Chapter 1958: History's Turning Point

## Chapter 1939: History's Turn

“Yes, those were his exact words.” Fang Canran interjected, “But the Dragon God, back then…”

“I know the Dragon God saved the world, and I know its descendants or offspring should naturally enjoy the residual merits of their ancestors – like those who plant trees for future generations to enjoy the shade. But surely, there’s a limit to how long that debt of gratitude and merit should last? How long are people supposed to remain grateful? A hundred years? Five hundred? A thousand? Two thousand?” At this point, Weng Xing suddenly exclaimed, then turned to He Lingchuan, bowing apologetically. “Blast it, I forgot that you, venerable sir, are…”

He Lingchuan smiled, “It’s fine, carry on. I won’t blame you at all.”

How magnanimous of the Dragon God! Weng Xing secretly gave a thumbs-up in his heart, but his outward demeanor became much more reserved.

“All I’m saying is, wear shoes that fit your feet, and eat according to your appetite,” he said, patting the stone wall. “The protection of ancestors eventually runs out. In the end, you must rely on your own sharp claws and fangs! A prime location like Coral Palace is impossible to hold onto if you lack the capability yourself.”

Fang Canran mused, “There’s some truth to what you’re saying. I underestimated you before.”

Weng Xing felt pleased that intelligent people were praising him. But remembering his brother’s advice to be modest when praised, he replied, “Isn’t this a truth even three-year-olds understand in the Blazeflash Plains? It’s just that these dragons and flood dragons couldn’t grasp it. If they don’t perish, who will?”

Luo Xie interjected, “Isn’t it said that natural treasures belong to the virtuous?”

Everyone chuckled at that.

Weng Xing grinned, “Whoever said that either had ill intentions or simply misspoke. Don’t all good things belong to the capable?”

He Lingchuan patted Luo Xie’s shoulder. “Incompetence is a form of vice; you’ll understand that in time.”

He glanced at the dragon corpse.

The protection of ancestors allows their kin and descendants to receive better care and resources, leading to a more comfortable life. In human terms, this is called “inheritance,” but a more straightforward way to put it is: privilege.

Regardless of its scale, it is a special right.

So Weng Xing, that scoundrel, wasn't wrong: privilege certainly has an expiration date. Successors must use it with extreme care and caution, or if their capability doesn't match their position, the ancestors’ protection could very well turn into a deadly curse.

Upon returning to Duocheng, Wan Qifeng reported, “Qiu Hu and three armies will soon converge in Wancheng.”

Wancheng, located in the central-western Blazeflash Plains, was originally the capital of the tiny state of Wan. Due to the long valleys and rivers outside the city, Qiu Hu’s army transformed it into a supply depot and training camp after conquering Wan.

The Blazeflash Plains are vast, so the Dragon God Army’s convergence must occur in phases, at different times and locations.

After the first phase of convergence and before the second phase begins, there’s a transitional period.

For He Lingchuan and the Dragon God Army, this transitional period is crucial, bridging the two phases, and its importance far surpasses that of the first phase. This is because it’s a period of reorganization and intensive training for the main army, also known as the troop training period.

When Emperor Jiuyou first launched his uprising, he had only a few tens of thousands of men, which he had to divide into seven armies. Now, the total number of people recruited has surpassed 600,000! Besides the garrisons assigned to various locations, 160,000 soldiers will undergo training in and around Duocheng, while 190,000 will train in Wancheng and Luohe City.

He Lingchuan was keenly aware of the quality of the newly recruited soldiers from the first phase; to call them “mixed” would be an understatement. Within their ranks, even bandits who had come down from the mountains were considered high-end combatants, having at least handled weapons and possibly taken lives.

Such an army cannot afford a single defeat, let alone be deployed for challenging assaults; that would be inviting disaster.

Don't forget, they will eventually face Baitian's Yao Army. No matter how antiquated the Yao Kingdom’s army might be, it was once a professional, regular force. Therefore, even if He Lingchuan was eager to conquer the entire Blazeflash Plains, he could not afford to cut corners on training time.

This time investment is a necessary expenditure.

Subsequently, He Lingchuan convened a meeting in Duocheng, summoning all generals of the Black Armored Army ranked Captain and above.

