After the Immortals disappeared

Nian Songyu spoke with an air of superiority:

"Governor He, are you familiar with the Endless Sea south of the Firmament? Year-round, it is plagued by hurricanes, treacherous currents, and roaming sea monsters. It is said to be a forbidden zone for the living. I was once ordered by the king to venture into the Endless Sea, and I not only entered it twice but also returned unscathed both times."

The implication was clear: these provincial folk didn't understand the scale of what was possible.

He Lingchuan coughed. "Did you have a guide when you ventured into the Endless Sea?"

"Of course."

"Then you must know," He Lingchuan continued, "that between September and March, or even as late as April, there are no guides willing to enter the Panlong Desert. No one dares."

He looked at his father. "In the past fifty years, the desert has claimed at least four thousand lives—that's just the number officially reported. The real figure is likely far higher. And when the desert is at its most dangerous, do you know how many people have returned alive?"

He raised a single finger. "One. Just one. And that person went mad. The shamans said he lost a soul and a spirit and would never recover his sanity."

Sun Fuping's eyes flickered slightly, but his demeanor remained composed. "The Grand Marshal has already sent people to search for something. If we find it, we may be able to traverse the desert safely. And, of course, I will do everything in my power to protect the team."

He Chunhua silently scoffed at the statement. Finally, they were laying their cards on the table. Outwardly, he feigned surprise. "What is this item the Grand Marshal seeks?"

The incident that had caused his son to fall from a cliff was likely connected to this search.

"It's a relic left behind by Zhong Shengguang. With it, we may gain the approval of the vengeful spirits guarding the ruins, allowing us safe passage," Nian Songyu explained. "The clues point to the sand leopards along the Red Cliff Road. Governor He, are you aware that Zhong Shengguang's spiritual pet was a sand leopard?"

"Yes, I've heard of it."

"The descendants of that leopard's kindred now reside in the Panlong Desert. We had a minor skirmish with them during our search," Nian Songyu said lightly. "Some leopards fled, and after searching for over forty days, we discovered that one may have entered Heishui City."

He Lingchuan chuckled. "That's easy. Just post notices all over the city: 'Wanted: Sand Leopard.' After all, this city is practically crawling with demons."

Sun Fuping turned to He Chunhua. "We'll need your help. Time is of the essence. The battle at Woling Pass is urgent, and every moment we delay costs more lives. Only by retrieving the Dafang Jar can we bring this unjust war to an end."

He Chunhua considered this for a moment before responding, "If the relic is found, I will provide the best guides to assist you."

"Guides alone won't suffice," Nian Songyu interjected. "We'll need a military escort. The Panlong ruins are a place of extreme malevolence, and only the protective power of the nation's destiny can suppress it."

This implied a force of at least 200 soldiers, led by an officer carrying a Sacrificial Order Token, which would allow them to channel the protective aura of the nation.

He Chunhua hesitated. Such a task was tantamount to a death sentence. What kind of officer would willingly take it on?

Sensing his reluctance, Sun Fuping added, "Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Governor He, but your ability to escape the accusations of blood sacrifice, your safe journey to Qiansong County, and even your subsequent promotions—these were not without the Grand Marshal's intervention."

This statement was sharp. He Chunhua's survival after his family's downfall had indeed been miraculous. He had been just an eleven-year-old child at the time, sent on a perilous journey of exile. Without money, resources, or influential benefactors, he could have easily become one of the countless nameless souls who perished along the way.

And yet, he had survived.

His later successes—earning recognition, promotions, and eventually governing Qiansong County—were undoubtedly due to his own efforts. But without someone speaking on his behalf in the capital, would those efforts have even been noticed?

Sun Fuping continued, "Retrieving the Dafang Jar and securing Woling Pass will be a monumental achievement. The king has personally decreed that anyone contributing to this mission will be promoted by one rank."

He Chunhua fell silent for a moment before nodding. "I will make the necessary arrangements. For now, Preceptor Sun and Commandant Nian, please rest at the guest pavilion. This evening, we will host a banquet in your honor at the Songhe Tower."

The two visitors, having achieved their goal, rose with satisfaction. The He family escorted them to the main gate, where they departed down the street.

Watching their figures disappear around the corner, He Lingchuan turned to his father. "Are you really going to send people into the Panlong Desert?"

He Chunhua didn't answer immediately. His expression was heavy with thought. Finally, he gave his son a single instruction: "Do not mention this matter to your mother." Then he walked away to attend to his duties.

Returning to the estate, He Lingchuan encountered his younger brother and mother in the garden.

"Who were the guests?" Ying Hongchan asked.

He Lingchuan replied solemnly, "The National Preceptor and the second son of the Xun Prefecture Governor. They came to discuss confidential matters with Father."

"A National Preceptor?" Ying Hongchan's expression shifted. "Which one?"

"Sun Fuping," He Lingchuan answered, emphasizing the name. "He came all the way from the capital."

This was no ordinary visitor. Even nobles treated a National Preceptor with the utmost reverence. Ying Hongchan was visibly surprised but refrained from probing further. Instead, she asked, "Is this good news or bad?"

"Both," He Lingchuan said gravely. "It depends on how Father handles it."

Ying Hongchan's gaze lingered on him. "Why did he take you along?"

"Involves me too," He Lingchuan replied, his tone darkening. "Mother, are you saying Father shouldn't involve me?"

His irritation was clear.

Ying Hongchan studied him for a moment. "You're not in trouble again, are you?"

"Why do you always assume that?" He Lingchuan retorted, his face hardening. "Am I only good for causing problems?"

Yet, her question hit uncomfortably close to the mark.

Ying Hongchan softened her tone. "Lingchuan, you're older now. You must be more sensible and dependable. It's time to help your father shoulder some of his burdens."

She glanced toward the gate. "I have to distribute food to the needy. You two talk."

With that, she left, escorted by her maids.

As soon as she was gone, He Yue turned to his brother. "Tea?"

He Lingchuan understood and followed him to the side hall.

As they walked, He Yue spoke. "Mother means well. She didn't mean to offend you."

"She's my mother too," He Lingchuan said dryly. "Do I need you to mediate? She dotes on you and finds me insufferable. It's been that way since we were kids. And don't bother denying it—denial is just an excuse."