water in the sky, terrifying people with his power. He didn’t think Cai Hai would lie. Cai Hai was his trusted follower, a loyal member of the imperial faction who had climbed step by step from humble origins. He definitely wasn’t from a Noble Family.

A Prefect was no minor official; he governed an entire prefecture.

Moreover, he had used an eight-hundred-mile urgent dispatch. If he were lying, the crime of deceiving the emperor might be excused, but misusing the urgent dispatch was unforgivable. Even if Emperor Li wanted to protect him, he would have to demote him.

So, Cai Hai would never gamble with his own future.

“So, this matter is real?” Emperor Li murmured to himself.

Although he couldn’t rule out the possibility of it being a trick.

“No matter what, I must send someone to check. But the eight-hundred-mile dispatch has caused quite a stir.” Emperor Li knew if he said nothing, no one would find out, since he alone had read Cai Hai’s urgent report.

But he couldn’t keep it secret. Even if he delayed today, the civil and military officials would ask about it during tomorrow’s morning court. An eight-hundred-mile urgent dispatch wasn’t something sent lightly.

So, Emperor Li had to take action first.

“Someone, summon Prince Zhuang for an audience,” Emperor Li ordered.

Prince Zhuang, Wang Li, was his younger brother from the same mother and a staunch supporter.

…

“One unit of Refined Gold, one unit of Mountain Copper, one unit of… then add glass…”

Chen Xiyi mumbled as he added materials.

[You crafted a Home Protector in the Laboratory, consuming: …]

After the progress bar finished, Chen Xiyi held a transparent crystal ball in his hand—the Home Protector he had been longing for.

This item could generate an Air Wall to protect his dwelling, turning it into a low-grade Homestead. Moreover, Chen Xiyi now had a teleportation point, allowing him to return when in danger.

Of course, it was one-way—only for returning.

[Home Protector]

[Durability: 10000/10000]

[Protection Range: 100/1000]

[Strength: 1000]

[Homesteading: Homestead rules applied]

He placed it in his bedroom, covering the area of his Stone House. His Stone House was only 100 square meters, while the Home Protector’s range was 1000 square meters, so the protection hadn’t fully expanded.

Chen Xiyi would need to extend it himself later, such as by digging up surface soil and replacing it with his own constructions. Only then would the Home Protector count it within the protection range and apply Homesteading, granting special rules like daily resets.

As for the strength, Chen Xiyi wasn’t sure, but he knew one thing: when he shot the Air Wall with his Firearm, it took no damage. The Durability didn’t decrease, and no other values dropped.

It wasn’t that he wanted to waste resources, but he noticed the progress of his Cycle Function was extremely slow. He had already crafted all his endgame gear, from tools to close-combat weapons like alloy blades and spears. Basically, he made everything possible.

At this rate, who knew how long it would take to complete.

Given his current high-profile situation, if things went south, he would need a safe zone to recover.

This was preparing for the unforeseen.

Besides, the materials used to craft the Home Protector were provided by the three Noble Families. Spending others’ money didn’t hurt.

And it wasn’t like they were gone—more resources would keep coming. Investing a tiny portion of resources for future safety, whether used or not, was worthwhile.

Even if he didn’t need it here, he could dismantle it and take it away. That was possible too.

Even if it wasn’t useful in this world, once the Cycle Function cooled down, it might come in handy in other worlds. Surely not all worlds would be like this one, with so few threats.

After finishing, Chen Xiyi noticed a white dot approaching on his map, which puzzled him. Who could it be?

Another person trying their luck?

His mini-map was useful but limited—it couldn’t show names. He guessed he needed a special Fairy or Spirit to complete it, similar to how getting Jianghu allowed the map to display water veins.

“Your junior, Xuan Li, pays respects to the Patriarch…”

Outside the door, Old Taoist Xuan Li’s voice rang out. Chen Xiyi was surprised; he hadn’t expected it to be Old Taoist Xuan Li.

“Come in.”

To maintain his persona, Chen Xiyi couldn’t very well turn him away.