He Chunhua cleared his throat. He could hardly admit he did not know, could he?
He Lingchuan felt a brief pang of yearning, then said, "Those immortals certainly had plenty of tricks. I wonder what the ancient times were really like. I'd love to see it for myself."
"According to historical records, immortals and devils roamed free, and colossal demons walked the earth, while ordinary mortals could only grovel on the ground like mere ants," He Chunhua said calmly. "Ancient immortals and colossal demons could move mountains and fill seas, devouring the populace of an entire city on a whim. Compared to those days, I still think we have it better now."
He added, "Word has come from the front that Nian Zanli's offensive on the northern line is fierce. After what happened tonight, I expect the royal court will still order me north without delay. We will have to depart within two days at the latest. Although our visit to Shihuan was fraught with danger, returning Zhu Xiu'er has drawn goodwill from multiple sides, allowing me to get a better read on the court's intentions."
He Lingchuan put on an airy, unconcerned air. "Dad, our new territory is in the north, far removed from the royal court. We'll recruit our soldiers and buy our mounts on our own, without needing to please anyone. Why butter up that corrupt nobility in the capital and Shihuan?"
The words were blunt and unvarnished, but that was his usual style, and He Chunhua was used to it. "This is the way of officialdom, and it is also preparing for a rainy day. When a crisis comes down the road, even if I cannot count on anyone at court speaking on my behalf, at least they will not drag me down or shoot cold arrows in my back."
He sighed. "Since ancient times, how many loyal ministers and fine generals were not laid to rest on the battlefield, but died unjustly at the hands of treacherous flatterers?" He paused and looked at He Lingchuan. "You showed quick wits and put on a brilliant display today. Even General Ke praised you to the skies. Very good, very good indeed."
The two demon puppets Dong Rui had dispatched were exceptionally tough to deal with, yet reviewing the entire battle, his eldest son had played a pivotal role both in holding off the wolf-man and in subduing the ghost ape.
Was it merely luck? He Chunhua was finding that harder and harder to believe.
No one knew a son better than his father.
Catching the contemplative look in his father's eyes, He Lingchuan felt a slight chill. "Quick wits" was an appraisal He Chunhua used to reserve solely for He Yue, yet tonight he had bestowed it on his eldest son.
While anyone else would relish being acknowledged, He Lingchuan often reminded himself of the old turtle demon's verse—to conceal his edge and embrace clumsiness—spurring himself to act dull.
Tonight, with his whole family in mortal peril, he had failed to keep his head down and had instead aroused suspicion.
This was not good.
He Lingchuan held his chin high and deliberately boasted, "General Ke believes I'm a general sent by Heaven, and he couldn't be wrong. Once we reach the north, I want to ride out to battle, lead troops to slay the enemy, and achieve unparalleled glory!"
"Fended off a couple of monsters and already think you're invincible?" He Chunhua chuckled and scolded, "Fine. When the time comes, I'll give you a chance—just don't prove useless!"
He Lingchuan seized the opening. "Then will you make me a commandant?"
"Military honors must be earned with your own hands." He Chunhua stood up. "Let us go find the wolf demons so they can pick their partners without delay. Longer nights breed more dreams."
He Yue was startled. "Tonight?" It was still the middle of the night, four hours before dawn.
"General Ke's journey to the capital will not be smooth sailing," He Chunhua said, glancing at the sky. "We had best wrap up our business before any further upheaval strikes."
The "alliance covenant" recognized by the rock wolves required two freshly slaughtered, steaming-hot young sheep. The leftover mutton from the inn the previous night certainly would not do.
At this hour of the night, butcher shops were firmly shut, but Maotao used silver to knock open the gates of the nearest slaughterhouse in Shihuan City. He selected two lively, kicking young sheep from the pens out back, finally making good on their promise to the wolves.
Neither lamb was older than a year, their meat tender and succulent, truly fitting what He Lingchuan had called the "prime of youth." The two giant wolves devoured them with immense satisfaction.
