Chapter 00022: A Father Trapping His Son
# A Father Trapping His Son
Chapter 22
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 22: A Father Trapping His Son
"Originally, the chances were only thirty percent, but now they’ve increased to at least fifty percent," Grand Tutor Sun glanced toward the Coiling Dragon Desert.
"That is, if the anomalies in the desert haven’t exceeded the information I possess."
He Chunhua walked back, his expression gradually firming.
"Alright, I’ll go!"
The soldiers below immediately looked at him with even greater respect.
The He brothers were shocked.
"Father, why go this far?"
They rushed forward, only to be stopped by He Chunhua’s sharp command, "Step back!"
The prefectural governor was slightly annoyed.
"What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging? Don’t you see how many people are watching?" He then turned to Zeng Feixiong and ordered, "Let’s move out!"
A team of nearly three hundred people set off north along the official road.
Only then did He Chunhua sigh and say to his sons, "I’ve wasted twenty years at the border, but you two are still young. You can’t be buried here. If this mission succeeds, your starting point will be in the capital!"
Twenty years of personal experience had taught him that even with great talent, there was no way to shine in a remote place.
Taking this risk could bring the He family back to the capital.
It was a worthwhile gamble.
"The country is in turmoil, but this place is like a paradise," He Lingchuan couldn’t hold back.
"Father, Blackwater City isn’t bad at all. A vague treasure hunt isn’t worth risking your life!"
Really, this place was fine.
He liked it a lot, even though the sandstorms were harsh, the food was rough, and eating too much beef and lamb made him sick of it… But couldn’t they just avoid unnecessary trouble?
If the prefect died, who would take over? Who could keep things under control? The family’s good days would be over.
"Serving the country is a duty. You’ll understand when you’re older," He Chunhua said.
In truth, with the Grand Tutor here and the king’s order, there was no way to refuse.
This child, already sixteen, still didn’t understand! He patted his eldest son’s shoulder and turned to He Yue.
"While I’m away, you’ll assist in managing the prefecture. You’ve always been steady and wise. If I don’t return, take care of the He family and your mother."
He Lingchuan couldn’t help but turn to Sun Fuping.
"Can’t we wait? Let’s find someone else to lead the team!"
"We can wait, but every official we find will have to go through this test," Sun Fuping pointed at the large water vat.
"An army’s morale is strongest at the start. If we delay too long, the soldiers will grow weary. By then, we won’t stand a chance against the Coiling Dragon Desert."
Morale was at its peak now.
If they delayed any longer, the soldiers would tire.
Besides, the team had already set off.
Once the arrow was shot, there was no turning back.
He Yue’s eyes reddened as he grabbed his father’s hand and pulled him aside, lowering his voice.
"Father, this is a trap they’ve set!"
"How could I not know?" He Chunhua shook his head slightly, glancing at He Lingchuan, who had followed.
After hesitating, he said, "Lingchuan, you’ll come with me."
These words struck He Lingchuan like a thunderbolt, leaving his head buzzing.
"What? Father, I…" I don’t want to go!
A life-threatening adventure—why should he join?
Wasn’t He Chunhua supposed to dote on his eldest son? Why drag him along to die?
"Since the day you were born, the Grand Shaman said you were a lucky star, able to turn calamity into fortune," He Chunhua seemed reluctant to say it but continued, "For over a decade, the He family has prospered, proving his words true. This journey to the Coiling Dragon Desert is unpredictable. I need your good luck! Besides, you’re skilled in martial arts. With you by my side, I’ll feel safer."
He grabbed He Lingchuan’s arm, glancing at Sun Fuping twice, and whispered, "I feel this is a great opportunity for the He family. Lingchuan, your father’s safety depends on you!"
He Lingchuan felt like bitter water was bubbling up in his mouth.
He wanted to say no, but could he really refuse?
Since the founding of the Great Falcon Kingdom, the rulers had instilled the principles of loyalty and filial piety into their subjects, just like other regimes.
Wasn’t it perfectly normal for He Chunhua, concerned for his safety, to have his eldest son accompany him?
The governor of Xunzhou had gone even further, sending his own son on this dangerous mission.
Compared to that, what He Chunhua was doing was nothing.
Besides, with so many people watching, could He Lingchuan really say "no"?
He could.
"Father, I don’t…"
He Lingchuan was about to unleash his usual stubbornness, but He Chunhua knew his son too well.
He didn’t give him a chance to think, hesitate, or refuse.
Instead, he loudly declared to Sun Fuping, "Grand Tutor, Lingchuan will accompany me!"
His voice was so loud that even the soldiers at the front turned to look.
And with that, the decision was made.
He Lingchuan’s last chance to refuse was stifled.
He Chunhua patted his eldest son’ shoulder and sighed, "Good child!"
He Yue stood by, dumbfounded.
While it wasn’t uncommon for fathers and sons to fight side by side, hadn’t their father always favored his eldest brother? Why drag him along on such a dangerous mission?
It was clear from his brother’s face that he didn’t want to go.
Nian Songyu overheard and waved at He Lingchuan.
"Excellent, we’ll get to know each other better on the road."
What could He Lingchuan say? Looking at Nian Songyu’s cheerful smile, his mouth felt dry and bitter.
"Alright, I’ll go prepare some supplies."
What had started as a farewell for the expedition team turned into a farewell for his father, and now, a farewell for himself.
Life was full of surprises.
The person his younger brother tearfully warned to be careful on the road was now him.
He Yue grabbed his arm and suddenly lowered his voice.
"Be careful of those two."
"Do I need you to tell me?" He Lingchuan rolled his eyes.
"Uncle Hao, take care of my younger brother’s safety."
Uncle Hao nodded.
He had a grudge with Nian Songyu, so He Chunhua had wisely kept him out of this mission to avoid trouble.
He Lingchuan envied his uncle’s detachment but could only offer a dry smile and wave goodbye.
As he glanced at He Chunhua, a thought suddenly crossed his mind:
Was it possible that this father’s affection for his eldest son wasn’t as deep as He Lingchuan’s original self had believed?
Recalling the memories of his original self, this father was indeed thoughtful and daring, rarely hesitating—a man who could achieve great things.
But!
There was always a "but."
Whenever their father took risks, his eldest son was always by his side.
Had his identity as a "lucky star" really been verified?
...
The Coiling Dragon Desert hadn’t yet entered its sandstorm season, and the Red Cliff Road was bustling with people.
With only a dozen or so days left before the deadline, everyone was in a hurry.
Before setting off, He Lingchuan had changed his mount and packed supplies.
Now, dressed in a white robe with only his face uncovered, he was ready.
As the sun rose, the desert became unbearably hot.
After walking for just fifteen minutes without any shade, He Lingchuan felt like his body was on fire.
He suspected that if he poured water on himself, it would instantly turn to steam.
They hadn’t even entered the true desert yet.
Around them, they could still see small shrubs like saxaul, wintergreen, and needlegrass, with scattered tamarisk and purple willow trees.
As the only road leading in and out of Blackwater City, the sides of the path were littered with all sorts of things: broken crates, scraps of fabric, bottles, and even half-rotted jackal carcasses.
He Lingchuan even spotted a small tuft of black hair waving in the wind on a needlegrass plant—it looked human.
(End of Chapter)