Chapter 1289: Not a Biting Dog, Just a Mined Ore

Chapter 1275: If Not a Biting Dog, Then Mined Ore

The admiration of this city and its people, however, left his rebellious spirit nowhere to settle.

Sha Wei stared at the weapon in his hand, momentarily lost in thought.

Alo observed his reactions before departing.

He hadn't wanted to come, and with a stern face, he asked his former teammate, now his superior: "Why are you being so kind to them?"

These individuals were ostentatious and unruly, quite irritating. In the past, they would have been his prime targets for discipline.

"From now on, they are my subordinates," He Lingchuan said casually. "The stronger my subordinates, the stronger the army, and the stronger I become. What's wrong with that? Don't forget they came to support Panlong City out of pure conviction."

Alo had no reply and simply proceeded to apply the medicine.

Though the medicine he prescribed tasted dreadful, its effects were remarkably good. After four days of bed rest, Sha Wei was able to get up and move around.

But that's a story for another time.

On his way home, He Lingchuan unexpectedly ran into Xin Yi again, who was also browsing the market.

He had dismissed his attendants and mingled with the bustling crowd, looking completely at ease.

He Lingchuan had intended to turn and leave, but Xin Yi's eyesight was as sharp as his. As soon as his gaze swept over, he raised a hand in greeting: "General He. To meet three times in one day, we truly are fated."

"Mr. Xin, you seem to be enjoying yourself."

"I wanted to buy something to go with a drink before curfew." Panlong City still observed a curfew, but with flourishing trade in recent years, it now began closer to midnight, two hours later than before. Xin Yi noticed a few oiled paper bags in He Lingchuan's hand. "What delicious treats are those?"

"Just some smoked cured meat."

Xin Yi also noticed a large bag of blackish-red, egg-shaped dried fruit. "And this?"

"Dates," He Lingchuan replied, pushing the oiled paper bag toward him. "They're a specialty of Wei City in the Panlong Wasteland and have only been sold in Panlong City for the past few years. Care for one?"

Sun Fuling also liked these; he was buying them for her as snacks.

Xin Yi casually took one and popped it into his mouth.

"This is good, this is very good," he said. "It's sweeter and more fragrant than dried dates."

He Lingchuan asked, seemingly casually, "Mr. Xin, have you had these before?"

"No, I haven't. I must buy half a bag to take with me."

He Lingchuan smiled and then introduced him to other delicacies.

Fifteen minutes later, Xin Yi also had several oiled paper bags in his hands. "If you have nothing planned tonight, would you like to have a drink together? I'd like General He to tell me about the battle between Longchuan and Yuheng City."

"Mr. Xin, are you interested in warfare?" He Lingchuan asked, having assumed he was merely a communications officer.

"To be frank," Xin Yi remarked, "I've spent many years diligently cultivating, yet I've had few opportunities to experience actual combat. Given the current times, for a man to achieve great deeds and establish himself, he ultimately needs to rely on military might. My purpose in coming to Panlong City this time is to observe closely, and I intend to seek General He's guidance often in the future!"

That made sense, and He Lingchuan nodded. "Not tonight. How about we have a few drinks at Ximoling tomorrow night?"

"Oh? Oh—could it be you have an appointment with a lady?" Xin Yi suddenly understood and winked at him. "Ah, I'm being inconsiderate again. Well then, see you tomorrow morning!"

He Lingchuan smiled as he bid him farewell.

An hour later, moonlight spilled like water onto the Cloud Gold Pagoda.

He Lingchuan had already ascended to the pagoda's peak, where soft cushions lay on the tiled roof, laden with wine and food.

A beautiful woman sat beside him.

The Cloud Gold Pagoda was situated on a small hill, making it the highest pagoda in Panlong City. Each morning, as the sun rose from the east, its first golden ray would illuminate the pagoda's spire.

However, the beautiful sight currently before He Lingchuan and Sun Fuling was the myriad twinkling lights of Panlong City.

That vast expanse of dazzling lights far outshone the stars in the heavens.

With their keen eyesight, they could even discern the crowds moving through the streets and the lanterns hanging beneath the shop eaves.

Panlong City's current liveliness and bustle were incomparable to three years prior.

Under the cloak of night, the majestic city shed some of its desolate sternness, embracing a softer glow from the warmth of human activity.

Sun Fuling brushed her wind-blown hair back behind her ears and sighed in admiration: "It's truly beautiful."

He Lingchuan looked at her and echoed, "Isn't it?"

Looking at the beauty under the moonlight, with her radiant, jade-like face and fluttering sleeves, it seemed as if she might ascend to immortality at any moment.

Tonight, Master Sun was so beautiful she seemed almost otherworldly.

Sun Fuling shot him a glance, her eyes like flowing currents. "I was talking about Panlong City."

"I was also talking about Panlong City," He Lingchuan said with a smile. "What else could I have meant?"

It was quiet all around; no one else could climb to the top of this pagoda. Sun Fuling asked him, "How did you have time to bring me up the pagoda tonight?"

She had actually leaped up here herself just now, with even more ease than He Lingchuan.

"With my affairs taken care of, shouldn't I rush to accompany our Master Sun?"

Sun Fuling sat with her knees raised, her chin resting on them. "I hear you dealt with a few troublemakers from the east this afternoon?"

"Master's news is truly well-informed," He Lingchuan said leisurely. "But they aren't really troublemakers; they're just a group of energetic young men with nowhere to vent their energy. With proper guidance, they'll become good warriors in the future."

Sun Fuling was silent for a moment, then asked him, "There's going to be a war, isn't there? When will you depart?"

He Lingchuan whispered, "Soon."

Neither spoke, but their hands were clasped together.

Only the gentle March breeze lingered around the pagoda's spire.

Gazing at the myriad lights of the city below, He Lingchuan recalled the current state of Xiluo Nation.

The Second Prince of Xiluo Nation had successfully ascended to power by leveraging Beijia's strength.

And then what?

Did he truly believe that inviting the wolf into his home would lead to a good outcome?

Although the former Xiluo Nation was weak, it at least retained its sovereignty and remained an independent state.

Now, it was merely a puppet in Beijia's grasp. If told to live, it lived; if told to die, it died. If told to dance, it dared not stand still. If told to deploy troops, it would point its spears at its own territory and people—even though Panlong City was still paying taxes to Xiluo Nation. When did it ever dare to utter a single 'no'?

Prostrating oneself before Beijia invariably led to such an outcome.

Xiluo's new monarch was too naive, thinking that after aligning with Beijia, he would become a second Baling, a second Xianyou?

Such a good fortune doesn't exist.

If you're going to be someone's dog, remember there are many kinds: some become hunting dogs, while others are merely sent to the market for slaughter.

To Beijia, what use could Xiluo Nation possibly be?

Beijia wanted Panlong City. Xiluo was merely a blunt knife swung at Panlong City—it couldn't kill, but it could wound spirits.

From this perspective, Zhong Shengguang was truly clear-headed.

His refusal to surrender to Beijia meant choosing an exceptionally difficult yet independent path.

He was well aware that even a temporary peace would not grant Panlong City a tranquil existence. It would become a knife in Beijia's hand, stabbing other nations and peoples, working tirelessly to gather more nightmare energy for the Heavenly God.

Xiluo Nation served as a cautionary tale.

In the eyes of the Heavenly God and Beijia, they weren't even considered human.

If Not a Biting Dog, Then Mined Ore.

Sun Fuling asked him, "What are you thinking about?"

"Inviting the wolf into the house."

Sun Fuling blinked and asked curiously, "Who are you referring to?"

"Xiluo."

Actually, he was also thinking of the Situ father and son.