Next came the one-on-one covenant binding with the wolf demons.
This was a mutual selection; only when human and wolf saw eye-to-eye could an agreement be sealed.
Without a second thought, Lu Xin walked straight over to He Lingchuan. "I choose him!"
He Lingchuan had been the standout performer tonight, and the rock wolf had noted it long ago.
He Lingchuan was delighted. "You have an eye for greatness!" Setting aside Lu Ze, Lu Xin was the highest-ranking, most imposing, and fiercest-looking among the pack. If He Lingchuan took it out for a stroll down the street, heads would definitely turn.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone present, the remaining giant wolf, Lu Jin, circled around He Chunhua, Zeng Feixiong, Wu Shaoyi, and the others, sniffing here and there. In the end, it actually stopped beside He Yue. "I choose him!"
He Yue was instantly caught off guard. "...Thank you?"
This majestic black giant wolf had passed over his father and Zeng Feixiong, choosing him instead. Was this affinity?
Lu Jin puffed out its chest, raised its head, and flashed a roguish grin at He Yue. "Young master, I'll be covering your back from now on!"
Those who had not been picked could not help feeling disappointed, while He Lingchuan marveled at the sight. He leaned over and whispered to Lu Xin, "My younger brother is that popular?"
Lu Xin's long wolf face remained expressionless. "He looks weaker. He needs the strongest protector."
Put that way, it made a strange kind of sense.
Afterward, each pair bound their covenant one-on-one, a smooth process needing no further elaboration.
Once the covenants were established, He Chunhua dismissed everyone to get some rest.
***
Before dawn had even broken, He Chunhua was shaken awake.
Ying Hongchan gently patted his shoulder. "Husband, Zhao Qinghe has something to report."
What could be so urgent that it could not wait for daylight? He Chunhua's heart tightened. He got up swiftly, dressed, and found Zhao Qinghe already waiting for him in a corner of the small courtyard.
"What is it?" The freezing cold bit deep, and He Chunhua wrapped his robe tightly around himself.
Zhao Qinghe, now promoted to Zeng Feixiong's adjutant, said, "My lord, do you remember Rui Manzi from the Auxiliary Army?"
"I selected him for the ranks with my own hands. How could I not remember?" He Chunhua sensed trouble. "What happened to him?"
"Last night, he and another squad leader drank themselves into a stupor. Leaving the tavern, an unlicensed prostitute struck up a conversation with him, and he spent the night at her place. During that time, he babbled recklessly, bragging about the battle by Xianling Lake. Once his companion threw up and sobered up, he realized how inappropriate the conversation had been and that it violated your gag order, so he came to report to me."
After the battle at Xianling Village, He Chunhua had issued a strict gag order across the entire force, expressly forbidding them from discussing or spreading word of that affair on pain of severe punishment.
It was a military order.
"Did they mention it in the tavern?"
"No."
"Only at that woman's place?"
"Yes," Zhao Qinghe said. "It was also the woman who took the initiative to ask when the goddaughter newly adopted by the Governor-General's lady had joined the caravan."
"She took the initiative to ask?" He Chunhua narrowed his eyes. "When did Rui Manzi return to his quarters?"
"Two quarters of an hour ago. The two of them were questioned by a patrol on their way back, but were let through after showing their waist tokens."
"It isn't light yet, and the curfew has not lifted." He Chunhua glanced at the sky. "Commoners are not permitted outdoors yet. That woman will have to wait until dawn to deliver her tip and claim a reward. You still have time."
"Give your orders, my lord."
"Handle it as it must be handled, but do not cause trouble for the city watch." A look of pity crossed He Chunhua's eyes. "Zhu Xiu'er struggled hard to pull herself out of the mire. She still has to live in Shihuan; her reputation must not be tarnished."
