Chapter 14: You Need to Be More Mature

Nian Songyu spoke with a hint of arrogance: "Lord He, are you aware of the Endless Sea south of the Heavenly Dome? It's plagued by continuous hurricanes year-round, with treacherous undercurrents and rampant sea monsters. It's said to be an area forbidden to the living. I once journeyed south on the King's command, entering and exiting the Endless Sea twice, and each time I returned unscathed." These country folks truly have no idea what they're up against.

He Lingchuan coughed. "When you entered and exited the Endless Sea, surely you had a guide, didn't you?"

"Naturally."

"But between September and February or March of the following year, sometimes even April, there are simply no guides in the Coiling Dragon Desert. No one dares to go!" He Lingchuan looked at his father. "Over the past fifty years, this desert has claimed at least four thousand lives – and that's just based on reported cases from victims. The true number is incalculable. And when the desert truly unleashes its fury, do you know how many people return alive?"

"One!" He held up a single finger. "Just one in fifty years, and that person went mad. According to the shaman's diagnosis, he lost a soul and a spirit, and will never regain his sanity in this lifetime."

Sun Dongfu's eyelids slightly lifted, exuding the demeanor of a Grand Tutor. "The Grand Marshal has already sent people to look for something. Once it's found, our entry and exit from the Coiling Dragon Desert might become safe. Furthermore, I will do my best to ensure the safety of the team."

He Chunhua sneered inwardly. After all that beating around the bush, the true intention is finally revealed, isn't it? However, he appeared surprised on the surface: "What object is that?"

What was the Grand Marshal sending people to find that led to his son's fall from the cliff?

"It's an heirloom left behind by Zhong Shengguang. With it, the vengeful spirits guarding the ruins might allow us passage in and out of the Coiling Dragon Desert," Nian Songyu said. "All the clues the Grand Marshal uncovered point to the Sand Leopard tribe on Red Cliff Road. Lord He, did you know that Zhong Shengguang's spirit beast was once a sand leopard?"

"Indeed, I've heard something to that effect."

"Now, its descendants and tribe are in the Coiling Dragon Desert. We went to inquire, and there was a slight conflict," Nian Songyu said lightly. "A few of the sand leopards left, and we spent forty or fifty days searching for each one individually. Later, we discovered that one might have already entered Blackwater City."

He Lingchuan smiled. "Simple, just post 'Lost Leopard' notices all over the city. After all, Blackwater City is crawling with monsters."

Sun Fuping said to He Chunhua: "Then we will need the Prefect's assistance. Time is precious; the Battle of Woling Pass cannot wait. As we speak, that battlefield is undoubtedly claiming more lives. Only by finding the Great Fang Pot as quickly as possible can we bring an end to this unjust war."

He Chunhua considered for a moment. "If you find the token, I will send out my best guides to show you the way."

"Just the twenty or so of us won't be enough; we'll need at least an army," Nian Songyu seemed displeased. "The Coiling Dragon Ruins are a place of extreme evil; only the nation's spiritual fortune can suppress it!"

That would mean at least two hundred men, and the commanding general would also need to wear the Imperial Seal, otherwise, how could the nation's fortune be mobilized for protection?

He Chunhua looked troubled. Who would be bold enough to take on such a clearly suicidal task?

Seeing this, Sun Fuping immediately said: "There's something I shouldn't say, but back then, Lord He was able to emerge unscathed from the God-Appeasement Case, and during his journey of demotion to Qiansong Prefecture, he had ample funds and assistance. His two subsequent exceptional promotions were not without the Grand Marshal's repeated lobbying."

Criminals exiled to the frontier had their faces branded and were forced to labor in barren lands for over ten years. Although He Chunhua wasn't one of those unfortunate souls, the distance from the capital to Blackwater City was certainly more than a thousand *li*. He was only eleven years old at the time, and his entire family had perished. If no one had looked after him, provided him with travel funds, or given sufficient bribes to the escorting officials, the hardships of the journey could easily have claimed He Chunhua's life.

The road of exile was littered with countless wronged souls; one more wouldn't have made a difference.

Not to mention his later achievements, promotions, and exceptional advancements. While He Chunhua's own efforts were undeniable, it was difficult to gain the Emperor's attention without someone in the imperial court.

"Good wine needs no bush?" Ha, what nonsense.

He Chunhua had guessed that a powerful figure had interceded on his behalf, but he had never imagined it was the Grand Marshal.

Sun Fuping then added: "Retrieving the Great Fang Pot and seizing Woling Pass would be an immense achievement. My King has personally decreed that anyone who contributes to this endeavor will be promoted one rank."

He Chunhua was silent for a moment, then finally said: "Your humble servant will arrange the personnel at once. Grand Tutor Sun and Commander Nian, please relocate to the guest residence for now. Later, we will host a welcoming banquet for both of you at the Pine Crane Pavilion."

Their objective achieved, the two happily stood up and were escorted by the He father and son to the main gate, where they departed in a leisurely manner.

***

Watching the backs of the two men disappear around the street corner, He Lingchuan asked his father: "Are we really going to send people to the Coiling Dragon Desert?"

He Chunhua remained silent, looking deeply troubled. He still had prefectural duties to attend to. He instructed his son, "Don't tell your mother about this," and then hurried away.

He Lingchuan returned to the mansion, where he encountered his brother, He Yue, walking with their mother in the garden.

Lady Ying asked her eldest son: "Who were those guests?"

He Lingchuan replied seriously: "The Grand Tutor and the second son of the Xunzhou Prefect. They were discussing confidential matters with Father!"

"Grand Tutor?" Lady Ying was startled. "Which Grand Tutor?"

"It should be 'which Grand Tutor'," He Lingchuan corrected her. "It's Grand Tutor Sun Fuping, who traveled thousands of *li* from the capital."

He was a top-tier figure, whom even princes and marquises would treat as an honored guest. Lady Ying was surprised but didn't press further, only asking He Lingchuan: "Is it good news or bad news?"

Since it was "confidential," it wasn't her place as a woman to ask carelessly. Lady Ying never interfered when He Chunhua handled prefectural affairs.

"A mix of both," He Lingchuan said gravely. "It just depends on how Father handles it."

Lady Ying's eyes darted around: "Why did he ask you to be there?"

As it concerned confidential matters, her husband should have called upon their more reliable younger son instead.

"I'm also involved," He Lingchuan's face darkened slightly. "What do you mean by that, Mother? Shouldn't Father involve me in his affairs?"

He felt annoyed again.

"You're involved too?" Lady Ying looked him up and down. "Don't tell me you've stirred up trouble again?"

"Is that how you see me?" He Lingchuan's face stiffened. "Only causing trouble?"

However, it seemed Lady Ying had hit the nail on the head this time.

Ying Hongchan's tone softened, and she earnestly advised: "Lingchuan, you're a grown man now. You need to be more sensible and steady to help ease your father's burdens."

She glanced towards the main gate: "I'm going to distribute food outside the gate. You two brothers can talk."

She left, supported by her maid, but He Yue remained.

"Brother, shall we have some tea?"

He Lingchuan understood, and walked with him to the side hall.

Just two steps in, He Yue said to him: "Mother is outspoken, but there's no malice in her words. Don't take it to heart."

"Your mother is my mother too, do I need you to comfort me?" He Lingchuan eyed him askance. "She's annoyed by me to no end, and treasures you like a gem. It's been like this since we were children. Hey, you don't need to explain; explanations are just attempts to conceal!"