Chapter 00186: A Night of Chaos
# A Night of Chaos
Chapter 186
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 186: A Night of Chaos
He Chunhua coughed lightly; it wouldn’t be good to admit he didn’t know, right?
He Lingchuan yearned for a moment, then said, “The ways of the immortals are truly varied. I wonder what the ancient times were like; I really want to witness it.”
“There are historical records stating that during that time, immortals and demons roamed freely, and giant monsters rampaged. Ordinary people could only crawl on the ground, mere ants,” He Chunhua replied lightly. “Both the immortals and the giant monsters had the power to move mountains and fill seas, often devouring an entire city’s populace. Compared to that time, I still feel that the present is somewhat better.”
He continued, “News from the front lines has come in; Yan Zanli is launching a fierce offensive on the northern front. After tonight’s incident, it is expected that the Wang Court will order me to head north as soon as possible, no later than within two days. Although Shi Huan encountered danger this time, after returning Zhu Xiuer, many parties have shown goodwill, allowing me to better gauge the movements of the Wang Court.”
He Lingchuan acted nonchalant, “Old man, our new territory is in the north, with little interaction with the Wang Court. Recruiting soldiers and gathering resources relies entirely on ourselves, without needing to curry favor with the capital and those corrupt nobles like Shi Huan.”
His words were blunt, but this was his style, and He Chunhua had grown accustomed to it. “This is the way of governance, and it is also a precaution for the future. In times of crisis, even if I do not expect anyone in the court to speak for me, at the very least, I hope they won’t hinder me or secretly plot against me.”
He sighed, “How many loyal ministers and good generals throughout history have not died on the battlefield but have instead perished at the hands of treachery?” After saying this, he looked at He Lingchuan and said, “Your thoughts are sharp today, and your performance has been outstanding. Even General Ke has praised you endlessly; very good, very good.”
The two demon puppets sent by Dong Rui were extremely difficult to deal with, but looking back at the entire battle, whether it was delaying the werewolf or subduing the ghost ape, his eldest son had actually played a crucial role.
Was it just luck? He Chunhua increasingly did not think so.
A father knows his son best.
The father cast a contemplative glance, but He Lingchuan felt a slight shock in his heart.
The phrase “sharp thoughts” had originally been used to praise He Yue, but this time it was directed at his eldest son.
While others hoped to be recognized, only He Lingchuan often used the old turtle demon’s saying “hiding one’s edge and preserving one’s simplicity” to encourage himself to be a bit duller.
Tonight, the whole family encountered danger, and he failed to keep a low profile, leading to suspicion.
This was not good.
He Lingchuan raised his head deliberately and said, “General Ke thinks I am a talent sent from heaven; that can’t be wrong. When we reach the northern border, I also want to go to the front lines to lead troops and slay enemies, achieving unparalleled merit!”
“Just driving off two demon beasts, and you think you’re invincible?” He Chunhua laughed and scolded, “Alright, I’ll give you that chance then; just don’t embarrass yourself!”
He Lingchuan seized the opportunity, “Then can you make me a duwei for a while?”
“Military merits must be earned by oneself.” He Chunhua stood up, “Let’s go find the wolf demons; let them choose their companions quickly. The longer the night, the more dreams there will be.”
He Yue was taken aback, “Even at night?” It was still midnight, with two hours until dawn.
“General Ke’s trip to the capital won’t be smooth sailing.” He Chunhua also looked at the sky, “We’d better finish our tasks before any changes occur.”
The “alliance contract” recognized by the rock wolves required two freshly slaughtered lambs, the steaming kind.
The leftover lamb from the inn last night would definitely not suffice.
At this late hour, the butcher shop would not be open, so Mao Tao used silver to knock on the door of the nearest slaughterhouse in Shi Huan City, selecting two lively lambs from the back, thus fulfilling the promise to the wolf pack.
These lambs were all under a year old, with tender meat, indeed deserving of He Lingchuan’s description of “youthful age.” The two giant wolves were very satisfied with their meal.
Next, they would need to establish a one-on-one alliance with the wolf demons.
This was a process of mutual selection; both the humans and wolves had to find each other agreeable to reach an agreement.
Lu Xin walked straight to He Lingchuan’s side without a second thought, “I choose him!”
He Lingchuan’s performance tonight was the best in the entire venue, and the rock wolves had long noticed it.
He Lingchuan was overjoyed, “You have good taste!” Besides Lu Ze, it had the highest status among the wolf pack, the most imposing appearance, and the fiercest gaze.
If He Lingchuan took it out for a stroll, the rate of turning heads should be off the charts, right?
The remaining giant wolf, Lu Jin, walked around He Chunhua, Zeng Feixiong, Wu Shaoyi, and others under the expectant gazes of everyone, sniffing here and there, and finally stood beside He Yue, “I choose him!”
He Yue was momentarily taken aback, “... Thank you?”
This imposing black giant wolf did not choose his father or Zeng Feixiong but specifically chose him; was this a connection?
Lu Jin puffed out its chest and grinned at He Yue with a wicked smile, “Young master, I’ll protect you from now on!”
Those who were not chosen inevitably felt disappointed, and He Lingchuan clicked his tongue in wonder, secretly asking Lu Xin, “Is my second son really that popular?”
Lu Xin’s long wolf face showed no expression, “He looks weaker, so he needs the strongest protector.”
That sounded reasonable.
Next, the humans and wolves established their contracts one-on-one, and the process went smoothly without need for elaboration.
Once the contract was set, He Chunhua ordered everyone to return and rest.
...
Before dawn, He Chunhua was shaken awake.