"Also, Rui Manzi violated military orders. Sentence him to twenty strokes of the cane, to be recorded and carried out once we reach Xiazhou." A man needed time to recuperate after a flogging, and they had a long journey ahead. "Furthermore, pass down my order: the Auxiliary Army is strictly forbidden from drinking while we are in Shihuan City!"
With that, he tucked his hands into his sleeves and returned to his room to rest.
*Thud, thud, thud.* Someone was banging on the door.
He Lingchuan was in the middle of shooting an arrow in his dream. Startled by the pounding, his arrow went wide, and he woke with a jolt.
Before he could curse, the anxious voice of Lao Mo, the steward, came from outside: "Eldest Young Master, up quickly! An envoy from the palace has arrived!"
From the palace?
He Lingchuan scrambled out of bed to unbolt the door. Two guards hurried in to help him put on his clothes and boots as fast as possible.
By the time he rushed to the inn's front courtyard, the He family had already assembled. A short, plump eunuch with a pale, hairless face had arrived to deliver an imperial decree:
The King summoned He Chunhua, Chief Administrator of Xiazhou, for an audience in the palace!
An imperial audience before dawn?
Having delivered the sovereign decree, the plump eunuch smiled warmly at He Chunhua. "Chief Administrator He, shall we?"
He Chunhua adjusted his robes and cap. He Lingchuan watched his father stride out, radiant with vigor, showing not the slightest hint of fatigue from a brutal battle followed by a sleepless night.
The entourage swept in and out like a whirlwind. Madam Ying chuckled. "Summoned into the palace overnight—it seems the King values him greatly."
He Lingchuan gave a long yawn. "Is it over? I'm going back to sleep."
It had nothing to do with him anyway; he was just there to help make up the numbers while receiving the decree.
***
Falling back asleep, he did not enter Panlong City again. Instead, he dreamed of the immortal's cavern abode.
To be precise, he "saw" the divine bone necklace sink thirty feet beneath the surface. As though guided, the surrounding soil and rock poured into the aperture at the bone's center, vanishing without a trace.
Soon, an inconspicuous, grain-sized pale red crystal was dragged toward it as well.
It seemed entirely unwilling. Mid-pull, the crystal fractured, turning into an exceedingly wispy wisp of red mist that tried to flee in the opposite direction.
Yet the power of the divine bone proved stronger. With an unyielding pull, it dragged the mist straight into the central hole.
The subterranean disturbances ceased, and the divine bone necklace swiftly rose back to the surface.
Then, He Lingchuan was jolted awake by a barrage of sharp, piercing whistles.
He heard hurried footsteps, shouts, and curses passing by outside the inn, trailing off into the distance.
Was a man not allowed to sleep around here?
He Yue happened to walk past outside. Rubbing his eyes, He Lingchuan called out, "What's happening out there?"
Beneath the surface, his thoughts remained fixed on the dream he had just had.
Was that what had taken place underground the last time he entered the immortal's cavern?
The divine bone necklace had absorbed that wisp of red mist, and only after that had the Panlong dreamscape permitted him to enter and exit at will?
"The garrison is rounding people up," He Yue replied. "They've also issued strict orders forbidding all inns and bathhouses from accepting new guests, and requiring them to hand over their registries of current patrons. Just a moment ago, dozens of people across the street were tied up in a line and marched off, like candied haws on a skewer."
Shihuan City had an entire street of bathhouses that offered overnight stays alongside baths, so they were placed under close surveillance as well.
He Lingchuan understood. "The royal court moves fast."
"Rebels infiltrated Shihuan City to assassinate court officials, right under the Son of Heaven's nose. How could that not draw serious attention?" He Yue asked him. "How are your injuries?"
He Lingchuan raised his left shoulder only halfway before crying out in pain. Lingguang, the medicine ape, came bustling over carrying medicinal pills. "Don't move that shoulder around! Master, do not strain your tendons or bones. I will switch you to two different medicines; you'll be well in four days at most. As for your other wounds, they should be fine in a day or two."
Chapter 180