Chapter 2031: News from Thousands of Miles Away

Chapter 2012: News from Ten Thousand Miles Away

The Mirror was greatly surprised upon seeing it, though it also seemed logical.

The small flag landed in "Mou State" on the sand table.

"You want to borrow Mou State's power?" The Mirror uttered sounds of understanding. "That's right, Mou State and Ya State were never on good terms, and they're only separated by Bai Lie and Qing State. Plus, you have the Lingshan connection with Mou State; perhaps they'll truly agree! Oh, if Mou State is willing to help, Ya State would probably have to withdraw its troops, right?"

"This is the ideal scenario," He Lingchuan mused. "Earlier, I also mentioned to the Lingshan envoy that I would send someone to Mou State. Well, let's assign this task to Yu Hai; he's conveniently close to Mou State."

Yu Hai, a native of Pei State and the leader of the Yuanxiang Society, now performs exceptionally well in his role of internal and external communication and coordination for the Dragon God Army.

His most outstanding characteristic wasn't his social finesse, but rather his profound sincerity, which deeply resonated with people.

Sometimes, sincerity is the true ultimate weapon.

"For his first visit to Mou State, I need him to prepare a presentable gift," He Lingchuan added.

After dispatching the instructions to Yu Hai, He Lingchuan leaned back in his chair, lost in thought as he gazed at the bright moon outside the window.

"Ya State's invasion has also served as a reminder," he mused, "the world-shaking Dragon God War is nearing its end. For what comes next, we should be more proactive in our diplomacy."

Having said this, he closed the doors and windows, took a small statue from his pocket, and placed it on the eastward-facing table.

***

Yuncheng, Shen State, Royal Palace.

At cock-crow, the Shen State monarch awoke. An attendant came to tie his hair and help him change clothes. The empress, accustomed to her husband's diligence, merely turned over and continued to sleep.

He Chunhua went directly to the imperial study, passing two gardens along the way. Dawn was just breaking, and bees and butterflies had not yet begun their work, but the gardens were a riot of colorful blossoms, and a gentle breeze carried a subtle, fragrant scent.

The crisp chimes of wind bells dispelled the solemn quiet of the deep palace.

He Chunhua took a deep breath of the crisp air. The wind was fragrant, the flowers were beautiful, and everything here belonged to him.

He had succeeded, reaching a height his He family ancestors had never dared to imagine!

Shen State established its capital in Yuncheng, abandoning the former capital of Yuan. There was no pre-existing palace here, and after ascending the throne, He Chunhua did not wish to burden the people with lavish expenses. As the new state had just been founded and needed funds everywhere, he temporarily commandeered the most magnificent landscape estate in Yuncheng to serve as the palace.

A few ministers were due for a small morning court session at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), so he would first review documents and memorials, and his breakfast would be served directly in the imperial study.

He rose this early every day, always full of vigor.

The saying that power is a man's best elixir of youth was entirely true.

Breakfast had not yet arrived, but He Chunhua first sensed a subtle movement.

He then waved away the attendant, closed the doors and windows, and personally placed several incense sticks before the statue on the offering table.

Afterward, he bowed to the statue and said, "Greetings, my God!"

Narakuten's voice echoed in the imperial study: "You've certainly done a commendable job establishing this new state."

He Chunhua replied solemnly, "I've toiled day and night, daring not to slacken."

Since the founding of the state, he hadn't been idle for a single day—no, not even for a single afternoon. He constantly revolved around state affairs. Empress Ying had complained several times that her formerly considerate husband had become a "King" whom she might not see even once every two or three days.

He Chunhua could only appease her with gifts of gold, silver, and jewels.

There was no other way; with Shen State newly established, he had too much to do—not just policies and regulations, not just personnel appointments, not just domestic and foreign affairs, but also human-divine relations.

This was the success he had earned with half a lifetime of effort and sacrifice; he intended to protect it, perpetuate it, and expand its glory.

He was now also a "founding ancestor" of the state, and he hoped his royal house would last for myriad generations, which meant he had to start well.

Indeed, the Shen State now presented a scene of prosperity.

The edicts issued by the royal court were all aimed at reducing taxes and levies, allowing the people to recuperate, and encouraging agriculture and commerce.

The officials appointed by He Chunhua were new to their posts, eager to achieve great things.

The pervasive atmosphere of shirking responsibility, corruption, and ineffective policies that characterized the former Yuan State had been swept away by the flames of war.

He Chunhua's luck was also exceptionally good. In less than a year since the founding of the state, there had been multiple major outbreaks of Imperial Dew, with the total amount easily surpassing the sum of the past 140 years. With abundant spiritual energy and fertile land, crops grew better each day, and more land was cultivated. The common people had food to eat, and both trade and goods flourished.

For this burgeoning kingdom, everything was just beginning, and a promising future lay ahead.

"Today, I'm bringing you news about someone," Narakuten said, getting straight to the point, as they were so familiar with each other. "Your eldest son, He Lingchuan."

He Chunhua was stunned, and it was a long moment before he managed to utter a sentence:

"He is no longer my son."

After their second entry into the Coiling Dragon Illusion, father and son had a falling out, and He Lingchuan departed without a word. Afterward, He Chunhua reflected on the incident from many angles and finally concluded that "He Lingchuan" was no longer his son—at least his core essence had changed.

A cliff-fall accident might drastically alter a person's temperament, but it wouldn't cause such a monumental difference in their abilities.

That "He Lingchuan" was entirely a stranger, powerful and formidable.

Moreover, since winning the final state war and ascending to the throne, He Chunhua had rarely thought of this person again.

After all, it was in the past, and the chances of meeting again were as fleeting as smoke. Perhaps, deep down, he also preferred not to dwell on it.

When the Heavenly God suddenly brought up that name at this moment, He Chunhua was filled with a mix of emotions.

"You'd best not think that way," Narakuten said, well aware of the animosity between father and son. "You'll have plenty of opportunities to deal with him in the future."

"What do you mean?" He Chunhua finally couldn't help but ask. "Where is he, and what trouble has he caused?"

"Haha, a monumental disaster," Narakuten chuckled meaningfully. "Are you aware of the earth-shattering changes in the Glimmering Gold Plains?"

"I only know that those plains are barren and have been plagued by centuries of continuous warfare." After all, the Glimmering Gold Plains were too far from Shen State, and information reaching them was limited. Furthermore, He Chunhua himself had endless state affairs to worry about; why would he concern himself with something ten thousand miles away?

"Miao Zhan Tian, the Great Righteous God of the Spiritual Void Deities, has fallen. Since then, a new power has risen in the Glimmering Gold Plains. Its leader proclaims himself the reincarnated Dragon God, also known as the 'Great Emperor of Nine Hells.' His Black Armored Army and Dragon God Army have swept across the entire Glimmering Gold Plains, seemingly moving towards unification."

He Chunhua listened, deeply shocked.

It had taken him immense effort to conquer the former territory of Yuan State, fighting countless victorious battles with the support of Shatel.

This Great Emperor of Nine Hells actually intended to unify the entire Glimmering Gold Plains—the *entire* region!

He had heard that the Glimmering Gold Plains were vast, no smaller than Beijia. What kind of person would dare harbor such ambition and delusion?

Moreover, Narakuten also stated that the Great Emperor of Nine Hells was "seemingly moving towards unification" of the Glimmering Gold Plains, implying a real possibility of success!

"What does this have to do with He Lingchuan?" He Chunhua wondered. "Could he have traveled across vast oceans to work for the Great Emperor of Nine Hells?" If so, that would be truly astonishing.