Ying Hongchan gently patted his shoulder, “Sir, Zhao Qinghe has something to report.”
What could be so urgent that it couldn’t wait until daytime? He Chunhua’s heart tightened, and he quickly got up to dress; Zhao Qinghe was already waiting for him in the corner of the small courtyard.
“What is it?” In the cold, He Chunhua wrapped his robe tightly.
Zhao Qinghe had now been promoted to Zeng Feixiong’s deputy: “Sir, do you remember Rui Manzi from the support army?”
“I personally selected him to join the team; how could I forget?” He Chunhua sensed something was amiss, “What happened to him?”
“Last night, he and another soldier drank until they were completely drunk. After leaving the tavern, they encountered a woman who flirted with them and went to her home for the night. During that time, he said some reckless things and boasted about the battle by Xianling Lake. His companion, after sobering up from vomiting, recalled that their conversation was inappropriate and violated your gag order, so he came to report to me.”
After the battle at Xianling Village, He Chunhua had issued a gag order to the entire army, strictly prohibiting them from discussing or spreading that past, with severe penalties for violators.
This was a military order.
“Did they mention anything in the tavern?”
“No.”
“Only spoke at the woman’s place?”
“Yes,” Zhao Qinghe replied, “It was also that woman who actively asked when the new adopted daughter of the stewardess joined the team.”
“Actively asked?” He Chunhua narrowed his eyes, “When did Rui Manzi return to his residence?”
“Fifteen minutes ago. The two of them encountered patrols on the way, and the other party let them go after checking their waist tokens.”
“It’s not yet dawn, and the curfew hasn’t ended.” He Chunhua looked at the sky, “Commoners can’t go out yet; that woman will have to wait until dawn to send a message and claim her reward. You still have time.”
“Sir, please give your orders.”
“Do what needs to be done, but don’t cause trouble for the city’s patrols.” He Chunhua’s eyes were filled with compassion, “Zhu Xiuer has just managed to escape from the mire; she still has to live in Shi Huan, and her reputation must not be tarnished.”
“By the way, Rui Manzi violated the military order; he should receive twenty strokes and be punished again in Xiazhou.” Once a person was beaten, they needed time to recover, and they still had a long journey ahead, “Also, send out another order: the support army is strictly prohibited from drinking while in Shi Huan City!”
After finishing, he wrapped his hands and returned to his room to rest.
￥￥￥￥￥
“Bang bang bang,” someone knocked on the door.
He Lingchuan was dreaming of shooting arrows when the knocking startled him awake, causing his arrow to go awry.
Before he could curse, the anxious voice of the steward, Old Mo, came through, “Young master, hurry up! Someone from the palace has arrived!”
From the palace?
He Lingchuan rolled out of bed and opened the door.
Two guards entered and helped him quickly dress and put on his shoes.
He rushed to the front courtyard of the inn, where the He family had gathered.
A short, plump eunuch with a pale face came to deliver the imperial edict:
The king summons the governor of Xiazhou, He Chunhua, to the palace for an audience!
Entering the palace at dawn?
After delivering the imperial will, the plump eunuch smiled at He Chunhua, “Governor He, please.”
He Chunhua adjusted his attire, and He Lingchuan saw his father, full of vitality and spirit, striding out, showing no signs of fatigue after a fierce battle and a night without sleep.
A group of people rushed in and out, and Madam Ying smiled, “Entering the palace overnight; it seems the king values this greatly.”
He Lingchuan yawned widely, “Is everything alright? I’m going back to sleep.”
It had nothing to do with him anyway; he was just there to accompany the delivery of the edict.
...
In this second sleep, he could not return to the dream of Panlong City but instead dreamt of the cave of the immortals.
To be precise, he “saw” the divine bone necklace sinking three zhang below the surface, where the rock and soil seemed to be guided, all pouring into the hole at the center of the divine bone, with no exit.
Soon, a grain-sized, inconspicuous light red crystal was also drawn in.
It seemed very reluctant; the crystal cracked midway, turning into a thin wisp of red mist, trying to escape in the opposite direction.
However, the power of the divine bone was stronger, forcibly pulling it in, ultimately sucking it into the ring.
The movement underground ceased, and the divine bone necklace quickly rose back to the surface.
Then, He Lingchuan was awakened by a series of sharp whistles.
He also heard hurried footsteps, shouts, and curses passing by outside the inn, growing fainter.
Was this still allowing people to sleep?
He Yue happened to pass by outside, and He Lingchuan rubbed his eyes and called out to him, “What happened outside?”
But he was thinking about the dream he just had.
Was this what happened below the surface when he entered the cave of the immortals last time?
The divine bone necklace absorbed that wisp of red mist, and after that, did the Panlong dream allow him to enter and exit freely?
“The officials are arresting people, and all inns and bathhouses have been strictly ordered not to accept new guests. They also have to submit the list of old guests,” He Yue said, “Just now, dozens of people were tied up and taken away across the street, looking like candied hawthorn.”
Shi Huan City had an entire street of bathhouses, which provided overnight services in addition to bathing, so they were also under supervision.
He Lingchuan understood, “The Wang Court is quite quick to act.”
“Rebels have infiltrated Shi Huan City and assassinated officials of the Wang Court. This is right under the emperor’s nose; how could it not attract attention?” He Yue asked him, “How is your injury?”
He Lingchuan’s left shoulder had only been raised halfway when he cried out in pain.
The medicine monkey Lingguang brought over the pills: “Don’t move your shoulder, master; don’t strain your muscles or bones. I’ll change two more types of medicine for you; you’ll be fine in four days at most; the other injuries will be almost healed in these two days.”
(This chapter ends)