Chapter 00096: Waking Up at the Wrong Time
# Waking Up at the Wrong Time
Chapter 96
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 96: Waking Up at the Wrong Time
This was an illusion, or perhaps a piece of history from the distant past.
"You were born before me, so how could these people truly remember him?"
"Hand me two more crossbow bolts."
Hu Min reached behind him to his quiver and found only two bolts left: "One for you, one for me."
If it weren't for Prefect Sun's chest, these supplies would have been exhausted long ago.
He helped He Lingchuan load the bolt: "Any last words?"
"Yes," He Lingchuan raised his crossbow, aiming at the enemy formation.
"I just want to know why Prefect Sun was running away with a bear trap?"
Several soldiers nearby chuckled at his words.
Hu Min couldn't help but glance at him a few more times: "If any of us make it back alive, we'll figure it out and burn some paper to let you know, alright?"
"Sounds good."
A sharp crack echoed as the carriage was smashed to pieces.
The last line of defense was about to fall.
From He Lingchuan's vantage point, he could see his comrades slightly hunched, their legs bent in a horse stance, ready to face the surging tide of enemies.
He propped himself up against the earthen wall of the riverbank and stood tall.
If this was the final battle, he wouldn't die lying down.
"Whoosh!" The last bolt flew, taking down an enemy.
With his accuracy, at least it wasn't wasted.
The Balin soldiers charged forward like a tidal wave.
He Lingchuan tossed aside his crossbow, drew his long blade, and strode forward to meet them.
It was time for close combat.
At that moment, a shadow suddenly fell from the sky.
A Balin soldier had just rushed up to He Lingchuan, but before he could strike, something plummeted from above and knocked his enemy to the ground.
It was a short-haired monstrous bird, nearly three feet tall, with a sharp beak and jagged teeth.
Its wings resembled those of a bat, with sharp claws at the tips.
Its wingspan was an astonishing two zhang (about 6.6 meters).
As soon as it landed, it let out a deafening screech that made He Lingchuan's eardrums ache.
The allies were fine, but many Balin soldiers clutched their ears, staggering a few steps.
Clearly, this creature had some kind of sonic attack.
If not for the protection of the Sheji Token, ordinary people would have been knocked unconscious on the spot.
He Lingchuan was stunned.
This thing looked so familiar—wasn't it the demon bird from the Panlong Illusion?
Of course, there were some differences from the one in the Panlong Illusion.
For one, it was much smaller, and its body wasn't deathly pale.
It looked alive, its eyes darting around...
And He Lingchuan was certain it wasn't formed from a swarm of bats.
But the fact that something from the illusion had appeared here meant—
Hu Min, lying on the ground, shouted: "Reinforcements are here!"
His voice was filled with the joy of surviving a near-death experience.
Almost simultaneously, a long, resounding horn blast echoed from behind the Balin army.
From their position on the slope, they could see chaos breaking out in the enemy's rear under the flashes of lightning in the sky.
It seemed a new army had suddenly appeared from behind, their banners fluttering in the wind.
Commander Xiao also raised his spear and shouted: "Hold on, brothers! General Hong is here!"
General Hong!
That name seemed to carry a magical power, instantly injecting new energy into the exhausted soldiers.
Everyone felt as if the blades they could barely hold onto suddenly became light and easy to wield.
He Lingchuan cut down an enemy but swayed unsteadily.
He was already at his limit, every breath straining his chest.
The effects of the medicine had worn off, and every movement was excruciating.
Commander Xiao even had the time to steady him, patting his chest and saying: "Hold on, we've won!"
Nothing could sound sweeter than those four words.
The dawn of victory was ahead, in that army of reinforcements that had bared its fangs, like a dragon plunging into the sea.
He Lingchuan couldn't help but climb onto a large rock, wanting to catch a glimpse of the legendary General Hong.
Logically, General Hong should be beneath that fluttering crimson banner.
His gaze followed the banner downward, and suddenly, the world spun.
...
"No, no, no, no, no—ah!"
He Lingchuan sat up with a roar, startling the servant beside him.
"What are you doing?" He Lingchuan glared at him angrily.
He had been so close, just a little bit more, and he could have seen General Hong!
To be shaken awake at this moment made He Lingchuan's lungs nearly burst with frustration.
"Young master, please calm down!" The servant stammered, terrified by the young master's morning temper.
"The master has summoned you to the side hall immediately. There's important news to announce. The mistress and second young master are already there."
"Important news? What news?"
"I'm not sure, but the master seems very anxious."
"Got it!" He Lingchuan waved him away, rubbing his face in frustration.
It was already morning outside, with a gentle breeze and clear skies.
The old osmanthus tree shed its petals, a few drifting into the room.
It was a peaceful morning, just like any other.
No one knew that He Lingchuan had dreamt of Panlong, where he had spent a bloody and endless night.
Wait, his left hand.
He lifted his left hand and flexed his fingers.
Hmm, completely intact and still nimble.
It really was just a dream, though the pain had felt so real.
But since the injuries didn't carry over into reality, he felt relieved.
He Lingchuan took a moment to calm himself before getting up to dress.
Did the Gale Army win that riverbed battle in the end?
There shouldn't have been any doubt.
Commander Xiao had promised him that if he made it back alive, he could join the city guard.
He didn't want to be a city guard, but maybe he could get closer to those soldiers.
What a pity.
By exiting the dream, all the goodwill he'd built up overnight was probably reset to zero.
He Lingchuan sighed, but as he buttoned his robe, he suddenly noticed the divine bone pendant hanging on his chest was emitting a faint red glow.
"Huh? What's going on?"
He picked up the pendant to examine it, but the glow had already faded, as if the flash had been just his imagination.
It usually had no presence, living up to its grand name only in the Panlong Illusion, where it had triggered a passive effect, helping him resist the fiery inferno cast by Sun Fuping.
He Lingchuan fiddled with it, twisting and turning it, even channeling some qi into it, but nothing unusual happened.
Oh well, time to head to the side hall.
￥￥￥￥￥
The family was gathered around the dining table, chatting happily.
As soon as He Lingchuan stepped into the side hall, He Chunhua waved him over, beaming: "Come quickly, we have good news!"
He Lingchuan walked over and pulled out a chair: "Dad, did you get a promotion?"
The old steward brought him a bowl of lamb noodle soup.
The broth had been simmered for two hours, paired with hand-pulled noodles and a sprinkle of fresh green scallions.
It looked simple but was rich in flavor.
He Lingchuan sat down and slurped a few mouthfuls.
Ah, refreshing!
Come to think of it, his appetite seemed to have grown again.
One or two bowls definitely wouldn't be enough.
He Yue didn't bicker with him today either, instead saying: "It really is good news."
Even Madam Ying was smiling, her face full of joy.
"The memorial has reached the capital, and the court is in an uproar!" He Chunhua spoke slowly and deliberately.
"For our merits in quelling the rebellion, especially for executing the traitor Sun Fuping, the imperial court has ordered me to be promoted to Governor of Xiazhou, effective immediately!"
He placed a scroll on the table: "The decree has arrived, and the rewards are on their way."
He Lingchuan slapped his thigh, his face lighting up with joy: "Skipping several ranks in one go, straight to the top! Dad, our family has struck it rich!"
(End of Chapter)