“Our grand army has entered its preparation phase,” He Lingchuan stated. “Although different legions will train in staggered periods and sections, this phase will last at least three months, at least! To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools. The outcome of these three months of training will likely be the key to the success or failure of the second phase.”

This hundred-day golden training period is crucial for transforming civilians into soldiers, a qualitative change from zero to one. Every extra day of training increases the army’s combat effectiveness.

However, this means the fervent Dragon God War will be paused, and the first phase’s vigorous momentum will abruptly halt, which is a significant advantage for the enemy.

“During this period, we must also consolidate the achievements of the first phase of the war,” He Lingchuan said sternly. “Our enemies will not let this vacuum period pass, and they will do everything in their power to stir up trouble. The territories our soldiers won with their blood and sweat cannot be retaken.”

The “hard bones” left over from the first phase of the war—namely the Heavenly Gods, Qingyang, and the Dragon God’s former adversaries—will likely not miss this opportune moment.

This is a major challenge for He Lingchuan’s Blazeflash Plan. If they can navigate it safely, the war will proceed into its second phase as scheduled. However, if the pressure is too great, if the rear becomes too chaotic, or if opponents prove too formidable, the main force of the Dragon God Army will have to cut training short and enter combat prematurely. Such a reactive outcome would mean that subsequent plans and battles would face many more uncertainties.

Everyone responded in unison, “Yes, sir!”

“These achievements must now be protected by you and me.” While the main force trains, small units can be deployed. He Lingchuan stated each word clearly, “I have a mission for you. From today forward, the Black Armored Army will break into smaller units!”

He elaborated on the mission, instructing the generals to relay the details back to their respective units.

The atmosphere in the meeting was solemn; no one dared to miss a single word.

Finally, He Lingchuan stood up and bowed to the generals with clasped fists. “Your objective is to buy as much time as possible for the main army! This mission is arduous, and all sacrifices will be remembered.”

With a clang of armor, the generals stood up and declared in unison, “For the Dragon God, for Blazeflash!”

Three days later, He Lingchuan bid farewell to Fang Canran.

Fang Canran’s mission was special and needed to remain secret from outsiders, so He Lingchuan didn't arrange a grand send-off. Instead, he simply took Dong Rui and Granny Zhu, accompanying Fang Canran for thirty *li*.

Finally, at a hip-and-gable pavilion, Fang Canran stopped, and resolutely said, “We must part ways eventually. Brother He, you are busy with official duties, please return.”

Everyone fell silent. Everything that needed to be said had already been spoken during the thirty *li* journey.

Yet, it felt like a thousand words remained unsaid.

Parting today, with no questions about return.

He Lingchuan removed the storage ring from his finger and pressed it into Fang Canran’s hand. “I know you have more treasures than I do, but this contains some means of self-preservation. I hope you never have to use them.”

Fang Canran did not decline. He bowed deeply to He Lingchuan, then cupped his hands to Dong Rui and Granny Zhu, saying, “Please stop here. I must go. I hope we will meet again someday.”

Dong Rui returned the bow, his face uncharacteristically serious. “Take care, Mr. Fang!”

The spectral ape on his shoulder stopped making faces and, mimicking its master, nodded at Fang Canran. “Squeak!”

Granny Zhu also raised a front paw in salute.

Fang Canran turned and strode away, without looking back.

After walking several dozen *zhang*, a melodious flute tune drifted from behind him, light, winding, and lively. It was like a lark leaping from a peach branch, a fish darting from a clear pond, or an evening breeze sweeping through golden rice fields and then through a field mouse’s living room.

What joy in this world.

Fang Canran smiled, guessing that He Lingchuan was playing the flute to bid him farewell. In that year, at that moment, did Shao Jian also walk into the distance accompanied by such a flute melody?

He waved a hand backward, his steps becoming lighter.

One hundred and sixty years ago, Shao Jian took the Dragon Punisher Pillar from Mitian’s hands, without hesitation.

One hundred and sixty years later, Shao Jian’s descendant took the Dragon Punisher Pillar from Zhong Shengguang’s successor, without hesitation.

History turned, another cycle complete.