Chapter 789: Chaos Gradually Erupts

He Chunhua murmured, "Dead and resurrected?" He repeated the words, adding, "Yes, in the past ten months or so, there hasn't been a single day as joyful as today!"

Madam Ying smiled, "Chuan'er has matured; he's achieved so much, completely unlike his old self. He's even become a special envoy for Rongshan. For this to happen at such a critical juncture, it's truly a stroke of luck for your family."

At this, a smile finally bloomed on He Chunhua's face. He lightly patted the table, exclaiming, "This is truly a gift from heaven!"

With the power of appropriation now in his eldest son's hands, the Yuan Imperial Court would have to treat the He family with more consideration if they wanted to secure the funds.

He Chunhua's stack of bargaining chips had grown considerably.

It was a matter of timing and destiny. If he failed to seize this opportunity, he feared heaven itself would reproach him.

Madam Ying then asked him, "Almost a year of amnesia—do you truly believe Chuan'er's experience was so extraordinary?"

"Then where do you suppose he went?"

Madam Ying gave him a light push. "How would I know?"

"No one knows, so we'll believe whatever he tells us," He Chunhua said, taking a sip of the leftover wine. "At least he returned unharmed, full of life, and brought us a great gift, didn't he?"

Amnesia? He didn't believe a word of it.

Over those ten months, where had his eldest son truly been? What had he done? And why had his demeanor and cultivation undergone such profound changes?

When He Chunhua gazed at his eldest son, he couldn't see through him in the slightest.

A sharp sword is forged through tempering. How could someone who lived a muddled life possibly achieve such a transformation?

Madam Ying snorted, almost forgetting how fiercely her husband protected his eldest son.

"Since you don't plan to conceal Chuan'er's appointment as Rongshan's special envoy, this news will spread throughout the capital within two days. When the overwhelming pressure comes, you must warn him to stand firm."

"I don't think I need to," He Chunhua chuckled. "Chuan'er has grown up."

"Last time we passed through Shihuan, Ke Jihai highly praised him as a military talent," Madam Ying said, resting her chin in her hand thoughtfully. "Oh, by the way, should we arrange a marriage for Chuan'er? Even Yue'er is already..."

"Yes!" He Chunhua nodded. "You've reminded me well, my dear."

"Oh?" Madam Ying was somewhat surprised. In the past, whenever she brought this up, her husband always said there was no rush, but now his attitude had suddenly done a complete U-turn.

"In a few more months, Chuan'er will be eighteen; he's no longer a child," He Chunhua mused. "Find a good match and have him marry as soon as possible!"

"As soon as possible?" Madam Ying chuckled. "Are you eager for grandchildren?"

"Of course," He Chunhua stated plainly. "Those his age are already fathers."

This time, his smile didn't reach his eyes; even Madam Ying could see it.

After Madam Ying rose and departed, Steward Wu approached.

"My lord, the Rongshan disciples brought by the young master have all been settled in the residence. One named Qiu Hu claims to be a personal guard and insists on staying in the same courtyard as the young master. The young master has agreed."

He Chunhua grunted, "Let him. Send someone to discreetly question these Rongshan people and find out how Chuan'er really joined the Rongshan Sect and what he did while he was there."

"Yes," Steward Wu replied. "Also, Ding Zuodong just came to report on the finances and, in the same breath, tendered his resignation."

"Resign?" He Chunhua frowned. "Why?"

Ding Zuodong was an excellent manager of their properties, even more capable than those He Chunhua had brought from Blackwater City. He Chunhua quickly realized, "Oh, did he come to the capital with Chuan'er?"

"He didn't explicitly say so, but I believe that's the case," Steward Wu replied. "Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that Ding Zuodong arrived yesterday and the young master appeared this morning? His stated reason for resigning is to return and serve the young master."

Firstly, the family had not yet formally separated, and secondly, all of He Lingchuan's former properties in Xiazhou had been transferred to He Chunhua. His eldest son had no estate to manage in Yuandu, so what exactly would Ding Zuodong be overseeing?

His resignation at this particular moment held more significance as a declaration of loyalty.

Was his eldest son truly so charismatic? What could make an old fox like Ding Zuodong remain so loyal to him? He Chunhua grunted, "And what about Shan Youjun?"

"I'm not entirely sure."

His son was still one to cling to old attachments. He Chunhua mused, "Hmm, go investigate what other people he brought with him, besides those from Rongshan."

He didn't want to be caught off guard when the time came.

Steward Wu acknowledged the order. Having served for many years, he could largely guess He Chunhua's thoughts. "Would you like me to send someone to investigate the places the young master claimed to have stayed...?" he asked.

"Shabutou?" He Chunhua said without hesitation. "No need. He's deceiving us; an investigation wouldn't uncover anything."

Amnesia after falling into the water? Ha, he didn't believe a single word.

If his eldest son truly intended to deceive him, why would he concoct such an absurd lie?

"He doesn't even put effort into his lies!"

Steward Wu dared not say more and simply stood to the side.

He Chunhua reined in his anger and glanced at him. "Is there anything else?"

"My lord, there's news from Blackwater City."

"Oh?" He Chunhua was somewhat surprised.

The He family had nearly been exterminated by the old monarch. He himself had been exiled to Blackwater City at eleven, and after enduring great hardships to rise to the position of Prefect, he still held a deep affection for the place.

But he had been away from Qiansong Commandery for over a year; what could possibly be happening in Blackwater City?

"This February, the Sandstorm Season in the Panlong Desert suddenly ceased and hasn't resumed since. Moreover, there have been seven or eight rainfalls in the desert. The air has become so moist that some Blackwater City residents are unaccustomed to it and have developed eczema."

He Chunhua frowned. "The Panlong Desert has no sandstorms and is now experiencing rain?"

While it was indeed the rainy season, rain in the Panlong Desert was unheard of.

For Blackwater City, this was truly a monumental change.

"Yes, even the Three Corpse Insects aren't appearing anymore."

"Wait, is this confirmed?" He Chunhua was startled. "The Three Corpse Insects have vanished too?"

"Absolutely true," Steward Wu confirmed. "Our people who remained there say that the Panlong Desert is now no different from any ordinary desert. There are no frenzied people or beasts, and merchants can travel freely without being confined to the Red Cliff Road."

"Even... even oases have appeared in the desert, and grass has begun to grow within the Panlong Ruins."

"What is happening?" He Chunhua mused. "For over a hundred years, the Sandstorm Season has never failed to appear."

He, along with Sun Fuping and others, had ventured into the Panlong Desert and knew well that the Sandstorm Season was caused by the Great Square Jar.

Now that the Sandstorm Season had suddenly vanished and rain had begun to fall in the desert, the most likely explanation was a change in the Great Square Jar!

The Great Square Jar...

The thought of that divine artifact stirred something within He Chunhua.

Previously, when he ventured into the Panlong Desert with Sun Fuping, beyond merely obeying orders, he had harbored thoughts of acquiring this valuable treasure. He had only given up when he realized it was impossible to take it with him.

"Rumors are swirling near Blackwater City and Red Cliff Road, claiming that the Panlong Ruins frequently glow with precious light at night, and that the Great Square Jar is soon to reappear."

He Chunhua scoffed. "Nonsense!"

He had personally visited the ruins and entered the secret realm, yet he had been unable to take the Great Square Jar.