Chapter 22: Chapter 23: Father Screws Over Son

"It was originally only a thirty percent chance, but now it’s increased to at least fifty percent." National Preceptor Sunx glanced in the direction of the Panlong Desert. "Assuming the anomaly in the desert doesn’t exceed the intelligence I possess."

Hee Chunhua walked back, his expression slowly hardening with resolve. "Alright, I’ll go!"

The gazes of the soldiers below the platform instantly filled with even greater respect.

The Hee Brothers were shocked. "Father, it needn’t come to this!"

They started to rush forward, but Hee Chunhua barked a sharp command, forcing them back.

The Lord Governor was slightly angered. "Stop this pulling and tugging! What would people think? Don’t you see how many people are watching?" Having said his piece, he turned and ordered Zeng Feixiong, "Move out!"

The column of nearly three hundred men set off, heading north along the Official Road.

Only then did Hee Chunhua sigh and say to his sons, "I have already languished at this border for twenty years. But you are young. You absolutely cannot be buried here as well. If this mission succeeds, your starting point will be the Great Capital!"

Twenty years of personal experience had taught him that in a remote and impoverished place like this, even a man with world-altering talent would have no way to display it. Taking one risk to allow the Hee Family to return to the Great Capital—this deal was actually a great bargain.

"The kingdom is in turmoil. This place, by contrast, is a paradise." Hee Lingchuan couldn’t hold back any longer. "Dad, there’s nothing wrong with Black Water City. A whimsical treasure hunt isn’t worth you risking your life!"

’Seriously, this place is great. He actually liked it a lot, even if the sandstorms were a bit much, the food a bit coarse, and he was sick to death of mutton and beef... Hey, but can we just not stir up trouble?’

’If the Prefect kicks the bucket, who’s going to take over? Who can keep things under control? The family’s good days will be over.’

"It is my duty to serve the kingdom to the best of my ability. You’ll understand when you’re older." ’In truth, with the National Preceptor and the Royal Decree right here, there was no way to refuse. This child, sixteen years old and still so naive!’ Hee Chunhua patted his eldest son’s shoulder, then turned to Hee Yue. "While I am away, Yue’Er will assist and manage the prefecture’s affairs. You have always been steady and strategic. If I do not return, you must take care of the Hee Family, and take care of your mother."

Hee Lingchuan couldn’t help but turn to Sunx Fuping. "Can’t we wait? We’ll find someone else to lead the team!"

"We can wait, but every official we find will have to undergo this test." Sunx Fuping pointed at the large water vat. "An army on the march relies on its initial burst of momentum. A second attempt saps morale, and a third exhausts it. By then, we would be completely unable to contend with the Panlong Desert."

Morale was at its peak right now. If they repeated the test a few more times, the soldiers would grow weary.

Besides, the troops were already on the move. Once an arrow is loosed from the bow, it cannot be recalled.

Hee Yue’s eyes reddened. He grabbed his father’s hand, pulled him aside, and lowered his voice. "Dad, this is a trap they’ve set for you!"

"How could I not know?" Hee Chunhua shook his head slightly. He looked at Hee Lingchuan, who had followed them, hesitated for a long moment, and finally said, "Chuan’Er, you will accompany me."

Those few words struck Hee Lingchuan like a thunderbolt, making his head buzz.

"What? Dad, I..." ’I don’t want to go!’

’Why should he have to go on a journey with a one-in-ten chance of survival?’

’Didn’t Hee Chunhua dote on his eldest son? Why was he telling him to go to his death?’

"From the day you were born, the Great Shaman said you were a lucky star, that you could turn any disaster into fortune." Hee Chunhua seemed to find it difficult to say, but he continued, "For more than ten years, the Hee Family’s prosperity has proven his words true. This trip to Panlong is fraught with unpredictable dangers. That’s why... that’s why I need your good luck! Besides, your martial skills are impressive. I’ll feel more at ease with a family member protecting me."

He grabbed Hee Lingchuan’s arm and subconsciously glanced at Sunx Fuping before whispering, "I have a feeling this is also a great opportunity for the Hee Family. Chuan’Er, I’m counting on you for my safety!"

