Chapter 1220: Understanding the Mind and Seeing One's Nature

Everyone understood the Situ family's stance.

"Surrender to Bixia?" Situ He sneered. "They are truly detestable. Do you know that when Bixia was weak, it received help from Gaopu? When it was harassed by foreign tribes, Gaopu Nation even mediated on its behalf. But once it gained power, it immediately sought favor with Yaoguo for the most trivial benefits! We are ashamed to accept amnesty from such an ungrateful ingrate!"

"Furthermore, Bixia's lord and my father share a profound hatred, as Bixia caused my father to lose a son. That so-called 'amnesty letter' sounds grand, yet it's full of awkward phrasing, making it impossible to believe their sincerity!" He added, "Bixia wants to kill me precisely to make my father suffer the pain of losing another child."

"My father dispatched me to contact other tribes, but en route, we were ambushed by Bixia. They slaughtered my entire team and all my people right before my eyes," Situ He said, sighing through gritted teeth. "They used me to threaten my father, predicting he still wouldn't surrender, and so scheduled my execution for noon tomorrow. Heh, last night's last meal was quite a feast, with a large duck leg. I ate it all; I didn't lose out on anything."

Both men laughed.

At this point, he finally remembered his question: "Oh right, Brother He, how did you end up in Flash Gold Plain? What about your merchant guild…?"

"After leaving Beijia, I acquired an archipelago opposite Blade Port and founded a merchant guild," He Lingchuan replied, patting Situ He's shoulder. "I came to Flash Gold this time to conduct some business, and as it happened, I saw your wanted poster in Ju City. Oh, and our guild also took over the Rolling Stone Valley mining area in your territory. Since we're business partners, naturally I had to save you. With this act of salvation, won't we be able to conduct our business freely here from now on?"

They exchanged a knowing smile.

Situ He knew his friend was joking and replied, "Naturally, naturally!"

"Brother He, I greatly admired your charisma back in Lingxu City," Situ He said. At that time, He Lingchuan had caused a city-wide sensation with the Elixir of Immortality case and was a frequent visitor to the Lingxu Imperial Academy, often the most dazzling person in any crowd. "But seeing you today, you seem different again."

Back then, He Lingchuan was at the peak of his influence, dashing and uninhibited, possessing an air of someone who could spend a fortune and still recover it.

Today's He Lingchuan, however, was much more reserved and composed. This change was internal, subtle, and only an old friend like Situ He could perceive it.

He Lingchuan smiled. "You've changed significantly too."

The Situ He of the past was intelligent and eager to learn, yet he seemed out of place in his surroundings. He Lingchuan always sensed a suppressed energy within him.

Now he understood the source of that energy.

This young man had also plunged into a resolute struggle.

"The battlefield is truly the greatest test," Situ He said, instinctively clenching his fist, only to release it with a wince as it hit an injury. "In Beijia, my eyes were opened, and I gained a broader perspective. I want to apply all that knowledge and experience back here in Flash Gold Plain. But, Brother He, it's incredibly difficult. Our homeland is devastated, and our enemies are cunning and cruel. Even if we wish to remain uninvolved, it's nothing but a pipe dream!"

"This is a case of 'the tree desires calm, but the wind keeps blowing.' Flash Gold Plain has not known a moment of peace for years; do you know why?"

"Of course!" Situ He nodded emphatically, uttering two words through gritted teeth: "Yaoguo!"

He Lingchuan glanced at him. "Oh? Explain."

"I was naive before, believing Flash Gold Plain's constant turmoil was merely due to accumulated ancestral feuds, resource disputes, or our own shortcomings. Then, when I looked at Yaoguo—sigh—everyone envied them. They seemed like a heavenly realm in Flash Gold Plain, with contented people, abundant resources, and a powerful military, even dictating terms to us."

"It wasn't until I visited Beijia and saw the world beyond that I realized how vast the world truly is, and how ridiculously narrow my own perspective had been!" Situ He unconsciously gazed toward the front lines. "Yaoguo, whom we revered like a towering mountain, has, both openly and secretly, been manipulating events to sow chaos across the entire continent!"

"Their happiness and prosperity are built upon our suffering!" he said bitterly. "Their 190 years of stable rule are founded on our disintegration!"

He Lingchuan listened, remaining silent for a long moment.

He wasn't surprised by Situ He's answer, but he said nothing more.

After a considerable pause, he finally asked Situ He:

"Since you attribute Flash Gold Plain's misfortunes to Yaoguo, what do you intend to do next?"

"For now, we have no means to confront Yaoguo. But—" Situ He pursed his lips, undeterred, "We can focus on the immediate future: defeating Bixia!"

The Situ family's immediate crisis was Bixia's relentless pressure.

Only by resolving this crisis would the Situ family be in a position to discuss "the future."

Situ He wouldn't have uttered a word more to any other outsider. However, He Lingchuan was an old acquaintance who had just saved him from Bixia's clutches. Most importantly, He Lingchuan's insight, character, and courage had earned the respect of numerous students from Lingxu Academy.

How just and resolute must a person be to dare investigate the Elixir of Immortality case in Beijia, to directly plunge into Lingxu City's power struggles, and to fearlessly follow clues that pointed straight to the Azure Palace?

He was a truly worthy friend!

This was the positive outcome of He Lingchuan's previous impartial actions in Beijia.

Situ He spoke with great emotion: "When I first left Flash Gold Plain for Beijia, my heart was truly adrift. Though I had a spark of passion, I was utterly uncertain about my future direction."

He Lingchuan casually asked, "What opportunity did you encounter in Beijia?"

