Chapter 15: Cleaning Up

"She's a bit strict, hoping we'll achieve something significant after returning to the capital as successful individuals."

He Lingchuan burst out laughing, "Oh, come on. She just wants you to go back to the capital and make a name for yourself. What does that have to do with me?"

The resentment in his words displeased He Yue. "Why do you belittle yourself, big brother? Have you ever thought about what you'll do after returning to the capital?"

"Go back to the capital?" He Lingchuan stroked his chin. "No!"

The original owner never thought that far ahead, and of course, he had no plans either.

To outsiders, Qiansong Commandery seemed like a desolate and harsh place, but he and the original owner both found it quite good. The He family here was like a local emperor, used to wielding power and enjoying comfort. But in the capital of Yuan Kingdom, they would be nothing.

In terms of heritage, financial resources, connections, or even the ability to spend money, the He family wasn't even fit to tie the shoelaces of those powerful aristocratic families.

So why go? Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

He Yue reminded him, "This is father's long-cherished wish. We must fulfill it with all our might; we swore an oath during the family ancestral rites." If one lacks foresight, immediate troubles will follow. With big brother's attitude, it would be a miracle if mother approved.

"I know," He Lingchuan said, patting his shoulder nonchalantly. "You study literature, I practice martial arts. Together, we'll be skilled in both. One day, when we return to the capital, if anyone gives you trouble, I'll secretly beat them into a pulp."

"Big brother, you really are..." Faced with such unreasonable antics, He Yue was speechless.

On the bright side, his brother's revelry in Blackwater City was always out in the open. At least he knew that if they returned to the capital, he'd have to do his mischief secretly. That counted as progress.

Perhaps.

On the way, they met Uncle Hao, who winked at He Lingchuan and followed.

What new trouble had arisen now?

Upon reaching the side hall, the two sat down. Uncle Hao went to stand guard outside the door, ensuring no one came within five *zhang* of them.

He Yue picked out a tea set and felt the cold teacup. "Are the Imperial Preceptor and the Governor of Xunzhou here to cause trouble?"

He Lingchuan yawned, looking listless. "Those two aren't the biggest problem. The real mastermind is the emperor's father-in-law."

"The Grand Marshal?" He Yue's expression changed dramatically. "You're not talking about... Dong Haoming, are you?"

"Uh-huh. Otherwise, how many imperial fathers-in-law do we have?" He Lingchuan thought for a moment. Father had only said not to tell Lady Ying, but he hadn't mentioned keeping He Yue in the dark.

This kid had been helping with county affairs since he was nine. There was probably no need to hide this major issue from him now. Besides, in a few days, when He Chunhua sent people into the desert, He Yue would surely find out anyway.

So, he frankly explained the purpose of Imperial Preceptor Sun and the other man's visit, from beginning to end.

He Yue listened carefully, occasionally interjecting with a couple of questions, but mostly just boiling water.

His brother was too lazy, so he had to do it himself.

By the time he had boiled the water and brewed the tea, He Lingchuan was parched from talking. He picked up the hot tea and took two large gulps.

"Second brother, what do you think?"

"The Grand Marshal wants to use us as his pawns, but Father will most likely agree, so our objection would be futile," He Yue analyzed. "Given Father's age and experience, he still has great prospects upon returning to the royal capital."

While both his sons were nearing adulthood, He Chunhua himself was not yet thirty-five, still in his prime, strong and energetic. He had already spent the best twenty years of his life in barren lands; how could he tolerate continuing to be overlooked and buried?

"Fortunately, Zhong Shengguang's token is missing, and if they search for another few dozen days without success, they won't be able to enter the Panlong Desert."

He Lingchuan cleared his throat. "Actually, the token has been found."

"What? Where?" He Yue was startled, his gaze at his brother growing increasingly suspicious. "How do you know?"

"It's right here with me," He Lingchuan said, patting his chest slowly. "Actually, this story begins over a month ago when I was severely injured..."

This time, he tried to make a long story short.

"Nian Songyu only said he went to look for the leopard demon, but he didn't mention wiping out its entire clan and nest," He Yue frowned deeply. "And what exactly did the Governor of Xunzhou send him here for?"

"Supposedly to assist Imperial Preceptor Sun," He Lingchuan stroked his chin. "It seems Father will soon be asking me for the sand leopard's relics."

He Yue reminded him, "The Red and White Sect is still holding two guards from Donglai Prefecture. Now that you know their purpose, what do you plan to do with them?"

"How else can I deal with them? Of course, I'll let them go."

"Release them?" He Yue was a little surprised. "I thought you'd want to destroy the evidence."

The best way not to offend Donglai Prefecture was to ensure they never knew they had been provoked.

"Is that really necessary?" He Lingchuan scratched his head. "They're just two second-class guards. What do they matter to Donglai Prefecture?"

"You're right," He Yue thought to himself. The missing guards would eventually become a problem, especially if the Red and White Sect exposed any more weaknesses. If Father decided to help them acquire the Great Square Vase, it would be best to show some sincerity now to avoid being undermined later during the distribution of rewards. After all, they were just two guards—insignificant, to put it mildly. Donglai Prefecture needed their help, so they likely wouldn't make an issue of it.

He Lingchuan muttered, feeling uneasy under his gaze, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Compared to before, his brother seemed to have changed, yet not entirely. He Yue pulled his thoughts back. "There are many suspicious points about this matter, and entering the Panlong Desert is extremely dangerous, even with the token. Just let them take the risk; you and Father shouldn't get involved in this mess."

"Got it."

Just then, Uncle Hao reported that someone from the Red and White Sect had arrived.

He Lingchuan met the person in the garden.

Through the window, He Yue watched his brother sit on a garden bench, legs crossed, and say, "Are those two still alive?"

"They're alive," replied the Red and White Sect member who had given him information last time. "What are your instructions, Young Master?"

"Get them out of the prison and clean them up."

"Clean up?" The man understood, "Should we burn them to ashes or dissolve them in water?"

"I said 'clean up,' not 'kill them'!" What was going through these guys' heads? "Their backers have arrived. We'll probably have to release them in a day or two, and they need to be alive!"

The sect member gasped, "Release them?"

"What, are their body parts incomplete?" He Lingchuan frowned. That would be bad. If the people returned to Donglai Prefecture were missing limbs, it wouldn't be a gesture of goodwill but an act of vengeance.

"They're complete, complete, but... but..."

He Lingchuan's heart sank. These young rascals were truly a handful. "But what?"

The man coughed. "One of them tried to escape yesterday, and during the capture, we accidentally sliced off half his buttock. You know, Old Seven Chen can be a bit heavy-handed."

"I know? How would I know?" He Lingchuan glared. "I thought they just ate too much spoiled food or got a few more bug bites. If word of this gets out, it won't be their butts that are injured, but Donglai Prefecture's reputation!"

In the study, He Yue heard this and covered his face with his hand. Was his earlier thought truly an illusion? His big brother hadn't changed at all.