Hee Lingchuan felt a bitter taste rise in his mouth, as if it were about to start bubbling. He wanted to say no. But could he?

From its founding, the Da Yuan Empire, like any other regime, had painstakingly indoctrinated its ministers and common people with the virtues of loyalty between ruler and subject, and filial piety between father and son. For Hee Chunhua to worry about his own safety and ask his eldest son to accompany him—what could be more normal?

The Xunzhou Governor had done something even more outrageous, sending his own son directly into this dangerous venture. Compared to that, what Hee Chunhua was doing was nothing.

Besides, under the watchful eyes of so many, could Hee Lingchuan really open his mouth and say, "I won’t"?

Yes, he could.

"Dad, I won’t—"

Hee Lingchuan was just about to unleash his original body’s unreasonable and defiant nature, but unfortunately, Hee Chunhua knew his son too well. He gave him no chance to consider, struggle, or refuse, pre-emptively announcing in a loud voice to Sunx Fuping, "National Preceptor, Chuan’Er will go with me!"

His voice was so resonant that the vanguard of the troops turned to look.

’Well, that settles it.’

It also choked back Hee Lingchuan’s final refusal.

Hee Chunhua patted his eldest son’s shoulder and said with emotion, "Good boy!"

Hee Yue watched from the side, dumbfounded. Although it was common these days for fathers and sons to go into battle together, hadn’t his father always favored his elder brother? Why insist on bringing him along for such a great risk?

’The refusal was written all over his brother’s face.’

Nian Songyu heard as well and waved to Hee Lingchuan. "Excellent. We can get better acquainted on the road."

What else could Hee Lingchuan say? Staring at Nian Songyu’s delighted smile, his mouth felt dry and bitter. "Fine. I’ll go prepare some supplies."

’This send-off for the expedition team had turned into a send-off for his father, which in the end, turned into a send-off for himself.’

’All he could say was that life was full of surprises.’

The person his red-eyed younger brother was tearfully telling to be careful on the road had suddenly become him.

Hee Yue grabbed his arm and suddenly lowered his voice. "Be careful of those two."

"You think I don’t know that?" Hee Lingchuan rolled his eyes. "Uncle Hao, I’m entrusting my younger brother’s safety to you."

Uncle Hao nodded.

He had a grudge against Nian Songyu, so for this perilous journey into the Panlong Desert, Hee Chunhua had decisively kept him out of it to avoid trouble.

Hee Lingchuan was extremely envious that he could stay out of it, but for now, all he could do was force a dry smile and wave goodbye.

Glancing at Hee Chunhua again, a thought suddenly popped into his head:

’Is it possible that this father’s feelings for his eldest son weren’t as deep as Hee Lingchuan’s original self had believed?’

’Recalling the memories of his original self, this father of his was thoughtful and comprehensive, but also brave enough to take risks and rarely hesitated. He was indeed a man destined for great things. But!’

’But now that he thought about it, whenever his dad took a risk, it seemed his eldest son was always by his side.’

’Had his status as a lucky star really been certified?’ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

...

The Panlong Desert had not yet entered the Sandstorm Season, so Red Cliff Road was bustling with people.

With little more than ten days left until the deadline, everyone was hurrying along.

Before setting out, Hee Lingchuan had already changed his mount and loaded it with supplies. He now wore a white robe that covered everything but his face.

When the sun rose, the heat in the desert became frightening. After walking without any cover for a quarter of an hour, Hee Lingchuan’s entire body was scorching hot. He suspected that if he poured water on himself, it would turn to steam.

In reality, they hadn’t even entered the true desert yet. Low-lying sea buckthorn, winterfat, and achnatherum splendens were often visible, with Haloxylon ammodendron and purple-stemmed willows scattered about.

As the main thoroughfare in and out of Black Water City, the sides of the road were littered with all sorts of things: dilapidated boxes, scraps of cloth, bottles, and the half-rotten carcass of a jackal. Hee Lingchuan even saw a small tuft of black hair, which looked human, caught on a stalk of achnatherum splendens, fluttering in the wind.