Years ago, Zhong Shengguang also only chose his own path after studying in Lingxu City and broadening his horizons.

"The Heavenly Palace upheaval!" A light shone in Situ He's eyes. "Even the mighty Heavenly Palace couldn't protect the Star-Picking Tower. Even the powerful Lingxu City couldn't withstand the rampage of the Thunder Engine Beast—"

"What else in this world is impossible?" he exhaled, looking up at the sky. "If even Beijia, a dominant power of our age, can be shaken, then what right do mere Yaoguo and Bixia have to exert total control over Flash Gold Plain?"

These words were spoken with resounding force.

He Lingchuan patted his shoulder, praising him repeatedly: "A good man, a good brother!"

When there is conviction in the heart, there is light in the eyes.

He Lingchuan saw the light of hope in his eyes and knew that Situ He was a man of action, acting on his beliefs.

Situ He's two severed fingers served as his personal seal, a testament to his clarity of mind and resolve.

Furthermore, He Lingchuan had not previously realized how profound the impact of the Heavenly Palace upheaval had been.

From his perspective, he had simply dismantled the Xushan Grand Formation, seized the demon immortal's remains, and taken the Spirit-Sealing Treasure Cover from the Star-Picking Tower—all practical objectives.

Yet, for the world, what had been shattered was the widespread belief in Beijia's invincibility and immovability.

It was a thunderclap that planted a seed in people's hearts: the realization that such things were, in fact, possible.

He Lingchuan recalled a statement once made to him by the Naraka Heavenly avatar:

When people's minds awaken, the world becomes more chaotic, and the web of destiny grows more intricate.

The future?

The future would undoubtedly be even more eventful!

By the time He Lingchuan and his companions arrived at Yaopo, it was already past noon.

There was a large military camp at the front line, with a city behind it—a much larger settlement than Ju City. He Lingchuan and his companion carefully observed that the city walls were exceptionally thick, buildings were closely packed, and crowds teemed through the streets, making it far more bustling than they had imagined.

Aside from major nations like Beijia and Mou Nation, He Lingchuan could recall very few towns that managed to keep their industries thriving and prosperous amidst war.

The most typical examples were the capitals of Yuan Nation and the former Bo Nation, where both commerce and public welfare had been decimated by war.

Dong Rui directly asked the patrol guard leading them, "Why are there so many people in your city of Yao?"

"Isn't this the front line?"

To his surprise, the patrol guard offered a wry smile. "Recently, there have been fierce ghouls devouring people everywhere, making it even more unsafe outside. So, people from the surrounding areas have streamed in."

Indeed, every family had its own troubles.

On the way to the Situ Mansion, many people greeted Situ He, and he returned their greetings with a smile.

He Lingchuan observed this, realizing that the Situ family was highly esteemed in the area.

"My family has been settled in Yaopo for over a decade," Situ He explained. "My father says that many of the children who received sweets from him when they were young later grew up to enlist in his army."

He Lingchuan remarked with emotion, "In such tumultuous times, it's truly rare for the military and civilians to be united."

As the saying goes, time reveals a person's true character, and it was much the same in Panlong City.

While admiration might stem from ignorance, true devotion invariably comes from the heart.

"The ruler of Gaopu Nation was once like this too," Situ He sighed softly. "He and my father, as ruler and minister, shared a deep understanding and common beliefs. Unfortunately…"

Unfortunately, Gaopu Nation was ultimately conquered, while the Situ family continued to struggle.

He Lingchuan looked back at the bustling market they had just passed, feeling that its vibrancy was merely a mirage. Though colorful, it was in fact precarious, a bubble that could burst at a touch.

A hundred paces further, they arrived at the General's Residence.

It was a vast estate, sprawling over a significant area, with high walls and sturdy gates, capable of housing at least thirty thousand soldiers.

He Lingchuan looked up and noticed that the outer walls of the General's Residence, like those of Yaopo City, bore marks of having been reinforced and heightened.

It appeared the Situ family had never relaxed their defensive preparations.

As they approached the main gate, a group of people, led by a man, came out to greet them.

This was a man nearing fifty, clad in light armor, with a brisk gait, and a face somewhat resembling Situ He's.

This was likely Situ Yu, the master of the General's Residence and the leader of the resistance against Bixia.

"Mister He!" Situ Yu said, bowing with clasped fists. "Thank you for your trouble yesterday concerning my son."

He Lingchuan returned the bow. "General Situ, I've long admired you."

Their meeting was amicable, and Situ Yu warmly invited them inside for a conversation.

"It's noon," Situ Yu said. "Mister He and Mister Wei, please join me for a simple meal here."

"No need to go to any trouble; a humble meal will suffice."

Although He Lingchuan was polite, Situ Yu couldn't take his modesty literally. Thus, the General's Residence prepared a lavish table of delicious dishes for their honored guests.

He Lingchuan and Dong Rui had tasted every imaginable delicacy. However, while the General's Residence feast primarily featured rich meats and fish, the flavors were exquisitely balanced, with a skillful use of spices that lent a unique taste to even common dishes.

For instance, one dish, "Unforgettable Fragrant Diced Meat," was stir-fried using the herb "Jin Buhuan" (basil) with minced pork, fermented black beans, and chili, then wrapped in tender vegetable leaves for eating.

With one bite, a burst of fragrance filled the mouth.

He Lingchuan immediately recognized "Jin Buhuan" as basil leaves, an herb rarely consumed west of Ya Nation.

In impoverished regions, even good things struggle to gain wider recognition.

Situ Yu began by toasting He Lingchuan three times in a row, thanking him for saving his beloved son's life.